Doing a podcast usually ties me to a studio, with all of the wires connecting the headset, the mixer and of course, the mics.

To be honest, it is usually just me, and each piece of gear has been selected to give me the maximum quality audio.

Hollyland has just introduced the Melo P1, available on kickstarter, and I now feel comfortable taking my podcast to the great outdoors!

OK, maybe just on my roof.

Here is a full walkthrough of the set-up with demo sound near the end:

At first glance, this case holding all the components, and is so well designed, holding everything I need.

Here is what comes in the combo set:

*Handheld mic

*Mixer (connecting to the app)

*Bluetooth earbuds

*A remote control

*A sleek internal holder for the USB-C cables

*The case is also the charger.

When I opened the case for the first time (after a full charge) the light on all of the elements told me they were charged and linked

As the mic is handheld, I added a mic stand, and to be fair, a branded mic flag.

When you have the mixer, you get total control of the sound quality through the app.

I basically set the sound I wanted, via the ear buds, and went into my video recorder of choice. On the phone, it’s the BlackMagic Camera app.

Setting the recording to 32-bit float, I was assured “no clipping”

The podcast could be all audio, although now video has been added by using the camera app.

Yes, for 4K Pro Res, I added a 2TB SSD to the situation. (shown here)

I love my portable tiny mics for fast set-up interviews, like the MS2, but for a well-mixed higher end output, the handheld mic mixed properly, was the key.

OK, wireless, and you also have the option to plug the mixer into your phone or computer. Simple.

But what if I wanted to add a person?

I used the receiver from the MS2 kit and plugged it into the mixer, and lo and behold, the mics connected could now have a multi person podcast! All illustrated in the video above.

I could have the another person use one of the ear pods and keep the output on mono.

Yes, I have tried the other portable podcasting units, like the Zoom Podcaster. Unfortunately, the BT option on that unit is not reliable, and I still have wired attached with the mics and headsets.

There is one thing I have not solved yet and that is add my opening music, which is on a touchpad on my studio mixer.

I’m sure that is a feature I just haven’t figured out yet.

I know this set up was designed with mainly the musician in mind, but I don’t sing nor play an instrument.

As soon as I saw this package, I knew how to use it.

Especially with the nice weather upon us. Time to venture out from the home studio!

Bonus is being able to travel with this rig, and get great sound on location, in a small package.

It does come with some extras like a hand strap for the case, a rubber cover for the bottom of the mic (you can’t charge with it on, but it looks cleaner), a jack to plug in a guitar or other pluggable instrument to the mixer.

Overall, it did take a minute to install necessary firmware updates, and sort out the added mic situation, but it all came together.

The case is so well laid out, that it one of the sweet features of this rig: Solid protection, charging, and each piece fits perfectly in the slots.

Sony Introduced their latest camera with a hands-on event at an Upper East side mansion. The 7R VI

You can click this link to see all the specs. 

The event was complete with multiple shooting opportunities. Sets with models, and even places to get your own portrait done, although I can never understand that part of these events.

We were given a drink ticket, a poncho for the possible rain later, and some cookies.

OK, the most important part was being able to put your own SD card into the camera with a variety of shooting scenarios and lenses.

To be fair, the images you see here are just from the jpgs, as the RAW files cannot be processed by LR. Yet.

That’s the way it goes when you get a hands-on chance with yet to be available cameras.

My first take was the size and weight.

So much lighter than I thought it would be with a Full Frame stacked sensor with 66.8 MP

The grip was a bit chunkier that I thought it would be, but with the lenses I used, it was a perfect balance.

The photos here are straight out of camera, no color or image adjustment , and only this first set up has a crop, so you can see the quality of the image.

In this set, the 50mm f/1.2 was the lens mounted for shooting.

A compact, super-fast lens, that felt very comfortable in my hands.

It was set for an eye detection for the AF, not my usuals go to, but worked here.

Lots of refection, and as you would imagine a sold lighting scheme

Then I went to the top floor where we had ballet. Men and women.

With the 50-150mm f/2.0 it was the right zoom length for the room.

Here it is at 85mm, f2.0

here it is at 150MM f/2.0

I wanted to check out the 100-400 mm. and even at 400mm f/ 4.5 it performed well.

As a Fuji user, I was curious how the infamous Sony AF would perform.

For the most part it was on point, although the % of misses were higher than I thought it would be. The shallow DOF could have been to blame.

