Neewer 3.5mm Mini Lapel Mic Review / Test

The Neewer 3.5mm Mini Lapel Mic is a super cheap option for people who want to try a lavalier mic for their videos.

What's In the Box 

1. The Microphone(s)

Performance / Features

The build quality on these mics is terrible. I have had multiple mics fail in the middle of a day long shoot which ended up rendering the video for the entire day useless. This is a huge pain, but you have to realize that they are about $1.50 a piece.

The microphone sounds decent, especially when held in front of the sound source. It has a decent enough low response and a clear high end. However, once the microphone is clipped to a shirt, you lose a lot of the clarity. This is fairly common with most lapel microphones, so I can't hold it against this mic in particular. 

Pros

• SUPER CHEAP
• Decent sound

Cons

• Horrible build quality
• Picks up lots background noise
• Loss of clarity when clipped to shirt

Conclusion

I think that this is a great entry level lapel microphone. If you're trying to make a vlog or something, this is a great option to see if you like the idea of using a Lapel mic. I don't think that this is a good long term option (but I still continue to use them after a few mishaps with the mic failing).

So I would recommend this to anyone interested in lapel mics, or to anyone who is on a budget. If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

5-Pack: http://amzn.to/1JRw9E4
3-Pack: http://amzn.to/1WiuTvw
USB Soundcard Used: http://amzn.to/1INAuru

V-Moda Boom Pro Headset Mic Review / Test

Today I am testing out the V-Moda Boom Pro Headset Mic. This is an add on microphone for any headset that has a 3.5mm microphone port. It is listed to be compatible with the V-Moda M-100's and some Beats headphones. However, I found that it is compatible with any headset that has a 3.5mm line input. This is not the microphone input jack, but rather, the 3.5mm jack that you plug the cable that runs to your computer into. 

What's In the Box 

1. V-Moda Boom Mic
2. TRRS Splitter Cable
3. Warranty

Performance / Features

The build quality on this thing feels pretty nice. The joints all feel like they are sturdy. You can articulate the microphone. The cable is braided so it will hopefully last longer. The remote in the middle of the cable feels decent, and it has a headphone volume knob and microphone mute switch as well as a clip. Lastly the TRRS splitter is rubber and feels slightly cheaper than that actual headset. 

The frequency response on this mic is not listed but based on the performance I think it sounds really nice. The voice sounds natural and doesn't sound overly compressed like most headset microphones. The microphone was also fairly hot. I was plugging directly into my computer and had the level at about 5%. 

The polar pattern based on my examination seems to be omni-directional. That means that it picks up sound in every direction. When typing on my relatively quiet keyboard you could hear a bit of the noise in the background. This leads me to believe that the microphone will pick up a lot more noise if the user were using a mechanical keyboard.

Pros

• Nice voice sound
• Braided cable 
• Compatible with many headsets

Cons

• Picks up background noise
• Overly hot signal

Conclusion

I think that this is a really nice product. It's great to have the option of replacing a crappy microphone on a headset with a much higher quality one. However, this does require that your headset have a 3.5mm line out. So you will have to do your own research and find out if the headset you own or the headset you're looking at fulfills those needs. Just be careful with clipping because this microphone has an incredibly hot signal.

Other than that, I would just recommend this to anyone who isn't happy with their mic, and has a compatible headset. If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

V-Moda Boom Pro Headset Mic: http://amzn.to/1n3YYDo
V-Moda Crossfade M-100: http://amzn.to/1J5WmhZ
Afterglow AG-9 Headset: http://amzn.to/1J61HFW

Pyle PDMICR42 Review / Test

I have been so impressed with the last two Pyle mics that I tested out, that I had to test out this guy, the Pyle PDMICR42 Dynamic Microphone. This time Pyle is ripping off the Shure 55SH. This is another dynamic XLR microphone which means it will not require phantom power to work, however, I always want to note that I am connecting using a USB soundcard which is linked below. 

What's In the Box 

1. Dynamic Microphone
2. 5/8" to 3/8" Mic Stand Adapter
3. XLR to 5.5mm (1/4") Cable
4. Warranty

Performance / Features

The build quality on this thing feels terrible. It is an all plastic body, plastic mount, and plastic hinge; and this is not a sturdy feeling plastic. It feels incredibly weak. However, the microphone mount adapter is metal which is always nice, and the microphone cable seems to be good quality.

The frequency response on this thing is 30Hz - 15kHz which is a fairly standard frequency response. It performs fairly well in this area. The vocals sound nice and full and don't sound hollow or unnatural. The acoustic guitar sounded surprisingly nice with this microphone, and the electric guitar sounded pretty good too.

The microphone is also a cardioid polar pattern. The field of pick up is really nice for about 90-degrees, but continues to pick up the high end all the way to about 180-degrees. Once we get to that point, the high end drops off and we just hear low end response. This microphone also did really well at isolating my voice from the background noise from my keyboard. 

Pros

• Nice Voice Sound
• Decent performance with Instruments
• Good at Isolating Sound

Cons

• Cheap Build Quality
• Digital hiss/noise when volume high
• Really Bad at eliminating plosives
• Poor Documentation

Conclusion

This is a decent sounding microphone, however I can't recommend it. It performs decently in the audio area, but not better than the PDMIC58 which is half the price. It is also really bad at eliminating plosives, and that means you would have to invest in a pop filter; since this is a non standard size, you would need a clip on pop filter which is not something you would want in a live situation (which is what these mics are made for).

