You know, sometimes you want a preamp, but not too
much preamp. Well, CEntrance has got you all-kinds of covered on
that tip with its new, self-contained, microphone-attaching, USB-based MicPort Pro. The premise of the device is simple: it turns any single microphone or instrument into a self-powered, single channel, 24-bit / 96KHz audio interface -- all you have to do is hook it up to your computer with the supplied USB cable. The MicPort also features a headphone out, if you want to create the wackiest closed-loop situation ever, though it looks like the company is intending this for podcasters and the like, given that it allows any and all XLR-based mics to be plugged directly into your USB port. Shipping now (or so the company says) for $149.95.
[Via
Harmony Central]
posted Aug 27th 2007 9:36AM
-but does it digitize all that pricey analog WELL??
If not, then what's the point?
That's a pretty steep price for a single USB preamp. It better produce crystal-clear sound.
strikes me as another hassle.
from what i've read it should sound very good, but at that price they should include a cheap pair of headphones and a cheap mic (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Nady-SP5-Mic-SpecialBuy-1-Get-2-Free?sku=277174)
Then again, it would make more sense to just bump the price to $199, add a mic stand and some other goofy accessories and call it a "Professional Podcast Kit"
Oh, you mean this:
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1904
This might be EXACTLY what I've been waiting for. I wonder if the USB output can be hacked to provide a digital output instead so that I can use it with my iriver ihp-120's on the go.
Awww, this showed up in the podcast feed and got my hopes up it was back.
ummmm speaking of podcasting, when are we going to hear another podcast from you guys? It's been...what..6 months now since the last podcast. What's the dealio, yo?
podcast is so yesterday.
maybe they will do something on youtube
Tell me why I need to pay $110 more than the SoundTech LightSnake XLR and I'll consider it... http://www.soundtech.com/lightsnake/xlr10.asp
SoundTech's goody provides only 16bit/48kHz recording. MicPortPro has 24/96
For 16/48 Centrance offers cheaper MicPort (not Pro):
http://www.frontendaudio.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=micport&mfg=&Search.x=0&Search.y=0
I tested this. It rocks. Really. And it isn't a hassle, if you want to use a regular XLR mic as input to your PC or mac. No drivers, no install, just plug and play. And the benefit over the LightSnake? Well for starters, how about a nice clean preamp? How about monitoring through the unit itself to avoid latency? How about phantom power for condenser mics? Finally the whole thing fits in your pocket. No batteries, either...it takes power from the USB port. It is an awesome addition to a mobile podcaster's kit. I plan on purchasing several.
I don't work for Centrance, but I know the guys over there and they are the real deal.
How about Engadget REALLY makes my podcast dreams come true and use this to create a new podcast!!!!!
Looks pretty handy for laptop users and such, but for that price you could get any number of other USB sound interfaces that are likely more flexible.
If it was my $150 I would get a cheap condenser mic, sound card, and mixer.
I've never been much for USB sound interfaces because of latency and generally inferior preamps, although this does monitor through the unit which might help the latency.
Yeah, but this product is aimed at people who already HAVE a microphone and want to use it to get clean sound into their system. BiddleBubbly, I suppose you could go cheap, but in my experience, cheap condenser mic + cheap sound card + cheap mixer usually equals crap sound. This is a solution that is a) smaller than any other interface I've seen (which makes a big difference in the laptop bag); b) doesn't require a power adapter to travel and c) provides phantom power (not all cheap usb interfaces do). When I tested this I used the MicroPort Pro, a heil PR40 mic and once of those retractable USB cables. Worked like a charm. The bulkiest part of the whole kit was the mic itself. Next I want to see how well it works from a mixer.
Looks like it is about the same price as a Snowball from BlueMic. With the Snowball, you get all that AND a pretty good microphone.
Smittie
STOP CALLING IT PODCASTING!!! Streaming audio was around LONG before the piddly iPod. And what happened to Apple suing everyone for royalties on the term?
I didn't use the term podcasting. Why did you reply to me??
Smittie
Point taken, but that is true of any USB mic. Snowball is a good piece of kit. What I want to try (And did not get an opportunity to do when I tested) is to be able to run a line out of my Tapco mixer, into the MicportPro, and into my computer. The real benefit of something like this is to have the flexibility to use different microphones. Snowball while a great mic, ain't no PR40, or Electrovoice RE-20 or Shure SM7B. For those of us that already have a mic it is a pretty attractive option. It is also easy to send the micport and a Beyerdynamics m58 interview mic to a correspondant in the field to cover an interview. Easy as in low bulk, easy to ship and use, no drivers required.
And to Jibbajabba: podcasting, netcasting whatevah. Apple doesn't care if you use podcasting as a general term. What they have a problem with is calling a commercial product an "anything-Pod." it means the same thing: a downloaded audio enclosure in an RSS feed. It is not however, the same thing as streaming audio. Leave Smittie alone ;)
To bring a mix into the computer I use an external firewire audio interface. You can a decent 2 channel USB interface about the same or a little more than this thing.
MicPort strikes me as interesting if you have, say, a Shure SM-58 that you want to use to get audio in. That is, you have a mic with specific audio qualities that you want to use to capture. In the case, this is a useful little bit of kit. If you just want a make to make your PODCAST, there are better options.
Smittie