2 to 1, disappointment is still in the lead. It's good to find out that our improved quality control stands the test this time. But then to realize that it's the last thing we should worry about lol. Despite the cons, thanks for spurring us on with the example of Shure SM58 (though it could be just our misunderstanding and as simple as a comparison between mics). Yes, we still can't make a decent capsule by ourselves, but it's far from off the shelf. We do the tweaking and tuning on the ICs and the rest, which also leads to the facts about why we released so many models and they may sound so differently. Just because different users have various preferences on sound and coloration. The more flat-out audio of the Tank3 compared to the AM8 comes as a result for some of them. But yes, we got the idea, and some other content creators have also suggested that SM58 the long-existing king of voice under $100 should be the one that the upcoming microphone companies really need to learn from and compete with. Anyway, thank you Aiden, for another review that gives us professional thought on how we should keep improving.
Actually I owe you an apology. I had no idea you were making your own capsules. That is on me, and I will correct that statement in an upcoming video. I think you guys are headed in the right direction though...and I haven't given up on you...promise. Would love to see the processes you guys go through in the build process of mics. Cheers!
Put the am8 internals in this mic body and you'll have a winner! Also include a foam windscreen that fits over this mic body. I am still blown away by how the am8 sounds. It easily sounds better than any of my other dynamic mics.
The Am8 jumps out at you, the Tank3 more tamped down . I use the Tank3 (softer/smoother) for long form podcasts, AM8 for 15-20minute TH-cam videos ( crisp/higher energy). I still think it’s one of the better uSB/xlr options under a $100 after you factor in the build quality, which is really lacking in the AM8 for me. If your looking for XLR mic, just save the money and grab the K669D. Just my 2 cents…which ain’t much. Lol
Not really it's just waste of money in under $100 Shure Sm 58 is a great option Than tank 3 and I find Fifine Am8 headphones jack is much better than fifine tank 3
The am8 was nice sounding yes, but I thought the tanks was equally as good if not a smidge better. The sm8 certainly sounded louder and it may be that just like loud cars, loud cars go faster.
I don’t understand anything about mics yet I find myself in the market for one. Your reviews are not only informative, funny but also existential crisis enducing. 😂
Another thing that is not that important, but does play a role in using a microphone, is how fun it is to use it. Makes no sense, right? How can using a microphone be fun? Well, I have the sm7b. It sounds good but i freaking hate it. It's heavy, bulky, needs a gain booster and doesn't look very cool on camera (it's a really bland design).
The AM8 does everything well except deal with handling. Fifine should just take the original design and put it in a metal body to resolve the handling noise and cheap feel. They could called it the AM8+ and charge 10 bucks extra, like $69.69. The kids would love that!
Haha, thanks for the suggestion! Definitely will let our engineers know. But the tone may change quite a lot sometimes due to the different shapes and materials, that means we aim to make a metal version of AM8, but it may end up sounding miles away from the AM8.
@@FIFINE Good point on the materials. I always recommend the AM8 when people ask for recommendations for a mic that sounds great and is easy to use for meetings, streaming, or even voiceovers.
@@FIFINEI don't think it would change all that much as long as everything else is the same. I also recommend having a shockmount option or integrated perhaps.
at $200 I feel like one should be looking to get the SS Nt1 rather than the podmic. The Podmic USB is essentially the og podmic just with USB while the Nt1 is a brighter / clearer mic resulting in a more natural sound, but that's just my opinion. They're different mics at the end of the day as one is a dynamic mic and the other is a condenser
The Tank 3 i got sounds pretty damn good, very clean and clear, i would say all of the mics in this video are not sounding great, even the u87 sounds off. The thing is if you get a tank3 that sounds like mine, for around 80 bucks you can buy a mic and sound good so if you cant afford or don't want a audio interface than hey that is a good deal..
Actually, I'm quite impressed with the fact you don't need a pop filter. Nothing drives me crazier than getting my ear buds blown out because someone is talking directly into the mic with no screen.
