Sounds as Good as it looks

Review: Blue Raspberry Condenser Microphone

"Designed to help you sound your best no matter where you are."

I'm no stranger to Blue products. The early days of using a Snowflake for auditions and last minute pick-ups are hard to forget and a recently purchased Yeti Nano sits on my desk waiting to be used. The Blue Baby Bottle is a household name at this point and can be found at agency booths and casting offices around NYC.

Recently, I've been experimenting with the Blue Raspberry Condenser Microphone from Blue Designs as part of my voice over travel rig. While I usually bring a more sophisticated set-up on the road, the Raspberry is compact, hassle-free and delivers impressive studio sound. Not surprising. For years, Blue has been developing cost-effective, high quality products designed specifically with voice talent in mind, however their inventory appeals to a wide range of performers including podcasters, gamers, singers and musicians. While it might be hard to tell from the photos, this little mic is capable of delivering the goods no matter the location. After all, what $200 USB/Lightning mic has an intricate built-in filter? And not just any filter but an IAD (Internal Acoustic Diffuser) that helps "minimize the sound of the room" when you're forced to record at the airport. Well, maybe not ALL the sound.

Here's an audio sample:

But what about room treatment? No sweat. While using it at my parents' house during Thanksgiving, a bed and two pillows sufficed and the IAD worked its magic. In addition, it works with most iOS/Android devices and went directly into my iPhone. Oh, Technology. Bottom line: small usb/lightning microphone, optimum sound and adaptable to many environments. Not to mention, a collapsible stand/mount and suede pouch, making traveling easy and that pretty much seals the deal. If you're on a budget and in the market for a low maintenance, professional digital condenser microphone, this may make your on-the-go recording life a little easier.

Check out the specs below and Get it!

Microphone Specs:

• USB/Lightning Capabilities

• Cardioid Polar Pattern

• IAD - Internal Acoustic Diffuser

• Up to 24 bit/48K

• No Latency monitoring

• Gain up to +40DB

• Mic stand adapter

• Collapsible Stand

• Headphone jack

#audiogear #microphone #blueraspberry #recording #voiceover #mobile

An Immersive Experience

Review: Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset

"Now you can capture and share the world just as you experience it."

A while ago, after watching a commercial for the GoPro Hero 4 video camera, I finally went out and bought one. This was going to be the defining moment for me to capture HD video of my daily NYC activities hassle-free. The only problem was that the advertisement and product description didn’t match my actual experience. To this day, I’ve only used the GoPro Hero 4 a few times and now it mostly sits in a case in my closet.

My purchase of the Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset, on the other hand, was the complete opposite experience. Finally, I can go out into the world and record video directly from my iPhone that not only looks good but sounds equally amazing. It's hassle-free, easy-to-use and delivers clean beautiful audio.

Watch the geeky train video below (preferably with headphones) and hear for yourself.

Headphone Specs:

• Lightning cable connection

• Built-in 3D mic

• App connection

• Transparent audio blending

• Active noise cancellation

• Additional telephone mic

• Signature Sennheiser sound

• Apogee’s proprietary Soft Limit and mic preamp plus precisely tuned A/D and D/A conversion

Buy it here and have a blast! (Worth the investment, I promise)

#sennheiser #apogee #ambeosmartheadset #Headphones #audio #binaural #sound #recording

Optimum Sound Arrives

Reviewing the custom vocal booth for solid voice over recording

I wouldn't exactly call myself a techie or an audio junkie but I do know quality when I hear it.  Optimum sound exists.  Several months ago I upgraded my home studio with a custom vocal booth from QC Acoustics, a company in California.  As I had been wanting to do this for a while, you can imagine the huge sigh of relief as we finished assembling this booth and setting up all the equipment.   Finally, after years of make-shift isolation booths, my very own whisper room had arrived.  That potentially meant the following:

No low rumble from city subways or trucks

No screaming children playing ball in the streets

No thundering jet engine during take-off or landing

Bye bye ice-cream truck!

The results?  

Absolute perfection and all of the above no longer an issue.  I can now audition and record without having to worry about any distracting outside noises that would break my concentration.  By the way, this is the dream of a NYC voice over artist.

What does that mean for you, the buyer?

Relief, confidence, and assurance, knowing that not only did you hire the right voice but that you will also be getting a professional sounding product as well.

Hear for yourself.

#audio #homestudio #review #vocalbooth #voiceover