apt-X® raises audio fidelity for Jaybird’s next “Made for iPod” Bluetooth stereo headphones

Belfast, Northern Ireland [Friday, January 30, 2009] – APT Licensing Ltd (Belfast, UK) [www.aptx.com], the real-time audio compression systems house, today announces further consumer electronics industry endorsement of its low-latency, high-quality apt-X® audio codec technology with news of a collaborative partnership with JayBird Gear, LLC (Salt Lake City, Utah) [www.jaybirdgear.com], maker of the critically acclaimed JB-200 Bluetooth Stereo Headset series for iPod, iPhone, MP3 players, PC/Mac, mobiles and other portable media players (PMPs).  Jaybird will incorporate the outstanding wireless sound quality of low-latency apt-X® audio codec technology into the company’s next generation of high-definition stereo Bluetooth wireless headphones for the growing active lifestyles market.  The Jaybird Freedom Wireless Headphones, successor to the award-winning Jaybird JB-200 Bluetooth Stereo Headset, becomes available from April 2009, and is again primarily targeted toward the active lifestyles sector of the consumer electronics market.  LAPTOP Magazine [www.laptopmag.com], the leading US mobile-technology magazine, conferred its Ultimate Choice 2008 “top pick” status on the Jaybird JB-200 in a comparison of stereo Bluetooth headsets from various manufacturers.

Made for iPod, made for sport

JayBird CEO and founder Judd Armstrong said: “The Freedom headset is Jaybird’s new crown jewel, the ultimate music machine for sports, and builds on the whirlwind success of the critically-acclaimed JB-200 series.  Many listeners agree that standard Bluetooth A2DP stereo sound has background static issues, but with the apt-X audio codec option, wireless sound is crystal clear. The ears of sweaty athletes are in for a treat come April.”  Like the JB-200 headset, the Freedom Wireless Headphones will be “Made for iPod” approved.

Mike Canevaro, VP Business Development, APT Licensing, added: “In less than two years, JayBird has established a strong active lifestyle-orientated audio brand in an underserved market niche: sports, athletics, and fitness. With apt-X inside, the Freedom headphones are positioned as one of Bluetooth stereo headset industry’s most complete solution for music-lovers on the move, and are compatible with the broadest possible range of PMPs, from simple MP3 players to smartphones like the iPhone 3G and Blackberry.”

Jaybird joins scores of new and existing apt-X audio codec licensee partners who design and manufacture a range of digital wireless audio products for both high-end professional and consumer audio markets.  APT Licensing provides application-specific variants of its low-latency, high-quality apt-X audio codec technology (apt-X, apt-X Live, apt-X Voice, Enhanced apt-X) for broadcast, studio, games, microphone, speaker, headphone, intercom, 2-way radio, and Bluetooth A2DP applications.  Recent apt-X licensees include Bluegiga, CREATIVE, iSkin, Luci (Technica Del Arte), Mandozzi, and Shure.  APT Licensing is partnered with leading Bluetooth chipmaker CSR, and is an associate member of the Bluetooth SIG.

In contrast to other forms of lossy and lossless audio codecs, apt-X is uniquely designed for ultra low-delay transport of broadcast-quality multi-channel audio over wireless links and digital circuits, including IP networks.  These same performance attributes make apt-X ideally suited to a multitude of wireless audio technologies in consumer electronics.

APT Licensing exhibits on Stand 1A59 at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, February 16-19.

About JayBird Gear

JayBird Gear designs and manufactures high-performance Bluetooth stereo headsets for those who want to take high-quality audio with them through their active lives.  For more about Jaybird, JB-200 and Freedom Wireless Headphones, visit http://www.jaybirdgear.com

About APT Licensing

Trading in semiconductor intellectual property since 1989, APT Licensing provides industry-leading audio compression solutions to the broadcast, professional audio, and consumer electronics industries.  The company’s apt-X audio codec technology has earned a reputation throughout the audio industry as the ultimate high-quality, low-delay audio data compression algorithm available.  Today, apt-X technology is licensed for use in broadcast audio codec hardware, professional audio systems, and consumer electronics devices, including portable media players and mobile phones, Bluetooth stereo headsets, and wireless microphones.  Headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland, APT Licensing also has direct sales offices in the USA and Japan.  For more information, visit http://www.aptx.com

About Bluetooth A2DP wireless technology

Bluetooth wireless technology is the global short-range of wireless standards for personal connectivity from a wide range of electronic devices. The technology is now available in its fourth version of the core specification and continues to develop, building on its inherent strengths:-a small-form factor radio, low power, low cost, built-in security, strength, accessibility, and ad hoc networking abilities. There were more than one billion installed Bluetooth devices at the end of 2006, making it the only well-known choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide.

