TASCAM has released a new free app for iOS, TASCAM PCM Recorder, that is a free stereo recorder for iOS devices.

It works on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

PCM Recorder supports up to 12 hours of recording, using the built-in microphone or connected USB devices like the TASCAM iM2 stereo microphone.

Other features include EQ, limiting, Soundcloud support and more.

PCM Recorder is a free download via the App Store.

Tascam has introduced the iM2  – microphone adapter that turns an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a high-quality stereo recorder.

The microphones are adjustable over 180 degrees for optimal sound placement. The iM2 contains its own microphone preamp and analog-to-digital converter for low noise and premium audio quality.

Features:

• Stereo condenser microphones for iPhone 4, iPod Touch or iPad dock connection
• High-quality stereo condenser microphones – same as our best-selling DR-series recorders
• Microphones adjustable 180 degrees front to back
• Built-in analog to digital converter and microphone preamp for low noise recording
• 125dB SPL maximum level for recording loud shows without distortion
• Switchable limiter attenuates high-level signals to prevent recording overload
• Adjustable input level control
• Powered through iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch dock connector
• USB input allows the iPhone or iPad to be charged from a USB connection or optional TASCAM PS-P515U
• CD-quality digital recording (44.1kHz/16-bit linear PCM)
• Compact size ideal for mobile use
• Compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4G, iPad, iPad 2

Pricing & Availability:

The iM2 Stereo Microphone is available now for US $79.

Fostex has released an interesting bit of gear – the AR-4i audio interface dock for the iPhone 4.

The Fostex AR-4i is a docking interface that connects to the iPhone dock connector, adding stereo microphone inputs with AD converters, to improve on the audio quality of iPhone 4 for video recording, live streaming and recording podcasts.

Here’s an overview of the AR-4i:

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Apple today released GarageBand 1.1, an update that adds Universal support – bringing GarageBand to the iPhone and iPod touch.

GarageBand has become one of the most popular platforms for audio podcasting and support for the full line of iOS devices will be welcome for many podcasters.

The $5 app now makes your iPhone or iPod touch into a powerful 8-track podcasting workstation. With a decent mic, there’s no reason you couldn’t make complete podcasts with it. But most users will probably use GarageBand on the iPhone as a portable audio recorder, sync to GarageBand on the desktop and then edit there.

Missing in action is iCloud support, which would be a killer feature for podcasters. Let’s hope that iCloud syncing shows up in version 1.2!

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Here’s a quick comparison of the video quality of the iPhone 4s vs a Canon 5D MKII:

Here’s a “fair” test between the iPhone 4S and the Canon 5D MK II. I made a little rig that allowed me to shoot both cameras at the same time side by side. All scenes are perfectly synced together so you can pause and scrutinize the frames! See photo of the makeshift rig in the photo area.

Exposure, shutter speed, frame rate and picture style were matched as close as possible between the two cameras.

This test shows that the tiny F2.4 lens and sensor on the iPhone are pretty nice. It even got a little depth of field!

I did not overlay the exact ISO and Stops 5D settings per shot. It was too much to keep track for this simple test. To be fair I matched 5D exposure to the iPhone so no “Cinestyle” / 24p here.

Technical details below.

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Apple today announced that Steve Jobs has died:

We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.

Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) had been struggling with health problems publicly since 2004, when he announced that he had pancreatic cancer.

He announced his resignation as head of Apple on August 24, 2011, saying that he could “no longer meet his duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO.

Under Jobs, Apple was arguably the leading influence on the development of new media and especially podcasting.

In the 80′s, Apple and Adobe established desktop publishing. Apple quickly moved into other media, though, becoming a key tech company in digital audio, digital music and digital video, too.

More recently, Apple’s release of the iPod, iPad and iPhone created new platforms for media.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do,” Jobs told Stanford grads in 2005.

Microsoft has announced that the Zune media player is officially dead:

We recently announced that, going forward, Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy, and that we will no longer be producing Zune players.

So what does this mean for our current Zune users? Absolutely nothing. Your device will continue to work with Zune services just as it does today. And we will continue to honor the warranties of all devices for both current owners and those who buy our very last devices. Customer service has been, and will remain a top priority for us.

