Technical Pro PM-21 Podcast System, Silver

by Technical Pro

Product Features

• Complete with 4 channel mixer with individual bass and treble controls
• Includes Audacity software and illustrated step by step user guide, be up and running in minutes
• Runs on battery or electric giving you the flexibility to conduct on-site interviews without worrying about power hookup
• Audio quality components suitable for voice and music applications
• Allows you to mix in music from iPod MP3 CD or other music source
• The Mixer: The mixer is housed in a metal cabinet and features 4 source inputs with 6 channels
• The Microphone: Pro-grade microphone is a rugged dynamic type. Features a die-cast body, on/off switch and XLR type connection with 10 ft cable with a 1/4 " plug
• The Headphone: Model HP-20 headphones
• User Guide and Software: PM-21 includes the recording software and step-by-step tutorial.
• Individual bass, treble and volume controls for each input; Power on/off switch with LED indicator; Two 1/4 inch inputs; One Stereo RCA input; One MP3 input; One USB output; One Stereo RCA output; Two headphone outputs
• Frequency response from 10Hz-100KHz; Power supply - AC adapter (included) or 9V battery
• One MK-20 wired microphones; One ST-20 microphone stands; One HP-20 digital headphones; Includes one MP3 to MP3 Cable; Includes one XLR to 1/4 inch Cable; Voltage: 110-220V Switchable
• Laptop not included

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 2.2 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B002UD53FM
• Item model number: 72-PM21
• Batteries 1 Nonstandard Battery batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,591 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 30, 2009

Product Description

Professional equipment will set your recordings apart from amateur broadcasts. This one-box solution comes with everything you need in one cost saving bundle. Quality microphone to give you a clear professional voice, a mixer enabling you to mix in music from your iPod with a built in equalizer to adjust the volume, bass and treble independently for each input source, and studio headphones enabling you to listen to how your broadcast will actually sound as you record it. Includes Audacity software, all hookup cables, and a step by step pictorial user guide.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Entry Level PODCAST Equipment! November 19, 2009

By WindowsObserver

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is actually being written AFTER I posted my first production attempt at a PODCAST. I just dived right in and decided to give it a shot. This kit makes that very easy.

I unpacked it and set it up so I could see what it would take to create, edit and publish a PODCAST. I am very pleased with the way the PM-21 worked. If your good with audio-visual gear and the process of hooking up home stereo equipment then you can set this gear up without breaking out the instruction book (which is on the CD in PDF format).

The mixer board has inputs for 2 microphones, 2 headphones, an MP3 input and a RCA channel input. Each channel has its own volume, bass and treble controls. This kit just comes with a single microphone and headphones. The PM-22 version comes with 2 of each. The headphones are not very comfortable for me so I can see myself using my own instead (main reason for a 1 star drop from 5 to 4 stars). The mixer board runs off of AC or a 9V battery (so you can take your recording on the road).

The connection to your computer is via USB and Windows 7 recognized the USB Audio device immediately and did not require any other drivers for it to work.

The package comes with the latest, stable version of Audacity to create and edit your audio tracks. It also has the LAME MP3 converter on the CD so you can install it. That allows Audacity to export your tracks in MP3 format. Audacity is open source and costs nothing to use.

If you listen to the podcast you can hear how clear the microphone pickup is. I created the intro myself using a piece of royalty free music, a couple of free sound effect files for the applause and launch sound and my own voice for the voice over. I did adjust the pitch to lower it though. In case your wondering my real voice is the talking part of the podcast - no pitch adjustments on that.

Once I had it all together I edited out all the "umms", breath sounds and long pauses which was very easy and intuitive with Audacity. You will be amazed at how many times you say "umm" and how obvious the breath sounds are.

For someone who is fairly tech savvy but not a "sound editor" I was able to figure things out quickly and get the podcast up within a few hours.

If you want to hear the sound quality of this equipment feel free to listen to my first production effort in the Observed Tech PODCAST Beta Program 1.

[...]

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Was what I needed when I needed it. November 22, 2009

By R. Plenger

I recently decided that it was time to increase the production value of my shows and make them appealing to more people by increasing the sound quality and adding more polish. After shopping around and figuring out what was best for me, I decided on the PM-21. Paired with Audacity, I feel I am really getting the quality I want for what I can afford. I mean being able to add subtle music to the background while I am talking is great! I used to do it in post-production, but doing it during sounds much more natural to me. I pause at times to let the music kind of bleed through a little more if it calls for it. I had been using a headset mic and the sound I got from using this mic was far superior. I love it. The only thing I kinda wish I'd done is get the PM-22 so I have the option of 'in studio' guests.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars So far so good July 26, 2011

By Scott

Amazon Verified Purchase

So I do a small political podcast and wanted to do some better sound recordings well so I picked this up. The pro's are that it is simple to work with and you can get some good sound quality out of it once you figure it out ;) I basically have to have the Mic volume almost (I say almost because if it is all the way it provides Poor sound quality) all of the way up and it doesn't always seem to be quite loud enough. Some of the connections are a little bit loose as well so you have to be careful about that. Headset works well but is slightly cheezy.

In short it does the job but is a tad bit fiddly...