Faital and Alpine Electronics Establish Business Alliance for Car Audio
Japanese car audio and navigation systems manufacturer Alpine Electronics, Inc. and Italian automotive speaker manufacturer Faital (Fabric Italiana Altoparlanti) S.p.A., have reached an agreement for a capital and business alliance to strengthen their in-car entertainment and audio business. Expanding on the Alpine share investment in the Faital Group, the two companies are pursuing a common vision in order to offer new high-end car audio products for premium applications and develop further integration of the brand's portfolios.
Sonarworks Offers 40% Black Friday Discount on True-Fi Headphone Calibration Software
With over 250 headphone models already supported, Sonarworks' True-Fi software could very well be the ultimate gift for music lovers this holiday season. The Riga, Latvia-based audio software developer Sonarworks is offering a spectacular 40% Black Friday discount off of its True-Fi headphone calibration software. For four days only, between November 23 and November 26 on Shopify, anyone will be able to access the full desktop version of True-Fi, and also gain ‘early access’ to the company’s forthcoming mobile application at no additional charge on November 29th.
Senji Launches Feature-Packed and Affordable Mu6 Noise-Canceling Headphones on Indiegogo
The headphone market is getting crowded and new companies are launching new increasingly competitive products that, at least in theory, tick all the boxes. Senji is a new startup company that just announced its Mu6 smart noise-canceling wireless headphones with a variety of advanced features such as Hearing Optimization and a unique Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand. The design features Hybrid ANC and Bluetooth 5, and is now available on Indiegogo for an early bird price starting at $129 USD.
New Blackmagic Rackmount Audio Monitor 12G From Blackmagic Design
During the InterBEE 2018 show in Japan, Blackmagic Design announced a new, upgraded model of its extremely popular rack mount audio monitoring solution. The new Blackmagic Audio Monitor 12G features 12G-SDI video input for working in all formats up to 2160p60, HDMI output, analog and AES/EBU inputs, a powerful class D amplifier, dual subwoofers, extended range speakers, an LCD and precision meters that can display VU, PPM and Loudness ballistic scales. All this in a 1U rackmount format!
The Analog Compact Music Cassette Is Making a Comeback!
As audioXpress reported back in October 2018, there's a company again surfing the analog wave trend, successfully selling new reel-to-reel tapes for audiophiles, studios, and archives, and it has now decided to offer new blank music cassettes and is making available bulk cassette tape for duplicators. RecordingTheMasters launched the new FOX C-60 Analog Compact Music Cassette in the retail market and audioXpress interviewed Jean-Luc Renou, CEO of Mulann at the recent Audio Engineering Society convention in New York to learn more.
Consumer Audio Poised For Rapid Growth: Futuresource Consulting Key Trends Roundup
Market research firm Futuresource Consulting promoted its highly successful Audio Collaborative conference dedicated to latest audio industry trends. During this all-day event, held in London, UK, on November 8, 2018, Futuresource's Principal Consultant, Jack Wetherill presented "Key Trends and Drivers in the Consumer Audio Hardware Market," a summary of the company's latest market research on Consumer Audio. Consumer audio hardware is making a comeback and poised for a period of rapid growth, was the key message.
Voting for the 34th Annual NAMM TEC Awards Is Now Open!
During the Summer NAMM show in Nashville, pro audio professionals and leading industry brands gathered to recognize and celebrate the announcement of the 34th annual NAMM TEC Award nominees at a special pro audio reception held in the Music City Center. Voting is now open, and winners will be announced during the annual awards ceremony, to honor best in pro audio products at the 2019 NAMM Show, January 26, 2019, at the Anaheim Hilton Pacific Ballroom. Vote now!
Schoeps Introduces Mono Upmix and Double MS Plug-Ins Distributed by Plugin Alliance
German microphone manufacturer Schoeps announced a new set of two software plug-ins which will be an ideal complement for creative microphone use, now available via the online software distributor Plugin Alliance. The first is the Double MS plugin, which decodes a Double MS microphone setup to a stereophonic signal. Available for AAX, VST3 and AU formats, this free plug-in takes 3 microphone signals and provides a 2.0 Stereo or 5.0 Surround output using an algorithm developed by Swiss audio processing specialist Illusonic. The second is the Mono Upmix plugin that turns a mono signal into a pleasantly open sounding stereophonic or LCR signal.
LG and Meridian Audio Debut Smart Display Speaker with Google Assistant
LG Electronics USA has announced its new AI Smart Display with Google Assistant combined with a Meridian Audio designed sound system to create a powerful smart home device. Following the recent trend of combining the features of a voice-assisted speaker with a touch screen for both content viewing, communication and interactions, the LG XBOOM AI ThinQ model WK9 is available now at U.S. retailers at a suggested price of $299 with special Black Friday pricing of $199 currently in effect.
Wi-Charge Unveils Wireless Infrared Light Power Solution for Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini Smart Speakers
Can you imagine having a Bluetooth speaker always working without routing a power cable, or a video doorbell or any other smart home device that does not need frequent battery replacements? Wi-Charge, a provider of long-range wireless power technology from Israel announced its innovative Wireless Power Kit that transforms an existing wired Amazon Echo Dot or Google Home Mini smart speakers into a fully functional, wire-free product that can be placed and used anywhere.