Can Phantom Power Improve Your Cheap Mics Audio?

This is my third video of the week because people keep asking good questions, and I can't wait to answer them. Over the past few weeks, I have received countless comments asking if adding a phantom power supply to your cheap mic setup can improve your microphones audio. To put it simply, yes and no. Let's look more at this.

The Test

For this test, I ran the Excelvan BM-700 directly into the Sabrent USB Audio Adapter as well as the Gino Stereo USB Audio Adapter for a base quality test. Then as a comparison, I ran the microphone into the Neewer Phantom Power Supply, and then ran the output from the phantom power supply into each adapter. I include comparisons of me talking, and then samples of the background noise. 

Results

The initial audio from the Sabrent Adapter was pretty good. My microphone input gain was set at 7% on my computer and there was very little background noise. When I added the phantom power supply to this set up, I was able to drop my input gain from 7% down to 4%. You can hear a slight bump in clarity and high end once phantom power is added, but you also hear a slight increase in background noise (a new hiss).

The first test with the Gino Stereo USB Adapter is horrible. The audio sounded digital, quiet, and I had to set my microphone input gain to 72% which yielded a ridiculous amount of background noise. Once I added the phantom power supply, the audio for this adapter improved considerably! The sound was clearer, crisper, and less digital sounding. We were able to drop the input gain from 72% down to 35% and this led to a significant decrease in background noise. 

Conclusion

If you have a Sabrent audio adapter, or an audio adapter that gives you plenty of gain, and you don't have much background noise, I do not think that it's justifiable to purchase a $20 power supply. On the other hand, if you have a cheap piece of crap USB adapter that forces you to crank your input gain, causing ridiculous background noise, the phantom power does seem to improve that.

However, keep in mind that regardless of what accessories you get, you are running a microphone into a cheap USB Adapter. Your audio quality will always be limited by this. The pre amps in these USB Sound Cards are nothing special, and quite frankly, kind of suck. If you really want to improve your audio, I recommend looking into an audio interface that was designed to record microphones. An audio interface that has real preamps in it. But if that option is out of your price range, this solution seems to work just fine.

Neewer Phantom Power Supply: http://amzn.to/1llLK3a
Sabrent USB Audio Adapter: http://amzn.to/1llLGR6
Gino USB Audio Adapter: http://amzn.to/1IkwCIQ
BM-700: http://amzn.to/1InMPgb

 

What's the Best USB Soundcard?

One of the most asked questions on my youtube videos is "can I buy the cheaper USB soundcard and get the same result?" The answer I have always had to give is "I have no idea". I decided to fix that, I bought 6 USB Soundcards to compare the audio from.

My least favorite cards were the two wired USB adapters. The stereo one (white cord) was just too quiet, and too digital sounding. The 7.1 card (black cord) was simply too loud and completely unuseable. At 2% input gain, I was still clipping. Then we have the virtual 5.1 soundcard which is blue. This card gave me the same problem as the other cards. Too digital and too quiet, but if you are on a budget, it will be a decent soundcard.

Number 3 on my list is The HDE 7.1 which is one of the cheaper cards. I like this card because it provides a much more natural sound and audio compared to the previous 3 discussed. Unfortunately, for me it was too quiet. I had to crank the gain up to about 75% to get a good level, and at that point, the background noise has been turned up along with the microphone. If you are on a budget, this is a great option for a soundcard, and it performed admirably. 

Number 2 on my list is the Sabrent 7.1 card which is the most expensive card that I tested out. I liked this one a lot. It provided natural sounding audio, plenty of gain, however, for what I am doing, I don't need the headphone volume & mute or the microphone mute. These are nice features, but for me are unnecessary. 

Number 1 is the Sabrent Stereo USB Audio Adapter. The card that I have been using since day one. In all honesty, it was just pure luck that I ordered this one, and that it turned out to be so good. I think the audio produced through this is as good as the Sabrent 7.1, but in a simpler package. No buttons to mess with, which I like. It is also cheaper than the 7.1 card.

In conclusion, if you are just recording a podcast, or voice over for a video, I think that the Stereo Sabrent card will work perfectly fine for you. It's what I use and I am completely happy with it. On the other hand, if you are gaming online, and you want to be able to adjust your headphone volume, or mute your microphone, the 7.1 Sabrent card will be the right option for you.

My Ranking

Sabrent Stereo: http://amzn.to/1Ikwqt5
Sabrent 7.1: http://amzn.to/1IkwtVI
HDE 7.1: http://amzn.to/1Ikww3H
Virtual 5.1: http://amzn.to/1T8qZ64
Gino Stereo: http://amzn.to/1IkwCIQ
Gino 7.1: http://amzn.to/1T8r21R

ECOOPRO EO-200 Condenser Mic Review / Test

Today I am testing out a really cool looking microphone, the ECOOPRO EO-200. If you are interested in this mic, it would set you back about $40 on amazon, but it is completely sold out. I was also unable to find this microphone on any other sites, so it seems that I reviewed a microphone that no longer exists. But we'll go ahead and move on.

What's In the Box

In this box you get 4 things. 

