OneOdio FM1 Review

Specs for the OneOdio FM1 USB Condenser Microphone

Before we head into the nitty-gritty, here’s a list of the most important technical specifications of this desktop microphone.

• Microphone Design: Condenser
• Pickup Pattern: Cardioid (unidirectional)
• Sampling Rate: 16-bit, 44.1-48 kHz
• Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
• Sensitivity: -38dB±2dB
• Max SPL: 110dB
• SNR: ≤91dB
• THD: ≤ 0.5% (at 1kHz)
• Output impedance: 32Ω
• Operating voltage and current: 5±0.5V (DC) at 500mA

What’s in the Box?

And here’s what you get, right out of the box. As you can see, the entire setup has very few parts and is very easy to set up.

• OneOdio FM1 Condenser Microphone
• Yoke/U-holder
• Metal desk stand
• Detachable Pop filter
• Washers and thumbscrews for assembling the microphone
• USB-C to USB Type-A cable
• Warranty and User manual documentation

Design and Build Quality

Considering the aesthetics of this condenser microphone, I have to say the entire assembly looks pretty top-notch, especially since it has a matte black finish that gives off a sleek and premium vibe.

In terms of build quality, the microphone grille has this cool-looking design that looks like a spider web. Unfortunately, this unique grille setup is only for looks and doesn’t contribute to the noise handling or audio quality.

The microphone hangs on the yoke and is held together (on either side) via the thumb screws. The yoke remains stationary, but by loosening up the thumb screws, you can rotate the microphone and do complete 180° turns.

The yoke gets fixed onto the desk stand, a circular base infused with shock-absorbing silica gel. The entire mic sits on this metal base, and when assembled, you can let it sit flat on a stationary surface such as a desk or countertop.

The removable pop filter is one of the essentials, especially when it comes to a home recording studio/desktop microphone. Thankfully, OneOdio has already provided one that attaches to the metal stand. This pop filter has a gooseneck holder, which remains sturdy while also allowing you to readjust whenever necessary.

The controls are on the front of the microphone (in-between the thumb screws), and the I/O’s are on the bottom panel.

Recording Quality

Sure, this affordable microphone looks high-end and has a very straightforward setup, but does the sound hardware stack up to other desktop mics following the “normal” price range? Let’s find out.

As you’ll soon realize, the recording quality is somewhat acceptable, but I wouldn’t go so far as to describe this as having crisp and clear audiophile sound. You can hear voices clearly, but it’s not the most organic since there’s always a slight hint of sounding robotic.

Also, since it is a condenser microphone, it is sensitive to external vibrations and electrical signals. Therefore, I can guarantee that the mic will pick up noises whenever you throw the controller at the monitor or slam your mouse onto the table. Instead, I recommend keeping the microphone on a different flat surface or investing in a compatible wall mount.

Regardless of all these issues, the microphone’s noise handling capabilities are impressive as you won’t have to worry about the sound of case fans, distant voices, and air conditioners.

So, compared to most gaming headsets, the OneOdio FM1 has noticeable improvements, especially in picking up voices. Another aspect I admire is that it uses its own AD converter, with a direct USB connection to your computer or gaming console; hence, the 16-bit audio output will have the cleanest treatment, free from latency, interference, or distortion.

Controls and I/O

Unlike many other desktop microphones, this device doesn’t come with a rechargeable battery. Instead, it draws enough power from the USB-C connection, and you can start recording as soon as you plug it into your computer.

The controls are not overly complicated: you’ve got the microphone gain knob, mute button, and a passthrough/monitor button. The two toggles have LED indicators that light up or change color whenever you switch on passthrough or mute the LED.

To transmit sound via the monitor option, you’ve got a 3.5mm aux port on the I/O of the microphone (bottom panel). Sadly, you cannot control the volume on this line out port via the microphone and will only be able to drive headphones with an impedance of 32Ω or lower.

As mentioned, the USB-C port manages power and transfers audio data from the microphone to the computer. Thankfully, the OneOdio FM1 doesn’t have a lot of compatibility issues and works seamlessly with various devices, including Windows PC, Macbooks, Linux, PS4s, and PS5s. (Unfortunately, with Xbox, you will have some compatibility issues that won’t get solved without an additional gadget or software tweak.)

Use Cases

Recording Music

Unfortunately, this isn’t the best for recording music. The FM1 microphone does an acceptable job of picking up the mids clearly, but I can’t promise it will do the same for the bass and treble. Therefore, I don’t recommend using this to record instruments or vocals.

Instead, I recommend setting up a fully-fledged home recording studio, as these are better suited for budding artists and audiophiles who want to record their own music.

Podcasting/Recording Voiceovers/Discord/Video Conferencing

The OneOdio FM1 is a great option for recording voices, and thanks to its plug-and-play design, you can use these for podcasting voiceovers or audio calls anytime and anywhere. However, you might need to invest in multiple mics if you’re hoping to up your recording game and make everyone sound good.

Streaming

The microphone is surprisingly good for streaming because when you have your own microphone to record your voice, instead of relying on headsets, there’s more freedom of movement. So you can do ranting, ASMR (see the best ASMR headphones here), or video games without getting bogged down by a headset.

Gaming

You can use these for gaming provided the mic is close enough to pick up your voice. As I mentioned, your voice will be clear and audible enough for anybody listening in, but it will need to be close to your face. (Which is difficult compared to a headset mic or a gaming headset.)

I recommend a wall mount for the OneOdio FM1 because you can minimize the effect of external vibrations while you’re doing something intensive such as gaming.

Please note that this desktop microphone might not work on a different operating system or game console, so check reviews or specs to determine compatibility beforehand.

What We Like

• Plug and play design with no need for external drivers or power inputs
• Intuitive controls with a built-in pass-through function
• Compatibility with a wide range of devices

Know Before Buying

• Easily susceptible to any forms of vibration affecting the flat surface the mic sits on
• Middling sound quality compared to other desktop microphones
• Won’t offer a 3.5mm for the microphone input

Final Thoughts

OneOdio designed a well-balanced standalone microphone that is very easy to use and comes with an attractive price tag. Although its sound lacks the depth and fullness you get from high-end microphones, the OneOdio FM1 USB microphone is a decent alternative for newcomers hoping to start a podcast, record their voice, or give out audible callouts (While playing a competitive video game.)