Podcastage

How does the Neve Portico 5017 Sound? Awesome. This "mobile" preamp has a ton of gain, a silk circuit to add some coloration, a high pass filter, a compressor with a 2:1 ratio, a noise floor is better than -127dBA, and a D.I. section. This thing is awesome, but the control over the features is pretty limited and at $1400 it's a pretty penny.

Buy the Daking Mic Pre One (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/rnd5017
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/rnd5017
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/rupert_neve_designs_5017.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

00:00 - Intro / Pricing
00:26 - What’s in the Box
00:37 - Build Quality
00:57 - Walkthrough
02:16 - Specifications
03:02 - Shure SM7b Mic Test (No Cloudlifter or Fethead)
04:36 - Preamp vs. Interface Preamp
05:25 - Comparison to Other Preamps
06:49 - High Pass Filter Demo
07:16 - Silk Circuit Demo
07:46 - Compressor Demo
08:25 - Music Test (Drum Machine, Electric Guitar, D.I. Bass, D.I. Acoustic)
12:06 - Pros & Cons
14:51 - What Does it Offer?
15:52 - Recommendation
17:14  - Outro

#PreampReview #AnalogGear #MadeInUSA

Video & HQ Audio: https://podcastage.com/rev/movemic
Curtis' Review w/ Distance Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruRHrIGvHXU

Today I review Shure's new fully wireless consumer lav system, the Movemic. This has a tiny transmitter with a bulit in mic that offers a smoother and less bright sound compared to it's competitors. It also offers real time processing to add noise reduction, high pass filter, compression, and EQ. The transmitter can also connect to your phone via bluetooth but I found that quality to be lower than the sound quality via the receiver.

Buy the Shure Movemic (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/smovemic
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/movemic

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

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Gain: 28dB
EQ / Compression / Noise Reduction / HPF: Off
Conversion: 24-bit / 48khz
Boosted in Post: +3dB

SPECS (https://www.shure.com/en-US/docs/guide/MoveMiC):
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
Freq Response : 50Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity -37dB
Max SPL: 130dB
EIN: 26dB A-weighted
Gain Range: 0 to 60dB
Range: Up to 100 ft (30m) line of sight
Freq Range: 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:26 - What’s in the Box
00:52 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:07 - Specifications
02:19 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:34 - Plosive Test
02:56 - Lav Mic Position Tests
04:18 - Background Noise Test 
04:38 - Untreated Room Test
05:00 - Windscreen Test
05:34 - Mute Demo
05:53 - Camera Internal Mic Comparison
06:36 - Receiver vs. Bluetooth Sound Comparison
07:45 - Intro to Comparison
08:09 - Deity Pocket Wireless ComparisonW
08:42 - DJI Mic One Comparison
09:17 - Rode Wireless Go II Comparison
10:04 - Sony ECM-CS3 Comparison
10:29 - Rode Lavalier Go Comparison
10:53 - Shure MVL Comparison
11:21 - Rode Lavalier II Comparison
11:51 - Sennheiser ME-2 Comparison
12:20 - Sanken Cos 11 D Comparison|
12:52 - Countryman B6 Comparison
13:21 - Shure TL48 Comparison
13:59 - Neumann U87 Comparison
14:33 - Receiver Walkthrough
16:13 - Processing Demo
18:46 - Noise Reduction Test
20:10 - Receiver Walkthrough Continued
22:15 - Shure Motiv App Walkthrough
24:00  - Pros & Cons
27:07 - Overall Thoughts
28:05 - Recommendation
29:51 - Outro

Video: https://youtu.be/t8X-Is7naeU

Today i review the Warm Audio WA251, a clone of the legendary Telefunken ELAM 251. This is a slightly V-shaped sounding microphone with a bump in the bass and low mids and a lift in the treble and air. It offers a relatively smooth sound character and a low noise for a tube mic of 12dBA.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~1:00
Boosted in Post: +6dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Self Noise: 12dBA

S/N Ratio: 80dBA

Max SPL: 132dB

Impedance: 200 Ohms

Buy the Rode NTK (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/wa251
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/wa251
Thomann:

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

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

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:27 - What’s in the Box
00:54 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:08 - Specifications
02:22 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:42 - Plosive Test
03:54 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
04:16 - Background Noise Test 
04:31 - Untreated Room Test
04:54 - Shock Rejection Test
05:12 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:26 - Intro to Comparison
05:50 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
06:14 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
06:42 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
07:16 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
07:41 - Avantone CV12 Comparison
08:16 - Warm Audio WA67 Comparison
08:53 - Warm Audio WA47 Comparison
09:29 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:06 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
10:41 - Music Test
11:56 - Pros & Cons
12:55 - Overall Thoughts
14:39 - Recommendation
16:03 - Outro

