A small Usb C mic plugged into IPhone 16 pro!
Speech tests.
Acoustic Bass guitar, mic by Sound hole.
Acoustic guitar, mic by Sound hole.
A review of the Sony STR-AN1000 A/V home theater receiver from a blindness perspective
This page will include both text information, as well as audio.
If you are in the market for an A/V Stereo receiver upgrade, the Str-AN1000 may be the choice you’ve been looking for! If you are blind, the Sony Music Center iOS app makes using this receiver an accessible experience, From locating a source, to switching Zones, to adjusting the volume and other minor settings after setup. You don’t need to touch the front panel of the receiver!
Some highlights from the products Amazon page:
7.2-channel A/V Receiver (165 W 6 ohms, 1 kHz, 1ch THD 0.9%). Power Requirement : 120V 60Hz. Power Consumption: 240W.
8K & 4K/120 HDMI Connectivity with HDMI 2.1 support (6-in/2-out)
Supports today’s leading HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma, and IMAX Enhanced.
“Works With Sonos” makes it possible to integrate the STR-AN1000 with your new or already existing Sonos system.
Stream your way with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, and Apple Airplay.
Sets up easily with a graphical interface that walks you through each step.
Zone 2 & Zone 3 for Flexible, multi-zone distribution capability.
See more:
What’s an A/V stereo receiver?
I feel it important to cover the basics here, as most of us use all in one’s these days. A Stereo system normally contains individual components such as a CD deck, game system consoles, and other playback devices. An amp, which is also known as a receiver, which all the components connect through, and outputs audio to individual speaker pares, and optional sub-woofer and video to a TV or monitor. A Stereo system may allow you to build out with time and further purchases. You may also change the speaker configuration depending on your living space. The components and receiver normally sit in a shelving unit, entertainment center.
An all in one, may be a boombox or Bluetooth speaker which contains all the components housed in one case which you can carry around if needed.
Setting up the Sony STR-AN1000:
I may suggest sighted assist when setting this unit up out of the box. This will assist with wiring speakers, as well as at least minor setup through the on-TV wizard controlled by the included remote control. This setup to my understanding does not display on the receiver’s front panel. You must HDMI out into a monitor or TV to have this setup available. This setup is also not accessible/included within the iOS app mentioned above. The on-screen setup allows for connecting the unit to your Wi-Fi network, setting the speaker size, naming source inputs and more.
From here on out, I will relate the front panel of the receiver as what you have when it is sitting in front of you. This contains the power button, source select knob, and volume. I will relate to the back panel as where you make all major connections. In saying this, when I describe the back panel, we will work from left to right. If your sighted assist has the receiver turned so the back panel is in front to wire the unit, my description will be backward. I generally don’t turn the unit around when I make wiring modifications, I don’t have to see it, so I just reach behind it without needing to look.
Connections:
I feel the following information is accurate. I had my sighted assist read as we set things up. Please verify your model if things aren’t matching up.
We have two built-in antenna’s at the top for Wi-Fi
At the utmost top of the unit left to right is
Ethernet and then HDMI jacks.
Left most HDMI is TV out
Out B/Zone2.
Game in
Media Box in.
DVD in
Sat/Cable in
Video in
CA-CD-CD In
Moving down the unit.
At the very left we have the A/C power.
To the right we have speaker connections. Top positive bottom negative. Moving from left to right.
First two sets are front left/Right speakers.
Third set is center speaker.
Fourth and fifth surround left/right.
Sixed and seventh surround back/height
The next group is RCA jacks in pares of two. We will be looking bottom to top.
First set on the bottom is sub-woofer out. There are two jacks for two powered sub woofers.
Middle we have TV input.
Top is Zone three output
Nex group to the right is the main analogue inputs.
These sets are pares of three. From left to right audio left, right, video in.
From bottom to top we have:
SACD/CD
Aux
Sat Cable TV
To the right we have remote IR jacks if you want to expand range with repeaters. They are eighth in jacks. Left out, right in.
Below this is FM antenna
To the right Optical TV in.
Up from this is a connection that I believe is Coax: SA/CD.
These are all the main connections on the back panel of the unit. It is important to note that The receiver only has four analogue inputs, 6 digital HDMI inputs, and two digital audio inputs. The Optical TV In, and analogue TV in are on the same source. On the flip side of this we do have a Built-in Bluetooth chip, and several styles of Wi-Fi connect options including Airplay.
Think of the source devices you want to connect into your receiver and decide if this amp is right for you based on the connectivity available.
If you plan on using a record out, we don’t have dedicated jacks. You may use the Zone3 analogue outputs. We may not though, use any digital inputs, HDMI or other, out of Zone three. If you need a loopback channel such as the old tape monitor style, for FX such as a professional EQ or dynamics processing, we don’t have one. We may however use the out of Zone three, into the FX, out the FX into a analogue source. Just take note that we’re losing an input by doing this.
