Appletell

I am not the lead guitarist for Fall Out Boy. I do not have the resources to drop the thousands of dollars on Pro Tools software and hardware. What I do have resources for is a simple digital audio workstation (DAW) to use with my MaBook.

Line 6 is a major player in the DAW manufacturing space. I decided on the Tone Port GX off of the recomendation of Macworld. The Tone Port GX from Line 6 is a simple DAW, having a single 1/4 inch input for a guitar or microphone. It also comes with GearBox software that allows several different amplifier and cabniet combinations. This is their entry level product, costing less than 80 dollars to obtain.

Imagine my dismay when I plugged it into my iMac and all I got was static…

MORE »

Sony label chief Rolf Schmidt-Holtz was recently interviewed and mentioned the possibility of Sony creating a new music subscription program. The way Sony is looking at this is very interesting, and could very easily compete with Apple’s iTunes Store if they gained support from major labels and could make the system easy to use.

“We have many ideas. For example, a subscription offering in the digital music distribution, in which we currently operate. In the simplest, and perhaps the most attractive alternative would be a kind of music flat rate for all MP3 players, including the iPod, for a monthly contribution is available from the entire music world.“
[Google Translated]

A major problem with subscriptions is that once you stop paying, your music is gone. Sony has even thought about this and may give you 40-50 songs each year to keep, just for being subscribed. When asked about pricing, the Sony label rep explained it would be in the range of 6 to 8 Euros ($9-12) a month, roughly the price of a CD here in the states.

If Sony can pull this off it would definitely cause an upset to Apple, possibly pushing Apple to create a subscription system of their own, already being rumored.

Do you like to buy your music, or would you rather use a subscription based service?

Read [Faz.net] (Translation) Via [Electronista]

• Reality TV meets Symphonies and Youtube
• Deal of the Day: Buy Uncharted 160 GB PS3 bundle, get LittleBigPlanet free
• PlayStation 3 firmware 2.53 available now, may make you yawn

While Amy Winehouse rocked the stage at the Grammys with 5 awards, the Macs ruled the backstage. Running such a large event uses so many recourses and Jim Dalrymple supposes they would be the best choice. We all know how Macs are used in television and movie for production, but this really shows the power of the Macintosh.

“...more than 450 microphones, 155 tons of lighting, 13,000 amps of power, 19 video screens, 94 speaker cabinets – and an endless amount of Macs,“ Jim Dalrymple reports for Digital Arts

Though Macs are very powerful on their own, 14 Macs were used for the show. This 14 include MacBook Pros, Mac Pros G5s and a G4 capturing video from the stage. The Grammy production team has always been using Macs to produce the shows audio and will continue to use them.

Don’t just be proud that the Grammys are using Macs, but be happy that one of their highest priorities was to make sure the Webcast worked on Safari.

Via [MacDailyNews]

• Reality TV meets Symphonies and Youtube
• Halo Trilogy 5-disc soundtrack set to be released tomorrow
• Slacker 2GB WiFi player just $49 today only

This shouldn’t come as a surprise for anyone but iTunes has surpassed the god-awful Real Player for unique users in 2007. Of the four major music players (Real, Quicktime, iTunes and Windows Media player) iTunes was the only one to post a positive growth average. In the last four years iTunes has grown from the paltry 669 uniques to over 35,000. Real Players has remained generaly stable over the same period never dipping below 27,000 or over 35,000 uniques. The real shame of it all is that Windows Media player is still the top dog by a wide margin. Since 2003, Windows Media Player has never had less than 45,000 and this year has over 75,000. It’s unique number over the last year has completely stagnated and even slipped a little.

Read [Website Optimization]

• Apple releases QuickTime 7.5.7, addresses playback via Mini DisplayPort
• Help Stephen Colbert get the #1 spot on iTunes
• Fluid Tunes brings iSight gestures to iTunes, better than multi-touch?

We’re but a few days away from the Macworld conference, but more importantly the Stevenote. A lot of things are expected to arise from the show, including: Thin Macbooks, new Cinema Displays, new MBPs, AppleTV updates and many others.

Appletell will be live coming to you from the keynote at this year’s Macworld expo, as well as updates, pictures and interviews throughout the week. We’ll be live-blogging and twittering the whole event, and if possible - have a live audio feed coming through (pending internet/cell restrictions - not to mention audio quality). We’re currently piecing together our new design and hope to have it launched pre-Macworld.

Coming in the next day or so will be a dedicated Macworld page here at Appletell, so stay tuned for that. For now, be sure to add us on Twitter and bookmark this post and we’ll make sure to add in all the appropriate links before the big day.

• Live.com goes social
• YouTube testing HD video and improved audio
• Apple and Line6 don’t play well together

If you have ever recorded an outgoing message on your cell phones voicemail, you know that the results aren’t always as desired. The same goes for the iPhone. Having to record your message through a phones built in microphone doesn’t always sound that great. Luckily, iPhone Alley has an iPhone hack that allows you to use any audio file you want as your outgoing message.

On the iPhone, go into voicemail and tap “Greeting”. Record a few seconds of something and tap stop. Before you tap save, use iFuntastic or SFTP to navigate to /var/root/Library/Voicemail on your iPhone. You’ll see a file called “Greeting. amr”. This is the audio you just recorded. Delete that file and replace it with your custom message which should then be renamed to “Greeting.amr”. Tap “Play” on the iPhone to verify your message works. If it plays, tap “Save” and your custom message will be uploaded to AT&T’s servers.

Just follow these few easy steps, and you will have your favorite song greeting greeting people before they leave you a message in no time.

Via [iPhone Alley]

• Apple releases list of most downloaded iPhone games of 2008
• What is going to happen at Macworld 2009?
• Apple releases the top 10 applications downloaded at the iTunes Store for 2008

Reports are filtering in regarding audio problems to OS X 10.4.10. Numerous users are claiming that the latest update to Mac OS X introduces snaps and pops to the audio playback. The discussion thread over on Apple’s forum seems to imply that these problems are currently isolated to Intel Macs with external speakers.

The noises occur randomly, which indicates that the audio subsystem is most likely trying to switch in and out of ‘power safe mode’. Personally, I’m still using OS X 10.4.9 at the moment, so I’m not encountering any of these issues. If you are, Appletell would like to hear from you.

Read [Apple Discussion Thread]

• Sick of forgetting all your license codes, and web logins? Take a look at Wallet 3
• Best Black Friday 2008 deals for Mac gamers
• Apple begins to promote Black Friday Event

Looking for a simple solution to sync, charge and attach your iPod to your TV or stereo? SendStation recently announced the new PocketDock AV, an ultra-compact iPod adapter that provides connections for Composite and S-Video, line out audio as well as USB.

Because the PocketDock AV uses the dock instead of the headphone jack for video signals, the result is a much clearer image. To reduce cable clutter, all functionality is combined into a single cable that includes a velcro strap. The dock has also been designed to work with almost any iPod case, so you no longer have to peel it open again.

The PocketDock AV will be available shortly from SendStation’s online store for US$36.95.

via [SendStation]

• A solution to your USB port wiring problems
• Blockbuster to offer streaming set-top box
• Use a CueCat scanner with Collectorz’s Game Collector software