New Media Gear 015: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone

by

New Media Gear 015: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone

I first heard about this microphone from Richard Cleveland over at Naked Ape Productions during one of his Podcast U panel discussions. I mentioned this microphone to my personal friend,  Michael Lawshe, who is an expert in all things audio (and multi-Emmy Award winner) and he happened to drop one by when we met for dinner last night.

First Impressions: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Micrphone - 12

First Impressions: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Micrphone - 4First Impressions: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Micrphone - 6First Impressions: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Micrphone - 8

First Impressions: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Micrphone - 14First Impressions: Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Micrphone - 10

The microphone package include the mic itself, a mic clip and small plastic mic stand, an XLR microphone cable and a USB cable. As you might notice from the cables included, the ATR2100-USB, has a special feature which I have not seen in many other microphones. Instead of being a USB-only mic like the Blue Snowball or Rode Podcaster, the ATR2100 includes connections and electronics so it can be used either as a USB microphone connected directly to your computer with out a mixing board or as a standard dynamic microphone connected via XLR to a mixer.

This dual connectivity makes this a great mic for those who are just getting started in podcasting or other audio recording and yet allows them to step up to a mixing board and other equipment while still using the same microphone. Additionally, when recording with USB-only microphones, real time monitoring of your recording can be a problem due to the USB induced processing delay. The ATR2100-USB works around this issue by including a headphone jack directly on the microphone itself, so you can easily monitor in real time even when connected via USB. Other USB microphones have included this much needed feature in the past, such as the Rode Podcaster, and it is great to see other manufacturers alleviating the monitoring issue with their designs. I know for myself that it is very important to be able to monitor myself as I record. It helps me to catch mumbled words, overly fast speech and poor pronunciations which I might not notice otherwise.

As a demonstration, I have recorded this blog post as an audio podcast, too, so you can hear the microphone in a real world situation using both the USB and XLR modes.

Listen to this microphone demonstration

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Everything up to here has been recored using the USB connection on the ATR2100. Now I will switch to the XLR connection using my small mixing board.

As with any handheld mic, shock isolation js important. You don’t want to pick up any noise from your hand on the microphone itself. This is often where many less expensive microphones and recorders with built-in mic fail greatly. As you can hear, I am moving the microphone around in my hand and while it is picking up a bit of noise, if you hold the mic firmly you might not notice it at all. The included plastic mic clip and tabletop mic stand is enough for most beginners to get started, although most would probably want to move up to a more robust, metal, stand fairly quickly.

Unfortunately, the headphone level form the microphone was at a very low level for my own personal tastes. I would prefer much more volume when recording and playing back what I have recorded. The mic has a headphone volume control, but it did not seem to the effect the output volume much at all. Instead the volume control seemed to be trying to change the overall volume on my Macintosh.

The recording level was quite good even when placed on a desktop at some distance from my mouth. If you want more input level, of course, you can move closer to the mic although then you would want to use a pop filter cut down on the popping sounds of consonants and plosives like P’s and B’s. In this podcast I have used the mic at a fairly close proximity and included the use of a pop filter.

Based on my short time with the microphone, and recommendations from others, I would consider this a great microphone for its price. Amazon currently lists it for around $40 US. I have been impressed with the overall recording quality even here in this rough demonstration. I haven’t taken any time to really adjust the microphone in any way, but simply plugged it in, adjusted the recording level and made this recording using Apple’s GarageBand software.

If you’d like more information on the ATR2100-USB, you can find links not the web site as part of this blog post. Visit DouglasEWelch.com/newmedia/ to find them.

Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone

Product Features from Amazon.com:

  • Handheld dynamic microphone with USB digital output and XLR analog output
  • USB output connects to your computer for digital recording, while the XLR output connects with your sound system conventional microphone input for use in live performance
  • Smooth, extended frequency response ideally suited for podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, voiceover, and on-stage use
  • Built-in headphone jack allows you to directly monitor your microphone output without audible delay
  • Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of unwanted sounds from the sides and rear
  • Dynamic Microphone With Usb Digital Output & Xlr Analog Output
  • Usb Output Connects To Computer For Digital Recording, While The Xlr Output Connects With Sound System’S Conventional Microphone Input For Use In Live Performance
  • Built-In Headphone Jack With Volume Control

If you have any questions about Peter’s podcasting equipment, please drop them in the comments or in the Facebook Podcasting Community.

