McDSP Retro Recorder: Retro Look, Retro Functionality, Digital Advancement
Writers, reporters, singers, musicians, and even doctors have all loved those microcasette recorders (and lord knows doctors don't love anything). The appeal is obvious: at the push of a button, you get instantaneous recording that captures everything from your spoken thoughts, singing and musical aspirations, interviews, or those attempts in trying to record conversations that could put somebody in trouble (such as yesteryear's equivalent of today's sex videos. . .i bet you never equated Watergate and Paris Hilton before). Of course, recording resolution sucks with these units but back then, who would care anyway? It's not like you'd record your hit single on that thing. Most of today's handheld digital recorders, despite being capable of high resolution recording, look nothing like the old microcassette recorders and can be very confusing to use (a fact that turns off some users of handhelds, especially the "living fossils" of today). It's a relief though that since the advent of the iPhone, merging digital recording and analog handheld functionality has manifested as the McDSP Retro Recorder.
The Retro Recorder is an iPhone application which simulates the functionality of analog microcassette recorders while offering the highest resolution possible up to 22.05 kHz. With McDSP's patent pending Audio Level eXtension (ALX) technology, the Retro Recorder can capture up to 32 times more signal level that today's handheld recorders could only dream of achieving, ensuring an unparalleled level of detail among handhelds. Recorded files can be exported individually or in batches and can be downloaded into a PC or Mac via WiFi networking.
Feature Highlights:
- Up to 30 dB (32 x) more signal level with ALX technology
- Instant audition ALX processing during playback (original recording is preserved)
- WAV format export (both original and ALX processed files)
- Batch rename, delete, and export
- User interface rotates 180 degrees for better iPhone microphone orientation when recording
- External microphone support
- Record short ideas or lengthy meetings for hours, even in sleep mode
- Pause, fast forward, or rewind signals during playback
- Filter list of recordings by keyword to find your recording fast
- Recorder page allows quick review of last clip recorded
- Supports mono signals only, up to 22,050 Hz sample rate
Unless you're into LoFi recording, this iPhone plugin is not suitable for creating your demos as the resolution is below CD quality. The best use you'll have for it is to record those ideas down fast, whether a sudden flash of inspiration causes you to spew out lyrics or a catchy guitar riff. It's use is more suitable for recording interviews, dictations by physicians, court transcription, and other similar purposes. However, the simplicity of use, the price tag of $2.99 (costs a lot lower than most handheld recorders) as well as a nostalgic interface will appeal to your "retro"/analog and practical sensibilities. Just don't expect to do stunts like hiding your iPhone/recorder inside your jacket or trench coat like in those detective movies.
Retro Recorder Audio Clip Contest
Howdy all gear wire readers, grumpy doctors, Watergate ex-cons, and maybe Paris Hilton...
Got an audio clip that shows how awesome ALX processing is? We'd like to hear about it. Literally. Send us an audio clip recorded with Retro Recorder! If we use it on our web site, we'll give you a $25 gift card for the Apple iTunes store. If you also write a review for Retro Recorder and we select your submission, we'll increase the gift card value to $50.
And Retro Recorder is on sale for a limited time as well!
Head to www.retrorecorder.com for more details.
Colin McDowell
PS-> Retro Recorder actually DOES do stunts like recording from your jacket pocket. True story from our growing user base!!!
ALX Processing = Audio Zoom in capability
Howdy all again,
Recently I was asked if the ALX feature on Retro Recorder was similar to the digital photo zoom in features in iPhone apps like Camera Genius and Camera Zoom-In.
In a word, YES !!!!
With ALX, Retro Recorder is the only iPhone recorder app that offers a distortion free audio zoom in (level maximization) capability. You can still export your original and/or ALX-processed recordings to your Mac (ok a PC too).
So ALX is like a volume control? Nope. A simple volume control could cause the audio to clip, creating so much distortion the recording would be useless. ALX uses patent pending techniques to turn up the quiet stuff and balance it out with the loud stuff.
So, in my completely biased opinion, Retro Recorder is perfect for field recordings, interviews, dictations, your kids first words, and even music.
You can find out more about Retro Recorder at www.retrorecorder.com.
Thanks!
Colin McDowell
Retro Recorder Sale Ends September 8th 2009
Howdy all,
Retro Recorder has been on sale for a few weeks, but the sale is ending Sept 8th. We're about to release a version that has mono and stereo recording capability, and supports multiple recording quality modes - medium quality (MQ / 22050 Hz sample rate), and high quality (HQ / 44100 Hz sample rate).
There are a couple of other cool updates to it as well.
If you have been considering Retro Recorder, the $1.99 price is going to around through Sept 8th. After that, we're bumping it back up to $2.99 or $3.99.
Now you know!
Colin
9/3/2009
Retro Recorder - Update
Howdy again,
the latest version of Retro Recorder is now on the app store. Stereo recording, multiple quality modes, and other good tweaks are a download away.
This is a free update!
If you have not picked up Retro Recorder yet, it is still only $2.99 for the time being!
Colin
9/17/2009
Retro Recorder - new cool trailers
Howdy all,
the marketing department had some fun. Check it out on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/user/RetroRecorder
...just trying to show you folks what the patent pending ALX processing can do !!!
Colin
9/25/2009
McDSP for VST?
Colin, when are you guys going to go VST?
VST ? - sorry AU first
Hello Robin,
sorry but the first porting effort is for Audio Units. Hope to have some done at the NAMM show. Pending that project, we will then consider you VST folks.
Just keep on letting us know you're still interested in VST versions is the best thing you can do!
Colin
10/5/2009
Retro Recorder is the #3 business app in Apple App Store...
Howdy folks,
As of today the McDSP Retro Recorder iPhone app is in the #3 spot in the business app category.
Thanks to all iPhone app craving folks everywhere!!
Colin
11/5/2009
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