Another "for fun" audio test! I was blown away by the speakers in the HTC One, so now let's play with some tablets!
Apologies in advance as I don't have an iPad Mini in house to run this test, so we had to use the full sized iPad as the Apple "control". That said, Samsung is really pushing the stereo speakers on the Galaxy Note 8.0, so let's put them to the test!
Shop for electronics On Amazon using this link to support our site and reviews at no additional cost to you!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Review: Sony Walkman W Sport MP3 Player (Meb Keflezighi Edition)
In this day and age, the idea of reviewing a standalone MP3 player felt a bit dull. I mean, I haven't even been in the market for one since I got a smartphone.
However, after years of owning big smartphones, they aren't always a great solution for going on a long run. Ever wreck a phone with sweat "water damage"?
The notion of going back to a standalone MP3 might be a bit "old school", but niche solutions can sometimes work surprisingly well. Double trouble, I even dance in this review.
You wouldn't want to miss me making a fool of myself to talk about a fun gadget would you?
Shop for MP3 players and accessories using the following link, and you'll support these reviews at no additional cost to you: http://goo.gl/hzmcw
However, after years of owning big smartphones, they aren't always a great solution for going on a long run. Ever wreck a phone with sweat "water damage"?
The notion of going back to a standalone MP3 might be a bit "old school", but niche solutions can sometimes work surprisingly well. Double trouble, I even dance in this review.
You wouldn't want to miss me making a fool of myself to talk about a fun gadget would you?
Shop for MP3 players and accessories using the following link, and you'll support these reviews at no additional cost to you: http://goo.gl/hzmcw
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Smartphone Speaker Test: HTC One vs Nokia Lumia 920 vs Galaxy Note 2
Time to listen to some audio samples!
Chances are, your phone's speaker sucks.
The BoomSound front facing stereo speakers on the HTC One are a design revelation, and they're backed up by Beats Audio. Do they actually have the goods to go up against phones with good sound? One thing's for certain, they're at least pointed in the right direction...
Shop for electronics using the following link to support our site and reviews at no additional cost to you: http://goo.gl/aK495
Chances are, your phone's speaker sucks.
The BoomSound front facing stereo speakers on the HTC One are a design revelation, and they're backed up by Beats Audio. Do they actually have the goods to go up against phones with good sound? One thing's for certain, they're at least pointed in the right direction...
Shop for electronics using the following link to support our site and reviews at no additional cost to you: http://goo.gl/aK495
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Voice Over Workshop: Seattle Here We Come!
HOLLYWOOD COMES TO SEATTLE!
Voice Acting Workshop and Showcase
Do people say you have a great voice? Have you been interested in exploring voice acting? Are you a working voice actor wanting to expand your skills? Do you want to know the secrets of booking voice work? Are you seeking representation in LA as a voice actor?
If you answered YES to any of these questions - you NEED to attend this event!
Casting Director
Juan Carlos Bagnell
in conjunction with
THE DIRECTOR'S PLAYHOUSE
of West Los Angeles presents:
AN AMAZING ONE-DAY
VOICE ACTING WORKSHOP AND SHOWCASE
Saturday, May 18, 2013
8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Register NOW! Space is LIMITED!
SHOWCASE LOCATION:
4408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Seize this opportunity to learn from and exposure your talents to accomplished Hollywood Voice Acting Professionals, including: an accomplished Actor, a Talent Agent, and a Casting Agent. Learn how to set up your home studio, identify opportunities, audition effectively, and BOOK WORK. Explore commercial work (TV & radio), narration, anime, ADR, video games.
Hit the jump for more information!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
And The Coaching Contest Winner Is...
This was one of the best responses I've ever gotten to a contest on this blog.
After collecting all of the blog comments, Google+ posts, and Tweets, I dropped them all into a spreadsheet, and according to Random.org, the winner is:
Matt Johnson
Thanks to everyone who participated for making it such a fun experience!
After collecting all of the blog comments, Google+ posts, and Tweets, I dropped them all into a spreadsheet, and according to Random.org, the winner is:Matt Johnson
I want to win a free hour of #Voiceover coaching w/ @SomeAudioGuy to work on building more confidence in the booth.Congrats Matt!
Thanks to everyone who participated for making it such a fun experience!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Video Review: Triad-Orbit's M1-R "Micro 1" - Orbital Ball & Socket Mic Stand Adapter
I don't review a lot of accessories and adapters, but this little mini-boom adapter from Triad-Orbit caught my attention. It's pretty common in photography to see a ball and socket tripod head, but it's not often a solution employed for mics. The M1-R looks to add that flexibility for folks who need to dial the exact right angle on their mics. Can it hold up to some of the larger mics in my collection?
Use this link to shop for Triad-Orbit gear on Amazon, and you'll be supporting my reviews at no additional cost to you!
