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Blue Designs Compass microphone boom arm review

One of the golden rules of audio is to put the microphone where the sound is. For recording purposes, this means placing the microphone close to your mouth, but not in an obtrusive way. Blue Designs, the makers of the popular USB Yeti Microphone, introduces a sleek adjustable boom arm with good looks to boot.

What is it?

The Compass is sold as a standalone product, which is good news for those of us with (too) many microphones and other audio gear. It looks like a desk lamp but without the springs and knobs you normally find on such a thing.

Hardware specs

  • Boom Type: Extruded aluminum
  • Desktop Mount: C-clamp
  • Rotation: 360 degrees
  • Max Horizontal Reach: 32”
  • Max Weight Hold: 2.4lbs (including mic and shockmount)
  • Cable Management: Hidden-channel cable management
  • Threading: standard 5/8” threading, adapter for 3/8” threading

What’s in the box?

In the box, you’ll find the compass desktop boom arm, C-clamp for desktop mount, and a 3/8” to 5/8” adapter.

Design and features

In order to test the Compass with the corporate brethren, I was given a Yeti Microphone (in black) to test, alongside a Radius III shock mount (an update from previous versions).  All three items are available as a package called the Yeticaster.

The Yeti should be a familiar sight by now.  This one is called the “Blackout” which matches the Compass arm perfectly.

Here’s a peek at the Yeti’s controls, including gain, pattern selection, mute, headphone volume, mini-USB, mic stand thread and headphone output.

The Radius III shock mount comes in a plain cardboard box with a clever diagram for assembly.  For the Yeti microphones, a thumb screw attaches to the base of the mic.

There are only two pieces in the entire box, in matching black.

Setup

The thumb screw is shown attached to the bottom end of the Yeti mic. The four elastic bands isolate the microphone from external vibrations.

The compass arm has a channel with snap tabs that hold cables in place.  You’ll need a fingernail to pry the tabs open.

 

When fully assembled, the matte black color is really sleek.

Performance

My recording booth setup is pretty cramped. I put the Yeti/Compass/Radius combination next to my Neumann TLM103 mic setup and recording a track side by side.

I read an excerpt from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  Don’t panic!  Both tracks were recorded simultaneously with the same settings on each with no processing.  The Yeti was set for a cardioid pattern.

As I had expected, the Yeti sounded very good. The Neumann had much, much more low end made more apparent by my deep voice. Your results will vary heavily on recording environment. I was recording in a treated room that was specially built for audio.

What I like

  • Handsome hardware at a reasonable price
  • Yeti punches above its price point and is fine for 99% of your average podcaster

What needs to be improved

  • Compass tension adjustment knob could use a little more “grip” or meat. Right now they’re a sliver of plastic.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a slick, adjustable microphone boom arm, the Compass boom arm is the way to go. The matching Radius III shock mount pairs perfectly with the Yeti USB microphone, or purchase all three as a bundle with the Yeticaster kit.

Price: $99.99 (Compass), $129 (Yeti microphone), $49.99 (Radius iii) or $199.99 (all three, the YetiCaster Kit)
Where to buy: Blue Designs
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Blue Designs.

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Blue Designs Compass microphone boom arm review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Always find your keys with the OxyLED Mini Motion Sensor Light with Key Rack Organizer

When we enter or leave our house, we always go through our tiny laundry room to get to the garage. Upon entering the dark laundry room there are two switches, one for that room and the other for the garage. Without fail, I always hit the garage light switch then I have to fumble around to turn on the laundry room light. The OxyLED Mini Motion Sensor Light with Key Rack Organizer would help people like me.

The light contains six LEDs and is motion activated within 10 feet of the 120-degree sensing range. And it has three heavy duty hooks to hold your keys so you don’t lose them. You could also place this light in a closet and use the hooks to hold your belts, bags, etc. The hooks can actually hold a total of 11 pounds if mounted with screws or 2 pounds if mounted with adhesive tape (screws and tap included). The light uses 2 AAA batteries which are not included.

The OxyLED Mini Motion Sensor Light with Key Rack Organizer is available at Amazon. Be sure to use the code E7VL88AS to purchase it for $10 otherwise it is $12.99. Get it while you can because you never know how long the code will be accepted. Thanks, Kinja Deals for the heads up on the promo code.

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Always find your keys with the OxyLED Mini Motion Sensor Light with Key Rack Organizer originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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The BlackRapid Double Breathe Camera Harness is a fit for all photography occasions

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Many years ago when my primary focus was videography, I would pair up with professional photographers on many jobs like weddings and fashion shows. Although I was primarily responsible for the video production, I was a rapidly developing photographer, and I would look in admiration at the many “geared up” photographers. I remember seeing a photographer and good friend of mine all decked out with an expensive brown leather, dual camera harness, and thinking that it gave him a very professional and impressive look. While it was obvious that the harness was quite expensive, I was more interested in its fit, function, and use.
Over the years I have researched quite a few camera harnesses, but I never felt compelled enough to purchase one over my favored camera belts.

