Leo’s Turn The Table Turkey –

Surprised? Leo doesn’t have a new phone, or a new phone case as his pick for this week’s show. He has a new microphone. It’s the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone. (Yep, it could go on our l-o-n-g product name list.)  Leo likes this mic a lot, especially considering the price, under $55. This rugged handheld microphone offers two outputs, USB for digital recording, and an XLR output that connects with a sound system conventional microphone input for use in live performance. The microphone can plug right into your computer USB port, and it will work with your favorite recording software. But wait, there’s more! The ATR2100-USB also offers a quality analog-to-digital converter for excellent fidelity. Another very nice feature is a headphone output jack with level control. This will let you use headphones to monitor the output from your microphone with no audible delay. The cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of unwanted sounds from the sides and rear. The microphone is ideal for live performance, podcasting, home studio recording, field recording, and voiceover use. Right on this Netcast Leo unplugged his Heil PR-20 professional microphone and plugged in the Audio-Technica ATR 2100.  The sound was excellent. It wasn’t as deep and rich as the Heil mic, but it was amazing for a microphone that sells for under $55 on Amazon. Although Leo said it was advertised as working with the iPhone, he could not make that happen. However, using the $30 iPad camera adapter, he was able to record using the ATR 2100 on his iPad. All-in-all Leo thinks this is an excellent microphone for people who want decent sound and who are working with a tight budget. Accessories that come with the unit include a USB cable, XLR cable and a folding tripod stand. List price is $79.99, but do a search on Amazon and you can find it for as low as $52.50. Leo bought his on Amazon.

Company info: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/b8dd84773f83092c/index.html

Here’s Leo’s 90-second audio test using the ATR 2100 and his iPad:

http://tinyurl.com/6rz7sbp

See or hear this Netcast www.twit.tv/dgw1361

This link usually goes live Sunday, the day after we record this show.