  1. Cardioid Condenser Microphone (XLR)
  2. Microphone Mount (5/8" mic stand - unsure if 3/8" adapter was provided)
  3. Microphone Cable (XLR to 3.5mm)
  4. User Manual / Spec Sheet

As I mention above, I believe that the box was missing 5/8" to 3/8" microphone stand adapter. However, if you buy a neewer microphone boom arm to use with this microphone, you will get an adapter with the stand.

Performance / Features

First thing I should note is, this microphone requires power to function. The specifications dictate 3v - 48v. I recorded this using a USB adapter which provides 5v, and it seemed to work perfectly fine.

This microphone is very hot. What I mean by that is, it is very loud. I had my computer input gain set at 2% and I was still clipping. I know that I could have set the microphone farther away, and avoided this problem, however, I try to create an environment that most youtubers/gamers will be in. Getting excited, talking loudly, basically, not caring about proper microphone technique, because that's not what's important to them. What most youtubers will be focussed on is their game or what they're going to say.

I am uncertain of the actual frequency response of this microphone, as no numbers are given, however, it appears (through the confusing dual line graphic) that it is 50Hz to 10KHz, but that seems incorrect. It is also uni-directional at 1Khz, and that is very clear in the demonstration. This microphone also did very well at isolating my voice over the keyboard / mouse noise. 

This microphone is full metal construction (metal body & grill), and it is very heavy. It was so heavy that I took it apart to try and see if they added weights, but didn't want to rip out the circuit board to find out. On the front of the microphone, you will find an LED light, that did not work for me. I am assuming lights up when it is provided sufficient power. 

Pros

  • Good at Isolating Voice from Keyboard
  • XLR Microphone (can use different preamps, interfaces, etc.)

Cons

  • Extremely hot signal
  • Unclear specifications
  • Captures a Lot of Pops
  • Limited Frequency Response

Conclusion

I don't like this mic. It sounds like what you would expect out of a $40 microphone, but that's no longer acceptable. There are microphones like the Neewer NW-700 that I have tested out that sound much better. If you need a cheap microphone, save yourself a few dollars and pick up an NW-700. I will consider revisiting this mic using a mixer, and pop filter, but for now I am not a fan. I do not recommend this microphone. That is why the thumbnail says "A mic to be used as a weapon", because I think that's the only thing it's really good for, a tool to bludgeon someone with.

I should note that I hook this microphone up using a $6 USB Audio Adapter which provides 5 volts of power, improving the audio quality. If you have any questions about the microphone, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading. 

ECOOPRO EO-200: http://amzn.to/1lFZyX0
Neewer NW-700: http://amzn.to/1MyTl7V

Yuker Mic-001 Condenser Microphone Review / Test

Today I am reviewing the Yuker Mic-001. This mic is pretty cheap (approximately $27 US Dollars) and it comes with almost everything you will need to get started recording, sans microphone stand and audio interface.

This microphone bears an uncanny resemblance to the BM-700 and NW-700, so much so that I'm going to guess that it's manufactured by the same company. In the video I do a brief comparison and there are some minor audio differences. I also pulled apart these microphones below and took some pictures of the inner workings, and it is safe to say that they are not exact copies of one another.

What's In the Box

In this box you get everything you need to start recording other than a microphone stand and a USB audio adapter. You are going to get the actual microphone, a ball pop filter, a shock mount, and a cable (XLR to 3.5mm). The last thing you get in the box is a specifications sheet.

The box was missing 5/8" to 3/8" microphone stand adapter. However, if you buy a neewer microphone boom arm to use with this microphone, you will get an adapter with the stand.

Performance / Features

I have a problem. The spec sheet that I received had an image of a random microphone on it. The specifications on the specs sheet, and specifications on the amazon page were different as well. On top of this, the amazon page listed features that were not present on this microphone.

The frequency response of this microphone is either 20Hz - 20KHz, or 20Hz - 16KHz, I'm going to assume it is 20Hz to 20KHz because that is what the BM-700's frequency response is. The polar pattern is uni-directional (approximately 180-degrees at 1KHz) as well.

Comparison of inner working of Yuker Mic 001 & the BM-700

The amazon page states that this microphone has two switches: (1) Bass-Reduction switch to reduce room noise, and (2) -10dB overload protection switch to protect against clipping. I did not see either of these options on the microphone, I even unscrewed the whole thing, to make sure they were not internal options. 

There is the possibility that they mean "electronic switches", as in electronic components on the computer chips within the microphone, but I cannot be certain. I have included an image of the MIC-001 and the BM-700's inner electronics for reference. However, when I look at the spec sheet provided, it shows a the option to roll off the frequency response at around 100hz. This leads me to believe that there should be two physical switches on this microphone. one to activate the bass reduction and one to activate -10db pad. 

The build quality of this microphone is decent, but it is definitely a stay at home microphone. This is not the microphone you want if you are going to be traveling and want to record on the road. The shock mount does it's job perfectly, and the cable seems to be a high quality cable that will last for a while.

Pros

  • Cheap

  • Decent Sound Quality

  • Comes with Almost Everything you Need

  • XLR Microphone (can use different preamps, interfaces, etc.)

Cons

  • Unclear specifications

  • Features listed on Amazon, are not on the microphone

Conclusion

I think that this is a decent option for a microphone if you are on a budget. You can get everything you need to start for about $40-50. Because the audio quality of the Mic-001, the BM-700, BM-800, and NW-700 are all very similar, I would recommend shopping around and checking to see which is the cheapest.

