PC

BSP-048: Welcome to the Clutter Cave

On episode 48 of the BSP, I talk about my favorite piece of news in the last decade; scientists have discovered a new vaccine to stop the spread of Ebola!!! 

Before that, I start with discussing the mic I’m recording this weeks podcast with & my run in with minimalism. As far as computer news, I talk about Apple giving up on Mac OS X and Raspberry Pi rolling out their OS to PC & Mac computers!

In security news, there has been  push by The House to legislate the use of the Sting Ray device, which tracks devices using geo-location. Following that I briefly talk about Facebbok’s report regarding government data requests.

Finishing up the podcast, I recommend a travel show starring Karl Pilkington and an album by Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas, and lastly I talk about my thoughts and first impressions on my new iPhone 7+.

00:00 - Intro
02:57 - It’s Christmas
03:14 - Recording with Rode NT1
04:04 - Minimalism & The Clutter Cave
05:25 - THERE’S A VACCINE FOR EBOLA! HOLY SHIT!!!!
09:30 - Apple is Giving Up on Mac OS X
13:31 - Raspberry Pi’s OS Now On PC & Mac
16:25 - Legislation on Sting Ray Geolocation Device
18:30 - Government’s Facebook User Data Requests Up 27% (https://govtrequests.facebook.com)
22:19 - The Moaning Of Life
23:08 - Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner
23:42 - Initial Impressions of the iPhone 7+

Follow BSP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bandrewsayspodcast
Follow BSP on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bandrewsays

HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset Review / Test

Today we are talking about the brand new HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset. What is really cool about this headset is that it is listed as compatible with PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, as well as your Smartphone. What's even cooler is that it's also certified to work with the following apps: Teamspeak, Discord, Skype, Ventrilo, Mumble, Raidcall. That means that no matter what system/software  you are using, this headset will likely work for you.

If you are interested in this gaming headset, it will set you back $50 on Amazon

What's In the Box

  1. Headset (1.3m Cable)
  2. Extension / Splitter Cable (1.7m Cable)
  3. Quickstart Guide
  4. 2-Year Warranty

Specifications

Headphones

  1. Drivers: 50mm
  2. Frequency Response: 18Hz - 23kHz

Microphone

  1. Polar Pattern: Unidirectional
  2. Frequency Response: 50Hz - 18kHz
  3. Sensitivity: -40dB

Performance / Features

The build quality of this headset is better than I expected. It is a plastic build, however, the plastic feels high quality and provides ample flexibility. The foam on the headset/headband is made of HyperX's memory foam and is among the best I've felt on any gaming headset. The controls are simple; you will find a single volume rocker on the right ear cup to control the headphone volume, and that's it. And lastly, the microphone arm can articulate, and in order to mute the mic you just tilt it upright and you will hear a click to indicate the microphone has been muted.

The headphones are what truly stand out on this product. There is plenty of boomy low end while maintaining the presence in the high end. I typically do not enjoy bass heavy headphones, but that is because "bass-heavy" headphones are usually plagued by muddy lows that sacrifice high frequency performance; this headset does neither of those things. You get crystal clear highs and booming lows.

The microphone on the other hand is bad, and it just sounds like your typical gaming headset mic. When I saw the unidirectional polar pattern I knew that we would lose some quality in microphone performance compared to an omnidirectional microphone, and I think that it is a smart trade off to make. This is a gaming headset, and while gaming you want people on the other end to hear your voice instead of the fan blowing in the background. This unidirectional microphone will help with that. Do not get me wrong, you will still hear background noise, but it will not be as pronounced as it would be if the microphone was omnidirectional.

Pros

  • Universally compatible
  • Great sounding headphones
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Well built
  • Articulating Mic Arm
  • Unidirectional Mic

Cons

  • Bad sounding microphone

Conclusion

Even though I think the microphone is bad, I would absolutely recommend this headset. The recommendation stems from the headphones performance and comfort. While gaming, what's most important to you is going to be the audio you hear, and the comfort of the headphones; this headset excels in both of those areas. Your friends will also be able to hear you perfectly fine through this microphone while talking to each other on teamspeak, discord or any other chat service; you just won't win any awards for audio quality.

On the other hand, if you are going to be recording voice overs or gaming commentaries with this headset, I would recommend looking elsewhere because this microphone will not cut it for professional audio recordings.

If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2gspgik
UK: http://amzn.to/2gOlQ7K

BSP-039: Why I Won’t Crowdfund Your Project

00:00 - Intro
01:27 - I need to improve
04:15 - Google vs. Apple
08:22 - I Won’t Crowd Fund Your Project
12:30 - New Tile Device
14:21 - Halt & Catch Fire
16:46 - Amazon Streaming Service
18:42 - Mirage Men
21:12 - Oathbreak - Rheia
23:42 - New Windows Computer
25:43 - The Dig Game
29:04 - Outro

Episode 39 is live! Once again, I illustrate how I practice what I preach. I pick apart a bad habit that occurs far too often, and struggle to correct it throughout the entire podcast. I then explain where I stand in my struggle between apple & google. And in the last personal piece of the podcast, I explain that due to my experiences with crowdfunding sites/services, I will no longer be utilizing any of these funding mediums.

In the news I talk about a new Tile device, the end of the best TV show on air, Halt & Catch Fire, and Amazon’s music streaming service.

To finish out the podcast, I discuss Mirage Men, a documentary focussing around the disinformation campaign waged against Paul Bennewitz and the entire UFOlogy community. I talk about a band I just discovered called Oathbreaker, and share my thoughts on their new album. And the I talk about why I bought a new windows computer, and what the first game I played on it was.

Follow BSP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bandrewsayspodcast
Follow BSP on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bandrewsays

http://www.geeksrising.com