Blue Snowball iCE Microphone Review

Hey Everyone, Tuesday means another tech review for you. When I say tech review, I mean a microphone review. Today I tested out the Blue Snowball iCE, a USB microphone that will set you back $50.

This mic is built like mics are supposed to be built. With heft. It feels like it was built to last; like it can take a beating. The mic stand that comes with it is nothing to write home about, but that's a fairly typical occurrence when stands are included with microphones. I think that the stand will be perfectly sufficient for desktop use.

The audio is pretty dang good for $50, and the ease of use is amazing. You plug it in. Select the microphone in your system preferences, set the input level, and you're good to go. I did run into one issue though, I kept getting clicking noises. There was even a point where I got some sort of digital feedback that made the audio unusable. I wasn't able to locate anything about this phenomenon, but I have a hunch it has to do with moving the cable around and holding the mic in my hands.

Over all it's a great mic and if you're looking for a desktop mic to improve your skype calls, podcasts, or voice overs, I highly recommend it!

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1h6SBeK

Sades A60 Gaming Headphones Review/Test

Ladies and Gents. It's Tuesday, meaning it's time for another product review/test video. Today I am testing out a set of Sades A60 gaming headphones. You may be wondering, why I am testing out a set of gaming headphones when I focus mainly on podcasting gear. Well, you raise a good point. The reason I was testing out this set of headphones was for people who are guests on podcasts, but do not have podcasting gear. Rather than having to go out and purchase $150 in gear, you could just buy $30 gaming headphones and be good to go. 

I was hoping that my first test would be amazing, however, these headphones are not right for what I was looking for. The headphone audio sounds great. They have a very wide range and allow for great audio, and even allow for a 7.1 surround sound effect (that I did not test out). However, they do not fit tightly on your ears and they feel as though they will fall off your head constantly. The loose fit also means that there is minimal to no sound dampening. You hear everything that's going on in the room around you which is no good.

The microphone is the most important aspect when it comes to podcasting, and this mic is garbage. It is a unidirectional mic which is a good quality to have, but other than that, this provides unusable audio. The audio sounds thin, and lacks any presence and you can't adjust the location of the mic to get better audio. 

If you're looking for a pair of gaming headphones, I think that these headphones would work just fine. They are comfortable, the mic is decent enough for gaming, and they are cheap! Now if you're looking for a pair of gaming headphones to podcast with, these are not them. My hunt will continue. Let me know if you have any questions about the mic in the comments below and I will see you with another review on Tuesday.

Buy it on Amazon:

SF-920 Condenser Microphone Review/Test

Bandrew Here. Tuesday means, another Microphone review. One of our youtube viewers BlasianGamin requested I test out the SF-920, so that's what I'm doing.

This is another one of those cheap mass produced microphones for sale on amazon under a bunch of different names; Tonor, KSSFire, Neewer, XHorizon, Fotga...You get the idea. Being that it comes from the same family of microphones, and I haven't been terribly impressed with the other mass produced mics, I had low expectations. However, I was pleasantly surprised.

First. This package comes with the microphone, an XLR - 1/8" (3.5mm) cable, and the mic stand. I tried to use my own XLR cable to go from XLR to XLR, but it wouldn't fit. It might be a defective unit, or it might mean that you can only use the provided cable. 

Second. This thing has gain control on the mic! This may not seem like a big deal to a lot of folks that use interfaces or mixers, but after my horrible experience with the CAD U37, this is a feature that I want on all of my USB / 3.5mm Mics...basically any mic that's going directly into my computer, I want to be able to manage the gain before it is recorded. This mic provides that option.

Third. This thing sounds pretty good. I know that I have said that about the SF-922, but this one blows that mic out of the water. It just sounds better and more natural. The mic didn't come with any specs, but it's freq response is 50hz - 16khz, and it is omni-directional. I didn't mess with the gain at all when testing the distance of the mic, so I'm sure you can get a better audio during that scenario, I just wanted to keep the settings consistent. 

Overall, I think this is a great mic if you're looking for a cheap $15-$20 starting kit. It will get the job done. It is definitely not the greatest mic you'll ever hear, but look at the dang price tag. Hope this review and video helps. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll get back to them ASAP.

