I, Logan Naugle the host provide a look at my podcast and comic career.
Its a time to reflect on where I started and where I am heading with my creator life. I want to start 2017 on the right foot and catch everybody up what you can expect from me in the future.
Music and theme by Bandrew Scott
New Logo by Hector Ceniceros
Stay up to date by checking out the following:
Thank yo
On episode 49 of the BSP, I talk about the Top 5 TV Shows of 2016. Before that I talk about New Years and what I’ve accomplished in two years of no drinking! I then go on a rant about why I’m not going to be paying companies or bands to advertise for them anymore!
In the news I briefly talk about the leaked specs of a new touchscreen ASUS chromebook, the implications of an Amazon Echo being used in a murder case, and the fact that Facebook is collecting information about your offline activities in order to target you with advertisements.
Then to finish out the episode, I talk about my favorite television of 2016, and what my youtube channel has done over the last year!
00:00 - Intro
01:51 - Recording with Blue Yeti
02:37 - I’m Drinking Piss
03:00 - Happy New Years & Plans
03:30 - 2 Years Sober
06:35 - I’m no longer paying to advertise for people
09:15 - A new Asus Chromebook
11:10 - Amazon Echo Used in Murder Case
14:24 - Facebook is Collecting Offline Your Offline Habits!!!
17:35 - Top 5 TV Shows of 2016
22:50 - My YouTube Channel over 2016
26:17 - Outro
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http://www.geeksrising.com
Today I'm talking about possibly my favorite condenser microphone I have tested to date; the Rode NT1 Kit.
This is a higher end XLR condenser microphone which means it requires a USB Audio Interface that offers +24v or +48v of phantom power to work.
If you are interested in this microphone kit, it will set you back $270 on Amazon
As you would expect, the build quality of this microphone is top notch. There are no dials or extras on this microphone; just a gold dot to indicate the front of the microphone, and an XLR port on the bottom. It has an all metal construction, and some nice substantial weight to it. However, unlike other microphone's I have tested, it does not feel like a tank, so I would be gentle with it. I should also mention that the carrying pouch offers no padding, so it will only protect the microphone's capsule from dust contamination.
The frequency response on this microphone is excellent, ranging from 20Hz - 20kHz. What really sticks out to me is the nice full bass the microphone provides without sounding boomy or muddy, and the crystal clear highs that do not sound shrill or harsh. It is an all around very smooth sounding microphone, and I think it performed excellently on the Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, and Voice.
When dealing with condenser microphones, I'm always worried about the polar pattern picking up too much background noise. This microphone definitely does pick up more ambient noise than a Shure SM7B, however it is not an exorbitant amount by any stretch of the imagination. I even recorded an entire podcast with this thing and while editing had zero issues with distractions caused by room noise.
I love this microphone. It has a high quality build, an excellent sound, and it comes with everything you need (less interface & cables). It is likely even my favorite condenser microphone that I have reviewed to date. That being said, I'm not going to recommend this to everyone.
If you are just starting out on youtube, or just starting a podcast, or just diving into home recording, I would not recommend this microphone. I think that a beginner can get away with a cheap mass produced condenser mic to begin. Down the road if you are still working on your passion project, then consider upgrading.
On the other hand, if you have been working on your podcast, studio, voice over work, or youtube channel for a while and you are looking to take your audio game to the next level, I absolutely recommend this microphone!
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy the Rode NT1 Kit
US: http://amzn.to/2i1eWfO
UK: http://amzn.to/2i3uFh8
Buy the Focusrite Scarlett Solo
US: http://amzn.to/2haKwpx
UK: http://amzn.to/2hhfgbz
Buy the Neewer Boom Arm
US: http://amzn.to/2i1lzPh
UK: http://amzn.to/2hA1RsP
On episode 48 of the BSP, I talk about my favorite piece of news in the last decade; scientists have discovered a new vaccine to stop the spread of Ebola!!!
Before that, I start with discussing the mic I’m recording this weeks podcast with & my run in with minimalism. As far as computer news, I talk about Apple giving up on Mac OS X and Raspberry Pi rolling out their OS to PC & Mac computers!
In security news, there has been push by The House to legislate the use of the Sting Ray device, which tracks devices using geo-location. Following that I briefly talk about Facebbok’s report regarding government data requests.
Finishing up the podcast, I recommend a travel show starring Karl Pilkington and an album by Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas, and lastly I talk about my thoughts and first impressions on my new iPhone 7+.
