GoPro #HomePro Challenge Celebrates The Great Indoors

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With much of the world stuck at home, a new wave of creativity is emerging as people share the world from within their four walls, and GoPro wants to celebrate it.

GoPro is hosting the #HomePro Challenge through April 30, 2020. The challenge invites anyone around the world to submit their most creative videos and photos, shot on any device, for an opportunity to win a HERO8 Black or MAX camera and five years of GoPro PLUS subscription service. GoPro will choose five winners each day from all submissions tagged #HomePro on Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube or Facebook.

Since the launch of the #HomePro Challenge, GoPro has received thousands of submissions and rewarded a variety of content from around the globe, including living room parkour craziness in Switzerland, an extreme backyard slip and slide in Massachusetts, rollerblade moonwalking in Brazil, and indoor fishing in Italy.

The shelter-at-home experience is global in nature, and in this spirit, GoPro has opened the #HomePro Challenge to videos and photos shot on any capture device, be it a smartphone, digital camera, DSLR, or, of course, a GoPro.

Entering is simple:

  •  Download the free GoPro App
  • Use the GoPro App to post a photo or video that shows GoPro your #HomePro moment to Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, YouTube or Facebook
  • Tell GoPro and show them how you #HomePro #GoPro – use these tags in your description of your post so GoPro can consider it for the daily prize.

The #HomePro Challenge will continue until April 30, 2020.

Nikon Products Receive the “Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020”

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Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that its products, the Nikon Z 50, the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct and the RetinaStation, have received the “Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020”, sponsored by Germany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen.

The Z 50 is Nikon’s first APS-C size (Nikon DX-format) mirrorless camera, inheriting its design and operability, reliability, and future possibilities as a mirrorless system from the Nikon Z 7 and Nikon Z 6. Further improving on those characteristics and condensing them into a compact, lightweight, and durable body capable of superior rendering capabilities and rich power of expression.

The NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct serves as the symbol of the superior optical performance achieved with NIKKOR Z lenses. It takes advantage of the superior design flexibility made possible by the combination of the large-diameter (inner diameter of 55 mm) Z mount and 16 mm flange focal distance to realize an f/0.95 maximum aperture, the fastest (brightest) in Nikon history (among interchangeable lenses for Nikon cameras).

The Red Dot Design Award is a world-class design competition that has around 65 years of history. More than 6,500 entries from 60 countries were submitted for the “Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020,” which were judged by a panel of recognized design specialists from around the world based on aspects such as degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics and durability. Winning products will be showcased at a special exhibition “Design on Stage” to be held from June 22, 2020, at the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen, Germany.

Fender Offers 3 Months Free Fender Play Lessons to 1 Million Users

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To support the community during social distancing, Fender continues to offer new users three months of complimentary lessons on Fender Play , the complete online learning app for guitar, bass and ukulele.

After bringing these free lessons to everyone three weeks ago and an outpouring of support from over 150 artists like Jimmy Page, H.E.R., Brendon Urie, Ashley McBryde, Tash Sultana and Orville Peck, more than half a million people have signed up to access the app. To further share the power of music, Fender will now offer free lessons to the first 1 million users who sign up for the 3-month Fender Play giveaway.

“We’re blown away by the overwhelming response to our three months of free guitar, bass, and ukulele lessons on Fender Play,” said Fender CEO Andy Mooney. “We started by providing complementary lessons to the first 100,000, but quickly surpassed that number in just three days.”

“With this new, current reality, it’s clear we need music now more than ever,” Mooney added. “Music has the power to connect us, create a sense of community, and most importantly, lift our spirits. We hope offering Fender Play to even more aspiring players allows them to explore their creativity and make some noise while we’re spending more time inside.”

Fender Play makes it easier than ever to learn how to play with multi-genre, instructor-guided video lessons to assist those embarking on their musical journey. Designed with bite-sized learning in mind, it gives beginners everything they need to get playing songs by their favorite artists in minutes.

Research has shown that playing an instrument promotes increased creativity, helps with alleviating stress, and boosts the immune system, among other benefits. Whether people are getting back into guitar after a hiatus, interested in learning a new skill, or trying out guitar for the first time, Fender hopes this giveaway will reinforce the myriad benefits that learning to play has on the mind and body.

