Over the last week we’ve lost two visionary artists in very different musical genres; two men whose names might not have been household names and who might never have burned up the pop charts, but their impact was broad and far-reaching, and who will be sorely missed. Those men were jazz drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson and rock musician Lou Reed.
A quick search of past posts will reveal how much I love my SONOS system; I use it constantly. Now SONOS has announced the SONOS PLAY:1. The most affordable way to jump into SONOS yet, the PLAY:1 has two custom-designed drivers with dedicated amplifiers. Small but powerful, the $199 PLAY:1 is ready to rock your world. Get it.
Have you ever said to yourself, “You know what I need? A portable Bluetooth speaker in the shape of a travel mug that fits right in my cup holder in my car.”? If so, you’re in luck! iCreation’s speeCup is a very convenient, nicely powered speaker that fits your criteria. The speeCup retails for $129.95.
When you bring together masters like King Crimson bassist/stick-master Tony Levin, Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess and maniac drummer Marco Minneman, you know the results will be a shred-fest. But will it be any good? Rest assured, not only is this CD a humbling listen for musicians, it is a high-quality and rewarding journey through modern-day instrumental rock.
While I have always been an advocate of ‘owning’ music (as opposed to stealing or streaming), I have stuck with the latest tech trends: through the years I have had 45’s, 8-tracks, LPs, cassettes, CDs and MP3s. Each has strengths and weaknesses, but I am still bemused about the recent vinyl resurgence – which continues with estimates of 30% 2013 increase! Of course it is important to remember that the top-selling vinyl album of 2012 was Blunderbuss by Jack White – and that sold 34,000 copies (yes, 34 THOUSAND) … and the second top-selling album was Abbey Road by…
While I do possess the ability to learn some songs by ear, it is always much better if I can at least have the chords available then match the style of the song. An interesting Mac application called Capo 3 was just announced that makes this process much easier. For $29.99 Capo 3 will detect chords and beats from iTunes music making learning them quicker. The new software not only detects the chords being played, but will also show how to play them in chord boxes. Consider it like making a real time tableture of any song in your music…
Tribute albums always make me cringe, because I have heard way too many that either feel indulgent or like a cash-in. But more and more I am hearing tributes that are smart and thoughtful and pay real tribute to great artists. ‘Jazz and All That’ is such a tribute, going far beyond just being a Dave Brubeck tribute album. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes or Amazon. Artist: The Sachal Studios Orchestra Description: From the artist: Sachal Jazz Ensemble, master musicians from Pakistan who incorporate ancient instruments, such as sitar, sarod, tabla, and dholak into the sounds and rhythms…
One of the overlooked features in iOS 7 is the new Inter-App Audio routing system. While not as powerful as AudioBus, Apple’s system provides yet another set of Core services that ensure system-level capability and functionality. Today IK Multimedia announced that their flagship AmpliTube app us iOS 7 compatible and adds Inter-App Audio routing system support. Here are some specifics about the iOS 7 support from the press release: Inter-App audio allows audio apps to communicate with each other and stream the audio output from one app to another. This feature is extremely handy for adding effects, and processing the…
In an adaptation of an infamous truism, if it exists there is a dubstep for it. The latest example comes in the form of a challenge to Andrew Huang from one of his YouTube followers. Huang created a dubstep based on the opening to Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, and the video here. So what do you think – cool or crap? You can get the MP3 version of the track using ‘Pay with a Tweet/ Facebook Share’ download. Here is the video:
I thought I had done a review of the original WiFi2HiFi, but I’d actually just complained about the ordeal getting the copy I’d won in a website giveaway. But the app itself was good enough that when the new version was announced I was interested in trying it. My experience was not very good, with unexplained lost connections and dropouts. Type of app: Wireless audio app Platform/where to buy: iPhone/iPad; available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Clever & Son AG Description: Using the WiFi2HiFi application any iOS device in reach can tune in to the music you’re listening to on…
Along with a rather anemic product announcement keynote, Tim Cook reiterated the upcoming release of iOS 7, and with it iTunes Radio. While some have called Apple ‘late to market’ with iTunes Radio, I would say they are launching at the perfect time. Some of the reasons include the established user base of iTunes, and profit struggles of streaming services. Here are ten reasons to get excited for iTunes Radio: iTunes Integration: If I am listening to something in iTunes and want to go to Slacker, I have to stop, exit, flip pages and launch. With iTunes Radio you just…
