Lewitt Ray Review / Test

Today i review the Lewitt Ray, a microphone based on the LCT440 but with technology inside that adjusts to your distance. This means that if you move around a lot while recording it will maintain a relatively consistent level and tone. The mic leans on the brighter side of mics with tons of detail and it also has a physical mute button which is tight.  

RECORDING SETTINGS:

• Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen

• Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

• Gain: ~3:00

• Boosted in Post: +6dB

SPECS:

• Polar Pattern: Cardioid

• Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

• Sensitivity: -33dB

• Self Noise: 8BA

• Max SPL: 131dB

• Impedance: 120 Ohms

Buy the Lewitt Ray (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/lray
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/ray
 Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/lewitt_ray.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/lewitt_ray.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:25 - What’s in the Box
00:51 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:45 - Specifications
02:00 - Walkthrough of AURA
05:46 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
06:05 - Plosive Test
06:20 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
06:40 - Background Noise Test 
06:56 - Untreated Room Test
07:20 - Mute Button Demo
07:36 - Shock Rejection Test
07:52 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
08:06 - Intro to Comparison
08:24 - Lewitt Ray (w/ Aura) Sample
08:57 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
09:20 - Lewitt LCT240 Comparison
09:51 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
10:19 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
10:50 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
11:18 - Aston Origin Comparison
11:50 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
12:29 - Sennheiser MK4 Comparison
13:03 - Austrian Audio OC16 Comparison
12:42 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
14:18 - Music Test
16:15 - Pros & Cons
18:32 - Overall Thoughts
20:22 - Recommendation

BSP-387: TikTok Ban, Lewitt Ray vs LCT440, Face Mask Pop Filter, and More

Video: https://youtu.be/K-huKM8r8KA

Topics discussed: The United States TikTok ban and what I suggest content creators do, comparing the Lewitt Ray to the Lewitt LCT440, testing if face masks make good pop filters, discussing if redundant items are luxury items, explaining why audio gear is high value, and then insane ramblings and tangents.

Subscribe to the full audio podcast at http://www.bandrewsays.com

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Lewitt Ray: https://geni.us/lray
Universal Audio x8:  https://sweetwater.sjv.io/uax8

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:20 - The U.S. Tik Tok Ban

• Verge Article: https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/24/24139036/biden-signs-tiktok-ban-bill-divest-foreign-aid-package

• BSP-222 Discussing Tik Tok Ban: https://youtu.be/aAOt9fABjaM?si=vn5KxQLe_V3EisZ2

08:00 - WYHTS: Lewitt Ray vs. Lewitt LCT440
10:24 - WYHTS: Do Face Masks Make Good Pop Filters?
12:51 - WYHTS: Redundant Items are Luxury Items
21:26 - WYHTS: Audio Gear is High Value
28:00 - Value for Value
30:13 - Conclusion

Neve Portico 5017 Preamp Review / Test

How does the Neve Portico 5017 Sound? Awesome. This "mobile" preamp has a ton of gain, a silk circuit to add some coloration, a high pass filter, a compressor with a 2:1 ratio, a noise floor is better than -127dBA, and a D.I. section. This thing is awesome, but the control over the features is pretty limited and at $1400 it's a pretty penny.

Buy the Daking Mic Pre One (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/rnd5017
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/rnd5017
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/rupert_neve_designs_5017.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

00:00 - Intro / Pricing
00:26 - What’s in the Box
00:37 - Build Quality
00:57 - Walkthrough
02:16 - Specifications
03:02 - Shure SM7b Mic Test (No Cloudlifter or Fethead)
04:36 - Preamp vs. Interface Preamp
05:25 - Comparison to Other Preamps
06:49 - High Pass Filter Demo
07:16 - Silk Circuit Demo
07:46 - Compressor Demo
08:25 - Music Test (Drum Machine, Electric Guitar, D.I. Bass, D.I. Acoustic)
12:06 - Pros & Cons
14:51 - What Does it Offer?
15:52 - Recommendation
17:14  - Outro

#PreampReview #AnalogGear #MadeInUSA

BSP-386: Do Negative Reviews Kill Companies, Best Value Tech, and More

Video: https://youtu.be/IRAMyU7dmew

Topics discussed: Do negative reviews kill companies, the Lewitt Aura, the podcast being personality driven, wool socks rule, my favorite value electronics, the real way to EQ, and if the NT1 4th gen and Signature series are the same.

Subscribe to the full audio podcast at http://www.bandrewsays.com

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Lewitt Ray: https://geni.us/lray
RND Portico 5017: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/rnd5017
Universal Audio x8:  https://sweetwater.sjv.io/uax8

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:13 - Do Negative Reviews Kill Companies?

