Podcastage

Hosted by Bandrew Scott

Technology Education

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Episodes

300

Latest episode

Nov 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Podcastage is a podcast that provides Audio Gear Reviews & Tests to help you improve your podcast and youtube audio / video. Episodes are released every Tuesday, so make sure to check back to see what new gear I am testing out for you. Also, don't be shy to ask questions on the site podcastage.com, I do my best to respond and help in any way that I can, but please make sure to check to see if the question was previously answered.

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60 recent

November 25, 2025

sE Electronics 6160 Shotgun Mic Review / Test

RECORDING SETTINGS:Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHzGain: 27dBBoosted in Post: +12dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: SupercardioidFreq Response : 20Hz - 20khzSensitivity: -32dBVMax SPL: 157dB (with 20dB Pad)Self Noise: 13 dB(A)Impedance: 110 OhmsBuy the sE 6160 (Affiliate Link)Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/6160Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/619575Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204thSweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204thThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.00:00 - Intro / Setup 00:22 - What’s in the Box00:45 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:30 - Specifications01:45 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)02:08 - Plosive Test02:28 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:53 - Background Noise Test 03:13 - Untreated Room Test03:33 - Shock Rejection Test 03:57 - Mic Resonance Tap Test04:12 - High Pass Filter Demo05:04 - Pad Demo05:25 - Foam Windscreen Demo06:25 - Audio Technica AT875R Comparison06:48 - Audio Technica AT8035 Comparison07:14 - Deity Smic 2 Comparison07:41 - Rode NTG5 Comparison08:03 - Roge NTG3 Comparison08:30 - Sennheiser MKH416 Comparison08:59 - sE Electronics SE8 Comparison09:32 - Shure SM81 Comparison09:55 - Beyerdynamic MC930 Comparison10:19 - Neumann KM184 Comparison10:47 - Shure SM57 Comparison11:20 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison11:51 - Music Test14:05 - Pros & Cons15:37 - Overall Thoughts17:27 - Recommendation

September 3, 2025

Beyerdynamic M130 Review / Test

Today i review the Beyerdyanmic M130, a passive figure-8 ribbon which gives you a very rich and robust low-end and a tamer treble and air frequency range. This gives you more of a classic ribbon sound if that's what you're looking for and it also works INCREDIBLY with the M160 in a mid-side pair.  RECORDING SETTINGS:Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHzGain: 53dBBoosted in Post: +13dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: Figure-8 (Bidirectional)Freq Response : 40Hz - 18khzSensitivity: -57.5dBVImpedance: 200 OhmsBuy the Beyerdynamic M130 (Affiliate Link)Amazon: https://geni.us/m130Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/m130B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/427adAxThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/573622Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204thSweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204thB&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHfThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.00:00 - Intro / Setup 00:30 - What’s in the Box00:54 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:16 - Specifications01:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)01:49 - (Not a) Plosive Test02:16 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:41 - Background Noise Test 02:57 - Untreated Room Test03:17 - Shock Rejection Test 03:37 - Mic Resonance Tap Test03:57 - Mid Side Setup with M130 & M16005:34 - Mid Side ASMR With Ribbon Mics!06:28 - Shure SM7b Comparison06:54 - sE Electronics VR2 Comparison07:26 - Royer R10 Comparison07:58 - Rode NTR Comparison08:33 - Beyerdynamic M160 Comparison09:07 - Shure KSM313 N/E Comparison09:39 - AEA KU5a Comparison10:13 - Shure SM57 Comparison10:47 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison11:23 - Music Test13:00 - Adding EQ13:47 - Pros & Cons15:51 - Overall Thoughts18:53 - Recommendation21:30 - Outro - Where I've Been