Just to be honest, my initial exposure to WiFi2HiFi was anything but positive. I had won a copy in a website contest, but actually getting the company deliver took more than a month. But the app itself was pretty cool and provided useful functionality, and now they have released a new upgraded version, cleverly called WiFi2HiFi 2. So what IS WiFi2HiFi? Well, the concept is simple. You load an app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. You install the ‘master’ app on your Mac. You pair the two, and then your iOS device shows up as a ‘device’ for…
Although jazz is my favored genre, I love great musicians who show a love for their instrument and craft. Dream Theater is a prog-metal band with some of the best musicians in all of rock. Mike Petrucci and Jordan Rudess have won countless awards on their instruments over the years, and the new album sounds extremely promising! I had a friend who was into the early ‘speed metal’ scene in the early 80s, which required stamina as much as skill. Bands like Dream Theater took that to the next level by incorporating epic soundscapes and structures that derived from the…
When you name an artist as one of your favorite emerging guitarists and composers, and remarking each release has improved upon the last, it sets a high standard for any new release. And while ‘Illusionary Sea’ doesn’t topple ‘Bending Bridges’ as my favorite, it’s a solid album with excellent compositions and great musicianship, and a great addition to her catalog. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: Firehouse 12 Records Artist: Mary Halvorson Septet Description: From the artist: At the end of 2011, Mary Halvorson had finished writing two albums’ worth of quintet music and decided she was ready for a…
I loved the KMI QuNeo, so I am excited for the QuNeo Rogue. The Rogue is a new Indiegogo project for an integrated wireless connection kit and long lasting battery for QuNeo that allows you to leave your cables behind! With 12 hours of battery and a 50-200 meter wireless range, QuNeo Rogue have you ready to groove! A few details: • Rogue is an accessory for the QuNeo that supplies long-lasting battery power and an incredibly robust wireless connection to a computer. • Rogue attaches quickly and easily to the bottom of your QuNeo with low-profile velcro. • Battery…
You want to make music with your iPad but being tethered to your keyboard is dragging you down, despair no longer – PUC has arrived! PUC connects to MIDI gear with a cable, then to your iOS device wirelessly. Once connected, apps don’t know the difference! Head to Indiegogo to support this project with a special $69 level ending 9/11!
Roland’s TR-909 is a synthesizer classic, and one of the driving sounds in the current electronic and techno genres. Propellerhead’s 1996 Rebirth software models two Roland TB-303 synthesizers, a TR-808, and a TR-909 all at once, and was released on iPad in 2010. For the next 9 days it is on sale for $9 to celebrate 909 day! Here is Mumbance showing off some of the amazing power of the TR-909 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XCxiPKrdXkI
The word ‘synergy’ is often thrown at any attempt to work together. True collaboration is much rarer, and results in a whole greater than the sum of parts. And that describes my feelings about ‘It’s Not That Far’ from the Matthew Finck-Jonathon Ball Project. Two great musicians with a solid band and great guest makes some magical music. Musical Genre: Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Artist: Matthew Finck-Jonathon Ball Project Description: From the artist: Matthew Finck, guitar, and Jonathan Ball, tenor saxophone, with their new album “It’s Not That Far,” continue the vast and varied range of collaborations between their…
Covering technology means never being surprised, except when you are. Today we get the surprising announcement of iRig Pro, an all-in-one interface that my son described as ‘every iRig interface you’re reviewed stuffed into one small box’. That is about right, and at $149.99 I think they have a real winner with iRig Pro shipping later this month! IK Multimedia is marketing iRig Pro based on three major strengths: Universal Inputs, Universal Compatibility, and Universal Apps. Universal Inputs: For me this is HUGE. In our house we have guitars, basses, multiple microphone types and a myriad of MIDI gear. Currently…
In a rather surprising move, music app maker FL Studio has launched a new app called ‘FL Studio Groove’ … and they launched it for Windows RT first! The app provides an easy interface for creating grooves and chaining them together to build songs. The app is on sale for $4.99, and will come to iOS and Android eventually. The folks at FL Studio made some other comments about the release, noting that it isn’t related to or compatible FL Studio Mobile, that there is no date yet for iOS or Android, and that Windows Phone is not planned. The…
The iKlip Stand is the next in the line of high-quality iPad stands for musical applications. The original was a microphone stand attachment for iPad and iPhone, and the iKlip Studio provides a portable stand for the iPad. The new iKlip Stand is a robust desk stand that is the best of all worlds, just use caution when assembling! Description Here are some of the features: •iKlip Stand for iPad: Desktop riser stand for iPad 2 & iPad 3rd and 4th Generation •iKlip Stand for iPad mini: Desktop riser stand for the iPad mini •Sturdy, robust thermoplastic with metal reinforced…