iPod nano - Hit or Miss?

Apple's sexy new member of the iPod family - the iPod nano, has been introduced to pretty much unanimous applause. Critics love it and it would seem that the nano is going to take the crown from the iPod mini as the most popular Apple music player. But how does it compare to the other iPods available? Will it rock your world?

Nano Nano

The original iPod's are hard disk based devices. Available in two sizes at the moment - 20GB and 60GB. They are charged and sync to iTunes, Apple's music library software via the speedy Firewire cable. They can hold thousands of music tracks and also can hold your pictures, which can be shown right on your TV as a slide show. This is the machine that started the iPod generation. It offers supreme audio quality and an intuitive user interface. The new iPod nano uses flash based memory instead of a hard drive. This is solid-state and will consume less battery juice but at the moment is available in the nano as 2GB or 4GB sizes. One of the biggest 'complaints' of the iPod nano, is that it uses USB connectivity. This is a lot slower than FireWire but is more widely supported by PC manufacturers. So it is a double edged sword. FireWire may be unnecessary too, as Flash based memory has slower read and write times than the hard disks in their larger siblings.

Grandmaster Flash

The great thing about Flash memory is the small size and weight. It also has no moving parts. This makes it possible to make the nano slip into your jeans pocket, it also means if you go for a jog, it will not skip or jump like you do. The increased battery life will mean it lasts as long as you do too. This isn't the first flash based iPod, the iPod shuffle was the first Apple music player to shun hard drives. It is cheap and light but does not have a display so you are in the dark. Apple were keen to point out that "Life is Random" though and for me. I could live with that - I like the way that the shuffle feature will create 'surprising' playlists. Combining different genres of music in ways that most DJ's would try to avoid. I still find it amazing how your mood can be influenced by these changes of tempo and subject matter. Yeah - random is good but so is the nano. You can shuffle your nano music too, but if you choose, you can flick through your music library on it's tiny colour screen. It will also hold your images too, so you can show your friends some of your favourite pictures - something you could never do with an iPod shuffle.

Pretty Vacant

The iPod nano also boasts a certain "Wow Factor". It is incredibly small and is another stunning design from the clever Cupertino designers. It makes a regular iPod look like brick in comparison. Which is quite an achievement as the iPod was often bought as a fashion accessory - more gorgeous than Gucci and more voluptuous than Versace. This new Super Model is more waif like than any Rizla-thin cat walk superstar. It also can take more abuse and is cheaper to run. So from a 'lifestyle' point of view the nano is a gem.

More than just a pretty face

The iPod nano introduces some new features to the iPod ifamily. A stopwatch which could be useful training aid or to time hot laps round the car park. World Clock which will keep any jet-set iPod heads happy and in sync and a screen-lock feature, to keep unwelcome grubby fingers from touching your pride and joy. What really sets the nano apart though is the slinky form factor. It sets new standards for music players everywhere. In last months Stuff Magazine, much was written about the latest generation of iPod contenders from Sony and other manufacturers. Hinting that Apple may be losing their golden touch and the new bucks would be fighting for Apple's crown. The nano has sledge-hammered any take-over attempts and shown the world once again that Apple is the real deal, it is the king of music machines, and in the ultra competitive music player market have set new standards of design and wow, that Sony and others can only imitate.

iPod - the musician's choice?

As a musician, I love my iPod. I use a 30GB model. It carries my music collection and is a very useful mixing tool. I can check my mixes in my car and of course using the standard iPod headphones. This is very important as I know that a large percentage of listeners will play my music on their iPod. It's like having a pair virtual Yamaha NS10 studio monitors - almost standard issue for recording studios. I can do several different mixes - different eq and compression, to see which mix is the best and most compatible. The iPod nano could of course be used in this capacity. It lacks a remote connector though, so I can't plug my Griffin iTalk into it to record any song ideas. My ideal iPod would have a built in mic and even line inputs. My iPod pro would record uncompressed audio and would be skinned in brushed aluminium like my Apple PowerBook and Cinema Display.

iPod nano - hit or miss?

Well for me the iPod nano may not be my ideal iPod - but I still want one. It doesn't hold as much audio as my existing iPod- but I still want one. It uses the slower than FireWire USB - but I still want one. The only thing left to decide is which colour - Back in Black would suit me - rock on Apple.

You can buy the iPod nano from the UK Apple Store.

Apple iPod nano

Apple today introduced the iPod nano. Available in two sizes 2GB and 4GB, and in Black or White, this diminutive music player can hold up to 1000 songs or 25,000 photos. Slimmer than Kate Moss on the Atkins Diet it is syncs via a USB interface to iTunes and comes with a dock connector. The iPod nano is available to buy immediately from the Apple Store.

