Over the past year or two, I have had many pieces of both professional audio gear and consumer electronics that employ exceedingly bright LED lights. In the studio, these lights can be especially distracting when the room lights are turned down low for artistic ambience. I came across this product called LightDims, which is basically a sheet of 100 stickers in various sizes and shapes, specifically designed to be placed over LED lights. LightDims come in three strengths/colors. For most devices, I find Original Strength dark-grey stickers to be very effective at cutting down more than 50% of the brightness while still showing enough light to maintain the LED's intended usefulness. Silver Edition stickers work well on aluminum products, like a MacBook laptop. Blackout Edition work great for the power indicator and lit logo on my flat-panel TV. LightDims don't use glue or adhesives, so they are easily removed and are reusable, just like window and wall "clings," but they have remained on the audio gear for at least a few months already without falling off. A customizable cut-it-yourself sheet is also available. ($5.49-$5.99 per sheet; www.lightdims.com)
Accessories, Tools | No. 42
Boom Mic Stand
by John Baccigaluppi
I've always wanted one of those hi-tech, heavy duty mic stands with the hella' long booms that you see at the AES shows in the boutique audio type booths. But, when I see the price tag of several...