Tag Archives: Wireless Microphone

Discover Pro-Level Features with the Saramonic Ultra Wireless Mic—Built for Creators

Posted on by

Saramonic is setting a new benchmark in professional audio gear with the launch of its latest wireless mic system, the Ultra 2-Channel. Built specifically for filmmakers, content creators, and anyone needing professional-quality audio on the go, the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic combines cutting-edge technology and convenience with a thoughtful design approach. It offers the reliability and seamless integration that today’s creatives need.

Designer: Saramonic

Packed with advanced features such as Timecode synchronization, 32-bit float onboard recording, and rugged IPX5 waterproofing, the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic aims to meet the real challenges professionals face. Below, we explore what makes the Ultra an essential tool in the hands of audio professionals and how it holds up under different use cases.

Saramonic’s Dedication to Audio Excellence

Since 2012, Saramonic has shown a clear dedication to delivering quality audio solutions. The company’s mission has always been to create tools that meet professional demands while remaining accessible to independent creators. Over the years, they’ve developed numerous patented technologies that have played a significant role in advancing modern audio recording. The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic continues this legacy, blending ease of use with robust performance in a portable form factor.

Saramonic has spent over a decade fine-tuning its approach to professional audio equipment. Known for producing products that work intuitively while delivering high-quality output, Saramonic’s vision centers on innovation that serves real-world needs. The Ultra 2-Channel Wireless Microphone System focuses on understanding the nuances of professional audio work and making those processes more efficient.

Throughout its journey, Saramonic has gathered more than 400 patents, an impressive milestone for a young company. With a focus on innovation that truly makes a difference, Saramonic’s products have become trusted tools for content creators and filmmakers worldwide. This product showcases their drive to innovate, pushing what’s possible in a lightweight, wireless microphone system.

Precision at the Core of the Saramonic Ultra

The heart of the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic is accuracy and reliability in audio capture. Every feature has been designed to help creators achieve flawless results without the usual hassles associated with professional audio setups. 

Timecode synchronization in the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic is designed to solve a common pain point for filmmakers and videographers—matching audio with video footage across multiple devices. This feature ensures frame-perfect alignment, which is a lifesaver during post-production. Whether managing a complex multi-camera shoot or working with a single unit, Timecode ensures the output stays synchronized, cutting down on editing headaches.

This synchronization streamlines workflows and improves the quality of the final product. Eliminating sync errors means fewer retakes and less time spent aligning clips, freeing creators to focus more on their projects’ narrative or creative elements.

Audio environments can be unpredictable—one moment might require capturing a whisper, and the next, a sudden loud cheer. The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic addresses this with 32-bit float recording, which preserves a wide dynamic range, ensuring that all the subtle details are retained. Unlike traditional recording methods where audio can clip and distort, 32-bit float technology provides a clean recording by covering a broader range of sound levels.

The 8 GB onboard storage further complements this functionality, allowing users to focus on capturing content without the constant need to worry about connectivity to other devices. For field journalists or outdoor filmmakers, this feature is particularly handy, allowing greater flexibility while on location.

Noise Control and Enhanced Audio Quality

High-quality audio means capturing the right sound, free from interference and distortion. The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic has been engineered with a host of features to manage noise and enhance vocal clarity, ensuring audio quality that meets professional standards.

ClearVoice™ is designed to help you capture what matters most—the subject’s voice. In any recording environment, unwanted background noise can interfere with capturing high-quality sound. ClearVoice™ technology acts to minimize this interference, focusing specifically on vocal frequencies. From recording an interview in a busy city to capturing dialogue during a crowded event, this feature helps bring vocal clarity to the forefront.

In addition to ClearVoice™, the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic also features Low-Cut modes and Vocal Boost options that cater to more specialized needs. The Low-Cut mode eliminates low-frequency noises, such as hums from air conditioners, while the Vocal Boost enhances the primary vocal frequencies, ensuring clarity.

