This week I am going more freestyle. The second episode is a sort of a podcaster’s blog. After first episode I have simply realized, that I don’t feel comfortable talking on acedemic style topics. So this time I am taking an entirely different approach and talk about my podcasting adventures of the past week. Moreover, as an experiment, this episode is recorded from a local coffee shop with all the background noises. I used a supercardioid polar pattern microphone, so my voice is clear and understandable, I enjoy the resulting background a lot and I think I am going to repeat that in the future. I’ve found the entire experience pretty strange but satisfying, since I had to get out of my comfort zone. Recording in a foreign language with all those folks looking at you ? Anyway, the episode is here, and mentioned topics include, but are not limited to:

• my thoughts on Cloudlifter, in-line, Phantom-driven microphone preamp. I got this marvelous piece of engineering last weak!
• differences between free software and freeware software
• what is a comfort noise
• why cheap, Chinese cables suck
• strange behaviors of my Presonus Audiobox USB audio interface
• why OBS with pulseaudio sucks
• the trick Antergos linux + proprietary Nvidia drivers played on me
• new finding to boost the studio up! The Renaissance Vox Compressor from Waves! It’s really worth those $80. This episode is compressed using this plugin. Plus Waves’ L2 on the master bus, working as a limiter.
• how my batteries went dead due to cold weather….
• …and what I surprisingly have found keeping me more interested in playing with the sound!

Also, please notice that I was holding the microphone in my hand, without any mic stand on the table. Can you hear that? I don’t think so! I also recorded the background using a Tascam DR-40 stereo digital recorder, but I decided not to use that track in the final mix. Basically I didn’t put it in a proper position and the outcome was far from being great. Maybe next time ?

The gear I used:

• Shure Beta 58A
• Presonus Audio USB, 2 XLR inputs
• Beyerdynamic DT 770, 80 Ohm headphones
• Klotz microphone cable with Neutrik plugs

This is me during the recording session: