Voice Over

512 Audio LIMELIGHT & SKYLIGHT Microphones for Podcasts, Live-streams, Video

In this episode, we have a look at and a listen to two new microphones from 512 Audio: The LIMELIGHT and the SKYLIGHT. These microphones are designed for podcasters, live-streamers, YouTubers, and content creators of all sorts. The LIMELIGHT is a dynamic, broadcast style microphone with a rich, bassy sound. The SKYLIGHT is a large diaphragm condenser microphone with a vintage, mid-forward sound. In this episode, we put both of them through their paces.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- 512 Audio LIMELIGHT dynamic microphone - Sweetwater, Amazon

- 512 Audio SKYLIGHT condenser microphone - Sweetwater, Amazon

- Desk microphone stand - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 camera - B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens - B&H, Amazon

- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 lens - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C200 camera - B&H

- Canon EF 24-105 f/4L lens - B&H, Amazon

- Aputure C120D II LED light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome II soft box - Aputure, B&H, Amazon

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Sound for Video Session: AEA Ribbon Microphone & Q&A

In this week's session, we demo a supercardioid ribbon microphone from AEA and answer your questions.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We also just added a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- AEA KU5A Ribbon Microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- RODE NTR - B&H, Sweetwater

- Earthworks SR314 - B&H, Sweetwater

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon

- D&O V-Mount Cine Battery - Amazon

- D-Tap to Hirose cable to power MixPre-10 from cine battery - Amazon

- Canon C70 Camera - B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon

- TA3-M to XLR-F Adapter cable to feed microphones to C70 or Blackmagic Pocket cameras - B&H

- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

MOTU M2 USB Audio Interface

In this episode, we have a look at and listen to the MOTU M2 USB audio interface. An audio interface allows you to record professional level XLR microphones into your computer and play back your computer’s audio to high quality external powered speakers or headphones. We cover the features of the M2, what you can expect with microphones like the Shure SM7B, how to use the loopback feature, and much more.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- MOTU M2 USB audio interface - Perfect Circuit

- MOTU M4 USB audio interface - same as M2 but with 2 additional line inputs, 2 more line outputs, and input monitor mix knob - Perfect Circuit

- Shure SM7B microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Perfect Circuit, Amazon

- Earthworks SR314 microphone - B&H, Sweetwater

- Aputure COB120d II for the key light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure Nova P300C for the b-roll - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store

- Amaran 100D for the background light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount for the pattern on the back wall - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Canon C70 cinema camera for the talking head clips - B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon

- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Signa EF 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS ART lens - B&H, Amazon

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

TZ Audio Stellar X3 Microphone for Voice Over, Podcasting, and Live-Streaming

In this episode, we take a look at and a listen to the new Stellar X3 large diaphragm condenser microphone from TZ Audio. I previously reviewed the Stellar X2 and Stellar X2 Vintage microphones back in early 2020 and am happy to report that Tech Zone Audio’s newest microphone is a substantial improvement in overall sound quality and build. The X3 has a warm, articulate, but not overstated sound that works well with most voices for voice over, podcasting, or live-streaming.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Support my work creating videos by donating.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- TZ Audio Stellar X3 large diaphragm condenser microphone - TZ Audio

- TZ Audio Stellar X2 large diaphragm condenser microphone - Amazon

- TZ Audio Stellar X2 Vintage large diaphragm condenser microphone - Amazon

- RODE NT1 large diaphragm condenser microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 mixer/recorder - B&H, Sweetwater

- Canon C200 cinema camera - B&H

- Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS lens - B&H. Amazon

- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, DVEStore, Amazon

- Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 DG IS ART lens - B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Live Sound for Video Session: Favorites of 2020 and Gear Giveaway

In this week's Sound for Video Session, we talk about some of our favorite audio gear and things in 2020.

