EU RoHS Directive Review Process Launched

On 14 February 2022, the European Commission triggered a review process of the rules limiting the use of certain harmful substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The review process is intended to simplify, as well as increase the efficiency of, the current rules and enhance their enforcement in the EU Member States. Feedback is sought from interested parties until 14 March 2022. The European Commission is calling for evidence from economic operators and any other party that may be impacted by, or interested in, the EU rules restricting certain harmful substances in electrical and electrical equipment (EEE). Hong Kong sellers of consumer electronics will recall that EU legislation restricting the use of hazardous substances in EEE has been in place since 2003, in the form of the RoHS Directive. The Directive has been amended a number of times; it currently restricts the use of 10 hazardous substances in EEE. These include four phthalates, as well as lead and cadmium. The RoHS Directive also complements Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). An evaluation of the RoHS Directive has thrown up some concerns concerning its practical operation. These point, in particular, to a high administrative burden and complexity of provisions, regarding, for example, procedures on granting, renewing or revoking exemptions to substance restrictions, which are felt to be complex and have in part proved to be impracticable in their application. There are also issues of predictability (or a lack thereof) for economic operators and an overall high administrative burden. It is additionally noted that there are insufficiently clear provisions on how the restriction process is triggered, as well as confusion over whether these should be found in RoHS or in the REACH Regulation. There are, furthermore, enforcement difficulties, in particular in the context of ecommerce; certain unclear and outdated provisions on spare parts or scope; and insufficient provisions to support the circular economy (e.g. for secondary resources). The problems that have been identified mainly affect (although to differing degrees) economic operators, public authorities including the European Commission, workers in the recycling sector, and the public at large. It is highlighted that the RoHS Directive addresses consumer goods (EEE) of high economic relevance. Such goods are part of a crossborder market that is continually growing, relying on the free movement of goods between the EU Member States. The environmental issues addressed also have crossborder effects (i.e., emissions of hazardous substances into the environment), while recycling markets function across borders. As a result, a harmonised approach – taken at EU level – is viewed as being crucial to avoid barriers to trade and distortion of competition in the EU, as well as to establish a sustainable circular economy. The Commission indicates that, to address the problems identified, a range of possible measures will be considered, keeping in mind that these will have to be aligned with the EU’s overall environmental and health objectives, such as those set down in the EU Chemicals Strategy and the Sustainable Products Initiative. In order to tackle the issues raised, the Commission has drawn up an initial nonexhaustive list of possible options. These represent a mix of predominantly legislative and nonlegislative (e.g. guidance) measures, and include the following: Maintain the RoHS Directive as it stands and introduce certain non-legislative (‘soft’) measures, such as an update of the RoHS FAQ document. The guidance would, among other things, explain interactions with, e.g., the REACH Regulation and the Ecodesign Directive. Reform the substance restriction provisions, including timelines and procedure, and clarify links and potential overlaps with the REACH Regulation and the Ecodesign Directive. Revise the provisions for spare parts, as well as update and clarify the scope of the RoHS Directive. Reform the provisions on enforcement and market surveillance, while possibly addressing e-commerce challenges and providing further guidance. The Commission openly acknowledges that for some changes to the RoHS Directive, such as stricter criteria regarding exemptions so as to encourage more and faster substitution of restricted substances, there may well be increased initial costs for industry, including for SMEs, throughout companies’ supply chains. Indeed, in general, due to their limited resources, SMEs may – it is stated – need to outsource some actions and hence may experience greater impacts than larger companies. It is felt that an improved regulatory framework for the restriction of hazardous substances in EEE will lead to more coherent and efficient restrictions. This would contribute to the protection of human health and the environment, including the environmentally sound recovery and disposal of waste EEE.  Any changes to the R

Best DJ Mixer Picks for 2022: Such an Amazing Selection!

Picking the best DJ mixer for your DJ setup is critical. It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to accomplish with your setup, if you don’t have a DJ mixer, then you’re out of luck. After all, DJ mixers are what allow DJs to mix and manipulate the tracks in their list. Without DJ mixers, your DJ setup is little more than a home music system. Since a DJ mixer is so valuable, it’s important to think carefully about what you need for your kit. That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide to the Best DJ Mixers. We’re going to discuss everything from the top features of the leading and best DJ mixers, to how much you can expect to spend on a sensational system. DJ Mixer Features Let’s start by covering what you can expect from the best DJ mixer machines out there. Your mixer is the device that lets you tap into various components of your software. Some of these tools are made with specific software programs in mind; others are intended for use with multiple programs. It all depends on where you buy. The core of your DJ mixer will be the crossfade functionalities that allow you to fade in and out of effects as smoothly as possible. You’ll need a 3-band EQ at the very least. Some of the more expensive pieces on the market are pretty extensive, with a host of diverse tools to choose from. However, these products are also more complex, intended for the advanced DJ. On the other hand, you can also find mixers designed specifically for beginners. Some of the most valuable features to consider when buying your mixer include: Channels: How many channels are you going to need? Most mixers come with a minimum of two channels, which means plugging in two different audio sources. Four-channel mixers are also quite common, particularly for those with more experience. Software: Some mixers come with software included, or they’re attached to a specific software solution. Others give you more freedom to work with a tool you choose. Effects: Effects on a mixer are what allow you to play around with the way your music sounds, these often include volume controls, EQ, crossfaders, headphone jacks, outputs, and other similar options. A DJ mixer can also come with a range of other options, like USB connectivity to plug in your tools, filters, and integrated audio interfaces. However, the more features you have, the more you’re likely to pay, so keep that in mind Identifying the Best DJ Mixer So, how do you separate the best DJ mixers from the other options? Well, it all depends on what you need. Most DJ mixers will give you two input channels that you can blend using level controls and cross-faders. The audio you create is then delivered to a main output and a cue headphone output. This means that you can hear the track you’re creating. If you’re a more advanced user, then you may want to explore options that offer more than this. For instance, four or more input channels often appear on more expensive mixers. Figuring out how many ins and outs or I/O you need means considering your position as a DJ. More I/O means more flexibility and better future-proofing. However, they also mean extra work learning how to use everything, and more cash. If you’re still in the early stages of your career, or you know you don’t need more than two channels, you may prefer to stick with something more basic. Other points to think about include: Durability: Your mixer needs to be well-made and reliable. The best device will be strong enough to take with you to any gig within a moment’s notice. Since you’re going to be using it regularly, look for something that can stand the test of time. Pricing: As mentioned above, DJ mixers come in a range of sizes and formats. Some are intended for professionals, with high price-tags attached. The more features you want, the more you’ll need to pay. However, there is some variance between different brands too. Purpose: What are you trying to do with your mixer? Do you want something that’s digitally-compatible so that you can make the most of your available application sand software? Do you need something basic for mixing with CDJs and two channels? The purpose of your set-up will make a huge difference in your decision. Effects: Most DJ mixers will come with some manner of channel EQ, as well as a low/high pass filter. Higher price mixers also come with additional effects, like phasers, rhythm delays, one-shot FX, and more. Different types of DJ Mixer Mixers come in many different styles to support different DJs and set-ups. Knowing what kind of DJ system you’re looking for will give you a head start on shopping for the best DJ mixers. For instance: Digital vs analog DJ mixer Digital mixers are devices that can take an electrical signal and transform it into a numeric representation. In this format, you can split the sound into different frequencies, and organize it with a computer software system. The digital mixer is basically an extension of your laptop, and they all require computer hard