I should note that I hook this microphone up using a $6 USB Audio adapter (linked below) which provides 5 volts of power, improving the audio quality. If you have any questions about the microphone, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading. 

Yuker Mic-001: http://amzn.to/1Qxn4C1
USB Audio Adapter: http://amzn.to/1X1asBV

Behringer C-1 Condenser Mic Review / Test

For today's podcastage, I will be reviewing the Behringer C-1 Condenser Microphone. If you are interested in this microphone, it can be purchased on Amazon for $50, or for $10 more ($60), you can purchase the USB version of this microphone.

Before we get into the actual review, I need to make an IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER. This microphone requires a minimum of 36v phantom power. That means that a USB audio adapter, or USB mixer will not provide sufficient power. You will need a mixer/preamp that has Phantom Power or a stand alone phantom power supply.

What's In the Box

This is a very simple box. You get a hardshell plastic carrying case and inside you get the Microphone, the Mic Mount, and a 5/8" Male to 3/8" Female Mic Stand Adapter. That's it. You're not getting cables, shock mounts, pop filters or anything else. You are paying $50 just for the mic. Don't misunderstand, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Performance / Features

This is a Cardiod Condenser microphone that requires phantom power. The frequency response is 40Hz - 20KHz, and it provides approximately 180-degree polar pattern at 1KHz. 

The build quality on this is great. All metal construction, metal grill, metal body. It feels like you could beat someone to death with this thing (but I wouldn't recommend it). The mic mount is plastic, and doesn't feel like the most sturdy mount I've handled. You also need a screw driver to tighten/loosen the hinge on the mount. 

The carrying case is a "hard shell" plastic case. The reason I put hard shell in quotation marks is this case is because it is plastic, but not sturdy plastic. The locking mechanism on the case is a cheap plastic hinge that will break if you use it too much, and the case doesn't seem like it will protect the mic from too much. HOWEVER, most mics I have tested out, only come with a carrying pouch, so this does offer more protection than most.

Pros

  • Sturdy Construction 
  • Good Sound Quality
  • Carrying Case
  • XLR Microphone (can use different preamps, interfaces, etc.)

Cons

  • Frequency Response rolls off at 40hz. Doesn't provide full audible frequency range.
  • Requires 36v of Phantom Power (not necessarily a con, but for some people this means an additional investment which could be a bad thing).
  • No cables included.

Conclusion

Overall, I really like this microphone. It is a great sound for the cost, and it is one of my favorites that I have tested out to date. As I mentioned before, it does require a minimum of 36v of phantom power, so if you are planning on plugging this directly into your USB adapter, it will not work. You will also need to purchase cables if you are going to be purchasing this mic.

If you are just doing gaming videos, I don't think you need to invest in a $50 microphone like this that requires phantom power and a bunch of other stuff, I think you will be fine with a $30 mic that works with a $5 adapter. The people that will get the most benefit out of this higher quality are musicians who are recording vocals, or acoustic instruments. This will give you that little bit of an edge. It is also an XLR microphone so you will be able to upgrade to better preamps, or interfaces.

If you have any questions about the microphone, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading. 

Behringer C-1: http://amzn.to/1X1aj1w
Behringer C-1u: http://amzn.to/1NV8jYf
Phantom Power Supply: http://amzn.to/1lqCFGV
USB Audio Adapter: http://amzn.to/1X1asBV

Samson Meteor USB Mic Review / Test

Today I tested out my most requested mic to date, the Samson Meteor USB Microphone.  This mic can cost from $50-$70 on amazon depending on the finish you get. I went with chrome because cosmetics don't matter and it was the cheapest. Now let's look more at this device.

What's In the Box

The packaging is nice, unlike most microphones I get, so it already stands out. The contents are very straight forward. You get the Microphone, USB Cable, Users Manual, and Carrying Pouch (I forgot to mention this in the video).

 

Performance / Features

The construction of this thing is awesome. All metal. Hefty. Sturdy feeling. I love it. There are two ports on this mic, the USB port (to hook up the mic to your computer), and a headphone jack (to plug in headphones, for 0 latency monitoring and computer playback).

On the front of the microphone there is a knob which controls the headphone volume. In the center of that is a button that can be used to mute the microphone. This would be useful if you are using this microphone for live streaming a game, or chatting on skype.

 

Pros

  • Sturdy Construction & Portable
  • Good Sound Quality
  • Headphone Jack on Microphone
  • Built in Stand / Compatible with Microphone Stand

Cons

  • No microphone gain control on microphone
  • Does not isolate sound that well
  • It's a USB Microphone (i.e. cannot use with different preamps to get different tones / or run through mixer to process sound prior to being recorded).

Conclusion

Overall, I think this is a pretty good little microphone. The samson line of mics seems to be created for portability and durability and the two that I have tested out so far (Samson GO & Samson Meteor) excel in those two categories. The sound on both of them is slightly lacking and won't provide the highest quality audio, but for a podcast, meeting, or class, this microphone will work great. If you are interested, I have included a link to the microphone down below.

If you have any questions about the microphone, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/20Iu7LR

Behringer Xenyx 302USB Review / Explained / Test

This is a fairly thorough walkthrough of all the features of the Behringer Xenyx 302USB Mixer.

