Results for headphones

Alesis has announced the DMPhones sound isolating headphones.

One of the benefits of electronic drumsets is the ability to practice quietly by using headphones. Having headphones that can accurately reproduce the high frequencies of cymbals, the deep thud of a kick drum sound and everything in between is essential.

The DMPhones are great sounding headphones designed for studio and electronic drummers. They employ a comfortable, closed–cup design for great isolation from outside noise so drummers won’t have to crank the volume up to 11. Drummers can pound away at their pads and still keep the volume at a healthy level.

DMPhones features

• Great-sounding headphones ideal for studio and electronic drummers.
• Comfortable, closed–cup, dual-ear design for great isolation from outside noise.
• Isolation enables performance and practice at lower sound levels for hearing safety.
• Adjustable headband fits virtually all head sizes.
• Sleek piano black finish and minimized size for visually unobtrusive appearance onstage.
• 1/8″ mini-plug with 1/4″ adapter for universal connectivity.

Alesis will unveil the new DMPhones at booth #6400 of the 2011 NAMM Show from January 13-16, Anaheim, CA.

More information: Alesis / DMPhones

Focusrite has unveiled the VRM Box, a headphone monitoring system featuring the patent-pending VRM (Virtual Reference Monitoring) technology. With VRM Box, you can mix in your studio, wherever you are.

VRM Box functions as a high-quality 24-bit/48kHz USB audio playback interface. So, whether you’re mixing, creating music or simply listening to tracks, VRM Box is perfect. What’s more, there’s no need for a power supply or batteries, because it gets all the power it needs, with full audio quality, from your computer’s USB port. VRM Box also features a digital (S/PDIF) input, which supports sample rates up to 192kHz. This allows you to run it in conjunction with your Pro Tools HD system, or any other interface with an S/PDIF output.

With VRM Box, you can mix any time, anywhere, using any monitoring headphones. The accompanying software lets you choose your mixing environment and the virtual speakers you wish to monitor on, then processes the audio before feeding it in real time to the hardware. Built into VRM technology are precise models of a variety of industry- standard studio monitors, including the Genelec 1031A, KRK’s VXT8, the Auratone 5C and the ubiquitous Yamaha NS10M. There are also models of speakers commonly found in domestic environments, so you can check your mixes on a variety of virtual systems. VRM processing can be bypassed; an LED on the hardware illuminates when it’s active.

VRM Box VRM Box delivers audio quality worthy of your headphones. Boasting a dynamic range of 108dB, its headphone amplifier provides a sound that’s more precise, with lower distortion, than other low- cost audio interfaces, and far superior to built-in laptop headphone outputs. A slick volume dial gives you accurate control over the output level.

VRM overcomes the major obstacles of mixing with headphones by giving you spatial cues to make informed mix decisions, and by providing multiple perspectives on your mix: just like with speakers. VRM also surmounts various practical issues, such as mixing at unsociable hours and in mobile situations.

VRM Box features

• Mix In Your studio, Wherever You Are – Virtual Reference Monitoring (VRM) lets you audition your mix in different environments, through different speakers, just using headphones. It gets all the power it needs – with full audio quality guaranteed – from your computer’s USB port.
• High-quality 24-bit/48kHz USB Audio Playback Interface – Whether you’re mixing, creating music or simply listening to tracks, VRM Box is the perfect playback interface for your digital audio software.
• Got Pro Headphones? Get A Pro Box – With a dynamic range of 108dB (A-weighted), VRM Box provides a significant audio upgrade from low-grade laptop headphone outputs (which commonly only provide around 92 or 93dB), with an audio quality the equal of interfaces ten times its price.
• Included Software Application – The VRM Box software application provides total control over speaker and room selection, with an attractive GUI that also features a bypass mode. VRM models are processed by the software on the host computer.
• Flexible Digital Integration – VRM Box features an S/PDIF input that supports sampling rates up to 192kHz, allowing you to use it with any DAW system with S/PDIF connectivity, including Pro Tools HD.
• Robust & Attractive Hardware – VRM Box hardware is built to a high specification. Featuring a high-gloss top surface, with VRM status LED and slick volume dial, it makes an attractive addition to your desktop, but is also durable enough for life on the road.

Operational note: In order for VRM processing to operate, a USB connection to a computer running the included VRM Box software is permanently required, even when using the S/PDIF input.

VRM Box will be shipping worldwide in February 2011, priced:

• USA: $124.99 MSRP / $99.99 at dealers.
• UK: £79.99 inc. VAT typical street price.
• DE: €111.00 inc. Tax UVP (MSRP).

More information: Focusrite

Fuse has launched the Music Moments That Matter sweepstakes.

Want to win the ultimate music experience including some sweet ear candy? Enter the Fuse Music Matters Sweepstakes! Fuse will fly one lucky Linkin Park, Interpol, or Lady Gaga fan and their guest to NYC and seat you within the 10 front rows at the concert!

