Maono DM30 RGB review – A budget-friendly gem of a mic

Some audiophiles could have you imagine that each one one of the best gaming microphones have hefty worth tags to match, however sticking purely to the most costly manufacturers means you may miss out on the chance to get your arms on some hidden video games, just like the Maono DM30 RGB gaming microphone.

The Maono DM30 RGB gaming microphone is probably not from as recognizable a model as the massive tech giants we’re used to writing about, however that hasn’t stopped it from simply incomes an accolade as among the finest funds gaming microphones we’ve used. Throughout CES 2023, the Maono DM30 RGB acquired the status of being listed as an ‘Innovation Award Honoree’, being listed amongst merchandise from the likes of Asus, Canon, and Alienware, so we aren’t the one ones who assume this microphone is well worth the consideration.

Maono DM30 RGB specs

Maono DM30 RGB Options

Organising the Maono DM30 was as stress free because it will get. Proper out of the field, this condenser microphone might be plugged straight right into a USB port with its accompanying type-C USB cable, negating the want for an audio interface or some other exterior energy sources apart from your desktop PC. The second this DM30 RGB is plugged in, all it’s important to do is change the audio inputs and outputs in your audio settings, and also you’re good to go.

At a look, the DM30 doesn’t have plenty of bells and whistles, with there solely being one massive dial sitting on its entrance. By default, turning the dial left or proper will management your quantity achieve, however urgent within the dial for an extended interval will swap the mic over to provide you management of your audio monitoring. Tiny LEDs sitting above icons of each a microphone and a pair of headphones will point out what setting you’re at present controlling. You’ll in fact must have your headphones related by way of the DM30’s 3.5mm headphone jack for the latter management to have any impact – for those who’re utilizing one other audio output the on-mic monitoring management does nothing.

Urgent and holding the dial a 3rd time will flip off audio monitoring, and one ultimate click on will mute the mic altogether. This may be useful for those who want a bit snack break in between gaming classes however don’t wish to overwhelm your mates with nauseating consuming sounds.

Above and under this multi-functional dial, is the RGB lightning, which might be managed by way of a small button discovered on the underside of the microphone. Urgent this inconspicuous button offers you the flexibility to vary the lighting to a gradient of colours, which can slowly change over time. If the preset gradients aren’t for you, identical to the dial, urgent it once more will provide you with extra choices, on this case switching to a number of static colours, or you’ve the choice to show off the RGBs solely.

Maono DM30 RGB Design

With low-cost gaming peripherals, there’s an expectation that they’ll appear and feel low-cost too, however the occasion the Maono DM30 was setup on my desk, I used to be stunned by how not too dissimilar it appears compared to different high-end gaming microphones in the marketplace. The DM30 sits at round 8.6 inches lengthy, and makes use of a cylinder-shaped kind, with a smooth black steel end, paying homage to the HyperX QuadCast S, and even the Rode X DM-100.

What it additionally has in frequent with these microphones, is the position of its RGB lighting, which is hidden beneath a patterned grill. The grill on a microphone is often used to guard the flamboyant elements inside, however Maono have chosen to make use of its existence to their benefit, opting to show a gradient impact of colours from beneath. Although this determination isn’t distinctive to the DM30, having them beneath the hexagonal grill makes their impact extra refined, and fewer overbearing just like the lighting on different funds gaming microphones.

The DM30 makes a distinction from the opposite microphones I’ve talked about, by having an additional quantity of RGB lighting which encompasses the area allotted to the USB Kind-C port, and the headphone jack enter. Located across the backside portion of the mic, this ring mimics both the underside shade of the gradient, or no matter static shade that’s been chosen.

Right here is likely one of the few cases the place I noticed clear indicators of this mic being on the funds aspect of issues, as by means of the lighting’s cut-out sample I might clearly see flakes of plastic, as if somebody had been taking out their gaming frustrations on the microphone itself. It’s not vastly noticeable from arm’s size, and sure gained’t be picked up on a webcam for those who have been to stream with the DM30, nevertheless it’s however a small nit-pick that I discovered personally distracting.

The DM30 comes with its personal accompanying stand which permits the DM30 to swivel round 300 levels, however you’ll need it pointing face up for the cardioid sample to select up audio. With these desktop gaming microphones, I all the time resort to hunching over to get any audio picked up, however fortunately the DM30 is suitable with ⅜ inch and ⅝ inch growth arms stands, that are simply attachable.

