Technically Working
3 days ago

#161 – If I Can't Hear Me, They Can't Hear Me

Technically Working Episode 161: If I Can't Hear Me, They Can't Hear Me

Episode 161 comes to you from a hotel room. Michael is on the road with Mallory, recording over hotel Wi-Fi with the DJI wireless mics, and Damashe is at his desk for one last show before move day. What started as a check-in turned into a full walkthrough of portable audio setups, why monitoring yourself matters, and the boom arm that finally solved Damashe's travel mic problem.

Damashe is using the new Rode Wireless Micro and walks through his first impressions. The case is barely bigger than an Open Fit case, the receiver is just a USB-C plug with no buttons, the app is accessible (with one quirk around radio buttons that read as dim even when selected), and the noise cancellation is configurable. The one downside is you can't put the windscreen on and close the case. He's leaning toward this over the DJI for portability, though he admits the DJI Mic 2 that Michael uses sounds slightly better.

From there, the conversation opens up into a deeper guide on portable recording. They talk through the ATR2500x and Samson Q2U as solid USB/XLR starter mics that work with any operating system, why the Beta 87A is still Damashe's hill to die on for an XLR setup, and the long-running portable audio struggle with mic stands that are technically portable but practically uncomfortable. That problem finally got solved thanks to a tip from Rob Dunwood on the Daily Tech News Show. The Toti mic arm for lightweight mics folds into three sections, clamps onto sloped desk edges, and was on sale for $24. Damashe is impressed.

There's a side trip into using your phone as a webcam. Damashe makes the case for Camo over Continuity Camera, mostly because Continuity Camera shows up uninvited and disappears at the worst times. Michael's setup recommendation is an old iPhone with a MagSafe pop socket clipped to the back of your laptop.

The episode also covers the cable rule. If you travel with a bag, that bag has its own set of cables and adapters, and you do not borrow from it. Even if a cable in your house dies and you need one right now, do not touch the bag cables until the replacement is already on its way. Damashe learned this in Houston.

Plus updates on the move (happening tomorrow), gas prices ($3.29 for Damashe, $5.50 average for Michael, $6.69 in northern California), the bot taking spring break until the new office is set up, and a listener question for the audience: what should the bot be named? Box is on the table but Damashe is not on board.

Send your bot name suggestions to [email protected] or hit them up on Mastodon.

Episode Chapter Markers

  • 0:00 - Hotel Wi-Fi, capture portals, and recording on the road
  • 0:25 - MagSafe rumors and why they're not going anywhere
  • 2:09 - Shout out to listeners and a request for App Store reviews
  • 3:41 - Damashe's new Rode Wireless Micro first impressions
  • 5:00 - The case, the receiver, and the accessible app
  • 7:18 - Why monitoring yourself matters
  • 8:19 - Both mics compared side by side
  • 10:01 - Move day prep and storage strategy
  • 11:04 - LaunchBar VoiceOver update and a Mac mute keyboard shortcut problem
  • 12:32 - Gas prices, vending stops, and stay out of California
  • 13:37 - Portable audio setup deep dive begins
  • 16:14 - ATR2500x and Samson Q2U as starter mics
  • 18:21 - The portable mic stand problem
  • 19:57 - The Toti boom arm find
  • 22:21 - The price reveal ($24)
  • 23:13 - Audio interfaces, Zoom recorders, and the H1 XLR
  • 26:12 - The cable bag rule
  • 28:24 - Phones as cameras, Continuity Camera vs Camo
  • 31:46 - Continuity Camera popping up at the worst times
  • 33:00 - Damashe's eBay plans
  • 33:34 - Wrap up and the bot's spring break
  • 35:07 - Name the bot

Support Technically Working by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/technically-working

Find out more at https://technically-working.pinecast.co

Send us your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/technically-working/4402df81-52c8-4b3b-9346-d4bac0297f84

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-431b7d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Technically Working.