Previously on New Media Gear:

 

Archive: Douglas talks Careers and New Media with Bigg Success – March 10, 2010

by

Originally appeared on BiggSuccess.com

Bigg Success Podcast LogoCareer Success with New Media

We were happy to visit with Douglas E. Welch today on The Bigg Success Show today. Douglas is an expert on building the career you deserve and spreading the word about your talents using social media. Among other things, he’s the host of two great blogs and podcasts: Career Opportunities and Careers in New Media. Here’s a recap of the conversation:

Read Douglas talks with George & Mary-Lyn on The Bigg Success Show! with complete text transcript.

Listen to Douglas talk with George & Mary-Lyn on The Bigg Success Show!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribed 028: City Farmer News

by

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

City Farmer News

City farmer news

I like to keep a eye on what is happening in the world of urban agriculture and City Farmer News helps greatly in that area. They post a wide variety of urban agriculture stories including, recently, Portland State University survey of Urban Agriculture, Bitponics: Where Urban Agriculture Meets The Internet Of Things and Urban agriculture and food: between public policies and local initiatives.

From the City Farmer News web site…

Shoemakers, fashion models, computer geeks, politicians, lawyers, teachers, chefs … all city dwellers … all can grow food at home after work in back yards, community gardens or on flat roofs. For the past 35 years, City Farmer has encouraged urban dwellers to pull up a patch of lawn and plant some vegetables, kitchen herbs and fruit. Our message is the same today as it was in 1978 and will be relevant far into the future.

This website is a collection of stories about our work at City Farmer here in Vancouver, Canada, and about urban farmers from around the world. The site is maintained by City Farmer executive director, Michael Levenston.

Link: City Farmer News

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

New Media Vocabulary: Noise Floor

by

New media vocab logo

New Media Vocabulary: Noise Floor

While I have linked to some much more technical descriptions of noise floor below, for me (and I assume the average new media producer) the noise floor is the base level of noise in your recording environment. For me, this includes ambient wind noise outside my windows, the hiss of the pilot light on my gas fireplace, fans on my computers and probably a thousand other small noise sources I don’t even notice on a daily basis. All of these combined create my “noise floor”.

The noise floor is the overall hiss or buzz you hear in your recordings and in some worst scenario cases, it can almost overwhelm the “signal” you are trying to record i.e. your voice, your music, etc. The noise floor is also an issue when you find that you have recorded at too low a level and try to raise the overall volume of the recording to an acceptable level. Unfortunately, raising the overall level also amplifies the noise that was recorded beneath your voice or music. In the worst case, this noise will be so overwhelming that you will not be able to use the recording at all. Yet another reason to insure that you are recording at an optimal level when producing your audio or video podcasts.

You always want to try and reduce your ambient noise as much as possible, but without a professionally designed recording studio, there will be limits on how much noise you can prevent, so careful management of recording levels is a must.

For more information on noise floor:

Previously on New Media Vocabulary:

New Media Gear 014: Peter Lythgoe of Zzipp and Co. Podcast from Weymouth, UK (Part 2 of 3)

by

New Media Gear 014: Peter Lythgoe of Zzipp and Co. Podcast from Weymouth, UK (Part 2 of 3)

Peter is the producer and host of the Zzipp and Co. Podcast and uses a variety of equipment in producing his shows. He was kind enough to break out his equipment in 3 parts, including hist audio studio equipment, his video interview equipment and the equipment for the video studio he is currently building. Since her has so much equipment to share, I will present his New Media Gear in 3 parts, too. This posts details Peter’s video equipment.

