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How Does A VR Headset Affect Your Eyesight?

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Modern digital experiences are characterized by the all encompassing virtual worlds that have been the subject of much media attention. These experiences are delivered through strange looking headsets, which monitor the movement of your head in 3D to send you into a computerized environment. While there, you can do anything from killing monsters in a futuristic fantasy, to learning how to perform brain surgery on a virtual patient.

VR headsets have two tiny LCD monitors, which project at each of your eyes. This produces a stereoscopic effect that gives the user the impression of depth. Because the screens are positioned near to the user’s eyes, some experts and eye care professionals have expressed concerns about kinds of eye conditions that might develop, if users engage in these intense ocular activities for lengthy time periods.

What Issues Are Potentially Linked To VR Headsets?

The issues linked to wearing VR headsets arise from a couple of things, namely: vergence accommodation conflicts and vestibulo ocular reflex. Vergence is a term that describes the movement of the eye’s pupils during focusing that stops us from experiencing double vision. The pupils move away or toward one another, based on whether what we are looking at is nearer or further away. Accommodation is a process where the eye adjusts its’ optical power to sustain a clear view of a moving object. To do this, the lens inside the eye becomes thicker or flatter.

If a VR headset is poorly designed, what the user witnesses will not change smoothly when the user moves their head in sideways direction. This can lead to several undesirable symptoms, such as disorientation and nausea – otherwise known as virtual reality sickness. These symptoms might appear temporarily, once the headset is taken off. Activities like driving a vehicle should be avoided, until these symptoms vanish. However, there is no evidence of any long lasting change to the neurological system.

Humans have developed for these processes to work together. In daily life, you need to be able to see single images clearly. However, while you have a VR headset on, these processes are interrupted. Your eyes might converge close to the screen to look at a simulated image there, however to see that image clearly the eyes have to concentrate on the screen. This causes the undesirable symptoms in some users.

vr headsets

Do They Actually Strengthen The Eyes?

Over the long run though, these headsets are likely to improve the vision of users. Using these headsets has a similar effect on the eyes that lifting weights has on muscles. VR headsets strengthen the eyes, because this is precisely what is done to strengthen the eyes of patients with related conditions. Orthoptics, which is a treatment for sight problems like lazy eyes, movement disorders and squinting, improves the vision of sufferers with vergence accommodation conflicts.

Because the majority of early VR headset environments will be centered on video games, both console and mobile based, children could be potentially most at risk. The market is packed with young people — roughly twenty-six percent of gamers are below the age of eighteen – and tracking, depth perception and focus is still developing in these people. This might mean that children could develop nearsightedness, or myopia, and eye strain. A simple way to counteract this ocular stress is to get your child’s sight tested prior to starting school, encourage twenty second screen breaks every twenty minutes, and make it compulsory for them to take longer screen breaks where they carry out physical activity.

Akthough VR headsets were invent in the sixties, they did not previously experience widespread use, because the old headsets were typically too cumbersome to be worn for long periods. Also, technological restrictions like often caused nausea in wearers. With modern technology though, more responsive, lighter headsets have been created, which are ideal for the mass market.

Many of these headsets have warnings that people under thirteen should not use them, and to avoid further use if the user experiences symptoms such as motion sickness, involuntary movements, eye strain, seizures or twitching. Although these effects are normally temporary, it is not unclear whether VR headsets might cause long term problems to a person’s sight, especially with repeated use.

How Does A VR Headset Affect Your Eyesight? – Final Thoughts

Most of the time, casual users of these devices should not experience any problems. However, until the longer term effects have been properly researched, people should not use these devices too heavily. Also if they encounter eyestrain or headaches, they should stop using them immediately and seek advice from an eye specialist.

The post How Does A VR Headset Affect Your Eyesight? appeared first on TechAbrel.


Amazon Echo Dot – A Complete Guide

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echo dotThe Amazon Echo Dot is a super compact home automation device that, when connected to the internet, can give you access to all kinds of information. Just ask a question and get the answer! It can also be used to control various things inside your home as well.

Personally, I think that this is the perfect device to help introduce you to the world of home automation.

We put together the ultimate guide to the Amazon Echo Dot right here! We will look at how to set it up properly, how to do various tasks with the device as well as different tricks and tips.

Let’s jump right into it!

What Can The Echo Dot Do?

There are actually so many things that this little thing can do just by speaking to Alexa. Take a look at some of the top uses for it:

1. 🎶 — Choosing music to listen to all hands free.
2. 🌡 – Using it to tell your smart thermostat to either turn the heat up or crank up the A/C.
3. 🛒 – Tell it to add something to a shopping list in progress.
4. ⛅ – Check the weather by simply asking it.
5. ⏰ – Ask it to wake you up at a certain time with a soothing alarm.
6. ⏲ – Keep track of time with a handy timer.
7.  💡- Control all your smart lights in your home allowing you to turn them off, on, or dimming features.
8. 🍕 – Order a pizza!
9. Lots more that will be shown later in this guide.


How Does It Work?

It’s actually very simple. Once it is all set up, you just need to say “Alexa” or another “wake up word” you can set up in the app and the Echo Dot will come alive and begin listening to your voice. You just need to ask for whatever you need.


Features

Here are the basic features that are included:

1. Great for use in any room of your house. Additionally, if you want to have it in multiple rooms, you can simply add one in each room.
2. Built in speaker. I would recommend using another device like a good bluetooth speaker for audio playback for music but the built-in speaker is good for getting back information such as the weather, time, etc.
3. You can control a number of different music services like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Prime Music, TuneIn and iHeartRadio.
4. It is equipped with 7 microphones and technology that gives it excellent “hearing” capabilities so that it makes sure to get all your voice commands.
5. Simple management using the Alexa mobile app.


What Is The Echo Dot’s Bluetooth Range?

echo dot bluetooth

The range is approximately 30 feet.


Getting Started And Initial Set Up

Getting everything all set up and running is actually very simple. Once you get everything out of the box and ready to go, follow these steps:

amazon alexa app logo

  1. Get your smartphone or tablet and install the Alexa App from either the Google or Apple App store depending on your device.
  2. Plug in the device using the micro-USB and power brick that comes with it. You should see it light up.
  3. Wait a moment and you will start to hear the Echo Dot talking to you and basically stepping you through the set up procedure. It will direct you to fire up the Alexa App and run through the set up procedure.
  4. Go through all the steps for set up in the Alexa App.

Getting It Ready To Play Music And Other Audio

How To Set It Up With Streaming Music Services Apple iTunes Music

echo dot music streaming

In order to set up your Echo Dot to be able to listen to music from your streaming music accounts like Apple iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more. You need to do the following steps:

Step 1 – The first thing you want to have is your iTunes account on a Bluetooth device like an iPad or iPhone and make sure that the Alexa app is installed on that device.
Step 2 – Open the Alexa app and click “Settings” on the left hand side.
Step 3 – Select the Echo Dot and then click “Bluetooth” and then “Pair A New Device”.
Step 4 – Go to your Bluetooth settings on your mobile device and select your Echo Dot to connect.
Step 5 – Open your streaming music app and play a song!
Step 6 – From now on, all you need to do is tell the Echo Dot to “connect” by simply saying “Alexa, connect”.

How To Set It Up With Bluetooth Speakers

echo dot bluetooth set up

If you are looking to connect your Dot to an external speaker like a BOSE Soundtouch, BOSE Soundlink, Sonos Play 5, UE Boom or other bluetooth speakers, you just need to follow these simple steps and you will be good to go:

Step 1 – Put the speaker in close proximity to the Echo Dot.
Step 2 – Give the voice command, “Alexa, connect to a Bluetooth speaker”.
Step 3 – If the speaker in not found, you will have to go to your Alexa app on your mobile device and pair the speaker with your Echo Dot. This should only have to be done once and step 2 should work every time after this.

Whenever you are ready to disconnect from the speaker, you can simply say, “Alexa, disconnect”.


How To Set It Up With Wired Speakers And Receiver

echo dot wired set up

Got a stereo receiver at home that you want to connect to, it is very easy to do. Note – this will disable the internal speaker of the Echo Dot while it is connected this way. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1 – Get yourself an auxilary cable and connect it from your Echo dot to your stereo receiver.
Step 2 – Select the correct channel for your Echo Dot on your receiver.

Using It To Enhance Your Video Entertainment And Control Your TV

echo dor TV setupNote – For now, I have only included info on setting up the Harmony Remote for this. Info on Fire TV, Netflix, Chromecast and other TV apps will be added soon.

How To Set It Up With Harmony Remote

Controlling your TV with your Echo Dot using a Harmony Remote is a fairly easy process to set up. Take a look at these steps:

echo dot tv harmony set up

Step 1 – Get your mobile device, open the Alexa app and click the “Smart Home” link.
Step 2 – locate the section that says “Smart Home Skills” and click “Get More Smart Home Skills”.
Step 3 – Search for and enable Harmony.
Step 4 – Using your mobile device, open the Logitech Harmony app and log into your account.
Step 5 – Configure the tasks and TV stations that you want to control with your Echo Dot.
Step 6 – Click “Link Account”.

Now you can control parts of your TV watching experience with some simple voice commands!


Setting It Up For Home Automation Tasks

home automation echo dotThis device can be used for a variety of different tasks around your house. Anything from controlling your lights, thermostat, door locks and other things. Take a look below for step by step instructions on setting these types of things up.

How To Set Up Echo Dot With Philips Hue To Control Lights

echo dot philips hue set up

Philips Hue light bulbs are basically replacement bulbs that can be controlled remotely. They can also be controlled to dim, change colors and turn off and on. Once you have the Hue set up as per their instructions, you just need to do the following to be able to control it with the Echo Dot:
Step 1 – Open the Alexa app and click “Smart Home” to detect new devices.
Step 2 – Alexa should find the Hue Bridge.
Step 3 – Once Alexa is connected to your Hue, you can say commands like “turn off light”, “turn on light”, “set light to 50%”, etc.

If you are looking to purchase Philips Hue lightbulbs and are just starting out, I would recommended their starter kit here. This gives you everything you need along with 2 bulbs to start with. If you want to control more lights, you just need to add more bulbs.


How To Set Up Echo Dot With Nest To Control Your Home’s Thermostat

echo dot nest set up

Nest is an awesome little smart thermostat that can be controlled from just about anywhere. However, when combined with the Echo Dot, it basically takes it to the next level. Being able to vocally tell your thermostat to set a specific temperature. It is an easy setup once you have the Nest installed in your home:
Step 1 – Open the Alexa app and click “Skills”.
Step 2 – Search skills for Nest.
Step 3 – Click “Enable” to start setting it up. You will be redirect to Nest where you need to log in with your login information from when you set up your Nest. You should then see that Alexa now has Nest installed.
Step 4 – In your Alexa app, click “Smart Home” and “Discover Devices”.
Step 5 – Once step 4 completes, click “Create Group” and give it a name (for example, “Living Room”).
Step 6 – You can now use voice commands like “Alexa, tell Nest to turn temperature up” or “”Alexa, tell Nest to turn temperature down” or “Alexa, tell Nest to set temperature to 70 degrees”.

How To Set Up Echo Dot With Smartthings

Samsung Smartthings will give you the ability to control a number of things around your house automatically – turn on and off lights, set up water leak sensors, door and window sensors, control door locks, video monitoring, etc. After you have installed Smartthings, just follow these steps to set it up with the Echo Dot:
Step 1 – In the menu, click “Smart Home” and scroll down to the Skills section.
Step 2 – Click “Get More Smart Home Skills”
Step 3 – Search for “Smartthings” and then click “Enable”. You will be required to log in with your Smartthings log in information to verify the connection.
Step 4 – Ensure that the “All Routines” checkbozes are on and then click “Authorize”.
Step 5 – Once step 4 completes, click “Discover Devices” to connect.
Step 6 – You can now use voice commands to control any of the devices that you have set up inside of Smartthings.

Note – in order for this to work, you will need to have the correct devices set up. See this list for examples:


Other Super Cool Uses For This Device

For Seniors And The Elderly

Since all commands are simply spoken, once it is all set up and a quick instruction is done, it is very easy for seniors to use and get a lot of benefits from what it can do. Being able to control things around the home without getting up, monitor things around the home with devices like Smartthings, create grocery lists, etc. While, it does take some getting used to, it is a great way to help an elderly person around the house.


For The Bathroom

echo dot bathroomSetting it up in the bathroom is a great way to kind of multi-task while you are getting ready to go out or go to work. While you are getting yourself ready, you can ask it things like the outside temperature, play music, etc. It’s not a must have in the bathroom but can be a fun distraction while you are getting yourself ready to go out.


For The Car

There are a number of different reasons to want to use this in your car. If your car has an internet connection, you can get local news while driving with hands-free vocal commands or even traffic reports. You can also ask it for specific music to play. If your car has an external audio jack, you can connect it to your car’s stereo system as well. If you have it set up with a garage door device, you can tell it to open your garage when you pull up to the driveway.


Using It As An Alarm Clock

echo dot alarm clockYou can set an alarm for any certain time by simply asking it to set an alarm – “Alexa, set alarm for 8am tomorrow”.  Imagine never missing another meeting or sleeping in in the morning.  I can’t say how many times my bedside clock radio has failed me and caused me to be late for work.  I think that this is an excellent way to remedy this type of problem.


Getting Local Information

echo dot local informationAt anytime, you can just ask Alexa for many different types of local information like the current temperature, traffic, local news, etc.  This is perfect for people that have internet access in their cars (and new ones are starting to include this).  A great way to get traffic information ahead of time and keep up to date on other local things.  I love this aspect of it because it keeps me informed.


For Making A Grocery List

The Echo Dot can maintain a grocery list very easily. Are you in your kitchen and just used up the last of the milk? Just say “Alexa, add milk to the grocery list”!  There are many times that I am at the grocery store, get everything I need and realize when I get home that I forgot something or forgot to write it down on my list.  This way, you just say it and it’s there!


Comparisons

How Is The Sound Quality Between The Echo And The Echo Dot?

The Echo’s sound quality is much better than the Echo Dot and this is very easy to tell just by looking at them side by side. As you can see, the Echo is much taller and this is because it includes a 9.25 inch bluetooth speaker built in. The Echo Dot has a much smaller 1.6 inch speaker. Both sound quite good but the Echo has the better sound quality.


What Are The Differences Between The Echo Dot and The Echo Dot 2.0?

The 2nd generation Echo Dot included a number of small improvements over the first version. These included:

  • An updated speaker grill.
  • No more rotary volume dial – volume controlled by voice.
  • Glossier finish.
  • An updated speech recognition processor for improved voice recognition.
  • Echo Spatial Perception (ESP) – this allows you to have multiple Echo’s in your home and only speak to one at a time.
  • Reduced price.
  • Available in both black and white.

Purchase Guide


Other Resources

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The post Amazon Echo Dot – A Complete Guide appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best 360 Cameras 2017 – Buyer’s Guide

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It is very interesting to see where things are going in the world of photography.