Things to Know

  1. This is a USB mixer meaning you can hook it up to your computer. HOWEVER, it does not provide the option to record audio to separate tracks at the same time. All audio going through the mixer is sent to the computer as a SINGLE audio track. 
  2. This mixer provides Phantom Power to your microphone, however, I was unable to find a switch, so I assume it is always on. Therefore, I want to include the disclaimer BE CAREFUL IF YOU'RE USING A RIBBON MIC WITH THIS!

Performance / Featrures

The first thing that I really like about this mixer is that it provides latency free monitoring. It has a single XLR input with a 2 band eq and pan fader. It also has preamp gain and mic volume. I did notice that there was a bit of noise when I got the preamp above 50%. 

The second channel consists of 2 options. 1) RCA Line in or 2) USB Input. The first option is fairly self explanatory, but with the click of the red button, the second one allows you to hear your computer is playing. Directly next to the red button, this option allows you to send channel 2's audio to the mix, or just to your headphones. This is perfect for recording. If you are recording vocals or guitar in a DAW, you just want your previously recorded tracks to go just to your headphones, you don't want that stuff re-recorded onto every track.

In the upper right hand side of the mixer are (2) 3.5mm jacks. One is for your headphones, and the other is for a microphone input. If you have a gaming headset that splits into (2) 3.5mm jacks, this will work. I do want to know that, this microphone input is controlled by the channel one faders & knobs. Therefore, I would only recommend using one or the other. 

Lastly, it has an RCA main mix output, so you can send the audio to an amplifier and hear your mix/recording on bigger speakers.

Conclusion

I think this is a pretty cool little device. I wish I had it when I was just getting into recording. It sounds good. It makes recording very easy, and it provides more control over your sound than if you were to just plug into a USB audio adapter (like I do for all my videos).  The one main issue I have with this device is that it is not easy to expand from. Basically, it's a great starters unit, but if you have a few extra bucks, I would recommend springing a more powerful version like the Q802USB or Q1202USB. These more powerful versions will provide you more room to expand and you won't have to upgrade too much.

If you have any questions about this Mixer, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I'll try to get to them ASAP. Thanks for reading & watching.

Floureon BM-100FX Condenser Microphone Review / Test

Today I tested out the Floureon BM-100FX and it is ridiculous. It will run you about $32 on amazon, and it has built in effects. When I say built-in effects, I mean built in EFFECT. One effect. Lets look at this some more.

What's In the Box

This microphone came in the same box as pretty much every other mass produced chinese microphone that I have purchased. Inside you will get the Microphone, Pop Filter, Mic Stand, Mic Clip, Microphone Cable, & Specifications Sheet.

The mic stand feels very cheap and I don't think it will last very long, and the mic clip can barely fit the microphone. If you have some extra money after purchasing the microphone, I would definitely recommend picking up a different mic stand and shock mount. 

Performance / Features

The frequency response on this mic is 30Hz - 20KHz which is pretty comparable to other microphones in the same price range.

The polar pattern is 180-degrees. In front of the mic you will get good sound and behind the microphone you will only get low-mid frequencies being picked up. This is good if you are recording in a loud room or if you are recording while you are typing on a keyboard. (Just make sure to place anything you don't want to be heard, behind the microphone).

As I mentioned the BM-100x also has an onboard effect (echo). This allows you to add a delay effect to your audio. Regardless of how cool the idea is, I don't see any practical applications of this feature.

Lastly, the cable is XLR to 3.5mm/USB. This allows you to plug into your computers microphone input (which records the audio) and the USB port (which provides power to the microphone).

Pros

  • The microphone cable has USB jack to provide power to microphone
  • There is a microphone gain knob on the microphone
  • 180-degree polar pattern (it does not pick up noise all the way around the microphone)

Cons

  • The cable is XLR to 3.5mm/USB, this is too specialized of a cable, and will make it difficult to replace.
  • The knobs on the microphone feel flimsy.
  • The effect does not provide enough control
  • It is only one effect that I don't think has any practical applications
  • The microphone stand is cheap / Mic Clip hardly fits microphone
  • Slightly more expensive than similar sounding microphones that do not have effect

Conclusion

Overall, I think this mic falls short. It has some cool features that I think can be applied to microphones in the future more successfully, but they don't succeed here. The echo does not allow for enough control to make it a useful effect, the cable is too specialized, and the accessories feel like an afterthought. However, if you are interested, I have included a link to the microphone down below.

If you have any questions about the microphone, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Mu2Ods

What's In Your Bag: Santa Fe Comic Con Edition

I just got back from Covering Santa Fe Comic Con, and I figured I would do a video of "What's in Your Bag?". I will link each item and let you know how it functioned in the convention setting.

