The Maono PD200x - versus EVERYBODY for the XLR/USB Title! 

Agree, I would declare myself a fan of Maono microphones

We’re getting spoiled!!! Lol.

Yep. Just ordered one of these yesterday. Excited! Plan to use for streaming into my remote ham radio setup. Should be interesting.

Thank you!!! Just trying to have some fun AND have an excuse to tell my wife why I need to have 400 microphones. Lol.

@@levelupwithmikenewman HAHAHAHA yeah man It's a smart idea ngl

Thank you!!!

Thanks for watching! I appreciate it!!

That would be great!!! 👍🏻

Thank you! 😃

@levelupwithmikenewman I just received it yesterday.

The best in my opinion at rejecting background noise and city noises that is in your price range that is xlr & usb is the Samson Q9u. It pulls from a lot of the traits of the $400 microphones with build quality, plosives, and off axis rejection and has a mute button right on the mic that works in both USB and XLR mode which is great. I will say for noise rejection, on noisy days in my studio where I have neighbors cutting grass, kids out front and the fire department sounding alarms while trying to get a video done My go to mics in the order- 1.Earthworks Ethos 2. Earthworks SR117 3. SM7B 4. LS-208 5 shure sm57 with is hyper-cardiod polar pattern. These are all xlr mics, price aside - but if it’s noisy out I would go with these or wait to record at night when everybody goes to bed and the city gets quiet.

Wow, thank you! Hopefully 1M subs would be amazing, but if I can get to 100k someday….ill be dancing in a video! 🤣🤪 thanks for the kind words!!!

I use OBS, with noise suppression filter and limiter adjusted to 2db

It’s a great mic, and the app to use with it to eq the mic in usb mode is great too. You’re gonna love it

Both work simultaniously, and without unwanted noise like some other mics with this feature can give you.

Im with ya! - the "Almost" - in "almost perfect".....is the Gain knob !!! but at least they made it not as in your face with it as some other mics. So close to being perfect for what I want out of a mic. SO CLOSE!

If they ever make a strictly XLR version like the MV7x or Q9Ux I'm all in! Take my kidney..first born kid, take it all! Just make it happen Maono!

Not a vocalist, but I love the low end it brings, and people who sing higher keys it could see it doing well. Darker voices I think so better with condenser mics that are brighter and less muddy.

@@levelupwithmikenewman thank you for the information 😊 subed!

@@sempopo THANKS! WELCOME TO THE FAM!!!!

@@levelupwithmikenewman 🙇‍♂️

Just love it! Great unique sound,

@levelupwithmikenewman what gain do you think is appropriate for this mic when doing voiceovers or product reviews, like what you're dojng

@@F01L I try to keep my DB levels consistent at -12db with my peaks at -6 db in davinci Resolve to be just under the clip level for your highs and my background music I try to keep at -30db.

@levelupwithmikenewman I mean in the maono link software, do you recommend turning the compressor and limiter on? If so at what decibel and what mic gain on the app do you think sounds the best?

@@F01L software app I had my gain set to 40, limiter activated, but at zero and compressor I like to leave at 5. I think anything more than five and it affects your audio in a negative way.

I see your point will all these mic reviewers out there. I will say this, my favorite mic to use, is the Lewitt LCT 240 pro. OMG that is my precious baby! I really want an RE20 mic because that crisp clear sounds is what I REALLY love, and nobody can do it like the RE20. But my budget on this channel isn't quite there yet to justify the purchase since rarely do people ever ask what a mic sounds like compared to a RE20. When I do live streams on facebook/youtube for my facebook channel, or other content that doesn't involve tech, the Lewitt (Video Podcasts as a guest on other channels, commercials, etc) and the K688d (audio only faith-based podcasts) are my two go-to mic. I have avoided using the Shure Sm7b in any of my videos on this channel until recently (finally caving in with the the last two) because viewers always wanting to hear whatever mic you review sounds like when compared to it. So I make it a point to have it in a video now at some point during the review just so people can hear the two, and hopefully, use the video as proof that you do not need it to start a podcast with it to sound good. It is more of a: "see...., choosing a budget mic over a SM7B inst what you think.... you don't go from great audio to bad audio by selecting a budget mic, you just go a crazy expensive mic to an affordable one and 98% of your audience will never care or even know what mic you are using if they can't see it on the screen. So as long as your video are informative and entertaining." Trust me when I say I get more excited about using a mic that nobody really knows over a SM7b everyday. I love the sound of the PD400x, I just don't like the look of the "whack-a-mole" knob on my mics unless the microphone finds a way to hide it within the design. (In my opinion ) I think it is the second-most articulate and clear mic behind my Lewitt LCT 240 Pro. Just brings home the bacon when you need crisp clear audio out of a dynamic mic when it is too noisy for a condenser Mic. I think the new Rode Podmic USB might give the PD400x a run for its money as the most clear dynamic mic that I have tested, but it is down to personal preference when they are that close. As far as mics on my videos, I always change them up, I don't stick with any mic too long because I have GAS issues...(Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and enjoy using different mics more than I enjoy any specific mic. I have 5 mics in my rotation for videos as of now: 1. Lewitt LCT 240 Pro, 2. Fifine k669D, 3. Shure MV7, 4. Maono PD400x, and Now the PD200x will get thrown into my video intro rotation for sure. The others I use just for mic reviews, but never podcasts, or livestreams. I love mics too much to not change them up. Mics are like t-shirts, travel coffee mugs, and fishing poles, or dinner. I love to pick something different every time! I don't do this for the money, I spend more than I bring in, so I only like to make videos for mics I am excited about, and don't make them for the mics that don't move the needle in some way for me. Thanks for the comment! I appreciate the convo! Great stuff! The RE20 and the PD400x - MONEY baby!

