Lewitt RAY: Autofocus Condenser Microphone with FRICKIN' LASERS

[@NewLayer]

Do you think the AURA technology in the Lewitt RAY is as big of a deal as I do? Do you think Dr. Evil would choose this over sharks?

[@locksleylennoxvfx]

I think people are gonna start copying

[@NewLayer]

@@locksleylennoxvfx That was my first thought, but also I can only assume Lewitt has their patents locked down. That obviously doesn't mean they won't license the tech to others though.

[@locksleylennoxvfx]

@@NewLayer some one will use a different sensor to do the same thing.

[@chrisjohnston964]

Lewitt has frickin' lasers, Rodie don't! Great video!

[@NewLayer]

Haha, thanks! Still love all my RODE stuff, but the last few Lewitt products I've tried are making me a huge fan.

[@NadirMessaïShorts]

Amazing technology !

[@NewLayer]

I think so!

[@joenicklo]

Dr. Evil appearance...I upvote. Pretty interesting product for sure.

[@NewLayer]

Thanks Mr. Bigglesworth

[@robmcculloch6925]

I did some quiet low harmony backing vocals for a friend’s band at the Bitter End, and feedback was a real problem. Was it my mic, or the snare mic, or some other mic? Who knows. My vocal monitor got turned way down regardless (as it should have been). I don’t know how directional this mic is in practice, or how much compression actually kicks in when you’re right on top of it, but the idea that I could lean into the mic for a chorus, then lean back a foot and be instantly muted, sounds pretty damn cool for a live show. If it works. Probably not the normal use case for the mic, but I’m in. Fingers crossed.

[@NewLayer]

I wonder if they thought of Mute by Distance as the first feature with the AURA sensor, or if it was secondary to the auto-gain adjustment. Either way, it's an amazing feature with so many use cases. I didn't even think of what you mentioned, not only for live performances, but in the studio with multiple musicians playing/singing as well. I can only imagine more mics with this tech will come out, hopefully a dynamic one specifically for live performances, because what you're saying would be really useful!

[@wilcandou]

I ordered the Ray and was told there's about a month delay whilst the suppliers report the demand for this baby. I'm tipping the manufacturer will have to "up their game" to accommodate the need.

[@NewLayer]

I tried warning people that it would sell out fast! I don't trust anyone who isn't visibly excited after seeing this thing in action 😂

[@sanchoupro]

Is it adjusting the gain only according to the distance or the actual volume of your voice as well? Like the demo you showed at 4:35, did you edit it at all?

[@NewLayer]

I did not edit the samples at all! It only adjusts based on distance. So if you stay at one distance and talk louder or quieter, it will record that just like any other mic.

[@julianfogel1822]

great video! what gain level did he have the Rodcaster 2?

[@NewLayer]

Thanks! I've got it set to only 14dB with the hardware slider set to unity, or the first big line. So, it doesn't need much gain at all.

[@brandon_youtube]

Seems fine, but processing and EQ is the real lesson from this video. Would be great if you did a video on Audio processing for USB microphones like the Podmic usb

[@NewLayer]

Ask and you shall receive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3alk5uMZr51esk With a decent mic and mic technique, all that's really needed is some subtle EQ, compression, and noise gating. I usually keep it pretty minimal, but you can easily ramp it up for a more "podcasty" or commercial sound.

[@glynnetolar4423]

I could drop two when it made the adjustment. If someone was moving while talking you'd still have to do some processing to attempt to remove the distraction.

[@NewLayer]

My example goes from about 4" to ~3 feet. In reality, you're going to use it in a much smaller range, where your distance only changes ~6". In doing so, the audible difference as you move around is borderline imperceptible. And it will eliminate extra post-processing work, because instead of levels dipping 6-9dB, they'll only drop by 1-2dB. Compared to regular mics, it's a massive improvement. In live scenarios where you've got compression set up, even if you move a couple feet, it's going to be drastically better. You have to compare this mic to current alternatives, not theoretical perfection. In doing so, everything from setting levels to avoid clipping, the actual recording itself, and the post-processing is made easier, and provides better final audio. You can always also turn AURA off, and $349 for the quality of audio you get from this mic even without it is worth it in my opinion. This mic isn't for everyone, but it solves a lot of very common problems with no extra effort to do so.

