Enter to Win a $8000 PA System!

Rode M3 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Small-diaphragm Permanently Polarized Cardioid Condenser Microphone with Pad
$149.00

Earn $8 back in Bonus Bucks OR pay $7/month with 24 month financing*

2 demos available starting at $134.10 !
Find it used on Sweetwater's Gear Exchange
listed for
$89.00
In Stock!

Only 3 left in stock! More on the way.
Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Rode M3 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
In Stock!
$149.00
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Another cost-effective winner from RODE!

Stylish and modern, the M3 represents RODE's outstanding microphone technology and their continuation of bang-for-the-buck thinking. Built for studio, stage, and location work, the M3 is made from only the finest components, and delivers the sonic results demanded by engineers and musicians alike - and at a price that makes the M3 attainable by anyone. A permanently polarized condenser microphone, the M3 can be powered via its internal battery or by external phantom power. Its low self-noise, high fidelity performance, and value pricing make the M3 hard to beat.

RODE M3 Condenser Microphone at a Glance:
  • Great for both studio and location work
  • Permanently polarized condenser design with ultra-low noise
  • Sturdy and versatile for your toughest gigs!
Great for both studio and location work

Stylish and modern, the M3 is a studio and location workhorse. With both 48V phantom and internal 9V battery operation, this RODE is at home anywhere.

Permanently polarized condenser design with ultra-low noise

The versatile M3 can be handheld or stand mounted microphone depending on your needs. It incorporates a true permanently polarized condenser (cardioid polar response) transducer with an ultra-low noise electronic circuit that has a high immunity to R.F. interference. An end address condenser microphone, the M3 features a heavy-duty metal body, category leading low self-noise, three stage pad(0, 10dB, 20dB), a battery status LED, and a highpass filter.

Sturdy and versatile for your toughest gigs!

The RODE M3 incorporates a rugged welded and heat-treated mesh head and all metal body. An internal capsule shock mounting system keeps handling noise down. The M3 also comes complete with windshield and a stand mount.

RODE M3 Condenser Microphone Features:
  • Acoustic principle: Permanently polarized condenser
  • Directional pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency range: 40Hz-20kHz
  • Output impedance: 200 ohms
  • Signal noise ratio: 73dB SPL (per IEC651)
  • Equivalent noise: 21dbA SPL (a - weighted per IEC651)
  • Maximum SPL: 142dB (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1kohm load)
  • Sensitivity: -40dB+/-3dB re 1V/Pa @ 1kHz (6.3mV/Pa @ 94db SPL)
  • Dynamic range din iec 651: 121dB (per IEC651)
  • Battery life: >200 hours
  • Output connection: 3 pin XLR
  • Complete with windshield and a stand mount
  • Powered by battery or +48V phantom power
The RODE M3 Condenser Microphone fits into almost any studio situation!

Additional Media

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Diaphragm Size: 0.5" (12.5mm)
  • Frequency Response: 40Hz-20kHz
  • Max SPL: 142dB
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 73dB
  • Self Noise: 21dB
  • Low Cut Filter: 80Hz
  • Pads: -10dB, -20dB
  • Connector: XLR
  • Weight: 0.86 lbs.
  • Included Accessories: Mic Clip, Windscreen, Microphone Pouch
  • Manufacturer Part Number: M3

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Very flexible microphone.

I was looking to get a Shure SM57, for acoustic guitar, when this mic caught my attention. At the time, they were both the same price. I am very happy I chose the M3 over the SM57. The Rode M3 is a very flexible microphone. It works great for studio work, and in a live environment. Having it's own power source, in the 9 volt battery, lets you use this on locations where a mixer would not be available. It sounds incredible for the price. As many others have said; it sounds much more expensive than it is. It is large and heavy, but that has not been a problem for me. I've used this for vocals, and acoustic instruments - especially guitar - at church, playing out at gigs, and in my home studio. I am no expert when it comes to recording, or playing live, but this microphone is perfect for my needs. I am sure that I will purchase another M3 in the future (and other Rode microphones as well). I have a small, tube preamp that I use with this and it sounds fantastic. It works well with my solid state preamps as well. If you are on a budget, this mic really delivers. I recommend it whole heartedly!
Music background: rank amateur
Rated 5/5

