Each year, KVR Audio hosts a developer challenge, looking for the best new audio plug-in or application. The prize pool is generated through donations and awarded to the top few submissions. Each of the 55 submissions for the 2012 challenge is available for free through KVR Audio’s website, so be sure to look through the other entries if the winning submissions aren’t of use to you. It won’t be too long before the 2013 Developer Challenge is announced. If you’re into programming or maybe just have a great idea for some audio software, keep an eye out for the announcement.
You can read about, and download, each of the plug-ins and applications that were submitted to the 2012 Developer Challenge here: http://www.kvraudio.com/news/kvr-developer-challenge-2012—the-winner-is-20871
Home Recording Equipment
Live Guitar Library Released From Detunized
Detunized has released a new “Live Pack” sample library of guitar samples. This pack also contains 50 side noises, including various string squeaks and scrapes. The pack is compatible with Windows and Mac, and is available for download from Detunized for € 9.00 (about $12 USD). Take a look at their site. Even if this pack isn’t quiet what you’re looking for, they have plenty to browse through.
For more information, read here: http://en.audiofanzine.com/virtual-guitar/detunized/dts044-guitar/news/a.play,n.14890.html
24-Bit Microphone For iPhone and iPad: RODE iXY Stereo Mic
It isn’t quite available yet (thought I’d get that out of the way up front:)), but you can pre-order it! It’s the Rode iXY microphone for iPhone and iPad.It plugs into the 13-pin dock connector of your device as opposed to the headphone jack like so many other iOS mics. This is incredibly cool!
I use a Rode microphone as my primary vocal mic – The Rode NT2-A, and it’s awesome, just like all Rode mics. So I’m particularly excited to get my hands on a mic made by Rode that works with iPads and iPhones. To date, most of the really good mics that work with iPads and iPhones plug into the dock connector like the iXY, but have been rather large mono mics, like the Blue Spark Digital and the Apogee Electronics MiC – see our article about those two mics here: Two New Studio Quality iPad Microphones. This new Rode mic will be an high quality mic like those two, but will be very portable and of course, will be stereo (hence the two half-inch cardioid condenser capsules). By the way, these two capsules are in the “X-Y” stereo configuration, which is why they point out and away and 90 degree angles.
The iXY will turn an iPhone into an incredibly handy and high-quality field recording device. The video recording crowd are already very much looking forward it, since it will allow them to attach the iPhone to their cameras and plug it into the external mic input (not all camcorders have external mic inputs, though – fair warning, fet one that does).
As for some specs, the mic is capable of recording 24-bit 96-KHz (sampling frequency) audio, which is fabulous. And you can record audio using any iOS audio recording app, though I highly recommend using Rode’s new recording app, the Rode Rec Audio – see more about that in our post here: RØDE Rec Audio Recording App For iPhone And iPod Touch.
OK, so you’re convinced and want one now? I know, it isn’t out as of January 11th, 2013. HOwever, you CAN pre-order yours from B&H Pro Audio! Just Click Here to do that, and it will come to you when it arrives, which is projected to be in early March 2013. Good things come to those who wait;).
Record Via USB Mic With Android
Using the USB Audio Recorder PRO app, many Android devices are now able to utilize USB microphones. This feature has been available for iOS for a while, but it’s new to Android functionality. Being able to use your USB microphone for mobile recording can drastically increase recording quality since the integrated microphones are rarely known for producing high quality recordings. The app itself is available for $4, but considering the options that it opens up, it’s pretty inexpensive.
Mobile Recording For Android With iRig Recorder
The iRig Recorder from IK Media is great for mobile recording. There is a free version as well as a paid, full version. The free version can record and optimize volume, while the full version ($4.99) also includes a waveform editor. Depending on your needs, you may be satisfied with using your device’s integrated mic, but the app does support external microphones. Whether you want to record a lecture, dictate a “note to self”, or whatever else comes to mind, iRig Recorder is worth a try.
You can read more about the app and the features of both versions here: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irigrecorderandroid/