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Tag: microphone

MXL Tempo Microphone for iPad and Computer

Posted by Alan Buckingham at 10:50 PM on February 4, 2012

MXL joined Jeffrey powers last month at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas to talk about their new Tempo Microphones.  The new Tempo Mics work with both laptop and desktop computers, but they are also compatible with the iPad.  That last part is key because the iPad isn’t typically able to work with microphones due to power issues.  However, the Tempo works with the lower power by connecting with the camera connector kit, which requires an adapter, but that’s a cheap price to pay for this ability.

The Tempo will turn your iPad into a mobile recording station, allowing podcasters and others to travel much lighter than was previously possible.  These are condenser mics, not dynamic, so it will need power.  This will provide much better sound than the built-in microphone that Apple provides.  Of course, if you are just doing video chat then that mic will be fine, but for serious recording this is the first real option to come along.  To top it off, the MXL Tempo retails for $79.95.  You can check them out at MXLMics.

Interview by Jeffrey Powers of The Geekazine.

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AfterShokz Bone Conducting Headphones

Posted by Andrew at 12:19 PM on January 29, 2012

AfterShokz Headphones LogoBruce from AfterShokz shows off their bone-conducting headphones to Courtney at this year’s CES.

Previously the preserve of military specialists and bored long-distance swimmers, bone-conducting headphones transmit sound to the inner ear via the skull bones rather than down the ear canal. This method has several advantages over headphones and earbuds including much improved hygiene and comfort. They’re good for outdoor activities and cycling as not only do the headphones grip firmly, they allow outside sounds in so you hear that truck bearing down on you before it actually hits you.

The AfterShokz headphones are available now in three different models, Sport ($59.95), Mobile ($69.95) and Game ($69.95). The Mobile model has an in-line microphone and jack for use with mobile phones. The Game version also has an in-line mic but connects via USB.

Interview by Courtney Wallin of SDR News.

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Blue Microphones’ Tiki, Mikey and Spark

Posted by Andrew at 6:38 PM on January 28, 2012

Blue Microphones LogoIf you’ve listened to the Geek News Central podcast for a few years, you might have heard Todd talking about Blue Microphones as his mic supplier of choice. Here Todd and Don talk shop with Jon Maier.

Blue Microphones returns to CES this year with three new mics, all in the portable space. The new Mikey Digital is designed for the Apple’s newer digital connector rather than the older analogue one, meaning that more digital processing can be done on the microphone itself. In particular, auto-level sensing can adjust the input gain depending on the loudness of the source.

The Tiki is a brand new small USB device that’s been in development for over a year. It plugs directly into the USB port on the side of a laptop and has intelligent signal processing so that extraneous noise, such as typing, is ignored. It’s aimed at Skype and Google Talk users but it’s still a high quality recording device, so if needed, the DSP can be turned off to record live music as naturally as possible.

The studio-grade Spark Digital is a USB and iPad version of their pro mike, the Spark, both of which have glorious retro looks. Sitting in a shock mount, it looks great. Utility-wise, the Spark Digital converts the iPad into a mobile studio.

All the mics are expected to be available in the spring. Prices are $59 for Tiki, $99 for the Mikey Digital and $199 for the Spark Digital.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central and Interview by Don Baine, the Gadget Professor, for the TechPodcast Network.

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Blue Microphones Announces Yeti Pro & Mikey For Flip HD

Posted by tomwiles at 8:15 PM on January 21, 2011

John Maier from Blue Microphones (www.bluemic.com) introduces the Yeti Pro USB 24-bit 92k microphone, which retails for $249. Maier also introduces a Mikey model that works with current Flip camera models that are equipped with a Flip Port. The new Mikey Flip product should be available by Spring 2011 and will retail for $69 dollars. The Mikey flip brings some needed audio improvement to the flip video camera and I really look forward to it’s availability.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Snowflake Mic from Blue

Posted by KL Tech Muse at 7:14 PM on June 6, 2009

This week I received the Snowflake Mic which is made by Blue. It is a USB portable mic, which can be used with the Mac, PC, (not sure of Linux). It is there lowest price model and I got it on sale for 49.00, and so far it was worth it. I have been looking for a desktop mic for awhile. I have head phones with mic attached, but I have never been happy with them. I can never get it to be the right distance from my mouth so I don’t produce the popping noise or its sounds garble. Once in awhile I get it set perfectly, but usually something happens and it gets messed up and I have to try to reset it again. It got to be so irritating that I started to use the internal Macbook microphone instead, which of course sounds even worse. For these reasons I have been on the hunt for a good desktop mic that wasn’t too expensive and was Mac compatible. I have seen microphones in stores, but most of them were for Windows only or were way too expensive. I had heard a lot of good things about microphones made by Blue, from various podcast I listen and watch. I had  long ago put the Snowflake on my to buy list, but there always seemed to be something ahead of it. However, when I saw the Snowflake on sale for 49.00 on Amazon, I could not resist purchasing it. I am very glad I did.

Snowflake Mic in desk mode

It is a very simple looking product, but like most things simple I sure it took a long time to produce it. The mic is a ball that can be swivel 360 degrees in any direction. Its is attached like a elbow to a small box and there is a hole in the box that the mic fits perfectly into for traveling. You can simply pull the mic from its cradle and sit it directly on your desk.  Your other option is to pulling out the bottom of the box and removing it. You can then hook the mic directly on the back of your Macbook.

Snowflake attached to Macbook It comes with a usb cord with a mini connection which you attach to the mic and the other end attaches to your computer. That is all there is too it, its ready to be used. I have tried it with Audacity and it sounds great. It is also Skype and Ichat capable. Even if I had to pay full price for it, it would have been worth it. If you are looking for a good mic at a reasonable price I don’t think you can beat it, at least not on a Mac.


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