• MKBHD Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QztFpzKsdeA

08:20 - WIBT: Lewitt Aura
11:30 - WYHTS: BSP is a Personality Channel
15:25 - WYHTS: Best Value Electronics
21:10 - WYHTS: The REAL Way to EQ
23:18 - Value for Value
23:43 - Ask Bandrew
25:30 - Voice Submission 1
27:30 - Are the NT1 4th Gen and NT1 Signature identical?

• Rode Response: https://twitter.com/earnoud/status/1734109464460996643

34:00 - Conclusion

BSP-385: Why Run 2 YouTube Channels?, Common EQ Mistake, and More

Topics discussed: My favorite things of the year as of April 2024, Tudor's watch & wonders releases, why YouTube is beating Netflix?, Why run two youtube channels instead of just one, Suggestions on limiting microphone bleed, Addressing a very common EQ mistkae, and the most important thing I learned about audio last year.

Subscribe to the full audio podcast at http://www.bandrewsays.com

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Shure MoveMic: https://geni.us/smovemic

 As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:54 - My Favorite things of 2024, So Far
14:00 - WIBT: Shure MoveMic
18:00 - WYHTS: YouTube Beating Netflix

• Nielsen Data: https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2024/colder-weather-and-nfl-playoffs-drive-increased-tv-usage-in-january/

22:04 - WYHTS: Why Run 2 YouTube Channels Instead of 1?
31:45 - Value for Value
33:49 - Limiting Microphone Bleed
37:45 - Ask Bandrew
38:30 - Video Submission 1
41:00 - Very Common EQ Mistake
44:10 - Video Submission 2
44:57 - Most Important Thing I Learned About Audio?
48:40 - Conclusion

Shure MoveMic Review / Test

Curtis' Review w/ Distance Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruRHrIGvHXU

Today I review Shure's new fully wireless consumer lav system, the Movemic. This has a tiny transmitter with a bulit in mic that offers a smoother and less bright sound compared to it's competitors. It also offers real time processing to add noise reduction, high pass filter, compression, and EQ. The transmitter can also connect to your phone via bluetooth but I found that quality to be lower than the sound quality via the receiver.

Buy the Shure Movemic (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/smovemic
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/movemic

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Gain: 28dB
EQ / Compression / Noise Reduction / HPF: Off
Conversion: 24-bit / 48khz
Boosted in Post: +3dB

SPECS (https://www.shure.com/en-US/docs/guide/MoveMiC):
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
Freq Response : 50Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity -37dB
Max SPL: 130dB
EIN: 26dB A-weighted
Gain Range: 0 to 60dB
Range: Up to 100 ft (30m) line of sight
Freq Range: 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:26 - What’s in the Box
00:52 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:07 - Specifications
02:19 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:34 - Plosive Test
02:56 - Lav Mic Position Tests
04:18 - Background Noise Test 
04:38 - Untreated Room Test
05:00 - Windscreen Test
05:34 - Mute Demo
05:53 - Camera Internal Mic Comparison
06:36 - Receiver vs. Bluetooth Sound Comparison
07:45 - Intro to Comparison
08:09 - Deity Pocket Wireless ComparisonW
08:42 - DJI Mic One Comparison
09:17 - Rode Wireless Go II Comparison
10:04 - Sony ECM-CS3 Comparison
10:29 - Rode Lavalier Go Comparison
10:53 - Shure MVL Comparison
11:21 - Rode Lavalier II Comparison
11:51 - Sennheiser ME-2 Comparison
12:20 - Sanken Cos 11 D Comparison|
12:52 - Countryman B6 Comparison
13:21 - Shure TL48 Comparison
13:59 - Neumann U87 Comparison
14:33 - Receiver Walkthrough
16:13 - Processing Demo
18:46 - Noise Reduction Test
20:10 - Receiver Walkthrough Continued
22:15 - Shure Motiv App Walkthrough
24:00  - Pros & Cons
27:07 - Overall Thoughts
28:05 - Recommendation
29:51 - Outro

BSP-384: Pro Sound Guy on Lav Mics, 9 Years to 10,000 Subscribers, and more

Video: https://youtu.be/TBypTk7Mgx4

Topics discussed: A professional Sound Guy corrects me on Lavalier microphones and provides their thoughts on proper use cases, Overhead booming with the Shure SM7b, the Shure Move Mic, hitting 10,000 Subscribers on this podcast after 9 years of production, why I don't use IEM's for monitoring, Mics in frame making you relatable, information lost when I privated 100 episodes of this podcast, abnd why I was okay deleting 100 episodes of my podcast

