Audio — Page 9

EZ Voice app and iRig Mic HD-A the first digital mic for Android

November 20, 2014 by Announcements · Leave a Comment

IK Multimedia, announces the release of EZ Voice™ and iRig® Mic HD-A. Together they bring real-time vocal processing and digital audio microphone recording to Android devices for the first time.

With EZ Voice, users will be able to enjoy real-time vocal processing and recording on the latest generation of Samsung devices with Samsung Professional Audio, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge and more.

iRig Mic HD-A is the first digital microphone compatible with all Samsung devices running Samsung Professional Audio as well as other devices running the just released Android 5 “Lollipop” operating system thanks to its new USB audio support.

The new EZ Voice app for Samsung Professional Audio devices offers a simple and intuitive way for every singer to create and capture great sounding vocal performances while on the go.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: accessories, Android, Audio · Tagged With: digital audio, music

Holiday gadget highlights from LD Tech 2014

November 18, 2014 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

London Drugs recently held their LD Tech 2014 conference event in Whistler B.C., where over 100 suppliers and vendors from a wide variety of areas showed off some much of their standard fare and also some of the new and exciting and cutting edge tech products that are being made available just in time for the holiday season. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take it in and get some face time with some of the vendors and their products. And while it’s impossible to cover all of them, I’ve selected an eclectic few that had left an impression on me.

Sony High Resolution Audio

Having been an audiophile since the days of vinyl and less excited about compressed audio, I was ecstatic to hear about Sony’s new high-resolution audio systems. While CD was supposed to be an improvement over analogue, it’s 16-bit/44.1kHz sampling rate seems rather frail compared to the more precise and detailed 24-bit/192kHz capabilities of high-def. These uber-cool playback devices piggyback on any device you have and can effectively reproduce the higher definition PCM Audio files including DSD (2.8MHz/5.6MHz) and FLAC. And using its proprietary DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) it can upscale even compressed digital files like mp3 and AAC by restoring the high range lost during the compression process getting about as close as you can to the original recording. The Sony Hi-Res USB DAC System – UDA1B retails for $699.99 at London Drugs.

Read more…AT CANOE TECH BLOG

Filed Under: accessories, Audio, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, In the news, New Product · Tagged With: Gadgets, gift ideas, New product

Win a CANZ Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

November 14, 2014 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

At a quick glance, it looks like an eight ounce pop can, but there’s no pop or fizzing sound that will come from it. You will however, be able to listen to your favorite tunes with this nifty little and appropriately titled Canz Wireless Bluetooth Speaker by 808 Audio.

This diminutive speaker is only 3 1/4 inches high and 2 1/2 inches wide yet offers rich sound in this sleek yet durable anodized aluminium case. It’s powered by a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery that should give you up to six hours of your favorite tunes on a single charge. You can stream your audio wirelessly via its Bluetooth connection or optionally you can direct connect from your audio through its LINE-IN port.

808 Canz Wireless Bluetooth Speaker from 808 Audio, a division of Voxx International retails in Canada for $39.99 and comes with a micro USB charging cable and 3.5 mm AUX-in cable. It comes in four colours; black, blue, red and silver and works with any Bluetooth enabled computer, smartphone, tablet or music player that supports A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). For wired connectivity, it works with any device with a standard 3.5 mm headphone output.

IK AmpliTube and iRig HD-A now Samsung Android compatible

November 10, 2014 by Announcements · Leave a Comment

IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube and iRig HD-A are now available for Android on Samsung Professional Audio devices. It’s the first Android guitar amp and multi-effects app and digital guitar interface are now available for Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note Edge and other elected Android devices.

Previous only available for iOS Samsung users will now be able to connect their guitar or bass to their Android™ device and play with the sound of the most sought after amplifiers and effects from their smartphone, anytime and everywhere.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Going Mobile, In the news, smartphone · Tagged With: Android, music

Review: Fluance Fi30 Bluetooth Wood Speaker System

October 29, 2014 by Greg Gazin · 1 Comment

I’ve become so used to seeing speakers that are housed in cabinets made with plastic and metal that I almost forgot about speakers that come in wood grained cabinetry just like the ones I got so used to during my formative years. So I was pleasantly surprised when I had an opportunity to test drive one that reminded me of days gone by.

Fluance, a North American based direct-to-market speaker brand, has combined the best of yesterday and today with their high-performance Fi30 speaker system. It features wireless audio streaming via Bluetooth powered by aptX enhanced audio technology incorporated into a solid audio grade MDF wood cabinet.

Although it is wireless, it’s fairly hefty and not really designed to be portable, measuring 16.5″ x 5.5″ x 5.5″ and weighs a whopping 8.3 pounds. There’s no battery option as it runs purely on AC and the kind of device that would not seem out of place on a wall unit or mantle.

