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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 2939
Location: Park City, Utah
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 Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:21 am Post subject: Short Review of CEntrance MicPortPro |
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Generally I am not a big fan of USB microphones or audio interfaces for that matter. The reasons are simple, USB devices I have tested are usually very low level devices with a lot of latency, inherent noise, and are bulky. USB microphones in general lack a solid presence with their sound, in my (not-so-humble) opinion.
Once you have found the right microphone for your voice and style, carrying the microphone and all the associated gear to adapt to a portable set-up can be bulky, heavy, and daunting. Over the past weekend I tested the CEntrance MicPortPro which a friend sent for review. I was impressed, and believe me it takes a lot to get me impressed.
The MicPortPro is a small cylindrical device made of aluminum and about the size of an XLR attenuator or cigar tube and small enough to fit in your pocket. An XLR connector is on one end and a USB (1.0 and 2.0 compatible) connector on the other end of this little powerhouse. It defaults to 24 bit/96 kHz on setup; so to adjust the bit rate and sample rate you are required to download the free CEntrance Universal Driver™.
The MicPortPro has a few things up it’s sleeve including 48volt/20mA phantom power supplied by the USB port (no batteries required) and a low noise pre-amp. This translates into the ability to use ANY microphone, condenser or dynamic with your laptop.
Audio levels were good on the output and the waveform reached a solid 80% on peaks with no distortion. The pre-amp was very quiet even when turned up to maximum.
Next, a little surprise in the form a loud headphone amp, 2.5 mm port, and volume control for real time microphone monitoring and playback. The MicPortPro is basically a USB soundcard with phantom power and a very usable pre-amp.
For around $149.95 USD (MSRP) CEntrance’s MicPortPro makes your laptop into a portable recording studio using your regular microphone. The MicPortPro comes with a six foot USB cable and a cute velvet carrying bag. Now all you need is a quiet hotel room; and a voiceover talent is in business in a flash.
I am having a difficult time returning the MicPortPro to my friend; as this little device will make my on-the-road portable podcast and recording equipment issues so much easier to deal with.
Toodles
F2
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 7376
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:33 am Post subject: |
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Frank,
Thanks for posting this valuable information.
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Be well,
Guild Master Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch
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Brett Mason
Backstage Pass
Joined: 03 Jul 2007
Posts: 486
Location: Tidy Town, NC
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:35 am Post subject: |
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Harrrrrrr, Frank....this be a trove of useful information. Ye certainly be deservin' of a reward....say, raisin' yer exponent to a power of three! Thankee...... 
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Brett (...that's Brett with TWO "T's")
www.brettmasonvoice.com
"Dare to be Yourself" - André Gide
Merry Merchants of Voice Over!
Mendicant |
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jrodriguez315
King's Row
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 1161
Location: New Jersey
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Craig
Been Here Awhile
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Posts: 250
Location: SLC, Ut
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:15 pm Post subject: Me too! |
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Yes Frank, I've been looking forward to it too.
Thanks!
Craig |
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Pam
The 700 Club
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 719
Location: Chicago, Il
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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And anything that has a cute velvet carrying bag HAS to be tops in my books!
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Pam Tierney
www.pamtierneyvo.com
imdb profile http://imdb.com/name/nm1941932/
searching for Vaseline Love and Happy Slaps. |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 2939
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: |
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I was wondering if anyone would catch that piece of dribble... Thanks Pam.
F2
_________________
www.SaVoa.org #07009 Member: AFTRA
AudioTX IP equipped Private Personal Studio available.
"We fix cheap voiceovers"
Borrowed from an Office Max commercial |
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Pam
The 700 Club
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 719
Location: Chicago, Il
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todd ellis
4 Large
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 4271
Location: little egypt
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| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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thanks frank! i have been cautiously optimistic about that lil piece of hardware - you make me want to buy one! They should give you your demo for free!
point them to bob souer's blog - you're already giving them free press!
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Ya do what you can ... Rob Ellis |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 2939
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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The entire review will be printed in three audio related magazines for October.
Our next review is the likely the new MXL 990 USB microphone and the Mic Mate from MXL (if I can get my hands on one).
Thanks for the blog post Bob. You make me sound like I almost know what I am talking about.
Toodles
F2
_________________
www.SaVoa.org #07009 Member: AFTRA
AudioTX IP equipped Private Personal Studio available.
"We fix cheap voiceovers"
Borrowed from an Office Max commercial
Last edited by Frank F on Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:50 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 7376
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Frank,
Almost? You're the man! I'm just spreading the good word in my own small way. (Arrr!)
_________________
Be well,
Guild Master Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch
No. 08029 |
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Doc
Cinquecento
Joined: 16 Aug 2005
Posts: 582
Location: Tucson, AZ.
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jrodriguez315
King's Row
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 1161
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Bob, I hadn't checked out your Blog in a while and all I can say is WOW! What a great Blog. I've been poking around there for a while now with no end in site. Thanks for this great resource. Man, I need to get my Blog up to speed.
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Joe Rodriguez, Bilingual Voice Actor | The Voiceover Thespian Blog |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 7376
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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Joe,
Thank you for your kindness. 
_________________
Be well,
Guild Master Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch
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Lizden
Five Grand
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 5882
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
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| Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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Frank!
That's awesome!...looks like another item to add to the "To Get" list!
Thanks for the great info!
And Joe, YES, Bob's Blog, rocks! (as does HE!)
Liz
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~~~ Livin' The VO Dream! ~~~
Liz de Nesnera ~ "C'est la Voix!"
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SaVoa.org No. 07037 |
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