Time to kick off another new series here at The Flickcast and this time around we’re calling it Tech Time. In it we focus on a piece of technology we love from the past, present or future. And the lucky winner today is a device we couldn’t live without, or at least we couldn’t do our podcast without: the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a digital audio interface. It allows you to connect up to two microphones, or other analog devices like guitars or keyboards, to your computer via a USB-C cable. With the 2i2 you can connect 2 mics, or other devices via XLR, or two devices via instrument inputs, or one of each.
Our podcast co-host Chris Ullrich uses a Shure SM7B microphone to record his part of the podcast. That mic is connected via XLR cable to the Scarlett 2i2 and then to a MacBook Pro via USB-C. On the MacBook Pro, audio is recorded in Apple’s Logic Pro for editing, mixing and final output.
In the interest of transparency, the Shure SM7B is rather power hungry. To help with that Chris uses an additional device between the mic and the Scarlett 2i2: the Cloudlifter CL-1. It provides additional clean gain so the mic gain on the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface doesn’t need to be set as high. This helps ensure cleaner sound.
You don’t need the Cloudlifter CL-1 to make the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 work, it provides enough power on its own. Chris just likes things to be extra clean, with as little gain from the pre-amp in the 2i2 as possible. So, he added the Cloudlifter.
Also, using a different microphone, one that’s less power hungry, would be a way to go too. For example, we’ve had great results with another mic from Shure, the SM58. It’s a great mic and one you’ll find on many stages and in recording studios around the world.
So if you want to make a podcast, record yourself playing guitar or reading an audio book, you’ll need a device like the Scarlett 2i2. In fact, if you do end up with one of these, it’s probably all the audio interface you’ll ever need. It really is a great device and one we use pretty much every day.
For more on the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, check out the company’s website. You can also watch a video about it below.
Do you use a piece of tech like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2? If so, what do you use it for and what do you think of it? Or, is there a different one you recommend? Let us know in the comments or hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Happy Recording!
Image: Focusrite Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
That’s right all you iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch fans, Apple’s latest OS has dropped today. As you likely know it’s called iOS 8 and has a host of new features, enhancements and more to make your use and enjoyment of your Apple device that much more, well, useful and enjoyable.
Users can download the new software by navigating to the “general” tab in their device’s settings menu and selecting “software update.” You can also connect your device to the latest version of iTunes to download the update.
iOS 8 will work on all devices as new, or newer, than the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4s. Although, as to how well it will run on an iPad 2 or iPhone 4s, well, probably not that well. If you’re still rocking those devices, and want to take full advantage of iOS 8, it might be time for an upgrade.
iOS 8 has a lot of nifty new features including HealthKit, which allows third-party apps and, one would suspect, the upcoming Apple Watch, to monitor your health status and suggest ways to improve it. It also features new hotness like Family Sharing, which lets you share iTunes purchases, calendar information, and messages with a group of people. iOS 8 also brings improved notifications, a Spotlight search function that lets you search inside apps, and the ability to install third-party keyboards such as Swype. See, nifty.
There’s also a few other new features, such as the ability to sync phone calls, files, and SMS messages between iOS 8 devices and Macs, that will have to wait until the next version of OS X (aka Yosemite) is released. Rumor has it that will be next month.
As we told you before, Amazon has come out with its own version of the Apple TV or Roku. It’s called the Fire TV and it’s an Android-powered black box that allows you to stream content from various sources including Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus and Netflix.
But is it any good? Well, our own Chris Ullrich decided to take it for a spin and made his initial report over at his personal site. As with other times he’s done this in the past, we’re still not sure why he doesn’t just write his review, or whatever, here.
Whatever, he’s the boss. Anyway, check out his thoughts and if you end up getting a Fire TV for yourself, let us know what you think of it in the comments.
In a bid to compete with devices like the Google Chromecast, Roku and mainly the Apple TV, Amazon today announced the Amazon Fire TV. According to chairman Jeff Bezos, the Fire TV “is a tiny box that plugs into your HDTV. It’s the easiest way to enjoy Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, WatchESPN, low-cost video rentals, and more. With instant access to over 200,000 TV episodes and movies, plus all your favorite subscriptions and streaming services, you can watch what you want, when you want.”
In addition, if you’re a Prime member “you get unlimited access to thousands of popular movies and TV shows, including exclusives like Downton Abbey, The Americans, Alpha House, and Under the Dome.” All in 1080p, of course.
Bu wait, there’s even more. “Fire TV has voice search that actually works. The old way of searching with a TV remote—scrolling and clicking one letter at a time on an alphabet grid—is painful. With Fire TV you simply speak the title, actor, or genre into the remote and you’re done.”
The internal specs of the Fire TV are impressive as well. The device features a quad-core processor, dedicated GPU, 2 GB of memory, and dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi. It also features a new buffering system which will supposedly help eliminate any streaming lag. Of course, your mileage may vary.
The device also plays games. Titles at launch include Minecraft, The Walking Dead, Monsters University, the Amazon exclusive Sev Zero, and many other free games available to Prime Members.