My audio favorites in 2020:

- Free Dante certification - audinate.com

- RODE NTR - B&H, Sweetwater

- Sound Devices 888 Mixer/Recorder - B&H, Sweetwater

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- CEntrance Mic Pro Pro 2 - Amazon

- Making Waves - Amazon

- RODECaster Pro - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- TZ Audio Stellar X2 Vintage - TZ Audio

- RODE NT1 - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- ATEM Mini, Mini Pro, ISO - B&H, DVEStore, Amazon

- Earthworks SR314 small diaphragm condenser microphone - B&H, Sweetwater

Thanks to Musicbed for the music for this session - “Why Not” by Utah. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We also just added a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Earthworks SR314 small diaphragm condenser microphone - B&H, Sweetwater

- Canon C200 Camera - B&H, PictureLine

- ATEM Mini Pro ISO - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

Earthworks ICON PRO Premium Livestream, Broadcast, Podcast Microphone

In today’s episode, we have a look at and a listen to the new Earthworks ICON PRO broadcast, streaming, and podcasting microphone. This is a premium, small diaphragm mic which is designed for spoken word audio capture. Aside from its striking appearance, this microphone is unique in that it was designed to capture audio with great time-domain coherence than most other microphones. Have a watch to learn more!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Earthworks ICON PRO Microphone - B&H, Sweetwater

- Earthworks SR314 Microphone (my favorite for my voice for livestreams) - B&H, Sweetwater

- Universal Audio Apollo x6 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 Mixer/Field Recorder - B&H, Sweetwater

- Shure SM7B broadcast microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Aputure 600D Pro - Aputure, B&H

- Aputure 300x LED Light - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome 2 soft box - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure Nova LED Panel Light - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline

- Canon C200 camera - B&H

- Canon 24-105 f/4 L lens - B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 camera - B&H https://geni.us/ABYB

- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens - B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

Shure MV7 USB & XLR Microphone Review

In today’s episode, we have a detailed look and listen to the SHURE MV7 podcast microphone. This USB/XLR hybrid microphone uses a dynamic design which is a great fit for recording at home or in other spaces without acoustical treatment. It sounds great when you connect to your computer or mobile device via USB and comes with an app which allows you to fine-tune the sound for your situation, even if you don’t know a lot about sound. But if you are more of a soundie, it also allows you to set some basic EQ settings, a limiter, and a compressor to even things out and increase the overall level of your audio.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

SHURE KSM8 Dualdyne Dynamic Microphone Review for Livestreaming

In today’s episode, we have a look at and listen to the Shure KSM8 Dualdyne Dynamic Microphone. This is the first dual diaphragm dynamic microphone in the world and because of its design, has some interesting properties, most notably, less proximity effect.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

The SHURE KSM8 is $100 off at Sweetwater from 1 November 2020 through 15 December 2020.

- Shure KSM8 Dualdyne Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone Nickel Finish - Sweetwater

- Shure KSM8 Dualdyne Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone Black Finish - Sweetwater

- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, Pictureline

- Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 ART Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure 300x LED Light - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome 2 soft box - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure Nova LED Panel Light - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Lupo Superpanel 30 Full Color Soft - B&H

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

iPhone vs Cinema Camera: Improving your Podcast Setups

I had the privilege to be a guest on Samuele Lilliu’s YouTube channel called Bullaki. Samuele has a background in both science as a physicist and a filmmaker. He’s an interesting and engaging interviewer and we had a good conversation on production values and how to elevate these, in many cases without spending a LOT of money.

You can learn more about Samuele and subscribe and watch his other videos at the Bullaki YouTube channel.

CEntrance MicPort Pro 2 Mobile USB Audio Interface

In today’s episode, we have a look at and a listen to the CEntrance MicPort Pro 2 which is a mobile USB audio interface with a single XLR combination input. This allows you to record to your Mac, PC, iOS, android mobile devices. What makes the MicPort Pro 2 special are several high quality features including Jasmine preamps, VelvetSound converter, an analogue limiter, and an AmpExtreme headphone amplifier. So you get very high quality audio, without a bunch of extraneous features. Let’s have a listen!

00:00 Intro

00:15 Summary

00:25 Recording with This

00:50 Raw Audio Samples

01:47 USB Audio Interface

02:08 Pros

10:00 Cons

11:23 Who is this for?

12:55 Please take my courses

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- CEntrance MicPort Pro 2L (with limiter) - Amazon

- CEntrance MicPort Pro 2 (NO limiter) - B&H

- CEntrance Mixerface R4 2 channel interface - Amazon

- RODE NT1 large diaphragm condenser microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Shure SM7B broadcast dynamic microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Earthworks SR315 condenser microphone - B&H, Sweetwater

- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (talking head shots) - B&H, Pictureline

- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS ART Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd