Studio Gear Review
Presonus PD 70 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone Review: Budget Cardioid Dynamic
A close look at the Presonus PD 70, a budget dynamic broadcast microphone with a cardioid pattern and included windscreen. It works with any interface that has a mic preamp, but the listing leaves out important technical specs.
Our Verdict
Research Score 78/100The Presonus PD 70 is a budget dynamic broadcast microphone that covers the basics well for podcasting and streaming. Its cardioid pattern helps reject off-axis noise, and the included windscreen reduces plosives without an extra pop filter. It works with any interface that has a mic preamp, so it fits an existing analog setup. The major drawback is missing technical data. The listing does not publish frequency response, sensitivity, maximum SPL, weight, or connector type. That makes an objective performance assessment difficult. Still, for budget conscious buyers who need a simple dynamic microphone for speech and some instruments, the PD 70 is a reasonable on paper choice. Buyers who need USB or detailed specs should look elsewhere.
Editorial research score based on published specifications and documented features, not a customer rating or lab test.
PreSonus
Presonus PD 70 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone
Best for: Budget focused podcasters, streamers, and home recordists who want a cardioid dynamic microphone with basic plosive control and no external pop filter.
Skip it if: You need a USB microphone, onboard controls, or published sensitivity and frequency response specifications before buying.
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Listing verified: October 2026
Who Should Buy It
Buy it if
- Podcasters and live streamers who want a dynamic cardioid microphone on a budget
- Home recordists with an existing audio interface or mic preamp
- Anyone who wants simple plosive protection from the included windscreen
- Musicians who need a general purpose dynamic mic for amps, drums, and vocals
Skip it if
- You need plug and play USB connectivity without an interface
- You require detailed published specs such as sensitivity and frequency response graph
- You want a condenser microphone with more top end detail and sensitivity
Key Specifications
| Type | Dynamic |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency response | Not published in listing |
| Connection | Not published in listing |
| Phantom power | Not published in listing |
| Max SPL or sensitivity | Not published in listing |
| Controls | Not published in listing |
| Mount and stand | Not published in listing |
| Weight | Not published in listing |
| Included accessories | Windscreen |
Overview
The Presonus PD 70 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone is a budget tier dynamic microphone aimed at podcasters, live streamers, and broadcast creators. The listing describes it as a dynamic broadcast microphone with a cardioid polar pattern and an included windscreen. It is designed to work with any audio interface that has a microphone preamp, which means it is not a USB microphone. This places it in the same general category as affordable dynamic broadcast models from Rode and Audio-Technica.
The listing focuses on spoken word and close miking applications, but it also mentions guitars, basses, and drums. A tailored frequency response is listed as a key feature, though no frequency response graph or numbers are provided. Buyers who want a straightforward analog dynamic microphone with off-axis rejection will find the described feature set easy to understand. Those who need detailed technical specifications will need to look beyond the listing.
Sound Quality
The listing says the PD 70 has a tailored frequency response that provides exceptional clarity for vocals, guitars, basses, and drums. Tailored usually means the microphone is not designed to be ruler flat, but instead has some shaping to help speech or instruments cut through a mix. The cardioid pattern should keep the focus on the source directly in front of the capsule, which can improve clarity in a room with other sounds.
Because the product listing does not publish a frequency response curve or sensitivity specification, it is impossible to say exactly where the presence boost or low frequency roll off sits. Dynamic broadcast microphones often reduce low rumble and add a defined midrange to help spoken word sound more forward. However, for this model the published information is limited to the marketing description, so the actual tonal balance is an unknown.
For spoken word, the included windscreen may help control plosive energy before it reaches the diaphragm. For instruments, the listing claims clarity on guitar cabinets, bass cabinets, and drums. Without a maximum SPL number, users should rely on general dynamic microphone behavior, which typically handles loud sources better than many condenser microphones. This makes the PD 70 a plausible choice for close miking amps and drums, but only on paper.
Pickup Pattern and Noise Handling
The PD 70 uses a cardioid polar pattern, which the listing says rejects off-axis sounds for better isolation and clarity. Cardioid microphones are most sensitive at the front and reject sound from the rear, which is useful in untreated rooms and multi person podcast setups. Side rejection can also help reduce keyboard noise, computer fans, and other nearby distractions.
The listing does not provide a polar plot or null point specification, so the exact rejection angle is not published. In general, a cardioid dynamic microphone will attenuate sound arriving from the sides and rear, but the amount of attenuation varies by frequency. Buyers should not expect complete silence from off-axis sources, only a useful reduction.
No built in high pass filter or pad is mentioned, so low frequency handling depends on the microphone design and the preamp. The included windscreen addresses plosives and fricatives, but mechanical noise and rumble from a stand or desk may still need a shock mount or additional filtering. The listing does not mention any internal shock mounting.
Build Quality
The listing does not state the materials, weight, or dimensions of the PD 70. Dynamic broadcast microphones in this price tier are often built with metal bodies and grilles, but that is not confirmed by the product listing. Buyers should treat the absence of weight and material data as an unknown rather than an indicator of quality.
The microphone is described only as a dynamic broadcast microphone with an included windscreen. There is no mention of a shock mount, hard case, or threaded mount adapter. The lack of published build specifications is common for budget microphones, but it means physical durability cannot be fully assessed from the listing alone.
- Dynamic capsule design is generally less fragile than a condenser capsule
- Cardioid pattern is suited to close miking, which can reduce room noise
- Included windscreen provides basic plosive protection
- Listing does not publish weight, dimensions, or body material
- No protective case or shock mount mentioned in the listing
Connectivity and Setup
The listing states that the PD 70 works with any audio interface equipped with a microphone preamp. This indicates an analog microphone level output, which typically means an XLR connection, although the connector type is not explicitly listed. Users will need an interface, mixer, or external preamp because the PD 70 is not a USB microphone.
