Make Music, One Light At a Time

Despite what you think, Tenori-on has nothing to do with Battleship

Plenty of people dream of being musicians. However, most lack the classical training to ever produce anything noteworthy.

Over the last couple of decades though, a slew of products have emerged (MPCs, synthesizers, drum machines, Rockband? etc…) to help make rocking out easier for the unskilled yet musically inclined. Along this line, Yamaha has created the Tenori-On Music Sequencer as an easy-to-use and visually appealing solution to composing and performing electronic music.

Looking like the love child of Daft Punk and a Lite Bright, the 8 inch brushed magnesium frame features 256 programmable plastic buttons and 253 built in sounds. A built in SD card slot and included Mac/PC software allows users to create sample based instruments of their own. Sounds can also be triggered from external synths and other MIDI based devices.

The Tenori’s real power however, lies in its unique tactile music sequencing modes. Notes can be bounced, stuttered, drawn, rotated, and layered, on top of one another to produce an infinite number of sequences. Created sequences can then be stored in “Blocks” and strung together for pure techno bliss. Don’t follow? Watch the video after the jump and see just what the Tenori-On can do.

At $1,200 though, getting one of your own might not be the smartest use of dough. That is unless you plan on being the next DJ Tiesto.

Cost: $1200

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Live Green And Still Live Easy

As self a proclaimed technology addict it’s been hard justifying my desire for national sustainability considering that even while turned off my home theater has enough lights glowing to rival the Vegas strip. I jest not.

Then I stumbled across this simple yet ingenious device on Popular Mechanics. Aptly called the Conserve, consider it the lazy environmentalist’s best friend. That’s because unlike other surge protectors which require you to bend over and flip a switch to fully cut off power, this marvel does it by remote. Glorious glorious remotes. [insert mad scientist laughter] Better yet, it also features two always-on outlets which insure electronics that need constant juice like your DVR and wireless router can be powered at all times.

Don’t think that these nifty features come at the price of basic requirements. On the contrary the Conserve’s wide design ensures that even clunky power adapters can plug in without blocking adjacent outlets. Plus it’s 1000 joules and $100,000 connected equipment warranty provides peace of mind along with premium protection.

However, if doing your part for the planet isn’t reason enough to spend $50 bucks to replace your current strip, I should also mention it can save you cash and eventually pay for itself. After using the Conserve with my home theater for a month, my apartment power bill dropped by 5%. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but multiply that out for a year and that’s enough scratch to give our resident sports guru Patrick those hair extensions he’s always wanted.

Editors Note: Maximize convenience by installing the included remote wall mount next to your current light switches. That way you’ll be sure to turn off the Conserve when you hit the lights.

Cost: $49

Sure About The Shure SE102’s

Having procured an Apple 3G iPhone not long ago, I realized that 1: the earphones were outrageously miserable and 2:, I needed earphones that had a built-in mic to make calls and listen to music. Time for a solution.

Taking a recommendation, I looked into a set of Shure headphones. Now, I’m not that big on mobile electronics - I leave that extravaganza to resident GP electronic guru Ben “Bitrate” Bowers, but I do love quality sound. After a couple weeks of commuting with the Shure SE102’s I found myself an earphone fanatic.

Granted, the SE102 earphones are by no means Shure’s flagship model (the $550 SE530), but they derive similar technology with Balanced MicroSpeakers to provide a sound isolating experience. Providing me with a rich sonic experience (the robust soundstage, especially). Shure even includes a personal fit kit with varying buds to match my ear’s size and worked with my iPhone (or Blackberry Curve) without a hitch. Perfect for my busy commute.

On the phone side, the mic picked up my voice flawlessly and the integrated “Control Button” is a big plus as it can activate: call waiting, last number redial, voice dialing, and mute. Throw in the two-year factory warranty and you’ve got one happy editor.

Cost: $119 @ Shure

A Cabinet Worthy Of Your Dad’s Vinyl Collection

Sometimes there are moments in the past when you wish you thought a little harder about the decision you made. Say, for example, that weekend when your dad asked you to come by and help clean out the garage. And instead of throwing those three dusty crates full of vinyls into the back of your car, you added them to the trash pile. A bit sad in retrospect.

But for those men that understood the value of those old LP’s, not to mention those of you with the foresight of their value in today’s market, will know that your records deserve a home befitting of their worth. The Atocha Record Cabinet is a gorgeous piece of furniture and worth every penny of its post-modern American Walnut and European cored plywood construction (American Maple, Oak and Bamboo are also options). Those of you with a taste for the modern can also get the Atocha Record Cabinet configured for CD’s, DVD’s or components. (see other configurations)

Editor’s Tip: Now, I know that $12,500 is an insurmountable amount of money. As a matter of fact I’d be uncomfortable spending that kind of cash myself… but that’s not the point of this post is it. It’s to inspire you to keep an eye out at that next garage sale you drive by. Maybe keeping an eye for a cabinet some other guy hasn’t had the foresight to keep, like many other things.

Cost: $12,500 @ Atocha Design

[as seen on: GearCrave]

Magnets Are Good for Your iPod. Who Knew?

Music is a great workout companion. Unlike your lazy friends, who won’t get up in the morning to workout with you, your iPod rarely lets you down. That’s more than I can say for that old, stretched out, dirty armband you’re using to strap on your Nano. If, however, you had an iStick you could forgo armband distractions altogether. Even if you prefer to go sans armband, precariously balancing your iPod on the equipment du jour is just asking for trouble.

The iStik utilizes eight high-tech Neodymium magnets to secure your 2nd or 3rd generation iPod Nano to your clothing with a vice-like grip. A 3-piece, light-weight, plastic shell encases your Nano providing easy access while training. Best of all, unlike your armband the iStik will never stretch-out or start to smell miserable.

What this means to you: Don’t spend your next training session fiddling with an armband. Affix an iStik and let your favorite tunes go to work.

Cost: 2nd Generation iPod Nano ($25) | 3rd Generation iPod Nano ($27) @ iStik

Wireless Speaker Solution that Finally Lives Up To Its Promise

[click to enlarge image]

One disadvantage of having a gadget and gear addiction is that eventually you find little impresses you. So it goes without saying that I had my doubts when the decision was made to test the unit during our last Gear Patrol outdoor soiree.

Lifting the speaker out of its packaging was my first hint that the Outcast was of a different vain than previous wireless speaker solutions I’d encountered. My lower back can attest.

The unit’s build is solid, sporting a downward facing 8-inch subwoofer, and 4 3-inch high/mid range omni-directional drivers; all of which served as a fine teaser for hooking up the wireless transmitter (Icast) and blasting *cough* playing some music.

Unfortunately, I never tested the Icast’s purpoted broadcast range of 350 feet as that would have put us smack in the middle of a Midtown Manhattan theater. Though at 100 feet we didn’t experience any sound quality degradation from the wireless transmission. Power wasn’t an issue either, which we learned from a not so happy neighbor in the adjacent building the following morning. Apparently the speaker produced loud and clear music for all six hours of the party. Don’t bother asking why we couldn’t remember that fact on our own.

Review continues after the jump.

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