Rocketfish Digital USB Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is as good a mike as any in the market but without the name brand. Trust me, it's soon gonna be that!

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Product Description:
Enjoy Internet voice chat, video conferencing and gaming with this microphone that features noise canceling circuitry to filter out background noise.

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MXL USB006 USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got this microphone to record voiceover narration for a video.There are points where there will only be narration, and no music or background audio.

Although it sounds pretty good for a USB mic, in that it gives a rich, faithful reproduction, there is a noticeable pitch generated by the microphone itself.This self-noise is audible during quiet moments or even when speech is recorded, if you listen carefully.On the plus side, it does come with a nifty case, desktop tripod and has hardware gain control with three settings.It worked right out of the box with my Mac, so no problems in the compatibility department.

I was poking around to make myself feel better about buying this microphone over the popular Samson C01U and Snowball, and came across a review of all of these microphones, including the new Rode Podcaster, pitted against each other.The reviewer noted a distinct B-natural pitch from the MXLUSB.006, though it did have less self-noise than the Samson.Check out the review at Emusician, search google for Samson, MXL, Podcaster and you should find it.

Wish I saw that review before I bought the MXL, since I experienced the same thing.Though the MXL has a rich sound, the noise is unacceptable for my application and I'll be returning it.

Although USB mics are notorious for noticeable self-noise, I went ahead and got the Rode Podcaster, and have not noticed any significant self-noise.

If a faint high-pitched noise is not a big deal to you, this is a pretty good condenser microphone.I would be all over it if it weren't for the fact that I need a really quiet mic.

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Product Description:
Designed withease-of-use in mind, the new MXL.006 features a large gold diaphragm that delivers a big, rich sound characteristic of studio and broadcast microphones. Unlike most studio condenser microphones, however, the MXL.006 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) instrument that connects directly to a computer without the need for external mic preamps. Now, anyone requiring high quality, professional sound on their computer can record music or dialog by simply connecting to a standard USB port. Featuring support for USB 1.1 and 2.0, this exceptionally easy-to-use microphone even includes gain adjustment settings via the built-in three position attenuation switch.
Working with the new MXL.006 is a pleasure. As a plug and play device for both Windows and Macintosh, it requires no special drivers whatsoever. Simply connect the microphone's USB cable to a computer's USB port, and installation is quick and effortless. In addition to recording instruments or voice for home recording applications, the new MXL.006 is the perfect microphone for podcasting or adding dialog to presentations and other multimedia projects. It is also the perfect solution capable of opening new possibilities for radio and news broadcasters and for location recording.Unlike electrets or dynamic microphones typically used for computer work, the MXL.006 has an extremely smooth, natural sound typical of what one would hear on a professionally produced CD or radio show. The analog section of the new MXL.006 microphone features a 20 Hz-20 kHz frequency response, a large gold diaphragm, pressure-gradient condenser capsule, and a 3-position, switchable attenuation pad with settings for Hi (0 dB), Medium (-5 dB), and Lo (-10 dB), making it easy to configure the microphone to virtually any sound source. The digital section features a 16-bit Delta Sigma A/D converter with a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz. Protecting the instrument's capsule is a heavy-duty wire mesh grill with an integrated pop filter.To make recording a trouble-free process, the new MXL.006 features a red LED behind the protective grill. This LED informs the user that the microphone is active and correctly oriented toward the user. To complete this terrific package, the new MXL.006 ships with a travel case, a desktop microphone stand, a 10-foot USB cable, windscreen, an owner's manual, and an applications guide.

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Rode Podcaster USB Dynamic Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For recording my voice (baritone), it does a great job.For extra warmth that means close-miking, which in turn means not popping your p's, etc.If you hold it close to your mouth but don't directly face it end-on, that's easily done (or get a pop filter).[...].

The microphone electronics are extremely quiet - the audio is sampled at 18 bits.

It comes with a warranty which is easily extended to 10 years for free.

The real-time headphone monitoring is a great idea and works well.

It's a bit heavy (part of being built like a tank), and you need to think a little about how you're going to mount it, since some cheap desktop stands can barely manage it.

Some things to keep in mind are:
1) It likes close-miking (at least for male voices)
2) It is USB-only
3) It is a on the bit large and heavy side.

If those don't bother you, and the price is in your range, then you will probably like it a lot.

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Product Description:
The Rode Podcaster is the easiest way to record high quality vocals or audio on your computer and upload them to the world.Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio dynamic microphone with unparalleled A/D converters, so that the microphone can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable.The Podcaster offers an end-address configuration, the clarity of RØDE's tailored-for-voice frequency response, an ON L.E.D, a direct headphone amp, and of course very low self noise.The Podcaster opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio from podcasters, journalists and students to business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations.

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Samson CO1U USB Condenser Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The audio quality of the mic is outstanding, worthy of 4 stars on its own.I use it to do production for radio and it sounds nearly as good as the studio mics.The problem lies with the software and the drivers.Mac users aren't the only ones experiencing headaches.If you are going to use this microphone on a Windows PC, I highly recommend using the native Windows drivers instead of the Samson SoftPre drivers, as the XP drivers are much more stable.The SoftPre, for some reason, conflicts with the native XP drivers and is prone to crashing and causing erratic audio performance - such as stuttering, clipping and popping noise, none of which I get using XP's drivers.The Samson drivers also crashed my computer three times in the first couple of days I used it, so now I am using the XP drivers. The Samson drivers aren't fully compliant with Windows XP, and as such you'll get a barrage of warnings when installing them ("Drivers are NOT digitally signed...may cause system instability!").Its kind of a disappointment, because the SoftPre has some very useful basic features like Gain, LPF and such, but if you know anything about working with DAW's, any capable editing program will have these functions built in anyways.So for the price, I say go for it...just stay FAR away from Samson's software.

*update*

This mic works perfectly with the native OS X Tiger drivers.Its truly plug and play, have been using it in Garage band with no problems.Also, this mic works perfect with Vista...no software needed.

ALSO...I notice alot of people commenting on adjusting the balance when using this microphone.You dont need to do that, because you are forgetting that this is a MONO sound source.In your audio editing program, select the Samson CO1U, and then when you select input, choose "Input 1 MONO" instead of "Input 1-2 Stereo."Stereo is out of balance because again, its a single mono source.Hope this helps.

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Product Description:
For the first time ever, musicians who record music on computers have a simple, affordable way to capture high-quality vocal and acoustic instrument performances. Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio condenser microphone that can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable. It features a 19mm internal shock mounted diaphragm with a cardioid pick up pattern ensuring pristine studio quality recordings. The C01U works perfectly on any computer, Mac or PC, and with any DAW software program. It immediately solves a huge problem for users of many laptops, many of which have no other input method for audio devices. It's a must for any musician on the road or in the project studio, but the C01U is going to offer solutions to more than just musicians. The mic opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio?from Podcasters, journalists, students, and business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations. Smooth, Flat Frequency Response USB connection cable included Perfect microphone for Podcasters as well as Musicians 16-bit sample resolution.

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