New Media Equipment:

 Giant squid 

Here is an interview I did with Peter about the special needs and specific uses of local podcasting:

If you have any questions about Peter’s podcasting equipment, please drop them in the comments or in the Facebook Podcasting Community.

Previously on New Media Gear:

 

New Media Prescription: Don’t “Complain to the Choir” when producing New Media

by

We need to talk…

One of the great strengths of New Media — be it blogging, videos, photos, social media — is the ability to connect directly to your audience. You don’t have any middlemen distorting your message or otherwise getting in the way. Unfortunately, this also means you don’t have someone watching over your shoulder to gently nudge you and say, “Perhaps you might want to re-think that.”

One common trap I see for New Media producers is, what I all, “Complaining to the Choir.” Like the age old adage against “preaching to the choir”, it is to be avoided for a number of reasons. First of all, though, what does it mean when you are “Complaining to the Choir?” It means to complain to those people who are actually the opposite of those you want to address.

When things aren’t going well for a new media producers — videos are getting liked, viewed or shared — blog posts are being ignored — revenue isn’t coming in — producers can spend entire posts, videos or podcasts complaining about the issue. They’ll cajole, they’ll berate, they will express their sadness and their fear that they might have to go back to their old way of work. As a fellow producer, I can empathize with them. Being a producer means facing criticism, nasty feedback, Internet trolls and other burdens on a daily basis. That said, I also understand that bringing this negativity into a show or blog can have exactly the opposite effect they wish to have. Focusing on the negative can actually reduce views, downloads and readers ben further , if you do it too often.

As a producer, your best approach is to ignore the negativity and simply move on to your next production. Focusing on the negative will only depress you further.

Here is why “Complaining to the Choir” is such a bad idea:

  • You annoy your biggest supporters

It is a simple fact that those a producer would most like to reach with their message probably aren’t watching, listening or reading anyway. Instead you are complaining to your biggest supporters — and perhaps driving them away, too. Your supporters come to your blog, your video, your podcasts because they love the content you produce. If you produce a show full of complaints and low on content, you are actively disrespecting their support. It is like a preacher complaining to the choir that no one comes to church anymore, even those these people do come to church AND also participate in other ways.

  • You produce yet another show with low viewership, low likes and low shares

When you produce a complaining show, you are expanding the effect you are complaining about and driving your ratings even lower. It is fair to say that a show filled with complaints, directed at the wrong people, is sure to garner less views and popularity than one of your traditional, content rich show. I had that very experience today. I watched the complaining show, but I could not bring myself to click the Like button, as I couldn’t honestly recommend it my followers as a show they should watch. They wouldn’t find it enjoyable and I would feel that I had offered a bad recommendation.

  • Complaints don’t drive success, great content does

While I can understand producers feeling worried and upset over various issues, it is always important to remember that content, not complaints drives your success. Viewers don’t really care if you are struggling. They come for the great content and many will support you by clicking Like or subscribing. If you want to truly have an effect on your issues, produce more great content. It is the only thing that matters. It is the only thing that will attract the support you need and desire.

  • Share your personal life, but perhaps not your producer life

Producing new media can be a lonely world, but beware of sharing your feelings about your show with your audience. They probably don’t care. Sure, you can share your thoughts about other personal issues, life changes, struggles, etc, but when you bring your producer complains to the conversation a subtle line is crossed. People lose sight of you as a person and start to think of you as just another faceless media drone. Viewers love to know more about your personal life, but they don’t really care about the nitty-gritty of being a producer. Most viewers don’t want to know “how the sausage is made” as long as it results in great content.

The next time you are feeling worried or depressed about your New Media productions and their success, seek out a close personal friend or a New Media user group to air your complaints and worries. Don’t take them to your audience. Your complains do nothing to benefit the audience and can only harm your standing with them.

Now, get back to work and produce something GREAT!