About “Made for iPod”

For more about the “Made for iPod” program, visit http://developer.apple.com/ipod/

Note: The Bluetooth word, mark, and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by The Bluetooth SIG, Inc.  iPod, iPhone, Mac and the “Made for iPod” logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.  JayBird, and the JayBird logo are trademarks of JayBird Gear LLC.  Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: APT-X

Fox Italy Uses APT Codec for Berlin Talent

Fox Italy launched an entertainment channel in Germany; it used the WorldCast Meridian IP audio codec to record the voice talent’s promo in Berlin while monitoring and coordinating from Rome.

Alessandro Travaglini is senior sound designer with Fox Italy. He told APT that the IP approach meant the company didn’t need a traditional ISDN solution that would have required a dedicated dual phone line.

The link includes two ProTools stations running the same audio/video session, delivered in advance via FTP; the audio workstation in Rome operates in Master mode and, using the Digidesign SYNC I/O Time Code Generator, controls the other in Berlin.

WorldCast Meridian is a multi-algorithm, fully duplex, stereo audio codec offering both IP and Leased Line connectivity. It provides a reliable and proven platform for studio to transmitter links and inter-studio networking applications worldwide.

Source: RWOnline.com

Voice Over There To Provide Mobile Sound Recording Studio for Emmys

Voice Over There, Inc., manufacturer of the custom mobile ADR trailer and voice over recording booth, has been selected by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC to place its mobile sound stage, the VOT trailer, on location to record voice over packages for the live broadcast of the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.

The VOT trailer, designed by veteran television Director/Technical Director, Amir Soleimani, is a completely self-contained mobile recording studio housed in a custom-made 7x14x8’8″ cargo trailer. Air conditioned and fully soundproofed up to -50dB, the VOT trailer will be parked just outside the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles for the Emmys broadcast.

Over the three days of rehearsals prior to the broadcast, celebrity presenters will use the mobile sound stage to record voiceovers. The voiceovers will be combined with video packages to be rolled in during Sunday evening’s live broadcast.

“The VOT trailer will give us studio quality sound on location,” said Ron Basile, Producer of the broadcast for AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. “Having the mobile sound stage next to the theater is very convenient for scheduling our celebrities during rehearsals and assures that we’ll get network quality sound for the video packages.”

The VOT trailer will be hard wired to the production suite in the Nokia Theater and the recoded voiceovers will be fed to the profiles, a series of stacked hard drives, where on-site editors will have access to all the material.

The VOT trailer is independently powered by a Honda Whisper generator and air conditioned by a dual zone Fujitsu 18,000 BTU HVAC unit. The trailer is outfitted with digital sound recording technology including Pro Tools, Telos Xstream, Verizon wireless Internet, and top-of-the-line microphones.

The VOT trailer is also currently being used on location by the television series “Starter Wife” starring Deborah Messing. Parked alongside the shooting stage at Culver Studios, actors from the series can conveniently step into the mobile studio during breaks in shooting to do additional dialog recording (ADR). The mobile ADR trailer saves the production from having to schedule actors to travel to a studio on non-shooting days to record ADR.

“The difficulty of scheduling dialog pickups inspired the creation of Voice Over There,” explains Soleimani. “I wanted to find a convenient, cost-conscious way of accommodating talent in and around Southern California, whether they are at home, on set, or on location. With the VOT trailer, recording sound bytes and making them immediately accessible to post and production companies worldwide, has become a highly-efficient, one-stop process.”

For more information see www.voiceoverthere.com

Source: Broadcastnewsroom.com

Want KITT in Your Car?

As mentioned on Wired.com, there’s a new GPS featuring the talents of voice actor William Daniels as the infamous KITT from the original Knight Rider series.

The Knight Rider GPS will soon be available on the market retailing for $270.

The GPS box, from satnav maker Mio, pictured above, asks the question “Michael, where do you want to go today?” when powered up.

Pretty cool for fans who are looking for something to take the Knight Rider experience to the next level and likely a very good gig for William Daniels.

Speed Racer Game Features Voice Acting by Original Cast

Speed Racer has been a favorite for too many years to count, and now it has returned. It is on the big screen with all the graphics and action you would expect from current electronic and computerized tools available.

If that isn’t great enough, the video game has the thrills that the movie does, and possibly more. This is, of course, a racing game, but it is also much more. It is about speed – 300 to 500 MPH, but more than that, it is a smart racing game about speed.

The game was created for WII, with a PS2 version coming out this fall. The game follows the story as you compete as Speed Racer in the World Racing League against up to 19 opponents. Of course, everyone including Speed Racer wants to win the coveted prize, but the course isn’t easy with its loops, jumps and unpredictable track. You can flip and jump your car – with the help of a “car fu” mechanic, who can keep you going even if you smash your car.

There are about 20 different car/driver combinations. Speed Racer’s Mach6 and Racer X’s Shooting Star are included in the game, as well. To top it all off, the original actors from the movie including Emile Hirsch, Matthew Fox and Christina Ricci have lent their voices to the game, as well, which always takes things to the next level.

The New Speed Racer is worth a good look, and even if you’re not a Speed Racer fan, you will certainly be excited and delighted.

Hulk is Incredible even the Second Time Around

Let’s just say that computer graphics have made a few leaps and bounds since the original HULK came out. Nonetheless, HULK is a beloved, well maybe not beloved, but at least well liked and enduring figure, even now, and though we are in the 21st century, there are still basic shades of the original HULK that are infused in both the movie and the video game. The video game comes out today.

There are some awesome features that are part of the movie and the video game. A few of those features have been preview released by SEGA in advance. For instance, players can become the HULK and create whatever powerful destruction they feel is necessary – in fact, they can demolish anything in their path and then use it as a weapon. – including demolishing buildings with their (HULK’s) bare hands.

Then there’s rage. Rage creates power, and players can create the rage that HULK needs to use his ultimate power. The scale is powerful, as well. New York is at scale and realistic with the skyscrapers allowing for exciting vertical play, while Bi-Beast and the Abomination challenge the HULK’s power.

The best features are that the world is dynamic and open, providing a next generation open representation of Manhattan – which gives the player a stunning playground on which to play the game and other mini games within the overall game. The best feature of all is that the voices of the characters from the movie are used in the video, enhancing the realistic feeling.

If you are looking for a great games and want some awesome previews, got to the SEGA site – which has gone interactive – and there are a couple of good Hulk Video Game sites on line, as well.

Two Worlds Takes a Second Try

Reality Pump put out the game Two Worlds and the reviews by most everyone was that it was pretty horrible. It had awful images and the voices – forgetaboutit!!! The first edition of Two Worlds was called a lot of things, including an utter mess that was disappointing to all.

Reality Pump’s response to this: Two Worlds: The Temptation. RP says that instead of using staff (which did the best they could on the original release); RP used professional voice actors on the sequel, The Temptation. Even RP says that they were overzealous in trying to do everything necessary put the original package together and get it out themselves. This overzealousness also extended to the plot and other ideas. It seems that RP put everything but the kitchen sink into the original and has scaled back on The Temptation.

Though the original Two Worlds was a total mess overall, it did have some good points and some great, fun ideas, but the overall difficulties made them hard to find.

Hopefully, Reality Pump has done what it says it has done by scaling back, taking its best ideas and putting them front and center – and eliminating the overkill – Two Worlds: The Temptation should be worth a try one more time.

Earprompter from Ovation a Perfect Fit for Public Speakers

In business, one of the most important skills is the ability to stand in front of a group and effectively get the message across. Unfortunately, fear of public speaking is our number one fear (most people would rather have a root canal), and most speeches and presentations are read, which seriously limits their impact.

