The iRig Microphone and iPhone apps

Now, a microphone and apps just made for recording on your iPhone

Finding quality audio gear at a reasonable price is usually a difficult endeavor.  Finding compact audio gear that travels well is also a challenge. To find something that sounds good, doesn’t cost a fortune and travels well – Uber Cool!

Such is the iRIg Mic from IK Multimedia. This quality condenser microphone plugs into the iPhone you are already carrying and gives you audio recordings which are bound to surprise you. Made of heavy duty material, this mike feels really good in your hand. 

Three sensitivity settings on the handle let you immediately adjust for a distant song bird, a close-up interview or an ear-crushing live rock band.  Free software apps enables you to do simple straight recordings with iRig Recorder or for those vocalists out there, try the also free VocaLive. Both do great job rights out of the Apple store, and both can be upgraded to give even more features with in-app upgrades available.  Check out the video demo of iRig recorder (with optional features.)

With an ala carte menu available, you can get just the effects you need for the recording types you do. The VocaLive app comes with Reverb and Doubler already included (once you register). Singers and songwriters will have a suite of 5 dedicated real-time vocal effects (pitch correction, choir harmonizer, voice doubler, vocal morpher and de-esser) plus 7 effects tailored to vocal processing (reverb, EQ, compressor, delay, envelope filter, chorus, phazer) that can be combined on a 3-processor vocal rig chain. VocaLive also includes dozens of presets to help you get up and running in seconds.  Check out the video demo of VocaLive. 

Ever wanted a multi-track recorder? Would you believe a four–track recorder for only $4.99? Believe it. You can even import songs from your iTunes library, drop out the vocal track and rerecord the song with your voice. Way to go IK Multimedia.

Both apps will work on iPhone, iTouch and iPad. And if you are using an iPad, you’ll want to check out their iKlip, a sweet, simple adapter that mounts your iPad right onto a mike stand. If you are a performer, you can take your iPad onstage with you. 

For more details and sample recordings, check out the IK Multimedia website.

iMainGo: X and iMainGo: 2 – product reviews

You say you want audio? You say you want your volume BIG, but you want your package small? iMainGo has you covered. The two iMainGo audio units are essentially a protective clamshell that has bold sounding audio speakers  and a padded compartment to hold your iPod, iPhone or iTouch. A clear, touch-sensitive window allows control of your device even when the shell is zipped closed.

Not an Apple fan? No problem, both units will work with a host of MP3 players as well. With its gold tipped 3.5mm stereo plug, just about anything with a headphone jack will work. (That means you could use it with your iPad, although a special model for the iPad is coming this year.)

SOUND QUALITY

You like your music because it sounds good, and loudspeakers aren’t what you want if they distort the music or audio broadcast you’re listening to. No problem here. The two titanium speakers and two tuned bass ports put out sweet sound no matter what genre you choose. Good bass is hard to come by in small packages and these are about as good as life gets. I and everyone I’ve shown them to have been amazed at the quality.

POWER

There are two models to choose from.  The iMainGo: X has its own internal rechargeable battery pack and comes with a medium-sized wall wart plug to recharge or for extended sessions. One full recharge lasts a good long time. The iMainGo: 2 uses 4 conventional AAA batteries obtainable anywhere for up to 30 hours of playtime.

VOLUME

Rarely does anything this compact put out the huge sound of these two units. Literally, you’ll be able to hear these units over 50’ away. Want more distance? Daisy chain two units together and get twice the power. (This only applies to the iMainGo: X model, which comes with two headphone jacks as well as a microphone input jack.)  As cool as that is, I doubt you’ll ever need it. 

Now you can watch your iPod videos and actually enjoy the audio without headphones. You won’t miss a thing with these speakers.

iMainGo products are sold online at their website or you can also find them at Target, Amazon, REI, EMS or MacHelper (Canada) and Amazon UK. Try them, I know you’ll be blown away.

How to ‘really’ type on an iPad or iPhone

iPad 2 has brought hundreds of thousands of new users to the tablet community. Add that to the millions of smartphone users out there, and that’s a lot of people who want to share information. Unfortunately, what many can’t come to grips with is the lack of a practical keyboard.

If you are filing reports from the field, or heaven forbid, trying to fill out a spreadsheet, there is nothing worse than a non-tactile, appearing and disappearing keyboard.

Productivity is back, thanks to Freedom and their i-Connex keyboard. This is a foldable, but full size keyboard that connects with your device by Bluetooth. Once paired and connected, you can go right back to touch typing and quickly complete your project.

The i-Connex will connect with a large number of popular devices including:

• Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch running the 4.0 OS
• Windows Mobile 6.1 and 6.5 (with built in HID support).
• Playstation 3
• Windows, Mac and linux based laptops, PC's, tablets and netbooks.
• All other devices that have built in support for HID Bluetooth keyboards.

There are so many nice touches built into the i-Connex that make it a pleasure to use:

• A slide-out stand is concealed in the unit which gives you a place to rest your smartphone at a convenient viewing angle. When you are done, flip it back to the flat position and reinsert it back into the keyboard case for travel. It adds virtually no weight.
• Separate Alt and Ctrl keys allow you use your favorite keyboard shortcuts.
• Six separate keys perform multimedia controls like play, forward, reverse, volume up and down.
• A sliding lever locks the keyboard in the full open position so you can use it on your lap without the keyboard folding up during use.
• Separate up, down, left and right arrow keys.
• Full set of function keys F1 through F12 available.
• A dedicated e-mail key
• Comes with a protective case so it can be tossed into a purse or briefcase. It operates on AAA batteries and reportedly lasts 90 hours in use or 3,000 hours in standby mode.
• Two lights indicate battery and connection status

With the freedom from my laptop, I can now file stories from the road using just my iPhone. Even though I had that capability before, without a real keyboard, I could just not bear the thought of struggling with Apple’s flat keyboard. The idea of filing a 400-word story was not something I would have ever considered. With the i-Connex, it’s no problem.

You can find the i-Connex keyboard as well as other Freedom keyboard solutions on their website as well as at Wireless Ground: http://www.wirelessground.com/ and eAccess: http://www.eaccess-estore.com

Now with products like Quickoffice and LogMeIn, there’s no excuse why you can’t be truly productive with your smartphone or tablet.
Freedom i-Connex Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Verizon iPhone 4, AT&T iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, Samsung Galaxy S/Tab, Playstation 3 and any HID Enabled Device (White)