The 3Dio FS Binaural Microphone is the world’s most popular 3D microphone for ASMR, VR virtual reality, field recording and recording studios. Used all over the world by hobbyists and professional recording engineers alike, 3Dio binaural microphones are a must-have for anyone looking for the best in 3D audio capturing.
The FS binaural microphone is also the most affordable, high-quality binaural microphone on the market. The integrated microphone capsules are extremely sensitive and quiet. The capsules have a very natural presence, perfect for binaural recordings. The FS delivers portable, professional quality binaural in the palm of your hand. It has a very warm and solid response in the low to mid-range frequencies. This brings out the punch as well as provides low-end support for bass-heavy sounds. The frequency response of the capsules used in the FS rolls off slightly above 10kHz, which is excellent for recording instruments with loud high frequencies like drum cymbals or strummed acoustic guitars. It also prevents any harsh effects that are sometimes associated with binaural recordings using smaller capsules.
The microphone works well in windy conditions even without protection. Wind sounds realistic without affecting the binaural experience or overloading the microphones.
What is Binaural? Binaural is a recording technique that involves capturing sound using a stereo binaural microphone that is shaped and configured like two human ears. The 3Dio FS binaural microphone is a special stereo microphone that contains two prosthetic, human-shaped ears with microphone capsules embedded inside each ear canal. Binaural microphones capture audio the same way your real ears hear sounds. Incoming sound waves are changed by the ear-shaped pinna of the microphone, just like your ears would change the incoming sound waves. Our brains understand these changes as directional cues that allow us to pinpoint precise locations of any given sound. When you listen to binaural recordings using headphones, the result is a natural three-dimensional sound that gives the listener the sensation of being in the space where the audio was recorded as well as the sensation of facing the same direction as the microphone was during the recording.
How does it work? The FS binaural microphone output is an 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo TRS, unbalanced, mic level output. It contains two matched, electret condenser microphone capsules embedded inside each ear canal and is powered by the pre-installed 9V battery. With the power switch in the ON position, the battery will last 300+ hours of continuous use. The microphone also contains a bass roll-off switch with a knee point of 160 hz. Like most condenser microphones, the 3Dio FS requires a preamp-equipped device to boost the signal to an audible level.
Standard Output The output of the Free Space binaural microphone is a stereo 3.5mm (1/8") output jack providing an unbalanced, mic level signal. Simply plug it in to your favorite stereo audio recorder or microphone pre-amp, and start recording true binaural audio. This output is compatible with a 3.5mm TRS stereo input or dual 1/4" TS unbalanced inputs.
Mounting The Free Space comes standard with a 5/8" microphone stand adapter installed in the base. The microphone stand adapter is removable. The base of the microphone has a 1/4"-20 female thread mounting hole that can be connected to a hot-shoe adapter or used to mount directly onto a tripod or grip handle.
Battery The Free Space contains a 9V alkaline battery within the chassis. The battery is used to power the microphone capsules for the 1/8" (3.5 mm) output only when the power switch is in the ON position. A brand new battery will provide 300+ hours of continuous use.
Microphone Capsules The Free Space uses matched hi-sensitivity condenser capsules.
Carrying Case Every FS microphone comes with a custom made, hard shell carrying case for easy transport and safe storage.
What's Included Every Free Space microphone ships with a 4.5 ft long (1.5 m) 3.5mm (1/8") TRS to dual 1/4" splitter cable. All Free Space microphones include the silicone ears.
Shipping, Fulfillment & Delivery We are a small company and strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. During busy times, please allow up to several business days for order fulfillment. International Shipments (delivery address outside the U.S.) may be subject to import duties, value added taxes (VAT), and long customs clearance times. Tariff rates vary from country to country. 3Dio does not collect VAT on behalf of the customer. 3Dio is not responsible for payment of import taxes. Please check with your local customs agency for rates and more information.
Specifications Dimensions: 7.5" x 4.5" x 4.5" | 190mm x 110mm x 110mm (WxHxD) Weight: 1.5 lbs | 680g Output: 3.5mm (1/8") stereo jack (mic level output)
Great idea, but the execution is just not musical enough
I really want to love this for my daughter. She loves playing with my Synthstrom Deluge and my Push 2 when it's plugged in and she sits in my lap.
On paper this is perfect. A tiny-hand friendly 'groovebox' that my 2yo (and myself) can fiddle with and watch the pretty lights change and hear the parameters sculpt the synth tone.
The problem is all the synth patches are decidedly in the acid and squelch realm. For the life of me I can't get a decent, lush patch. I understand the point is to let my child explore and just find and discover sounds but it all sounds so abrasive. If I zero out all the depth and LFO dials and listen to what I assume is an unmodulated, relatively clean patch it's still really atonal. There's none of the sweet subtractive sound I was expecting. Perhaps that's on me and my expectations.
There are no parameter clamps so your LFOs range from what sounds like .01hz to way up to 240hz. When these values are applied to modulation it's either unnoticeable or so full on that it mangles the sound. Yep, you need to keep the dial in the sweet spot, but clamping would solve this and keep the parameters in a much more musical range.
Speaking of modulation, by ear I often can't tell what the two mod dials are doing. That's partially on me, I need to do some manual diving, but I'm pretty experienced with synths and can usually tell the modulation in effect. And even then adjusting the depth usually doesn't do anything except make the sound even more abrasive. Sometimes it feels like it's delayed and only applies your modulation changes at the next sequence start, other times it's clearly real time.
So yeah. I love the idea of this and I'll keep it and see if I can't get any palatable sound out of it via MIDI, but as it stands I really don't think my daughter - who again, loves playing with other synths/devices when there's a decent sounding patch loaded - will be getting much use our of it.
There is one “small” problem with the Artiphon Orba travel case: the Artiphon Orba does not fit in it if you have dressed your Orba in the Artiphon Orba silicone skin. Otherwise it’s fine