Sound Magic has announced the release of the iQEnhancer mobile intelligent microphone and Ultimate Enhancer intelligent USB microphone, spearheading a new technology product sector since they can both be cleverly controlled by an Android or iOS app to improve their sound, making it much easier to achieve a desired result compared to time-consuming traditional microphone techniques.
As implied by name, the iQEnhancer Mobile Intelligent Microphone and Ultimate Enhancer Intelligent USB Microphone are both intelligent microphones, meaning they can be controlled by Sound Magic’s handy HTML5 technology-based app — HTML5 being the fifth and current version of the HyperText Markup Language for structuring and presenting content on the web, while HTML5 WebAudio is another cross-platform technology that any Internet-enabled device can visit and run — to enhance their features and radically reduce learning, enabling everyday people to quickly create professional-sounding recordings.
Again, as implied by name, the iQEnhancer Mobile Intelligent Microphone is aimed at mobile usage, designed to work with smartphones (Android and iOS) and iPad, while the Ultimate Enhancer Intelligent USB Microphone is a USB microphone aimed at regular recordists. But both share a number of attributes as studio-quality microphones, such as a cardioid pickup pattern that minimises background noise and isolates the main sound source, for example, enabling a warm, rich sound suited to a wide-ranging target audience of musicians, vocalists, project studio producers, podcasters, broadcasters, and voiceover artists — anyone working with audio and accessing a suitable Internetenabled device, in other words.
Which is exactly where that handy HTML5 technology-based app comes into play. Anyone using this app will be able to see how the sound changes when adjusting the height of the microphone with all information instantly shown onscreen when moving to a specific position — a very useful reference tool when seeking a specific sound. Several A/B comparison listening tests are often undertaken by recording engineers when doing this traditionally, which is time consuming in itself and also reliant on years of experience to achieve the desired result, whereas this is not necessary when being guided by the app.
Speaking of which, the app also provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how achieve a specific sound — simply draw a rough Frequency Response Curve onscreen and it will automatically calculate the result. While interacting with the app, users will also achieve a better understanding of how to achieve their goals in the least time possible, producing the best results in the process. Perfect harmony.
However, there’s more to the must-have iQEnhancer Mobile Intelligent Microphone and Ultimate Enhancer Intelligent USB Microphone packages than might first meet the eye. Also included is the Neo MasterTool plug-in, a multi-band, multi-process mastering system designed to assist users by further enhancing the sound of their recordings so that they sound even more professional. Unlike standard software plugins, Neo MasterTool stores the microphone performance data directly, effectively masking any weaker-sounding aspects while reinforcing plus points. A dynamic enhancer alters the existing signal level within the bass and high frequency ranges to enhance the signal’s dynamic feel, while a psychoacoustic harmonic enhancer is modelled on a specially designed circuit that generates musically related harmonics within a tightly-controlled frequency range — adds more body and depth to the sound when applied to bass frequencies, which is ideal when listening on in-ear headphones, and adds more clarity, focus, and air (allowing each element to breathe) when applied to high frequencies. Needless to say, Neo MasterTool provides meticulous control to help users polish their final sound to perfection.
Perfect packages, then… the iQEnhancer Mobile Intelligent Microphone comes complete with a professional-quality in-ear monitor while the Ultimate Enhancer Intelligent USB Microphone includes a desktop microphone stand — everything needed to achieve serious-sounding recordings, whatever purchasing preference prevails.
The iQEnhancer and Ultimate Enhancer are available for purchase for $199 USD/179 EUR/£149 GBP and $249 USD/219 EUR/£179 GBP, respectively.
More information: Sound Magic
