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Cheap Rode SVM Stereo Condenser Microphone Review

I bought a Canon 5D Mark II with the understanding that at some point, I’d like to take amazing HD footage. Awesome footage is made or ruined with sound quality, and I looked at multiple reviews online and at sites [...] and others, and the Rode Stereo VideoMic got good reviews for a “starter” microphone.

Being a photography buff, I figured that this would be good enough for me to get started with. I’m amazed at the sound quality and range that I get with the microphone. With the onboard mic from the 5D, I’d sometimes catch myself breathing heavily (which sucks to have good footage ruined by that.) With the Rode mic, it’s gone. The mic fits into the Canon’s hotshoe and plugs in just fine. The Rode mic also includes the awesomely named Dead Kitten, to block wind noise (Canon’s internal microphone is pretty good at picking it up.) I’m really surprised at how much it blocks. While shooting friends goofing off outdoors over the weekend, I got to shoot video with my point and shoot and the 5D + Rode rig. The point/shoot picked up more wind noise than my friends and the Rode mic didn’t pick up any of the wind.

I haven’t gotten a chance to do anything indepth, such as use Magic Lantern for the 5D Mark II so I can do things like manual gain control, look at on-screen audio and things of that nature. I bought this because I wanted a good stereo microphone without having aspirations of making the next big feature at Sundance. The fact that I can put the microphone on a boom pole and have it work well is just an added bonus (but then I’d have to bribe friends to hold it for me since I only have so many hands!)

I’m happy with it, and I generally dislike most electronics. That says a lot.

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Cheap Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone (Brushed Aluminum) Review

The “Snowball Microphone” is exactly what we were looking for in a microphone for use in our instructional video business. We have produced instructional videos for my wife’s business (some are available on Amazon), but have started to offer our services to customers. This has required us to look more professional, so we have been upgrading our equipment and studio area. Prior to buying the Snowball, we used a Plantronics Audio 90 Multimedia Stereo PC Headset or a standard inexpensive goose-neck microphone. We also bought and installed a Pop Filter Nady MPF-6 6-Inch Clamp On Microphone Pop Filter (see picture under “Customer Images”) to replace our homemade “Pop Filter”.

Performance wise, the Snowball’s sound quality is far superior to any of the other microphones we have used in the past. This connects via a really nice included USB cable and there is no additional software to install (my Windows Vista 64 bit system recognized it with out any issues). There is only one switch, with three positions, but we only use the first “default” setting since we are using it for “voice over”. The second position is for applying -10db to attenuate loud sources while maintain fidelity and the third position turns on the “Omnidirectional” mode that allows it to pick up room sounds. The included metal stand is sturdy, and adjusts a few inches up and down.

Overall, I am very pleased with the look and performance of this microphone.

Highly Recommended!

CFH

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Cheap Memorex Corded Handheld Karaoke Microphone – MKA301 Review

My 6 year old granddaughter wanted a Karaoke machine for her birthday, so I started looking at what was available online. This Memorex got great reviews–especially from parents of kids, so I decided to give it a try. My little granddaughter LOVES it! It is a hit with all of her little friends as well! It is good for kids because it is not a big machine like most of the others and is just easier for a kid to handle. I went ahead and bought 2nd microphone so that I could sing along with her! What fun!

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Cheap Azden WMS-PRO Wireless Microphone System Review

Frankly, I purchased this to solve a problem – long mike wire. It has a bargain price, and was better rated than others in this price category. And I am pleased to report that it worked very well.

I used this on a Canon HF-10 prosumer camcorder. Lacking XLR mike inputs, I knew there was no way I’d get a long mike wire to work without hum. So I thought I’d give wireless a try. I can’t really compare it to other wireless mikes, but I can say that the quality was far better than I expected. Very clean and loud. So, to answer the question “does it work?”, I can say: Yes it does, and quite well.

Keep in mind a few details. First, it is a mono mike, and the jack is mono-only. To use it with a stereo input (nearly any camcorder) you will need an adapter. Get one on Amazon or visit Radio Shack. I used an AZDEN CAM-3 On-Camcorder Mini Audio Mixer to mix the wireless mike into one channel and the camera-mounted Rode Videomic into the second channel. This is an outstanding combination and sounds great together. You do end up with a mess of cables and small parts, but I attached a flash bracket to the camcorder to give me room to attach all that stuff.

Battery life is unknown. I went 2 hrs on the 9 volt battery, and it shows no sigh of weakness.

All in all, I am very pleased with this device.

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Cheap Crown Sound-Grabber-II Conference Microphone Review

We use this microphone for recording National Board teacher candidates and their classes. The sound is clear and the cord is long so you can move around a classroom easily. It’s easy to use and does the job!

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Cheap LightSnake STUSBXLR10 LightSnake USB Microphone cable Review

I’m been trying to create computer files of spoken announcements that will at least rival those picked up by the high-end mics (Shure SM7UB) at the radio station. Like many audiophiles, I assumed it would require a condenser mic for its fabled superior frequency range along with a pre-amp for phantom power and a pop filter to handle the sibilants and explosives. I started with Blue mics, then tried Behringer, Cad, and several others, with mostly disappointing results. Then I realized that the expensive Shure mics at the studio are dynamic, not condenser, mics and that the most popular mic among all musicians is also a Shure dynamic mic–the Shure SM58 (or SM57, for musical instruments).

