Headset.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Been trying to buy a headset for the laptop. Zoom and Skype etc use. Don't intend paying hundreds for gaming ones. Or need them to go over the threshold of pain. ;-)

Found ones that looks OK on Ebay. UK stock. Delivery in the usual few days. Still waiting. Looks like they actually have to come from China.

Went to Curry. Double the price.

Ordered and paid. Delivery etc confirmed by email.

Just had an email saying they can't supply.

Any suggestions? Up to £40? Would prefer not to have vast earphones. But don't want buds. Something like the original walkman type that sit on the ears rather than cover them - and with a mic - would be ideal. I'm not going to be running around wearing them. ;-)

[Andy Burns]

Easiest are headsets with USB connection.

If you get 3.5mm headset, then older PCs have 3.5mm TRS for headphones plus 3.5mm TS for mic, where newer PCs have 3.5mm TRRS for headset

[Brian Gaff (Sofa 2)]

Plantronics do a good range, or did up until Christmas. Brian

[Gareth Evans]

Zoe Laughlin's TV prog last night was all about making your own!

[charles]

I got one from 7DayShop. But their website shows "Out of Stock"

Charles

[newshound]

This is true, but I reckon it is more practical to go for the modern 3.5 mm TRRS (as I have some other audio kit, e.g. Tascam recorder and mirrorless camera with audio sockets)

I have also just been searching for a sensible priced one for Skype, also noting the silly money for gaming ones.

I ended up getting a Logitech H151 from an Amazon seller on Amazon, notionally second hand but perhaps a display model, only £14. This is an over the head, on ear type with a boom microphone and the audio quality excellent.

It has an in-line box that will clip on a collar or lapel with a volume control and a mute switch, but I have been using the controls on Skype and ignoring that.

[spuorgelgoog]

I did offer someone here a plantronics set with USB adapter for £10 which was in the charity shop a few months ago :-)

Owain

[spuorgelgoog]

optional USB adapter

Discount code CYBER0320 , say they're delivering as normal. They supply a lot to schools, which may be rather quiet at the moment.

Owain

[Dave Plowman (News)]

It did rather confuse me. Not being a user of such things. But seems the USB sort will work and disable the internal speakers and mic, if you set things to do this.

My laptop has just a single socket which I do know works for headphones alone - and I assume is compatible with a headset too?

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I did wonder, as I still have most of my pro kit from my days as a TV sound man. Including rifle mics, radio mics, and most inbetween. ;-)

A 416 on a lazy arm just out of shot would likely work a treat. And I do have a desktop in the front room which feeds to the TV. And has audio in and out already connected to the Hi-Fi. So could set up a nice little interview area. ;-)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

The power of the group.

Postman just delivered the original Ebay order. A week late - so didn't come from China.

USB, and works just fine, once it had installed the needed drivers. Has a volume control on the lead for the headphones too. Seems to work just fine. Audio quality pretty good considering the cost.

[T i m]

Twas me, now I (also, along with most of the immediate family) have a Portal. ;-)

We are chatting to daughter as I type, while she makes a couple of face masks.

Cheers, T i m

[John Rumm]

I had a look at my normal suppliers, and high end stuff like plantronics I can get fairly easily. (but prices start just north of £110)

The cheap and cheerful walkman style with a boom mic seem harder to get.

I can still get things like:

https://sandberg.world/en-gb/product/Playn-Go-Headset-Black Beyond that you get into the gaming stuff.

(those shown are in stock at my uk based supplier for ~ £17 inc VAT but ex delivery. They can be drop shipped by DPD. Drop me an email if you are interested)

[T i m]

<snip>

<snip>

Just OOI, daughter had delivered here (for step-granddaughter, birthday present from us all) a 'Rode NT1" mic (kit)?

She already has a Behringer Mic100 'Tube preamp' so should now, with her PC audio software should be ready to go.

I think she would like to get into music production, film music / whatever and hopes to go to a college that specialises in such things in Sept.

Cheers, T i m

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Yes - I'd say everyone wants them now. Just like me.

Thanks, John. Sorted now.

[Bob Eager]

My son is doing a course like that. He is just finishing his second yera and is having a great time.

[T i m]

<snip>

Cool.

I do know one lad who did something similar and was also in a band etc.

SGD plays piano / keyboard pretty well and can also knock out a fair tune on a Ukulele [1] (even wrote her own little 'Lock-in' song the other day). ;-)

She's just turned 17, how old is your son OOI?

Does he have any music creation kit at home and what sort of thing does he hope to do in the future (if he knows).

The email address is valid if you want to take it offline.

Cheers, T i m

[1] It was my Dads and nice to hear / see it still making music. ;-)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

There do seem to be loads of reasonably priced mics these days. All of mine are pretty old. Only have one mic I'd describe as top quality general purpose studio - a U87. My stuff was used for drama. Recording studios generally have their own mics.

Certainly it helps to learn as much as you can. Followed by on site training. A lot of the skills come from watching others good at it.

[NY]

I wonder if Rode chose that model name deliberately for the word it makes...

[Bob Eager]

Replied offline