Topic: Gear

The FDA has issued a recall for "Gold Lion" and "Lume" aphrodisiac chocolates sold by the California-based company Gear Isle. The products were found to contain undeclared Sildenafil and Tadalafil, the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis, which can cause life-threatening blood pressure drops when mixed with certain heart medications.

Data from the black box of a recent Delta flight incident reveals the aircraft suffered a hard landing with a sink rate exceeding 1,000 feet per minute, causing the right rear landing gear to snap. While some social media speculation focused on the female first officer's experience level, investigators note she met all regulatory requirements and was flying under the supervision of a highly experienced trainer. The incident is currently attributed to human error during difficult wind conditions.

Producer Doug Nixon promotes his online store, FRG Tactical, which specializes in prepper and tactical gear. Additionally, Dame Beth announces an upcoming No Agenda meetup in Tucson, Arizona, scheduled for September 22 at Canyon's Crown.

A TASCAM audio interface was discarded after listener feedback indicated it lacked the expected high-quality production sound. Comparisons are made to the MXL 990 microphone, which was noted for having a distracting "comb filter" effect that made it unsuitable for professional use. The technical limitations of the TASCAM and Roadcaster units are criticized, specifically regarding their inability to provide professional control over the audio chain and their tendency to produce a "calming" NPR-style sound rather than an aggressive, engaging tone.

A review of the Tascam MixCast 4 reveals significant engineering flaws despite its sleek form factor. The device lacks a headphone monitor for the final compressed output signal, forcing users to record without hearing their actual levels. Additionally, the eight programmable jingle buttons are restricted to single memory banks when using multi-track recording mode, a limitation compared to the Rodecaster Pro.

A review of new audio equipment features the Audio-Technica M50x headphones and the upcoming Tascam MixCast 4 console. The MixCast 4 is compared favorably to the Roadcaster Pro, specifically for its superior noise gating capabilities on USB and Bluetooth channels. The hosts invite Tascam to send a unit for professional testing and feedback.

A significant influx of donations is attributed to listeners discovering the show via the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE). Sir Ben in the Simulation contributed $1,000, citing interest in the "digital dollar" and the show's financial analysis. The hosts discuss the "Value for Value" model and provide updates on "Podfather Gear" settings for aspiring podcasters.

The Biden-Harris campaign logo, specifically the three red stripes in the "E" of Biden, is compared to the "Three Red Banners" ideological slogan from Maoist China. The hosts discuss the high prices of Biden campaign merchandise compared to Trump's "loss leader" pricing strategy. An anecdote is shared about a neighbor who overcharged for an Obama bumper sticker, illustrating the "scam" nature of political fundraising.

A brief discussion on the history of Radio Shack brands identifies "Realistic" and "Optimus" as the company's former high-end audio labels. The hosts recall the era of Tandy Corporation and the decline of the electronics retailer.

Sir Gear from Norway is knighted following a $1,000 donation, despite a past "embargo" on the show due to disagreements over Edward Snowden. He shares a message regarding his battle with prostate cancer and urges men to get checked. Additionally, Felix Wilson is granted knighthood following a donation from an anonymous producer in New York City.

One of the hosts describes being kicked out of the Amazon Associates program after the company deemed his site "not commercially interesting." The discussion covers the loss of affiliate revenue from the Podfather Gear website and the arbitrary nature of platform bans.

An eyewitness report from New Zealand's TV3 describes a man in tactical gear discharging a rifle near a motel before the mosque attacks. The witness notes the shooter appeared to be a "European guy" and was targeting Muslims specifically. The hosts also mention the presence of intelligence experts on New Zealand television, noting the country's role in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

The transition from laptop-based recording to professional-grade hardware is detailed, specifically the adoption of Universal Audio devices. This shift in technology reduced latency issues and moved the show toward a higher standard of audio fidelity. The hosts discuss how improved gear changed their attitude toward production, fostering a more perfectionist approach to the broadcast.

Adam Curry has launched a website, forsale.curry.com, to sell personal broadcast equipment and MTV memorabilia. Items include an Apex Aural Exciter used on the show and various ISDN codecs and mixers from his career in radio and television.

The hosts discuss the progress of an Indiegogo campaign for a new hardware project, noting supply chain issues in China and Taiwan. They also address technical questions from a donor regarding the microphones, compressors, and software used to achieve the show's high audio quality.

A discussion on the technical limitations of podcasting highlights the difficulty in achieving NPR-level sound quality without bulky professional gear. The hosts argue that legacy media companies are in a "slow-motion crash" because they are tied to outdated linear distribution models and cannot adapt to the internet's disruption.

A Black Lives Matter activist at a town hall argued that police killed many victims at the Pulse nightclub during the crossfire and called for the disarming and demilitarization of law enforcement. The hosts discuss the proliferation of military-grade equipment in small-town police departments, citing a recent manhunt in Calistoga as an example of excessive force and "overkill" in local policing.

The Cleveland Police Department is preparing for the Republican National Convention by acquiring new equipment. The Chief of Police noted a rebranding effort where "riot gear" is now officially referred to as "protective gear" for political correctness.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open Episode 794 of No Agenda from Austin, Texas and Northern California on January 28, 2016. The hosts discuss a major overhaul of their broadcasting equipment, noting improved audio clarity and reduced latency after three and a half years with the previous system.

The discussion shifts to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) floor, focusing on audio gear and microphone technology. Curry recounts visiting the Countryman booth and learning the correct way to wear earset microphones, noting that the capsule should be pressed against the cheek for optimal performance. He observes that many professional users wear these microphones incorrectly as small boom mics.