Gadzooki

ThumbTacksâ„¢

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ithumbtackjpg

This is a little odd now, is it? I could imagine people taking another look at you… some would probably sigh in disbelief at how you’re punishing your iPod with a thumbtack. Oh well, it is kind of weird.

ThumbTack is a mini microphone designed for the Nano 4G or Touch 2G. Designed by a company called SwitchEasy, this iPod mic takes the shape of a familiar everyday object, a common thumbtack.

Check out their website and you’d see it available in several colors (white, black & red). You wouldn’t believe the US$13 price tag for a ThumbTack! Isn’t this something worthwhile to plug into your iPods?

This audio gadget is compatible with third party software. By plugging Thumbtack into the available 3.5mm headphone jack, you will be able to use it as a personal voice recorder. This can be handy if you want to record class lectures, office meetings or take a voice memo of important facts or reminders.

Just be careful NOT to mix the ThumbTack with the regular thumbtacks you have. It would be painful to see your iPod investments severely damaged.

Samson Go Mic – Portable USB Condenser Microphone

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If you’re looking for a high-quality condenser mic that you can take anywhere, it looks like the Samson Go Mic is something you’ll consider carrying around in the future. I have a band, and I actually like to keep recordings of our practices and gigs so I can listen them over after the set and see what else needs to be done to improve our playing. And obviously, audio quality of the mp3s ripped from videos is really bad I can’t even listen to the details properly.

It goes without saying that I’m seriously going to consider the Samson Go Mic when it becomes available. From the official press release:

Go Mic is perfect for recording music, podcasts or field recording, but its range of functionality extends beyond typical USB microphones. Ideal for voice recognition software, iChat, web casting and even Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Go Mic is the ideal solution for recording on the go.

High-quality components and meticulous engineering ensure the Go Mic offers remarkably clear, professional audio reproduction. Thanks to its switchable cardioid and omni polar patterns, you can pick whichever pattern is more appropriate for your specific situation. Use the tightly focused cardioid pickup pattern when recording a podcast, acoustic guitar or vocals. Or use the omnidirectional pattern to capture the entire room, whether you’re jamming with your band, webcasting with a group or conducting an online meeting with multiple members in a single location. Plus, with a frequency response of 20Hz – 18kHz and a resolution of 16-bit/44.1kHz, you can be sure you’re getting professional audio specs in a compact, multi-purpose design.

So, what do you guys think? Is this good enough, or should I hold off for a better deal?