Logitec introduces cross-eyed XY stereo microphones for your Walkman or iPod recording pleasures

The XY technique of placing two mics together, pointing in contrasting directions, gives excellent field separation while eliminating phase problems -- and it also looks pretty cool. Exactly which of those benefits Logitec had in mind when developing the LIC-WMREC03P (for Sony's Walkman) and LIC-iREC03P (for the iPod/iPhone) microphone attachments is unknown to us, but it certainly looks a fair bit more impressive than last year's LIC-iREC01. The devices have a frequency response of 20Hz to 16kHz, sport a pair of simple toggles for adjusting sound levels, offer 3.5mm and USB inputs, and come with a pair of wind socks if things get breezy -- or if they just don't look pudgy enough for you. Both are expected to hit Japan in January, each at an expected price of ¥7,980 (or about $84).

[Via Akihabara News]

Read - LIC-WMREC03P for Sony Walkman
Read - LIC-iREC03P for Apple iPod/iPhone

[Hexydes Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:57PM]

Logitec. Hmm.

[Yolol Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:57PM]

Will this work with Skype (iPod)?
D:

[SHFT Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:59PM]

I like it, hopefuly it works great !!

[Information Central Posted Jul 30th 2009 5:01PM]

Yeah, this is a brilliant design: A giant pod that is secured only by the dock connector. What could go wrong?

[Hackettman Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:07PM]

Looks like the zoom design for their new recorder..... Who owns logitech? Does zoom have a proprietary design or is that simple just an engineering technique? Why am I asking so many questions today?

[htd Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:35PM]

it's probably logitech as it says logitec

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:36PM]

It's a very common microphone arrangement for stereo recording.

[flux73 Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:47PM]

Logitec, NOT "Logitech". Different company. Which is why in Japan, Logitech is called "Logicool"

[ncalsurfer Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:11PM]

I want to buy one, tear it apart and replace mics with xlr inputs so I can use high end mics and full field recording setup.

[yourestillaloser Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:17PM]

Dude- alot of better solutions for you out there. Does the ipod even allow for 24 bit recording? A zoom h4n would be a better solution- there's also a fostex product that has AWESOME preamps (for it's size) but costlier and as big as a brick.

[Information Central Posted Jul 30th 2009 5:00PM]

Thanks for that tip on the H4N. It seems to be the only damned recorder out there that doesn't suffer from some giant design flaw like a lack of XLR inputs or a built-in battery.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:22PM]

Soooo you can use this to record calls on the iPhone, or just record your own voice?

If it has the ability to record calls, I will be picking this up~

[simbr Posted Jul 30th 2009 7:59PM]

The mics wouldn't be pointing *away* from the phone if it was for recording calls.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:26PM]

I could seriously use one of these, it'd be so much less expensive than a DAT recorder

[GC Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:34PM]

is it me or does the font on there look kirfed?

[tomsomething Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:52PM]

I heard it doesn't do too well on coarse beards, though.

[Mel 2 Posted Jul 30th 2009 7:27PM]

I LOL'd.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:52PM]

This is neat, but I don't really see the point of having a mic this good for Walkman or iPod/iPhone... what are you going to record on one of these devices that is important enough to have a crazy pro mic like this?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:13PM]

http://www.tuaw.com/tag/The88/

[arise257 Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:49PM]

As a computer musician: A lot of things. I beatbox my beats before I actually sit down and produce them. The problem is, I get my best ideas when I'm nowhere near my computer. With this, I could beatbox *in stereo*, copy the file into my software and build up from there. Perhaps I want to capture ambient noise from the city as a background sample for the beat. If I take this thing on a walk, I can record anything that interests me.

My point is, this shit ain't for the average Joe Schmoe. Where you could get away with the 30 sec. voice memo on your cellie, a professional needs better tools.

[DaHauns Posted Jul 31st 2009 6:31AM]

@Bakari:

"a professional needs better tools."

Exactly. That's why I'm not really sure about the target demographics of that device.
Is the small gain in portability vs. a dedicated portable recorder (Tascam, Fostex, Zoom, etc.etc...) really worth the (arguable) decrease in quality and usability?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:02PM]

Too bad the angled mic heads don't swivel. The way this is set up would be great for a recording musician, with the mics and iPod screen facing you. You'd be able to see the screen for setting levels and adjusting other controls. But you would definitely want it the other way around if you were recording something as an audience member. In that case, you'd want the screen facing one way and the mics the other.

[yourestillaloser Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:16PM]

Ipod but not iphone? Don't these companies know that if it was iphone compatible it would sell like hot cakes?

Not a Apple fan myself just wondering out loud. Wish I could get something this cool for my pda.

[TPJ Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:28PM]

Uh....from TFA.....

"for the iPod/iPhone"

[yourestillaloser Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:52PM]

Wow- I'm off my game. Still should've but it in the title. Thanks Peet

[yourestillaloser Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:59PM]

I mean "Teep"!

Ahahaha-Jesus!

[Larz Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:30PM]

Looks cool. Are there are versions without the stupid Apple proprietary plug? USB and/or 1/4" 1/8" for example? It says "...offer 3.5mm and USB inputs..." but that says Input not Output.

[idlemind1999 Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:50PM]

no matter what... it looks like a stungun

[Professor Kaos Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:56PM]

Logitec? Differnt company I assume, not spelling mistake, this looks too shoddy to be the work of the real Logitech.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:18PM]

my understanding of this configuration is that the right mic records (and points to) the left channel while the left mic records the right channel. if that's the case, the openings around the sides of these mics would pick up sound from the wrong side.

[simbr Posted Jul 30th 2009 7:58PM]

The openings on the side are the interference tube that help *prevent* it from picking up sound from off-axis (highly directional mics have longer interference tubes, while omnidirectionals have none)

[boonlar Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:27PM]

For a minute there I thought it was a malformed electronic shaver.

[BarkyMcWoof Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:35PM]

Logitec is NOT the same company as Logitech.

[BarkyMcWoof Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:38PM]

Logitec is an Asian company. Logitech, well know maker of input devices and computer speakers, is a Swiss company with a long history and reputation for reliability.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 5:22PM]

they have a really innovative company name...

[NotEd Posted Jul 30th 2009 11:20PM]

Looks like the nose-piece for the Smell-o-Scope on the Futurama.
High tech S**t!

[Eddy Kilowatt Posted Jul 30th 2009 6:36PM]

Meh. For quality recording I'd go to a Zoom. (Love my H2)

Stick to voice memos on the mobile phone. No point trying to make it do everything.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 6:54PM]

so would these be adequate for recording live gigs/concerts?

[HuggyBexar Posted Jul 31st 2009 12:33AM]

Now all we need is a head strap (for our iPods) and feed bag (counter balance) so we can strap it on to every politician to record everything they say, ooh no then they would all look like Hellboy! LOL

[Joshua Przygocki Posted Jul 31st 2009 4:11AM]

wow I'm tired... I misinterpreted the yen sign for a dollar sign... $7980.00 for a mic...

[pwnified Posted Aug 18th 2009 11:34AM]

only 16kHz??? That sucks!