Where they differ
| Specs | RØDE PodMic USB (Black) | Samson Q2U |
|---|---|---|
| Stand in the box | No | Yes |
| Samson Q2U comes with a desk stand; RØDE PodMic USB (Black) needs a stand or boom arm. | ||
| XLR cable in the box | No | Yes |
| Samson Q2U comes with an XLR cable; for RØDE PodMic USB (Black) you add one. | ||
| Best USB recording format | 24-bit, 48 kHz | 16-bit, 48 kHz |
| Over USB, RØDE PodMic USB (Black) records up to 24-bit, 48 kHz and Samson Q2U up to 16-bit, 48 kHz. Both are more than a stream carries (Twitch takes AAC audio at up to 160 kbps), so the difference matters for recordings you edit. | ||
| Processing on the microphone | Yes | None listed |
| RØDE PodMic USB (Black) processes your voice on the microphone over USB; for Samson Q2U you add filters in OBS. | ||
Where they are the same
- Connection
- USB and XLR
- Capsule
- Dynamic
- Pickup patterns
- Cardioid
- Headphone socket
- Yes
Not enough data to compare
We haven’t confirmed a figure for one or both models on: Preamp gain needed, USB cable in the box. The site leaves these out rather than guess.
What else each needs
RØDE PodMic USB (Black)
PodMic USB
For USB: a USB cable
For XLR: an audio interface or mixer with an XLR microphone input
For XLR: an XLR cable
A microphone stand or boom arm
Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug
- Check first: For USB: a USB cable. Our record of the box lists no USB cable. Check the box before you plan the connection.
- Optional: For XLR: an audio interface or mixer with an XLR microphone input. A computer has no XLR input. The interface’s preamp raises the microphone’s signal and sends it to the computer over USB.
- Optional: For XLR: an XLR cable. None comes in the box.
- You need: A microphone stand or boom arm. No stand comes in the box.
- Optional: Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug. Its headphone socket lets you hear yourself straight from the microphone, before the computer adds delay.
Samson Q2U
Q2U
For USB: a USB port that fits the cable
For XLR: an audio interface or mixer with an XLR microphone input
A boom arm, if you want it closer
Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug
- Check first: For USB: a USB port that fits the cable. A USB cable is in the box, but its ends are not listed. Check it against your computer’s ports.
- Optional: For XLR: an audio interface or mixer with an XLR microphone input. A computer has no XLR input. The interface’s preamp raises the microphone’s signal and sends it to the computer over USB.
- Optional: A boom arm, if you want it closer. A desk stand is in the box. An arm lets you bring the microphone nearer your mouth without it sitting in the camera shot.
- Optional: Wired headphones with a 3.5 mm plug. Its headphone socket lets you hear yourself straight from the microphone, before the computer adds delay.
Next step
Put either model into the setup builder to check it against your computer and the rest of your gear, or see all 27 side by side in USB microphones for streaming compared. Test your microphone before you go live.
Full profiles: RØDE PodMic USB (Black) and Samson Q2U.