When it comes gaming microphones, many would argue getting a separate headphone and microphones would deliver much better results over getting a premium gaming headset.
On top of that, USB condenser microphones have become much more common, eliminating the need for audio interfaces and the clutter associated with them.
Today we’re taking a look at an entry from Maono – the Maono DM30 RGB, which is also the company’s “best-selling internet microphone”.
Table of Contents
Maono DM30 RGB – Specifications
| Model Name | Maono DM30 RGB |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Sensitivity | -4dBFS (1V/Pa at 1kHz) |
| Frequency Response | 2OHz – 20kHz |
Box Contents
- Maono DM30 RGB
- USB cable
- User manual
Design
The Maono DM30 RGB is available in four colour options – black, white, pink and purple. Our review sample came in purple, which is quite a rare colour offering.
It is fairly compact and would fit nicely even on a small desk due to its small footprint. The stand has some weight to it, and felt sturdy thanks to its metal construction. There are even silicone feet under the base to prevent it from sliding around and absorb vibrations. You can also unscrew the base and attach the stand onto third party boom arms as the threads are of the standard 3/8″ and 5/8″ variety.
The microphone itself is connected to the base via a screw, and can be hand tightened or loosened to adjust its angle. The capsule itself is also made of metal, and looks quite premium for the price. The top half features a grille pattern, while the bottom half houses the gain control knob, indicator lights and the connector ports.
In terms of connectivity, you can hook it up to the computer via the USB Type-C port, a matching cable is even included. The included cable, while not as long as I would have liked (I place my CPU on the floor) does come with a 2-in-1 USB connector so you could either plug it into either a USB Type-A or Type-C port.
Other than that, there is a 3.5mm headphone out allowing you to monitor your recording, and a small RGB switch to change the lighting colours. Speaking of RGB, the Maono DM30 RGB has RGB lighting inside the grille and under the microphone.
Audio Performance
The Maono DM30 RGB is a great performer for the price of US$49.99 (~RM232). The recording quality easily trumps the ones you get from gaming headsets, and could even go toe to toe with other sub-RM500 microphones in the market.
By default (plug and play only, no software used), the microphone has a clear and crisp quality to it. It leans slightly to being warm sounding, which would appeal to most users. It also comes with a 24bit/48kHz sampling rate, and is quite sensitive despite running solely on USB 2.0.
The Maono DM30 RGB has a cardioid polar pattern, which means it would primarily pick up sounds from the front. So when placed on the desk, you should tilt the microphone towards your face. If you are like me and have an aggressive typing behaviour, I suggest you opt for the variant with a boom arm instead to minimise pings and thumps as you type.
Controls
While the physical controls are quite basic, you do get all the essential controls within arms reach. For instance, with only the microphone LED indicator on, rotating the knobs will control the microphone gain. Pressing it once will mute/unmute the mic. Holding the button will turn on the headphone LED indicator, allowing you to control the headphone monitoring volume.
You can also cycle the RGB effects via the button underneath the capsule, which is a nice touch.
Maono Link Software
Unlike most USB microphones in this price range, Maono released a companion software called Maono Link. Currently it only supports select microphones, including the Maono DM30 RGB.
While it does not come with the fanciest looking UI, it is quite comprehensive. You get to choose between Standard and Advanced menu options. The former allows you to control the mic gain, headphone volume, RGB settings, and a choice between 4 tonal presets – Deep, Natural, Bright and Legacy.
Opening the Advanced menu allows further levels of customisation, which I would only recommend if you know what you are doing. In place of the tonal presets, you get to choose between 4 EQ settings – Flat, High Pass, Presence Boost and High Pass + Presence Boost. Not only that, you can adjust the limiter and compressor levels, which is usually only offered on higher tiered microphones.
Final Verdict
4 / 5The Maono DM30 RGB impressed us with its audio quality and versatility.
Coming at only US$49.99, the Maono DM30 RGB is easily one of the best budget microphones we have tested. The sound quality is impressive, and the build quality is excellent too. To top it all off, the Maono Link software offers users a bevy of tuning options to get the sound they want.
To learn more about the Maono DM30 RGB microphone, please visit the official product page here.