Books on Hold: Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community by Joy Deangdeelert Cho

by

Books on Hold is a blog series dedicated to books I have seen in passing and requested from my local library. See more in the series at the end of this blog post. — Douglas

As I move the my career more in the direction of blogging and other New Media pursuits, I am happening across more and more books like this. Certainly worth a read to see if there is anything I can glean from their experiences and advice.

Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community by Joy Deangdeelert Cho

From Amazon.com…

“With roughly 95,000 blogs launched worldwide every 24 hours (BlogPulse), making a fledgling site stand out isn’t easy. This authoritative handbook gives creative hopefuls a leg up. Joy Cho, of the award-winning Oh Joy!, offers expert advice on starting and growing a blog, from design and finance to overcoming blogger’s block, attracting readers, and more. With a foreword from Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge plus expert interviews, this book will fine-tune what the next generation of bloggers shares with the world.

Learn how to: – Design your site
- Choose the right platform
- Attract a fan base
- Finance your blog
- Maintain work/life balance
- Manage comments
- Find content inspiration
- Overcome blogger’s block
- Choose the right ads
- Develop a voice
- Protect your work
- Create a media kit
- Leverage your social network
- Take better photographs
- Set up an affiliate program
- Partner with sponsors
- Build community
- Go full-time with your blog
- And more!“

* Discovered via Vale Design : Freelance Package Design & Branding by Erin Vale

Previously in Books on Hold:

Subscribed 027: Londonist

by

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Londonist

Londonist logo

Having visited London twice now — and always itching to get back to the UK — I follow a number of Uk blogs, including Londonist. This is the UK division of the large scale Gothamist LLC which runs city blogs in a number of cities and countries. I also subscribe to my local version, LAist, here in Los Angeles.

I love seeing what is happening in the city and also love seeing those sites that I have seen on my travels there. I am an avowed anglophile and Doctor Who fan, so by immersing myself in the day-to-day happenings in this amazing city, I can live vicariously until I have the chance to visit in person again. 

Link: Londonist

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

New Media Vocabulary: WordPress

by

New media vocab logo

New Media Vocabulary: WordPress

WordPress is a widely used blogging and content management system developed by the WordPress Foundation. WordPress can be used in two configurations. First, users can use the free WordPress.com, which is a hosted version of the WordPress software. This means that their blog resides on WordPress.com servers and is typically accessed via a Url similar to XYZ.wordpress.com. This hosted system is robust and constantly updated, but users cannot embed certain content in their blog posts or sidebar (such as web widgets that use the <IFRAME> method of embedding. Commonly used services like YouTube can be embedded using a special WordPress code in blog posts. Users also cannot install any “plugins” that extend the functionality of WordPress or custom Themes to alter the look and feel of their site.

Users can also decide to install the full version of WordPress to run directly on their web site — called a “self-noted installation.” This requires a web hosting account that supports a LAMP environment (Linux, Apache, MySQL, php) as these are the underlying technologies used by the WordPress software. Once installed, self-hosted installations of WordPress can be configured in nearly any way, allow for the installation of WordPress plugins and themes, including the creation of their own plugins and themes, if desired. Many web hosting companies offer an Easy Install option as part of their services which installs WordPress and creates all the necessary MySql databases for you.

For more information on WordPress:

  

Previously on New Media Vocabulary:

New Project: Author Introduction videos for Authors Marketing Agency

by

As part of my new work focus, I started a new New Media project last week with a trip to the Palm Springs area to record author introductions for the Authors Marketing Agency. These 3 videos are the first results of that project.

I think that authors (and anyone who seeks to build their business or sell their products) needs to be producing videos of all sorts in order to fulfill my mantra of “Showing people what you do and how well you do it.” In today’s world, this is the best way of attracting opportunity TO you instead of constantly having to seek them out.

Videos — and blogs and podcasts and newsletters and more — work for you 24/7, even when you are sleeping. They are your surrogates in the online world — explaining your concepts, detailing your products, sharing your knowledge — even when you can’t be there in person.

Whether you create your online content yourself, or hire someone to help you with it, it is so important that you create and share it. If you would like assistance in marketing your books, please contact the Authors Marketing Agency for assistance.

