Does the Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone help photographers with streaming, YouTube podcasts, vlogging, gaming or communicating with clients? We took a closer look so you could discover more and hear it in action.
Maono PD200X USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone is an eye-catching dynamic microphone, distinguished by a distinctive glowing band of light that either remains steady in color or constantly alters, setting itself apart from most others and garnering particular interest among gamers and Twitch streamers. This feature has become immensely popular.
How well does the microphone serve vloggers, photographers and content creators? I conducted numerous Zoom and Skype calls while testing it to see how well it performed in these uses. You can hear audio examples comparing its quality with that of my 2017 iMac 27” internal mic and HyperX Quadcast USB Microphone which cost considerably more.
Note: Please be aware that Maono provided us the Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone free of charge to review and keep. However, all opinions about it expressed herein are completely independent and our own.
Pros An appealing microphone featuring an attractive band of glowing lights that stands out from other microphones; an easy gain-control dial on its side enables quick volume adjustment; an LED indicator light indicates function and volume adjustment;
Monitor microphone input with ease using a 3.5mm headphone jack; everything on the microphone is easily accessible and intuitive, and can be controlled using Maono Link app (Windows, Mac OSX, Android OS and Google Play)
Self-noise can be loud when recording quiet or nuanced audio. All technical specifications for the Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone come directly from its official Maono website.
Element Type: Dynamic microphone; Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Connectivity Options: XLR and USB-C for audiophile-grade recording quality. * 24-Bit Sample Rate / 24-bit Depth Per Sample Depth Ratio = 48kHz for optimal frequency response of 40Hz-16kHz with adjustable gain range between 0 to +42dB for each channel (XLR = 52dBV; USB = 10.5dBFS/Pa(Max). Max SPL Level Capacity is 130dB SPL Maximum). *SPL Max SPL of this mic can reach over 130dB SPL when connected via XLR-USB cable connection. * Connectivity options included between XLR-C Connectivity is between XLR-C cable connectivity via USB C port for transmission as it’s available only (XLR = 24-Bits of 48KHz sample Rate/sampsample Rate/ 48KHz Sample Rate/48kHz 24-Bits of Samp; Frequency Response 40Hz-16kHz); Gain Range between 0 to +42dB
Adjustable Gain Range between 0 +42dB when adjusted Gain Range is set on 48KHz-16kHz (16K). Max. SPL Max is >130dB SPL
Compatible Devices: Desktop/Laptop/Computer/Mixer/Audio Interface/PS4/PS5/MAC OS/WINDOWS, It Is Ideal For: Podcasting, Recording, Streaming, Gaming and Video Conferencing.
What’s Included: Dynamic Microphone, Shock Mount, 2.5m USB-C to USB-A/C Cable with 5/8″ to 3/8″ Adapter and User’s Manual are included as part of your purchase of Maono Link App – along with 18 months free warranty coverage! Plus a PDF user manual.
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — Superior ergonomics and build quality
Installation was effortless
I used the Maono microphone with my mid-2017 iMac, and upon plugging in its USB plug it immediately recognized in both System Preferences Audio as well as Zoom, Google Meet and Skype without needing to make any other settings changes or configurations – most USB mics work this way, too – it was great knowing it worked flawlessly – now, when Nightaxians Night Photography YouTube podcasting resumes I hope I’ll also use this for Nightaxian Night Photography podcasts when recording resumes recording too!
Once connected via USB, the band lights up with either dynamically changing colors or one of eight preset options that you can choose from.
Maono Link App
When using the Maono microphone, its functions are easily accessible directly on its body – you don’t need an app! Plus, with this free app you gain access to additional limiters, compressors, volume controls, EQ modes, RGB light customization and one-button mutes!
On my iMac, installation was quick and easy – the app quickly recognized and controlled my microphone, making two recordings using it: one without using compression/limiters at all, and another using them with compression/limiters applied (see recordings below). Overall, this application is extremely user-friendly with a nice clean layout.
