Instead of outsourcing narration, Smith chose to voice the story on her own, aiming to preserve the emotional depth of a narrative inspired by real events from her childhood. The decision added authenticity, but also introduced technical challenges, especially since the recording took place in a DIY setup inside her home.

To create a workable recording environment, Smith converted a closet into a makeshift vocal booth using quilted blankets and a simple frame to dampen sound. Her setup included a standing desk, a monitor for reading, and a mic arm with a pop filter, while her computer was positioned outside the booth to avoid unwanted noise interference.

Despite these efforts, background noise remained a persistent issue—until she upgraded her equipment. The turning point came with the use of the AEA KU5A Ribbon Microphone, known for its directional pickup and ability to reject off-axis sound. This allowed her to significantly reduce interruptions from environmental noise like traffic and aircraft.

With the improved audio clarity, Smith was able to focus less on technical issues and more on delivering a compelling performance. The microphone’s ability to capture a warm, controlled vocal tone—even with slight movement—helped create a smoother recording process and a more immersive listening experience.

The audiobook was recorded and edited using Adobe Audition, highlighting how accessible high-quality production has become. What once required a full studio can now be achieved in a home environment with the right setup and tools.

Ultimately, the project reflects more than just a technical achievement. For Smith, recording the audiobook at home offered greater control over how her story was told—turning a personal narrative into an equally personal listening experience.

Unlike traditional wearables like smartwatches or earbuds, this device is rumored to be a compact, circular pin roughly the size of an AirTag, featuring an array of sensors and communication hardware designed to perceive and respond to the wearer’s environment.

At the heart of the concept are dual cameras — one standard lens paired with a wide-angle shooter — giving the device basic vision capabilities for capturing photos and videos or supporting contextual AI features. Nearby audio is picked up through multiple built-in microphones, and a speaker lets the pin deliver responses or alerts without needing to pair with a phone or other display.

Reports suggest the pin’s body will be made from a sleek aluminum and glass design, and it may include a physical button and wireless charging capability, similar to Apple Watch’s magnetic charging system.

Industry insiders say Apple’s project is still in early stages and may evolve significantly before any public release — or might not ship at all — but there’s talk of a possible 2027 launch timeline as the company pushes deeper into generative AI and ambient computing experiences.

This wearable effort aligns with Apple’s broader AI strategy, which also includes plans to upgrade its Siri assistant with more advanced AI features powered by machine learning improvements and collaborations with external AI models.

If it arrives, Apple’s AI pin could place the company directly into a budding category of always-ready AI wearables, competing with similar initiatives from other tech players that are trying to rethink how people interact with artificial intelligence beyond screens and keyboards.

Traditional microphones detect fluctuations in air pressure to record audio, but the new technology uses light and imaging to capture subtle movement on the surface of objects and then reconstructs those visual signals into sound using computer processing.

This approach allows the device to pick up sound even when ordinary acoustic sensors are blocked or dampened, such as by a glass barrier. Early experiments have successfully decoded speech and musical tones from the imperceptible quivers of items like paper cards and leaves when sound waves hit them.

While the technology is currently most effective in controlled lab conditions at short range, researchers hope to improve its sensitivity and portability. Future versions could have practical applications in environmental monitoring, industrial settings, and other situations where conventional microphones are limited by physical barriers

Insta360 launched a new product called Wave, a combined microphone and speaker designed especially for meetings, conferences, and collaborative workspaces. The device blends hardware and AI to enhance audio capture, transcription, and meeting management.

Key Features of Wave

Array of Microphones & Noise Cancellation

Wave is equipped with eight MEMS microphones that can pick up sound from up to five meters away. The system is trained to suppress ambient noise across over 300 different sound types, helping ensure clarity in challenging environments.

Flexible Audio Modes

It supports multiple pickup patterns: omnidirectional (ideal for group discussion), directional, bidirectional (figure-8 mode for interviews), and more. That gives users flexibility depending on meeting format or room layout.

“Floating” Speaker Design

The speaker unit is mounted above a touchscreen, reducing desk vibration interference and improving audio fidelity. This setup aims to reduce echo paths and interference caused by surfaces.

Onboard Storage & Battery Life

The device comes with 32 GB of internal memory, enough to store about 1,000 hours of MP3 audio. A 9,800 mAh battery enables extended recording sessions without needing to recharge frequently.

AI-powered Transcription & Meeting Support

Wave leverages two large language models (DeepSeek and Qwen) to handle tasks like speaker separation, real-time transcription, and automatic meeting note generation. It also pairs with Insta360’s Link 2 webcam so that audio and video stay aligned during virtual sessions.

How Wave Fits into Insta360’s Ecosystem

This release builds on Insta360’s push into AI-enabled conferencing tools. The company already offers hardware in its Connect and Link lines, and Wave complements these by serving as a central audio hub. With the Link 2 webcam integration, the setup can effectively pair visual and audio data in sync, aiming for seamless remote and hybrid meeting experiences.