The Amazon Fire TV is $99.00 and ships today. The optional game controller will set you back another $39.99.
“Oculus has the chance to create the most social platform ever, and change the way we work, play, and communicate,” says Mark Zuckerberg. But honestly, do you really need to see your friends baby pictures in virtual reality? It was announced yesterday that Facebook would be purchasing the technology company of Oculus VR, the creators of the Oculus Rift. In total, Facebook would be paying by way of $400 million in cash and 23.1 million Facebook shares which comes down to about $1.6 billion.
Oculus Rift has been the talk of the gaming industry since gamers were finally able to start getting their hands on it over the past year, putting to bed the speculation that VR was dead or that it might go the way of the Virtual Boy and be a huge flop. Top creators had begun trying to figure out if the platform was right for their games and early testers were raving about the potential they already got a taste of.
I’m one of those “weirdos” who still wears a watch even though Iv’e got a perfectly good cell phone in my pocket to tell me the time. What can I say, I still like watches and I don’t mind having to look and see where the little hand and the big hand are to see if I’m late for an appointment.
However, I am very interested in all of the wearable tech, including watches, that seems to be heading our way. And that goes double for what Google announced this week. It’s a new SDK called Android Wear and damn if it doesn’t look pretty cool.
It’s basically Google Now and provides you with information as you need it or as it happens in a card-style format. The company is starting with watches, but you can imagine other products not far behind.
Here’s some other highlights of Android Wear:
• Straight answers to spoken questions. Just say “Ok Google” to ask questions, like how many calories are in an avocado, what time your flight leaves, and the score of the game. Or say “Ok Google” to get stuff done, like calling a taxi, sending a text, making a restaurant reservation or setting an alarm.
• The ability to better monitor your health and fitness. Hit your exercise goals with reminders and fitness summaries from Android Wear. Your favorite fitness apps can give you real-time speed, distance and time information on your wrist for your run, cycle or walk.
• Your key to a multiscreen world. Android Wear lets you access and control other devices from your wrist. Just say “Ok Google” to fire up a music playlist on your phone, or cast your favorite movie to your TV.
Google is already working with manufacturers Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung, along with chip makers Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, Mediatek, and Qualcomm. Fossil may make the first watches available later this year.
To see Android Wear in action, check out the videos after the break.
If you’re already taking advantage of Amazon’s Prime service, this is a post for you. And if you’re not, it might be a good idea to pay attention too. Why?
Well, the company announced today they are raising prices on their Prime service to $99 from its current level of $79. Students will pay $49, up from $39.
New members have until March 20 to sign up for $79, according to the company, while current members will see the price increase to $99 at their next renewal. Guess they’ve gotta pay for those drones somehow, right?
Members whose accounts are set to renew before April 17 will be charged $79. Lucky them.
Currently, members get unlimited free two-day shipping on eligible items, free streaming of movies and TV episodes, and free e-book borrowing from Amazon’s library of more than 475,000 titles. It’s expected that Amazon will offer additional services and perks to help soften the blow of the price increase. But so far, no word on what those might be.
In the meantime, if you haven’t signed up yet, now would be a good time. Check out more at the official Amazon Prime page.
In case you haven’t heard, Apple released an update to its mobile operating system this week. The update, known as iOS 7.1 to those in the know (and pretty much everyone else) features a host of improvements and bug fixes. But much like most of Apple’s updates, the company doesn’t really spell out exactly what all those “improvements and bug fixes” are.
But what if you really want to know each and every detail of this update? Fortunately, the folks at iTwe4kz have got you covered.
In fact, they’ve made a handy video that highlights pretty much everything that’s new in iOS 7.1. Cool, right?
Check out the video after the break. You can download Apple’s iOS 7.1 via software update on your devices or via iTunes.
Love them or hate them, Apple is one of the most dominant players all over the world world with their iPad and iPhone devices. And now they’re looking to expand that dominance into a new place: your car.
That’s right, today Apple announced a new way to integrate iOS7 devices with your future vehicle. It’s called CarPlay and, to be honest, it looks pretty darn cool.
Set to debut later this year in vehicles from select manufacturers, CarPlay will let users make and receive calls, send and receive messages, listen to music and navigate with Maps, all via a built-in display in the car. Several other apps will be supported at launch, including Podcasts, Beats Music, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Stitcher.
Car companies such as Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will showcase CarPlay at next week’s Geneva International Motor Show. Meanwhile, others such as BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota intend to make future vehicles compatible with CarPLay.
For more on how it will work, Volvo has released a video highlights CarPlay’s features. Check it out after the break.
If you’re an Android and Samsung fan, this is a great day for you. Why? Well, Samsung has just announced its brand new flagship Android-powered smartphone: the Galaxy S5. And yes, it looks pretty cool.
The new hotness features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 2.5GHz quad-core processor, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, 3GB of RAM, a 2,800 mAh battery and Android 4.4 KitKat. But wait, there’s more.
The Galaxy S5 also features a water-resistant case and a fingerprint scanner similar to the one Apple uses in its iPhone 5s. It comes in four colors including charcoal black, shimmery white, electric blue and copper gold.