I use a dynamics processer in my system which provides compression, gate and limiting. I have the processor ran into the Aux channel. I set the source I want to listen to on Zone three, and listen to Aux on the main zone so I can listen to audio through processing. The irony for me, is that I really only listen to processed media from my Amazon Firestick. Nope, not gonna happen natively. Firestick=HDMI. Luckily I have an HDMI to analog RCA box, so I made it work, but there’s another analogue input I’m losing. Luckily, all I really needed analogue was my turn table, which offers a line level output, and computer, in house radio station. I guess Santa was looking out for me. 😊
Usage:
I don’t notice a loss of volume power from my older amp to this one. I believe this amp has a more balanced and slightly cleaner sound. The iOS app makes this purchase worth while for me. For the first time, I feel I have an accessible experience. Below, we will have audio of the app controlling the receiver.
I am very impressed with Airplay through this receiver from an iOS 18 device. Connecting to the receiver from iOS wakes the receiver if off/standby, and sets the source to airplay automatically. Turning up the volume on the iOS device increases the master volume on the receiver. If Voiceover is speaking the iOS device volume controls increases/decreases the volume of Voiceover and all other notification sounds coming through the iOS devices speaker. Because of the antenna’s on the receiver I don’t lose connection at all. Understandably we also have a router in play here but I can walk around my entire house without audio dropouts. My wife can have her iPhone connected to the receivers airplay at the same time, see the currently playing track, control volume and skip forward and to the previous track from her phone. If she starts audio playback, the currently playing audio will Sease and her chosen music will start. Because the iPhone volume will control Voiceover if music is not playing, it is important to disconnect the Airplay device from the phone as it may be easy to forget it’s connected.
You can not that I can find, put the unit into standby, switch off the receiver from the iOS app.
The receiver has an on board two band EQ. I was hoping for more. This is available from the iOS app. The following setting is not available through the app: You can set the crossover frequency for speakers connected, but I didn’t find a crossover for the sub woofer outputs.
When you plug the receiver in to A/C power, you hear a click. I believe this is the unit switching into standby mode. You still need to power it on with the front power button on the left side of the unit. When you first run the unit, you may notice a slight electric smell that isn’t strong for about five minutes.
The physical volume knob on the front right of the receiver feels analogue, but isn’t. On my unit it acts odd when turning slowly, making a fine adjustment, you just have to turn it more than I feel you should. Once you speed up the adjustment the unit reacts very quickly so be careful. The source knob makes a satisfying click feel, and wraps from the bottom to the top of the source list. You must give the unit a bit of time to actually change sources. If you’re looking for a source, you can see it at the bottom of the app as you are making adjustments on the front panel, and if you leave focus alone within the app Voiceover will auto announce changes. The power button takes a split second to make an audible click. I have been used to instant feedback, so don’t push it to quick thinking things aren’t happening in the background.
One of the source options is USB. On the front of the receiver there is a USB A port. When selecting the USB option on the iOS app the app will warn you if the USB inserted doesn’t show a file system. For example, this happens when you plug in an iOS device. Your phone will charge, however if it’s a newer phone it will be quite a slow charge as it’s only at most 5V of power.
Plugging in a flash drive though, caused my jaw to drop. Selecting USB within the app showed the complete file system of the drive. I was able to navigate to a folder containing audio files with ease, and select a file to play. When the file is playing the app has transport controls available. You are able to press the back button at the top left of the app as expected, as the file continues to play and continue to brows the drive.
In regards to Sonos, I thought initially that I may be able to set it up as a Sonos speaker. This is not true. The Sonos app does not see the STR-AN1000 at all. You are able to, from my research, set up the Sonos portion in the setup guide over the TV. I haven’t had the chance to do this yet with sighted assistance. I am not sure if after this has been completed if you are able to have the receiver see Sonos speakers also on your network, and play the source content to them.
It is important to always decrease the volume of the receiver to a reasonable level taking into consideration family members and neighbors sleeping. If the chosen source is still playing audio while the receiver is in standby, and you even open the Sony Music Center iOS app, the unit will come on and out of standby.
I have yet only had this receiver for a few days, but I am very impressed with all that it has to offer. Sony has taken efforts to verify this app is accessible. I think I’m gonna put the current version of the app onto an old iPhone in case accessibility ever breaks.
Thanks for your time in reading. Please find audio descriptions and examples below.
End of year 2024 round up! 10 top posts on Drews Sound!
It seems like We were just at new years 2024? Hello? Where did the time go!
In saying this, 2024 was another solid year for Drews Sound! Thank you! The most visits/views from you all! Have been this year with over 7000 hits!
I haven’t ranked in order of top 10. But here are for sure 10 of the most interesting posts that dropped this year! As we’ve brought you some of the first ground breaking coverage of both the BTSpeak note taker from Blazie Tech! The Zoom H1 Essential recorder and more! Check out the below sounds!
Here’s to 2025!
