18 days ago

TW 102: Office Setups & Upgrades

<h4>Kicking Off with a Familiar Chaos</h4>

Michael and Damashe reflect on how their episodes often start mid-conversation instead of with a structured intro.
Michael notes that this mirrors their real-life calls—jumping straight into discussions without formal greetings.

<h4>Damashe’s Office Overhaul</h4>

New Layout: Desk now faces the room instead of the wall, giving a more executive feel.
Tech & Workspace Adjustments:
Boom Arm Swap: Back to the Rode boom arm for smoother, quieter adjustments.
Microphone Change: Using the Beta 87A after stashing away the Earthworks mic.
Acoustic Challenges: Removing boxes increased reverb—plans to install sound dampening panels.
Networking Upgrade: Exploring Ethernet setup, possibly running cables through the attic.
Additional Changes & Plans:
Coin sorter and bill counter now have dedicated spots.
New storage system for organizing cables and tools.
Plans to mount wall cabinets for more space.
Top Wish List Item: Better climate control—the office lacks central heating/AC, making it challenging in extreme weather.

<h4>Michael’s Office & Flexible Workstyle</h4>

Garage Setup:
Two-tier sit-stand desk (mostly used sitting).
Logitech MX Keys keyboard, Mackie 1204FX mixer, and Vocaster 2 audio interface.
OWC dock connects everything neatly.
Living Room Workstation:
Uses the DJI Wireless 2 Mic for portable calls and recordings.
Primary workspace: the living room couch with his MacBook Pro and headphones.
Recording process: Quickly reconnects his setup in the garage, ready to go in seconds.

<h4>Apple’s Surprise Improvements</h4>

Audio Switching Just Works™:
macOS now remembers and restores audio devices when reconnected—something that was unreliable in the past.
No more manually resetting inputs and outputs after unplugging an interface.
MacBook Battery Life = Game Changer (but we won’t say that)
Long-lasting battery means less time tethered to power, more time working from anywhere.

<h4>Cellular Upgrades with US Mobile</h4>

Damashe switched his personal and business lines to US Mobile, now offering:
AT&T and Verizon network switching for better coverage.
Unlimited data on a second line for free when both lines are on the same phone.
Future dream: MacBooks with built-in cellular, making tethering a thing of the past.

<h4>Closing Thoughts</h4>

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