Podcastage

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: 27dB
Boosted in Post: +12dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Supercardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: -32dBV

Max SPL: 157dB (with 20dB Pad)

Self Noise: 13 dB(A)

Impedance: 110 Ohms

Buy the sE 6160 (Affiliate Link)

Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/6160

Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/619575

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)

Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th

Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th

Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:22 - What’s in the Box
00:45 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:30 - Specifications
01:45 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:08 - Plosive Test
02:28 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:53 - Background Noise Test 
03:13 - Untreated Room Test
03:33 - Shock Rejection Test
03:57 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:12 - High Pass Filter Demo
05:04 - Pad Demo
05:25 - Foam Windscreen Demo
06:25 - Audio Technica AT875R Comparison
06:48 - Audio Technica AT8035 Comparison
07:14 - Deity Smic 2 Comparison
07:41 - Rode NTG5 Comparison
08:03 - Roge NTG3 Comparison
08:30 - Sennheiser MKH416 Comparison
08:59 - sE Electronics SE8 Comparison
09:32 - Shure SM81 Comparison
09:55 - Beyerdynamic MC930 Comparison
10:19 - Neumann KM184 Comparison
10:47 - Shure SM57 Comparison
11:20 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:51 - Music Test
14:05 - Pros & Cons
15:37 - Overall Thoughts
17:27 - Recommendation

Today i review the Beyerdyanmic M130, a passive figure-8 ribbon which gives you a very rich and robust low-end and a tamer treble and air frequency range. This gives you more of a classic ribbon sound if that's what you're looking for and it also works INCREDIBLY with the M160 in a mid-side pair.  

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: 53dB
Boosted in Post: +13dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Figure-8 (Bidirectional)
Freq Response : 40Hz - 18khz
Sensitivity: -57.5dBV
Impedance: 200 Ohms

Buy the Beyerdynamic M130 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/m130
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/m130
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/427adAx
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/573622

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:30 - What’s in the Box
00:54 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:16 - Specifications
01:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:49 - (Not a) Plosive Test
02:16 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:41 - Background Noise Test 
02:57 - Untreated Room Test
03:17 - Shock Rejection Test
03:37 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:57 - Mid Side Setup with M130 & M160
05:34 - Mid Side ASMR With Ribbon Mics!
06:28 - Shure SM7b Comparison
06:54 - sE Electronics VR2 Comparison
07:26 - Royer R10 Comparison
07:58 - Rode NTR Comparison
08:33 - Beyerdynamic M160 Comparison
09:07 - Shure KSM313 N/E Comparison
09:39 - AEA KU5a Comparison
10:13 - Shure SM57 Comparison
10:47 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:23 - Music Test
13:00 - Adding EQ
13:47 - Pros & Cons
15:51 - Overall Thoughts
18:53 - Recommendation
21:30 - Outro - Where I've Been

Support the Channel: http://podcastage.com/support

Today i review the Neumann TLM193, a fantastic sounding neutral condenser microphone. This has a cardioid pattern, a self noise of 10dBA and a max SPL of 140dB. The sound of this is overall very neutral, with a bit of a recession in the presence and treble which helps tame some harsher frequencies without sounding too dull or dead. I found that this worked extremely well on every application I tried it on.

Buy Neumann TLM193 (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/tlm193
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/tlm193
B&H: https://bhpho.to/46fujf3

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Universal Audio X8

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: 30dB

Boosted in Post: +7dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: ~ -35dB

Self Noise: 10dBA

Max SPL: 140dB (with pad engaged)

Impedance: 50-ohms

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro / Setup 
00:34- What’s in the Box
00:53 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:19 - Specifications
01:29 - Polar Pattern Rotation Demo
01:48 - Plosive Test
02:06 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:29 - Background Noise Test 
02:52 - Untreated Room Test
03:02 - Shock Rejection Test
03:23 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:35 - Outboard Preamp Demo
04:33 - Focusrite 18i20 Demo
05:33 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
05:52 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison
06:11 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
06:34 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
06:59 - Neumann TLM102 Comparison
07:27 - Telefunken TF11 Comparison
07:53 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
08:24 - AKG C414 XLS Comparison
09:00 - Austrian Audio OC818 Comparison
09:33 - Lewitt Pure Tube Comparison
10:11 - Neumann TLM107
10:45 - Soyuz Bomblet Comparison
11:16 - Neumann TLM49 Comparison
11:49 - Lauten FC387 Atlantis Comparison
12:25 - Gefell UMT70s Comparison
12:54 - Shure SM57 Comparison
13:25 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
14:07 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
14:43 - Music Test
16:46  - Pros & Cons
18:38 - Overall Thoughts
20:41 - Recommendation

Today I review and demo the Elgato Wave Neo, a relatively affordable USB condenser microphone. This offers a warmer and slightly darker sound compared to many of the other USB condenser microphones, a capacitive mute function, EQ, Deesser, Compressor, and Noise Removal plugins, as well as a digital mixer.