I honestly, just can't think of anyone who would have any good reason to get this microphone over the Pyle PDMIC58 which sounds almost the same for a fraction of the cost. The cheaper microphone will also provide you the ability to use a standard ball pop filter, and use it in a live setting easily without worrying about breaking a cheap plastic microphone. If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Pyle PDMICR42: http://amzn.to/1JGKPWw
Pyle PDMIC58: http://amzn.to/1JGKWRZ
Sabrent USB Adapter: http://amzn.to/1INAuru

Neewer NW-800 Condenser Microphone Review / Test

Today I am testing out the Neewer NW-800. This is another cheap mass produced microphone that companies buy and just slap there name on. For comparison, this mic is incredibly similar to the BM-800 with just a few small differences. Also, if you do like this microphone and are considering picking it up, it will cost you approximately $24 on Amazon. 

It's important to note that this is a CONDENSER microphone and therefore requires voltage to function. I use a USB adapter that provides 4.5v to the microphone. You can also use a phantom power supply with this microphone.

What's In the Box 

1. Condenser Microphone
2. Pop Filter
3. Shock Mount
4. 5/8" to 3/8" Mic Stand Adapter
5. XLR to 3.5mm Cable
6. Documentation

Performance / Features

This microphone feels as though it is decently built, but I would not beat it up to test that theory out because the internal components seem fairly delicate. The body and the grill are both metal, and the grill has a much finer mesh, which I believe will eliminate pops better than this microphones predecessors. The shock mount does it's job well, and the cable will most likely suffice.

The frequency response of this microphone is 20Hz - 16kHz which is pretty nice. It does seem to still have a rather bright tone and the bass end is not overly boomy. All around, I like the performance in this area. The frequency response sounds very similar to the BM-800 when compared, but the BM-800 has a more bass heavy sound.

The microphone does pick up audio all around it although the majority of audio picked up on the backside of the microphone is dull sounding and unusable. It did a decent job at avoiding my keyboards noise during that test, which is good for gamers. It also did very well at the distance test.

Pros

• Good Sound Quality
• Functions on 4.5v 
• Decent Build Quality
• Performs Decently at Distances
• Good at Isolating Sound
• Has almost Everything You Need!

Cons

• Lacks Some Frequencies
• Poor Documentation
• Still Picks Up Some Room Noise

Conclusion

I think that this will be a good microphone for gamers. It has a nice professional sound (when connected properly and with sufficient power) and it has a nice enough pickup range so you will not have to focus on microphone technique while you are gaming. 

For musicians, this microphone will work well for cover videos on youtube, but I think it lacks in performance when compared to professional studio microphones. This will not provide sound quality similar to $500 microphones, but for youtube covers, pre-production, or demos, this will be a great addition to your studio.

If you're a podcaster, this microphone can get you started, but I would recommend you get a dynamic microphone like the Pyle PDMIC58, Shure SM48, or Shure SM58. Dynamic microphones are much better at cancelling out background noise and room noise, and since you are only focussing on talking you can worry more about microphone technique. 

This microphone sounds good. Just like all the NW-700, BM-700, BM-800, and NW-1500, this microphone will be great for a beginner. All you need is a microphone stand, a USB Interface, and maybe some phantom power and you will be good to go! If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Neewer NW-800: http://amzn.to/1SB0acW
Sabrent USB Adapter: http://amzn.to/1INAuru

Bandrew's Everyday Carry (January 2016)

If you spend 1/100th as much time on youtube as I do, you have come across EDC's or Every Day Carry. Most of them contain weapons and tools, but mine is much simpler and not as exciting as people who carry knives and guns. This really contains everything that I need on a day to day basis. It's pretty simple, cheap and easy. To be honest, I just really like these videos so I figured I would make one.

Apple iPhone 6 (128gb): http://amzn.to/1PDMmha
Streamlight Micro Stream: http://amzn.to/1PDMsoX
Fisher Space Pen: http://amzn.to/1PDMrRR
Paracord Key Chain: http://amzn.to/1PDMwFk
Field Notes: http://amzn.to/1PDMBbY
Saddleback Wallet: http://amzn.to/1PDMI7i

Pyle PDMIC58 Dynamic Mic Review / Test

After testing out the PDMIC78, I couldn't wait to test out this microphone, the PYLE PDMIC58. This mic is nothing more than Pyle's response to the Shure SM58; a Dynamic XLR microphone that feels sturdy. The main difference between this and the Shure SM58 is the price. This microphone is $13, and the Shure is $100+. So, keep that in mind throughout this review.

It's also important to know that this is a dynamic microphone, so it shouldn't require any voltage to function, however I am plugging it into my Sabrent USB Adapter. 

What's In the Box 

1. Dynamic Microphone
2. 15-foot XLR to 1/4" Microphone Cable
3. Warranty / Spec Sheet

Performance / Features

The build quality on this microphone feels pretty good and it feels very similar to the Shure SM58. It is an all metal body and a metal grill just like the SM58, however, it is about half the weight. This means that either their are fewer components inside, the body is not all metal, or the metal is a lighter metal. I can't fault Pyle for the minor differences in build quality due to the mic being ~$90 cheaper. 

