Sound Devices’ MixPre Series controllers make recording audio a cinch

Why it matters to you

The MixPre Series could make recording podcasts, music videos, an interviews easier than ever.

When you’re a videographer on a budget, capturing high-quality sound is a tough proposition. Generally, camera and smartphone mics don’t cut it — ensuring your sound shines through usually means forking over hundreds for bulky, unintuitive control boxes with steep learning curves. But Sound Devices, the Hollywood audio company behind La La Land, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Game of Thrones, wants to change all that with the MixPre Series.

It marks the first time Sound Devices has targeted the wider consumer market. “Our new Sound Devices MixPre Series is the culmination of decades of experience designing products for the best-of-the-best in the professional audio industry,” Matt Anderson, CEO of Sound Devices, said in a statement. “Our mic preamps simply have to be heard to be believed, whether micing drums, birds, or dialog, using condenser, dynamic, or ribbon mics, the finest textures of the audio are preserved.”

The MixPre Series, which consists of a high-end MixPre-6 and MixPre-3, doesn’t look like much, but there is more to them than meets the eye. The six-inch-thick aluminum die-cast bodies, which Sound Devices claims are “some of the smallest in their class,” pack three LED-illuminated fader knobs, up to six XLR inputs for Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) devices (like keyboards and synthesizers), and 3.5mm auxiliary ports for powered mics and headphones. Recordings are stored on an SD/SDHC/SDXC card or streamed to a computer via one of two USB ports, the real-time levels of which can be viewed — and adjusted — from a color IPS touchscreen.

Under the hood, the MixPre Series sports custom circuits that record, mix, and stream sound in real time. State-of-the-art Kashmir mic pre-amplifiers with analog limiters minimize distortion, and a 32-bit audio-to-digital converter streams sound up to 192kHz. An automatic timecode feature syncs video piped through the devices’ HDMI-in with recorded dialogue, and standard AA batteries (or an optional Li-Ion battery sled supply) supply power.

Sound Devices is positioning the MixPre as an alternative to high-end recorders. Both models come with a basic mode that offers no-frills recording modes for videos, podcasts, interviews, and music. Experts can tap into advanced mode, which unlocks multichannel recording and settings.

Many of those settings can be adjusted from Wingman, Sound Device’s app for iOS, via Bluetooth Smart. You can start and stop recordings, enter and edit metadata, and rename tracks from a connected iPhone or iPad.

The differences between the devices come down to inputs and outputs, mainly. The MixPre-3 offers up to 5-in/2-out USB audio interface with three discrete mic preamps, the ability to stream up to three analog inputs (including three high-quality mic inputs), and a two-channel mix over USB. The MixPre-6, on the other hand, offers up to 8-in/4-out USB audio interface with four mic preamps, and streams up to six analog inputs (including four high-quality mic inputs), a two-channel mix over USB, and an XLR 1/4-inch combo inputs that allow 1/4-inch line-input sources to be connected directly.

The MixPre-3 and MixPre-6 go for $650 and $900, respectively.

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers make paid apps free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money, and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

More: 200 Awesome iPhone Apps | The best Android apps for almost any occasion

Persistence

Persistence is a simple and easy to use goal and habit motivator and tracker. Its smart reminders and views help you set and keep goals and track your habits.

Available on:

iOS

Pret a Template

Ideas come up all the time. Registering them instantly in our inseparable mobile devices has become a habit, and now you can sketch them with this app.

Available on:

iOS

M Stopwatch

This is simple, straightforward implementation of multiple stopwatches in a single list. The look and style is patterned after the native iOS stopwatch for consistency.

Available on:

iOS

Secret Apps Pro

Secret Apps Pro disguises itself as a normal iOS folder — it’s password-protected, and it will snap photos of anyone trying to pry inside.

Available on:

iOS

Wallz Wallpapers

Wallz claims to have the best Retina HD Wallpapers for iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPad and iPad Pro with over 100,000 HD retina wallpapers or backgrounds.

