Best products from r/PKA

MVMT watches are well known for being low quality "fashion" watches. These fashion brands are usually aimed at a younger audience so it makes sense they advertise on podcasts. In my eyes they aren't even worth the ~$100 price point. Sure they'll last a while, but so has my 10 year old Timex I got for 20 bucks, or some dollar store one I got as a kid.

 


If you are actually looking for a quality ~$100 watch, look at Seiko, Citizen or Orient. /r/watches is a very good place to learn, and you might find, like countless other beginners, that the Seiko SNK-809 is for you (my first "good" watch was the SNK-807), which is $50-$70 and a real mechanical automatic ("perpetual" for those of you across the pond) movement. Anything from Seiko 5 range is an incredible starter automatic watch.

 

Do some research if an automatic movement vs quartz movement is right for you (quartz is the basic battery operated watch that the "guts" can be found in watches ranging from $500 Movados to dollar store watches). I REALLY like seeing how things work so I really appreciate the mechanics behind an automatic watch. The downside to them is that they aren't as accurate as quartz (a normal range of inaccuracy is like +-10 seconds a day). But you'll never have to change a battery if that is any consolation. If that puts you off, keep in mind that a $10,000 Rolex has an automatic movement good for +- 5 seconds per day. And as a final PSA, stay away from Invicta. Their automatic movements, cheap pricing, and flashy looks may look enticing, but quality control is horrendous. Just as with any potential purchase, do some research on a watch you think looks promising. Give the model name a search on google or /r/watches and try to find a consensus.

 

For those of you who have been thinking they want a watch but haven't started exploring styles (which is the demographic companies like MVMT pander to with their styles) here is the classic "diver" style watch with the Rolex Submariner. A cheaper automatic dive watch I've been wanting for a LONG time is the Seiko SKX007, which obviously pays homage to the Sub, but is about $5800 cheaper. I'd replace the bracelet with something better than what is there though. Maybe I'll get it after college...

Another well loved cheap diver is from Orient, the Mako, though I prefer its big brother, the Ray, even though that is even closer looking to the Submariner.

The absolute best in budget vs quality in a dive watch is the ~$40 Casio MDV-106. You can get a decent 22 mm steel bracelet for almost the price of the watch and it will look fantastic if that is your preference. I've borrowed my brother's a few times and the thing feels like quality and has been put to the test plenty of times to prove itself as a real dive watch. He goes swimming, hiking, plays sports with it, drops it on concrete, etc. Rugged yet elegant looking. Good size too. Highly recommended first diver or first watch!

If you are looking for a real dress watch with "minimalist design" that doesn't look tacky like MVMT's (sorry, just my opinion), there are plenty in the Seiko 5 line like I said, or the lovely Orient Bambino.

 

Came back to say that if you don't really know if you want a watch, don't think you need to spend $100 on your first. Who knows, you might not like how it feels or looks on you or whatever. For the absolute cheapest of cheap, get yourself a Timex or Casio quartz watch. These brands are well renowned for their reliability. This way you'll end up spending only $15-20 on a watch that will last and work forever (obviously with battery changes along the way).


Edit: Some links

Edit: Also, they are purportedly just rebranded cheap Chinese watches. http://www.aliexpress.com/cheap/cheap-mvmt-watches.html

Kyle's Setup

Microphone (Shure SM7B) - https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM7B-Dynamic-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B0002E4Z8M/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=shure+sm7b&qid=1549674292&sr=8-2

That runs into a clean gain booster, Cloudlifter (I didn't know he wasn't running this since he got his Shure in 2014. Once I learned that, I had him get one and he's been running that for about a month and a half now) https://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Microphones-CL-1-Cloudlifter-1-channel/dp/B004MQSV04/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cloudlifter&qid=1549674274&sr=8-5

Which goes into his mixer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CTKI10A/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now if someone wanted to run this setup, I would say don't get the Behringer, they have problems but most of the time they're fine. But you want to get a Focusrite Scarlett https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T50LY/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=cloudlifter&qid=1549674274&sr=8-12 or Mackie Onyx https://www.amazon.com/Mackie-Producer-Interface-Bundle-Polishing/dp/B07GJWQQM3/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=mackie+onyx&qid=1549674443&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 (I recommend the Onyx but they're both fucking great, used both, currently running the Mackie in my new studio setup)

Taylor's Setup

Same exact setup as Kyle, even though I told them to get him this Blue Micrphone TUBE arm: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Compass-Premium-Tube-Style-Broadcast/dp/B078MLBGRM/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=blue+microphone+arm&qid=1549674585&sr=8-5

It's a way better arm. Kyle is using the standard Rode arm & either that's what Taylor's got now or he's using a super cheap ass one. But no way that cheap ass one would work with the Shure's weight, so he probably got a rode. But I recommended they both get the Blue tube arm.

Woody's Setup

Microphone (Electro-Voice RE20):

His preamp/mixer is all in his rack that's mounted with his PC which is down by his knee. I forget what he's using cause it's been many, many years since he built that thing.

The microphone arm he is using is the cadillac of microphone studio boom arms the K&M 23860: https://www.amazon.com/23860-Microphone-Desk-Arm-Black/dp/B00AXMM0L2?tag=paidinsi-20

-----------------

The Shure SM7B and Electro-Voice RE20 are the gold standard for radio and podcast production in studios. You can't go wrong. But if you get the SM7B then you need a pre-amp or something that's going to give you an additional 20-40db of clean gain.

If you don't have that Cloudlifter and just use it with that mixer, then you have to crank the fuck out of the gain which greatly increases and raises your noies floor. So you'll be audible and sound good, but you'll still get lots of white noise/background noise.

