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About a week ago I was recording a Skype phone-interview using Call Recorder on my MacBook Pro for a client podcast episode. I was using an excellent Plantronics analog, noise-canceling microphone/headset.

After I finished, I listened to the playback and overall it was fine, except for the occasional sound of my papers shuffling on top of the computer keyboard. It was as if the on-board mic was recording and not the headset. So I began investigating and discovered my Plantronics was not registering a signal on the Mac’s VU meter.  Probably should have checked that first.  Right?  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.

Anyway automatically I assumed it was a faulty sound port or card.  But a few clicks on Google later I discovered via several forums that the problem was that the input is a “Line-in” audio.  Not the same as a more common “Mic-in” (that’ll have the little microphone icon)

Here’s the issue though: In reality, all microphones capture analog signals. Analog signals are basically sound waves and in speech recognition these sound waves are our voice.  But, computers cannot recognize analog sound waves.  Therefore the signal has to converted to digital.

Bottom line, here are our options:

Griffin Technologies iMic (click to enlarge)

1. Get an ADC or analog to digital converter.  There are several, but the Griffin iMic ($49) is one you’ll see pop up a lot on podcasting blogs. iMic allows you to connect many microphones and sound input devices to your iBook, PowerBook, PowerMac or other Mac or PC systems with a USB port.

2.Get a USB mic or USB Headset.  Popular headsets are made by Plantronics (about $70).  Good enough USB mics are made by Snowball, Samson and others.  Another option in this category I have gone to is the Zoom H2.  I chose it because it is a multi-tasking digital workhorse offering a lot of options:

a. The H2 can be used via USB cable as a stand-alone mic

The H2 Zoom is an .mp3, .wav recorder that can also double as a very good USB mic on a Mac. Win Win!

b. It can record 2 or 4 channel stereo onto an SD card or

c. You can use an analog mic via it’s mic-in port to record onto an SD card or to digitally pass-through your signal to your computer.

All for about the same price ($150) as a good quality, stand alone USB mic.

In any event,  if you’ve had this problem hope this post helps ease your anxiety.  Your computer is probably fine.  You just need the right equipment!

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The just announced new R-D1x from Epson of Japan is a very cool looking camera. That’s it in a nutshell. For the Leica owner wannabees, this may be the light catcher for you.

I’ve always wanted a Leica, but not the $4000 price tag of the closest Leica relative to the R-D1x , the Leica M8 (click to see)

The R-D1x Rangefinder is a brilliantly retro-looking piece of kit, which sports a 6MP sensor, Leica M and L glass compatibility and a 2.5-inch LCD. Images are copied to an SDHC card, with RAW and JPEG being the compatible formats.

Forget what’s inside the camera, the best thing about this update to 2005’s R-D1 is its chassis.

Weighing in at 570g and measuring 42 × 39.5 × 88.5mm, it’s a great representation of the Rangefinder cameras of the ’50s, which were famed for their focusing capabilities.

It even comes complete with an on/off switch shaped like a film wind-on lever. (Here is a better front & back view.  Photo by DP Review)

What’s so cool about a camera that seriously favors a camera you might see Robert Capa toting around on Normandy Beach?

Beyond that what’s the big deal about a rangefinder camera versus a more traditional DSLR’s like the Canon 5D or Nikon D700?

Primarily it’s the lack of a mirror that reflects the image from the lens up into the viewfinder with the resultant “mirror slap” and temporary loss of subject (albeit very short) when you press the shutter release.  This could be one less potential mechanical issue as the camera ages.  It’s also much quieter.  This is a very important potential issue for nature or street photographers.

However one major negative: it is not a full frame sensor. Read that: crop factor!  I don’t understand why when your spending this kind of money they can’t give you a full frame sensor. But, I digress…  None-the-less…

Engadget says:

There’s something undeniably sexy, romantic even, about modern digital rangefinders. Perhaps it’s the bevy of tactile controls that stand in such stark contrast to the button-less touchscreen trend infecting consumer electronics. Perhaps it’s nostalgia.

Dont’ get too excited yet…

Before you get too excited, it’s currently for the Japanese market only, and there’s already a price on the Epson Japan website—300,000 yen, which translates to US$3,000+. That doesn’t mean it would sell for the same price here, but it’s an indication of the ballpark.  Also, it won’t be available in Japan even until April, 2009.

Street price? Probably looking at a street price here under $2,000 according to Engadget.  Oh well.  Still, a pretty cool camera to look at in it’s own way.  Curious next to hear what the test reports say.