Do you think the Rode XDM-100 is a Great option in this universe of USB Mics? Because, here in brazil his cost only 137,41USD, converting the price. Shure MV7 For example, it's cost 516,30USD(Yes, here the price it's over the top). After all this said, It's a good price for that microphone?(Rode, in this case)
These look to be using some type of audio interface no? Not the built in USB stuff? Is the built in USB stuff worth it or should I just go with the SM58 and get a audio interface? Currently running the ROCCAT Torch as my daily but would like to use it at work and get a nicer setup for my home office.
Fifine AM8. It’s seriously excellent, just don’t handle it while speaking. I have used many different mics, from super cheap to Electro-Voice 320, various Shures and Rodes, on up to the Neumann TLM103. And when I need a good sounding mic for a meeting or quick voiceover in a pinch I just hook up the AM8 via USB and don’t worry about sound quality.
@@milesian1 thank you! I actually got the am8 and the tank3 and tested them both today and the am8 blew the tank3 outta the park in everyway not mentioning the fact that the tank had a constant buzzing when I spoke
Good review that highlights the downsides of the Tank 3 in the real world where other mics of comparable price and better quality exist. I'll say that the Tank 3 carves a niche as one of the few mics that has a mechanical mute button in a world of mics that either have touch-to-mute capacitive button or none at all. At full price it's not compelling, but it's on sale for $76 at the moment which is not bad.
Even though I have turned away from the tonor td500 it was priced at 50 dollars and at least it had working headphones jack because if people are buying these mics it is primarily being used for gaming so this is a no go for me
I was about to buy tank 3 and then i saw this video. Now i am wondering should i go for AM8! or may be podmic since fifine tank 3 isnt worth the price. You make sense as tank 3 is jumping the price range its worth considering another industry proven option
I bought two Fifine Tanks, they sound great but one MAJOR issue. My Mac won’t recognize them simultaneously even with a MIDI aggregate. Seems like my only option is one Fifine and a Rode unless someone can crack the code on this.
More than 1 Tank3 can work together, but no matter how many Tank3 you plugged into your Mac, the name of all of them are just "fifine microphone". Did you see more than one "fifine microphone" with two input under aggregated device of MIDI audio?
I try to match up the wave files to similar size...nothing more. No two mics put out the same output frequency to frequency. Only way to truly match them up is through EQ. Some mics are "louder" in certain frequencies...which make them stand out more. Which is relevant to what I was saying about cheaper mics standing out in the mix. Your brain does the rest
😞Sad story, Xbox consoles don't accept USB audio input from third-party devices. If you use the headphone jack from this Tank3 or even get an interface to feed analog audio to the controller, the sound quality is just not that great compared to what you paid for.
@@DarkCornerStudios No disrespect, but it ain’t on mine. This is reported by multiple listeners. Three minutes on the dot is a good example. There’s a very minor phasing issue of some sort. And that’s present for each microphone through the video. Another really good example at about 8 seconds in. When you say “by me”. You can hear the odd phasing, as well as a bright artifact.
@lupit1 multiple listeners? Really? You saying this to a guy that still reads all his comments? No disrespect but don't BS me. I have listened thoroughly to the audio on this video countless times through my editing...and after...on multiple devices. Go away and don't pull bs like that around here
@@DarkCornerStudios Don’t know why you’re being hostile. If you’re familiar with bandrew from Podcastage, he has a discord server. This was originally brought up in there, where multiple listeners noticed it. Including myself. I’m not trying to pull anything or be an asshole. There’s genuinely artifacting presenting itself in your audio. Not blaming you or something. Perhaps it’s even caused by the exporting stage, which is why you didn’t notice it. But yeah, absolutely no hostility is required here brother. Same boat of audio enjoyment for all of us.