To sign up for a free 3 months of Fender Play, interested users can visit fender.com/playthrough to redeem a code and set up their account. Be sure to check ad blockers. Payment information is not required. There are no strings attached – just music.

Once the code is redeemed, students can download the app via Google Play or the App Store and sign into their account. Additionally, Fender Play is available via web/desktop. Post social-distancing, Fender will offer these players a special discount on the app – including 10% off select gear on Fender.com – if they decide to continue their journey on Fender Play for another year.

Get iZotope’s Ozone Elements 9 for Free

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Get iZotope Ozone Elements 9 free – for a limited time! It is being offered through Sweetwater.com. This offer is only valid for customers who live in the United States. Fill out the form on the Sweetwater website to receive your download link.

Pro quality. Powerful modules. Get iZotopes mastering suite absolutely free of charge. This is a can’t-miss opportunity to own iZotope’s acclaimed Ozone Elements mastering suite, a great tool for giving your mixes a professional polish.

This pro-quality mastering suite gives you total control over your mix’s overall sound. Optimize your mix’s sound field with Ozone’s Imager. Sculpt it to perfection with its EQ. Pulp it up to professional levels with its acclaimed Maximizer. Elements’ Master Assistant analyzes your mix, creates a sonic profile, and then suggests the targets, signal chains, and processor settings that make the most sense.

System requirements: Ozone Elements runs as a plug-in with your audio or video editing software. Ozone Elements is not a standalone application. Ozone Elements does not support iLok authorization.

Operating System Requirements:
Windows 7 SP1 or later
Mac OS X 10.9 or later

Plug-in Formats: Mac/PC AAX Native, AudioSuite, RTAS, VST2, VST3, and Audio Units

Plug-in Compatibility: Pro Tools 10 or later, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Cubase, Digital Performer, SONAR, REAPER, and many more.

RØDE Expanded Wireless GO Range with White Edition and New Accessories

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RØDE has introduced the Wireless GO White, Lavalier GO White, Interview GO, and MagClip White, four additions to the ecosystem set to unlock a new world of creative possibilities for wireless and audio users.

Wireless GO & Lavalier GO: With its ultra-compact form factor and sleek black finish, the Wireless GO blends seamlessly with dark clothing and environments, making it very inconspicuous in most recording scenarios. However, against white clothing and in lighter environments, it’s not so easily concealed. Enter the Wireless GO White.

The Wireless GO White is the world’s first white compact wireless microphone system, perfect for filmmakers whose subjects regularly wear light clothing, wedding videographers, and business professionals. It boasts all the same features as the black Wireless GO, only the color of the transmitter and receiver has changed – even the included furry windshields are white!

For those who prefer using a lavalier microphone with their Wireless GO, the Lavalier GO (sold separately) also now comes in white. The Lavalier GO is a professional-grade wearable microphone designed to perform brilliantly in any broadcast application – the perfect companion for the Wireless GO.

The Interview GO is an adapter that instantly turns the Wireless GO transmitter into a lightweight wireless handheld mic for reporting-to-camera or interviewing in the field. It features a sturdy attachment for the Wireless GO’s cold shoe clip to secure the mic in place, plus a high-density windshield for reducing plosives and protecting the capsule from wind when recording outdoors.

The MagClip GO is a powerful magnetic clip that allows for total flexibility when placing the Wireles GO transmitter on talent. Simply slip the magnet under a piece of clothing opposite of where you need to place the transmitter. This allows you to get the clearest recording possible no matter what kind of clothing your subject is wearing. It can even be used to place the mic discreetly on a object in a scene or a stage to capture dialogue.

Yamaha Announces Three Designs Selected for Red Dot Award

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Yamaha Corporation announces that three of its designs were selected to receive the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020: namely, the CP88/CP73 stage pianos, the Sonogenic SHS-500 keytars, and the design for the solo guitar stools.

CP88/CP73 Stage Pianos

Powered by over 100 years of piano craftsmanship and 45 years of synthesizer innovation, the CP88 and CP73 stage pianos continue a rich tradition as the newest in the CP Series of keyboards designed for live performances. The CP88/CP73 stage pianos boast authentic acoustic and electric piano sound, realistic piano touch, and an intuitive one-to-one interface. Durable, yet compact and light, the stage pianos are available in both 88-key and 73-key models.

