Tag Archives: microphone

MoMo brings a mushroom-inspired mic for your video calls, podcast recordings

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There are a lot of changes and trends that the pandemic brought to us and two of those things are virtual meetings and podcasts. And even though some parts of the world are getting back to normal, we think that online meetings and webinars as well as people producing podcasts will remain at least for the next couple of years. This means also that products and equipment that can make life easier for those doing these things will be thriving in the market.

Designer: Yifeeling Design Lab

MoMo is a product concept for a wireless Bluetooth microphone that looks more like an air purifier that looks like a mushroom than an actual microphone. But that just means you’ll have a unique device on your table that can become a conversation piece when someone sees you using it. The design is actually inspired by mushrooms as their principle is that design inspiration can come from various natural forms. And despite it being weird at first glance, this is actually an interestingly designed device.

The mushroom-shaped head is the main part of the device of course and the grill-like vents under serve some sort of audio purpose or so we assume. There isn’t a lot of information about the technical specifications since it’s still a concept but hopefully the quality of the microphone, if it becomes an actual product, will be pretty good aside from its interesting design. What most people are looking for now is the quality of the mic for their virtual meetings or podcast recordings, so this is a pretty important aspect.

Underneath the mushroom head, there are various controls for the volume and some pre-sets, probably for various circumstances. Underneath is a USB port and also a headphone jack in case you need headphones or earphones for your meeting or your recording, which you most likely will need (unless you’re using wireless headsets). When you see MoMo for the first time, you would be forgiven for thinking it’s an air purifier or even a portable fan. But once you get that it’s a microphone, the design will make sense.

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This desk microphone makes it painfully clear whether you are muted or not

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It’s amazing how simple designs can save you from hours of frustration and embarrassment, even virtually.

Work and School from Home arrangements have forced many people to get used to video meetings, virtual classrooms, and online presentations. As if those weren’t stressful enough already, the horrors of discovering that you have been speaking for the past 10 minutes to half an hour when you’re mic has been on mute all the time only adds to feelings of dread. Unfortunately, computers and software haven’t adjusted yet to these new demands on life, lacking clear indicators on the status of the mic. While there might be some sophisticated and complicated software that could try to guess whether you actually need to be muted or not, it actually takes a dead-simple idea to give that peace of mind at very little extra cost.

Designer: Yaman Gupta

Many video conferencing apps have indicators on the screen to tell you whether you’re muted or not, but those aren’t always clear or visible all the time. That also doesn’t cover the case when your mic has been muted on the operating system level or if you’ve pressed a button earlier to do exactly that. One could only hope that your colleagues or students would inform you of that case, but even then, the embarrassment might have already put you on edge.

This Voice Bar Microphone, which is a standalone desk mic, makes it clear which state your microphone is in by showing it in a physical form. The towering peripheral has a swiveling bar in front that indicates whether it’s muted or not with its orientation. When it is horizontal and shows the mic icon, it is clear that it is listening to your voice and the sounds around you. Swing it vertically, and all bets are off.

The mic requires you to actually turn the bar to mute or unmute the mic. In fact, the peripheral has a very analog bent to it. The volume control is an old-school knob you have to turn, which could have been implemented as a simple touch-sensitive panel you can swipe. It does give a more classical vibe to the device. In its muted vertical position, the voice bar even looks like an old telephone handset with its angled edges.

The Voice Bar Microphone is admittedly a giant even among desktop microphones. The design isn’t exactly geared towards taking advantage of acoustics the way professional mics are. Its stature and its slick design almost suggest it is meant to be more flashy and conspicuous, like a tabletop decoration. Fortunately, it does look the part.

Sadly, not many computer workers will probably be in the market for a separate desktop mic, especially since most laptops have one already. Those that do need more professional equipment will probably aim for the likes of Yeti, Shure, and other brands. The two-day project, however, does prove that you don’t need sophisticated solutions to modern-day problems. Sometimes, you just need to be painfully obvious.

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This Hand Desk Mic is meant to be held like a hairbrush

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Hand Desk Microphone

Enough pretending that your roller hairbrush is a mic when you can have a real one. But hey, the classic microphone design may be intimidating but not this Hand Desk Mic.