Available on:

iOS

eDI Pro

Easy Downloader is like an all-in-one Download Manager app with fast download capabilities and file management features. It includes an audio player with playlists, video player, ad blocker, and more.

Available on:

iOS

Maximize typing accuracy, comfort with KrBn mechanical keyboard, now 74% off

There are many reasons to upgrade to a mechanical keyboard, not the least of which are increased accuracy and tactile feedback while typing. This is especially true for gamers who demand more precision from their PC accessories than modern rubber dome keyboards can provide. Full-sized models like the KrBn mechanical keyboard feature integrated hand rests as well, offering even more comfort for long gaming and work sessions.

The KrBn mechanical keyboard utilizes blue switches which are similar to Cherry MX Green switches. These mechanical units feature a medium level of stiffness and both tactile and auditory feedback with their “clicky” sound and feel. This gives you improved accuracy for rapid keystrokes and a more satisfying touch response compared to rubber dome keyboards, which can often feel mushy and imprecise.

Along with the integrated palm rest, KrBn’s mechanical keyboard features flip-up feet for a more comfortable wrist angle and ergonomically-designed suspended concave keycaps, an improvement over other models with completely flat surfaces or chiclet keys. The KrBn keyboard is backlit as well, with nine different LED color configurations which let you create a stunning desktop environment and easily type in the dark.

Rubber feet on the bottom of the keyboard keep it from sliding around on your desk, while the water-resistant design features four holes on the base to allow liquids to drain out without ruining the components — a great feature to have in case of unfortunate spills. All 104 keys contain frosted molded letters that won’t fade or rub off with continued use.

The KrBn mechanical keyboard is well-reviewed with a 4.6-star rating from users on Amazon. This model retails for $250 but Amazon is currently offering it on sale for just $65, giving you an impressive 74 percent discount. Included with the keyboard are a handy keycap puller and three spare blue switches which allow you to repair or replace broken or damaged keys if necessary.

$65 on Amazon

Homebrew patch reinstates Windows Update on systems hit by CPU block

Why it matters to you

This unofficial patch means that affected users no longer have to choose between their preferred version of Windows, their chosen CPU, and their usage of Windows Update.

Last month, it emerged that Microsoft was implementing a plan to restrict systems built with newer CPUs and running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 from utilizing Windows Update. Now, a GitHub user known as Zeffy has published a fix that allows users to continue receiving updates.

Microsoft announced its intentions well in advance, but many users working with the likes of Intel’s Kaby Lake processors and AMD’s Ryzen line were still frustrated to find that they would have to choose between their preferred operating system and Windows Update. Fortunately, Zeffy’s solution seems to be a comprehensive workaround.

The fix works by patching Windows .DLL files, according to a report from Bleeping Computer. This bypasses the CPU version check that finds out what operating system is in use, which in turn allows Windows Update to interact with systems running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

Zeffy has made batch scripts available via GitHub, so that more suspicious users can poke around his code until they’re confident enough to run the workaround on their system. The scripts were apparently created by reverse-engineering the KB4012218 update that initially blocked Windows Update from working on older versions of Windows.

The fact that Zeffy was able to come up with a fix relatively quickly seems to confirm that Microsoft introduced these measures as a means of encouraging users to make the upgrade to Windows 10, rather than because of any technological limitations. That’s not particularly surprising, but it sets a troubling precedent for the future.

Microsoft has made no secret of its ambition to see a billion devices running Windows 10, even if it’s not likely to hit that estimate in 2018. However, between annoying reminders and these restrictions on what hardware is compatible with older versions, it certainly seems that the company is prioritizing big usage figures over the quality of the user experience.

Experts discuss the exponentially worsening space debris problem

Why it matters to you

Without an effective solution for cleaning up orbiting debris, space travel may become more treacherous.

Last month, while setting a record for the most spacewalks by a women, astronaut Peggy Whitson lost her debris shield. Although initially concerned, NASA soon determined that the blanket had floated far enough away from the International Space Station to not pose any immediate danger. Instead, it went on to join the very debris it was intended to protect against.

