OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Microphones Methodology v1.0
Microphones Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Microphones Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Woodbrass Bird UM1 Review | 76 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Connection type:USBTransducer type:electret condenserMax SPL:125 dB SPLSupported sample rates:44.1, 48 kHzOutput connector type:USB-b

Woodbrass Bird UM1 Review: Compare 76 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Microphones category and whether it is worth buying.

6.9

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the microphone's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best microphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

75%

6.1

Technical score

25%

9.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 60% of microphones
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

20%

8.0

Audio Performance

20%

4.9

Recording

16%

3.2

Pickup Patterns

16%

3.9

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

10

Compatibility

5%

4.0

Connectivity

3%

7.0

Design

3%

7.9

Accessories

â–¼Worse than 76% of microphones
9.3

User score

User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 87% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

9.4

Number of reviews

Based on 9,704 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 87% of microphones
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of microphone Woodbrass Bird UM1

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components:

20%

8.0

Audio Performance

20%

4.9

Recording

16%

3.2

Pickup Patterns

16%

3.9

Controls & Features

10%

10

Power

7%

10

Compatibility

5%

4.0

Connectivity

3%

7.0

Design

3%

7.9

Accessories

6.1
User score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 87% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

9.4

Number of reviews

Based on 9,704 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
9.3
Popularity
Popularity
9.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 85% of models
Popularity:
Woodbrass Bird UM1 has a popularity score of 9.4 points, which is higher than 84.9% of microphones.
9.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the microphone's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a microphone with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components:

60%

6.9

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.8
Microphone type
studio
Transducer type
electret condenser
Diaphragm size
34 mm
Capsule type
single
Sensitivity
-37 dBV/Pa
Show more
Connection type
USB
Output connector type
USB-b
Headphone output
no
Headphone output
no
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
This microphone does not include a headphone output. 62.8% of microphones include this output.
3.5 mm audio jack
no
3.5 mm audio jack
no
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
This microphone does not include a 3.5 mm jack. 63.3% of microphones include this connector.
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone does not include a 6.35 mm jack. 2% of microphones include this connector.
Show more
Supported sample rates
44.1, 48 kHz
Supported bit depths
16 bit
Audio interface sample rate
48 kHz
Audio interface sample rate
48 kHz
â–¼ Worse than 42% of models
Market range: <48 kHz – >192 kHz
This microphone supports an interface sample rate of 48 kHz which is higher than that of 2.3% of microphones and equal to that of 55.6% of microphones.
Audio interface bit depth
16 bit
Audio interface bit depth
16 bit
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Market range: <16 bit – >24 bit
This microphone supports an interface bit depth of 16 bit which is lower than that of 58.5% of microphones and equal to that of 41.5% of microphones.
Signal-to-noise ratio (DAC)
N/A
Show more
N. of polar patterns
1
N. of polar patterns
1
â–¼ Worse than 25% of models
Market range: <1 – >4
The number of selectable polar patterns offered by this microphone is 1, which is lower than that of 24.6% of microphones and equal to that of 75.4% of microphones.
Cardioid pattern
yes
Cardioid pattern
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This microphone supports a cardioid pickup pattern. 91% of microphones support this pattern.
Omnidirectional pattern
no