Automatic Gain Control (AGC) is another vital feature for maintaining high-quality sound. Recording conditions can change quickly, and audio levels can shift from quiet to loud without much warning. AGC automatically adjusts the recording levels in real-time, preventing over-modulation and maintaining a balanced output. This means users can focus on capturing the event rather than constantly adjusting audio levels to accommodate the surroundings.

Engineered for Versatile Recording Conditions

Recording environments are diverse, and audio gear must be versatile enough to handle it all. The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic is built to thrive in challenging environments, whether on a film set, at a live concert, or outdoors in unpredictable weather.

The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic is engineered to handle high-noise environments, capturing clear audio without distortion or clipping, whether it’s a concert or an interview in a crowded venue. Many systems struggle with high sound levels, but this is where the Ultra shines, allowing for greater versatility in where and how you choose to use it.

The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic also has an IPX5 waterproof rating, making it ideal for outdoor shoots where unexpected rain or humidity might compromise your gear. From documenting nature to covering live outdoor events or filming in unpredictable conditions, the Ultra’s waterproof design ensures reliability, allowing creators to focus on the content without worrying about their equipment.

User-Friendly Design That Prioritizes Comfort and Efficiency

The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic has been designed to be as intuitive as possible, reducing friction in the creative process. Its physical design, interface, and connectivity features are all aligned to enhance the user experience, making it a versatile choice for professionals.

The Saramonic Ultra’s 1.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen provides real-time information such as battery life, audio levels, and signal strength, making it easy for users to monitor and adjust settings on the go, even in low light or direct sunlight.

A convenient physical knob complements the touchscreen, offering tactile control over key settings. This combination allows for easy setting adjustments, whether fine-tuning audio levels or navigating the interface, ensuring the system is incredibly user-friendly.

The Saramonic Ultra also features an external antenna, ensuring reliable wireless transmission even at distances up to 300 meters, which makes it a dependable choice for larger sets or outdoor environments.

Designed with versatility in mind, the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic features interchangeable Lightning and USB-C connectors. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, from professional cameras to smartphones. Be it in a studio setting or shooting on location, the connectors make it easy to integrate the microphone into different workflows seamlessly.

The fixed 3.5mm female jack also adds to the connectivity options, ensuring that older equipment or specific setups requiring traditional connections can still be used without fuss. It’s all about providing flexibility without sacrificing simplicity.

Real-World Applications—Where the Saramonic Ultra Shines

A good microphone system adapts to a variety of settings and demands. The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic is suited to a wide range of applications, making it a versatile tool for creators across different industries.

The Saramonic Ultra wireless mic is a natural fit for film production and content creation, where capturing synchronized, high-quality audio is non-negotiable. The Timecode synchronization and 32-bit float recording make post-production much smoother, reducing the need for manual sync corrections and ensuring clean, detailed sound.

For live event coverage, the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic’s ability to handle high SPL, combined with intelligent noise management, makes it invaluable. It captures crisp, clear sound even when faced with fluctuating volume levels, ensuring consistent audio quality from the stage to the soundboard.

The rugged IPX5 waterproof rating means that the Saramonic Ultra wireless mic can operate reliably in harsh outdoor environments. From journalism to wildlife documentary work or adventurous travel vlogging, this microphone system is built to endure tough conditions, giving creators one less thing to worry about.

The included charging case further enhances usability, featuring dimensions of 117 × 48.5 × 62.4 mm and a weight of 210.5 g, making it highly portable. The case offers more than one full charging cycle for two transmitters and one receiver, ensuring the system remains powered for longer shoots. With a 2900 mAh battery capacity, the charging case provides up to 24 hours of operating time, making it invaluable during extended sessions or on-location shoots without power access.

Pricing and Availability

Saramonic understands that creators have different needs, which is why they offer two configurations for the Ultra: the standard version at $269 and a dual Lavalier setup at $299. The Saramonic Ultra is available in two color options: Black and White, giving creators the freedom to choose a style that best suits their preferences and setup.

