If requests for interviews with me increase, I will refer back to this. At this point, I've had zero requests, but, of course, I'm not an expert on much of anything. I do, however, know which experts to listen to, so maybe that makes me an expert on the experts. I'm thankful for you and all the others I have come to know and appreciate over the last three years!
So this is your secret! Highly professional - not to forget the rose petals... a good atmosphere is as important as the equipment to bring a great interview! Thank you so much for all your dedication!! We love and appreciate you two!! Bettina
Very nice description of your portable kit. I have one minor technical note: the Shure SM7b is a dynamic element microphone that does not use phantom power. However, it has a rather low output level, and benefits from using a booster pre-amp in line, and that pre-amp is what you need the phantom power for. I also use the SM7b, usually with a Cloudlifter pre-amp (boosts level similar to the Triton unit, but a bit bulkier). But when I plug the mic directly into my Sound Devices MixPre-6 recorder, which has very sensitive, very good quality microphone pre-amps, I do not need to use the Cloudlifter, or phantom power.
I'm a professional audio engineer by the way, and in my opinion you have made good, appropriate choices for your broadcast travel setup. I would resist suggestions to use other, smaller microphones--using a good broadcast quality mic like the SM7b makes a big difference in sound quality.
Thanks for the qualified attaboy. I use the SM7b in studio mostly, but recently have been using the LCT-640-TS (Lewitt) on a boom. I use the Cloudlifter in studio and for my larger portable rig, together with a Focusrite USB interface. In the studio I am also migrating to a Rodecaster Pro mixing board.
I've been active in music/sound production for decades. That said, a SM7B is always a solid choice for voice, but the Lewitt LCT-240 Pro is more than adequate for commercial broadcast and less than half the price and size and weight. Plus they are often available as bundles with cables, stands, pop filters, ect. (see Amazon or Sweetwater). Last I saw, Glen Beck and Candace Owens are on 240s. The one thing most people miss in their rig is a decent compressor (often called a leveler in the broadcast world). Even an inexpensive and compact one makes a huge difference in audio quality, and indeed is the "missing link" for a broadcast quality sound. In the old days this was a large rack mounted piece of hardware. And still is for those insistent on not using plugins instead. Nowadays available as VST plugins that run on the computer you are running your sound thru. And decent plugins are available for free or a few dollars since the plugin world is basically commoditized pricing at this point. For what you're doing the "Supercharger" freebie from Native Instruments would be a great choice for simplicity and sound quality. (Note you do still need a preamp, and if the mic is a capacitor type or has a built in pre, also phantom power (which most interface/preamps have built in now days). PM me if you want more details.
Also, for studio where mic is not in camera view, I'd recommend looking into shotgun mics running thru compression (leveling). Rode makes decent products at reasonable price points that are well regarded. World of improvement when using a shotgun over a cardioid for this purpose...
Thanks - this is incredibly helpful for a lot of people. When someone can make turn-key recommendations like this, it can save literally years and tons of frustration with trial and error. On-the-go or home broadcasting is harder than it looks.
It was Valentines day. An upscale London hotel. We had come back from Breakfast to find rose petals on the bed in the shape of a heart, with the red rose in the center. Very nice touch. We just moved the petals onto the desk that was in the room.
ever do the trick with a rose petal to make a loud pop? make a circle with your fingers and place one petal with it's concavity face up, then smack it hard with the flat of the other hand
Dr. Malone and Jill, Thank You for ALL that you do! Thank You for your dedication to America and the people that you faithfully support! This is wonderful information for anyone that is interested in a minimalist broadcast kit.
I'm a little worried about you and Jill flying so much, given the shortage of pilots, the new poorly trained pilots and the lowering of health and competency standards for pilots.
Wow!!! I so appreciate what you and your wife do and all the miles of travel and all the interviews. What a smart thing to have your own broadcasting kit. I do talks on a totally different topic and learned the hard way several years ago to always bring my own equipment. People will promise you they have everything you need for a PowerPoint show and to speak to 300 people and then I would get there and they would have nothing. My favorite talk was they didn't even have electricity in an auditorium with no windows! That one was rough. But good for you and I know that is hard to get all of your luggage into the smallest space possible and then to hope it gets to the next spot you're going to. I'm saving this article to refer back to in case I need something similar someday. But in no way shape or form do I do the traveling or the talks or the important work that you do. Thank you for all
Well, I must say…this is very clever and look at you Dr. Malone, on the road and kind enough to share. I will save. I’ve always wanted to read books for children or those unable. Now this is
A buddy of mine has a company that greatly improves the post streamed audio. It saves the recording separately from each side of the conversation on the local machines. Then it mergers the two files into one excellent recording.
If requests for interviews with me increase, I will refer back to this. At this point, I've had zero requests, but, of course, I'm not an expert on much of anything. I do, however, know which experts to listen to, so maybe that makes me an expert on the experts. I'm thankful for you and all the others I have come to know and appreciate over the last three years!
