THE NEXT THING IN MP3 PLAYERS
I think the next big thing or feature to be found in upcoming
generations of MP3 players is recording. Actually, adding the
ability to record sounds directly into a portable MP3 device is a
fairly easy thing for manufacturers of the players to do. And in
fact, several MP3 player/recorder devices are already available.
Creative Labs' MuVo Micro N200 is one such example. The tiny flash
memory-based MP3 device comes in versions with up to a 1 gigabyte
storage capacity. The MuVo can record sounds directly into the unit
via an external microphone. Audio can be encoded in either WMA or
MP3 formats. Another popular MP3 recorder/player has been available
from Archos for some time now.
As host of the Computer America radio show, I decided to send my
co-host out to the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and
record interviews to be used later on in the week. But this time, we
decided to give it a try using the MP3 recorder/players instead of
the traditional tape recorders that continue to be used by so many
broadcasters. What we discovered is that while the quality of the
audio recordings were on par or even better than those made on
traditional tape recorders, the controls required for making a
quality recording using one or more external microphones were sorely
lacking. What we needed was some kind of tiny, battery-powered
portable microphone mixer and I found one.
 The
MixPre from Sound Devices is a fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand, two
pound device that lets you connect one or two balanced XLR
microphones to the inputs of a variety of recording devices. Using
two AA batteries, the MixPre includes just about every feature and
ability you'd find in a much larger professional audio mixing board.
These include features like seven-segment sunlight-readable LED
meters that instantly indicate the volume levels, automatic limiters
that prevent clipping and distortion, the ability to pan the audio
image from left, center or right outputs, audio filters and lots
more.
The entire package comes wrapped in a solidly constructed casing
that can take much of the abuse that's expected from recording in
the field. You should know that the MixPre will most likely cost a
lot more than your MP3 device as it sells for $855. At that price,
the MixPre is aimed squarely at the recording professional. But if
you are looking for a top-of-the-line portable microphone mixer to
enhance whatever recording device you choose to use, then the MixPre
is the way to go.
www.sounddevices.com
I suggest you use Google Suggest
Google is the world's most widely used search engine and yet it
still continues to improve with new features and abilities. The
latest offering is still in beta but you should definitely check it
out. Google Suggest looks and works pretty much like the regular
flavor of Google but with a big difference. As with Google, you are
presented with the home page simple search box into which you type
the words you want to use as search identifiers. But with Google
Search, as you type each letter you are instantly presented with a
listing of search terms that match what Google has to offer.
Continue to type more letters and the instant list continues to
change.
As you type, Google offers the suggestions along with the number
of corresponding matching results that appear along side of each
suggestion in the list. When you see what you want, you use the
arrow keys to scroll down to the selection or use the mouse.
While Google Suggest remains in the test phase, don't let that
prevent you from bookmarking it. I have it bookmarked and it's
already becoming my search page of choice. Check it out:
labs.google.com/suggest |