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1TiyXbS

Excelvan BM-700 Condenser Mic Test / Review

Hey everyone. This weeks mic test was requested by a viewer and it is the Excelvan BM-700. The sister model to the BM-800 that I tested out last week. If I am being honest with all of you, I have no idea what the difference between the two mics are. The specs are the exact same and they sound incredibly similar without an apparent winner between the two in audio quality. 

The thing that is strange about these mics is that they are mass produced, and then sold to companies who slap their name on them, so you end up with multiple companies selling the exact same mic. And there isn't much consistency or control over the product. Apparently, there are version of the BM-700 and BM-800 out there that actually require a 9-volt battery. But I wasn't able to find a way to request an active or passive mic on amazon. So it may be a craps shoot. But it sounds great, and it's $30. If you want more information, check out the BM-800 test that I did last week.

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KK9GIv

Excelvan BM-800 Mic Test / Review

It's Tuesday which means it's time for another microphone test / review. One of our viewers "Ugly Potato" has requested that I test out the Excelvan BM-800 which is what I am doing.

What's in the Box

First lets cover what comes in the box.

1. Cardioid Condenser Microphone (XLR)
2. Microphone Shock mount
3. Microphone Cable (XLR to 3.5mm)
4. Ball Pop Filter
5. User Manual / Spec Sheet

I do want to remind you that it does not include a microphone stand. It only includes the shock mount. Therefore you will need to invest in a microphone stand, and you can pick one up for about $13 (Neewer Boom Stand).

Performance / Features

This microphone states that it requires 48v of phantom power, however, I have completed multiple tests using a USB audio adapter (which provides a maximum of 5v to the microphone) and it seems to work perfectly fine. It DOES require some amount of power to function, and plugging it directly into your computers microphone port will not work (at least that's what I'm told from many viewers).

This microphone boasts a uni-directional polar pattern, and it works relatively well at isolating the sound source from background noise. The frequency response is 20Hz - 20KHz, and it does a really nice job of capturing the audio.

Conclusion

To be blunt about it, this mic sounds good. It doesn't just sound good for a $40 mic, it just sounds good for a mic. I did notice that this mic is quite a bit brighter than your typical American microphone, but a difference in tonality is to be expected. Basically, this mic produces a lot more high end than a Shure SM7b. If you want to hear a sample, check out the video above; the whole video was recorded with the microphone.

Overall, this mic is a great starting podcast microphone, especially if you are on a budget. But before picking it up, make sure that your recording device can supply power to the mic, or just pick up a USB Audio Adapter (the one I use is linked below). If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave them in the comments on this site or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP.

BM-800 on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1LGYo7Z
USB Audio Adapter on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Pe0uyq

Samson USB Go Mic Test / Review

Tuesday Mic Review time again. I know I am going to regret saying this because I'm sure that tomorrow I will void this statement, but this is my favorite USB mic that I've found that is under $50. This thing runs $40 on amazon and it is pretty cool.

The first thing I noticed is that it has a very sturdy build (or at least it seems that way). Unlike the majority of USB mics in this price range, it is has a metal body construction and has some heft to it. Every other USB mic I've tested in this range feels like a piece of garbage that will break after one use. This one. The exact opposite.

Another thing that sets this mic aside from other USB mics in this range is the ability to switch between polar patterns. This has a Cardiod Pattern and an Omni-Directional pattern. You do lose out on a little bit of the frequency response when using the Cardiod pattern, but it does not sound hollow or tinny like other mics I've tested out.

Lastly the sound quality. It is surprisingly good. That's really all I can say. I mistakenly used the omni directional setting the entire video and I was pleasantly surprised with how good the audio sounded. I should also note that this mic does have a headphone jack for monitoring. Basically this usb mic will become your audio interface.

One feature that I would have liked to see on this mic is a gain control. With the current build, you have to go into your system preferences and adjust your mics gain that way. That's not the hugest deal, and it really is me picking nits. I really like t microphone and if you're looking for a USB mic under $50, I'll recommend this guy! 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1MAX5EO
European Mic Adapter: http://amzn.to/1KdYL9I

Tonor SF-666 Mic Review

Okay. It's Tuesday again and that means, another mic review. A viewer of podcastage requested that I review this Tonor mic, and at $16, I couldn't help but try it out.

