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

Today i review the Shure PGA181 an affordable side address condenser. It is very straight forward with only a cardioid polar pattern and no pads or filters. This mic is more of an upper mid focused sound which gives it a punchy character. The self noise on this mic comes in at 22dBA which is kind of high, but seems relatively inline with the competition LCT240 (19dBA), AT2020 (20dBA), 770 ($20dBA), X1a (16dBA), but it is still on the higher side.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: +32dB

Boosted in Post: +9dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 50Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: -38dB

Max SPL: 138dB

Self Noise: 22dBA

Impedance: 120-ohms

Buy the Shure PGA181(Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/pga181
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/pga181
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/43g9RZQ

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.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:24 - What’s in the Box
00:41 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:05 - Specifications
01:16 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:35 - Plosive Test
01:52 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:14 - Background Noise Test 
02:27 - Untreated Room Test
02:46 - Shock Rejection Test
03:09 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:39 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
03:51 - MXL 770 Comparison
04:15 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
04:40 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison
05:07 - Lewitt LCT240 Comparison
05:37 - AKG P220 Comparison
06:04 - Neat King Bee Comparison
06:30 - Rode NT1 (5th Gen) Comparison
06:58 - Sterling ST181 Comparison
07:33 - Shure SM57 Comparison
07:58 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
08:24 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
08:50 - Music Test
11:15  - Pros & Cons
12:20 - Overall Thoughts
14:08 - Recommendation

Video & HQ Audio: https://podcastage.com/rev/bumblebee2

Today I'm reviewing and demoing the Neat Bumblebee 2, a budget USB condenser mic that I got for under $30. This offers really great sound quality for the price and leans slightly V-shaped with a supportive bass and low mid section and a bit of a boost in the treble and air. You get a single cardioid pattern, a mute button, a headphone output, and a mix dial for computer playback and zero latency monitoring. At $25 or less this is a great deal. At $60 it has some fair competition but stacks up admirably against the alternatives. At $100 I don't think the value proposition is as strong.

Buy the Neat Bumblebee II (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/bumblebee2

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
Mic Level: ~12%
Boosted in Post: +10dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -36dB
Self Noise: 14dBA
Max SPL: 128dB
A/D & D/A: 16 or 24-bit / 44.1-96khz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:25 - What’s in the Box
00:48 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:46 - Specifications
01:56 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:13 - Plosive Test
02:27 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:47 - Background Noise Test 
03:01 - Untreated Room Test
03:21 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:35 - Desktop Stand Demo
04:21 - Mute Button Test
04:51 - Samson Go Mic Comparison
05:16 - Razer Seiren V3 Mini Comparison
05:42 - HyperX Solocast Comparison
06:08 - Logitech Blue Yeti Orb Comparison
06:40 - Rode NT USB Mini Comparison
07:11 - Sennheiser Profile USB Comparison
07:46 - Audio Technica AT2020 USB-X Comparison
08:14 - Shure SM57 Comparison
08:43 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:14 - Music Test
10:34 - Pros & Cons
12:20 - Overall Thoughts
14:10 - Recommendation

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

Today i review the Neumann TLM107, a multipattern condenser with two high pass filters and two pad options. It has a balanced  bass and mid section and then a treble bump which gives the mic a bit of life. It does sound a touch sharp on spoken word but sounds great for the music applications I tried it in.

Buy Neumann TLM107 (Affiliate Links)

Amazon: https://geni.us/tlm107
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/tlm107
B&H: https://bhpho.to/4jJ9QDF
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/415384 

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

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: 37dB

Boosted in Post: +8dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Omni, Wide Cardioid, Cardioid, Hypercardiod, Figure-8

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: ~ -39dB

Self Noise: 10dBA

Max SPL: 153dB (with pad engaged)

