M1-S

The mic is built like the proverbial brick outhouse and with full heavy metal jacket construction...a lifetime warranty with the M1 must be seen as a major plus; I certainly can't think of another manufacturer that offers a similar level of backup... I really like the RØDE M1... it took my weedy voice and made it 100% Rock n' Roll!!!

The tonal characteristics of the RØDE M1 should give good results with the majority of both male and female vocalists... If you like the idea of studio-quality live vocals then it's a great little mic... It's built to last and has a more open-sounding high end than most dynamic mics.

The dark satin gray finish looks classy and aside from the small Rode M1 lettering near the gold-plated XLR connection there are no other graphics. The gold dot near the pop screen is a nice throwback to Rode’s start in capacitor mics but considering the M1 is a cardiod dynamic this is clearly decorative here.

In hand the Rode M1 feels solid and substantial at 360 grams. Comparatively speaking, the Shure Beta 58a weights in at 278g and the recently reviewed EV N/D767a is a relative flyweight at 260g. Despite the aforementioned porkiness, the Rode is fairly short at 171mm which combined with a relatively fat tapered body feels nicely balanced and comfortable. While the integral grill/pop filter feels pretty stout I would be a bit leary to see what happens the first time this mic gets dropped on its head.

Upon powering up the M1 I noted that handling noise is quite low. Short of swinging the mic around wildly by its cable in raucous fashion it definitely does just as good as its competition. Likewise, feedback with the cardiod pickup pattern is also very well controlled. With the mains up at significantly high levels I had to get dangerously close to the PA speakers before feedback started rearing its ugly head. Plosives were also well controlled with thanks to fairly thick foam contained within the grill.

If I had to make a comparison sound-wise I would call the M1 the illegitimate love child of a SM58 and Beta87A.The Rode exhibits some of the warmness of the SM58 minus the muddiness but seems to share more of the natural flat frequency response sound of the Beta87A. As a result it almost sounds more akin to a condenser mic than a dynamic. The M1 exhibits a nice but not overly pronounced airiness to vocals on the upper end and generally gives the vocals a clarity that is very studio-like in nature.

With the M1, Rode has brought what amounts to a very solid addition into the already somewhat crowded live microphone arena. Their years of experience building top-notch yet within reach studio microphones has led them to create a live vocal mic that not only approaches condenser studio-like quality in sound but is built to withstand ridiculous amounts of abuse. I have a feeling a lot of these will be going strong well after the grill has crusted over with nasty green growth.

Naturally as soon as I got mine home I put it through its paces predominantly on the drum kit A/Bing it with a 57 and a drum mic pack tom clip mic. The M1 killed in all regards. Both my drummer and I were unanimous that it had such a fuller punchier sound then the 57 on snare and on toms it really shone. Best mic I have heard on toms so far. The smooth character of the mic and the subtle low end boost it seems to have just gave the toms so much body but did not detract at all from the nice snap of the skin.
Anyway just wanted to give some feedback and say that I love this mic, I bought it in the hopes it would serve as a great all rounder and it certainly does

Last friday I've had my first gig singing on the RØDE M1! It was a blaaast!!! Stunning power, a "kick in the ass" punch, excellent feedback rejection, the mic did an amazing job! Very proud to have it! Respect

The RØDE M1 is essentially a Shure SM58 with a new lease on life. The clarity was better. Great warmth. The off-axis sound was great. It looks and feels good. I bought it.