Blue Yeti vs Rode Podcaster (2021): Which Starter Mic Should You Buy?

A good microphone is essential if you want to be a professional streamer, podcaster or content creator. You can probably get away with a headset microphone if you’re just doing it for fun, but if you want to up the quality of your content, then you definitely need a dedicated microphone. The Blue Yeti and the Rode Podcaster are just some of the most popular starter microphones that you can buy right now. Both are great for beginners, as well as professionals. Today, we’ll compare the two and find out which one is the better deal.

Blue Yeti vs Rode Podcaster Comparison Chart

Build Quality

Both microphones have a metal construction and feel sturdy.

When it comes to build quality, both microphones are impressive. They both have a metal construction that feels sturdy and premium. You can tell that both microphones can take a beating and will last a long time.

The Blue Yeti is measured at 11.61 x 4.92 x 4.72 inches (with stand) and it weighs a hefty 3.2 lbs. In contrast, the dimensions for the Rode Podcaster is 8.46 x 2.05 x 2.05 and it is lighter, weighing only 1.4 lbs. Without the stand, the Blue Yeti is a bit smaller, but still heavier.

As for the controls on the microphones, you’ll find a mic gain and headphones volume knob, as well as a mute button and a pattern pickup switch on the Blue Yeti. On the other hand, the Rode Podcaster only has a headphones volume knob, meaning that you need to adjust mic gain via software, which may not be as convenient.

Both microphones are compatible with standard boom arms and desk mounts. The Blue Yeti already comes with a stand, but you can attach it to a different one if you want to, since it is a bit low when placed on a desk. The Rode Podcaster comes with a ring mount accessory that allows you to attach it to a boom arm or a desk mount.

Features

Even though it is less expensive, the Blue Yeti offers more features than the Rode Podcaster.

Both the Blue Yeti and the Rode Podcaster are USB microphones, and they are both plug and play as well. You can connect both to a desktop PC or a laptop and you can start recording as soon as possible. Both mics will work with a free audio editing and recording software like Audacity.

One of the biggest difference between the two mics is their pickup pattern. The Rode Podcaster has a cardioid pickup pattern, while the Blue Yeti has four patterns to choose from—cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo. You can choose which pattern you want to enable via a switch at the back of the microphone.

On that note, the Blue Yeti comes with more control options, including headphone volume, mic gain, the aforementioned pickup pattern switch and a mute button. The Rode Podcaster only has a headphones volume knob to adjust the volume of your headphones while monitoring. You will need to control everything else via software or a mixer/audio interface.

When it comes to preventing unwanted noise, the Rode Podcaster is better out of the box since it is a dynamic microphone. As for plosives and other background noise, it is recommended that you get a separate pop filter for both microphones for better results.

Performance

When it comes to vocals, the Rode Podcaster outputs a fuller and richer sound.

The Blue Yeti is a condenser microphone, while the Rode Podcaster is a dynamic type. With the Blue Yeti, you’ll be able to produce a more natural sound since condenser mics are able to pick up a wider frequency response. However, it is more sensitive, so it will also pick up background or unwanted noise easily. Also, it will not be able to handle loud bursts of noise as well as a dynamic mic like the Rode Podcaster.

On that note, the Rode Podcaster, as already mentioned, is a dynamic mic. It has a more “broadcast” sound to it, with the low and mid frequency a bit boosted, resulting in a richer sound, but still very clear. The Podcaster can also handle loud bursts of sound easily, like percussion instruments, making them ideal for recording instruments. Also, it can prevent background noise from getting picked up better.

When it comes to pickup patterns, the Blue Yeti is simply better, because it has four options to choose from—cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo. In contrast, the Rode Podcaster only has a cardioid pickup pattern.

For streaming, recording vocals, or a single person podcast, both will perform very well. However, if you are doing a podcast with multiple guests, conducting an interview or you want to record audio with stereo imaging, you will want the Blue Yeti. Of course, this is assuming that you will only use one microphone for everything. If you will be using multiple mics, then both are feasible and will perform well.

Accessories

Both microphones are compatible with most desktop stands and boom arms.

The Blue Yeti already comes with a desktop stand, along with a 3m/10ft. USB cable. Inside the box, you’ll also find some documentations and instructions. The Blue Yeti is a bit heavier than most microphones, so if you want to buy a different desktop stand or a boom arm, you need to make sure that the stand or arm can support the weight of the Blue Yeti.

With the Rode Podcaster, you’ll also get a 3m/10ft. USB cable, a ring mount adapter and some documentations and instructions on how to properly use the mic. It is compatible with most standard desktop arms and boom mounts since it is not as heavy as the Blue Yeti.

Verdict

The Rode Podcaster offers better sound quality, but the Blue Yeti offers better value.

Both are USB mics and will work great as starter microphones for content creators, streamers and podcasters. However, for those on a budget, the Blue Yeti is the more sensible choice since it is very versatile and it also has a more affordable price tag. Because it has several pickup patterns, it can be used in different scenarios effectively, and this can really help out anyone that does not have the budget to have several microphones in their setup. Also, the sound quality of the Blue Yeti is not terrible, it’s actually very good for the price. If budget is not an issue and you just want the better sounding microphone, then you should definitely pick the Rode Podcaster over the Blue Yeti.

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