Tech & Gadgets

Best Quality USB Microphones For Recording Reviews

Published

6 months ago

June 3, 2022

admin

If you are looking to start a new podcast series or record a demo of your originally composed songs, then you are probably wondering how to get the best quality of sound out of your computer. Think no more because USB microphones were created to do just that. All one needs to do is to attach the microphone via a USB cable to their laptop and begin recording. A variety of microphones exist in the market currently as discussed below.

Top 10 Best Quality USB Microphones For Recording Reviews

1. Samson Go Mic Portable USB Condenser Microphone

It has slim dimensions thus making it portable. It is compatible with Macs and PCs thus you do not need a drive to use it. Apart from being great for podcasts and recording music, this microphone can also be used in platforms like iChat, web casting and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The lack of durability however could be a major challenge. Some customers have reported breakdown of the device a few days after purchase. However, if you are big on saving space on your work area, I would recommend that you get this mic as its unique design will enable it attach to your laptop thus saving you tons of space.

2. Blue Microphones Snowball USB Microphone

This microphone is designed like a capsule giving you the choice between omnidirectional and cardiodid elements. Its USB output allows you to produce quality records. One outstanding feature of this product is that it has a -10Db pad switch that allows you to eliminate noise and other distractions when recording at very high volumes. Also, it comes with a desktop stand and a USB cable to give you a pleasant recording experience. Recording levels could be however a bit too low if you are recording many people. This would be great for recording solo demos or podcasts but really poor for conducting interviews of multiple people.

3. Blue Microphones Yeti USB Microphone-Silver

It has three condenser capsules that enable one to record quality sound over almost all voice ranges. It is also compatible with Mac and PC thus one doesn’t need a drive to play it. The Yeti USB Microphone also gives one access to a variety of patterns hence one is spoilt for choice. It also has headphones which enable one to play and listen to the recording. Having the USB cable at the base makes it less durable since it causes tension between the cable and connector. The connector may come of if extra pulling force is applied. This is the most diverse of all the microphones hence would work well with almost everyone.

4. Blue Microphones Yeti Pro USB Microphone

Another type of Yeti microphone is the Yeti Pro. Apart from having headphones that enable optimal control and three condensers like the Yeti-Silver, it has in addition an A-D convertor chip and a circuit path that is separate allowing for its use by professional studio mixers as well as preamps. Also it has excellent frequency of between fifteen and twenty two hertz .Its ability to combine a twenty four bit resolution together with an analog output has placed it among the top USB Microphones in the market currently. This mic is however on the pricey side. Also the high levels of gain required during recording could also be a major challenge to the customer. If you can afford the Yeti Pro however, you will find that it is suitable for almost all functions.

5. Audio-Technica AT20USB Cardioid Condenser

This type focuses on the cardioid pattern thus would be excellent for individual users. Also it generates very little noise hence can be used with advanced recording equipment. Its diaphragm is low-mass allowing for a longer period of frequency response as well as better transient response. Although it promises to eliminate noise, some users report that it captures a little background noise thus affecting quality of the record. Personally, I find that this is one of the most durable microphones in the market hence it would save you tons of money.

6. CAD GXL2200 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Its condenser is externally biased thus allowing for focus on the required sound. It also has a frequency response of between thirty and twenty hertz enabling it to provide tonal balance in a variety of conditions. An impedance of seventy five ohms enables it to keep radio frequencies out when recording audio. It is however not as long-lasting as you would want it to be, as reported by some users. This would be best for professional musicians because of its high sensitivity (16mv).

7. Behringer C-1

Like the other cardioid condensers, its cardioid pattern enables it to pick only the required sound and reject feedback. It has FET-input that produces low noise therefore it prevents sound distortions. Also, its large diaphragm provides good sound quality. Its sensitivity is quiet low compared to the other microphones hence you may not be able to pick up sounds from far. Also you may need to use it with a preamplifier. I would urge those looking to play around with their computers to consider this mic but not professional musicians due to its low sensitivity.

8. MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser

It has a switchable bass cut and -10Db pad that eliminates noise. The FET preamp also provides output that is balanced. Also, it comes with casing and shock mount for extra protection. Although it promises to eliminate noise, some users claim that it picks background sounds. This is appropriate for those looking to save money since it is likely to be very durable.

