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OPINION: This week Microsoft made big waves unveiling its latest smartphone, the Surface Duo 2, and updated Surface Pro 8 and Surface Go 3 tablets. But in the sea of announcements there was one key device missing: the Surface Book 4. Prior to the event there was a sea of “leaks” suggesting the firm planned to release a new Book. ...

TV antennas aren’t just for cord-cutters looking to cut back on the cost of TV entertainment. A good TV antenna will bring in anywhere from 20 to more than 100 channels, depending on where you live. The stations are free, don’t require a broadband connection (with the exception of some ATSC 3. ...

Stop right there! Did you see this deal? A decked-out Lenovo Legion 5i gaming laptop for only $1,200 at B&H! That’s a whopping $400 discount on this power-packed beast of a machine. This Lenovo Legion 5i is loaded with a top-end Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and a jaw-dropping 32GB of DDR5 RAM. ...

For the most part, we’re fans of Roku’s friendly, intuitive remotes, and particularly the ones that have voice capabilities. But there’s a sticking point—four of them, actually—when it comes to the Roku remote: the quartet of buttons at the bottom stamped with the logos of popular streaming services. ...

A decade after the Portege laptop exited the consumer market, it’s back — and with a user-replaceable battery, too. On Friday, Dynabook — which, as Sharp, took over Toshiba’s PC business in 2018 and then renamed itself — announced the Portege Z40L-N, a $1,699 laptop based upon the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor. ...

Despite Nvidia’s dominance of the consumer graphics card market, AMD’s 7000 series is pretty great… unless you want ray tracing. The advanced lighting techniques are where Nvidia’s cards truly shine, and AMD just can’t keep up — even at (sort of) better prices. But what about the new RX 9070 and 9070 XT cards? Adam and Will investigate in the latest PCWorld YouTube video. ...

Spring and summer are right around the corner, which means it’s time to get out of your seasonal depression funk. Go outside, soak in the sun, and have fun with a Bluetooth speaker at your side! JBL’s Flip 6 portable speaker is up to the task — and it just so happens to be on sale for $99.95 on Amazon, a 23% discount off its MSRP. ...

If you’re still rocking a 1080p desktop monitor, I think it’s time to upgrade. At 27 inches, a 1440p display gives you almost twice the screen real estate in terms of pixels while still being comfy enough for day-to-day use. Today, you can get Acer’s take with upgraded IPS panel for just $109.99 at Best Buy. That’s a smooth $90 off. ...

You already know you should keep your computer, tablet, and phone updated to keep them secure (or at least I hope you know that by now, otherwise I’m not doing my job). But a recent malware attack shows why it’s also important to keep all the other devices on your Wi-Fi network updated as well. ...

If you haven’t been paying attention to the news, heads up—prices for tech gear are shooting up. Tariffs are now in effect for goods imported from China, and they’ve doubled since their original announcement. The US government is now imposing an additional 20 percent tax, instead of 10 percent. ...

If you’re thinking of getting an SSD and you plan on taking it out and about with you everywhere, across all sorts of terrain in all sorts of conditions, then you need something that’s ruggedized — like the Samsung T7 Shield that’s on sale at Amazon. Right now, you can grab the 1TB version for $100 (was $170, now 41% off) or the 2TB version for $150 (was $285, now 47% off). ...

VGTrumpet has released VG Tender Brass Trio – a virtual instrument featuring Flugelhorn, Trombone, and Tuba, available as a VST/AU plugin and standalone app. Features Three warm and expressive sound sets featuring Flugelhorn, Tuba, and Trombone. It works with Windows and Mac as a standalone and will run as a plugin in all major DAWs (Cubase, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Reaper, FL Studio etc. ...

API, in collaboration with Karno, has announced the introduction of the 312 SEPIA module, a digitally controlled microphone preamplifier for Karno's innovative SEPIA system. This new module brings the well-regarded warmth and punch of the classic API 312 microphone preamp into the flexible, digital-analog hybrid environment of SEPIA's modular audio platform. ...

AudioThing has released JUNE, an emulation of the Roland JUNO-60, a polyphonic analog synthesizers from the early 1980s. Specifications: 1 DCO Oscillator (PWM, Saw, Square). Sub Oscillator (up to -3 octaves). HP and Resonant LP Filters. 2 Envelopes. 1 LFO with multiple trigger modes. Mono/Poly and Unison Mode. 4 Effects (echo, spring reverb, overdrive, phaser). ...

