Rode M5 Review
Compact 1/2" Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
- 1/2" Capsule with Gold-Plated Membrane
- Includes Windshields
- Includes Microphone Clips
- Ultra-Low Noise
- All-Metal Body
- Cardioid Polar Pattern
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 15,371 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Rode M5. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Rode M5. For example, 89% of 3,873 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Rode M5 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 41 Reviews
Outstanding set!!
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone - Matched Pair
Reviewed by Cruddola on Guitar Center
I've used Rode mics on film and video shoots and are my go-to mics that won't break the bank. At my local GC I asked about a pair of little mics hiding out at the bottom corner of the badly lit display case. Before the GC dude came a customer gave me the run-down on these little gems. I've seen and heard this customer's work on many a local venue. He's well respected and is ALWAYS working the job. Like me, he won't endorse what won't hold its weight on the job and especially to the ear. The EAR is the final judge! I bought a set for my drum overheads. Swapped out the Audix AD-51s (These are killer too!) Short story even shorter, I bought two more sets. They are nothing but exceptional. Hi SPL and they don't fizz. Got them on my Hi-hat sets, blocks and X-hats. I placed one inside a gong drum, YIKES!! Beautiful rumble. I'll keep the AD-51s up high because I like the roll-offs and these little gems down low. With angled cable connectors they can hide anywhere and not be in the way. I got them running to a Soundcraft MFX-16 board (best board for drums yet) and they'll replace the SM-81s. I've got a buyer for the 81s already. The dude who turned me on to M5!! ... More
Best Overhead For A Cheap Price
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone - Matched Pair
Reviewed by Crunch Time Jerry on Guitar Center
I bought these for Overheads for my Drums.They were a perfect fit with the rest of my Mic setup.I use Shure Beta 57 Top Snare.Audix I5 on the Bottom and Shure SM57's on all the Toms and Shure Beta 52A Kick Mic.I record with a Zoom R24 and these Rode M5 were just the Finishing Touches I needed.Really made a BIG!! Difference.Really brought out my Kick Drum and just gave it a killer Stereo sound.I had my eye on these for a while.I wasn't disappointed when I got them.
The M5's were worth the wait!!!!
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone - Matched Pair
Reviewed by Clay J on Guitar Center
I have been putting the M5 through the ringer for the last two weeks. The museum my Taylor 814 and Takamine 12-string for recording. The m5s sound really good in any of the setups: stereo spaced, XY and ORTF. Running the signal into a focusrite scarlet interface, and then into Ableton Live. Also using plug-in alliance processing plugins. Was happy with what I was getting, but not able to nail a really good meaty sound like what comes out of my Taylor 814 even though I was utilizing some of the really powerful compressor, EQ plugins from plug-in alliance. About an hour ago I recorded some new parts with the Taylor 814, and during playback I decided to turn off all of the plugins. The M5's sounded fantastic!!! The sound that they captured was fantastic. Sounded extremely natural. Afterwards I went in with a select few plugins dialed in at low levels: Shadowhills class A mastering compressor, Millennia NSEQ and the Noveltech Character Enhancer... And I was getting studio quality tone for my acoustic recording! The M5 are absolutely amazing! And for that price point they are an absolute steal!!!! ... More
Prefect for Group Audio on a Budget!
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Ryan B. on B&H Photo Video
I purchased these mics to take place of purchasing 10 lavalieres for a large group interview setup on a closed set. The M5s did a great job handling voice for the situation I was encountering. But of course, as any good audio pro knows, you will not get the same sound as individual lavalieres. I took the room tone and the roominess of the mics pickup pattern and just owned it. I would not recommend these in a live or open set environment, but closed set was perfect. I have also place these mics out in the audience at live shows to pick up crowd and show audio and the blew me away! So long story short, just because these mics have certain things they were made for, you can fit them into many different situations to satisfy your audio needs. ... More
Very happy with the sound of this Rode M5 Matched Pair
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Kevin on B&H Photo Video
I've been using this Rode M5 Matched Pair for recording string ensembles and full orchestras. I'm very happy with the clarity and sensitivity of these mics. My setup location is the balcony in a medium-sized auditorium. I set up these mics on a stand using the K&M 23550 Adjustable Microphone Bar and plug them directly into my Canon XF400. I have an additional camera doing panning and zooming, as well as a 3rd camera at the back of the stage. The mics are quite sensitive and, due to my recording location, they of course pick up audience noise. Once the music starts, however, this becomes moot. I just reduce the level of the audience noise between the music in post. The clarity of this matched pair is pretty amazing. The stereo imaging I'm getting sounds wonderful. I'm not going into technical specs on these mics because few people care about that. My clients are happy and I'm happy. That's what really matters. ... More
Ads
RODE M5s ... Great Sound ... Great Price
RODE M5 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone Matched Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Stephen D. on Reverb
I saw these at .discount and since one of the cheap MXL pencil mics that I normally use live for.oveheads has developed spurious noise, I decided to buy them. I have had uniformly great experiences with my other RODE mics (2 NTKs, 2 N-1's and a matched pair of N5's) They arrived a few days ago and I immediately A/B-ed them against my current favorite drum overheads, the RODE N5s ... almost sonically indistinguishable. The N5's are a little brighter and open, but the M5s are punchy and added a nice upper mid to my close-micced snare sound. Live, they will be more than adequate and should clean up the kit noticeably from those cheap MXLs ... looking forward hearing the recordings after the next gig. ... More
Insane Buzzing In Both Mics
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Kodlee on B&H Photo Video
I unboxed and plugged these mics in to test quality and found that starting at the 2KHz range, at intervals of 1KHz all the way up to 15KHz+, there was a very loud buzzing that would fade in and out. I reached out to both B&H to return, but they said that after warranty was registered, they could do nothing. Then I reached out to RODE via the warranty contact as well as their USA store point of contact 2 weeks ago, and haven't heard a response. This has been a horrible experience. Note: for testing, I isolated the issue to the mics as I was able to successfully use different mics with the same interface and cables without said buzzing. Additionally, I tried the mics on two independent interfaces, and was able to repro the issue. ... More
Having fun !