The Ultra will be available for pre-order from November 7th and will officially launch on November 21st. Available through Saramonic’s website and a network of global retail partners, the Ultra is accessible to professionals worldwide who are ready to enhance their audio recording capabilities.

The Saramonic Ultra 2-Channel Wireless Microphone System delivers versatility, high-quality audio capture, intuitive design, and reliability on all fronts. Whether for film production, live event recording, or rugged outdoor environments, this system adapts seamlessly, ensuring that the technical aspects of sound don’t interfere with creativity.

The post Discover Pro-Level Features with the Saramonic Ultra Wireless Mic—Built for Creators first appeared on Yanko Design.

Godox Cube-S: A Tiny Wireless Dual Microphone that Packs a Punch

Posted on by

The name Godox is probably most synonymous with innovative lighting solutions, but the company’s new Cube-S wireless microphone marks a sharp pivot into audio that’s as much about practicality as it is about portability. Debuting today, on August 19, 2024, the Cube-S aims to be the go-to option for creators on the move who need high-quality audio in a tiny, discreet package.

The standout feature? Its size. The Cube-S is genuinely pocketable, measuring just under 9 cm in length, and is roughly the size of a lipstick tube. This level of miniaturization is particularly impressive given that the microphone still manages to pack features like noise reduction, a 300-meter range, and even Apple Find My. With a sleek capsule design, The Cube-S includes everything a content creator or mobile journalist might need: two wireless mics and one plug-in receiver that attaches to a host of supported devices like your smartphone, tablet, action camera, DSLR, etc.

Designer: Godox

Click Here to Know More

Godox has nailed the design ethos of “less is more” with the Cube-S. The microphone has an understated matte finish, with clean lines and subtle branding. It’s designed to be both portable and inconspicuous, making it ideal for vloggers or interviewers who need to blend in while recording. The form factor is clever, too. Despite its tiny size, it offers secure magnetized attachment options for clothing or surfaces, ensuring it stays put during use. If you want to get creative, there’s even a lanyard attachment that lets you wear the mic around your neck like modern-day jewelry, and stickers in case you want to jazz your tech up. The device is built with a lightweight aluminum body, adding durability without making it heavier.

The Cube-S comes with two thumbnail-sized microphones, along with a receiver that plugs right into the base of your phone (with both USB-C and Lightning variants available). Clip the mics on using their powerful magnetic snaps, fire the Godox MIC app, and you’re ready to start recording. The microphones support 48kHz high-resolution audio capture, delivering crisp, clear sound that stands up to professional standards. The omnidirectional mic capsule does a commendable job of capturing detailed sound while minimizing ambient noise. For those who regularly produce content on the go—whether it’s interviews, vlogs, or field recordings—this level of audio fidelity is a significant advantage.

Even for its tiny size, the mics have built-in noise reduction, activated simply by tapping the button on the mics. Similarly, the receiver module on your phone has a button too, for remotely triggering recording by double-clicking the button. The Cube-S also offers a substantial transmission range of up to 300 meters. This makes it ideal for scenarios where the subject needs to move freely, whether in a wide-angle video shoot or across a large indoor space. Battery life is another highlight, with the mics themselves lasting for 10 hours on a full charge, extendable to 30 hours in conjunction with the capsule-shaped charging case.

One of the strengths of the Cube-S lies in its versatility. The microphone comes with a variety of accessories, including additional magnetic clips and noise shields, making it adaptable to different recording environments. Furthermore, the Godox MIC app offers remote control over key settings such as gain and monitoring, allowing users to fine-tune their audio without constantly interacting with the mic itself.

For those embedded in the Apple ecosystem, Godox has integrated several features that make the Cube-S a seamless fit. It’s fully MFi certified, ensuring reliable performance with iPhones and iPads. Even more intriguing is the inclusion of Apple Find My support—a particularly thoughtful touch given the mic’s small size. Misplacing something this compact is easy, but thanks to this integration, locating the Cube-S is as simple as tracking down your lost AirPods. This feature, however, is limited to the Cube-S Kit 2, which includes 2 mics and 1 receiver along with the charging case.

