Deep Dive
Studio Setup and the Microphone Bit
The Waveform crew records in a glass-enclosed studio where they deliberately disable the HVAC system during recording to eliminate noise, even though it causes physical discomfort when the temperature outside hits 90°F. Adam and Ellis share a single microphone as part of their show's defining aesthetic, despite having upgraded to a Tascam Sonic View 16 mixing board with enough inputs for individual mics. They justify keeping the shared mic for two reasons: it's become part of the Waveform brand identity that audiences expect, and from a business standpoint it's efficient across their 60+ episodes per year. Ellis jokes that the shared mic creates sexual tension that makes for good content. The hosts are aware it sounds absurd to maintain this quirk, but it works for them operationally and has become inseparable from what Waveform is.
Expensive Mistakes and Review Unit Disasters
Marquez's most infamous mistake came during the Samsung Galaxy Fold launch when he peeled off what appeared to be a screen protector but was actually an integral part of the display itself, destroying an $1,800 review unit. Multiple other reviewers made the same error, triggering an internal crisis at Samsung that delayed the launch and led to design revisions with additional gaskets. Ellis's most expensive accident was breaking a Galaxy Note 10 at a pizza parlor in New York when it slid off a high-top table due to its slippery glass coating. He'd tweeted earlier that day predicting the Note 10 would be the most fragile phone Samsung ever made, and Samsung actually called him angrily afterward. These incidents taught them lessons about handling gear carefully; Ellis now uses a mouse pad on his desk specifically for placing phones during tests.
The Frequency Response Chart Debate
Ellis launches a passionate critique of frequency response charts, arguing they're fundamentally inadequate for describing audio device behavior. He compares them to describing a photograph using only the amount of red in it—an absurd reduction that omits essential information. A frequency response chart shows only the device's response across the frequency spectrum at one volume level, completely omitting temporal information and how the device responds differently at different input levels. Ellis contrasts them favorably with spectrograms, which include time as a dimension and show actual sound behavior. Adam counters that charts are useful for internet comparisons when people can't try devices in person, providing a common reference point. He notes that headphone manufacturers like Harman Kardon design with the Fletcher Munson curve in mind, validating that frequency response matters. The debate concludes with the revelation that the Neumann U87, despite appearing nearly flat on frequency response charts, is famously the least flat microphone available—its distinctive sound comes from limited dynamic range in the midrange, invisible in static visualizations.
Content Creation and the Weight of Growing Audiences
The hosts reflect on how Waveform has evolved from smaller beginnings, with hosts acknowledging what they miss about being a smaller channel: less critical audiences, more freedom to experiment, and natural improvement without intense scrutiny. Being large creates what one host calls the publish button feeling heavier—there's now an ecosystem of criticism that echoes for days or weeks around any perceived shortcoming. Smaller audiences are more forgiving and rooting for the underdog, while larger audiences are more analytical and demanding. The early up-and-coming phase is described as unique and unrepeatable, a special grinding period that lasts a short or long time but never returns once you've grown past it. Despite the pressure, larger channels force higher quality work and faster skill development. The hosts discuss how Marquez scripts videos by word-vomiting into a document and refining it to match his natural speaking style—a method that required 5-10 takes per paragraph in earlier years but now runs more efficiently. They emphasize that natural conversation and appearing to speak to a real person matters more to audience connection than perfect scripting.
Journalism, Bias, and Product Criticism
When addressing questions about staying unbiased in tech coverage, the hosts assert that complete objectivity is impossible—everyone has personal opinions that influence reporting. The real challenge is factual accuracy, which Ellis argues is more difficult than avoiding bias. When criticizing products, they emphasize understanding the manufacturer's reasoning and design trade-offs rather than just repeating complaints. They share a personal story about receiving internet criticism of their own product (panels) that turned out to be based on false information, teaching them to verify facts before amplifying criticism. Repeating incorrect claims spreads misinformation and damages credibility with industry professionals, and internet corrections rarely reach those who saw the original false statement. The hosts believe audiences tune in expecting their personal perspective and taste, not artificial neutrality. As one says: If you just want specs, read a spec sheet; people are here for our take on things.
From Broken Phones to Tornado Obsessions
The hosts answer rapid-fire audience questions ranging from practical to absurd. One question reveals that one host has become obsessed with weather content after falling down a rabbit hole watching tornado footage at the Liberty Science Center, where they saw a 360-degree tornado exhibit with cameras mounted on a probe. They express a long-standing desire to see a tornado in person but note the difficulty: tornadoes aren't like safaris where you can observe the same one for days—they're sporadic and dangerous to chase. They discuss weather apps including Acme ($25 per year) with hyper-local reporting features and sunset alerts. Andrew receives a phone call mid-episode and leaves to attend the birth of his second child, prompting jokes that Waveform might be the first podcast to have a baby born live on air. The hosts discuss satisfying technology sounds including Hasselblad lens clicks, MacBook closures, and the intense shutter on a Pentax 67 film camera. They conclude with trivia: there are approximately 3,700 emojis in the Apple keyboard, and the iPhone 6 Plus was the last iPad to ship with iOS before the switch to iPadOS 17.