Impedance: 50-ohms

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro / Setup 

00:19- What’s in the Box

00:40 - Build Quality / Walkthrough

01:25 - Specifications

01:39 - Polar Pattern Tone Demo

02:37 - Polar Pattern Rotation Demo

03:52 - Plosive Test

04:04 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test

04:25 - Background Noise Test 

04:37 - Untreated Room Test

03:58 - Shock Rejection Test

05:15 - Mic Resonance Tap Test

05:29 - High Pass Filter Demo

06:05 - Pad Demo

06:30 - Outboard Preamp Demo

07:37 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison

07:55 - AKG P420 Comparison

08:16 - Rode NT2a Comparison

08:39 - sE Electronics sE4400a Comparison

09:05 - Neumann TLM102 Comparison

09:31 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison

09:58 - AKG C414 XLII Comparison

10:27 - Austrian Audio OC818 Copmarison

10:57 - Neumann TLM49 Comparison

11:28 - Microtech Gefell UMT70s

12:00 - Shure SM57 Comparison

12:26 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison

12:52 - Music Test

14:12  - Pros & Cons

16:02 - Overall Thoughts

18:09 - Recommendation

Video & HQ Audio: https://podcastage.com/rev/quad2

Today I'm reivewing and demoing the Hyperx Quadcast 2, a multipattern USB condenser microphone. This thing offers a nice sound quality, a fairly intuitive operation, a capacitive mute button, and everything you need to start recording. It's a nice improvement over the gen 1 with improved sound quality, A/D and D/A converters and functionality. 

Today I review the Fifine AM8, a budget USB/XLR dynamic microphone that only costs around $50. As mentioned this has an XLR & USB output which can be used simultaneously, a 3.5mm headphone jack which offers computer playback and zero latency monitoring, a capacitive mute button, and RGB LIGHTS!!! Sound wise I perceive it as slightly V-shaped where the lower & higher frequencies overpower the mid frequencies, but overall it sounds pretty darn good especially considering the price. There is one flaw with this microphone which makes me only kind of recommend it, the mount which makes the microphone very floppy.

Buy the Hyperx Quadcast 2 (Affiliate Link)

Amazon: https://geni.us/quadcast2

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

Mic-Gain: 11:00dB

Computer Input Level: 33%

Boosted in Post: +7dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Stereo, Bi-directional

Freq Response: 20Hz - 20kHz

Sensitivity: -7.5dB

A/D & D/A: 16/24-bit / 44.1-96khz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 

00:25 - What’s in the Box

00:42 - Build Quality / Walkthrough

01:34 - Specifications

01:42 - Operation Walkthrough

02:32 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation) 

02:51 - Cardioid / Omni / Stereo / Figure-8 Demo

04:03 - Plosive Test

04:16 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test

04:36 - Background Noise Test 

04:49 - Untreated Room Test

05:09 - Mic Resonance Tap Test

05:23 - Desktop Stand Demo

06:02 - Mute Button Test

06:18 - Does it ASMR Test?

07:02 - Samson Go Mic Comparison

07:26 - HyperX Solocast Comparison

07:53 - HyperX Quadcast Original Comparison

08:23 - Blue Yeti Comparison

08:55 - Sennheiser Profile USB Comparison

09:28 - Audio Technica AT2020 USB-X Comparison

09:58 - Elgato Wave 3 Comparison

10:30 - Rode NT-USB+ Comparison

11:04 - Logitech Blue Yeti X Comparison

11:39 - Shure SM57 Comparison

12:12 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison

12:40 - Music Test

15:04 - Pros & Cons 

16:29 - Overall Thoughts

17:49 - Recommendation

Today I provide spoken word samples of the Focusrite 18i20 4th gen and compare it to the 2nd gen 18i20 as well as the Universal Audio X8 and the UA LA610 MK II preamp, and Warm Audio WA73 EQ preamp. I also explain why I chose this inteface as the device for my reviews.

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

As an Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Mic: Neumann U87 Ai
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: 36dB
Boosted in Post: +2dB

00:00 - Intro / Pricing / Disclosure 
01:00 - What's in the Box
01:23 - Physical Differences
03:10 - Spec Differences (Screenshot)
03:35 - AT2020 (2nd vs. 4th)
04:25 - NT1 (2nd vs. 4th)
05:20 - SM7b (2nd vs. 4th)
06:16 - U87 Ai (2nd vs. 4th)
07:00 - Noise Performance (2nd vs. 4th)
07:44 - Universal Audio X8 vs. Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
08:58 - Universal Audio LA610 vs. Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
09:50 - Warm Audio WA73 vs. Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
10:35 - Why I Chose the Focusrite Scarlett Interface?
12:20 - Conclusion