Results for audio equipment

Sweetwater has announced the GearFest Mixing Contest, its largest audio mixing contest in collaboration with pureMix, offering participants the chance to win over $18 000 worth of high end audio equipment.

Sweetwater and pureMix.net are proud to announce that they have partnered together to organise the most exciting mixing contest ever seen on the web. Participants can register for FREE and download the raw tracks from famous artist Liza Colby and do their own mix. The winners will win amazing prizes donated by Dangerous Music, Focal Professional, Universal Audio, Blue Microphones, Presonus, Lauten Audio, Vovox and Sweetwater. That’s pretty cool, isn’t it ?

The tracks for mixing the best sounding version of Liza Colby Sound’s song ‘Oh Baby’ are actually downloadable at pureMix. The contest is FREE and is sponsored by Dangerous Music, Focal Professional, Universal Audio, Blue Microphones, Presonus, Lauten Audio, Vovox and Sweetwater.

Tracked live on stage in front of a rapt audience at Sweetwater’s GearFest 2012, “Oh Baby” is a raw gem that will let contestants really prove their mixing skills. The contest is completely platform independent : any DAW, any platform is welcome. The pureMix team and Fab Dupont will pick out the 16 winners for the 16 prizes. Judges will focus on mixing skills and “taste” to pick the winners, not what equipment was used.

Contest instructions are available at pureMix after a FREE registration. Contestants can also watch grammy nominated producer/Engineer Fab Dupont in a free video showing how the hit was recorded, with a detailed step-by-step explanation.

The mixing challenge runs until June 1st, 2013. Winners will be announced at Sweetwater’s GearFest 2013 on June 21st, contacted via email and announced on pureMix.net homepage.

More information: GearFest Mixing Contest

IK Multimedia has announced it is now shipping the iLine Mobile Music Cable Kit, a collection of 6 high-quality cables, also available separately, designed to give users of smartphones, tablets, MP3 players and laptops the tools they need to handle any mobile-audio cabling situation.

The iLine cables are perfect for use with IK accessories like iRig, the most popular guitar and bass input adapter of all time; iRig HD, the new high-definition digital interface, and iRig MIX, the ultra-portable DJ mixer that’s small enough to hold in one hand.

iLine Mobile Music Cable Kit

• 6 high-quality cables:
  • Mono Output Adapter
  • Input Output Extension
  • Stereo Aux
  • Headphone Splitter
  • RCA Output Adapter
  • Mono Output Splitter
• 24K gold-plated connectors for maximum connectivity in all environments.
• High-purity copper conductors for the best-quality signal transfer.
• Low-capacitance insulation to preserve transients.
• High-density shielding to guard against EMI.
• Carrying case included.
• Made in Italy.
• Compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and most high-end audio equipment.
• Limited Lifetime Warranty.
• Cables can be purchased individually.
• Free interactive companion app, iLine Cable Kit for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and for Android.

The iLine Mobile Music Cable Kit is available to purchase for 49.99 EUR. Individual cables are sold starting at 11.99 EUR. The iLine Cable Kit App is a free download.

More information: IK Multimedia / iLine Mobile Music Cable Kit

Ear Machine has launched myMicSound, a free web application that simplifies the difficult task of using your ears to decide which microphone to purchase.

The application learns the user’s preference by analyzing ratings of example microphones. myMicSound then returns a list that ranks microphones by the probability that the user will like their sounds.

“myMicSound is the first step toward a fundamental change in how people decide to purchase audio equipment,” said Andrew Sabin, Ear Machine owner and psychoacoustics researcher. “Currently, people make these decisions by receiving recommendations from friends, or by conducting a clumsily-organized listening comparison. myMicSound offers users a simple format to use their own ears to conduct a free, controlled, and comprehensive listening test.”

Users can either submit their own recording, or use one from myMicSound’s collection. myMicSound removes the sound of the microphone used to make that recording, and then simulates the sound of new microphones. myMicSound carefully considers factors influencing the sound of the microphone, such as the proximity to the sound source, the polar pattern, and whether filters are active.

myMicSound is the first sound-based recommendation engine in the audio equipment market. Its software algorithm relies on state-of-the-art knowledge in both auditory perception and computer science. Similar algorithms, such as the one used by Pandora, are widely used in music recommendation.

More information: myMicSound

Can you tell the difference between music that passed through a pricey Monster stereo Cable, and a coat hanger?

Monster Cable or Coat Hanger, does it matter?

The Consumerist has a story about a guy from the Audioholics Home Theater Forum who says his brother ran an experiment on him and four other audio aficionados listening to a new CD from a new group blindfolded.

Guess what happened…

Vers is a new compact audio systems company, by industrial designer David Laituri and his parter at Sprout Creation.

The company focuses on high-quality wood crafting and rich sound.

Laituri says:

Vers is a line of hand crafted real wood sound systems for iPod, iPhone and others, with a lot of thought put toward sustainability, using recycled materials where possible, selecting energy efficient components, eliminating lead, heavy metals and other chemicals

Vers X2 iPod system

Their first product is Vers X2, a compact, all-in-one system for iPod products (price: $179).

Vers X2 features

• Plays and charges: iPod Video, iPod Nano, iPod mini, iPod, iPod classic, iPod touch and iPhone
• Hand-crafted cherry veneer cabinet – no two alike
• Includes 8 iPod adapters and universal MP3 dock
• 2 3″ custom-engineered 15 watt speakers
• Dual port design for deeper bass
• Advanced 14 function remote control with 25′ range
• 3.5mm audio cable for use with other MP3 players
• 3.5mm Audio Input and Audio Output
• Full range speakers add clarity and realism to your music
• Dimensions: 11.5″ W x 5.6″ H x 5.6″ L
• Weight: 6.5 lbs.

Visit Vers for more information.

Link via core77

One can never have too many Star Wars merchandise right? If you think so, then these R2-D2 speakers might be just what you’d like to put on your wishlist (delivery is expected in December 2007).

Star Wars R2-D2 speakers

Ad Dugdale from Gizmodo writes:

Sound quality isn’t great and the 4.7-inch droid connects via a 3.5-mm audio cable (USB connection is, as yet, unconfirmed). Each speaker costs $20 (so order two if you want a pair) and it comes in red or blue

These 12cm tall models can now be preordered from National Console Suppurt Inc.