9. Bad Axx 904-UM-600 Studio USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Has cardioid pattern, enabling it to eliminate feedback. It has a speed of 480 Mbps enabling fast transfer of sound. It enables recording of several tracks, as well as their monitoring. An audio resolution of 16-bit enables elimination of noise. Also it comes with USB cable, 2 year warranty, shock amount and mic clip. The drivers have been reported not to work sometimes making installation difficult. Once installed however, the sound produced is great. The fact that it comes with such a long warranty period can attest to the manufacturer’s confidence in this product’s durability. Based on this, you should consider purchasing this product.

10. Apogee Mic 96k Professional Quality Microphone

The final type is the Apogee Mic 96k Professional Quality Microphone designed for iPad, IPhone Mac and ipod touch. It also uses cardioid pattern enabling focus on particular sound. Apart from this, it doesn’t require any additional batteries because it is charged by the connection to the ipad and iphone devices. It also comes with USB cables so you can begin recording immediately after purchase. However, the price could be prohibitive to some customers. If you can afford it you should go for it since it would eliminate the need for a laptop.

Final Thoughts

The market offers a lot of good quality microphones that would instantly suit your description and entertainment needs. That said, you should take time to understand what you want, where to get it and its full functionality. By doing so, it will lead to making informed decisions. However, that is not all, despite the good reviews, there are some instances where you might miss on something.

Tech & Gadgets

WhatsApp likely to add another verification code to prevent fraud

Published

6 months ago

June 5, 2022

admin

‘The feature is under development so it is not ready to be released to the public’

San Francisco: Meta-owned WhatsApp is working on a new feature that adds an extra layer of security before logging into a WhatsApp account, for a future update of beta for Android and iOS.

According to WABetaInfo, this feature is under development so it is not ready to be released to the public.

When the feature will be released to beta testers, any successful attempt to log into the user’s WhatsApp account from another device requires an additional verification code to confirm.

The report mentioned that the company is now working on this feature to protect those users that may naively share their 6-digit code.

Edit text messages

Recently, a report said that WhatsApp is now working on the ability to edit text messages for a future update of WhatsApp beta testers.

The Meta-owned platform is now working on letting users edit their text messages for a future update of the app and this feature is under development so it is not ready to be released to beta testers.

Home Improvement

Best Cordless Remote Control Picture Lights Reviews

Published

6 months ago

June 3, 2022

admin

Choosing the best cordless remote control picture lights comes with its own set of challenges. From brightness to batteries you have to know what will work for you and why.

In our reviews, we break down exactly what to expect from each light, giving you all the information you need so you buy the right light for your needs.

1. Concept Lighting 302L Cordless LED Remote Control Picture Light, 18″, Antique Brass with Silver undertones

This provides a very bright light of up to 120 Lumens. An all metal housing and takes 8 C batteries, and 2 AAA batteries for the wireless remote. This light is fine on artwork as the LEDS give off no heat or harmful UV rays. You can expect to get around 80 hours of use on the brightest setting, or if you use it sparingly in 4-5 hour increments that goes up to 120 hours of use. The unit can be controlled from the wireless remote or from the unit itself. Mount it on your picture frame or wall with a very easy installation of either.

2. Cocoweb 16-inch Black Brass LED Tru-Slim Picture Light – SLED16BK

Rated with a 2700 Kelvin color temperature that matches natural sunlight. Your artwork is safe with this light. Clocking in at 450 lumens, this light can get very bright. The adjustable dimmer gives you the right amount of control for when you need it. This is a corded light, but installs easily to a wall or picture frame. The cord is around 10 feet long and comes with a remote as well.

3. Rite Lite LPL601XLDBZRC battery operated Super Bright LED Picture Light

This 13 inch wide light is capable of up to 70 lumens. It has a screw mount bracket and attaches to the wall, not the frame. Taking 3 AAA batteries, if you need a light that isn’t going to get a lot of use then this is a good choice. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself replacing the batteries very often under heavy use. The remote is wireless with a simple on/off function. There’s a dimmable switch located on the unit.

4. Concept 102L Cordless Remote Control LED Picture Light- 11 1/2 inch Antique Brass With Silver Undertones

This metal, batterie power light can last up to 150 hours of normal 4-5 hours of use. It’s 11.5″ wide and takes 4 D Batteries. It can extend between 3.5″ and 5.75″ out from the wall. The warm white SMD LEDS are dimmable and safe for artwork. No heat or harmful UV rays come from these LEDS. The remote can control mutliple units, so if you plan on getting a few that will come in handy. If you plan on mounting it to the picture frame keep in mind the batteries add some weight. It can mount to the wall as a better option. This is a great light for pictures up to 3 feet wide.

