Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Recently a friend and I have been building a game from scratch. While we're in the later stages of this production, We've come to the point where we're in need of voice recording. While trying very hard to avoid building a full blown studio, it became painfully clear that our Dinky little headphone/microphone combo sets where just not going to cut it (which is an issue I brought up many times before with my partner) for our voice recording needs. W cant afford hours and hours of actual studio time getting all our friends and family into a recording booth, and well frankly, I have always wanted to build my self a small scale home recording studio for a good long time now.
So from my own pocket I've undertook the task of putting together at the very least a small pod-casting sort of home studio.
I wanted to avoid as much carpentry as possible (Something I couldn't avoid to build and isolation enclosure for my Loud Desktop PC to reduce sound from it while still keeping it cool and from over heating.) Another thing I wanted was the ability to have my microphone right where and when I needed it.
Here is where the PSA1 comes in. It's stable, Easy to use, Very professional, and above all looks awesome. I mounted the PSA1 to one side of my desk with the included hardware at the back end. Installation couldn't be much easier then a few screws and a little minimal effort. Once mounted, It was there to stay.
When not in use, I have it out of the way so that I can do what I need at my computer. when One of my voice actors come over, or I'm feeling in the mood to add more lines to our game, it's swings over and in place really easy. Once there it just wont move.
I have a MXL Studio 1 in my shock mount and a pop shield to boot. It is all doing exactly what I need it to do, and with my little AdHoc Home Studio, I'm getting just the quality I need for our project.
I am going to have to say, I am 100% satisfied with my investment, and plan on using it further after this project is finished.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom

The Rode PSA1 is the perfect microphone stand to mount a microphone to a studio desk or any other hard top. If you've seen broadcast booths or radio stations you've seen this mic stand in action. The PSA1 rotates 360 degrees with a maximum reach of 32.5 in. horizontally and 33 in. vertically. It can mount to virtually any microphone out there.

Get 8% OFF

Click here for more information about Rode PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom

Blue Microphones Snowball Plug-and-Play USB Microphone in Brushed Aluminum with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Snowball is just what I was looking for! Superior recording quality, I purchased the kit and am very happy I did. The order arrived within days, great quality fantastic service. Thank You....Alexandria

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Snowball Plug-and-Play USB Microphone in Brushed Aluminum with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter

Create studio-quality recordings with Blue Microphone's Snowball, a USB microphone with exceptional sound-capture capabilities. Using Blue Microphone's award-winning dual-capsule and circuit design, the Snowball produces crisp, clean recordings that are free of feedback and distortion. A unique pattern switch allows you to toggle between three different settings, giving you the flexibility to record vocals, instrumental music, podcasts, interviews, and more. With a plug-and-play design that is both Mac and PC compatible, the Snowball requires no additional drivers and is ready to record straight out of the box.KIT INCLUDES:* NOISE ISOLATING HEADPHONES W/ EARBUDS.* MIC POP FILTER

Click here for more information about Blue Microphones Snowball Plug-and-Play USB Microphone in Brushed Aluminum with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter

Blue Microphones Snowflake USB Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you are looking for an inexpensive but high quality, small & portable, USB microphone, the Blue Snowflake is a great choice. Blue Microphones Snowflake USB Microphone

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Snowflake USB Microphone

BLUE SNOWFLAKE USB MIC - Say hello to the Snowflake, the first professional portable USB mic.Whether you're recording your newest podcast, talking business on the web, or just narrating your latest great family movie, the Snowflake can capture it with amazing clarity and depth that?s head and shoulders above any comparable portable USB on the market!The Snowflake works on both Mac and PC with no complicated drivers to install: just connect it to your computer's USB port, follow the prompts and you'll have high-fidelity sound in no time. It's perfect for podcasting, voice recognition software, iChat, and VoIP software such as Skype and Vonage. Or use it for dictation, field recording, lecture recording, and narration for slideshows and PowerPoint presentations. The sky's the limit. It's even great for recording music via GarageBand and other multitrack recording software.Designed with the traveler in mind, the Snowflake's unique design allows you to place it on a desk or flat surface near your computer, or mount it to the screen of most laptops. Because it simply connects to your USB port, it offers a wide range of applications coupled with an ease of use never before offered in a professional-quality microphone. In the tradition of Blue's line of renowned studio microphones, the Snowflake features Blue's superior proprietary capsule and circuit design, optimized to make sure that you always get the best sound possible into your computer, and sets a new standard for digital recording on the go!

