Why you might need an XLR input microphone instead of a USB microphone
Hello, podcasters! In today's episode, we are going to tackle a common dilemma many podcasters face: choosing between an XLR microphone and a USB microphone. Specifically, we will delve into the features of the Rode PodMic USB XLR, a microphone I recently reviewed. If you haven't watched the review video yet, but be sure to read this article first!
The Difference in Sound
In the review video, I covered the differences in sound between the XLR and USB inputs. Spoiler alert: both are good! However, there is a crucial aspect that I did not discuss in the video, which you need to consider before making your decision - the lead, or cable, you will use.
The Importance of the Cable
The type of cable you need depends on your podcasting setup. If you plan to record at your desk and stay close to your computer, the Rode PodMic, with the lead included in the box, will work just fine. However, if you plan to record further away from your input source, like on a couch or in another room, you'll need an XLR input device. Fortunately, the [Rode PodMic](https://www.rode.com/microphones/podmic) has both USB and XLR connections, making it a versatile choice for any setup.
Rode's Advice on Cable Length
I reached out to Rode to inquire about longer cables for the USB microphone, and they advised against it due to potential issues with dropouts and distorted sound. However, with an XLR connection, you can use a much longer lead without any issues.
Recording from a Distance
With an XLR connection, you can be much further away from your input source. For example, you could be sitting on a couch, in another room, or anywhere else, and then use your XLR lead to plug into a Rodecaster Pro 2 or a Focusrite Claret preamp without any issues of dropouts or connection loss.
XLR Connection and Preamp
Keep in mind that if you opt for an XLR connection, you will need a preamp or recording device to plug it into—you can't just plug an XLR lead into the back of your computer. While this will increase your initial costs, the freedom to record from anywhere and the fantastic connection quality might make it worth it. I will share some preamps I recommend in the description of this episode.
Consider Your Recording Location
Hopefully, this episode has clarified the cable situation for you. If you are interested in the actual sound quality differences between XLR and USB, be sure to watch the review video. There are a few differences that, to the trained ear, you can certainly hear, but the biggest difference is the need for length if you plan to record further away from your recording device.
Transcript:
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[00:00:00] Brianna: Today we're going through why, in fact, you may need an XLR microphone instead of a USB microphone. There is a microphone I did a review on recently, the Rode PodMic USB XLR. I'm going to link to it so that you can go and check it out if you want, In that video, I give you a proper review of the difference in sound between the XLR and the USB inputs. Spoiler alert. Both are good, but something I didn't go through in that video that I want to make sure you're aware of when you're making a decision as to whether to get something that needs USB or something that needs XLR is the lead.
[00:00:40] The cable that you're going to use Is going to tell you what you actually need to buy as the microphone that you're going to use for your podcast. If you're only going to be sitting at your desk recording, and you're not going to be any more than like 1.5 5 metres away from the cable connection. So if you're plugging it straight into the back of your computer, , you will be fine to just get that RØDE PodMic, and just use the lead that's included in the box.
[00:01:11] The lead is about one meter long. And I can easily connect that from the microphone into the back of my computer. I don't need it to be long, . But if you are hoping to record a little bit further away from your input source, meaning you're not going to be able to plug it straight into the back of your computer, you want to sit at a couch, you want to be a little bit further away from the actual source, then you're going to need an XLR input device. So luckily this microphone, the Rode PodMic has both connections and it's future proofing you if you're going to be at your desk first, and then you might move to another location when you're a little bit more comfortable with the process and with the medium.
[00:01:52] I actually contacted Rode to talk about whether there was a cable that was longer that was approved by Rode to plug into [00:02:00] your USB microphone into the back of you know, whatever the source is that you're going to be recording into.
[00:02:07] Rode has advised that kind of the maximum is like 1. 5 meters long Because any longer than that, you're going to have issues with dropouts. You're going to have issues with connection not being as clear, as crisp. The sound is going to start to be distorted With an XLR connection, you can have almost infinity length, you know? Like, you can have a really long XLR lead, and I have many, many, many of them, that are around 10 meters long.
[00:02:36] It means that you can be sitting much further away from your input source. So I could be sitting at a couch, I could be in another room, I could be whatever, and then use my XLR lead, plug that into my Rodecaster Pro 2 or my Focusrite Claret preamp that I have here, or any preamp, and have it be further away with there being no issues of dropouts or connection loss.
[00:03:04] if you're going to be or want to be further away from the actual recording source, then you're going to need this XLR situation for your microphone. It also means that you're going to need, you can't just plug a XLR lead into the back of your computer.
[00:03:22] You're going to need a preamp or some sort of recording. Device to actually plug it into. There's heaps out there. There's a few that I recommend and I'll put in the description of this video and in the show notes on podcast platforms, it will mean that it's going to cost you more to get going, but you can be wherever you want. and use the XLR lead and you'll get a fantastic connection.
[00:03:47] So hopefully that's clarified for you what you're going to need for your cable situation. As I said, go and watch that other video if you're interested in the actual sound, like how it sounds. Sounds XLR versus USB. There are [00:04:00] a few differences that, you know, to the trained ear, you can certainly hear, but the biggest difference being you're going to need length if you're going to be sitting further away from your recording device.
[00:04:13]
