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Del Breckenfeld, Universal Audio, and More at NAMM 2020 | #223 Feb 15, 2020

Show notes

There are a lot of contributors to the growing music industry here at NAMM 2020, and we sit down with a few to chat about their careers. First up, Chief Amplifier for Amplify Entertainment Marketing, Del Breckenfeld, discusses his career at Fender and his experiences organizing shows and meeting big artists. Product Specialist for Universal Audio, Tom Waterman, explains Universal Audio's new product, LUNA, and how it's integrated with Apollo. LUNA uses an easy to navigate UI to help you achieve the sound that you want. Managing Director, Dave Bryce, entertains us with the story of how Music Player Network came to be and what he's gone through to keep it alive. Tune in for more great stories and products from the floor of NAMM 2020.

[00:00:00] Del Shares His History with Fender
[00:06:26] Universal Audio Apollo X More Affordable
[00:12:33] Recording Great Sound With an Old Twist
[00:19:53] The Story Behind Music Player Network
[00:27:50] Why is a Forum This Big of a Deal?
[00:35:55] What has Inspired Recent Musical Movies?

Content Creation for Consumers is Easier Than Ever | #222 Feb 08, 2020

Show notes

With technology progressing at such a quick pace it's getting easier for creators to produce content. This year at NAMM 2020 we discuss how the advancements of technology have made it so affordable to make music, and how companies are able to produce quality products at an affordable price, with Tech Expert, Mike Castanon. Whether we notice it or not the NAMM show has changed the way we live our lives from the way we entertain ourselves with music, to the way we set up our homes and more! Former President and CEO of Roland Corporation U.S. and past Chairman of NAMM, Dennis Houlihan, shares the history of NAMM, including how NAMM was started in New York by piano makers wanting to raise the ethical bar for the piano industry. Then, Global Product Line Manager, Scott Wood, tells us about the capabilities of their awesome new 24 channel mixer. Closing out the show, Audio and Tech Writer for Sound Stage! Solo, The Wirecutter, and Jazz Times, Brent Butterworth, explains why he immediately bought a pair of AKG K371 headphones after testing out a pair. Tune in to hear more about NAMM 2020.

[00:00:00] Musical Equipment Quality and Quantity
[00:06:46] Creating Music has Never Been Easier
[00:12:31] The History of the Renowned NAMM Show
[00:19:53] How has NAMM Impacted Daily Lives?
[00:27:50] Soundcraft Shows Off 24 Channel Mixer
[00:35:53] AKG Makes Amazing Affordable Headphones

How CES Changed Over 30 Years, New Audio Tech at CES 2020 | #221 Feb 01, 2020

Show notes

While many headphone and other audio companies are absent from CES this year, there is still a decent number of audio tech companies on the show floor. Audio Tech Writer for the Wirecutter, SoundStage! Solo, and JazzTimes, Brent Butterworth, breaks down what we've learned about new audio tech, and chats about how CES has changed over the past 30 years. The purpose for CES has changed with online marketplaces and advancements in new shipping technology. Then, Brent goes into detail on why major audio companies didn't show up to CES this year. Could home theatre systems be replaced with soundbars equipped with Dolby Atmos? Tune in to find out!

[00:00:00] How Has CES Changed Over 30 Years?
[00:05:24] The Transformation of CES Over the Years
[00:12:30] Where is all the Audio Tech at CES 2020?
[00:19:51] Sound Bars are Replacing the Home Theatre
[00:28:39] Wireless Taking Over the Audio Market
[00:35:52] What You Need to Know About CES 2020

TCL's Mini LED, 4K Live TV, Tech Monopolies, 5G at CES 2020 | #220 Jan 25, 2020

Show notes

Every year tech companies from around the world gather at CES to show their latest and greatest. Freelance Tech and Travel Writer for CNET and The New York Times Geoffrey Morrison, chats about some of the innovative technology he's spied on the show floor at CES 2020. TCL has been making waves with Mini LED screens. Will this challenge LG's OLED tech for the top spot? Then, we discuss Next Gen TV's over-the-air 4K television IP based solution, Sonos' suit against Google what it could mean for other giant tech monopolies, and some of 5G technology's pitfalls. Tune in for more details from CES 2020.