As we get more and more into immersing our technology with the real world, things like a good 360 camera are soon becoming more popular. This is where some confusion may lie:

How Do We Choose The Leading 360 Cam For Our Needs?

Luckily, this is something that I have been interested in for a very long time and I have put a lot of work into finding the highest graded 360 degree cameras in order to help you make the right choice.

Best 360 Cameras 2017

Stay tuned for our comparison chart that we are currently working on right here! Coming very soon.

What To Look For When Choosing A 360 Camera

It is said that people can’t resist an idea whose time has come. Indeed, many are drawn to 360 cameras because of what they offer: a full view of any scene from all angles. We are no longer confined to a flat depiction of the world in a small frame. This type of device provides an immersive experience that is changing the way we consume media. Content creators who would like to try it out have a number of models to choose from. Here what to look for when choosing a 360 camera:

Image Resolution

Standard cameras capture one scene and call it a day. These new ones have to capture everything that’s in front, at the back, on the sides, and so on. The resolution simply has to be high or else the resulting image will be too blurry to be useful. If you want to capture every detail, then go for the highest resolution that you can afford. Full HD or 1080p is considered too low for this kind of application. Go for a model that is capable of 15MP image resolution and 4K video resolution at the very least.

Field of View

Due to the buzz surrounding 360 cameras, a lot of companies are jumping on the bandwagon. Some have come out with devices that are advertised as such but ultimately fail to deliver. For instance, they may be able to capture successive images across the horizontal plane, essentially providing a panoramic view. Yet they are not able to capture the scenes above and below them. These are not true 360-cameras because of these blind spots. Look for a model with a full field of view if you are aiming for total immersion.

Lens Quality and Quantity

As with any camera, then lens will be crucial in determining the output. The general rule is that more lenses translate to better results. This usually holds true in practice so pay attention to this when browsing the specification sheets. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. There are devices that are able to deliver excellent images despite having only two lenses at their disposal. Quality matters just as much as quantity.

Ruggedness

Be sure to get a model that can handle your typical usage scenarios. For instance, you might be getting one to create a 3D video of a museum for virtual tourists. The device will likely stay indoors for most of the shoots so the outer shell will not face much of a challenge save for the occasional drops. It will be different if you plan to take it on your outdoor adventures. Then it will have to be waterproof, windproof, and dustproof for a start. The shell should be impact-resistant. See if it has accessories that can give more protection.

Battery Life

Creating 360-degree images are videos take a lot of resources, including power. Think about the length of your shoots and find cameras that can handle the load, unless you’re fine with switching batteries in the middle of the proceedings. To give you some idea, there are models that can deliver 30 minutes of recording time and others that can last for 2hrs or more.

Stitching Software

Finally, do check out the reviews and view their outputs for better evaluation. The hardware specs are important but so is the stitching software used to deliver the final images. Remember that the lenses still capture frame by frame in quick succession. All of these are then stitched together to create a more realistic representation of a scene. Some cameras are able to do this better than others.

What Are 360 Cameras Used For?

There are many different uses but here are just a few things that we are seeing so far:

  • Virtual Reality
  • Youtube 360
  • Dallas videographer for businesses – like creating virtual walkthroughs of business locations.

Other Sources:

The post Best 360 Cameras 2017 – Buyer’s Guide appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best & Fastest Wireless Router Available In 2017? Asus RT-AC88U

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I have been on the quest to find the fastest wifi router on the market. This means that I am looking at routers with the 802.11ac protocol. I’ve looked at a bunch but this one seems to stand out.

Fastest Wifi Router

The Asus RT-AC88U Wifi Router

Our appetite for various media is pushing innovation on various fronts. It’s not only the computers and mobile phones that has to shape up but the entire infrastructure surrounding them. This includes routers which push data to all the devices connected to a network. Asus has recently unveiled its top of the line router called the RT-AC88U to meet the demands of modern users. It is an incredibly versatile and feature-packed piece of gear that is sure to turn heads in more ways than one. Look around for any Asus RT-AC88U review online and it will likely be filled with well-deserved praise as one of the fastest.

Best Wifi Design

best wifi designIt’s not hard to see why. This router definitely makes an impression right out of the box with its strong gamer aesthetic. The box resembles the powerful laptops in the Asus ROG line with its black angular cuts, vents, and trims. There are several indicator lights on top to easily check the status of different features. Four large antennas jut out from the back and the sides with hollow red trims that further enhance its gaming cred while enhancing coverage and stability. This device is capable of multi-use MIMO. On the front is a convenient Wi-Fi kill switch.

Best Wifi Router Internals

To understand the power of this router, we have to look deeper and check out its impressive internals. At the heart of the device is a dual-core processor with a clock speed of 1.4 GHz for serious computational muscle. It also has 512 MB of RAM to ensure that there’s enough resources even at full load. This is a dual channel router using the 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz bands and supports the 802.11ac standard for ultra-fast transmission. 4K streaming is not a problem and gaming is a joy with the built-in accelerator. It is compatible with all platforms including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, and the popular gaming consoles.

best wifi routers

Best Wifi Routers USB Ports

wifi router usbThe fastest router has two USB ports that can perform similar tasks. The only difference is that one uses the 2.0 standard while the other uses the 3.0 standard so the latter will be much faster. Users can connect a storage device to any of these ports and enjoy media streaming anywhere around the house. It will not be as fast as a dedicated NAS but performance is excellent nonetheless. Another option is to attach a printer here so that it can be shared by the family. If you have a 3G or 4G stick, then you can plug it into the USB ports to serve as backup in case the primary connection fails.

Fastest Ethernet Ports

wifi ethernet portsThere are 8 gigabit LAN ports at the back which should be more than enough for any home. This is twice the usual number of gigabit ports offered by competing products. Go ahead and plug in all of your compatible devices for various high bandwidth tasks. For instance, you can connect smart televisions and media players for crystal clear home theater entertainment during family night. Add in your set top box, your gaming consoles, your NAS devices, and more since there are plenty of ports to go around. Enjoy 4K video quality through this powerful hub. Note that you can use two of these LAN ports for link aggregation to achieve even faster speeds.

Fastest Wireless Traffic

Shifting our attention to the user interface, we can see a well-organized layout that should be easy for anyone to work with. It is very similar to what’s present in other Asus routers so long-time users will see a familiar face with a few nifty additions. One of the best new features is the Traffic Analyzer. It lets administrators look into the bandwidth usage on the network on different timeframes. It presents good visuals detailing the sites that have a large impact on performance. This can be used to remove bottlenecks, especially during times when you are doing something important such as a conference call with a client.

Best Wifi Parental Controls

Like most fast wifi routers these days, this one is equipped with powerful parental controls. Children these days are highly tech savvy using multiple devices that can connect to the Internet. There are lots of dangerous places out there on the Web and you can’t always be there to guide them at their side. With the help of these controls, you won’t have to because you can set limits on the sites that they can visit. You may restrict these to certain educational sites or ban offensive content. Aside from filters, this feature also provides time scheduling so they don’t stay logged on all night.

Best Wifi Router Mobile App

fastest wifi router app

Finally, the Asus RT-AC88U has a companion mobile app that lets you control it through your phone. This is much better than having to do everything on a computer since you can take your phone with you wherever you go. Through this app, you can set up the router, monitor the traffic, turn on Game Boost, share Wi-F with guests, perform network diagnostics, and even update the firmware.

Is This The Fastest Wireless Router For Gaming?

Most definitely.  For gaming, you want something that is going to be fast and this one definitely fits that!

 

The post Best & Fastest Wireless Router Available In 2017? Asus RT-AC88U appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best Podcast Starter Kits – Get Setup With These 2017 Packages!

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Podcasting serves to communicate a special message to the audience out there, but it is also a source or revenue. In the current wake of technological outburst, one can get it all confused when acquiring the best podcast starter kit . However, there is an individual level of technological comfort that acts as a guide, when one sets out to purchase podcast hardware. It is ideal for one to have information on what paraphernalia to buy and what to look for in podcasting kit.

A good starter setup is going to be one of the best ways to start a podcast.  I don’t know about you, but I have been listening to podcasts everyday for years.  There are just so many different podcasts out there to choose from – you almost never get bored.

Best Podcast Starter Kit Quick Link Chart

imageNameLinks
PreSonus AudioBox StudioBuy It Now!
Behringer Podcastudio USBBuy It Now!
4 Person Podcast Kit – Yamaha MG10XUBuy It Now!
2 Person Podcast Kit – Yamaha MG10XUBuy It Now!

Our Choices For Best Podcast Kit

PreSonus AudioBox Studio

 

This studio comes as a complete set that one requires to record and produce even at an entry level. With this starter package, it becomes possible to record multi-track recordings, podcasts, demos, and field recordings. Importantly, it follows the award winning Studio One production and recording software.

At the heart of the PreSonus AudioBox Studio is the USB interface that is simple, portable and reliable. The box has audio/MIDI interface that features two-combo inputs for microphones or instruments. The box also has a zero-latency monitoring, and it comes ready for use. It is also compatible with most Mac and Windows recording software, has microphone preamplifiers and 24-bit converters.

The other quality feature of the PreSonus AudioBox Studio is the M7 condenser microphone. It has a large diaphragm, and it has a better performance than a dynamic microphone. The HD7 headphones also compliment the studio. They have a sound chamber that delivers deep low frequencies with a powerful bass punch since it is patented and semi-open.


Behringer Podcastudio USB

 

This studio makes recording into a personal computer easy. It comes with a 5-channel mixer that makes it ideal for multiple podcasters. The mixer also features a microphone input and a preamplifier. Lastly, a mains adapter is an accompaniment to the mixer.

The USB interface of the studio is compatible with Mac and personal computers. A dynamic microphone with a stand is the other feature of the studio, and a pair of headphones with 3.5 mm jack that fits in ¼ inches adapter adds up in the package. The studio also features 2 stereo phono cables and 1 XLR cable. Importantly, the studio features a software CD that includes an audacity package. The software enables one to record and mix during a podcasting session.


4 Person Podcast Kit – Yamaha MG10XU 10 Channel Mixing Console Bundle with Art Headamp 4 Stereo Headphone Amp, Pure Resonance Audio MH10C Headphones and Accessories

 

This is a great way to get started with a great group podcast or if you plan on podcasting interviews with up to four people.  It comes with just about everything you need.

Included are:

  • The 10 channel Yamaha MG10XU mixer.
  • 4 channel headphone amp.
  • 4 sets of headphones.
  • 4 mics.
  • All the cables you need!

This is definitely a cost effective way to jump in and get started!


2 Person Podcast Starter Kits – Same As the Four Person Just Smaller!

Simply click the four person image above and select the two person option.

Looking to just do a podcast with one other person or planning on having just one guest at a time?  A two person option might be just right for you.  If you saw the four person option above, this is basically the exact same set up.  Only it eliminates two of the headphones and two of the mics.  Another excellent choice!

Features That Make Up Equipment For Podcasting

The parts comes as a combination of different equipment that forms a system. It is possible for one to forget some of the important components, and one should have a list of the basic tools. Quality remains an integral element during your selection, but getting the right set up goes a long way in facilitating good podcasting results. Whilst one can record directly into a computer, the following gear makes it up:

Podcasting Microphone

A microphone is one part of the podcasting kit picks up the voice during a podcast session. One has an option to pick pop screens and filters in order to make the sound cleaner. There are two types of microphones: dynamic and condenser. However, each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Podcast Audio Mixer

A mixer helps a podcaster adjust the volume and effects during a podcasting session. It comes in handy when there are more than one person in one session. It becomes easy for one to adjust the effects well ahead of time before the next comes live while recording.

Looking for more indepth info on these?  Take a look at our best podcast mixer article.

Digital Recorder

A digital recorder can serve both outdoor and indoor recording purposes. It records a session for production. One can just plug a microphone directly on the recorder, or connect the recorder with a mixer. The recorders range from small dictaphones to professional recorders.

Audio Cables

The choice of cables depends on configuration of your internet radio gear. One can use cables to connect a microphone to a mixer or recorder. Their main function is to transmit signals from one end of equipment to the other.

Podcasting Headphones

Headphones allow one to monitor a broadcast session. It becomes possible to hear other podcasters clearly. Headphones also help one to listen to the effects and adjust them accordingly.

What to Look For In the Best Podcasting Kit

  • Microphone – If one opts to pick a condenser microphone, there is a need to use it while in a sound booth. This microphone picks up even the slightest noise, and it can pick the sound of a seat creaking or birds chirping from outside the recording room. A dynamic microphone befits a small room or basement podcast sessions. It features quality sound and it has control over any noise in the room. On pricing, a condenser microphone starter kit is more expensive than a dynamic one.
  • Mixer – People buy mixers according to their technological comfort. If one wants to use more than one microphone, then the best podcasting mixer with USB connections comes in handy. One can also look for a mixer with an AUX outlet in order to achieve a mix/minus set up that is necessary for Skype or Google Hangouts interview calls. This feature also enables interviewees to listen to other channels except their own, and it eliminates feedback looping.  It means that the recording environment determines the choice of a microphone. A noisy environment calls for a dynamic microphone while a quiet environment is ideal for a condenser microphone. Nevertheless, one can customize the environment where necessary in order to achieve a better microphone performance for your podcast.
  • Digital Recorder – Digital recorders are easy to use since they have built-in editing tools. Portability remains a crucial consideration when one buys a digital recorder. Small recorders are easy to carry and fix on cameras when filming a video. However, one can choose a slightly bigger recorder for static recording purposes.
  • Cables – Whilst there are no good or bad cables, factors such as their price and warranty come in handy. Some cables are more expensive than others. Similarly, some cables come with a warranty while others do not have it.
  • Headphones – One should always go for podcast headphones that have a high quality. Some headphones usually have a high quality than others. It all depends on the clarity of the sound when one uses them.

Best Computer For Podcasting

For me, it is always going to be a simple choice – a Macbook.  Take a look here for a bunch of great options by clicking here.

 

Podcasting Starter Kits Conclusion

With such information, both the entry-level and professional streaming becomes easy to carry out. It is the right set up and the quality of the best podcast starter kit that matters. The information makes it possible for one to undertake both outdoor and indoor podcasting sessions.

More Podcasting Resources

The post Best Podcast Starter Kits – Get Setup With These 2017 Packages! appeared first on TechAbrel.

Gaming Headphones – What features to consider before buying?

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As gameplay or graphics are essential components for an immersive gaming experience, equally sound is important for best gaming experience. Sound is what makes you enjoy rain falling or it is what tips you off to someone about to attack. It’s what gives you influence over the other team allowing you to start killing them. That’s why it is essential to buy a best gaming headphone.

Best headsets are those which are designed by keeping in mind to deliver the best sound in ways that are suitable for gamers. Headphones having pin-sharp audio will help in detecting the footsteps quicker and be able to aim and pull trigger before the enemy knows about you. Check out the reviews of best gaming headsets in this video:

There are headphones available with a lot of features in the market. Let’s dive into this features you need to keep in mind while buying the perfect gaming headset.