Hidden Gem in the Live World

I lot of people find this mic to be one of the best mics for record various instruments, particularly acoustic guitar, but what many people do not know is that this mic is a great mic to use for miking instruments live. The first reason why this mic is great for live use is that fact that it's a condenser mic. We all know that condenser mic require phantom power in order for the mic to pick up the source and provides a lot more gain before feedback. However, the mic dose not require you to have a mixer with phantom power built in it, because it provides its own built in phantom power from a 9v battery. The second reason why it is great live is the adjustable roll of the bass and pad which are great for cutting off pop, clicks and reducing the risk of feedback. The last reason is the windscreen and I don't need to tell you why having a windscreen is great for live work. So while this mic is great in the studio, you may just want to try it out live and see for yourself how great is.

P.S. I am not sponsored by Røde.
Music background: steel pan, record engineer, live sound, ukulele, drums, percussion
Rated 5/5

Swiss-army knife MIC

I have used many microphones throughout the years. It's important to know this for what it is. It's an all around mic, but a very good one at that.

The M3 Reminds me of a cross-over vehicle; good on the highway and able to hold its own off-road as well. Because it does both well, there will be some compromises. On the highway it might not be the most quiet, and off-road it might not be able to manage the biggest bumps.

So it goes- we have the Rode . A combination of condenser and dynamic characteristics...has the frequency response of a condenser (40-20k) and smooth highs (just a tad bright but in NO way hyped), with a lower sensitivity like a dynamic and a natural bass roll off for noisier environments. The Bass roll-off is fairly steep up to around 200 Hz. Has a 3-way switch--Off , On, and High pass filter to extend bass roll off even more ..great for outside noisy environments and when one encounters wind noise.

The M3 can be used with phantom power; or without if you not supplied (just pop in a 9v battery which will power the mic. If you leave it the mic can still connect it to phantom power..the battery will automatically not be used. Rode claims battery will last 200 hours). Construction seems tank-like.

How does it sound? to my ears very'good'..not hyped, natural, with a slight 'crispness' in the top end akin MXL mics, but unlike MXL not cheap sounding in any way.The M3 Sounds much more expensive than its price would suggest (I agree with the Sound on Sound review)

I would recommend this for mic vocal, acoustic instruments(especially guitars), snare drums, overheads...interviews and spoken word dialogue as well, and recordings made outdoors. Because of its natural bass roll-off vocals and acoustic guitars would be my first choices.

Downsides: it is really heavy for its size, and really long, so not suitable for every placement situation... the M3 is much more susceptible to wind noise than a dynamic or LDC..so if outdoors, the provided foam windscreen is a must, and engaging high-pas filter often a necessity.

If you need one mic that can do a lot, this is it.Can it replace an LDC? YES... SDC? yes.. Dynamic? yes, in certain situations.For a mic to elegantly go from a recording studio to an interview to an recording an outdoor event says a lot.

Should this be your only mic? No, but it would be difficult to outgrow, as I'm sure you'll always find a use for it. I HIGHLY recommend it.It truly is a bargain.
Music background: Enginer.producer/musician
Rated 5/5

Great Quality! Great Price!

I use this mic for my choir, percussion set and even lead vocals, and sounds amazing. the quality is just nice and rich as well as the build of the actual microphone, nice and sturdy!
Music background: Musician/Director
Rated 5/5

The Rode M3 condenser microphone

I bought one of these recently after wanting a good microphone for accoustic guitar project in my studio. The local guitar expert guys state this is the one to have. I purchased it and found out it was a excellent mic for guitar and vocals, but learned to put a preamp in front of it, and it went from excellent to WOW ( blown away)
Music background: Recording Hobbyist
Close Close $8,000 PA System Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Success!

Your email, test has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!