Lets start with the first thing I noticed. The build. This thing is just a hunk of plastic that feels like a child's toy. The decorative accents are ridiculous and consist of a rubber band. The cable seems like if you step on it once, it will rip out (just like the other tonor mic I reviewed). So, all I can say is the build quality is no good.

The set up is easy. Just plug it right into your mic input and you're ready to go. For what I would want to use this mic for, which would be podcasting, this mic was pretty useless. The audio is overly tinny, and just sounds like it's being recorded on a cheap $16 microphone.

It states that the frequency response is 50hz - 16kHz, however, I don't hear a decent low end at all. It also shows an omni directional polar pattern, but there are a lot of areas around the mic that are quieter than the rest. Over all, I wouldn't recommend this mic unless you have a computer without a mic and you need to record some audio notes. Other than that, I think it's useless. If you do want to pick it up though, I will put the link down below. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JX2zvY

Logitech C615 Webcam for Vlogging

Greetings Earthlings. It is I. Bandrew. I am back with another tech review for you. You may be wondering, why are you releasing a tech review video on Friday!? You only do that on Tuesday, and you're right. I am releasing a review on Friday because I had a request from one of our viewers Gabe, and I wanted to please this young man... ... ... I think I need to choose my words more carefully. Anyways, let's get into it.

I won't talk to much about this camera in the blog as I saw almost everything in the video, but the camera works perfectly fine for $50. You can Vlog, and the images will be great, however the main downside of this is the internal microphone. It sucks. But so does the internal camera on every webcam I have used or tested, so that holds little sway. However, if you're going to pay $50 for a webcam, you might as well pay an extra $20 to get a better webcam that provides slightly better optics and better depth of field (The C920).

I should note that I record all these webcams on my Mac, and I use Quicktime video capture, so I don't have any settings. I do recommend filming in well lit areas as the low light abilities are lacking on these cams. Well here are links to both cameras.

Buy the C615 on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1gkrr45
Buy the C920 on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1LTx4Dr

Zoom iQ6 Review / Test / Comparison

Hey Y'all. I'm back with another product test video for you guys. Actually more of a review & comparison video. Today I am talking about the Zoom iQ6, which is a 90-degree XY microphone for your freakin' iPHONE! That's right you heard me, a high quality Zoom mic for your damn iPhone!

Do you want to know what's even crazier than the idea of making a high quality mic for your iPhone? Succeeding and making a damn good mic that you can plug directly into your iPhone. Have I told you that this is a mic for your iPhone?

Okay, so this mic sounds amazing, it's convenient, and has a lot of great features. However, I have one main issue with this. THERE'S NO PASSTHROUGH TO CHARGE OUR DAMN PHONE! So while you're using a mic in the lightning adapter of your phone, and eating up your battery, you can't charge your phone. That seems like one of the hugest oversights of this design! If you're buying a mic like this to record an audio podcast that will last an hour or a few hours, I don't recommend this mic at all because chances are, you will have to stop recording and charge it, or just constantly check the battery on the phone! STUPID!

Another issue I have with this device arises if your'e recording for video. If you record long videos and use this to record the audio, you will most likely run into syncing issues. This is due to the internal clock on the iPhone being slightly different than the internal clock on your camera or computer. You can fix that issue in post, but that's just a nightmare. 

This would be a great mic to plug into your iPhone and record a VLOG right on your iPhone but there's another problem. The mics point straight down, out of the lightning port. You are unable to manipulate them (which they did resolve in the Mid-side version of this mic, the iQ7) and therefore if you're trying improve the audio of your iPhone's video, this model is not the solution.

To be honest, this version of the mic does not seem to serve many purposes. You can't record long audio podcasts. You will run into issues if you record audio for long videos on this. And you can't use it to improve the audio for iPhone video's for a VLOG. I can't necessarily recommend this model, but the iQ7 seems like a GREAT option! It is a mid-side mic formation which I like better anyways. Maybe I can get Zoom to send me a test unit! I doubt it.

Zoom iQ6: http://amzn.to/1KED9TT
Zoom iQ7: http://amzn.to/1NK3Kx6

Giant Squid Lavalier Mic Test

Okay. I'm back with another tech review / test for you guys and gals. This time it's something that will boost your video's quality so much that I can't even explain it. I'm talking about an easy fix. The Giant Squid Omni-Directional Lav Mic.

