Matsumura and company call their invention the Universal Earphones. Their secret is surprisingly simple and inexpensive – a proximity sensor piggybacked on one of the earbuds. As you can see in the picture above, the sensor faces towards the left ear and away from the right ear. If it detects that it’s about 30mm away from the ear, it means that it’s on the right ear. This input causes the earphones to switch the channels accordingly.

But that’s not all. By running a weak electrical current through the ear buds, the Universal Earphones can also detect if it’s being used by one person or shared by two people. If the current is interrupted it means that the earbuds are on separate heads. The earphones will then pump out a mono mix of the audio being played so the listeners can hear both channels at once. Genius! I suggest you put on your own earphones – correctly, of course – when you watch the video below.

That was awesome, save for the creepy synthesized narrator.

[via Engadget]

The problem is that you still can’t strum and hear the notes, so who knows how much this would actually help you play. At $30(USD) it might be worth a look, though you are bound to look odd playing with this in public.

[via Redferret]

While these players aren’t as popular as they once were, turntables are still widely available. But this special player called “Years” by German artist Bartholomäus Traubeck is the first and only one of its kind available in the whole world.

The Years turntable plays the music that takes years and years to compose – and I mean that literally. This unique record player spins cross-sections of tree trunks and translates the arrangement and pattern of the tree’s rings into sweet piano notes.

Traubeck came up with this ingenious record player using a digital camera and hooking the entire thing up with computer software.

He basically took a turntable and modified it so that its tonearm could hold a digital camera and light in place of where the needle usually is. As the thick block of wood turns, the camera scans the the rings for their thickness, growth rate, texture, and overall color tone. This data is then fed into the computer software, which fits the information onto a musical scale. The final result? Sweet music – au naturale.

[via Gizmag]

Craftsman’s press release also mentioned that the tool cabinet has a “built-in power charging station” for up to four devices, so I’m guessing there are four powered USB ports – or maybe even a whole power strip – somewhere on or in it. The Contour Powered Series Tool Storage will be available in the 2nd quarter of 2012. Hopefully mods of the cabinet will come soon after.

[via NotCot via Apartment Therapy]

While there are plenty of dedicated music-making apps for the iPad, the Akai MPC Fly Pad Controller for iPad 2 is an interesting addition to any musician’s arsenal, since it adds tactile pads, while taking advantage of the iPad 2′s powerful brains. It’s especially cool if you want to you to create music on the go.

The controller/case features a double hinge which docks with the iPad, allowing it to sit upright, lie flat, or close – clamshell-style, protecting your iPad for travel.

It features 16 MPC pads and works with the accompanying MPC app, which has a 4-track mixer that comes preloaded with samples and drums. It allows for sampling and composing with sounds using the iPad’s mike, line-in, or from your iTunes library. The app even allows for Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud sharing. Users will also be able to export tracks onto their computers.

The controller is also compatible with pretty much any Core MIDI app, and acts as a charging dock for your iPad when plugged in. There’s no word yet on pricing or availability, but I’m hopeful it will be reasonably priced.

Aside from the iPod/iPhone dock, the I931X can play MP3 files over its two 15W speakers via USB or SD/MMC storage devices or through a device plugged into its auxiliary 3.5mm input jack. It also has an alarm clock function. So hip-hop. Thankfully, it still retains its granddaddy’s AM/FM radio function and headphone and microphone inputs. It can be powered via AC, but like all boomboxes it can also be powered by batteries.

Put on your your fingerless gloves and head to Lasonic’s Veentage to order the I931X Limited for €284 (~$366 USD). Or not; it’s currently sold out but the shop promises to have 50 more units available by the end of January. I’m sure those will sell out fast as well so keep checking that link if you really want your own unit. But if you’re willing to settle for a less shiny unit, you can always get the I931X Classic, which is slightly cheaper at €249-€269 (~$321-$347 USD).

[via Fancy]

No info yet on a price or release date, but perhaps before the end of the year you will be dancing together.

[via Chip Chick]

At CES 2012, the company has rolled out a new turntable called the Duo Deck. It gets its name because not only will it convert your 33-1/3or 45 RPM vinyl records to digital tracks, it also has a cassette player in the back that will convert your 80′s cassette collection to digital too. The deck also works as a standalone turntable and tape player, thanks to a built-in speaker. It even will run on batteries.

The device comes with EZ Converter software and Audacity software to clean up the tracks once they make their way to your PC or Mac. ION didn’t talk price or availability yet, but it should be around $100 or so I’d figure. ION is rarely way out there with their pricing. This may be the best way yet to get those Milli Vanilli cassette and records onto your iPod.

