FDUCE SL40 USB / XLR Dynamic Podcast Mic (Ft. Shure MV7, Deity VO-7U, Samson Q2U & Q9U, Rode PodMic)
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- Опубликовано: 21 июл 2024
- Today, I have the FDUCE SL40 USB / XLR mic in the Audio Hotline Studio! This dynamic cardioid microphone is meant to be used for Podcasting. This mic has a friendly price tag and a lot of great features... which means it could be a good option for people starting a podcast, IF you like the sound and feel like it would work with your voice, of course! I was happy to see that this microphone was capable of 24bit and 96kHz. A lot of mics like this, in this price category, are often capped at 16bit, so that's great. There are a lot of good things to say about this mic.... but not everything is perfect.
I go through the usual tests, and we talk about everything that this mic has to offer, the features, accessories, specs, and also a blind comparison!
Check out the testing and audio samples and see if this is right for you! Every person has different expectations of audio gear. If the features are what you need, and you like the sound, then it is right for you!
Thanks for watching the Audio Hotline! I'll see you Audio Nerds next time!
Mics in the Blind Comparison:
FDUCE SL40
Deity VO-7U
Shure MV7
Samson Q2U
Samson Q9U
Rode Podmic (w/ Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen)
Some Mystery Mics..... Maybe????
NOTE:
In the post-processing section, I wrote on the screen “high cut” but meant to type “high pass filter”
======TIMESTAMPS======
Intro / Being a Silly Billy: 0:00 - 0:50
SL40 Basics and Review Rundown: 0:50 - 1:59
FDUCE SL40 Accessories: 1:59 - 2:35
SL40 Accessories (My Opinion): 2:35 -3:32
FDUCE SL40 Features / Functionality: 3:32 - 4:29
Mic Features (My Opinion): 4:29 - 6:02
FDUCE Mic Specs: 6:02 - 6:29
My Opinion on Specs: 6:29 - 6:53
Testing Information: 6:53 - 7:13
Proximity Effect Tests: 7:13 - 7:33
Plosive Tests: 7:33 - 7:50
Noise Rejection Test: 7:50 - 7:57
Polar Pattern Test (White Noise): 7:57 - 8:09
Kitty Purr Test: 8:09 - 8:29
Distance Tests: 8:29 - 8:41
Spoken Word Test (XLR vs USB): 8:41 - 8:59
Post Processing Test: 8:59 - 9:34
Mute Button Test: 9:34 - 9:47
Acoustic and Electric Guitar Tests: 9:47 - 10:25
Blind Comparison Info: 10:25 - 10:40
Blind Comparison: 10:40 - 12:46
Blind Comparison Results: 12:46 - 13:43
My Review / My Opinion (XLR vs USB): 13:43 - 18:47
Thanks for watching!!!: 18:47 - 19:44
==================
======PRODUCTS IN REVIEW======
*Affiliate Links Below*
FDUCE SL40 Links:
Amazon: amzn.to/3nTsGvQ
Other Mics:
Deity VO-7U:
Amazon: amzn.to/3AF7bXt
Shure MV7
Amazon: amzn.to/3ItJzXu
B&H: bhpho.to/3P2fWz3
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/4eD4D9
Samson Q2U
Amazon: amzn.to/3Iz9Zr8
Samson Q9U
Amazon: amzn.to/3c6fph8
Rode Podmic
Amazon: amzn.to/3yBxxHj
B&H: bhpho.to/3OYN0Ir
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/6b949K
==================
======Audio Hotline Info======
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @audiohotline
Website: audiohotlinegear.com
E-Mail: audiohotline@gmail.com
Instagram: audiohotline
MERCH: teespring.com/stores/audiohotline
==========
GEAR I USE TO MAKE MY VIDEOS (w/ affiliate links):
============VIDEO============
Canon EOS R5:
Amazon: amzn.to/3gNBfnG
B&H: bhpho.to/2JTS3xx
Sigma EF 20mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2KoXsMK
B&H: bhpho.to/3aeXG3V
Sigma EF 50mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2WllU4d
B&H: bhpho.to/3oRbXIi
Sigma EF 24mm f/1.4:
Amazon: amzn.to/2SPDdZZ
B&H:bhpho.to/3duayRY
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L (MACRO):
Amazon: amzn.to/35KuXQs
B&H: bhpho.to/2WdcqJ3
Atomos Ninja V:
Amazon: amzn.to/2Ni79Ob
B&H: bhpho.to/36i2WhA
Aputure 120D MKii:
Amazon: amzn.to/2SE0wXg
B&H: bhpho.to/38pRTV2
Aputure Light Dome II:
Amazon: amzn.to/39kvKZJ
B&H: bhpho.to/2Gf1zWc