Stereo or Surround Sound Gaming Headset?

speaker

If you are not looking for positional audio and is just looking for a headset which helps in enjoying the story, then a stereo gaming headset is what you should choose for yourself. But if you are a gamer who plays the first person shooter games then surround sound is the best choice for you. Positional sounds are crucial for FPS games hence surround is the necessity for this type of games. Surround sound headsets are designed with multiple drivers kept in the ear pads. These multiple channels give you an immersive experience. There is only minor difference between stereo and surround sound headset. But multiple drivers in surround sound headphone distort the sound. If you don’t want a headset with distorted sound then go for a stereo sound headset.

Comfortable Gaming Headsets

Comfortable gaming headset is a great asset for you. If you have to use headsets for hours then you should keep comfort in your mind while buying this headphone. You cannot afford a headset which weighing you down and keeping you from winning the gaming session. You need to analyze the material used in headband and ear pads in order to check the comfortability of a headphone. If a comfortable headset comes with good adjustments then it is the best option for you.

What about mic?

microphone

Most of the gaming headphones have a mic attached to them. Mic can be unidirectional or omnidirectional. As omni means so many directions so an omnidirectional mic picks up more sounds from surroundings bringing in an ambient experience. On the other hand, as uni means one hence unidirectional mic is made to focus only on your voice which enables you to send your message clearly across your team. If you don’t need an ambient noise that will disturb your performance in gaming battlefield then unidirectional mic is the best choice for you.

Conclusion

This list covers the main features but there is lot more features which you can consider while selecting the best gaming headphone. Sound plays a crucial role in the overall gaming experience so don’t compromise the quality of headset.

The post Gaming Headphones – What features to consider before buying? appeared first on TechAbrel.

Never Wipe A Macbook Or Reset It Back To Factory Settings Without Reading This First!

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Have you been thinking about doing an entire factory reset of your Mac?  You may want to think twice first – or at least get yourself prepared properly!  There are a number of different risks involved that you need to address first!

* Important note – Are you just looking for a way to quickly clean up your Mac and make it run faster?  You actually may not need to do a complete reinstall or factory reset –  Click here to try this quick three step method first.

 

Risk #1You Might Lose All Your Data – including those precious family vacation pictures!

If you don’t back up everything properly, you could lose some precious files like cherished pictures.  Backup your data.  You don’t want to lose all your precious memories in your photos, videos and other files you have on your computer.  WARNING: If you do not do proper backups first, you WILL lose everything.

Luckily, these days, we have some excellent cloud backup services available.  Back when I did my very first Mac reinstall, none of this was available.  I thought I did my backup properly into an external hard drive that I had.  Got everything all reinstalled and went to transfer all my vacation and daughter’s photos back to my computer and they were gone! I lost everything and was devastated!

Risk #2 – The Reinstall Doesn’t Actually Fix Your Issues.

Perhaps you decided that you wanted to do the reinstall because things kept crashing on you or some other things just didn’t work right.  Maybe the OS is not your issue at all and it is actually the computer itself that is the issue.  You could spend all that time dong a backup and reinstall and still have the same problems.  Note: if your computer is still under warranty, you can actually purchase an Applecare extension – take a look here for your options.

Risk #3 – Sometimes The Factory Reset Procedure Doesn’t Work

I have seen some cases in the support forums where people have complained that something caused their computers to not do the reset properly and essentially made their computer unusable.  This is probably the main reason why I would recommend first trying a program like Mackeeper to clean and speed things up that way first before doing this – consider the factory reset a last resort.

If you can get past these three risks, then by all means, go for it!  But, at least you have been warned of the pitfalls first!

The post Never Wipe A Macbook Or Reset It Back To Factory Settings Without Reading This First! appeared first on TechAbrel.

These 3 Steps Will Fix Kodi Buffering Issues For Good

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I know…I’ve been there.  Watching a movie and right when it gets to the most exciting point it stops!  ARGH!  There is nothing worse than getting that nasty Kodi buffering.

Do you want a fix RIGHT NOW?  Just follow the following steps:

Step 1 – Test your internet speed.

Which browser are you currently using – click your browser below to run the test:

You are going to want a speed of at least 5 MBps in order to handle video streaming.  Ideally, having 10 MBps is better but I would say that you can squeak by with 5 MBps.  If you are lower than this, check with your internet provider about getting faster speeds.  If your speed is showing over 5 MBps, continue to step 2.

Step 2 – Consider Using A VPN

Using a VPN service gives you many advantages over just using your own internet connection.  It’s a lot more private, you can access a lot more content and you can sometimes even get earlier access to some streams.  It’s cheap and easy to set up too!  I would check out NordVPN for this.  By the way, Use the coupon code “2YSpecial2017” right now to get a special 2-year VPN for 72% off!

Step 3 – Clearing Kodi Cache

Sometimes it is just the cache file that is getting overloaded and it just need to be refreshed.  Luckily, there is an add-on that will clear this out automatically from time to time so you don’t have to worry about it again.  Just follow the instructions in the following video:

It will keep everything clean for you!  Your buffering should improve drastically now.

Still Having Issues?

Did you follow all three steps above?  If so, you should NEVER have any more issues!

The post These 3 Steps Will Fix Kodi Buffering Issues For Good appeared first on TechAbrel.


Best Podcasting Mixer – Choosing The Right One For Your Podcast

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If you are contemplating about starting your own podcasting studio, it is only a matter of time before the thought of purchasing a capable mixer crosses your mind. The secret behind running a successful podcast lies in choosing the right kits to go along with your microphones, software and pop filters.

Here’s a guide on what to look for when buying a podcast mixer for your audio channel.  However, if you are also looking at getting the entire set up along with a great mixer, you may want to look at out article on podcasting kits.  It is a great way to get everything all at once in a very convenient package.

First off, if you are looking for a quick recommendation, these are great depending on your needs, budget, etc:

Best Podcasting Mixer Recommendations

Under $100 – BEHRINGER XENYX Q802USB


Under $200 – Yamaha MG10XU 10-Channel Mixing Console


Why you should get a podcast mixer

There is no doubt that a mixer will improve the quality of your audio output. The Pre-amps will feel a lot nicer thus making your microphone truly shine. People buy sound mixers for different reasons. Audio masters are in it primarily for sheer quality whereas podcasters are more concerned about the options and control that these gadgets offer.

With so many products in the market, the challenge lies in deciding on which type of mixer to purchase for your podcasting needs. Though manufacturers do provide technical information on specifications and features of each model on their website, it doesn’t make your choice any easier. Below are the five guiding principles on what to look for when buying a podcast mixer.

Processing features

Inquire about the superiority of the processing features of the mixer in question, before you make a purchase. Advanced features will contribute to better control of your sound and lead to a reduction in post-production time. Basic components include an equalizer, a cut filter, and a gain control. However, high-end pod-casting equipment will sport either a compression or a limiter.

The type of controls

When it comes to controls, most gadgets will have either knobs or sliders. Your choice here is a matter of taste. However, most experts agree that sliders offer superior control compared to buttons. This fact is especially true when you are dealing with volume adjustment. Knobs, on the other hand, are ideal for adaptations that tend to remain intact when recording; these include gain and Pan.

Number of inputs and channels

When selecting an audio mixer, you really ought to think about how many inputs you intend to use. Most setups will support between 3 to 6 channels at a go. A 4 channel setup could appear as follows, the first input your microphone, the second for your co-host, a third for your phone and the fourth one for Skype input. Unless you are a Professional podcaster, a four-channel mixer will suit you just fine.

Note that many low-end models will feature either one or two XLR inputs; this puts a cap on the number of microphones you can use within the studio. The more XLR inputs you have, the more breathing space you have regarding microphone use. All in all, purchase a gadget with adequate channels and inputs.

Mix- minus setups

Mix-minus is a feature that aims at eliminating echo, primarily when you are working with a co-host stationed in a remote location. To get around this problem, choose mixers that have an auxiliary out or the FX send feature.

Compatibility with other equipment

If you are going to invest your money in a mixer, you ought to select one that is compatible with other recording gadgets such as microphones, and digital recorders. Make sure that the frequency response of the item is in line with that of your amplifiers. It is pointless to have world-class equipment that is not compatible. Take the initiative to inspect packaging labels to get a grip on what to expect.

Cost

You ought to seriously consider how much money you intend to inject into your broadcast project. The market is littered with a wide range of mixers; some are budget friendly while some cost a fortune. Low-cost options are desirable for people who are new to podcasting. One of the best price friendly mixers out there is the Yamaha MG10 which retails for just under $150. Even at this price, it still manages to deliver incredible low noise floor due to the built-in compression.

Professionals looking for the very best in the business should look no further than the Mackie PROFX8 or the Behringer 1204. The latter, in particular, offers unrivaled pre-amps and refined sound which makes it ideal for live production.

A final verdict

Though there is a tonne of reasons why you should get a mixer, it is important not to rush your purchase decision. It pays to wait until you establish the right mix of quality and reliable audio sources. A sure way to keep more people tuning in to your channel and enjoying your content is by having excellent broadcasts. If you are in it for the long haul, do not be afraid to splash the cash for a high-end mixer. Take the time to learn how to operate the equipment; you can check out online tutorials on prominent podcast coaching academies to get past complicated setups.

The post Best Podcasting Mixer – Choosing The Right One For Your Podcast appeared first on TechAbrel.

Top 3 Reasons to Choose WordPress for Better SEO Optimization Options

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If anyone asks you which platform is better for blogging by giving you 2 choice, Blogger or WordPress? Most of the WP experienced users will vote for WordPress platform only. So when we look over CMS (Content Management System), then around 46% of websites are using WordPress. Many big SEO analysts also prefer WordPress platform only! The main reason for choosing WordPress for better SEO. Yeah, WordPress take care of 80-90% on Search engine optimization. If the SEO is good for an blog, then it can rank first on Google. But you need to do some tweaks too on your WordPress dashboard!

Anyhow today, we are not going to discuss about starting a WordPress site or Optimizing an WP blog. Here in this post, we are going to look over some best reasons why people choose WordPress and why you should choose WordPress for better SEO options. You can list up many things for using WordPress. But I’ve Three Charming Reason for Using WordPress with short note about its features too!

Do you know? The SEO King, Matt Cutts is using WordPress for his personal blog! This may be shocking to all 😀 Questions may strikes our thoughts! He knows about SEO, so without choosing Blogger platform or any other platform Why Matt Cutts chooses WP for his Personal Blog? These things may point out, WordPress is best for Search Engine Optimization and for Optimum Searches. Do you agree with me guys?

If you’re a newbie to WordPress, then you should check this post to know WP SEO Advantages over other Blogging Platforms! To make it simple, I have listed some 3 key points (reasons) Why Choose WordPress for SEO Optimization? Let’s get started and check Best WordPress SEO Tweaks!!

Why You Should Choose WordPress for SEO Optimization?

As I said before, this post is about Top Reason to Choose WordPress for better SEO Optimization! So as I’ve promised you about sharing Why to Choose WordPress added below! Wanna to check it out? Hooray, let’s do it,

Reason #1:- SEO WordPress Themes (Free & Paid)

The first impression is the best impression! Yep, this sentence may prove about your site design. So if you come to pick best WordPress themes, then you will search on Google as “WordPress themes” and you will choose anyone theme and you will make it live on your blog. So while doing, did you ever noticed about the availability of WP Themes? Yeah, you can find millions of WordPress themes for your website!

Those WordPress templates are designed by professional designers and they will looks well optimized for SEO Friendly themes. And some designing companies develops such SEO friendly themes which offers WordPress frameworks and themes too! Moreover, these WordPress themes will looks more awesome and standard with eye catching design. And the best part with WordPress themes, is on its Page Speed! Mostly every WordPress themes are good on it!

I prefer everyone to choose good SEO friendly WordPress theme and try to buy themes from popular developers because other designers may not use codings in better manner as professional developers does! If you site got Clean Code for your theme then it will looks better with good performance on other end. Make sure you choose Good SEO Friendly WP Themes for your site.

And at this present time, Google loves Mobile Friendly and Responsive design websites. So if you look over WordPress, then you can many responsive themes to make it looks awesome on both desktops and on smartphones. And such responsive themes can ensure that your website will benifit for mobile traffic and this was a new update from Google Mobilegeddon.

Do you agree with these things about WordPress themes? That’s why I listed this point at top in my list 😀

Reason #2:- In Built SEO Option

I prefer everyone to go with StudioPress and Mythemeshop themes because it includes built-in SEO with their own frameworks & Child themes. When you use their themes, you will automatically have access to search engine optimization field for your website. There you need to give proper details for your blog homepage, pages, posts and for archive page too! If you don’t use such theme, then you need go manually!

What will comes under Built-in SEO feature?

Every website need a good SEO optimized title, description and keywords. So while publishing new posts you must consider these things to rank better on search engines. In normal mode, you won’t such tools! Here if you use thier themes you will get separate section for Theme SEO Settings. There you can add your Custom Document Title, Meta Description, Meta Keywords, Custom Canonical URL and Custom Rediret URL.

Along with these tweaks you will find other robots meta settings too! Robots meta settings are more necessary and it will decide to make your blog post rank on search engines or not. Allowing your post to index, nofollow and noarchive can be done here. These configurations can be done when needed for some necessary posts or pages.If you check the noindex option, then your post/page won’t be indexed by search engines and they may not visible in Google result page too! So before applying changes in SEO option, make sure you do correctly!

Reason #3:- Cool WordPress Plugins

If you don’t like to follow the above discussed thing, then you can use a plugin. There are some SEO plugins such as WordPress SEO Plugin by Yoast, All in One SEO and many more which allows you to optimize your blog freely. Just you need to download and install these plugins in your blog and you need to fill all the fields you need to optimize your WP posts, WP pages and Homepages with focused keywords. As like the above reason, it is more better to you WP SEO plugins for optimizing your website for search.

These seo plugins can be used for optimizing individual posts too! Just you wanna to add the post title, description and targeted keywords. These things will be accessed while you share your blog posts on social networking sites. So you can configure Facebook OpenGraph and Twitter Cards to make your shares look awesome! Not only by using SEO plugins, you can use some social plugins like ShareThis, Add this and other plugins which will allow you to implement social sharing content quickly without wasting much time.

Must Check:- SEO Tips and Checklists for Beginners 2015

Here in WordPress you can find tons of helpful plugins for both free and Paid ones. By using such plugins you can monitor your websites, Promote your websites and more. Plugins can help you with Social and SEO optimization for your WP blog.

You can list many more things such as Sitemaps, Images, Indexing, Customization and much more on Reasons to use WordPress Platform. Anyhow here, I’ve mentioned some main reasons to choose WordPress. These things are more necessary for every new websites and if you haven’t followed such things, start doing it now!

Hope this post helped you a lot to know more about WordPress SEO Optimization and more about WP platform. If you feel this post is great and worthy, then kindly so share this post and like it! Soon the most interesting topic On-Page SEO techniques 2017 will be shared soon here, may be in our next update too!

Looking for an expert Dallas SEO?  Just look at our suggestion.

The post Top 3 Reasons to Choose WordPress for Better SEO Optimization Options appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best Beginner Quadcopter With Camera For 2018

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So what’s the best quadcopter for beginners?

