Music

Loop High Fidelity Earplugs review

loop high fidelity earplugs 01

Over the last several years, I’ve noticed a problem developing in my left ear when exposed to continuous loud sounds (it sounds like there is cotton constantly moving around in my ear). I haven’t gone to a doctor about this because it happens infrequently. I’ve tried using inexpensive protective foam earplugs (those intended for use

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Make your workouts feel like you’re in a video game

8bit workout

Chris Lawhorn sent me an email telling me about his just-released two workout albums that are inspired by the music from video games of the 80’s. The albums feature a collection of mixes where he’s taken beats from 8-bit games to create tracks that will inspire you to run, jump, and avoid bosses (calories). Best

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Science + music = The Happy Song, to make babies happy (especially over the holidays!!)

the happy song

“YES!!!!” You say. “I need this! JUST GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!!” Okay, okay! Here are the links to access the song: Amazon Music, iTunes, Google Music, and Spotify. For those of you who are curious about the background of the song, while I was reading my Curiosity app (which I LOVE, by the way), I stumbled upon

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Bias FX amp-and-effects processor app for iPad review

bias fx effects app for ipad 4

BiasFX, an iOS app from Positive Grid, promises to turn your iPad into a world-class guitar amp and effects processor. With dozens of high-quality amp simulations, stomp boxes, and rack-like processors, this software aims high.  Does it hit the mark?  This review is guest-written by my husband, Butch, who will help us answer this question.

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Keep kids out of illegal fighting rings and in the music studio

okeefe music foundation kickstarter

That title won’t make sense unless you watch the Kickstarter project video for the O’Keefe Music Foundation Album, but let me explain.  This post isn’t about gadgets, but it is about music, and we’ve featured lots of gear in the past for making or listening to music.  You probably have seen some videos by the young

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iRing is the first motion controller for iOS music apps

iring2

The creative folks at IK Multimedia have announced the availability of the iRing touchless motion controller for iOS, which was first unveiled at CES earlier this year. The iRing is a double sided “ring” that fits between your fingers. On one side of the ring there is a linear pattern of three dots, on the

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An emergency kit for electronic musicians

electronic musician emergency adapters 2

If you are a musician using amplified instruments, a DJ, or the tech guy who sets the equipment up, you’ll want to have the Electronic Musician’s Emergency Adapters kit in your gear.  The kit includes a variety of adapters – male audio plugs, female audio jacks, and couplers in 1/4″ and 1/8″ sizes, cables, XLR

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Keep on rocking in the free world – in higher resolution

ponoplayer kickstarter

Digital music has changed how and where we can listen to music, but there are trade-offs for the portability.  Digital files often sacrifice some of the resolution for size so you can fit more music on your portable player, which means you loose some of the details and nuances the artist intended you to hear.

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Stickteck DRUMMERZ Tablet Drumsticks review

stickteck drummerz 3

A few weeks ago the people at Stickteck approached me to see if I had any interest in reviewing their DRUMMERZ Tablet Drumsticks. Since I’m up for almost anything, I said sure and a few days later I found a set of specially made capacitive drumsticks in my mailbox. Are the DRUMMERZ a worthy set of sticks

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Drummerz Drumsticks – Create a beat that anyone can march to

drummerz

As someone who loves music, is a wannabe musician, iPad mini owner and The Gadgeteer, I love any gadgets or apps that allow me turn my tablet into a musical instrument. We’ve seen apps that convert your iPad into a piano, guitar, ukulele and even a drum set. Using your fingers to play piano, guitar

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Learn to play The Beatles on ukulele with this iOS app

ukulele beatles songbook ios

If you play or are learning to play the ukulele, check out this iOS music app.  The Ukulele Songbook: The Beatles app is a universal iOS app that teaches you to play 19 of Beatles songs.  Each song is complete with lyrics and chords, and there’s even an enhanced chord library where “you can view large

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Apple makes it easier to redeem iTunes gift cards

itunes gift card redemption

You can now use your computer’s camera to read and enter an iTunes gift card code.  This only works on Apple computers, and it’s not available (yet?) on iOS devices.  You just log into your iTunes account on your Mac, select the Redeem option, and you’ll see the redemption page shown above.  It only works

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