============AUDIO============
Hercules Mic Stand:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/QOdG1Y
Amazon: amzn.to/2XaHnzK
B&H: bhpho.to/2Rz4SwS
Motu M2:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/e4ZQ7g
B&H: bhpho.to/3p160ty
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/9Wd9oQ
B&H: bhpho.to/3lhh7gP
Zoom F6:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/7m0DN3
Amazon: amzn.to/3oc6FqO
B&H: bhpho.to/3kTOUu1
Zoom H6:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/3P0RNv
Amazon: amzn.to/2MIoBdA
B&H: bhpho.to/2Rfc3LK
Apollo Twin Quad:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/b31qoB
Amazon: amzn.to/2XfwPiU
B&H: bhpho.to/2NL8gnp
Mogami XLR:
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/oe6G9g
Amazon: amzn.to/2NiXNSp
B&H: bhpho.to/2NJ5tLi
Monoprice XLR (Cheaper XLR Alternative):
Amazon: amzn.to/2RJBwvp 
Развлечения
this is buy far the best review on anything i have ever seen every discriptive and tells you alot about it and gets down to every single detail even things that dont matter alot he made it such a good review im deff buying this mic
I bought this after Bark’s review. It’s a steal at $70. The USB mode is substantially darker than XLR. For that reason, XLR mode is much better, clearer, brighter for my voice. Great review. Great Kitty Purr Test!
I love this mic. But can someone please show me a usb c cable that will power it using the iphone please!!!
Killed it again! My favorite channel for mic reviews!
Oh my gosh I’m shocked!! C and D were my favorite. The MV7 didn’t even make it into my short list
Same here, especially C.
Blind test is really useful thing (even despite of youtube's compression). Thank you
Got the mic, actually using it with USB C and I could say with and without post edition sounds pretty good, but XLR took the price, I'm just saving to buy an Audio Interface 😎. Good content bro
I just ordered this FDUCE SL40 today with an Elgato Wave XLR. One thing about the mic I really like is the USB and XLR can be used at the same time, I would think they show up as separate mics in Windows, and by doing so I can have the XLR going to OBS for the stream, but use USB in my game so I can use the mute button when I want to talk on stream since the controls on top only work with the USB part of the mic. Also, if I wanted to do a dual computer setup, I could use the XLR to the streaming PC, while using the USB to the game PC. I hope it all works the way I think it does in my mind. Love the audio quality of both the XLR and USB. Currently using a Blue Snowball, but I really wanted the W-Link software and didn't like the look of the Wave mics.
Bought both the SL40 and MV7+ this week. No competition! The MV7+ is going back.
Love the sound of fduce, very pleasant on the ear
Dude your reviews are awesome! Very informative and and in depth. I am kind of stuck on the decision between FDuce and FiFine k688. I think this one sounds a little richer, but the k688 a tiny bit more clear.
I prefer this one over K688.
I immediately black sharpie’d the fdoosh name off. Besides that. This mic sounds amazing especially for 47$ on prime day. Complete steal
The kitty purr test was the most valuable bit of info I’ve gotten on any review of this mic. This’ll save me so much recording time lol
10:50 Holy moly, I was listening and I went "well that Microphone B, C, D sounds all the same to me basically and they are all great..and then E was just like slightly better imo but not by alot. That's it, Im getting the Fduce. Thanks for doing this test, it really proves something. It is selling for 80 euro atm, so Im gonna get it.
Also if you haven't seen it already, The samson satellite is a great USB-C condenser microphone. It was 100 bucks but now it's sold for around 60
Can you please do a review of the RELACART PM2 USB/XLR mic and compare it with the FDUCE SL40 and SHURE MV7?