In the grand scheme of things, Whitson’s shield is insignificant, but it ironically showcases the growing mass of space debris orbiting our planet.

In under 25 years, the amount of junk big enough to destroy a spacecraft has more than doubled, the Agence France-Presse reports from the seventh European Conference on Space Debris in Germany this week.

“We are very much concerned,” said Rolf Densing, who heads operations at the European Space Agency (ESA).

The big concern is that accumulating space debris may lead to something called the Kessler syndrome, a chain reaction of collisions that exponentially increases the amount of junk. A collision between two satellites may make thousands of smaller objects. Those thousands of objects could collide into millions more objects, and so on. The end result is an impenetrable cloud of debris that would make space travel treacherous.

But this isn’t science fiction. The amount of space debris is already in the hundreds of millions, according to experts.

“Today, we find in space roughly 5,000 objects with sizes larger than one meter (3.25 feet), roughly 20,000 objects with sizes over ten centimeters,” said Holger Krag, who heads ESA’s space debris office, “and 750,000 ‘flying bullets’ of around one centimeter.”

“For objects larger than one millimeter (0.04 inch), 150 million is our model estimate for that,” he added. “The growth in the number of fragments has deviated from the linear trend in the past and has entered into the more feared exponential trend.”

Krag told the conference that ESA receive a collision alert on its ten satellites about every week, and each has to shift position to avoid collision about once or twice a year.

Over the past few years, organizations like ESA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have been researching methods to clean up space debris, including corralling the debris with massive nets and attracting junk with magnets. Unfortunately, JAXA failed in its attempt earlier this year.

The scientists will spend the next few days discussing the problem and reviewing tentative solutions.

Video editors can work better together in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects

Why it matters to you

A new Essential Graphics panel in Premiere Pro simplifies motion graphics for video editors with customizable templates.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show opens on April 22, but some of the film and video industry’s biggest brands are already revealing what they have in store for the show. On April 19, Adobe released significant updates to several of its popular Creative Cloud video apps, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. The updates unify the apps around a core focus on collaboration and workflow efficiency, a theme Adobe has been bringing up increasingly often.

While any Creative Cloud video user should have reason to download the updates immediately, the new features will be most appreciated by those working in teams. Adobe is looking to make it easier than ever for editors, motion graphics animators, and sound designers to collaborate, with the new Team Projects. Currently in beta, the tool will allow Creative Cloud Team and Enterprise account members to work together on a single project, saving and transferring changes between users, even with team members located in multiple remote locations. In a live online demonstration, Adobe showed us how an After Effects user in the U.S. could correct blurry video received from a colleague in Europe, who could then open the corrected clip directly in Premiere Pro and continue editing, without having to ever leave the app.

Adobe has also replaced Premiere Pro’s Live Text templates with Motion Graphics templates found in the entirely new Essential Graphics panel. Motion Graphics templates can be created in either Premiere Pro or After Effects and seamlessly shared between both applications. The main benefit here is that an After Effects specialist can create templates that allow video editors to later customize specific aspects without needing a deeper understanding of how they were made. For example, an animated title sequence can be created that lets an editor change the text and color, while the timing and other attributes remain locked. An After Effects users can also save multiple styles of a template that an editor can quickly cycle through to choose the one they prefer.

Several smaller improvements have also been made to Premiere Pro and After Effects, such as improved support for virtual reality (VR) and high dynamic range (HDR) content. Adobe Stock video integration has also been updated, with users now able to scrub through stock videos and even publish their own footage to the collection directly from within Premiere Pro.

Like all Creative Cloud updates, the new features are included for any users on the $50 per month plan. Users can also opt to subscribe to Premiere Pro only for $20 per month. Visit Adobe’s Video page for more information.

Google Voice now filters out unwanted calls, thanks to update

Why it matters to you

Google Voice is a useful tool that was ignored for too long, but with January’s major update and its new anti-spam measures, it’s now more powerful than ever.