Use this link to shop for Triad-Orbit gear on Amazon, and you'll be supporting my reviews at no additional cost to you!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Win a Free Hour of Coaching With SomeAudioGuy!
I'm Mr. 3000!
So I just broke 3000 followers on Twitter, and I want to do something fun to celebrate. I'll be giving away a free hour of voice over coaching to one lucky winner to work on whatever aspect of their performance or equipment they wish to discuss.
If you're in the LA area we can meet face to face, and for everyone else we can set up the coaching over G+ or Skype!
How to Enter This Contest
There are three ways to enter:
1- Leave a comment on this post (with a valid email address) answering the question "What do you want to work on?".
2- Share this post on Google+ publicly. Tag me in the post to make sure I see it. My actual name is Juan Carlos Bagnell. You should probably also circle me while you're at it (does not increase odds of winning).
3- Tweet the following (filling in the blank):
Do one of these, do all three. You will only get one entry from commenting on this blog, but there are no limits to how many times you can tweet or post on G+.
Deadline to enter is Friday 11:59pm Pacific time. After, I'll collect all of the valid entries, throw them into one big random number generator, and announce a winner on Saturday, so get shaking!
If you're in the LA area we can meet face to face, and for everyone else we can set up the coaching over G+ or Skype!
How to Enter This Contest
There are three ways to enter:
1- Leave a comment on this post (with a valid email address) answering the question "What do you want to work on?".
2- Share this post on Google+ publicly. Tag me in the post to make sure I see it. My actual name is Juan Carlos Bagnell. You should probably also circle me while you're at it (does not increase odds of winning).
3- Tweet the following (filling in the blank):
I want to win a free hour of #Voiceover coaching w/ @SomeAudioGuy to work on ____
Do one of these, do all three. You will only get one entry from commenting on this blog, but there are no limits to how many times you can tweet or post on G+.
Deadline to enter is Friday 11:59pm Pacific time. After, I'll collect all of the valid entries, throw them into one big random number generator, and announce a winner on Saturday, so get shaking!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Mailbag: Help With Audio Restoration?
Never forget. The media we use to preserve our memories of friends and family is VERY temporary.
This stuff gets tricky, doubly so because you're working with content which is so personal. The basics here, make sure you're using the best possible tape deck you can get your hands on. Anything you can do to make sure the tapes aren't physically damaged in any way.
If possible record using good cables into an interface which will record at least 24 bit / 96KHz wav files. As you try to correct some of the poor recordings, the more information you have in the recordings, the more likely it'll be you can push your salvage tools a little further.
While working in Audacity, you should be able to see loud and quiet fairly easily. Audacity's built in volume tools should allow you to balance out some of those inconsistencies, but you'll most likely be doing a significant amount of that adjustment by hand. After you've balanced that out a bit, you can look at noise reduction and EQ plugins to help take some of the edge off the poor recordings.
As for help, you might be able to hit up a local recording studio to see if they can transfer the audio to a digital format for you. You might also be able to hire a company which specializes in media transferring, but I've never used a service like that personally, so I wouldn't know who to recommend.
For my readers, are there any other tips or tricks to help Al out?
Is there a service you've used which handled your media with care?
Please leave us a comment below!
Thank You for posting on you tube. I have been attempting to clean up some horrible audio. These are from some cassettes that were recorded 35+ years ago. They are from relatives talking about life and family history. The sound is either blaring or not there, it sounds like they were either attempting to swallow the mike or put it across the room. I am using audacity to 'record' it onto my pc. Is there anywhere you are aware of that I may get some help? Thank You.
-Al G
If possible record using good cables into an interface which will record at least 24 bit / 96KHz wav files. As you try to correct some of the poor recordings, the more information you have in the recordings, the more likely it'll be you can push your salvage tools a little further.
While working in Audacity, you should be able to see loud and quiet fairly easily. Audacity's built in volume tools should allow you to balance out some of those inconsistencies, but you'll most likely be doing a significant amount of that adjustment by hand. After you've balanced that out a bit, you can look at noise reduction and EQ plugins to help take some of the edge off the poor recordings.
As for help, you might be able to hit up a local recording studio to see if they can transfer the audio to a digital format for you. You might also be able to hire a company which specializes in media transferring, but I've never used a service like that personally, so I wouldn't know who to recommend.
For my readers, are there any other tips or tricks to help Al out?
Is there a service you've used which handled your media with care?
Please leave us a comment below!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
On the Phone With Aubrey Cleland from American Idol Season 12
I had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely and talented Aubrey Cleland from American Idol season twelve.She was recently voted off the show, but AT&T sponsored a "fan save", allowing the fans to rally behind one contestant. Aubrey won a sing off against Charlie Askew, and now she'll be joining the Idol finalists on their Summer Tour.