00:00 - Intro
02:57 - It’s Christmas
03:14 - Recording with Rode NT1
04:04 - Minimalism & The Clutter Cave
05:25 - THERE’S A VACCINE FOR EBOLA! HOLY SHIT!!!!
09:30 - Apple is Giving Up on Mac OS X
13:31 - Raspberry Pi’s OS Now On PC & Mac
16:25 - Legislation on Sting Ray Geolocation Device
18:30 - Government’s Facebook User Data Requests Up 27% (https://govtrequests.facebook.com)
22:19 - The Moaning Of Life
23:08 - Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner
23:42 - Initial Impressions of the iPhone 7+
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Today I am reviewing a wired gaming headset that offers surround sound as well as customizable lighting; the Lenovo Y Gaming Surround Sound Headset.
If you are interested in this headset, it will set you back $85 on Amazon
Gaming Headset (1.8m Cable)
Removable Microphone
Documentation
Headphones
Headphone Drivers: 40mm
Frequency Response: 5Hz - 30kHz
Impedance: 32-ohms
Microphone
Polar Pattern: Cardioid (Uni-directional)
The construction of this headset is mainly plastic, while maintaining a sturdy feel. The headphones rotate a minimal amount to ensure that the headphones fit whatever head shape you have. The padding on the ear cups is very soft, but it is not breathable which leads to your ears getting hot after a little while of use, the padding on the headband is not soft, and is uncomfortable, and overall the headphones are just a bit too tight which also counts against this headset's comfortability.
The braided cable is 1.8m long and in the middle of the cord you will find a limited control panel which allows you to mute your microphone as well as turn up or down the headphones volume. The cable terminates into a USB and 3.5mm plug. It needs to be noted that you CAN NOT use both at the same time; you either get a USB headset or a 3.5mm headset.
Out of the box, the headphones are a bit too bass heavy and lack a lot of the presence and shine in the high end. If you are on a Windows machine, this is easily fixable with the Lenovo Y software which allows you to enter a custom EQ, or select a preset EQ.
The microphone did decent at background noise rejections, but that's about the only thing good it did. The audio quality is unnatural sounding and shrill, and it was even difficult to listen to while editing the review. The USB connection also introduces a slight digital clicking noise that is not extremely loud, but it still hinders the microphones quality. Lastly, this thing doesn't come with a pop filter or windscreen so it picks up every breath and every plosive which degrades the audio even further.
Surround Sound
Braided Cable
Customizable EQ
Decent build quality
Microphone sounds like a typical gaming headset
High line noise on the microphone
No pop filter / windscreen on the headset
Headset uncomfortable
My recommendation for this headset comes with a few caveats. First, if you are interested in buying this headset, wait for the price to drop. $85 is a bit much for a wired gaming headset when the gaming headset market is chock full of cheaper alternatives. Secondly, you have to be okay with crappy microphone quality; you cannot want to record podcasts or voice overs with this thing. Third, you need windows to run the lenovo software, and without the software, the headphones are nothing I would recommend.
If you find these on sale, and you are okay with the second two caveats, then I think this headset will work well for you if you are only planning on using them for short gaming sessions.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2ilGhZ0
UK: NA
Today I am reviewing a completely wireless gaming headset; the Logitech G933 Artemis Spectrum Gaming Headset.
I do need to mention that this headset was sent to me by Logitech Gaming for the sake of doing this review.
This is a gaming headset that is compatible with PC, Xbox One, and PS4, that has a programmable lighting, a retractable microphone, programmable buttons, and a storage compartment for the wireless dongle.
If you are interested in this headset, it will set you back $200 on Amazon
Headphones
Microphone
The construction of this headset is mainly plastic, however, it feels extremely sturdy and very well put together. The ear cups rotate about 95-degrees which allows the headset to lay flat on your desk, or lay flat on your chest when they are hanging around your neck. The padding on the ear cups and headband is breathable, soft, and all around very comfortable.
On the front left ear cup you will find a retractable microphone, which is muted when it is retracted, and unmated when it is extended. On the back of the left ear cup you will find a volume wheel to adjust the headphones volume, a microphone mute button, 3 programmable buttons (which you will control using the logitech gaming software), and the power switch. On the outside of the left ear cup you will find a removable panel where you can store the wireless USB dongle to ensure you do not lose it while traveling. On the outside of the right ear cup you will find the battery for headset.
