VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rognog

Where do I go, what do I ask for, and what's a good price?
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heyguido · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:44 am Post subject:

Craigslist. Generally found in the computer listings, but sometimes also under Cell Phones. Since these are solid-state devices, a used one is as good as a new one, and often a good deal cheaper.

As with full-fledged computers, a multi-core processor and the most ram you can get will be worth it down the road. Also, make sure you have connectivity. Many devices don't have a USB port, the better ones also have HDMI. Also look for one with an SD slot, so you can easily transfer files and expand storage capacity.

Additionally, look for one with an updated OS. Android 4.04 is the latest release, also referred to as Ice Cream Sandwich, or ICS. It's much more stable than earlier releases (eclair, froyo, gingerbread), has better power and resource management, full multi-touch and multi-tasking, and is written to take full advantage of the latest multi-core processors. The Galaxy Tab line, with the exception of the original 7in, is scheduled to receive ICS updates in the next few weeks. Some others (Asus, Motorola,Toshiba, Sony) either already have it, or will soon.

Food for thought.... The Android a Hobo Tounge

world hasn't yet caught up to Apple in the audio recording, editing, production space. A Hobo Tounge

s like Garage Band and Logic Pro don't exist yet for Android, though there are some reasonably decent basic recording and editing a Hobo Tounge

s. Don't rule out the iPad family, which plays well with USB add-ons like Apogee, Alessis, MicPort Pro, etc. Alessis even has a couple of digital workstations for the iPad that include mic pres and phantom power. I'm sure better a Hobo Tounge

s and peripherals will come for Android, but they're not here yet.

Both the iPad and the Androids can be had for as little as $250 on CL. Shop carefully, and do your research. PM me or continue the thread if you want to know more.
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Don Brookshire
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Rognog · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:43 am Post subject:

Thanks for the copious info! It sounds like iPad with Twisted Wave is the way to go, especially since you mentioned that it works well with MicPortPro, which I'm planning on getting...
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Tom Dheere - The "H" is Silent, but I'm Not!
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heyguido · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:58 am Post subject:

I own two Android tablets, a 7in Tab2, and a 10in Xoom (and a Galaxy Nexus phone). Luv em both. I've tried recording on the Xoom, with satisfactory results.... but until the a Hobo Tounge

s catch up, I'll still be recording, editing, and producing on the computer. Not to mention I prefer my own pre to those in my interface.

Most other computer use (surfing, email, news feeds, etc) has been shifted to the tablets.

YMMV.
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

DougVox · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:53 pm Post subject:

Tom,

+1 for the iPad and TwistedWave. But keep in mind that if you're using a mic that requires 48V Phantom Power, you'll
need a powered USB hub or something like a Tekkeon MP1860A TekCharge Dual Port Power Pack along with the MPPro.
Not only will you avoid the cost of the MPPro and the powered USB device, but your road kit will be that much smaller.

You might want to consider an Apogee MiC instead...they sound remarkably good.
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heyguido · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:44 pm Post subject:

+1 on Doug's comment about 48v. Most USB powered devices can't even approach 48v, even if they claim phantom power. Haven't tried Apogee's USB mic yet..... but I'm gonna.
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Rognog · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:58 pm Post subject:

I have an AKG Perception 420. Will that do the trick?
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Tom Dheere - The "H" is Silent, but I'm Not!
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georgethetech · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:24 pm Post subject:

Studio Six Digital iAudioInterface2

The right tool for the job, and the best one made to date to plug a 48v mic into an iPad/iPhone. Beau Weaver discovered this and LOVES it with his 416.
Some say the Tascam iU2 works for them, Beau found it sub-par at best.

MicPort Pro will work with iPad using a USB battery or powered hub.

heyguido: What mic/interface do you use with your Xoom? Not aware of a single professional audio interface solution for an Android device.
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George Whittam
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heyguido · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject:

Depends on whether the Perception can handle being underpowered.

See this Gear thread http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14351 for more on the subject.

If not, you'll need separate phantom power to drive it.

If your goal is portable kit, you might want to investigate the Apogee MiC, as Doug suggested. It's really gotten some good reviews, and the circuit was designed to run on bus power.
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:28 pm Post subject:

Getting a mic to work with a Xoom seems to be an anomaly since the Android operating system doesn't support USB Host Mode (from what I read), meaning it's a dumb USB port meant for charging, not plugging peripherals into.