  • Timbuk2 TSA Messenger Bag - This bag has yet to let me down once. Highly recommend it.
  • Zojirushi Water Bottle - Another item that has yet to let me down. It is a bit expensive but it will keep you hydrated and not ruin your computer/camera gear. 
  • Field Notes - Even if you are not going to a con, you need to have one of these in your pocket. You never know when you need to take notes, or write a to-do list, or have a brilliant Idea. I always have one in my back pocket.
  • Fisher Space Pen - This is my favorite pen and it always goes with me. Super small and reliable. And this is a custom version to commemorate hitting 100 subs on my youtube channel.
  • Google Acer Chromebook - I am a big fan of this laptop, and I use it more than my Macbook Pro, however, you do not need to take a computer to a convention unless you know you're going to be doing writing throughout the day. This was unnecessary. 
  • Neewer Lav Mic - These things cost about $7, and you get three of them for that cost. HOWEVER, this mic shorted out and yielded almost all my footage from the convention useless. If you are going to get these, be careful, and make sure to check the recordings and make sure they are working before recording anything important.
  • Zoom H1 - I love Zoom's recorders and this is no exception. I got so much use out of this thing. I set it on autogain, tossed it on the table at panels and hit record. It worked like a charm and it's small and portable. One of the most useful things I brought with me.
  • Emergency Battery - Lucky for me, I did not have to use this. But, I always keep it in my bag with an extra iPhone cable. 
  • Go Pro Hero 3 - This is another one of those devices that you just can't go wrong with. I love this thing and I filmed almost all my footage with this thing, however, the lav mic caused all of it to be useless. Not the GoPro's fault though. I do with there was a way to monitor microphone levels though.
  • Samsung NX1000 - This camera worked alright. In lowlight, it struggled, and I started to get some noise when I was in low ISO's, so I'm not sure if this is a great option for conventions. I didn't use the kit lens either. I did take a lot of photos, but many of them didn't turn out well. I blame my amateur photography skills for that, and not the camera.
  • Samsung NX 16mm Lens - This is a great lens, but just not for my needs. This is a lens designed for beautiful landscapes, and I'm sure it can kick butt at those. I will have to test that out and get back to you. 
  • Samsung NX 45mm Lens - This lens is the sex. That's what the kids are saying, right? Well I love this lens. It is beautiful, provides great DOF, and a big aperture and just all around great! I took the majority of my photos with this lens, and some of them look spectacular. When there was enough light, the photos turned out great. I have included an image taken with this camera, above. 

E-Blue Cobra Gaming Headset Review

Today I tested out the E-Blue Professional Gaming Headset which was requested by one of our viewers Mac Cat.

What's in the Box

There was absolutely nothing in this box. It comes with the headphones, and a single 3x4-inch sheet of paper. Half of the paper is the 12-month warranty, the other half of the sheet is the User Guide, which consists of directions like "Plug the headset into your computer". I would be lying if I did not point out how much I love how simple their directions were. However, if you are not technically inclined, and do not know much about computers or computer jacks, this could be a point of contention. On top of this, there was no spec sheet in the box.

Performance / Features

The headphones boast 40mm drivers that reproduce sound from 30Hz - 19KHz (this was determined using frequency sweeps and it is not 100% accurate). The microphone on this is the stand out feature. It sounds great, especially considering that this headset costs only $16. I did notice that at points, there were some pops, but that can be remedied by repositioning the microphone. 

Pros

  • The price tag on certain colors of this headset for $15-$16. 
  • The microphones good audio quality
  • The microphone can articulate, making it easier to get good audio)
  • Compatible with Windows & Macs

Cons

  • Does not provide full frequency reproduction in the headphones.
  • Not that versatile (you will not be able to use this is too many scenarios)
  • Cheap plastic construction
  • Uncomfortable Ear Cups
  • Non-braided Cable

Conclusion

Overall, I think that this is a great deal if you can find it for $16. If you have a podcast guest that's in another city or state, and does not have access to a good microphone, you can just buy them this headset as well as the USB adapter, and ship it directly to them. It comes out to like $22, and the audio quality will be a huge improvement over their internal computer mic, their webcam mic, or a phone call. 

If you have any questions about this headset, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading.

Buy the Headset: http://amzn.to/1kJ9ONy
Buy the Adapter: http://amzn.to/1KBMRk4

Afterglow AGU.50 Wired Headset Review / Test

Today I tested out and reviewed the Afterglow AGU.50 Wired Headset.

There were no specs on this headset included in the box, or on the box which really bothers me. I like to know what the company is claiming to provide before I start testing a product out. Unfortunately, they did not provide anything.

The headphones are 50mm drivers and seem to reproduce audio from 20hz - 19.5KHz (Determined using frequency sweeps. Not 100% Accurate). The microphone provides a nice sound for the size, and it isolates the voice relatively well. The headset does have a controller that allows you to adjust the headphone volume and chat volume, and it allows you to mute your microphone. The cable runs splits a USB & 3.5mm jack, so you will need to be able to plug in both (USB = Microphone & 3.5mm = Headphones). In the box you get the headphones, and all the cables you will need to hook it up to your PC or Video Game console (360, PS3, WiiU).

The main selling point of this headset, in my eyes, is the microphone quality. The quality of this mic is pretty good for a $50-$60 gaming headset. However, there are quite a few negatives to this headset. Let's go ahead and compare the two.

Pros:

  • Microphone sound quality is pretty good
  • Microphone can articulate, making it easier to get good audio
  • Interchangeable microphone (need to make sure replacement mic is compatible)
  • Universally compatible with X-Box 360 / PS3 / WiiU / PC
  • Decent sounding headphones

Cons:

  • Headphones wired in both earphones
  • Not a braided cable
  • Construction feels cheap
  • Headphones do not fit snuggly - You can hear room noise

So as you can tell, the majority of pros are for the microphone, and the majority of the cons arise out of the headphones. A good way to determine whether this headset is right for you is by looking at what you will be using the headset for; will you be mainly gaming or will you be using it for skype? If you want good headphone quality for gaming, you can find a better option. If you're just looking for a good microphone, you can find a better stand alone microphone option. But if you're looking for a decent overall package, this will be serve the purpose, and will do so fairly well for the price. 