The headphones are the big selling point of this headset. In the flat mode they have a punchy and tight low end, and shimmering highs that do not sound shrill or fatiguing on the ears. You are also able to manually adjust the EQ (in the Logitech gaming software) to fit whatever sound signature you prefer. The 7.1 channel surround sounds great too, but keep in mind, I do not do much gaming so I cannot speak with any amount of authority in this arena.
The microphone does leave quite a bit to be desired as it just sounds like your standard gaming headset microphone. There was quite a bit of line noise when testing out the gain, which started at around 60-75%. However, the background noise rejection of this microphone is excellent. It picked up very minimal amounts of my keyboard while doing the typing test.
I would absolutely recommend this gaming headset if you are looking for a wireless headset that offers 7.1 channel surround sound. The headphones are the real selling point here; they sound excellent. They offer a great sound signature out of the box with great bass response that does not negatively impact the higher frequencies. On top of that, you can create your own EQ to fit what ever sound you prefer.
The microphone does not provide studio quality audio, but for gaming I think it will work well as it does a great job at rejecting background noise. However, if you are looking for a headset to podcast with, or do voice over work with, I do not think that this microphone will cut it.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy the Logitech G933
US: http://amzn.to/2i4hrNm
UK: http://amzn.to/2hXbtBK
On episode 47 of the BSP, I talk about how much I hate Verizon Wireless & Comcast. I also talk about getting rid of Facebook and receiving the Pebble Refund. Finishing up the personal section of the podcast, I talk about how I have/will release 9 videos in 9 days.
In news, Microsoft announced speed boosts for Xbox One downloads, Twitch launching a mobile live streaming service, Amazon delivers a package via drone for the first time, Apple releases AirPods, Evernote nearly crashes and burns based on poor decisions, and twitter tells the government to do their own work.
As far as what I’ve been testing, I talk about a new VPN and my new cable service, and why I switched.
00:00 - Intro
02:09 - Recording with Different Microphone
03:31 - Getting Rid of Facebook Apps
04:40 - Pebble Refunds Are Coming!!!
05:25 - 9 Videos in 9 Days!
07:55 - Xbox One Download Speed Increase
09:33 - Twitch Mobile Streaming Service
11:05 - Amazon Drones
12:50 - Apple Removes Battery Time Remaining
14:10 - Apple AirPods Released!!!
16:08 - Evernote Alienates It’s Users
18:10 - Twitter Tells The Government to Get Lost
21:02 - Started Using a VPN
23:05 - Comcast Is The Worst
26:31 - Verizon Cancelled the Only Useful Service Option.
28:45 - Outro
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http://www.geeksrising.com
Today I'm reviewing a mic that I've been trying to get my hands on for about a 4 months. The mic being featured is the Blue Nessie Adaptive USB Condenser Microphone.
This is a USB microphone that is listed as compatible with Windows & Mac OS X. It offers multiple DSP modes which are marketed as a way to make recording easy, and it offers a built in pop filter & shock mount to ensure you do not suffer from any plosives or vibrations.
If you are interested in this microphone, it will set you back $100 on Amazon
The build quality of this mic seems pretty decent for the price. The base of the microphone is metal and has some substantial weight to it. The entire base acts as a dial to control the headphone volume as well. underneath the dial there is an LED light that glows when the microphone is plugged in and receiving power, and blinks when the microphone is muted.
Speaking of mute, on the front of the microphones neck, you have a single red button to mute/unmute the mic. On the back of the neck you will find a USB plug, a 3-way switch to change between the 3 modes (flat, voice, music), and directly above that you will find a 3.5mm headphone port which provides latency free monitoring.
When we get to the microphone capsule, the grills on both sides of the mic are metal, while the center blue piece is made of plastic. Within the casing there is a pop filter to eliminate plosives as well as a shock mount to ensure you don't suffer from vibrations or table bumps. You are also able to tilt the microphone about 90-degrees to make sure you get the best placement possible.
The frequency response ranges from 20Hz in the low end all the way to 20kHz in the high end. While playing guitar/singing on this mic, I think the performance was only decent on all the settings. When me moved to the acoustic guitar test, I thought that the only usable setting was the flat mode. On the voice mode, the guitar was overly boomy with very little presence, and while set to music mode, the high frequencies seemed overly shrill and piercing.
