IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2 review

If you want to record audio on the iPhone, you always have the built-in microphone. But if you want to step up your recording game, connecting an external microphone can be a little daunting.  The IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2 is a quality, affordable condenser microphone that will do the trick.

  • Microphone Type: condenser, electret
  • Capsule Size: 0.55″
  • Polar Pattern: cardioid
  • Interface Type: USB digital microphone with a built-in low-noise, high-definition preamp
  • Conversion: 24-bit A/D, 24-bit D/A
  • Sampling Rate: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, -3 dB
  • Maximum Sound Pressure: 125 dB
  • Sensitivity: -40 dB, 10 mV/Pa
  • Windscreen: built-in
  • Sensitivity: adjustable over a 40 dB range
  • Controls: Built-in low profile input gain and headphone volume contols/li>
  • Metering: Built-in multicolor LED for status and audio level indication
  • Connector Type: standard Micro-USB
  • Headphones Output: 1/8″ TRS jack
  • Power: powered by connected device

Package includes

  • iRig Mic HD 2 microphone
  • Lightning to micro-USB cable
  • USB to micro-USB cable
  • Protective storage bag
  • Mic clamp
  • 5/8″ to 3/8″ thread adapter
  • Table top stand

Dimensions

  • Size: 188mm/7.4″ x 49mm/1.93″
  • Weight: 325g/11.46oz
  • Cables length: 1.5m/59″

For you road warriors, the scale showed 11.44 oz for the mic itself, pretty much in line with the published specs.

 I was pleased to see that the iRig Mic HD 2 came with a zippered bag that actually fits all of the included pieces.
On the front end is a condenser electret microphone with a cardioid pattern.
On the back end is a headphone jack for monitoring, and a recessed mini USB port.  The recessed nature of the port really limits the cables you can use, so I stuck with the ones that came with the kit.

Speaking of cables, the kit comes with two.  One connects to your standard USB, the other is Lightning for iOS devices.
You’ll find two knobs on the mic body:  One for microphone gain, and the other for headphone monitoring.  And LED blinks blue, red, green and orange to let you know what’s going on.

This page in the instructions shows what the colors mean. If it’s blue, increase gain.  If it’s red, you’re probably clipping and need to turn things down. Ideally, you’ll want to be in the green or orange range.

This little fold-up tripod is a great addition. I noticed the mic clip even comes with a threaded adapter to use with a standard “camera” style tripod attachment as well as a mic stand.

So how does the microphone sound? I placed these two microphones side by side in my purpose-built sound room, to eliminate variables of environmental noise.  On the left is the Neumann TLM103, and on the right is the iRig Mic HD 2.

Before you readers with Golden Ears cry afoul, I KNOW these are like apples and oranges: The TLM103 is a large-diaphragm condenser, and the iRig is an electret condenser.  But apples and oranges are both fruit for different occasions, and I would hesitate dragging my Neumann outside the house.

These two clips were recorded at the same time. No EQ or compression added.

Sample 1:  The Neumann TLM103 with a Grace Audio M101 preamp and Yamha AG03 mixer to a fanless PC recording with Audacity.

Sample 2: iRig Mic HD 2 connected directly to an iPhone 7Plus


Comparing the two samples, the Neumann TLM103 (and other gear) sounded just a little warmer. The iRig Mic HD 2 sounded terrific.  Maybe just a hint brighter and some barely imperceptible noise deep in the grass. Unless you’re doing industrial tests in anechoic chambers, or you have a serious case of “I must spend 10x more money”, the iRig Mic HD 2 is an excellent value in a compact package.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by IK Multimedia. Please visit http://www.ikmultimedia.com/ for more info and Amazon to order one.

 

Product Information

Price: $129.99
Manufacturer: IK Multimedia
Retailer: Amazon
Requirements:
  • USB or Lightning port
Pros:
  • Quality condenser microphone at an affordable price. Comes with all the cables and a mini tripod.
Cons:
  • I would have preferred two LEDs for sound level (one for signal, a second for clip). Dials are a little hard to use unless you have baby fingers.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged:

IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 4, 2017 at 9:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

The Fusion Guitar is a guitar, amp, and speaker system in one

You won’t need even a tiny practice amp with the Fusion Guitar.  In a body about the same size and weight as an average acoustic guitar, Fusion has incorporated a “US designed ultra-efficient 20 Watt Class-D amplifier module with low noise (-90dB) and low distortion (THD+N = 0.1%)” and “two Tymphany Peerless full range speakers coupled with one high frequency tweeter enclosed in an advanced proprietary patent-pending floating speaker housing for low vibration and feedback.”  It’s all powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery that gives you up to six hours of playing time at full volume. 

The guitar itself has a full-scale maple neck that extends through the body to the bridge for strength and traditional tone.  It’s available with your choice of a maple or rosewood fingerboard.  It has two interchangeable high-output humbucking pickups with a coil split switch, providing a total of 15.6K ohms, and a high quality bridge.  Controls include: speaker and pickup volume dials, three-way pickup selector, and three lineout options for PA, amp, or headphones.  As you would expect, there’s a 1/4″ traditional guitar plug for use with external effects, amps, or PA or speaker systems; a 3.5mm output is used for headphones.  There are many more technical specs discussed on the Fusion Guitars page; check there for more information.

