NEAT Microphones King Bee II Review — Budget XLR broadcast sounding microphone

In this week’s episode, we have a look at and a listen to the NEAT Microphones King Bee II. This large diaphragm condenser microphone has an XLR output and has a rich, broadcast style sound for spoken word audio such as for podcasts, live streams, interviews, etc. Its self-noise is very low, almost on part with the RODE NT1 which is one of the best in the market. We include some raw samples so you can hear the microphone directly out of the recorder without any processing.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. Https://school.learnlightandsound.com

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Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- NEAT Microphones King Bee II microphone — Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/Qb7r
- RODE NT1 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/Uz0w
- Universal Audio Volt 276 USB audio interface - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/H5pbQ7
- Aputure 600X LED light — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/EreRQa
- Impact Luxbank softbox - B&H https://geni.us/pJEgP
- Aputure Amaran 100D - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/A3HByXB
- Aputure Spotlight Mount - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon https://geni.us/kfAj
- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo Cool Lavender creates the color pattern on the back wall - B&H https://geni.us/GWKt
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/uK8UqB
- Simga EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens - https://geni.us/bhOWVlW

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Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

#NEAT #Microphone #KingBeeII

Index:
00:00 Start
00:13 Summary
00:23 Introduction
00:36 Audio quality samples vs RODE NT1
01:04 Pop filter and plosives
01:17 Sibilance sample
01:34 Directionality/Polar Pattern Sample
02:40 Shockmount sample
04:11 XLR microphone
04:37 Practical noise floor sample
06:07 Heavy build
06:22 Includes pop shield and 2 year warranty
06:29 Low rumble
06:55 Similar with RODE NT1
07:20 Pop shield not very effective
08:00 Shockmount not very effective
08:14 Need a hefty stand
08:46 Summary and recommendation
09:19 Unique look
10:02 Please buy my courses