New Media Gear 013: Charles McFall, Co-host “Success Freaks”

by

New Media Gear 013: Charles McFall, Co-host “Success Freaks”

Success freaks

Since its inception in 2011, The Other Side of LIVE! (TOSOL) has lived up to its hype as a comedic motivational talk show. A two-year Podcast Award nominee, TOSOL entertains & edifies with its hosts’ captivating sense of humor and positive, thought-provoking content. With the show’s theme of “helping others be awesome,” TOSOL covers everything from branding your passion to dealing with death to surviving bullies. TOSOL’s R. Mordant Mahon & Charles McFall succeed in giving both mind & spirit something to chew on while putting enough laughter in your heart to make you smile out loud.
 
 
Charles shares his New Media Gear with us in this issue of New Media Gear. 

New Media Equipment:

 Reaper 

If you have any questions about Charles’ podcasting equipment, please drop them in the comments or in the Facebook Podcasting Community.

Previously on New Media Gear:

 

Photo: New Media Mastermind Meetup from 2010

by

I miss our New Media Mastermind meetups from a few years ago. All of these folks are New Media Masters in their own right now, though.

Nmm 2010

L-R: Susan M. Baker from EscapeHatcher.com, Danielle Gruen of Living Careers, Douglas E. Welch, Jennifer Oliver O’Connell of Tuesdays with Transitioners, Tracy Pattin of Sizzlcaster, and Jennifer “Jungle Jenny” Michaels.

Elsewhere: Jim Long on The How and Why of Live Web Video Streaming

by

Streaming live

Jim provides a great article on live streaming, what to use and who to prepare. Check it out!

The How and Why of Live Web Video Streaming

While live video broadcasting is within the reach of anyone with high-speed broadband, “live” poses unique technological and performance challenges.  Senator Marco Rubio’s parched, water break delivery of the GOP response to the State of the Union will be remembered as a short-lived Poland Spring internet meme.  But what it really demonstrates is just how difficult it can be to connect to millions, in the solitude of a dark empty room through the unforgiving, unflinching lens of the live TV camera.  Live web video streaming can be equally daunting.  In this post, we’ll look how it’s getting done in the real world and how you can make it work for you.

Read the entire article

 

More about Jim?

“I’m a veteran, Washington, DC based, network news cameraman currently working for one of the original three broadcasters.  I’m also an entrepreneur and I started Verge New Media, LLC because I see opportunity where others see challenge in the media industry.  Verge New Media is my “side hustle”, something any savvy legacy media worker should have.”

See Jim’s full bio

Subscribed 026: Peter Lythgoe of the Zzipp & Co Podcast

by

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Peter Lythgoe of the Zzipp & Co Podcast

 

I have been highlighting Peter in many ways lately, including an interview with him about the reality of being a local podcaster and an account of his New Media Gear. Peter’s podcast and videos allow me to enjoy the south coast of England vicariously. I am itching to return to the UK again, but it is an expensive and time consuming trip. Still, when I of visit again, I am sure to look up Peter and perhaps take him out for a pint at the local.

Foremost among Peter’s channel are his regular interviews with authors who are giving readings in the Weymouth area. These are wonderful as I hear from authors I might not otherwise learn about and they also provide a great service to the authors and Peter’s community. The Zzipp & Co podcast and YouTube Channel give you a taste of the UK and also a taste of what local podcasting can do for each community,

Link: Peter Lythgoe of the Zzipp & Co Podcast

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

New Media Vocabulary: Pageview(s)

by

New media vocab logo

New Media Vocabulary: Pageviews(s)

Pageviews is another important statistic for web site owners and content producers. A pageview is counted whenever a user, or external program, loads an HTML page on your site. This page can contain many linked items, including graphics, each which generates a web “hit”. Pageview has become a more important metric than hits due to the fact that one page view can generate many hits, but pages can be loaded with extraneous content in order to increase the quantity of hits a web site reports. Today, many web sites earning income from the content they provide will often split longer material over many pages in an effort to generate more pageviews and ad impressions, both which can result in higher earnings.