Initial results with the LightSnake used in tandem with the SM58, a combination allowing me to convert the XLR connector of the SM58 to a USB connector, are encouraging. The volume, as others have pointed out, is a bit soft, but an inexpensive A.R.T. preamp gave me all the gain I could ask for, providing phantom power should I go back to a condenser mic. To my ears the sounds approach the baritone richness of the Shure SM7B, but I won’t know for certain until I get the verdict from the station manager (some of my experiments have resulted in hum or noise that wasn’t clear on my end but, after sending it to the radio station, proved to be a problem for air-time use).

The cost may seem a bit high for a cable, but not if it can produce the sounds claimed on behalf of all those mics I had to return. Moreover, it’s no ordinary cable. As the name implies, this snake lights up (on both ends) when its fangs strike a profitable vein. Also, if you’re a PC person, it comes with Sony demo software; if you’re a Mac person, it comes with instructions for use with Garage Band.

Just because Digital Audio Workstations and USB connections are now all the rage doesn’t mean that you have to trash all your old band mics. If they sounded good with your Fender amp or Peavey P.A., they should sound just as good with your computer. But you’ll need a conversion cable like this LightSnake to find out whether the trusty old equipment is up to the requirements of the new recording technologies.

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Cheap Pyle-Pro PDWM96 – Lavalier Wireless Microphone System Review

We bought the Pyle-Pro Lavalier Wireless Microphone System for use with the Pyle Pwma230. We needed an extra wireless mic for our workshop presenters and this was a very inexpensive choice. For the price, this worked a lot better than I expected but it did take some adjustment to the “Trim Screw” on the receiver to get the clarity and range needed. We also had to tape the little wire antenna up so it wasn’t hanging in front of the speaker (this might not be an issue for you, depending on where you plug yours in).

There are a lot of very expensive wireless mic units that I’m sure would provide better sound and range, but this one works just fine for our uses.

Overall, a good value for the low cost of this unit.

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Cheap Magic Sing ET18000H ET-18000 Hindi Wireless Multiplex Karaoke Microphone 2009 Edition Review

I bought the Magic Sing ET18000 Hindi Wireless 2009 Edition after having enjoyed the wired version of Magic Sing at a friend’s place. Amazon offered the best price so I ended up purchasing from Amazon just a couple of weeks back. I ordered on Saturday, and the package arrived on Tuesday. The external packaging was excellent; however, the box was a little crushed on a couple of edges. Fortunately, the lightly damaged box did not reflect on the contents inside which was in brand new condition. They have really improved on the design and quality from the older version. The wireless microphones have an excellent build quality and work great. There are settings to control echo, key and tempo, and several other useful settings. The base unit is made of plastic and looks a little flimsy, however, since it just sits in one corner of the room connecting to the TV, it really doesn’t matter. The base unit can also hold the microphones; however, I prefer to keep them securely in the accompanying bag. Talking of the carry bag, it’s a great bag with excellent finish and contains everything needed to enjoy a great evening of karaoke with friends and family. The original batteries that come with the wireless mics do not last long, so keep spare AA batteries handy. Each mic uses two AA batteries. The unit we purchased has over 2000 songs, approx 1000 Hindi and 1000 English. Most of the Hindi songs are set up pretty good but there are a few where the beat and rhythm are completely off track. The range of the wireless mics is good. Once in a while you may hear some flutter, either due to a low battery or due to holding it too close. The remote control that comes with it has a ton of features; however, I haven’t used it much. The connections are real easy, just three RCA jacks (1 video, 2 audio L&R) that connect right to your TV. I have my TV connected to my home theater system via an optical audio cable, so I get rich sound while singing through Magic Sing. There is a song book that comes in the package. It’s great quality binding with laminated sheets that won’t tear away. The on-screen lyrics are displayed both in Devnagari (Hindi) and English. The cursor prompts you through it. You can even have the system score you at different levels. Volume can be adjusted individually on each mic so it’s really convenient for those who sing either too loudly or too soft. I’m sure this system could be improved even further, but even as is, this system rocks!! I would strongly recommend the Magic Sing ET-18000 Hindi Wireless Multiplex Karaoke Microphone 2009 Edition to anyone interested in getting a compact, well designed, good quality, portable, and convenient karaoke system.

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Cheap Audio Technica AT2041 Studio Microphone Package Review

We’re using in a church worship service, one for picking up spoken voice and one for picking up an acoustic guitar and variously also our children’s choir.

Both microphones work excellently, have nice clear noise-free sound, pick up even children’s voices quite nicely without having to overdrive the sound system, and appear to be fairly solidly built.

My only disappointment with them is the AT2020 side-address condenser – I thought that it work as a mic from either side, but it is unidirectional. There was nothing in the advertising telling me that it should work from both sides, it was just an assumption I made, which assumption comes from the fact that I know very little about microphones. Perhaps it’s a known fact that “side-address” means one side only, I don’t know.

I don’t offer that as a complaint, only as a helpful guide in case someone else who doesn’t know much about microphones is wondering how it works.

As I said, sound-quality-wise, these are both wonderful, and we’re getting another set for the church.

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