
RecordingTheMasters Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Mystik Bluetooth Cassette Player
Following the successful launch of its FOX C-60 analog compact music cassette, magnetic tape brand RecordingTheMasters launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new Bluetooth-enabled portable cassette player. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, the new Mystik portable cassette player also features a rechargeable battery, a built-in microphone, and 3.5mm jack input for recording, bridging modern features with the typical analog unpredictability of cassettes.

Listen Releases SoundCheck 18 with Expanded Large-Scale Integration and Voice-Activated Device Testing
SoundCheck 18, the latest release of Listen, Inc.’s flagship audio test and measurement system, contains many new features focused on automation and simplicity. Some of these are specifically designed for large-scale integration in factory environments, while others are designed to accelerate R&D testing, particularly where multiple channels are required and/or voice-activated devices are being tested.

Audio Research Announces Special Edition Reference Phono Stage Preamplifier
Audio Research (ARC) announce important updates to its highest-performance tube phono stage, the Reference Phono 3 Phono Preamplifier with the launch of the Reference Phono 3SE. Following the launch of the recent Reference (REF) 6SE Line-Stage Preamplifier, ARC’s 50th Anniversary product line continues with a special edition update of the Ref Phono 3 Preamplifier. The REF Phono 3SE ($17,000 USD) replaces the REF Phono 3, introduced in 2016.
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Blackmagic Design Announces DaVinci Resolve 16.2 Software Update with Further Audio Improvements
Blackmagic Design announced DaVinci Resolve 16.2, a new update to the company's popular edit, color, visual effects and audio post production software. This new update includes major Fairlight updates for audio post production and editing, as well as other improvements for color correction, and more. As the company explains, DaVinci Resolve 16.2 is a major update that will allow low cost audio post production with a simple mouse and keyboard. The update also adds support for MPEG-H 3D immersive sound mixing.

Waves Expands Collaboration With Qualcomm to Enhance Audio on Next Generation Mobile Devices
Waves MaxxAudio and Nx 3D audio processing technologies are now compatible with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 765 and 765G mobile processors targeting the latest smartphones and powering augmented experiences, gaming, and more. These Waves technologies have been until now mainly available on Intel and ARM processor-based platforms. This new combination will allow manufacturers implementing Snapdragon processors in premium smartphones and smart peripherals to also support expanded audio experiences.

Andover Audio Introduces PM-50 Planar Magnetic Headphones
The high-end headphone market continues to grow as the generic headphone product category expands globally. With wireless now sending mainstream consumers in completely new directions for personal audio, there is still room for brands to grab a share of the market in the wired, premium segment. The new PM-50 Planar Magnetic headphones are a way for Andover Audio to enter the space, proposing a relatively affordable ($500) design that still manages to surprise with walnut housings and replaceable ear-cushions.

Sonavox, Lithe Audio, Zinwell, and Heavenly Soundworks Adopt WiSA Wireless Audio Standard
WiSA LLC, the Wireless Speaker and Audio Association, founded by Summit Wireless Technologies and already supported by over 60 leading consumer electronics brands, now announced four new manufacturing and brand members, including Sonavox, Lithe Audio (RetroTouch), Zinwell Corporation, and Heavenly Soundworks. The momentum for the WiSA technology is also supported by increasing consumer interest in the broad range of WiSA Certified products already available in the market.

Audio Networking Achieves Critical Scale as Latest Statistics on Adoption Reveal
Now in its 7th year of reporting, audio consultancy RH Consulting has released its latest ‘state of the union’ on networked audio products. Recognized across the AV and Broadcast industries as the benchmark for tracking trends in networked audio, the report details the latest statistics on adoption of networked audio products, covering Dante, Ravenna, AVB, Milan and other protocols. Increasing adoption of the AES67 interoperability standard is a notable trend.

COVID-19 and Trade Shows: Don't Panic Until Instructed
While waiting for the end of the COVID-19 outbreak, follow the relevant authorities' reports and wait. Use the available time to reorganize, focus on product development and other essential bench and back office activities, and get ready for a full-force return at a later date. In short, keep doing your job. Yes, we're all staying put for a while. But let's use the time to work and make sure we can go back to the next trade show and we can all hug and greet one another without fear.

Bang & Olufsen Introduces Beosound Balance Smart Speaker with Active Room Compensation
"If you can't beat them, join them," someone at Bang & Olufsen must have thought. And so the new Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance with Google Assistant voice control was born, raising the bar for all smart speakers in terms of sound, size and price, and leveraging all the technology and design experience of the famous Danish brand. As Bang & Olufsen describes, the Beosound Balance is a wireless speaker with an advanced audio platform designed to grow in the future.