RODE M5 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone Matched Stereo Pair
Reviewed by John S. on Reverb
I have had the opportunity to use one or both mics in a couple of live music settings. When put up as kit over heads they provided a good balance of skins and brass ( toms and cymbals ), had a neutral sound and provided good level before feedback, in a small rock club. At another venue, mixing country and blues, I tried the M5 on a snare and a fender amp, I was happy with both applications. When micing the snare I was able to get the mic right in where I wanted it, the sound was huge. Placed in front of a guitar amp, it provided me the sound of the amp, without any of the coloration close micing produces. Overall I am Happy with my M5s. ... More
Great for atmospheric sound
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by David on B&H Photo Video
Used a single condenser microphone from the pair to mic a bride and groom for an outdoor, lakeside ceremony. At a distance of 1.5 feet from bride and groom (and pointed towards ground), it kept accurate tones and collected a small amount of ambient noise such as waves lapping on the shore within a 10' cardioid. It managed to avoid picking up overheard plane noise as well as boat traffic noise from the lake. Found that it requires phantom power but that's par for the course. It'd be a delight to find a way to make a stereo mount and board for having these atop a camera for a clean and easy interview type situation. Would recommend, and am excited to use as a true pair in the future. ... More
Very impressed
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Michael on B&H Photo Video
I'm a magician/videographer, and I often combine both of those skillsets. So whether I am filming tutorials, performances, or anything, these microphones are gems. Great sound quality, especially for their price. They require 48V Phantom Power, which isn't even an issue. It's nothing a simple Phantom Power Supply can't fix. So glad I purchased these. Fantastic product!
Unbalanced volume - very tinny sounding
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone - Matched Pair
Reviewed by Curtis on Guitar Center
Has high hopes for these after using many quality Rode products and reading all the great reviews. However, I found them invredibly tinny sounding and not at all warm like many users have described them to be. I was not horribly surprised by this, as you really just can't get a good pair of "matched" mics at that price point. My biggest complaint was these mics are definitely not matched. There was a rather large (3 dB) difference in volume. This is the only bad review I've ever left for anything.
Perfect!
RODE M5 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone Matched Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Mike M. on Reverb
These are amazing little condensers... We’re using them as ambient Mic’s and have them mounted with alligator clips underneath TVs. They’re small, lightweight, and inconspicuous and they sound great! Can’t claim to feedback control - we’re only using them for monitor purposes. They’re well built, exactly what you’d expect from Rode!
Decent overheads on a budget
RODE M5 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone Matched Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Chloe L. on Reverb
I bought these because I needed to track drums but didn't have enough money to drop on better mics. I almost regret buying these, since they don't make my ears as happy as some other ones that I've worked with, but for the price, they capture enough detail in the sound to be worth it and considering it's for a punk rock record, it all works out in the end. Great if you need something cheap, but the NT5s are just straight-up better if you can afford it.
Great, inexpensive Mic pair!
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Sam on B&H Photo Video
These mics sound great with any vocal, choir, or instruments. They have a very warm sound to them and the frequency response is great. They both sound exactly alike to one another. One downside of them is the stand mounts that come with them. It is difficult to put the mic into the mount, you have to force the microphones on and twist them which I don't like to do since they are very delicate.
Worth it
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Rick on B&H Photo Video
I love these mic's. Not much hype on the high end and a nice smooth low end. They sound much better than the price would suggest. I've used them on drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, violin and sax. I got them to use for location recording but they found a home in the studio as well.
Inconspicuous and light weight
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Edward B. on B&H Photo Video
These little mics are inconspicuous and sensitive enough to pickup sounds well. Obviously not as sensitive as large diaphragm mics they are still crisp. Being small they are less intimidating and obstructing than large mics. Being lightweight they work well on boom arms. I have used them (as a stereo pair) inside a piano on a long boom.
So, so...
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Duane on B&H Photo Video
For the price they're ok. But the 2 mics don't sound alike. One is more sensitive to high frequencies than the other.
Wow
RODE M5 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone Matched Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Justin S. on Reverb
These are incredible pencil condenser mics for the price range. Low noise, very warm sound and works like a charm! My favorite use is on acoustic guitar, but also sounds nice as overheads for drums and piano.
Great Mics for the Price!
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Bryan on B&H Photo Video
I own a pair of these personally and found myself using my matched pair for the theatre at work. The pickup EQ is quite flat and picks up an orchestra quite nicely. They are great for acoustic guitar or drum overheads as well. This purchase was for the school to own so there would be no need to bring mine.
These Mics are fantastic
Rode M5 Compact 1/2" Condenser Microphone (Matched Pair)
Reviewed by Jonathan on B&H Photo Video
I didn't have high expectations for these, to be honest. I wanted a pair to put up against a piano to pick up the sound in stereo and I was pleasantly surprised! The pickup is actually perfect for this type of instrument, I just needed to EQ a bit to make it perfect, but other than that I'm very happy!
