You’ll need the enthusiasm as this DIY project is a bit more time consuming then some others. The creator was able to get it done with just a small supply of basic tools. If you have a band saw or a scroll saw, you should be able to knock one out faster. Check out the shade too. It’s brimming with retro Atari cartridge art.

Now how about some paddle controller dimmer switches?

[instructables]

Some specs: Two interchangeable grips (Precision and Wide Load) let gamers select their preferred grip, Save up to five profiles on the mouse’s on-board memory, Built-in weight cartridge holds up to 28 grams of metal weights that gamers can mix and match, Custom-color LEDs let you match your G9x mouse to your personal preference, and the MicroGear Precision Scroll Wheel precise click-to-click scrolling is perfect for weapon selection.

Not bad for $99 if you are a serious gamer.

So many people already own the Shure SM57 and SM58 condenser mics that it made sense for Shure to create the X2u, a $130 adapter that would let people easily use them with their amateur home recording rigs. This isn't about ProTools, which requires its own proprietary I/O. It's for people using GarageBand and other cheapie programs, who just want some way to ease in their vocals and acoustic instruments. It's plug-and-play compatible as an audio input, so it just works. It is bus-powered for easy one-cable connectivity, yet it's got an integrated pre-amp with phantom power, so you won't have to worry about not having enough juice going in. There's a headphone jack on the box, along with a monitor-mix playback dial, for easy latency-free tracking and monitoring.
Supposing you don't have a Shure mic just lying around—Shure built two new microphones—the company's first foray into USB mics—integrating essentially the same circuitry as the X2u. The $200 PG27USB is the multi-purpose mic, with a 20 dB pad for dropping the input level for stuff like drum recording. You can record whatever you want with it, but if you want to focus on voice, the better bet is the $250 PG42USB. It is tuned for singing and voice work, and it has a low-cut switch that drops anything south of 120Hz, meaning any environmental sounds that couldn't possibly come from human vocal chords.

There are a lot of home recording products out there, and a number of USB mics, but to see Shure getting involved, especially aiming product at a lower-price-range amateur-level audience, well, that's pretty damn sweet. Almost makes me want to get the band back together. [Shure]

Shure Unveils New USB Microphones and USB Signal Adapter for Seamless Computer Recording
New Products Connect Personal Recording Enthusiasts With Professional Quality Audio

LAS VEGAS, NV; SAN FRANCISCO, CA; and NILES, IL, January 6, 2009 – At the Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld Conference and Expo, Shure Incorporated extended the Company’s legacy of world class microphones to the digital recording market, unveiling three new products – the PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones and the X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter (XLR is the standard electrical connector for microphones). In recent years, consumers have taken recording into their own hands, creating an explosion of user-generated content. Now, the overwhelming number of low cost options for digital media production means that anyone with a computer and a microphone is a potential recording star, and the demand for tools that enable and encourage personal creativity is surging.

“Shure has catered to the high-fidelity audio cravings of consumers since the introduction of its first stereo phonograph cartridge 50 years ago,” said Mark Karnes, Shure’s Executive Director of Global Marketing. “Back then, we were just listening to music. Today, most of us are not only taking our music with us, we’re also actively involved in creating and recording sound.”

“Given the broad appeal of our new digital recording products, we chose the biggest consumer electronics stages in the country – the Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld – to introduce our highly anticipated answer to the question ‘How can I replicate professional quality audio recording with my computer?’ Our new digital recording microphones and adapter connect seamlessly for personal recording and produce rock star-caliber sound worthy of bearing the Shure name,” continued Karnes.

Shure’s iconic microphones have been used by everyone from Elvis Presley to FDR, and they are still the equipment of choice when high quality sound can’t be sacrificed – such as in Grammy-winning performances and professional broadcasting arenas. Today, Shure is for the first time bringing its legendary microphones to every level of performer and recording enthusiast, including the new breed of aspiring audio enthusiasts that’s proliferating as digital recording takes hold. These content creators need three key factors to produce accurate and high-quality recordings: superior equipment to translate sound; the ability to hear themselves (monitoring); and the ability to accurately adjust monitoring mix. Shure delivers all three capabilities with the new PG27USB and PG42USB microphones and X2u Adapter.

PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones

The PG27USB and PG42USB microphones connect professional-caliber Shure microphones to any USB computer port with “Plug and Play” performance. Excellent tools for multi-track recording, the cardioid condenser microphones feature built-in headphone monitoring with zero latency and monitor mix control, enabling users to instantly hear what they’re recording through headphones and make adjustments on-the-go. Both microphones are durable enough for everyday use and practice, but sophisticated enough for advanced recording by the most discerning artists.