Click here for more information about Blue Microphones Snowflake USB Microphone

Blue Microphones Snowball Plug-and-Play USB Microphone in White with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought it to do podcast. It is as simple as plug and play. I still had to make some adjustment to the sound for garage band. But overall, I like it very much.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Snowball Plug-and-Play USB Microphone in White with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter

Create studio-quality recordings with Blue Microphone's Snowball, a USB microphone with exceptional sound-capture capabilities. Using Blue Microphone's award-winning dual-capsule and circuit design, the Snowball produces crisp, clean recordings that are free of feedback and distortion. A unique pattern switch allows you to toggle between three different settings, giving you the flexibility to record vocals, instrumental music, podcasts, interviews, and more. With a plug-and-play design that is both Mac and PC compatible, the Snowball requires no additional drivers and is ready to record straight out of the box.KIT INCLUDES:* NOISE ISOLATING HEADPHONES W/ EARBUDS.* MIC POP FILTER

Click here for more information about Blue Microphones Snowball Plug-and-Play USB Microphone in White with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter

Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Blue Icicle because I had to quickly record some trumpet lines and I didn't have an interface. Well, actually, I did pick up an open box unit that didn't work because they couldn't provide me with the external power supply, so I took it back and got the Icicle as a quick fix that would get me where I needed to go in a timely manner.
Hardware: iMac, dual core 2.0 GHz processor and 4 GB or RAM. OS 10.5.8.
Software: Garage Band.
Mic: Shure SM57.
Pros. For recording trumpet with an SM57 it was perfect. Clear sound, low noise, LOTS of signal. With the gain a little over half way on the Icicle and about 58% in Garage Band I got hot horn lines with gain to spare. Any hotter and they would have started clipping, so it definitely gave enough signal to get the job done.
Cons. The gain knob has no dial or indicators for how far you have turned it - it has to be done by feel making it almost impossible to duplicate your settings exactly. This could be improved with a knob with an arrow and a marked dial so you can see where it's set. It also feels a bit cheap - it's lightweight and feels almost fragile. Treated with care it's fine, but I doubt it would take much abuse before it would break and I have been ultra careful with it because it feels so lightweight and cheap. I also used it as recommended in the accompanying literature and didn't plug it directly into the back of the mic - I used it with a mic cable.
For what I needed it was perfect - simple plug and play that got good sound into my computer, and it worked well in a pinch. I just wish it was a little higher quality in terms of construction. A bit heavier and a better dial for the analog gain, and I would have rated it a full 5 stars but as it is, I can at best give it 4.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp

The Icicle is Blue's new stylish USB converter and mic preamp combo that allows you to connect any XLR microphone directly into your computer via USB. The Icicle features a studio quality microphone preamp, 48V phantom power, fully balanced low noise front end, analog gain control, and driverless operation.

Make Any Mic a USB Mic The Icicle works with both dynamic and condenser microphones, providing high quality and hassle-free connectivity with Mac or PC. Whether you're using a microphone for digital recording, podcasting, voice messaging, or voice recognition applications, the Icicle is the quick and easy way to get connected.
Plug and Record Simply plug in the USB cable and your mic will be live--no special driver installation is required.
Quality and Simplicity The Icicle features a built-in, studio-quality mic preamp, along with a fully balanced, low-noise analog front end to send a clear signal via USB.
It also supplies 48V Phantom Power for condenser mics.
On the control front, the Icicle keeps it simple, with a single analog volume level control.
What's in the Box Blue Icicle, 6-foot USB Cable

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp

Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Always hold it close to your mouth to eliminate echo and get that deep, rich satin voice you're looking for!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone (White)

Includes: tripod stand.Blue Microphones Snowball - Round and white, the Snowball lives up to it's name, and features a retro style that harkens back to the early days of audio. But on the inside, the Snowball represents only the most modern in microphone technology. Bringing you professional quality audio recording on the PC or Macintosh via USB. It's perfect for everything from soft vocals to a loud garage band. It's also ideal for professional sounding podcasts. PC Requirements - XP Home or Professional Edition, USB 1.0 or 2.0 port, and a minimum of 64MB of RAM Mac Requirements - Mac OSX, USB 1.0 or 2.0 port, and a minimum of 64MB of RAM