The most surprising part of the lens was although very long, the balance in the hand, and the weight were very viable.

Even handheld, the % of sharp images was impressive.

TBH, though the size of the Fuji 100-400 was more to my liking.

Overall, a good event to actually use the camera and lenses.

I’m looking forward to seeing the RAW images I captured simultaneously on my SD card.

The availability is June, and the price for the body alone is about $4500.00 

Of course until the actual release date that could shift.

Taking notes can take your focus away from what is being said.

But you HAVE to.

Some folks feel that once you write something down, it sticks better.

I don’t necessarily agree and here is why.

There are a number of devices out there that can record, transcribe, and summarize your conversations or meetings and each one has a primary purpose.

One of the jobs I do is interview filmmakers and for those calls, I am usually on zoom.

In those cases I use an in ear bud called RecDot from Viaim

It’s a noice cancelling earbud, fitting inside your ear like what you are probably used to.

After the calls, the software can give me a transcribed text,  a summarized recall, and going further, breaks down my questions and adds the answers in a format I can work with.

This unit connects to the phone and records on the app.

When I’m at a conference, or at an event where there may be a conversation on stage, I turn to the OpenNote from Viaim which is an open-ear design so gives me situational awareness.

NO need to connect to the app, as a simple 2 tap on the either left or right ear bud starts the built in recording module.

I then later on download to the app and get the same assets as the RecDot. I find that this unit is great for those audience based events, and I was honestly surprised at the quality of the assets generated.

My first test was when I was about 15 rows back, on the side of a theater, with 20 ft between the 1^st row and the stage.

The transcription and summarized content was exceptional.

The simplest unit, the NoteKit, plugs into a laptop and captures a meeting, does realtime transcription and downloads to the desktop app. Yes, it has a mute function to control the recording.

When on the road or in a place I am doing a call on the phone, the Plaude Note Pro comes into play, as it’s a magsafe unit, that attached to my phone and a simple button press starts the same functionality as the rest.

In addition, this unit can be laid on a conference table and record a meeting. This has a slightly constricted area to capture the sound, as it’s not the largest reach.

PLAUD NOTE Pro

An upgraded version of the standard Note that includes an InstantView AMOLED display, 4 microphones for a longer pickup range (up to 16.4 ft), and automatic phone call detection.

The use cases above are how I actually employ the various units.

In all of the cases, having a transcribed convo leads to all parties confirming information, as you can also do a follow-up communication to make sure everyone is on the same page.

With the RecDot and the OpenNote, you download to the app on the phone, and the upload the format you require. Same with the Plaud Note Pro

The OpenNotes and RecDot advantage for me is the fact that both do not need to be connected to a phone, and are freestanding recording devices, with Bluetooth to download to the app at a later time.

One thing to remember about all of these units are 2 things:

1. Each one is subscription based for the services ( transcription, summarization, translation, to-do list) Viaim is free for 600 min total a month, no matter how many units are connected to the app. Plaud gives you 300 min a mon. free for the same time

2. When ever you record another party in a meeting or conversation it will announce” this call is being recorded”. It is a legal requirement, and I’m sure you’ve hear this on many business calls. I have used this to my advantage in a business dispute, as sometimes when people know they are being recorded you get the right info. Check into your state for the rules on this. NY is a one party consent for recording a convo.

Spring is here and finally starting to see the warmer weather.

It’s time to clean-up the workspace and put way the winter clothes.

Part of that is cleaning the area around the keyboard, monitors, and general workspace.

You need a strong vacuum, that has attachments for specific jobs.

The HOTO Handheld vacuum cleaner, steps in as a modular vacuum with a great design, and a variety of attachments.

Now if you are anything like me, you may have a snack, or even a meal by your workstation.

Yep, crumbs. Continue Reading »

My favorite iPhone Video app just got an upgrade!

Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3 Features

• Camera control and monitoring with companion app for Apple Watch.
• Support for ATEM camera control with Blackmagic Camera ProDock.
• Support for Blackmagic Focus and Zoom Demands with Blackmagic Camera ProDock.
• Support for full screen portrait mode HDMI output.
• Front camera now supports portrait and landscape without rotation for iPhone 17.
• Support for ProRes RAW stabilization in iOS 26.1 and above.
• General performance and stability improvements.

Availability and Price

Blackmagic Camera for iOS 3.3 is available now as a free download from the Apple App Store.

Continue Reading »