Video: https://youtu.be/jC3N_hNk7hE

Today I review the Neumann BCM104, a broadcaster condenser. I compare this mic to the Shure SM7b, Electro Voice RE20, Neumann TLM103, Neumann U87 Ai, and a bunch more mics so you can hear how it compares to the other available options.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~12:30
Boosted in Post: +6dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
Sensitivity: -33dB
Impedance: 50 Ohms
Power Requirement: 48V DC Phantom Power

Buy the Neumann BCM104 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/bcm104
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/bcm104

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

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
00:47 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:23 - Specifications
01:34 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:52 - Plosive Test
02:04 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:24 - Background Noise Test 
02:39 - Untreated Room Test
02:57 - Shock Rejection Test
03:13 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:26 - High Pass Filter Demo
04:04 - Intro to Comparison
04:34 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:00 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
05:30 - Shure SM7b Comparison
06:00 - Earthworks Ethos Comparison
06:29 - Rode Broadcaster Comparison
06:58 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparison
07:28 - Lauten Audio LS208 Comparison
07:54 - Neumann KMS105 Comparison
08:29 - Neumann BCM705 Comparison
09:09 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
09:55 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:32 - Music Test
12:00 - Pros & Cons
14:12 - Overall Thoughts
16:14 - Recommendation
17:20 - Conclusion

Video & HQ Audio:  https://podcastage.com/rev/v3mini

Today I review the Razer Seiren V3 Mini. This is similar to the original Seiren Mini, but with the addition of a capacitive mute button and improved conversion up to 24-bit 96kHz. The sound is slightly V-shaped with a bit of bass/low mid support, and a very exagerated treble region which leads to the mids sounding recessed and non-dominant.

Buy the Razer Seiren V3 Mini (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/v3mini

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 Level: 27%
Boosted in Post: +6dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Super-Cardioid
Freq Response :20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -36dB
Max SPL: 110dB
Bit Depth: 24
Sample Rate:  96khz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:25 - What’s in the Box
00:43 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:11 - Specifications
01:21 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:40 - Plosive Test
01:50 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:13 - Background Noise Test 
02:29 - Untreated Room Test
02:47 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:03 - Desktop Stand Test
03:51 - Mute Button Test
04:08 - Intro to Comparison
04:36 - Samson Go Mic Comparison
05:05 - Razer Seiren Mini Comparison
05:40 - HyperX Solocast Comparison
06:11 - Blue Snowball Comparison
06:43 - Logitech Yeti Orb Comparison
07:19 - Rode NT-USB Mini Comparison
07:51 - Blue Yeti Nano Comparison
08:23 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
09:01 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:31 - Music Test
11:20 - Pros & Cons
12:47 - Overall Thoughts
14:54 - Recommendation
16:57 - Outro

I receive questions about upgrading mics because they are distorting, but in most cases they just aren't set up properly. In this video I demonstrate the setup process with OBS but these procedures are transferable to any Digital Audio Workstation that you use.

00:00 - It's NOT The Mic, It's YOU
00:21 - Using a Cheap Mic & Free Filters
00:36 - Step 1: Set Your Input Level Properly
01:49 - Step 2: Add a Gain Filter
02:18 - Step 3: Add a Limiter
02:41 - Step 4: Add a Compressor
03:17 - Quick Clarification
03:46 - Outro

Video: https://youtu.be/OPKB1qE1A2c

Does an $800 Made in the USA preamp perform well? It has 70dB of gain, a variable high pass filter, a noise floor comparable to interfaces that have an EIN of ~ -127dBA, and it's built like a tank. It performs very well, but is it worth it for the price?