Was the Zune dead on arrival?

When it was introduced back in 2006, it was missing some key features, like attractive styling, podcast support and a sensible way to buy content. It was called the biggest flop of 2007 and a dismal failure, among other things.

And that’s not mentioning the whole squirting thing. Or the Zunepocolypse.

Microsoft did keep iterating the Zune – adding things like advanced podcast support – but it never made much of an impression with buyers because the company always tried to imitate the iPod, an established competitor with better hardware selection, more content, a broader ecosystem of peripherals and cross-platform support.

Microsoft put all their marketing efforts into introducing a product that was clearly imitative and clearly inferior, effectively establishing the Zune brand as a poor substitute for the iPod.

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Luis Alamilla offers his take on the $60 iRig microphone, a handheld condenser unidirectional microphone designed to be used with the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

The iRig isn’t designed to give you the same quality as a mic + audio adapter combo, but is a simple solution that should meet the needs of a lot of podcasters for an inexpensive basic microphone.

If you’ve used the iRig, leave a comment and share your thoughts on it!

Roland today introduced a new portable digital audio recorder, the R-26 Portable Recorder.

Features:

• The R-26 offers six simultaneous channels of pro-quality audio recording to SD/SDHC media. With two types of built-in stereo mics, XLR/TRS combo inputs and USB audio interface function, the compact R-26 is designed for applications such as solo and ensemble music recording, environmental sound capture, broadcasting, and audio/video production.
• Two stereo mic types—omnidirectional and XY—are integrated into the R-26’s chassis. In addition, there are two XLR/TRS combo inputs with phantom power for connecting external mics or line-level devices, plus a stereo mini-jack for a plug-in powered mic.
• Audio from the onboard mics and external inputs can be mixed internally in the R-26 and captured to a single stereo file, or can be recorded as three separate stereo files (six channels total) for mixing together later. Resolutions up to 24-bit/96 kHz are supported, and available file types include WAV and BWF. MP3 is supported as well, and the unit can record both WAV/BWF and MP3 formats simultaneously.
• The R-26’s large touch screen provides detailed level metering and convenient fingertip control over many functions, and is equipped with a backlight for visibility in any situation. Hardware controls are ergonomically organized and clearly labelled, with large input level knobs for precise adjustments, and dedicated buttons for often-used functions. The R-26 also features AUTO-SENS for setting input levels automatically, as well as onboard waveform editing.
• USB 2.0 audio interface - allows for both data transfer and audio interface capability with Windows and Mac-based computers. Users can connect the R-26 and use its built-in mics and external inputs as a high-quality input device for their favourite audio recording software. Loop-back recording is also supported, allowing multimedia users to combine audio from the R-26’s mics with streaming audio from the PC.
• The R-26 comes with Cakewalk’s SONAR X1 LE, a professional Windows-based DAW for general audio production in addition to mixing and processing R-26 recordings.
• With its rear-panel mount, the R-26 can be easily installed on any standard camera tripod stand, or on a mic stand with an optional adapter. An extensive line of accessories is available to complement the R-26, including the OP-R26CW Cover/Windscreen and the CS-10EM Binaural Microphones/Earphones to name a few.

The R-26 Portable Recorder will be available in October with a street price of £349.

This is a demo of the Makayama Movie Mount For iPad 2 – a unique (and slighly bizarre) hardware accessory designed to improve movies made on the iPad 2. The Movie Mount lets you use tele- and wide angle conversion lenses, use a tripod, attach microphones and lights.

Features:

• Attached a tripod for stable shots, pan & tilt camera movements.
• Use 37 mm conversion lenses, such as wide angle, tele and fisheye.
• Slide on-the-fly between the built-in lens and the conversion lens.
• Use shotgun microphones for better sound (requires splitter cable).
• Use an optical viewfinder to shoot in bright sunlight
• Use a video light for better performance in low light
• Easier iMovie editing, with a 9 degrees working angle.
• The mount allows your iPad to stand upright and be used as monitor.
• The complimentary iPad app allows you to lock exposure and whitebalans
• The app also displays realtime audio and battery level.

The Movie Mount is priced at $ 69.95 / EUR 49.95. Details are available at Makayama.com.