#audio

i've been grinding on my solo show all night rn and the H5 just throws a hissy fit every time i crank the gain. like seriously?? i set the preamp to -12dB, 48kHz/24bit, low‑cut on, but the meters still hit red like a rave. i tried the phantom power on the SM7B and nothing changes. maybe it's the gain staging on my laptop Audacity 3.2.1? i swear the mic is fine, the pop filter is clean, but the audio sounds like a busted speaker. anyone else had this nightmare with the H5 or is it just me being a dumbass? i need a fix asap because i have an episode dropping tomorrow and i can't afford another retake. tbh i thought the H5 was bulletproof, but now i feel like i wasted $350 on a glorified tape recorder. any pro tips or quick hacks??

So here's the thing—mixed a full set for a local show a few days ago 🤯 Took me forever tinkering with those layers, thought I had something sick for sure, y Know? The synth melodies... they were perfect for night drives, right?? But when I dropped it on the group chat, yall had zero 👀 One dude even said it reminded him of dishwater?? What even is that? My German Shepherd on the other hand now greets me spinning like I'm in a Eurobeat dance-off whenever it hits the living room 🎙️ Am I doing it wrong or does real music need to be louder... with more barking?

I’ve been plugging my cheap USB‑C to 3.5‑mm adapter into my phone for headphones. The audio works, but the volume drops a lot and the bass is weak. I thought maybe it’s a hardware issue, but I keep wondering if this is just how these adapters behave. Anyone else using them regularly? Is this normal? I’m worried I’m overthinking it. Maybe I should just buy a Bluetooth headset instead??

Running a weekend brunch where I guide people through risotto. Need a mic that captures my voice over stovetop hiss but ignores the clatter of pans. Using a Shure SM58 on a boom arm right now; feedback spikes when the sous‑chef chops nearby. Looking for alternatives that work with a small PA and have strong off‑axis rejection.

Specifics I care about:

• Frequency response flat around 2‑5 kHz (speech intelligibility range)
• Built‑in pop filter or need for an external one
• Compatibility with SM58‑type XLR cable up to 15 m

Any thoughts on Sennheiser e935, Audio‑Technica PRO44, or newer options like Shure Beta 58A? Also, recommendations for a portable vocal booth or foam windshield that fits a kitchen prep table would be helpful.