In my setup it's the Shure SM7B, Mackie Onyx, Cloudlifter, Blue Mic arm and quality XLR cables. When I plan to expand and add more microphones to do several people in studio productions. I'll create a rack unit VERY similar to what Lefty is currently running. With an electricity conditioner and the same preamp he has that I researched on my own and it's perfect for getting the clean gain added that you need so you don't need the cloud.

Really happy to see Woody got himself a thumper and will be motovlogging. /u/vanguard_anon you mentioned you were looking for a phone mount and most motovloggers i see swear by these things: RAM mounts. You should definitely give those a look if you haven't gotten a phone mount yet.

Also, you probably already looked into this, but something like this would be a great start for when you do your first motovlog, specially the segment from 9:50 to about 15 minutes, that should help you set up the camera and mic so we can get a good angle and as good quality audio as possible. (keep in mind the helmet is a big variable in all this, some are just better than others when it comes to audio recording)

Really looking forward to those motovlogs, also the guy on the video, Dan, would be a great guest for the podcast and /u/DrChiz should definitly try to get him on.

Hope this helps. ^^if^you^actually^ever^see^this.

Well, I like your list. I don't know that Rode mic in particular but Lefty had two different Rode mics during PKA and they both sounded great.

I'd personally point you toward the RE20. I love mine and you don't have to be right on top of it to sound great. I also love my Shure SM7B but more than one person has mentioned to me that they can hear me breathe so I'm either going to switch back to the giant foam pop filter or to the RE20.

This package is $500 but it comes with the mic, shock mount, cable, boom, etc. http://www.amazon.com/Electro-Voice-Microphone-Shockmount-Two-Section-Broadcast/dp/B00U1S4YY4/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1457378551&sr=1-2&keywords=re20

I don't like your audio interface. In particular it's analog and in my experience if you turn up the gain on an analog mixer you get a hiss. It's not a subtle hiss you think you hear either, it's a real problem. (Or maybe the one I had was just extra bad?)

Anything in the scarlet focusrite series will do, this one is $100: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Solo-Compact-Interface/dp/B00MTXU2DG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1457378874&sr=8-3&keywords=focusrite

For $150 you can get two inputs: http://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-USB-Recording-Interface/dp/B005OZE9SA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457378874&sr=8-1&keywords=focusrite

Let me know how to sound wedges do. I typically just count on curtains, shag carpet, oil painting and furniture to break up the sound.

lmao def would check it out if I had the ability, sounds pretty decent.

Also I have a few more questions if you don't mind..

So I was also thinking about a certified refurbished 4k TV from Amazon, just not sure about that.

And then I found two 4k TCLs that are both 2018 models but I'm not sure the difference, can you tell what the difference is?

TCL 43S425 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Roku LED TV (2018) ($250)

TCL 43S517 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2018 Model) ($300)

Probably because one is Smart Roku and the other is Roku Smart lol /s

I also forgot to ask for TCLs is the Contrast Control Zone (CCZ) worth it? The TV would be in a bright room with lots of windows and glare.

You won't regret it, but honestly. I would've gone for this version instead..

http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-River-Knife-Tool-K415KXP/dp/B0030IT794/ref=sr_1_1?srs=3548657011&ie=UTF8&qid=1464407607&sr=8-1&keywords=415kxp

it's slightly bigger, but the same exact model. And easier to hold and better overall :)


if you want you can cancel it and purchase it, up to you however.

They have the Radix One wallet found here.

I personally didn't hear it mentioned on the show, I think I may have missed it, but after seeing it on the sub I believed it and bought one and it's fucking great.

It's like 1/4th the size of my wallet & it's smaller than you'd think. Only issue I guess could be that if you don't have enough cash there is a chance it can slip out, I had 2 5's slip out in my pocket somehow. So I put a couple extra 1's in there to make it harder to slip out. OR you can put cash in with the cards, I'll probably do that next time as it looks cleaner too.

edit: Also I might try one of these soon.

Thanks for your reply! I like the RE20 package, the mic itself sounds crisp and with post-processing, absolutely tantalizing. For the mixer, I agree with the switch to the Scarlett Focusrite Solo. Is it necessary to pick up a preamp as well? I'm looking at the Cloudlifter CL-1 which has received glowing reviews.

a cloud lifter will go a long way to add some clean gain heres a amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Microphones-CL-1-Cloudlifter/dp/B004MQSV04/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464293068&sr=8-1&keywords=cloud+lifter and heres a link to a comparison with a sm7b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYDQ-ptG6p4

MSI NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2070 SUPER VENTUS OC Graphics Card '8GB GDDR6, 1785MHz, 3x DisplayPort, HDMI, Dual Fan Cooling System' https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TTSVC7K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZI-2DbC8PVQTH

About to do this upgrade, will this do ?

apparently you aren't allowed to use a link shortener so here you go:

https://www.amazon.com/Radix-One-Slim-Wallet-Black/dp/B00WXPCWY2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466488308&sr=8-1&keywords=radix+wallet

I think this one looks a bit better and is cheaper aswell:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/XCSOURCE%C2%AE-Credit-Wallet-Holder-MT179/dp/B00XZUZ5LG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467148594&sr=8-3&keywords=Radix+One+Slim+Wallet

This was the one they both bought. Woody eventually got a different one though.

this one http://www.amazon.com/Electro-Voice-RE-20-Cardioid-Microphone/dp/B000Z7LLQ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420066907&sr=8-1&keywords=re20

or this one http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SM7B-Dynamic-Microphone-Cardioid/dp/B0002E4Z8M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420066935&sr=8-1&keywords=sm7b

Try this next time: []()

Put the text in the brackets[] and link in the parenthesis (). You get this.