AfterShokz – Safer Headphones that Bypass the Eardrum…

January 24, 2012

If years of cranking up your tunes to sky-high decibels are taking their toll, the electronics wizards at AfterShokz have created a better way to rock out by bypassing your eardrums completely. The Syracuse, NY-based company, which debuted a trio of headphones at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, uses bone-conduction technology to deliver sound waves directly to your inner ear. Because AfterShockz doesn’t drown out ambient noise like conventional earphones can, you’ll be able to carry on a conversation, pay attention to passing cars, or maintain awareness of your surroundings while your music plays, all while keeping the peace between you and your fellow man (or woman).

The Technology Behind AfterShokz

Powered by patent pending military special ops bone conduction technology, AfterShokz Bone Conduction Headphones offer consumers a more comfortable, healthier, and safer listening experience. Unlike conventional headphones and earbuds that use the eardrums to transmit sound, Aftershokz headphones sit comfortably in front of the ear and utilize bone conduction technology to deliver stereophonic sound through the listener’s cheekbones to the inner ear. This enables anyone participating in an activity – jogging, biking, skateboarding, hiking, gaming – to stay connected to both what they are listening to and the outside world.

How Bone Conduction Works

Most of what we hear is due to sound waves traveling through the air to the eardrum, which then converts the sound waves to vibrations and transmits them to the inner ear. Sound waves can also get to the inner ear through direct vibration of the bones in the head which carry the vibrations directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrums. This is how a person hears his or her own voice, and also how whales hear. This pathway of sound is known as

bone conduction.

Ludwig van Beethoven, the 18th century composer who was almost completely deaf, tried a technique developed earlier by Giovanni Filippo Ingrassia and discovered he could hear music through his jawbone by biting a rod attached to his piano. The same principles of bone conduction are what make AfterShokz headphones work. (For more information on hearing and bone conduction.

Technics 1200 and Audiotechnica AT-LP120 USB Turntables – A Story of Love and Heartbreak…

September 7, 2011

Upon finding out about our possible relocation from New York to overseas I soon realized thatI needed turntables that are switchable between 110-240v.Buying the dual voltage 1200′s at around $1200.00 was not an option and I did not want the stress of having to buy and sell and buy and sell Technics 1200′s if we were to return to New York.

Weary of all non-Technics turntables I stumbled upon Audiotechnica’s AT-LP120 USB. It walks and talks like a Technics 1200, they’re heavy, same s-arm, height adjust, track lights, sound great but also has features that the 1200 should have progressed to; direction switching, usb and analog choice, built in pre-amp(no ground wire), dual voltage, 33-45-78 rpm, 110v-240v etc… Having read review after review I sold my 1200′s and purchased (2) Audiotechnica AT-LP120 USB and had change leftover.  Everyday I come into the studio I try to find something wrong with the AT-LP120′s but can’t.   The Audiotechnica AT-LP120 USB turntables feel like that were created by the same engineers at the original Technics factory back in the day but with the modern features that we utilize today.

I am heart broken and will miss my Technics 1200′s but look forward to growing old with new turntable love the Audiotechnica AT-LP120 USB.

 

Jaymz Nylon Back To Raw with NI Maschine…

April 23, 2011

Sometimes to much technology can take us away from the raw emotion and the instant need to be artistically feed. With that said I picked up Native Instruments Maschine a few days ago and love it!!! Years ago I sold my MPC and Roland SP-808 that was used on my first Album “Afrotech” on Irma records back in 2000 it’s now such a pleasure to to get back to raw with Maschine.
I am totally smitten with it’s power, grace and ease. So excited that I have started to record the sequel to “Afrotech”, “Afrotech 2.0″…

Create tight rhythms, harmonies and melodies in moments with MASCHINE – the highly enjoyable instrument that combines a pattern-based sequencer, professional sampler, multi-effect unit and VST/AU plug-in host. Everything is intuitively controllable via the fully integrated hardware – once you touch the tactile controller the fun and intuitive workflow takes over, allowing you to stay focused on what matters – the music.

MASCHINE integrates easily into your computer-based studio set-up. Use the hardware controller to find, load and play sounds, automate parameters and arrange patterns on the fly. Combine this with the ability to control and sequence all of your external hardware instruments, or switch to MIDI mode to control other software.

After quickly and intuitively developing your ideas, drag and drop your patterns as MIDI or audio files directly into your DAW to finalize and mix your production. You’ll soon realize MASCHINE is a powerhouse capable of revolutionizing the way you make music.

MASCHINE is fast becoming the ultimate performance tool for creative musicians. The MASCHINE controller is super-sturdy yet easily portable, the highly responsive pads and endless rotary knobs are addictively playable, while the two backlit displays keep you informed of what’s going on – perfect for any club or stage.

Use MASCHINE as an instrument for performing your own tracks, or sync it with other gear like TRAKTOR PRO 2 to add more dynamics to your live set.

MASCHINE comes with over 6 GB of ready-to-use, professional and inspiring sounds. Create rhythms and melodies right away with the included drum kits, one-shot samples, basses, synths and acoustic instruments – all fully tagged for easy browsing.

