By Elianne Halbersberg
Bongiovi Acoustics recently introduced their new Digital Power Station for iOS. With the touch of a button, the digital system re-masters audio quality in MP3 files and streaming video. The new app takes this technology to Apple devices and accessories for a professionally enhanced listening experience.
Rob Roy, VP and National Program Director, producer and engineer, spoke to Planet Ill about the DPS application for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Planet Ill: When and how did the idea for the Digital Power Station for iOS originate?
Rob Roy: We wanted to put high-quality audio in the palm of your hand. The world is becoming more portable and audio is suffering. Since we were successful in bringing the DPS to computers, home electronics and automotive, it just made sense now.
Planet Ill: Who developed this plug-in and how long did it take to perfect the final product?
Rob Roy: Tony Bongiovi and his team of Bongiovi Acoustics engineers and digital code-writers worked with some of the most sophisticated app developers to create the Bongiovi DPS App. The core DPS technology inherent in all DPS applications just had to be developed around an app. The process was pretty quick.
Planet Ill: In layman’s terms for readers, what does it do and how does it work?
Rob Roy: The DPS is a patented, real-time audio re-mastering tool that makes your device and anything you connect to it sound amazing! The DPS uses a system of profiles that tells the DPS what type of device you are using and how you are listening to the audio. The Bongiovi DPS then re-masters the audio to make your listening situation the best it can be. It does this in real time and completely digitally. No extra hardware — it’s truly amazing!
Planet Ill: One of the most common complaints amongst producers and engineers is the need to mix for earbuds and handheld devices, essentially negating all of the finesse of their work. How closely does DPS for iOS reproduce that studio sound?
Rob Roy: Not only does it compensate the “mix” for whatever earbuds or devices you are using, it also compensates for the audio quality that was lost due to compression during the downloading process of the mp3 or streamed media to your device. Bongiovi DPS profiles re-master the audio for whatever listening device or speaker type you are using as well as re-masters the compressed audio to sound like it did when the engineer mixed it in the studio.
Planet Ill: How is this product relevant to today’s consumer? Many have become so accustomed to flat, squashed, digital audio that they don’t know, and perhaps don’t care, about what they’re missing.
Rob Roy: Today’s consumer is accessing their media more and more from the cloud (streamed media). Weather it be audio, videos, TV shows or podcasts downloaded from the Internet, the DPS takes audio and delivers the end user an amazing listening experience. Those who appreciate quality sound will love the difference immediately. Those who’ve become accustomed to flat, squished, digital audio will experience a new audio world, just like a person blind from birth wouldn’t appreciate sight until the first time they experienced it. Once you experience DPS, your eyes (or ears) have opened to a new light.
Planet Ill: What was the biggest challenge in developing DPS and achieving quality re-mastering via a computer application?
Rob Roy: Accounting for the vast different listening scenarios and device combinations associated with listening to media (audio and video) on a computer. The DPS profiling system eliminates the need for confusing audio controls yet still gives the user the flexibility to easily customize their listening experience. To accommodate the thousands of listening scenarios, our profiles include both device-specific profiles as well as diverse profiles able to accommodate even the most exotic listening scenario. We’ve named these diverse profiles after “cities.” All the cities of the world are very diverse, just like the listening situations. We encourage our users to try different city profiles and take an audio tour and see which city best suits their listening tastes. We give you the tools to tailor your own sound!
Planet Ill: Which products are compatible with the plug-in?
Rob Roy: The DPS Plug-In is compatible with Windows XP and Windows 7 computers, as well as Mac computers running OS X 10.5 or higher. However, the DPS is compatible with all audio device products you attach to your computer. Whether it be headphones, external desktop speakers, a TV connected to your computer, or a home audio system playing media from your computer, the DPS has a profile to optimize every listening situation.
The Windows Plug-In is a “system-wide” Plug-In that processes any audio on your computer. From iTunes/Windows Media Player, YouTube videos, Streaming TV, video games, or even a Skype call, the DPS will make everything sound amazing. (Note: The Plug-In for Mac OS X currently only processes audio played from within iTunes. The system-wide version for Mac is coming soon.) Bongiovi DPS is also available as an Apple app for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and will process audio played from within the DPS app.
Planet Ill: What is the ease of installation and how user-friendly is it once installed?
Rob Roy: The DPS products are extremely easy to access and install. You can even try it free at www.dpsplugin.com. Also, the Bongiovi app is a free download. Search for Bongiovi DPS at the Apple App Store or iTunes Store.
Planet Ill: In addition to a variety of products, Bongiovi Acoustics also has a Global Giving program. When was this program implemented and with which nonprofits are you affiliated?
Rob Roy: We have just launched this innovative program. In the pursuit of a vehicle for Bongiovi Acoustics to “give back,” we noticed a void or large decline in charitable giving due to the current state of the economy. This became the opportunity to develop a program where several charities can benefit. Presently, we are affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters, KidzBKidz.org, the First Tee – Miami and Music Unites.
For more information about the DPS and other products, visit www.dpsplugin.com, www.dpsinsider.com(community page with blogs and forums), www.bongioviacoustics.com, www.youtube.com/user/BongioviDPSand
www.facebook.com/bongioviacoustics.
Elianne Halbersberg is a freelance writer whose work has been published by Guitar Edge, Mix, Premier Guitar, Gibson.com, Electronic Musician, Audio Media, Ink 19 and numerous other magazines and websites.
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