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Review: Tiki USB microphone

By Becca

First off, if you can say Tiki without doing a Buck Rogers Twiki impression you’re a better person than I am.

Secondly, if you can open the packaging without swearing like a trooper, then you’re also a better person than I am. But once opened, I was in absolute awe and for once, not just for the shiny stuff inside.

You see, the black patterned bit at one end converts into a handy travel case for your Tiki microphone and USB cable. And the clear plastic bit can either be used as a container – they suggest a pen pot or even a mini terrarium or is 100% recyclable. I like this before I’ve even plugged it in!

Inside is a shiny chrome and metallic bronze device that looks like a large memory stick with a chrome liquorice allsort on top. Once you’ve plugged it in to your USB port and followed the input/output instructions the centre of the allsort bit glows prettily. This is where the Digital Signal Processing bit kicks in, or as they call it, voodoo. This mic is intelligent enough to know when you’re talking (glows blue) and when you’re quiet (glows orange). It can block out ambient sounds, even your keys clicking or your hard drive whirring. I’m using a MacBook Pro so there is hardly any background noise anyway except for my dog chasing rabbits in his sleep. But if I was using my husband’s PC which usually sounds like a jet engine preparing for take off, this would be perfect.

So, now for the talking bit! I don’t videochat very often – it involves wearing make up, adjusting the lighting, finding the most flattering pose and that’s before I start talking! Luckily Auntie Tina was online and could be relied upon to not recoil at seeing me on her computer screen make-up less. We chatted for a good twenty minutes about nothing and the sound quality at both ends was spot on. In fact it was so clear that my daughter got out of bed to come and say hello to Auntie Tina!

Even for a deaf old boot like me, this is a crisp and clear microphone. I’m going to be keeping it in my laptop bag for whenever I’m away and want to Skype my kids. One day, I might even venture into the world of podcasting… Then I’d get to use the Natural Recording Mode with the funky purple light!

You can buy the Tiki microphone from the Apple Store for just under a very reasonable £60

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H8650ZM/A/blue-microphones-tiki-microphone

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