Gear Update for the Average Guy Studios (Spring 2015)

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It’s been a year since I produced a gear update.  Last year I purchase a new mixer and added a new PC to the mix.  You can find that update here: https://theaverageguy.tv/2014/06/14/new-pc-upgrade-for-the-averageguy-tv-studios-intel-core-i7-and-windows-8-1-update/

Web platforms – Web and Media Hosting

Maplegrove Partners – founded by my podcasting partner Christian Johnson, this web and media hosting service has all the benefits and security like the big guys with all the best customer service and customizations of a small shop.  Christian is taking on new customers and podcasters at  https://maplegrovepartners.com/  I have been with MGP from the beginning and don’t plan to move anytime soon.  They provide both my web and media hosting service.

MediaFire – Back in the fall I started using MediaFire.com to host my video feeds for the entire network.  We put both our Video Large and Video Small files over there for consumption by the listeners.  For $50 a year, I get 1TB of storage and 10TB of bandwidth a month to use for media hosting.  The bandwidth I don’t use rolls over from month to month.  I currently have almost 100TB saved up in my account.  That works for me.  They have been rock steady and reliable.  Thousands of my videos get download each month without a single issue.  Highly recommend.

 

USB Audio Interface

Presonus_audiobox_diagramaudiobox usb

 

A couple of weeks ago, I spilled a large cup of water all over my Alesis MultiMix 8 USB FX [http://amzn.to/2oC0bBR] that I had purchased just last year at Guitar Center for a steal price of $99.  Needless to say, the mixer didn’t survive the bath.  Using it as an opportunity to try something different, I purchased a PreSonus AudioBox USB 2×2 USB Recording Interface  [http://amzn.to/2q4BVJS] from Guitar Center locally here in Omaha.  It was fairly easy to install and get up and running, but I wouldn’t say it’s for beginners.  Since it is very limited in audio mixing features, I used VoiceMeeter (http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Voicemeeter/index.htm) and created virtual audio cables to create a software mix minus.  I used it for Ask the Podcast Coach on May 16 (http://askthepodcastcoach.com/dealing-with-live-scenarios-and-guests/) and it worked ok.  With a little more practice and time, I would have take most of the bass out of the mix.  It also clicked a lot on my end.  You couldn’t hear it in the final cut but doing a live show with a lot of audible clicking in the background is unjaring.  Not the best long term solution for me.

 

Mixer

mackiefxpro8frontmackiefxpro8back

To replace the Alesis Mixer, I ordered the Mackie PROFX8 8-Channel Mixer [http://amzn.to/2q4iBfJ ]. This 8 channel mixer has 4 XLR outs and plenty of bells and whistles for the average podcaster.  At $170, it’s also very affordable for most.  It has sliders for the volume as compared to the knobs for the Alesis and it a bit more durable if taken on the road.  I don’t plan on ever taking it out of the studio, but it would do well if I needed to.  Sound output wise, I can’t really tell any difference between it and the Alesis Multimix 8, so advantage to the Alesis for price, coming in at about $130.  However, if you ever think you might use this as a road board, the advantage would go to the Mackie.  Either would work for most people, it’s just a matter of the features you are looking for with the mixer.

 

Mics and Arms

Rode ARMATR2100

No update to the Mics or Arm for this year.  Still using the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic Mic [http://amzn.to/2oBV6tb] that I purchased a while back.  Not going to lie, I would love to purchase the Heil Sound PR40 Dynamic Microphone http://amzn.to/2oiKbtf to try out as well.  At north of $300, I am having an issue pulling the trigger on it.

The 2100’s have an all black version too.  The Audio-Technica AT2005USB Cardioid Dynamic USB Mic [http://amzn.to/2oBWPio], which is nearly identical to the 2100 in every way but color and on/off switch.  They are nearly the same price on most days at Amazon.

I also get lots of questions about what Shock Mount to use with the ATR 2100.  What I use and my recommendation is still the On Stage MY325 Dynamic Shock Mount Microphone  http://amzn.to/2q4xizt

 

onstagemy325

I also have gotten good use out of my RODE PSA1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm [http://amzn.to/2ozStcs] that I purchase over 2 years ago.  At $99 it is on the high end for boom arms, but well worth the price.  Lately, I have been trying out the budget model from Neewer that comes in at a budget friendly sub 20 price.  The Neewer arm lacks quality with springs that are on the outside of the arm, a mount that is not very sturdy and lighter grade metal used.  But for the price, it’s hard to beat.

neewerwizgear

Lately, I have been using the NEEWER Microphone Suspension Boom Scissor Arm  [http://amzn.to/2pTE5wO] for holding my smart phone to use with Periscope and Meerkat in the studio.  Pared with the Car Mount, WizGear – Universal Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount Holder  [http://amzn.to/2pan2Z4] you have flexible solution for holding phone at the right angle for the video and can move it away when you are not using it.

 

IMG_0421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yurbuds

If you have listened to me for any length of time, you know that I swear by my Yurbuds for podcasting (and working out too!)  The pair that I use in the studio had gotten caught between my chair and the desk and stripped off some the insulation around the wires. They still work, they just didn’t look very good on camera.  They were red too, and I was beginning to look for something that might blend in a little better.

In February, I ordered the Yurbuds Ironman Inspire Duro Plus Cloth Cords Sport Earbuds [http://amzn.to/2oiHlEC] just to see what would be like to order the budget version from Yurbuds.  They are cloth covered and I thought that might be good for podcasting since they were not getting wet with a workout.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.  When the cloth cover rubs on clothing, it transers the sound to the earbuds.  Not all that loud, it’s loud enough for me and can be distracting.  I am not going to change them out, but will not order cloth the next time I purchase new ones.  I also purchase the same pair for work.  They have such good quality, it might be a while before I get a chance to order new ones.  If were to purchase again, I would get the Yurbuds (CE) Inspire 300 Noise Isolating In-Ear Headphones [http://amzn.to/2oiZt1l]

 

PC Equipment

No changes to the PC that I built in the previous post.  It continues to work well and is running Windows 8.1 Update.  I will upgrade it to Windows 10 in the fall.  It’s a free upgrade for the first year.

I still run the studio off of a Home Build.  It consists of the major components of:

 

Thanks for reading and thanks for watching or listening to the podcasts!  As always, if you have questions about my setup or need gear advice, you can contact me at jim@theAverageGuy.tv or on twitter @jcollison