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Elgato Wave:1 USB Condenser Microphone $78 Delivered @ Amazon AU

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Fairly well known microphone by now, and worth it at this price point. I'm not a massive fan of the software, but it's a reasonably well-tuned mic. Condenser mic, so will capture surrounding audio more than a typical stage (dynamic) mic, but there's no really good quality dynamic mics in this price range, just the Behringer XM8500 for $30.

Tonally it's a little drier than many tend to be at this price point - where you'll see generous bass and presence boosts to give a sense of thickness and clarity - but it has the technical chops to hold up. If I was nitpicking, I'd want a little more warmth to leave it sounding natural, but I'll take this approach over its competitors. Very low noise floor.

Obligatory reviews:
Mic sample comapring to the Wave:3.
Comparison of Wave 1 & 3, as well as the software experience circa 2020.
Professional review of Wave 3 that compares against a lot of the competitors.

Enjoy!

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
This is part of Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals for 2022

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closed Comments

  • what's your thought on the Wave:3?

    • +2

      Not worth it for almost twice the price right now. Hardware compressor/limiter is not that much of a feature, nor is the physical switch for monitor/gain dial.

      If you're up in that range and beyond you should be looking at other options, most of them not USB.

      • what's your recommendation for mic in every price range? Up to $500?

        • I've posted some mic recommendation lists in the past, but not for such a wide price range with any detail, and for good reason.

          If you can identify a use case, then some further vocal/instrument info, I might be able to steer you, but you're giving off the impression you don't know where to start.

          Not everything may scale for your needs, or the way you want it to.

          • @jasswolf: My need would be for podcasting. I have a XM8500 for couple years now and I would like to upgrade if any good deals come up this BF.

            • +1

              @trantonz: If you want a broadcast dynamic mic due to being in a studio with multiple people, you're looking at the Shure SM7B by default, budget maybe something along the lines of the Shure SM58, or the Sennheiser E835 in the $100-$120 range if you want to play around with a windscreen for each. If studio mics are an option, the sE Electronics Dynacaster ($400-$440 local) comes into the mix well within your budget, and the cheapy broadcast condenser option you might like is the Mackie EM-91c for $100.

              If you're prepared to put a little more work in though, there's plenty of dynamic and condenser microphones that have a little warmth in the bass and neutral to dark tone in the treble, then you just roll out a pop filter or windscreen as needed. Just avoid anything too wooly in the bass, or with brittle sounding mids and lower treble, or extreme amounts of air in the treble.

              Just avoid stuff like the Rode Procaster or Podcaster, both are nothing like the timbral or technical quality you'll get from the NT series of studio condensers.

              Here's a good reviewer to cover some ground for comparisons:
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wU-soAz4vw
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wU-soAz4vw

              • @jasswolf: Thanks a lot. I almost pull the trigger on the Procaster. I see a lot of podcasters use it.
                With 2 person and an untreated environment, I don't think going with a condenser would be a wise choice

                • +1

                  @trantonz: Dynacaster is probably a really good option within your budget then, it's just a more neutral mic than the SM7B and more detailed, just with less of that legendary timbre.

                  • @jasswolf: Thank you. I did some googling and a mic named Blue Sona popped up. What's your thought on that mic?

                    • +1

                      @trantonz: Not sure it even sells here, but just get the SM7B if you're already spending up at that level and you want that warmer & darker tilt. Doubly so if don't want your mic looking like a failed Sony product from the 80s.

              • @jasswolf: Im a bit late here but theres been a lot of microphone deals posted for black friday. Do you have any suggestions for best value mic <150 mainly for streaming and say youtube content?

  • I do agree with your comment that it is the lack of low frequencies in the vocal

  • I do agree with your comment that it is the lack of low frequencies in the vocal

  • This or Seiren Mini at $59 — for online teaching and Zoom?

    • +1

      Look both are going to be fine for being heard clearly, but this is a better mic for a little more. Bare minimum, it's competing with the Razer Seiren X, arguably pushing a bit higher.

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