If you have any questions about this headset, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading.

Tonor USB Professional Condenser Sound Podcast Studio Microphone Review

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Podcastage Mic Review. Today I am testing out the Tonor USB Professional Condenser Microphone. From my understanding, this is the SF-666 but upgraded to include a USB cable instead of the 3.5mm cable. We also hear a very different tonality.

This microphone runs about $25 on Amazon, and what you're going to get for that is the Microphone and a mic stand. That's it. The box that it came in is much nicer than the packaging of the SF-666, so it will be a little bit more protected during shipping. There was no spec sheet, which bothers me, but all the information was on amazon.

The frequency response on this mic is 50Hz - 16KHz, so you're going to get the majority of audible frequencies. Amazon states that the microphone also isolates sound, but through my tests, I determined that it is an Omni-Directional microphone, so it will be picking up noise from all directions. That means that you will need to be aware of your surroundings and what is causing noise because chances are, it will be picked up by this microphone. There is also a notice to make sure you do not place the microphone near or towards the wall or power source, as this action will cause buzzing in the microphone.

Pros: This microphone is very cheap at $25. It is also a USB microphone which makes it incredibly easy to set up (if it works). It comes with everything you need. You'll be off the ground and recording once you get it. 

Cons: It is a USB mic. I am personally not a fan of USB microphones. I have had one too many bad experiences with these plug and play USB mics that I try to avoid them. However, this mic didn't exhibit any obvious problems. This microphone seemed to lack some of the presence of previous Tonor Mics. There was a slight buzz at certain times. Feels like poor construction.

So overall, I think it's a decent microphone. It's not anything that you'll see in a professional studio, and I don't think it provides audio at a high enough quality when you put it next to it's competitors. For $26 or $27, you can get the Neewer NW-700 and sound a LOT better (you will need a USB audio adapter and a Microphone Stand for this, so it's a bit more expensive, but the sound quality is MUCH better). If you are on a budget, another option would be The SF-920 and a USB Audio Adapter, which will set you back about $20 and you'll get the same, if not better audio quality. 

I think that this is a valiant effort by Tonor to improve their microphones, but this one just does not provide enough of a boost in performance to justify the quality. 

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

Each G2000 3.5mm Stereo Gaming Headset Review/Test

Alright ladies and gentleman. Time for another Mic test video. The search for an all in one gaming headset for podcasting is still underway, but I think I have found the current front runner.

This is a generic  headset that seems to be sold under a bunch of different company names on Amazon. But it works well for what I'm looking for and it runs between $22 & $25 on amazon.

The build quality is flimsy plastic, which feels cheap, but it does have nice ear piece and head piece padding to keep it comfortable. It also has a braided cable that leads into (2) 3.5mm Cables (Headphone / Microphone) and a USB cable (whose purpose I could not determine). It does have a small control dongle in the middle of the headphone wire that allows you to mute your microphone and adjust your headphone volume.

The headphones provide a frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz, but they do not fit snuggly to your head, so if you are playing games in a loud environment, you will be able to hear everything going on around you. I tested the Freq Response on AudioCheck.net and the stated response seemed to be pretty accurate. I will blame the small discrepancy on my own hearing loss.

The mic is another thing that blew me away. It is a dang good sounding mic, but there is no listed frequency response, and I haven't developed an accurate way of testing that yet. The microphone is omni directional, which  for a gaming headset seems a bit strange to me. So if you are going to be gaming in a loud area, this may not be the best headset. Another thing that I was not a fan of, is the mic is not articulating, meaning, I cannot position the mic closer or farther away from my face. It only moves on one axis. 

A HUGE problem I have is with the way it was shipped. It came in an amazon box, and the headphones were inside, but only in bubble wrap. No directions, or spec sheets, or proper packaging were included. That makes the company seem pretty crappy, and it would make me hesitant to want to test out any more of their equipment, if this mic didn't sound so good for $20! 

Overall I would recommend this mic if you are going to be in a quiet room designated for gaming, or if you are going to be podcasting. If you are in competitions, or play with the sound on your TV or Computer turned up, this may not work well for you. Really cool headset though, and I'm glad that our viewer Cobra Gaming requested this device.

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ja3Ip8

CAD U1 USB Dynamic Microphone Review/Test

Ladies and Gentleman. I do not like to badmouth a microphone or a company, but in this case I don't think I have any other choice. I tested out the Cad U37, and had an issue with the microphone being too hot (too loud). I assumed that this was a manufacturing error. I got a request from a viewer to test out the CAD U1, and I jumped at the opportunity because it has such good ratings for a $20 microphone.

I ran into the exact same problem as the CAD U37. The microphone is too hot. I set my microphone input gain at 1% and I was still clipping at 3 feet away from the microphone. On top of that, this microphone has no shielding, so you will be picking up radio waves and all sorts of noise. I have even seen people wrapping it with wire to ground it and eliminate a buzz. 