The frequency response is 50Hz - 15kHz which is actually the same as the Shure. They did not include a diagram showing the actual frequency response of the microphone but when comparing the audio it seems like there are a lot more highs on the Pyle. All around it performed well in this regards. (in the video, the electric guitar example provides the most notable difference between the microphones EQ)

The impedance of this microphone is 600-Ohms compared to the 300-Ohms of the Shure. Basically what this means is that the Pyle will not perform as well if it is running through a long cable; it will lose some of the high frequencies. This isn't the biggest deal if you are just using the microphone in a home studio, but once you start throwing long cables on this microphone, you may start to notice a bigger impact.

The microphone is also uni-directional. That means that it only picks up audio directly in front of the microphone. As soon as you get off axis, the sound decreases quite a bit. That's why this kind of microphone is used in concert settings. It isolates the sound source really well, while eliminating surrounding noise.

Pros

• SUPER CHEAP!!!
• Good Sound Quality
• Good Build Quality
• Good at Isolating Sound

Cons

• Bad with Plosives (need to Invest in pop filter)
• Poor Documentation

Conclusion

All around this mic sounds great for the price. It's $13 and it performed pretty closely to the $100 microphone in a controlled setting. The real test would be to take this thing out back and beat the hell out of it because that's what's amazing about the Shure SM58; it's indestructible. I'm thinking that this microphone won't survive as much as the SM58, but it's a great starter for the price.

I think that the folks that would really benefit from this mic would be beginning podcasters. This microphone (with a ball pop filter on top) will sound great for a solo podcast, but you can also have multiple people in the same room, each with their own microphone, and you will have minimal bleed between the microphone.

For gamers, I'm not sure if this is the best microphone since you will need to stay right on top of the microphone to get the best audio, but it will be great at cancelling out the background noise. You will need to decide if you're willing to buy a boom arm and keep the mic close to your mouth the entire time your gaming. If you're willing to do that, this is a great mic.

For music, I think this did really well with the electric guitar and voice, but for an acoustic instrument, I think you'd be better off with a condenser microphone to pick up more of the ambience of the instrument. 

Overall, I'm really impressed with this microphone and I recommend this to most people. If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Pyle PDMIC58: http://amzn.to/1mx01eM
Ball Pop Filter: http://amzn.to/1JUlWkL

SF-940 Condenser Microphone Review / Test

Today I am reviewing the SF-940 mic. This is another one of those super cheap, mass produced, Chinese microphones that are sold under a plethora of different names. I think this is the last one on Amazon that I haven't reviewed, so if you come across any, make sure to send me a note letting me know!

What's In the Box 

1. Microphone w/ 2-meter Cable Attached
2. Microphone Stand

Performance / Features

The build quality on the microphone is sub par. It is full plastic construction, and it feels very week as though one drop or a tight squeeze with your hand might break it. The cable does feel relatively nice (compared to the rest of the mic). It is about 2x thicker than your typical iPhone charging cable, so it seems like it may last. The mic stand is a HUGE oversight. It is cheap plastic, and the worst part...the Microphone doesn't even fit in this mic stand; so it's useless.

There is an on/off switch on the front of the microphone which is kind of nice because it can be used as a Mute switch, but this feature also feels cheap and flimsy.

The frequency response is advertised as 50Hz - 16KHz which is respectable, and in all honesty it doesn't sound half bad for $13. However, the microphone is omnidirectional, regardless of the fact that it is marketed as a Noise Cancelling microphone. When testing this out, it offered little to no noise cancellation and it completely failed in this arena. 

Pros

• Cheap
• On/Off Switch
• Decent Frequency Response

Cons

• Poor Build Quality
• Does not Perform as Advertised (fails at noise cancellation)
• Microphone Stand is Non useable. 

Conclusion

I cannot recommend this microphone to anyone unless they are on a severely limited budget and want an omni-directional microphone. Instead of this, I would recommend saving up a few more dollars and investing in a higher quality microphone, or if this is your maximum budget, you can go with one of those Super Cheap PDMIC's. 

If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

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

Bandrew's Favorite Things of 2015

Greetings Earthlings. I figured what better way to celebrate a new year than by celebrating consumerism and telling you all the awesome stuff I came across that I learned to love and would lose my mind if I were to lose.

Zojirushi Water Bottle: http://amzn.to/1ZFl1hf
You may think that it is ridiculous to have a water bottle as one of my favorite things, but this thing is amazing. There are two main attractions to this thing, how long it keeps drinks hot/cold (here's a link to the tested.com thermos comparison), and the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism was my main reason for loving this water bottle. It allows me to throw it in my messenger back at cons and not worry about it spilling and destroying a camera or laptop.

Fisher Space Pen: http://amzn.to/1O0br13
This is a no brainer. You just never know when you're going to need a pen, and this pen fits in your pocket extremely easily, and when opened, is a full pen. I adore this thing, and it's always in my pocket.

Zoom H6: http://amzn.to/1ZFl3Wt
This device changed the entire way that I record. I did endless research when looking at these types of devices and finally settled on this guy for a few reasons. It has allowed me to replace my Tascam US-322, upgrade from 2 XLR inputs to 4 XLR inputs (expandable to 6), record without my laptop, and still use this as an interface with my computer. It's the best recording device I've ever come across.

Canon 70d: http://amzn.to/1ZFl4cX
I don't think that this needs any sort of explanation. Prior to picking this up, I was making videos with a Go Pro and Logitech C920 Webcam. Don't get me wrong, both these cameras served me well, but this just improved the image quality of my Videos & Thumbnails that I can't praise this thing enough.

Canon 10-18mm Lens: http://amzn.to/1O0bvhq
I don't really have anything to say about this other than this thing is awesome. I got it because I planned on filming myself a lot, and I have found this on my camera almost all the time, except when I'm photographing a microphone.

