Equipment Sales

Welcome to my equipment page. I’m happy to announce I’ve completely refreshed my equipment page as of June 2010. The changes reflect my experience in equipment sales over the past few years. With the exception of package #1, I’ve designed these packages to be as upgrade proof as possible.

I think it is important to let you know that you could start podcasting with free software and as little as $35 spent on a cheap headset with a microphone. This is actually how I started back in 2005. However, if you want to have a professional sound that puts the audio of your podcast at among the top 3% of podcasts out there, then you should consider investing in professional equipment.

Clients typically want to discuss additional mic set ups, mixer substitutions, etc. Also, I think it’s important to have a conversation with my clients to make sure they get the package that meets their needs. It is for this reason that I do not make it possible to purchase these packages directly from the website.

I’m available for a 30 minute equipment consult for $75. If you end up purchasing any of the packages on this page during that call, there is no charge for the consulting call. To schedule an equipment consult, please email me at Cliff@Ravenscraft.org or give me a call at 859-757-1399.

Package 1 Includes:
Table Top Mic Stand
Shure SM-58 Mic
Windscreen For Shure SM-58 Mic
Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer
Headphones Behringer
XLR Mic Cable
QTY 2 RCA to 1/8″ Stereo Cable
QTY 2 RCA to 1/4″ Phone Jack Adapter
Shipping Included!

Package 2 Includes:
Table Top Mic Stand
Shure SM-58 Mic
Windscreen SM-58
Mackie 1202-VLZ3 Mixer
Audio-Technica ATH-M35 Headphones
XLR Mic Cable 20ft
QTY 2 RCA to 1/8″ Stereo Cable
QTY 2 RCA to 1/4″ Phone Jack Adapter
Shipping Included!

Package 3 Includes:
Table Top Mic Stand
Heil PR-40
Windscreen for PR-40
Mackie 1202-VLZ3 Mixer
Audio-Technica ATH-M35 Headphones
XLR Mic Cable 20ft
QTY 2 RCA to 1/8″ Stereo Cable
QTY 2 RCA to 1/4″ Phone Jack Adapter
Shipping Included!

Package 4 Includes:
Heil PR-40
Heil SM-2B Shock Mount
Popless Voice Screen’s VACPR40 Popless Filter
Heil PL2T Heady Duty Mic Boom Arm w/ C-Clamp
Mackie 1202-VLZ3 Mixer
Audio-Technica ATH-M35 Headphones
XLR Mic Cable 20ft
QTY 2 RCA to 1/8″ Stereo Cable
QTY 2 RCA to 1/4″ Phone Jack Adapter
Shipping Included!

Package 5 Includes:
Edirol R-09HR Digital Recorder
FREE step-by-step Edirol video training tutorial included
Heil PR-40
Heil SM-2B Shock Mount
Popless Voice Screen’s VACPR40 Popless Filter
Heil PL2T Heady Duty Mic Boom Arm w/ C-Clamp
Luxo Heavy Duty Mic Arm C-Clamp
Mackie 1402-VLZ3 Mixer
Audio-Technica ATH-M35 Headphones
XLR Mic Cable 20ft
QTY 2 RCA to 1/8″ Stereo Cable
QTY 2 RCA to 1/4″ Phone Jack Adapter
Shipping Included!

Heil PR-40 Microphone
I’ve been a huge fan of Leo Leporte from way back in the ZDTV days. I had the honor of speaking with Leo personally early on into my podcasting career. At the time, I was in the market for my first major purchase in my equipment upgrade. I had explained to Leo that I had a few hundred dollars to spend toward upgrading my podcasting gear to a professional level and asked him where he would suggest I spend the money first. Without hesitation, Leo told me to immediately go out and get the Heil PR-40 microphone. (Note: Leo’s been in radio broadcasting for more than 30 years)

That’s exactly what I did. I was blown away by the amazing sound that comes out of the Heil PR-40. You may be shocked to learn that it is a dynamic microphone. In fact, in studies, the Heil PR-40 outperforms most condenser microphones. I liked mine so much that I went out shortly after that to purchase Stephanie her own Heil PR-40.