July 15, 2025

Neumann TLM193 Review / Test

Support the Channel: http://podcastage.com/supportToday i review the Neumann TLM193, a fantastic sounding neutral condenser microphone. This has a cardioid pattern, a self noise of 10dBA and a max SPL of 140dB. The sound of this is overall very neutral, with a bit of a recession in the presence and treble which helps tame some harsher frequencies without sounding too dull or dead. I found that this worked extremely well on every application I tried it on. Buy Neumann TLM193 (Affiliate Links)Amazon: https://geni.us/tlm193Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/tlm193B&H: https://bhpho.to/46fujf3NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.RECORDING SETTINGS:Interface: Universal Audio X8Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHzGain: 30dBBoosted in Post: +7dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: CardioidFreq Response : 20Hz - 20khzSensitivity: ~ -35dBSelf Noise: 10dBAMax SPL: 140dB (with pad engaged)Impedance: 50-ohmsTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro / Setup  00:34- What’s in the Box00:53 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:19 - Specifications01:29 - Polar Pattern Rotation Demo01:48 - Plosive Test02:06 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:29 - Background Noise Test 02:52 - Untreated Room Test03:02 - Shock Rejection Test 03:23 - Mic Resonance Tap Test03:35 - Outboard Preamp Demo04:33 - Focusrite 18i20 Demo05:33 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison05:52 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison06:11 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison06:34 - Shure KSM32 Comparison06:59 - Neumann TLM102 Comparison07:27 - Telefunken TF11 Comparison07:53 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison08:24 - AKG C414 XLS Comparison09:00 - Austrian Audio OC818 Comparison09:33 - Lewitt Pure Tube Comparison10:11 - Neumann TLM10710:45 - Soyuz Bomblet Comparison11:16 - Neumann TLM49 Comparison11:49 - Lauten FC387 Atlantis Comparison12:25 - Gefell UMT70s Comparison12:54 - Shure SM57 Comparison13:25 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison14:07 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison14:43 - Music Test16:46  - Pros & Cons18:38 - Overall Thoughts20:41 - Recommendation

June 24, 2025

Elgato Wave Neo Review / Test

Today I review and demo the Elgato Wave Neo, a relatively affordable USB condenser microphone. This offers a warmer and slightly darker sound compared to many of the other USB condenser microphones, a capacitive mute function, EQ, Deesser, Compressor, and Noise Removal plugins, as well as a digital mixer. Buy the Elgato Wave Neo (Affiliate Link)Amazon: https://geni.us/waveneoNOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.RECORDING SETTINGS:Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHzComputer Input Level: 12%Boosted in Post: +9dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: CardioidFreq Response: 20Hz - 20kHzSensitivity: -23dBMax SPL: 120dBDynamic Range: 94dBA/D & D/A: 24-bit / 48 or 96khz00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 00:23 - What’s in the Box00:44 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:22 - Specifications01:32 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation) 01:48 - Plosive Test02:04 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:23 - Background Noise Test 02:38 - Untreated Room Test02:58 - Mic Resonance Tap Test03:12 - Shock Reiection Test03:30 - Desktop Stand Demo04:20 - Mute Button Test05:01 - Samson Go Mic Comparison05:25 - Razer Seiren V3 Mini Comparison05:51 - HyperX Solocast Comparison06:16 - Logitech Yeti Orb Comparison06:51 - Rode NT USB Mini Comparison07:26 - Neat Bumblebee II Comparison07:55 - Logitech Yeti Nano Comparison08:31 - Audio Technica AT2020 USB-X Comparison09:07 - Sennheiser Profile USB Comparison09:41 - Elgato Wave 3 Comparison10:13 - Shure SM57 Comparison10:52 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison11:30 - Music Test13:51 - Software Walkthrough16:13 - Voice Focus Demo 18:20 - EQ Demo20:27 - De-Esser Demo21:42 - Compressor Demo23:17 - Pros & Cons 24:38 - Overall Thoughts26:00 - Recommendation

June 6, 2025

Neat Worker Bee II (vs. AT2020, P120, 990)

Today i review the Neat Worker Bee 2, a budget condenser microphone. This has no switches or filters, it simply offers a cardioid polar pattern and a slight V-shape sound profile. It has a powerful low end, slightly recessed mid section and a clear top end. It does a sub par job at plosive rejection and the shock rejection also leaves a little bit to be desired, so it would have been fantastic for this to come with a shockmount and pop filter, but at the price, I can't complain too much.RECORDING SETTINGS:Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th GenConversion: 24-bit / 48kHzGain: +31dBBoosted in Post: +11dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: CardioidFreq Response : 20Hz - 20khzSensitivity: ~ -34.5dBMax SPL: 145dBImpedance: 50-ohms Buy the Neat Worker Bee 2 (Affiliate Link)Amazon: https://geni.us/workbee2Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204thSweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204thB&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHfThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.00:00 - Intro / Setup 00:28  - What’s in the Box00:53 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:18 - Specifications01:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)01:47 - Plosive Test02:07 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:33 - Background Noise Test 02:49 - Untreated Room Test03:11 - Shock Rejection Test 03:31 - Mic Resonance Tap Test03:44 - Mic Comparison Intro04:19 - Neat Worker Bee 1 Comparison04:39 - Neat King Bee 1 Comparison05:02 - Neewer NW700 Comparison05:28 - Mackie EM91c Comparison05:55 - Tascam TM80 Comparison06:17 - MXL 990 Comparison06:43 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison07:09 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison07:36 - Lewitt LCT240 Comparison08:02 - AKG P120 Comparison08:27 - Shure PGA181 Comparison08:49 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison09:16 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison09:42 - Shure SM57 Comparison10:10 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison10:34 - Neumann U87Ai Comparison11:03 - Music Test12:51  - Pros & Cons14:17 - Overall Thoughts15:42 - Recommendation

