Electronica artist Moby has announced more free music at mobygratis.com – his free music site for indie, student & non-profit film-makers:

today we put up my last album, ‘wait for me’ (which features prominently in academy award nominated ‘waste land’, as well as paul haggis’ last movie ‘the next 3 days’) on mobygratis.

so if you’re an independent or student or non-profit filmmaker (or all 3, as the case often is) who needs free music you can now use the songs from ‘wait for me’, as well as the other 100 or so pieces of music up on the site.

free music for indie, student, and non-profit films.

mobygratis offers ‘film music’ for independent and non-profit filmmakers, film students, and anyone in need of free music for their independent, non-profit film, video, or short.

Zurich-based photographer Micro Wilhelm discovered the dark side of the cloud today when he tried to log into his Flickr account and found that his account, and 5 years of his photos, no longer existed:

He contacted Flickr about the issue, and their response added little to the “Oops!” message above:

Unfortunately, I have mixed up the accounts and accidentally deleted yours. I am terribly sorry for this grave error and hope that this mistake can be reconciled. Here is what I can do from here:

I can restore your account, although we will not be able to retrieve your photos. I know that there is a lot of history on your account-again, please accept my apology for my negligence. Once I restore your account, I will add four years of free Pro to make up for my error.

Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do.

Again, I am deeply sorry for this mistake.

With all types of new media, it’s tempting to rely on cloud-based services to store your audio, video, photos and blog posts. Most of the services are free and help you avoid the technical hassles of building your own site.

Wilhelm’s experience is a reminder that your cloud-based media is an “Oops!” away from getting nuked.

At the 2011 NAMM Show, German audio specialist Sennheiser presented their new MK 4 large-diaphragm true condenser microphone. This cardioid microphone is the company’s first large-diaphragm side-address microphone and, according to company spokesmen, “focuses on giving the best possible sound quality rather than technical extravagance.”

The MK 4 was developed for professional users in project studios, but is equally suited for other recording environments, and is tough enough for use on stage. With a retail price of $299, it is also affordable for home recordists, podcasters and musicians.

“In the development of the MK 4, we invested every euro in getting the best possible sound,” explained Product Manager Sebastian Schmitz.  “We focused on the key elements of a good studio microphone to ensure that we can offer the MK 4 to our customers at an attractive price.”

Splice is an alternative video editor for the iPhone 4 that comes in a free, ad-supported version and a $1.99 ad-free version.

Splice lets you create and edit videos from start to finish via your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Features Include:

• Simple, easy-to-use ‘drop-and-drag’ features for assembling video clips and photos
• Splice Store with hundreds of sound effects, music tracks and borders that can be purchased to enhance your videos
• Time-saving multi photo/video picker for adding new content to the timeline
• Control and mix for multiple tracks of audio
• Intuitive and easy to use time line
• Precise synchronization of music tracks, sound effects and a narration track

Details below. If you’ve used Splice, leave a comment and let us know what you think of it!

From the 2011 NAMM Show: Blue Microphones has given a sneak peek at its new Reactor mic, which is coming to market this spring. A multi-pattern, large diaphragm condenser microphone, the Reactor “pushes the envelope” of microphone design in its functional versatility, sound and aesthetics.

Reactor combines Blue’s large-format capsule technology with an innovative approach to professional multi-pattern flexibility in this microphone. Reactor unites an innovative pattern selection method with a swiveling capsule head for precise positioning. Featuring Blue’s premium condenser capsule and proprietary pre-amp circuit, Reactor allows for noiseless live switching between the three distinct patterns (cardioid, omni or bi-directional).

The noiseless, live pattern switching capabilities allow the Reactor microphone’s sound to be tuned to specific uses such as full and present vocals, warm guitar acoustics, even capturing the room frequencies of drums.