The major update that hit Google Voice back in January was mostly aesthetic, as it brought the app up to date with the company’s Material Design standard, but didn’t add much in the way of new features. Many of those faithful to the long-running call forwarding service were just excited to see it get any attention from Google at all, after being largely ignored for a number of years. Fortunately, Google is keeping the updates coming with the announcement of improved spam filtering for Voice users.

Last summer, Google took the initiative of adding anti-spam features to Nexus, Pixel, and Android One phones, allowing your device to warn you if you were receiving a ring from a “suspected spam caller.” Now, Google Voice is receiving the same functionality.

These measures have resulted in twice as many caught spammers, 20 percent fewer spam reports from customers, and 40 percent more calls correctly identified as spam, according to Google. The steps to enable spam filtering in Voice have been laid out on the company’s support site.

Previously, many of Voice’s features were added, over time, to Hangouts. Hangouts began as a messaging and internet-based calling app designed for regular users, but in recent months Google has decided to re-purpose it for enterprise customers. As a result, the app has dropped longstanding features like SMS support, and Google is propping up Voice to be its replacement for calling features — several years after it replaced Voice.

All the features that made Voice groundbreaking back when it launched more than seven long years ago are still on board, such as the ability to text from the same number from any device, including your computer; voicemail transcription, and call recording. That last one in particular is still shockingly absent as a stock feature on smartphones, and Google’s app remains one of the only free and convenient ways to do it.

Upcoming Instagram update will let you browse photos while offline

Why it matters to you

Instagram’s offline features could help spur the service’s growth in developing nations and let you browse the app without a connection.

Instagram, the picture-focused network of food photographers and budding models, recently learned a new trick: The ability to work offline. At the F8 developer conference in San Jose, California, on Tuesday, parent company Facebook announced an update that will enable browsing on Instagram without the need for an internet connection.

Currently, Instagram downloads images on the fly — when you launch the app on your phone, tablet, or computer, it queries Facebook’s servers for new content. The upgraded Instagram app, by comparison, taps a cache — if you open a section (like your feed, Explore, or Instagram profiles) of the app, it will store the newest photos in that section on your device. Next time you connect to the internet, that section will update automatically.

Instagram’s offline mode goes further still. You can compose comments, like and save photos, and follow and unfollow profiles — the app will queue those actions and perform them next time you connect to the internet.

Facebook said 80 percent of its users are outside the U.S. and many lack access to a stable internet connection. It thinks offline features could help Instagram grow in developing nations where data connections are cost prohibitive — or non-existent.

It’s approach the social network took last year when it released a slimmed-down version of the Facebook app — Facebook Lite for low-powered devices. It shot past 200 million users in less than a year.

Separately, Facebook’s Internet.org platform seeks to provide users in Asia, Latin America, and Africa access to the web, with a particular focus on job listings, healthcare, and education. Facebook said that as of November, the free connectivity program reaches more than 40 million people.

Facebook isn’t the only one investing heavily in developing markets.

This year, Twitter debuted Twitter Lite, a mobile web app designed to minimize data usage and load quickly on slower connections. A new data saver mode further reduces the amount of mobile data used.

At events in India and Brazil over the past two years, Google launched versions of its existing services tailored to internet-constrained regions. Chrome can store webpages so you can view them without Wi-Fi. The Google Search app on Android queues up searches when you don’t have a connection, and automatically alerts you with results when a connection comes back online. Google Play Music uses artificial intelligence to cache music it believes you will like. And YouTube in India lets viewers download videos at night, when data costs are cheaper, and share clips via Bluetooth.

Logitech’s new G413 mechanical gaming keyboard juggles price, performance

Why it matters to you

Here’s a new mechanical keyboard for PC gamers that crams advanced features into a peripheral without a heavy price tag.

After we just reviewed the Logitech G Pro mechanical keyboard sporting Logitech’s proprietary Romer-G mechanical switches, Logitech now offers a cheaper mechanical keyboard for PC gamers called the G413. Costing $90, the peripheral includes a pass-through USB 2.0 port, a brushed 5052 aluminum-magnesium alloy faceplate, and static per-key LED illumination.