Very informative and entertaining
Actually, if you think about it you’d have to say logically that you would NOT think XLR and USB would sound the same. With basically any combo mic the preamp and analog-to-digital converters in the (cheap) mic are going to be drastically different than those in an audio interface that runs the mic when using an XLR connection 👍 Anyway, killer vids - thanks for all the testing!
Haha I put black tape over the name the moment I installed the mic.. the name is not the best, but for the price tag the mic is pretty good. I like it. I'm using it via USB at the moment, but will change it to XLR after your video.
I do this thing where I buy something then continue watching reviews about it after I have it just to confirm my decision and I picked this up a couple days ago from Amazon for $55 now. I like it from the little I've used it. A bit bass-y which I don't mind, but I can't get the headphone monitor volume to adjust. I don't plan to use that feature much anyway so it's not a deal breaker. I reached out to FDUCE anyway but I won't be devastated if I don't hear back from them.
For the sound test, I could pick out the FDUCE as C, but I don't know the other ones well enough. But idk how people can like the RODE pod mic. It's so harsh sounding! I would definitely get fatigued listening to it. It is clear, but it's sharp. Also I was surprised that F kinda sounded like a phone mic lol
Hello! Great review, I bought this microphone but it seems to have a very notable background noise when I'm listening to it through the 3.5mm jack on the back. Should I return it ? Or is it normal? For some reason the iss is gone when I'm using discord, but when I record on audacity or just listening through the windows listen back feature, the noise is there.
Fduce on XLR is soooooo goood, man. And the price.... Damn.
No boost in lowmids and pretty flat on all spectrum !
(listened in the prepared studio)
Thanks for a blind test, great job !
Would you choose the sound of the Fifine K658 or Fduce SL40 or the AT2100x/samson q2u because they are the same price for me, and I just need USB, so which one has the best sound?
What USB microphone do you like best? I am wanting to use it for RUclips videos and recordings of myself to post social media.
Hi, i now my question has nothing to do with the video, but can you sugest a good condenser mic to upgrade from a M-audio Nova? The budget i have is a 150/200 euros max. Thanks
Fifine just came out with the k688, It's the same price and also does USB and XLR. It'd be cool to hear a comparison and it against the older k58
I don't know which one to choose
@@Zavorrashoot97 i went with the fDuce and i should be getting it thursday. the fDuce just sounds so crisp and like a true voiceover and podcasting mic. i guess it depends on what you need it for.
@@Zavorrashoot97 i went for the k688
I have a fifine k670 and tough feels good quality it's a plastic body. On aliexpress right now the Fduce is under 40USD and the fifine is almost 80, also my fifine headphone out is REALLY noisy, so I'm going with the fduce, hope it's good.
Hello. What is better fifine k688 or FDuce SL40? Price is not important, the sound on usb
I just want to know if this mic is good for vocals n rock vocals
Hello friend, thanks for the elaborate video! I currently have the Samson Q2U and I have a question, which model has more volume in USB mode, Samson Q2U or FDUCE SL40? I understand that the volume of the FDUCE SL40 is low in USB mode, I need it to do live shows through streaming and I need it to be heard loud and clear. A greeting and thanks in advance!! 🤟
ok but in your opinion which one is the best one?
Three months ago bought Fduce Sl40 for US$ 38 and SL40X (xlr only) for US$ 28 (Aliexpress).
Sl40 White version for US$ 60 now.
Is it also good for song covers?
I think your sound more clearer in xlr mode. USB have extra boomy especially when you are close with it.
Is it good for singing?with xlr
KPT for the win!
Appreciate this review. To my ears the QRU via USB and SL40 via USB were by far the worst in the comparison.
Is this better than the Fifine 669?
Loved your review man! Wanted to get the K688 but after watching this I'm really torn. I need some help making the final decision for talking head RUclips videos in an untreated space
In my opinion: I’d probably lean k688 due to the consistency in sound between through different outputs. I feel like it tends to be a bit more flattering for most people’s voices also.
@@AudioHotline Thank you for your feedback, decision made!