[00:00:00] TCL Shows off new Mini LED Technology
[00:06:15] Will Mini LED Displays Replace OLED?
[00:12:30] Next Gen TV Providing Free 4K On Live TV
[00:19:51] How Does IP Based Live TV Work?
[00:27:47] Who Can Stop These Tech Monopolies?
[00:35:52] 5G Might Not Be All Your Hoping For

Black Friday Deals, Automobility LA, Tesla Cybertruck | #219 Nov 23, 2019

Show notes

Black Friday is just around the corner and we're scouring the internet for the best deals we can find. This of course means we'll talk about TVs, because as Mike Etchart and Audio Tech Writer for the Wirecutter, SoundStage! Solo, JazzTimes, Brent Butterworth, know all too well, deals on TVs are always the hottest out there around this time of year. We also discuss the importance of having good audio and how TVs aren't the only home theater products gaining in quality; the beloved sound bars are also on the rise. Then, we chat with Popular Technology Radio Producer, Cody Castleberry, about his plans for the shopping weekend and the interesting deals he's seen, including $600 off on new Samsung phones! Shifting our focus, JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, informs us on the LA Auto Show (now known as Automobility LA) and its importance in the worldwide car market. Then, Josh fills us in on the new Tesla Cybertruck and anticipated Ford Electric F-150. Tune in for more.

[00:00:00] Then to Now: Black Friday TV Prices
[00:06:00] TV and Soundbar Quality on the Rise
[00:12:31] Black Friday Deal Watch
[00:19:52] TVs, DNA Tests, and Cell Phones, Oh My
[00:29:05] LA Auto Show and Regulation Battles
[00:35:54] Tesla Cybertruck, Ford Electric F-150

New Mini-LED Tech From TCL, Disney+ Enters Streaming Wars | #218 Nov 09, 2019

Show notes

With Disney+ right around the corner, we take another look of the streaming video landscape. Freelance Tech and Travel Writer for CNET and The New York Times, Geoffrey Morrison, discusses the increasing number of players in movie streaming space and how much the market can bear. The average family seems to have a pain point of about 3-4 subscriptions before they dial back their spending. Then, we learn about a new advancement in television technology brought to market by Chinese upstart manufacturer, TCL - Mini LED. Just what is LED, and what makes it better than what we have now? Tune in to find out. Also, don't miss Geoffrey's review of the GoPro MAX.

[00:00:00] The Streaming Wars Are Heating Up
[00:06:24] Subscription Service Pain Points
[00:12:31] TCL First to Market with Mini-LED Tech
[00:19:52] What is Mini-LED?
[00:27:44] Modern Television Technology Review
[00:35:53] $500 GoPro MAX: Is It Worth It?

Amazon Announces a Bevvy of New, Awesome Products | #217 Oct 05, 2019

Show notes

We've all enjoyed some of the amazing services that Amazon provides at one point or another, but have you checked out their growing line of consumer electronics products? Host, Mike Etchart, and Co-Founder and Digital Strategist of Label Logic, Jay Gilbert, discuss the culture of change, and customer first philosophy of Amazon, as well as their recent bevvy of new tech product announcements. If you're a fan of hi-fi audio, stay tuned for Amazon Echo Studio and Music HD. We also learn more about the Echo Buds, Show, Loop, Frames, Smart Oven, and Flex. Tune in if you're a fan of Amazon's quiet take-over of the consumer electronics market.

[00:00:00] Amazon's Culture of Change
[00:06:12] Amazon Taking Over, and Echo Studio
[00:12:31] Dolby Atmos, Amazon Music HD, Echo Buds
[00:19:51] Amazon Echo Show, Loop, and Frames
[00:28:01] Amazon Privacy, Smart Oven, and Flex
[00:35:53] In the Business of Tech Simplification

