Elgato Wave XLR Review

The Elgato Wave XLR is a premium XLR microphone aimed at streamers, podcasters, and content creators who want professional studio-quality audio. In this detailed review, we will take an in-depth look at the features, build quality, sound quality, software, and overall value of the Wave XLR to help you determine if it’s the right mic for your needs.

Overview and Features

The Wave XLR is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern optimized for picking up sound directly in front of the mic. It features a solid all-metal build construction with an adjustable stand that allows you to set the perfect angle. Some of the key features of the Wave XLR include:

• Broadcast-grade 24-bit/96kHz audio quality
• Wide frequency response range of 70Hz – 20kHz ideal for vocals and instruments
• Low-latency headphone output with mixer controls
• Capacitive mute button with LED visual indicator
• Clipguard technology prevents peaking and distortion
• Wave Link software for advanced routing and mixing
• Vocal EQ presets for optimizing voice tone

With its studio-quality specs, low-latency monitoring, and physical controls right on the microphone, the Wave XLR aims to provide everything you need for professional recording and streaming without any compromises. The Wave Link software unlocks even more flexibility for controlling your audio.

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Build Quality

The Wave XLR features an all-metal construction from the head to the stand that gives it an ultra-durable feel that should withstand years of daily use. The base uses a hinge clamp design that allows you to position the mic exactly how you want it on your desk and then tighten it securely in place.

The actual microphone head has a nice heft to it and all the controls feel very premium. The gain control knob has smooth resistance, the mute button has a pleasing click, and the headphone volume dial feels sturdy. The extra-large mute button with its LED ring is easy to see and access.

Overall, the build quality of the Wave XLR lives up to its premium price point. The all-metal design should withstand frequent travel and use for content creators on the move. It looks, feels, and functions like a top-tier XLR mic.

Sound Quality

The most important aspect of any microphone is how it sounds. With its large 25mm condenser capsule and 24-bit/96kHz audio sampling rate, the Elgato Wave XLR delivers outstanding broadcast-worthy sound quality for any vocal application.

It has a clean, natural tone without excessive brightness or boominess. The low-end comes through with just the right amount of warmth without overpowering the mix. High-frequencies and sibilance are smooth and detailed without being harsh. The cardioid polar pattern focuses directly on the sound source with excellent off-axis rejection.

Whether you’re live streaming, recording podcasts, vocals, or ASMR, the Wave XLR provides studio-quality sound for all applications. The crisp detail is perfect for capturing subtle sounds. It’s an extremely versatile microphone.

For streaming and recording, the Wave XLR provides plenty of gain for powering through filters and audio FX with room to spare. The Clipguard technology combined with the large diaphragm handles transient peaks exceptionally well without distortion even at high volumes.

In all, it’s hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with the pristine sound quality. Elgato clearly put a lot of thought into the tuning of the capsule and electronics to create a signature sound optimized for modern content creation.

Wave Link Software

All of the advanced routing, mixing, and audio effects capabilities of the Wave XLR can be accessed using Elgato’s Wave Link software. Within Wave Link you can control gain levels, apply EQ and compression, route audio between programs, add effects, and monitor everything with zero latency.

The main Wave Link mixer window provides per-application mixing capabilities. You can control the master volume of your mic, system audio, and individual apps like a web browser or game. This makes it easy to route and mix audio from multiple sources.

The Voice EQ settings allow you to tweak the tone of your voice with low, mid, and high frequency sliders. There are also handy presets like Warm, Crisp, or Radio Ready to quickly optimize tone. Power Users get access to a 10-band parametric equalizer for surgical audio control.

Additional standalone audio FX like a noise gate, de-esser, compressor, and limiter can be chained together and customized to suit your needs. Everything happens in real-time with zero latency allowing you to craft your ideal sound.

For streamers, the Wave Link integration means you can easily route game audio and music to your stream mix while isolating microphone/chat audio. Podcasters can incorporate sound clips or music beds with a simple click. The routing flexibility is extremely powerful.

Capacitive Mute Button

A signature feature of the Wave XLR is the large multifunction mute button on the top of the mic. This button allows you to quickly mute/unmute with a simple tap. The LED ring provides a clear visual indication of your mute status.

But unlike a traditional mechanical button, the Wave XLR utilizes capacitive touch technology. This means you can tap to mute, tap and hold to talk, and double tap for push-to-talk. It also enables seamless integration with Elgato’s Stream Deck software for one-touch mute control.

Having this level of mute control right on the microphone is incredibly convenient. The tactile click feels great and the LED light is easy to see. It’s a lot faster than fumbling for a mute switch in software when you need to cough or take a drink. This button is a huge quality of life improvement for any recording scenario.

Headphone Output and Mixer

The Wave XLR features a built-in headphone output with incredibly low latency real-time monitoring. There are volume controls on the mic to adjust overall headphone loudness as well as the blend between computer and mic audio.

Being able to directly monitor your microphone audio with near-zero latency is crucial for feeling confident during recording and streaming. Software monitoring can introduce a distracting delay. The Wave XLR has fast high-quality hardware monitoring for perfect synchronization between your voice and other audio.