Timbuk 2 Messenger Bag: http://amzn.to/1O0bASn
I searched for years to find a messenger bag and I finally did. This thing is amazing! I did a full review on it a few months back, and I can't recommend it enough. It has everything you need for daily life and con life. 

Neewer Mic Suspension Boom Arm Review

This is an off day review because this doesn't count. I am talking about the Neewer Microphone Suspension Boom Arm. 

What's In the Box 

1. Desk Mount
2. Microphone Boom Arm
3. Microphone Clip
4. 5/8" to 3/8" Microphone Stand Adapter

Performance / Features

The build on this thing is pretty decent. It's an all metal stand and a metal mount. The mic clip that is provided is somewhat cheap feeling, and the mic stand adapter is not of the highest quality. 

I have two main issues with this boom arm.

(1) the springs on the boom arm tend to cause a bit of noise. If the microphone you have mounted to this arm is not on a shock mount, and you bump the desk or springs on the stand, you will hear it all in your recording. It tends to sound like a hum in the background (it almost sounds like 60 cycle hum).

The solution to this issue would be to utilize a shock mount. A practice I would recommend even with a higher end boom arm.

(2) The joint that the microphone clips on to is attached via pressure. It is placed between two pieces of metal that are squeezed together to hold it in place. This is not the sturdiest option. If you have a heavy mic and have this joint point downwards, there's a chance that this joint will break and your microphone will fall. This happened to me and I was not able to fix the joint. 

The solution to this problem is to keep this joint always pointed up so gravity cannot become your worst enemy. (if this second issue is confusing, I demonstrate it in the video).

Pros

• SUPER CHEAP
• Decent Build Quality

Cons

• Springs cause noise
• Microphone joint is poorly designed

Conclusion

This is a $15 microphone boom arm that gets the job done. I would absolutely recommend it. Just make sure you're aware of both of the issues that I pointed out, and you'll be fine. I would also recommend staying away from the boom arm that has the microphone cable built into it. The issue I see with that version of the boom arm is, if the mic cable goes bad, you're going to have to cut the mic cable and pull it out of the stand. You're better off just buying the solo boom arm and purchasing a separate cable.  

If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1O083U2

Zalman ZM-MIC 1 Review / Test

Today I am testing out the Zalman ZM-Mic 1. This is a sort of lavalier microphone that is meant to be clipped to your headphones cable. 

What's In the Box 

1. Microphone with ~10-foot cable.

Performance / Features

The build quality on this microphone is exactly what you would expect on a $7 microphone; cheap. The cable is a cheap rubber that feels flimsy, and the plastic portion that clips to your headphone cable feels relatively cheap as well. Unfortunately the portion that clips to your headphones is not adjustable. This leads to concerns with headphone cables being too thin or too thick. On top of this, it does not allow you to clip this microphone to your shirt.

This is an omni-directional microphone, so if you are concerned with picking up room noise or background noise, you will not like this microphone. When typing on my keyboard, I found that a lot of keyboard noise was picked up (note: I do not use a mechanical keyboard, so if you are using a mechanical keyboard, the sound would be significantly worse). I want to point out that the majority of Lav Mics are omni-directional because this provides the best pick up pattern to pick up your voice while clipped to your shirt. 

The audio from this microphone sounded best when being held closer to the sound source (just like any microphone). However, when clipped to the headphone cable or loosely clipped to my shirt, the audio sounded dampened. 

Pros

• Sounds Decent
• Only costs $7

Cons

• Cheap Build Quality
• Lack of Functionality
• Not versatile

Conclusion

This is a decent sounding microphone for the cost. However, I would not recommend this microphone unless this is your only option. This is because you can buy a 3-pack of Neewer Lav Mics for between $5-$7. Sure the build quality is slightly lower, but it will allow you clip the microphone to your shirt and provide a little bit more versatility. 

If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Zalman ZM-Mic 1: http://amzn.to/1R0Ri0Q
Neewer Lav Mics: http://amzn.to/1R0Rj4O

Blue Yeti Review / Test

This is hands down the most requested microphone I have tested to date. I probably have over 100 requests to test this mic out. So without further ado, I am testing out the Blue Yeti Microphone.

What really sets this microphone apart from other microphones is the fact that it has three microphone capsules that allow it to provide 4 different polar patterns to choose from. This really helps fine tune the mic to fit the exact situation you are recording in. If you are interested in this mic it will cost you about $100 depending on when you buy it and what color you get.

What's In the Box 

1. Microphone
2. Microphone Stand
3. USB Cable
4. Documentation

Performance / Features

The build quality on this microphone is superb. It is an all metal body, and a nice metal microphone stand that has some good weight to it. The mute button and polar pattern select knob are both sturdy and work well. The Headphone Volume & Microphone Gain knob do feel a little wobbly and loose, so I would recommend being careful with these knobs. 

On this bottom of this microphone you will find a 5/8" microphone stand mount, the USB plug, and a 3.5mm Headphone Output. On the front of the microphone you have a microphone mute button, and a headphone volume knob. On the back of the mic you have the microphone gain control and lastly the polar pattern selector.

The frequency response that this microphone is capable of is 20Hz to 20kHz, but the response is different for each polar pattern used. I will list the 4 polar patterns as well as the frequency responses from recordinghacks.com

1. Omnidirectional: 180 - 20,000 Hz
2. Cardioid: 150 - 15,000 Hz
3. Bidirectional: 100 - 15,000 Hz
4. Stereo: 80 - 15,000 Hz

Each polar pattern functions exactly as you expect.

