Pro~audio manufacturer “M Audio” has unveiled a new $99usd vocal recording package called Session Music Producer. Unlike their previous podcaster targeted product, Podcast Factory, the Session Music Producer bundle consolidates the microphone and computer audio card into a single, idiot proof USB microphone appropriately named the Producer USB. If nothing else, the sheer magnitude of M-Audio’s 16mm cardioid capsule Producer microphone (see photo) will intimidate rival podcasters into submission.
Beyond its monolithic size and inexpensive price, there are 2 factors to the Session Music Producer bundle that are worth noting. 1st off, it comes bundled with M-Audio’s capable Session multitrack recording software. 2nd, and perhaps most important, the Producer microphone includes a direct-monitoring headphone jack built into the front that allows you to listen to the recording as you make it with zero computer latency. Anyone who is ever recorded a musician through an old latency-crippled computer should appreciate that little gem of a feature.
The Session Music Producer bundle also comes with a desktop mic tripod and a zippered cloth bag to put it all in.