The key difference between the PG27USB and PG42USB microphones is the application for which they were designed:

• The PG27USB features a flat, neutral frequency response for natural reproduction of a wide variety of instrument and vocal sound sources.
• The PG42USB was specifically engineered to reproduce the subtle nuances of lead vocals. The large diaphragm allows for higher sensitivity to clearly reproduce refined performances. The low-cut filter and external shock-mount further optimize performance for vocals.

Other unique features of the PG27USB and PG42USB include:

• Large diaphragm capsule: Provides wider dynamic range, clear highs, and strong lows.
• USB “Plug and Play” Connectivity: Allows the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer goes.
• Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control: Allows control of input signal strength.
• Zero Latency Monitoring: For real-time playback and multi-tracking without disorientation.
• Headphone Jack: For monitoring with 1/8” connectivity.
• Monitor Mix Control: For blending microphone and playback audio.

X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter

The Shure X2u Adapter is a modular accessory that connects any XLR microphone to a computer to create better-than-CD quality recordings. As home recording flourishes, the X2u redefines what amateur musicians and podcasters can do in their homes and on the go. The X2u mimics the sleek, beautiful design of Shure’s iconic SM57 and SM58 microphones and can be used unobtrusively for live and in-studio recording. The X2u’s unique features include:

• USB “Plug and Play” Connectivity: Allows the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer can go (compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X 10.1 or later).
• Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control: Allows control of input signal strength.
• Zero Latency Monitoring: Enables real-time playback and facilitates multi-tracking without disorientation.
• Headphone Jack: For monitoring with standard 1/8” connectivity.
• Monitor Mix Control: For blending microphone and playback audio.
• Phantom Power: For use with condenser microphones.

Pricing and Availability

• X2u Adapter: $129.00 retail [$154.00 MSRP]
• PG27USB: $199.00 retail [$238.00 MSRP]
• PG42USB: $249.00 retail [$298.00 MSRP]

Shure’s PG27USB and PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones and X2u Signal Adapter will be available to consumers in spring 2009 and will carry a two-year limited warranty. The products can be purchased at select retail partners and the X2u will also be available at www.shure.com. Check www.shure.com for a complete list of Authorized Dealers.

We’ve seen our share of DIY projects made from old Nintendo cartridges, but this one is really sexy. It’s what a camera should look like. It will void your warranty, so only do this when it runs out.

But the question remains, could you destroy a Cart of FF III? I’m not so sure I could.

[Technabob]

We’ve seen our share of DIY projects made from old Nintendo cartridges, but this one is really sexy. It’s what a camera should look like. It will void your warranty, so only do this when it runs out.

But the question remains, could you destroy a Cart of FF III? I’m not so sure I could.

[Technabob]

For those who have played Final Fantasy III might think twice about gutting their precious relic from the past, but apparently this guy has no second thoughts about ripping up his copy since he never played the game and got immersed in it. What makes this cartridge so special? Well, he has merged it with a Sony point-and-shoot digital camera, where the innards of the camera has been retro-fitted into the hollowed out cartridge perfectly. It is a pretty good looking project, I must admit, but do this only if you have already voided the warranty on your camera and use this as a spare instead of your primary shooter.

Permalink: Famicom Cartridge Turned Into Digital Camera from Ubergizmo (US, FR) | Good deals | Hot: CES 2009, Jan 6-11

I’m not sure I could bring myself to gut a copy of Final Fantasy III, but goteking, the modder behind this project, never played the game, and so felt no connection to the beloved RPG. He can be forgiven, however, because the game makes a pretty good-looking camera.

The BenHeck.com forums are jammed with people fascinated by the idea of turning things into other things, but goteking is apparently an old pro. He posted pictures of and links to a number of projects, including a DS Lite redone with Sony Vaio branding,

Apparently, he has a knack for taking good-looking items and making them even more interesting.

[goteking's blog via BenHeck.com forums]

The SNES cartridge has been modded to hold a photo ID on the front, but it has also been gutted like a fish and outfitted with a hinge so that you have storage space on the inside. If that isn’t enough, it has an LED that can be turned on and off. It also plays game music and noises. Crazy, right? If you are just aching to hide your cash in one, you can build one of your very own.

Instructables has all of the details.

[Instructables]

Show the world what a Nintendork you are with the SNES cartridge that has been modded to become a wallet. This is no ordinary wallet as it is a pocket disco of sorts, featuring internal lighting as well as theme music. The internal light is made possible thanks to LEDs from leftover Christmas lighting, while the switches and battery compartments come from an archaic all-in-one joystick with sounds provided by an old holiday card. In addition, the plexiglass window allows clear view of your ID, with a belt clip holding everything in place along the belt since you wouldn't want this to end up in your back pocket, do you? It'd be a pain trying to sit down with it there, that's for sure.

Permalink: SNES Cartridge Turned Into Wallet from Ubergizmo (US, FR) | Good deals | Hot: CES 2009, Jan 6-11