Click here for more information about Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone (White)

Behringer C-1U Studio USB Microphone Bundle Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Tone and quality is EXCELLENT!!
Jenna Duckworth...will be famous..and she will remember your product

Click Here to see more reviews about: Behringer C-1U Studio USB Microphone Bundle

Click here for more information about Behringer C-1U Studio USB Microphone Bundle

Shure PG42-XLR Vocal Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I used this one church for specials. One female singer and a D-18, filled the Church with beautiful tone from 3 feet away. Recommended highly.....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Shure PG42-XLR Vocal Microphone

Specifically engineered for vocal reproduction, the PG42 side-address condenser microphone features a large cardioid diaphragm tailored with high sensitivity to clearly reproduce refined performances. A -15dB switchable attenuator and a high pass filtering switch guarantees Shure quality for every lead vocal application. The PG42 includes a Shock Mount and Carrying Case.

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Shure PG42-XLR Vocal Microphone

Ion Audio U Cast Podcasting Kit with USB Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well, my wife wanted this kit after seeing it at one of the big electronics chains. After comparing prices, I went ahead and ordered this from Amazon. When it arrived, I was fairly impressed by the size and heft of the microphone. Unfortunately, it is also the weakest part of this package. Apparently the USB port on the microphone has a light soldering connection, because it broke after a month! This is the first time that has ever happened to me with a USB device, so I was shocked! We did not abuse the microphone at all, so it is definitely a product quality issue.
As far as some of the other items included with this kit, the headphones were nothing special. They are simply some of the padded headphones you find in stores for around $20 (cheaply made and fragile). The included software consists of the freeware program called Audacity. It is a good program and is widely used to record audio files.
In conclusion, I am truly disappointed about the microphone build quality and would not recommend it for your audio needs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ion Audio U Cast Podcasting Kit with USB Microphone

Podcasting kit with USB microphone includes headphones for monitoring recordings.

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Ion Audio U Cast Podcasting Kit with USB Microphone

Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)NOTE: I used the Blue Yeti Microphone to record this Video Review
Blue Yeti Review Summary
The Blue Yeti is an excellent plug and record USB microphone that has dramatically increased the quality of my voice recordings. It has a solid & sleek build, is easy to use, and most importantly clearly records my voice.
Introduction - Who I am and how do I use this product
My name is Antonio and I own and operate ATailoredSuit.com; I have been using the Blue Yeti since February to speak with clients on Skype and to record podcasts and videos about men's style and custom clothing. Prior to owning the Blue Yeti I used the Blue Snowflake for one year; before that I used the built in microphone on my computer and headsets. For the last 6 months I have been looking at purchasing the Blue Snowball; when this microphone came out I decided to make this purchase instead.
Pros - Things I Love
1.Sound Recording Quality - The most important quality in a microphone; from my limited 30 day use and when compared to the past types of microphones I am used to (Blue Snowflake, Logitech Webcam 9000 Microphone, Various Headset microphones, Built in Computer Microphones) this Microphone beat them all.
2.Plug and Play - I have seamlessly used this microphone on 3 separate computers, one running XP, the other Vista, and on a Windows 7 machine. In each case it was immediately recognized and clearly marked as the Blue Yeti
3.Simple Knobs and Design - Mute, Mode, Headphone Volume and MIC Gain Control. Stand can be tightened and microphone removed.
4.Solid Build - Overall, Solid (One small complaint below). The 10 foot USB cord was a nice touch.
5.Playful Approach - Blue has decided to present the Yeti in a playful manner. They appeal to the creative and make the manual much more approachable for those of us not technically inclined.
Cons - Things I am not happy with
1.Size - It weight 3.5 pounds and stands 1 foot high - I am used to this now, but be prepared for a big footprint!
2.Looseness of Volume & Gain Controls - A small complaint, but for an overall solid device these feel like they will be the first things to break.
Final Recommendation
The Blue Yeti is an amazing microphone that was well worth the investment. It has already dramatically increased the quality of my voice recordings and I recommend it to any podcaster. I give this product 9 out of 10 stars (5 out of 5 for Amazon!), my only knock that the price maybe too high for some.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone

The Yeti is one of Blue's premium condenser capsules in a proprietary triple array for astounding detail, presence, and flexibility.First ever THX certified microphone for the highest quality optimal audio recording and playback.Four pattern/mode selection (stereo, mono-cardioid, omni, figure-eight) for incredible versatility.High quality headphone amplifier with direct monitoring and volume control.

