No One Cares About Your Gear

Today I share my thoughts on diminishing returns and microphones, where the threshold his for dynamic mics and condenser mics, and what you might be getting for the higher price point.

GEAR IN VIDEO (Affiliate Links)
Behringer XM8500: https://geni.us/xm8500
Shure SV100: https://geni.us/sv100
Pyle PDMIC58: https://geni.us/pdmic58
Shure SV200: https://geni.us/sv200
sE Electronics V7: https://geni.us/sEv7
Shure SM57: https://geni.us/sm57
Shure SM58: https://geni.us/sm58
Sennheiser E835: https://geni.us/e835
Beyerdynamic M201 TG: https://geni.us/M201
Shure SM7b: https://geni.us/shuresm7b
Electro Voice RE20: https://geni.us/re20b
Sennheiser MD441u: https://geni.us/MD441u

Neewer NW700: https://geni.us/nw700x
Audio Technica AT2020: https://geni.us/at2020x
Neat King Bee 2: https://geni.us/kingbee2
Rode NT1: https://geni.us/rodent1
Lewitt LCT440: https://geni.us/lct440
Sennheiser MK4: https://geni.us/sennmk4
sE Electronics 4400a: https://geni.us/se4400a
Shure KSM32: https://geni.us/ksm32
Earthworks Ethos: https://geni.us/ethos
Austrian Audio OC818: https://geni.us/oc818
Neumann U87 Ai: https://geni.us/u87aikit

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases

Telefunken TF47 Review / Test (vs. AT2020, TF51, U87, U67)

Today I review the Telefunken TF47 which is a mid-forward multi pattern tube condenser microphone. This offers great mid clarity and a robust low mid section with a tame air sound. If you're going for that more vintage sound, this thing sounds great.

Buy the Telefunken TF47 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/tf47
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/tf47

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

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

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:27 - Setup
00:46 - What’s in the Box
01:20 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:59 - Specifications
02:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:27 - Plosive Test
03:43 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
04:04 - Background Noise Test 
04:24 - Untreated Room Test
04:47 - Shock Rejection Test
05:08 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:30 - High End Outboard Preamp Test
06:35 - Intro to Comparison
07:05 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
07:33 - Rode NT1 Comparison
08:02 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
08:26 - Soyuz SU023 Bomblet Comparison
08:56 - Telefunken TF51 Comparison
09:40 - Lewitt LCT1040 Comparison
10:18 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:10 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
11:57 - Music Test
13:29 - Pros & Cons
15:57 - Overall Thoughts
19:47 - Recommendation
21:04 - Outro

The Purpose of Post Processing

I discuss the purpose of post processing and one of the biggest mistakes people make when processing their audio. 

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Step 1: Good Audio Before Record
01:40 - Step 2: Process With a Purpose
02:36 - Step 3: Make It a Good Listening Experience
03:41 - Step 4: Stop That! It Sounds Bad!
05:46 - Outro

Do You Prefer Bad Video With Good Audio?

I exported the video at 480p and then imported the file back to FCPX and exported as 1080p. I used the original audio to ensure it wasn't further degraded.

The point of the main channel video and this is not to say "this setup is better than that setup", it is simply to illustrate the point that audio will make or break a video. There's more leeway given to bad video as opposed to bad video.

Audio is More Important than Video

I see a lot of people spend their budget on cameras while completely ignoring the audio side of things. This is me demonstrating and telling you why I think audio is more important than video. 

Good Audio Makes You Seem Smarter: https://tips.ariyh.com/p/good-sound-quality-smarter?s=r

00:00 - Intro
00:29 - Sample 1
01:27 - Sample 2
02:36 - Why Audio IS More Important Than Video
03:23 - Audio Makes People Leave Videos
04:44 - Easy Access to Good Video
05:28 - Good Audio Is Not Expensive
06:00 - Sample 3
06:48 - Conclusion
07:09 - Outro

5 Things To Avoid When Buying Audio Equipment

I just wanted to share 5 mistakes that I see a lot of people making when purchasing audio equipment that should be avoided. I know this channel could be used to justify over consumption of audio equipment so I wanted to take a week to advocate for fiscal responsibility. Also, these tips could apply to pretty much any good you're considering purchasing.