Pros

• Great Sound Quality
• Sturdy Build
• Versatile (Can fit almost any need you have)
• Gain Knob on Microphone!!!
• Plug & Play

Cons

• Gain & Volume Knobs are Loose
• USB Microphone

Conclusion

I have been speaking out against USB microphones since I started making these reviews. I started to get turned around when I tested a samson microphone. Now I think I have come completely around, and realized that there are some really good USB microphones out there.

I would HIGHLY recommend this microphone to any starters. It sounds great, it is plug and play, it is easy to use, and you can make it fit any scenario that you are in. You can record interviews, music, voiceovers, orchestras. Anything! It's awesome, and if you have a $100 budget and don't plan on using outboard gear with an XLR microphone, this may be one of your best options.

If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SjZxo7
Pop Filter: http://amzn.to/1OQQqWm

Pyle-Pro PDMIC78 Review / Test

I'm starting to think that I'm making too many reviews...but that's irrelevant. Today I'm testing out the Pyle-Pro PDMIC78. This is a direct rip off of the Shure SM57 which is one of the most popular mics on the market because it so durable and reliable. So this mic has some pretty high standards to live up to, and later in the video we do a short comparison of the two microphones. And the largest selling point of this microphone is the price...it's only $10 right now on Amazon.

What's In the Box 

1. Dynamic Microphone
2. 15-foot XLR to 1/4" Microphone Cable
3. Warranty / Spec Sheet

Performance / Features

The build quality of this mic feels pretty good and seems comparable to the Shure SM57. However, I'm assuming that the internal components are of lesser quality, and that's how they are able to sell it for $10 instead of the $100 that the Shure SM57 costs. This means that if you are rough with this mic, it will crap out before the shure, and you will likely have to replace it more. But if you're just using it recreationally at home and you treat it with care, it will hopefully have a nice long life.

The frequency response on this is not listed, but the unreliable graph on the specs sheet looks like it's approximately 30Hz - 10kHz. But that seems a bit too narrow, so I'm going to say that I don't know the frequency response (Because it wasn't provided). 

The polar pattern is fairly narrow. It isolates audio really well and picks up mainly what's right in front of it. That's what I was hoping for, and that's why this style mic is so popular as a live instrument mic. It doesn't pick up all the instruments that are playing around it. It just picks up what you want it to pick up.

This means that it did really well at isolating my voice from the background noise going around. However, as I backed away from the mic, the volume dropped dramatically. So you will need to make sure the mic stays close to the sound source. I'm sure you could also tell that the pops on this mic are pretty bad. That's because this is not really a vocal mic, it's more of an instrument mic. If you do use this for voice, PLEASE get a pop filter.

Pros

• SUPER CHEAP!!!
• Good Sound Quality
• Good Build Quality
• Good at Isolating Sound

Cons

• Bad with Plosives (need to Invest in pop filter)
• Poor Documentation

Conclusion

I had to struggle to find anything bad about this microphone. It performs really well, and it seems to be built nicely. I do have my reservations about the internal components, but that is just my paranoia caused by the $10 price tag. I would absolutely recommend this microphone to anyone looking for a super cheap microphone to record instruments. It can also be used for vocals, but you will need to invest in a pop filter because this mic does not do well with Plosives. 

Overall, I'm really impressed with this microphone and I cannot wait to test out another Pyle-Pro mic to see if it matches this mics quality. If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RLR4e1
Pop Filter: http://amzn.to/1OQQqWm

Tonor Stereo Shotgun Microphone Review / Test

Today I am testing out my very first Shotgun microphone, the Tonor Stereo Shotgun Mic. If you don't know what a shotgun mic is, it is a uni directional microphone on steroids; meaning it is very very uni-directional. These are typically the kind of microphones you will see on film sets at the end of long boom arms, hanging just above an actors head to pick up what they are saying. These are used in those situations because they are great at isolating what they are pointing at while ignoring the surrounding noise. And if you are interested in this mic, it'll cost you about $30 on Amazon.

What's In the Box 

1. Super Cardioid Microphone
2. Windscreen
3. Microphone Mounts
   1. Cold-Shoe Camera Camera Mount
   2. 5/8" Mic Stand Mount
4. XLR to 3.5mm Cable
5. 3.5mm to 1/8" adapter
6. Documentation
7. Storage Box

Performance / Features

Before I mention anything, I want to mention that this thing requires a single AA battery to work. Moving on. The construction is all metal and feels relatively sturdy. The metal construction does not lead to a heavy microphone; it is still fairly light, which is what you want with a shotgun microphone (when you have a mic on the end of a 7 foot boom pole, you want the microphone to be as light as possible). As far as accessories, the microphone clips feel cheap, the box won't offer much protection, the cable is super long, and I'm sure the adapter would work.

The microphone has two settings on it: (1) Normal, and (2) Tele. The normal setting is what I use for the majority of the video, and I think it sounds natural and pretty good for the price. The tele setting is supposed to zoom in the microphones focus and make the polar pattern even more narrow, which it does. However, once you switch to the Tele setting, the audio sounds overly processed and becomes unusable in my opinion.

The frequency response lacks on this mic providing 100Hz - 16kHz. I wish that this microphone didn't omit everything above 16kHz and below 100Hz, but it is a $30 microphone and I can't expect it to rival a $200 shotgun mic. That being said, the normal mode still sounds pretty decent.   

