The All Purpose Advice Thread - Part 2

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by shotgunshane, Mar 27, 2022.

  1. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Just please don't ever, ever try to use a coffee grinder used to grind spices for grinding coffee beans. Or vice versa.
     
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 2
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  2. artur9

    artur9 Almost "Made"

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    What, no flavored coffee?
     
  3. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    @Lyander, @atomicbob, @Armaegis, @fraggler

    Wanted to say thanks again for the webcam and microphone advice. I ended up with the following:
    • Insta360 Link 2C ($130 at Microcenter)
    • Rode VideoMic Go II ($100 at MC)
    • USB-C cable ($15 at MC)
    • Rode Tripod 2 ($40 from Amazon)
    Total: $285 + tax.

    The Rode mic is a solid budget and value option because it can hook up directly via USB. It also has no battery and has a shorter tube than the VideoMic NTG so would be more immune to any indoor phasing issues arising from poorly treated rooms. I really liked the AT mic samples @atomicbob shared, but for now could not justify the cost of that mic plus the separate interface/adapter that would be required. Part of the reason I kept budget lower here is that I’m between jobs. In a year or two I may upgrade the mic depending on how real world usage is with the new job I’ll be starting soon.

    I keep the mic tripod just past my keyboard so it’s out of the way, and the mic ends up roughly 20” from my mouth. I did some tests with my wife and daughter of the Rode mic vs. the Insta360 built-in mic, and the Rode was very clearly better to my daughter and me. She said it makes me sound more like myself.

    The Insta360 camera is great and has a larger sensor than most webcams. I don’t use any fancy AI tracking or other features, but it looks great with a variety of lighting conditions and seems well-built. It also has a physical privacy screen operable by side switch, which I liked.

    No issues setting up the new stuff with Zoom or Teams and both have worked flawlessly so far.

    Thanks again!
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2025

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