Gear Review: Vocaster by Focusrite
Vocaster One & Vocaster Two from Focusrite
As many of you know, I have been podcasting for many years - since 2006 to be exact. Back then I was part of a series of PD events created by Apple called “Classrooms Rock!” and I presented sessions on GarageBand alongside some other great presenters who were showing other Apple software, including iMovie and Logic Pro. At one of these workshops, one of the presenters, Dave Marra, did a brand new session on something he called podcasting, and he showed a project called This Week in History. I was instantly mesmerized and went straight back to my middle school and started podcasting with my students. I created a project titled This Week in Music History and away we went. I took a hiatus from podcasting after I left SoundTree but started up again five years ago when I launched Profiles in Teaching with Technology for MusicFirst. I love everything about the format, and subscribe and listen to many podcasts as well.
Until recently, I was using my trusty Snowball USB microphone from Blue Microphones. It’s cheap, cheerful and reliable, and I am using the same one I bought 16 years ago. The only knock that I have for the Snowball is that when I listen to other professionally produced podcasts, they just sound better. I did some research into solutions that are built specifically for podcasting and came across an amazing product line from Focusrite called the Vocaster. Wow. I immediately loved the design and simplicity of the two units and decided to take them for a test drive. I love them. In fact I love them so much, I decided to write a podcasting curriculum that featured them and started reselling them at MusicFirst. They are IDEAL for music education. Here’s why.
Vocaster One Studio
Vocaster One Studio
The Vocaster One Studio is ideal for a one-person podcasting setup - meaning that your podcasts typically only have one person making them and you don’t typically interview people during the podcast. It has one XLR microphone input (with 48v phantom power), a 1/4” headphone jack with a volume control knob, and most importantly a very cool set of functions for getting your microphone ready to record. There is an auto gain feature that when activated allows you to speak into your microphone for a few seconds while the Vocaster adjusts to your level. When it’s ready it flashed green and you’re good to go. There is also a super cool Enhance button that allows you to select from 3 presets to make your voice sound great. The bundle comes with a really nice DM1 dynamic microphone that sounds MUCH better than your typical USB microphone. The Vocaster One Studio retails for $249.99 which is a great deal considering what you’re getting. This bundle is ideal for either a music technology lab setting where you have one student per station, or as part of a mobile lab solution if your students bring their own laptops to class. You can also purchase just the Vocaster One if you already have microphones and headphones for $149.99.
Vocaster Two Studio
Vocaster Two Studio
The Vocaster Two Studio is perfect for a two-person podcasting setup - ideal for interviewing people during the podcast, or having two hosts. It has two XLR microphone inputs (with 48v phantom power), two 1/4” headphone jacks with a volume control knobs for each set of headphones, and the same set of functions for getting your microphones ready to record. Just like the Vocaster one, there is an auto gain feature for each microphone input that when activated allows you to speak into your microphone for a few seconds while the Vocaster adjusts to your level. There is also the Enhance button that allows you to select from 3 presets for each microphone to make you and your guests voices sound great. The bundle comes with a really nice DM14v dynamic microphone. The Vocaster Two Studio retails for $399.99. This bundle is also ideal for either a music technology lab setting where you have two students per station, or as part of a mobile lab solution if your students bring their own laptops to class. You can also purchase just the Vocaster Two if you already have microphones and headphones for $249.99.
Here are the technical specifications for the Vocaster series:
Broadcast quality sound - Get studio sound in seconds from Vocaster's high quality mic input and microphone.
Over 70dB of gain – Get the best out of any mic, no booster needed.
Auto Gain – Set your level in seconds, just push the button, start talking, and let Auto Gain do the rest.
Enhance – Select one of three podcaster-approved presets and reveal the true quality of your voice.
Mute – Just hit the button and cut out coughs, sneezes and any other unwanted interruptions.
Broadcast mic and headphones – The included Vocaster DM1 dynamic mic features built-in grille and pop filter, and HP60v closed-back studio headphones let you hear your show as the world will.
Phone Connectivity – Connect your phone with a single TRRS cable and capture the whole conversation, or play music and other high quality audio from your device straight onto your show.
Camera Connectivity – Send Vocaster's high quality audio straight to your camera with a single TRS cable and level-up your vlog.
Stereo Loopback – Grab audio from your computer and stream straight onto your show. Great for intros, outros, music and more.
My podcasting setup at TMEA 2023 featuring the Vocaster Two Studio from Focusrite
I recently brought my Vocaster Two Studio to TMEA 2023 to record a series of interviews and it was awesome. I love the way those podcasts sound (check out the episodes with Ryan Van Bibber, Gillian Desmarais and Katie Wardrobe (coming out tomorrow). I HIGHLY recommend checking out these units if you plan on doing any sort of podcasting either on your own or with your students. Simple, elegant and built for classroom use, the Vocaster series from Focusrite is an ideal solution for schools.
Get in touch with your representative from MusicFirst today to get a quote! Are you using a Vocaster with your students? Let me know what you think!