Global Audio DSP Market To Be Driven Growing Application In Consumer Electronics In The Forecast Period Of 2022-2027

Market Overview (2017-2027) •    Forecast CAGR (2021-2027): 4% The audio DSP market is being driven by the thriving consumer electronics industry. The rising demand for audio DSP can be attributed to the increasing adoption of smartphones, tablets, computers, gaming consoles and other devices in developing countries like China, Brazil, India and Argentina owing to their increasing middle-class disposable and discretionary income. The integration of audio DSPs in these devices can help save time while also improving the consumer experience. For instance, the audio DSP system can be used to navigate directions while driving. Meanwhile, the rising application of the product in the cloud streaming and video streaming industry is likely to provide an impetus to the market. The rising investments from key players towards enhancing the Audio DSP technology is expected to aid the market growth in the forecast period. In post-COVID days, as the various sectors recover from the negative impacts of the pandemic, the product is likely to witness a rise in demand. •    Industry Definition and Major Segments Audio DSP stands for digital signal processing, which is a technology used to take an input or digital signal and process it into a different digital signal. It is generally used to fix problems or tweak audio devices to make them sound better. Some other common applications for audio DSP include adding delay to make sound bounce evenly between speakers and specifying which frequency of sound goes to the tweeter, sub or woofer. Audio DSP is notably used as an equalizer in different rooms or settings. The Audi DSP market, on the basis of technology, can be segmented into: •    Discrete •    Integrated On the basis of end-use, the market can be categorised into: •    Computer •    Phones •    Tablets •    Over-Ear Headphones •    TWS •    Home Entertainment •    Commercial •    Automotive •    Portable •    Smart Home •    IOT •    Wearable •    AR/VR The regional markets for Audio DSP include: •    North America •    Europe •    Asia Pacific •    Latin America •    Middle East and Africa   Among these, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for a significant share of the global audio DSP industry over the forecast period. Market Trends The increasing adoption of DSP systems in automobiles is expected to augment the audio DSP industry. Policies promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in developed countries is expected to aid the market growth as electric vehicles are often associated with modern features like Audio DSP. Technological advancements in 3D audio and Bluetooth audio codecs and the advent of 5G technology and Internet of Things (IoT) is likely to be another key trend bolstering the market growth in the forecast period. The rapid technological advancements and increasing investments by the key players to develop innovative solutions with latest features are anticipated to significantly contribute to the market growth.

How important is bitrate in music

What is bitrate? Bitrate is the number of bits per second encoded in a file. Thus, the higher the bitrate the more information is retained and vice versa. Why is this important? Generally, the lower the bitrate, the lower quality of sound. Lower quality means you have a smaller frequency range in your song (high frequencies drop off with lower kbps). This equates to playing a song say in a club, it would sound like it was recorded with a potato as opposed to a professional studio. It's like a low-resolution image compared to 4K. Bitrates in different audio formats Songs on your music streaming services are usually encoded in 128-320kbps files in various formats. Music bought from iTunes is encoded as 256kbps AAC. And music from Beatport can be 320kbps MP3 codecs or WAV/AIFF files. Confused yet? Bring in the potatoes. MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) would be the potato you find in fast food fries. It's cheap, tasty and everywhere. It's a lossy format, as in to reduce the original audio file significantly it had to be compressed losing audio information. That's why MP3 is a cheap potato, and also a dying format. AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) would be the slightly better potato that is replacing the MP3. It's like the chips you find at the hipster pubs with aioli. It's also a lossy format. You will find AAC music will have ".m4a" or "AAC" file extensions. Make sure you check that your DJ equipment accepts AAC (most new ones do anyway). WAV (Waveform Audio File) and AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) are both uncompressed audio files (lossless format) as they retain all audio information. These are the original potatoes, still fresh and unpeeled; and are usually over 100MB. These are what producers are working with until the files need to be mastered and dithered.