The cardioid polar pattern was the correct choice for this microphone as it sits directly on the desk. It did pick up a decent amount of keyboard noise, which is to be expected of any desktop microphone, and it picked up my voice fairly well even at 4-feet away.
I was not impressed with this microphone. The audio quality is decent on the flat mode, but I found the two other DSP modes to be subpar. On top of that, you will be stuck using this as a desktop microphone, as you cannot remove the microphone from the stand and put it on a boom arm. This led to some issues during the test. I found the microphone picked up vibrations from my computer as well as bumps of the desk. Moreover, when you're forced to keep the microphone placed directly on your desk, it is difficult to get decent microphone placement to record instruments or your voice.
Although this microphone has plenty of features that are listed as selling points, I feel that it falls short and leaves a lot to be desired. If you are looking for audio quality for anything other than demos, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2gQMT3M
UK: http://amzn.to/2hqa59W
I have reviewed almost every single Samson USB microphone. This is one of the last ones I needed to catch them all. Today I'm reviewing the Samson Go Mic Direct.
If you are interested in this microphone, it will set you back $40 on Amazon
The build quality of this mic is decent. The case surrounding the mic is plastic while the actual microphone capsule is made of metal. On both sides of the microphone, there is an LED light to indicate that the microphone is plugged in and getting power. These lights also will change to red if your signal is clipping. Lastly, on the bottom of the microphone there is a slider to withdraw the USB port for storage.
The frequency response of this mic is sufficient and yields a natural, unprocessed sound. The omni-directional polar pattern is essential for the microphone since you need to keep it plugged into your USB port, but at the same time this causes all keyboard noise to be picked up. Also, due to the required placement of the microphone, you will likely be around 1-foot away from the capsule, which will do no favors for your audio quality. The noise floor is also acceptable, where we did not start to hear any excessive noise until we set our gain above 50%.
Although this is a decent microphone that is very portable, I cannot recommend it. The requirement that you leave it plugged directly into a USB port, mixed with the lack of any alternate mounting options, means you will have to deal with excessive keyboard noise. If you are looking for a portable USB mic, I would recommend looking into the regular Samson Go Mic.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy the Samson Go Mic Direct
US: http://amzn.to/2hsKmP3
UK: http://amzn.to/2hBscq6
Buy the Samson Go Mic
US: http://amzn.to/2hjjvV4
UK: http://amzn.to/2hjjzEi
On this episode of the BSP, the main topic focusses on how I went from 0 subscribers to 18,000 subscribers. I analyze how I did this, and what lessons I think can be taken from this journey.
In other news, I talk about how Amazon Go works, what the UK Snoopers Charter is and how it worries me, as well as provide an update on the Fitbit acquisition of Pebble and what that means for all the kickstarter backers & pebble customers.
As far as what I've been testing, I talk about my favorite Apple Watch Band, my current favorite iPhone Case, my adoption of camera covers on the iPhone, using a network drive, and my new mousepad.
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Today's review covers the follow up to one of my favorite mics; we're covering the brand new Antlion Mod Mic 5.0. Before going any further, I do need to mention that for this review, Antlion sent me a review unit.
What is special about the Mod Mic is that it allows you to turn your favorite pair of headphones into a gaming headset, or a podcast studio. You stick this microphone on whatever headphones you want and you get one of the best sounding headset mics on the market.
Another huge improvement over the last generation is that this mic has both Omnidirectional & Unidirectional polar patterns inside of it. They simply took both capsules from the 4.0 series and put them in the microphone head, so you can now use which ever polar pattern fits your use case with the flick of a switch.
This microphone is also a modular design! This means that you can make it fit whatever your setup is, as well as allow you to buy accessories if Antlion rolls out new modules for this microphone system!
If you are interested in this gaming headset, it will set you back $70.
Omni Directional
Uni Directional
The build of this microphone is mainly plastic and rubber, but the materials feel high quality. The magnet is much stronger, so the boom mic will be less likely to fall off of your headphones. The boom arm is much sturdier and stiffer, so no matter what position you place it in, it will not move. The cables are all kevlar reinforced, so you are not going break them, and the case provides ample protection for the mic while traveling.
This microphone has two polar patterns; omni directional & uni directional. In order to switch between the two, all you have to do is flip the switch that is on the microphone capsules body. It's as simple as that. The omni directional polar pattern picks up quite a bit of background noise, but that is to be expected with an omni polar pattern. The uni-directional setting eliminates background noise much more effectively, and if placed close to your mouth would eliminate even more background noise.