@@lupit1 at one spot at 3:00. Sure. Artifacts can happen for many different reasons. Why am I being hostile? Garbage like "bad comparison" is a little annoying.
rode podmic isnt worth 199$, sounds tiny with lack of bass, especially for podcast its a horrible choice, even cheaper by 99$ sm58 sounds better, so sm58 for entry lvl mic is way to go.
2 to 1, disappointment is still in the lead. It's good to find out that our improved quality control stands the test this time. But then to realize that it's the last thing we should worry about lol. Despite the cons, thanks for spurring us on with the example of Shure SM58 (though it could be just our misunderstanding and as simple as a comparison between mics). Yes, we still can't make a decent capsule by ourselves, but it's far from off the shelf. We do the tweaking and tuning on the ICs and the rest, which also leads to the facts about why we released so many models and they may sound so differently. Just because different users have various preferences on sound and coloration. The more flat-out audio of the Tank3 compared to the AM8 comes as a result for some of them. But yes, we got the idea, and some other content creators have also suggested that SM58 the long-existing king of voice under $100 should be the one that the upcoming microphone companies really need to learn from and compete with. Anyway, thank you Aiden, for another review that gives us professional thought on how we should keep improving.
Actually I owe you an apology.
I had no idea you were making your own capsules.
That is on me, and I will correct that statement in an upcoming video.
I think you guys are headed in the right direction though...and I haven't given up on you...promise.
Would love to see the processes you guys go through in the build process of mics.
Cheers!
Put the am8 internals in this mic body and you'll have a winner! Also include a foam windscreen that fits over this mic body. I am still blown away by how the am8 sounds. It easily sounds better than any of my other dynamic mics.
Agreed. AM8 sounds "HD" compared to the tank3
The Am8 jumps out at you, the Tank3 more tamped down . I use the Tank3 (softer/smoother) for long form podcasts, AM8 for 15-20minute TH-cam videos ( crisp/higher energy). I still think it’s one of the better uSB/xlr options under a $100 after you factor in the build quality, which is really lacking in the AM8 for me. If your looking for XLR mic, just save the money and grab the K669D. Just my 2 cents…which ain’t much. Lol
Not really it's just waste of money in under $100 Shure Sm 58 is a great option
Than tank 3 and I find Fifine Am8 headphones jack is much better than fifine tank 3
If the am8 was in a solid aluminum shell, it would be a super soilid mic for almost any user imo. I just got one and Im very impressed by it.
The am8 was nice sounding yes, but I thought the tanks was equally as good if not a smidge better.
The sm8 certainly sounded louder and it may be that just like loud cars, loud cars go faster.
I don’t understand anything about mics yet I find myself in the market for one. Your reviews are not only informative, funny but also existential crisis enducing. 😂
Lol...hitting all the marks
For that price, the best starter, non-garbage mic is still the Samson Q2U.
Another thing that is not that important, but does play a role in using a microphone, is how fun it is to use it. Makes no sense, right? How can using a microphone be fun?
Well, I have the sm7b. It sounds good but i freaking hate it. It's heavy, bulky, needs a gain booster and doesn't look very cool on camera (it's a really bland design).
BROTHER IF YOU DONT LIKE THE MICROPHONE YOU NEED TO SEND IT TO ME 😭
The AM8 does everything well except deal with handling. Fifine should just take the original design and put it in a metal body to resolve the handling noise and cheap feel. They could called it the AM8+ and charge 10 bucks extra, like $69.69. The kids would love that!
Haha, thanks for the suggestion! Definitely will let our engineers know. But the tone may change quite a lot sometimes due to the different shapes and materials, that means we aim to make a metal version of AM8, but it may end up sounding miles away from the AM8.
@@FIFINE Good point on the materials. I always recommend the AM8 when people ask for recommendations for a mic that sounds great and is easy to use for meetings, streaming, or even voiceovers.
@@FIFINEI don't think it would change all that much as long as everything else is the same. I also recommend having a shockmount option or integrated perhaps.
