Maono kindly provided the product for the purpose of this Maono PD400X microphone review.
These days, it seems everyone wants to be a podcaster, YouTuber, or streamer. Whether it’s to follow a passion, pursue a dream career, or expand an existing business, there’s nothing like finding your voice and getting it out there on your favourite platform. But getting started can be a minefield.
So, you’ve probably got an idea for what you want your podcast/channel to be about. But before you can start creating you need to find the right kit.
Funnily enough, equipment is often an overlooked aspect for first-time content creators. But investing in some quality gear can mean the difference between looking like an amateur and a seasoned professional.
Whether you’re new to the content creation game or not, the Maono PD400X microphone is designed to flexibly suit your needs. With its classic broadcast look, the PD400X sits comfortably in any set up. And the dual option of USB and XLR connectivity makes set-up easy for pros and newbies alike.
Unboxing
The first thing you’ll notice about the Maono PD400X is its quality packaging.
Inside an informative outer sleeve is a robust yet minimalist box bearing the words “Professional Audio Innovation”. Within this layer of packaging sits the compact metal bodied microphone, a sturdy metal stand, a perfectly sized mic cover, 1x USB-C cable, and 1x XLR cable.
Initial set-up is a doddle. The microphone can be attached to the included stand for maximum portability or a boom arm. Thankfully, the quality of the microphone is mirrored in the included stand and attaching the two components is easy. However, once placed in the stand, the microphone did wobble when repositioned. And this meant some additional tightening with a screwdriver was needed.
The stand base is heavy which keeps it nicely anchored to the desk. Once it’s all tightened up, getting the PD400X microphone into the perfect position is simple. But I’d recommend using an arm if you’re going to be using it in the same position and at the same angle regularly.
The microphone itself is quite compact in size. When sat next to my Blue Yeti mic, it was a good couple of inches shorter – and this is a good thing if space is at a premium. The PD400X goes for a classic broadcast style and it looks great. Thanks to the jet-black metal body, it’ll fit in with virtually any set-up.
Maono PD400X Microphone Review: Set-Up
Of course, before you can start recording, you need to plug in the microphone and tinker with its various settings to get things just right for your particular set-up.
The PD400X boasts a 3-in-1 digital knob that makes for easy and accurate adjustment of microphone gain, headphone volume, and audio mix. Simply press the knob in to cycle through the three options and use the illuminated interface to guide you to your chosen setting.
The knob itself is precise with nine intervals to adjust your gain and volume. With my set-up, I found having the gain set to three or four picked up my voice well with microphone take comfortably between the ideal -10db to -20db range.
Just above the digital smart knob is a touch sensitive mute light. Depending on how you have the mic positioned, seeing whether you have it muted or not can be difficult. Thanks to it being a touch panel rather than an actual button, it can also take a couple of taps to successfully mute/un-mute which isn’t particularly ideal if you need to precisely switch between the two.
An EQ adjustment button and three corresponding lights sit on the underside of the microphone’s base. Users need to simply tap to switch between the four pre-set options: Flat, High-pass filter, Presence Boost, and HPF & Presence Boost.
Maono PD400X Microphone Review: Sound Quality
The Maono PD400X comes in at $169.99USD or £143GBP. At that kind of price, users want professional and precise sounding audio. I’m happy to report the PD400X delivers.
The PD400X utilises a cardioid sound pattern. There’s no option to swap to different patterns as you get with a Blue Yeti.
As a result, speakers need to be careful not to drift off to the left or right otherwise the input will be lower. This also means it’s only suited for use by one speaker at a time – so it’s not great if you’re wanting to record interviews or round-table conversations.
With that said, the PD400X microphone is designed for podcasters, streamers and YouTubers, and cardioid input is well-suited for these activities. The microphone produces fantastic sound quality that captures the nuances of your voice while missing any unwanted background noise. This makes it perfect for streamers who will be tapping away on a keyboard or controller while speaking.
When compared with my go-to Blue Yeti microphone, the PD400X offers superior sound quality that sounds natural and is free of undesirable echo and unnecessary boom.
Like most, I don’t have the gear to support the XLR connection. But USB-C produced high quality sound nonetheless, especially thanks to the advanced options in the Maono Link software which is a standout bonus to this microphone.
Maono PD400X Microphone Review: Verdict
With there being so much choice out there when it comes to microphones, it can be difficult to know where to start. Price ranges vary wildly and getting started can be a daunting endevour.
With the PD400X, Maono have produced a microphone that should suit professionals and first-timers alike. Its price-point is accessible and you get a great piece of kit for your money.
Whether you’re a streamer, YouTuber, or podcaster, the Maono PD400X should suit your needs without breaking the bank. The added Maono Link software takes it to that next level and creates a professional set-up without the need for additional expensive equipment.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Do you have a microphone you would recommend? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other tech reviews…