We chat for a bit about her experiences on American Idol and about her plans for the up coming tour.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Are You Selling or Waiting?
I had a recent retail interaction which felt odd.
While waiting for my wife to return a blouse at a mall shop, I wandered over to a jewelry counter. I’m notorious for letting my watch batteries die and never replacing them. I am one of those geeks who automatically checks his phone for the time rather than looking at my wrist. I wear my watch because it was a nice gift from my wife. It’s a meaningful accessory, and my wrist feels naked without it, but I don’t really count on its functionality.
All that said, it’s kind of embarrassing when I’m asked the time and someone calls me out on the fact that I don’t look at my wrist, so I found myself at this jewelry counter asking if they could swap the battery for me. One of the two gentlemen at the store stood up, looked at the watch, and simply said “About ten minutes” before disappearing into the back with a small tool kit and one of those magnifying glass visor headset things.
I spent the ten minutes in silence at the counter with the other gentleman. Exchanged a nod, a small hello, and then awkwardly paced around the store looking at their wares. At first thankful he wasn’t giving me some hard sell, but later growing increasingly uncomfortable that he wasn’t trying at all to sell me gear. It was actually a somewhat unnerving experience. I’m so used to being sold things, that the absence of this pressure felt cold, empty.
The last minute or so before getting my watch back, I even ran down the things I would be able to glean just by looking at me. Early 30’s young man. Dressed casually but in mid-range commercial clothing (I’m a sucker for Old Navy sales). Wedding band, possibly platinum. Wears a nice simple watch, which is obviously old, but cared for. He has a nice, colorful phone. There’s a notion of style there, and at least visually the appearance of someone who spends some money on that style.
I thought of at least three different conversation starters to break the ice. Maybe a compliment on the watch they were working on to segue over to showing me newer similar watches. Maybe asking me about my wedding band. That could also lead into a conversation about my wife, what her style might be like. Any number of observations that could have lead to an upsell over the $12 battery I was already in the shop for.
Instead we spent ten minutes in uncomfortable silence.
Contrast that, after returning the blouse we walked past a Tea store. We had no intention of trying some tea, but they were giving out samples. I tried two teas, the salesman watched my reaction, enthusiastically recommended a chai. I loved it. Five minutes later we walked out with $20 of loose specialty tea. It was a fun engaging experience with someone who understood their product.
Just got me thinking about brands and the people who represent them. Are you leaving money on the table? Are you excited to represent yourself? To sell what your business offers? Are you paying attention to the producers that hire you? What they like? What they need?
Get out there and sell. If you’re waiting for someone to need you, chances are they’re already spending their cash somewhere else.
All that said, it’s kind of embarrassing when I’m asked the time and someone calls me out on the fact that I don’t look at my wrist, so I found myself at this jewelry counter asking if they could swap the battery for me. One of the two gentlemen at the store stood up, looked at the watch, and simply said “About ten minutes” before disappearing into the back with a small tool kit and one of those magnifying glass visor headset things.
I spent the ten minutes in silence at the counter with the other gentleman. Exchanged a nod, a small hello, and then awkwardly paced around the store looking at their wares. At first thankful he wasn’t giving me some hard sell, but later growing increasingly uncomfortable that he wasn’t trying at all to sell me gear. It was actually a somewhat unnerving experience. I’m so used to being sold things, that the absence of this pressure felt cold, empty.
The last minute or so before getting my watch back, I even ran down the things I would be able to glean just by looking at me. Early 30’s young man. Dressed casually but in mid-range commercial clothing (I’m a sucker for Old Navy sales). Wedding band, possibly platinum. Wears a nice simple watch, which is obviously old, but cared for. He has a nice, colorful phone. There’s a notion of style there, and at least visually the appearance of someone who spends some money on that style.
I thought of at least three different conversation starters to break the ice. Maybe a compliment on the watch they were working on to segue over to showing me newer similar watches. Maybe asking me about my wedding band. That could also lead into a conversation about my wife, what her style might be like. Any number of observations that could have lead to an upsell over the $12 battery I was already in the shop for.
Instead we spent ten minutes in uncomfortable silence.
Contrast that, after returning the blouse we walked past a Tea store. We had no intention of trying some tea, but they were giving out samples. I tried two teas, the salesman watched my reaction, enthusiastically recommended a chai. I loved it. Five minutes later we walked out with $20 of loose specialty tea. It was a fun engaging experience with someone who understood their product.Just got me thinking about brands and the people who represent them. Are you leaving money on the table? Are you excited to represent yourself? To sell what your business offers? Are you paying attention to the producers that hire you? What they like? What they need?
Get out there and sell. If you’re waiting for someone to need you, chances are they’re already spending their cash somewhere else.
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