This thing has a huge frequency response from 20-20,000 Hz, so it doesn't sound tinny, or cheap. It is also an 1/8" or 3.5mm plug, so you can plug this guy directly into your computers mic input without needing an audio interface! I should note that it does require a minimal amount of power to function. Your computer input does offer this, but if you're using an interface or portable recorder, make sure it can support this. I used my Zoom h2n and was getting no audio and then turned on the line power and it worked like a charm.

It is also a 5 foot cable, so keep that in mind when you buy it. Know what you're going to use it for. I guess that's all I can say about it, other than the fact that it's only $50, and that's not a whole lot of cash to make your youtube videos reviewing Keeping with the Kardashians seem professional. Just watch the video and hear for your self.

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SZjC1P

Zoom h2n Review / Test

This week I decided to review my Zoom h2n. This is one of the most powerful and cheapest ways to get into podcasting, and have great sound quality at the same time. This thing runs $160 for just the recorder, or $200 for the recorder and the accessories pack (which I HIGHLY recommend). I guess I should tell you why I think it's a great podcasting device.

First, it is one of the easiest devices I have ever used. I took it out of the box. Put in the batteries. Put in the SD card. Turned it on and hit record and I was going. That's a huge benefit if you're podcasting, you want to be able to record quickly so you don't miss any amazing conversations. It also want to point out that this thing is portable. With the accessory pack, they provide a nice case that you can just throw in your bag and be good to go just about anywhere.

Second, this thing is versatile. It has 5 mic capsules inside that allow you to capture a lot of stuff in the exact way you want to. Let me explain. It has a a 90-degree XY microphone on one side and a Midside microphone on the other side. The 90-degree XY set up is fairly self explanatory and you can't alter it at all. The Midside is the cool one. It has a mic that points forward, and a mic point 90 degrees on either side. So it's depth of field is about 150-degrees. Now the cool part. As a podcaster, you may not want to pick up all the room noise. You are able to change the depth of field of the mid side microphone all the way down to the point where it's a Mono mic, which is perfect for podcasting.

Third, Surround Sound! Both mics sound great by themselves, and they each serve their own purpose, but you can actually join them together and get an omni-directional (almost 360-degree) microphone! This is perfect for podcasters who don't have the budget to buy a bunch of microphones or an interface that supports lots of microphones! It allows you to put the mic in the middle of the table, have a conversation with your guest and you're good to go!

Another purpose that I think this setting is great for is backing up your podcasts. If you record lots of guests, or record on your laptop, or anything, I know you've run into an issue with recording where you realized that you had not been recording. This is a great solution. Put on the surround sound mode, set it in the middle of the table, and hit record. This means if your primary recording device fails, you will still have a record of your podcast!

There are a few other features and tests that I discuss in the video that you should check out. But I highly recommend this to podcasters who are looking for a great primary rig, or a backup rig!

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FxyECc

Tonor USB Clear Digital Sound SF-922B Mic Review / Test

I'm back with another Mic review/test for you guys. This week I tested out the Tonor USB Clear Digital Sound SF-922B Microphone. The pro's of this microphone are the ease of use and the cost. This thing is literally a plug and play device (but so are a lot of other USB mics). That means you can order it, get it in the mail, plug it in and start making a podcast or skyping...for $23! That's right. Twenty three dollars. But that brings me to the cons.

This microphone is made of plastic and it feels like if I squeeze it to hard it will break. It also misses out on a lot of frequencies. It only captures 100Hz - 16kHz. Most higher end mics will pick up 50Hz-20kHz. This means you lose out on a bit of the audio quality and your recordings won't sound as full. However, with the low end cut out, it removes a lot of trouble frequencies and makes the audio a lot easier to work with. It's really up to you if you want to save a few minutes, or save your audio quality. Another downside with using USB microphones is the fact that you can only use one at a time. So if you wanted to buy a few of these, you would need to have multiple computers to record into, and that can lead to syncing issues, and it's just a headache. Basically, I don't recommend doing that if you can avoid it.