So this is your secret! Highly professional - not to forget the rose petals... a good atmosphere is as important as the equipment to bring a great interview! Thank you so much for all your dedication!! We love and appreciate you two!! Bettina
Very nice description of your portable kit. I have one minor technical note: the Shure SM7b is a dynamic element microphone that does not use phantom power. However, it has a rather low output level, and benefits from using a booster pre-amp in line, and that pre-amp is what you need the phantom power for. I also use the SM7b, usually with a Cloudlifter pre-amp (boosts level similar to the Triton unit, but a bit bulkier). But when I plug the mic directly into my Sound Devices MixPre-6 recorder, which has very sensitive, very good quality microphone pre-amps, I do not need to use the Cloudlifter, or phantom power.
I'm a professional audio engineer by the way, and in my opinion you have made good, appropriate choices for your broadcast travel setup. I would resist suggestions to use other, smaller microphones--using a good broadcast quality mic like the SM7b makes a big difference in sound quality.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the qualified attaboy. I use the SM7b in studio mostly, but recently have been using the LCT-640-TS (Lewitt) on a boom. I use the Cloudlifter in studio and for my larger portable rig, together with a Focusrite USB interface. In the studio I am also migrating to a Rodecaster Pro mixing board.
I've been active in music/sound production for decades. That said, a SM7B is always a solid choice for voice, but the Lewitt LCT-240 Pro is more than adequate for commercial broadcast and less than half the price and size and weight. Plus they are often available as bundles with cables, stands, pop filters, ect. (see Amazon or Sweetwater). Last I saw, Glen Beck and Candace Owens are on 240s. The one thing most people miss in their rig is a decent compressor (often called a leveler in the broadcast world). Even an inexpensive and compact one makes a huge difference in audio quality, and indeed is the "missing link" for a broadcast quality sound. In the old days this was a large rack mounted piece of hardware. And still is for those insistent on not using plugins instead. Nowadays available as VST plugins that run on the computer you are running your sound thru. And decent plugins are available for free or a few dollars since the plugin world is basically commoditized pricing at this point. For what you're doing the "Supercharger" freebie from Native Instruments would be a great choice for simplicity and sound quality. (Note you do still need a preamp, and if the mic is a capacitor type or has a built in pre, also phantom power (which most interface/preamps have built in now days). PM me if you want more details.
Also, for studio where mic is not in camera view, I'd recommend looking into shotgun mics running thru compression (leveling). Rode makes decent products at reasonable price points that are well regarded. World of improvement when using a shotgun over a cardioid for this purpose...
Thanks - this is incredibly helpful for a lot of people. When someone can make turn-key recommendations like this, it can save literally years and tons of frustration with trial and error. On-the-go or home broadcasting is harder than it looks.
Dr. M, we love you and Jill!
Yes we do! 💜
Thank you for what you do.
That was a great equipment breakdown.
One Popular Mechanics would be proud of.
Yes sir! Great job!
With all the roses about, one might get the impression this setup was for something slightly more amorous than a podcast intended to save earth. 😉
It was Valentines day. An upscale London hotel. We had come back from Breakfast to find rose petals on the bed in the shape of a heart, with the red rose in the center. Very nice touch. We just moved the petals onto the desk that was in the room.
ever do the trick with a rose petal to make a loud pop? make a circle with your fingers and place one petal with it's concavity face up, then smack it hard with the flat of the other hand
Love it!😁
Dr. Malone and Jill, Thank You for ALL that you do! Thank You for your dedication to America and the people that you faithfully support! This is wonderful information for anyone that is interested in a minimalist broadcast kit.
Respectfully,
Frank Shelton
I'm a little worried about you and Jill flying so much, given the shortage of pilots, the new poorly trained pilots and the lowering of health and competency standards for pilots.
You guys rock!! ❤️💪
Wow!!! I so appreciate what you and your wife do and all the miles of travel and all the interviews. What a smart thing to have your own broadcasting kit. I do talks on a totally different topic and learned the hard way several years ago to always bring my own equipment. People will promise you they have everything you need for a PowerPoint show and to speak to 300 people and then I would get there and they would have nothing. My favorite talk was they didn't even have electricity in an auditorium with no windows! That one was rough. But good for you and I know that is hard to get all of your luggage into the smallest space possible and then to hope it gets to the next spot you're going to. I'm saving this article to refer back to in case I need something similar someday. But in no way shape or form do I do the traveling or the talks or the important work that you do. Thank you for all
Well, I must say…this is very clever and look at you Dr. Malone, on the road and kind enough to share. I will save. I’ve always wanted to read books for children or those unable. Now this is
Wonderfully documented. Thank you very much.
I agree with J Goodrich. If you could post your broadcast schedule that would be great. That is quite the broadcast system .
Love how your mind works! Concise directions and great flowing how to. ps...loved the roses 🌹
A buddy of mine has a company that greatly improves the post streamed audio. It saves the recording separately from each side of the conversation on the local machines. Then it mergers the two files into one excellent recording.
Ringer.com
Ringr.com