Three Mac installations... two fails.
I installed Airdroid ( AD ) ( 2016m08d08 ) on two Mac laptops and a Mac Mini. When I invoked AD on two of the Macs the application quit unexpectedly.
When installing on each failure I got a cryptic message indicating that access to Developer tools was required. This is NOT mentioned in the installation procedure. I imagine there is something wrong with the downloaded installation package or with my laptops.
I am running Kaspersky Virus scan on my laptops to determine if a virus is the problem.
I installed AD successfully on Samsung Avant Galaxy Android smartphone. 2016m08d08
I installed AD successfully on a WIN10 laptop. ( Leviathan )
I have not found adding devices easy to do. In over 24 hours I have failed to add even one device.
I am trying the Premium version of AD for one month ( $2 ) ( $38 for two years ) I find Premium very confusing.
Changing accounts is quite a chore. I installed AD on a Samsung smartphone and it assumed ( for me ) that I would like to use my google account information. It was wrong. Now I have wasted much time trying to change my account to one *that I want*. Uninstalling AD requires a password ( which I do not have ). This I do not like.
So far I do not like Airdroid. I hope to learn more likeable things about it in the future.
tags: 777airdroid
99guspuppet
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Monday, August 1, 2016
Adding external Microphone to Android tablet or SmartPhone
Many Android devices ( smartphones , tablets, etc. ) are great for filming events and people. You can improve your videos by using an external microphone. The most important part of a typical video is high quality sound. More important than the lighting or focus or .......
I performed most of these experiments on a Samsung Galaxy Avant smartphone circa May 2015.
Choosing a microphone
Many microphones will work with a android device. The key issue is to have a microphone that puts out an active signal ( not to exceed 1 volt ). Some microphones produce an active voltage. Some require a battery ( voltage source ) to do so.
Many computer microphones ( that plug into a 3.5mm jack ) depend on the computer supplying a voltage for operation. See images at the end of this post.
A dynamic microphone produces a voltage without any external voltage sources. I experimented with a AKG-D70-ME.
A condensor microphone requires an external voltage source. I experimented with an un-named condensor microphone I found in my junk box.
Getting the correct adapter cable
You will want to buy an adapter cable with a 3.5mm audio jack with 4 connections on it ( TRRS: tip-ring-ring-shield ). See image at end of this post. There are two versions of this, so make sure to get the correct version. I bought mine at MicroCenter.com for $5. You can get them on eBay. Make sure the TRRS is ear-ear-ground-microphone ( iPhone compatible ) .
Testing your tablet or smartphone
Plug in the adapter cable to the Android device ( headphone jack ). Plug your microphone into the adapter cable. Plug your headphones into the adapter cable. Use an audio sound recorder application. My phone indicated that an external microphone was activated. ( This does not prove the microphone is working. ) Try recording and speak into the microphone. Try different distances and speaking levels. Try windscreens and pop screens. At each test announce what you are testing. Example: " I am 3 inches from microphone .... testing the black windscreen. I am speaking loudly."
Adjusting the sound level
Sound level applications are available at the online Android Apps Store ........ many good ones are free. Using the app you can adjust the sound level of your microphone.
1) by the distance the microphone is from the subject
2) by muffling the microphone with soft foam
3) your microphone may have a signal level adjustment. ( Or you may be rich and be using a mixer )
4) editing the sound later .... using a video editing application. There are many to choose from ( many are free ) I choose to move videos to my Apple MacIntosh to edit.
Avoiding hum and wind noise.
Cables must be shielded. Using a balanced microphone cable is advised.
Putting a pop filter and/or windscreen on a microphone can improve the sound quality. You can make ( DIY do it yourself ) these easily using soft foam or even thick fabric.
=============
Images
Microphones come in a myriad of sizes and shapes. You cannot tell what kind a microphone is just by looking at it.
3.5mm jack on adapter cable
Microphone / Headset adapter cable ( TRRS )
get version compatible with Android and iPhone devices
tags: 777microphone 777android 777camera 99guspuppet
I performed most of these experiments on a Samsung Galaxy Avant smartphone circa May 2015.
Choosing a microphone
Many microphones will work with a android device. The key issue is to have a microphone that puts out an active signal ( not to exceed 1 volt ). Some microphones produce an active voltage. Some require a battery ( voltage source ) to do so.
Many computer microphones ( that plug into a 3.5mm jack ) depend on the computer supplying a voltage for operation. See images at the end of this post.
A dynamic microphone produces a voltage without any external voltage sources. I experimented with a AKG-D70-ME.
A condensor microphone requires an external voltage source. I experimented with an un-named condensor microphone I found in my junk box.
Getting the correct adapter cable
You will want to buy an adapter cable with a 3.5mm audio jack with 4 connections on it ( TRRS: tip-ring-ring-shield ). See image at end of this post. There are two versions of this, so make sure to get the correct version. I bought mine at MicroCenter.com for $5. You can get them on eBay. Make sure the TRRS is ear-ear-ground-microphone ( iPhone compatible ) .
Testing your tablet or smartphone
Plug in the adapter cable to the Android device ( headphone jack ). Plug your microphone into the adapter cable. Plug your headphones into the adapter cable. Use an audio sound recorder application. My phone indicated that an external microphone was activated. ( This does not prove the microphone is working. ) Try recording and speak into the microphone. Try different distances and speaking levels. Try windscreens and pop screens. At each test announce what you are testing. Example: " I am 3 inches from microphone .... testing the black windscreen. I am speaking loudly."
Adjusting the sound level
Sound level applications are available at the online Android Apps Store ........ many good ones are free. Using the app you can adjust the sound level of your microphone.
1) by the distance the microphone is from the subject
2) by muffling the microphone with soft foam
3) your microphone may have a signal level adjustment. ( Or you may be rich and be using a mixer )
4) editing the sound later .... using a video editing application. There are many to choose from ( many are free ) I choose to move videos to my Apple MacIntosh to edit.
Avoiding hum and wind noise.
Cables must be shielded. Using a balanced microphone cable is advised.
Putting a pop filter and/or windscreen on a microphone can improve the sound quality. You can make ( DIY do it yourself ) these easily using soft foam or even thick fabric.
=============
Images
Microphones come in a myriad of sizes and shapes. You cannot tell what kind a microphone is just by looking at it.
3.5mm jack on adapter cable
Microphone / Headset adapter cable ( TRRS )
get version compatible with Android and iPhone devices
tags: 777microphone 777android 777camera 99guspuppet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)