Outlook & Considerations

Wave looks especially promising for:

• Small to medium meeting rooms
• Remote or hybrid teams needing clear audio and auto-notes
• Professionals who want to avoid juggling multiple devices
• Spaces where acoustic noise is a challenge

By combining a smart microphone, speaker, transcription engine, and user interface in a single unit, Insta360 is betting on convenience and AI-enhanced workflow as differentiators.

While the features are compelling, success will depend on:

• Transcription accuracy in real-world noise conditions
• Battery reliability and hardware durability over time
• Software updates and AI model improvements
• Compatibility with popular collaboration platforms (Zoom, Teams, Webex, etc.)

If the device proves robust in real-world use, Wave could be a solid choice for modern meeting environments looking to reduce friction in hybrid communication.

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Bella Shmurda recently opened up about the gear that’s become a quiet cornerstone in his creative process: the Rode NT1 microphone. In a conversation featured in It Goes to 11, he explained that this microphone does more than just record sound—it helps him feel at ease in the studio.

According to Shmurda, the Rode NT1 captured his soaring vocal range with seamless clarity, but its impact went beyond technical performance. The mic’s simplicity and consistency—qualities that are easy to overlook—help calm his nerves and bring out his best performances. “When I use this mic, I don’t feel tense,” he shared.

This choice reflects an often‑underappreciated reality in music production: the emotional interplay between artist and equipment. The right piece of gear can play a role in shaping not only sound, but also the performer’s mindset. For Shmurda, knowing he can rely on a mic that feels intuitive—and moves effortlessly from session to session—has become invaluable.

The segment with Bella Shmurda is part of the GRAMMY.com series It Goes to 11, where artists discuss the tools that resonate most deeply with them, whether it’s a guitar, synthesizer, vocal preamp—or, in this case, a microphone.

Royer Labs has debuted the R‑12 active ribbon microphone, designed for both live performances and studio tracking. This mic retains the same 2.5‑micron direct‑corrugated ribbon element as the acclaimed R‑121, capable of managing sound levels up to 160 dB at 1 kHz.

Unlike passive ribbon mics that often struggle with quiet sources, the R‑12’s onboard electronics ensure a consistent frequency response regardless of your preamp or interface. That means you get the warm, nuanced character of analogue ribbon sound with studio-grade output and reliability—without needing expensive external boosters.

Key Features at a Glance

• Phantom‑powered active electronics: Includes an upgraded transformer and preamp to boost output to condenser‑level volume—ideal for vocals and quieter instruments.
• -15 dB pad: Switchable pad drops output to match the passive R‑10, adding headroom for loud sources like drums and guitar amps.
• High‑pass filter: Reduces low‑end rumble and proximity effect when close‑miking, sharpening clarity on vocals and speakers.
• Built‑in protection: Internal shock-mount isolation and triple-layer windscreen safeguard the ribbon from handling noise, plosives, and wind bursts.

Practical Applications

This mic isn’t just another ribbon—it’s built for real-world versatility:

• Rock guitar cabinet close-miking, matching performance to the R‑10 but with more flexibility.
• Capturing vocals, acoustic instruments, brass, piano, organ, drums, or percussion with a single tool.
• Plug-and-play ready for engineers who want ribbon warmth without wrestling with low output or complex gain staging.

Pricing & Availability

The R‑12 comes in a rugged hard case, priced at $899, while a matched stereo pair is available for $1,849. Royer expects it to hit the market by late July 2025.

In Context: Royer’s Ribbon Heritage

Royer Labs has been a driving force in ribbon mic evolution since the late 1990s. The R‑121 revolutionized the medium with rare-earth magnets and a patented offset ribbon design, while the company introduced the first phantom-powered ribbon mic in 2013. Hand-built in the USA, Royer’s products (including the R‑10, R‑121, and R‑122) are staples in studios and on stages worldwide.

Researchers are raising concerns over a subtle but potentially serious form of bias in the hiring process: the impact of microphone quality during virtual interviews. According to recent findings, audio quality can influence how competent and hireable a job candidate appears, regardless of what they actually say.

The study, conducted by a team of behavioral scientists and audio engineers, simulated job interviews using a mix of high- and low-quality microphones. Participants who listened to the recordings consistently rated candidates with clearer, crisper audio as more confident, articulate, and qualified—even when all candidates gave identical responses.

“What’s troubling is that candidates may be judged not by the strength of their answers, but by the sharpness of their sound,” said one of the lead researchers. “A poor-quality microphone can create a perception of unpreparedness or lack of professionalism, even if the candidate is highly qualified.”

The findings come at a time when virtual interviews have become a permanent fixture in hiring practices, especially for remote or hybrid positions. While most companies invest heavily in reducing bias in recruitment, many overlook the technical conditions under which candidates are assessed.

Experts warn this could disproportionately disadvantage applicants who can’t afford high-end audio equipment or those in regions with unstable internet access. In essence, the tech gap may now be shaping career opportunities in subtle, invisible ways.