Due to recent advances in web technologies, though, pages can be designed to update automatically without requiring a complete reload of the page. Pages that use technologies like AJAX might have much lower page views than other traditional HTML pages on a site.

Pageviews can also be counted for information other than HTML pages including PDF files and other document types.

For more information on Facebook Pages:

  

Previously on New Media Vocabulary:

New Media Gear 012: Peter Lythgoe of Zzipp and Co. Podcast from Weymouth, UK (Part 1 of 3)

by

New Media Gear 012: Peter Lythgoe of Zzipp and Co. Podcast from Weymouth, UK (Part 1 of 3)

Peter is the producer and host of the Zzipp and Co. Podcast and uses a variety of equipment in producing his shows. He was kind enough to break out his equipment in 3 parts, including hist audio studio equipment, his video interview equipment and the equipment for the video studio he is currently building. Since her has so much equipment to share, I will present his New Media Gear in 3 parts, too. This post will start with Peter’s audio equipment.

New Media Equipment:

  Audacity logo 

Here is an interview I did with Peter about the special needs and specific uses of local podcasting:

If you have any questions about Peter’s podcasting equipment, please drop them in the comments or in the Facebook Podcasting Community.

Previously on New Media Gear:

 

Subscribed 025: Cold Antler Farm

by

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Cold Antler Farm

Coldantlerfarm

Here is a blog subscription that goes entirely counter to almost every previous Subscribed post — a blog about homesteading. Cold Antler Farm is the story and blog of Jenna Jackson. As Jenna says in her blog bio…

“Enjoy the story of a young writer living in Washington County with her fancy dogs, sheep, lots of chickens, fiber & meat rabbits, geese, ducks, turkeys, a hive and a garden. Expect to hear a lot about mountain music, the civil war, local food, and my friends along the way. It’s a big time folks.”

I love reading about Jenna’s experience with her farm, weather, her horse, Merlin, the weather, finances and more. Perhaps it is because I grew up in a farm environment, I respect her choices and her challenges in trying to homestead and make a living. Jenna has a lot of other activities beyond the farm, too, but all of them include it in some way. She has a wool CSA, runs a fiddling seminar, hosts the Antlerstock conferences at the farm and more. She tries to give her readers everything that happens on the farm and everything that happens with her. Sometimes this means posts about what a struggle it can be and at other times Jenna can be writing about the shear joy of rushing over snow-covered roads in a sleigh or driving her own cart and pony in a local parade.

Maybe reading Cold Antler Farm is my way of getting away from Los Angeles, at least in my mind. Despite 26+ years in California, there are times when I am still a small town boy at heart.

Link: Cold Antler Farm

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

New Media Vocabulary: Facebook Page

by

New media vocab logo

New Media Vocabulary: Facebook Page

Pages are a fairly recent addition to the Facebook features, but I think they were a natural — and important progression — in the service once it opened up to business use as well as the typical “friending” of individuals. Pages allow anyone to setup — what I describe as — a public facing account on Facebook. Before pages, if a business of any size wanted to connect with customers and interested people, they had to make everyone a “friend.” The trouble being, though, that in order to let these friends see your status updates and other content, you were also forced to see all of their status updates. This could quickly render most Facebook feeds useless as they were filled with other, non-related information from customers and other friends.

Pages allow you to contain the business-related discussions to an area outside of your own personal Facebook Timeline, allowing you follow those people and other Pages that are most important to you, without polluting your Timeline and making it unusable. Pages also allow people to add themselves (Like) your page without any further action on your part. They can also leave a page any time they desire. This helps to cut down on the amount of administration you have to do, especially if you were “friending” each person individually.

Pages also allow you to appoint multiple administrators for a page so that various members of a group can perform page tasks like moderating, banning spammers and posting new content from their own Facebook accounts instead of having to use one Facebook login shared among a group.

For more information on Facebook Pages:

   

Previously on New Media Vocabulary: