The Q2U supports both XLR and USB cables, letting you plug it into basically any machine you have in your house. Now you can break glass, stomp on light bulbs and do whatever it is those crazy sound recording artists do to get effects to seem more exciting than they actually are in real life. It also has a 3.5mm headphone port so you can listen to what you're recording while you're recording it. [Samson via Engadget]

To be sure, the Zoom Q3 looks like it neglects video quality in favor of audio: Its paltry 640x480 resolution is sure to look outdated next to the true 720p offered by the Flip UltraHD and others. But the Q3 is all about audio, and we're pretty impressed with what Zoom packed into it. You can see in the picture above that it's got two mics to give true stereo sound, and they can be aimed both manually and with the camcorder's automatic presets. It looks pretty easy to get correct levels as well, with several modes to help get the best possible sound. As for audio formats, it'll do 44.1/48kHz 16/24-bit Linear PCM WAV or MP3 up to 320kbps, which is slightly limited but should do fine.

At the basic hardware level, it's got a 2.4-inch LCD, takes SDHC cards for memory (a 2GB card is included, but you'll want to upgrade that pronto) and runs on 2 AA batteries. It'll cost $250 when it ships in September, which is a little pricey; the Flip UltraHD costs $180 at Amazon. We're not totally sold on the entire package, either: If the Q3 packed HD video as well as this level of audio, we'd be really excited, but we think video is probably more important for most pocket camcorder users than audio. Still, it's definitely a unique product and hopefully we'll see the product line develop more. [Zoom]

He stepped to the microphone to sing backup to lead singer Maggie Bell. During a part of the song that didn't require him to play guitar, he reached up and grabbed the mic. Bad move: it was ungrounded.

He was electrocuted by the microphone, which had a supreme amount of electricity flowing through it. Because his hands were wet and he was standing in a puddle, the current shot right through him. He died instantly in front of thousands of fans. He was 27 years old.

Maybe buying your kid a guitar wasn't the best way to keep him safe and off the streets, eh?

Machines Behaving Deadly: A week exploring the sometimes difficult relationship between man and technology.

The ThumbTack is touted as "the best quality micro-microphone in its category", its category being, I assume, sub-$15 microphones that are shaped like thumbtacks. But seriously, it's compatible with third party apps, so if you have VOiP dreams for your iPod Touch or want to prepare early for some of the new mic-enable apps promised in iPhone/iPod OS 3.0, the $13 ThumbTack isn't such a bad deal. [Cult of Mac]

So many people already own the Shure SM57 and SM58 condenser dynamic mics that it made sense for Shure to create the X2u, a $130 adapter that would let people easily use them with their amateur home recording rigs. This isn't about ProTools, which requires its own proprietary I/O. It's for people using GarageBand and other cheapie programs, who just want some way to ease in their vocals and acoustic instruments. It's plug-and-play compatible as an audio input, so it just works. It is bus-powered for easy one-cable connectivity, yet it's got an integrated pre-amp with phantom power, so you won't have to worry about not having enough juice going in. There's a headphone jack on the box, along with a monitor-mix playback dial, for easy latency-free tracking and monitoring.
Supposing you don't have a Shure mic just lying around—Shure built two new microphones—the company's first foray into USB mics—integrating essentially the same circuitry as the X2u. The $200 PG27USB is the multi-purpose mic, with a 20 dB pad for dropping the input level for stuff like drum recording. You can record whatever you want with it, but if you want to focus on voice, the better bet is the $250 PG42USB. It is tuned for singing and voice work, and it has a low-cut switch that drops anything south of 120Hz, meaning any environmental sounds that couldn't possibly come from human vocal chords.

There are a lot of home recording products out there, and a number of USB mics, but to see Shure getting involved, especially aiming product at a lower-price-range amateur-level audience, well, that's pretty damn sweet. Almost makes me want to get the band back together. [Shure]

Shure Unveils New USB Microphones and USB Signal Adapter for Seamless Computer Recording
New Products Connect Personal Recording Enthusiasts With Professional Quality Audio

LAS VEGAS, NV; SAN FRANCISCO, CA; and NILES, IL, January 6, 2009 – At the Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld Conference and Expo, Shure Incorporated extended the Company’s legacy of world class microphones to the digital recording market, unveiling three new products – the PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones and the X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter (XLR is the standard electrical connector for microphones). In recent years, consumers have taken recording into their own hands, creating an explosion of user-generated content. Now, the overwhelming number of low cost options for digital media production means that anyone with a computer and a microphone is a potential recording star, and the demand for tools that enable and encourage personal creativity is surging.

“Shure has catered to the high-fidelity audio cravings of consumers since the introduction of its first stereo phonograph cartridge 50 years ago,” said Mark Karnes, Shure’s Executive Director of Global Marketing. “Back then, we were just listening to music. Today, most of us are not only taking our music with us, we’re also actively involved in creating and recording sound.”

“Given the broad appeal of our new digital recording products, we chose the biggest consumer electronics stages in the country – the Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld – to introduce our highly anticipated answer to the question ‘How can I replicate professional quality audio recording with my computer?’ Our new digital recording microphones and adapter connect seamlessly for personal recording and produce rock star-caliber sound worthy of bearing the Shure name,” continued Karnes.

Shure’s iconic microphones have been used by everyone from Elvis Presley to FDR, and they are still the equipment of choice when high quality sound can’t be sacrificed – such as in Grammy-winning performances and professional broadcasting arenas. Today, Shure is for the first time bringing its legendary microphones to every level of performer and recording enthusiast, including the new breed of aspiring audio enthusiasts that’s proliferating as digital recording takes hold. These content creators need three key factors to produce accurate and high-quality recordings: superior equipment to translate sound; the ability to hear themselves (monitoring); and the ability to accurately adjust monitoring mix. Shure delivers all three capabilities with the new PG27USB and PG42USB microphones and X2u Adapter.

PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones

The PG27USB and PG42USB microphones connect professional-caliber Shure microphones to any USB computer port with “Plug and Play” performance. Excellent tools for multi-track recording, the cardioid condenser microphones feature built-in headphone monitoring with zero latency and monitor mix control, enabling users to instantly hear what they’re recording through headphones and make adjustments on-the-go. Both microphones are durable enough for everyday use and practice, but sophisticated enough for advanced recording by the most discerning artists.

The key difference between the PG27USB and PG42USB microphones is the application for which they were designed:

• The PG27USB features a flat, neutral frequency response for natural reproduction of a wide variety of instrument and vocal sound sources.
• The PG42USB was specifically engineered to reproduce the subtle nuances of lead vocals. The large diaphragm allows for higher sensitivity to clearly reproduce refined performances. The low-cut filter and external shock-mount further optimize performance for vocals.

Other unique features of the PG27USB and PG42USB include:

• Large diaphragm capsule: Provides wider dynamic range, clear highs, and strong lows.
• USB “Plug and Play” Connectivity: Allows the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer goes.
• Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control: Allows control of input signal strength.
• Zero Latency Monitoring: For real-time playback and multi-tracking without disorientation.
• Headphone Jack: For monitoring with 1/8” connectivity.
• Monitor Mix Control: For blending microphone and playback audio.

X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter

The Shure X2u Adapter is a modular accessory that connects any XLR microphone to a computer to create better-than-CD quality recordings. As home recording flourishes, the X2u redefines what amateur musicians and podcasters can do in their homes and on the go. The X2u mimics the sleek, beautiful design of Shure’s iconic SM57 and SM58 microphones and can be used unobtrusively for live and in-studio recording. The X2u’s unique features include:

• USB “Plug and Play” Connectivity: Allows the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer can go (compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X 10.1 or later).
• Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control: Allows control of input signal strength.
• Zero Latency Monitoring: Enables real-time playback and facilitates multi-tracking without disorientation.
• Headphone Jack: For monitoring with standard 1/8” connectivity.
• Monitor Mix Control: For blending microphone and playback audio.
• Phantom Power: For use with condenser microphones.

Pricing and Availability

• X2u Adapter: $129.00 retail [$154.00 MSRP]
• PG27USB: $199.00 retail [$238.00 MSRP]
• PG42USB: $249.00 retail [$298.00 MSRP]

Shure’s PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones and X2u Signal Adapter will be available to consumers in spring 2009 and will carry a two-year limited warranty. The products can be purchased at select retail partners and the X2u will also be available at www.shure.com. Check www.shure.com for a complete list of Authorized Dealers.

The AP reports that this Malaysian man was punched and stabbed because he refused to share the microphone and was hogging the stage. Of all the things to make a stand over, your right to belt out a Pussycat Dolls tune is not one of the ones we recommend. This has been a Giz Tech Tip. [Boston]

Logitech – To give gamers greater freedom and high-quality voice reproduction, Logitech today announced the Logitech® Cordless Vantage™ Microphone – featuring an authentic, professional design.

With more than 20 hours of battery life, gamers can perform encore after encore while minimizing the hassle of changing batteries.

Offering a range of up to 30 feet, the microphone uses 2.4 GHz wireless technology and can be easily set up with its convenient USB receiver. The USB receiver also holds the mic when not in use.

The wireless microphone is compatible with PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2 and Xbox 360™.

The Logitech Cordless Vantage Microphone is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in December for a suggested retail price of $79.99 (U.S.).

It's also immune to radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic (EM) interference, letting laptop or cellphone designers locate it just about anywhere on the device, even if it's near a Wi-Fi antenna or LCD screen. But what exactly is meant by "HD audio wideband," anyway?

Don't get too excited yet, because we just noticed that the TIA-920 definition of "HD audio wideband" is a frequency response between 150Hz to 6800Hz. Jeez, that's not exactly high-fidelity. And how bad does that make microphones that don't adhere to this guaranteed standard?

It's a real breakthrough, though. It's a CMOS microphone, a tiny integrated circuit, that outputs a digital audio signal. Cool. Don't expect to see this little button-size microphone in recording studios anytime soon, but it might make a significant difference inside of a laptop or cellphone. – Charlie White

Akustica AKU2103 World's First High Definition Digital-Output Microphone [Far East Gizmos]

Akustica site

Could this be an advanced communications prototype only implemented in the famous Midwestern test market? What types of technologies could be in use here? Bluetooth? Infrared? Yellow extension cord? Hit the jump for a bonus picture and the sad identity of the business that made me even fatter this morning.

– Mark Wilson

As a bonus, the heads are interchangeable, meaning you can swap from cardioid mic to omnidirectional in seconds. The 9 interchangeable "red heads" offer incredible versatility in one basic microphone body. How much does it cost? We have no idea - but they claim to be far more affordable than other vacuum tube mics. And companies never lie. – Mark Wilson

Product Page

Mod Page [Jeffrey Stephenson via
TheInquirer]

From the picture you can see exactly how super damn tiny this wireless microphone actually it. It is powered by a single AA battery and has a 250mW RF transmitter. What really makes this product a piece of super-damn-tiny-crap is the fact that it is one-time-use only. The microphone is permanently attached to the battery, which lasts for only 38 minutes. This retails for $499. Thanks for nothing, Lectrosonics.

Lectrosonics eXtra-Super-Damn-Tiny Mic [BIOS]

Sony ECM-HW1 Bluetooth Wireless Mic [New Launches]

Conversation table [We-make-money]

Sound proof microphone [PhoneyWorld]

Panasonic SD-Card Karaoke Microphone SY-MK30 [I4U]