Buy the Elgato Wave Neo (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/waveneo

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Computer Input Level: 12%
Boosted in Post: +9dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -23dB
Max SPL: 120dB
Dynamic Range: 94dB
A/D & D/A: 24-bit / 48 or 96khz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:23 - What’s in the Box
00:44 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:22 - Specifications
01:32 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:48 - Plosive Test
02:04 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:23 - Background Noise Test 
02:38 - Untreated Room Test
02:58 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:12 - Shock Reiection Test
03:30 - Desktop Stand Demo
04:20 - Mute Button Test
05:01 - Samson Go Mic Comparison
05:25 - Razer Seiren V3 Mini Comparison
05:51 - HyperX Solocast Comparison
06:16 - Logitech Yeti Orb Comparison
06:51 - Rode NT USB Mini Comparison
07:26 - Neat Bumblebee II Comparison
07:55 - Logitech Yeti Nano Comparison
08:31 - Audio Technica AT2020 USB-X Comparison
09:07 - Sennheiser Profile USB Comparison
09:41 - Elgato Wave 3 Comparison
10:13 - Shure SM57 Comparison
10:52 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:30 - Music Test
13:51 - Software Walkthrough
16:13 - Voice Focus Demo
18:20 - EQ Demo
20:27 - De-Esser Demo
21:42 - Compressor Demo
23:17 - Pros & Cons
24:38 - Overall Thoughts
26:00 - Recommendation

Today i review the Neat Worker Bee 2, a budget condenser microphone. This has no switches or filters, it simply offers a cardioid polar pattern and a slight V-shape sound profile. It has a powerful low end, slightly recessed mid section and a clear top end. It does a sub par job at plosive rejection and the shock rejection also leaves a little bit to be desired, so it would have been fantastic for this to come with a shockmount and pop filter, but at the price, I can't complain too much.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: +31dB

Boosted in Post: +11dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: ~ -34.5dB

Max SPL: 145dB

Impedance: 50-ohms 

Buy the Neat Worker Bee 2 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/workbee2

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:28  - What’s in the Box
00:53 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:18 - Specifications
01:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:47 - Plosive Test
02:07 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:33 - Background Noise Test 
02:49 - Untreated Room Test
03:11 - Shock Rejection Test
03:31 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:44 - Mic Comparison Intro
04:19 - Neat Worker Bee 1 Comparison
04:39 - Neat King Bee 1 Comparison
05:02 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
05:28 - Mackie EM91c Comparison
05:55 - Tascam TM80 Comparison
06:17 - MXL 990 Comparison
06:43 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
07:09 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison
07:36 - Lewitt LCT240 Comparison
08:02 - AKG P120 Comparison
08:27 - Shure PGA181 Comparison
08:49 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
09:16 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
09:42 - Shure SM57 Comparison
10:10 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
10:34 - Neumann U87Ai Comparison
11:03 - Music Test
12:51  - Pros & Cons
14:17 - Overall Thoughts
15:42 - Recommendation

Voicing 1 Comparison: https://youtu.be/00Fl2m_J-q0

Today i review the Aston Apex, a handheld dynamic. This mic has two different voicings giving you different EQ curves, active electronics giving the mic a very healthy output level, and it offers a unique and robust feeling build quality. The sound is either V-shaped or upper mid focussed depending on the voicing you use. I found that it suffered in two primary areas: plosive rejection and handling noise rejection.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: 40dB (+48v Phantom Power On)

Boosted in Post: +10dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 16khz

Sensitivity: -62dB to -50dB (depending on active/passive & switch position)

Max SPL: 115dB to 147dB (depending on active/passive & switch position)

Equivalent Noise Level: 5dB

Buy the Aston Apex(Affiliate Link)
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/apex
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/594390

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - What’s in the Box
00:44 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:16 - Specifications
01:28 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:43 - Plosive Test
02:03 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:21 - Background Noise Test 
02:34 - Untreated Room Test
02:54 - Shock Rejection Test
03:15 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:31 - Handling Noise Rejection Test
03:51 - Cup the Mic Test
04:10 - Voicing Switch Demo (Voice 1 vs. Voice 2)
05:33 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:56 - Sennheiser E835 Comparison
06:21 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
06:46 - Shure Beta 58a Comparison
07:13 - Audix OM3 Comparison
07:42 - Mojave MA-D Comparison
08:10 - Sennheiser E935 Comparison
08:38 - Beyerdynamic TG V70d Comparison
09:14 - Audio Technica AT2010 Comparison
09:43 - Lewitt MTP350Cm Comparison
10:09 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
10:33 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:03 - Music Test (voicing 2)
13:03 - Pros & Cons
14:41 - Overall Thoughts
16:48 - Recommendation

Today I review the new dynamic mic from Audix PDX520 which is a broadcast dynamic, podcast dynamic, streamer dynamic, or studio dynamic, whatever you want it to be. It has a standard dynamic sensitivity, a darker and smoother sound profile with a slight focus on the mids, and two eq switches to adjust the sound (presence boost & high pass filter).  

