When Alesis claims that the AM3, introduced at Musikmesse 2009, is the world's first handheld stereo USB microphone, they know the score -- it's not like they're claiming that there haven't been Yap Island Rai sized stereo microphones that have plugged into computers.

This is great news for laptop toting musicians, journalists and otherwise enthusiastic audiophiles looking to record on location. It features a dual-capsule condenser design for sweet detail and a wide 30-20,000 Hz frequency response.

The mic's A/D converters run at 16-bit / 44.1 or 48 kHz. On the AM3 itself, a gain control allows you to adjust input trim. It comes with a free subscritpion to Alesis podcast-hosting, a carrying case, a mic clip and a cable.

Jim Norman, a product manager for Alesis commented:

"The AM3 stereo microphone is an easy way to get great-sounding stereo sound into your computer,"