Bobby O's Top 5 Audio Products Of 2014

There are always a number of new audio products that stand out from crowd, at least for me, and I'd like to solute some of them in my first annual Top 5 Products list. I'm going to list the pieces in no particular order and tell you why I thought they were cool.

SSL XL-Desk - A new console featuring 500 series slots. How cool is that? Of course this concept was no big deal in the 60s and 70s when a number of console manufacturers operated using cartridge modules, but few modules were interchangeable between manufacturers then. Now they are, making the XL-Desk very flexible.

Sample Magic Magic AB plugin - Anyone thats mixing knows that it can be a pain to easily A/B you mix against another. Magic AB makes this easy, since it's a plugin that goes across your stereo buss and allows you to compare up to 9 different songs, as well as loop them at just the right points, and precisely match levels.

PreSonus StudioLive RM - The PreSonus StudioLive console provides a tremendous bang for the buck, but one of the cooler features is how it can be remotely controlled from a laptop or iPad. PreSonus takes this concept one step further with the StudioLIve RM by providing just the I/O and leaving the control to your laptop or a specially built touch sensitive surface. The fewer controls, the less you pay, and it's so cool to use something so futuristic as well.

UAD AMS RMX16 - You might say that the RMX16 was the sound of the 80s in that it was part of the drum sound on so many hit records, especially those coming out of England. Universal Audio released a plugin version of the reverb a few months ago (coded by the original designer of the RMX16) and it sounds so much like the hardware version that it's scary. Just dial in the Nonlinear or Ambience setting and you'll know what I mean.

Blue Mo-Fi Headphones - The world of monitor speakers changed for the better when powered monitors became the norm, and now the same thing may be on the horizon for headphones as well, thanks to the Blue Mo-Fi's. It has three selections - using the built-in amp in the headphones, bass boost, or bypassed so it works like a normal headset. This is another one under the category of, "Why didn't anyone think of this before."

Special Mention: Audionamix ADX Trax - This is the software that so many of us have wanted for so long. It allows you to precisely isolate a vocal from a finished stereo mix, then raise and lower the level as needed. I don't know how they do it, but it's very cool indeed.

These products really caught my attention this year, but there are lots of others that are worthy of inclusion as well. I'm sure you have your own top 5 and I'd love to hear them. What did I miss that was cool?

New Music Gear Monday: Blue Mo-Fi Headphones

Headphone technology, just like loudspeakers, hasn't changed much in about a hundred years, but Blue Microphones is trying to take things to another level with the introduction of its Mo-Fi headphones. The company teased the product as far back as Winter NAMM without actually showing it, but now the Mo-Fi's appear to be finally ready.

So what's different? First of all, the phones have extremely large 50mm drivers, which is the biggest you've ever seen on a pair of headphones. Secondly, they have built-in 240mw amplifiers so you're no longer at the mercy of the headphone amp (which is usually underpowered) that you're plugging in to.

The Mo-Fi's also have 3 settings, which you can toggle between on the right earcup - Off, On, and On+. Off provides a passive mode where they act just like any other headphone, while On+ provides more of a bass-heavy experience for those that find that sort of thing desirable. The amp is powered via an internal battery that is recharged via a mini-USB port, and a charge is good for up to 14 hours.

The phones also have a unique multi-hinged headband design that bends at 6 joints and is unlike any other headphone on the market, and has a removable/replaceable cable.

The Blue Mo-Fi headphones are somewhat expensive at around $350, but if you're going to be spending any amount of time with phones on your ears, why not try something new and different? Check out the Mo-Fi site here, and the video below.

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