What you see is a mic you can use on your desk for whatever purpose. It works with your computer, smartphone, or tablet for when you want to make calls or do video chats. It’s something you can hold in the same way you’re holding an actual mic or if you’re really conservative—like a hairbrush.

Designer: Hélène Bert

Hand Desk Mic Design

Hand Desk Mic Design

The Hand Desk Mic is designed for fun. You can say it’s a novelty item that can make things at home or in the office more fun and exciting. It is shaped like a hairbrush with its thick head. There are horizontal slots The part where you hold the mic is where you can also find the record button and a knob for volume control and power.

This Hand Desk Mic comes in two colors: Dark Gray and Light Gray. However, we think it will look great in other fun colors that kids can also use it. Designed by Hélène Bert, this desk microphone is from someone whose background is industrial design.

Hand Desk Mic Concept

Notice the simplicity of the form and the lines. It’s minimalist, although we wish it has some sort of a stand. We understand it’s meant to be held, but it will be better if it has a place to rest when not in use. We’re not sure if this is rechargeable, but there’s an image with a cable, so it may be good for charging.

Hand Desk Mic Specs

There are plenty of desktop mics available, and we remember some interesting designs. The Desk Microphone Concept can save space in your work area. There’s another one that takes on the classic shape of a radio.

That Pac Man-inspired USB Mic looks cool as its rests snugly on top of your monitor. We also love that Portable Podcasting Microphone that folds up into a baton. During the early days of the pandemic, we thought the Rode NT USB was really cool and could be the best budget mic for podcasting.

Perhaps the Mike 226 can be another winner for better visuals and audio. There’s also that Logitech Streamcam-inspired Podcast Mic that we thought can be a must-have for every influencer’s desk setup. And like these mics previously listed, the Hand Desk Mic’s design is straightforward so we know this can be a bestseller if it finally hits production and the market.

Hand Desk Mic Features

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DJI’s pocketable microphone system is tailored for content creators on the move

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DJI is renowned for its drone products with a successful foray into action cameras and gimbal cams too. Now Chinese technology company wants to try its hand at audio tech too with debut of the first dedicated audio recording gear. Taking a leaf out of Apple’s success handbook, the DJI Mic is looking to attract vlogging, podcast, and content creation individuals. The Apple association comes to my mind from the wireless charging case the microphone system comes in which is similar to the AirPods or other wireless earbuds on the market.

Although the size comparison is unjust, this is a good start for such a product given the need for content creators to formulate professional omnidirectional audio sans all the clutter. The bulky case (compared to the standard earbuds case) holds two wireless microphones (clip-on mics) which pair with a universal receiver for easy handling. Two mics because you’ll come across situations where one mic will not be enough, for example, while recording one-on-one interviews.

Designer: DJI

Connectivity to this useful gadget is going to be important, hence, it is compatible with USB-C, Lighting, or the trusted 3.5mm jack. Each one of the wireless mics weighing 30 grams has a battery life of 5.5 hours which can be further extended to a total of 25 hours which is quite impressive. The red cherry on top is the 8GB of built-in storage in each of the clip-on mics which equates to almost 14 hours of recording done at 24-bit/48 kHz quality. The microphones come with a range of 250 meters in direct line of sight, so vlogging is going to be rather fun with the DJI Mic.

Options with the pocketable microphone system include audio adjustments from -12dB to +12dB and variable gain control and input/output sensitivity toggle. There’re included two furry windscreens to eliminate noise as the audio needs to be crystal clear even on a blustery day. The niche gadget is compatible with DJI OM 5 and Action 2 cam which is understandable. Both the receiver and the two mics are auto paired by default, and when placed back in the case they’ll reconnect.

This interesting audio recording system can be bought right away for a price tag of $329, and is majorly targeted toward professional content creators who will take the convenience of compact recording equipment without a doubt. The long-distance range of the DJI Mic is one advantage that’ll make it an irresistible prospect indeed.

