what up Rob and Matt
I was thinking to buy Samson CO1U USB Condenser Mic for my portable podcasting kit.What do you think about USB microphone for podcasting screencasting.
Peace be with you
Christopher Williams
what up Rob and Matt
I was thinking to buy Samson CO1U USB Condenser Mic for my portable podcasting kit.What do you think about USB microphone for podcasting screencasting.
Peace be with you
Christopher Williams
Standard
Hey Christopher...
Yeah, this samson is kinda the standard in midlevel podcasting these days. Lots of people use it including bigger podcasts like The Maccast.
Personally, as an audio snob, I've never been a fan of Samson because, in the pro audio world, they don't make anything of high quality. On the otherhand, BLUE Microphones are well respected in the pro audio world, so I previously purchased the Snowball USB and was really happy with it.
I've found that, in the audio industry in particular, company reputation says ALOT about a product's quality. It's very rare that a lower end company will make a high quality product. But, since this isn't really the "Pro Audio" field, Samson has done quite well with that mic, offering decent quality at a great price.
Hope that helps!
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
Snowball
I am interested in the snowball and have been for quite a while.
I have been wondering. How did you use a p-popper with it? Also, if it sits on a table did you have to lean into it? I am sort of tall and just don't see an easy way to use this thing without me doing some serious modifications or buying a tall table.
Just got me a snowball
Ordered it on amazon. Pretty nice sounding mic. Im pleased for the price a great deal.
Snowball mic stand mount
If i remember correctly, the snowball can be mounted on any standard mic stand, not just it's own table top stand. This means you can add a popscreen easily.
Techmate, can you confirm this? (since someone is borrowing mine currently)
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
Yes it can
Yes it has a standard size mic stand mount. I purchased This mic stand from zzsounds
what about Rode?
Hi Rob -
What about the Rode "podcaster" - have you had any experience with that mic? The integrated headphone monitor output looks interesting - resulting in no audio delay/latency whilst monitoring a recording.
cheers,
Pete
The snob's response
You realize you're asking The Audio Snob, right? ;) (here's an appropriate snobby response)
START: snobby review
Rode is another one of those companies in the audio industry that is seen as an 'amateur recording in his closet' kind of companies. Based on that, I just have a habit of not recommending stuff from those companies until they've proven otherwise.
Now, that being said...I haven't used it so I can't give a personal judgement. But my logic goes like this: If they can't make regular analog microphones that are good, why would they be able to make a regular microphone that contains high quality analog/digital converters, circuitry, and a headphone amp that are good? :) It's kinda like asking someone who doesn't know how to fly a cessna to pilot a space shuttle.
That's why, for my money, I stick to higher quality solutions. Everyone seems to like USB mics because they're easy. I still think anyone is better off getting an estabilished, pro, affordable analog mic (such as the Sure SM57) and a good A/D converter than looking at USB mics. I'm sure things will change in the future, but as of now, I think most audio folks would agree that it's the current state of the industry.
END: snobby review
Edit: After reading my own post...I neglected to say: Don't listen to me, because this mic is probably fine for general all around purposes if you're not a snob and aren't producing a national radio show. ;)
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
microphones
Mr Snob
To quote your blog "Rode is another one of those companies in the audio industry that is seen as an 'amateur recording in his closet' kind of companies, (by whom?). Based on that, I just have a habit of not recommending stuff from those companies until they've proven otherwise." Wow pretty harsh dude. Ever try a Rode mic?
As a well heeled recording engineer with quite a few records under my belt I felt compelled to respond to your remarks about Rode microphones. In my 27 years as a professional recording engineer I have used just about every mic ever made and I find the Rode mics to be some of the finest available. They are rugged and sound great. Listen carefully to the last 4 seasons of American Idol Ford music videos and you will hear just about every mic they make. When I take them into studios I always get comments like yours before I set them up and total respect for them from the band, producers and studio people when I am finished.
I have been subjected to, and participated in, the $1500 snob-factor in this business for a great many years. But experience tells me that you should never judge a piece of audio gear based on price. Try any of Rode's products and you will be very surprised. But don't just listen to them, check the specs and you will see, scientifically, why they sound like they do. Their frequency response charts are practically flat giving Rode mics a colorless sound, which means that what is going in is exactly what is coming out. Kind of like a clear clean window.