There is a solution to this thorny problem, and it’s called the Earprompter.

The Earprompter is a system that allows speakers to deliver their presentations word-for-word, without memorizing or notes. This system combines miniaturized electronics with the latest speaking techniques, to enable people to become effective public speakers with just a half-day’s training. They can give their speeches, however long or technical, perfectly every time, with relatively little preparation… usually a matter of hours.

For the past twenty years, the Earprompter has been the best-kept secret of professional presenters and spokespeople. There were also a few businessmen and politicians who discovered that using this device gave them the edge they needed to be leaders in their fields. The Earprompter is also big in the convention and the acting worlds (Marlon Brando used it for twenty-five years), and is starting to make headway in the corporate and political worlds as well. Its uses are unlimited: making strong forceful presentations at meetings, speaking at fundraisers, delivering a consistent message on tour, speaking to stockholders, standing in for another speaker at the last minute, giving presentations in a foreign language… the list goes on.

Using this system allows the speaker to leave the lectern and notes behind, walk out into the audience, and deliver the message face-to-face, a style which is extraordinarily effective. The Earprompter allows the speaker to maintain eye contact with the audience, and really connect. It brings with it a large dose of charisma, a characteristic that is especially important when speaking to potential investors, stockholder and clients.

One very senior member of the Clinton administration had to deliver two or three speeches a day, each of them to different organizations, several times a week. He attended our training, and after giving his next speech, a member of the audience said, “Sir, I heard you speak a couple of months ago, and today you were absolutely riveting. You’re not the same speaker.” The official just smiled and said “Thank you!” And that theme has been repeated many times, both here and abroad.

So if you’re giving a presentation, and you absolutely, positively, have to get it right, the Earprompter can take a load of your shoulders, and your mind.

Source: Earprompter.com

Talking Menus Now in Restaurants

Mo and Carol Sattar, owners of Boca Raton’s Original Pancake House, face problems common to restaurant owners everywhere — customers that don’t speak English, an aging population with
less-than-perfect vision, and an active blind community that sees no reason to stay at home.

What these groups have in common is their taste for Original Pancake House fare. But finding experienced servers who are bilingual and don’t mind spending extra time with customers is proving to be a challenge.

“South Florida is a cultural crossroads,” said owner Mohammed Sattar. “Not only do we get visitors who don’t speak English, but we’ve got a large retired population. We had to find a way to serve them.”

They turned to Menus That Talk(TM), a Miami company that manufactures a line of talking menus for restaurants, cruise ships, museums and other public places. The menus are compact — about the size of a DVD case, portable and multilingual.

What co-owner Carol Sattar likes is their ruggedness and ease of use. “Customers simply select a language they prefer, then press a button like Omelettes, Crepes or Senior Specials,” she said. A voice responds, describing the dishes and their prices. When they’re ready to order, a Service button summons a waiter.

Preparation for the Pancake House was quick and easy. They sent their printed menu to Menus That Talk who organized it to work with the menu’s buttons, then translated it into Spanish. With an approved script, English and Spanish voice actors recorded the menu. A “face plate” was designed, and in less than a week a set of bilingual talking menus was delivered to The Original Pancake House.

“Customers appreciate the practical side,” says Ms. Sattar. “This gives them access to the full menu without needing to ask for help.”

Menus That Talk can deliver much more information than a Braille menu, and as Miami Lighthouse President Virginia Jacko points out, only one in ten blind persons actually reads Braille.

Beginnings: Menus That Talk CEO Susan Perry was having lunch with her niece, a young woman with advanced macular degeneration who cannot read a menu from any distance. “When my niece asked if I would read the menu specials to her, I realized I had forgotten my glasses, and we had a good laugh,” said Perry, “but the incident begged the question, why can’t menus talk to customers?” After nearly a year of development she and partner Richard Herbst showed the first completed menus to restaurant owners.

“Restaurants face some unique challenges,” says Herbst. “They are serving more diverse customers with shrinking wait staffs. Managers are under pressure to get food choices and cuisine descriptions in front of customers. We’re filling those needs with a device that anyone can use. And,” he added, “Menus That Talk satisfies basic Americans With Disabilities requirements.”

