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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:22 am Post subject: Microport Pro vs. Shure X2U

Seeing as how the Microport Pro is back ordered, how does the X2U do in comparison? One comparison review online (from 2009) actually gives a slight edge to the X2U. Does anyone here use one?

Thanks.
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DougVox · Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:59 am Post subject:

Elaine, I've got an X2U, and I really like it, though I've never had the chance to compare it to a Micport Pro.

George Whittam did a comparison here.
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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:14 am Post subject:

Thanks Doug. I probably won't have much choice as I need it by the end of the month, and according to B&H the Microport Pro won't be available until the end of August. It's good to know someone using the Shure who is happy with it.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:16 am Post subject:

I have two MicPort Pros and I like them a lot. However, I think I recall reading a post somewhere (Facebook, perhaps) by Melissa Ex, saying that she preferred the Shure.
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Bruce · Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:43 am Post subject:

I have one I got as a Christmas gift and I'm not sure I'm ever going to use it. I've emailed you Elaine, and if Elaine doesn't want it, anyone else like to take it off my hands?

B
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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:58 am Post subject:

Thanks Bruce for the kind offer, but to be safe rather than sorry, I decided to order a Shure from B&H so if anyone else is looking for a Microport Pro - go for it! Smile

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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Elaine, I've owned both. Here is what I wrote in my review for Amazon:

"After owning both the MicPortPro and the Shure X2u for over a year, I now have some clearer opinions on the merits and disadvantages of both units.

I recorded a sample script with both interfaces, and found that I had a slight but significant preference for the sound from the MicPortPro. It's a slightly richer and clearer sound than what I get from the X2u. The M Hobo Tounge

is also slightly smaller than the X2u, which makes it easier to carry when traveling (I have a backpack to keep my audio gear in that is already stuffed to the gills, so smaller is better). The downside of the M Hobo Tounge

may be quality control. The level and headphone output dials are both make loud scratchy sounds in my headphones when moved (though, crucially, that noise does NOT appear in the recorded sound file!!). It's annoying for sure, but I can live with it. But it does make me somewhat concerned about the durability of this unit.

The Shure X2u sounds very good, though not nearly as good to my ear as the M Hobo Tounge

. It is bigger and heavier. It feels more solid and durable than the M Hobo Tounge

, and I've had no issues with scratchy pots or anything else. However, I really dislike the controls for mic level and headphone output. They are scroll wheels without any markings at all. For me this is a potential problem. I have a few clients that demand consistent sound, and I can't be sure exactly how hot my input is without any numbers on the dials - I just have to do it "by ear." I can't just set it and forget it, but thishonestly is more an annoyance than a deal-breaker.

The good news is that you should be happy with either interface (assuming the MicPortPro doesn't suffer from QC issues). If you are willing to take a risk on the QC - and I can't say what the risk level really is - I do prefer the superior sound quality and portability of the MicPortPro. Those advantages are worth the $50 premium over the Shure X2u. "

EDIT: I may be making too much about the QC concerns with the MicPort Pro. I seem to recall George Whittam saying it was a problem with an initial batch that was corrected - or something along those lines. The M Hobo Tounge

gets excellent reviews on Amazon, and if there were a persistent quality issue, I think there'd be a lot of complaints on Amazon.
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Ed Fisher · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 5:27 pm Post subject:

Let us not forget the Micport Pro is also capable of 24-bit/96kHz performance. Whereas the X2u only goes to 16 bit, up to 48 kHz

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Why would you ever record VO at higher than 48 Hz, 16-bit? I've never ever in my 23 years in the biz had a client ask for anything better than that. Am I missing something?
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bobsouer · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 6:37 pm Post subject:

Tom,

Actually, I have a few clients now who insist on 24-bit audio.
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georgethetech · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:18 pm Post subject:

Then just up-sample your file to 24bit and send it along... They'll never hear the difference. Here's an explanation about bit rate.
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Deirdre · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:40 pm Post subject:

I have had game audio guys ask for 24 bit native because of the incredible processing they need to do with some files. The denser the audio, the less likely it is to artifact.
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vkuehn · Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:58 pm Post subject:

Bish · Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:53 am Post subject:

The sampling rate issue comes up again and again. There is no doubt that 24-bit files have a higher resolution, however a lot of it depends on the final product. I can see the argument for 24 bit if further processing is to be done and the client needs to start with "the best possible". For the vast majority of what I do no one is going to know the difference between 16 & 24 bit. I don't like to up-sample because it seems like cheating a bit if the customer has requested 24. Audiobooks, web videos, eLearning etc. - 16 bit is fine and the difference becomes purely theoretical. The comparison to colour is good... 16 colours, 256 colours, hundreds of thousands... or millions. There's a law of diminishing returns here.

That being said, I usually do 24 bit all the time except for audiobooks. I have no storage space issues but the difference in file size and the time taken to process or transfer hours of raw audio can become a factor.

There's a definite theoretical difference... and maybe sometimes the theory is pushed and becomes a practical issue in the real world... but for the most part I personally think we're in the realms of the audiophiles who pay $100 a foot for gold speaker cables.

However, there are those who say they can hear the difference between a 44.1kHz and a 48kHz sampling rate, and that spotting 16-bit is easy. Personally, I'm doubtful... or maybe that's just because I can't.
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vkuehn · Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:56 am Post subject:

At one time I ran "a big honkin computer" for a "big honkin car dealer". It was a building full, actually, FIVE buildings full of very coloroful people.

We had a tune-up mechanic who would lecture the Mr. Goodwrench people when we sent him to the training center for the latest new model info.

This mechanic would go to the dispatch window, pick up his next assignment, and head for the parking lot to find it. On the way out the door he would always offer to wager: "I'll drive the car into the shop and before I open the hood, I will tell you what brand of spark plugs are in the car, just from the way it drives."

Some audio folks appear to be equipped with ears that are about that sensitive. Maybe when I was quite young, maybe I was almost in that category. (I drove a lot of broadcast engineers nuts with requests for mic preamp tube replacements... and drove ATT nuts about noise on the network feed.)

But who has that kind of hearing? One in 500? One in 10,000?

My hearing may not be what it once was.... but I still enjoy working my way through the logic and science of how audio technology works... in theory!