Lets face it…

There are a number of different choices and questions that you will have when it comes to choosing your first beginner drone.

In fact…there are so many of them that it will make it almost impossible to figure out exactly where you should start.

However…

I’m going to share with you some simple factors that you can use that will make your life and your choice ten times easier.

To be fair here I really can’t say there is just one absolute perfect copter as there are several good choices that you can start off with.

But before I reveal the names to you, first I’ll give you some important things to look out for.

You want to make sure your model has these 6 features:

  1. -A good flight controller I know seems obvious but it does need mentioning
  2. -Good Battery life
  3. -Have both indoor/outdoor capabilities
  4. -Have a camera either built in or attached (optional if you are into making fpv videos)
  5. -RTF (ready to fly)
  6. -Good flight time

Like these excellent examples:

Syma X5c Explorer

This one is not one of the cheapest drones that I’ll recommend, however it is one of the easiest to fly. Click here to check it out on Amazon.

 

 

 

Hubsan FPV X4

This one happens to be rather small, however don’t let the size fool you. It’s rather easy to fly and one of the best drones for begginers. It has really good range and is small enough that it can be taken anywhere you want to go. Click here to check it out on Amazon.

 

 

That couldn’t possibly be all you need to look for?

Actually it’s not.

Here are a few more gloriously simple things you can do to go from beginner to expert status when looking to buy a drone

You should look to see if it comes with extra blades.

For example.

Let’s say that you’re just learning how to fly a quadcopter. Things are going really well. You’ve mastered a few techniques and then…BAM!!! You crash your drone. After giving it a good once over you find that one of your propellers have broken off. With just a few extras on hand you’ll save yourself valuable time and a few headaches by just simply making sure that you have a couple on the side already.

We’re not through just yet.

Up next…

How to make a simple crashpack kit with 8 things or fewer

What is a crashpack kit?

Glad you asked…

It’s a set of spare parts like extra blades, motors, guards etc.. that you put together in case you crash so you won’t have to worry about not being able to fly while waiting on new parts to arrive.

You may or may not order your parts from china.

Some people do.

But when you are a beginner you’re anxious about learning to fly and most likely you don’t want to wait weeks for parts to come in.

I know I didn’t….

What I do is just hop on amazon and order extra blades etc using prime. Yea it costs more but it’s worth it.

Anyway…

Here’s what I have in my crashpack.

2 spare motors

1 extra battery

4 sets of extra blades

1 spare shell

Another quick tip..

You’ll need to make sure that it’s easy to fix as well because when you are first starting out you’ll more than likely have a few crashes and it’s important to know that by having one crash that it doesn’t completely destroy your quad. Of course parts are available online, and depending on what kind of machine you have, you might need to add a soldiering iron to your tool list.

As a beginner the other thing you should do is learn all you can about rc quadcopters and how they work as well as the components that make them go.

I know you’re probably anxious to find out which drones are the best right about now….but just hold on we’re almost there.

…these next tactics will make learning how to fly for the first time a breeze

Here’s what you do.

Hit the forums.

I know I know, it’s more work.

But if you really want to be able to become the Tom Cruze of quadcopter flying, then you need to put the work in.

When I go into the forums I’m looking for one specific type of post…

And what kind of post will cut your learning curve almost in half overnight?

The detailed how to post.

Here’s what you do…

Do a search for information about what it is you want to learn how to do.

Like how to hover…or how to do a figure eight.

Then, start practicing those tips.

When you’re finished, come back to the forum and tell them how it went.

The more experienced flyers will chime in and give you even more helpful advice.

And if I don’t find those kind of posts, then I just ask directly.

Surprisingly most people will be glad to lend  you a hand or point you in the right direction.

Also…here’s s a bit more advice…

Don’t just visit the  forum and lurk around in the background.

That’s way too creepy.

Engage them by asking for their opinion. They will love to give out their thoughts on what you should do and how you should do it.

Let them know that you are a beginner.

Every person who is now an expert once used to be a newbie just like you.

And now for…

The one “how to fly your quadcopter” hack that most beginners will want to know

Here’s how you can throw your learning skills into overdrive.

Head over to the worlds largest education video channel.

Youtube..

Then type in these words.

“How to fly a quadcopter for beginners”

Look for a video that’s produced by a guy who goes by the name “my first drone”

Here’s why you want to look at that video.

He gives you the basics on what you will need to master in order to eventually learn how to fly your drone like a pro.

The trick is to remember that you are just a beginner and only practice those steps first.

Don’t even try any fancy stuff…you’re not ready for that yet.

Then watch how fast your skills will improve.

Seriously…you’ll learn twice as fast watching how other people who have done what you are trying to do and then putting action behind what you have just learned.

This will cut your learning time in half.

Are we done yet?

Not at all..

This next question is one you must know the answer to before you even place any kind of order.

And that is….

How much should you spend on your first drone?

Ideally I would recommend that you start off in the $50 – $100 price range.

Remember your goal here at the start is to learn how to fly…master those skills with an affordable quad and then move up to the next level.

I know at first it might be very tempting to want to get a copter with a nice gopro mount, but the truth is that at the start, you don’t need a fancy mount for cameras. The main part of your focus will be on flight techniques.

Keep in mind that as you go up in price, the complexity on how to fly your drone will go up as well. This is another reason why I recommend starting out in the $50 – $100 range because you are only trying to get flying experience at this point.

Now what is the best beginner quadcopter for you to take a look at?

Here’s my list:

The post Best Beginner Quadcopter With Camera For 2018 appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best Beginner Quadcopter With Camera For 2018

$
0
0

So what’s the best quadcopter for beginners?

Lets face it…

There are a number of different choices and questions that you will have when it comes to choosing your first beginner drone.

In fact…there are so many of them that it will make it almost impossible to figure out exactly where you should start.

However…

I’m going to share with you some simple factors that you can use that will make your life and your choice ten times easier.

To be fair here I really can’t say there is just one absolute perfect copter as there are several good choices that you can start off with.

But before I reveal the names to you, first I’ll give you some important things to look out for.

You want to make sure your model has these 6 features:

  1. -A good flight controller I know seems obvious but it does need mentioning
  2. -Good Battery life
  3. -Have both indoor/outdoor capabilities
  4. -Have a camera either built in or attached (optional if you are into making fpv videos)
  5. -RTF (ready to fly)
  6. -Good flight time

Like these excellent examples:

Syma X5c Explorer

This one is not one of the cheapest drones that I’ll recommend, however it is one of the easiest to fly. Click here to check it out on Amazon.

 

 

 

Hubsan FPV X4

This one happens to be rather small, however don’t let the size fool you. It’s rather easy to fly and one of the best drones for begginers. It has really good range and is small enough that it can be taken anywhere you want to go. Click here to check it out on Amazon.

 

 

That couldn’t possibly be all you need to look for?

Actually it’s not.

Here are a few more gloriously simple things you can do to go from beginner to expert status when looking to buy a drone

You should look to see if it comes with extra blades.

For example.

Let’s say that you’re just learning how to fly a quadcopter. Things are going really well. You’ve mastered a few techniques and then…BAM!!! You crash your drone. After giving it a good once over you find that one of your propellers have broken off. With just a few extras on hand you’ll save yourself valuable time and a few headaches by just simply making sure that you have a couple on the side already.

We’re not through just yet.

Up next…

How to make a simple crashpack kit with 8 things or fewer

What is a crashpack kit?

Glad you asked…

It’s a set of spare parts like extra blades, motors, guards etc.. that you put together in case you crash so you won’t have to worry about not being able to fly while waiting on new parts to arrive.

You may or may not order your parts from china.

Some people do.

But when you are a beginner you’re anxious about learning to fly and most likely you don’t want to wait weeks for parts to come in.

I know I didn’t….

What I do is just hop on amazon and order extra blades etc using prime. Yea it costs more but it’s worth it.

Anyway…

Here’s what I have in my crashpack.

2 spare motors

1 extra battery

4 sets of extra blades

1 spare shell

Another quick tip..

You’ll need to make sure that it’s easy to fix as well because when you are first starting out you’ll more than likely have a few crashes and it’s important to know that by having one crash that it doesn’t completely destroy your quad. Of course parts are available online, and depending on what kind of machine you have, you might need to add a soldiering iron to your tool list.

As a beginner the other thing you should do is learn all you can about rc quadcopters and how they work as well as the components that make them go.

I know you’re probably anxious to find out which drones are the best right about now….but just hold on we’re almost there.

…these next tactics will make learning how to fly for the first time a breeze

Here’s what you do.

Hit the forums.

I know I know, it’s more work.

But if you really want to be able to become the Tom Cruze of quadcopter flying, then you need to put the work in.

When I go into the forums I’m looking for one specific type of post…

And what kind of post will cut your learning curve almost in half overnight?

The detailed how to post.

Here’s what you do…

Do a search for information about what it is you want to learn how to do.

Like how to hover…or how to do a figure eight.

Then, start practicing those tips.

When you’re finished, come back to the forum and tell them how it went.

The more experienced flyers will chime in and give you even more helpful advice.

And if I don’t find those kind of posts, then I just ask directly.

Surprisingly most people will be glad to lend  you a hand or point you in the right direction.

Also…here’s s a bit more advice…

Don’t just visit the  forum and lurk around in the background.

That’s way too creepy.

Engage them by asking for their opinion. They will love to give out their thoughts on what you should do and how you should do it.

Let them know that you are a beginner.

Every person who is now an expert once used to be a newbie just like you.

And now for…

The one “how to fly your quadcopter” hack that most beginners will want to know

Here’s how you can throw your learning skills into overdrive.

Head over to the worlds largest education video channel.

Youtube..

Then type in these words.

“How to fly a quadcopter for beginners”

Look for a video that’s produced by a guy who goes by the name “my first drone”

Here’s why you want to look at that video.

He gives you the basics on what you will need to master in order to eventually learn how to fly your drone like a pro.

The trick is to remember that you are just a beginner and only practice those steps first.

Don’t even try any fancy stuff…you’re not ready for that yet.

Then watch how fast your skills will improve.

Seriously…you’ll learn twice as fast watching how other people who have done what you are trying to do and then putting action behind what you have just learned.

This will cut your learning time in half.

Are we done yet?

Not at all..

This next question is one you must know the answer to before you even place any kind of order.

And that is….

How much should you spend on your first drone?

Ideally I would recommend that you start off in the $50 – $100 price range.

Remember your goal here at the start is to learn how to fly…master those skills with an affordable quad and then move up to the next level.

I know at first it might be very tempting to want to get a copter with a nice gopro mount, but the truth is that at the start, you don’t need a fancy mount for cameras. The main part of your focus will be on flight techniques.

Keep in mind that as you go up in price, the complexity on how to fly your drone will go up as well. This is another reason why I recommend starting out in the $50 – $100 range because you are only trying to get flying experience at this point.

Now what is the best beginner quadcopter for you to take a look at?

Here’s my list:

The post Best Beginner Quadcopter With Camera For 2018 appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best Podcast Starter Kit (Get Setup With These 2018 Packages!)

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* Updated for 2018!

Podcasting serves to communicate a special message to the audience out there, but it is also a source or revenue. In the current wake of technological outburst, one can get it all confused when acquiring the best podcast starter kit. However, there is an individual level of technological comfort that acts as a guide, when one sets out to purchase podcast hardware. It is ideal for one to have information on what paraphernalia to buy and what to look for.

A good starter podcasting equipment setup is going to be one of the best ways to start a podcast.  I don’t know about you, but I have been listening to podcasts everyday for years.  There are just so many different podcasts out there to choose from and many are reasonably priced and don’t break the bank – you almost never get bored.

This little guide to podcasting equipment should put you in the right mindset.

Top Rated Podcasting Kit Options – Quick Link Chart

podcasting equipment

imageNameWhat's Included?Links
PreSonus AudioBox StudioUSB interface, headphones, mic, cables and software.Buy It Now!
Behringer Podcastudio USBAudio interface, headphones, mic, recording software and quick start guide.Buy It Now!
4 Person Podcast Kit – Yamaha MG10XUMixing console, 4 mics, 4 headphones and all the cables.Buy It Now!
2 Person Podcast Kit – Yamaha MG10XUMixing console, 2 mics, 2 headphones and all the cables.Buy It Now!

Our Choices:

For Solo Home Podcasters (Beginners Or Intermediate) – Portable Too!

PreSonus AudioBox Studio

This studio comes as a complete set that one requires to record and produce even at an entry level. With this starter package, it becomes possible to record multi-track recordings, podcasts, demos, and field recordings. Importantly, it follows the award winning Studio One production and recording software.

***Click here to check out the latest reviews and pricing on Amazon!***

At the heart of the PreSonus AudioBox Studio is the USB interface that is simple, portable and reliable. The box has audio/MIDI interface that features two-combo inputs for microphones or instruments. The box also has a zero-latency monitoring, and it comes ready for use. It is also compatible with most Mac and Windows recording software, has microphone preamplifiers and 24-bit converters.

The other quality feature of the PreSonus AudioBox Studio is the M7 condenser microphone. It has a large diaphragm, and it has a better performance than a dynamic microphone. The HD7 headphones also compliment the studio. They have a sound chamber that delivers deep low frequencies with a powerful bass punch since it is patented and semi-open.


Cheap For Beginners On A Budget

Behringer Podcastudio USB

This studio makes recording into a personal computer easy. It comes with a 5-channel mixer that makes it ideal for multiple podcasters. The mixer also features a microphone input and a preamplifier. Lastly, a mains adapter is an accompaniment to the mixer.

***Click here to check out the latest reviews and pricing on Amazon!***

The USB interface of the studio is compatible with Mac and personal computers. A dynamic microphone with a stand is the other feature of the studio, and a pair of headphones with 3.5 mm jack that fits in ¼ inches adapter adds up in the package. The studio also features 2 stereo phono cables and 1 XLR cable. Importantly, the studio features a software CD that includes an audacity package. The software enables one to record and mix during a podcasting session.


4 Person Options

Yamaha MG10XU 10 Channel Mixing Console Bundle with Art Headamp 4 Stereo Headphone Amp, Pure Resonance Audio MH10C Headphones and Accessories

This is a great way to get started with a great group podcast or if you plan on podcasting interviews with up to four people.  It comes with just about everything you need.

***Click here to check out the latest reviews and pricing on Amazon!***

Included are:

  • The 10 channel Yamaha MG10XU mixer.
  • 4 channel headphone amp.
  • 4 sets of headphones.
  • 4 mics.
  • All the cables you need!

This is definitely a cost effective way to jump in and get started!


2 Person Options

Same As the Four Person Pack, Just Smaller!

Simply click the four person image above and select the two person option.

Looking to just do a podcast with one other person or planning on having just one guest at a time?  A two person option might be just right for you.  If you saw the four person option above, this is basically the exact same set up.  Only it eliminates two of the headphones and two of the mics.  Another excellent choice!

Create Your Own Professional Equipment Setup For Podcasting?