​@@levelupwithmikenewmanso if we ignore the knobs and lights is the pd400x a proper step up from the pd200x? Also, I know the 400 has the dsp doing the processing in the mic, had the 200 got the same, or is it doing it on the pc?

@@45KevinR absolutely the PD400x is a dynamic mic that performs like a condenser mic, brighter and more clear. Honestly, it is definitely a quality mic in the next tier. The knob is the only thing that bugs me…love how it resembles the Rode Podmic USB, with bright clear sound. If you are ok with the price…it’s a great buy!!!

@@45KevinR also, DSP in on both mics

@@levelupwithmikenewman I just bought pd200x few days ago, and I like it, but after seeing this video and watching your review of 400x I found 400x with good discount and bought it. because in this video, especially in xlr mode, it sound great! bit too sibilant, yes, but when I saw in your review that it comes with thick windscreen I was sold! It really does sound smoother than 200x on your voice, I hope i'll work as good for mine. Thanks for great video!

Thanks !!

It is a great value purchase, especially now that the price has dropped! The companion app that you can use in usb mode is great entry level way to change up the tone of the mic too!

The both have egual value to me but for different reasons. The PD400x is more bright/crisp clear out of the box, better build quality. The maono PD200x has more of the radio/broadcast profile, and a better price but that is because of the build quality not being on the level of the PD400x. If you like a darker sound - pD200x , brighter more articulate sound pd400x. I do not have a deep voice so I personally would go PD200x if I wanted some help, if I had a deeper voice I would go PD400x because it will complement your natural lows with its great high mid and high end. Hope this helps. I will tell you this, which ever make you get you can easily EQ the way you want it. You’re going to be very happy with either one.

@@levelupwithmikenewman solid reply thanks man appreciate it, also love the vids

@@ExOhz thank you! Welcome to the Level Up family!!

Depends on your budget. I am a huge fan of the Vocaster one and Duo for its ease of use and built in gain. Vocaster one is $99 the duo I think has come down to $149. They are great and you use any mic regardless of how gain hungry it is.

The Duo would be a better option if there will be two mics on the podcast correct?@@levelupwithmikenewman

@@korrdelljiles5513 the duo will give you two mics. If you need 3-4 mics I would get one of these 1. Tascam Mixer (affordable and reliable) 2. Podtrak P8 is great ( I had one myself for 2 years) for audio only podcasts, it struggled with audio that would stay synched with my video when recording both into OBS in 4k, but worked fine in just 1080p workflows. 3. Rodecaster Pro 2 - the best, but also most expensive.

Thank you so much for the help! @@levelupwithmikenewman

If you really like the dark- broadcast - sound out of your mic, I think the PD 100u gets you there, but it’s more sensitive to handling sounds and more susceptible to plosives. So I would mount it on a boom arm or a mic, stand straight off the floor and throw a pop filter on it and you’re golden. The PD 200 X won’t require as much attention for clean audio and it also gives you headphone monitoring which the other does not.

thanks very much. So many budget options. I'm planning to upgrade from my old audio technica ATR2500. Can you recommend one for my podcast/voice over need? PD200x/ PD400x/ K688/ AM8/ or any other mics? @@levelupwithmikenewman

The I like the PD200x better personally, especially with better plosive rejection, and not as sensitive to handling noise.

