Another "toy hunt" led me to what has become one of my personal favorites: A 1984 Fisher-Price model 3805 Karaoke machine. This little eBay wonder cost me $9.99 plus shipping. This 6'' x 8'' x 2'' box runs on four C batteries or an optional 6V DC adapter. It has a small, futuristic-looking microphone attached via a 3 ft spiral cable. It has an AM/FM radio with big honking tuning and volume knobs on the side. A switch on the top lets you select Mic, Mix (mic & radio-so you can sing along to your favorite hits), or Radio. There is also a mini-plug on the back for headphone use. My suggestion: crank the volume knob all the way up and sing into it in mic mode. Great thick lo-fi distortion sounds. Favorite use so far? Setting up a stereo pair of mics and having a singer sing into the box while waving it in front of the stereo pair. Fun for the whole family.
Accessories, Microphones | No. 130
Starbird SB-1 Mic Stand
by John Baccigaluppi
We unfortunately live in an age where many of the tools we use are poorly made, disposable, and destined or even designed to end up in a landfill. As a studio owner and working engineer, I enjoy the...