If you are looking to get something of a lot higher quality, I would recommend building out the kit yourself instead of buying a bundle solution like the ones mentioned above.  If you are looking to go this route, what do you need?

The parts comes as a combination of different equipment that forms a system. It is possible for one to forget some of the important components, and one should have a list of the basic tools. Quality remains an integral element during your selection, but getting the right set up goes a long way in facilitating good podcasting results. Whilst one can record directly into a computer, the following gear makes it up:

Podcasting Microphone

A microphone is one part picks up the voice during a podcast session. One has an option to pick pop screens and filters in order to make the sound cleaner. There are two types of recording microphones: dynamic mic and condenser. However, each type has its advantages and disadvantages.  Personally, for ease of use, I recommend a usb microphone and don’t forget the pop filters and an extra microphone cable!

Our choice?

Rode Podcaster USB Mic

You actually may also consider lavalier microphones if you want something smaller or don’t have the desk room.

Probably one of the most important things to think about here is that if you want good sound quality, the podcasting mics is where it starts.

Look here for our more indepth article on the best podcast microphone.

Audio Mixer Or USB Audio Interface

A mixer helps a podcaster adjust the volume and effects during a podcasting session. It comes in handy when there are more than one person in one session. It becomes easy for one to adjust the effects well ahead of time before the next comes live while recording.

I would suggest this one:

Mackie PROFX8V2 8-Channel Compact Mixer with USB

Looking for more indepth info on these?  Take a look at our best podcast mixer article.

Digital Recorder

A digital recorder can serve both outdoor and indoor recording purposes. It records a session for production. One can just plug a microphone directly on the recording devices, or connect the recorder with a mixer. The recorders range from small dictaphones to professional recorders.

Audio Cables

The choice of cables depends on configuration of your internet radio gear. One can use cables to connect a microphone to a mixer or recorder. Their main function is to transmit signals from one end of equipment to the other.

Headphones

Headphones allow one to monitor a broadcast session. It becomes possible to hear other podcasters clearly. Headphones also help one to listen to the effects and adjust them accordingly.  Just make sure the headphone jack matches with what your gear.

Our suggestion?

Behringer HPS3000 Studio Headphones

We got more info on this as well.  Take a look at our full article on the best headphones for podcasting.

What to Look For In the Best Kit

  • Microphone – If one opts to pick a condenser microphone, there is a need to use it while in a sound booth. This microphone picks up even the slightest noise, and it can pick the sound of a seat creaking or birds chirping from outside the recording room. A dynamic microphone befits a small room or basement podcast sessions. It features quality sound and it has control over any noise in the room. On pricing, a condenser microphone is more expensive than a dynamic one.
  • Mixer – People buy mixers according to their technological comfort. If one wants to use more than one microphone, then the best podcasting mixer with USB connections comes in handy. One can also look for a mixer with an AUX outlet in order to achieve a mix/minus set up that is necessary for Skype or Google Hangouts interview calls. This feature also enables interviewees to listen to other channels except their own, and it eliminates feedback looping.  It means that the recording environment determines the choice of a microphone. A noisy environment calls for a dynamic microphone while a quiet environment is ideal for a condenser microphone. Nevertheless, one can customize the environment where necessary in order to achieve a better microphone performance for your podcast.
  • Digital Recorder – Digital recorders are easy to use since they have built-in editing tools. Portability remains a crucial consideration when one buys a digital recorder. Small recorders are easy to carry and fix on cameras when filming a video. However, one can choose a slightly bigger recorder for static recording purposes.
  • Cables – Whilst there are no good or bad cables, factors such as their price and warranty come in handy. Some cables are more expensive than others. Similarly, some cables come with a warranty while others do not have it.
  • Headphones – One should always go for podcast headphones that have a high quality. Some headphones usually have a high quality than others. It all depends on the clarity of the sound when one uses them.

Other things you may need to get separately:

  • Mic stands
  • extra cables – XLR microphone or USB depending on what you need.

Best Computer For Podcasting

For me, it is always going to be a simple choice – a Macbook.  Take a look here for a bunch of great options by clicking here.

Conclusion

With such information, both the entry-level and professional streaming becomes easy to carry out. It is the right set up and the quality of the best podcast starter kit that matters. The information makes it possible for one to undertake both outdoor and indoor podcasting sessions.

All you should need now is some podcast hosting, podcasting software, good ideas and a speaking voice!  If these can’t get your podcasting studio ready, I don’t know what will!

More Podcasting Resources

Hopefully this beginners guide gives you a good idea on what to buy but if not, feel free to add a comment or question below.

The post Best Podcast Starter Kit (Get Setup With These 2018 Packages!) appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best Podcasting Microphone 2018 (Best Sound For Your $$)

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Be the host of your own show. Podcasting provides a platform for anyone who wants to share views on any subject under the sun. To do that, however, you will need to gather the necessary equipment and set up your own home studio. Be careful when choosing your mheadic as it will have the biggest impact on the quality of the recording. Sure, you can use your laptop’s built-in mic but that won’t yield inspiring results. Try to get the best podcast microphone that you can afford and you’ll never look back. Below are a few options that you may want to consider:

Our Recommendations for Top Mics for Podcasting

Highest Quality

Rode Podcaster

Click here to check price on Amazon

The name itself makes it clear who the device was made for. This specialist microphone is great for those who are just starting out and want everything to be as simple as possible. It features a USB interface so it can plug directly into any computer without any hassles. Use any audio mixing software to capture the input and edit the shows. It has a 28mm dynamic capsule that picks up sound in a cardioid polar pattern. The range is good enough to allow a bit of movement while recording. However, it may also pick up unwanted noise in the background.

The all-metal body inspires confidence in the build and durability of the product. Indeed, the Rode Podcaster comes with a 10-year warranty. An LED power indicator and a built-in pop filter. Under the mic is a 3.5mm port for podcasting headphones, as well as volume control. It does not have gain control. Those who wish to monitor the things in real-time can plug into this port. The frequency response listed is 40Hz to 14KHz which is fine for voice recordings. People trying to record with musical instruments should look elsewhere. All in all, the unit serves its purpose very well.


Heil PR-40

Click here to check price on Amazon

Here is another dynamic microphone that has been designed with voice in mind. It can be used not only for podcasting but also for voice overs and similar applications. Choose from different colors including chrome, champagne, and black & gold. It has a steel housing with an internal shield against noise from lighting fixtures and video monitors. There is no need to worry about handling and making adjustments on the fly as there is an internal Sorbothane shock mount. It features a cardioid pickup pattern that is able to reject off-axis noise thanks for the presence of four rear ports.

The mic comes with an internal filter and two mesh screens which serve to reduce pops and hisses. The presence of a formidable NdFeB magnet structure, along with a large and light mic element, enables the unit to provide dynamic range and high sound pressure levels of up to 148 dB SPL. This means you can enjoy natural sounds that are free from distortion. The frequency range is between 28 Hz and 18 KHz with impedance at 600 ohms. Note that, unlike the first two mics, the Heil PR-40 uses a more traditional 3-pin XLR connector.


Mics For Podcasting Under $200

Blue Yeti USB Microphone

Click here to check price on Amazon

Anyone who is looking into USB microphones should consider the brand Blue. They have a massive presence in this product category, earning their popularity through affordable price tags and excellent performance. The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is an excellent example. This device has a metal body that includes a sturdy base to keep it in place on a desk. A peek underneath reveals a mini USB port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and mic stand attachment. Below the logo is a mute button with indicator light and a knob control for the headphone volume. There are also knobs for gain and pattern selection.

Like most USB mics, this one is also plug and play. Any computer with a modern OS should be able to recognize it right away and get it working. Sound quality is more than acceptable for podcasting with 16-bit 48KHz sampling rate. It is possible to choose between an omni-directional pattern and a cardioid pattern. The former is suited to round-table discussions while the latter is better for solo efforts. Experimentation may be needed to find the right settings. No software ships with the product but there are plenty of open source and commercial options online.

Other Options:


Podcast Mics Under $100

Audio Technica AT2020

Click here to check price on Amazon

Audio Technica is a highly respected name when it comes to sound equipment. Podcasters who are aiming for professional quality audio would do well to consider their offerings including the AT2020. Just remember that this is not a USB mic so connecting it to a computer is not as straightforward. It needs an XLR cable which is sold separately. The only things you get in the package are the mic itself, a stand adapter, and a carrying pouch. On the bright side, this helps to cut down the price of the unit to $99 and even less at discount rates. One thing that was not compromised is the performance which the AT2020 knocks out of the ballpark.

Individuals that do not mind spending extra for a good stand, pop filter, shock mount, XLR cable, and other accessories will shrug off the sparse package. These are not that expensive anyway. Some may already have all of the gear necessary and are just looking for a mic upgrade. Podcasters who want to give their listeners the best aural experience should not think twice about this cardioid condenser mic. YouTubers who dabble music will also be served well by its wide range. Frequency response is excellent from 20 Hz up to 20 KHz.


Samson Meteor

Click here to check price on Amazon

The Samson Meteor is another USB mic for people who like to keep it simple. It comes in chrome, brushed nickel, and titanium black. The classic design is stylish yet smart and compact. It does not need a stand or a mount since its base is already composed of three short legs that fold out to support it like a tripod. When folded up, they protect the mic from bumps and bruises — ideal for traveling or long-term storage. It has a cardioid pattern which can pick up both vocals and instruments with ease. Even background voices can be captured without having to speak louder.

There is a mute switch, a headphone volume control, and an indicator light can be found at the front. The 1/8 inch headphone output port and the USB port can be found at the back. Underneath is a stand adapter for mounting on a different desktop stand or a boom. This mic does not need addition power via USB hub. Thus, it can be connected directly even to low-powered devices like tablets with no issues. No drivers are required. Just plug it in and start recording. Note that this does not have a gain adjustment on the mic so any changes must be made via software.

More color choices:

Bundle Options:


Audio Technica ATR2100

Click here to check price on Amazon

Another low-cost option from a reliable brand. The ATR2100 is a cardioid dynamic mic that is capable of both digital and analog outputs. For podcasters who like versatility, it’s hard to find a better deal. It can be connected to a computer for home studio recordings and plugged into sound systems when it’s time for a live performance. There is a headphone jack for real-time monitoring so there is no need to wonder how the audio is coming across. The cardioid pattern is good for recordings where there is a definite focus on one or two speakers. Noise from the rear is minimized.

The conventional handheld mic design fits perfectly into the included tripod desk stand. The legs can be folded while the mic angle can be adjusted. Both cables, USB and XLR, are part of the package for ease of setup. Just plug it into a computer and it will be good to go. Compatibility with Mac and Windows is guaranteed. Conversion from analog to digital signals is done by a quality AD convertor using 16-bit 44.1/48 KHz sampling rate. The frequency response is from 50 Hz to 15,000 Hz which makes it suited for voice recordings.

Bundle Options:


Samson Q2

Click here to check price on Amazon

The Samson Q2U can be considered as an alternative to the Audio Technica ATR2100. Both are handheld mics that are as comfortable in a recording studio as they are in a concert stage. People who are looking for a versatile unit to take to different places will not be let down. The Q2U will provide excellent results in a fully soundproofed room but it will also give decent results even on the field. Like the ATR2100, it has a USB cable as well as an XLR for connection with other equipment. Having options never hurts, especially if you are on the go and are not quite sure what you will be faced with when you get to your destination.

This versatility also makes it a nice piece of gear for podcasters of every level. Novices can get it and use the USB connection to start recording right away on a computer. More experienced individuals can upgrade the setup by adding a mixer, pre-amplifier, and digital recorder in the studio without having to replace the mic. Just plug it into the XLR port of the digital recorder and enjoy the increase in audio quality. The package is quite generous with an included desktop stand, an XLR cable, a pair of headphones, and even a free copy of the Cakewalk Music Creator program.


Podcasting Microphones Under $50

Blue Snowball Ice

Click here to check price on Amazon

Lastly, we have the Blue Snowball Ice which is a condenser microphone. It comes in either black or white. You can get it with a pop filter and headphones at additional cost. This one is a USB mic so it’s basically plug and play with any computer. It’s great for people who are tired of cheap microphones and wish to improve the quality of their outputs, without reaching too deep into their pockets. The unit itself currently retails for under $50. This entry-level offering by Blue features a spherical head and a tripod base that’s about 10 inches in total height.

This product is good for the absolute beginner who wants to record podcasts without having to deal with too much tech. It can also be used by students for their projects, by YouTubers to get better sound, and by anyone who wishes to chat via Skype. A six-foot USB cable is included in the package. The unit has a single mic capsule with a cardioid pick-up pattern and 16-bit sampling for professional audio quality. It may seem tiny but it is heavy and sturdy. It won’t fall over as long as the screws are tight and the mic is placed in a good spot.

Other Options:


Choosing the Best Microphone for Podcasting

Budget and Price Points

Cost should not be a barrier to podcasting. There are multiple products at different price points to serve all kinds of budgets. Those who are just trying to dabble in it may not be prepared to spend a lot of money. Good thing that there’s plenty of options in the sub-$100 category including the Blue Snowball Ice which is only half that amount. Even the excellent Audio Technica AT2020 is sold at just $99. Individuals who can afford to spend a bit more may want to look into mid-tier offerings such as the Blue Yeti USB Microphone which has a solid build and comes with its own stand. For people who want the best podcast microphone that money can buy, the sky’s the limit. The Heil PR40 is a good place to start at over $300.

The type of mic – Condenser vs Dynamic Mics

Both types are good for different purposes. It is up to the buyer to get one that is suited to his or her particular application. The advantage of condenser mics is that they have a higher output level. This means that the signal does not have to undergo amplification which usually results in unwanted hiss. They are also more sensitive, especially at higher frequencies. The recording thus feels richer but it can also pick up lots of noise. A pop filter can make things better. Dynamic microphones, on the other hand, can filter noise from the tongue, lips, and air vents.

XLR vs USB connections

The main advantage of USB mics are their simplicity. You plug them into virtually any computer and they will work right out of the box. Even old PCs with Windows XP and tiny RAM should be able to get them up and running. In most cases, installation is automatic. No other equipment is required to begin recording. On the other hand, XLR mics will require the purchase of a digital recorder. Having a mixer and pre-amp is also ideal, especially for multi-microphone setups. The increased investment will result in vastly improved audio quality. Some mics have both types of connectors for versatility.

Accessories You’ll Need to Make the Mic Work

Desktop mic stand or broadcasting arm

Keep your hands free during a recording by letting a desktop stand hold the mic for you. This will make it easier to adjust controls on the fly and take notes in an interview. The stand will also fix the height and angle of the unit to their optimum settings. These may require a bit of experimentation to find the best combination. A broadcasting arm may also be considered for a greater range of adjustments. This is usually clamped to the side of a table. This frees up valuable desktop space. An arm is also less prone to bumps and falls compared to desk stands.

