[ursus]

Hi all,
I just bought an iTalk from Griffin Technologies. I chose it partly because of the ability to plug in my Sony external microphone that I previously used with my MD. I figured it would do a better job than iTalk's built-in mic (and also avoid the sound of the iPod HD spinning). So imagine my surprise when I plugged the external mic in and couldn't hear a thing of what I just had recorded (me, talking straight into the mic half an armlength away)! When I turned the volume up to max I could make out what I was saying, but only barely. The built-in mic produced a better result, although still not good enough, in my opinion.

Anyone else got any experiences with the iTalk? Am I doing something wrong? I took it back to the store and tried it out with another iPod, and the tried another iTalk on my iPod. Same result.

The manual (the leaflet passes for one, I guess) mentions input level control on the built-in mic, but not on an external mic, but my Sony mic is battery-powered so that shouldn't be the problem, or?

Any suggestions, tips, comments?

/marcus

[Josh Reid]

Bummed to say, but according to Griffen, if you are using a 4th gen iPod, an external mic attached to the iTalk does not work and is no longer supported. (Nice of them to forget to mention that on their site, isn't it?) If you are using a 3rd gen iPod then I don't know what the problem is.

Sorry,
Josh

PS-I also bought the iTalk for use with an external mic...and learned from folks at the iPodLounge about the incompatibility of iTalks w/ 4th gen iPods.

[GORDYmac]

I bought the perfect voice/noise cancellation microphone to use with my iTalk last week. It arrived Tuesday, and to my surprise it didn't work. I didn't know that mic input had been squashed for the 4G iPod/iTalk combo.

I guess it's time to flame Griffin. And here I was one of their biggest fans. I have a lot of their stuff.

[ursus]

Thanks for the replies!

I actually have a 3G iPod, so that's not the problem. I'm returning the iTalk and going back to my trusty Minidisc recorder. Too bad I can't backup the audio files on my iBook, though.

/marcus

[ursus]

Ok, so I finally returned the iTalk. When I was talking to the guy at the store, he mentioned that my problem could be due to the iTalk having a "line-in" input as opposed to a "mic" input. As I've only used my mic with my MD, which has a "mic" input, I'm not sure whether it works with "line-in" (as a matter of fact, I'm quite hazy about the difference between these two inputs). Anyone who knows more on this subject, and could tell me whether that could be the problem? And if so, what kinds of microphones should one use with "line-in" input connectors?

Regards,
marcus

[GORDYmac]

I got this from Griffin:

The iTalk works great with the new 4G "Click Wheel" iPods. We have seen some cases, however, when using some external, non-self-powered condenser microphones, the recording levels were extremely low. In most cases, using a dynamic mic or a self-powered condenser mic solved this problem and provided excellent results. If you are experiencing difficulty recording with an external mic, try using one of these types of microphones or give us a call so we can provide more detailed assistance. We are available from 9am-6pm Mon-Fri CST at 615-399-7000.

[Josh Reid]

Originally posted by GORDYmac:
The iTalk works great with the new 4G "Click Wheel" iPods. We have seen some cases, however, when using some external, non-self-powered condenser microphones, the recording levels were extremely low. In most cases, using a dynamic mic or a self-powered condenser mic solved this problem and provided excellent results. If you are experiencing difficulty recording with an external mic, try using one of these types of microphones or give us a call so we can provide more detailed assistance. We are available from 9am-6pm Mon-Fri CST at 615-399-7000.

Well I use a self-powered external microphone, so I think that Griffin is copping out. If the case was that mics that were NOT self-powered didn't work, wouldn't they also not work with 3rd gen iPods? I use a Radio Shack model, listed as "Hands-Free Tie-Clip Omnidirectional Electret", with the following tech specs:

• 70-16,000Hz response. 1000 ohms
• 3-1/3-foot cord with 1/8" plug
• On/off switch
• • Requires 357 button battery (included)
• Additional/Replacement batteries available as RadioShack SKU 23-105


Anyone have any ideas? I really think Griffin is trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Someone on iPodLounge said that he was told directly from Griffin that they "were aware of the problem, were working on a fix, and that they would allow a trade-in of old iTalks at no charge when a fix was made"....

-Josh