Home 2018 March

The Rode NT1-A Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone is music to the ears


Although I am very much into photography, I am also a videographer, and I spend just as much time and effort seeking out good audio and video equipment. I have had more than one opportunity to film musicians performing in-studio, and good microphones are a critical part of a shoot if it is going to be successful. Apart from the instrument microphones, the vocal microphones for the singers are critical and should be chosen with the desired sound in mind.

I am a fan of several microphones from a few different manufacturers, and on my last in-studio musician shoot I used 2 different microphones, one for the musician and a different one for the bass player who was also performing the role of interviewer. For the bass player, I chose the Rode NT1-A Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone. This Rode mic has a Cardioid Polar Pattern and a 1-inch diaphragm, along with a transformer-less output stage. It is an amazing sounding microphone, and for that particular shoot, it nicely complemented the Shure Super 55 that the singer was using. The only major difference was that the sensitivity between the two microphones is quite different, so I had to make adjustments for perfect matching.

You can purchase the Rode NT1-A at B&H Photo Video or Amazon for $229.

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The Rode NT1-A Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone is music to the ears originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 24, 2018 at 9:30 am.

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Ecobee recruits Amazon’s Alexa for their new Switch+ smart switch

The ecobee Switch + is the smarter light switch with built-in Amazon Alexa. Unlike other smart switches that just work with Alexa, the ecobee Switch + has the voice assistant built right in. Use the built-in mic to ask Alexa for lights, news, music, and more. Or control other voice-enabled devices in your home.

Depending on Alexa’s state the built-in light bar will flash different colors.

What else can Switch + do?

With Switch +, you’re in total control of your lighting. Rely on motion and daylight sensors, or ask Alexa. You can even use the ecobee app.

If you’re old-school, a button allows you to turn it on and off manually. But who does that anymore?

The “smart-off” setting senses when a room is empty and automatically turns the lights off. There’s even a nightlight to keep you from fumbling around in the dark.

Any outdoor light will be upgraded to automatically turn on at sunset and turn off at a time of your choosing with Switch +.

Switch + plays well with all the platforms you already know and love, such as Apple Home Kit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT.

Simple do it yourself installation takes about 45 minutes. And step-by-step videos and illustrations in the ecobee app make it easy.

Coming soon

When you’re away on vacation you can randomize your lights to turn on or off at different times of the day. So your lights say someones home even when you’re thousands of miles away. Kind of like auto-pilot for your lights.

And you’ll soon be able to control your ecobee thermostats with the Switch +. Built-in sensors will help you to manage hot or cold spots in your home.

A firmware update coming this summer will add both of these new features.

The ecobee Switch + comes with a wall plate, mounting screws, wire nuts, and install guide. Available on March, 26th it will sell for $99.99. You can pre-order yours now on Amazon.

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Ecobee recruits Amazon’s Alexa for their new Switch+ smart switch originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 24, 2018 at 8:38 am.

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Go retro with Barbie and her Dream House

Barbie has been around for years, and she’s had hundreds of jobs and thousands of outfits and accessories.  Today, she has fancy remote-controlled cars and multi-level houses, but back in the day, her accessories were simple and required using your imagination.  Mattel has harkened back to a simpler time with the reintroduction of the 1962 Dream House.

Closed up, the house has a mid-century house design, and it stores and transports the furnishings.  Open it, and you’ll find Barbie’s living room, complete with hi-fi stereo/tv console and slimline furniture you assemble yourself. And unlike those modern Dream Houses, this one comes complete with a period-appropriate Barbie doll.

Barbie’s 1962 Reproduction Dream House with doll is available for $99.99 from Amazon.

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Go retro with Barbie and her Dream House originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 23, 2018 at 4:48 pm.

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Audew Vehicle Vacuum Cleaner Review

I have always been a fan of a well-kept vehicle.   Ever since my first car at 16 (Yay! Because of H.S. band and I had to be there before the bus) I have had what you call OCD about keeping it clean and looking good.  That is why I was excited to get a chance to review the Audew portable vehicle vacuum cleaner.

What is it?

The Audew vehicle vacuum cleaner is a completely portable vacuum cleaner that runs off the 12-volt socket in your automobile.  It comes with a very long power cord and multiple attachments to make cleaning your car easy and fast.  It will handle wet and dry tasks and when finished it all goes nice and neat into a storage bag.

What’s in the box?

You get a nice collection of cleaning tools with the Audew.  These include:

  • The vacuum cleaner itself with an attached 15 ft power cable that plugs into the cigarette lighter.
  • EVA stretch soft long hose
  • Detachable crevice head
  • Detachable soft brush head
  • Extra fuse
  • Storage bag
  • User Manual

Specifications

  • The vacuum is rated at 4500 – 4800pa
  • They recommend not using it over 20 minutes at a time
  • 15 ft power cable with a nice Velcro wrap attached
  • Stainless Steel HEPA filter – it can be removed and washed
  • LED light that can be turned on and off with a button
  • Can work with both wet and dry items.