Ever tried the BOYA BY-DM500? It's also under 100 bucks.
FYI…the ‘Aston Microphones Swift Premium Universal Microphone Shock Mount’ works perfectly with this mic.
Thanks
While B, D, E and G sound pretty good, the Samson mics sound the worst.
Thereby and by having checked nearly all comparing mic reviews, the best dynamic USB mics for streaming (means: focus on voice and speech) seem to be: Deity VO-7U, Rode XDM-100 and Shure MV7. All of which still have their own downsides:
- Deity VO-7U: you need to use it with free software (at least in Windows via Equalizer APO + some VSTs, Volume² and TorkilsMicMuter) to adjust it to your own voice, cope with the sibilances (de-essing), eliminate the floor & surround noise and kill off the RGB completely (esp. when muting)
- Rode XDM-100: very heavy and big/bulky (esp. with the shock mount which you need to mount it on an arm), buggy and bloated software (which you need to run in order to use and adjust the mic)
- Shure MV7: it has Micro-USB (and not USB-C), very sensitive to plosives which could be handled with the Shure RK345 windscreen, has a big advertising logo jumping straight to the camera
For the XLR part, there is no "best" dynamic option (with focus on voice and speech) but some reasonable ones as you have to consider the overall costs incl. the corresponding costs for an interface which can deliver enough gain to drive those mics, I would say to stay below $ 500:
- Shure MV7X: see above and use the RK345 windscreen
- Rode Procaster: heavy and big, a bit bassy which can be solved via EQing
- SE DynaCaster: extremely versatile adjustable without additional software
I can't get SL40 to work via usb plugged into my pc with a USB-C to 3.5 mic plug in. Same with audio interface. Help!
Plosive testing: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pod casters. Someone had to call a cab thereafter. lol
Oh my gosh thats crazy! I ranked the microphones during the blind test. I had both C and D at the top (FDUCE).
This was my ranking list during the blind test. I'm no audio engineer but this was what I ranked on a whim:
D FDUCE XLR
C FDUCE USB
E SHURE MV7 XLR
B SHURE MV7 USB
A SAMSON Q2U USB
F SAMSON Q9U USB
H RODE PODMIC XLR
G DEITY V0-7U
FDUCE SL40 I Choose You ! 🔥
I just received this mic and for podcasting/broadcasting its pretty good, but for music it's really bad. That bass boost in USB mode is horrible. I received both the K688 and SL40 and ran them through their paces, but they are too sibilant and noisy when boosting the high end. Funny enough, my Jlab Talk Go (condenser cardoid mic) and ZDM-1 (current mic) both beat them out easily.
Hello!
Very nice review!
At what procentage is the gain good on Windows PC?
I have a AKG D5 in a Behringer UMC202HD right now.
Would you say this is better?
Should I switch to this in USB mode?
I would stick with the set up you have, if it were me.
@@AudioHotline Thank you for the answer, oh okey! What would you recommend if i'm gonna switch to something else? I have like 90-100% gain right now. Anything less gain hungry and maybe mute and more eq setting, peek limit?
You sound good at fduce
I just got this mic and the headphone volume control doesn't work, Creators Village also had the same problem in his video. Do you have the same problem or is mine just a defect?
I have never had an issue with mine.
How do you have yours set up? You’re using it as a USB mic?
@@AudioHotline yes connected via usb and plugged in my headphone in the back
Idk if my Phantom power supply is working. Do I have to connect my USB thingy to my pc aswell? Bc the phantom psu wont work without it.
What are you plugged into? This mic doesn’t require phantom power.
@@AudioHotlineCrap I messed up. So does that mean I just need an audio interface for xlr or is there a cheaper option? I'm so confused on what gear I need to buy.
I got the XLR-only version (SL40X) and the mic has a few problems. It is relatively hard to EQ into more "normal" levels (if wanted) and i would recommend everyone to cut a tiny bit from that very rumbly low bass, because it felt to me that this would give me some headaches over longer sessions listening to it.