Mic cables

Although it is possible to use wireless microphones, these tend to be much more expensive than their wired counterparts. Reliability issues and technical complications also hound them. It is for these reasons that wired mics are still preferred, especially when it comes to recording. Podcasters can save time, money, and effort by using cables. The type of cable needed will depend on the microphone connections, USB or XLR. The unit may include the necessary cables in the package to make setup easier. If not, then buying them should not be that difficult. They should be long enough to promote freedom of movement without adding too much clutter.

Shock mount

Even small positioning adjustments can rattle the interior components of a mic and introduce noise into the system. Vibrations from the floor can also travel up to the unit and do the same thing.

These can be prevented through the use of a shock mount. This piece of accessory creates a physical separation between the mic and the arm or stand to reduce vibrations and other shocks. This vastly improves the quality of the recording. It will be as if the unit was suspended in the air thanks to the dampeners that surround it. The designs may include o-rings, springs, and other elements.

Mic Setup with the Rest of Your Gear

The microphone is only one piece of the puzzle. It is arguably the more important one since this input device gets the ball rolling. However, the rest of your gear needs some attention as well. Make sure that the mic is fixed on a sturdy stand or arm with a good shock mount and pop filter to minimize vibrations and noise. For USB mics, it should be trivial to plug into a compatible computer and record a show. For XLR mics, one will need to purchase a digital recorder to capture the audio in high quality. An amplifier and mixer will provide additional control over the output.

Other Recommended Reading:

Conclusion

Building your own recording studio at home can be fun and exciting. It can also be costly. Maximize your resources by focusing on the things that truly matter. Whatever you do, do not compromise on the quality of your microphone. This piece of equipment will have the greatest influence on the listening experience of the audience. If you do not have much funding, then start with a USB mic from a trusted brand that can be plugged directly into a computer. You can slowly upgrade your podcasting gear as you extend your reach and gain more technical knowhow.

The post Best Podcasting Microphone 2018 (Best Sound For Your $$) appeared first on TechAbrel.

How Does A VR Headset Affect Your Eyesight?

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Modern digital experiences are characterized by the all encompassing virtual worlds that have been the subject of much media attention. These experiences are delivered through strange looking headsets, which monitor the movement of your head in 3D to send you into a computerized environment. While there, you can do anything from killing monsters in a futuristic fantasy, to learning how to perform brain surgery on a virtual patient.

VR headsets have two tiny LCD monitors, which project at each of your eyes. This produces a stereoscopic effect that gives the user the impression of depth. Because the screens are positioned near to the user’s eyes, some experts and eye care professionals, like Trinity Eye Care, have expressed concerns about kinds of eye conditions that might develop, if users engage in these intense ocular activities for lengthy time periods.

What Issues Are Potentially Linked To VR Headsets?

The issues linked to wearing VR headsets arise from a couple of things, namely: vergence accommodation conflicts and vestibulo ocular reflex. Vergence is a term that describes the movement of the eye’s pupils during focusing that stops us from experiencing double vision. The pupils move away or toward one another, based on whether what we are looking at is nearer or further away. Accommodation is a process where the eye adjusts its’ optical power to sustain a clear view of a moving object. To do this, the lens inside the eye becomes thicker or flatter.

If a VR headset is poorly designed, what the user witnesses will not change smoothly when the user moves their head in sideways direction. This can lead to several undesirable symptoms, such as disorientation and nausea – otherwise known as virtual reality sickness. These symptoms might appear temporarily, once the headset is taken off. Activities like driving a vehicle should be avoided, until these symptoms vanish. However, there is no evidence of any long lasting change to the neurological system.

Humans have developed for these processes to work together. In daily life, you need to be able to see single images clearly. However, while you have a VR headset on, these processes are interrupted. Your eyes might converge close to the screen to look at a simulated image there, however to see that image clearly the eyes have to concentrate on the screen. This causes the undesirable symptoms in some users.

vr headsets

Do They Actually Strengthen The Eyes?

Over the long run though, these headsets are likely to improve the vision of users. Using these headsets has a similar effect on the eyes that lifting weights has on muscles. VR headsets strengthen the eyes, because this is precisely what is done to strengthen the eyes of patients with related conditions. Orthoptics, which is a treatment for sight problems like lazy eyes, movement disorders and squinting, improves the vision of sufferers with vergence accommodation conflicts.

Because the majority of early VR headset environments will be centered on video games, both console and mobile based, children could be potentially most at risk. The market is packed with young people — roughly twenty-six percent of gamers are below the age of eighteen – and tracking, depth perception and focus is still developing in these people. This might mean that children could develop nearsightedness, or myopia, and eye strain. A simple way to counteract this ocular stress is to get your child’s sight tested prior to starting school, encourage twenty second screen breaks every twenty minutes, and make it compulsory for them to take longer screen breaks where they carry out physical activity.

Akthough VR headsets were invent in the sixties, they did not previously experience widespread use, because the old headsets were typically too cumbersome to be worn for long periods. Also, technological restrictions like often caused nausea in wearers. With modern technology though, more responsive, lighter headsets have been created, which are ideal for the mass market.

Many of these headsets have warnings that people under thirteen should not use them, and to avoid further use if the user experiences symptoms such as motion sickness, involuntary movements, eye strain, seizures or twitching. Although these effects are normally temporary, it is not unclear whether VR headsets might cause long term problems to a person’s sight, especially with repeated use.

How Does A VR Headset Affect Your Eyesight? – Final Thoughts

Most of the time, casual users of these devices should not experience any problems. However, until the longer term effects have been properly researched, people should not use these devices too heavily. Also if they encounter eyestrain or headaches, they should stop using them immediately and seek advice from an eye specialist.

The post How Does A VR Headset Affect Your Eyesight? appeared first on TechAbrel.


Our Top 8 Best Gaming Mouse For League Of Legends

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Gaming is no more just a pastime – especially when you ask LOL Pros. It’s a major industry in its own right, with multiple stakeholders banking on it. Whether you are gaming for fun or see gaming as a real career progression, you want to make sure your gaming essentials are right on the mark. If you are new to gaming and your recent fascination for the League of Legends game has prompted you to seek the best gaming mouse for League of Legends, take your pick from the options discussed below. But before that, let’s discuss gaming mice in slightly more detail so that you are knowledgeable enough to understand why you’re actually picking one over others.

Why Do You Need A Gaming Mouse For League Of Legends?

The ideal gaming experience warrants high-responsiveness, precision and power. A gaming mouse is only part of the picture, yet absolutely crucial. There are different types of video games that may have varying gameplays. Playing those games require a different range of interactions and precision, which a regular mouse isn’t capable of. A gaming mouse, fortunately, is versatile enough to accommodate a range of controls and is also invariably built ergonomically to facilitate long gaming sessions without much finger or arm fatigue.

What Gaming Mice Features to Look For?

Make sure the gaming mouse you buy ticks off the following attributes:

  • Ergonomics – As aforementioned, a gaming mouse should be ergonomically designed. Gaming mice usually fit in your hand a lot more naturally than regular mice. The mouse provides right grips for different parts of your hand – such as the palm, fingertips and claw.  If ergonomics is your top concern and you are right handed, the BenQ ZOWIE EC2-A is a great choice.
  • Precision & Sensitivity – The precision and sensitivity of a gaming mice is determined in terms of dots per inch (DPI). Essentially, a higher DPI means the mouse would be a lot more responsive and sensitive to even the smallest of movements. However, an extra-sensitive mice is not always ideal since the extreme sensitivity can spoil gameplay at times. This is why a gaming mouse should come with adjustable DPI settings. The ability to adjust DPI settings comes in handier in first person shooter (FPS) games. A lower DPI, on the other hand, helps with sniping.  The Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum is a great option for top precision.
  • Durability – Gaming sessions can get quite intense at times and that intensity could become obvious too. A gamer throwing and smashing the mouse or keyboard in anguish and frustration is no rare sight. Also, with daily use, the mouse should not just be able to stand up to the regular grind of things but also the stress and friction it undergoes. Long story short, durability is a crucial feature in gaming mice.
  • Input Technology – Optical mice are recommended, especially when compared to laser mice. A laser mouse’s lift-off distance is higher. This means the mouse tracks surface even after being lifted slightly or when the gap between the mouse and surface is 10mm. Lifting the mouse when it reaches the edge of the mouse pad and repositioning it could cause the cursor to move a bit. Such mice are fine for regular usage but not acceptable while gaming.

Our Best Mouse For League Of Legends Recommendations

gaming mice for lol

NameSensorConnectivityDPICool FeaturesWhat Pros Use It? 
Razer DeathAdder EssentialOpticalUSB Wired6400 DPISuper simple and accurate.Luka “PerkZ” Perković, Mateusz “Kikis” Szkudlarek, “HuHi” Jae-Hyun ChoiView Image
Logitech G502 Proteus TunableOpticalUSB Wiredup to 12000 DPIWeight and balance tuning, 11 programmable buttons, 5 DPI settings, dual-mode scroll wheel.“WildTurtle” Jason Tran, “Lustboy” Jang-sik Ham, Balls, Hai MouseView Image
BenQ ZOWIE EC2-AOpticalUSB Wiredup to 3200 DPIErgonomic right hand design, perfect lift off distance.n/aView Image
Razer Mamba Tournament EditionLaserUSB Wiredup to 16000 DPIFun lighting effects, 1,000 Hz Ultrapolling, Nine independently programmable buttons with tilt-click scroll wheel. “Chauster” Steve ChauView Image
Razer Naga Hex V2LaserUSB Wiredup to 16000 DPILighting effects, 7 button mechanical thumb wheel, 14 programmable buttons.Yoo “Ryu” SangWook, Neil “Pr0lly” HammadView Image
Corsair KATAR Gaming MouseOpticalUSB Wired8000 DPIAmbidextrous layout “Shiphtur” Danny LeView Image
Logitech G900 Chaos SpectrumOptical/LaserWireless6400 DPIAmbidextrous layout, PMW3366 Optical Gaming Sensor, 32 hour battery life.“Doublelift” Yilliang Peng, “Smoothie” Andy TaView Image
Razer ImperatorOptical/LaserUSB Wired6400 DPI4G Dual Sensor System, rubberized thumb grip.n/aView Image

The gaming accessories industry has some big names to its credit. Names such as Logitech, Razer, Corsair and even Microsoft come to people’s minds when they ponder gaming equipment. These companies are known for their experience and expertise within the gaming realm and which shows in their products. Our recommendations below are mostly products from these manufacturers.

Our Favorite LOL Gaming Mice

Razer DeathAdder Essential

Click Here For More Information On The Razer DeathAdder Essential

The Razer DeathAdder Essential is an easy-to-use, comfortable gaming mouse for both tournament jockeys and casual gamers. The Razer DeathAdder has been around for quite some time and this model is the latest version. This all-purpose mouse retains the ergonomic, sleek design and RGB lights of its predecessors while adding a couple of small buttons under an enhanced scroll wheel. Avid gamers would find this mouse suiting their varied gaming styles and choices across a range of genres. The side keys can be customized and macros can be programmed as per requirement. The gameplay on offer is crisp, invariably pushing you to play more.

Logitech G502 Proteus Tunable

Click Here For More Info On The Logitech G502

The Logitech G502 is the gaming mouse you need if you are heavy into customization. The mouse is designed to enable modification with multitude levels of customization. The mouse’s salient features are its weight/balance adjustment, surface tuning calibration, 11 programmable buttons and DPI shifting. Surface tuning is basically altering the optical sensor’s responsiveness, accuracy and precision so that it can work differently on different surfaces. In fact, the mouse is so responsive that it really takes some time to digest the fact that the mouse need not be moved significantly to browse or scroll web pages.


LOL Mouse For Right Handed Gamers

BenQ Zowie EC2-A

Click Here For More On The BenQ ZOWIE EC2-A

The BenQ Zowie EC2-A is an optical gaming mouse ergonomically designed for right-handers. Equipped with five buttons and a two-metre long cable, this plug-and-play mouse doesn’t need a driver and looks too simple to be a gaming mouse. Even if you can vaguely imagine what a gaming mouse looks like, this mouse would break all your preconceived notions. This safe and comfortably shaped mouse is customizable too. The buttons on the side are default – back and forward. The lift-off distance can be altered, which is quite low to start with. And the DPI and polling rate could also be modified. And, don’t underestimate the mouse looking at its simplicity as the subtlety and attention to detail is commendable.


Out Top Laser Mouse Options

Razer Mamba Tournament Edition

Click Here For More Info On The Razer Mamba Tournament Edition

The Razer Mamba Tournament Edition mouse is a colorful and comfortable companion for gamers. It features easy-to-use, intuitive software and some extremely convenient buttons. Doing full justice to the black mamba snake that this mouse is named after, the mouse is adaptable and sleek. It works across a range of genres courtesy the smart button placements. Weighing approximately 0.29 pounds, the mouse has a fairly generously padded thumb-resting area. There are also padded areas for the ring and small finger, which helps with an enhanced grip. The coarser scroll wheel also helps with the grip.

Razer Naga Hex

Get More Information On The Razer Naga Hex V2 Here

The Razer Naga Hex is everything Razer gaming products are known for – high-quality sensors, solid construction, customizable and adjustable profiles, smooth performance, and an uber-cool appearance. Unlike other gaming mice on this list, the Naga Hex’s balance is tilted more in the favor of appearance. In other words, you may find comfort and ergonomics being compromised with for flashiness. The external shell boasts a metallic 3D finish that’s slick to the touch. Besides the rudimentary left- and right-click functions, the mouse’s scroll wheel is clickable, and there are a couple of buttons for back and forward motion through web pages.


Cheap And Affordable Budget LOL Gaming Mouse

Corsair KATAR Gaming Mouse

More Info On The Corsair KATAR Gaming Mouse

The Corsair KATAR is a gaming mouse designed keeping FPS and MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) gamers in mind. Its great build quality, pleasant form-factor and wonderful sensor provide a nice blend of rigidity and simplicity. Weighing just 85 grams, the mouse is fairly light and, as a result, quite easy to move and lift. If you fancy lower DPI settings, KATAR would satisfy your requirement to cover big movement zones without resistance. The triangular texture on either sides offers good grip. Moreover, the rubberized plastic atop is ideal for all types of grips.


Best Wireless Higher End Option For League Of Legends

Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum

Logitech G900 – Click Here To Get More Info

The Logitech G900 is a wireless gaming mouse that brings incredible hardware to the table. The design is slick and the technology packed in is unparalleled. Also, the mouse has a certain desk appeal that’s hard to not see. The G900 is probably Logitech’s leanest efforts with its mice. The weight-reduction efforts are quite aggressive and the curved body with the hard edges give the mouse a unique look and feel. Most importantly, the ambidextrous design makes the mouse feel comfortable in either hand, and it supports both calm and palm grips.


One Last Great Mouse Recommendation

Razer Imperator Ergonomic

Razer Imperator – Click Here For More Information

The Razer Imperator gaming mouse boasts solid looks, good tracking, conventional software for customizations and macros, etc. The Imperator basically incorporates the design of Death Adder and Mamba and sprinkles in a bit of exaggeration. The mouse has a marginally different contour compared to its nearest cousins. The hump looks a lot more pronounced, which means your middle and index fingers sit higher. There is sufficient grip and padding for the remaining fingers. Long story short, the mouse is made for a certain set of gamers and if you are one among them, you would find the mouse right up your alley.