Merry Christmas! A, musical cookie tin
Got a small gift from work! So cool! A music box, cookie tin! I’ll first put the entire recording, internal mics, Zoom H1 Essential. It’s quite processed, cause I talk to you, through the tin, and it’s kind of crazy how much the tin cuts sound. Below that recording will be just normalised clips of the tin.
Cookie tin with h1 inside.
Outside, open above tin.
Outside, tin closed, above tin.
Colorado railroad Museum: steam engine, pulling off of turntable, bells, and whistles
Went to the Colorado railroad Museum yesterday with some friends, super fun! Captured this recording from a steam locomotive, pulling off of a turntable that is hand driven to align the train with the correct  rail. 
Guild Acoustic bass, and Taylor Acoustic multitrack test
I’ve Wanted an Acoustic bass for several years. My goal is to record an unplugged album with a lot of my tracks. I settled on the Guild Guitars Westerly Collection B-240E. It’s a 4 string, that both plays and sounds really great!!
It arrived today from Amazon, and I tracked a quick and dirty test with my Taylor Grand Theator, using my Rode NT 4 mic. I am in love!! The guitars pare great together!! Listen below.
Creating a Music Video as a totally blind producer
I have always been totally blind, but Visuals, have always interested me. I signed up for a class at work a month ago to better understand visual graphs and charts from an annalyst prospective, as I work in telephone Systems by day.
Over the past 6 months, I have really been interested in writing to an AI bot, and having my words, turned into images. Doing this with cartoon style images fassinates me. I use an app called, Chat Box AI, create the picture, save it to my photo role, and then use Seing AI to see what the AI created, a very interesting use case for AI in, and out. Most times the images are what I think, but, with more detail. Others, they are different, but, still fit the mold.
A couple months ago, I started putting cartoon images out on FB, as a kind of experiment, how, would they be reacted to? Would I receive more likes because it is visual, primarily, I have more sighted folks as friends? They have gotten a lot of clicks. That is awesome. I think, if I were sighted, I would like to draw, as a passtime.
About a month ago now, I posted Eddies Funeral on Drew Sound. A track I wrote as a kid. I wanted to post it on FB, but, thought, it may be better received, if it had a slideshow of Cartoon images along with the audio, to help sighted folks connect. I don’t normally feel like that about a song I’ve written.
I was able to use Chat Box Ai, and Apples IMovie, to acomplish the task. IMovie is interesting to work with. It is accessible, but, their are parts that are not, such as transition times. The standard transition is, 4 seconds. You can’t adjust it, it seems. The song is just under 3 minutes, so, I had to have about 45 images, to fill the time. It took a lot of brain power to think of that much visual content. At the same time though, hopefully, it keeps sighted viewers engaged, instead of the same images rotating. From what I’ve heard from Facebook viewers the images got the audios point across!
It’s not something that I will do every day, but, thinking visually, does bring another demention to what I do, as a totally blind artist.
Lets fly to Kochi Japan! Binaural 3D Audio. headphones recommended. 
My wife Robin took a trip to Japan, brought me home an epic t-shirt! and, loads of incredible audio! Lets live vicariously through Robin, as she takes us through the city of Kochi.
The below audio is not processed in anyway, as is the presentation above, to bring up levels. The below audio when listened back to on Airpods max will be truly Binaural,, immersive. These recordings, clips are the same audio as heard above, but not processed.
Train Outside AirB&B
Robot Delivering Meal At Donto
Crossing Street Traffic Signal North South And Densha Trolley
Checking Out At GiftShop Japanese Coins And East West Traffic Signals
dTraffic Signals
Ticket Machine At Train Station
Express Train Exterior Pass By With Warning Signal
Express Train To Tosakure Interior
Street Car Densha Pull Up Exterior, Riding Street Car Interior
Walking Down By Pacific Ocean
Walking Upstairs Away From Ocean Ocean Gets Further Away Behind You
#NewMusic . Locked up . .#PostGrunge
My latest track I used all my old gear to record.
I tracked drums on my Roland kit that’s in my bro’s basement in August. It was like you have about 30 minutes to take this, so, get it right! lol. I hadn’t played drums in a few years. Didn’t use a click track, all the music was in my head, tracked into my H1 essential out of the headphones jack of the brain.
I tracked guitars this last weekend at dads. Guild Songbird for acoustics, Custum Fender Strat for electrics, and my bad ass Schector active 5 string bass!!! Man, I miss those axes! Ran them into my Fender Mustang Micro headphone amp, out the usb C, into windows box, using Reper.
I wrote lyrics, and tracked vocals on my couch last night, just like the old times!
Lyrically, the track is about coming back to meaning in life, God, or whatever that is for you. How that can be tough sometimes.
Grandfather Clock, key of g, across the room
Don’t quote me on this, but it may be a Howard Miller. Never heard one in g, before. Reminds me of an old doorbell. I love the sound.
Drews Sound 