How To Setup Rode PodMic | Complete Beginner’s Guide

In this article, we’ll walk through how to get your Rode PodMic fully set up and ready for recording. 

Quick Answer: The Rode PodMic is packaged without any accessories. You’ll need a few other pieces of equipment to get going, including a mic stand, audio interface and mixer. With these, it’s very simple to connect the units and begin recording high-quality audio.

Rode PodMic Setup

The RØDE PodMic is a professional-grade dynamic microphone designed for podcasting and other voice applications. It is known for its high-quality audio reproduction, making it a popular choice among podcasters and content creators. The PodMic features a cardioid pickup pattern, which means it is sensitive to sound directly in front of the microphone and less sensitive to sound from the sides and rear. This makes it ideal for capturing the voice of a single speaker in a recording environment.

When you unbox your PodMic, you will find the microphone… That’s it. So let’s start with some accessories that you need in order to get the best result.

Mic Stand & Boom Arm

First things first, you’ll need a way to mount the mic. One option is to screw the Rode PodMic onto a table mic stand. They’re sleek, minimal, and work great for a boardroom-style podcast with 2 or 3 people.

The next step up would be an articulating boom arm. The Rode PSA1+ is our favorite for its sturdy handling of the 2lb-heavy Rode PodMic. Being made by the same company, the PSA1+ is designed with the PodMic in mind.

This particular boom arm provides maximum flexibility regarding how you’d like to position your mic. It’ll stay in place no matter how you orient it; no drifting or leaning out of place.

With your mic supported, let’s go on to how to get the audio feed to your computer.

• Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand
• Rode PSA1 Plus Boom Arm: https://currentprice.io/psa1_plus

Audio Interfaces & Mixers

An audio interface will convert the analog signal produced by your microphone into a digital signal for your computer. Plugging the PodMic directly into your computer isn’t possible, and you need an interface to process the signal correctly. It’s the best way to connect your XLR microphone to your computer.

Dynamic microphones like the Rode PodMic often need an inline preamp (Cloudlifter) to boost the signal, but we recommend getting one of the three options below which are able to power the PodMic without any additional hardware.

Group Podcast: Rode Rodecaster Pro II & Rode PodMic

If you’re recording a podcast of up to 4 people, look no further than the Rode Rodecaster Pro II.

It’s the easiest and best audio mixer for a group podcast. It has everything you need in an audio mixer. It can record and monitor four microphones while giving you tons of presets for high-quality recordings.

You can record the audio on your computer, SD card, or external hard drive.

This podcast mixer is the best in its class. 

Rode Rodecaster II Audio Mixer: https://currentprice.io/rodecaster2

Streaming: Elgato Wave XLR & Rode PodMic

If you want to use your Rode PodMic for live streaming, we recommend using the Elgato Wave XLR.

The Elgato Wave XLR is a professional audio interface for streamers and content creators. It’s a high-quality audio interface that allows users to record and stream audio directly from a computer.

The Wave XLR features 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution, which provides clear and detailed sound quality.

It also has a built-in headphone output and level control, allowing users to monitor and adjust their audio in real time.

Aside from the specs, you get access to Elgato’s software suite, which includes Wave Link. Wave Link allows you to sub-mix, add plugins for improved audio, and more.

Elgato Wave XLR Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/wave_xlr

Best Value: Focusrite Vocaster One & Rode PodMic

Focusrite can proudly claim to have produced the best-selling audio interface of all time. They took that experience and poured it into the Focusrite Vocaster Audio Interface. It comes in a single-channel or dual-channel version.

It’s a simple, sleek interface featuring a microphone input, headphone connectivity, and the ability to connect a video camera or Bluetooth devices.

When you’re using the device, you will also notice a good variety of presets and easy to use features that will help you to sound great on your podcast or live stream.

• Focusrite Vocaster One Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/vocaster_one
• Focusrite Vocaster Two Audio Interface:  https://currentprice.io/vocaster_two

XLR Cable

You’ll need an XLR cable to connect the Rode PodMic to your audio interface.

When it comes to length, make sure you get an XLR cable at least 10 ft long.

Mogami Studio Gold XLR Cables are consistently the top rated XLR cables on the market.

We prefer to use the Canare Star Quad Cables because they are a bit more flexible while maintaining all of the quality that the Mogami cables have. Canare XLR cables are also available in a variety of colors.

Use the XLR cable to connect the Rode PodMic to your audio interface.

• Mogami Gold XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/mogami_xlr
• Canare Star Quad XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/canare_xlr

PodMic Position

To accurately set up the leveling on your microphone, you’ll first need to consider its positioning.

Dynamics mics, such as the Rode PodMic, should be about a fist away from your face. We recommend positioning it below the chin, pointing upwards. Talking in immediate proximity can create unpleasant pops around plosive words. You’ll also spare the listener from hearing your every breath.

Foam Windscreen

Whilst Rode claims their PodMic has an internal pop filter, the results can be mixed. So, we recommend layering the mic with an external pop filter. You can find our favorite picks in the list below.

Gain Setup

The maximum level your microphone audio can reach is 0db.

If your audio peaks to that level, expect clipping and distortion. A 12db safety margin will protect against spikes in volume such as laughs and excited spurts. You can maintain that buffer by recording at around -12db to -18db.

If you need to boost your audio later, that’s no problem. What you can’t do is fix it as a distorted signal if your gain was too high when you recorded it.

PodMic Equipment

For a recap of the key takeaways, we recommend partnering the PodMic with the following add-ons:

• External pop-filter
• Isolating Boom Arm
• Audio interface
• High-quality XLR cable

How To Set Up Rode PodMic

Rode PodMic FAQ

Pricing for Rode Podmic & Equipment

• Rode PodMic: https://currentprice.io/rode_podmic
• Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand
• Rode PSA1 Plus Boom Arm: https://currentprice.io/psa1_plus
• PodMic Foam Windscreen: https://currentprice.io/podmic_foam
• Mogami Gold XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/mogami_xlr
• Canare Star Quad XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/canare_xlr
• Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro Headphones: https://currentprice.io/beyer_dt_990
• Rode Rodecaster II Audio Mixer: https://currentprice.io/rodecaster2
• Elgato Wave XLR Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/wave_xlr
• Focusrite Vocaster One Audio Interface: https://currentprice.io/vocaster_one
• Focusrite Vocaster Two Audio Interface:  https://currentprice.io/vocaster_two

How to Set Up Rode PodMic Topics

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 0:25 – Video Setup
• 0:40 – Pricing & Specs
• 1:00 – Rode PodMic
• 1:18 – Mic Stand & Boom Arm
• 2:50 – Audio Interfaces & Mixers
• 5:11 – Group Podcast: Rode Rodecaster II & Rode PodMic
• 6:00 – Streaming: Elgato Wave XLR & Rode PodMic
• 6:38 – Best Value: Focusrite Vocaster One & Rode PodMic
• 6:54 – XLR Cable
• 9:16 – PodMic Position
• 9:59 – Foam Windscreen
• 10:23 – Gain Setup
• 12:12 – Post Processing & Mixing
• 16:12 – Rode PodMic Setup
• 16:50 – Final Thoughts