Brooklyn, N.Y. – DJ and pro audio supplier Technical Pro is stepping into the consumer
market with a pair of Podcaster packages designed to help people make
professional-quality podcasts.
Each package includes all the hardware needed to make a professional-sounding
podcasts from a standard PC or Mac computer or from another recording device. The
products combine pro-audio build quality with intuitive operations, the company
said.
The $129-suggested PM-21 includes a mixer, mic, mic stand, and
headphones. The PM-22 adds an additional mic, stand and headphones at $180.
Both ship Oct. 30.
Because of podcasting’s growth, Technical Pro found an
opportunity to bring its “expertise to the table and develop an affordable high
quality solution for pros and beginners alike,” said sales and marketing
director Steven Colky. The company talked to podcast creators to determine what
components would be most useful to them, and as a result, the company designed
a new type of mixer developed specifically as a podcast-creation tool.
The tabletop mixer’s metal cabinet features four source inputs
with six discrete channels; two gold plated quarter-inch microphone inputs; one
3.5mm input for iPods and MP3 players; and stereo line-level RCA input for additional
audio sources such as CD players. Each channel features level adjustment and bass/treble
controls. A master output control paired with a level adjust is designed for
dual headphone outputs.
For outputs, the mixer uses analog stereo line out to a recorder
and a USB audio output to the PC. The
mixer can be powered from the included AC/DC adapter or from a 9-volt battery
when used in the field with a laptop.
The pro-grade dynamic microphone features die-cast body, on/off
switch and XLR-type connection with 10 feet of cable with a quarter-inch plug. A
heavy weighted base desktop mic stand is included.
The headphones are based on the company’s Pro DJ headphones because
the requirements are similar, delivering excellent isolation and comfort, the
company said. The circumnaural headphones feature sensitivity is 107dB +/- 3
db, frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, “Super Bass Drivers,” and cord of 10 feet
terminated with a 3.5mm stereo plug.
The company includes a user guide and software for consumers new
to podcasting. The package includes all required software and a step-by-step
tutorial covering everything from scripting, podcast content community websites
and tips on how to promote podcasts.
Also included is CD of
Audacity audio-editor software to enable PC and Mac users to record, edit and
export podcasts. Finally, the PODCASTER package also includes an easy step
-by-step setup guide covering the technical aspects of the hardware and
software.
