Product Description

The Podcast Factory combines all the hardware and software you need to easily record, edit and publish professional-sounding podcasts. Create sophisticated radio-style productions that integrate speech, music, and sound effects. The included software even processes your MP3 files and automates web publishing of RSS 2.0 feeds. Designed with the same M-Audio technology used in recording studios around the world, Podcast Factory gives you both the professional sound quality and creative tools to produce stellar podcasts that keep your listeners coming back for more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12163 in Musical Instruments
• Brand: M-Audio
• Model: 9900-41388-00
• Platform: Windows XP Home Edition
• Format: CD-ROM
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Features

• Everything you need to easily record, edit and publish professional-sounding podcasts
• Includes 24 bit USB Audio interface for recording vocals and instruments
• M-Audio microphone engineered for vocal recordings
• Includes recording and RSS 2.0 feed generating software tools
• Desk top stand and mic cables included

From the Manufacturer
The Podcast Factory combines all the hardware and software you need to easily record, edit and publish professional-sounding podcasts. Create sophisticated radio-style productions that integrate speech, music, and sound effects. The included software even processes your MP3 files and automates web publishing of RSS 2.0 feeds. Designed with the same M-Audio technology used in recording studios around the world, Podcast Factory gives you both the professional sound quality and creative tools to produce stellar podcasts that keep your listeners coming back for more.

Podcast Factory USB Interface
The Podcast Factory professional audio interface brings your computer both microphone and instrument inputs, plus headphone and stereo outputs—all via a simple USB cable. It can also double as a professional audio interface for most popular music software like Apple GarageBand, Sony Acid, and Magix Music Maker.

Broadcast Microphone Included
Use the included microphone with desktop stand to record broadcast-quality speech for professional-sounding podcasts—instruments too.

Software Included
Podcast Factory includes all the software you need to record and edit your program, add music by dragging and dropping loops, and create and upload MP3 files with RSS feeds.

Bundled Software
Ableton Live Lite 5 delivers much of the functionality of Ableton Live 5—the revolutionary, multi-award winning music production solution that allows you to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment. Live brings your acoustic, electronic and virtual instruments—as well as your digital audio recordings and MIDI sequences—together in a single interface with unparalleled ease of use.

Full Features

• Professional 24-bit/48kHz audio interface with preamp
• Dynamic broadcast microphone with desk stand
• Microphone input channel with gain control and signal LEDs
• Switchable instrument/line input
• Stereo headphone output
• Stereo output jacks
• Level control for headphones and main outputs
• USB bus-powered for mobile operation
• USB class-compliant (OS X 10.3.5 and higher) for plug-and-play operation
• Includes software for recording and editing, adding music and sound effects, and Web posting with RSS feed
• Includes music loops from a wide variety of genres
• Easy to connect and use
• Hardware compatible with most other music software

Specifications
General

• sample rates: 44.1kHz and 48kHz
• dimensions: 5.5" x 4.25" x 1.75' (14 x 10.8 x 4.5 cm)
• weight (unit only): .45 lbs (.2 kg)

• max input: -2.2dBu (0.6 Vrms), min. gain
• signal-to-noise: -100dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted), min. gain
• dynamic range: 100dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted), min. gain
• THD + N: 0.0053%, 1kHz, -1dBFS @ 48kHz, min. gain
• freq response: +0.08 / -0.12dB, 22Hz to 22kHz @ 48kHz, min. gain
• available gain: 45dB
• input impedance: 1K Ohm

• max input: +3.2dBV (1.5 Vrms)
• signal-to-noise: -97dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• dynamic range: 97dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• THD + N: 0.0049%, 1kHz, -1dBFS @ 48kHz
• freq response: +0.00 / -0.45dB, 22Hz to 22kHz @ 48kHz
• input impedance: 500K Ohms

• max input: +2.3dBV (1.3 Vrms)
• signal-to-noise: -98dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• dynamic range: 98dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• THD + N: 0.0045%, 1kHz, -1dBFS @ 48kHz
• freq response: +0.01 / -0.35dB, 22Hz to 22kHz @ 48kHz
• input impedance: 20K Ohms (bal.), 10K Ohms (unbal.)

• max output: +2dBV (1.2 Vrms)
• signal-to-noise: -105dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• dynamic range: 105dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• THD + N: 0.0039%, 1kHz, -1dBFS @ 48kHz
• freq response: +0.03 / -0.15dB, 22Hz to 22kHz @ 48kHz
• crosstalk: -100dB, 1kHz, channel-to-channel
• output impedance: 240 Ohms

• max output: (@ 32-ohms) -2dBV (0.8 Vrms)
• signal-to-noise: -102dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• dynamic range: 102dB @ 48kHz (A-weighted)
• THD + N: 0.0395%, 1kHz, -1dBFS @ 48kHz
• freq response: +0.05 / -0.20dB, 22Hz to 22kHz @ 48kHz
• crosstalk: -80dB, 1kHz, channel-to-channel
• output impedance: Less than 1 Ohm
• HP impedance: 32 to 600 Ohms recommended

Customer Reviews

Hardware Great - Software Eh
The mic is a high quality isolation mic, so you can record in a room with a closed door and not get any background sound. Very easy to set up. Plugs right into the computer. The weakness with this product is the software that comes with the package. Audacity is a fine audio editor--but you can find it free on the web. But the biggest problem is the podcast xml feed software: it's called Podifier, and it does NOT contain iTunes ID tags. This may not sound like a big deal, but it is a significant problem when you reach the point where you want to submit your podcast to iTunes and other podcast list pages like Podcast Alley. They all use iTunes tags. You will need to purchase a better xml feed program that includes these tags, or learn how to write the code on your own. But aside from the software that comes with it, this microphone and recording unit is quite good.

Great (as long as you don't live in California!)
The funny thing about the MIC... there's a warning in the box that says it contains lead which is *believed to* cause cancer in the State of California (I'm not making this up!) I have no idea what makes lead particularly more toxic in California than anywhere else, but my advice to anyone who buys it... do not EAT the microphone.

As for the package... I'm new to podcasting. (Actually I got it as much for the audio interface and to be able to do some voice overs for a project I'm working on as for Podcasting.) I wound up getting the "kit" because... it would have actually been more expensive to get the mic then the audio interface. (You can't just plug most mic's directly into the computer... ) So by the time you get the Mic and the Interface, you're actually spending more, even without the software.

I have had some minor configuration problems - - but all in all, everything seems pretty simple, and the instructions get to the point... hence its useful, hence the * * * * * - - as to the opinions of more experienced users... let's see what they have to say whether its a good deal of not!

This is the one
I was looking for a complete podcast solution and this is really the one. Instead of worrying about what mics to buy and what interface to use, this is really podcast equipment for someone who wants to plug and play. Instead of worrying about cables, interfaces, mics, etc, it's all here.

Yes, it comes with Audacity that you can get for free, but let's face it, if you're not hooked in, searching for it on the web might not be your thing. It has podifer and Live Lite 4, and while you don't really need them, they're helpful.

One of the values of this package was that I got started podcasting the same day. The ease of set up was a bonus here.

One recommendation though. There's not much in terms of user guides, but you can get at the full user's guide for Audacity on the web. I haven't played enough with the other software yet to make recommendations there.