Although both Rode PodMic and Blue Yeti are popular, highly recommended microphones, keep in mind that they offer different features and advantages. We will discuss the comparison of Rode PodMic vs Blue Yeti in this article to find out when to use each microphone, as well as to determine which microphone that generally offers the best value for the money.
Our discussion below will tell you further all about:
- The design and build quality of Rode PodMic vs Blue Yeti
- The pros and cons of Rode PodMic’s XLR output compared to Blue Yeti’s USB output
- The built-in features and included accessories of Rode PodMic and Blue Yeti
- The sound quality comparison between Rode PodMic and Blue Yeti
- Which one between Rode PodMic and Blue Yeti gives the best overall value
Rode PodMic vs Blue Yeti: Design
Right out of the box, Rode PodMic will greet you with an iconic stocky look of a studio mic. It features a chrome finish on the grille, and the black chassis is also made of metal. It looks professional and feels really robust. Read also: Elgato Wave 3 vs Blue Yeti X.
At the same time, despite the serious quality of the construction, Rode PodMic remains quite compact and portable. It weighs 937 grams (2.06 lbs), so it is not too heavy, and it measures only 172 x 109 x 62 mm (6.77 x 4.29 x 2.44 inches). You can easily put the mic inside your backpack when you need to travel.
The only small imperfection of Rode PodMic is the swinging bracket hovering under the XLR port. It does not swing freely. As the effect, it may require some effort to adjust sometimes. But this is just a minor annoyance rather than a real problem.
Blue Yeti is obviously designed for streamers and podcasters. It comes with a desktop stand so that you can easily place it on your desk. However, you can detach the desktop stand if you prefer to use a boom arm. The construction is solid and durable; Blue Yeti can easily withstand knocks and bumps without complaining. It is available in various color choices, such as black, gray, silver, blue, teal, and red.
Blue Yeti is fairly portable. With the desktop stand attached, it measures 295 x 125 x 120 mm (11.61 x 4.92 x 4.72 inches). It is somewhat bulky, but on the positive side, you won’t need an additional accessory to place the microphone – just put it on a flat surface. The total weight of the mic and desktop stand is 1.55 kg (3.4 lbs). While clunky, the desktop stand has a good stability and works well.
| Rode PodMic | Blue Yeti | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 9 x 6 x 4 inches | 4.9 x 4.7 x 11.6 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 2.07 pounds | 3.2 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
Rode PodMic vs Blue Yeti: Connectivity
Rode PodMic has an XLR output. This is important to keep in mind. If you are looking for a simple plug-and-play microphone, Rode PodMic is not for you. In most cases, it will need special equipment in order to send the captured sound into your computer, such as an audio interface or a mixing board.
So, what are the advantages of an XLR output? First of all, it can deliver better sound quality. It captures the raw analog data and sends them through a balanced cable, so that it won’t be plagued by noise or interference issues. Secondly, it offers more versatility; it can work with different pre-amps and audio recording devices. Thirdly, it will allow you to place the mic far from your computer, as XLR cables are available in different lengths.
Blue Yeti has a USB output. It is great for people who only need to work with one microphone and prefer a simple plug-and-play operation. It is compatible with various computer operating systems, including Windows and macOS, and it can work with various audio recording applications.
However, Blue Yeti uses a built-in converter, which has a 16-bit resolution and 48kHz sampling rate. This quality is good enough for streaming and podcasting. But musicians and home-studio users probably want something with better sound, perhaps a microphone that can be paired with a good pre-amp.
Not to mention that USB cables are prone to noise and interference issues because, unlike XLR cables, they are not balanced. You can try to minimize such issues by using a short cable and editing in post-production, but in the end an XLR microphone tends to be cleaner than a USB microphone.
Rode PodMic vs Blue Yeti: Features
Rode PodMic is a very good quality mic with an affordable price tag, so it is understandable that the box does not include many things. There is just an XLR cable that will allow you to start working. There is no stand, so you will need to get one separately. Getting a stand with a shock mount is recommended if you want to eliminate all noise.
Inside Rode PodMic, there is an internal pop filter that effectively reduces wind noise and softens sharp plosives. The mic has a cardioid polar pattern, which means that it picks up sound from the front while rejecting sound from the left, right, and rear. Another notable thing, Rode PodMic has a maximum SPL handling of 130dB, so it can deal with loud sound easily.
Blue Yeti is indeed more feature-packed, although it only has a maximum SPL handling of 120dB. It contains three 14mm condense capsules that work together so that you can choose between four polar patterns: cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. You can switch between these polar patterns by using the knob on the back of the microphone.
Having different polar patterns can be handy if you often need to work in different conditions. The bidirectional mode captures sound from two sides, and is useful for interviews. The omnidirectional mode picks up from every angle. Meanwhile, the stereo mode tries to emulate sound with a three-dimensional impression.
There is also another knob on the back of Blue Yeti for adjusting the gain. On the bottom, there is the USB port and a headphone output, which will allow you to perform direct monitoring on the microphone. On the front, Blue Yeti has a volume adjustment knob for the headphone output and a mute button.
Rode PodMic vs Blue Yeti: Sound Quality
In general, Rode PodMic has better sound quality. One of the biggest advantages is that it has significantly less noise. You can easily increase the gain to capture fine details without having to worry about a background static. You don’t even need a complicated setup to benefit from Rode PodMic’s great sound quality; it sounds very good right out of the box.
Rode PodMic is quite sensitive. It can easily capture fine details. At the same time, the internal pop filter works really well in reducing wind noise and plosives. The frequency response is flat and accurate. It is particularly suitable for recording human voices, but it also works great for musical instruments.
Blue Yeti is really nice in terms of versatility. For podcasters who sometimes receive guests in their talks, the adjustable polar patterns of Blue Yeti can be very useful. The sound quality is generally crisp and detailed. The 16-bit/48kHz quality won’t be an issue for streamers and podcasters because the audio in online multimedia content is typically compressed anyway.
Still, Blue Yeti has a few weaknesses. First, the bass tends to be subdued. Because of this, Blue Yeti won’t sound good for people with a low, deep voice. Second, it is prone to noise. You may notice a background static if you increase the mic’s gain or volume too much. It also likes to pick up environmental noise. Third, compared to Rode PodMic, Blue Yeti does not sound as neutral and accurate.
Rode PodMic vs Blue Yeti
Conclusion
Rode PodMic is generally more recommended because it offers better sound quality. It has a detailed, accurate, and neutral sound. It is also more versatile due to the XLR output. It works well with all kinds of human voice and musical instruments.