Conclusion

Remember, a LOL gaming mouse is not truly a necessity. Some gaming sessions could be fairly casual, for which even a $20 gaming mouse would cut it. However, if you’re into fairly intense and hardcore gaming, then you would need a more capable and well-crafted tool. If you don’t have the money to spend, you may start cheap. But make sure you upgrade as soon as possible as the best mouse for League of Legends is likely to offer you the ideal gaming experience. Also, while you are at it, make sure you have gaming-centric keyboard, monitor and computer. A gaming mouse in the company of non-gaming accessories may find it slightly difficult to offer optimal experience all by itself.

The post Our Top 8 Best Gaming Mouse For League Of Legends appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best 3D Printer For Miniatures & Figurines

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If you love art and design, then you absolutely need a 3D printer to help you explore your imaginations and creativity. With the best 3d printer for miniatures, there is no limit on the things that you can do. Although the readily available options are not fast enough or capable of producing the quality required for mass production, they are highly useful when it comes to prototyping and home production markets, like gaming miniatures. A good quality 3D printer is capable to offer you advantages from the initial design stage to the production stage of the final product. Nevertheless, although they are not as expensive as they used to be, they still cannot be considered cheap and thus, you must be careful when selecting the right one for miniatures. Your goal should be to find one that is of high quality and reliable.

Our Gaming Miniature 3D Printer Recommendations

Our Top Choice – LulzBot Mini Desktop 3D Printer

Click here to find out more.


With a small compact design, LulzBot mini desktop 3D printer is built to provide quality while making everything else easy and straightforward. The assembly process is not complicated and you can easily operate the printer using straightforward software that has easy to use documentation and an army of enthusiasts ready to help transform your imaginations into final products. Although the printer is smaller than most of its rivals, it actually produces comparatively large print size of up to 6.2 by 6 by 6 inches.

The LulzBot Mini also includes a functional fabric at the back of the print bed that cleans the print head before every project begins, which means that your jobs will not be ruined by a stray piece of filament while in the progress. Finally, it bundles in a free downloadable Cura software that lets you easily import 3D models, set them up for printing and control the printing process.


Our Runner Up – Sindoh 3DWOX DP200 3D Printer

Visit this link for more information.


With a print volume of 200 by 200 by 185mm, the Sindoh 3DWOX DP200 3D printer is a sleek, blue-tinged box that is worth its price. The Sindoh printer comes with a remarkably effective print bed that offers three beds for quick print swapping. The printer has a heated bed that can ratchet up to 110 degrees Celsius and a 0.4mm nozzle with a temperature range of 180 to 220 degrees. The Sindoh DP200 3D printer also has WIFI connectivity that lets you easily transfer your designs.

The 3DWOX DP 200 also lets you transfer designs through USB or online thanks to the standard USB thumbstick and Ethernet. The completely closed-box design protects the quality of your prints from external temperature and humidity fluctuations ensuring reliability and consistent prints. The 3D printer features a 5-inch color touchscreen that offers all the functionality that you will need. The printer also has a print monitoring camera that lets you remotely witness your prints.


Best For Fine Details – Ultimaker 2+

Click here for more info on Amazon.


If you are looking for a 3D printer that is ideal for high-volume printing, you should buy the Ultimaker 2+. The 3D printer uses fused filament fabrication to produce excellent-quality prints in an easy to use package with excellent detail. The Ultimaker 2+ offers two printing methods for high volume and for fine detail printing. Using a large layer height, the printer can churn out high-volume rougher prints quickly while by using the smaller layer height, the printer can slowly print mode detailed prints with finer detail.

The Ultimaker 2+ does not require a specific filament brand and can print using ABS and 3-mm PLA filaments, which gives you flexibility and convenience as you can work with whatever you want. The Ultimaker 2+ has a single extruder that is moved by two belt drives down a bit for each level for steady prints. Furthermore, the printer moves the extruder, which makes it ideal for printing tall, thin prints.


Best For Terrain – FlashForge Creator Pro

More info – click this link.


The FlashForge Creator Pro comes with a metal chassis upgrade over its predecessor that had a wooden chassis, which means that your prints will not experience any heat and noise leakage. The new metal chassis seals in heat and eliminates noise pollution while minimizing vibrations ensuring better precision of the print heads for a smoothly finished end product. The printer also includes a super-clear acrylic panel that lets you see the object being deposited from raw PLA or ABS.

The FlashForge Creator Pro has a bright LCD panel that lets you see the state of the current operation. Furthermore, unlike other 3D printers, the FlashForge Pro printer includes an SD memory card slot in addition to the USB interface for easy connectivity. Furthermore, the printer has enough workspace for a wide variety of projects that range from building prototypes to fun copies of 3D computer models, hobbyist items, and replacement components. The printer boasts a steel chassis, dual-spool feeds, and an aluminum plate.


Cheapest & Most Affordable – Hictop CR-10S

Get more information on Amazon here.


The Hictop CR-10S comes with an enormous 11.8 by 11.8 by 15.7 inches build space that lets you almost any filament. The printer includes a heated aluminum print bed with a glass top for better adhesion with all filaments. Whether you are looking for speed or precision, the printer can print at speeds of up to 200mm/s for resolutions of between 50 and 400 microns or speeds of up to 80mm/s for amazing results and a microSD card and tethered USB for easy connection.

The printer also has dual Z lead screws that ensure better stability and precision, especially when working with taller prints. The dual Z lead screw upgrade also helps to improve the durability of the printer. The CR-10S has a filament sensor upgrade that helps to preserve your prints by detecting when the filament runs out and stop the print. The sensor also detects the power outage and pause prints and thus, saving you tons of wasted filament as well as print time.


Another Budget Choice – Dremel DigiLab 3D20 3D Printer

Want to know more? Click here!

Dremel is well known for building devices that are reliable and easy to use and the Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D printer is not different. The printer continues the Dremel reputation by being ready to use from the box. The unit comes with printable files that you can use to test the quality of the printer from the box. The 3D20 printer is also highly reliable as the filaments are specifically engineered to optimize printing while at the same time being one of the most affordable 3D printers on the market.

The Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D printer has a fully enclosed design that improves printing by creating stable temperature while protecting children and other people from putting their hands into the work area during prints. The printer also features a 4-inch full-color touch screen for easy functionality and a simple extruder that allows easy maintenance. The printer also comes with a cooling fan that prevents your prints warping or printer over-heating.

 


What to look for when choosing a 3D Printer for Miniatures

When looking for a great 3D printer, you will most likely have to compare two or more brands and thus, it is important that you know what to look for. The most basic factor that you should consider is the price of the printer as well as your budget. The price start from below $1000 to over $2000 and thus, it is important that you come up with the price range of the printers that you can afford. Another important factor that you should consider is the print surface. The print surface will have a direct effect on the projects that you can print. When it comes to the print surface, larger is always better as it gives you more convenience.

You should also never purchase a 3D printer without considering the print speed as well as the performance of the printer. A printer with a high print speed is better as it helps you save on the printing costs in the long-run while enabling you to see your finished products sooner. However, the speed should not compromise the quality of prints. Another factor that you should consider is the accuracy of the printer as well as the color aspect of the printer. A printer that can print a spectrum of colors or a few colors at a time is better.


Which filament is best for miniatures?

3D printers can print of a number of materials but the two most common types that you familiarize yourself with are PLA and ABS. The PLA also the Polylactic Acid refers to biodegradable plastic with many features that make it highly preferred for printing. The PLA has greater resistance to warping than ABS and it does not give off any fumes during print. The PLA is also harder than ABS and shiny resulting in products made of PLA being sleek in appearance. The ABS or the Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a petroleum-based plastic that has a higher melting point than the PLA. ABS is also very strong. However, it is necessary to note that products made of ABS will likely bend while those of PLA will likely snap under much pressure. Therefore, the best filament for miniatures depends on your preferences and special project needs.


Conclusion

The best 3D printer for terrain and miniatures is the one that matches your budget and needs. Therefore, the most expensive one or the cheapest model on the market may not be your ideal model. Instead, you should look for features that your projects require without compromising on the quality, reliability, and convenience. For example, if you would like to print many things, a printer that prints very fast may be ideal. However, 3D printers that print very fast may not be ideal for projects that require high precision and excellent prints. In this occasion, you may find a printer that offers you an option to print both fast for volume printing and slowly for excellent printing being the ideal option.

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Best Soundbar Under 150 – Our Top Choices

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In the past decade or so, televisions have evolved from the massive, space-hogging objects they once were to become sleeker, neater and more elegant. This sounds great, until you arrive upon the fact that it’s actually what has made modern sets inferior to their predecessors in terms of sound output. This is where soundbars step into the scene. Investing in one for your entertainment setup means you have something that delivers great sound without taking up too much space. Which is probably the reason you want to know what you’ll come across when shopping for the best soundbar for under 150.

Our Recommendations For Best Soundbar Under $150

These are our top recommendations.  Any of these will serve you well!

VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.1 Channel Sound Bar With Subwoofer

Click here for more information.


Vizio is widely considered as a go-to brand for individuals on tight budget, and this becomes evident once you scan past the simplistic design of the SB3821-C6. For starters, there’s the wireless subwoofer that works in tandem with 2 powerful drivers to make up a 2.1 surround system. The setup then employs other features to further improve performance, including:

  • Great decoding options: Here, you’ll find both Dolby and DTS decoding options, the latter of which also includes a volume-leveling function to make the sound comfortable for your ears.
  • Optical and Bluetooth connectivity
  • A wall mounting kit.

At this point, it’s probably worth mentioning some of the issues other users have complained about, such as:

  • The USB port can only accept music in the form of WAV files.
  • An underwhelming bass response, particularly when you take into account it’s excellence in volume output.

Still, the VIZIO SB3821-C6 is among the few entry-level soundbars which provide great value in spite of what they’re worth. It might not satisfy those with a strong appetite for bass, but the fact that it’s a surround system means the sound output will fill any small- or medium-sized space. You’ll be hard-pressed to come across a better package at this price point.


JBL Bar Studio 2.0 Channel Bluetooth Soundbar

Get more information on Amazon – Click here.


Known for its deep bass response and clear surround sound, the JBL Bar Studio 2.0-Channel Soundbar would be a great candidate for those looking to create a theater-like listening experience at home. Although it can fill an an average-sized living room with a deep, reverberating sound, it seldom gets to a point where one struggles to make out the vocals. And while it’s designed as an all-in-one solution with a built-in dual port design, it hardly falls short in other areas that could make a difference to your listening experience. These include:

  • A user-friendly setup: Just connect the soundbar to the TV using a HDMI cable, and it will take care of the rest, thanks to its auto-sync capability.
  • Bluetooth connectivity so you can stream music directly from other devices.
  • Adjustable bass and treble ranges using the sound settings.
  • JBL surround sound

As for its pain points, some users have complained of the tiny remote that easily gets lost in seat cushions, plus the fact that it sometimes takes too long to switch on. On the flip side, the JBL Bar Studio more than makes up for its shortcomings thanks to its stellar stereo output. For bass-lovers and those who want something that provides a great level of detail, there’s simply no better option at this price point.


Polk Signa Solo Universal Home Theater Sound Bar

More information available here.


Popular opinion suggests that the only reason why the Polk Signa Solo is so cheap is the fact that it’s a soundbar stripped to its bare essence. But the rock-bottom price tag hardly reflects the lack of development on the manufacturer’s part. Coming with 4 2.5 inch Polk drivers with in-built bass ports, the Signa Solo is more than capable of giving your TV picture the sound it deserves.

On the surface, this soundbar features a slim design for easy placement, but you can also mount it on a wall using the keyhole slots provided at the back. Other than that, the Polk Signa Solo also offers:

  • Digital surround technology: This makes it a powerful upgrade over ordinary TV speakers, particularly for those who want a more immersive sound.
  • Voice-enhancing capability: This makes it possible to adjust sound balance, whether you want to make the vocals crisper or clearer.
  • Built-in Bluetooth receiver: An important feature for those who want an effective music player in addition to a soundbar.

However, don’t expect much from this soundbar if your priorities include a deep, thumping bass or layers of sonic detail. Think of this as something that does its job well, but without performing exceptionally in any particular area. In other words, the Polk Signa Solo is a decent candidate if you want to upgrade your TV speakers without spending much.


Richsound Research (RSR) TB232SW 32-inch 2.1 Channel Soundbar & Sub-Woofer

Click here for more info on Amazon


As a 2.1 channel setup with a power rating of 120 W, the TB232SW has the potential to outperform most devices in these areas. Although the volume seems inferior compared to what’s available with other models, this doesn’t make it any less capable. This 32-inch soundbar has a lot more features to offer besides volume, including:

  • A wired subwoofer that delivers deep, strong bass. It’s worth noting that these wires are quite long, which makes the TB232SW suitable for rooms of any size.
  • Bluetooth connectivity: This means you can pair it with any device, including those that carry the 3.0 version.
  • A HDMI ARC connection, thus giving you the flexibility to use your TV remote.
  • Mounting kit: You can choose to mount the system on the wall or even on your TV stand, no matter the size of your set.

As for the drawbacks, the lack of as many EQ options as are available with other soundbars is perhaps the most notable. That aside, the Richsound Research TB232SW is still one of the best entry-level setups you’ll come across. This would especially be true if what you’re looking for is a soundbar that’s capable of producing a crisp, clean sound when you’re listening to music or watching movies.


Pyle WiFi Soundbar Speakers (PSBV210WIFI)

Check it out on Amazon here.


There’s no denying that the Pyle PSBV210WIFI shares little in common with other soundbars in terms of appearance. But this is something you’d expect from a company that’s just venturing into the niche, having been molded as a car stereo manufacturer. Built on a 24-inch long, 4.7-inch high platform, this sound bar utilizes high-powered surround speakers to ensure the room fills with a warm, complete sound. To complement this, the Pyle PSBV210WIFI comes with features such as:

  • Enhanced connectivity: Besides the ability to connect via Wi-Fi, the soundbar also comes with a Bluetooth pairing function, USB port, a card slot as well as an in-built FM radio transmitter.
  • Stereo reproduction technology, which is further enhanced by a 3D digital processing feature
  • A superb bass response: This comes in spite of the lack of an in-built subwoofer. Instead, the soundbar employs a 3-inch full-range mid woofer for the job.
  • A power output of 300W

It’s worth mentioning that due to the unique design, the Pyle PSBV210WIFI isn’t the most compact solution you can get for the money. Some users have also suggested that sound clarity is less than stellar when one’s listening to FM channels. Significant as they seem, these shortfalls are easily dwarfed by the exceptional performance and solid build quality.


COWIN KY5000 Soundbar

More details available here.

At first glance, the COWIN KY5000 might seem like one of those products that place form over function. But take a closer look and you’ll see just why this would be a great choice for your living room. Thanks to the 6 powerful speakers that form part of the standard package, soundbar can comfortably crank out crisp-clear tunes with minimal distortion. Combine this with the unique bass extension, and what you have now is an exceptional sound setup that’s far better than what you’d realistically expect from the average device.