The Menu currently supports two languages simultaneously; the company offers English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian and Russian. A version that will offer up to six languages will be ready shortly. A detachable external earpiece provides privacy, also interfacing with modern Telecoil(R)-equipped hearing aids for added service to the elderly and hearing-impaired.

Source: PRNewswire.com

Tips from Neumann Brand Manager on Preserving Microphones

A wide range of studio condenser microphones has recently been developed to meet the needs of home and project recording engineers. If you’re about to purchase your first condenser mic, you should be aware that while they sound great, they also require quite a bit more care than dynamic mics. This article will explain how to maintain the best-quality recordings from your condenser mic for years to come.

Many engineers are unaware that microphone diaphragms are “working” even when the mic is not plugged in, which means there is mechanical movement at the diaphragms 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To avoid possible damaging noises and conditions, and to keep your condenser mic in tip-top shape, take the following precautionary measures.

Use a Dust Cover
Microphones not in operation should never be left on the stand unprotected. By design, condenser mic capsules and the amplifier circuit are of an extremely high impedance. Dust, ash, smoke, and other pollutants can degrade the insulating properties of the materials used for this part of the microphone. A non-fluffy dust cover will help protect the mic from dust settling on the capsule.

Use a Pop Screen
The pop screen does more than eliminate the plosive noises in vocal recordings. In close-miked vocal applications, such screens also can efficiently protect the diaphragm from almost anything, including breath humidity and food particles.

Discard Aging Windscreens
Foam material used in mic windscreens ages and degrades over time. With very old windscreens, the material decays, becomes brittle, and sheds. The particles can then settle on the diaphragm. To test for this, hold the windscreen over a flat surface and wring it in your hands. If particles show up on the surface, you should discard the windscreen.

Functional Testing
Modern condenser mics cannot be harmed by high sound pressure levels (SPLs) found in the studio. Still, there is no need to blow directly onto the diaphragm to see if a mic is working and present on the console. Normal speech is the best test, as only scratching the mics by rubbing a fingernail against the grille may not show a dropped cable leg or even gross distortion. Also, pop testing can produce SPLs at the capsule that exceed 140 dB, which may damage your studio speakers.

With older microphone types, be aware that some diaphragms can indeed be damaged by excessively high SPLs. The Neumann M50, KM53, KM54, KM56, SM2, SM23, KM88 and TLM50 all have nickel diaphragms that can be damaged by high SPLs. Also, older U47s and M49s may still have PVC diaphragms, which become brittle with age. Even transporting microphones from one part of the studio to another and the subsequent rush of air over the capsules can cause huge SPLs at the diaphragms. When moving the mics from place to place, enclose them in a case, a box or even a plastic bag.

Long-Term Storage
When not in use for a longer period of time, the mic should be stored in a case of some kind. One specific recommendation is to store condenser mics in sealed plastic boxes (like Tupperware) along with a silica gel desiccant pack.

Regular Servicing
Sending in microphones for servicing can help detect potential damage early. Slight soiling can be removed much more easily than a layer of nicotine that has been embedded firmly in the diaphragm. Regular check-ups of microphones on loan or those used in dusty or smoky environments can prove especially beneficial, as the cost is small compared to that of a major overhaul.

Expense of Do-It-Yourself
Attempting your own repairs on a delicate condenser mic can often do more harm than good. For cleaning soiled capsules consider referring the work to a trained and experienced professional.

Also, certain parts of condenser mics may be specifically selected and cannot be replaced with standard components.

Once you’ve invested in a studio con-denser mic, it’s wise to send any defective or damaged microphones directly to the manufacturer or authorized service centers for repairs. These providers can accomplish repairs in a timely, professional manner.

Following the tips in this column and exercising some common sense, you should enjoy a long life of excellent service from your studio condenser microphones.

Karl Winkler is brand manager for Neumann / USA. Contact him at kwinkler@neumannusa.com, or for more information, visit the Neumann Web site at www.neumannusa.com.

Source: DiscMakers.com

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