Category Archives: Audio

Audio, Technology

5 Of The Most Popular Modeling Amps To Emulate Your Favorite Guitar Tones

Fender is among the greatest frontiers within the guitar trade. The firm’s status is constructed on a long time of constructing world-class guitars and amplifiers and is a testomony to its dedication to high quality. Fender’s modeling amp lineup, the Mustang, is a well-liked alternative for entry and intermediate ranges. Its most superior mannequin, the Mustang GTX100, is among the most versatile modeling amps for $500.

With 200 presets, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a 12-inch Celestion speaker, the Mustang GTX100 provides quite a lot of bang in your buck. Besides the knobs and buttons on the amplifier, you should use the Fender Tone app in your smartphone to modify between presets and management completely different parameters and results. The app additionally permits you to construct your individual customized tones or obtain user-created presets. The Mustang GTX1000 doubles as a Bluetooth speaker as nicely. This function can are available in very useful for taking part in backing tracks when jamming or performing dwell. The 100-watt output is appropriate for small- and medium-sized gigs.

We’ve examined the Mustang GTX100 with completely different Fender, Squire, and Gibson guitars. While the clear and barely overdriven tones sound impressively heat and spacious, distorted presets sound relatively boxy and flat. The lack of dynamic response from high-end tube amps and cupboards is extra noticeable when shredding and taking part in harsher riffs. If you largely play pop, jazz, blues, and basic rock tunes, the Fender Mustang GTX100 could be a superb alternative. On the opposite hand, in case you’re extra into heavy steel and distorted tones, the Boss Katana-100 MkII or the Line 6 Catalyst 100 (later talked about on this put up) are extra appropriate modeling amps.

Audio, News

CES 2024 Innovation Spotlight: Brane Audio’s Brane X

Sometimes, a beforehand unknown firm makes an enormous splash at CES with a brand new flagship product, and this 12 months, that occurs to be the case with Brane Audio. The sound know-how firm, based in 2015, confirmed off its Brane X Portable Smart Speaker — a strong (and expensive) speaker that provides unprecedented energy for such a small machine. 

That’s on account of an progressive proprietary characteristic often called a Repel-Attract Driver (RAD): RAD makes use of magnets to change air strain throughout the speaker and push out a formidable quantity of air (i.e. low bass frequencies), regardless of the speaker’s small dimension with an 8-inch subwoofer.

As Joe Pinkerton, co-founder and CEO at Brane Audio, explained to TechCrunch, “We developed a new way of making audio. Specifically, we have a novel subwoofer … It is a factor of roughly 100 times more efficient in the subwoofer range. That enables us to make it a tenth of the size and draw a tenth of the power.”

In addition to being smaller and extra power-efficient, the transportable speaker can final 12 hours earlier than it wants its battery recharged, and has one pair of tweeters and one pair of mid-range audio system for stereo playback. It additionally comes geared up with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and is appropriate with Amazon Alexa and Spotify. The speaker has an IP57 ranking, so it is waterproof and dustproof, making it a super companion for the poolside.

The Brane X Smart Speaker is obtainable now for buy and prices $599.99.

Accessories and Peripherals, Audio, Gaming, TVs

The Best Moments Of CES 2024 Day 2: Electric Shoes And Smart Stargazing

The new TV makes use of extremely small LED drivers, which in flip include just a few benefits. Due to their smaller measurement you possibly can match extra LEDs onto the backlight panel. The drivers, that are in regards to the measurement of a sesame seed, are additionally able to controlling mentioned LEDs to a excessive diploma. Instead of two or three dimming settings, like on, off, or medium, the controllers as a substitute handle a near infinite quantity by controlling elements like voltage. So, due to the proprietary little chip, you may be getting distinctive distinction, together with decrease energy consumption.