Subscribe to the full audio podcast at http://www.bandrewsays.com

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Shure SM7b: https://geni.us/shuresm7b
Universal Audio x8:  https://sweetwater.sjv.io/uax8
Shure Move Mic: https://geni.us/smovemic

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Professional Sound Guy Shares Insight into Lav Mics
16:30 - Overhead Booming with the Shure SM7b
18:11 - WIBT: Shure Move Mic
21:10 - 10,000 Subscribers in 9 Years
28:30 - WYHTS: Why Don't People Use IEM's for Monitoring?
32:15 - WYHTS: Mics in Frame are Relatable
36:51 - WYHTS: Info Lost Because I Deleted my Podcast

• How to Start a Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfsPgm0v7jk

• 10 Pieces of Advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtKzbW4GW1U

41:54 - Why I'm Okay Deleting 100 Podcast Episodes
47:26 - Value for Value
49:27 - Conclusion

Warm Audio WA251 Review / Test

Video: https://youtu.be/t8X-Is7naeU

Today i review the Warm Audio WA251, a clone of the legendary Telefunken ELAM 251. This is a slightly V-shaped sounding microphone with a bump in the bass and low mids and a lift in the treble and air. It offers a relatively smooth sound character and a low noise for a tube mic of 12dBA.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~1:00
Boosted in Post: +6dB

SPECS:

• Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8

• Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

• Self Noise: 12dBA

• S/N Ratio: 80dBA

• Max SPL: 132dB

• Impedance: 200 Ohms

Buy the Rode NTK (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/wa251
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/wa251
Thomann:

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:27 - What’s in the Box
00:54 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:08 - Specifications
02:22 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:42 - Plosive Test
03:54 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
04:16 - Background Noise Test 
04:31 - Untreated Room Test
04:54 - Shock Rejection Test
05:12 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:26 - Intro to Comparison
05:50 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
06:14 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
06:42 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
07:16 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
07:41 - Avantone CV12 Comparison
08:16 - Warm Audio WA67 Comparison
08:53 - Warm Audio WA47 Comparison
09:29 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:06 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
10:41 - Music Test
11:56 - Pros & Cons
12:55 - Overall Thoughts
14:39 - Recommendation
16:03 - Outro

Neumann BCM 104 Review / Test

Video: https://youtu.be/jC3N_hNk7hE

Today I review the Neumann BCM104, a broadcaster condenser. I compare this mic to the Shure SM7b, Electro Voice RE20, Neumann TLM103, Neumann U87 Ai, and a bunch more mics so you can hear how it compares to the other available options.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~12:30
Boosted in Post: +6dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
Sensitivity: -33dB
Impedance: 50 Ohms
Power Requirement: 48V DC Phantom Power

Buy the Neumann BCM104 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/bcm104
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/bcm104

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon:  https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:30  - What’s in the Box
00:47 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:23 - Specifications
01:34 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:52 - Plosive Test
02:04 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:24 - Background Noise Test 
02:39 - Untreated Room Test
02:57 - Shock Rejection Test
03:13 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:26 - High Pass Filter Demo
04:04 - Intro to Comparison
04:34 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:00 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
05:30 - Shure SM7b Comparison
06:00 - Earthworks Ethos Comparison
06:29 - Rode Broadcaster Comparison
06:58 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparison
07:28 - Lauten Audio LS208 Comparison
07:54 - Neumann KMS105 Comparison
08:29 - Neumann BCM705 Comparison
09:09 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
09:55 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:32 - Music Test
12:00 - Pros & Cons
14:12 - Overall Thoughts
16:14 - Recommendation
17:20 - Conclusion

BSP-383: Don't Delete Videos, Why Use Mics in Frame, and More

Topics discussed: YouTube's employee telling us that we should not delete our youtube videos, sharing feedback about lav mics, why understanding listener playback systems is important, why people use mics in frame, and more.  

Subscribe to the full audio podcast at http://www.bandrewsays.com

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Neumann BCM 104: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/bcm104
Rode NTH-100:  https://geni.us/rnth100
Universal Audio x8:  https://sweetwater.sjv.io/uax8

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:15 - Don't Delete Your YouTube Videos
05:02 - Was I Wrong About Lavs?
08:27 - Understand the Playback Location of Your Listeners
11:53 - Why People Use Mics in Frame
21:22 - WYHTS: When Lav Mics ARE Useful
24:25 - WYHTS: My Voice is Just  Bad For Lavs
27:15 - WYHTS: Benefit of Reviewing Cheap Products
31:00 - Value for Value
35:35 - Conclusion