This unobtrusive desktop mic from Philips was designed by GP Designpartners. It’s designed specifically to be used for recording meetings and conferences, but can also be used as a microphone for phone conferences if your phone system can accept an external mic.

The slightly-sloped disk has been designed to guide sound waves bouncing off of the table into the mic, and it can capture audio in a full 360-degree circle around the table. The mic’s bottom surface has been rubberized, so it will stay in place. There is also an integrated cable management system underneath it, so excess cable can be neatly tucked away.

All in all, if you need a desktop mic and don’t want anything too big, then this might be the way to go. You can get your hands on one over at Amazon for $145 (USD).

[via designboom]

This pocket-sized add-on includes two high-quality, adjustable condenser microphones, an internal mic pre-amp and an analog to digital converter. There’s even a stereo limiter to deaden loud sounds and a USB port to charge it up. And since it can record at volume levels up to 125 dB, it can also be used to record concerts and music without a problem.

The iM2 stereo microphone sells for $80 (USD). It’s definitely worth checking out if you like to record sounds with your iPhone.

[via Uncrate]

What other uses could you have for the Wiretap? As it’s name implies you can use it to record audio and keep the devil way down in the hole. It also makes it easier to use voice modification apps. It also lets you use third-party devices that plug into the headphone jack while still having a spare jack to enjoy music – either by singing or listening. Or any other device or activity that needs separate audio in and audio out jacks. Here’s the inventor James with more on his device:

You can pre-order the Wiretap by pledging at least $12 (USD) on its Kickstarter page. As of this writing it’s raised about $1,700 out of its $2,000 target with about a month to go, so there’s a really good chance that James will be able to mass produce the Wiretap.

For braver souls, all you have to do to participate in TalkO’Clock is register your number. TalkO’Clock promises that they won’t give it away, not even to other users of the service. You then specify the time you want to be woken up as well as your preferred gender, if any, of your human alarm clock. If you want to exact revenge extend the same courtesy to another stranger, simply browse the list and volunteer to be a caller. Users are encouraged to be “original” with their wake up calls. Frightening.

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iOS and Android app versions are also forthcoming:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

This still doesn’t pass my ultimate alarm clock test. Also, the service is useless if you mute or turn off your phone (or destroy it after getting too many creepy wake-up calls from strangers.) It could make for a lot of interesting mornings though. I’m just not sure if that’s good interesting or bad interesting. TalkO’Clock is currently in beta and is available only in the USA and Canada. Check out the official website for more info.

[via TorrentFreak via Dvice]

Contrary to earlier rumors, the guys at Jakks Pacific tell us the thing can auto-tune your voice in real time. You can also sing into the mic, and have  record your voice so you can play back the recording with the auto-tune effect later. Here’s T-Pain himself being interviewed about his new toy by the Los Angeles Times at CES 2011.

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What, no demo? You heard the man, the I Am T-Pain Mic will be out “Juneish, Julyish” for $40 (USD). You can also check the product’s official website, although it seems to be down as of this writing.

As the Grammy-winning artist said, “We’re milking this thing baby, we’re milking it.” Haters gonna hate.

[via Chip Chick & LA Times]

Tapping your own phone line isn’t easy, unless you have the Olympus TP-7 Telephone Recording Device. This sucker is cheap (just $11) and takes no time to set up. Just plug one end into the microphone jack of any recording device. Then put the special earbud in the ear you use the phone with. It has a tiny microphone that will pick up the entire conversation. This thing is exactly what you need. Now you just have to figure out how to get it. After all, they’re watching your internet too, you know.

[via Boing Boing]

The mic is really cool looking and reminds me of something you would see hanging in the studio of a 50′s radio station. The mic is chrome plated and has a really cool integrated stand that can position the mic at different angles for your need. The mic is USB powered and comes with a soft carry bag.

The Meteor Mic has a 25mm diaphragm, cardioid pickup design, a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. It can record CD quality audio in 16-bit 44.1/48kHz resolution audio. It needs no drivers to work and even has a headphone input for monitoring. The Meteor Mic will be available on April 15 for $99 (USD).

The company took the mics and audio circuitry from that audio recorder, crammed them inside a video camera back in October, and offered up most of the details on the thing at the time. The recorder is called the Q3HD Handy Video Recorder and it has 1080p resolution at 30 fps recording. It can also record 720p at both 30fps and 60fps. The video resolutions are common today on all sorts of camcorders, but the Q3HD has impressive sound. The microphones record sound in 24-bit/96KHz quality. The device has three aperture settings for different lighting conditions and has an integrated USB cable and HDMI output.

Here’s an example clip shot with the Q3HD:

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Clearly, the audio is much better than your cellphone can shoot, but the video seems about average. You can see more example footage shot with the device here.  It is available to buy right now and will cost you $299.99 (USD) over on Amazon.

Of all the camcorders on the market the Flip line are some of the most popular. They have HD resolutions and if the sound quality isn’t good enough for you, Blue Microphones has a new accessory for any Flip camcorder with the FlipPort.