Buy the Audix PDX520 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/pdx520

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen
Gain: 50dB
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Boosted in Post: +9dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response :40Hz - 16kHz
Sensitivity: ~ -56dBV 
Max SPL: 144dB
Impedance 280 ohms

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:30 - What’s in the Box
00:45 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:21 - Specifications
01:32 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:53 - Plosive Test
02:07 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:31 - Background Noise Test 
02:44 - Untreated Room Test
03:03 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:17 - Shock Rejection Test
03:32 - EQ Switch Demo
04:45 - Intro to Comparison
05:06 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:23 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
05:42 - Rode Podmic Comparison
06:00 - Audio Technica AT2040 Comparison
06:21 - Rode Procaster Comparison
06:41 - sE Electronics Dynacaster Comparison
07:05 - Universal Audio SD-1 Comparison
07:33 - Aston Stealth Comparison
07:57 - Audio Technica BP40 Comparison
08:21 - Logitech Blue Sona C omparison
08:47 - Heil PR40 Comparison
09:07 - Shure SM7b Comparison
09:32 - Earthworks Ethos Comparison
09:57 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparsion
10:21 - Shure SM57 Comparison
10:47 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:25 - Music Test
12:45 - Pros & Cons
14:05 - Overall Thoughts|
15:44 - Recommendation

vs. 12 Mics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5L5ggn-qkE

Today i review the Audix OM3, a handheld dynamic. This mic offers a bright upper mid and treble region with a tight hypercardioid polar pattern which does a good job at background noise rejection, but a less than stellar job at handling noise rejection. The microphone also has a powerful lowend which can be a little bit over powering in my opinion.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: ~45dB

Boosted in Post: +10dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Hypercardioid

Freq Response : 50Hz - 17khz

Sensitivity: -56dB

Impedance: 290-ohms

Max SPL: ≥144 dB

Buy the Audix OM3 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/aom3
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/aom3
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42b0YyA
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/160138

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Nonsense
00:27 - Intro
00:42 - What’s in the Box
01:10 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:35 - Specifications
01:47 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:06 - Plosive Test
02:30 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:56 - Background Noise Test 
03:10- Untreated Room Test
03:30 - Shock Rejection Test
03:48 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:59 - Handling Noise Rejection Test
04:19 - Cup the Mic Test
04:42 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison
05:03 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:27 - Sennheiser E835 Comparison
05:50 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
06:09 - Audix OM2 Comparison
06:33 - AKG D5 Comparison
06:56 - Shure Beta 58a Comparison
07:19 - Mojave MA-D Comparison
07:43 - Sennheiser E935 Comparison
08:11 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
08:40 - Shure Beta 87A Comparison
09:04 - Neumann KMS105 Comparison
09:34 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:01 - Music Test
11:43  - Pros & Cons
12:48 - Overall Thoughts
14:19 - Recommendation

00:00 - Intro

00:19 - Spoken Word Comparison

04:19 - Plosive Test (On Grill)

05:23 - Plosive Test (3" Distance)

06:26 - Handling Noise Test 1

07:23 - Handling Noise Test 2

08:12 - Outro

Today I walkthrough, explain, test and review the new Lewitt Connect 2 streaming audio interface. I compare it to the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th gen, test the preamps with the SM7b, demo the D.I. Instrument inputs, test the line level input capability, walk through the clipguard feature, eq settings, denoise capability, and compressor as well. This is an all around fantastic interface for someone who needs a single preamp and instrument input.

Buy the Lewitt Connect 2 (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/connect2
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/connect2
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/4kBgVGQ
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/590334

Buy the Shure SM7b (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/shuresm7b
Sweetwater:  https://imp.i114863.net/sm7b
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3sRWmQb
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/129929

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Mic: Neumann U87 Ai
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: 29dB
Boosted in Post: +8dB

SPECS:
USB: Bit Depth: 24-bit, Sampling Rate: 44.1, 48, or 96khz
EIN: -129dBV (A-weighted)
Gain Range: 0-72dB
Dynamic Range: 118dB (A)

00:00 - Intro / Pricing / Disclosure 
00:26 - What’s in the Box
00:48 - Build Quality
01:20 - Walkthrough of Interface
02:24 - Specifications
02:51 - Headphone Amp Discussion
04:02 - Shure SM7b Mic Test (No Cloudlifter or Fethead)
04:53 - Preamp Noise Test
05:30 - Connect 2 vs Scarlett 4th Gen
06:25 - Line In Test
07:30 - Auto Gain Demo
08:07 - Denoise Demo
09:01 - Compressor Demo
09:41 - Clipguard Demo
10:20 - Clean / Warm / Vivid Demo
11:42 - Mute Button Demo
12:11 - D.I. Instrument Input Test
14:04 - Pros & Cons
17:01 - Recommendation