5. Cocoweb 30 inch Gold LED Tru-Slim Gallery Lamp – SLED30GD

This is a great light if you’re willing to shell out the extra money. It can get very bright at 650 lumens and the light itself is 30 inches wide. There is a dimmer that comes with this light, so you can adjust the brightness to your needs. The shade angle can also be adjusted as well, so configuring the light to how you like it is a breeze. Keep in mind this is a corded light which can be mounted to your wall or picture frame with an easy installation. Its gold finish can really tie a room together and is perfect for any artwork you because the LEDS are UV and mercury free.

6. Concept Lighting 103L Cordless LED Picture Light, 11.5-Inch

This black light is cordless and 11.5 inches wide. The warm white SMD LEDS are safe as they don’t give off any heat or UV rays. It takes 4 D batteries so you might want to mount it to the wall instead of your picture frame. It comes with a remote control as well and can control multiple lights.

7. LED Remote Control Picture Light Cordless –Light Antique Brass Hue – For pictures up to 3 feet wide- Safe for artwork – No UV and NO Heat – Solid Steel Frame 1.3 lbs – Dimmer included

This light has a solid steel from and weighs about 1.3 lbs. As is the standard for all the lights in our guide, this is UV and heat free, keeping your artwork safe from harm. It takes 4 D batteries and you can operate it with the remote control easily. The feature you might find neat is the 4 stage dimming capabilities. Adjust your light from the included remote with ease and to your liking. This lamp is ideal for pictures under 20 inches in width.

8. Concept Lighting 202L Cordless Remote Control LED Picture Light Antique Brass, Small

Compact in size, this is great for small frames because of its size(7 3/4″). It takes 3 C batteries and should last around 80 hours on the highest brightness. Expect more out of this light if you use it sparingly or in short durations. It comes with a remote control that can turn it on and off and dimm the light. You can mount it to your wall or picture frame itself with a very easy installation.

9. LED Remote Control Picture Light Cordless – Matte Black Finish – For pictures up to 3 feet wide- Safe for artwork – No UV and NO Heat – Solid Steel Frame 1.3 lbs – Dimmer included

This light shines in with up to 96 lumens. It comes equipped with a four stage dimmer, giving you control over just how much light you want. Get up to 100 hours of battery life out of this light, and more if you use it sparingly in 4-5 hour sessions. It takes 4 batteries making it a light you probably want mount into a wall instead of your frame. It’s 11.5 inches wide making it a good choice for pictures up to around 24 inches in width.

10. Concept Lighting 105L Cordless LED Picture Light, 11.5-Inch, Satin Nickel

Control multiple lights from one remote control. Each light is capable of up to 100 hours on the brightest setting. The warm wight SMD LEDS are safe for artwork and give off no UV or heat. It’s around 11.5 inches wide and can be mounted to the frame or your artwork. Keep in mind that because it takes 4 D batteries it can weigh down your picture. Expect up to 150 hours of use out of this light if you use it sparingly. It comes with a nice finish that will definitely complement any room you choose to use it in.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a lot of cordless remote control picture lights but the one that really stands out is Concept Lighting 302L Cordless LED Remote Control Picture Light, 18″, Antique Brass with Silver undertones.

It’s wider at 18 inches but works great even on smaller pieces of art because of its adjustable dimmer. It’s capable of up to 120 lumens so you can get a good variety of brightness with the dimmer, making it one of the most versatile cordless remote control picture lights.

Hooking it up to your frame or wall is very easy and can be done quickly. In 4-5hour increments you can expect this light to give you plenty of life, up 120 hours, and more if you use it sparingly. From the brightness to the beautiful design it will complement your room and picture nicely and will serve as a focal point when people walk in.

Foods&Drink

Top 10 Best Professional Belgian Waffle Makers Reviews

Published

6 months ago

June 3, 2022

admin

In order to get ready for an action packed day a well balanced breakfast is ideal. Having the same thing for breakfast each morning can get boring and investing in an affordable waffle maker is a good way to spice up your morning routine. While you can buy a box of frozen waffles at the grocery store, nothing is better than heating up your waffle maker and making your own waffles from homemade batter. In just a few short minutes you can have tasty waffles on the table.