Setup should be straightforward for anyone with an existing audio interface. Connect the microphone to a mic preamp, set gain, and monitor. Dynamic microphones often require more gain than condenser microphones, especially for quiet speech, but the listing does not publish sensitivity to confirm how much gain the PD 70 needs.
No phantom power is mentioned. Dynamic microphones generally do not require phantom power, but users should check their interface settings and cables. The listing does not include a cable, so buyers may need a standard XLR cable separately.
Features, Controls and Extras
The headline extra is the included windscreen, which the listing says lessens unwanted plosives and fricatives without an external pop filter. That is a practical inclusion for podcasting and voice work, where close miking on a boom arm can cause breath blasts. A simple foam windscreen may not replace a full pop filter for very close speech, but it is a helpful starting point.
The listing does not mention any onboard controls such as a low cut switch, pad, or headphone output. The PD 70 appears to be a straightforward analog dynamic microphone with no digital processing or companion software described. For users who want a simple signal chain into an interface, that may be an advantage.
There are no additional accessories listed beyond the windscreen. No shock mount, cable, or stand adapter is mentioned. Buyers should plan to have an XLR cable, boom arm or stand, and a suitable interface with enough clean gain.
Use Cases: Vocals, Streaming, Podcasting and Instruments
The PD 70 is aimed directly at podcasting, live streaming, broadcast, and radio. The cardioid pattern and included windscreen support close speech work, while the dynamic capsule should help reject background noise in untreated rooms. The listing specifically mentions vocals, which covers spoken word and sung vocals.
For instruments, the listing says the tailored frequency response provides clarity for guitars, basses, and drums. A dynamic microphone can be placed in front of a guitar cabinet or bass cabinet, and many dynamic mics handle drum close miking reasonably well. The lack of published SPL means users should not assume it can handle extreme kick drum levels without testing.
The PD 70 is not described as a USB microphone, so it is not a direct competitor to USB podcasting mics that include analog to digital conversion. It fits a workflow built around an audio interface or mixer. For budget podcasters who already own an interface, it offers a simple analog option.
Who Should Buy It
The PD 70 is best for budget conscious podcasters and live streamers who already have an audio interface with a microphone preamp. It is also a reasonable choice for a second or third guest microphone in a multi input setup. The cardioid pattern and included windscreen reduce the need for immediate extra purchases.
Home recordists who want a simple dynamic microphone for guitar cabinets, drums, and vocals may find the PD 70 useful. However, anyone who needs precise published specifications should look elsewhere or contact the manufacturer before buying. The product listing leaves too many technical details unpublished for critical studio decisions.
Musicians with a small home studio and an interface can use the PD 70 for scratch vocal tracks, podcast intros, and amp miking. The budget tier price makes it accessible as a utility microphone, but it is not positioned as a high end broadcast or studio standard.
Alternatives Worth Considering
The Rode PodMic is a common alternative in the budget dynamic broadcast category. It also uses a cardioid pattern and a dynamic capsule, and it is often chosen for podcasting. The PreSonus PD 70 and PodMic occupy similar roles, though the PD 70 includes a windscreen in the listing.
The Shure SM58 is a long standing dynamic cardioid microphone that can handle vocals and some instruments. It is widely available and well known, but it is not marketed specifically as a broadcast microphone. The Audio-Technica AT2040 is another dynamic broadcast option with a cardioid pattern and a built in shock mount in some packages.
For users who need USB connectivity, the Samson Q2U offers both USB and analog connections. The PreSonus PD 70 does not include USB, so the Q2U is a more flexible choice for a single microphone setup that may move between interface and computer. Each alternative has a different balance of features and price.
Verdict
The Presonus PD 70 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone is a sensible budget tier option for podcasters and streamers who already own an interface. The cardioid pattern and included windscreen cover two of the most common needs in spoken word recording. The listing is honest about the microphone being analog and requiring a preamp.
The main limitation is the lack of published specifications. Frequency response, sensitivity, maximum SPL, weight, and connector type are all absent from the listing. That makes it hard to compare the PD 70 directly to other dynamic broadcast microphones on paper.
For a budget friendly utility dynamic microphone with simple features, the PD 70 is worth considering if you do not need detailed specs. If you need USB connectivity or published measurements, look elsewhere.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Cardioid polar pattern helps reject off-axis noise
- Included windscreen reduces plosives without extra pop filter
- Works with standard audio interfaces that have a mic preamp
- Tailored frequency response voiced for speech and instruments
- Budget friendly dynamic option from an established brand
Limitations
- Listing does not publish frequency response or sensitivity numbers
- No onboard controls or pad switch listed
- Requires a decent microphone preamp for clean gain
- No USB connectivity, needs an audio interface
- Build materials and weight not specified
How We Scored It
Scores reflect published specifications, documented features and value against the alternatives below. They are editorial research scores, not laboratory measurements.
Alternatives to Consider
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Read the Zoom iQ7 Professional Stereo Microphone for review →
Behringer BU200 USB Condenser Microphone
Entry level desktop recording, streaming, podcasting, and video calls where a simple budget USB condenser microphone with monitoring controls is enough.
Read the Behringer BU200 USB Condenser Microphone review →
PreSonus PRM1 Precision Reference Microphone
Precise room measurement and speaker calibration where a flat omnidirectional reference microphone is required.
Read the PreSonus PRM1 Precision Reference Microphone review →Questions Buyers Ask
Presonus PD 70 Dynamic Broadcast Microphone
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About This Review
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
Read our full research methodology.