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1. Embed this notice
   Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 21:37:16 JST Jay Baker

   Hey all you #PodcastersOfMastodon! I've just come into possession of a fantastic microphone, but beyond that am short of funds - so am wondering if anyone has any tips on good value XLR to USB cables (straight from mic into my Linux laptop) so I can make the most of this fabulous mic with minimal fuss (or hiss, haha). #podcasters #podcaster #podcasting #podcast #audio #AskFedi #Linux

   • Embed this notice
     Widget (widget7195@mastodonapp.uk)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 21:49:10 JST Widget

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist To go from XLR to USB you need something with a pre-amp and an analog to digital converter: A USB audio interface. If you're on a budger, Behringer gear is good value for money. Something like the "Behringer U-phoria UM2" might be what you're after. I've just came across one called the "
     ESI U22 XT" which looks similar but has a higher sampling rate. I've got a Behringer UMC204HD which is similar but a bit more expensive and I'm really happy with it.

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 21:49:10 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • Widget

     @Widget7195 Wow thank you, this is really useful!

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 23:14:37 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • BeAware

     @BeAware Ah, shit. Thanks so much for helping!

   • Embed this notice
     BeAware (beaware@social.beaware.live)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 23:14:38 JST BeAware

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist doesn't exist unfortunately, you'll need a mixer/pre-amp in the middle of the mic and PC.

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 23:25:08 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • BeAware

     @BeAware Thanks! Saw some reviews of cables claiming to convert but all seemed shitty and recommended a mixer. This could end up costing me quite a bit haha...

   • Embed this notice
     BeAware (beaware@social.beaware.live)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 23:25:09 JST BeAware

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist no worries, for clarification, XLR is an audio-only cable while USB is data/power. It's definitely worth the investment though. XLR mics are the best of the best.👍

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 23:34:43 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • BeAware

     @BeAware For me, my whole life in guerilla media has treated tech as a means to an end, so I can't claim to be an audiophile haha, but the mic I got my hands on is neatly represented in my profile image: it's a Stagg chrome retro mic, um, MD-007 iirc. I'm barely scraping by right now but thankfully patrons have enabled me to buy bits of tech, piece by piece.

   • Embed this notice
     BeAware (beaware@social.beaware.live)'s status on Friday, 02-Feb-2024 23:34:44 JST BeAware

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist it'll be worth it if you're an audiophile. Being a podcaster, I assume you are, so even if it takes awhile, in the end, you'll be happy with the investment. What's the microphone model if you don't mind me asking?

     The one I've used in the past and is pretty much the best of the best is the Shure SM7B. It's a $400 mic alone so if you got your hands on anything close to that, you probably got a steal

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 00:03:12 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • BeAware

     @BeAware Guerilla radio hell yeah! You're right about the times we're in. Thank you so much for your help and support!

   • Embed this notice
     BeAware (beaware@social.beaware.live)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 00:03:13 JST BeAware

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist well, you afford what you can afford. I'm sure you'll be able to get a mixer going at some point. In the end, it's probably more important than ever to go lights out and do guerilla radio😉

     Especially in this year specifically. Good luck, friend. I'm sure you'll figure it all out.

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 01:25:15 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • Phil Ashby :marmite: 🍵

     @phlash Holy shit that's amazing! Thank you so much. And btw yes UBI now!

   • Embed this notice
     Phil Ashby :marmite: 🍵 (phlash@mastodon.me.uk)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 01:25:16 JST Phil Ashby :marmite: 🍵

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist assuming you are in Europe.. thomann have you covered: https://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_mic_2_usb.htm

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 01:27:26 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • John Federico ⌘

     @gadgetboy Wow that's a really cool option, yes. Thank you so much!

   • Embed this notice
     John Federico ⌘ (gadgetboy@gadgetboy.social)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 01:27:29 JST John Federico ⌘

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist Hi, Jay. In what limited experience I’ve had with the kind of cables you describe, the quality is usually poor. I would recommend something like this:

     https://a.co/d/itjoFtg

     It provides the same functionality (XLR-to-USB), but also headphone controls and computer/mic mixing. Pyle is a decent entry-level brand, too. (e.g.; a similar device from Shure is 120% more costly)

     Hope that helps.

   • Embed this notice
     Jay Baker (mediaactivist@todon.eu)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 02:17:18 JST Jay Baker

     in reply to

     • Phil Ashby :marmite: 🍵

     @phlash Ah yes, good points, can identify their offers and compare. Thanks. And hell yeah...always!

   • Embed this notice
     Phil Ashby :marmite: 🍵 (phlash@mastodon.me.uk)'s status on Saturday, 03-Feb-2024 02:17:19 JST Phil Ashby :marmite: 🍵

     in reply to

     @MediaActivist You're welcome 😁 Thomann are an excellent place to look for all things audio and musical, although their shipping options can be a bit pricy with small orders - sometimes having found the right product a quick eBay search turns up a local (in country, UK) stockist. Stay radical! ✊