Thank you Maono for sending us this microphone to review!

We have been blessed with the opportunity to review multiple microphones from Maono.  In fact, the Maono HD300T USB/XLR Microphone is my primary recording device for my gaming desktop.  Throughout the past few years, we have reviewed a wide range of their products from under $30 to $99.  The Maono PM422 USB Microphone retails for $87.99 and includes a boom arm stand that clamps onto your desk.  Unlike the Maono A425Plus, the tripod is not included and you’ll have to purchase one separately if you don’t plan on using the desk mounting hardware.

The cardioid pattern on the microphone picks up sound directly in front of it and picks up less background noises as a result.  This makes it great for podcasts, streams, and meetings where you want the main focus to be your voice aimed at the microphone.  The frequency response of 20-20,000 Hz could work well for recording musical instruments too.  

Setting up the Maono PM422 is pretty straightforward.  The boom arm needs to be clamped to your desk.  It’s adjustable, so you can easily move it toward and away from you as needed.  The shock mount that cradles the microphone is screwed onto the other end.  The microphone rests comfortably in the shock mount and you’ll have to plug the USB-B connection into it and the USB-A connection to your computer.  The included pop filter is designed to be clamped onto the arm stand.  

Once connected, your operating system of choice should recognize the microphone as both, a microphone and as a sound device.  There’s a 3.5mm jack built into the microphone so you can connect headphones directly to it to reduce echo in your recordings/streams/meetings.  You can also do real-time monitoring of your recording in progress with zero latency.   If you don’t plan on using the 3.5mm audio jack, be sure to change your default audio device back to what it was before.