I understand. This is only a $20 microphone, so you can't expect amazing quality, but this is just absurd. Call me crazy, but if you're selling a microphone, regardless of the price, it should be useable. I should note that I have tested these mics out on Mac computers (which it says it is compatible with) and I think that may be a big issue. If I ever get a PC, I will revisit this microphones, but as of right now, I cannot tell you enough: DO NOT BUY A CAD USB MICROPHONE!

Neewer NW-1500 Condenser Microphone Review/Test

Greetings Earthlings. Time for another Mic Review. This is another new mass produced mic that we will be seeing under a bunch of different names. This is the first one that I saw though, so I picked it up. This is another omni directional, condenser microphone. The sound on the sides of the microphone does seem to be a somewhat dead area, or at least does not provide high quality audio in those locations. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz - 16kHz. which provides a slightly better low end response compared to the other mass produced Chinese microphones I have tested out.

I have no complaints about the microphone's construction. It seems to be built very well. It simply looks, and feels, like they took the body of the NW-700 and added a new microphone capsule on top of it to emulate the Blue Spark. This mic also comes with absolutely everything you will need to get started, Mic, Shockmount, Stand, Cable, & Pop Filter. Some of the accessories are not the best quality but they will definitely get you started.

This microphone also does require power. About 5V to be exact. Most modern sound cards are capable of producing 5V of power, but some of the older sound cards only put out about 3V. If this is the case on your microphone, I recommend picking up the SABRENT USB AUDIO ADAPTER, which is a USB audio adapter, and that will probably solve the issue (that's how I recorded the video).

Let me know if you have any questions about this microphone in the section down below, and if I receive enough questions, I will create a follow up video that will be released on Sunday.

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Yw2lB9

Corsair Raptor HS40 Gaming Headset Test/Review

Hey everyone. I apologize. I forgot to write up the supplemental review of this headset. I did this review as requested by our viewer The Gamin Kidz. 

I will talk about two aspects of these headphones. The audio output (headphones) and the audio input (microphone). 

The Audio output is great on these. Apparently, they are a 7.1 surround sound headset, but they are not compatible with mac computers so I am unable to test out this functionality. But the sound is great for the cost and they are incredibly comfortable. I could wear these for hours and play games without a problem. 

The microphone on the other hand is unusable for podcasting. There is a constant buzz in the background that I was unable to remove through troubleshooting, and the overall sound is rather cheap sounding. If you're gaming online in a group, the microphone may not be a big problem, but if you are trying to do voice overs with this microphone, I do not think that it will cut it. I don't recommend these headphones because you can get a gaming headset with just as good headphones for 1/3 the price. 

If you have any questions about this headset, leave them in the comments down below and I will do my best to answer them. 

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

Neewer NW-700 Microphone Review & Test

Tuesday means podcast gear review. Today I'm testing out the Neewer NW-700. I will share a hunch I have with you. I think that this is the exact same microphone as the Excelvan BM-700. 

What's in the Box?

Let's go ahead and look at what comes in the box when you order this microphone:

  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

It pretty much has everything you will need to start recording except for two things, 1) microphone stand, and 2) audio interface. Don't worry, the mic stand is only $13, and the audio interface is only $6. 

Performance / Features

This is an cardioid condenser microphone with a frequency response from 20Hz - 16KHz. And guess what. It sounds pretty dang good, especially for a $22 microphone kit.

I do want to mention that this microphone REQUIRES some power to function. It does not require full 48V of phantom power, but a minimal amount of voltage. I have tested it out and it works perfectly fine off the 5v provided through a usb audio adapter. I do not have a computer with a built in microphone input, but I have been told that this microphone sounds terrible when plugged directly into your computers microphone input.

Conclusion

This is a great microphone kit. It sounds great and it's super cheap. I highly recommend it for voice overs or starting a podcast. The great thing is, it is an XLR microphone, so if you would like to upgrade to a better interface in the future, you are able to do so. This is a downside to all USB microphones, and why I prefer XLR mics like this. 

To simplify, $22 and you'll be on your way. Throw in another $13 for the stand and another $6 for the usb adapter, and you are looking $41 for a complete solo recording set up. If you are on a budget and need something to start, this is the mic for you.

If you do have any questions about the microphone, let me know in the comments and I will answer them as soon as possible. Thanks for watching. Bye.

NW-700 on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1VJXgCE
USB Audio Adapter on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NRL9xh

,

Podcastage Studio Gear

,

Hey Friends. I am back with another podcastage video on a day that I do not have a scheduled release. This is due to a request from one of my favorite viewers Cobra Gaming, requesting that I do a quick studio tour. I figured that this is as good a time as any to list all my gear for you and tell you why I chose the gear. This is in no way a comprehensive list of the gear that I use, but it is the main gear that I use.

Shure SM7B: http://amzn.to/1INp7J8
If you go into 100 broadcast studios, chances are you will see about 33 of these guys. There will also be 33 PR40's and 33 RE20's. Okay I made up that stat, but it sounds right. I personally prefer this mic because I just like the tonality of it, and it fit more in my budget when I was shopping around. They also used this model mic to record Thriller. My one issue with this mic is the super low output. In order to resolve that I had to invest in the cloudlifter CL-1 to get the best sounding audio that I could. 

