Best products from r/ColoradoSprings

I would stick with a USB condenser microphone. They're phenomenal as they have a built in condenser and some have built in noise reduction. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do post editing to the show (like running a condenser and noise reducer over your audio), but it helps shave a lot of post work off.

I run the XLR version of the Audio-Technicia AT2020. What I'm linking is the USB version and you may be able to find it used, or cheaper, elsewhere. It's a phenomenally powerful microphone for little cost.

If you want to go XLR, because you feel like you need to do some on the fly mixing, a Scarlet interface + the XLR version of that microphone is a great combination. You can go more advanced with a Behringer Xenyx Q802USB (what I am running), but if you're just starting out keep it simple.

Also pick up a microphone boom, pop filter, and a shock mount (that particular shock mount has a pop filter with it). Keep it off your desk and about 5-6 inches from your mouth when podcasting. You want to reduce all extra noise including mouse clicks, keyboards, or bumping your desk.

If that's too expensive, a Yeti or a Snowball are great introductory microphones. There is a reason everyone uses them. I cut my teeth on a Samson CO1U, but eventually upgraded to the AT because the sound quality is a bit better. Just...always get some kind of arm or tripod or something and keep the microphone suspended.

At the end of the day, as long as you're using some kind of condenser microphone, it doesn't really matter. Post production can help make the whole podcast sound a lot more enjoyable. Just make sure you're consistent, have decent audio quality, and are excited to podcast. I wrote up some dirty tips and tricks here if you're interested.

Good luck!

I don't doubt it! You might want to help them assemble a kit for the car, including basic first aid (and make sure they know how to use it!), a 36-hour food/needs kit, paper/pens for leaving a note (but also instructions as to when they should and shouldn't leave - teach them S.T.O.P.: STOP, before you do anything, and relax; THINK about where you could have gone wrong; OBSERVE: what do you have that may help you, what's the weather, what natural resources are available, and where is a good place to make camp; and PLAN a course of action that will best utilizie your limited reservoir of energy. If it's dark, stay where you are.), and consider getting them a Spot Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger - basically a way for their mom to see where they are and for them to get a message out in an emergency. They're only $150 and can not only help them out of a tough spot, but also help everyone involved (them, the mom, the authorities) get piece of mind and locate them quickly.

Ninja edit: You may already be well aware of this stuff, so apologies if I'm stepping on your toes by making these suggestions. Glad they're safe!

>Are taxis shady?

Kinda. Could be worse. Yellow Cab handles most of the city. I think Uber moved in a little less than a year ago.

>Is Jesus gonna bother me on Saturday mornings? / Of particular interest is the influence of the evangelical christians on the makeup and actions of Colorado Springs as a city.

Nope. Springsians keep to themselves. We have the whole FOTF crowd but the culture is nowhere near as religious as most of the south, don't worry.

>What's the vibe there?

Tons of military. A lot of younger folk. The city is starting to pick back up after all of the industry leaving thanks to the tolerable rent (which is rising fast). There really isn't a ton to do if you're used to LA, SF, or SD. The drive up to Denver takes only an hour, two in traffic, so you can always head up there to do anything.

>What are the things you'd only know if you live there?

The northeast of the city is good. The more south you go, the rougher it gets, but the Springs does not have a ghetto in the sense of other cities.

This was made a few years ago but covers it.

If you've never been in a cold climate, you will want some things - a good coat (it can get below zero), a light coat (for when it's 80F but it'll drop down to 40F by quittin' time), snow boots, snow gloves, one of these, one of these, and one of these (kept in your car).

>What problems does Colorado Springs have that I should be aware of?

We have an alarming number of "homeless" like /u/RetiredFett noted. Most of them are bullshitting. For some reason a lot of people love to give them money so I don't really blame them for taking advantage of idiots.

Our road maintenance is (or at least was) complete garbage. The government can't figure out how it works, so much of the city is covered in potholes. Admittedly it's because of Colorado's odd weather - it can be below freezing at night but 80F and raining in the day, day after day, so the water seeps into the road, freezes, and destroys it. But you might want to consider a AAA membership in case you blow a tire.

Our public transport is for shit. I don't know if it honestly exists. You can get a cheap shuttle to the Denver airport for $50(?) if you don't want to park up there, but the economy parking is cheap enough that if you're going anywhere for less than a week and a half, it's cheaper to just drive and park.

I have this one and I like it. Good FOV, good quality, decent in night time. Software seems pretty sane too, with hit detection, lots of configurable options.

Mueller is beautiful, but it has its drawbacks. First, your dogs are only allowed in paved areas. You can't take them hiking on any of the trails. This is true of all Colorado state parks. Also, it's really hard to get in to. Check the [state park website] (http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/mueller/Pages/MuellerHome.aspx) to see if they have any availability for the date you're planning on going.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park is very new and very well kept, but it has about three trees, and you'll run into the same issue about walking around with your dogs.

I haven't visited Pancake Rock, but I've been to the Crags. That's an awesome area. There are primitive tent sites along a creek on the road leading to the actual Crags camping area, and then there's the Crags area proper. It's just a few miles south of the entrance to Mueller State Park.

If you're military you can go to Farish Recreation Area near Woodland Park. It's a nice area.

The fire did not affect any of these places.

Painted Rocks is 8 miles north of Woodland Park. I haven't been there, and I don't know whether the fire affected it. I haven't heard that it did, but I haven't heard specifically that it didn't. The campground is highly rated in my book of Colorado camping areas.

There are four others listed in my book very near Woodland Park, but I have no experience with them, and they're not rated as high as Painted Rocks.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935413007/

best of luck on your spiritual journey.

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW

A bit pricey, but holy crap it was worth it.

See if one of the local shops (PCBrokers or CompuXParts) will let you use their compressors to clean it out. PCBrokers use to do it free of charge the last time I was there - but that was over 10 years ago.

I read somewhere that the bird is valued at around $250,000. I assume that's training and such included. If they go by that, someone is in serious trouble.

Off topic, but check out the book H Is For Hawk by Heather MacDonald. It's about training a hawk for falconry, and the author's own travails at the time. Great read.

https://www.amazon.com/H-Hawk-Helen-Macdonald/dp/0802124739

I was looking at this one - any thoughts? As a bonus, ComCast offers full support for it.

Okay. I've seen bells occasionally, they're definitely not common. I'm not afraid of bobcats, nor was I talking specifically about them. Bear bells are definitely a thing.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07BSL296X

Went on sale today on amazon. Great price for the two node pack.

That just sounds brutal. I mean what do they even charge? Might consider this. It gets the job done but I'm sure waxing does a better job.

Yes. I bought a locking mailbox. A lot of ghetto folks walk on the sidewalk here. Makes it easier when I'm away for a few days too.

I have this modem I bought outright instead of renting from xfinity

TP-LINK DOCSIS 3.0 High Speed Cable Modem Certified for XFINITY, Time Warner (TC-7610) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010Q29YF8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_A2i.zb0JC38JA

As for the router, I like Asus brand. Anything Asus that is dual band and has more than two antennae sticking out will go through walls better and be fast. .