To mitigate this issue, researchers recommend that employers standardize interview formats, offer guidelines for virtual interview setups, or conduct voice-only assessments through uniform platforms. Some even suggest integrating AI tools that neutralize audio quality to create a level playing field.

As virtual hiring becomes the norm, this study serves as a reminder: when evaluating talent, what we hear may be just as biased as what we see.

Pop icon Lady Gaga faced a momentary microphone malfunction during her headlining Coachella set on April 18, 2025, but what could’ve been a glitch turned into a showcase of professionalism and showmanship.

Midway through her performance of “Abracadabra,” Gaga’s wireless headset microphone began cutting in and out. As the opening lyrics drifted into silence, fans initially worried — only to see her adapt instantly.

She pivoted to a handheld mic without missing a beat, continuing the choreography and maintaining vocal flow. Moments later, she was back in full swing with a new headset.

Switching mics on stage can disrupt even seasoned performers, yet Gaga managed it with ease:

• Seamless transition: Mid-song, she grabbed the backup mic, balancing it with her cane and choreography in hand.
• No pause, no blemish: Her hand-eye coordination was on display as backups were swapped under spotlights.

Social media exploded with praise, calling it “a masterclass in live performance.”

Later in the set, while playing the piano, Gaga addressed the incident directly. She quipped,

“I’m sorry my mic was broken for a second — at least you know I sing live. I guess all we can do is our best, and I’m certainly giving you my best tonight.”

That line became the evening’s defining moment, emphasizing her genuine, live performance amidst a festival known for lip-synced hits.

This was Gaga’s second Coachella weekend headlining gig—her first since stepping in for Beyoncé in 2017. Despite the early hiccup, she delivered a two-hour set that blended fan favorites (“Judas,” “Poker Face”) with new tracks from her album Mayhem.

The Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA) held its kickoff call in early March and presented the organization’s logo, goals, and plans. Formed by Shure, the organization is composed of more than 60 members, including end users, content creators, live-production-services providers, equipment manufacturers, and other stakeholders.

During the kickoff, WMSA members also provided comments and feedback to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its “Delete Delete Delete” public notice. The comments addressed and provided evidence as to how the requirements were believed by members to be “disproportionately burdensome, unnecessary, or in need of reevaluation.”

Aside from convening with the members, Shure President/CEO Chris Schyvinck, Chief Legal Officer Eric McAlpine, Global Head of Spectrum and Regulatory Affairs Prakash Moorut, and Market Development Manager Ben Escobedo also met with various FCC officials, which included CC Chairman Brendan Carr; FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, and FCC Office of Engineering & Technology (OET) Acting Head Ira Keltz among others, to discuss with them the importance of ensuring access to the TV-UHF band for wireless microphones.

Henry Cohen, CP Communications Director, Spectrum Affairs, was also present to expound on what spectrum coordination is, as well as its use in wireless audio devices at the 2025 Super Bowl.

WMSA is advocating for ensuring and maintaining access to the RF spectrum that allows numerous events to operate smoothly while using wireless microphones. The organization also pointed out the importance of preserving the spectrum as multiple industries rely on it to successfully produce and operate events.

WMSA is calling for individuals interested in their cause to register with the organization to join in with their efforts.

Transform your home into a one-of-a-kind karaoke and entertainment hub with Samsung Electronics and Stingray Karaoke. Owners of select 2025 Samsung AI-powered Smart TVs will be receiving a free six-month trial of Stingray Karaoke, giving them access to more than 100,000 licensed songs that include today’s chart-topping hits, as well as classics.

Any karaoke system isn’t complete without a microphone, and while Samsung didn’t bundle one with their Smart TVs, fret not, for the answer is right in the palm of the user’s hands. The Samsung SmartThings app can turn any smartphone into a microphone, bringing a high-quality karaoke experience into any home. The SmartThings app ensures that the voice is “perfectly mixed in real-time” and has no sound delays.

Maya Harris, VP & Head of Strategic Partnerships for Samsung’s TV & Mobile Services, stated, “Samsung Smart TVs are dynamic entertainment hubs providing tremendous value and access to an ever-expanding ecosystem of experiences. The seamless mobile microphone integration with SmartThings is a brand-new innovation that allows trailblazing partners like Stingray to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment on Tizen, delivering even more immersive and accessible experiences that bring people together in new ways.”

President, Co-Founder, and CEO of Stingray Karaoke, Eric Boyko, said, “Partnering with an industry leader in Samsung has allowed us to create a unique and accessible karaoke experience that takes entertainment technology to new heights. As we continue to innovate and expand our offerings, we remain dedicated to delivering exceptional innovations to audiences worldwide.”

Stingray Karaoke on Samsung Smart TVs is powered by Tizen OS. The free trial offer is redeemable from the day of purchase until December 31, 2025. To redeem the free Stingray Karaoke offer, simply select the Samsung Daily+ icon on the Samsung TV Smart Hub and launch the app. Owners of 2023 and 2024 Samsung Smart TVs may also avail of a one-month free trial.