The Mikey for Flip plugs into the FlipPort on the bottom of the camcorders and offers much better sound with Blue’s premium stereo condensers. The mic gets power from a AAA battery and has an integrated tripod mount. The Mikey has automatic sensitivity selection along with a switch or loud setting. Pricing is unknown at this time.

You can order the USB Karaoke Mute-Mic at Japan Trend Shop for $80 (USD). Also works with Windows XP and Vista. No karaoke game or music included.

Here’s some sexy specs for audiophiles: the microphone is a condenser with a wide frequency response, from 35 Hz to 20 kHz, and a 16-bit audio sample rate of 44.1 kHz. Yeah. Awesome. I don’t know what we’re talking about.

Non-techie users should also consider the Eyeball because it’s easy to install – it works out of the box with both Mac and Windows systems, no drivers needed. The Eyeball’s stand also doubles as its compartment, so it’s quite portable as well. Here’s Mark from Coolest Gadgets‘ review of the Eyeball, taken using the Eyeball itself.

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Convinced yet? You can get the Eyeball for $140 (USD) (or less; I could have bought it for $70 as of this writing, just click “add to cart” to see the discount) at Amazon.

This nifty project was created by Randy at F.A.T. He says, “The breathalyzer microphone is a system for the inconspicuous collection of blood-alcohol content level data sets. In other words, you can measure a person’s sobriety with a device, that for all intents and purposes, looks no different than a standard microphone.”

He kindly put the how-to up on Instructables, in case you’re inspired to make one of these for use on your drinking buddies. In essence, you rip a cheap karaoke mic apart, add some wires to the XLR and the switch, make a tricky bracket, attach it to an alcohol sensor you previously ordered from Thailand, and voila. To make it portable, you can use a tape deck or something else to hide a datalogger and arduino.

Then you just have someone talk or sing into the microphone, and use a computer to get the SD card readings to get the info. Now you know fo’ sho’, that mofo is DRUNK. And you have computer data to prove it to him.

[via Make:]

This brilliant, but simple hack by electronics tinkerer Kipkay takes the guts out of an old Mr. Mic, improves the audio quality, and turns it into an easily concealed wireless spy microphone.

With just a few minutes of simple soldering, a couple of bucks worth of parts, and an Airwick Stick-Up air freshener, you’ll have a mini spy gadget that’ll let you listen in on unsuspecting victims from afar.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

While Kipkay’s video does a good job walking you through the basics, head on over to Instructables for the full walkthrough.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Now you didn’t think I’d let you leave without featuring the classic Ronco commercial, did you?

In a third-quarter financial conference call today, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello mentioned in passing that Rock Band is currently in development for the Nintendo Wii.

No release date or pricing was revealed, but I’d say we’ll see it this Fall, so EA can take full advantage of the 2008 holiday season. Stay tuned for more details.

[via IGN]

The gizmo attaches to your iPod, adding full recording capabilities, including dual XLR and 1/4-inch channels, so you can hook up just about any microphone or audio source you’d like. There’s even a built-in microphone for quick-and-dirty podcast efforts, as well as a speaker for playing back your creations on-the-fly

The Podcast Studio is scheduled for released this June. [For an iPod recorder with a full mixing board built in, be sure to check out Belkin's TuneStudio, announced about this time last year.]

[via Gizmodo]

Brooklyn artist Donna Jo Bradley offers these audio-inspired lamps on her Etsy shop. The lamps come in two versions: THE STAR features a white body with gold mesh, while THE CLASSIC is all black. Each $150 fixture comes with a 15-foot cord and ceiling-hanging kit.

I was over on Amazon earlier today and came across this product listing:

Listing a November 20th release date, the $199 “Rock Band Collection” for the Xbox 360 and PS3 looks like it’s a complete set that includes the game and all of the instruments.

If I’m doing my math right, the bundle should save you about $50 bucks, since the unbundled controllers and game add up to about $250. Purchased separately, the wireless guitar and drum kit are each listed at $79.99, the microphone $29.99, and the game $59.99.

While Rock Band isn’t gonna be the cheapest game to get up and running with, it sure looks like a lot of fun.

[Order this item from Amazon]

The Digital Cowboy CA-K7 media player features the unique ability to remove vocals and a built-in microphone to sing along to your favorite tunes. The player can handle MP3, WMA, OGG audio formats and also has an FM radio built in. Its karaoke feature even lets you adjust key, pitch and echo for your vocals. The CA-K7 features a nice 1.8″ color display, and comes in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB versions.

I haven’t managed to find a U.S. importer for this player, but you can pick one up for UK importer KJGlobal and have it shipped stateside from there.

[via Akihabaranews]

Thanks to its microphone configuration, the recorder can accurately capture stereo positioning as well as 5.1 surround positioning when you record in 360° 48kHz/24-bit mode. The device can record 16-bit or 24-bit WAV files at up to 96kHz, and MP3 files at up to 320kbps. When equipped with a 4GB SD memory card, it can capture up to 2 hours of the 96kHz WAV files, or up to 138 hours in MP3 format. You can record for about 4 hours on a single set of AA batteries, or plug it into the included AC adapter for longer sessions.

The H2 includes a 512MB SD memory card, USB cable and a handy tripod stand. It should be available later this Spring for around $200.

[via PopSci via OhGizmo!]