FamedKarma

Just to be clear here, MIDI is NOT audio - MIDI is a control standard. Therefore, if you get a MIDI-USB converter (I wouldn't, for various reasons that won't be discussed here), you wont actually get the sound of your Yamaha piano in your computer - you'll just be able to control virtual instruments (have a read about them, they're very powerful). You'll need to buy an audio interface (there are cheap ones to be had - google the M-Audio Fast Track), with which you can plug a standard TRS cable into. That's the only way you'll actually get your electric piano's sound into your PC, certainly not through MIDI.

You haven't really given a budget, but if you're willing to pony up for an audio interface and an XLR mic, there are a tonne of great condensor voiceover mics, the Rode NT1-A and SE x1 both have pretty decent bundles (especially the x1, with the reflexion filter). Neither of those mics will pick up the whole house, I've used both with decent success. If you're SUPER worried about directionality, have a look around for condensers with a hypercardioid polar pattern - they're often used to record toms on a drum kit, and will pick up ONLY what they're pointed at, no surroundings. Another option is the Shure SM57, the industry standard for affordable dynamic mics - cheap, works well, sounds good if you sit up close to it (doesn't look as cool/beefy as the nice condensers though). Basically, have a listen of audio samples of all the mics I listed, pick the one that you like the sound of most.

For Slick's gaming videos, it would be cool to post text versions of the videos too in a "review" format - I find things of that nature far easier to absorb when I read them, rather than when they're spoken about.

Sennheiser are actually a bit shitty. Genelec and M-Audio make good stuff in my experience.

FamedKarma was randomly generated by Xbox Live and I thought it sounded cool :)

Whatever xonar is in your price range

Haha I know that feel!

Herrrre we go Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessegwilliams7/status/315072297226625025 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jesse.m.williams1

Surround in headphones/headsets is a joke. Spend money on 2 good drivers, not 7 shitty, tinny ones. Buy a good set of closed headphones and a Zalman clip on mic. I recommend anything from Sennheiser that fits your budget, but Audio-Technicia are cool too. Don't like Bose.

You'd definitely notice the difference with the sound card. For about $200, in terms of closed headphones, some Sennheiser HD380s should do the job. Also, use the Essence Audio Center to tailor your sound to whatever genre you listen to.

If you're unsure with sound cards at any price point and just want an enhancement without too much reading, just go for whatever Xonar card is in your price range (probably a Xonar DX for you). I'd stick with an internal card, external headphone DACs can be good but personally I couldn't stand the clutter and I just prefer internal cards.

I'm unsure if game reviews are wanted here, but I just wrote this in case you're interested. http://famedreviews.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/bittrip-runner2-review.html

Also for retro consoles.

Yeah, it was really good seeing someone from a hardware background on there. I don't really watch Paul's videos too often though lol.