Under the hood it has two 3-inch woven glass fibre composite drivers with butyl rubber surrounds. There is no separate bass speaker, but in the rear you’ll find two respectably tuned bass ports that give you just about that you just the right amount of resonance without the need for a subwoofer. READ FULL REVIEW at G4TV Canada

Filed Under: accessories, Audio, G4 TechTV Canada, GadgetGreg, Hands On, New Product, Product review, Review, sound · Tagged With: Audio, wireless

FoxL Dash 7 speaker offers big bass in a tiny bar

October 22, 2014 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

A speaker designed by the legendary audio designer Dr. Guenther Godehard a former NASA scientist and former nuclear physicist would need to be somehow out of this world. Now it’s not something you would use out in space, but space is the operative word as it can deliver big sound and takes up little space. It’s called the FoxL Dash 7 Portable Speaker by Soundmatters and it’s designed for the discerning audiophile.

The Dash 7 is a small yet powerful, almost flat like a candy bar wireless speaker or perhaps more appropriately, a sound bar. It’s Bluetooth enabled, so you can use it wirelessly, but your can also use its 3.5mm input for direct connect. It’s also configured with a echo/noise cancelling microphone so you can utilize your phone functions while listening to your tunes. Read more…… at CANOE TECH BLOG

Filed Under: accessories, Audio, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Hands On, New Product, Product review, Review, sound · Tagged With: Review, sound

iRig Pads new full-featured ultra-portable MIDI groove controller

September 25, 2014 by Announcements · Leave a Comment

IK Multimedia announced that it’s shipping iRig Pads, a new full-featured, ultra-portable MIDI groove controller for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch as well as Mac and PC. It’s the perfect companion for the mobile electronic music producer on the move: Now you can make beats, grooves and mixes anywhere you go.

It’s smaller than an iPad and less than 1″ thick and the smallest groove controller in the market. It has a slim, compact form factor and it’s lightweight, which means that it can be slipped into any iPad or laptop bag or backpack and carried around with ease.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: accessories, Audio, GadgetGreg, New Product, sound · Tagged With: Audio, music, New product

Review: Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS USB DAC (DIGITAL/AUDIO CONVERTER)

September 18, 2014 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

You’ve just upgraded your headphones. You sit down at your computer, plug them in grab your favorite tune or launch your favorite game and start to play. You now expect the sound would be much better particularly with high quality audio content. However, you find the difference is marginal and you’re somewhat disappointed. You may not realize it, but it may not have anything to do with the headphones or the audio files but more to do with the on the laptop hardware itself.

The reality is that not all headphone jacks are created equal. It’s not actually the jack per se, but rather the onboard audio sound processor that’s built-in to your computer. And while some systems do reproduce respectable audio quality, for whatever reason, often to keep costs down others are built with cheap audio chips that the manufacturers deem as good enough.

Now all is not lost. You don’t have to toss your computer just yet. And the Cambridge Audio DacMagic XS USB DAC (digital to audio converter) just might be the answer. It’s appropriately named because it magically takes your audio to a new level.

READ FULL Article at G4 TV Canada

Filed Under: Audio, Hands On, New Product, Product review, sound · Tagged With: Audio, Digital

5 Gadgets for your listening pleasure

September 13, 2014 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

With the school year now in full swing, you can’t be studying 24/7; you need some down time to tune out the world and tune in to your favourite tunes, podcasts or perhaps maybe a lecture. So here are a couple of gadgets suitable for whatever your listening pleasure.

Divoom Bike Mount Speaker

Wireless Bluetooth speakers are becoming quite common, but it’s amazing how the smallest little innovation can add incredible functionality to one. This is particularly true, if you like to bike everywhere. Such is the case with the wireless Divoom Voombox Ongo. It can easily connect to any compatible smartphone or tablet. But it’s also rubberized and rugged and water resistant, ideal for outdoors, but what’s really neat, it’s also configured with a detachable bicycle mount. The mount clips onto your handlebars and screws onto the bottom of your speaker using a standard tripod thread mount, making it compatible not only with your bike, but any tripod, really. This makes it nice and snug and secure while riding but quick and easy to detach when you arrive at your destination.

Read more…At Canoe Tech Blog

Filed Under: accessories, Audio, Canoe Technology, GadgetGreg, Going Mobile, sound · Tagged With: accessories, Audio, bluetooth

iPhone 5 battery replacement program

September 2, 2014 by Greg Gazin · Leave a Comment

iphone5Screen

If you were an early adopter of the iPhone 5 and are experiencing some issues with battery life, then there’s some good news for you. You may be eligible to get your battery swapped out for free under Apple’s iPhone 5 battery replacement program.

According to Apple support, Apple has determined, “That a very small percentage of iPhone 5 devices may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently.”

Read more…at Canoe Tech Blog