The winner will receive a trip for two – flight and one hotel night included, prime seating to February Fuse Presents, and one pair of Denon AH-D1100 “Acoustic Luxury” Over-Ear Headphones!

To enter for your chance to win, simply read the official rules and fill out the form here.

Participants are limited to one (1) entry per day. The more entries = the better chances! Contest ends January 15^th at 6PM.

More information: Fuse

Audio-Technica has announced the final six shortlist of its alternative Christmas track competition.

It launched the competition in October and has received a huge wave of diverse entries from all across the UK and some from further afield.

The aim of the new music competition was to seek out fun and vibrant alternatives to the age-old tradition of Christmas carols and songs. The nationwide competition was launched through the company’s Facebook and Twitter channels, with entrants required to submit video entries via YouTube.

The online competition was not restricted to any particular type of music so bands, DJs or music producers from any genre had the opportunity to show off their skills.

The competition’s judge, Steve Levine, acclaimed producer and chairman of the Music Producers Guild, joined the team to carefully sift through the entries and create a shortlist of six finalists. The judging panel want the public to make the final decision on the best entry by voting for the track they believe should win the top prize of £500 worth of Audio-Technica equipment.

You can vote for your favourite video by visiting this online poll. The winning entry will be announced on Thursday 23rd December.

More information: Audio-Technica / Alternative Christmas Tune Competition

KRK has announced the KNS-6400 and KNS-8400, two products in a new series of professional headphones.

Similar in purpose and design philosophy to all KRK products, both the KNS-6400 and KNS-8400 provide honest reproduction that will benefit studio engineers, studio musicians, producers and avid music fans alike. The KNS headphones provide the same qualities that users of KRK speakers and subwoofers have benefitted from for 25 years; namely, sonic accuracy, transparency and consistency. Now you can enjoy the same KRK engineering, innovation and voicing philosophy when using headphones.

KNS-6400 / KNS-8400 features

• Voiced to remain true to the character of KRK’s class leading studio monitors, developed with 25 years of years of experience in studio sound.
• The latest reference quality frequency response for closed-back, circum-aural dynamic headphones.
• Newly developed headphone acoustical system bringing a new level of headphone performance for the first time.
• Utilizing the latest in acoustic memory foam technology ensures class leading performance in both reproduction and isolation.
• A new standard in headphone comfort, even over extended periods of use, designed to avoid feeling uncomfortable during long sessions. The special foam conforms to the ear to help ensure an improved fit.
• Exceedingly accurate, natural and wide frequency response.
• Large dynamic range with extremely consistent low-distortion detail and clarity.
• Extended low frequency definition, ensures the bass component of your music is accurately reproduced, and is not lost.
• Transparent reproduction of high-frequencies, resulting in highly accurate imaging.
• High-efficiency Neodymium 40mm driver.
• High durability 2.5m single-sided straight cable with oxygen-free copper wires.
• Adjustable, foldable driver enclosures provide comfort and portability.
• Replaceable cable, head, and ear cushions to ensure long product life.
• Soft carrying case embossed with the KRK logo for travelling engineers, or storage when not in use.
• 1/4″ jack plug can be unscrewed to reveal a 1/8” plug for laptops and portable media players.

The KNS-6400 is available for a suggested US selling price of $99 USD, the KNS-8400 is $149 USD.

More information: KRK Systems / KNS headphones

Audio-Technica, one of the world’s finest manufacturers of audio equipment, has launched an online search for the most entertaining alternative Christmas track.

The popular music manufacturer is looking for fun and vibrant YouTube video entries from the underground music scene that put a positive new spin on the age old tradition of Christmas carols.

The nationwide competition, which is being judged by Grammy & Brit award-winning record producer and chairman of the Music Producers Guild Steve Levine, is being formally launched via Audio-Technica’s social media channels of Facebook and Twitter.

The online competition is not restricted to any particular type of music so bands, DJs or music producers from any genre have the opportunity of scooping either the top prize of £500 or five runners-up prizes of £100 worth of Audio-Technica equipment. As an extra incentive the first 100 entries will all receive a free pair of Audio-Technica ATH-CK51 headphones worth £30 each.

Harvey Roberts, senior marketing manager at Audio-Technica commented: “We are really excited about this competition as we think it might help bring some added impetus to music during the Christmas period. Every year we hear the same few songs, so it would be nice to see something new and creative. The truth is we have an awful lot of musical talent in this country and we just felt that a competition like this would help give them some extra inspiration.”

Roberts continues: “The competition is an open book for musicians, they can do a quirky cover version of a Christmas carol or song or they can write a whole new piece of music themselves – we don’t mind it’s the creativity that matters. We want people to express themselves and have some fun making music. Who knows someone might even pen a brand new Christmas hit.”

The competition runs from 25th October 2010 until midnight, 12th December 2010. The winning entries will be announced on Thursday 23rd December 2010.

More information: Audio-Technica / Alternative Christmas Tune Competition