Pros

• Super Directional
• Power Provided via Battery
• Metal Build Quality
• Light Weight
• Included Mic Mounts
• Normal Mode Sounds Decent
• Low Cost!!!

Cons

• Tele Mode is Unusable
• Lacks Full Frequency Range
• Bulky

Conclusion

I was rather impressed with the normal mode on this microphone, but once we switch to tele mode, this microphone becomes a paper weight, so as long as you stick on normal mode, you'll be fine. I think that this microphone has a very specific target audience that can benefit from it's use, that is video creators who have a home studio and are on a budget. Let me explain.

If you are making a film, I do not think that this will provide clean enough audio to work for you. However, if you're on a budget and can't afford anything better, this is a decent option. If you're a vlogger who goes out and about who wants to improve your audio, this microphone is definitely not for you. It is too big to put on top of your camera and use. Basically the only people who I can see using this are people who have a boom arm at home, and can place this microphone just out of frame in their videos, who are also on a budget...those are the only people I can fully recommend this mic to. 

If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/22qS5Mu

Logitech G230 Gaming Headset Review / Test

It's time for another gaming headset review. This time I am testing out the Logitech G230 Gaming Headset. If you are interested in this gaming headset, it runs approximately $65 on Amazon. 

What's In the Box 

1. Wired Gaming Headset
2. Documentation

Performance / Features

The build quality on this headset is a huge letdown. The plastic all over the headphones feels cheap, and the hinges feel weak like they will break. The foam on the headband is a bit too firm, but not uncomfortable, and the padding on the ear cups is a much softer foam, but still a little too firm for my liking. However, the headphones were not uncomfortable, I am just being overly critical.

The cable is braided which is always a good thing. It makes me feel like the cable will survive longer. On top of that, the cable is 10 feet long. The cable also contains a small control module that allows you to mute the microphone and adjust the headphone's volume. The control panel has a clip on the back so you can clip it to your shirt as well.

The headphone drivers are 40mm and are advertised as 20Hz to 20kHz. When I tested them, they performed pretty close to that. I started hearing noise around 20Hz in the low end, and in the high end, I heard audio just above 19.5kHz. 

The microphone performed pretty well for a gaming headset. It is a cardioid uni-directional microphone and it lists a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz (which I don't fully trust). The microphone also mentions that it is noise canceling to help eliminate excess noises.  

Pros

• Good Sounding Microphone
• Good Noise Cancellation on Microphone
• Nice Sounding Headphones
• Braided 10 ft. Cable

Cons

• Poor Construction
• Padding is made of overly Firm Foam. 

Conclusion

I think that this is a pretty decent option for a gaming headset. The headphones perform admirably. They provide some of the best frequency response that I have heard in a cheap headset. The microphone is also a very nice feature on this headset. The audio does not sound muffled or digitized like the majority of low end gaming headset microphones. The mic provides fairly natural sound even though it does sound like it lacks some frequencies from it's response.

If you are looking for a headset around $65 that will allow you to walk 10 feet, this is a good option, but if this is out of your price range make sure to check out my other gaming headset reviews. If you have any additional questions about this headset, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QV7PSv

What's the Best USB Sound Card / USB Audio Adapter?

Yes. I just reviewed a bunch of soundcards a few weeks ago, but I made another review for a few reasons. The Sabrent adapters that I selected as the best are not available in most areas outside of the United States, so I ordered 5 more USB soundcards to test out. Also, I got a multimeter and I wanted to test the amount of voltage going in to each card vs the amount coming out of each card. 

Here's a ranking of my favorite sound cards from 1-11.

1. Sabrent Stereo: http://amzn.to/1Ikwqt5
2. Sabrent 7.1: http://amzn.to/1IkwtVI
3. Syba Stereo: http://amzn.to/1Pds77X
4. HDE 7.1: http://amzn.to/1Ikww3H
5. Virtual 5.1: http://amzn.to/1T8qZ64
6. Gino Stereo: http://amzn.to/1IkwCIQ
7. Trond Stereo: http://amzn.to/22gQbxC
8. Plugable Stereo: http://amzn.to/1PdsdfP
9. ATR2USB: http://amzn.to/1Pds9N9
10. Gino 7.1: http://amzn.to/1T8r21R
11. Optical Shop 5.1: http://amzn.to/22gQ84Y

This ranking is based on multiple factors. The quality/level of the audio, the required gain on the computer, the voltage passthrough to the microphone, and the background noise. This is only my personal opinion and ranking of these sound cards. Feel free to make your own decision on which one you think sounds best.

If you have any more questions about these sound cards, leave a comment down below or on youtube and I will try to answer the question ASAP. Thanks.

Afterglow AG9 Wireless Gaming Headset Review / Test

Today I am testing out another gaming headset. This time, that headset is the Afterglow AG 9 Wireless Gaming Headset. I want to remind everyone that the main focus of me reviewing these gaming headsets is to find a good all in one podcasting package and that is how I am approaching this review. If you are interested in this headset, it will set you back about $90 on amazon for the PS4 version or $100 on Amazon for the Xbox One version.

What's In the Box 

1. Wireless Headset
2. Removable Noise-Canceling Microphone
3. Wireless Transmitter (USB)
4. 6-foot Charging Cable
5. 3.5 mm Audio Cable
6. User Manual

Performance / Features

The build quality of this headset is the best of any headset I've tested to date, and on top of that it is also the most comfortable. The battery in these headphones is also advertised as lasting ~16 hour which is a very admirable battery life on a fully wireless headset. 