Rode PSA1: http://amzn.to/1POxABd
Okay, I will admit that $100 is a bit much to pay for a mic stand, but let me justify the cost for you. First off. It is so incredibly convenient to have a mic available at all times, without having a bulky kick drum mic stand sitting on your desk. I also had a cheaper studio boom arm that kept breaking and dropping my mics off my desk. If you're going to be using expensive mics, you don't want a mic stand that could very easily break your $400 mic. If you have the room, a kick drum mic stand will run you $30 and work well though. Just don't get a cheap Studio Boom Arm that imitates this style.

Cloudlifter CL-1: http://amzn.to/1hZ4zIw
The cloudlifter CL-1 is nothing more than a mic activator. What that does is, it takes your interface's/preamps phantom power and boosts the signal by about +25db, meaning you don't have to drive your preamp which really helps eliminate a lot of preamp noise. If you are using a mic like the Shure SM7b, which is INFAMOUSLY quiet, this is a great investment, although it does make the overall cost of the mic about $500. So at that point, you can consider the RE20 or PR40.

Zoom H6: http://amzn.to/1POxBF8
This is hands down one of the best purchases I have made. I ditched my Tascam US-322 for this thing for a bunch of reasons. First off, the noise floor on the H6 is lower, meaning I can crank the gain higher before getting excessive preamp noise. Secondly, this thing can record 4 XLR mics to individual tracks for later manipulation. With the purchase of a $80 adapter, you can boost that to XLR mics to separate tracks! It also is portable, has effects, has great sounding, interchangable mic capsules, oh and did I mention it can function as a freaking audio interface! This can function as a 6 input audio interface on your computer! 

Logitech C920: http://amzn.to/1NPPdCW
This is where I didn't invest in the best gear. For what I'm doing (testing out microphones on youtube), I don't need to invest in a $700 DSLR camera for amazing depth of field. That's not what's important in my videos. What's important is the audio. Making sure that I am capturing the mics sound as naturally as possible so people who hear the test video know what they're getting. This webcam does shoot decent video, but I have very little customization, and the image seems to be washed out quite a bit. But as I said. It works perfectly for what I'm doing.

Giantsquid Lav Mic: http://amzn.to/1INpkf9
I never thought I would use a Lavalier mic that much until I started making videos. If you are making youtube videos, I am telling you right now, audio is the most important thing (almost all the time). If you are talking at all or trying to convey information through talking, you need good audio and this thing allowed me to do that. It's a 1/8" lav mic with a meter long cable (I think) and I just hook it directly into my Gopro while I'm Vlogging outdoors, or if I am recording a Vlog inside, I record this directly into my H2n, and sync the audio in Final Cut. Without this, my audio would sound like garbage, and you wouldn't be able to hear what I was saying half the time. You can get cheaper lav mics too. All I am saying is if you are making videos, invest in a way to make sure your audio is AMAZING!

GoPro Hero 3: http://amzn.to/1INpnaP
Why is the GoPro so popular? Because it is easy to use. You turn it on, hit record, and you are good to go. That's why I love this thing as a Vlogging camera. It is so easy to use, it has pretty dang good battery life, I can hook up an external mic (with an adapter), and the footage is high quality. All my geeks rising vlogs that are outdoors are shot with this and I am incredibly happy with how it has functioned so far with the Giant Squid lav mic. One thing I am thinking of doing to improve the footage is invest in a steady cam adapter for this, or a cheap gimble so the footage is not as shaky.

Alright everyone, that will do it for todays unplanned discussion of studio gear and what I'm using. I hope you found it helpful. If you have any questions about any of the gear mentioned above, let me know and I will answer it as best as I can. 

SF-930 Microphone Review

Hey Everyone. Tuesday Means another microphone review. This week I tested out another one of those really cheap mass produced microphones that are sold under a dozen different company names. This week I tested out the SF-930. It is another one that looks really goofy, but regardless of the odd look, it definitely sounds better than $14.

That's really all that this microphone costs. $14, and if you are just going to be using it for a  voice over on youtube, or live streaming a game and you don't have a higher budget, then this mic will work for you. The mic is Omni-directional, meaning it picks up audio 360-degrees around the microphones, it has a gain knob on the microphone, it's frequency response is 50Hz to 16KHz, and it is an XLR Mic.

When you order this mic you get the Microphone, a stand, and an XLR - 1/8" (3.5mm) microphone cable. This is everything you need to get started recording audio. You plug it right into your computer microphone in and you should be good to record. I feel like I need to mention this...if you are recording, check the mics input level to make sure you are not clipping (distorting the audio). Let me know what your thoughts on this mic are in the comment section down below.

$30 Microphone Round-up

Hey Everyone. I am back on Friday with another Podcastage Video. Today, per the request of one of our viewers "The Ryan Master", I did a round up of all my microphones that are $30 or less and tested them out. Check out the video to the right, and all the links to the microphones are down below.

SF-666: http://amzn.to/1Jz6MnY
SF-920: http://amzn.to/1VbMOno
SF-922B: http://amzn.to/1U7bkZy
BM-700: http://amzn.to/1Jz6QUI
BM-800: http://amzn.to/1U7brVa
SM-48: http://amzn.to/1U7bujU
USB Audio Adapter: http://amzn.to/1VbMmWi