Not to mention that it also comes with Bluetooth connectivity, which gives you the flexibility to control its functions from your mobile device. Other reasons why you might choose the COWIN KY5000 as your setup include:

  • A sleek, slim design: This means it will blend easily into contemporary home decor when mounted on a wall, while also giving you the option to place it underneath the TV if that’s what you prefer.
  • Dual operation modes (remote and button)
  • Colored LEDs with alternating blinking patterns.

Granted, this might not be an ideal choice if you’re looking for something powerful enough for a large home theater. If that isn’t of great concern for you, perhaps you’ll want to make the COWIN KY5000 part of your list of options.


Conclusion

As earlier mentioned, soundbars provide a way to enhance the sound output of your TV speakers, particularly in terms of bass and frequency response. Considering the fact that TVs are only growing thinner with each passing day, it’s safe to say that soundbars will become an absolute must-have in the near future. This means you’ll want to begin your shopping process sooner rather than later, of course taking into account the factors that form part of a satisfactory listening experience. These include the features and what your preferences are, just to mention but a couple of points you need to keep in mind when looking for the best soundbar for under 150.

The post Best Soundbar Under 150 – Our Top Choices appeared first on TechAbrel.

Best Controller For Retropie

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Many people are avid gamers and spend a lot of time reviewing and playing games. Some people even make a career of it and become professional gamers who stream their gaming videos on Youtube and Twitch. Needless to say, gaming is important to many people, and it often consumes a significant amount of money. To be a serious gamer, you need to invest in the best gaming consoles and equipment, including gaming controllers. A good controller is important because it can affect how well you play online. To choose the best controller for Retropie, read through the following recommendations below:

Our Best Retropie Controller Recommendations

iBuffalo SNES Controller (Great Cheap Option!)

iBuffalo Classic – More Info Here!


The Buffalo controller is a USB device and is easy to set up. You just simply plug it in to your console and you are ready to play. The controller is roughly the same size as the SNES first edition controller. The buttons are sturdy and can withstand many hours of game play before wearing down and the feedback is also excellent enough to rival the original SNES controller. The directional pad clicks easily, allowing for smooth movement and uninhibited game play and the buttons bounce back very quickly when gaming, so there is no delay time.


PS4 DualShock 4

Click Here For More Info On This Controller


The DualShock 4 is a great catch-all controller with many improvements over Sony’s DualShock 3. The DualShock 4 works with both 2D and 3D games, so gamers can choose to use the directional pad when playing 2D games and the analog sticks for 3D games. The controller can be used on a variety of consoles aside from the PS4, including the NES and the PlayStation One. The buttons on this controller are very responsive and click easily when playing, and many users prefer the button size, placement and style over the design of previous DualShock controllers.


Retrolink Nintendo 64 Classic USB Controller

Get More Info On The Retrolink Nintendo 64 Classic Here


The Retrolink Nintendo 64 classic controller is also a USB device, making it easy to plug in and play. It can be used for NES, SNES, and Genesis games, and the controller is a steady build. Some gamers may find the button layout to be very different from modern controllers. The Retrolink controller has an analog joystick which quickly bounces back and is less prone to stick. However, the response time on the controller’s directional pad is noticeably slower compared to other controllers, making it hard to get through levels of certain games.


PS3 Controller

PS3 Controller Purchase Information Here


Sony’s DualShock 3 Wireless PS3 controller is the official controller for the PS3 console. It provides gamers with intuitive game play through the pressure sensors built into the action buttons. It also includes the highly advanced SIXAXIS motion sensor technology so that gamers can experience what is happening in the game, such as strikes and explosions, through the rumbling sensation in the palm of their hand, creating a more realistic gaming experience. The controller basically acts as an extension of the user’s body by detecting natural movements for real-time interactive game play. The USB connection also allows you to automatically charge the controller.


Hori Pokken Tournament Pro Pad

Click here to get more info on this option


The Hori Pokken Tournament Pro Pad for Nintendo Wii was developed by the creators of Pokemon and allows gamers to experience authentic arcade-style gaming at home. The design of this controller is largely based on the official arcade controller used in the Pokkén Tournament and has the same type of button layout and ergonomic design. Gamers should note that the controller will not function properly on other game titles. The wired USB controller is designed to be comfortable and highly responsive in tournament battles.


Logitech Gamepad F310

Learn more about the F310 here


The Logitech F310 gamepad is a modern but cheaper controller option. It is built with analog thumbsticks and larger-sized face buttons that are not quite as responsive as other controllers, which means that some gamers experience problems with precision timing while gaming with the stick. The controller’s design is a bit more box-shaped than the Xbox or DualShock controllers, which makes it more difficult and less comfortable for some gamers to hold while playing. Some reviewers have also noted that while the directional pad on the F310 does click well, it is not as responsiveness as other controllers.


Wii U Pro Controller

Wii U Pro Wireless – Click here for more information


Nintendo’s Wii U Pro controller has been designed for comfort and accessibility. It features dual analog sticks and an ergonomic button design for easier gaming. Since it’s wireless, you can connect to your gaming console via Bluetooth. In addition, its rechargeable battery can last for up to 80 hours on a single charge, providing gamers with uninterrupted game time due to dead batteries. The controller is compatible for use with a variety of Wii Pro games, including packaged games and downloadable games. However, the controller is not compatible with the Wii console system or games.


What Is RetroPie?

Retro gaming has taken off in recent years, and RetroPie is a software feature for fans of retro gaming. It basically allows you to turn your PC or Raspberry Pi into a retro-gaming machine by building upon existing programs such as Raspbian and EmulationStation. It lets nostalgic gamers play their favorite arcade games and classic PC games that they remember from their childhood. RetroPie is simple to use and can be installed with minimum set-up. In addition, it provides gamers with a large variety of configuration tools so that they can customize the system they way they want.

What To Consider When Buying A RetroPie Game Controller

When buying a RetroPie controller, the first thing you need to consider is its size. Not all controllers are made in the same size, and hand size among gamers varies too. Playing with a controller that is too small can interfere with your gaming experience and just feel uncomfortable. So, when choosing a controller, look for one that will fit comfortably in your hand, particularly if you have larger hands.

In addition to hand size, you also need to consider the ergonomics of a controller. Controllers come in a variety of designs, and most gamers have a preference when it comes to ergonomics. A bulky controller may feel ergonomically comfortable to some gamers, while others prefer a sleeker design. The button placement also has a lot of effect on ergonomics, and most controllers come with unique button placement. You need to ask yourself if you are comfortable with the way the directional pad is set out, or whether you prefer one type of joystick over another. Compare the ergonomic design of different controllers to be sure that it works for you.

The next thing you need to consider is cost. Some controllers can costs nearly $100, while others (such as the Logictech Gamepad) only cost about $20. You need to decide how much you are willing to spend and carefully weigh the cost against the overall quality of a controller.

Another important consideration is the type of retro games you intend to play. As mentioned above, some controllers work best with 2D or 3D games, while others, such as the Nintendo Wii U Pro controller, are only meant to be used for certain games. So consider the range of retro gaming that you want to play when selecting your controller.

Wired vs Wireless Controllers

You will need to choose between having a wired vs a wireless game controller. In many cases, gamers prefer a wired controller as it feeds directly into their network system, whereas some gamers report having game lags with wireless controllers. If your network speed is fast enough, you should not notice a difference, but it is best to test your network. Wireless controllers tend to be lighter and easier to use than wired controllers. However, a wired controller is preferable if you tend to do gaming on your PC, so consider this before purchasing a controller.

Conclusion

Choosing the best controller for RetroPie is really a personal decision based on a gamer’s individual preferences and needs. The controller which best suits you will depend on several factors, such as your hand size, how much you want to spend and what you’ve used in the past. The decision also depends on what type of retro gaming you want to do and which console or PC you have set up. Ask your friends what controllers they are using and if they would recommend any one in particular. They may even let you do a test run with their controller to see if it suits you before you buy.

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Best Headphones For Podcasting

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Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular and that is largely because creating the production is fairly easy and just about anyone can make one. However, it must be noted that audio quality is essential in podcasts and having a set of noise-cancelling headphones is the only way of ensuring you will be heard loud and clear. Whether recording or editing, your ears should be covered to eliminate audio contamination.

Headphones can assist you in better recording and editing your podcast. Selecting the right headphones is a process that is highly subjective; however, you can consider the ones below before making a final decision:

Our Recommendations for the Best Podcasting Headphones

Audio Technica ATH-M50x

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The Audio Technica ATH-M50x is a part of the critically-acclaimed M-Series professional monitor headphones. They provide outstanding comfort, precise audio and are ideal for use on the go and for extended in-studio sessions. The contoured earcups deliver a tight seal for exceptional sound isolation, with only marginal bleed. In addition, the pro-grade materials are both comfortable and durable. They are the favorite among cult followers, top audio engineers, online reviewers and many others. The ATH-M50x is an unmatched combination of build-quality and audio that consistently gets the job done.


Sennheiser HD-280 PRO

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The Sennheiser HD-280 Pro is the brand’s most noteworthy around-the-ear, closed headphone to emerge in years. It was designed to surpass the demands of the professional setting and boasts tremendously robust construction. It also features modular design, impressive sound quality and extraordinary noise isolation, which is essential in the field. Its exceptional collapsible design, along with the swiveling earcups, provides supreme flexibility in any application. Other features include high ambient noise attenuation, linear and accurate sound reproduction and soft and comfortable-fitting earpads. There are also folding and rotating earcups to save space during transportation and a tough, single-sided cable.


Bose QuietComfort 35 Series 2 (QC35)

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The best-in-class headphones from Bose have received an epic update via a new feature that summons Google Assistant. The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series 2 (QC35) supports NFC and Bluetooth wireless audio pairing. It features a Micro-USB charging port, an inline microphone, and play/pause/volume buttons that are directly built into the right earcup. Additionally, the QC35 has a fresh action button on the left earcup; if you own a supported iOS or Android device, this feature can be used to summon Siri, Google Assistant or change the noise cancellation levels. In addition, it offers the brand’s highest-quality, adaptive noise-cancellation technology.


Shure SRH440

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These Shure Professional Studio Headphones distribute remarkable sound reproduction for studio and home recording alike. The reproduction of audio is clear-cut across a lengthy range and power handling, sensitivity and impedance are standardized for professional audio devices. The SRH440 headphones are a perfect combination of comfort and professional sound quality, ideal for both monitoring and recording. The clean and exceptionally-balanced audio is also ideal for general listening. This is because these headphones enable users to hear a crystal-clear sound that includes a rich, full bass and remarkable lows, mids and highs regardless of the kind of music that is being played.


Sony MDR 7506

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Few headphones have survived 30 years and remain as the primary workhorse for a number of sound professionals worldwide. The Sony MDR-7506 began its existence as the MDR-V6 over 30 years ago. Clearly, the headphone landscape back then was a lot different; therefore, these were an immediate favorite among a number of sound engineers. These professional-quality MDR-7506 Headphones enable users to hear it all. First-class 40mm drivers replicate every musical nuance. Its closed-ear design virtually eliminates external noise, delivers a tight bass response and nestles over the ears for many hours of comfort.


Audio-Technica ATH-M45

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Specifically designed for professional studio monitoring, the Audio Technica ATH-M45 Studio Headphones is equipped with a flat, extended-frequency response for monitoring and mixing. The superior components of these headphones deliver inflated SPL capability while preserving precise and clean sound reproduction. The comfortable circumaural earpieces on these headphones can be rotated 180 degrees to enable one-ear monitoring. Their field-serviceable design allows for easy and rapid replacement of the ear pads, cable and drivers. Other features include:

• High SPL capability, 1600 mW of power handling
• Field-replaceable ear pads, cables and drivers
• Convenient one-side exit, OFC litz wire cables,
• 40 mm diameter drivers, CCAW voice coils and neodymium magnets


Audio-Technica ATH-M30

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The Audio-Technica ATH-M30 headphones are the ideal option for recording musicians, project studio engineers and for home use. These dynamic stereo headphones deliver utmost sonic precision in a design engineered to supply extreme comfort for hours of use. Their closed-back, low-profile design delivers impressive isolation and exceptional clarity in high-volume listening environments. Other features include their adjustable cushioned headband, neodymium magnet structure, and gold-plated stereo 1/8-inch connector with screw-on ¼-inch adapter. There is also strain relief and ultra-flexible 11-foot cable with single-side exit.


Grado Prestige Series SR325e

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The top-of-the-range Prestige Series SR325e Headphone has been update with, among other things, an innovative driver and cable design. The 8 conductor cable is designed to provide remarkable stability and control of the lower and upper range of the frequency spectrum, with both supporting the midrange for which Grado is world renowned. There is also added mass from the metal housing that is designed to minimize transient distortions. The Prestige Series SR325e will produce audio that is purely and uniquely Grado. This means rich full-bodied vocals, warm harmonic colors, an ultra-smooth top end and outstanding dynamics.


AKG K 240

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The AKG K240 professional semi-open, over-ear headphones are an enduring standard in orchestras, in studios and on stages across the globe. The semi-open design supplies the airiness of open headphones and the commanding bass response of closed designs. Their unconventional Varimotion 30-mm XXL transducers provide crystal-clear highs, precise mids and a solid low end. For more than thirty years, professional musicians and engineers have made the AKG K240 one of the most commonly used headphones at live consoles and in studios across the globe. Once they are over the ears, an entire session can be spent without ear fatigue.


Features To Consider When Looking For Studio Headphones

The features to consider include:

  • Accuracy – The most essential issue for a podcast is how sound is reproduced by your headphones. It is also important to ensure that what is recorded is precisely what is heard. Flat frequency response is needed for a more accurate audio reproduction.
  • Sound Leakage – Sound leakage from the headphones can cause problems for recording and annoy individuals who are nearby. The leakage will be a great concern if recording is done with cohosts either remotely or in studio, particularly if you are producing a double-ender.
  • Comfort – The headphones you use for your podcast should be comfortable on your ears and for over-the-head headphones, they should be comfortable on your head as well.
  • Sound Isolation – Another great feature of podcast headphones is how well they can prevent noise from going into your ears. Good sound isolation is useful in enabling you to determine whether a particular noise is only in the room or actually in your recording.
  • Cord Style – Whether the headphones have straight or coiled cable is a small and often overlooked detail. Coiled will provide flexible room and stays in place. Straight is nice for providing slack but sometimes it gets wrapped around things.

If you are the host a video podcast, you should consider avoiding a huge pair of headphones, as it could seem unprofessional and be distracting. If you really need to wear a pair of headphones while video recording, the smaller they are, the better they will be. You should even consider sticking with ear buds to ensure they would be practically invisible to the viewers. All in all, finding the best headphones for podcasting should include ensuring they fit comfortably and deliver excellent sound quality.

Looking for other equipment?  Consider our other posts on the best podcast starter kits and best podcasting mixers.

The post Best Headphones For Podcasting appeared first on TechAbrel.

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