Geekazine

I travel with video gear for live streams. Therefore, packing as much gear, and keeping under 50 lbs per bag is critical. So when items are small, and light-weight, I love it. Case in point, the GL.iNet Slate. A travel router that I can use in multiple ways.

About the GL.iNet Slate

This is a 1GB 3-connection router that supplies WiFi AC, and Open WRT for under $70. You can select port 1 as a WAN input, or output if you either tether your phone, or use another WiFi signal.

Internally, the QCA9563 (@775MHz) SoC processor will handle multiple requests, so having 3-4 computers on (or more) won’t be a problem GL.iNet has tested up to 25 connections, but with some wait times. 

The Slate emits 2.4 and 5 GHz Wireless to your other devices. Tether your phone,

Getting into live streaming is something you might be thinking of. Whether it for gaming, your new YouTube or Twitch channel, even some Facebook Live, or LinkedIn Live. With a lot of USB options, AverMedia is one of the top options out there. The Live Gamer Mini is a capture device that will work with desktop or laptop – so you’re set no matter what you have. 

About the AverMedia Live Gamer Mini

This is a USB 2.0 capture device that captures from 480i, all the way up to 1080p  60 fps. The mini also has HDMI pass-through, so you can see your game while you capture it on your computer. It can also pass audio through HDMI, so you get all the sounds with your game. 

This 2.63 oz box is powered through the USB cable. Whether PC or Mac (i5, AMD A10 or better), and  at least 4 GB RAM (16GB for iMac or Macbook Pro).

Any console with HDMI output, the mini will be able to use. The mini does have HDCP protection, so you won’t be able to connect an Apple TV,

At NAB, I talked with the folks at Switcher Studio – a switching software device that loads up on your iPad, and iPhones, to create a multi-camera environment. I talk with Mark about this program, and all the updates for 2019.

New Features at Switcher Studio

They talked about video chat, a feature they started in January. With their team solution, they can put up to 4 remote cameras at one time.

With the next release, you will be able to grab items that other people could have made off-site. You simply choose the plus sign, go to cloud, and grab the content that was created. 

 

While at NAB, I learned about the company Kiloview, and their NDI encoder solutions for video. Their N and E solutions allow for HDMI or SDI signals into an NDI receiving device. 

The E series is wired, while the N series is portable wireless.  Each device sends up to 1080p signals, and full H.264 encoding. Both series  also has USB and SD card support. They also weigh less than 1 lb. 

N1 and N2 feature 5G WiFi, and can be connected to Ethernet via USB. Unit holds an internal battery that is charged via 12V power supply. This unit can be hot-shoe to a camera. 

The E1 and E2 (wired solutions) are NDI|HX supported. HDMI loop support allows for video monitoring. 

Prices start at $565 (depending on product). Check out B&H for availability, or en.kiloview.com for more information. 

Everyone wants live video, but the problem is they’re in confined spaces, and don’t have the ability for production crews to come in every time to shoot, record, and stream out. That is where MultiCAM Systems comes in. They can bring a live camera solution into a radio show, conference, or home studio and give you an all-in-one system that uses AI to switch cameras, while you be the best you are in front of the camera. 

What is MultiCAM Systems?

The company was founded to give radio a live aspect. Rather than setting up a webcam for everyone to watch through. MultiCAM is a series of PTZ and static cameras that can set up scenes of the hosts, guests, and products. 

When the host talks, the system will recognize, and switch to them. When the guest talks, it will do the same. Using MultiCAM Tracking, the host will not have to do much when interacting with the live stream system. 

If a host wants to control the scenes, they just have to use the touchscreen and joystick to make the adjustments and switches. 

This is a turn-key solution for those who don’t want to gather, test and deploy different equipment. 

I talk with my good friend, Jeff Adams, about this system, and who can utilize it. 

For the last few months, I’ve been keeping tabs on Wish.com– a website that sells items at apparently wholesale prices. Many have found knockoff products on this site, and I am no different. In this video, I go through the items I bought, what turned out to be fake, and some thoughts if you’re purchasing through the site. 

Shure SM535, SM87A

It all started with gear for the band. My band mate called me up and asked about these SE585 headphones on Wish. They were only $40, as opposed to the $499 Shure SE535 you find at the store. I looked through the website, and saw a lot of deals, but with a little more research, I saw these deals were no different than what you might find on Craigslist, ebay, and sometimes, Amazon. 

