Vinyl records are currently enjoying somewhat of a renaissance. But the design and appearance of most turntables is fairly standard.
Atmo Sfera, however, represents a new spin on the classic turntable. The most obvious difference between it and typical models is the lack of a platter. Drawbacks of the classic turntable design include heavy weight and a vulnerability to vibration. The unique design of Atmo allows records to spin in the air flawlessly and smoothly.
Given the vast capabilities of smartphones, it’s surprising that simply recording something can be much more difficult than need be. While there are many apps than can record live audio, the result is often a recording with less than stellar audio quality. Further, transforming a recording into an MP3 isn’t always straightforward.
The RecorderPlugin is a device which streamlines this entire process. The device can be plugged into anything with a headphone jack and can save recorded audio as MP3s on the fly. This means that most devices are fair game, from from smartphones and tablets to radios and TVs. The $75 base model comes with 16GB, but 32GB and 64GB options are both available as well. The $33,333 campaign is looking to ship the product in October 2015.
The RecorderPlugin is certainly useful, and the search for a practical solution for recording challenges is certainly real. Music buffs, business types, and even those in love with their own voice will be interested in the RecorderPlugin. That said, if users need something with much more polish, the Bluewire Bluetooth is probably a safer bet.
In this day and age, if there isn’t a tweet, status update, image, or video of something you’ve done, it may not have ever happened for all accounts and purposes. The Filmbo dock works with iPhone 4s to 6 Plus models to automatically track and capture either photos or video of movement so that someone else doesn’t have to.
Weighing in at a tiny .35lbs, the Filmbo can swivel 360° and tilt 20° to provide in-focus, clear shots to show off a goal you’ve made or a trick that you’ve finally nailed. Its three recording modes allow for versatility in which kind of images or video you’d want: robotic video mode follows you and continuously captures video, its moment photo mode tracks you specifically and takes photos when it senses big changes in movement or speed, and robotic time-lapse mode follows you and starts time-lapse photos automatically. The device sports a one click activation and lasts for up to eight hours if you don’t consider that it can charge smartphones, too. The Filmbo is fantastic for sports, but oddly only supports iOS and can’t attach a GoPro. Let’s hope that it can at least stand up to the rough wear and tear it will likely experience. One Filmbo is currently going for $99 before it shoots up to its MSRP of $169. The company is looking to raise $70,000 to have the product in the wild by April 2015.
Keeping track of who said what in a phone call just got easier for both the average Joe and professionals. The Recap USB is an audio adapter that plugs directly into a smartphone on one end, and then into a Mac or PC on the other, which will recognize it as a new auto input device. Phone calls can then be stored in the computer. They can also be edited using Audacity or GarageBand programs. This is the third go-round for the Recap team on ‘Kickstarter, which seems to keep developing new takes on the call recorder as soon as the previous version ships. For $79, backers get one product with an expected delivery of December 2014.
The Premise. For those who bike to commute or just for fun, laws and convenience tie them to the same streets that cars speed down. Every intersection is an accident waiting to happen, every passing car might not notice the cyclist doing his best to move with traffic beside him. As a result, cyclists are constantly in fear of something much faster and heavier than they forcing them off the road.
The Product. The Fly6 is a combination LED taillight/HD camera that clips right to the seat post and can record the traffic behind for up to 5 hours. The philosophy behind this design is that it will alert motorists to cyclists, and at the same time let them know they are being recorded should they try to do anything dangerous or reckless. Every Fly6 comes with a USB-rechargeable lithium ion battery and an 8GB microSD card.
The Pitch. Introducing the Fly6 are Australian inventors Andrew Hagen and Kingsley Fiegert. Kingsley explains that the inspiration for the device came about when a car full of inconsiderate young people pulled up beside him in a motorcycle and shot him point blank with a slingshot, nearly causing him serious injury. Shocked by the incident, he forgot to take down the license plate number. A number of demonstrations are shown, illustrating the taillight strobe and the camera recording functions, as well as how the current model is waterproof. At the end, the two cleverly reveal that the entire video was shot using a Fly6, illustrating its quality. Andrew and Kingsley are asking for $95,000 AUD to finalize the design, streamline the software, patent the device, and more.
The Perks. $119 AUD ($15 AUD to ship outside of Australia) is all it takes to get a Fly6, delivered in May 2014. A special white model is available for slightly more. At the highest, $399 AUD tier, backers will be shipped a prototype in March with free shipping, to test out and provide feedback before the finished product launches, which they will also receive.
The Potential. The Fly6 could be to cyclists what the insurance dashboard camera is for Russian motorists. Not only does it provide a real safety need, but it could lead to a new generation of viral videos as one of the promo videos hints.
The Premise. You’re off making contacts, getting demos out, and, generally taking the world by storm, when you’re suddenly hit with the need to record a song or demo. There’s no way to get to a recording studio and you feel your inspiration fading. What to do?
The Product. The MixerFace is a musical interface that allows you to get studio-quality sound from recordings made with your laptop, tablet or smartphone. It allows you to bypass these devices’ usual audio inputs, and plug an instrument or pro-quality mic in, directly.
The Pitch. The inventor knows his stuff, referring to factors that define a quality recording, like mikes that are optimized for professional sound, and that mobile devices don’t have them. The interface is built on the proven platform of the Hi-Fi M8, the best amplifier that CNET has ever tested according to the presentation. The well-produced video parodies a movie trailer, right down to the dramatic music, and trademark clichés: “In a world…, One man…,” and so on. It provides an extremely concise, professional and knowledgeable pitch, albeit, a rather thin presentation.
In other words, you get a lot of reasons for using the MixerFace, but not a lot about the product itself. This is partially remedied, however, with a comprehensive list of technical information, like its Li-Polymer battery, low-noise boutique pre-amps, 48v phantom power, product compatibility, and a ton of other specs that will leave the layman’s head spinning.
The Perks. There are two unique aspects to the the products perks — an early early-bird price, and an incentive for referring friends. The regular reward price is $349, but early birds can take delivery on the first day of spring (March 20th), or on tax-day for $279 and $299, respectively. And for you referrers, there is the opportunity to earn free equipment like other instrument interfaces, MixerFaces, and studio monitors (speakers) if you get your friends to spend at least $500.
The Potential. This product depends on third parties’ recording apps. The presentation includes a list of musicians/professionals that endorse the company’s other products. These two details alone are enough to make the seasoned studio rat a bit leery. But, it must be said, while there are other interfaces that sell for as little 50 bucks, one would be hard-pressed to find one that is battery-powered, tailor-made for mobile devices, and is as compact, portable and functional as the MixerFace is at any price.