Month: February 2023

Insta360 Studio Update Brings Easier Editing Experience on Desktop

Posted by Jakub Han on in 360 Video, app, application, desktop app, Gear News, Insta360, Insta360 Studio, Post Production, Software, software update, update
Insta360 Studio has received a new update today that makes importing, editing (such as reframing 360 movies with keyframes), project management, and exporting easier. The desktop app, available for both Windows and macOS computers supports also M1 Macs and it is available now for free to use with Insta360 ONE R, ONE X, ONE X2, and GO 2. Last month, the Chinese camera manufacturer Insta360 updated its mobile app to offer a cleaner shooting interface, smoother editing with new templates in FlashCut, an updated export page with faster exports, and the possibility of using more songs in one video. Today, the desktop app – Insta360 Studio – is also getting a new version. Let’s take a look at what has improved.

Insta360 Studio Update

The Insta360 Studio is a desktop editing software designed to be used with Insta360 cameras such as ONE R, ONE X2 (check our first-look-review here), GO 2, and ONE X. It is available for Windows and Mac OS computers, and it also offers full compatibility with M1 Macs.
New Window on Keyframes. Source: Insta360
The new update focuses on simplifying four main areas of the app workflow:
  • Import. After connecting an Insta360 camera to the computer, the Insta360 Studio will automatically recognize the camera and prompt users to select individual files or import all files saved on the SD card. Once imported, the files will now appear in a sidebar on the left of the interface with three different preview options, including a new thumbnail preview option for a large view of each file’s content. Users can also filter the files by saved location and favorite files for easier access.
Thumbnail Preview on Timeline. Source: Insta360
  • Edit. Reframing 360 footage with keyframes should now be easier according to Insta360. When users click the timeline to add a keyframe, a new window will pop up showing options to adjust the pan angle, tilt angle, roll angle, FOV, and distance. The video timeline has also been revamped, displaying a thumbnail preview when hovering over the timeline. Buttons for tracking targets (Deep Track), adjusting the video speed (TimeShift), and adding motion blur are now easier to find. Last but not least, users can undo operations by clicking the undo icon or pressing ⌘Z, as well as redo operations.
Project Management. Source: Insta360
  • Project Management. On the right sidebar, a new “Project Management” panel is available for editing and saving different versions of the same raw files simultaneously. Users can both clone an edited video or start a new project from the raw file.
  • Export. With the new version of the Insta360 Studio, users can now save their preferred export settings (e.g. resolution, bitrate, and encoding format) as a preset for easier access in the future. The exports can now also be added to a queue, so the edits can be exported together all at once.
Video Export Settings. Source: Insta360

Price and availability

The new Insta360 Studio update is free of charge. The latest version of the application can be downloaded directly from the Insta360 website. Do you use Insta360 cameras for your work? Do you have experience working with the Insta360 Studio? How do you like the new updates? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.

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Future Moments Releases Mobile Audio Production Apps for macOS

Posted by Yaroslav Altunin on in Audio, audio mastering, Gear News, multitrack, smartphone audio

With the release of the M1 chips on Apple’s new lineup of computers and laptops, the app world seems to perfectly blur the line between mobile and desktop. A company comprised of musicians and engineers didn’t want to wait any longer. This week, Future Moments released their mobile audio production apps for macOS. Let’s see what these literal rockstars and electrotechnical engineers have cooked up for us creatives.

Founded in 2015, Future Moments creates iOS/Android (and now desktop) apps for musicians, filmmakers, podcasters, and voiceover artists. Whatever audio-oriented content you need a tool for, they probably have it. But today, Future Moments is offering three of their mobile apps for macOS on M1-based Macs. And the best part, all this for FREE – as long as you already have the mobile version. MicSwap Multitrack, AudioMaster, and VideoVerb Pro for iOS are now also available to Mac OS users at no additional cost and will automatically be available for download via the App Store. Content creators who rely on mobile devices as part of their workflow, as well as desktop post-production, will find this a welcome addition to their toolkit.