[@locksleylennoxvfx]

This is pretty sick. Mute by distance.

[@NewLayer]

It's kind of a secondary feature made possible because of the sensors, but I think it's going to be a huge help for streamers and podcasters.

[@locksleylennoxvfx]

@@NewLayer I’d use it so when I leave my desk people can’t hear my cussing cause I hate my apartment. Lol

[@ScottGrammer]

It's more amazing when you consider that all that tech is powered by the mere 1/2 watt available from phantom power.

[@NewLayer]

I'm happy every day that I made this my every day go-to mic!

[@TomiBonTomi_2.0]

My concern would be the laser touching my retina. If it's a laser beam I don't want it anywhere near my eyes!

[@NewLayer]

I totally understand the concern and thought behind that! Luckily, lasers are very well studied over a long period of time, and classified for this very reason. The RAY is a Class 1 laser, so it's safe for "long term intentional viewing", either directly or indirectly. So according to laser safety classifications, you COULD stare directly into the lasers indefinitely but... When using this mic, the sensors are typically aimed around the chin/neck area. Knowing all that, in my opinion, it's not something I'll ever worry/think about. Hope that helps!

[@PetrosofSparta]

This is really cool but for a second I thought it was going to be some kind of directional autofocus wizardry where it follows you around and focuses only on your voice.

[@NewLayer]

I said autofocus, not subject tracking OK!? For real though, go file the patent, haha. Add a little gimbal on this to rotate the capsule to follow you. Add some AI to filter out noise/other voices and bam. I bet 5 years from now I'll be reviewing a mic like that.

[@PetrosofSparta]

@@NewLayer it wouldn’t surprise me. But I’m glad audio kit is taking some jumps up. I’d love for something like this in a shotgun mic style for on set BTS Capture.

[@NewLayer]

@@PetrosofSparta A shotgun mic with this tech would be super useful! I'm sure they've got about 20 products designed with this tech already. I really hope it catches on.

[@sparketech]

I think the one thing that hurt this video is you would have had to show how it works in the real world rather than speak about all these cool aspects... You did show the distance to mute... I knew about all those features it has I had this mic on pre-order since Jine after I first tried to purchase it in the USA. And the store still has it being shipped and still has not arrived in store. I called today

[@mrshaheedmalik]

JT Shaver from New Layer

[@NewLayer]

J.T. Shaver from New Layer talking about the RAY from Lewitt

[@mrshaheedmalik]

@@NewLayer JT Shaver from New Layer with New Lazers.

[@NewLayer]

@@mrshaheedmalik LOL. You're hired to write my puns from now on.

[@glynnetolar4423]

I hope bandrew reviews it for a more balanced perspective.

[@NewLayer]

I'm very excited about it, and I don't think the downsides are really downsides, because the alternative is nothing, which is what every other mic provides. Yes, when you move far away, the volume still dips (about 10% what it would without AURA), and you can hear room reverb, etc. But that's just physics, and the alternative is significantly worse. Mute by distance is also insanely useful for people using this for streaming, podcasting, etc. Until we get a mic with realtime AI processing similar to Adobe Podcast, this is hands down the best solution to a lot of common problems with traditional mics. Like anything else, it's not completely perfect or foolproof, but it provides a massive improvement in every way.

[@sparketech]

Dude KZbin isn't killing just me the small guy, seriously what's up with the low views. You're not some small guy on KZbin world.

[@NewLayer]

KZbin hates me, that's all there is to it 😂

[@sparketech]

@@NewLayer KZbin hates me as well. The better the video the more KZbin hates me.

[@sparketech]

@@NewLayer the problem is KZbin says you're too good. We don't like that 🙄

[@Wilmer778]

3:34 Well.... LOL... just turn the "Ray" function off then, hahaha

[@NewLayer]

Haha, that too. After testing this mic in a ton of different ways, I can't think of any scenario where having AURA off sounds better, or makes for easier post processing.