Three ways to change the sound characteristics of your microphone without a DSP-capable audio interface

In the past, we have tested and reviewed an sE Electronics V7 dynamic vocal microphone, an sE2200a large-diaphragm condenser and a RØDE NT1 condenser mic. We found the clarity and flat tone response of the V7 and the NT1 great, but they lack the warmth of the sE2200a. So, after reviewing the Universal Audio DSP-capable Arrow interface, which allows you to use a near-zero-latency Unison plug-in as a preamp that can dramatically change the sound characteristics of the mic you’re using, we wondered if it would be possible to change the sound recorded with the V7 and NT1 in such ways that they would sound more like the sE2200a without losing their own unique qualities. In other words, we wanted to know if you can make your audio sound as if it were recorded with a Universal Audio Unison tube preamp UA 610-B.

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Universal Audio’s Thunderbolt 3 audio interface, the Arrow, rocks

Arrow, the newest audio interface by Universal Audio has ultra-low latency input monitoring and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) on board. The Arrow is a solo processing interface, meaning it will accept all the Unison and common plug-ins from Universal Audio, but won’t be able to process as many of them as the more expensive models. The Arrow can be had for around €499.

RØDE’s Audio Interface AI-1 review

The already crowded audio interface market welcomes a new competitor with RØDE’s release of its first audio interface for home studio recording. It’s a 24-bit/94kHz capable device inside a gorgeous looking, small, black aluminium housing with one XLR input port, stereo headphones and RCA output ports and two rotary knobs/push buttons for setting input gain, output volume and engaging 48V phantom power and direct monitoring. I received the studio kit, which comes with an NT1 large-diaphragm microphone, a 6-metre XLR-cable, SMR shock mount and USB-C cable. A voucher inside the box lets you download a light version of Ableton’s Live app.

Panasonic BQ-CC65 flagship battery charger review

Panasonic BQ-CC65 flagship battery chargerPanasonic sent me their brand new flagship charger for AA and AAA NiMH cells, the BQ-CC65. The new charger is black, has a large LCD screen and several modes to get your batteries in pristine condition. The BQ-CC65 is the best charger to charge and recharge your Eneloop cells. The first …

Workflow to make the audio for your movie sound the best with iZotope RX 6 and Ozone 8

If you are recording audio separately when shooting a documentary, interview or movie, chances are you'll not only have to synchronise it with the footage but also edit your audio to make it sound perfect in post production. The two apps I use for this are the iZotope RX 6 Advanced Audio Editor and the …

IK Multimedia iRig Pre HD is a good and inexpensive mic pre-amp

A microphone pre-amp is meant to amplify your mic's signal, not to introduce its own noise and artefacts into the recorded results. You need a mic pre because your microphone has a signal that's too weak to be captured by a recorder. A preamplifier boosts the signal to a standard line level, which all recorders …

Sound Devices MixPre-6, an in-depth review

Sound Devices released their MixPre series of audio recorders earlier this year, with the MixPre-10 the most recent to have been introduced. We had the opportunity to try out a MixPre-6, a recorder that can handle eight channels.

Powertraveller Mini-G: great robust battery for outdoors powering of two 5V devices at once

Powertraveller is renewing its robust Li-Ion battery range that is suitable for any type of environment. It released an upgrade to the Powergorilla, making this device 24,000mAh strong instead of the 22,000mAh older models were capable of. The recent release of the brand new Mini-G that is rated at 12,000mAh is the start of a flatter, more lightweight and newly designed offering.

iKlip Grip Pro: your stand, handle or “boom” for lightweight cameras, iPhones, mics and more

iKlip Grip Pro is a stand with an integrated detachable Bluetooth shutter control that can act as a tabletop tripod, large-grip video handle and a monopod handle, while the iKlip Grip can serve as a standard tripod adapter. The whole system is made of a combination of thermoplastic and aluminium, can carry weights of up to 1kg and extends to 62cm.

24-bit/96kHz recordings with the iRig Pro I/O mobile audio/MIDI interface

The iRig Pro I/O is the successor of the iRig Pro. It’s slightly bigger but offers higher specs and more professional capabilities, including headphones monitoring and a dedicated power supply that charges your iPad while recording.