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Those of you who caught my last post are well aware of the, ahem, technical difficulties I encountered during my live stream debut a week ago. Let's just say the dulcet tones of the public speaker I was featuring were about as clear as Charlie Brown's teacher (think muffled trombone noises). It was a fantastic event, by the way, and you should absolutely check it out if you haven't already (shameless self-promotion, I know what I'm doing).

Needless to say, the sound snafu left a permanent scar on my live streaming soul. I vowed to the tech gods (and maybe Bezos if he was listening) that I would never subject my viewers to such aural torture again. So, with the promise of crystal clear audio ringing in my ears (and the blessing – or maybe a slight eye roll – from my wife), I embarked on a quest to find the perfect microphones.

Now, for someone who considers a pair of earbuds "high-tech" audio equipment, this was no small feat. The internet, that glorious abyss of information (and procrastination), became my battleground. As the ever-indecisive soul I am, I couldn't just settle for any old microphone. Budget? Tight as a drum. Desire for James Bond-level tech? Through the roof.

Shotgun mics seemed like the ultimate cool-guy option, but their fancy looks came with limitations. Apparently, they're not exactly "plug-and-play" for every situation, and let's be honest, my current setup is about as high-tech as Fred Flintstone cobbling together a tripod with a camera on top. Picture this: a precariously tall (and slightly wobbly) 16-foot telescoping monstrosity with a camera on a swivel arm, controlled by a cable I affectionately call "Frank the Freerunner" (because it tangles like nobody's business). Hey, it works... most of the time (except on windy days, when the whole thing resembles a drunken giraffe).

So, shotgun mics were out. But then, a beacon of hope emerged from the depths of the internet: lavalier mics. These little guys, wired or wireless, can be clipped onto clothing or strategically placed on props – perfect for the public speaking events I plan to conquer in the future. Plus, one could clip right onto my trusty Handycam for those epic football game recordings. Lavalier mics – you had me at "versatile" and "finally, decent audio for my viewers!"

After a marathon day of scouring the web, I finally unearthed the holy grail of microphones: lavalier mics! Now, these aren't your average, run-of-the-mill lavalier mics that blend into the background like a chameleon on a… well, you get the picture. No, these bad boys are as square as a Rubik's Cube – unique, conversation-starting, and bound to turn a few heads (hopefully not in disapproval).

Sure, some folks might find the boxy design a little, well, out there, but hey, to each their own. Besides, looks weren't the only reason I brought these little squares of audio awesomeness home. Let me tell you, I researched these puppies like a dog with a bone.

And speaking of bones, get this: this isn't just a one-mic pony. It's a two-mic tango! That's right, folks, this fancy unit comes with a pair of lavalier mics and one receiver. Now that's what I call convenience! One dies (because Murphy's Law is a cruel mistress in the world of live events), and I have a backup. Or, if I'm interviewing a chatty duo, each person can have their own mic. Plus, it feeds right into my paranoia – redundancy is key, people! (Just ask my overflowing box of spare phone chargers).

Here's another perk that sealed the deal: the receiver can connect to my laptop, phone, or tablet. As a videographer who juggles more devices than a circus performer, that kind of versatility is music to my ears (or should I say, audio to my… well, you get it).

Now, the plot thickens with a touch of mystery. The instruction manual, bless its little heart, clearly stated that certain cables weren't included. Imagine my surprise when I cracked open the box to find them nestled amongst the microphone magic. It was like a birthday gift you weren't expecting – a delightful bonus!  Hey, I already have a cable graveyard at home, but hey, free cables are like free pizza – you take them, no questions asked. (Although, in this case, I did ask questions. The answer? "They're a gift, just use them!").

Speaking of surprises, the range on these mics is no joke. We're talking about a whopping 400 feet, folks! To put that in layman's terms (or should I say, less-intellectually-gifted friends' terms – hey, no offense!), that's the length of a high school football field. This is a game-changer for graduation ceremonies or any event where I don't want to be wrestling with a microphone on a wobbly extension cord (because let's face it, my trusty Flintstone tripod can only handle so much).

Battery life? The manual claims a solid 9 hours. Now, I'm a tad skeptical – manuals have a way of sugarcoating things. But hey, that's what test runs are for!  Stay tuned for a future blog post where I put these mics through their paces and expose any battery-life bluffs.

Overall, this feels like one of my best purchases yet, aside from maybe my… ahem… structurally challenged tripod. The possibilities are endless! Lavalier mics for interviews, for capturing that crowd roar at the big game, you name it!  Oh, and did I mention the best part? They come with dead cats!

Yes, you read that right. Dead cats. Now, before you start picturing a feline massacre, let me calm your nerves. Dead cats, in the world of videography, are those furry windshields you put over mics. Why they're called dead cats is a mystery shrouded in the fog of filmmaking history. Maybe they used actual cat fur back in the day? Or maybe it's because they look like a cat that met an unfortunate end with a pair of scissors. Either way, they're a lifesaver when it comes to battling unwanted wind noise.

So, here's to a future filled with crystal-clear audio, versatile mics, and fuzzy feline friends (of the non-deceased variety, of course). Stay tuned for more adventures in videography, folks!