More Background to what I am doing

This post is to tell you that the people behind this blog have come up with a new -free- Critical Distance Newsletter , the October 2006 Edition 9. It deals with news about this blog, but other broadcast related material as well. You can subscribe, if you like, by signing up at the Critical Distance switchboard. Unsubscribing is also easy, so don't feel locked in. Likewise, we do not use the mailing list for anything else than sending the newsletter. No phones will ring, no salesmen will call. It is in PDF format.

Podcasters Microphone

UK distributor Source Distribution has announced the availability of the new Røde Podcaster – which claims to be the world’s first broadcast quality USB microphone.

Based on Røde’s acclaimed Broadcaster microphone, like the NT2, the Podcaster delivers "studio-grade results through a tight cardioid response that seamlessly connects directly to PC or Mac with a single USB cable, avoiding the added cost and complexity of a separate computer audio interface".

Ideal for online broadcasters, the mic also provides a convenient solution for anyone who records audio directly to their computer, including journalists, voice-over artists, musicians, students and multi-media professionals.

The Podcaster is powered entirely from the USB bus, and uses high-grade A-D converters for optimum quality. It comes complete with an onboard high-output headphone amp for direct monitoring purposes, along with a dedicated volume control and a 3.5mm minijack headphone output. A green status LED indicates that the mic is active and ready for recording.

The microphone comes complete with a microphone stand mount and 5 metres of USB cable. Optional accessories available shortly include a suspension mount and an anglepoise table mounting arm.

To further enhance the Podcaster’s features, Røde has also developed optional downloadable software that allows the user to control the Podcaster’s recording level, to monitor levels via an LED level meter, and to mute the microphone when playing back recordings. This software is available from www.rodepodcaster.com - a dedicated site that also provides podcast hosting as well as offering a wealth of podcasting information and tips.

Oh, and the price? UK 149 pounds including UK VAT.

started an experimental thread on the Philips blog about the future of radio.

Your're invited to play along for the next couple of weeks.
 

This portable studio costs 229 pounds in the UK. Hang it behind a microphone for studio quality in a bedroom, without having to acoustically treat the room. 

Level Your Levels with the Levelator

So what is The Levelator? It's a piece of free software (for individual use) that runs on Windows or OS X (universal binary. It adjusts the audio levels within your podcast or other audio file for variations from one speaker to the next, for example. The softwave is written in Java. It's not a compressor, normalizer or limiter although it contains all three. It's much more than those tools, and it's much simpler to use. The interface is dirt-simple: Drag-and-drop any WAV or AIFF file onto The Leveler's application window, and a few moments later you'll find a new version which just sounds better.

My experiments show it's a kind of Optimod for podcasters or broadcasters or anyone with audio in a WAV file format. Note that MP3 is not supported (yet). Worth playing around with. Let us know here what your findings are.
 

Tascam Mystery

Anyone had experience with the Tascam HD-P2, a portable Compact Flash audio recorder with timecode from video? Price should have been around US$1000, but I have yet to see it in Europe.

Specs:

Up to 192 kHz / 24-bit
Absolutely silent (no transport noise it has been claimed), latched CF slot (so it doesn't pop out accidentally)
Broadcast WAVE recording
FireWire for connecting to PC/MAC for instant file access
Data loss protection (continually re-saves data)
XLR mic inputs with phantom power and analog peak limiting
Unbalanced RCA I/O plus S/PDIF digital I/O
Built-in mic and speaker
Runs on AA batteries for 5.5 hours
Timecode input, video clock input, input chasing

Broadcasters Without Borders

Managed to get the announcement about Broadcasters Without Borders spread quite widely at this years' IBC. 

Sony LP DV tapes

Sony has launched a new type of Mini-DV tape, the Sony DVM85HD, that records for 85 minutes, that's 22 minutes longer than regular DV tapes. Must be a thinner tape, so I wonder what this has done to the drop-out ratio. Gizmodo reports that each tape will be sold in Japan for roughly $13 US dollars. The HD indicates the tapes are suitable for HD recorders. Current HD tapes in Holland cost nearer US dollars 20 for a standard length tape...may be I am being ripped off.

Have Belkin Cracked the iPod Recorder?

Apple had crippled earlier iPod version so they could only record audio in dictation quality (8k) depite a nice microphone inside the Belkin iTalk. Now the TuneTalk Stereo claims "CD Quality" for 70 bucks. We like the fact that you can connect an external stereo microphone to the TuneTalk as well. Is this going to be of use to journalists desperate for something to replace the MiniDisc?

It seems this device will be launched at the Apple Paris show on September 12th 2006 and find its way into the retail outlets in Europe towards the end of October. Belkin has no samples before that.

Community Radio - 90% community?

Just posted an article (click link on title above) on the corporate website, which updates previous thoughts on the vital role radio is playing in West Africa. Its going wrong in Congo now because the media commission has no power to stop hate broadcasts. Those second round of elections look like turning into living hell....

This the sort of phone bridges you'll find in many local stations in Africa and Asia

  One of the biggest challenges for small stations is putting phone calls on the air, and balancing the voice in the studio with the voice on the phone. This is the way they do it Porto Novo....mike next to the speakerphone. 

JK Audio

JK Audio is a US company making two versions of a small telephone hybrid. There are many stations in Africa who want to make use of phone calls from listeners, but make do with putting a microphone next to a speakerphone to put the voice of the caller on the air. This would seem to be a solution, although rather pricy at 150 US dollars. Know of similar, cheaper solutions?

Radio's Important Role Post-Disaster

It is simply amazing how quickly we forget. Hours after the Asian Tsunami on December 26th 2004, the global media were full of amateur videos of the devastation caused to millions of lives across the Indian Ocean. Digital photos of those missing were plastered on noticeboards and ebsites. Sadly, too many became notice boards commemorating those who passed away. And many of the websites that covered the event are now frozen. For many, the Tsunami is tragic but over – and unlikely to happen again.

Actually, natural disasters are definitely going to happen again. A new cycle of more destructive hurricanes began in the Caribbean last year. North , Central and South America will certainly need to be better prepared. It is not if, it is simply a matter of when. Earthquakes too, are not going to go away. I have spent the last year editing a special wiki (with help from Andy Sennitt) which examined how broadcasters reacted to the Tsunami. It reveals a lot of brave efforts, but also a lot of missed opportunies for co-operation between those working for media and development.

We are also definitely not prepared for helping radio stations in the next disaster area - and that could be anywhere in the world.

So what to do? A practical suggestion is sitting on my corporate website.

Drive Rescue

I found a very useful connector in an effort to rescue a hard drive that contained a lot of archived data and audio files. The laptop had died but the disk itself could be rescued. This little connector/cable allows you to take it out of the old computer and plug it into a laptop.

http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/013/scupc1000.html

I have no connection with the company.

Wrong Move Bose

As an owner of the Quiet Comfort 2 headphones, I can testify that these are the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market. They run from a single AAA cell and have helped me through several international long-distance flights. They were expensive, but worth it. I think the QC-3 headphones though are a step in the wrong direction. Now you're being charged an extra 50 bucks for a special rechargeable battery and a power supply. I really don't need another power supply in my life, and the beauty of the QC2 is that a (rechargeable) AAA battery can be bought anywhere. They always run out when you least expect (like 29,000 feet). 349 bucks is too much, so Bose is pricing themselves out of the market.