Understanding Cyber Security and How to Protect Ourselves | #216 Sep 28, 2019

Show notes

Cyber security is front page news these days as big tech companies and governmental organizations are getting caught up in the firestorm of hacking and data breaches. So how do these breaches come to be? Chief Evangelist for Saviynt, and cyber security expert, Diana Volere, discusses the issues that come with living in a technologically advanced world. Corporations and organizations constantly feel the pressure to maximize operation efficiency while maintaining an appropriate level of cyber security, and it becomes a juggling act that some inevitably fail. We chat about the shift of every industry towards cloud storage and away from physical servers and how that affects security. There is definitely a human error factor as well, but that doesn't mean we should give cyber security professionals a free pass, it is their job to keep the public's information secure. So that leaves it up to us to do our part, as much as we hate it, by changing our passwords often, viewing email proposals or pleas for help with a healthy level of suspicion, and keeping our credit card information secure online. Tune in to learn more about how digital security has become so compromised in recent years and what you should be doing to safeguard yourself and your business.

[00:00:00] Cyber Security Vs Operational Efficiency
[00:06:23] Cloud vs Physical Server Security
[00:12:30] Human Error, Responsibility, Ransomware
[00:19:51] No Such Thing As Absolute Security
[00:27:36] Politics, Freedom, and Data Control
[00:35:52] Digital Awareness / Cyber Security Tips

Porsche Taycan, Electric Vs Hybrid, Rivian, Ford, EV Bikes | #215 Sep 21, 2019

Show notes

The automotive and technology worlds clash often, but nowhere are the lines of tech and motor company blurred as much as with the rising electric vehicle market. JoshCAR Hollywood Car Consultant, Josh Hancock, joins us to discuss the new Porsche Taycan and whether or not Tesla should be quaking in their boots regarding this vehicle's release. Then we chat about the public's lower anxiety over the range of electric vehicles thanks to recent advancements pushing every day EVs above the 250 mile mark and how that affects their market share. Don't feel left out if you're a truck guy/gal, because electrification is coming to a full-size pickup near you soon with the announcement of Rivian's R1T and Ford's all-electric F-150. These trucks pack a punch, thanks to their electric motors, and provide more torque for towing. Changing topics, we delve into one of the biggest benefits of having an electric vehicle, the low maintenance! Aside from your obvious stuff like tires, brakes, and batteries, there's pretty much nothing else to worry about as you commute day-to-day. Switching lanes, everybody's favorite four-wheeled contraptions aren't the only vehicles getting an electric makeover; tune in to hear about the small, but vibrant market of electric motorcycles, bicycles, and other oddities.

[00:00:00] Tesla's New Competition: Porsche Taycan
[00:06:59] All Electric vs Hybrid Electric Cars
[00:12:30] Lower Range Anxiety, Higher Market Share
[00:19:51] Rivian Forces Ford's Hand on Electric
[00:27:37] Electric Cars Require Less Maintenance
[00:35:52] Electric Bicycles, Motorcycles, and More

The Battle for Music Streaming Supremacy Continues | #214 Sep 07, 2019

Show notes

What is your favorite way to listen to music these days? Are you still a physical record listener, or have you jumped on the Spotify band wagon? Perhaps you listen to an obscure digital service provider (DSP) like Deezer or Music Aficionado. Whatever your cup of tea happens to be, we're discussing the rise of streaming services, and where they may be headed in the future today with Co-Founder of Label Logic, and music industry veteran, Jay Gilbert. We delve into the issues facing certain streaming services, like Spotify, and more niche providers like licensing fees and how they can stay afloat when music is their focus. For other companies like Amazon, Apple, and Google, music is a rounding error in their overall business, so a failure in their streaming services wouldn't affect their bottom line. How do the Pandoras and Spotifys of the world keep up in this market? Well, by providing a more personalized experience, of course! We also discuss how a service like YouTube became top dog in the world of music streaming. Playlists, access to everything conceivable, and curation seem to be fan favorites among music listeners. Tune in to learn more.

[00:00:00] Some Music Never Made it to Streaming
[00:05:59] Will Spotify Have Trouble Keeping Up?
[00:12:30] Pandora and YouTube Music
[00:19:51] How YouTube, iTunes Became Juggernauts
[00:27:47] Why Curation and Ease of Access Will Win
[00:35:53] Will Crowded Music Streaming Thin Out?

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