Update: I’ve sold enough Heil PR40’s to get a phone call out of the blue from Bob Heil himself. Have a listen to the interview I did with Bob Heil. I also did a review and demonstration of the Heil PR-40 in Episode 46 of the Podcast Answer Man.

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Mackie 1402-VLZ3 Mixer

Often people will ask me what I recommend regarding a decent usb microphone for their podcasting efforts. My initial response is simply to tell them not to purchase a usb microphone. One major reason is that it limits you to recording straight into your computer. I find there are a number of issues with recording into your computer directly. However, this is an equipment list, not an audio recording tutorial page.

When I first chose to get an audio mixer, there were two main benefits that I was going for. First, I wanted to be able to record with as many as three or four people in a panel discussion. The second benefit that I was going for was being able to bring audio from multiple sources into the audio recording to reduce the amount of post production. I currently run audio from two different computers into my live recordings. One computer is used to play audio intros, bumpers, and various other clips such as listener feedback. The second computer is used to bring in co-hosts or folks that I am interviewing via Skype. This leads me to the next benefit of having a mixer.

If your mixer has an “Aux Out” Channel, it allows you to do a mix-minus on the audio signal from any of the channels that you choose. A mix-minus is a particular setup where the output to a certain device contains everything except the input from that device. This prevents echoes or feedback from reverberating or howling and squealing through the system.

I also have another source of audio coming into my mixer for telephone calls, but I’ll talk more about that in a future piece of audio equipment. People often ask how I am able to produce as many as 15-20 podcast episodes per week (Click Here To See My Episode Guide). I’m able to do this because of all the software and equipment that I use, but it is the mixer that brings all this stuff together into one signal that can be recorded live without the need to go in and add anything thing in post production. I believe an audio mixer is an absolute must!

I did a Video Podcast about how I use my mixer and what a Mix Minus is in Episode 39 of the Podcast Answer Man. (Please Note: This video is several years old now and I recorded this back when I was podcasting as a hobby).

The mixer I use is pictured above. It is the Mackie 1402-VLZ3. I like this mixer because it has six XLR Mic inputs. It has two Aux Out ports. It also has a great deal of additional audio channel inputs as well as something called “Channel Inserts” that allows me to to bring in audio from all the sources I’ve mentioned above with still a little breathing room to grow.

JK Audio Broadcast Host

The JK Audio Broadcast Host is another piece of equipment that I ordered based upon the recommendation of Leo Leporte. I wanted to do live, interactive podcasts and found that there were limitations to the number of people I could bring into my shows with Skype. There were, however, a number of solutions available for free conference calling. With the Broadcast Host, I can use my studio telephone line to dial into one of these free conference calling telephone bridges. When my listeners call into the same conference call, their voice travels down the phone line, into my broadcast host and then into my audio mixer mentioned above.

Using the aux output with a mix-minus setup mentioned in the mixer section above, I’m able to send all the audio from my microphones and audio inputs from my computers back out of my mixer into the broadcast host and back down the telephone line for all those dialed in to hear.

Another benefit of having the broadcast host is that there are times when I will want to interview someone who is not tech savvy enough to figure out skype. Rather than try a skype out solution, I can simply have them call my studio line or I can dial them directly from my studio and record the call this way.

As a podcast consultant, I do a bit of consulting for folks who come from traditional radio broadcasting backgrounds. I can tell you that many radio stations use this exact same telephone interface to bring in live callers.

Click here to see a diagram of how the Broadcast Host is hooked up. (Note: When someone purchase a Broadcast Host From Me, I give a free consultation on how to set it up).

Edirol R-09HR Digital Audio Recorder
If there was one piece of recording equipment that I could not live without, it is the Edirol R-09HR portable digital recorder. I cannot begin to tell you just how much this small device means to me. It is small enough to fit into your pocket. It records directly into either .wav or .mp3 format at various audio quality levels which you can choose through navigating the very easy to use menu.

