PGN001 - Golden Age Project FC1 MKIII

I’m podcast award-winner Hank Davis, and this is Podcast Gear News for July 2025 (Your monthly podcasting equipment news show).Zoom’s well-received PodTrak P2 has ended its price hike experiment (at least in the United States, anyway). When the device launched this year, it retailed for $99.99 USD, but after it garnered attention, it was promptly raised to $149.99 USD. Thankfully, the dual USB mic input interface is back to its original price. Note that some of their other products remain at an increased price. You can check out my review of the unit at the link in the description. https://youtu.be/SJboRk7AiOQ?si=_J7bS18bgKwlECPGM-Audio has released a refresh to their M-Track series with the M-Track Duo HD. The prior M-Track Duo had an outdated USB-B port and was 16-bit 48kHz. The new HD version offers 24-bit 192kHz, 55dB of gain, and a modern USB-C port for connectivity. While M-Audio preamps are highly regarded, I was a bit disappointed that they haven’t increased the product’s gain. I’ll be waiting to see if/when they release a single XLR combo input version like their previous series. The M-Track Duo HD retails for $99.00 USD. There’s also a producer pack that adds a condenser microphone and headphones for $199.00 USD.For podcasters who don’t mind stage mic style microphones, sE Electronics released their 25th Anniversary Edition Nickel and Gold versions of the V7. The microphones are stunning! The Nickel retails for $149.00 USD while the Gold clocks in at $199.00 USD.PROMO:Podcast Gear News is brought to you by listeners like you. Whether you’re a fellow podcaster or you run a podcast business, I have Patreon and PayPal links in the description.FREE PODCAST TOOLS DONATIONS PAGE: https://freepodcasttools.com/support/PATREON BUSINESS SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttoolsPATREON INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT TIERS: patreon.com/freepodcasttools2Behringer has released an update to their copycat version of the RODE NT-1 Signature Series called the TM-1 Dark Edition. The TM-1 Dark Edition is now in black with nearly an identical look and accessories as the NT-1 Signature Series. Coming in at $30 less than RODE’s offering, the TM-1 retails for $129.00 USD; however, can it replicate the smooth sound of the RODE NT-1 signature series? I hope to take it for a spin in the future.Golden Age Project FC1 MKIII Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone has been reported to be in the wild already. It comes with a shock mount and carrying case, features a 100Hz low-cut filter, a 32mm gold-sputtered diaphragm, and retails for just $99 USD. Company founder Bo Medin recently made his rounds in the United States discussing this mic and other gear coming from Golden Age Project.COMING SOON:Behringer also has a re-release of their B1 microphone in the Dark Edition series. The retail price is currently $109.00 USD.There are several microphones that I am aware of, which are expected to be released soon, but I don’t have any concrete release details as of yet. So be sure to subscribe to this podcast. If anything major happens between now and next month’s episode, I’ll chime in with an urgent update.SUBSCRIBE: https://feeds.captivate.fm/podcast-gear-news/ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL:I recently reviewed the RGBlink Mini video switcher and discussed the RODECaster Video’s webcam framerate issue that I had with a camera on their compatibility list. Shortly, I’ll be releasing my review of the dated, but potentially still relevant, Mackie M-Caster Studio, and I’ll discuss an upcoming product from Zoom that has been delayed.To subscribe to my YouTube channel, follow the link in the description.YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@FreePodcastToolsWEBSITE: https://freepodcasttools.comERRORS OR OMISSIONS: If you’re a product manufacturer and I got something wrong, feel free to use the contact email in the podcast feed or my contact form on my website to reach out.Thank you for listening to Podcast Gear News. I’ll catch you next month.