ZVex Effects TB-1 Tea Ball Microphone – A storm in a teacup?
Something cool is brewing over at ZVex Effects
ZVex Effects has just officially announced its new TB1 Tea Ball microphone – made out of a tea strainer. Yes, that thing you would normally find in your kitchen for making yourself a nice cup of tea with loose tea leaves. Sound like there’s no way this can be usable audio gear? Read on…
Brewing Microphones
Zachary Vex has been, ahem, brewing this new product up for a little while now and he claims it has some really unique properties. The main feature is that it only picks up sound sources located closer than about one inch away. The TB 1 uses two replaceable CR2032 batteries to power it up, and has an output level that is very similar to a guitar, plus its uses a regular 1/4-inch female jack to connect it.
Feedback
I love that it appears to have great feedback rejection, which Zachary demonstrates during the video below and that it runs off a simple battery set up, so no messing about with phantom power and XLR cables. That means you can easily plug it into a regular guitar amp and just sing straight into it, making it quick and easy to use.
My advice is to watch the official ZVex demo video below as Zachary does a great job of demonstrating all its unique characteristics. I love the idea, but then I love ‘odd’ microphones anyway, so it really appeals to me. Could be great for those situations when you really want to get creative in the studio or just quickly bash out ideas during rehearsals for example.
Knowing his products well, I reckon could be a lot of fun while still being useful. I will readily admit that I am a huge fan of ZVex pedals and so really love seeing what Zachary Vex is up to. His range of products goes from weird and wacky stuff to cool effects pedals. Zvex makes neat stuff and I have always found his gear to be well built.
Only real problem is, of course, is most Americans haven’t got a clue how to make a decent cup of tea, so let’s hope Zachary can at least make a good microphone.
RRP – USD 249 pre-order open now
More Information
- Product site
Video
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