@@levelupwithmikenewman Thanks 👍

Personally I put the pD200x ahead of the other two. K688 is great but a little muddy, AM8 sounds great out of the box, but EXTREMELY sensitive to desk bumps/noises from boom arm, touching

Now but can't wait though....it's developed quite an underground following! I just ordered it yesterday...its on the way for a Tonor UA-44 vs Fduce battle!

@@levelupwithmikenewman a FDUCE vs Tonor TD510 battle please!

@@RoverWire oh man…the Tonor 510 - amazing build quality and the love the look, but it seems so basey and USB needs SOOOOO much work! Lol. The I just watched a new video by Bandrew yesterday from podcastage and he absolutely destroyed it lol. I think the FDuce would wipe the floor with it. Lol.

I think the Mackie EM99B is much better than the FDuce. But again that's just my own opinion based on my own ears.

@@ToddDolce I don’t know how the em99b works but the fduce’s price is still an incredible “pro”. The fduce has 2 different sounds one with the xlr cable another one with the usb connection. It’s like having 2 mics. I really like it but my voice needs the fduce usb “warm and bass” touch.

I love the neutral, flatter sound. Gives higher pitched voices some cover. The warmer tone helps too, but it will give you a broadcasting, authoritative sound more than a personal, “hey you’re missing out on what I say if you don’t stay” type sound.

@@levelupwithmikenewman Nice i'm going to be using this mainly for discord upgrading from a snowball ice after 6y so hopefully the software and everything works smoothly with discord haha and lets hope it lasts aslong first time buying maono.

Yes. The mute on the pD200x is “clicky”. That is why I love the maono app. You can click the mute button on the app. But if you prefer to mute your mics with the physical button, that click will be there. Other than that, the PD200X just runs away from the k688 in the areas that I value the most in a mic. The PD400x is really nice with its clarity, and the ability to use the app as well, just doesn’t have the low end that the PD200X has. But that can be EQ’ed in if you really value that touch-to-mute sensor/buttons 👍🏻

@@levelupwithmikenewman Other things I noticed: - Seems like PD100u sounds better than the PD200x, but not sure if more like a samsung Q9 sound. - Donner UA-44 and FDUCE SL40 are the same? Tonor seems to be using same components on TD510 - K668 sounds clear, PD200x has better mids, but I'm still surprised by PD100u. Great review, as usual. I really like your content.

​@@levelupwithmikenewman Can I bind mic off button in maono software?

@@x7ite143 not that I know of…

@@levelupwithmikenewman ok, thanks ;

The Rode NTH-100. Great quality, neutral profile. Extremely comfortable

@@levelupwithmikenewman Thank you!

You download the free app from the maono website. Then when you open the software, plug in the mic and it pops up as the mic you want to use and you are off and running.

In default -no eq, on eq/processing was on the Vocaster hub in Radio, Clean, warm, and bright for preset EQ’ing.

I have been working on finding a go-to EQ setting for this mic, haven’t got it exact to where I like it, but I boost my high mid like 3 db, lower my highs 3db, and my low mids are lowered 2db. I leave my lows alone so far. I will post here again when I get my set-up dialed in. I will see I simply try to make the mic a tad brighter to grab some clarity in my mid high end. Here is the sound with this EQ so far in the beginning of my Mackie EM99B review ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-02EpHomeOZ4.html

In usb mode you can use the Maono app and it gives you settings to adjust the audio in both beginner and intermediate levels, and you can go to the Filters in the audio input of OBS and use a 3 band equalizer to adjust the sound there as well if you have an audio interface that doesn’t have processing available

@@levelupwithmikenewman it's not connecting with phone, how to connect with phone

Its amazing value when you consider the performance and companion app! Glad to hear that you snagged one!!! You're going to love it!

They are both great for spoken word. You won’t be disappointed with either. The Maono has an app you can download to EQ your sound in USB mode, but you can always use the OBS filters to do that too. I like the Maono PD200x on my voice better, but my son who is 20, LOVES the k688 more. I feel the pD200x is a touch better with handling sensitivity as well.

He was a legend in Armageddon!!!! 🤣😎🤣

@@levelupwithmikenewman lmao yeah, he was!

For me the PD200x. Less muddy, plus you have the Maono app as an audio interface to use in USB mode, FiFine is great for spoken spoken word, but I give the PD200x the edge there too.

..also it is ambient noise friendly which I didn't expect for a cardioid polar pattern microphone.

Can’t argue the steal you’re getting at $50 for it, awesome value for the performance!

I know!! I was really upset. I worked so hard setting up that rig for that shot, and my neighbor (who is my father in law) was watching me do it from his deck with a quizzical look on his face. Lol. You were n’t supposed to hear me at all and yet it STILL did really good at picking out my voice over the lawnmower. 😂🤣🤪