Archive for the ‘Audio’ Category
This is what I love about Kickstarter.
A product like this might not have been made by a larger company, as its appeal is somewhat niche–but this is a cool idea, and even though I dont bike very often I want one!
SleekSpeak is a bluetooth speaker which clips to a bike’s handlebars giving the rider access to louder GPS notifications, and is safer for playing music than listening on headphones.
StickLabs claims 12 hours of battery life off its rechargeable battery, and it should retail for $100 once it’s available in July.
Hit the jump for the full press release! +Continue Reading
Pioneer has announced some new over-the-ear headphone options, with the introduction of two new products. Its flagship SE-MJ591 is designed for audiophiles, while the SE-NC21M is a noise canceling headphone–each designed for consumption in various listening environments. Lightweight, foldable and available in April, the SE-MJ591 will retail for $299. Also foldable and lightweight, the SE-NC21M will retail for $199 and will be available in May.
What do you get when you take music from the best video games of all time and put them into giant venues? A concert of course…of epic proportions! Video Games Live is on tour in Canada, bringing the tunes of your youth to the stage like never before, and exposing new generations of music lovers to the symphonic sounds of our video game past. From Toronto to Vancouver, there are dates throughout the Fall–so get your wallets out and get ready to hit “start.”. Check the full release for ticket information and prices after the jump. +Continue Reading
Bringing useful technology is key with the BRAVEN SIX series portable speakers, offering the power of a bluetooth speaker, with integrated smartphone charger and a speakerphone – three innovative features that we could all use everyday. You can daisy-chain multiple speakers together, use it indoors or outdoors, and charge virtually any USB powered device. There are 3 models to choose from (with prices ranging from $149 to $189), with all of them featuring a rugged aluminum chassis, excellent battery life, and integrated passive sub woofers. We’ll have a full review when our unit arrives–but until then, you can check out the full release after the jump… +Continue Reading
Samsung Mobile’s much anticipated EHS-71 “Refined Sound” headphones are now available from samsung.com for $129.99. Announced at CES, the new line of premium wired headsets include options at varying price points, and begin with the roll out of the EHS-71–designed for the avid audiophile. Built from aircraft grade aluminum, you’ll experience noise isolation,clear, natural vocals as well as detailed highs and deep power bass–sans distortion. Check the full release after the jump for more info, as well as the rest of Samsung’s headphone lineup. +Continue Reading
So a little while back I wrote an editorial on the state of audio recording on Android, and it got me thinking.
As an owner of an Android tablet (A Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9) , would I be able to go on a trip, leave my laptop at home, and still record, edit, and send audio files? Would I still be able to do my work?
If you read my first editorial, then you already know that Android does not support any kind of USB mic. They can be powered, but Android doesn’t know what to do with them–so that’s out.
Also, the DAC built into the Galaxy Tab is pretty crappy, so even in quiet environments, using the built-in mics or the mic on a wired headset, you get a lot of hiss–so that’s out.
However, I do have a Zoom H4n, which is perfectly capable of recording audio all on its own. The drawback to using the H4n is having to move the audio to a computer to edit and send.
If the Tablet can pull the files from the H4n then it’s peanut butter jelly time.
+Continue Reading
D-link has released a new budget-minded streaming media player. The MovieNite streamer joins the likes of the Apple TV with 1080p video streaming from Vudu, Netflix and YouTube, plus music streaming from Pandora and access to Picasa. Built-in features include 802.11n Wifi, a 10/100 Ethernet port, HDMI port, as well as a composite video connection. The MovieNite can be controlled by the included remote, or a downloadable remote App for Android devices. Priced at only $59.99, the new device appears to be one of the cheaper competitors to contend with the Apple TV, WD Media Streamer and more. Check the full release after the jump. +Continue Reading
Intel has teamed up with Nissan’s 2012 Infinity lineup on a new infotainment system, which was showcased recently at the New York International Auto Show in the Infiniti LE concept car. Behind the dash is an Atom powered computer combining in-vehicle entertainment with a cloud-based service, offering features such as video surveillance, vehicle control and monitoring (NFC-enabled phones will be able to be used in place of keyless entry as well). Check the full release after the jump. +Continue Reading
Tangled headphone cables are a thing of the past thanks to the first (and world’s only) tangle-free headphones. The CordCruncher headphones are now up for pre-sale thanks to KickStarter and plans to ship in May 2012. The headphone design uses an elastic-sleeve to allow the user to control the cord length, and therefore avoid any tangled messes. Check the full release after the jump. +Continue Reading
Everyone’s favorite music identification app, Shazam, is now at version 5.0–and boasting some pretty impressive new features. A slightly updated user interface will welcome you to the app,and now you can track down your song info in literally one second courtesy of the new version. Available now, version 5.0 remains a free app and adds a unique commenting feature to link to your social networks, as well as additional language support for those in South America, as well as speakers of Brazilian Portuguese and Korean. Do check it out.
So in playing around with the Yeti Pro I recently reviewed, I got curious about what else I might be able to do with this USB wunder-mic.
Since I own both an Android Tablet and a Galaxy Nexus, both of which support USB hosting, it was only natural that I try connecting them to the Yeti. I fully expected it wouldn’t work, but I was a little surprised by what happened.
See that red light on the Yeti? It’s on. The mic is on and functional. I’m able to control gain, volume, and monitor from headphones. It’s AAAALLLLLIIIIIVVVVVEEEE!!!
Both the Nexus and the Galaxy Tab both powered the mic. I was shocked.
Unfortunately, neither phone nor tablet knew what to DO with a USB mic, and that’s where I was stopped short of my dream mobile recording rig.
There’s exactly ZERO software to support external mics on Android. None. Zilch. Nada.
Even though this is a feature users have been asking for since the first Android phones have hit the market, and users have jury-rigged ridiculous solutions to try and add mics to the Android ecosystem (usually through the 3.5mm headphone jack), and even noting that we have USB hosting capabilities on a number of Android devices now, there’s still not a single app that can talk to audio gear.
This is definitely the one solid advantage the iPad will maintain over any Android device. We’ve seen an explosion of software and hardware solutions aimed at turning Apple’s tablet into a true recording studio companion. USB mics that can connect through the iPad camera connector, new mics announced that will connect directly to the dock connector, docks that convert the ipad into an audio interface, even new audio mixers that dock the iPad and use it as the brain of a multi-tracking recording chain.
It’s time Android. It’s time. If I can use my tablet as a live view monitor and control surface for my Canon 7D, the ability to connect a USB mic to my Android tablet and record high quality audio is long overdue.
The future is now…
It’s the one area where iOS is still crushing Android.
Audio.
KORG is sweetening the audio environment with a trio of new USB controllers. The microKEY-25, microKEY-37, and microKey-61 are portable MIDI keyboards compatible with both PC’s and iPads.
Powered completely over USB with standard pro trappings on board like velocity sensing keys, these three boards look like they’d be a great fit for the mobile or gigging musician.
More info after the jump!
+Continue Reading
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