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Desk microphone concept can save space for your work area

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I’ve been planning to have an audio recording and virtual meeting set up at my home work station since we’re probably still working remotely for the next few years. But since I have limited space on my desk, I won’t be able to get any of those big-ass microphones that podcasters and online event hosts have. I think a lot of people like me are on the lookout for smaller alternatives to those mics but with the same audio quality.

This is probably the same need that the designer was thinking of when he was creating a desk microphone concept. The idea is to have a tool on your desk that is not as intrusive as the ones that we see that podcasters and audio talents use. The one that he came up with will definitely not take up space, although the shape is a bit unseemly and may not be to everyone’s taste if the consideration is to have your work area look good.

Designer: Diego Schreibvogel

At first glance, it looks like you may have accidentally brought your pumice from your bathroom to your work area. It can also look like you’ve left your smartphone inside its case so you won’t have to look at it while you’re working on your computer. So design-wise it does not really appeal that much or we’re just not used to having a speaker that actually looks like a speaker. But it does fulfill the need to have less space taken up by your devices.

In terms of the functionality of this concept design, it’s not actually just a desk microphone but it’s also a wireless hand-held microphone. It even has a recording functionality so you don’t need external recording equipment in case your computer or laptop is not what you’ll use to record the audio from the mic. There’s a slider on the side for you to turn the mic on or off and the record button is located right on top of that. At the back is the leg handle to prop up the device and the power and reset buttons are also there.

As to whether this desk microphone concept would work, the biggest consideration would be the actual sound quality, both of the mic and the recording functionality. Of course, this is still a design concept so we have no way of knowing what it will sound like, or rather what you would sound like when you use the mic. But if the problem it wants to solve is to not have such a huge mic in your work area, then at least it brings that. Even if it may look like a bathroom accessory at first glance, the important thing would be if it does its job as a space-saving microphone and recording device.

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This desktop microphone takes on the classic shape of a radio mic with a signature color scheme to up the whimsy

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Talkie is a desktop microphone concept defined by its primary color scheme and nostalgic silhouette.

Long Beach-based industrial designer Chris Granneberg is known for his delightful collection of product designs that strike the perfect balance between simplicity and whimsy. Characterized by primary color schemes and touchable shapes, it’s hard to not reach out and play with Granneberg’s designs. Designed for Render Weekly’s S6:W6 prompt, one of Granneberg’s latest designs is an adjustable desktop microphone called Talkie that maintains Granneberg’s playful spirit and integrates an intuitive control interface for optimal usability.

Designer: Chris Granneberg

In this era of content creation, the importance of having access to electrical devices for content like podcasts, photographs, and vlogs cannot be understated. Whether you’d like to start a podcast discussing your favorite canned foods or start vlogging your latest travels, access to a working microphone is crucial. Talkie is a microphone that provides the same functionality as standard, casual-use microphones, but its unique shape and color scheme set it apart from the rest. Amounting only to a single button, Talkie comes with an intuitive control interface that operates the power of the microphone.

Taking on the shape of a cardioid microphone, Granneberg’s desktop mic design exudes nostalgia and immediately defines its purpose. Hinged towards its bottom by a swivel ball joint, Talkie can tilt 360-degrees so that users can find their preferred position for the mic.

To operate the microphone, users can connect an included USB Type-C cable to the microphone and a desktop computer to then configure the output and input settings. From there the fun begins. Granneberg says it best when he explains, “I like to surround myself with color and happy objects that bring me joy to not only use but to look and surround myself with when not in use.”

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Pac-Man-inspired USB Mic rests snugly on the top corner of your desktop monitor

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Using a neat 3/4th circular shape to cut the blocky design of your laptop or desktop’s screen, Andrew Edge’s Pac-Man microphone drifts away from your average microphone design and opts for something much more eye-catching.

The microphone, which Andrew designed for Render Weekly’s Instagram Challenge, sports a circular design that’s made to intersect with the corner of your monitor. While Andrew didn’t really give the microphone a name or identity, someone in the comments was quick enough to point out how similar it looked to Pac-Man and that reference immediately clicked. To me, it feels almost like a yellow dialogue-box emerging from the corner of your laptop – a reference that seems perfect considering the gadget is, in fact, a microphone!