The built-in battery, which must be pretty big, can power the Backyard Blaster for up to 12 hours of use. The whole speaker is supposed to be somewhat rugged, which is good since it will get kicked around a bit at parties. It was made for iPhones and iPods, but other players, including the iPad, will need to use the auxiliary audio input. The blaster even has an integrated microphone from impromptu karaoke sessions.

The Backyard Blaster is being launched at this week’s CES show, and we should know more about a price and release date then.

[via Ubergizmo]

As the story goes, the seller sold an antique French violin to a buyer in Canada using PayPal. The buyer said the label inside the violin was incorrect and filed a dispute with PayPal. Rather than gather some facts or just have the buyer return the violin to the seller, PayPal has had the buyer destroy the pre-WWII musical instrument, because that’s how they apparently like to deal with items they think are “counterfeits.” The proud and equally douchebaggy buyer then emailed the seller the photos of the destroyed instrument.

According to the seller, the violin had been examined by a professional and found to be authentic, and improper labels are common in the old violin business. Now the seller is out the money that PayPal took back and the violin because the seller destroyed it. All I can say to the seller is get a lawyer and sue the buyer and PayPal. Why in the name of all that is good and geeky won’t someone step up and offer the world a viable eBay and PayPal alternative?

[via Regretsy via C|Net]

Granted, this gargantuan device isn’t really a guitar – the head stock is totally decorative – but dammit he’s carrying a whole console and three effects pedals. That’s a recipe for back problems. The gAtari 2600 also has a track switcher in the form of a joystick, although not in the form of the console’s iconic controller. Watch the video below to see cTrix lug the gAtari 2600 around while rocking out.

What an unbelievably crazy idea. I’m sure he could have taken out the console’s parts and ended up with a smaller instrument, but no, he just went for it. Somehow I can’t imagine a PS3 or Xbox 360 guitar looking as cool as this. Check out cTrix’ website for more of his gadgets and music.

[via Topless Robot]

The Yamaha THR5 and THR10 portable amps look like something from the 60′s packed with tubes, but they are fully digital inside. The only real difference I can tell between the two models is that the THR10 is a bit wider and has 5 user banks for storing presets. Both models have stereo sound and they both have the ability to connect to a computer or phone. They have all sorts of VCM effects to mimic different amp types, various pedal effects, and more. They even cast an orange glow inside to mimic old tube amps.

You can use the amps on the go with AA battery power or plug them into the wall outlet. Yamaha is also bundling Cubase AI for recording music, and a software package called THR editor for modifying amp and effect properties. Both of the amps will launch in January here in the States, and pricing is unannounced at this time, though you can already find them in Japan, with the THR5 selling for ¥19,800 (~$254 USD) and the THR10 selling for ¥29,800 (~$382 USD)

[via Uncrate via Wired]

Another tiny music player to enter the market soon is the Kube2. It’s not as thin as the latest generation iPod shuffles, but the company behind it, Bluetree Electronics, has dubbed it as the “world’s smallest touch mp3 player” regardless.

The Kube2 features an aluminum body with a touch sensor to navigate through the screen and menu. A quick swipe will allow the user to switch to the previous or next track. Placing a finger at the top or bottom of the Kube2 will raise or lower the volume, respectively.

And if you’re particular about the look of your Kube2, then you can get some removable sticker skins to customize how it looks.

The Kube2 has a battery life of 6 hours worth of continuous play and charges up to completion in an hour. It’s available in Singapore now with a price tag of approximately $35 (US), and it will be shown off at CES 2012 in January prior to its worldwide release.

[via designboom]

Ministar guitars were created by after extensive research by guitar builder Bob Wiley. He came to the conclusion that the body of an electric guitar can be removed without dramatically affecting the sound of the guitar. Hence, Ministar guitars only have a neck and head. Take a listen, and you be the judge:

In addition to the guitar, each one comes with portable, battery-powered headphone amp so you can practice on the road. They also offer a bass version of the Ministar, if that’s your instrument of choice. Most of the guitars are around 31 inches long, and weigh three pounds, while the basses average 41 inches long, and weigh five pounds. That’ll certainly shave off a bit of weight if you tend to travel a lot with your guitar.

Ministar Guitars sell for between $280 and $350 (USD), and the basses run $300 to $360.

[via designboom]

The shirt has a real working drum machine and a looper. It has 9 different drum kit sounds with 7 sounds each. The sounds include rock drums, “discotek,” jazz, punk, and more. You can record loops of your beats and play them back. The loops can be up to 3 minutes long.