In all honesty, the mic doesn't sound that bad for $23. It's sold as a microphone for Skype, but it could definitely work for a podcast if you have a minimal budget. You won't stick out as having terribly professional audio, but it does sound better than an internal mic on a computer. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QumDt7

Pelican 0915 SD Card Case Review / Recommendation

One thing I have noticed is that the majority of podcasters don't carry extra SD cards with them. I don't know if they don't think they'll need it, or they just hadn't thought of it. Well I am here to tell you to buy as many SD cards as you can carry. Or at least a few extras. 

This week I'm not necessarily reviewing, but just recommending this case...or any case for that matter. Just get an SD card case and a few back up SD cards and take them with you whenever you are recording! This is just the case I landed on because it can hold up to 24 cards. 12 SD cards, 6 mini-SD cards, and 6 micro-SD cards. It fits all the SD storage I could need and it protects the cards when I throw them in my bag and have to go out and record away from my DAW. Buy a case. Buy extra cards. I won't say it again! You'll thank me later.

Pelican 0915 SD Card Case: http://amzn.to/1KY8kte
ScanDisk Ultra 32gb Micro SD Card: http://amzn.to/1KY8eBK

Shure SM58 vs. Shure SM7B Review / Comparison

A lot of podcasters have probably looked up photos of professional broadcast studios and seen the Shure SM7B, the Heil PR-40, or the Electro Voice RE-20, and thought, that's the mic I need in order to sound good. Well, that is not necessarily the case. You can get a perfectly good sound quality without spending between $350 and $500 on a single mic set up.

There are a few technical differences between the two mics I'm discussing today. The first is the frequency response (the range of frequencies the microphone is capable of picking up). The SM58 picks up 50 - 15,000 Hz, while the SM7B picks up 50 - 20,000 Hz. The other main difference I noticed is in the output level. On this front, the SM58 wins out with an output level of -54.5 db, while the SM7B outputs -59 db. There are other subtle differences in polar pattern, and features on each mic that I recommend you check out, but most of you don't care about the technical stuff. That's why I made a video.

The above video is a short demonstration showing you the sonic similarities and differences between a $100 microphone and a $350 microphone. I hope that this video helps you determine whether or not you want to spend $350 on ONE broadcast level microphone, or on THREE perfectly fine non-broadcast microphones.

Shure SM58: http://amzn.to/1KvwqrR
Shure SM7B: http://amzn.to/1Kvww2B
Cloudlifter CL-1: http://amzn.to/1JaH8GT

Cloudlifter Mic Activator Review

As I say in the video, this is a very specific review. It will most likely only benefit you if you are in the audio industry, wether it be podcasting, or audio engineering for a professional studio. This device is not cheap, but it may help take your audio quality to the next level. 

You may be asking yourself "Why would I pay $150 for a tiny blue box". That is a valid question and I found myself asking that very same question. Then I finally understood the benefit of this device. What it does is it takes the low output signal of your Dynamic microphone and boosts the signal by +25db. It does this by utilizing your pre-amps phantom power and with some crazy algorithm accomplishes an insane signal boost. I don't know. the mechanics of it. I'm not engineer. All I know is it works incredibly well on the SM7B.

The coolest thing that this is capable of, is the fact that you can use it with your ribbon microphone to boost the signal. If you've ever worked in a studio that uses ribbon mics, you know that phantom power will destroy that thing. This magical blue box does not allow any power through to the microphone so you can safely use this with your $2000 cloud ribbon mic!

I know that this product is not for the majority of my listeners / viewers / readers, but to those who do work in audio, this solves that age-old problem, of low signal output! It is amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone who is using a dynamic mic like the SM7B!

Cloudlifter CL-1: http://amzn.to/1AunxhR

Cloudlifter CL-2: http://amzn.to/1Q7gIVe

Cloudlifter CL-4: http://amzn.to/1HGw5Vy

Timbuk2 Commute Messenger Bag Review

I have been buying different backpacks and messenger bags for the last 15 years and the majority of them are horrible. I have finally found a bag that I am not happy with, but a bag that I'm really happy with. If you want to find out more about this bag, just watch the quick 3 minute video to the right of this poorly written paragraph and see if it's the bag that you've been looking for. Also, if I sell you on this bag, here's a link:

Buy on Amazon