Geekazine

There are many phone microphones on the market, but when you’re Shure, you want to make sure it’s one of the best. The MV88+ is one of the best for videographers, and VLOGers alike. It’s more than a microphone – it’s a video kit. 

Sure MV88+ Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone

This is a single microphone that can be changed to what you need. From a single condenser, to a stereo microphone, to a fully directional audio device. 

Shure MOTIV App

The MV88+ is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The MOTIV app is where the audio will be adjusted for recording. You can change the width of your microphone, High pass filter, compressor, EQ, and even swap left-right channels. 

The app can also be used for not only video, but also audio recording. This is perfect for podcasters who interview on the go. 

Shure Video Kit

This is more than just a microphone and app. The MV88+ comes with Manfrotto PIXI tripod, phone clamp and mount, and cables to connect to iOS or Android devices. 

The Video Kit is $249 and available now.

The latest in Tascam digital audio recorders is the X series – DR-05x, DR-07x, and DR-40x mobile recording devices. All are available now for musicians, podcasters, filmmakers, and soundscapers. 

Tascam DR-40X

The Tascam DR-40X is the top dog from this list. It features unidirectional stereo microphones, 2 XLR-cobo series balanced input jacks, and a host of applications in the device. There is an app for DSLR video users (including audio tone), music recording, and much more. 

The 40x also has a USB interface for multi-track recording, transferring files, or charging the unit. inputs support mic-level and +4dBu line-level, while the internal mics handle a variety of sounds, up to 125dB SPL. 

Tascam DR-40X is $199, and available now.

DR-05X and DR-07X

For simpler recording, The DR-07X and DR-05X are also available. They feature the unidirectional microphones, and USB recording. DR-05X microphones are static, whereas the DR-07X mics can be adjusted. Both take 2-AA batteries, and can record up to 192 hours of CD-quality audio, or 896 hours of MP3 – 320kbps audio.  

The DR-07X is $149.99 and the DR-05X is $119. Both are available now. 

Wirecast 7 Logo

This week, Telestream announced not only a new pricing structure, and update to the popular streaming software Wirecast, but also a new version of Wirecast One – a simple single camera version that is affordable, and powerful. 

Release of Wirecast 12.1

With Wirecast 12, the software has a very unique setup. It doesn’t matter what version of Wirecast you have, what level of Wirecast you own, you only download and install one piece of software to do what you need. Once the serial number is inputted, it will know if you’re using a license from 12, 11, or if you’re using One, Studio, or Pro. 

Last month, I talked with Bryce about the features of Wirecast 12. He talked about the Stock media, the QR code, and the updates to Rendezvous – so you can bring in guests to the software. 

12.1 is available for both Windows and Mac, and is available now. 

Introducing Wirecast One

A new feature to Wirecast is a new tier to the software. Wirecast One is a single camera version that lets you stream to a single output source. You can do chroma key, create titles, lower 3rds, and work with three master layers to bring this all in. 

Wirecast One comes in at $249. 

Wirecast Studio and Pro

Studio and Pro are also available, and their prices have been reduced to $449, and $699. This allows the more serious streamer to not only afford Wirecast Pro, but also possibly purchase more than one license. 

I use multiple licenses all the time. Geekazine LIVE! is on one license, and Pro is on my desktop, and travel machines. 

LinkedIn Live

Another addition is the settings for LinkedIn Live. This was just announced in March, and LinkedIn is slowly bringing in new creators. You have to apply at this time to get LinedIn Live, the application can be found here. 

More in the Video

I go through a comprehensive look at not only Wirecast One, but also Studio and Pro 12.1. 

Get Wirecast

Whatever version you need, you can get Wirecast here. 

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This being my first AUVSI Xponential event, I wanted to get a sense of what to expect. The term “All things unmanned” is correct. I saw drones, vehicles, and how to keep your products connected and running. 