On the left ear cup we have all the controls. The center button on the earphone will turn on the headset when pressed for a few seconds, and then while using the headset wirelessly, pressing this button once will mute your microphone. The button directly above the microphone port changes the headphone sound between pure audio and bass boost modes. On the bottom of the left ear cup you will find the charging port as well as the 3.5mm output which will allow you to plug directly into your computer, and lastly, on the back of the earphone is a volume slider to adjust the headphones volume.

The headphone drivers are 50mm, but I wasn't able to find any advertised frequency response. While doing my test, I found that when wired into the audio source (using the 3.5mm cable), I heard audio between 20-25Hz in the low end and around 19.5kHz in the high end. When I was wireless (using the USB transmitter), I heard audio between 20-25Hz in the low end and around 17.5kHz in the high end. So we see a significant drop in the high end performance when we are wireless.

The microphone is severely lacking on this headset. After testing the AGU.50's and finding that the microphone sounded great, I was shocked to find that the higher end headset had a lower quality microphone. I think that this lower quality/performance could stem from requirements to make the headphones full wireless, but I cannot speak to this with any certainty. The best way I can describe the microphones audio is that it sounds digital and narrow (just listen to the audio in the above video if you want to know what it sounds like).

Pros

• Great Sounding Headphones
• Excellent Build Quality
• Very Comfortable
• 100% Wireless / Wired Option
• 16 hour battery life

Cons

• Microphone Audio Quality is poor
• No Gain Control of Microphone

Conclusion

I think that the absence of a microphone volume control on the headset is a large oversight. I also did not like how a lot of the functionality is disabled when you use the headphones plugged into the 3.5mm cable. The microphone is another big downside to this headset. 

Basically, this is a good gaming headset, but only if that's what you are going to be using it for. The headphones build quality and sound quality is excellent and I am very impressed with both of these aspects of the headset. However, if you are someone who needs usable audio out of the microphone, then this headset is not for you. I would actually recommend the slightly lower quality headset (Afterglow AGU.50) if you are looking for a headset with a good mic on it. 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. 

Afterglow AG 9 (PS4): http://amzn.to/1lVj5mG
Afterglow AG 9 (Xbox One): http://amzn.to/1T5aIPC
Afterglow AGU.50: http://amzn.to/1lVjaa3

Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic-200 Preamp Review / Test

This is my first attempt at reviewing a preamp on this channel, and that preamp is the Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic-200, and if you are interested in this preamp, it will set you back about $50 on amazon. As I mentioned, this is my first preamp review/test video, so if there are any features that I overlooked, or tests you think I should incorporate into future preamp reviews, PLEASE let me know in the comments so I can improve what I'm doing and give y'all better information. Thanks.

What's In the Box 

1. Tube Preamp
2. DC Power Supply
3. Contact Card
4. Quick Start Guide

Performance / Features

The build quality on this preamp is very nice. It has an all metal body, and the Gain/Output knobs are nicely secured and do not feel loose, and the buttons to activate the features feel sturdy as well. Lastly, the preamp mode selector is firmly attached and it has a nice click as you switch between each mode; this knob is firm enough that if you accidentally bump the knob, you won't accidentally switch preamp modes. 

This preamp has all your typical features, a gain knob (allowing you saturate the preamp tube) and an output volume knob, allowing you to crank the gain without increasing your output volume. There are also four buttons,

1. 20db Pad (decreases your signal by 20dB for loud signal sources)
2. +48v Phantom Power (powers condenser microphones)
3. Low Cut (rolls off frequencies around 90Hz to help with low end rumble)
4. Phase Reverse (if your using multiple mics that are out of phase, this will help)

Lastly you have a built preamp modeler which contains 16 presets. I will not list all of them, but they all have different characteristics for different sound sources. So if you're playing acoustic guitar, there's a preset for that. If you are using this preamp as a DI box, they have presets for your keyboard/bass. The coolest portion of the preamp modeler is the limiter section. It has 8 presets that include a limiter. What this does is makes sure that your signal doesn't have any clipping. 

 

Conclusion

I will admit that this is not the end all be all of microphone preamps, however, if you are just getting into recording and you are on a budget, this seems to be a pretty good option. It seems to have a setting for the majority of scenarios that there could be, so if you are looking for a super cheap tube microphone preamp, I would recommend this. 

As I mentioned, this is my first preamp review, so if you feel like I have ignored some important aspects of the preamp, please let me know in the comments so I can improve future preamp reviews. If you have any questions about the Mic200, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading. 

Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic-200: http://amzn.to/1QFhEnr

Do XLR to USB Cables Work?

I love finding new gear that solves a problem, or just makes life easier. But the problem with this, is a lot of the time, devices that claim to solve a problem, don't work properly. The device that I have seen popping up all over the internet are these XLR to USB cables. In theory, you should be able to plug an XLR microphone into your computer using this cable, and you'll be able to record. But do they really work?

I am not going to speak at length. I will just tell you what I found. I found that this cable does work, but only for microphones that do not require any DC voltage to function. This means that out of the box, you cannot use any condenser microphones (NW-700),  with this cable. You can only use this cable with dynamic microphones (SM58, PDMIC58).