Dystopian Waves has announced the release of Celium II and Auren Pro, two new Max for Live devices designed for creative sound processing and performance within the Ableton Live environment. Celium II - Granular Atmospheres Celium II is an evolution of the original Celium device, rebuilt with deeper control and an improved workflow. ...

Musical Sampling has released Gravitas Bass, a modern, fingered electric bass guitar for Kontakt. Gravitas Bass Gravitas Bass was designed as a flagship, all-purpose bass that adapts easily across a wide range of styles. Focused on playability and versatility, Musical Sampling says 'Gravitas delivers the kind of solid, natural performances you've come to expect from us'. ...

reFX has updated Nexus to v5.3.22. New: Added void verb. Folders in the librarian can now be re-ordered. Add mute / solo buttons to the oscillator header buttons. Added mod destinations for each trancegate. Changes: Increased accuracy of shuffle in arp / sequencer. Improved performance re-opening editor. When pasting layer, optionally allow all oscillators to be duplicated. ...

AP Mastering has released updates for the Versatile Compressor, Saturation, Curvature and Delta Expose plugins for macOS and Windows. Curvature Curvature was released in August, with AP Mastering describing it as 'an industry-disrupting plugin featuring a compressor model that has literally never been done before'. ...

Audiofier has announced four new additions to the Micron Series for October, expanding its range of compact Kontakt instruments. Each library focuses on a distinct sonic character: Micron Nylon features real nylon guitar recordings, processed and layered for expressive, cinematic performance. ...

Ocean Swift has announced the release of Sample Tester, a free sampling tool for the Free Kontakt Player. Designed as a compact, zero-friction utility, Sample Tester is built for anyone working with oscillator-style samples. The idea is to provide a quick and easy way to audition tonal or looped material. ...

Impact Soundworks has released Shreddage Amp Venom, a new virtual amplifier plugin modeled after the Framus Cobra tube amp. The original hardware is known for its use in metal genres but has become difficult to find and maintain. Shreddage Amp Venom aims to deliver the sonic characteristics of the original, including its high-gain crunch and clean tones. ...

09/30/16 - Download and convert videos between various formats.

iPhone, iPad / Education / Training: An app for choral singers who don't read music well. Snap a photo or import JPG, PNG or PDF. Touch notes in the image to hear the pitch. Not for instrumental parts - see details below. Whether you sing in a choir, or a barbershop quartet, or other vocal group,...

iPhone, iPad / Education / Training: All aspiring music students understand the importance of Sargam practice. Practicing Sargams each day does wonders to your “Sureelapan� as well as confidence. Practicing every day under watchful eyes of your Guru is the ideal way. But that is difficult...

iPhone, iPad / Instruments / Sound Effects: Get the simplest soundboard creation app: Load sounds, samples or songs through your iTunes library Create and edit soundboards quickly and easily Up to 8 sounds per soundboard Make the most of your screen thanks to the adaptive layout Play multiple...

iPhone, iPad / Education / Games, Ear Trainig: Introducing Notes - Sight Reading Trainer, the ultimate iOS app for mastering sight reading in music! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, Notes is your is your tool to become the musician you were meant to be. When you are ready to...

iPhone, iPad / Education / Games, Ear Trainig: StaffWars is a game designed to help beginning and intermediate musicians learn, practice and woodshed the note names on the grand staff, treble, alto and bass clefs. THE APP for anyone who wants to master these clefs.

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Analysis: SPL Graph is an audio Sound Pressure Level (SPL) environmental noise analyzer, real-time frequency analyzer, chart recorder and data logger. It includes: Plot sound level over time Record audio while plot is running, playback to identify sounds that may have...

iPhone, iPad / Education / Sheet Music & Tablatures: PLAY FREE MUSIC SCORES Whatever instrument you play, whether it's a piano, trumpet, guitar, or harmonica, or kalimba, you will always find notes of excellent quality. • Browse the most extensive sheet music collection from MuseScore....

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Tuners: Plays tuning notes for Viola (C G D A)

iPhone, iPad / Education / Training: Accelerate your sight reading skills with instant feedback on timing accuracy. Our carefully graduated levels, from beginner to professional, allow you to start at your optimal skill level and progress at your own pace. You'll improve more rapidly than...

iPhone, iPad / Tools / Tuners: Sleek, efficient, and responsive, TuneWave is the no-nonsense utility that lets you tune your instrument quickly and easily. TuneWave puts everything you need front and center for optimal visibility and glanceable feedback. It can transpose if you’re using an...