AUVSI stands for “The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International”. From your fun drone that you bought at Walmart, to high end devices that work for movies, millitary, NASA, and more. 

In the commercial side, I saw Olli, the self-driving bus. If you go to downtown Vegas, you can actually ride an Olli. These busses could be small transport devices for campuses, downtown areas, and more. 

Bell Flight Nexus is the concept air taxi. Seating 4, you can get to your destination across town a lot easier. Since I live in Madison, WI, I could see this device take people across the two lakes that make up our Isthmus. A 30 minute drive could turn into a 5-10 minute flight. 

Panasonic showed off their Toughbook, including the new 2-in-1 laptop. At 2 lbs, this device can endure the elements so you can keep in contact with your devices, or just play Candy Crush. 

Lots more at AUVSI Xponential. I am here with SAE International to learn more about autonomous vehicles in the panel “How do We Make Automated Fleets Reliable and Safe”. I’ll live stream (depending on Internet connection). 

It’s always great to talk with Telestream about the updates with one of my favorite programs – Wirecast. I ran into Bryce to talk more about Wirecast 12, and find out more about the announcement with Switch. 

Wirecast 12

There are two new great features, and one major fix to Wirecast. The QR code addition allows you to put a scannable code on your videos for people to get links, or just move a video from your computer to phone. 

The Stock Media Library is a partnership with Storyblocks to give you audio, video, and photo stock for your videos. This also includes audio bumpers for shows, stingers for camera changes, and cool video for a green screen background, and more. 

Finally, Rendezvous has gone through a major overhaul, including a way to give the guest a mix-minus audio return to remove any echo or anomalies if they don’t have high-end audio equipment. I can say first-hand, this makes the experience a lot easier. You send the guest a website URL, they connect, and you are off. 

Switch Gets ProRes RAW

If you use ProRes video, Telestream introduced an update to Switch, which includes ProRes RAW support. This allows a video producer to inspect and correct media files, including trim, scaling, and cropping. The media can then be sent to Facebook, YouTube, or your CDN. 

The home studio is a thing. It could be in a spare room, a basement, a garage, or even a fabricated room in your backyard. Nonetheless, there are many productions that have taken a spot in the house to record audio, video, or both.

And with that, you have cameras, microphones, and even lighting in your room. Back in 2005, it was anything that could keep your studio as cool as possible. It was big lights with softboxes that could take over a good part of your room. 

LED lights have changed the game. Small, powerfull lights that, eventually, gave you the color temperature, and brightness, of multiple CFL lights and gels. 

Fiilex DMX Track Lighting

Fillex has been creating track lighting for pro environments. Broadcast companies such as CNN have been using Fiilex track lighting in their studios. Now, Fiilex is focusing on the home studio setting with a new set of track LED lighting with barn doors. 

With using DMX, you can not only adjust the color temperature of the lights, you can set up light focus to improve the skin tone of a subject. You can turn the whole studio into daylight, then create scenes, such as vignettes, and setup more usable depth of field, and green screen video. 

The T360 Pro Plus, for example, can be purchased outright, or with accessories such as diffusers, soft-boxes, and more. The 85W light can output 300W, dims from 0-100%, and can tune from 2800-6500K. All within a 8.8 x 4.7 x 7.8 inch area (without attachments). 

More with DMX

I talk with Brian at Fiilex about how DMX lighting is a viiable setup for any studio – such as a kitchen studio that has to double as your home kitchen. Or maybe your studio is in the living room, which the spots can turn off, and mood lighting for movie night can be turned on. 

For more, check out Fiilex Website.  

There have been many lens adapters for your iOS camera, but nothing that would truely bring your DSLR lenses into your iPhone or iPad. Padcaster has helped solve this problem with the Uni-Verse DSLR Lens adapter. 

This will allow for depth of field lenses that can be used on a 10mm lens. Add your Nikon or Canon zoom lens, tell the app what you’ve added, and it will adjust for that lens. 

