Spectral Layers promises to let you edit audio Photoshop-style (video)

Visually editing audio files isn’t exactly a new idea, of course, but Divide Frame’s new Spectral Layers application looks to take things to an even more Photoshop-style extreme than other tools. While still in the alpha stage and not available to the public just yet (though both Windows and Mac versions are promised), the software does appear to be fairly complete, including the ability to use multiple layers, work with multi-channel audio, and extract individual voices, instruments, or any other noises. Perhaps just as notably, the actual process of editing seems to be a kind of weird mish-mash of otherworldly visuals and disjointed sounds– something that we could easily see leading to some unexpected and interesting results. See for yourself in the video after the break.

Continue reading Spectral Layers promises to let you edit audio Photoshop-style (video)

Spectral Layers promises to let you edit audio Photoshop-style (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dolby sues RIM over alleged patent infringement, seeks injunction in 7.1 surround

There’s a new patent war brewing on both sides of the Atlantic, now that Dolby has filed a set of lawsuits against RIM. At issue is the audio compression technology RIM uses in its BlackBerry phones and PlayBook tablets. Dolby claims this intellectual property is protected under patents that several other smartphone makers have already licensed, and that RIM should be forced to do the same. The company’s lawsuits, filed yesterday in both the US and Germany, seek financial damages and an injunction that would stop all sales of allegedly infringing products. RIM declined to comment on the suit, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted as the battle unfolds. Head past the break for Dolby’s press release.

Continue reading Dolby sues RIM over alleged patent infringement, seeks injunction in 7.1 surround

Dolby sues RIM over alleged patent infringement, seeks injunction in 7.1 surround originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JVC Kaboom adds a guitar input, dares you to get the band back together

New audio input capabilities are nothing new for JVC, but soon you’ll be able to show off your guitar chops alongside whatever bands you choose to idolize — so long as you’re kosher with rocking a boombox atop your left shoulder, of course. The company has announced that the 2011 offering from its Kaboom line will showcase a guitar / microphone input (1/4-inch) with mixing capabilities to allow for gigs to be played from anywhere you darn well please. The RV-NB70 will have all the key ingredients of previous models, including an iPod dock (updated to be both iPod and iPhone compatible), a USB host that enables use of a mass storage device, an audio input and CD / radio playback. True to the original’s design, this fellow features much of the same look while promising 40 watts of guitar soloing power. Your next box ‘o fury can be had right now for $299.95, and if you’re eager for an encore, the full presser (as well as a demo vid) is just past the break.

Continue reading JVC Kaboom adds a guitar input, dares you to get the band back together

JVC Kaboom adds a guitar input, dares you to get the band back together originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Astro MixAmp 5.8 review

We all know that cabled cans are king when it comes to tonal accuracy. The convenience of cord cutting can’t be denied, however, and there are ways to free your headphones from their physical bonds. Astro’s Mixamp 5.8 is a system designed to make your wired ‘phones wireless, but does it sacrifice sound quality for the sake of convenience? And is it worth $130? Click on through to find out.

Continue reading Astro MixAmp 5.8 review

Astro MixAmp 5.8 review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soundcast’s OutCast 3.4 multi-room speaker is so fresh and so clean, clean

Hard to say if there’s any real connection between the thing you see getting washed up in the image above and the Dirty South, but does it really matter? The OutCast 3.4 multi-room, multi-source wireless speaker might not be the sexiest driver in the shed, but given that it goes where the party goes, we’re willing to bestow forgiveness. We’re told that it’s capable of shedding at some amount of water (obviously), and the unit itself touts an integrated subwoofer, internal battery pack (good for 10 to 20 hours) and a backlit top-panel keypad. Mum’s the word on pricing, but the rest of the skinny is embedded just after the break. Ya heard?

Continue reading Soundcast’s OutCast 3.4 multi-room speaker is so fresh and so clean, clean

Soundcast’s OutCast 3.4 multi-room speaker is so fresh and so clean, clean originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 14:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz co-branded Xbox 360 / Tritton headsets: eyes-on, ears-off

You don’t nab the exclusive rights to create Xbox 360 branded headphones and not put some theoretical hutzpah into it: at E3 this week, Mad Catz is showing off a trio of co-branded Tritton / Xbox 360 cans, or at least a trio of fragile plastic facsimiles. These three mock-ups the Catz crew showed us represent the physical design of the Warhead, Devastator, and Detonator models of the co-branded line of headsets — sporting wireless Dobly 7.1 surround sound, wireless analog, and USB connectivity, respectively. While all three models promise a slew of special sound features, the two wireless models have an exclusive shine: Xbox 360 microphone support without tethering themselves to the console’s controller. Not that we got to hear for ourselves; the mock-ups were non-functional, and fragile enough that show staff wasn’t feeling our enthusiasm for an ears-on demo. Still, we could dig ditching headset-to-controller leashes. Check out the gallery below to see all the bells, whistles, and switches, or hit the break for some meaty PR.

