Targus launched this ultra portable, yet powerful iPod speaker system, AEM0702AP, for music on the go.  The speaker system can be powered by a handful of AAA batteries or via USB power.

Why Targus hired a marketing firm who places their speakers in a pile of rocks with weeds sticking out is a complet mystery.  If these folks are trying to send the message of a lovely afternoon at the park, then grass, picnic basket and a couple glasses of wine should have been the props here.

Maybe they are trying to convey the portable iPod speaker system will get you to “rock out.”  Doubt that.

In either event, the Targus speakers will run you about $45 bucks plus a plane ticket to Korea.

Source: AvingUSA.

A look around the new MX-3 USB mixer from JB Systems

If you can’t view the video, click here.

Alesis ProTrack is a buddy device for the iPod turning it into a Pro Audio digital recorder.  Not that many of use would need up to 160GBs of high quality audio recording, but it’s out there if you need it.  The Alesis ProTrack includes 2 combo XLR input jacks for in line mic recording [or other line recording] that will digitally record those spoken word masterpieces at 16-bit, 22kHz or 44.1kHz stereo. The ProTrack offers up 1/8 output stereo connection along with limiter and volume control.

Designed for any on-spot location the ProTrack will run solid for five hours with just four trip-A batteries.  The little guy is also threaded for tripod mounting to set it & forget it.

ProTrack is ideal for capturing sound effects, recitals, jam sessions, speeches, interviews, rehearsals, performances, meetings, lectures, notes-to-self, or any other audio material directly to iPod. It will be available from pro audio dealers Q3-2008.

The ProTrack is due out in 30-45 days (although Alesis is notories for pushing back release dates) with an undisclosed price tag [damn].

Source:  Engadget via Brad Linder’s Blog.

iTunes is much more than a digital music jukebox. It’s capable of handling many different tasks involving digital media. Some of iTunes’ most popular features include buying music and videos online, burning CDs, and syncing files with your iPod or iPhone.

But one of the lesser known functions hidden within iTunes is the ability to convert audio files.

Why would you need to convert an audio file? Converting audio file types can be useful in many different situations. Here are a few examples:

• You have an AAC file in iTunes that’s not compatible with your Zune that can play MP3 and not AAC files.
• A WAV file needs to be emailed to a client for approval but it’s too big. You need to convert the file to an AAC so it’s small enough to easily send via email.
• You are making a music video and want to use a song you got online as the soundtrack. However, the editing program won’t import the song because it doesn’t support MP3 or AAC.
• You need to remove the DRM (Digital Rights Management) from an AAC song you purchased from the iTunes Store (see step #7).

Many programs that convert audio files into different formats are pretty complicated and usually cost money. But not iTunes. iTunes is simple, fast and best of all… free.

Tutorial: Converting Audio File Formats in iTunes

methodshop

Urban Outfitters has a nice looking USB flex speaker which attaches to your PC or laptop via USB.  Looks odd, yet cool but I doubt it’s contribution to quality audio or enhancing the standard laptop speakers you probably already have.

At just over 3″ in width and 1.25″ in height the goose neck speaker does give you the freedom for directional audio but if you are using a laptop aren’t you generally right in front of the computer anyway, just crank up the sound.

Regardless of my petty opinion, Urban Outfitters feels different.  They offer the USB flex speaker at (more…)

Creative Labs just came out with a hot little box for 5.1 digital surround sound for any laptop or PC.  What Creative did with this new Sound Blaster is rather than make a card out of it, the Sound Blaster is a USB based external device.  The X-Fi, as they call it, operates over a USB interface and will provide full cinematic digital surround sound in hi-fidelity with a 1 second connection.

Two Creative technologies are embedded into the USB Sound Blaster which are X-Fi Crystalizer and X-Fi CMSS-3D.  I’ve talked about these technologies before which are the key components to Creative’s solution.

Not to leave any stone unturned, here are the list of features for the USB Sound Blaster:

• Supports USB 2.0 for high quality 5.1 audio
• USB bus-powered
• Gold plated RCA front outputs and mini-jack surround outputs for maximum fidelity
• Optical Output for connectivity to surround sound systems
• 24-bit Playback and Recording ADC, DAC
• X-Fi audio enhancement technology
• Easily accessible Headphone out and Mic In for connecting headsets
• Convenient Volume Control with push to mute feature
• Line-in monitoring
• Host-based EAX advanced HD 4.0 and OpenAL support
• Creative Alchemy software that restores DS3D Games’ 3D audio in Windows Vista

The Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround Sound 5.1 system will retail for $60 - a great price for the package (available now). (more…)

The Imation Disc Stakka is a management tool for keeping those messy CDs organized and accessible.  Granted your music is probably on your iPod and if it isn’t then you should contact a CD Ripper Service…but even with all your music on that MP3 player you can still find a use for the Disc Stakka.

I’ve got at least 3 dozen installation CDs, software CDs, and utility CDs that I like to have in storage.  Problem is the over flow of putting those CDs into a leather case - now I’ve got two cases.  Rather then spending more mone on another bulky leather CD/DVD case, I’m looking at this Disc Stakka.

The Stakka is an automated carousel that stores and protects your CDs and DVDs.  It does the painfully obvious as well, retrieves them.  The Stakka holds (more…)