As for what the TV seems like in particular person — it is difficult. While the prototype seems nice when facet by facet with one other TV, you possibly can solely actually recognize it in the event you peel again the gadget’s layers and have a look at the backlight itself. The LEDs are so exact, you possibly can really make out photos on the backlight board alone. Sony demonstrated this primary by making use of a setting that makes simply the backlight hearth, after which by displaying us a TV that has been stripped again to mentioned backlight. An analogous factor was carried out to a competitor’s tv — which has a fairly obscure backlight compared.

Audio, News, TVs

Samsung Newest QLED TVs Go Big While Its Sound Bars Slim Down

While of us with deeper pockets will principally lap up the 8K QLED TVs, Samsung additionally has fascinating updates to the corporate’s extra inexpensive 4K QLED TV lineup.

The updates right here primarily middle across the two new fashions: the Samsung Neo QLED QN90D and the QN85D. These fashions succeed final 12 months’s QN90C and QN85C, respectively, and have an up to date Neural Quantum processor that options improved 4K upscaling tech known as 4K Upscaling Plus, higher picture high quality with Real Depth Enhancer Pro, and a characteristic known as Active Voice amplifier Pro that reinforces the readability of dialogues and sound results in motion pictures.

The 4K QLED TVs additionally get an AI Customization Mode that lets the TV detect the kind of content material you are watching to optimize the image high quality mechanically for the most effective viewing expertise. While the QN90D collection will are available display screen sizes starting from 43 to 98 inches, the QN85D lineup will begin at 55 inches, going as much as 85 inches on the highest mannequin.

The Samsung OLED S95DSamsung

If you might have already used QLED TVs from Samsung and are contemplating switching to an OLED TV, it is best to know that Samsung’s up to date 4K OLED TV lineup for 2024 now contains the brand new S90D and the S95D. These are available as apparent successors to the S90C and the S95C. While the enhancements right here aren’t as vital as these on the QLED lineup, the S95D does have a declare to its fame by turning into the primary OLED TV that’s claimed to be glare-free. Samsung claims it has achieved this feat with out compromising the TV’s image high quality.

 Both these new OLED TV collection might be provided in display screen sizes ranging from 55 to 77 inches.

Audio, Laptops

Did You Know You Can Use Your iPhone As A Speaker For Your Mac? Here’s How

Airfoil Mac Dreamchild Obari/SlashGear

Typically, there is no cause to make use of your iPhone’s smaller audio system as a substitute of your Mac’s greater, richer ones. Macs have fairly good audio system, notably for computer systems (SlashGear explored this in its M2 MacBook Air evaluate, as an example), and in the event that they work, it’s best to undoubtedly use the pc’s built-in audio system.

However, this information is for individuals who have points with their Mac audio system. If, for no matter cause, your Mac’s audio system cease working otherwise you merely wish to duplicate the sounds coming out of your Mac in your iPhone, then you definately’re in the best place.

You is perhaps upset to know this is not a built-in Apple characteristic, which is stunning since you should use your Mac as a speaker on your iPhone through AirPlay. To get began, you will want a third-party app referred to as Airfoil in your iPhone and Mac. While Airfoil is free, you solely get 10 minutes of high quality listening in trial mode. After the time has elapsed, it’s going to drive some noise into your feed and cut back the audio high quality. Airfoil works via Bluetooth and WiFi, so activate the Bluetooth on each units and join them to the identical WiFi community. The steps are somewhat sophisticated, so we have detailed it beneath.

Download and set up AirFoil in your Mac

Airfoil Mac installation screenshot Dreamchild Obari/SlashGear

For your Mac, Airfoil is not within the App Store, so you’ll have to obtain it from Rogue Amoeba’s website. Once you may have it in your Mac, develop the .zip file it comes inside and run Airfoil (not Airfoil Satellite). Now comply with the directions beneath as a result of that is the place it will get complicated:

  1. Click Install within the bottom-right nook after opening Airfoil.
  2. Enter your Mac’s admin account password and click on OK to proceed.
  3. You’ll be confronted with a warning that claims “System Extension Blocked.” Go into System Settings > Privacy & Security to allow system extensions.
  4. Click Enable System Extensions within the Security part.
  5. You’ll be greeted with a immediate that claims you need to modify your safety settings in Recovery to allow system extensions. Click Shut Down to start the method to enter restoration mode.
  6. Once your Mac is off, flip it on once more and maintain the facility button till you enter Recovery mode.
  7. Mouse as much as the menu bar, click on Utilities, and select Startup Security Utility.
  8. Choose your laborious disk and click on Security Policy within the bottom-right nook.
  9. Select Reduced Security within the ensuing window and tick the 2 containers beneath it.
  10. Click OK whenever you’re completed and restart your Mac.
  11. Return to the Privacy & Security panel in System Settings and click on Allow underneath the textual content that claims, “System software from developer ‘Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc.’ was blocked from loading.”
  12. Restart your Mac when prompted on your settings to save lots of.

Quite a protracted course of, nevertheless it’s essential to get Airfoil to work correctly in your Mac. You might now open the Airfoil app once more and cycle via the tutorial to enter the app correct. The subsequent factor to do is ready up your iPhone.

Set up Airfoil in your iPhone and Mac

A screenshot of Airfoil's home page on the iPhone Dreamchild Obari/SlashGear

Unlike with the Mac, you will discover Airfoil Satellite on the iPhone App Store. Follow the steps beneath to get began:

  1. Open the App Store in your iPhone and seek for Airfoil.
  2. Download, set up, and open Airfoil Satellite.
  3. Now go to your Mac and open Airfoil’s residence web page.
  4. Mouse as much as the menu bar, click on Speakers, and select iPhone from the choices.
  5. Back on the residence web page, click on Source and select System Audio. You must also see iPhone within the Speakers class.
  6. Click the music image icon subsequent to the iPhone, and your audio ought to now play from there as a substitute of your Mac.

There are many different choices on your audio supply. Clicking the Source dropdown menu will assist you to select apps or different audio sources in your Mac. You can even toggle on each your Mac and iPhone audio system to have your audio play concurrently (and in sync) from each sources. It primarily works as a reverse AirPlay, and it’s best to think about it should you run into Apple AirPlay issues.

The controls are additionally not restricted to the Mac; you’ll be able to modify the supply, energetic audio system, and quantity out of your iPhone. However, you need to keep within the Airfoil Satellite app in your iPhone for it to maintain streaming audio. You will not hear any extra sounds whenever you reduce the app to do one thing else.

Audio

How To Create Your Own Musical Jingles Using Microsoft Copilot

The directions to generate your individual music utilizing the brand new characteristic are fairly easy and simple, as a result of Copilot will likely be doing almost all of the work. You’ll first want to put in Suno as a plugin, nonetheless, earlier than the AI will have the ability to flip your textual content into music. Here’s what it’s essential do to create your individual musical jingles utilizing Microsoft Copilot:

  1. Sign into your Microsoft account. 
  2. Open a dialog with Copilot (previously Bing Chat) by going to copilot.microsoft.com
  3. Turn on the Suno plugin, or click on on the Suno brand that claims, “Make music with Suno.” You can sometimes discover the plugin menu within the higher proper.
  4. Once Suno is enabled, you’ll be able to ask Copilot to make a music through the use of conversational textual content, simply as you’d immediate it for different data or duties. For instance, you’ll be able to say one thing like: “Write a rap song about brushing your teeth.”
  5. Your music will likely be generated shortly. From there, Microsoft suggests you “jam along to your new tune” or share it with others, together with on social media. 

The songs can generare fairly shortly, although they might take a couple of minutes. Each generated music will sometimes be 20 to 40 seconds in size, so do not count on any prolonged ballads. Along with the flexibility to listen to the music, you may additionally get easy AI-generated cowl artwork,c in addition to the lyrics in textual content — that are even damaged down into verse and refrain. That manner, you’ll be able to even sing alongside to your individual co-creation. 

Audio, News

Apple Music’s Cheapest Plan Has Been Discontinued

Apple has discontinued the Apple Music Voice Plan without publicly stating a reason. This decision comes in the wake of recent price hikes for several of Apple’s subscription services.

