Do you want people to know you’re wearing headphones from 3 miles away? Then have we got a pair of cans for you! Razer has unveiled their Orca Gaming and Music Headphones. Yes, you read that correctly, Or-ca. This pair of headphones features a color scheme that the company describes as: “venomous green.”
Equipped with a plug and switch cable, the Razer Orca provides a convenient solution for switching between gaming and listening to music. The Razer Orca comes with a shorter, standard braided cable for listening to music on the go, but also includes a braided 2 meter extension cable for a quick transition to desktop gaming. Nutty! The Orca features 40mm neodymium magnet drivers and states a frequency response of 15 – 21,000 Hz, although we’ll bet your mileage will vary.
Razer’s Orca headphones will set you back $59.99 / €59.99 and portion of your dignity. More information on the Razer Orca Headphones.
One of Seven45 Studios’ cronies just sent us a promo video for their new six-string Guitar Hero controller, dubbed PowerGig, which we first wrote about in March.
Considering they just probably dumped the equivalent of Iceland’s GNP into a volcano merely for promotion, it looks like they will be available for the upcoming holiday season…
Apple will debut a new iPod Touch this fall with dual cameras, more memory and a host of new features. We can’t confirm if the Retina display will make it over from the iPhone 4, but it will include a version of FaceTime, Apple’s video conferencing over Wi-Fi feature.
Look for an announcement in the next couple of weeks to capitalize on the Back-To-School buying season.
Backline has debuted RiffBox, an audio looping app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Become a one-man band, capture a musical idea or practice your beatboxing skills. By detecting repeated notes or rhythm patterns that you play or sing, RiffBox uses patented technology to automatically recognize and create perfectly timed loops.
Change the loop length by timing them to notes or chords that you play. An unlimited number of layers can be added to create complex musical passages. Store your music in a loop library and e-mail loops as WAV files, or download basic rhythm loops from the web. RiffBox offers many exciting looping features.
There are multiple ways you can create a basic loop:
- Based on the number of notes or chords played
- Starting after you play the same note for a second time
- Recognizing rhythm patterns to determine the loop you are playing
- Recognizing note sequences to determine the loop you are playing
- Press a button and manual mode starts looping on the very next note
- Restrict the frequency range of notes or rhythms that are recognized
- Automatically create click-tracks as the basis for your loops
- Download basic rhythm loops such as drum patterns from the web
Once you’ve created your loop:
- Record and mix 4 additional audio layers at a time
- Use the mixdown function to add an unlimited number of audio layers
- Change the loop length timed to the audio ‘events’ that are part of the loop
- E-mail the base loop or all loop layers as WAV files
Reforge, an audio editor for the Apple iPad, has been released. With Reforge, you can edit the wave form directly just by touching it. Set selections to copy and paste within files or even paste from another file. Dynamically change volume for fade in effects or the remove unwanted clicks. Adjust stereo balance and set it to the far left channel for the beginning of the track continuously transferring over to the right channel for the end. Add stereo widening effects or bring it all to together to make is sound mono. Add high pass and low pass effects to start an intro, simulate a telephone conversation or just distort your sound.
In Reforge, you can use tracker knobs to adjust the many effect levels. Add as many trackers as you need by double tapping on the waveform. Move them around to generate the changes to the effect you need. Currently supported effects: Volume, Stereo balance, Stereo widening, Low pass filter and High pass filter. Reforge contains a help utility in Portrait mode which explains each function in detail, somewhat like the Help box in Ableton Live.
Use the built in wifi server to upload music in mp3, im4, wav, aif format, and use Audiocopy and Audiopaste to exchange music with other apps that support it. This enables you to interact with apps like Fourtrack. If you own AudioView, you will also be able to exchange audio with Beatmaker.
Reforge costs $9.99 and is available in the iTunes store. More information on Reforge.
YouRock is now shipping their new MIDI Electric Guitar / Video Game controller. The YouRock could be the missing link between getting kids to transition from game god to rock god.
The YouRock guitar is a full-fledged MIDI controller that contains 25 guitars, 50 synths, 25 tracks, and 50 drum tracks all in one package. Experiment with 50 different tunings with just the click of a button. And the YouRock never goes out of tune.
The YouRock is also a Rock Band / Guitar Hero controller. So if you’re ready to move from pressing a bunch of colored buttons to actually playing the guitar, the YouRock Guitar could be your ticket.
With the built-in sounds, a headphone jack, and MIDI all housed inside the guitar, you’re always ready to rock, no matter where you go. Although, we haven’t gotten our hands on the puppy, the touch sensitive fretboard claims to feel just like a real guitar.
Disclaimer: the best quote from a professional guitarist on YouRock’s website states, “It feels much better than I expected.”
Translation: I thought it was sheer crap, but it actually works.
Heck, we could give a hoot how “it plays” as long as it does play. Reason? We feel that if Guitar Hero kids spent a portion of their time actually practicing a real guitar instead of a video game, we’d probably be producing more Eddie Van Halen’s…instead of burnouts. Well, in the case of Eddie, we’ll take a great guitarist who burned out…
Features:
» Digital guitar and full-fledged MIDI controller
» Full realistic playing fretboard. Real Metal Strings.
