Focusrite Vocaster Two Review

The Focusrite Vocaster Two is a dynamic XLR microphone aimed primarily at podcasters and voiceover artists looking for a simple, plug-and-play solution. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, sound quality, and overall performance of the Vocaster Two to see how it stacks up against other options on the market.

Overview of Features

The Vocaster Two keeps things simple, with just the essential features you need for recording vocals. Here’s an overview of what you get:

• Broadcast-quality dynamic capsule
• Frequency response tailored for voice
• Built-in pop filter and shock mount
• No phantom power required
• Headphone output for zero-latency monitoring
• Gain control and mute button on mic body
• Available in black and white finishes

The capsule itself is based on Focusrite’s decades of experience designing mics for some of the world’s largest broadcast studios. It’s tuned specifically for vocal reproduction, with a tight low-end and airy top-end that flatters the human voice.

One of the Vocaster Two’s biggest selling points is its integrated pop filter and shock mount. The internal pop shield does an excellent job at taming plosives and sibilance, while the shock mount isolates the capsule from vibrations and surface noise. This means you can plug in and start recording without any external accessories.

Operation is simple thanks to the on-mic gain knob and mute button. Just dial in your levels, plug your headphones into the 3.5mm jack for zero-latency monitoring, and you’re good to go. Phantom power is not required, since it’s a dynamic mic.

Overall, the Vocaster Two provides an easy all-in-one solution for recording podcasts, voiceovers, interviews, and other vocal work. Now let’s take a closer look at how it actually sounds.

Focusrite Vocaster Two — Podcasting Interface for Recording Host and Guest. Two Mic Inputs and Two Headphone Outputs, with Auto Gain, Enhance, and Mute. Small, Lightweight, and Powered by Computer.

• Broadcast quality sound – Get studio sound in seconds from Vocaster’s high quality mic input
• Over 70dB of gain – Get the best out of any mic, no booster needed.
• Auto Gain – Set your level in seconds, just push the button, start talking, and let Auto Gain do the rest.
• Enhance – Select one of four podcaster-approved presets and reveal the true quality of your voice.
• Two mics, two headphones – Vocaster Two gives both presenters their own headphone output and Show Mix.

Check Price on Amazon

Sound Quality

Considering its accessible price point, the Vocaster Two sounds fantastic for spoken word applications. The frequency response is tuned for warm, natural voice reproduction that flatters a wide range of voices.

The bass reproduction is tight and focused, avoiding the boominess that can muddy up vocal recordings. There’s a gentle low-mid scoop to prevent boxiness, along with a few small peaks between 4-8kHz for increased vocal clarity and intimacy. The high end has an airy openness that allows subtleties in your voice to shine through.

Overall, the sound signature leans slightly bright rather than dark and muffled. This helps vocals cut through a mix cleanly. The sound also has a surprisingly open and spacious quality, with more depth and dimension than expected from a dynamic microphone.

For the intended use cases of podcasting, streaming, voiceovers, and vocal recordings, the Vocaster Two delivers a very natural and flattering sound. It’s well-suited to a wide range of vocal styles, from smooth radio voices to expressive character work.

Isolation and rejection of ambient noise is also good thanks to the dynamic capsule and internal pop filter. The shock mount does an admirable job minimizing vibrations and rumble.

Overall, when compared to other USB/XLR mics in this price range, the Vocaster Two stands out with its smooth, clean, and detailed vocal reproduction. The tone shaping done by Focusrite’s engineers is excellent for vocal work.

Performance & Handling

Beyond just sound quality, the Vocaster Two performs well as an all-around microphone. Here are some key points about its general performance and handling:

• Excellent off-axis rejection helps minimize background noise and room acoustics picking up in your recordings
• Consistent tone regardless of distance – once you set your levels, you can move around without dramatic changes in sound
• Impressively low self-noise and lack of electronic hiss or ringing
• Sturdy internal shock mount isolates the capsule effectively
• Built-in pop filter does a great job taming plosives on close-mic’d vocals
• Headphone output on mic has just enough level for monitoring without an external preamp
• Gain range allows solid level control, though max SPL handling could be better

The Vocaster Two seems thoughtfully designed for the typical use case of a podcaster or voice actor recording at home. Little details like the shock mounting and pop filtering make a big difference by eliminating noise and breath sounds.

Focusrite’s decades of experience are apparent in the mic’s excellent off-axis rejection and consistent tone. The headphone output also adds a lot of convenience for monitoring on the mic itself.

In terms of drawbacks, the Vocaster Two’s maximum SPL handling could be better. You may encounter clipping if recording very loud vocal parts. The lack of stereo recording could also be an issue if you want a stereo room tone or sound effects.

Overall though, for centered vocal recording, the performance is reliable and impressive at this price. The Vocaster Two does an excellent job minimizing handling noise and room tone.