It is entirely possible that one could produce a podcast with this single piece of audio equipment. I often will take this recorder with me everywhere I go. It’s perfect for sound seeing tours with its two on board condenser mics which record in an unbelievable stereo sound that makes you feel as though you are right there with the person who is recording the sound seeing tour. It’s also great for a face to face interview. I’ll often set the Edirol R-09HR on a desk or table between myself and the person I’m interviewing and record our interview without the need to lug any additional recording gear along with me.

More importantly to me, I use the Edirol R-09 for every single podcast that I record. Rather than using a computer to record my audio, which often times will bring in some noise from the computer itself into the recording, I take the audio output from my mixer and put in directly into the line in input of the Edirol R-09HR unit. This produces a crisp, clean, and clear recording every single time. No more hours spent trying to use audio editing software to reduce the noise table of my in-studio recordings.

Another major benefit of recording into a digital audio recorder like this is that I’ve produced well over 2,200 episodes (http://gspn.tv/episodeguide) using the Edirol R-09HR and have never lost a single recording due to audio recording software that has crashed or froze up. Let’s face it, it doesn’t matter if you have a Mac or a PC. Both operating systems will occasionally have a program that locks up. Before recording to a digital recorder, I had lost three very important podcast recordings. One of those three times literally brought me to tears when I lost a once in a lifetime interview. I’ll never go back to recording into a computer again!

ROLLS HA43 Headphone Amplifier

Originally, I was using a very inexpensive headphones splitter cable like the one picture above and to the right. The only issue with this setup was that I like my audio a bit louder than my wife does. The Rolls HA43 Headphone Amplifier allows me to share the headphone signal with up to four people. The nice thing is that each of the four people get to adjust the volume level to their own preference. If you are recording with multiple people, I highly suggest this piece of equipment.

Heil PL2T Heavy Duty Mic Arm
When you have as much equipment in your studio as we do, the last thing you want to do is try to find some way to place a table top mic stand or a try to set up a standard tri-pod mic stand to reach to you without having it tip over and damage your professional quality microphone.

This is why we upgraded to the the microphone arms pictured here. No need to bend over to talk into the mic when you can bring the microphone to you.

Heil Shock mount SM-2 for the Heil PR-40 Microphone
I can tell you that having a shock mount for your microphone is very important if you are using a table top mic stand or if your microphone is any way supported by something that vibrates or moves in any way shape or form during the recording of your show. Our microphone arms are mounted to the wall in our studio. However, we still find that we like to adjust the position of the mic arm as we record and it is less noticeable in our recordings since we added this shock mount.

VAC-PR40 Popless Screen Filter

This pop-filter was made specifically for the Heil PR-40 microphone WITH the Heil SM-2 Shock Mount. I’ve tried the less expensive pop filters before making the plunge to purchase the one made specifically for my Heil PR-40. The other ones are big and bulky and this pop filter is very low profile and simply looks beautiful.

You simply MUST have a pop-filter of some sort in front of your microphone if you want decent sound without all the popping of your “p’s.” You can find less expensive pop filters out there, but I can attest to the fact that they are big, heavy, clumsy and they simply get in your way.

EXTRA ITEMS!

One of the things I love about being a podcast consultant is that I can take the average learning curve of the new podcaster from weeks or months down to hours. I recall buying all my equipment in pieces, waiting for days for each new item to arrive either on the Fed-Ex or UPS truck, only to realize that once I go to pull it out of the box, I need to run to the store to go buy either another cable or adapter for this or that. In my consulting, I pride myself on helping my clients get the right equipment the first time.

Above are two items that I’ve learned to stock up on. I have about ten of the rca to 1/4 inch male audio adapters. These are necessary to plug into my mixer for the audio inputs from the different audio devices I want to plug into the board. The other item shown here is a cable with a standard 1/8 inch stereo plug that you would plug into the speaker output of your computer’s sound card or the headphone output of another device on one end. The other end has two rca male plugs. You simply plug the rca plugs into the adapters shown and plug those into the left and right channel on one of the channels of your mixer and you are good to go!

I have quite a few other items laying around here in the studio. However, everything I use on a day by day basis is listed here for the most part. I may come back later and add more items as well as include some of the software applications that I use for my audio productions.

Click on the images below to see larger views of my equipment setup