» Supports finger picking, slides and chord based playing
» Built in whammy bar allows note bending
» Fast & accurate response
» Output MIDI data directly to your computer and record your riffs
into Garage Band or any other DAW
» 25 guitars, 50 synths, 25 tracks, and 50 drum tracks in one
» No broken strings, no going out of tune
» Supports instant alternate tuning for playing different songs
» YouRock Mode teaches you to play popular songs
» Rock Band controller
Zoom has announced the H1 Handy Recorder. The H1’s two onboard microphones are configured in an X/Y pattern, for stereo imaging depth and clarity and delivers 24 bit / 96 kHz stereo recordings.
The H1 is the smallest Zoom recorder to date and sports a newly designed user interface that places all its functions at the touch of a button. Zoom included access to the track marker, auto record, low cut filter, level and volume controls with onboard buttons and no menus.
Features:
» Stereo X/Y mic configuration
» Same frequency and SPL handling as Zoom H2
» Records WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
» Records MP3 from 48 to 320kbps for maximum recording time
» USB 2.0 port and integrated reference speaker built-in
» One AA size (LR6) battery – 10 hours operation
» Includes 2GB microSD memory card and AA battery
» Accommodates up to 32GB microSD memory cards
» Auto record level setting
» Track marker function
» Low cut filter
» 1/8” external mic input
» Stereo 1/8” line output
» Built-in mounting joint for tripod and mic stand mounting
The H1 can accommodate up to 32GB microSDHC memory cards, providing over 50 hours of recording time. The new pocket sized recorder is powered by a single AA size battery, which Zoom claims can provide up to 10 hours of continuous operation.
The Zoom H1 Handy Recorder will be available on July 30 for $99. H1 users can purchase an H1 accessory kit for $24.99, which includes a windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB cable, adjustable tripod stand, soft carrying pouch and mic clip adapter. More information on the Zoom H1.
4Pockets have released Aurora Sound Studio, a new app for the iPhone and iPad. The pattern based musical sequencing software reminds us of the Tenori-On, and can have you making grid-based, multitouch music in just minutes. By simply choosing a musical scale every note you play is in perfect tune, leaving you to make your own great sounding music.
If you are a more accomplished musician you simply switch Aurora to advanced mode and you get full control over the built-in instruments and effects, as well as many advanced modes such as the Atomizer and XY Mode which allows you to manipulate sound in real-time. You can create your own instrument from recordings made using the built in microphone. Just think, a full drum kit of you beatboxing into the microphone!
Aurora allows a mixture of pattern based recording and live performance. You can piece together complete compositions or simply improvise a performance. All of which can be captured to a file, for use as a ringtones, or to share with others. An integrated mixer, combined with the ability to add audio effects and layer automation means that you achieve a sophisticated sound in a fun and user friendly way.
Features:
» Create up to 32 patterns with seamless transitions
» Up to 14 layers (instruments) per pattern can be used
» Song creation of up to 199 patterns
» Choose between Basic and Advanced modes
» Many popular musical scales available
» Interchangeable instruments (drum kits, synthesizers and samplers)
» Layer Automation, allows real-time manipulation of program parameters
» XY Mode allows smooth transitions between instruments, panning and effects etc.
» Atomizer mode allows real-time splicing and looping of audio
» Full instrument editing and user patch creation
» Real time key and tempo changes
» Sample your own instruments using the internal microphone
» Import samples to create new sampler and drum kits patches
» Full sample loop editing
» Add effects such as echo, reverb, phaser and filters etc.
» Transpose song and pattern function
» Full Cut, Copy and Paste of patterns and layers
» Fully integrated help and Guided Tour feature
» Record to file functionality for exporting your masterpiece
» Integrated 14 channel Mixer
» Each layer can have different note lengths (from whole to 1/64th notes)
» Definable visual layer effects
» Sample Accurate Timing
» Fully configurable audio settings
» Upload and share songs
4Pocket’s Aurora Sound Studio costs only $10 and is available now. More information on the 4Pocket Aurora Sound Studio.
Audiofile Engineering has released MIDI Surface for iPhone OS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad). Designed for use with Line 6’s MIDI Mobilizer hardware accessory, MIDI Surface gives iPhone and iPod touch owners the ability to quickly and easily build their own fully customized MIDI control surfaces.
Suitable for use on stage, at home or in studio settings, MIDI Surface offers four interface styles, each with its own set of changeable parameters: The Keyboard interface features Channel and Velocity controls. The Sliders interface includes Channel, Controller (Mod Wheel, Expression, etc.), Low Value and High Value controls. The Drum Pads interface includes Channel, Category (Note On, Controller, Program Change), Note, Note Off (Immediate or Touch Up) and Velocity controls. The X-Y interface supports up to four touches and includes Channel, Controller, Left Value and Right Value controls.
Users can create and save as many MIDI Surface interfaces as they like. Each customized control surface can be configured in precise detail and adjusted on the fly. Users can even store their own unique Presets for quick recall.
Korg has updated their iElectribe App to version 1.1 giving users features that should have been included in the first place. Responding to user outcry, Korg finally added the ability to export audio, allowing users to transfer patterns and performances into their Mac/PC via iTunes in the .wav file format.
Additional refinements in Version 1.1.0 include improved knob response as well as some sonic enhancements.
The Korg iELECTRIBE 1.1 update for iPad is now available at Apple’s App Store for free. New users can purchase the app for $9.99 until June 30, 2010.
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