There are seven pads on the drum machine shirt that can app be pressed at once time. The electronics are powered by 4-AA batteries, and are removable to allow the shirt to be washed in the machine.

The shirt is out of stock for the moment, but should be back in stock shortly if you want one. You can order one for $29.99(USD) over at ThinkGeek.

The QuNeo is a multitouch controller, designed by Keith McMillen Instruments, who has been a pioneer in the electronic music world for over 30 years, so this isn’t just some fly-by-night project either. The controller is loaded with input methods, including 16 square pads, 2 rotary sensors, 9 sliders, and 17 switches. But the really cool thing is that the pads are capable of sensing velocity and position of your fingertips. The square triggers sense 127 levels of velocity, X/Y location, and pressure. Each rotary sensor can detect angle, pressure and distance from its center. The sliders support multitouch, so you can set a bottom and top range. This means that each input trigger can provide an insane amount of nuance and creative control.

Underneath the pads are 251 individual multi-color LEDs, which can provide visual feedback as you play. It’s compatible with MIDI, USB and OSC protocols, and can be used with popular music software like Ableton Live. Plus, there’s an open source SDK for the QuNeo, so you can use its sensor date to control just about anything you want – heck, you could even use it as a game or a robotics controller if you’re clever with software development.

Another cool thing is that they designed it to be the same dimensions as an iPad 2, so many iPad stands and mounts work to hold it. And while you might wonder if you could do the same thing on the screen on an iPad itself, there’s still nothing better than actual tactile feedback when playing an instrument. Just like typing on a touchscreen, playing music on one isn’t the most natural thing to do.

The QuNeo is currently raising funds over on Kickstarter to ramp up production, and has already blown through its initial $15,000 goal by over 400%. So it’s definitely being funded. A pledge of $200(USD) will get you one of the first QuNeo controllers, and $240 will get you a QuNeo along with a MIDI expander box if you need to connect it to 5-pin MIDI DIN inputs.

The adapter device connects to your iOS device using the charge-and-sync port, and has a thumbwheel to adjust the input level. This makes the iPad or iPhone perfect for practicing the guitar and it will let you play and record sessions on the go easily as well.

You can pick one of these up right now for $79.99(USD) and record all you want to your favorite music app. I wonder how good tbe recordings sound. If any of you are guitar players let us know how this works if you pick it up.

The MIDI-Moov is a new device from TangibleFX. Currently in the prototyping stages, it’s a small box you can attach to your body or musical instrument to detect motions and use them to control effects. The wireless device acts as a full MIDI controller, allowing you to attach an effect to each X, Y and Z axes of movement. So for instance, leaning forward or backwards could trigger an increase or decrease in the intensity of an effect or sound. The transmitter would then send these signals directly to a remote computer running software like Logic Pro, Cubase or Ableton Live to manipulate sounds in real time. Here’s a demo video of the current prototype in action:

Currently, the guys at TangibleFX are in the early stages of fundraising over on IndieGoGo for production of the MIDI-Moov, but haven’t really nailed down retail pricing for the gadget at this point. A $500 contribution will get you a handmade beta unit, but that seems like a whole lot of coin – especially on a musician’s budget. Still, the idea is cool, and I hope they figure out a way to get the costs down or to apply the same idea to an iOS or Android app at some point.

The Quick Chef Music has a USB port so users can easily swap the music. I don’t have the exact details about this function though, such as the length of the playback or volume control. Below is a commercial for the BGH Quick Chef Music:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

If you found that last bit funny, there are a couple more here. I think BGH should add an alarm clock feature to the microwave oven as well, so you can wake up to both good music and good food. While they’re at it, adding a coffee pot and a mini-fridge would be a good idea. And a toaster. And the kitchen sink. Innovation is easy.

[via Breno Costa's Vimeo channel via Notcot]

Like most headbands, SleepPhones are made of lightweight and washable material and grip around your noggin’ firmly enough so that they won’t fall off without causing discomfort, even if you lie on your side. You can also use them as sleep masks. Or as a headband. Here’s an unboxing and short review of SleepPhones by BWOne:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can order a pair of SleepPhones from Amazon or ThinkGeek for $40 (USD). Or you can make your own if you’ve got the requisite skills. I think if you’re up to Level 7 in sewing you can easily transmute a Common Fleece Headband and Inferior Stock Earphones into a SleepPhone. And if your headband is slotted, add a Gem of Sleep in there and you could sell that baby for about 300 gold.

[via Lifehacker]