MicSwap MultiTrack

MicSwap MultiTrack is a multitrack recording studio you can use on your phone. And now on your desktop apparently. It enables musicians, podcasters, voiceover artists, YouTubers, and filmmakers to record audio onto separate tracks. Additionally, different microphone models can be added to each track, as well as pan, reverb, and delay. This adds better separation between instruments or voices and ensures a great mix. Here’s a tidy list of all the features:
  • Ability to use standalone. Or with an external mic or interface
  • Record using 20 different microphones models for different sounds
  • Gain adjustment on any microphone
  • Pan or change the volume of each track
  • Add reverb or delay to each track
  • Enable/disable live monitoring
  • AudioCopy enabled
  • Record in WAV or M4A
  • Price: $19.99 via the Apple App Store
Users can also mix down projects in the app and send them directly to AudioMaster for instant mastering. What is AudioMaster? I’m so glad you asked. Let me explain.
Mic swap features. Image Credit: Future Moments

AudioMaster

Available on iOS and macOS, AudioMaster provides non-destructive audio mastering for content creators! Any imported audio track can be enhanced with built-in presets or a 6-band equalizer. Users can then export their audio and/or video in whatever size they wish. While it probably won’t mix your next studio album, these are some amazing features to have at the tips of your fingers, on top of being able to transfer projects between your iPhone and Mac. Here’s another tidy list for those on the go:
  • An audio algorithm automatically adjusts levels to provide general sweetening of audio mixes
  • Add reverb or delay
  • Fully adjustable 6-Band Equalizer
  • Ability to adjust the Frequency, Gain and Q to exact numbers
  • Mute audio
  • Ability to save as WAV or M4A
  • Audiobus, IAA and AUv3 compatible
  • EQ Module Bypass feature
  • Non-destructive
  • Price: $19.99 via Apple App Store (a free trial is available)
AudioMaster Features. Image Credit: Future Moments

VideoVerb Pro

The final app in this Future Moments release is VideoVerb Pro. Straight to the point: VideoVerb enables instant high fidelity reverb and delay effects to videos. The UI is simple and clean, allowing creators a no-nonsense approach to import video from any source and choose from a library of presets. Custom reverb creations are also available for those with perfect pitch who need the levels just right. And one final tidy list:
Future Moments - VideoVerb Features
VideoVerb Features. Image Credit: Future Moments

Million Dollar Question

Do you need these apps? You know what, you probably do. The apps themselves offer some unique tools directly on your smartphone. With the release of the iPhone 13 Pro and its professional-grade codec (a little later), it’ll be amazing to have these options available to you. On top of that, all of these apps are then integrated into your M1 Mac, if you have one that is. For under $60 dollars, these tools are a steal. What do you think about these apps? Have you used them? Would you like to see an in-depth review? Let us know in the comments!

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TTArtisan 40mm F/2.8 APS-C Macro Lens Teased

Posted by Jeff Loch on in 1:1 Magnification Ratio, Gear News, Lenses, macro, macro lens, TTArtisan, TTArtisan 40mm F/2.8 APS-C Macro

Chinese manufacturer TTArtisan has just released a teaser of their upcoming lens: the TTArtisan 40mm F/2.8 APS-C Macro. As its name suggests, this lens covers APS-C sensors, it has a 1:1 magnification ratio, and it should come out at an incredible price. So let’s take a closer look at it!

TTArtisan has built its reputation with fully manual photography lenses at incredible prices in less than two years. The company already released a dozen lenses, including the $150 TTArtisan 7.5mm F/2.0, the $98 priced TTArtisan 50mm F/1.2, and the $73 priced TTArtisan 35mm F/1.4. The company has just started teasing their new lens, the TTArtisan 40mm F/2.8 APS-C Macro, with an exciting game: guess how much it will sell for?

TTArtisan 40mm F/2.8 APS-C Macro features

According to this video released by TTArtisan, the 40mm F/2.8 APS-C Macro will be available in various lens mounts, including Sony E, Canon EOS-M, FUJIFILM X, Micro Four Thirds, and Nikon Z mounts. Obviously, the lens will cover APS-C sensors, and that’s probably why there is no Canon RF mount, for example.
Image credit: TTArtisan
This 40mm F/2.8 Macro will have a 1:1 magnification ratio, which should give you a minimum focusing distance of around 15.2cm/6.4in.
In terms of lens design, the lens consists of 8 elements in 7 groups. Also, it has two low-dispersion elements to reduce chromatic aberrations. The front filter thread is 52mm. Like every other TTArtisan lenses, this 40mm F/2.8 APS-C Macro will be a fully manual lens, mainly made of metal.

Price and availability

At the moment, there is no price nor availability info. However, you can guess how much it will retail for and leave a comment on their YouTube video. If you nail the price right, you might get one for free! What do you think about this new TTArtisan macro lens? Do you prefer manual or autofocus macro lenses? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!

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