By GREGG ELLMAN / Twitter.com/greggellman
The Behringer U-Phone UFO202 is a simple device designed to transfer the milk crate full of vinyl records or box full of tapes many of us have sitting in a closet.
With a USB interface, it works on a Mac or PC using software to convert an analog signal to digital. It comes with energyXT2.5 for the conversion and I’m sure there are lots of other choices, including my preference, Apple’s Garage Band.
According to Behringer, with energyXT2.5, you can record instruments and vocals directly to your computer, cut, copy and paste tracks, and then mix them.
There isn’t a lot to this device and I was immediately impressed with at how easy it is to use, especially after it passed my main test of never reading instructions.
After digging out my cassette player from my attic and being amazed that it still worked I plugged in the RCA cables to the U-Phone input plugs and the USB connection to my MacBook Pro.
From there I fed my audio directly into my software and exported it for audio use on my portable players.
I’m sure there is an endless amount of software possibilities along with devices that can connect to this. I went into this knowing my main goal was to just transfer my content and it did this well.
Getting out the static from the original tapes or even scratching from records will take some work from your software, but in my case I like the annoying sounds in between songs on the classic Frampton Comes Alive vinyl.
www.behringer.com $30
The iPad alone is an incredible device but when you combine it with the iMainGo XP from Portable Sound Laboratories you have a complete system.
I guess you can say the main function of the system is to act as a protective case for your tablet but it goes way beyond that.
After your iPad is attached to the system it folds up like most any other case offering the necessary protection. What makes this stand out is when you open the inside covers to expose a pair of high-output stereo speakers on each side.
They deliver sound as described by the company with ‘dual tuned bass with an advanced digital amplifier.’
Also built in the case is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to power the speakers for hours.
The sound is transferred from any model iPad through its headphone port; the 30-pin port remains accessible for charging, even while it’s housed in the speaker system.
A compact portable stand is also included for true handsfree use.
www.imaingo.com $97
While many portable gadgets add stress to your life just by requiring you to figure out how they work, the emWave2 from HeartMath does the opposite.
The pocked-sized device is easy to use and designed to reduce stress in one’s life by taking some of your physical data and helping you understand it so you can reduce your stress.
In a nutshell, emWave2 is built with technology that collects pulse data through a sensor and translates the information from your heart rhythms into graphics on your computer or to the portable emWave Personal Stress Reliever.
The company’s website has a lot more specific information on the science behind this and my non-scienctific testing was just to acknowledge it’s easy to use.
To measure your pulse just hold your finger on the device; you can also attach a clip to your earlobe to collect your heart rate.
It’s recommended to use everyday and to get yourself in a calm, peaceful frame of mind to achieve the highest scores on a consistent basis. This will help ensure better results, which translates into a lower level of stress.
After using if for a few days, I’m far from stress-free but it is recommend you use it for a longer period of time to get optimum results.
www.heartmath.com $167