And its SUUUUPER touch sensitive. If you have it on a mic arm, you will hear EVERY little move or impact on it. So basically unusable for live situations, where the mic is not going to be absolutely stationary. You might resolve this in some ways with adding some very soft rubber into the attachments of the mic, but in comparison to my SM57 (that can be EQd relatively easy to sound similar) the SL40X is unusable for live streaming.
That said... in general a good mic, IF they like the sound of it and cant be bothered to EQ things themselves.
Is there anyway to turn off the monitoring when headphones are connected?
Are you saying you don’t want to hear yourself, but you want to hear other playback from the computer through the mic’s headphone jack?
If so, I may need to test this. I know how to do it for sure when the headphones are plugged into the computers headphone jack, or speakers are, but I have never tested it through the headphone jack on a mic. I would assume it’s the same though.
Let me know if this is what you are asking and I’ll check it out.
@@AudioHotline Yes that's what I'm asking. I know I could easily plug it into the tower, or even my monitor, but my earbuds cord is short, and it's more convenient to plug into the microphone's jack.
@@iisamwise Yes, you can do this.
Here is the Process for Windows:
Plug the mic in
Go to the sound settings
Scroll down and click on:
"Sound Control Panel"
the "Playback" tab should come up automatically (that's the one you want)
You should see the mic showing up there as a headphones option
Select the mic and then choose "Properties"
Go to the "Levels" Tab (second tab)
Under the "Microphone" section, press the Mute button to the right of the volume slider
That should do it! You'll still hear computer playback but you won't hear the mic anymore.
Soundwise: This (SL40) or the XM8500?
It’s interesting that you asked that question… My friend (Bark) and I started a podcast recently and in one episode he used a mic with an xm8500 capsule, and in the next one he used the FDUCE in XLR mode and we preferred sound from the FDUCE.
actually thought the XLR sound of this mic had the most natural sound on your voice
Yeah I agree, I definitely prefer the XLR sound over the USB sound for this mic.
Pickled what now?!? 😄
Huge missed opportunity not naming it the DROP 🤣
This or Fifine K658? ill be using usb only
The k688 just came out, it doesn't have all the weird rgb
what did you get lead?
@@iitskloud2113 SL40 with vocaster one interface
here in the uk, its £99 which is godly level
As well as the Wave DX lol
I'm not enamored with the USB sound but if they can keep it at the $70 price range I think we may have found the q2u killer, boys
Prefer the q2u sound as not a fan of anything that is boomy.
It should offer a great alternative though.
@@fluphybunny930 what is boomy sir/ mam.
Felt odd to give it a "B" when you talk about how much you like it, only to not give your thoughts on why it didn't get a higher score, etc. It definitely left me wanting to hear more.
Thanks for the video.
Hmmm… I feel like I explained it during my review section pretty well.
Here is a summary of what I said in my review section:
The usb version of this mic is boomy for me, borderline unusable, however I do like the XLR mode… so I only like half of its capabilities. However, I understand that some people like that sound.
Also, it is bad for anything other than spoken word, especially in USB mode.
The way I look at grading is like this:
If C is average, then that means a mic is worth the cost, it is exactly priced correctly. You’re not getting an amazing deal but you are getting what you pay for.
B grade would mean I recommend it, it isn’t perfect, but I still think it is a good deal for the price.
A grade means this mic is either perfect or super close to perfect and is a steal for the price.
So a B in my eyes is a really good grade, the mic isn’t perfect though.
@@AudioHotline Thanks for your thoughts. You definitely made these points earlier in the video. I just wanted some further explanation to backup the grade when you give it, even if it's just reiterating all your previous points in a few solid sentences. Always appreciate your content!
I am a little confused. What I referenced in my comment was actually said during the review section (some had been previously mentioned also).
During my review section:
17:36
"the USB mode of this microphone is really boomy"
17:46
"I actually do prefer this microphone as an XLR microphone. Even though I don't mind a little extra bass in my voice because I am not the lowest speaker... I still feel like the USB version of this microphone is a little over the top even for me, but some people may absolutely like that and want that."
18:04
"I would not use this microphone for instruments, especially in USB mode. In USB mode when this was trying to record (I should have said capture) the electric guitar, the high end artifacts were just awful!"