1. Presto 03510 FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker

This Belgian waffle maker from Presto is made of plastic as well as stainless steel. The waffle tray itself rotates in a complete circle which allows for even cooking and no sticking. The extra thick grid base makes one, seven inch Belgian waffle that is perforated into four different sections that can be easily cut or torn apart. The surface is non-stick so the waffle can be easily removed once cooked and this also allows for easy cleanup. You can also lock the rotating tray into a vertical position so the entire unit can be easily stored when not in use.

2. Waring Pro WMK600 Double Belgian-Waffle Maker

This powerful waffle maker is powered by 1400 watts and it can make two Belgian waffles at one time. Each plate rotates a full 360 degrees for even cooking and the pockets are 1 inch in depth. There is a thermostat and browning control knob included on this product which is a nice feature that is not found on all waffle makers. Two LED indicator lights let you know when the plate is hot and ready to be used. Another lets you know when it is time to check the waffle.

3. Calphalon No Peek Waffle Maker

This is a much more upscale waffle maker that has a lot of really great and convenient features. The No Peak progress indicator shows what the browning process is without having to lift the cover of the waffle maker and disturb the cooking process. The nonstick plates are made of bronze and there are three different temperature settings that allow for waffles that are light, medium and dark. A chime lets the ‘chef’ know when the product is ready to be removed and the equipment shuts off automatically so nothing burns if left unattended.

4. West Bend 6201 Rotary Waffle Maker

West Bend makes a really compact Rotary Waffle Maker that cooks evenly and browns to perfection. The product makes one Belgian waffle at a time and one inch thickness. Each waffle is perforated into four easy to cut sections. A hard to find feature that is included with this West Bend product is a drip tray that keeps excess batter from messing up the maker or your kitchen. The entire unit is then very easy to clean and then the compact design makes it easy to store.

5. Chef’s Choice M840 WafflePro Express Waffle Maker, Traditional Five of Hearts

As a slightly different waffle maker, this unit from Chef’s Choice makes five heart shaped waffles at once. You can choose from deep bake mode or simply the crisp exterior, soft inside setting. The unit has cord storage and a floating top plate which allows for uniform thickness and proper cooking. There is also a fast temperature recovery time with this unit so you can churn out waffles at top speed.

6. Hamilton Beach 25475 Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Instead of a traditional waffle maker, Hamilton Beach makes a breakfast sandwich maker that cooks a delicious breakfast sandwich in just five minutes. You layer your own fresh ingredients into the maker including an English muffin, biscuit, etc. The sandwich maker cooks all of the ingredients together. The parts are all removable and dishwasher safe which is very convenient and nice.

7. All-Clad 99011GT 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker

This waffle maker is so nice you will want to keep it on your counter all the time. The waffle maker locks closed so you get a completely consistent waffle at all times and the lid will not move upwards as the waffle puffs up and cooks. There are also six different browning levels to choose from.

8. KitchenAid KPWB100OB Pro Line Series Waffle Baker

1-1/4-inch thick waffles can be cooked at the same time with this KitchenAid waffle baker. The exterior is stainless steel and the plates are made of a non-stick material. The double sided baking plate flips over to create uniform waffles.

9. VillaWare NDVLWFBFS1-SHP Belgian Flip Waffle Maker

This waffle maker is about as cute and compact as you can get. With all the traditional features of a waffle maker, this unit from VillaWare has a large drip tray for excess batter and also a pulsing light that lets you know when the waffles are done cooking. There are also various browning settings.

10. Proctor-Silex 26500Y Durable Belgian Waffle Baker

This waffle baker from Proctor-Silex has a durable design that sits flat on the counter top with no need for rotating or flipping. The surface itself is non-stick and cooks a waffle in just minutes to a perfect crispy outside and soft inside. A preheat light indicator lets you know it is the perfect time to pour your batter on the waffle baker and a ready indicator lets you know the perfect time to remove the waffle. You can easily store this gadget in your cupboard or pantry thanks to its sleek design. It is 11-1/4 inches long and 8 1/5 inches wide with a height of 4-1/4 inches.

A waffle maker is an affordable way to spice up a boring morning breakfast routine. A waffle maker is a great way to create a healthy and enjoyable breakfast that you and your family will love. The process is so simple that you won’t mind getting out the waffle maker frequently and you may find that the unit even finds itself a permanent spot on your kitchen counter