I am starting to use my mobile devices to get more exclusive video. Along with some simple hardware, I can shoot expo floor interviews at 60 fps without having a big camera at my side. But one problem has always been lighting. That is going to change as well with the Lume Cube app controlled light. Lume Cube is a waterproof light that can be mounted to a camera, or set to the side for the right type of lighting of your photo or video. You can add it to a DSLR Camera or GoPro and get better video in low light environments. The cube is only 1 1/2 inches in size so you can throw it into any bag. The device puts out 1,500 Lumens – at least 15x stronger than the flash from an iPhone. It can also strobe at 1/8000 to 1 second for the...

As a band member, I know how hard it is to not only get what you are worth, but also promote with a tip jar. Even as a patron, I never get to the front of stage to throw a couple dollars in to support the music. Now, with TipCow, I can do it all from my phone and don’t even need to be at the show. Sitting down with Chris Bush (CEO of TipCow) at SXSW I found how they are different than any crowdfunding project out there. They vet and curate the artists on TipCow. That way someone else doesn’t claim to be your band and take money from your pocket. You must also be able to prove who you are or else they will not add you to the service. Tips can be outright, or parts of specials. Tip and get a drink from the...

Whether you are an up and coming drummer or a weekend warrior, you need a drum set to play and improve. Sometimes an acoustic kit is not feesable where you live. Electronic kits have been dropping in price and there are many to choose from. I take a look at one of the sub $500 kits in the Monoprice Electronic Drum Set. This is the first kit that Monoprice offers. With 5 drums and 3 cymbal triggers along with the module, you can work on your flams and paradiddles without filling the house with sound. The kit sets up in around 40 minutes. You will need a Phillips screwdriver for assembly. The kit comes with a drum key, but the only device that uses it is the bass drum pedal. The pads are single piezo sensor drums. The cymbals are dual sensor as you can get multiple sounds...