The omni directional polar pattern has a frequency response of 30Hz - 17.5kHz which is pretty good for a headset mic. While on this setting the mic has full lows and plenty of highs. When we switch to the unidirectional setting, the frequency response drops to 100Hz - 10kHz, which clearly lacks a bit in the low end as well as high frequencies. I cannot fault the uni setting for this, because it is mainly designed for gaming.
Something else I noticed while testing the microphone; it picks up minimal sound from the headphones. This is an issue that plagues many gaming headsets due to sharing wiring and housing. With the mod mic, you do have to deal with an additional cable (which they provide solutions for managing), but on the plus side, you eliminate the majority of the headphone interference.
I think this is the best option for people who want a headset microphone. You can use it to either improve the microphone's audio on your existing gaming headset, or you can use it to turn your favorite pair of audiophile headphones into a gaming headset, or podcast setup. The build quality has also been improved from the prior generation, and they have made a modular design so you can upgrade in the future.
All around, I would absolutely recommend this microphone whether you want to do light voice over work for youtube, gift it to a remote podcast guest so they have decent audio on their end, or if you just want to game with your favorite set of headphones.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy the Antlion Mod Mic 5.0
https://antlionaudio.com
Today we are talking about a stereo 3.5mm lavalier microphone; the Sony ECM-CS3. For the majority of this video, I have connected the microphone to my computer using a new Sabrent USB Soundcard which provides approximately 3.5v to the mic. If you connect this directly to your computers motherboard, you will likely not get similar results.
If you are interested in this gaming headset, it will set you back $18-$20 on Amazon
The build quality of this microphone does not feel that good. It is an all plastic construction and it has a standard rubber cable. The connection point of the cable and the microphone does not appear to be reinforced, so over time I would worry about stress being placed on this joint. However, this is a $20 microphone, so I can't really fault it for having a subpar build.
The frequency response of 50Hz - 15kHz seems absolutely sufficient for this use case, and my voice did not seem artificial or hollow like some other lavalier microphones.
The omnidirectional polar pattern is also fairly forgiving. I could hardly tell a difference between the audio when the microphone was clipped to my collar versus when the mic was clipped to my lapel. On other microphones, this change in placement is clearly apparent in audio. This is both a good and bad thing. On the good side, it affords you greater freedom for microphone placement on yourself or your talent. On the downside, this means it will likely pick up more room noise/ambient noise.
Given the $20 price tag, I cannot fault this microphone for having a less than stellar build quality. On the other hand, I absolutely can praise the mic for sounding better than I was expecting.
I do not think I can recommend this for gamers because it does have an extremely large pickup pattern, meaning it will pick up all your keyboard, mouse, and computer noise. On the other hand, for vloggers who are trying to improve their audio, I think this is a great budget option. Keep in mind that it will still pick up plenty of ambient noise, so if you're in a room for the majority of videos, I do recommend picking up some audio treatment to dampen the reverb.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy the ECM-CS3 on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2g0ctQm
UK: http://amzn.to/2h86H4e
Buy the TRRS Splitter on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2gW3v8R
UK: http://amzn.to/2h38a7D
Buy the Sabrent USB Soundcard on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2fX6yAn
UK: http://amzn.to/2g8KxNn
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Partitioning HD 6 Ways!!!
04:00 - Google is Eliminating Passwords
07:10 - Netflix Download & Go
09:05 - New YouTube Comment Functions
13:39 - Apple AirPods are Coming!!!
16:18 - Fitbit is acquiring Pebble
20:27 - What I have been testing
24:37 - Why I Give out Bad Reviews
33:10 - Outro
On todays episode, I cover a few big pieces of news but before we get into that I talk about my gradual descent into paranoia and anti socia tendencies. Then I talk about how google is collecting enough data to actually create the AI from Ex Machina.
Other news covered consists of the brand new download function by Netflix, New Youtube Comment Functions, an eventual release of Apple AirPods, and Fitbit's acquisition of Pebble.
As far as what I've been testing, I briefly discuss the Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Keyboard 2, and then discuss my new apple watch band and a brand new iPhone case.
As the main topic in this episode, I talk about why I give out bad reviews and how companies need to listen to what reviewers have to say about their products and improve their future iterations. I also tell you why I refuse to visit some review channels.