00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Tip #1 - Avoid Following Trends
01:39 - Tip #2 - Avoid Impulse Purchases
02:31 - Tip #3 - Avoid Buying The Dream
03:40 - Tip #4 - Avoid Going Into Debt
04:56 - Tip #5 - Avoid Paying Scalpers/Flippers
06:11 - Outro

Neumann TLM103 vs Neumann U87 Ai Comparison

Today I compare two of the most popular voice over microphones on the market, the Neumann TLM103 and the Neumann U87 Ai. I let you hear how they sound for spoken word and a couple of instruments to help determine which of the mics will be right for you and which of these mics you should buy (if you're trying to decide between them obviously).

Buy the Neumann TLM103 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/ntlm103
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/ntlm103

Buy the Neumann U87 Ai (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/u87aikit
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/u87

Buy the Universal Audio X8 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/uax8
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/uax8

00:00 - Intro to Versus Series
00:27 - Build Quality
01:25 - Blind Comparison
02:34 - Microphone Spoken Word Test (Price / Specs)
03:31 - Polar Pattern Tests
04:15 - Background Noise Tests
04:57 - Distance Tests
05:35 - Music Tests
07:48 - Conclusion & Winner
11:09 - Outro

CAD U1 Review / Test (vs. XM8500, Q2u, ATR2100)

Today I review a mic that I bought for $16, a mic that I had labeled the worst mic that I have ever used. The CAD U1 seems to be a revised version of the version I reviewed in 2015, and it is a massive improvement over the original. I do think it still has quite a few faults that you'll need to be aware of while using it. 

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the CAD U1 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/cadu1

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:23 - Setup
00:40 - What’s in the Box
01:05 - Build Quality 
02:14 - Specifications
02:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:49 - Plosive Test
03:00 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:20 - Background Noise Test 
03:39 - Untreated Room Test
03:54 - Desktop Tripod Test / Shock Rejection Test
04:37 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:48 - Handling Noise Rejection Test
05:04 - Noise Floor Test
06:04 - Latency Test
06:28 - Intro to Comparison
06:52 -  Original CAD U1 Comparison
07:30 - Behrigner XM8500 Comparison
08:12 - Samson Q2u Comparison
08:40 - Audio Technica ATR2100X-USB Comparison
09:19 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:50 - Music Test
11:05 - Pros & Cons
12:38 - Overall Thoughts
14:10 - Recommendation
16:26 - Outro

Labtec AM-242 Review / Test (vs. U87 Ai)

I don't understand why no one is talking about this vintage microphone from the 1990's; the computer microphone that everyone had, the Labtec AM-242!

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?partner_id=23899

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
01:04 - Setup
01:38 - What’s in the Box
01:58 - Build Quality 
02:19 - Specifications
02:40 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:00 - Plosive Test
03:18 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:52 - Background Noise Test 
04:09 - Shock Rejection Test
04:32 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:45 - Intro to Comparison
05:15 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
05:50 - Music Test
07:20 - Outro

Warm Audio WA-47 Jr Review / Test

Today I review a relatively affordable clone of the U47, the Warm Audio WA-47 Jr. This has a slight midforward sound with a slower sounding treble range making it sound less detailed and articulate. In my opinion this culminates into a more vintage sounding tone. If you're buying this microphone, buy it because you like the sound of this microphone, not because you like the U47. 

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the Warm Audio WA-47 Jr (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/warm47jr
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/wa47jr

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?partner_id=23899

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:21 - Setup
00:36 - What’s in the Box
01:01 - Build Quality 
01:37 - Specifications
02:08 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:05 - Plosive Test
03:16 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:39 - Background Noise Test 
03:57 - Untreated Room Test
04:17 - Shock Rejection Test
04:35 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:49 - High Pass Filter Test
05:35 - Intro to Comparison
05:45 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
06:11 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
06:36 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
07:08 - Rode NT1 Comparison
07:34 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
08:02 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
08:37 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:04 - Music Test
10:11 - Pros & Cons
11:13 - Overall Thoughts
13:56 - Recommendation
15:42 - Outro