MASCHINE now also includes KOMPLETE ELEMENTS worth $59 / 49 €, providing more than 1,000 stunning sounds drawn from the flagship KOMPLETE 7, opening a world of styles and flavors ready for use in your productions.

BEHRINGER’S DDM4000 32-bit digital DJ mixer – Could it Be the One For Me?

March 6, 2011

I was thinking of getting a new digital DJ mixer for my home studio and came across the new BEHRINGER DDM4000 and jus’ had to share it with you.
What I dug most about the DDM4000 was that it encompasses the past, present and future all in one that will allow any DJ to feel more than adequately equipped to rock any party

Solar-Powered Sound System for iPod and iPhone

June 16, 2010

Soulra -Solar-Powered Sound System for iPod and iPhone

Take your party to the beach, park, your Momma’s backyard or wherever you want to lay it down. I have the feelin’ that there’s going to be massive amounts of outlaw parties this summer!!!

Features:

• Solar-powered charging dock, compatible with iPod and iPhone
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack
• Rugged/rubberized case and aluminum body
• IPX-4 Splash proof from all angles
• Audio line input
• Stereo sound with full-range speaker drivers and bass boost
• Battery-charge indicator
• AC power input
• Accessories: remote control, protective cover for iPod, AC adapter

Dimensions: 11.875″ x 6.625″ x 3.5″ (301 x 168 x 89 mm) (W x H x D)
Weight: 3 lbs 7.9 oz. (1.58 kg)

Ammunition Cases Used For The Love of Music Not Acts of War…

April 22, 2010

A-BOX. straight from the army, an original ammobox with a design from the fifties. so good its still in use ??the A-BOX is made of 1mm steel plate fortified from the inside with 6mm trespa and made as inert as possible with vibration dampening material to ensure a ridiculously good sound for piece of metal??added to that are the high quality insides of its luxurious brother, the iBox, for a crystal clear sound, even at high volumes.

The A-BOX comes equipped with an integrated rechargeable battery like you would expect from such an outdoor ready product ??the iPod/mp3 player can be connected on the outside of the A-BOX as well as the inside so you can listen to your tunes while running around with the A-BOX for example or just protecting your iPod from bullets and stuff ??the A-BOX comes in 2 models: the light version with 2 x 25 watts rms amplifier and woven glass fiber speakers (carbon color) this model will cost 350 euros but because of it’s introduction the price will be 250 euros (339.00$) temporarily. and the heavy version sporting 2 x 70 watts amplifiers and woven kevlar speakers (the yellow material used in bullet proof vests) this version will be selling for 475 euros normally, now for 350 euros (475.00$) intro price ??both versions have indication lights in the bass tube which will indicate the status of the battery with white, orange and red colors.

The heavy version however has an extra feat, indication lights behind the speakers which will warn against distortion when driven too loud. this gives a funky disco effect when driven slightly too loud??the A-BOX is not really bulletproof, why should it be? but the speakers are really made of kevlar, just not in the thickness required to protect anything from bullets…

Digitize Your Old School Cassette Tapes

April 18, 2010

Finally, I have an easy way to convert all my old school mixed tapes to audio files that I can now rock on my iPod, car(hybrid) stereo or computer.

Grace Tape 2 USB – Cassettes to USB (GDI-T2USB)
RECORD CASSETTE TO USB

Record your cassette tapes directly to your PC or Mac with the TAPE2USB

Heavy Weight Sounds-Audio Technica ATH-DWL5000 Headphones

March 29, 2010

With the price tag of over a “G” would you cop these?

Features
Add profession to your next wireless headphone system, and enjoy the high quality sound. Audio-Technica continues to set the standard in the headphone industry, and now presents ATH-DWL5000, the all new 2007 digital wireless headphone system. Featuring an advanced “Sound Quality-Oriented Design” with a large 53mm driver that produces a powerful bass. With a strong transmission frequency, the sound is harder and cleaner. Designed with a stylish outfit plus comfortable ear-pads allow the headphone to stay longer around the ears and on the head. Available on in Japan.

Specifications
Headphone section
Type: Open air dynamic type
Driver: phi 53mm, bobbin winding CCAW voice coil
Playback frequency characteristic: 5 – 35,000Hz
Power source: DC2.4V or DC3V
Continuous duty time: 6 hours
Mass: 375g

Transmitter section
Decoder function: Dolby digital /DTS/AAC/ Dolby professional logic II
Modulation technique: DSSS
Transmission frequency zone: 2.4GHz band
Carry-over factor: 30m
Input:
-Digital input (rectangular jack) x2 system
-Coaxial digital input (RCA pin jack) x1 system
-LINE input (RCA pin jack L/R)

The Melodica-Blow Me…

January 1, 1970

Blow hard, blow soft and have fun!
An easy-to-play instrument with deep, rich sound, the Melodica is great for beginners and seasoned musicians alike. With a full 3-octave range (37 piano keys), a tonal range from F to F, and a comfortable mouthpiece for blowing air into, this instrument will teach you worlds about forming chords and harmony. Play it just like you would a piano, and the air you push through the mouthpiece brings the sounds of the keys to life! Extremely portable (play it anywhere!) and includes a carrying case. Imported. Wipe clean.
* 10″w, 23″h 4″d
* Plastic
* Web exclusive

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