Whereas I acquired an all-black model of the DM30 RGB gaming microphone for this overview, it’s accessible in different colorways to swimsuit any type of PC gaming setup. To me, that is one thing I’d count on with most PC peripherals, however you’d be stunned what number of manufacturers simply go for one black variant of their merchandise. With the DM30, you’ve the choice of choosing it up in white, pink, and purple, in addition to the black variant I’m reviewing in the intervening time. The purple colorway is definitely extra of a metallic blue from what I can see, however regardless, figuring out Maono truly accommodates totally different PC gaming setups is a win for the DM30 RGB in my ebook.

Maono DM30 RGB Efficiency and Software program

The sound high quality of the DM30 was genuinely shocking, as I wasn’t anticipating such crisp readability, particularly when costlier microphones, just like the Logitech G Yeti GX that I’ve reviewed, didn’t produce the sound I hoped for. The DM30 has a typical cardioid pickup sample (that pickups sound in entrance of and to the edges of the mic, however ignores extra sounds from the rear), which is nice at choosing out your voice in opposition to the backdrop of some other noise air pollution in your house/workplace/gaming den.

One draw back that’s typical of mics connected to desktop stands – fairly than on an arm – is the DM30 does strongly choose up the faucets of your favourite gaming keyboard or knocks in opposition to your desk. Nonetheless, the nuanced sensitivity of the DM30 make it an excellent candidate for getting used not just for gaming and streaming, however even for recording longer kind audio, like with podcasting.

This sensitivity was clear when taking part in some rounds of the enduring Left 4 Lifeless with my accomplice. With the DM30, he was capable of hear the fixed clicks of my wired Xbox controller, which was dropped at my consideration. But, general even he was pleasantly stunned by the standard of my voice, pondering I used to be in reality utilizing my most well-liked Rode NT1A microphone. With the DM30’s 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response, and cardioid pickup sample, my audio sounded clear all through a number of gaming classes, as long as I didn’t drift away from the entrance face of the microphone.

The default audio high quality is nice however the DM30 actually shines when you obtain the accompanying Maono Hyperlink software program. The software program includes a vary of EQ choices to amplify the standard of your audio, separated by ‘commonplace’ and ‘superior’ sub-menus, with the usual choices providing the fundamental capability to spice up achieve, in addition to choose from a number of pre-set audio tone choices.

There’s deep, pure, vivid, and legacy to select from. I discovered myself drawn to the legacy profile because it added an additional bit of heat to the DM30’s tone. It has since grow to be my go-to choice when taking this mic out for a spin.

Maono Hyperlink is fairly restricted with its EQ choices as a complete, with the ‘superior’ choices principally consisting of permitting you to regulate the quantity achieve, headphone audio monitoring, or mute the DM30 altogether, that are precisely the identical capabilities you may already do utilizing the 3-in-1 dial talked about earlier. It is a frequent situation I had with Maono Hyperlink, as even the RGB choices with the software program solely allow you to choose between precisely what the small button on the underside of the microphone already means that you can do. With a microphone as funds pleasant because the DM30, I wasn’t anticipating a lot when it comes to customization, however because it stands, minus my favourite audio preset, it’s fairly limiting.

There are some extra EQ settings, providing you with 4 ‘HPPF and Presence Increase’ presets to select from, in addition to a limiter and compressor, however even after some tinkering, they nonetheless did not convey me the tone that the usual ‘legacy’ preset was capable of seize.

Do you have to purchase the Maono DM30 RGB gaming microphone?

At $49.99, the Maono DM30 RGB gaming microphone feels unattainable to not advocate, particularly for those who’re trying to particularly add a condenser mic to your repertoire with out breaking the financial institution. You’d be hard-pressed to seek out one at this low a worth, that also appears smooth, affords a flashy vary of RGB lights, and brings high-quality crisp audio to the desk.

For those who’re simply in want of a microphone for chatting by means of Discord with your mates or are new to the world of streaming and desire a competent microphone that may nonetheless convey a component of favor to your stream, the Maono DM30 RGB gaming microphone is a should purchase.

If the Maono DM30 isn’t for you

For those who’ve already received sufficient RGB lights going off regardless of the place you look, the Razer Seiren Mini is a good different. It’s nonetheless budget-friendly, and even cheaper than the Maono DM30, which is mirrored in its restricted characteristic set and barely decrease sound high quality, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an honest entry-level and really compact choice.

For those who’ve received a bit extra cash to play with, the HyperX QuadCast has an identical aesthetic to the DM30, however on a bigger scale. Whereas this microphone is costlier than the DM30, this microphone comes with its personal built-in shock mount, which provides considerably to its worth.