Microphones Archive

  • Video gallery: Hitachi’s humanoid robot EMIEW2 in action

    Video gallery: Hitachi’s humanoid robot EMIEW2 in action

    Hitachi has recently shown a new version of its humanoid robot EMIEW2 (Excellent Mobility and Interactive Existence as Workmate2), which can scoot around on broken ground (the robot handles bumps that are up to 1.5cm high), recognize and distinguish between different human voices and converse with people.

    Full Story

  • AmpliTube iRig: Rock out with your ‘Phone out!

    AmpliTube iRig: Rock out with your ‘Phone out!

    IK Multimedia - makers of fine Guitar and Bass modeling software, among other things – have pre-order and pricing info available for their new iRig/Amplitube combo for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. This system requires their iRig dongle in conjunction with an app on your device. I have used both their Amplitube and SVX desktop [...]

    Full Story

  • M3-Kindy and Noby: Japan gets two scary kid robots (video)

    M3-Kindy and Noby: Japan gets two scary kid robots (video)

    Remember M3-neony and M3-synchy, two humanoid robots from Japan we've shown you back in March? Well, it seems Japan still doesn't have enough of creepy kid-like robots, as the so-called JST Erato Asada Project in Osaka today unveiled [JP] another two: M3-Kindy and Noby.

    Full Story

  • Custom stand actually holds your microphones in place

    Custom stand actually holds your microphones in place

    Any band can buy a regular mic stand. But getting one custom molded as cool as this? That’s a whole new level of awesome some seriously deep pockets. This stand is a construction of stainless steel with a brass quick-release from Artist Chris Conte. Commissioned by Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, the build sounds quite [...]

    Full Story

  • Panasonic to release VIERA-compatible HD web camera for Skype

    Panasonic to release VIERA-compatible HD web camera for Skype

    Back in January, LG and Panasonic were the first companies to announce that they would build a Skype function into their future TVs, making it possible to video chat in HD quality without a computer. And today Panasonic in Japan unveiled the TY-CC10W [JP], a web camera that can be used to skype on some of the company's VIERA TVs.

    Full Story

  • Robot + iPod touch = robovie mR2 (video)

    Robot + iPod touch = robovie mR2 (video)

    Japan’s Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute (ATR) has unveiled robovie mR2 [JP], a cute desk robot that stands just 30cm tall and weighs 2kg. The cool thing is that users can place an iPod touch in his chest to control the robot (wirelessly via Wifi or by touching the screen).

    Full Story

  • EMIEW2: Hitachi updates its cute humanoid robot

    EMIEW2: Hitachi updates its cute humanoid robot

    We last blogged about EMIEW2, a two-legged robot made by Hitachi, in July 2008. The main selling point was (and still is) an array of 14 microphones integrated into his head, enabling him to identify three different human voices simultaneously. But up until now, EMIEW2 tended to easily fall over on bumpy surfaces, which isn't really ideal for a humanoid that's supposed to one day serve as a receptionist and "walking" guide. That's why Hitachi has been working on a sophisticated suspension system for his wheels that helps the new version maintain its balance in certain situations.

    Full Story

  • Playing the world’s saddest song on the world’s smallest violin thumb piano

    Playing the world’s saddest song on the world’s smallest violin thumb piano

    Contact microphones are all sorts of fun. You can get some crazy sounds by sticking them on non-assuming, everyday items. Or you can make a tiny thumb piano with a tube clamp and some pieces of guitar string like Ranjit Bhatnagar up there. Check it out. [via MoonMilk and Make]

    Full Story

  • SteelSeries launches new headset and keyboard

    SteelSeries launches new headset and keyboard

    SteelSeries announced two products today, a headset and rather interesting looking keyboard. Both products are very much gamer-centric, with specialized features to make them of particular interest for the hard core LAN party player.

    Full Story

  • Panasonic announces world’s first 1080/60p camcorder(s)

    Panasonic announces world’s first 1080/60p camcorder(s)

    It's not everything about 3D for Panasonic these days. The company today announced the HDC-HS700 and HDC-TM700 [press release in English], which are the world's first 1080/60p camcorders. Strangely enough, said press release mentions neither this bit of information nor release dates (the Japanese one does).

    Full Story

  • XLR-to-USB cable brings you one step closer to music stardom

    XLR-to-USB cable brings you one step closer to music stardom

    You’ve been working on your music career for 13 years now. Take things to the next level by purchasing a higher-quality microphone. You know, one with an XLR input. Ask any touring musician about microphones. They’ll all be like, “Dude. XLR all the way. You have to spend more than $5 on a microphone if you want to get a record deal. That’s how they keep the riff-raff out of the music business.”

    Full Story

  • Churches (and others) will have to upgrade their mics right quick or the FCC will be very angry

    Churches (and others) will have to upgrade their mics right quick or the FCC will be very angry

    The absurdity of this issue, I swear. Get this: churches (and other deals like outdoor events) have been using microphones that operate on the 700MHz spectrum since, like, forever. It turns out that that part of the spectrum, 700MHz, is to be set aside for over-the-air digital TV broadcasts. You see where this is going: churches all over the country are going to have to upgrade their microphones, sound systems, etc. lest they run afoul of the law come June, 2010. You'd think God would have warned them about this.

    Full Story

  • Jabra launches two new bluetooth devices at CES

    Jabra launches two new bluetooth devices at CES

    Good news for Jabra fans; they just announced two new Bluetooth devices at CES. For the traditional headset wearer we've got the Jabra Extreme, and for the speakerphone fan we've got the Cruiser Bluetooth speakerphone. Both devices use Jabra's new Noise Blackout technology, to cut down on the background noise issues.

    Full Story

  • Spracht Aura EQ Bluetooth headset boasts dual mics, equalizer and capacitive volume control

    Spracht Aura EQ Bluetooth headset boasts dual mics, equalizer and capacitive volume control

    Spracht. It's probably not a company name you're intimately familiar with, but as with Jawbone, we're fully expecting it to become a mainstay in the Bluetooth earpiece sector after this unveiling. The Aura EQ earset is one of the wildest BT devices we've seen to date, boasting a slick, almost futuristic design and a smattering of features that are startlingly unique. For starters, it ships with twin switchable, focusable microphones, and if its ability to pair with up to eight phones doesn't bowl you over, maybe the built-in six-band equalizer will. Essentially, this headset will amplify and equalize the voice of whoever is speaking, which compensates for volume loss in certain ranges when communicating on a windy day or over a lackluster connection. Finally, exterior touts a capacitive volume control: simply slide your finger up or down the base, and the volume increases or decreases. No knobs or minuscule rocker switches to fuddle with. You'll be able to check this out worldwide in March for around $79 (estimated street price).

    Spracht Aura EQ Bluetooth headset boasts dual mics, equalizer and capacitive volume control originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Full Story

  • Bari Bari: New exploration and rescue robot (video)

    Bari Bari: New exploration and rescue robot (video)

    Japan is prone to large-scale earthquakes, so the fact that researchers in this country are constantly working on the development of highly specialized rescue robots. And the so-called Bari Bari IV is a particularly clever model, as it can help people who are in danger, for example after a building has been destroyed, by being more cautious than other robots. It's one of the robots developed at the Kitagawa-Tsugoshi Lab at Tokyo Institute of Technology. The Bari Bari solves the problem rescue teams encounter at the scenes after an explosion, accident or natural disaster took place: People buried under rubble.

    Full Story