• Holds up to 1,000 songs and full-colour album art
• Only 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27 inches and 1.5 ounces
• Bright 1.5-inch colour LCD display
• Up to 14 hours of battery life⁽¹⁾
• Apple Click Wheel
• Charges and syncs via USB
• Accessory-compatible Dock connector
• Completely skip-free playback
• Works with Mac OS X or Windows 2000/XP
• Plays music, podcasts and audiobooks
• Holds up to 25,000 photos
• Syncs contacts, calendars and to-do lists

Learn more about the iPod nano

Buy the iPod nano from the Apple Store UK

Miglia HarmonyAudio

The HarmonyAudio from Miglia is a 2 input, 8 output audio interface, powered by a Firewire interface. It is simple to use, just plug in to your Mac's Firewire port and your ready to rock. It is clad in a brushed aluminium enclosure and looks good next to a PowerBook G4, G5 and a Cinema Display.

Great for GarageBand

It works fine with GarageBand on both Panther and Tiger. There is no discernible latency and it has a couple of unique, sweet features that separate it from many devices of this type. The first is the SoftClip button, this applies a compressor/limiter effect on the audio being recorded. Which is great for eliminating annoying digital clipping and can be used as a creative effect. The other feature is the 8 outputs. It will drive a 7+1 surround system with 8 mini jack outputs. I didn't try this feature though as I didn't have software to take advantage of it.

How does it sound?

Not bad, the audio is not quite as sweet sounding as my M Box, but the latency is better. One thing I didn't like was the headphone output, it sounded a little thin to my tired ears and could be a little louder.

Read my HarmonyAudio review on Macidol.

Apple GarageBand

Apple's GarageBand music creation software is the easiest way to compose and create music. It is so easy, anybody can use it. You now no-longer need a degree in IT to make music with a computer - just a copy of iLife '05 which comes complete with iTunes, iDVD, iMovie HD, iPhoto and of course GarageBand. Version 2 of GarageBand builds nicely on the original GarageBand app. Bringing new tools and features. Such as 8 tracks of simultaneous recording, music notation, pitch and time tweaking, guitar tuner and an Apple Loop creation tool.

GarageBand Rocks

You don't even need a music keyboard to make music with GarageBand. You can use your existing computer keyboard to compose. You can record audio using your built-in pin-hole microphone to create professional sounding music. It is not a professional app though, some features are deliberately disabled to encourage the pros to invest in Logic Express or the awesome Logic Pro. Yet Apple have cleverly enabled both apps to load GarageBand songs, so that you can master your work in a pro studio or when you are ready to step up to these high end audio applications.

GarageBand Recording

Recording with GarageBand is easy peasy. Just record-enable a track and press record. Simple as you like. You can even plug in external audio interfaces, keyboards etc to get real professional results from the program. I use a Digidesign M Box to record and I am more than happy with the quality of my audio recordings. GarageBand comes with a built in library of Apple Loops, which will speed up or slow down in time with the tempo of the track you are working on. They will also change pitch to suit too.

GarageBand Experience

To say that Apple GarageBand is popular, is like saying Elvis was a singer. Communities of GarageBand users have sprung up to cater for the needs and enhance the GarageBand experience. This is creating an incredible infinite loop of audio creativity. Inspiring and helping musicians of all levels refine and polish their art, to create original music. One such community - Macidol, builds websites for Mac musicians - for free. I started Macidol the day GarageBand was announced, en-fused with such a belief in it that I took a couple of weeks off work to get it off the ground. My faith in GarageBand has been rewarded, we are currently hosting thousands of mac musicians and are No 1 in google for Free iPod Music.

The future of GarageBand

I hope Apple will develop an online jamming feature like NimJam. To allow musicians to jam together in real-time. I would also like a built in sample player and 24 Bit audio export. As it stands, GarageBand is cheap, it comes free on all new Macs and the future of GarageBand is very bright. We are just waiting for the first GarageBand superstar to evolve, to cement GarageBand firmly alongside other groundbreaking musical instruments - like the Stratocaster, Moog and the Portastudio - I predict this little program will go down in history.

Learn more about GarageBand, listen to or download my music

Monster iSplitter iPod Adapter

The Monster iSplitter Mini Y-Adapter for iPod is a superb way of sharing your iPod music. The simple Y adapter makes sharing easy. Plug the single jack into your iPod output or dock, and you can plug two pairs of headphones in at the same time. So you and a friend can enjoy the shared experience of your iPod, just leaving one problem - what are you going to listen to? It is at this juncture that it could all get nasty.

Made for sharing

I find this cable extremely useful. I use it all the time for sharing not only my iPod music, but my PowerBook output, my Digidesign M Box output when recording music and for many other purposes. I have two sets of little iPod speakers, some passive Sony speakers and a Monster iSpeaker. Using the Monster iSplitter I can drive both pairs at once.