Pros & Cons

To summarize so far, here are the key pros and cons of the Focusrite Vocaster Two:

Pros

• Great vocal tone shaping
• Warm, intimate sound
• Excellent for podcasts & voiceovers
• Integrated pop filter & shock mount
• No phantom power required
• Headphone output for monitoring
• Sturdy, roadworthy build quality

Cons

• Only cardioid polar pattern
• Max SPL handling could be better
• No stereo recording
• XLR-only lacks USB connectivity

Overall, there are far more positives than negatives here. The Vocaster Two makes it easy to get rich, broadcast-quality vocal recordings without extra gear. For the intended use cases, it’s a fantastic plug-and-play microphone.

Who Is It For?

The Vocaster Two really shines for any vocal-centric home recording, particularly podcasts and voiceovers. Here are the primary users who will benefit most from this microphone:

• Podcasters – The smooth tone and integrated pop filter are perfect for speech-focused podcasts. The Vocaster Two makes it easy to get great vocals dialed in quickly.
• Voiceover artists – The flattering vocal reproduction consistently impresses on voiceover work for commercials, narration, eLearning courses, and more.
• Streamers – The excellent ambient noise rejection helps isolate commentary audio from background sounds. The consistent tone also adapts well to different streaming environments.
• Home studio vocalists – While only a single polar pattern, the Vocaster Two works nicely as a reliable vocal microphone for home studio use by singers, rappers, and voice actors.
• Interviewers – The clarity and intimacy are great for interviews and conversational recordings at podcast studios, radio stations, and more.

In general, if you record a lot of vocal audio, the Focusrite Vocaster Two should absolutely be on your short list to consider. The audio quality punches far above its price class.

Alternatives to Consider

The Vocaster Two is a great choice in its price range of $150-200, but may not be the right mic for all vocal applications. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

• Shure SM7B – A broadcast standard dynamic mic with richer lows and switchable frequency contouring. More expensive but industry-proven.
• Rode Procaster – Has a more colored sound but also a tighter polar pattern and more robust build. Great for untreated spaces.
• Electro-Voice RE20 – The gold standard in radio broadcasting mics for decades. Huge low-end boost and very durable.
• Audio-Technica AT2020 – A studio condenser alternative that excels for singers and character voices. Requires phantom power.
• HyperX QuadCast S – A USB condenser with 4 polar patterns and a more hyped, excitable sound. Better shock mount than Vocaster.

The Vocaster Two is a good middle ground between affordable podcast mics and premium broadcast mics. Consider your exact needs and use environment when choosing alternatives, as each mic has strengths and weaknesses.

The Bottom Line

After extensively testing the Focusrite Vocaster Two for broadcast voice work, podcasts, streaming, and vocals, it’s easy to recommend for beginners and professionals alike.

The sound quality is top-notch for speech reproduction thanks to carefully tailored frequency shaping by Focusrite’s engineers. The integrated pop filter, shock mount, and headset jack also add a lot of convenience for recording and monitoring.

No mic is perfect for every scenario, but the Vocaster Two hits a real sweet spot between simplicity, audio quality, and affordable pricing. For quickly setting up a professional-grade vocal recording chain, the Focusrite Vocaster Two is easy to recommend.

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Focusrite Vocaster Two:

How does the sound compare to a Shure SM7B or RE20?

The Vocaster Two has a brighter, more airy sound compared to the richer lows and scooped midrange of an SM7B or RE20. It excels for podcasts but sounds thinner on more aggressive vocal styles.

Does it require phantom power?

No, the Vocaster Two is a dynamic microphone so phantom power is not necessary to operate it. This makes it more convenient for at-home use without an audio interface.

Can you use it for instruments like acoustic guitar?

We don’t recommend the Vocaster Two for instruments. While it can work in a pinch, the tailored frequency response is really optimized for bringing out the best in human voices.

Is the headphone output suitable for live streaming?

Yes, the mic’s headphone jack provides a zero-latency pass-through of your mic signal. This is perfect for monitoring your own voice levels when live streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.

How durable is the Vocaster Two for live use and travel?

Thanks to the metal construction and included carrying pouch, the Vocaster Two can reliably withstand the rigors of travel and live use for touring podcasters and musicians.

Conclusion

The Focusrite Vocaster Two hits a sweet spot for home studio vocalists, podcasters, and voiceover artists looking for a dynamic XLR microphone with premium sound and accessible pricing.

Between the tailored vocal response, integrated pop shield and shock mount, and convenient monitoring options, Focusrite clearly designed this mic with simplicity and great speech reproduction as top priorities.

While no microphone is perfect for every application, the Vocaster Two is easy to recommend for any voice-focused home or project studio. Given its quality and versatility, it’s an excellent choice as either a main mic or secondary broadcast vocal mic.

Focusrite Vocaster Two — Podcasting Interface for Recording Host and Guest. Two Mic Inputs and Two Headphone Outputs, with Auto Gain, Enhance, and Mute. Small, Lightweight, and Powered by Computer.

• Broadcast quality sound – Get studio sound in seconds from Vocaster’s high quality mic input
• Over 70dB of gain – Get the best out of any mic, no booster needed.
• Auto Gain – Set your level in seconds, just push the button, start talking, and let Auto Gain do the rest.
• Enhance – Select one of four podcaster-approved presets and reveal the true quality of your voice.
• Two mics, two headphones – Vocaster Two gives both presenters their own headphone output and Show Mix.

Check Price on Amazon