Technically, there are two versions of the new Logitech G G413 keyboard: one “Carbon” unit with “elemental red” backlighting, and one “Silver” unit with “iconic white” backlighting, the latter of which can only be purchased through Best Buy if not bought from Logitech’s online shop. However, save for the different backlit colors, both models are the same on a hardware level, packing a full-size 144-key form factor.

Here are the technical details of both:

Part numbers:
G413 Carbon – 920-008300
G413 Silver – 920-008348
Dimensions:
5.12 (H) x 17.5 x 1.4 (D) inches
Weight:
2.4 pounds without cable
Cable length:
6 feet
LED brightness levels:
5
Switch Type:
Romer-G
Switch durability:
70 million keypresses
Actuation distance:
1.5mm
Actuation force:
45g
Total travel distance:
3.0mm
Connection type:
USB 2.0 Type-A
Pass-through USB port:
Yes, USB 2.0 Type-A
N-Key Rollover:
26
Dedicated media keys:
No
Dedicated macro keys:
No
Special keys:
FN + F7 = Backlight toggle
FN + F8 = Game Mode
FN + F9/F10/F11/F12 = Media controls

Note that because Logitech didn’t toss dedicated media keys into the design, users are required to handle media playback using the FN button and four function keys (play/pause, stop, forward, and backward). Volume control appears to be locked down to the SCRLK and Pause buttons when hitting the FN key, but Logitech indicates that all function keys are customizable using the company’s free Logitech Gaming Software utility.

The Game Mode aspect means users can disable the annoying Windows key by pressing FN + F8. However, users can load up Logitech’s utility to disable any key when Game Mode is on so that you’re not accidentally firing up an email client while trying to fight off highly annoying opponents. The software can even be used to assign macros to the function keys to make those multi-key commands easier on the fingertips.

The 26-key rollover aspect indicates the keyboard can correctly register up to 26 keys simultaneously. If that weren’t the case, users could experience wrong key entries in their multi-key commands, as if a ghost were typing along with the user (aka ghosting). Providing 26-key rollover support is somewhat of an overkill, but at least Logitech has your back when executing those long commands. The company even throws in a keycap puller and a set of 12 “raised” caps to replace the default caps used in the WASD area.

“We spent a lot of time carefully designing and engineering this keyboard to deliver advanced performance with just the right feature set, at the right price point,” said Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager of Logitech G. “We created this keyboard with features like USB passthrough, backlit keys, and a metal finish. With the G413 we believe we’ve achieved the perfect balance of high-performance features and attractive design.”

Both models are available now for a mere $90.

Aukey KM-C4 review

Research Center:
Aukey KM-C4

The hype around gaming mice makes it difficult to see the reality for the hyperbole. You can spend $60 or more for industry-standard pointing devices, such as the Razer DeathAdder Elite, or choose less costly alternatives like Logitech’s G602. Yet there’s an even less expensive, highly customizable, lesser-known alternative — $36 Aukey KM-C4 Gaming Mouse, which regularly retails for as little as $20.

The Aukey gaming mouse might seem a little too humble if you’re into impressive specifications like 16,000 DPI sensors and tracking speeds of 450 inches per second. However, most gamers don’t need incredible hardware in a gaming mouse. Aukey’s not the only company that knows this. It faces competition from Logitech’s G300 and Corsair’s Harpoon, a pair of well-known mice from major brands.

Built for speed and comfort

The KM-C4 measures 5.1 inches long by 2.4 inches wide by 1.6 inches high, and weighs 5.8 ounces. Aside from the scroll wheel, which is made of textured aluminum, the top of the mouse is encased in hard gray plastic, with a black strip separating the right and left buttons. In the black strip resides two plastic silver DPI buttons and the AUKEY logo, that by default rotates through illuminated red, green, blue, and purple. Users can also program it to display colors corresponding with the current DPI setting.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

On both sides of the mouse are two comfortably textured finger grooves. On the right side, at the top of the thumb groove, are the usual Front and Back buttons, and between them is a disk-shaped double-click button. The underside is also made up of aluminum, and embedded in the metal are four plastic pads that provide smooth movement. Also on the underside is a button for turning off the mouse’s lighting, as well as a small compartment that holds up to four small cylindrical metal weights that allow customization of the KM-C4’s heft, for greater comfort.