Click here for more information about Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone

Blue Microphones Yeti USB Condenser Plug-and-Play Microphone with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The microphone has a very rich quality. Recorded sound plays as if the person speaking is present.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Blue Microphones Yeti USB Condenser Plug-and-Play Microphone with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter

Create unparalleled recordings and send them directly to your computer with Blue Microphone's Yeti USB Microphone. As the world's first THX-Certified microphone, the Yeti uses Blue Microphone's proprietary tri-capsule technology to produce pristine, studio-quality recordings. It features four different pattern settings so you can record vocals, instrumental music, podcasts, or interviews in ways that would normally require multiple microphones. With simple controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, instant mute, and microphone gain, you'll be creating exceptional recordings right out of the box.KIT INCLUDES:* NOISE ISOLATING HEADPHONES W/ EARBUDS.* MIC POP FILTER.

Click here for more information about Blue Microphones Yeti USB Condenser Plug-and-Play Microphone with Studio Headphones and Microphone Pop Filter

Shure X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this specifically to see if I could use this with Dragon Naturally Speaking and hopefully improve my recognition accuracy by some tiny amount. I can't say if it succeeds at that or not; Dragon is one contrary beast of a program. Nonetheless, when I use this for other purposes, such as simple voice recording, I've noticed nothing but clean sound and plenty of gain.
There are a number of presumably comparable devices out there made by the likes of OSP, Marshall, Alesis, Lightsnake, and others. I started by purchasing Marshall's XLR-USB adapter and found it had a really weak signal that usually needed to be normalized at a MUCH higher volume. I sold that at a small loss on eBay so I could try something else and this was it. (To be fair, it appears that Marshall has re-designed their USB adapter and I think the second version may have addressed this concern.)
The reviews I've read on the OSP and Lightsnake adapters seem to indicate they are not really balanced input, and that inside the box the 2nd and 3rd pins (hope I recall that correctly) are soldered together just like in a simple bal-unbalanced adapter. I don't believe that's the case here.
So far I totally disagree with other reviewers here claiming it's noisy. I've observed no noise.
Sturdy, solid construction. Has some heft to it; in fact, a bit heavy for its size. You really don't want to attach it to a mic directly if you intend on holding it very long, especially if you're a young aspiring starlet. :-)
My only minor detractor is I wish the phantom power button were designed so it's difficult to press by accident. This is the single most overlooked design flaw in mic preamps in general. You can press the phantom power button by mistake and according to some authorities, destroy a very expensive mic by accident. I can't afford many quality mics and so this isn't much of a risk for me. :-)
I have tried and presently own a handful of mic preamps and USB adapters, including the ART USB Dual Pre and an Edirol UA-25EX, and have tried a variety of higher-end USB soundcard devices. This compares pretty favorably with any of them, given its simple purpose. I think as far as usb-powered mono xlr-usb adapters go, you're not likely to do much better presently. You can certainly get a cheaper one, but this is clearly built to Shure's solid design standards and will outlast any of them.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Shure X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter

Shure X2u XLR To USB Microphone Adapter; Give your favorite mic a USB Connection.The X2u Signal Adapter gives you the opportunity to go direct from mic to computer without the need of a hefty audio interface. Record live from anywhere you can bring your computer using any mic you choose. Now you can use your most trusted microphones for all your digital recordings. The X2u features built-in headphone monitoring with zero latency making it the perfect choice for multi-track recording. It's Easy to use you can balance microphone and playback audio from the controls on the face of the adapter. Plug-and-Play this genius device and you can get a sound quality that rivals CDs.Shure X2u FeaturesUSB Plug and Play connectivity for convenient digital recordingIntegrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain ControlZero Latency Monitoring for real-time tracking and playbackHeadphone jack for monitoring with 1/8 inch connectivityMonitor Mix Control for blending microphone and playback audio16 bit, up to 48 kHz sample rate for better-than-CD quality audioCompatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X (10.1 or later)Includes Padded, zippered pouch and USB cableAny Mic - Any Time - AnywhereSlim, portable and simple to connect, the X2u adapter makes it easy to record whenever you want, anywhere you take your computer -from the home studio, to the garage, to the road.