May 13, 2025

Aston Apex Review / Test

Voicing 1 Comparison: https://youtu.be/00Fl2m_J-q0Today i review the Aston Apex, a handheld dynamic. This mic has two different voicings giving you different EQ curves, active electronics giving the mic a very healthy output level, and it offers a unique and robust feeling build quality. The sound is either V-shaped or upper mid focussed depending on the voicing you use. I found that it suffered in two primary areas: plosive rejection and handling noise rejection.RECORDING SETTINGS:Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th GenConversion: 24-bit / 48kHzGain: 40dB (+48v Phantom Power On)Boosted in Post: +10dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: CardioidFreq Response : 20Hz - 16khzSensitivity: -62dB to -50dB (depending on active/passive & switch position)Max SPL: 115dB to 147dB (depending on active/passive & switch position)Equivalent Noise Level: 5dBBuy the Aston Apex(Affiliate Link)Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/apexThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/594390Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204thSweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204thB&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHfThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.00:00 - Intro 00:26 - What’s in the Box00:44 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:16 - Specifications01:28 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)01:43 - Plosive Test02:03 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:21 - Background Noise Test 02:34 - Untreated Room Test02:54 - Shock Rejection Test 03:15 - Mic Resonance Tap Test03:31 - Handling Noise Rejection Test03:51 - Cup the Mic Test04:10 - Voicing Switch Demo (Voice 1 vs. Voice 2)05:33 - Shure SM58 Comparison05:56 - Sennheiser E835 Comparison06:21 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison06:46 - Shure Beta 58a Comparison07:13 - Audix OM3 Comparison07:42 - Mojave MA-D Comparison08:10 - Sennheiser E935 Comparison08:38 - Beyerdynamic TG V70d Comparison09:14 - Audio Technica AT2010 Comparison09:43 - Lewitt MTP350Cm Comparison10:09 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison10:33 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison11:03 - Music Test (voicing 2) 13:03 - Pros & Cons14:41 - Overall Thoughts16:48 - Recommendation

April 24, 2025

Audix PDX520 Dynamic Mic Review / Test

Today I review the new dynamic mic from Audix PDX520 which is a broadcast dynamic, podcast dynamic, streamer dynamic, or studio dynamic, whatever you want it to be. It has a standard dynamic sensitivity, a darker and smoother sound profile with a slight focus on the mids, and two eq switches to adjust the sound (presence boost & high pass filter).  Buy the Audix PDX520 (Affiliate Link)Amazon: https://geni.us/pdx520NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.RECORDING SETTINGS:Interface: Focusrite 18i20 4th GenGain: 50dBConversion: 24-bit / 48kHzBoosted in Post: +9dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: CardioidFreq Response :40Hz - 16kHzSensitivity: ~ -56dBV  Max SPL: 144dBImpedance 280 ohms00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 00:30 - What’s in the Box00:45 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:21 - Specifications01:32 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)01:53 - Plosive Test02:07 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:31 - Background Noise Test 02:44 - Untreated Room Test03:03 - Mic Resonance Tap Test03:17 - Shock Rejection Test03:32 - EQ Switch Demo04:45 - Intro to Comparison05:06 - Shure SM58 Comparison05:23 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison05:42 - Rode Podmic Comparison06:00 - Audio Technica AT2040 Comparison06:21 - Rode Procaster Comparison06:41 - sE Electronics Dynacaster Comparison07:05 - Universal Audio SD-1 Comparison07:33 - Aston Stealth Comparison07:57 - Audio Technica BP40 Comparison08:21 - Logitech Blue Sona C omparison08:47 - Heil PR40 Comparison09:07 - Shure SM7b Comparison09:32 - Earthworks Ethos Comparison09:57 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparsion10:21 - Shure SM57 Comparison10:47 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison11:25 - Music Test12:45 - Pros & Cons 14:05 - Overall Thoughts|15:44 - Recommendation

