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

BSP-300: What I Learned from 300 Podcast Episodes

On episode 300 of the BSP I talk about some advice I wish I could give myself before I started podcasting even though this is all pretty basic knowledge at this point. I'm just trying to share what I've learned after doing this podcast for 6 years. Then i talk about the Shure SM7b, the youtube podcast news, how to sound more enthusiastic while recording voice over and more. 

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

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Shure SM7b: https://geni.us/shuresm7b
Yellowtek M!ka: https://www.yellowtec.com/mika.html
Universal Audio x8: https://imp.i114863.net/zMg2r
Sennheiser HD650: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch; https://teespring.com/stores/podcastage-store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:16 - Most Podcasts Don't Make it Past Episode 7
03:40 - What I Learned from 300 Podcast Episodes
12:10 - Shure SM7b 
15:20 - WYHTS: The CAD U1 is Good Enough
17:65 - WYHTS: UA Sucks, CAD U1 is Incredible
21:25 - WYHTS: YouTube & Spotify Podcast Battle
27:25 - WYHTS: Real Reason for Audio Gear Price Increase
30:25 - Ask Bandrew
31:25 - Voice Submission 1
35:17 - $100 Mic With Good Background Noise Rejection
38:55 - Voice Submission 2
39:36 - Advice on How to Sound More Enthusiastic During Voice Overs?
47:20 - Voice Submission 3
49:18 - How Do I Reject More C0mputer Fan Noise?
52:10 - Movie of the Week
57:25 - Conclusion 

The Old Man and His Grandson - A Grimms Fairy Tale - Audiobook

A recording of The Old Man and His Grandson a Grimms' Fairy Tales. This recording is not intended to be perfect, it's simply to demonstrate the quality of microphones in long form context.

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Universal Audio SD-1: https://geni.us/uasd1
Yellowtek M!ka: https://www.yellowtec.com/mika.html
Universal Audio x8: https://imp.i114863.net/zMg2r
Sennheiser HD650: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Trying the Highest Rated Men's Fragrances on Amazon

This is just an idiot's opinion on popular fragrances on Amazon. Do not take any of this too seriously, I'm just trying to have fun and provide the average consumer's perspective on this stuff. 

Affiliate Links
Nautica Voyage: https://geni.us/nauticavoyage
Davidoff Coolwater: https://geni.us/davidoffcoolwater
Drakkar Noir: https://geni.us/drakkarnoir

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

BSP-299: YouTube's Podcast Plans, Universal Audio Spark, and more

On episode 299 of the BSP I talk about youtube's plans for podcasting in the future and what it might mean, Universal Audio Spark and why it's good and terrible as well as how audio gear does not matter!

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

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Cad U1: https://geni.us/cadu1
Lyxpro DKR1: https://geni.us/lyxDKR1
Shure A7WS: https://geni.us/a7ws
Universal Audio x8: https://imp.i114863.net/zMg2r
Sennheiser HD650: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch; https://teespring.com/stores/podcastage-store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:15 - YouTube's Podcast Plans

• PodNews Announcement: https://podnews.net/update/youtube-podcasting-plans

10:27 - Universal Audio Spark

• Spark Page: https://spark.uaudio.com/

• Initial Plugins: https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/sections/4573072157460-UAD-Spark-UADx-Documentation

19:19 - Audio Gear Doesn't Matter
25:27 - WYHTS: Audio Companies Raising Prices?
30:07 - WYHTS: Review Format Limiting Creativity
32:37 - Ask Bandrew
33:17 - Voice Submission 1
35:12 - How to Connect GoXLR to a Mixer?
37:27 - Voice Submission 2
38:16 - Has Travis Barker Saved or Ruined Punk Rock?
40:37 - Voice Submission 3
41:57 - Should I Get an SM7b or SM58?
44:31 - Outro

Clever Gretel - A Grimms Fairy Tale - Audiobook

A recording of Clever Gretel, a Grimms' Fairy Tales. This recording is not intended to be perfect, it's simply to demonstrate the quality of microphones in long form context.

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Universal Audio SD-1: https://geni.us/uasd1 (podcast preset)
Yellowtek M!ka: https://www.yellowtec.com/mika.html
Universal Audio x8: https://imp.i114863.net/zMg2r
Sennheiser HD650: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

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

Best Watches for Accountants, Financiers, Bankers, Excel Lovers

Today I share my picks for the best watches for accountants, bankers, financiers, investors, portfolio managers, or anyone who deals with numbers and excel all day. 

Check Out the Watches (Affiliate Links)
Calculator (Black): https://geni.us/CA53W
Calculator (Gold): https://geni.us/DBC611G
Seiko 5: https://geni.us/SRPD55
Diver 65: https://geni.us/OD65
Black Bay 58: https://geni.us/bb58
World Time: https://geni.us/a1200
Timex: https://geni.us/timexq
Christopher Ward GMT: http://christopherward.com

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

GEAR I USE (Affiliate Links):
Calipers: https://geni.us/digcalip
Camera: https://geni.us/c90d
Lens 24mm: https://geni.us/can24
Lens 50mm: https://geni.us/can50
Lens Macro: https://geni.us/can100
Microphone: Lewitt LCT1040 (Tube-Clear, Super Cardiod, 100% Tube)
Mic stand:  https://www.ocwhite.com/product/ultima-gen2-ultra-low-profile-adjustable-mic-boom-with-a-12-fixed-horizontal-arm-and-machined-table-bushing/
Interface: https://imp.i114863.net/uax8
Headphones: https://geni.us/sennhd650

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