So who stands to benefit the most from the Cube-S? Essentially, anyone who values a portable, high-quality audio solution without the usual technical overhead. Whether you’re a content creator recording on the fly, a mobile journalist capturing interviews in dynamic environments, or a professional needing a discreet and effective microphone for presentations or streaming, the Cube-S checks all the right boxes. With its official release date set for August 19, 2024, this could quickly become a go-to device for those who need reliability and performance in a compact form factor.

Click Here to Know More

The post Godox Cube-S: A Tiny Wireless Dual Microphone that Packs a Punch first appeared on Yanko Design.

Live streaming accessories give creators the tools to elevate their content

Posted on by

Streaming is big business these days to the point that some kids even declare it to be their dream job. And like any other dream job, the reality is that video streaming isn’t as easy or as magical as it sounds, at least if you’re really aiming to go pro and bring in all the views. You will need to invest in quality equipment that not only makes their work more comfortable but also makes the overall experience more enjoyable. These concept products try to do exactly that, assisting streamers to make them feel more alive, whether onscreen or especially offscreen.

Designers: Mariana Aréchiga, Isaac Saldaña, Ricardo Zerón, Adriana Cruz, Jonathan Gonzalez, Alondra Alvarez, Mariana Pedroza, Juan Muciño

It’s admittedly easy to get started in the live streaming industry. All you need is a decent camera, a reliable Internet connection, and content that will capture the attention of the fickle masses. Going viral and staying relevant, however, requires not only hard work but also tools that will help carry you through both the good times as well as the bad. Alive is a series of product design concepts that try to elevate the streaming experience and beyond, focusing on the things that help streamers stay in control all the time.

One example is a wireless streaming mic that frees you from your desk with its detachable design. While it looks like an ordinary studio mic when on its wireless charging stand, you can easily pick it up and move around without missing a beat or dropping out. It has a helpful ring indicator that quickly clues you in on the volume level without having to check your app’s or computer’s controls.

Lighting does more than just illuminate your face during streams, it can also help set the mood or even indicate your own mood. This conical desk lamp concept delivers that kind of emotional lighting but also provides direct physical controls that don’t leave you at the mercy of buggy apps and spotty network connections. Any streamer will testify to the stress and tension that occurs whenever those supposedly smart lights feel rather dumb due to those technical difficulties.

Power strips are designed to expand your wall socket, but most of them seem to still embrace the limitations of those fixed outlets. This streamer-friendly design, however, has sockets you can rotate so that they adjust to your cables and plugs, not the other way around. There’s also a section of the strip that offers battery backup to make sure critical devices stay powered up even during an emergency. These features might sound trivial, but every small thing that gives streamers peace of mind also helps them create better content.

The post Live streaming accessories give creators the tools to elevate their content first appeared on Yanko Design.

Saramonic BlinkMe B2 Wireless Mic Review: A Creator’s Dream Partner

Posted on by

PROS:


  • Clear and crisp audio in almost any scenario

  • Magnetic attachments allow more freedom where to use the transmitters

  • Eye-catching touch screens allow for showing brand logos in addition to recording information

  • Supports both real-time streaming and on-board recording

CONS:


  • Extra strong magnets can easily pinch the skin if not careful

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Magnetic attachments and customizable touch screens add incredible value to an already excellent wireless microphone.

With plenty of focus being lavished on cameras, optics, and image sensors, you’d almost think that all we have on our heads are eyes. While the visual quality of content is definitely important, it’s also easy to demonstrate how poor or even no audio can completely ruin an experience. Audio recording equipment, particularly microphones, sometimes comes as an afterthought, a decision that filmmakers and creators often immediately regret. Finding the right mic can be a daunting experience, especially when you’re forced to choose between small lavaliers with discrete designs but barely passable recording and large mics with studio quality but distracting sizes. The Saramonic BlinkMe B2 promises to save you from that dilemma with the promise of a small yet distinctive design and unbeatable audio recording, so we naturally had to put it through the test to see how it measures up to real-world use.