Just the other day, I came across the BlackRapid Double Breathe Camera Harness which by usual design, accommodates two cameras, one each hanging upside-down on each side. In this position, they can be easily and quickly grabbed and raised into position for the shot. The harness includes breathable mesh pads that make it comfortable to wear even with two large cameras and lenses. The pads are important since the harnesses are usually worn for a long time, and it is horrible to wear gear and feeling hot and sweaty.

On each side of the harness, there is a “brass and zinc-alloy CR-3 ConnectR locking carabiner”. BlackRapid also includes their FR-5 FastenR Breathe to work with each carabiner, which creates a connection point via the camera’s 1/4″-20 tripod mount. This can also work with a lens mount. The length of each strap can be adjusted from 36 inches to 63 inches, and the harness can be configured for use with only one camera. A pouch is included for storage and transport.

If you would like to purchase the BlackRapid Double Breathe Camera Harness, you can head over to Amazon or B&H Photo Video and pick one up for about $135.

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The BlackRapid Double Breathe Camera Harness is a fit for all photography occasions originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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IKEA is offering a connected home lighting kit and accessories

If you want to introduce an internet-connected home lighting kit for a reasonable price, and you don’t care about color-changing bulbs, you need to check out the Tradfri kit from IKEA.  Of course, these lights come with a smartphone app (Android Kitkat 4.4 or Lollipop 5.0 or Apple iOS 8 or later), and it’s Apple HomeKit compatible, but this kit also comes with a remote control so all members of the family can easily control the lights.

The kit includes a gateway, the previously-mentioned remote control, and two E26 standard-base LED white-spectrum light bulbs.  The included bulbs have 980 Lumen luminous flux at 2700K color temperature.  You’ll use the Tradfri app to create and control lighting groups for your home.  There are other bulbs that can be added to your home kit, including chandlier-base bulbs ($14.99), GU10 bulbs ($19.99), and 950 lumen clear-topped or 980 lumen frosted-top E26 ($17.99) bulbs.  IKEA doesn’t specify a maximum number of bulbs or lighting groups that you can add to your gateway.

The Tradfri Gateway Kit with two bulbs and a remote control is $79.99 at IKEA, with additional bulbs priced as shown above.  IKEA also offers dimming kits, motion-sensor kits, and other accessories for the Tradfri system.  The kit is available at IKEA stores or at the IKEA website.

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IKEA is offering a connected home lighting kit and accessories originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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JBL Clip2 Bluetooth speaker review

Earlier this year I was hiking with the Boy Scouts, where we came across another group of hikers. One of them had music playing on one of those clip-on bluetooth speakers attached to a backpack, which was a little annoying since we were out in nature. I won’t become a noise polluter, but I was curious about this JBL Clip2 Bluetooth speaker, which as the name implies, comes with a clip and is also waterproof.

What is it?

The JBL Clip2 Bluetooth Speaker is a lightweight “dunkable” device with surprisingly loud sound from such a tiny package.

Hardware specs

Up to 8 hours (varies by volume level and audio content)
Battery charge time 2.5 hour @ 5V, 0.5A
Signal-to-noise ratio >80dB
Battery type Lithium-ion polymer (3.7V/730mAh)
Frequency response 120Hz – 20kHz (-6dB)
Output power 1 x 3W
Transducer 1 x 40mm
Dimensions (H x W x D) 141 x 94 x 42 (mm)
Weight 184g
IPX7 water resistance (can survive immersion in 1 meter/3.3 feet for up to 30 minutes.)

What’s in the box?

In the box, you’ll find some documentation and a color-matched USB charging cable.

Design and features

The outside of the speaker is covered in a grippy, rubber-like finish.  On one side is the volume and phone control. On the other is the Bluetooth pairing button and power button. Note the sealed USB charging connector. The Clip2 has a secondary, non-wireless playback method. Simply uncurl the attached headphone-style cable and plug into your 1/8″ inch headphone output. I’d be careful with this one. It appears to be the weakest link on the Clip2. I almost missed the tiny LED indicator at the base of the carabiner clip.  Here it is lit up in blue to indicate pairing status.

Did I mention it’s pretty small?  Here’s the Clip2 alongside a set of keys.

Setup

There’s not a lot of setup beyond the initial pairing.  I had to try the Clip2’s party trick: the carabiner.

The carabiner clipped easily to most things, such as the hook of an open car hood.

Performance

As with any speaker this small, the Clip2 is not going to blow your socks off. However, the output is impressive for something so tiny. It got plenty loud! The IPX7 rating meant that it had no problem surviving a dunk or splash of water.

What I like

The waterproofing and small size means you can really take this anywhere. The carabiner clip is really quite handy.

What needs to be improved

A magnetic mounting option would be really handy!

Final thoughts

I cannot imagine blasting music during a hike in the woods. No way I would personally clip this on a backpack on an outing! But for everything else, the JBL Clip2’s water resistant build and carabiner clip makes this a no-brainer for your outdoor adventures.

Price: $59.95 MSRP
Where to buy: JBL, Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by JBL.

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JBL Clip2 Bluetooth speaker review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 29, 2018 at 12:02 pm.

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