April 4, 2025

Audix OM3 Review / Test

vs. 12 Mics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5L5ggn-qkEToday i review the Audix OM3, a handheld dynamic. This mic offers a bright upper mid and treble region with a tight hypercardioid polar pattern which does a good job at background noise rejection, but a less than stellar job at handling noise rejection. The microphone also has a powerful lowend which can be a little bit over powering in my opinion. RECORDING SETTINGS:Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th GenConversion: 24-bit / 48kHzGain: ~45dBBoosted in Post: +10dBSPECS:Polar Pattern: HypercardioidFreq Response : 50Hz - 17khzSensitivity: -56dBImpedance: 290-ohmsMax SPL: ≥144 dBBuy the Audix OM3 (Affiliate Link)Amazon: https://geni.us/aom3Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/aom3B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42b0YyAThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/160138Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204thSweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204thB&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHfThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.00:00 - Nonsense00:27 - Intro 00:42 - What’s in the Box01:10 - Build Quality / Walkthrough01:35 - Specifications01:47 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)02:06 - Plosive Test02:30 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test02:56 - Background Noise Test 03:10- Untreated Room Test03:30 - Shock Rejection Test 03:48 - Mic Resonance Tap Test03:59 - Handling Noise Rejection Test04:19 - Cup the Mic Test04:42 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison05:03 - Shure SM58 Comparison05:27 - Sennheiser E835 Comparison05:50 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison06:09 - Audix OM2 Comparison06:33 - AKG D5 Comparison06:56 - Shure Beta 58a Comparison07:19 - Mojave MA-D Comparison07:43 - Sennheiser E935 Comparison08:11 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison08:40 - Shure Beta 87A Comparison09:04 - Neumann KMS105 Comparison09:34 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison10:01 - Music Test11:43  - Pros & Cons12:48 - Overall Thoughts14:19 - Recommendation

April 2, 2025

13 Handheld Mics Compared (Audix OM3)

00:00 - Intro00:19 - Spoken Word Comparison04:19 - Plosive Test (On Grill)05:23 - Plosive Test (3" Distance)06:26 - Handling Noise Test 107:23 - Handling Noise Test 208:12 - Outro

March 18, 2025

Lewitt Connect 2 Interface Review / Walkthrough

Today I walkthrough, explain, test and review the new Lewitt Connect 2 streaming audio interface. I compare it to the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th gen, test the preamps with the SM7b, demo the D.I. Instrument inputs, test the line level input capability, walk through the clipguard feature, eq settings, denoise capability, and compressor as well. This is an all around fantastic interface for someone who needs a single preamp and instrument input.Buy the Lewitt Connect 2 (Affiliate Links)Amazon: https://geni.us/connect2Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/connect2B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/4kBgVGQThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/590334Buy the Shure SM7b (Affiliate Link)Amazon:  https://geni.us/shuresm7bSweetwater:  https://imp.i114863.net/sm7bB&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3sRWmQbThomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/129929RECORDING SETTINGS:Mic: Neumann U87 AiConversion: 24-bit / 48kHzGain: 29dBBoosted in Post: +8dBSPECS:USB: Bit Depth: 24-bit, Sampling Rate: 44.1, 48, or 96khzEIN: -129dBV (A-weighted) Gain Range: 0-72dBDynamic Range: 118dB (A)00:00 - Intro / Pricing / Disclosure 00:26 - What’s in the Box00:48 - Build Quality01:20 - Walkthrough of Interface02:24 - Specifications02:51 - Headphone Amp Discussion04:02 - Shure SM7b Mic Test (No Cloudlifter or Fethead)04:53 - Preamp Noise Test05:30 - Connect 2 vs Scarlett 4th Gen06:25 - Line In Test07:30 - Auto Gain Demo08:07 - Denoise Demo09:01 - Compressor Demo09:41 - Clipguard Demo10:20 - Clean / Warm / Vivid Demo11:42 - Mute Button Demo12:11 - D.I. Instrument Input Test14:04 - Pros & Cons17:01 - Recommendation