Designer: Saramonic

Aesthetics

If you were expecting a small clip or some small rectangular box, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that it isn’t the case at all. The entire Saramonic BlinkMe B2 system comes in a rather unique package that is closer to some hi-tech gadget than what you’d normally see in wireless microphones. When joined together, the three parts look like a short square box with two smaller discs at the top and the bottom. You’ll probably be too focused on production to actually appreciate how distinctive the BlinkMe B2 looks, but it definitely puts the product a level higher than its peers.

The wireless mic’s personality, however, really shines the moment you use it, particularly when you separate these three pieces. You’ll immediately discover that they aren’t held down by flimsy locking mechanisms that get in the way but only by the sheer power of very strong magnets. These make it easy to remove the transmitters from the receiver base while still holding them securely when not in use or when charging. Once you pull off the transmitters, however, you immediately see the most visible feature that makes the BlinkMe B2 extra special.

Both transmitters have circular touch screens covering their faces, making them look like smartwatches without straps. In fact, you operate them exactly like smartwatches, swiping and tapping through controls and options. There are, of course, also physical buttons on the side that, unsurprisingly, might also remind you of smartwatch buttons. This is more than just an embellishment, though. While it’s definitely dandy to see the mic’s gain levels from a distance as you record an interview, its real value shines when you realize that you can actually customize what’s shown on the screen.

In essence, you can upload your studio’s logo or any other graphic (that fits a circle area) from the Saramonic mobile app to the transmitters and have it always on display while shooting. Considering how conspicuous this disc-shaped mic will be on your chest, it’s a great opportunity to do some subtle advertising. Conversely, that also means that the BlinkMe B2 transmitter will always be visible, though not everyone will actually realize that it’s a mic and presume it’s just some sort of fancy LCD badge.

Ergonomics

Saramonic’s use of magnets and touch screens isn’t just for show. They actually make the BlinkMe B2 one of the easiest wireless microphones to use. Need to start recording almost immediately? Simply pop off the transmitters. Need to charge one of the little pucks? Just have them snap back onto the top of the receiver. And since the transmitters can record audio on their own, you don’t even have to worry if you accidentally left the cables that would connect the receiver to a camera. It’s as simple as that.

Operating the three pieces themselves is a piece of cake thanks to the touch screens, though there are also physical buttons for the most important actions you need to have quick access to. What actions would those be? Actually, you get to decide that since you can customize what each button does through the Saramonic mobile app. The distinctive yellow button on the transmitters, however, has a single function, and that’s to toggle Noise Reduction on or off. That color might seem garish, but you won’t miss it even in a dark environment.

The magnets on the transmitters aren’t just a one-trick pony. Thanks to this design, you can easily stick the transmitters anywhere on a shirt, not just the edges. The package comes with four magnetic attachments that let you sandwich clothing between these two discs, though there’s also a magnetic clip in case you do need to go old school. You can even stick it to doors, posts, and any other metallic surface if you want to keep it out of the way. One word of caution, though. The magnets are so strong that you risk pinching the skin of your finger or, worse, certain body parts if you’re not careful how you connect two pieces together.

For all its ease of use, this magnet-based design does have one drawback. To charge the transmitters, you have to attach them to the receiver, which functions as the charging station. You can’t charge them independently using some accessory, so you’ll probably want to keep tabs on their battery levels. Given how the receiver is usually mounted on top of a camera, it also means you can charge only one transmitter at a time. Then again, if you do need to charge both, you’ve probably stopped recording anyway.

Performance

If we stopped at the BlinkMe B2’s unique aesthetic, people would simply pass it off as a pretty face. Fortunately, that is definitely not the case, because Saramonic’s smartest wireless definitely punches above its weight. You get clear and usable audio recordings even when there’s some busy activity around you, as we ourselves experienced on the hectic CES 2024 floor.

