JOBY Wavo POD Microphone Review
JOBY are expanding ever further from their original GorillaPod, and have decided to create a product geared towards those who want to dabble in the world of podcasting and streaming, with their JOBY Wavo POD microphone.
Design
Straight away it was apparent that this is a well built product and somewhat a surprise for an entry level microphone. Made from reassuringly solid polycarbonate and ABS plastic, it has an adjustable vertical swivel, the flagship JOBY red colour is featured on the pop filter and, as microphones go, it deserves to be called stylish. But it has a practical side too, with a headphone jack and USB-C port. More so we are appreciative of the universal boom arm and mount support, with 3/8” and 5/8” using the adapter included with the base. What’s more, on the side there’s a 1/4” mount. You'd struggle to find something this microphone won’t mount.
The controls are just fine. A simple knob on the front for controlling volume, and when this is held down for 4 seconds it glows blue, to alert that it can now be utilised for gain adjustment (between 0 and 42dB). A single push will mute/un-mute the mic. Separate knobs would be nice, but for podcasting in a repetitive environment the gain isn’t going to need adjustment quite so often.
In use
The JOBY Wavo POD microphone records in either cardioid or omnidirectional modes at 24bit/48kHz. Recording within different indoor environments featuring granite, plastered and wooden walls, we were able to note that the cardioid mode is best for preserving focused audio and tonal ranges. For podcasting, this microphone, with its plug and play setup, records natively well enough to avoid much touching up in software following recording - with no need at all if you’re not a total perfectionist. It presents clean, clear and very neat sound that is suitable for broadcast. We can see the benefit of omnidirectional ability for recording bands and conversational styled podcasts, but it serves no advantage and, in fact, hinders solitary vocals, and doesn’t offer stereo channels in recording anyway. Undoubtedly Podcasting is the JOBY Wavo POD microphone's greatest strength. Vocally the pop filter is best left in place to avoid hearing lips and any delicate mouth noise, but with it off we’d say the bass is stronger even though the overall sound image is noisier in terms of unwanted oral artefacts. The high and mid ranges are indifferent and impressed us throughout our testing.
Verdict
The JOBY Wavo POD microphone is best suited to be used for vocal recording, and is thoughtfully designed for podcasting and streaming with its dexterous boom arm and mount support, plus its blissfully simple USB-C plug & play nature. For omnidirectional recording of bands and multiple voices it’s less impressive, but serves the purpose for referencing if not for final broadcast. Buy on Amazon