Cleverly enough, Andrew’s design doesn’t need a stand. It comfortably rests on the corner of your desktop monitor, connected to your computer via a USB-C cable that trails at the back, obscured from view. The yellow microphone by default ends up facing the user (because your desktop screen almost always faces the user too), and a nifty little light at the center lets you know when the microphone’s operational and recording – not only letting you know whether you’re on mute during a video call, but also giving you a quick heads up if a website or program is spying on you!

Designer: Andrew Edge

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Ball Mic phone accessory concept is compact, cute, and easy to lose

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Some say that the best phone accessories are ones that you can easily slip into a pocket and forget. This external mic definitely fits that bill, perhaps a bit too well.

The use of smartphones as amateur equipment for making videos has forced manufacturers to step up their game when it comes to cameras and imaging. Videos, however, are only one part of the process, and audio plays an equally important role when making a professional-quality clip. Sadly, phones haven’t improved significantly in that regard, leaving plenty of room for external microphones like this concept.

Designer: foodesigner

Premium, more expensive phones naturally have more sophisticated mics and audio processing hardware. But given how much space is left inside a phone, mics often take lower priority compared to cameras and batteries. Most are content with just making sure that voices in calls come out crystal clear, which may not always work when trying to record ambient sounds, music, conversations, or even interviews.

External mic accessories offer the opportunity to add dedicated audio recording hardware to a smartphone, often at the cost of using up the charging port. These come in all shapes, sizes, and designs, though most try to emulate traditional mics or even lavaliers, including the wires. Some try to be too innovative and come up with a design that is also unfamiliar.

The Ball Mic, in contrast, is a nod to simplicity and familiarity. Looking like a small ball head mic, the accessory simply plugs into a smartphone’s port, and that’s that. The designers mention using USB-C, but it doesn’t exclude the possibility of a version made specifically for an iPhone’s lightning port. Either way, the design is so simple it’s almost impossible to get it wrong.

The design is also small, making it trivial to bring the mic along with you anywhere. It can even share the same pocket as your phone, provided you even have enough space for your phone in there. The size, however, also means it’s too easy to get lost in jeans, bags, and honestly everywhere. And this time, there won’t be a thin cable to lead the trail to its location.

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This portable podcasting microphone folds up into a slim baton that you can carry with you anywhere

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Designed so you can set up your podcasting studio practically anywhere without an array of expensive equipment in mere minutes, the TALK microphone concept is a form exploration exercise that seeks to make the studio-grade condenser microphone sleek and portable. The design features a foldable base with 3 individually adjustable legs, effectively combining the mic and tripod all into one form. When closed, the TALK microphone is the shape and size of a deodorant can, and when opened, is an easily adjustable tabletop microphone that connects to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop directly via USB-C.

The podcasting boom post-2018-19 has really created a major market for ‘podcasting microphones’. Microphones recommended for podcasts are no different from the ones used in recording studios (condenser mics), although their interface has been simplified because not everyone has the luxury of being able to set up a studio space just for podcasts. For people who don’t want to invest in studio equipment, and don’t believe in recording episodes on crummy earphone mics, podcasting microphones offer the perfect balance between the two by being compact and uncomplicated, yet versatile and high-end enough to capture high-quality audio recordings.

The TALK mic is perfect for people who don’t podcast from a dedicated space. Designed clearly to be carried around, the microphone folds right up into a slim cylinder, slipping easily into backpacks, while the mic’s USB-C interface eliminates the need for those thick audio cables. The microphone sets up in mere seconds, unfolding open while the legs fan out to create a neat tripod. The microphone’s angle can easily be adjusted too, and a simple gain knob on the front lets the host quickly control the input volume directly from the mic itself.

What’s wonderful about the TALK concept is that it doesn’t just physically uncomplicate the act of podcasting (by being compact and easy to use), it removes the veneer of studio equipment being serious too, with its incredibly fun color-ways. Unlike most studio-grade audio gear that comes in either black or metallic finishes, the TALK explores a variety of colors that absolutely pop… almost like they were DESIGNED to be paired along with Apple’s latest iMacs! The microphones look to ‘speak’ to their users, allowing them to reflect the attitude of the people speaking into them, while still offering black and white color variants for those who just want to stick to the classics.