Sonigenic SHS-500 Keytars

The Sonogenic SHS-500 is a “keytar”, a digital keyboard that can be held like a guitar, designed to allow anyone to experience the fun of musical performance immediately, even if they’re never played a keyboard before. With a JAM function that automatically matches notes played on the instrument to the chord progressions of songs played on connected smart devices, the SHS-500 lets even beginners enjoy performing along with their favorite songs. Weighing just 1.5 with a built-in speaker, these instruments can be operated using batteries only and come equipped with 30 instrument voices, a knob that lets you control a wide range of effects, and even a MIDI terminal. The Sonogenic SHS-500 features a simple design while still being a great choice for full-fledged performances and musical composition.

Solo Guitar Stools (China Release Only)

Designed by Yamaha, these stools also function as a guitar stand. Protrusions set low on two of the three legs serve as supports for the guitar when the stool is used as a guitar stand, while a knob set higher up on the remaining leg can be used by players to rest their leg when playing. The surface of the seat looks like a guitar pick when seen from above and has been crafted so that he upper surface is comfortable to sit on, while the underside feels pleasant to hold. Yamaha released a conceptual prototype of the stool in 2010, which was productized by Chinese furniture manufacturer MEXARTS and released by the same company in September 2019 for sale in China.

The Red Dot Design Award is a German design award highly respected around the world, and comprises three categories: Product Design, Brands & Communications Design, and Design Concept. Each year, top-quality designs from around the world are selected for these awards. This time, around 6,500 items were submitted from 60 countries and regions around the world for the Red Dot Award: Product Design. This latest win brings Yamaha’s total number of Red Dot Design Awards to 24 since it began submitting entries in 1997.

Antlion Audio, Dan Clark Audio, and Schitt Hel Offer “Hel Yeah” Bundle

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The “Hel Yeah” Bundle is a collaboration between Antlion Audio, Dan Clark Audio (formerly Mr. Speakers) and Schitt Hell.Together, they have created the “Hel Yeah” Bundle, their biggest bundle ever!

We know that with the current hard times, lots of people are having to adjust to new work and home life situations.

Well we are too, so we called our friends at Schitt Audio and Antlion Audio to put together a great package to make working at home, socializing online with friends, staying in touch with family, and simply enjoying music, games and video more enjoyable, at a price that will shock you!

The “Hel Yeah” Office, Gaming, Video and Music Bundle includes the following products:

  •  An AEON Flow Open, originally $799.99
  •  A Schitt Hel DAC/Amp with microphone inputs, normally $189
  •  An Antlion Audio 3.5mm ModMic Uni, normally $49.95

Normal retail for this bundle is $1038.94. The bundle price for you is $649.99. That’s almost 40% off. There is a limit of 2 per customer. Supplies are definitely limited. Shipments will commence April 6, 2020. Sales are handled by Dan Clark Audio.

SRX Piano I and SRX Piano II Now Available in Roland Cloud

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Roland, a leading manufacturer of electronic musical instruments and professional video products, announces the release of SRX Piano I and SRX Piano II through Roland Cloud, based on classics from the SRX wave expansion board series. Both of these detailed concert pianos are available for immediate download with a Roland Cloud membership.

Based on Complete Piano and Concert Piano, the second and eleventh titles in Roland’s legacy SRX wave expansion board series, SRX Piano I and SRX Piano II present exquisite stereo-sampled concert pianos for composition, recording, and performance.

The samples in SRX Piano I were taken from a single, rare European piano, using high-end mics and converters to preserve its soft, delicate voice and natural resonance. SRX Piano II presents a single, stunning, 88-note acoustic grand. Sampled specifically for the original board, this world-class piano was recorded in high-resolution stereo, with four way velocity switching and other nuances.

Offering expressive playability with clear tone, bright harmonics, and ultra-wide dynamic range, these two inspiring instruments are ideal for virtually all musical styles.

Line 6 Offers Savings on Spider V MKII Amps

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Line 6 has a sale on select Spider V MkII Amps. You can save up to $50 when you purchase a qualifying Spider V from April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020. Your purchase must be made by a participating dealer.

