Trouble hearing voices on TV? Try ZVOX AccuVoice

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could actually decipher and properly hear the dialogue in on TV and in movies? Yes, it’s baffling. As technology advances and the advent of immersive technologies like surround sound and Dolby Atmos, to enjoy as show, we still might have to crank up the volume, which may help marginally or turn on close captioning. Sometimes we may even have to “rewind” and go back to make out what’s actually being said. Of course, adding long term exposure to noisy environments, a little too much loud music and perhaps a little aging doesn’t help the cause either.

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AXE I/O SOLO: IK Multimedia’s new compact guitar interface

Today at NAMM, IK Multimedia unveiled AXE I/O SOLO, its latest entry in its of high-end guitar interfaces with advanced tone-shaping features.

The company says it’s developed for guitar players who want to record the best possible sound on the go and on a budget.

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Snoop Dogg Limited Edition Headset

If you’re a Snoop Dogg fan and a gamer or just starting to shop for the ultimate holiday season gift, you might want to feast your eyes on the upcoming LS50X Snoop Dogg Limited-Edition headset by LucidSound. 

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Easily add quality audio to your smartphone videos

Travelling is cumbersome at the best of times and with luggage costs rising, people want to travel lighter and are leaving their bulky video cameras at home. And with smartphones like the Apple iPhone X with Google Pixel capable of shooting 4K or ultra HD video, capturing video has never been easier.

It’s hard to dispute the quality of the image but the accompanying audio often suffers. While there’s a microphone on every phone, there’s often too much distance between you and what you’re recording, so ambient noise is also picked up. [Read more…]

Unique & practical must-have gadgets for back to school and more

Light Show Bluetooth speaker, a durable wireless camera, connecting to the Internet without a nest of wires and a multi-use charger that starts your car are among the few top picks.

When we think back-to-school, we think of pens and pencils, notebooks and backpacks, and even tablets and other gadgets. Here are a few less obvious items to consider adding to the pile.

Speaker with light show

Earbuds are a natural must-have for walking around campus and tuning out what’s around you. But when back at the dorm or chilling out with friends, you might just want to fill the room with sound. The prescription for that is the portable Creative Halo wireless speaker and two-way speakerphone.

Read more below or also at Troy Media. [Read more…]

IK Multimedia ARC System 2.5 with new MEMS mic now shipping

IK Multimedia has just announced that ARC System 2.5 with MEMS microphone is now available for shipping. Version 2.5 of the Advanced Room Correction System combines a new highly accurate MEMS measurement microphone, measurement software together with an audio correction plug-in for Mac/PC DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and employs Audyssey MultEQ XT32 patented technology to greatly improve the audio monitoring accuracy of speakers in any studio or listening room.

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Review: iRig Pro I/O compact mobile audio/MIDI interface

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If you’re a mobile musician or just like to keep things on the ultra-compact side and require the use of a pocket-sized Audio/MIDI interface, then you might want to have a look at the iRig Pro I/O, the latest offering from IK Multimedia.

Those unfamiliar with the iRig interface; it’s a studio quality audio/MIDI interface that can be used with a number of instruments including the guitar, bass or MIDI keyboard. And maybe a surprise to some is that the iRig Pro I/O can also be used with a studio condenser microphone as the unit can supply 48V phantom power right to the XLR jack by simply switching it on. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Netflix adds Dolby Atmos support

okja

If you can’t get enough Netflix and want to enhance your listening experience in addition to 4K and HDR viewing, the company just announced, that starting today it will be adding Dolby Atmos sound support to the service starting with Bon Joon Ho’s Okja which recently had its debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

If Dolby Atmos is new to you, think of it as like surround sound on steroids. Instead of just having sound all around, the sound will actually travel in three dimensions. It places sound anywhere in the room and adding that often missing overhead sound like a jet speeding above you and totally immersing you right into the action. Read More at Canoe_Tech Blog.

EcoSlate rugged waterproof Bluetooth speaker and lantern

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If you spend a lot of time outdoors year-round, like to listen to your tunes on the go but want to carry around only the absolute minimum, then the new EcoSlate by ECOXGEAR may be a new gadget to check out. It’s an all-new rugged, all-in-one waterproof portable audio system that features a built-in power bank and a bright lantern.

Rugged and Waterproof

As far as the speakers go, under the hood are two 10 W speakers (20 watts total) with dual passive subwoofers.  Like most of ECOXGEAR products, it’s designed to be rugged. It has a drop proof exterior that the company says meets military specifications. It’s also IP 67 rated, meaning that it’s fully dust resistant and protected from full immersion in water for up to one metre in depth. Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog.

Review: IK iRig Acoustic Stage digital mic system for acoustic guitars

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Back in December 2015 we reviewed the iRig Acoustic mic as a great little gift for the music lover; a MEMS microphone that clips on to the sound hole of an acoustic guitar. Now, IK Multimedia has taken that one step farther with the iRig Acoustic Stage digital mic system, a portable pre-amp and a digital signal-processing unit (DSP) that can enhance the acoustic sound sent out to a mixing board or amplifier or output to a computer or mobile device.

Sold as a kit, iRig Acoustic Stage comprises of the main pre-amp/DSP unit, iRig Acoustic Mic (functionally similar, but not interchangeable with the one sold as a stand-alone product), a belt/strap clip and padded case.

The idea behind the mic was that you could get better sound from an acoustic instrument being as close to the sound hole as possible even closer than a traditional external mic could be placed. Also having it attached to the guitar, gives the musician the freedom to move around rather than be stuck in front of a stationary mic stand. Read more…and see full review at CanoeTech Blog.