So please no more Bill Murray reviews. ..."I haven't used it so I can't give a personal judgement. But my logic goes like this: If they can't make regular analog microphones that are good, why would they be able to make a regular microphone that contains high quality
analog/digital converters, circuitry, and a headphone amp that are good?" Kinda like the SNL routine Murray did where he reviewed movies he hadn't seen.
Rode is one of the largest mic manufacturer in the world and mine have been in service for years. And no I don't work for Rode I just use their product everyday in the most demanding recording situations I know of, my own.
Just thought you would want to know.
Francis
The expert level rises
Francis, I'm loving this. You worked on a Sheena Easton and Paula Abdul songs. There is something about those that gets me nostalgic like seeing head and wrist bands or tight rolled jeans. And, I'll admit that I had that Paula Abdul album until the tape went sour.
Thanks for the review of the mic. It's great to get some insight from someone who has used the mic in question.
Oh, and I'm a secret Wilson Phillips fan. :)
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com
Except he didn't...
Hmm....except he didn't say he used the mic in question. As a pro audio guy, I'm not sure why he would have. Francis, correct me if I'm wrong....have you used this Rode USB?
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
Secret Wilson Phillips fan?
Man, you didnt have to go there....you just didnt have to go there :)
Hehe....
Hehe....thanks for the review Francis. Always love to have another audio snob rebutt my opinions ;) Thanks for participating in the discussion.
To be fair, I have used analog rode mics quite a bit in the studio and think they're totally second class when compared to 'the real deal' such as Neumann, BLUE, AKG and the rest....
(Oh, and why so defensive about a mic company? You respond as if I insulted your mother! ;))
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
mics
I have used the podcaster mic for what is was intended for, podcasting and found it to be very much up for the task. And I defend Rode mics all the time because of their perceived "cheapness". Price is no guarantee of quality.
So let talk about audio gear in general. All that needs to be said is "It's not the toy its the boy." I won a grammy for engineering a Quincy Jones album that was recorded entirely on BLACK FACED ADATS. Thats capitalized because no one believes that ADAT sound good. If you expect any piece of audio to make you sound good you are seriously mistaken. I have heard great recordings come from bedroom studios and crappy recordings come from world class studios. So remember as May West used to say, "Its not what you use it how you use it!"
Gotta run, talk later.
FB
Exactly!
Hey Francis...
Yes!!! We can agree 100% that it's all about the ears behind the board, not as much about the gear.
Now, I mean absolutely no insult when I say this...but it's also more about the artist than it is about the mixer/engineer. As you know first hand, Jagged Little Pill wasn't a great sounding album compared to 'big budget' stuff because it was done on ADATS...it sounded thinner and a little cold. BUT, it was the GREAT vibe and performance of the artist (and direction of Ballard) that made it a legendary album (again, I mean no offense, and I don't think you'd disagree).
My point is, you could point a Radio Shack mic at John Lennon and it could be a platinum recording...In the end, it's about the humans behind the record (the artists, engineers, and producers) much more than the mics.
We can agree there 100%. Thanks for the follow up.
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
Just Sharing My Thoughts
Hi All,
I have to say, I just finished reading this post and while I may not have the credentials that some of you have, some of you are completely clueless regardless of your credentials. I am referring to this Geeks and Gods Co-Host here, Rob Feature. Now, I don't know you personally but I know people and I know gear and it is clear based on your comments about Rode and the brands you refer to as superior that you know jack! You are clueless aren't you? You make comments about a product line without ever really trying it, what kind of pro with an open mind would even dare comment on something they know nothing about? You are a hoax and a complete moron! How about shutting your mouth and plugging in a few Rode mics before talking sh**. AKG! BLUE! Neumann? Dude, Nuemann has not been the same since the original U87. Your an idiot!
Audioguy with more knowledge than you asswhipe!
entertainment value
I'll leave the above post intact for the entertainment value. (and simply point out he obviously didn't actually read my posts since I said I have used Rode in the studio and didn't like 'em...ah well) Enjoy!
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com