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http://www.geeksrising.com
Today we are talking about the brand new HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset. What is really cool about this headset is that it is listed as compatible with PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, as well as your Smartphone. What's even cooler is that it's also certified to work with the following apps: Teamspeak, Discord, Skype, Ventrilo, Mumble, Raidcall. That means that no matter what system/software you are using, this headset will likely work for you.
If you are interested in this gaming headset, it will set you back $50 on Amazon
Headphones
Microphone
The build quality of this headset is better than I expected. It is a plastic build, however, the plastic feels high quality and provides ample flexibility. The foam on the headset/headband is made of HyperX's memory foam and is among the best I've felt on any gaming headset. The controls are simple; you will find a single volume rocker on the right ear cup to control the headphone volume, and that's it. And lastly, the microphone arm can articulate, and in order to mute the mic you just tilt it upright and you will hear a click to indicate the microphone has been muted.
The headphones are what truly stand out on this product. There is plenty of boomy low end while maintaining the presence in the high end. I typically do not enjoy bass heavy headphones, but that is because "bass-heavy" headphones are usually plagued by muddy lows that sacrifice high frequency performance; this headset does neither of those things. You get crystal clear highs and booming lows.
The microphone on the other hand is bad, and it just sounds like your typical gaming headset mic. When I saw the unidirectional polar pattern I knew that we would lose some quality in microphone performance compared to an omnidirectional microphone, and I think that it is a smart trade off to make. This is a gaming headset, and while gaming you want people on the other end to hear your voice instead of the fan blowing in the background. This unidirectional microphone will help with that. Do not get me wrong, you will still hear background noise, but it will not be as pronounced as it would be if the microphone was omnidirectional.
Even though I think the microphone is bad, I would absolutely recommend this headset. The recommendation stems from the headphones performance and comfort. While gaming, what's most important to you is going to be the audio you hear, and the comfort of the headphones; this headset excels in both of those areas. Your friends will also be able to hear you perfectly fine through this microphone while talking to each other on teamspeak, discord or any other chat service; you just won't win any awards for audio quality.
On the other hand, if you are going to be recording voice overs or gaming commentaries with this headset, I would recommend looking elsewhere because this microphone will not cut it for professional audio recordings.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2gspgik
UK: http://amzn.to/2gOlQ7K
Today I am reviewing a relatively unique microphone. The Turtle Beach USB Stream Mic. What's special about this microphone is that it is universally compatible, meaning it can work on Windows, OSX, Xbox One and PS4.
If you are interested in this microphone, it will set you back $100 on Amazon
The build quality of this mic is lacking. The body of the microphone is all plastic and feels very cheap. The other components feel slightly better, but nothing feels like it will handle long term use.
The front of the mic has a single microphone mute button which is surrounded by an LED light which will indicate the polar pattern being used, when the microphone is muted, and when the microphone is clipping.
The back of the microphone has a 3.5mm headphone jack that provides latency free monitoring as well as computer playback. There is a headphone volume control that only controls the computer's audio playback. In order to adjust your monitoring level, you must download Turtle Beach's audio hub. Next there is a single button to switch between the polar patterns, and lastly there is a switch to select whether you are connected to an XBOX or PS4/PC.
As you can tell from the video, the audio from this microphone is subpar across all tests. Even when the microphone is not shown to be clipping, the audio sounds distorted. The audio seems to lack fullness for voice, and it seems to pick up a bit of background noise.
I cannot recommend this microphone. It feels like it is built poorly and simply put, the audio does not sound good. I do not understand the reason that a gaming microphone has a bi-directional setting or omni-directional setting. It seems like while gaming, you want to avoid background noise which would mean cardioid polar patterns are the only usable settings.
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2fCaMIw
UK: http://amzn.to/2fpifj1
Now you can purchase 3 of my comics, head of to the link down below.
Note: Until the end of 2016 I am donating a $1 for each book sold to the Qcenter also Cynthia with her store is donating to Planned Parenthood.
Thanks for the support!
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - My face is disgusting
02:20 - Thanksgiving
03:18 - Organization in the Studio
07:31 - Problems With the Mic Market
15:07 - My plans for the future
17:14 - Black Mirror Season 3
18:15 - Macbook Pro Skins
18:45 - Buying a new MacBook
20:11 - Apple Watch Series 1
22:05 - Finding the best iPhone Case
25:32 - Outro
On episode 44 of the BSP, I briefly talk about my disgusting face and why it is exceedingly disgusting on the day of recording. I also talk about what my thanksgiving celebration (or lack there of) consisted of.