Omnidirectional pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 26% of models
This microphone does not support an omnidirectional pickup pattern. 26.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Hypercardioid pattern
no
Hypercardioid pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone does not support a hypercardioid pickup pattern. 1.5% of microphones support this pattern.
Bidirectional pattern
no
Bidirectional pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 17% of models
This microphone does not support a bidirectional pickup pattern. 17.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Mute function
no
Mute function
no
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
This microphone does not include a mute function. 68.3% of microphones include this control.
Onboard gain control
no
Onboard gain control
no
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
This microphone does not include onboard gain control. 51.3% of microphones include this control.
Volume control levels
0
Volume control levels
0
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <0 – >2
This microphone offers volume output of 0 which is lower than that of 65.7% of microphones and equal to that of 34.3% of microphones.
Flat DSP mode
no
Flat DSP mode
no
â–¼ Worse than 26% of models
This microphone does not support a flat DSP mode. 25.6% of microphones offer this processing option.
DSP presets
0
DSP presets
0
â–¼ Worse than 17% of models
Market range: <0 – >3
This microphone offers 0 DSP presets, which is fewer than 16.6% of microphones and equal to 83.4% of microphones.
Show more
Phantom power required
no
Phantom power required
no
â–² Better than 10% of models
This microphone does not require phantom power. 90.5% of microphones also operate without phantom power.
Phantom power voltage
N/A
USB bus-powered
yes
USB bus-powered
yes
â–² Better than 14% of models
This microphone supports USB bus power. 85.9% of microphones support USB-powered operation.
Battery life
N/A
Height
165 mm
Height
165 mm
â–² Better than 65% of models
Market range: <130 mm – >252.8 mm
This microphone is 165 mm tall, which is shorter than 65.1% of microphones and equal in height to 2.1% of microphones.
Width
48 mm
Width
48 mm
â–² Better than 87% of models
Market range: <48 mm – >109 mm
This microphone is 48 mm wide, which is narrower than 86.7% of microphones and equal in width to 3.6% of microphones.
Thickness
48 mm
Thickness
48 mm
â–² Better than 84% of models
Market range: <45 mm – >114 mm
This microphone is 48 mm thick, which is thinner than 83.7% of microphones and equal in thickness to 2.6% of microphones.
Weight
?
Body material
plastic
Show more
Included accessories
shock mount; cable; mount adapter; carrying case
Shock mount included
yes
Shock mount included
yes
â–² Better than 51% of models
This microphone includes a shock mount. 49.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Pop filter included
yes
Pop filter included
yes
â–² Better than 40% of models
This microphone includes a pop filter. 60.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Windscreen included
no
Windscreen included
no
â–¼ Worse than 32% of models
This microphone does not include a windscreen. 31.8% of microphones include this accessory.
Cable length
2 m
Cable length
2 m
â–¼ Worse than 39% of models
Market range: <1.4 m – >3 m
This microphone has a cable length of 2 m which is longer than that of 36.3% of microphones and equal to that of 25% of microphones.
Android compatibility
yes
Android compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 34% of models
This microphone is compatible with Android. 65.8% of microphones are compatible with Android.
iOS compatibility
yes
iOS compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 39% of models
This microphone is compatible with iOS. 61.3% of microphones are compatible with iOS.
Windows compatibility
yes
Windows compatibility
yes
Category Benchmark
This microphone is compatible with Windows. 100% of microphones are compatible with Windows.
macOS compatibility
yes
macOS compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 1% of models
This microphone is compatible with macOS. 99.5% of microphones are compatible with macOS.
Xbox compatibility
no
Xbox compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone is not compatible with Xbox. 1.5% of microphones are compatible with Xbox.
Show more