I did test a work around: plug the condenser microphone into a phantom power supply, and then run the phantom power supplies output through this XLR to USB cable. This did allow the microphone to work, but the cable provides too hot of a signal and we were clipping with the microphone input gain set at 1%. To me, I think that this cable is essentially useless as it only works with a hand full of mics. However, if you have a dynamic microphone, and you are looking to simplify your set up even more, then this cable may be right for you. 

If you have any more questions about this cable, leave it in the comments down below or on the youtube video and I will try to get back to you ASAP. Thanks so much.

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

Samson C01U Pro USB Condenser Mic Review / Test

Today I tested out another USB Microphone. The difference between this microphone and all other USB mics, I have tested out so far? I don't hate this one. The mic I'm talking about is the Samson C01U Pro Usb Condenser Mic, and it can be purchased on amazon for about $75.

What's In the Box

You get almost everything you need to get started in this box. 

1. Super Cardioid USB Condenser Microphone
2. Plastic Microphone Mount
3. 5/8" to 3/8" Mic Stand Adapter
4. Plastic Desktop Tripod
5. USB Cable
6. User Manual

I also want to let you know that this is the most well put together package I have received. The manual that comes with it is thorough and comes in more than English & Chinese, and the specifications inside are easy to understand and thorough. 

Performance / Features

The frequency response of this microphone is 20Hz to 18kHz. We lose a little bit of the presence/brilliance in the 19 and 20 kHz range, but in this price range, that is to be expected. The rest of the frequencies sound great, and well balanced. 

The polar pattern is Super Cardioid which means it records the majority of the audio from directly in front of the microphone, but it also picks up a small amount from the opposite side as well. The back of the microphone, has a significantly different frequency response where we see the majority of frequencies between 2kHz - 15kHz. Therefore, you cannot have multiple people talking into both sides. 

Due to the super cardioid pattern of the microphone, the noise cancelation on this microphone is superb. When I do my typing/clicking test, you can hardly hear anything. Also, as I get farther away from the microphone, my voice drops significantly. This is excellent if you will be in a noisy room, or are worried about excess background noise. If you are still unhappy with the noise cancellation, there is a card in the user manual that provides a link to download additional noise canceling software. 

All the instruments, sounded perfectly fine being recorded through this microphone. With better instruments, newer strings, better performances, and better microphone placement, I am positive that you would be able to get a much better sound. 

Pros

• Great Noise Cancellation
• 0-Latency Headphone Port on Microphone
• Nice Sound Quality
• Wide Frequency Response
• Sturdy Build Quality

Cons

• No Gain Control on Microphone
• USB Microphone (Limits Ability to Upgrade)

Conclusion

I don't want to speak before I test out some more USB microphones, but this mic may be the turning point in my opinion of USB microphones. This thing is great. I struggled to come up with any cons for this microphone in this price range. It performed well in most situations, recording music, recording voice, noise cancellation.

In conclusion, this would be a great mic for gamers, or solo podcasters. It will set you back approximately $75, and with the neewer boom arm, and dragon pad pop filter, your cost will be around $100. Not a bad cost for audio quality of this level. 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. 

Samson C01U: http://amzn.to/1OIU1dC
Microphone Boom Arm: http://amzn.to/1OIU5da
Nylon Pop Filter: http://amzn.to/1NcwUDz

Sound Intone X2 Gaming Headset Review / Test

I am testing out another gaming headset. This time, it is the Sound Intone X2 Gaming Headset. This microphone was requested by our youtube viewer ZyDevs, and it will set you back on amazon about $22. 

What's In the Box

In this box you get 1 thing. 

1. Gaming Headset

That's right. No spec sheet, no supplemental information. Just the headset and a single piece of paper that is in Chinese, so if you do not know how to read Chinese, you are out of luck. The back of the box does have a few specifications though.

Performance / Features

This is a PC gaming headset that connects using two 3.5mm cables; 1 for the headphones and 1 for the microphone. The cable is also about 2.5 meters, so you will never have to worry about the cable being too short.

The headphones are 40mm drivers and advertised as 20Hz - 20KHz. When conducting my headphone test I didn't hear anything above 19.5KHz, and I didn't hear any sound below 25Hz. In the low end, the sound was there, but it was not powerful. To further this test, I listened to some heavy bass music to see how these headphones performed, and there were almost no sub frequencies (roughly anything below 60Hz). These headphones severely lack the low end, so if you want really heavy bass, these are not the headphones for you.

The microphone is also advertised as noise canceling. When testing the polar pattern of the microphone, it seems to be omni-directional, picking up my voice from every direction. Then when I tested how much of the background noise it cancelled out from typing and clicking on a mouse, I found that it didn't seem to cancel out any noise. 

Pros

• Low cost
• Decent sounding microphone
• Cloth wound cable

Cons

• Poor build quality
• Headphones lack bass response 
• Microphone picks up keyboard and mouse noise
• Microphone does not articulate
• Minimal supporting documentation

Conclusion

I don't think that this headset is worth buying. The headphones feel cheap, they don't have good bass response and the microphone seems to pick up everything going on in the room. I cannot fault them for this because the headset is $22, however, the E-blue Cobra Gaming Headset, is a few dollars cheaper, and I believe performs better in all these areas. So if you are looking for a gaming headset for around $20, go for the cobra gaming headset. 

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. 

X2 Gaming Headset: http://amzn.to/1SsXmfU
E-Blue Cobra Headset: http://amzn.to/1SsXkoh
Sabrent USB Audio Adapter: http://amzn.to/1SsXnAh