Ever since the pandemic, the demand for microphones has increased non-stop. Whether you use it for streaming, recording, work purposes, etc., these are popular and essential products for various tasks. So today, we are writing our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review to discuss everything about this mic from Elgato.
Elgato continues to provide everything content creators need. These include capture cards, webcams, green screens, and the legendary Stream Deck. However, an essential element was missing from its portfolio – a pro XLR mic.
Recently, the introduction of the XLR Elgato Wave DX microphone remedied this circumstance.
We will see what the product offers in our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review. Plus, we are sharing details about its features, specs, and performance to see if purchasing it is worthwhile.
Elgato Wave DX Microphone Packaging
Our mic arrived in a typical-looking cardboard box that sports an attractive blue theme that gives off a premium vibe. The front and sides of the box display an image of the mic from different angles. It is an excellent way to give you an idea of how it looks before unboxing the product.
There was nothing much to observe on its exterior, so we started unboxing for our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review. Inside the box, everything was in a neat and organised manner. You will find the Wave DX with other inclusions to get you started.
These are a swivel mount, 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch thread adapters, and a quick start guide.
Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review – Design and Functionality
While working on our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review, we learned that the Wave DX is an XLR mic. It is ideal for streamers, YouTubers, and podcasters who want to step up their game. The product is best for anyone who wants to shift from using USB mics to something more premium.
The mic is a simple product since there is no abundance of onboard controls to discuss. Once unboxed, switch on the product, place the tip of the mic along your mouth, and then start speaking. That is how quick and easy it is to use.
At first look, the microphone appears unassuming. Its matte-black finish and rectangular shape give it an attractive and sleek look.
The top portion of the Wave DX features a mesh cutout that houses the capsule inside. When looking at it, we think it is reminiscent of Wave3.
It does not have a foam cover to adorn and cover the speaking portion of the mic. Also, there is no external pop filter inside its housing. However, it has a cardioid polar pattern that goes along with its dynamic capsule.
It is necessary to position it on the front of the mic to get the best results.
The dynamic capsule on the Wave DX focuses on capturing clear voices while decreasing background noise.
A detachable mount is present in the product package. Keep in mind that its white Elgato logo is removable. It is there to conceal the screw holes on the product.
The Wave DX mount features a 5/8-inch thread, while the microphone sports a reversible adapter. It is necessary for converting it to a 3/8-inch or 1/4-inch thread, letting you link any microphone stand.
You will need the mic, an XLR cable, plus an interface to make the microphone work. The interface is necessary for setting the mic.
From there, the interface plugs into your computer. Remember, the microphone will work with any XLR interface, but for convenience, we utilised our Wave XLR. Using the Wave XLR also provides access to onboard gain controls.
Key Features of the Elgato Wave DX Microphone
This section of our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review focuses on the features of this microphone. Knowing about these will help determine if this microphone suits your needs.
Works Excellently with the Tech You Love
Elgato ensures compatibility at the heart of its devices. The company sets the standard for how content creation should be. With the Wave DX, creating will be fun, natural, and empowering.
Professional Build and Sound
With the removable logo, you can mount the Wave DX on either side and make it look right on the camera. The microphone also has a hardened steel chassis that is extra durable and lessens internal noise artefacts. Plus, it features a mono swivel mount, allowing you to make adjustments without jamming the cable.
As mentioned, Elgato ensures compatibility, allowing you to use it with all mic arms. It has a 5/8-inch mount, plus 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch thread adapters included. Also, it has an XLR output for connecting it to your interface.
Works with Any XLR Interface, but Best with Wave XLR
Although you can use any XLR interface with the Wave DX, it works seamlessly with the Wave XLR from Elgato. This compact USB-powered interface has all the features you would not find in conventional audio interfaces. It has exclusive anti-distortion technology, direct integration with Wave Link, a capacitive mute button, and an interchangeable faceplate.
Specifications
We looked at the various product specifications for our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review. These details will help determine if the mic will work with your setup.
The Wave DX has a 50-15000Hz frequency response and a 2.5 mV/Pa, -52 dB V/Pa sensitivity. Its impedance is 600 Ohm, a 24-bit depth, and a recording sample rate of 96kHz.
This microphone sports unidirectional cardioid polar patterns and uses a 3-pin XLR connector. Lastly, the product measures 53 x 53 x 146mm and weighs 440g.
Hands-on with the Elgato Wave DX Microphone
Before discussing our hands-on experience with the microphone, our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review will focus on its setup process. From there, we will share how the product performed and if it is worth purchasing.
Setting up the Wave DX was a breeze. All we had to do was connect it with an XLR interface. Next, we plugged the audio interface into our computer with a USB cable. Since the audio duo was ready, installing drivers was unnecessary.
Downloading the Wave Link software from Elgato is optional, but we recommend it for customising sound characteristics. Also, we suggest connecting a headset or headphones to your XLR interface for mic monitoring.
While the Wave Link software is not mandatory, it is a practical tool for adjusting and customising your audio. We loved its clear and concise interface, which made navigating the program and finding various settings easy.
In Wave Link, you can adjust the sample rate or quality and set different audio enhancements. It also has features for audio mixing from up to eight sources, which is ideal for professional use. We also tried downloading various VST plugins to customise the audio of the Wave DX.
Additionally, Wave Link features extensive equalisers, AI-powered noise reduction plugins, and small tools for adding effects on voices. You can get the most out of the Wave DX when using the software.
The Wave DX performed like advertised: it brought clear and natural audio quality without losing any tone details. These results are all thanks to the dynamic capsule on the microphone.
There was a positive impact on our audio quality even when using it on Discord calls. It also sounded excellent during work/conference calls with companies and for recordings.
Those who heard our voices claimed everything sounded clean, fuller, and more robust than before.
Without tinkering, the microphone sounded excellent out of the box. So if you plan to use it as, and with a standard XLR input, you will not be disappointed.
Since it has a total quality of 24-bit and 96000Hz, the mic reached studio quality. And because of its dynamic range, it outstandingly picked up voices, which pleased us greatly.
Its max volume, especially with the built-in amplifier, was loud and had no distortions. And interestingly, the mic picked up voices despite being two to three metres away, and everything sounded crystal clear.
Noise Cancelling
For noise cancelling, the company did a great job with this feature since the mic cancelled out most background noises. That means nothing else but voices are present when speaking on the mic. You will not hear loud keyboard tapping, people talking in the background, etc.
Moreover, getting an extra plugin to cancel noises further is possible. We suggest VST plugins such as the Elgato EQ, which lets you tinker with various frequencies of your voice.
Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review Summary
The Wave DX is an excellent product that can change your content-creating experience significantly. While testing it for our Elgato Wave DX Microphone Review, we noticed its impressive performance. It was notable and on par with more expensive XLR mics.
Although it does not have accessories like the XLR cable and mic stand, it is still a versatile product. The Wave DX can grow with your setup and deliver enhanced performance as you upgrade your equipment. This mic will be handy for any streamer, podcaster, or Youtuber.
With its performance and versatility, we highly recommend this product to all content creators looking to purchase an XLR mic.
Learn more about the Wave DX Microphone by visiting the official product page of Elgato.