Setup and Use

I loaded everything into the bag right away to see if the bag was big enough to hold all of the items.  It held everything nicely as you can see in the picture above.

I then zipped up the bag and it was all ready for me to carry out to my ready and waiting truck.  Now I have to mention that I have been detailing cars and trucks for a while.  I normally use a really nice wall hanging shop vac in my garage for all of my vacuuming needs.  I will admit that it is a pain to have to pull the vehicle into the garage in order to get my vehicle close enough for the hose to reach the car.  I am hoping this handy dandy portable vacuum will eliminate the need for moving the vehicle.

In the pictures above you can see my driver’s side and passenger side floor mats.  The driver’s side will be in my opinion the tricky one to clean.  I have a dog with long fur and I swear it just likes to embed itself in the carpet.  The driver’s side also contains a lot of very small particles.  The passenger side has some larger leaf particles and rock pieces.  This truck is not quite a year old and the carpets are still pretty full and thick.  I am now going to include some videos of me actually vacuuming the carpet.

This video shows me trying to vacuum the driver’s side floor mat.  As you can see it simply pushes the dog hair around and does not really pick it up with the brush.  I will admit the dog hair even gives the shop vac some difficulty.  The suction power of this vacuum is much less than that of the shop vac and it has an even harder time with the dog hair.

The video above is showing the vacuuming of the passenger side.  The vacuum had an easier time of it picking up the larger particles.  There was one stubborn piece that was giving me some issues, but otherwise, it seemed to do a decent job.

Finally, I have a picture of the HEPA filter after the cleaning.  It is very easy to pull out of the vacuum cleaner.  I simply ran water from the other side forcing the particles out the way they came.  You then let the filter air dry and it is ready for the next use.  I was not going to sacrifice my truck for this review and pour water on the floor mats to test the wet capabilities of the vacuum.  I did, however, try suctioning up water off the floor and it did an OK job of getting most of it off.   If the water were embedded in carpet I am not sure it would get much of it out.  The suction power is just not there.

What I like

  • Nice storage bag – I am all about stuff going into bags and being easy to keep
  • You can clean the air filter yourself.  It reminds me of a K&N type filter you would use on your car except that it does not need to be oiled.
  • Inexpensive
  • Nice long power cord.  You could easily reach the back of a suburban with this cord.
  • Runs off the car cigarette lighter
  • Nice attachments

What needs to be improved

  • Suction power – using the brush head the area trying to get suction is almost too wide for the amount of pull the vacuum has.  This means little to nothing gets picked up with that head.

Final Thoughts

I would recommend this vacuum to the minivan owner with little kids.  I know how the kids like to drop food in the car and I think this vacuum would do a good job of picking up those messes.   You can be anywhere and whip out this vacuum cleaner from the back of the van and quickly clean up messes.   I would not recommend it for someone who has dogs or cats and loves to take them for car rides all the time.  It just does not have the suction power to pull embedded fur out of carpets.

Price: $32.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Audew.

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Audew Vehicle Vacuum Cleaner Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 23, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Master & Dynamic create a soundtrack for the iconic Leica Brand

Headphone maker Master & Dynamic is becoming as well known for their collaborations as their wonderful headphones. Their latest partnering is with the iconic Leica camera—paying homage to the Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH. aspherical camera lens. M&D has merged the fine art of precision engineering, sophisticated design and valuable materials into what they call the 0.95 version of their MW60, MH40 headphones and ME05 earphones. This attention to detail extends right down to the signature Leica red dot, red acoustic ear pad mesh, and custom etching and knurling.

The MW60 wireless headphone features Bluetooth 4.1 with Aptx technology and 16-hour rechargeable battery with stainless steel, aluminum, cowhide and lambskin memory foam ear pads.

The classic MH40 headphone features the same premium materials as the MW60, but has dual audio jacks for shared listening and an easily accessible mute button on the right ear cup.

The ME05 precision-machined earphone has a chrome PVD-coating and hand-finished body. Its acoustic properties are due to 8mm titanium drivers, ergonomic brass body and changeable silicone ear tips. Also included is a separate remote and mic for increased vocal clarity and reduced noise.

Master & Dynamic has teamed with Bamford Watch, tattoo artist Scott Campbell and now Leica. Who’s next?

The MW60 sells for $549 US; MH40 – $399 US; ME05 – $199 US. Visit Master & Dynamic for more information.

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Master & Dynamic create a soundtrack for the iconic Leica Brand originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 23, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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