Chinese audio brand Maono has officially launched its PD500W hybrid microphone aimed at content creators, after the original Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign raised over double its original $50,000 goal. The 60-day Kickstarter presented a mic that aimed to solve one of the key challenges faced by digital creators: a recording session that changes location.
To solve the problem of having to switch devices in different scenarios, Maono has equipped the PD500W with three connectivity options: 2.4GHz wireless networking, a USB-C port, and a standard XLR port. The microphone also supports onboard storage, with 32GB of space for recording in 32-bit float audio, which accommodates the full dynamic range of the mic.
So, with one microphone, you can potentially get the exact same audio quality – depending on environmental factors – and have a fall-back copy of the recording if something goes wrong. This makes the device suitable for podcasts, audio plays, streaming, interviews, live content creation, and video production.
The on-board option supports internal WAV recording, with the option of either 24-bit or 32-bit float formats. If you’ve ever lost an interview to a misconfigured recording or accidentally omitted to hit “record” on your computer’s audio recording app, you’ll recognize that this is a great option to have in the mic itself. Re-recording is rarely an option, and even when it is, the results are never quite the same…
Maono’s new mic also supports its AI powered transcription and summarisation service, part of the companion software tool MaonoLink. Over the past few years, Maono has emerged as a strong competitor in the podcasting and creator space, with its mics and desks offering a more affordable alternative to RODE, without sacrificing on audio quality.
The Maono PD500W is available to order from the Maono website and Amazon US. It comes in various bundles, with the two main options being the $399 Basic Version and the $429 Desk Stand Bundle.
Learn more at Maono.
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