I think this is the best assessment of this microphone especially with your comparison to SM58. Also, SM48 is also very good. Thanks for the review.
This Fifine for weird reason was not shippable to my country. So I opted for Maono PD400X and I'mglad. 😊
i'm hearing a buzz on the fifine... is that comming from the mic or some interference from something in your studio? Cheers.
Which Fifine? Which part? USB or XLR?
@@DarkCornerStudios 1:56 for ex. The tank and on the XLR mode. Listen till the off axis rejection.
at $200 I feel like one should be looking to get the SS Nt1 rather than the podmic. The Podmic USB is essentially the og podmic just with USB while the Nt1 is a brighter / clearer mic resulting in a more natural sound, but that's just my opinion. They're different mics at the end of the day as one is a dynamic mic and the other is a condenser
The T3 is on sale right now for $80. Doesn't sound worth even that.
I would love to see an amplitank 3 that's dynamic only with no knobs on the sides
Was leaning towards this for my shoutcasting mic but looks like I'm stil going to be on the hunt.
The Tank 3 i got sounds pretty damn good, very clean and clear, i would say all of the mics in this video are not sounding great, even the u87 sounds off. The thing is if you get a tank3 that sounds like mine, for around 80 bucks you can buy a mic and sound good so if you cant afford or don't want a audio interface than hey that is a good deal..
Actually, I'm quite impressed with the fact you don't need a pop filter. Nothing drives me crazier than getting my ear buds blown out because someone is talking directly into the mic with no screen.
Do you think the Rode XDM-100 is a Great option in this universe of USB Mics? Because, here in brazil his cost only 137,41USD, converting the price. Shure MV7 For example, it's cost 516,30USD(Yes, here the price it's over the top). After all this said, It's a good price for that microphone?(Rode, in this case)
Yeah...the xdm100 is a great mic
It's huge...just keep that in mind
@@DarkCornerStudios Thanks for Reply and help me! I'm Big Fan of your Job!
These look to be using some type of audio interface no? Not the built in USB stuff? Is the built in USB stuff worth it or should I just go with the SM58 and get a audio interface? Currently running the ROCCAT Torch as my daily but would like to use it at work and get a nicer setup for my home office.
out of curiosity are there any good usb mics you'd recommend for streaming? I have a buget of about £90-100 but cheaper alternatives are welcome
Fifine AM8. It’s seriously excellent, just don’t handle it while speaking.
I have used many different mics, from super cheap to Electro-Voice 320, various Shures and Rodes, on up to the Neumann TLM103. And when I need a good sounding mic for a meeting or quick voiceover in a pinch I just hook up the AM8 via USB and don’t worry about sound quality.
@@milesian1 thank you! I actually got the am8 and the tank3 and tested them both today and the am8 blew the tank3 outta the park in everyway not mentioning the fact that the tank had a constant buzzing when I spoke
@@UsernameWasGodDamnStolen Glad the AM8 works for you. I just love the audio quality I get with it.
This is the same mic as the K669D.
Good review that highlights the downsides of the Tank 3 in the real world where other mics of comparable price and better quality exist. I'll say that the Tank 3 carves a niche as one of the few mics that has a mechanical mute button in a world of mics that either have touch-to-mute capacitive button or none at all. At full price it's not compelling, but it's on sale for $76 at the moment which is not bad.
Even though I have turned away from the tonor td500 it was priced at 50 dollars and at least it had working headphones jack because if people are buying these mics it is primarily being used for gaming so this is a no go for me
damn this video not only made me know everything about the mic but entertain me THANKS , and yes 4:10 the 2 mics sounds the same to me LOL
@@heeeeey1121 thanks for the kind words!
Man, I dont know why your content aint on my recommendations, Id goddam subbed... Dam you, youtube
Awww thanks!
