Seriously useful cables for iPhone, iPad, iPod, micro USB devices and more
May 7, 2012 Leave a comment
Just as I did with the ProJive XLR cable last month, I filmed a quick video showing how easy it is to connect the ProJive Instrument cable to play and record an electric guitar through an iPad, all while sending the audio out through a separate speaker system. See for yourself, then get yours and get-to rockin’!
May 3, 2012 Leave a comment
I have to say, I’m quite stoked to announce that CableJive is now an authorized reseller of Planet Waves cables! Their experience and commitment to quality make Planet Waves a perfect fit for our new Musician’s Gear section, as we look to provide innovative and trustworthy solutions to our music-making brethren. And should you or anyone you know be a guitar player or singer / frontman of any repute, you can pick up our initial offerings right now:
20 ft. long 1/4″ Instrument Cable
25 ft. long XLR Mic Cable
We had some great guitar-related discussions with people at CES 2012. That combined with the early success of our ProJive Instrument and ProJive XLR cables has given us good reason to consider adding in more musician-centric products. We want to provide the best, and most useful products to all you musicians out there, so we’re always open to your thoughts and suggestions. If there’s anything you’d like to see added in, let us know at service@cablejive.com.
September 2, 2011 5 Comments
I’ve gotten a Zune connected to an iPod/iPhone dock in the past, but what seems more compelling these days with the rise of Android is to make an adapter or a cable to get a micro USB device to an iPhone, iPod, or iPad docking station.
Important caveat: it’s technically impossible to provide the same kind of device integration that an iPod/iPhone car or speaker system provides; audio, video, track and playlist control, viewing track information on the car system, etc. Those are things that Apple’s 30-pin docking adapter all have built in, which is why it is so compelling and revolutionary. A micro USB connector can only really charge and sync a device, it doesn’t not have the connections to do all that fancy integration.
I wish there wasn’t this caveat. However, if you’re willing to accept the compromise that Android integration cannot match what Apple provides, but want to at least get something out of that iPod/iPhone speaker or other docking system, there’s a way.
Apple’s dock connector (the 30-pin plug on the bottom of the iPhone, iPod, and iPad) provides many functions. Most Android phones include two jacks; a micro USB connector for charging and syncing, and a standard 1/8″ (2.5mm) audio jack for standard headphones. The pins for these two connectors on Android phones can be isolated on the 30-pin connector and provided for
CableJive’s dockBoss+ adapter cable does exactly this, it lets you plug a smart little adapter onto your iPod or iPhone speaker dock or car system, and provides a micro USB and audio cable so you can charge your Android phone and listen to audio, both through your docking system.
It’s not the ultimate solution, but until Apple decides to open up their proprietary communication system (never going to happen), getting micro USB and audio to connect an Android phone to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad dock at least keeps your phone charged and keep the music playing.
December 3, 2010 Leave a comment
This morning I’m fiddling with a GenevaSound S. It’s a pretty nifty little unit. Smaller than I was expecting, but packs a pretty good punch. Glad to report that the CableJive products work well with this unit. The dockXtender, which has saved the day for so many folks, works like a charm providing audio, charging, and control of the device. So, if you need to dock your iPod or iPhone to the GenevaSound S from a distance or with the case on, dockXtender is your friend.
The dockBoss and Universal Dock Converter also paired up nicely with the GenevaSound S. Seems less compelling since the unit has auxiliary input, but if you had a non-iPod or iPhone device you wanted to USB charge while listening via standard 1/8″ audio, the Universal Dock Converter does just that.
For the size of the unit, the sound from the GenevaSound S is pretty impressive, but not up to snuff for what I’m needing so it’s going back.
November 30, 2010 Leave a comment
4 years ago I purchased a Bose SoundDock, after considerable research, listening, and debating back-and-forth about which speaker was just right for me. The goal was to have a semi-portable desktop speaker system that could be used in the home office and carried around the house when working on various home projects.
That Bose SoundDock has been put through the paces. Besides being used every day for these years now, I hacked it up to get auxiliary input years ago, and it has now been used as a primary testing setup for hundreds of tests on cables for CableJive. At some point I even replaced the docking circuit board because the 30-pin connector had broken and the speakers no longer worked with my iPhone.
I’ve been contemplating a new speaker system, and have recently gone through the paces again listening to the systems set up at the Apple store and other places. These include a few models of Altec Lansing (IMT800 and others), harman/kardon (go+play and go+play micro) , iHome (iP1 and iH5), Bose SoundDock (Series II, portable and 10), Bowers & Wilkins (Zeppelin and Zepplin Mini). Some impressive stuff.
Reading the iLounge 2011 Buyer’s Guide I was intrigued by their “Speaker of the Year” recommendation, the Geneva Lab GenevaSound S, a smaller version of the company’s reputable, high-powered speaker systems. I had heard of these speakers when they were announced at the beginning of 2010 but figured a high-end speaker maker would bring these in at a price point higher than what I consider reasonable for decent desktop sound.
The design is pretty cool, great for desk speakers. Not so sure it would be a great speaker system for carrying around the house to use when painting a room or redoing some drywall. I guess the SoundDock wasn’t a very rough and tough speaker for that kind of stuff either, but I used it anyhow.
There are some great testimonials on the site. It’s hard to ignore something like the Electric Lady Studios in NYC using the larger brother of this system in all of their studio rooms for monitor checks through the production process. That video may be a bit biased, but the facts speak pretty loudly.
Haven’t had a chance to listen in person, not sure if I’ll just trust the reviews and get it on the way or wait for a chance to listen in person to verify. Will keep you posted.
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