You can tweak the balance between the mic/system audio so you can listen to a mix that makes sense for any situation. If you’re recording vocals, you may want the mic louder than system audio for example. This onboard control keeps you from having to make adjustments in software.

Having this high-quality low-latency monitoring directly on the microphone helps capture better performances while recording. You can hear your mic exactly as it’s being captured with no lag. Everything stays in perfect phase alignment.

Clipguard Technology

To prevent distortion from sudden loud noises or unoptimized gain levels, the Wave XLR uses Elgato’s proprietary Clipguard technology.

Here’s how it works: a second capsule monitors the primary capsule audio in real-time. If it detects any clipping about to occur, it will engage an analog limiter that instantly attenuates the peak to prevent clipping distortion before it happens.

This allows you to run with lower headroom and optimal gain levels without worrying about peaks destroying your audio. Clipguard’s analog circuits react instantly to prevent clipping in a transparent manner before the sound ever hits the digital components.

Clipguard is the first line of defense against pesky distortion. Even if you run hot levels, it will intervene in real-time to preserve your stream-ready sound quality. You can crank the gain as needed without sacrificing clarity.

##Drawbacks and Downsides

At around $400, the Wave XLR commands a premium price. The all-metal build quality helps justify it to an extent, but it may still be out of reach for some budget-minded users.

It only has a single XLR input, so you’ll need a separate audio interface if you want to record additional mics or instruments. It’s designed specifically for solo studio recording and streaming use cases.

There is no built-in windscreen, shockmount, or boom arm included in the box. You’ll need to purchase those separately or provide your own mount. Lack of accessories at this price point may disappoint some users.

The Wave Link software, while powerful, can feel overly complex at first. You’ll want to plan on spending some time reading manuals and watching tutorial videos to learn all of its ins and outs.

While its sound quality is excellent overall, the tuning may not work perfectly for all voices. The fixed EQ can’t be customized beyond presets, so you get less tonal control compared to interfaces with per-channel parametric EQ.

Who is it For?

The premium pricing puts the Wave XLR in the realm of professional broadcast equipment. It justifies the cost with top-tier studio-quality audio, low-latency monitoring, seamless software integration, and a durable metal build.

Here are the content creator roles who will benefit most from the Wave XLR:

• Streamers who want a fuss-free studio mic with excellent sound and flexible routing options for game, chat, and music audio.
• Podcasters who value pristine vocal clarity in a stylish, easy-to-position mic for recording interviews and podcasts at a desk.
• Vocalists who want the detail of a large condenser mic with robust headphone monitoring for music recording.
• ASMR artists who will appreciate the crisp high-frequency response and tactile controls optimized for close-mic vocal work.

The Wave XLR is overkill for casual users. But for serious content creation, it provides a premium studio-like recording experience in an elegantly designed desktop form factor.

Conclusion

With its sturdy all-metal build, studio-grade audio, seamless software integration, and innovative Clipguard technology, the Elgato Wave XLR deserves its spot as a top-tier XLR microphone for today’s content creators.

It sounds fantastic for any vocal application thanks to its precision-tuned large condenser capsule and high-bitrate audio sampling. The Wave Link software unlocks professional mixing and routing capabilities unmatched by other USB mics.

Yes, the price tag is steep. But those looking for no-compromise studio quality in a sleek desktop design will find the Wave XLR a worthy investment. For streamers, podcasters, and serious content creators, it delivers professional polish and control without the need for an external mixer or audio interface.

After spending extensive hands-on time with the Wave XLR, it earns an enthusiastic recommendation. The combination of premium hardware and software creates an incredible recording experience that just works. If broadcast-quality vocals are a must for your content, the Wave XLR absolutely delivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the system requirements to use the Wave XLR?

The Wave XLR requires Windows 10 or macOS 10.14 or higher. For full access to Wave Link’s advanced features, you’ll want a relatively modern processor. Elgato recommends at least a 6th gen Intel Core i5 CPU or equivalent. You’ll also need to install the free Wave Link software.

Does the Wave XLR come with any accessories?

The Wave XLR microphone itself comes with an adjustable stand and a USB-C to USB-A cable. It does not ship with any additional accessories like a shockmount, pop filter, XLR cable, or boom arm. You’ll need to purchase those separately.

How does the Wave XLR compare to the Shure SM7B?

The Shure SM7B is another popular dynamic broadcast mic around the same price point. The Wave XLR will provide more detail and clarity thanks to its large condenser capsule. But the SM7B’s darker tone may work better for some male voices. The Wave XLR includes more advanced features like a capacitive mute button and onboard mixer. But you can’t go wrong with either mic.

Can you daisy chain multiple Wave XLR mics together?

Unfortunately no, you cannot connect more than one Wave XLR to the same computer. Each Wave XLR works as an independent USB microphone. For a multi-mic setup, you would need to add a mixer or audio interface with additional XLR inputs.

Is the Wave XLR good forgame streaming?

Yes, the Wave XLR is an excellent microphone for game streamers thanks to its tight cardioid pickup pattern that rejects unwanted ambient noise, pristine vocal clarity, and integrated Wave Link mixing software that makes it easy to balance game, music, and chat audio.

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