Get 36% OFF

Click here for more information about Shure X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter

Alesis USB Microphone Podcasting Kit with Headphones and Software Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Alesis USB Mic Podcasting Kit with Headphones and Software
I needed a good quality microphone to produce some powerpoint presentations using Camtasia. The microphone easily installs and functions beautifully. It also works great with speech to text applications. For the applications I use, a boom microphone with a headset is uncomfortable and I do not always want to monitor the recording as it is being produced. The headphones are ok and I had a bit of a problem getting the computer configured to work with them with the microphone but once I did they work fine. A good product at a reasonable price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alesis USB Microphone Podcasting Kit with Headphones and Software

Professional-sounding podcasting for your Mac or PC has never been simpler or more affordable than with Alesis' USB-Mic Podcasting Kit. Just plug the high-quality USB microphone into your computer (with no complicated drivers to install) and use the included Audacity software to record your voice, music and any other external sounds you wish to include for your final product. The USB-Mic provides 16-bit / 44.1 - 48kHz audio straight to your computer, and the Kit includes premium headphones for monitoring your session.

Direct Recording The Alesis USB-Mic features a built-in preamp and USB connection for directly recording to your computer--no audio interface or drivers are necessary, whether you're working in Windows or Mac OS X.
A USB cable is included, as is a nice and heavy desktop microphone stand. Set it up and start recording your first podcast in a snap.
Includes Audacity Software Audacity's open-source, cross-platform sound editor is the perfect tool for creating your podcasts. Record from the USB-Mic or other sources, create multi-track recordings with music and voice (and anything else you dream up), import and export a variety of audio formats, edit with ease, and use various effects to add a little something extra.
Headphones Included The high-quality headphones are perfect for monitoring your recordings and dialing in your sounds without worrying about feedback from your computer speakers.
Broadcast and Distribute The Alesis USB-Mic Podcasting Kit comes with a free 30-day subscription to Alesis' custom podcast website, www.alesispodcast.com, to even make broadcasting and distributing your work a snap.
Host your podcasts, enjoy hassle-free uploading with automatic RSS file embedding, and send automatic notification of your podcast episodes to iTunes, Podcast Alley, other podcast groups, and numerous web search engines.
What's in the Box USB Microphone, Desktop Microphone Stand, Headphones, USB Cable, User's Manual

Click here for more information about Alesis USB Microphone Podcasting Kit with Headphones and Software

Samson SAC01UPAK USB Microphone and Podcast Package Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great product. I create online training videos and this is ideal. The audio is crystal clear and is easy to use. This is not a light-weight cheapy throw away item if it doesn't work. I am very impressed with the quality.
Caution - Your PC is fully capable of using this as a plug-n-play device. Don't waste your time on the SoftPre software described in the literature as you don't need it. I contacted the manufacturer and they confirmed by suspecion that it doesn't work and isn't required.
They do include some great recording software that is not SoftPre, so don't get those confused!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samson SAC01UPAK USB Microphone and Podcast Package

The C01U USB Studio Condenser Mic is an affordable studio condenser mic with a USB interface, offering musicians who record music on computers a simple, affordable way to capture high-quality vocal and acoustic instrument performances.

The C01U condenser microphone is based on Samson's wildly successful C01. It features a 19mm internal shockmounted diaphragm with a cardioid pickup 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. Record straight away, without the need for in/out boxes, expensive preamps--just a USB cable.
The C01U is ideal for most anyone who records audio--from podcasters, journalists and students to business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations.
Samson SoftPre The Samson C03U is designed to be fully functional without installing additional drivers. But for those who would like a little something extra, Samson offers its downloadable SoftPre software applet, which gives you an Input Level Meter, Volume control, High-pass filter and Phase Switch, for Mac or Windows.
C01 Specifications
Frequency response: 20 - 18,000 HZ
Polar pattern: Hyper-cardioid
Element type: Electret condenser
Diaphragm thickness: 3 microns
SPL: 136 dB
Weight: 1.06 lbs. (.48 kg)
Dimensions: 7 x 2.125 x 2.125 inches (180 x 54 x 54 mm)

What's in the Box C01 Microphone, Swivel Stand Mount, 10-Foot USB Cable

Get 5% OFF

Click here for more information about Samson SAC01UPAK USB Microphone and Podcast Package