18:38
My grading section
I talked about what I didn't like about this mic for over a minute directly before giving my grade... Also, a little earlier in my review section, I talk about the inconsistencies between the USB and XLR modes ( 14:31 ) for a little bit. I also did talk down about the name in the review section also lol.
I am all about taking feedback and making improvements, but I feel like I was already doing what you told me to fix so I just wanted to clarify. It's interesting to hear the different perspectives because while I was editing this I actually thought I was being too negative in my review section considering I gave it a B grade 😂.
Thanks for watching and commenting! As I said, I do appreciate hearing the different perspectives!
@@AudioHotline For instance “I give it a B because of XYZ reasons. Had it been XYZ I would have given it an A.” Your grade and end of video felt abrupt even though you had other parts of the video with more detail. Perhaps less detail before the grade or just reiterating important points and how that influenced the grade.
@@charliemccharlieface The reason reviewers (definitely not just me) leave the grade till the end:
It’s an incentive. People are curious about the actual letter grade or number associated with the reviewers opinion. So it’s a good way to keep people watching till the end.
Bottom line: I can’t make everyone happy, it seems like the way I have been doing it, people like. I have never once heard this complaint about where the grade is placed. To me, it makes sense to talk about the pros and cons and lead up to the grade.
I swear C and D sounded best, maybe followed by G
it looks like audio arry c11 microphone
This blind test should be longer and slower. Such quick and short doesn't make too much sense. At least according my humble opinion.
Hmmm, have never heard this from anyone before. What doesn't make sense to you? Maybe I can shed some light on it for you.
@@AudioHotline As currently I'm looking for a good microphone, probably dynamic usb one I've watched few your videos. In others, parts for each micro are longer. Thus they somehow eliminate some impact of some temporary factors changing audio like distance etc. Everyone is moving all the time and distance is easily changing by 1-2 cm. Thus having longer fragments you can have better opinion if you like audio of the given microphone or not. If the fragments are so short, I have impression that they give some kind of random evaluation. Being so quick here for me doesn't make sense.
@@f2lo2 I did try to fit a lot in here, I even state that right before. It was close to after this video that I started limiting the amount of microphones I would put in a comparison. I was trying not to make the comparisons long, because the complaint I DID get is that the comparisons were in fact too long.
I recently changed up my video formula quite a bit and I don’t do blind comparison as much anymore, I just go head to head now with fewer mics. It makes it a bit nicer so I can share more details about each mic. I personally didn’t like the way these blind tests were going so I changed it, so this comment is some what validating my change 😂
@@AudioHotline You know, you will never make happy everyone. That's obvious. But in my personal opinion those long blind tests were the most valuable in your episodes. Sometimes I was starting video from them and next I was watching some other parts. In yt studio you have the option to check how many people watched some fragments of your videos. Basing on that you might check how people estimate it. It's not perfect tool but it gives some impression (even if you should add the factor that more people watch the beginning of the video and then the number of viewers always slowly decreases). For me blind long test it's top number one which distinct you channel from others especially that there were well done. What sockets the microphone has, what dials, how to connect it etc. - those things I can easily check in technical specifications or on websites of bit Internet shops. But how microphone sound comparing to others... it's so rare. Still good luck!
@@AudioHotline At the end, please make me small favour. If you have to choose max 2 microphones for making small yt channel (indoor, voice only) with prices between 100 and 200 usd, probably dynamic ones and usb ones, which one would you select?
BEFORE YOU BUY🅱️ There’s a whole pool of brands with the EXACT same product. So after seeing this I went to alibaba and found this product for $20 each. So just know you are paying $100 (current price for Amazon) for a cheap Chinese dropshipping product that costs $20 to buy. For the same price you can get the Samson Q9U which competes well with the Shure MV7B
That may be so, but how many do you have to buy to get it for that price?
@@9MMTaboo 1 order placement. It’s $20 per item and even cheaper if u order X amount. Seems like someone already discovered this issue and is now selling this same product on Amazon for around $50.
E and H sounded better than the rest. Surprised I picked the podmic for#1
doesn't sound very good
Which support are you using?
Hi I have a mackei Onyx Producer 2X2, do you think it would work with this interface?