Build Quality
This microphone is intended to be used primarily for vlogging, streaming, video podcasts and podcasts. While its body is metal, its shock mount and adapter are plastic; hence its not suitable for commercial studio recording environments but perfectly fine for gaming, vlogging podcasting streaming or gaming purposes.
The dial and other buttons feel sturdy yet slightly plasticky, with one small button enabling you to select either continually changing multicolor gradients or one of eight static solid color effects.
Noteworthy is the 8.2 foot (2.5 meter) USB cable included, which is both long and robust.
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — In the Field
Everything about this microphone is easy to use and well labeled; I did find some difficulty seeing its controls at the bottom, though they can usually be set and forgotten about without issues.
Pop Filter
When speaking into a microphone, ideally it would be best to speak slightly past it instead of directly into it. However, this microphone comes equipped with a foam filter designed to minimize breaths creating unprofessional low-frequency percussive noises; this should work relatively well – simply talk slightly past it for optimal results!
Controlling Volume The volume knob controls both microphone gain and headphone volume by simply pressing its knob. Pressing will quickly change its color from green to blue indicating which volume type it now controls; now headphone volume control.
Pressing the button above will mute the microphone, while also changing its light ring from green to dim red – nice!
And that’s not all: brightness increases or decreases in response to volume level! This makes this item both stylish and useful.
Your device’s volume control can also be managed using this app.
I found the conveniently-located gain control dial made it simple and quick to adjust microphone input sensitivity, making this microphone both user-friendly and effortless to operate from start to finish.
What features can be found at the base of my microphone? Your microphone comes equipped with both a USB Mini-B port for connecting it directly to your computer as well as a 3.5mm headphone output, providing communication with its associated app.
Since this microphone features an XLR output, you can easily connect it with analog equipment such as mixers, portable PAs or audio interfaces.
Maono USB/XLR Dynamic Podcast Microphone — Sound Quality In the video above, I made four recordings which can all be found here on YouTube:
Maono PD200X with no app (via USB). Maono PD200X using compression, limiting, and flat EQ is another excellent microphone option (also via USB). My 2017 iMac came equipped with HyperX Quadcast mic which provides cardioid polar pattern as well as great sound quality.
At first, I just plugged it in and began recording. Unfortunately, self-noise that wasn’t present with either the internal iMac microphone or HyperX Quadcast microphone became apparent after about 15 seconds of recording; it sounds similar to “static” or “hash”, making audio not quite clear as before. While not overtly bothersome, this sound might make recordings with subtle or nuanced sounds more challenging – therefore making professional podcasting impossible with this method.
Unbeknownst to me, noise was less audible when using an app with or without limiter and compressor compared to using hardware alone – I don’t know why – you can hear this in the second recording. For this reason as well as access to additional controls and functions, I would advise using an app.
Sound quality from external microphones tends to be fuller than that from computer microphones; however, they tend to be noisier.
My experience shows that the HyperX Quadcast provides smoother, fuller and quieter sound compared to its counterpart – yet costs twice as much.
I did not test the Maono microphone over an XLR connection; however, this typically involves passing through an analog mic preamp so the quality might either remain consistent with its USB counterpart or perhaps be slightly different and noisier.
Reactions of Others
I used this microphone on Zoom and Skype calls and everyone immediately noticed its vibrant band, drawing compliments. Although not much adjusting was needed during these calls, when needed it was simple and quick – one button click away from muting my mic – turning off its light by the volume knob is an added feature that was well received by listeners.
Maono Link App will provide a brief explanation of compression and limiting. I specialize in recording engineering for bands as well as my own music, having written articles about it for magazines like the late, great EQ Magazine. Hopefully this experience allows me to explain compression/limiting in an accessible manner!
Compressor Its This function reduces dynamic range by bringing down the loudest parts. This results in closer volume differences between loudest and quietest sections and less noticeable natural volume fluctuations.
Limiter
This function uses brick wall compression to catch and eliminate loudest peaks of an audio source from reaching clipping point 0dB or beyond whichever level you set with your slider. A limiter is effectively just an extremely high ratio compressor which often referred to by its nickname of “brick wall compression.”