And Fusions Guitars are designed to work with apps on your iPhone or iPod touch so you can learn to play, process your sound, or even record with the apps.  Each Fusion comes with a set of form-fitting docks to allow most every iPhone since the iPhone 5 right up to the iPhone 8/8+ (excluding the iPhone 5c) and the 5th and 6th gen iPod touch to plug right into the top of the Fusion.  (They are working on a dock for the iPhone X now.)  The Fusion’s on-board computer has “proprietary electronics with MFi Apple Certified device compatibility integrated with on-board customer designed PCBA assembly for sound processing and power distribution.”

The Fusion Guitar is available only in black with a choice of maple or rosewood fingerboard for $999.00.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged:

The Fusion Guitar is a guitar, amp, and speaker system in one originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 4, 2017 at 8:00 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Logitech Craft keyboard review

d 

I’ve been writing about and reviewing products for over 20 years now and in that time, I’ve come to learn that the most important tools for my job are a camera, a mouse, and a keyboard. Today I want to tell you about a new keyboard that I’m testing (and typing on right now). It’s the Logitech Craft keyboard and it’s a stunner.

What is it?

The Craft keyboard from Logitech is a full-sized premium wireless keyboard that’s been designed to be used on your desk when paired with a laptop, desktop computer, phone or tablet.

Hardware specs

Connection support: Logitech Unifying 2.4GHz wireless technology Bluetooth Low Energy technology
Power: Rechargeable with USB type C cable (included)
Size: 5.87 x 16.93 x 1.26 in

Design and features

The keyboard has low profile non-mechanical keys that are more like a laptop keyboard than a traditional desktop keyboard. You can click the image above to get a closer look at the QWERTY layout which includes a dedicated number pad on the right side and a row of function keys along the top.

The keys have a comfortably rounded depression on top of each key and the matte finish of the plastic feels great under your fingertips.

Even though the Logitech Craft keyboard does not have mechanical keys, I really really like the feel of the keys. I’m a touch typist, so I’m picky when it comes to keyboards, and I enjoy typing on this one.

The Logitech Craft keyboard has a power switch on the back and a USB Type-C port beside it which is used to charge the keyboard’s internal batteries. According to the Craft product page on Logitech’s site, the keyboard’s batteries should last for a full week on a charge. That has to be a mistake because I’ve been using this keyboard for several weeks and it’s still going strong.

There’s a small LED in the upper right corner of the keyboard will glow red to indicate that the keyboard needs to be recharged.

One of the notable features of the Craft keyboard is the Crown input dial in the upper left corner. This smoothly turning knob provides a different function in a variety of applications and can be customized in the Logitech application that you can install on your Windows or macOS computer.

If you don’t install the application, turning the Crown will adjust volume levels up and down on your computer, while pressing the dial will play or pause music, and pressing and turning the dial at the same time will adjust screen brightness.


When you install the Logitech Options application, it will detect the applications that you have installed on your computer and will allow you to customize what the Crown can do in each of these apps when each detected app is in focus.

For example, if you are working in a web browser like Chrome or Firefox, turning the Crown will let you switch between tabs.

In Photoshop, the Crown can do different things based on the tool that you have selected. If you have the cropping tool selected, rotating the Crown will zoom in and out on your image, if you have a paintbrush selected, turning the Crown will change the size of the brush, etc.

Once you can train yourself to use the Crown, it becomes very useful.

You can also add other applications not detected by the Logitech Options app to add Craft Crown capabilities to other apps on your computer.

In addition to customizing the function of the Crown knob, you can also customize the function of the F-keys.

Unfortunately, you can’t setup macros for the F-keys. You can only choose from a list of features.

By default, the function keys already offer features that will let you set screen brightness, media controls including next, previous track, play/pause and volume. But you can also use it to show open windows or show all apps.

The Logitech Craft keyboard also has backlit keys. You can adjust the brightness of the keys using the function keys and built-in proximity sensors will cause the keys to light up to “welcome” you when your hands get near the keyboard after it’s been idle and then the backlight will fade in intensity depending on ambient lighting. I have the backlight turned off to save battery life, but the “welcome” feature still works even with that setting.

This keyboard can be paired with up to 3 devices using Bluetooth and/or the unified USB dongle that is included with the keyboard. Switching between paired devices is easily accomplished using the dedicated 1, 2, and 3 device switch keys next to the number pad.

I did all my testing of the Logitech Craft keyboard with my 12″ MacBook and a Pixel 2 XL smartphone. Switching between devices was fast and effortless.

What I like

This keyboard has a premium look and feel. It’s heavy which is a good thing. It stays put and won’t slide around on your desk.

The feel of the keys and the sound of the keystrokes has a perfect level that’s not too loud or too soft.