Featuring an innovative swiveling design, Reactor’s capsule head rotates fluidly across a 90 degree range. Facilitating ease-of-use in multiple mic setups such as Mid/Side or X-Y recording, Reactor’s swivel head allows for accuracy and fine-tuning of setup geometry and microphone tone. Reactor’s recording pattern selection features a LED-backlit pattern indicators and a unique magnifying optic.

Reactor comes with a coordinated carrying case for protection and storage, along with a custom-tailored shock mount. A custom pop filter will complete the recording experience. The suggested retail price for Reactor is $499, which is expected in stores Spring 2011.

Forget the statistics – you know podcasting is mainstream when the staff of NBC’s The Office start working on a podcast.

In a series of shorts on the NBC site, Gabe has the idea to start an office podcast.

Parts 2 & 3 below.

Pope Benedict, in celebration of the Vatican’s annual World Day of Social Communications, today issued a message inviting Christians to “join the network of relationships” made possible by the digital era.

Benedict says “the truth of Christ is the full and authentic response to that human desire for relationship, communion and meaning,” which is reflected in the popularity of social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

While Pope Benedict himself is still in practice a fully analog communicator, said to write out his missives in longhand, the Vatican under his leadership has managed to dabble in new media over the past few years, including the launch of a YouTube channel , a Facebook app, and a website.

The Pope suggests that Catholics should:

• Make good use of their presence in the digital world;
• Not merely take part in social networks, but “contribute to the development of new and more complex intellectual and spiritual horizons, new forms of shared awareness;”
• Engage in respectful and sensitive dialogue; and
• Witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel.

What do you think of the Vatican’s stance on participation in, and use of, social networks?

Do you think other religious leaders take positions on the use of social networks and new media?

Science fiction author Bruce Sterling, speaking at the Vimeo Festival & Awards, offers his take on the future of video and on ‘vernacular video’.

Along the way, Sterling hits on the loss of prime time and mass audiences.

At the 2011 NAMM Show: Olympus has unveiled its compact new LS-7 “pocket” linear PCM audio recording device.

At just 4.4 inches and weighing 3 ounces, the LS-7 fits is about the size of a candy bar, and fits into a pocket, but can record uncompressed 24 bit/96kHz linear PCM audio in WAV, MP3 and WMA formats using either its internal mics or by plugging in an external mic. The recorder should be available for purchase around March 1, with a suggested retail price of $199.

Equipped with a generous 4 gigabytes of internal flash memory, the LS-7 has the capacity to grab lengthy, uncompressed PCM recordings. It also features a microSD removable media card slot. The LS-7 operates on two rechargeable AAA batteries. An optional RS-30W Wireless Remote enables users to start and stop the recording without touching the unit [a nice feature for live gigs].

The LS-7 employs two condenser stereo mics and a center, omni-directional mic capable of capturing lower bass ranges as low as 20Hz. The 45-degree outward positions of the two condenser mics enable users to record with wider stereo sound.  In addition, the LS-7 can play back audio on its built-in speaker. Finally, the LS-7 features a switchable low-cut filter that enables users to eliminate low-frequency sound from 100Hz and 300Hz.

Another cool feature of the LS-7 which I had not seen before in a portable digital recorder is voice guidance, whereby the recorder can provide audio menu prompts for users with assistive needs. This helps the user operate the device without needing to see the menus or buttons.

In addition to Olympus Sonority software, the LS-7 is packaged with a USB cable, windscreen, carrying case, two rechargeable AAA batteries, strap, an instruction manual and Olympus warranty card. Optional accessories for the LS-7 include the infrared RS-30W Wireless Remote, WJ2 Wind Jammer and A514 AC adapter.

See more product specs and pictures at the Olympus site.

Delora Software has introduced a new wireless iPad MIDI Controller for GarageBand, gbTouch (App Store link).

The app lets you control the major functions of GarageBand wirelessly. This could be useful for podcasting, especially if you want to set up your recording space away from your computer, for sound isolation or other reasons.

gbTouch is $4.99. Details below.