Even more impressive is that neither the signal nor the quality actually drops from a distance, even with some obstacle between the transmitter and the receiver, making it an excellent tool for sports or action footage. With the transmitter’s built-in recording functionality and 8GB of storage each, you don’t even have to worry when the stream does get cut off. As a bonus, the transmitter also has a “Safety Track” that’s recording at -6dB that’s meant to buffer against clipping and distortion, ensuring you will always have usable audio no matter the condition.

With wireless mics, battery life becomes just as important as audio quality, and fortunately, the BlinkMe B2 doesn’t skimp in that area either. Of course, Saramonic’s advertised 24 hours for the receiver and 8 hours for the transmitter are a tad too generous, but even hitting 22 hours and 6 hours, respectively is already quite an accomplishment. They charge fast, too, so you can be up and running for an additional hour with just a few minutes charge.

As mentioned earlier, controlling all the pieces of the BlinkMe B2 system is as easy as pie thanks to the sensitive touch screen. The transmitters, in particular, operate almost like smartwatches, with a swipe from the top revealing quick toggles and a swipe from the bottom going back to the main screen. The only slight complication is the smaller screen on the receiver, which is better used for displaying information rather than controlling the device. All in all, the BlinkMe B2 offers an unbeatable experience, not just in the quality of audio it produces but especially in the unique features it offers.

Sustainability

Saramonic introduced many features in the BlinkMe B2 that you won’t find in other wireless microphone systems, and thankfully, they’re all useful and essential to delivering an excellent audio recording experience. Unfortunately, that also makes the design of the device a little bit more complicated, which also means that repairs are going to require more specialized skills and components.

Although a wireless mic such as this is expected to be able to weather different environments, the presence of screens actually puts their durability at more risk. And the use of plastics and less eco-friendly materials are present all around, though not surprising considering it’s still the status quo in consumer electronics. Hopefully, the day will come when Saramonic puts sustainability as a major bullet point on its marketing material, allowing creators to make great content while also feeling good about their positive impact on the planet’s future.

Value

The Saramonic BlinkMe B2 is hardly a cheap kit, setting you back at about $249. There are definitely more accessible streaming mics in the market right now, with some of the popular ones just under $200. That said, those also have plenty of flaws of their own, like taking the form of a traditional mic that you need to place on a table. If you need something that can go the distance, literally, there are few that can outdo the BlinkMe B2.

The audio clarity and volume are just impressive, especially considering how crazy it always is at CES in Las Vegas. The fact that it can deliver more than just decent recordings at great distances is a huge boon for those who want to record more dramatic footage from a safe distance. Magnets make using and placing the transmitter easier and more hassle-free, and the ability to turn these recording devices into advertisements is definitely a great help for creators and studios. Even better, that price includes an entire kit, from four magnetic attachments to two magnetic clips to even a handy carrying case that lets you bring your precious equipment with security and convenience.

Verdict

It’s almost too easy to take the importance of quality audio for granted until that dreaded moment when you realize you barely recorded anything intelligible. Reliable audio that you can use is even more critical for those moments that will never come to pass again, including interviews you might not be able to retake. It’s in those moments that you’ll wish you had an audio recorder you could also rely on, just like your camera or smartphone.

The Saramonic BlinkMe B2 smart wireless microphone system is definitely ready to step up to the challenge. It breaks away from mic design conventions to deliver a product that has just enough tech to deliver convenience and a unique aesthetic without overburdening the user with inessential details and options. It’s powerful, a little bit quirky, and, most importantly, reliable, delivering quality audio recordings even in the most trying conditions. Yes, it’s also a bit pricey, but it’s an investment that will pay for itself throughout the coming years of creating high-quality audiovisual content.

The post Saramonic BlinkMe B2 Wireless Mic Review: A Creator’s Dream Partner first appeared on Yanko Design.