I like using the Crown knob mainly for adjusting volume and sometimes find that I forget to use it in other apps because I’ve used my mouse or keyboard shortcuts for various functions for so long that it’s tough to break that habit and use a different way of doing things.

One feature that I was really surprised to have with the Craft keyboard is a Windows-style delete key that even works when paired with my MacBook. If you’re familiar with macOS computers, you’ll know that the delete key is really a backspace key which removes the character to the left of the cursor but we don’t have a dedicated key to delete the character to the right of the cursor like Windows computers. I am excited that the delete key on the Craft keyboard lets me have the best of both worlds.

What needs to be improved

If battery life is really only supposed to last 1 week per charge, then that would be at the top of my improvement list.

As I mentioned above, I’ve been using this keyboard for 3 or more weeks every day for at least an hour and it’s still running on the initial charge, so I can’t complain about battery life until I’ve had a lot more time with this keyboard.

Look for an update after the first of the year when I am able to get a better handle on battery life expectations.

Another improvement I’d like to see is the ability to program macros for the F-keys instead of only being able to choose from a pre-set list of functions using the Logitech Options app.

Final thoughts

I enjoy using the Logitech Craft wireless keyboard. The keyboard is very well made and I find it comfortable to type on. The Crown knob adds a new way to interact with my apps that is fun and intuitive.

If the $200 price tag doesn’t frighten you away, the Logitech Craft keyboard is worth checking out.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Logitech. Please visit their site for more info and check Amazon for lower prices.

 

Product Information

Price: $199.99
Manufacturer: Logitech
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Can be used with up to 3 devices
  • Comfortable keys and layout
  • Programmable knob and function keys
  • Delete button for macOS devices
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Possible battery life limitations (I will need to revisit this)

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: ,

Logitech Craft keyboard review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Oura announces a new sleeker fitness ring and I want one!

Several months ago I had the opportunity to test and review a very slick fitness tracking device that had the form factor of a ring that you wear on your finger like an ordinary piece of jewelry. That was the original Oura ring and I really enjoyed using it but ended up shelving it due to the size. Now Oura is back with the second generation of their fitness and sleep tracking ring and oh boy, I am excited about it.

The new Oura Ring is now sized like a ring that I would actually want to wear because it’s less than half the size of the first generation Oura ring while still allowing for a seven day battery life. The titanium water resistant ring will be available in three styles and a choice of up to four colors depending on the style.

Like standard fitness tracking devices that you might wear on your wrist or clipped to your clothes, the Oura ring keeps track of your activity and steps. But this ring also helps to improve the quality of your sleep.

During the night, the new Oura ring tracks sleep quality, sleep stages (deep, REM, light and wakefulness), ECG level resting heart rate and heart rate variability as well as body temperature. With the new ring, users can also see their resting heart rate and heart rate variability on-demand during the day, for example during naps, meditation or breathing and relaxation exercises.

This is one of the first wearables available to consumers that offers advice on how to improve your unique circadian alignment. The circadian rhythm is your body’s built-in 24-hour clock that affects everything you do: when it would be optimal for you to sleep, rest, eat and move. The new Oura ring helps you find your optimal bedtime so you will have a more restorative sleep and good optimal recovery from daily stresses.

The second generation Oura ring can be preordered for $239 to $899 with shipping in April 2018. Visit ouraring.com for all the details.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: , ,

Oura announces a new sleeker fitness ring and I want one! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 3, 2017 at 11:35 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Oura announces a new sleeker fitness ring and I want one!

Several months ago I had the opportunity to test and review a very slick fitness tracking device that had the form factor of a ring that you wear on your finger like an ordinary piece of jewelry. That was the original Oura ring and I really enjoyed using it but ended up shelving it due to the size. Now Oura is back with the second generation of their fitness and sleep tracking ring and oh boy, I am excited about it.

The new Oura Ring is now sized like a ring that I would actually want to wear because it’s less than half the size of the first generation Oura ring while still allowing for a seven day battery life. The titanium water resistant ring will be available in three styles and a choice of up to four colors depending on the style.

Like standard fitness tracking devices that you might wear on your wrist or clipped to your clothes, the Oura ring keeps track of your activity and steps. But this ring also helps to improve the quality of your sleep.

During the night, the new Oura ring tracks sleep quality, sleep stages (deep, REM, light and wakefulness), ECG level resting heart rate and heart rate variability as well as body temperature. With the new ring, users can also see their resting heart rate and heart rate variability on-demand during the day, for example during naps, meditation or breathing and relaxation exercises.

This is one of the first wearables available to consumers that offers advice on how to improve your unique circadian alignment. The circadian rhythm is your body’s built-in 24-hour clock that affects everything you do: when it would be optimal for you to sleep, rest, eat and move. The new Oura ring helps you find your optimal bedtime so you will have a more restorative sleep and good optimal recovery from daily stresses.

The second generation Oura ring can be preordered for $239 to $899 with shipping in April 2018. Visit ouraring.com for all the details.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: , ,

Oura announces a new sleeker fitness ring and I want one! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 3, 2017 at 11:35 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.