I decided to get a couple items to review. Sure enough, the headphones, and microphones were all fabricated. They worked well, but were copies. 

So What is Not Fake?

I went further down this rabbit hole. I saw smart watches, and other electronics that looked too good to be true. Apple airpods, and iPhones, along with Samsung computers, and many other electronics. 

If you’re looking for a rugged, all-terrain portable hard drive, then G-Technology has just what you desire in the ArmorATD. It’s an outdoor drive for your outdoor lifestyle. Filmmakers, photographers, and all professions where you have to be out in the elements will get use out of this storage device. 

What is the ArmorATD

In multiple capacity devices, the ArmorATD uses USB 3.1 Gen 1 USB-C to deliver files to your PC or Mac. With 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB drives, it’s waterproof to IP54. These drives are drop proof to a meter, or crush proof to 1,000 lbs. 

SSD G-drive are in 500, 1TB, and 2 TB models. 

NVMe SSD up to 2 TB

The G-drive mobile Pro NVMe SSD, and Thunderbolt based, so you can do up to 2800 MBps of transfer – you can do 4K editing in the field. This drive is also crush-proof, but not as waterproof. Models up to 2 TB. 

Storage and memory is volatile, so prices change frequently. For recent prices and availability, Purchase here.  Also, check out the G-Technology webpage for more info. 

Sometimes you need an amp to practice with. Something super portable with enough power to hear yourself. That is where the iRig micro amp from IK Multimedia comes in. You can plug in, and play. 

About the iRig Micro Amp

This is a 15W amplifier (7.5W on battery) with a 1×4″ full range speaker inside. It can run on 6-AA batteries, or plugged in via the DC power supply (not included). Insert your instrument via the Hi-Z 1.4″ jack, and connect your iPhone, iPad, or computer to the micro-USB jack to pair Amplitube 4 with. There is even a amp-out to plug into a bigger cab or other device. 

The Micro Amp is only 2.77 lbs, and is 8.2″x4.9″x6.1″ – about the size of a toaster.  

The micro amp is $149.99 and available now.

Practice guitars come in all shapes and sizes, but I like them when they feel like a regular guitar. That is what Jammy does – gives you that real guitar feel while being able to compact itself down for travel situations. And not an acoustic guitar, either. Full electric guitar (or acoustic) sounds. 

What is Jammy?

Jammy is a collapsable practice guitar. You can break it down for travel, then put it back together when it’s time to practice. You don’t even need to put the whole thing together to work on chords, scales, and more. 

Jammy comes in 4 pieces – the neck, the picking area, and the body pieces. The neck and pick area both are stringed parts. When they come together, it will feel like you are working on any electric guitar. The strings are adjustable in tension, and the 15 fret board is standard size.  

On the end of the pick area, you have an output jack, a headphone jack, and a USB port for connection with a computer.  

With the Jammy App, you can create different guitar sounds, learn patterns, use a metronome, or jam to backing tracks. The app is for iOS and Android. 

When you input the guitar tones, Jammy will remember so you don’t have to use the app all the time. Select the next sound by turning the dial on the front. 

I got to play it for a little bit at CES, then NAMM. It was fun to assemble and jam out. It was also pretty quiet, so the neighbors won’t get disturbed. It did win a best of show at NAMM. 

Jammy is in Pre-Order for $449.00 – a $50 savings from when it ships. Check out PlayJammy for more info. 

The products at IK Multimedia continue to get better and better with time. Pioneering guitar effect and amp modeling, you can now create any tone from a Mac or PC. And the interfaces allow you to connect. 

IK Multimedia Axe I/O

Axe I/O is a 2 in, 5 out audio interface. It can be used in practice, recording, or live on stage. With both PURE and JFET input stages, the Axe I/O can go into tube-like mode in a single switch. The Z-Tone circuit works with pickups to make it sound like any guitar you want. 

Plug in two guitars for easy recording, or when you are going from an acoustic, to an electric. The Axe I/O has an Amp Out so you can send sound to your amplifier. 

Of course, connect to Amplitube 4 Deluxe for every pedal, every amp, and every cab imaginable. 

24-bit, 192 kHz conversaion, Hi-Z inputs in back, XLR/TRS line in the back for vocal, or post-amp recording. 3 circuit topologies in the unit so you can model the guitar you’re using better. 

Axe I/O is $349 and available on Amazon, at Sweetwater, or at B&H.