Buy the Daking Mic Pre One (Affiliate Links)
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/micpreone 

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

00:00 - Intro / Pricing
00:27 - What’s in the Box
00:43 - Build Quality
01:18 - Walkthrough
02:06 - Specifications
02:48 - Shure SM7b Mic Test (No Cloudlifter or Fethead)
04:00 - Preamp vs. Interface Preamp
04:58 - High Pass Filter Demo
05:41 - Phase Invert, Pad, and +48v Implementation
06:27 - Music Test (Drum Machine, Electric Guitar, D.I. Bass, D.I. Acoustic)
09:06 - Pros & Cons
10:37 - What Does it Offer?
11:32 - Recommendation
13:55  - Outro

HQ Audio Of Review: https://podcastage.com/rev/se8
Additional Electric Guitar Demos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv6d_6o_Bv0

Today i review the sE Electronics sE8, a small diaphragrm condenser which offers a natural sound profile with a supportive low-end open and neutral mids and a slight lift in the treble but overall a very well handled upper frequency range. The mic also has a max SPL of 159db, and a self noise of only 13dBA.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: ~1:00

Boosted in Post: +4dB

 SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: -32dBV

Self Noise: 13dB

Max SPL: 139dB (159dB with -20dB pad)

Impedance: 110 Ohms

High Pass Filter: 6dB/Octave at 80hz or 160hz

Phantom power: +48V

 sE Electronics sE8 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/sese8
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/se8
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3UU87RG
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/se_electronics_se8_stereo_set.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

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

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:24 - What’s in the Box
00:45 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:15 - Specifications
01:28 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:48 - Plosive Test
02:11 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:35 - Background Noise Test 
02:49 - Untreated Room Test
03:07 - Underboom & Overhead Booming Test
03:38 - Shock Rejection Test
03:55 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:12 - High Pass Filter Test
04:43 - Pad Test
05:00 - Windscreen Tone Test
05:34 - Intro to Comparison
06:03 - Behringer C2 Comparison
06:27 - Rode M5 Comparison
06:53 - sE Electronics sE7 Comparison
07:23 - Lewitt LCT140 Air Comparison
07:56 - Shure SM81 Comparison
08:28 - Beyerdynamic MC930 Comparison
09:03 - Neumann KM184 Comparison
09:33 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:02 - Music Test
11:46 - Pros & Cons
13:17 - Overall Thoughts
14:24 - Recommendation
15:18 - Outro

Electric Guitar Demo: https://youtu.be/UoulvIXdbVA

Today i review the JZ Mics Vintage 67, a mic that based on it's name is going for the U67 sound at 1/6th the price. It is very bare bones with a single polar pattern, no pad, and no filters, but it does offer a low self noise of 6dBA.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: ~1:30

Boosted in Post: +4dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: -33dB

Self Noise: 16BA

Max SPL: 134dB

Impedance: 50 Ohms

Buy the V67 (NON-Affiliate Link)
https://jzmic.com/collections/vintage-series/products/vintage-67

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

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
00:46 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:13 - Specifications
01:26 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:44 - Plosive Test
01:54 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:16 - Background Noise Test 
02:32 - Untreated Room Test
02:51 - Shock Rejection Test
03:10 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:23 - High End Preamp Demo
04:19 - Intro to Comparison
04:48 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
05:09 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
05:37 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
06:07 - JZ Mics Vintage 11 Comparison
06:35 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
07:08 - Austrian Audio OC818 Comparison
07:44 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
08:22 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
09:06 - Music Test
11:04 - Pros & Cons
12:04 - Overall Thoughts
13:47 - Recommendation
14:51 - Outro

Video & HQ Audio: https://podcastage.com/rev/yetiorb
Logitech G Hub Software Walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lLUNa2hDDA
Additional Guitar Tests: https://youtu.be/qCp5jUEPBiE

Today I review the Logitech Yeti Orb, the spiritual successor to the Blue Snowall. It offers more of a mid forward sound as well as processing via the Logitech G-Hub Software (in theory). The threading is 1/4" 20 to go on camera mounts, and its convesion is 24/48.

Buy the Yeti Orb if you dare (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/yetiorb

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 Level: 2%
Boosted in Post: +5dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response :70Hz - 20kHz
Max SPL: 117dB
Bit Depth: 24
Sample Rate:  48khz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:30 - What’s in the Box
00:41 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:10 - Specifications
01:23 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:41 - Plosive Test
01:53 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:14 - Background Noise Test 
02:31 - Untreated Room Test
02:51 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:05 - Desktop Stand Test
03:45 - Intro to Comparison
04:11 - Samson Go Mic Comparison
04:37 - Razer Seiren Mini Comparison
05:03 - HyperX Solocast Comparison
05:32 - Blue Snowball Comparison
06:05 - Rode NT-USB Mini Comparison
06:36 - Blue Yeti Nano Comparison
07:09 - Logitech Yeti GX Comparison
07:41 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
08:20 - Music Test
10:08 - Software Issues
13:30 - Pros & Cons
15:05 - Overall Thoughts
16:29 - Recommendation
17:21 - Outro