Here's a link about how to get a simple USB keyboard to work. I can only imagine that if it requires all this effort, getting a mic (and satisfactory audio) to work, will be an effort in frustration.

Just get an iPad and an apogee.
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heyguido · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:13 am Post subject:

Jeff is right.... to a point. Early versions of Android do not support USB Host Mode, as early Android devices (phones) were designed to use USB as a client connection to a host computer for data exchange. Later versions of Android, including Froyo, Gingerbread, and Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 12 and above), can take advantage of this mode, provided the device's firmware supports it. Xoom does, along with quite a few others.

And George.... My experience with recording on Android used more conventional methods, specifically using the device's existing audio inputs.... the 3.5 audio jack and Bluetooth. Both methods work, but require a little ingenuity.

The 3.5 jack will accept line level input through the microphone circuit of the jack, much like you would with an old-school wired headset. $20 worth of Radio Shack adapters will get you there. I was able to use both a dynamic mic and the line level output of a small mixer. Kludgey, but functional, and it should be possible to input studio quality audio chain.

Bluetooth requires a bluetooth headset.... I had best results with a high-end gaming headset with a boom mic.

Neither method is ready for primetime, so I continue to record and work on the PC. There are, however, a Hobo Tounge

s already in the market which can record, edit, and export finished audio. Most are a little primitive compared to those available for iOS (GarageBand, Logic, TW), but are serviceable for VO, and improving. I know Courvo and Soundgun have played around with these, too. I'd be curious to hear their input.

At last year's Google IO conference, new APIs were released supporting USB Host Mode and USB Accessories (AND an Open Accessory Dev Kit). Developers at XDA and CyanogenMod, among others, are working directly with Google's Android team (on 20% time) to exploit these new capabilities. Google IO 2012 is next week, and more announcements are rumored on this front.

Already, some hardware developers are bringing USB input devices to the table. One of the more promising is the IOIO (yoyo) project, a $50 USB connected Arduino board that achieves throughput of 300kb/s and latency rates around 3ms. With specs like that, the likelihood of the kind of devices we need is certain.

It's important to remember that Android is a young OS. 1st gen Android devices are only a few years old at this point. Seems longer, but it's not.

I continue to follow developments like those cited above, and am certain that an iRig or ioDock style interface is not far away for Android. When it does arrive, you can be sure I'll be playing with it. After all, what good is a computer in your pocket if you can't use it to its full potential?

I'm sure this is a little deep for some of you, but I'm a geek, and there are others here who get it, too, so this is mainly for them. Thank you for your patience. I welcome PMs from those of you who do for links and other info.
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

melissa eX · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:58 am Post subject:

What about the Asus Transformer series? It runs ICS. The series looks cool - especially with the optional keyboard/extra battery. And would that work with the Apogee - which actually does sound surprisingly good.

heyguido · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:53 pm Post subject:

The Transformer Prime is one seriously nice piece of hardware, and the 1st with a quad-core processor. Don't know specifically if it supports USB Host mode, but it should, since it runs ICS.

The missing link, however, is software drivers. A generic driver for USB mics doesn't exist at this point, and a specific driver would be necessary for any mic with advanced features. That said, it shouldn't be that hard to write .

iOS developers obviously have the lead at this point, but with the installed user base of Android overtaking iOS, I expect that to change. As demand grows, it becomes worthwhile for manufacturers to write code to support Android, too.

It would be nice to see Apogee, in particular, take an interest in Android, since they seem to have done so well in developing quality mobile gear already. It wouldn't be that hard to make the same gear work with Android.

Got any friends at Apogee, George?

Wink

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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:58 am Post subject:

No 3rd party hardware makers are interested in Android because there weren't standards for Android hardware devices. Maybe that's soon to change? Every unit has a different form factor and user interface. This is why it's so much easier to develop a Hobo Tounge

s and accessories for iOS devices.
As soon as there is a solution for Android, I'll be on it. No friends at Apogee, other than the reps I talk to at trade shows. One said plug an Apogee MiC into a Windows PC it may work (off the record). Then again, they have no interest in supporting Windows, so why would they start supporting Android?
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder