Author: ThatAdminGuy

Classroom Learning Centers Use Sound To Enhance Learning

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6 Features to Consider When Purchasing A Classroom Learning Center From pre-K through adult education or even for home schooling, many students find learning enhanced by listening rather than looking. That’s why learning centers, which use sound to help you teach, are standard classroom AV equipment. Learning centers not only reinforce and enhance visual learning, but also help students with… Read the rest

Are Loud Media Players Causing Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Teens?

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Study: Cranked Earbuds Contribute to Spike in Teen Hearing Loss For today’s teens, dangling earbuds are as ubiquitous as facial jewelry. But a recent study shows that unlike adornments, they could be far from harmless. An article in the August 18, 2010 issue of JAMA concludes that one in five American adolescents experienced hearing loss from 2005-2006. What’s more, this… Read the rest

Instrument Cables, Speaker Cables: What’s the Difference?

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Why All Cords Aren’t Created Equal Consider the common cable: Two plugs, 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch, with a few feet of cable in between. That’s all there is to it, right? Wrong! Using the right cable at the right time can mean the difference between a crystal clear tone and a humming mess. In extreme cases, the incorrect cable… Read the rest

Mike vs. Mic: Which Abbreviation is Correct?

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It’s a familiar dilemma to those of us who write about audio: What’s the abbreviation for microphone, “mike” or “mic”? For years (since roughly 1961, in fact), the former abbreviation – “mic” – has been the preferred choice of the pro audio industry. This does lead to problems, however. When you place a “mic” in front of an amp, is… Read the rest

Obama Upgrades ADA On Its 20th Birthday

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A South Lawn Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act July 26, 2010 marks an important step in the journey to full equality for all Americans: the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). President Obama celebrated this milestone last Monday with a high-spirited summer gathering on the South Lawn of the White House, which… Read the rest

Which Loudspeaker Should You Use With Your Amplifier?

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Close-up of power amplifier inside rehearsal roomMatch Amps to Speakers Without Driving Yourself Crazy Matching a loudspeaker to an amplifier is a seemingly arcane process, full of exceptions and confusing “rules-of-thumb” bandied about by quasi-mystic front-of-house engineers and MacGyver-like technicians (gaffer’s tape clutched firmly in hand). For those of us who just want to hook up a simple PA system for our band’s vocalist, or who… Read the rest

Able Planet Headphones: True Fidelity, Truly Affordable

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Able Planet Headphones Squash Background Noise But Not Your Cash Flow Able Planet has come a long way from their beginnings as a manufacturer of assistive listening technologies for the hearing impaired. With their extensive line of affordable, high-quality headphones, Able Planet is poised to take on pricier competitors & establish their brand as a top-shelf choice for gamers and… Read the rest

5 Points to Ponder Before You Buy a Mic for Your Studio

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Condenser MicrophoneYou’re putting together your home project recording studio. You’ve cleared out your spare room and plugged in your digital multitrack recorder. There’s only one thing missing- Microphones! What kind of mic should you add  to your home studio recording equipment? With a host of great sounding microphones by manufacturers like AKG, Shure, and Sennheiser, you can get warm sounds out… Read the rest

Is Another Wireless Spectrum Reshuffle on the Horizon?

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President Obama has authorized sweeping changes to the wireless spectrum, hot on the heels of the 700 MHz ban. What, if anything, will recent FCC recommendations mean for sound engineers and other wireless microphone users? The Infamous 700 MHz Ban Explained The FCC’s recent ban on 700 MHz wireless use caused a major shakeup for sound engineers across the U.S.,… Read the rest

Why Buy a Cassette Tape Player & Recorder?

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Cassette Tape Players: Tried, True, & Affordable Cassette tape players and recorders are popular, budget-friendly choices for teachers or parents who want to enjoy an existing collection of tapes without the expense of upgrading to CDs or other media. In my last post, I highlighted the benefits of using a portable stereo system for playback of existing (and future) media… Read the rest