Whatever drives your creativity, Spider V MkII amplifiers get you there with all the ease or depth that defines your personal musical vision. Plug right in and immediately rock a traditional amp tone, or enjoy tweaking until you’ve devised an inspiring tone of your own. There’s a Spider model to inspire every type of player.

The select models are:

$20 off Spider V 60 MkII – Easily switch between rehearsals, home-studio session, and small stages with the Spider V 60 MkII. You not only get all the sounds you need, but also practice tools, built-in wireless connectivity, with the optional Line 6 Relay G10T transmitter.

$30 off Spider V 120 MkII – The Spider V 120 MkII lets you rage onstage with 120 wats of power, built-in wireless connectivity, and a Line 6 FBV 3 Foot Controller comparability.

$50 off Spider V 240 MkII – Take no prisoners with the Spider V 240 MkII and its full-spectrum stereo tone, 240 watts of power, dual 12” speakers, wireless connectivity, and Line 6 FBV 3 Foot Controller compatibility.

$50 off Spider V 240HC MkII – The Spider 240HC MkII is the ultimate triple threat for gigging, recording, and rehearsing. Plug the amp head into a Line 6 412 or other speaker cabinet for powerful tone onstage, or use the dedicated 50-watt amp and built-in 4” speakers for practicing and rehearsals (even quiet gigs), or connect directly to a DAW and/or mixer via USB or XLR stereo outputs.

Line 6 has put together a page on their website where you can click on the various Spider models and be presented with a list of online retailers, and local retailers, where you can make your purchase.

The discount is being offered as an instant rebate that will be reflected in the final purchase at the time of sale. This offer is only available to Line 6 customers with mailing addresses in the United States. Offer is available only while supplies last.

Major Advancement of NDI Helps a World Connected by IP

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NDI, a Vizrt Group brand, and the world’s most widely adopted video over IP technology, today unveiled NDI version 4.5 providing the most significant release update since NDI was introduced in 2015.

Advancements in NDI’s already unmatched capabilities for transferring video, audio and metadata in real time across standard and wireless Ethernet networks include breakthroughs in mobile phone connectivity, wireless networking, and virtual reality environments and more. These advancements come at a time when making video accessible over IP matters more than ever.

As social distancing is being widely practiced around the globe, the only way content creators can work together is through IP networks and software-defined visual storytelling (#SDVS) – the mission that has always driven NDI. NDI has the widest support for any IP video technology with thousands of companies implementing NDI DK, putting the technology in the hands of millions of users globally.

As growth in esports accelerates and more than 50% of online gamers are now using mobile devices, the ability to bring the game from a smart phone into streaming software favored by gamers is crucial. NDI 4.5 adds support in iOS for real-time, full frame-rate, and resolution capture of the display on wireless with NDI|HX Capture for iOS. In addition, the NDI|HX Camera for iOS app turns any phone into a full 4K wireless camera, giving it the same capabilities as a high-end video camera.

Built into NDI 4.5 are extended capabilities for internet use on wireless networks. This version shows massive improvements to NDI|HX, with lower latency, full support for (multi) GPU decoding acceleration, and support for the most advanced compression formats available today.

Working with Epic Games, the NDI SDK for Unreal Engine adds full support for video inputs and outputs over IP enabling a new generation of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) video products for integration into games and more. The NDI SDK for Unreal Engine is free to download and the source code is available so that developers can customize their content creations.

NDI 4.5 offers unlimited IP recording, with Adobe Premiere plugins both for real-time NDI and working with time-locked ISO recording across multiple streams. This takes NDI streams from the network and stores them on a disk with no CPU usage, allowing users to record any number of streams to disk and extend this to multiple machines for almost infinite recording capabilities.

For use in embedded systems, NDI 4.5 now includes the latest version of the embedded NDI SDK that offers full FPGA support for both NDI encoding and decoding. In addition, there is support across almost all platforms for access to the compressed data streams, instant routing and more. For advanced development, embedded platforms and custom hardware needs, NDI fully provides the ability for developers to create amazing products.

The NDI 4.5 SDK and NSI Tools are free downloads, available by the end of March 2020.