Update: Why I haven't posted this month (Patreon)

Hey everyone! I just wanted to give you an update for this past month.

So, for some of my videos last month I noticed a few things.

 First of all I noticed that my mics have a sibilance problem. This is when "ss" and "tss" and "ch" and "sh" sounds are harsh and unpleasant. For my mics I can hear the sibilance migrating into both mics. 

After much research and testing I've concluded that the rode nt5 mics I use have a sort of emphasis on a frequency range that increases the instances of sibilance, and that I may want to buy a different type of capsule for the end of my mic. 

But then after doing some more tests on different orientations (a lot of my audio is louder to each side than it is in the middle which is unpleasant) I noticed that one of my mic capsules seems to be uneven/damaged. I am currently trying to see if using silica to absorb moisture will resolve it. I'm also waiting for hear back about the warranty on the mics. If I can't get it on warranty, I'll replace the capsules anyway with an upgrade like this:

http://www.oktavamodshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=229

Because of this problem I'd prefer not to record anything else with it. It should be resolved by the 6th of March.

Also, another problem with my audio has been Radio Frequency. This is basically feedback from other electronics in the room. I am thinking my XLR cords for my mics aren't insulated enough for studio use. So I recently used my patreon income to order these premium quality XLR cables known for professional quality studio work: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0002E1P2Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These should also arrive early march.

Finally, another issue I have is that I live with my mom and have to work around her schedule. In order to record I have to stay up all night, and if I make noise it causes conflict in the household. So in order to fix this I decided to rearrange my room and one of the storage rooms in my basement. So, I've been moving all of the shelves from downstairs up to my room and will be recording in the basement. This room is much more soundproof than my room, as it's isolated from the neighbours, is separated from my mom's room so I won't have to worry about noise at night, and has no windows. It's also underground and the walls on two sides are conceit. This means I can record from 9-4 every weekday as well as in the middle of the night if I feel like it. This room is also carpeted, so no more squeaky boards!

This process has taken much longer than I thought and I was hoping I'd get something done this week but I then came down with the flu :( But now that it is finished, I am relieved. I have moved around my stuff a lot because of my awkward living arrangements, but now I am not paying for storage space, my late fathers storage is now empty of my stuff, and I have a set up I think I can keep for the long haul. (only thing is my cat lives in the basement) 

Some of you have noticed I updated my tiers for patrons and will be charged for these for the first time beginning in March. DO NOT WORRY, you will get all the perks you signed up for :) I will make sure you are happy and that the product is good quality. I was hoping to be prompt for the first of the month but too many issues have come up. You will get your perk a little late but you will continue to have access beyond that pay period.

Because I have increased my patreon income this last month I am able to make the necessary upgrades and have something to use as leverage in negotiating how the space in my place is used. I am confident that the next months will be fantastic in terms of audio quality and output. I will have more hours in the day to work and I will spend far less time trying to "save" my content because of poor audio. I am sorry it takes me so much longer to figure this stuff out and afford required upgrades. I have also learned a lot this month in terms of multiband compression, how to use normalization and eq settings.