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CardioidRØDE M1

  Street: $149 / MSRP: $199 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

RØDE M1

Description

The M1 is a stage vocal mic in the classic ball (read “SM58”) design. It is a dynamic mic with a fixed cardioid pickup pattern.

It is billed as a rugged, “rock and roll” mic, clearly intended to compete with the SM58 and perhaps even more directly with the Telefunken USA Ela M 80 (which I believe also ships in a can).

The M1 includes a stand mount and a “zip pouch” (Rode p/n ZP1). The mic carries a 10 year warranty.

Performing Musician, 2009

I compared the M1 with several other dynamic models including the Heil Sound PR 22 and a Shure SM57 mic I have had in my collection since the 1970s (sadly, I didn’t have an SM58 on hand). Sound-wise, the M1 came closer to the Shure SM57, but with a more open, airy sound and a hint more output. Despite the substantial 8kHz hump shown on the frequency response graph, the M1 didn’t sound to have an excessively pronounced presence peak, so the overall impression was more of a smooth and detailed studio vocal sound than an in-your-face live rock sound. By contrast, the Heil Sound PR 22 had more output and more overall clarity, presumably due to differences in the tailoring of the frequency response in the presence region.

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The mic was released in 2009.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (1.6 mV/Pa; 75 - 18,000 Hz)
Coil Diameter Impedance SPL/Noise
n/a 320 Ohms (Low) SPL n/a
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
360g (12.70oz) 171mm (6.73'') 52mm (2.05'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications

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