One such service is Apple TV+, the company’s streaming platform that has gained popularity with shows like “Ted Lasso.” Its monthly price will be raised from $6.99 to $9.99. This increase has been met with disappointment from existing subscribers, as Apple TV+ has a smaller library compared to its competitors.

Apple Arcade and Apple News will also see price increases, with prices going up to $6.99 and $12.99, respectively. Apple has been encouraging its users to subscribe to Apple One, a bundle that offers a discount and includes access to services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+. However, the monthly rate for Apple One has also increased, with individual plans now costing $19.95 and Family plans costing $25.95. The Premier plan, which includes Fitness+, News+, and additional iCloud storage, has been raised to $37.95. These price changes are effective immediately for new customers, while existing subscribers will see an increase in their bills within a month.

Subscribers who were on the Apple Music Voice Plan and want to continue using Apple Music will need to upgrade to either the $10.99 per month Individual plan or the $16.99 per month Family Plan. However, students can still take advantage of the cheaper $5.99 per month Student tier, which offers more features than just Siri control.

Audio

5 Of The Best Songs To Test Headphones And Speakers Before You Buy

This song starts with a mix of keyboards, drums, and guitar effects of varying levels. Throughout the song, there’s a consistent beat accompanied by a mid-level male vocal and a female singer with a softer and higher range that comes in around the two-minute mark.

In the middle of the five-minute song, there’s a moment where the synth effect cuts out, allowing the bass drum to take center stage. If the headphones or speakers you’re testing are of good quality, you should be able to hear the faint vocal underneath. The song gradually builds up into a catchy chant, followed by the band’s horn section to complete the overall sound.

Ultimately, this upbeat song lives up to its name. It can definitely boost your mood with its effective representation of high, mid, and low frequencies.

Audio, News, Technology

Spotify Premium Is Adding Audiobooks, but Not with Unlimited Streaming

Spotify is making a bold move to challenge Audible, which is owned by Amazon, by introducing audiobooks. This strategic diversification puts Spotify in a stronger position against competitors like Apple Music, Amazon Prime Music, and YouTube. However, this move has raised concerns among writers and publishing houses, who worry that free audiobook listening could devalue their work just as streaming did for music.

According to a report in The New York Times, agents are concerned that paying publishers based on the amount of time people listen to audiobooks could cut into their à la carte payments. Financial Times reports that Spotify is compensating publishers in a similar manner to music labels—by the number of hours a title is listened to. However, not all publishers are fully on board with Spotify’s vision.

One major concern is that earnings from hours listened per user will likely be much lower compared to someone paying the full price for an audiobook. To mitigate this, Spotify is being cautious and not making its entire audiobook library available with the freemium model. The company introduced audiobooks with a collection of over 300,000 titles in late 2022. A dispute over revenue sharing with Apple led Spotify to quickly remove audiobooks from its iOS app, and now users must purchase audiobooks from Spotify’s web storefront.

Audio

5 Of The Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds For iPhone And Android

The AirPods 2 were launched back in 2019 and are considered the best cheap wireless earbuds for iPhone users. While the second-generation AirPods usually cost $129, they are currently available on Amazon for $99, which is a fantastic price. Although the AirPods 2 can be used with Android phones, many of their features are exclusive to the iPhone. These features include one-touch pairing, Siri voice commands, audio sharing, and the ability to view battery life.

The AirPods 2 have automatic in-ear detection, which allows them to pause playback when you remove them from your ears. They also have touch controls on the stems that let you play or pause music, play the next or previous track, or summon Siri. These controls can be customized on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, but not on an Android or Windows device. The AirPods 2 earbuds also feature a speech-detecting accelerometer that can automatically detect when you’re speaking and filter outside sound.

While the AirPods 2 do not have active noise cancellation (ANC), their semi-in-ear design makes them a comfortable choice for users who do not like ear tips. The earbuds offer five hours of battery life, while the case extends that to 24 hours. Charging the AirPods for 15 minutes provides three hours of listening time.