Aukey KM-C4 Compared To

Razer Turret

Evoluent VerticalMouse C Right

Cougar 450M gaming mouse

Razer Diamondback (2015)

Razer Mamba (2015)

Mionix Castor

Razer Mamba Tournament Edition

Cougar 300M

Cougar 550M

Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop

Genius Gila GX

Logitech G600 MMO

Roccat Isku and Kone+

Apple Magic Trackpad

Motormouse 2.4G

The KM-C4 connects with a USB cable encased in nylon braiding, which is not only quite sturdy, but also tangle resistant. Our initial impression that the Aukey KM-C4 is a sturdy, well-constructed device, held up to scrutiny.

Everything is customizable

The KM-C4 can be used simply by plugging it in. However, to use all its functions and change options, such as individual button functions, polling rates, and DPI, Windows software must be installed from an included optical disc. (Unfortunately, at time of this writing, Aukey did not provide a downloadable version).

We found it just adequate for most of the games we play.

As with most mice, the KM-C4 allows you to change or reassign the functions of all its eight buttons, including the left and right ones, as well as when you depress the scrolling wheel. You can also configure the buttons to allow you to change polling rates and DPI on the fly, or as you play, to provide the appropriate accuracy in specific gaming scenarios. The KM-C4’s DPI resolutions include: 800, 1,000, 3,200, and 4,000. It also has four polling rates of 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, and 1,000Hz. The gaming sensor inside is an ADNS 3050, which can detect up to 60 IPS (Inches per Second) and up to 2,000 CPI (Counts per Inch).

Compared to the DeathAdder Elite and its DPI of up to 16,000, with 450 IPS, the above specs may not seem so spectacular. But the average gamer really doesn’t need all this horsepower. Besides, many experts agree that at a certain point, added sensitivity becomes overkill.

Nothing’s perfect

Overall, we were impressed with the Aukey gaming mouse, as well as how easy it is to install and use. But we did encounter a snafu when installing the software. At completion, the installation program put three icons on the PC, one on the desktop, one on the Start menu, and one in the Windows hidden icons tray.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Unfortunately, we couldn’t launch the software from the two more obvious shortcuts, the icons on the desktop and the start menu. When we clicked either of them, a Windows prompt asked to allow the software to make changes to your PC. Clicking either yes or no did nothing readily perceptible, though we did find an instance of “Gaming Mouse” running in the Windows’ Services control panel. We made Aukey aware of this, and they assured us that a software update is in the works. However, the software issue was not resolved in time for this review’s publication.

Warranty information

Aukey’s warranty provides what the company calls “worry-free ownership” for two years. In other words, if it stops working under normal use within the first two years, Aukey will replace it.

Our Take

While the Aukey gaming mouse’s DPI and polling rate specs are not off-the-chart, they’re plenty high enough for the everyday gamer. The KM-C4 is well-built, highly configurable, and quite comfortable to use. It’s just a shame about the software.

The DT Accessory Pack

Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate Clicky MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard

$114.68

SteelSeries QcK Gaming Mouse Pad

$9.99

Aukey mechanical Keyboard with Blue Switches

$64.99

Is there a better alternative?

The number of mice available at the Aukey’s price point is incredible, but we do know of a few favorites. Redragon’s M601, priced at $14, is a reasonably comfortable choice that works well out-of-the-box, and has a racier look. We also like the simple, sensible Logitech G300, and the Corsair Harpoon.

How long will it last?

Aukey guarantees the mouse for two years, and says that it has a tested lifespan of 10 million clicks. It certainly feels durable and long-lasting to us.

Should you buy it?

No. We like it for the average gamer and as a comfortable solution for somebody who spends a lot of time on his or her computer. However, the software problems were troublesome, and never resolved to our satisfaction. There are a lot of gaming mice currently on the market near the $20 price point, and many do not share these issues.