Monster Quality

Like many other products from Monster Cable, this is a well designed, well made product, that should last years. It is small, compact and the audio quality is superb. Ideally it is best to use two matching pairs of headphones when using the iSplitter, but it is not essential. Now all you need is a friend to share your music with!

Learn more about the Monster iSplitter Adapter from the UK Apple Store.

Monster iStudio Link

The Monster iStudio Link Cable is a answer to many guitarists prayers. If you want to plug your guitar into your Mac, PowerBook or any mini stereo jack equipped computer the Monster iStudio Link is the bomb.

Perfect for GarageBand

Monster iStudioLink makes it easy to plug in, play and record right away using Apple GarageBand - without the need for complicated and expensive hardware and software. Just plug your microphone or instrument cable into the female end of iStudioLink, then plug the male end into your computers audio line-in /microphone port and you're ready to rock. Suitable for computers with a built in audio stereo mini jack input. Then all you have to do is join MacIDOL and share your original Mac music with the world. iPresents are proud sponsors of the MacIDOL Mac music site.

iPresents still have some of these nifty little iStudio Links available to buy with FREE UK delivery by clicking the following link..iPresents Monster iStudio Link

Monster iCable iPod Cable

The Monster iCable iPod Cable is an elegant way of connecting your iPod to your hi-fi. This 7ft long lead is the best quality cable available to listen to your iPod playlists through your stereo.

Monster Quality

Monster Cable are famous for their quality cables and leads. The cable of choice of musicians and engineers, you can be assured a quality audio connection when you hook up with a Monster Cable. Gold plated plugs ensure reliable trouble free connections and the 7ft long lead is a good length for most users. Twisted pair cabling improves noise rejection and the RCA plugs feature split-tip pin contacts for reliable contact pressure.

Not just for the iPod

The good news is that this cable will work with any stereo mini jack device - like your computer or even a Walkman. So if you are looking for a quality iPod connection, you need look no further. The Monster iCable iPod Cable will provide years of trouble free service and quality audio delivery. If you want to connect an iPod, iPod Shuffle, MP3 player, Walkman, Diskman or your PowerBook or iBook to your home stereo - this is the lead for you. It comes with a pouch for the lead, so you can show it off round your mates too.

Learn more about the iCable from the UK Apple Store

Apple iPod Shuffle

I remember being blown away when I first saw the original Apple iPod 5GB. I really wanted one. Luckily my work gave me a second generation 10GB iPod as a Christmas bonus (now replaced by a 30GB dock model). I carried it everywhere. I like to cycle, and although cycling with AC/DC blasting through your eardrums is not the safest thing you can do - it's one of my favourite pleasures. There is one small problem though. Where do you put your iPod? In a pocket can get restrictive and I thought it unwise to mount one on my handlebars as my bike's road tyres are inflated to 120psi - which makes for a bumpy ride for it's delicate components.

iPod Shuffle to the rescue

The iPod shuffle is available in 2 versions - 512MB and 1GB. I bought a 1GB model, which will hold about 240 tunes. It has no display, so all you can do is skip to the next song, you can't browse like it's larger siblings. Yet this simplicity is it's trump card. Apple say that "Life is Random" and I like that. I like the surprise factor of the random playlist "autofill" feature. I also like it's loud output - it seems louder than my 30GB model. It uses flash memory so there is no delicate battery munching disk drive like the regular iPod, so is great for jogging, cycling and for days on the beach. It's white headphones might attract muggers, but if it happened to me, I would give it to them without a struggle - I would fight to the end to save my 30GB as I keep personal data on it. It comes complete with a lanyard (translation: a piece of string) so you can wear it like a hi-tech medallion man - which is perfect for cycling. It's so light you can forget your wearing it. You can get an armband holder for it too, if you want to look like Sporty Spice.

Sweet Shuffle Sounds

The supplied headphones are OK. They are often slated in reviews but all in-ear headphones vary depending upon who's lug-holes they are residing in. I prefer Sennheiser MX500's and the more retro PX100's which may not have the white Apple buds, catwalk prowess - but will help deter muggers and other pond-life. It really is a great sounding music player. No complaints there. The design is great, unless you have a G3 iMac or clam shell iBook - the usb connector will not fit, without a extension cable - not cool. Also if you want to take it on holiday or on a long trip, you'll need to drag along your computer or buy a wall charger - which then puts the price nearer to an iPod mini.

Californian Cool

Overall it is a fantastic music player and a cheap way to buy an iPod. An extremely portable, back to basics music player made by those clever Cupertino designers.

Learn more about the Shuffle from the UK Apple Store