kevinz4444

WIRED.COM and the April ’08 Wired Magazine print edition feature a story on the competition and practices of electronic device blog sites Gizmodo and Engadget. BTW, if you don’t already, check out these two sites periodically for the latest info on the audio and video electronics industry -- its gadgets, and its gizmos.

Trance, House, Techno, and other genres of electronic music have been around for decades. If you love this form of music, or have never heard it and would like to experience a new music form, take a look at the DJMIX.NET and ALLDJ.ORG websites. These sites offer massive amounts of free downloadable music (in mp3 format which you can import into SonicStage for MD use) produced by some famous and up-and-coming DJs.

Regardless of the minidisc equipment you use, headphone performance can make a big difference in your listening experience. If you are searching for the perfect blend of sound quality, durability and comfort, check out these recent CNET reviews of their top five headphones, and a variety that sell for less than $50.

A Post-CES editorial on CNET’s Crave Blog lists some of the features not seen among mp3 players on display at the January show. The blogger’s wish list includes a player that can sort music by record label or era, create and use sub-genre tags, display interactive visuals to accompany recorded music, display generous-sized album artwork, and perhaps even show sheet music.

CNET.com has posted several interesting blogs on MP3 player trends, as well as technology and accessories shown so far at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. iRiver, Creative, and Audio-Technica products are featured in these postings.

The 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) runs January 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Oh, the days of old when new MD units were unveiled or featured…but there are a few vendors advertising some minor MD-related accessories. We’ll hopefully have more to report as the show progresses.

Looking for a unique donation opportunity? Well, this is not the tax deductible kind -- but if you have any interesting field recording sounds that you would like to share with “the world”, consider uploading them to the Freesound Project. Their website documents legal rights, rules, instructions for uploading, etc.

Happy Holidays from the editors at Minidisc.org! Hoping that your holidays are safe and full of great recording and listening!

Wired.com currently has two interesting articles featuring former Talking Heads member, David Byrne, and Thom Yorke member of the innovative musical group Radiohead, on the distribution strategy for Radiohead’s In Rainbows CD, and the options musicians have for licensing /distributing their recordings. Note that the Wired January ’08 print edition has additional details not on the Wired site.

A Yahoo! Tech blogger rates SONY Connect as one of the biggest tech blunders of 2007, with a jab at ATRAC as well...but SONY is not alone on the list!

This is either a problem with my link cut-paste, or an issue (as some have reported) with Amazon restricting this public beta to Amazon USA only. It would be greatly appreciated if you could try again, and see if it is the former issue rather than the latter! Report back with a reply or a note directly to me with what you discover. THANK YOU! kevinz4444

Many podcasters and MD audiophiles already know about Audacity. But if you don’t have this useful freeware utility, consider using it for such applications as converting your old cassette tape collection to mp3s or WAVs (and then to MD), making mp3 versions of your MD field recordings to send to “iPod friends”, and many others.

Take a look at a National Geographic article on the use of audio recorders in Kenya. Bee-buzz playbacks have a surprising effect on African Elephant herds.

Amazon’s DRM-free mp3 music “public Beta” site is now operational. Amazon promises that the downloaded DRM-free music purchased at its site can be listened to on any portable music player – including Minidisc recorders, via the customary real-time or SonicStage mp3 import process.

Digital Lifestyles has information on the Zoom SD- (Secure Digital card) based 2-track audio recorder. The Zoom has USB 2.0 upload ability, but battery life of only about 4 hrs. This article mentions that the BBC has been using this device’s key competitor -- the Minidisc Recorder – “for years”.

Amazon.com currently offering 1GB Hi-MD discs (HMD1GL) for $4.84 each, with free shipping on orders of $25 or more; also check out Recording Store offering 1GB discs on Amazon.com for $4.75 with free shipping. For larger quantities, partner Minidisco.com is selling Hi-MD 20-packs for $99 ($4.95 each). Note, prices and availability subject to change!

Gizmodo, macnn, and ATRACLife are reporting that two hard-drive based mini component hi-fi systems, the M75HD and M95HD, will be released Oct. and Nov. in Japan, and will cost US$700 and US$1058, and have storage capacities of 80GB and 250GB, respectively. They will support MD and its ATRAC format (though not Hi-MD, only SP, LP and LP4). Thanks to Dr. Phil W for this tip!