Small fish in very big sea
I was about to buy tank 3 and then i saw this video. Now i am wondering should i go for AM8! or may be podmic since fifine tank 3 isnt worth the price. You make sense as tank 3 is jumping the price range its worth considering another industry proven option
So you would go with the maono pd200 vs tank 3 if price was the same?
Bring It.
If you have $100 and don't need USB then SM58 is the right answer
Consider it brought....
I bought two Fifine Tanks, they sound great but one MAJOR issue. My Mac won’t recognize them simultaneously even with a MIDI aggregate. Seems like my only option is one Fifine and a Rode unless someone can crack the code on this.
More than 1 Tank3 can work together, but no matter how many Tank3 you plugged into your Mac, the name of all of them are just "fifine microphone". Did you see more than one "fifine microphone" with two input under aggregated device of MIDI audio?
How do you calibrate input levels for the mic comparison? Usually , as with comparing speakers, the louder sounds “better”.
I try to match up the wave files to similar size...nothing more.
No two mics put out the same output frequency to frequency.
Only way to truly match them up is through EQ.
Some mics are "louder" in certain frequencies...which make them stand out more.
Which is relevant to what I was saying about cheaper mics standing out in the mix.
Your brain does the rest
That probably works. At least it’s far better than no adjustments at all. Thanks for all you do!
@thethirdrailchannel it's one of the hardest things to do in this job.
Accurate representation of mics...especially at this price point is frustrating
maybe make a comparison between the tank3 vs the 100$ RODE PodMic
Such a nattering nabob of negativism on the Finefine tank 3, but for the most part I agree.
seeing this after I had already ordered the tank 3 for my xbox... wish me luck
😞Sad story, Xbox consoles don't accept USB audio input from third-party devices. If you use the headphone jack from this Tank3 or even get an interface to feed analog audio to the controller, the sound quality is just not that great compared to what you paid for.
@@FIFINE oh damn I didnt know
I currently have the am8 which in fairness sounds very good apart from the buzzing
They FFine and Neuwman sound the same if you are underwater - expensive test tho!
I love watching your videos and that's why I watch them booyah!!!!
Review Maono PD400x next please
Is on the list
@@DarkCornerStudios thanks I'm excited
@@JamesLuna11-14That’s a nice one.
You kept it 💯 👍🏽
going for am8
you have some sort of doubling going on somewhere, very light. makes it a kind of bad comparison, even the sm58 has it
Ummm...you may want to check your setup...that ain't on my audio
@@DarkCornerStudios No disrespect, but it ain’t on mine. This is reported by multiple listeners. Three minutes on the dot is a good example. There’s a very minor phasing issue of some sort. And that’s present for each microphone through the video.
Another really good example at about 8 seconds in. When you say “by me”. You can hear the odd phasing, as well as a bright artifact.
@lupit1 multiple listeners?
Really?
You saying this to a guy that still reads all his comments?
No disrespect but don't BS me.
I have listened thoroughly to the audio on this video countless times through my editing...and after...on multiple devices.
Go away and don't pull bs like that around here
@@DarkCornerStudios Don’t know why you’re being hostile. If you’re familiar with bandrew from Podcastage, he has a discord server. This was originally brought up in there, where multiple listeners noticed it. Including myself. I’m not trying to pull anything or be an asshole. There’s genuinely artifacting presenting itself in your audio. Not blaming you or something. Perhaps it’s even caused by the exporting stage, which is why you didn’t notice it. But yeah, absolutely no hostility is required here brother. Same boat of audio enjoyment for all of us.
@@lupit1 at one spot at 3:00.
Sure.
Artifacts can happen for many different reasons.
Why am I being hostile?
Garbage like "bad comparison" is a little annoying.
I´ve bought it for 30 bucks from China
I am here to get all angry before watching the video (I will still watch it tho)
rode podmic isnt worth 199$, sounds tiny with lack of bass, especially for podcast its a horrible choice, even cheaper by 99$ sm58 sounds better, so sm58 for entry lvl mic is way to go.