Continue reading Mad Catz co-branded Xbox 360 / Tritton headsets: eyes-on, ears-off

Mad Catz co-branded Xbox 360 / Tritton headsets: eyes-on, ears-off originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mad Catz’ exclusive Xbox 360 wireless headphones revealed: integrated voice chat, 5.8GHz base station

Remember how Mad Catz scored the exclusive rights to produce Xbox 360 wireless headphones? Here’s the deal: these cans don’t need to be tethered to your controller for voice chat or plugged into a wall to charge. According to IGN, the new Mad Catz Warhead 7.1 will get everything it needs from a base station connected to your console. String USB and optical cables directly from the Xbox 360 to that tiny tower above, and you’ll reportedly get enough 5.8GHz bandwidth to deliver virtual Dolby surround sound to four pairs of headphones at once — plus wireless Xbox LIVE audio chat thanks to some native support from Microsoft. What’s more, the USB base station will also give you an on-screen battery readout, and if the Warhead runs out of juice, you’ll find a second swappable battery pack sitting in the base station’s charger. If that sounds too rich for your blood, the Devastator will ditch the surround sound and rechargeable batteries while retaining the same connectivity and 50mm drivers of its premium brother. How much that’ll cost you is still to be determined, though Mad Catz told IGN they’ll all ring up under $300 this holiday.

Mad Catz’ exclusive Xbox 360 wireless headphones revealed: integrated voice chat, 5.8GHz base station originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zoom R8 8-track recorder promises ‘total production to go’

Looking to lighten your load a bit on your audio production job in the field? Then you might want to consider Zoom’s new portable 8-track recorder, the R8. Also functioning as an audio interface, control surface and pad sampler, the device packs an SD card slot for storage (a 2GB card is included, complete with 500MB of drum loops), can be powered by 4 AA when on the go, and it naturally connects to your Mac or PC via USB for use as an interface with your favorite DAW program. Head on past the break for a quick demo video, and look for the device itself to set you back $525 $299.

Update: We just got hit with a bit of new intel — the price is actually set for $299. The information we were given earlier was deemed incorrect. Phew!

Continue reading Zoom R8 8-track recorder promises ‘total production to go’

Zoom R8 8-track recorder promises ‘total production to go’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gemini’s FirstMix USB DJ controller now available for novice mixers

Seasoned DJs have plenty of ways to hone their electronica acumen, but for less experienced audiophiles, Gemini has just unleashed FirstMix — a USB-based controller designed to help the everyman get in touch with his inner Pete Tong. The device’s layout is simple enough, with two scratch wheels, rotaries and a cross fader. All you have to do is connect the panel to your laptop, select the tunes you’d like to mash up from your iTunes library and use FirstMix’s touch-sensitive jog control to scratch the night away. To help you get started, Gemini will ship its new controller with MixVibes’ Cross LE DJ software, but it’s compatible with Virtual DJ and other mixing programs, as well. If you’re interested in taking FirstMix for a spin, you can find one at retailers like Musician’s Friend, for about $100. Otherwise, you could just head past the break for a demo video, along with a full press release.

Continue reading Gemini’s FirstMix USB DJ controller now available for novice mixers

Gemini’s FirstMix USB DJ controller now available for novice mixers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY iPad music breakout gives pro-grade stage presence, mixes circuitry with art (video)

If you’re thinking this iPad audio breakout dock looks remarkably good considering its DIY origins, then you should know it wasn’t put together by any old screwball with a soldering iron. Nope, this was made by Qubais “Reed” Ghazala, a very particular old screwball who’s been blurring the lines between circuitry, music and art since the Summer of Love (that’s 1967 on a normal calendar). His latest invention is all about getting pro-grade sound connections into and out of an iPad 2 — much like an Alesis dock or Akai SynthStation, but with that special “I made this” charm and minimal price tag. Key ingredients include a Macally aluminium iPad stand and a 30-pin PodBreakout board. Hit the video after the break to get further instructions and hear Ghazala’s “bottomless well of chance music” — both come at your own risk.

Continue reading DIY iPad music breakout gives pro-grade stage presence, mixes circuitry with art (video)

DIY iPad music breakout gives pro-grade stage presence, mixes circuitry with art (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 11:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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