Today, we’ll be taking a quick look at the Elgato Wave:3 – A premium USB microphone designed for content creators and streamers. It features Elgato’s superior audio circuitry and comes with anti-clipping technology, capacitive mute button, and an internal pop filter. You also get a high-power 3.5mm headphone output, a multi-function control dial, a modular mount for boom arms, and a USB Type-C connection.
The Elgato Wave:3 offers a cardioid recording pattern at 24-bit resolution, with a sample rate of 48 Khz (or 96 KHz), and a frequency response of 70-20,000 Hz. Looking at the above specs, it’s definitely more than enough for most content creators and streamers.
I’ve been looking for a USB podcast microphone that I can use while I’m travelling, and this is the one I’ve been searching for. It’s fairly compact measuring just 153 x 66 x 40mm and weighs only 280g (mic and u-mount, excluding base).
I’m really interested to see what the microphone sounds like while I’m recording, streaming and podcasting, so without further ado … watch the video above to hear the Elgato Wave:3 in action!
About Elgato
Elgato is the leading provider of hardware and software for content creators, leveraging decades of experience to develop widely-accessible products that empower all creators to produce high-quality, professional content.
A leader in game capture, Elgato offers four powerful game capture cards, the Stream Deck controller, and accompanying software that enables creators to easily record, upload, and livestream professional content.
Designed in Germany and California, Elgato products are distributed by major retailers in over eighty countries around the world.
In July 2018, Elgato was acquired by CORSAIR, and remains a separate brand within CORSAIR.
Overview
LEWITT AUDIO INSIDE
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, LEWITT Audio subjects its microphones to rigorous calibration and quality control in world-class testing facilities with seasoned sound engineers. That’s how they get their microphones into legendary recording studios, and why we’ve equipped Wave microphones with their audio technology. It’s how you get that sonic signature your audience will notice.
EFFORTLESS CONTROL
Mute copyrighted music in your stream mix to avoid violations, and keep listening via your monitor mix.
STREAM READY
Add Wave Link as a master audio source in OBS Studio to take complete control of your audio workflow
SMART PROCESSING
Wave Link is gentle on your CPU* — no external audio processing hardware required.
GET AMPED WITHOUT CLIPPING
Now you don’t need to watch levels while live, nor attempt to salvage distorted audio in post production. When input levels peak, proprietary Clipguard technology instantly reroutes sound through a second signal path that runs at a lower volume. The result is clean audio output, no matter how loud you scream.
WAVE LINK – CREATOR’S MIXER
Intuitive software custom-built for content creation, Wave Link gives you ultimate control of your Twitch stream, YouTube video or podcast audio.
MULTI-CHANNEL COMMAND
Game audio, voice chat, music, alerts, samples, multiple mics* and more. Nine independent input channels let you blend audio sources in real time.
SUBMIXING MASTERY
Create two completely independent output mixes — one for you, one for your audience — and monitor each on the fly.
THOUSANDS OF EFFECTS
Equip channels with third-party VST plugins like EQ, compression, or reverb. The power to customize your sound is virtually limitless.
Features
- Superior Circuitry
- USB Type-C connection
- High-power Headphone output
- Anti-clipping Technology
- Capacitive Mute
- Multi-function Control Dial
- Internal Pop Filter
- Modular Mount
Specifications
For mmore information, please visit Elgato’s website.
The Box and Packaging
The box contains the Wave3: microphone, a 2.5m USB-C cable, desktop stand/base, boom arm adapter, and a quick start guide.
The Elgato Wave:3 Microphone
The Wave:3 measures just 153 x 66 x 40mm and weighs in at only 280g (mic and u-mount, excluding base). You can see I’ve mounted the microphone on to the boom arm using the included adapter.
A Closer Look
On the front of the microphone, you;ll see 2 rows of LEDs. The first row of indicator LEDs show the mic, heaphone and PC/Mix. This can be selected by pushing the multi-function control dial.
The second row of indicator LEDs show the gain levels, which can be controlled by rotating the multi-function control dial left or right.
On top of the microphone, you’ll find the capacitive (touch sensitive) mute button. And Finally, at the rear of the microphone, you’ll find the USB-C port to power the mic, and the 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring your audio.
Verdict and Conclusion
For the past 2 years, I’ve been using the HyperX Quadcast USB condenser gaming microphone, which as been great. However, while I was travelling, I found that the HyperX Quadcast a little too bulky to pack in my hand-carry. I need something smaller and easier to carry with me. And thanks to the compact size of the Elgato Wave:3
As far as the quality of the audio recording is concerned, the Elgato Wave:3 is perfect. My voice is loud and clear, with very little background noise. It’s what I’ve been using for the past few LIVE streams and podcasts … including our most recent unboxing videos. See above video to check out the audio quality.
Pricewise, the Elgato Wave:3 cost around USD $149.99 from Amazon – https://amzn.to/3UjtJTZ, which I think is correctly priced and it’s a good choice for content creators and streamers alike.
Pros:
- Compact and light weight
- Good quality audio recording
- More options with Wave Link software
- Superior Circuitry with Anti-clipping Technology
- 2.5m USB Type-C cable
- High-power Headphone output
- Internal Pop Filter
Cons:
- Only cardioid pattern
Final words
If you’re after a high quality premium USB podcast/streaming microphone that’s compact, light weight and comes with a load of features, then look no further. The Elgato Wave:3 has everything you need to produce that high quality audio for your videos, podcasts and live streams.
You can buy the Elgato Wave:3
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