The TALK microphones are the pet project of Italy-based designer Andrea Gallarini. Wanting to simplify the recording process into 3 steps – open, connect, record, Gallarini created a microphone that hopes to do for professional recording what the iPhone did for photography. Obviously, the TALK isn’t limited to just podcasts. The fact that it still is, on the inside, a condenser microphone makes it perfect for recording music, streaming, presenting/hosting, or doing voiceovers or Foley work. The mic’s just a concept for now, and is more of a form and design exercise than a proof of concept. The biggest caveat with condenser microphones remains the fact that they’re incredibly delicate pieces of hardware that need to be handled with care… so the idea of a microphone that’s designed to fold up and fit in a backpack seems like a real-world logistical challenge that the TALK doesn’t quite address… although maybe a padded soft-shell carrying case would really seal the deal!

Designer: Andrea Gallarini

The post This portable podcasting microphone folds up into a slim baton that you can carry with you anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

This portable podcasting microphone folds up into a slim baton that you can carry with you anywhere

Posted on by

Designed so you can set up your podcasting studio practically anywhere without an array of expensive equipment in mere minutes, the TALK microphone concept is a form exploration exercise that seeks to make the studio-grade condenser microphone sleek and portable. The design features a foldable base with 3 individually adjustable legs, effectively combining the mic and tripod all into one form. When closed, the TALK microphone is the shape and size of a deodorant can, and when opened, is an easily adjustable tabletop microphone that connects to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop directly via USB-C.

The podcasting boom post-2018-19 has really created a major market for ‘podcasting microphones’. Microphones recommended for podcasts are no different from the ones used in recording studios (condenser mics), although their interface has been simplified because not everyone has the luxury of being able to set up a studio space just for podcasts. For people who don’t want to invest in studio equipment, and don’t believe in recording episodes on crummy earphone mics, podcasting microphones offer the perfect balance between the two by being compact and uncomplicated, yet versatile and high-end enough to capture high-quality audio recordings.

The TALK mic is perfect for people who don’t podcast from a dedicated space. Designed clearly to be carried around, the microphone folds right up into a slim cylinder, slipping easily into backpacks, while the mic’s USB-C interface eliminates the need for those thick audio cables. The microphone sets up in mere seconds, unfolding open while the legs fan out to create a neat tripod. The microphone’s angle can easily be adjusted too, and a simple gain knob on the front lets the host quickly control the input volume directly from the mic itself.

What’s wonderful about the TALK concept is that it doesn’t just physically uncomplicate the act of podcasting (by being compact and easy to use), it removes the veneer of studio equipment being serious too, with its incredibly fun color-ways. Unlike most studio-grade audio gear that comes in either black or metallic finishes, the TALK explores a variety of colors that absolutely pop… almost like they were DESIGNED to be paired along with Apple’s latest iMacs! The microphones look to ‘speak’ to their users, allowing them to reflect the attitude of the people speaking into them, while still offering black and white color variants for those who just want to stick to the classics.

The TALK microphones are the pet project of Italy-based designer Andrea Gallarini. Wanting to simplify the recording process into 3 steps – open, connect, record, Gallarini created a microphone that hopes to do for professional recording what the iPhone did for photography. Obviously, the TALK isn’t limited to just podcasts. The fact that it still is, on the inside, a condenser microphone makes it perfect for recording music, streaming, presenting/hosting, or doing voiceovers or Foley work. The mic’s just a concept for now, and is more of a form and design exercise than a proof of concept. The biggest caveat with condenser microphones remains the fact that they’re incredibly delicate pieces of hardware that need to be handled with care… so the idea of a microphone that’s designed to fold up and fit in a backpack seems like a real-world logistical challenge that the TALK doesn’t quite address… although maybe a padded soft-shell carrying case would really seal the deal!

Designer: Andrea Gallarini

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