It doesn’t auto focus or auto zoom, but most creators don’t want that, according to Padcaster creator Josh Apter. Attaching a 50mm fixed lens will allow you to set up your phone with minimal worry for photos or video.

The app also allows you to go live to YouTube or Facebook, with overlays, lower 3rds and more. Therefore, you can do a one-camera stream, and nobody will be able to tell it’s coming from an iPhone or iPad. 

The new lens adapter will be available later this year. 

Padcaster Studio

We also take a look at the Padcaster Studio – a turnkey solution with everything you need to do a single camera record or stream for a small studio. This includes mic, light, sun shade, teleprompter, tripod, and backpack, which everything fits into. You can get the Padcaster Studio (B&H) for $1,599 or Padcaster on Amazon and is available now. 

While at NAMM, I got to check out the Aston Stealth microphone. I also sat down and talked with James Young at Aston Microphones to find out more about this new microphone with the built in shock mount, and switchable sound. 

About Aston Stealth

This is a large format dynamic microphone with a Class-A preamplifier in it. It acts actively, and passively. If you plug into phantom power, it recognizes, and gives you 40db. Same thing if you plug into a jack without phantom power. 

The micrphone has 4 voice settings for what you use it for. 2 vocal types, one for guitar, and one for a darker tone. Simply twist the dial to change the sound. 

The stealth is an end-address mic, with side rejection. It also has an internal shock mount, that if you shake it, the capsule won’t touch the chassis. Therefore, no shock mount cradle is needed. Simply bring in what I call a “Key mount”. 

The mic does have a purple glow (Aston color), with a button on bottom to turn off if you don’t want the cool glow. 

The Stealth has a price tag of $399. Aston Mics also has the Origin, and the Sprit microphones. They look a little more industrial, and James showed us the durability by dropping them on the table. 

You can get Aston Stealth on Amazon. You can also get Stealth at B&H or check out Aston Mics website. 

Acoustic Paneling is something that not only podcasters, video creators, or musicians need. If you have a home office, an acoustic panel can block out distractions from the outside, along with you being a distraction to others. I talk with Matt at SXSW about what Uplift has to offer. 

Uplift Acoustic Panels

The coolest thing was the panel we were basically standing in front of. The pattern can make any video studio pop out, while reducing the high frequencies of the room. 

There are many types of acoustic panels, as well, From panels attached to one of their Uplift desks, to wall mounted stations, and even full cubicle versions. 

I did gravitate to the wall mounted version. Many podcasters talk about having a small area where they can work, and this can fit in a closet easily. 

Panels start at $39 each (2′ x 2′), and they have many different styles available. For more information, check out Uplift Desk. 

Audio recording devices have gotten smaller, and can do so much more. Zoom, the company that brings the handheld H6 and F4, will be bringing out the Zoom F6. And you won’t believe how small it is for what it can do. 

More on Zoom F6

The Zoom F6 is a 6 channel XLR unit, using the same pre-amps as with the F8n. This recorder will record 32-bit float bit depth WAV files. Along with the dual analog – to – digital converters, the dynamic range will be wide enough where you won’t need to set the gain, because it will never clip.  

The F6 will be connected via Bluetooth, and also through the USB-C connection. USB-C will also be used to power the unit, when not using (or charging) the battery. At full charge, a battery can give you a full day of recording. A secondary battery of 2-AA is available. 

The unit can be used on table top, in a sound bag, or set underneath your camera using the adapter. 

The F6 does have a time code in/out option, line-out and headphones connectors.

I noticed the dials and buttons to be pretty close together. I also noticed standard XLR inputs, which I’m assuming because the XLR/TRS combos would cause the unit to be bigger. 

Speaking of size, the F6 looks to be half the size of the F8n. The weight also is lighter, so putting this in a travel rig is ideal. 

No price is set, yet, but you can get notified when the Zoom F6 is out. The expectation is June.