Woodbrass Bird UM1 vs the average microphone

246810TotalAudio PerformanceConnectivityRecordingPickup PatternsControls & FeaturesPowerDesignAccessoriesCompatibility
  • Includes shock mount
    Shock mount included
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This microphone includes a shock mount, the average microphone does not.
  • 8 mm thinner body
    Thickness
    48 mm
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <45 mm – >114 mm
    This microphone is thinner than the average microphone (48 mm vs 56 mm). The average microphone has a thickness of 56 mm.
    48 mm vs 56 mm
  • 4 dB SPL higher limit
    Max SPL
    125 dB SPL
    â–² Better than 54% of models
    Market range: <110 dB SPL – >140 dB SPL
    This microphone has a higher max SPL than the average microphone (125 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL). The average microphone handles a max SPL of 121 dB SPL.
    125 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL
  • 15.4% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Woodbrass Bird UM1
    the average microphone
    Woodbrass Bird UM1 has a higher user score than the average microphone (9.27 vs 8.027).
    9.27 vs 8.03
  • 51.4% more popular
    Woodbrass Bird UM1 has a higher popularity than the average microphone (9.42 vs 6.2).
    9.42 vs 6.22
  • 15.4% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Woodbrass Bird UM1
    the average microphone
    Woodbrass Bird UM1 has a higher user score than the average microphone (9.27 vs 8.027).
    9.27 vs 8.03
  • 51.4% more popular
    Woodbrass Bird UM1 has a higher popularity than the average microphone (9.42 vs 6.2).
    9.42 vs 6.22
  • 4 dB SPL higher limit
    Max SPL
    125 dB SPL
    â–² Better than 54% of models
    Market range: <110 dB SPL – >140 dB SPL
    This microphone has a higher max SPL than the average microphone (125 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL). The average microphone handles a max SPL of 121 dB SPL.
    125 dB SPL vs 121 dB SPL
  • 8 mm thinner body
    Thickness
    48 mm
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <45 mm – >114 mm
    This microphone is thinner than the average microphone (48 mm vs 56 mm). The average microphone has a thickness of 56 mm.
    48 mm vs 56 mm
  • Includes shock mount
    Shock mount included
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This microphone includes a shock mount, the average microphone does not.
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • 8 bit lower interface bit depth
    Audio interface bit depth
    16 bit
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    Market range: <16 bit – >24 bit
    This microphone supports a lower audio interface bit depth than the average microphone (16 bit vs 24 bit). The average microphone audio interface supports 24 bit.
    16 bit vs 24 bit
  • No on-device controls
    On-device controls
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    This microphone does not place key controls on the device, the average microphone does. 79.5% of microphones place key controls on the device.
  • No mute function
    Mute function
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This microphone does not include a mute function, the average microphone does.
  • No headphone output
    Headphone output
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This microphone does not include a headphone output, the average microphone does.
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    3.5 mm audio jack
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This microphone does not include a 3.5 mm jack, the average microphone does.
  • 7 older release date
    Release date
    2013
    â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This microphone is older than the average microphone (2013 vs 2020). The average microphone was released in 2020.
    August 2013.
    2013 vs 2020
  • No headphone output
    Headphone output
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This microphone does not include a headphone output, the average microphone does.
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    3.5 mm audio jack
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This microphone does not include a 3.5 mm jack, the average microphone does.
  • 8 bit lower interface bit depth
    Audio interface bit depth
    16 bit
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    Market range: <16 bit – >24 bit
    This microphone supports a lower audio interface bit depth than the average microphone (16 bit vs 24 bit). The average microphone audio interface supports 24 bit.
    16 bit vs 24 bit
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • No on-device controls
    On-device controls
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
    This microphone does not place key controls on the device, the average microphone does. 79.5% of microphones place key controls on the device.
  • No mute function
    Mute function
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This microphone does not include a mute function, the average microphone does.
  • 7 older release date
    Release date
    2013
    â–¼ Worse than 87% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This microphone is older than the average microphone (2013 vs 2020). The average microphone was released in 2020.
    August 2013.
    2013 vs 2020

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

A
a-shen.livejournal.com
13/10/2021
Summary of the review
Bird UM-1 review - a_shen - LiveJournal
F
fireteam.fr
27/02/2016
Summary of the review
Tests: Review of the Bird UM1 Microphone - FireTeaM.Fr", "Tests: Bird UM1 Microphone Review - FireTeaM.Fr
(Translated)Show original
S
studio-microphone.com
Non daté
Summary of the review
Woodbrass Bird UM1 - Test & Review - Studio Microphone
(Translated)Show original
L
letempleasmr.fr
12/11/2024
Summary of the review
Bird UM1 USB: price, settings, reviews and microphone test
(Translated)Show original
E
edmustech.fr
15/01/2017
Summary of the review
Micro Bird UM1 - Recommended, but for what use?
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 9,704 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Woodbrass Bird UM1

  • Excellent value for money for beginners and students
  • Simple plug-and-play setup on PC, Mac, and PS5 without extra drivers
  • Durable all-metal build quality
  • Warm, clear sound quality that competes with more expensive models
  • Comes with useful accessories like a shock mount (spider) and carrying case
  • Records wide frequency range (20Hz-20kHz) without significant distortion

What we don't like about Woodbrass Bird UM1

  • Lacks physical controls on the mic (no dedicated mute button or gain knob)
  • High sensitivity picks up ambient background noise and desk vibrations easily
  • Requires a separate stand or boom arm as one is typically not included
  • Integrated USB cable can be prone to failure after heavy use
  • Noticeable hiss or noise floor when gain is set to maximum
  • Audio quality degrades significantly if you are not positioned directly in front of the mic

Verdict

The Woodbrass Bird UM1 is a plug-and-play electret condenser USB microphone featuring a 34mm wide-membrane capsule and a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern, designed for high-fidelity vocal and instrument recording without the need for an external audio interface. Technically robust, it delivers a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, a sensitivity of -37 dB (+/- 2 dB), an impedance of 200 Ohms, and handles a maximum sound pressure level of 125 dB. Its main pros include exceptional ease of use across PC and Mac systems, a durable all-metal construction, and a comprehensive accessory bundle that typically includes a shock mount, pop filter, and carrying case. However, some users have noted potential reliability issues over long-term use, significant background noise in some units typical of budget electret designs, and a lack of integrated physical controls like a mute button or headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring.

Compare Woodbrass Bird UM1 with other products in the Microphones category

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