The main focus of this episode covers a severe problem in the microphone market place which can lead to confusing those new to audio recording, as well as drive me to point of losing my mind. This entire rant will likely ruin the possibility of any future relationships with mic companies.
Then I shortly discuss my future plans, black mirror season 3, purchasing a new MacBook, adding skins to my current matchbook pro, as well as what I have been testing.
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Let’s grab our masks and hide in plain sight with this month’s Do You Even Comic: The Private Eye.
The history
First published in March of 2013 by Panel Syndicate (digital drm-free “name your price” comic site) and created by Brian K. Vaughan, Marcos Martin and colorist Muntsa Vicente, it is now a hardcover graphic novel. After the book was finished it was recognized for its innovation by the public for its paying format and received best digital/webcomic Eisner in 2015. As stated, the 10 issue series has been collected hardcover book by Image Comics for you to hold and read with your hands.
The Story
A story set in a not too distant future about a not too distant reality, Set in the year 2076 The Private Eye starts with us following “Paparazzo”, an unlicensed journalist, who gets wrapped up into a plot of murder and mystery.
The future is a strange landscape, in this dark reflection of our world the future is a time when the internet “cloud” has burst and made everyone’s private information public to all. This results in there being no more internet and the majority of the population hiding behind costumes and masks in public.
No privacy means the people in the eyes of the public must stay dressed in disguises to maintain their secrets. Paparazzo the main character starts the story by following a lead on a woman in a red dress (sure, like the song) and he realizes she isn't who she appears to be. Quickly the cops interrupt Paparazzo and his private investigation. The woman who hired “Pap” is murdered and he quickly finds out is investigation has him tied into a terrorist plot.
The book works as a contemporary commentary as well as entertaining detective mystery story while the art direction amplifies the story in new ways I hadn’t seen before.
Why this Book?
BKV is always a safe bet for trying out new books. But with Private Eye I was really intrigued by distribution of the comic itself as well as the concept. I love the platform of “name your price” and getting a book knowing the money is going directly to the creators. I really also enjoy the world in which the story takes place and that my generation is the old and outdated people who don’t understand the current world. It was a fun book I loved reading and thinking about how this could be a possible future for all of us (maybe not the murder mystery part). I love owning the amazing hardcover, yes, it was amazing to see the success of a drm-free comic and its site get huge but having that paperbook in your hands is what comics are to me.
Book:
It's been a while since I've done a supplemental write up for a review I've done, but I'm back. Today I am talking about a USB/Lightning microphone that is perfect for musicians/podcasters that are constantly on the road; the Shure MV51 Digital Condenser Microphone.
If you are interested in this microphone, it will set you back $200 on Amazon
The build quality on this microphone is amazing. It's built like a tank, which is what I've personally come to expect from Shure after using their SM7B and SM48 for years. The construction is all metal, including the kick stand which is firmly attached and does not wiggle around at all. At the end of the kickstand is a rubber foot to keep the mic from sliding around, but if you want to attach the mic to a microphone stand, simply unscrew the rubber foot to reveal a 5/8" thread.
On the front of the microphone, you have a volume control slider, an LED light strip to present mic input volume & headphone output volume, a microphone mute button, a headphone volume selector, and a mode select button to switch between the five different DSP's built into the microphone.
On the back of the microphone you have two ports. The first is the connection port that you will use to connect to your iPhone or computer. The second port is a 3.5mm headphone jack which provides latency free monitoring.
I love this microphone. I don't necessarily think that this is a microphone that will replace your home studio setup, but I do think that this fulfills a need that desperately needed solving. I think this is an almost perfect microphone for musicians & podcasters who are constantly on the road. Let me explain:
If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP.
Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2g8PyE4
UK: http://amzn.to/2fsN8iD
Ever wondered how to get started in comics?
Check out this episode:
The episode is with a great gentlemen by the name of Dan Schkade, he is also a comic book artist known for his work on Will Eisner's The Spirit. Dan has published both independently and for commercial companies including Dynamite Entertainment (comics). We sit down and talk about working in a commercial comic setting as well as what it is like starting out in comics.
Dan is one of the nicest people to grace the mic and I am honored to share our conversation about comics.
For more of Dan's work and links check below: