19 February 2023 , 10:00
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If you're looking for a versatile and easy-to-use microphone for an affordable price, you might want to consider the Maono PD400X.
Whether you're on a podcast or recording a voice-over, more people than ever are now having to record audio from the comfort of their homes. Although convenient, there are still issues, you'll either have to break the bank to purchase a high-quality mic, or play it safe and look for a low-budget option.
The Maono PD400X offers you the best of both worlds, with this mic not only delivering high-quality in its audio, but also the feel and look of it too. The PD400X also offers easy-to-use controls on the mic including a 3-in-1 smart knob to control microphone gain, headphone volume and monitor mix, and it also features a tap-to-mute function, making it easy to control your audio.
Coming in at a cool £128 on the Maono site, the PD400X's versatility helps it stand out from the competition. The mic features both a USB and XLR socket, something which you will struggle to find around the same price range. For reference, the Rode X XCM-50 comes in at £170 and only allows for a USB connection, and the same is true for the HyperX QuadCast S which is normally £159.99 but is currently £119 on Amazon. All of these microphones boast excellent audio quality as you'd expect for these price points, so the features on offer here are what set the PD400X device apart.
Maono PD400X design
After a period of time using the PD400X, its build quality really stood out, with the mic being satisfyingly heavy, unlike some of the low-budget mics you will find on the market. The all-black, metal design is an eye-pleaser, with the touch-sensitive mute button placed on the front of the mic, just above the smart knob.
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On the bottom of the microphone and out of sight are the USB and XLR sockets, with a 3.5mm headphone jack also included. The included bracket is the same black, metal design with subtle yellow Maono logos on either side, with the splash of colour a nice touch.
The Maono PD400X up closeThe bracket makes the mic extremely versatile, easily attaching to the desk stand which is included with the PD400X, whilst also being able to attach to any standard boom arm, including the Maono BA90 Suspension Boom Scissor Arm Stand, which you can get for just £65 on the Maono website if you want to match with the sleek black and metal mic.
Maono PD400X features
What impressed me the most with the PD400X is that it does exactly what it says on the tin, down to a tee. No details were left out by Maono, so there are no nasty surprises when using the mic. The PD400X features the cardioid polar pattern, which cuts out any background noise and solely picks up the voice over the top of the mic, making it the ideal mic for podcasting, which is what Maono claims it's specially designed for.
Its USB and XLR sockets make it a real crowd-pleaser, allowing you to hook up the PD400X to a computer, or an audio interface. As well as the PD400X mic, bracket and desk stand, Maono also included wind foam, a XLR-XLR Audio Cable and a USB-A to USB-C audio cable, so if you're like me and using one of the new MacBook Pro models, you'll need a new wire or an adapter to connect.
The Maono PD400X has a USB-C and XLR socketOne of the standout features has to be the 3-in-one smart knob, making it extremely easy to control and operate your audio without using any software. It allows you to change the gain, monitor output volume or monitor output mixing, and you can change each one just by turning the knob. This element is missing from the Rode X XCM-50, which only allows you to adjust settings through its accompanying software.
Users of the PD400X can also use the Maono Link App to access more audio settings and tone tweaking, which is very easy to use if you don't have much experience with post-audio tuning and editing. Below is a list of essential specifications.
Maono PD400X performance
For the past few weeks, I've been using the PD400X in a room with no sound treatment at all in a variety of ways including podcasting, gaming and voiceovers.
Without any audio treatment or post-tuning, it doesn't pick up any unwanted background sound, or any echoing, with a fantastic clarity of voice. Sound is very subjective with many people having different preferences, but in my case, I can't fault the PD400X audio-wise.
The PD400X mic features a 3-in-1 smart knob and a touch-sensitive mute buttonThe setup of the PD400X was simple, taking just a few minutes to connect the mic to the bracket and the bracket to the desk stand. Once set up and connected to your computer (with an adapter for my MacBook Pro), it took just two clicks to make the PD400X my primary input source, with the simple instructions provided in the included manual.
This again is a major contrast to the Rode X XCM-50, which required the installation of the Unify software in order to adjust any settings, which then changes some of your device's audio drivers. This can be a headache for those who are not too familiar with audio and just want to get stuck in with a plug-and-play device but still have the features available to them.
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Thanks to the 3-in-1 dial, it didn't require any software to set up the mic to my personal preferences. One minor gripe I did have was with the tap to mute button, which often takes multiple attempts to comply with my touch, the sensitivity settings just aren't quite right.
Final thoughts on the Maono PD400X
In the few weeks I've used the Maono PD400X, I've been more than happy. The mic's ability to block out any background noise and solely focus on my voice is impressive, whilst the controls on the mic itself have proven a huge appeal for me, meaning I don't need to be using any software to adjust audio settings.
Overall, the PD400X is an eye-pleasing mic that offers high-quality sound to a variety of people. Whether you want to use it to game, record podcasts and voice-overs or simply have a call with friends, the versatile, easy-to-set-up mic can prove effective for both professional and non-professional users for a reasonable price.
Verdict: 5/5