Electronics

Last year I aquirred a rather large lot of 78 RMP records that I’ve been wanting to listen to and probably transfer into the computer at some point. Mostly though, I am looking forward to listening to the albums on the turntable rather than clicking a digital file. Yeah, eventually the records will wear, but that is the nature of the medium. I’ll take some wear and tear for the feeling of pulling a record from it’s sleeve, setting it on the platter and moving the tone arm to the edge. To me, it’s an art. Albums were compiled by the artist in a certain way for a reason and listening from start to finish exactly as the creator intended is quite an enjoyable experience. There may be tunes that I don’t care for, but there is a reason they were put between cuts 2 and 5. Cd’s and computers take the fun away; Too easy to just skip a track or download the one song.

So 33 and 45 RPM turntables are no trouble in my cave, but the 78’s have sent me to the net in search of a new [to me] turntable. Initially I wasn’t to sure if I wanted to go with something vintage or newer, but I think I’ve settled on going vintage because when I think about… older stuff usually works better, lasts longer and often in my opinion looks cooler (sometimes.) Plus, I was also thinking the technology for 78’s was perfected back in the day, so chances are the quality would be better because they really knew what was going on. Besides, in the end what matters most is the quality and type of needle you can get for the unit.

I think for quality purposes (most important to me) it looks like I’m going for a unit which requires a magnetic cartridge. Often cheaper units and portable units being sold today use a cheap ceramic cartridge. Ceramic cartridges have a more limited frequency range than their magnetic counter part, in addition the ceramic cartridges track at a significantly higher force (causing more damage and distortion.) I could go on, but if you are truly as interested in it as me I’d suggest reading about it on wikipedia as to spare the not-so-interested readers.

Unfortunately, I have yet to buy a turntable for the 78’s… but, I do have a few bids in on ebay. However, in the research and hunting I’ve come across some interesting turntable tech that I’d like to share [the point of this post!]

How about the i-pod of turntables? Designed in response to Sony’s walkman, this is one stellar unit. Meet the Audio Technica Sound Burger, a perfect complement to your morning paper read in the break room. Just pop in three “C” batteries with your fuzzy earbuds and you are good to spin. And if you are looking to make your player unique, be sure to personalize it with your very own color choice, just like your ipod.

Link 1, Link 2, Link 3 for more info on the Sound Burger

I mentioned earlier about the art of records… an exhibit in the Arizona State University art museum called, “The Grove” brings on an interesting form. This youtube video cleverly titled, “Step into the Grove” covers it well.

Finally, if you have some money to spend and you want some character in your turntable, check out these tables. I want the Oracle Delphi MK V Turntable or the Roksan Radius 5 Turntable.

A few weeks ago I bought my company an RCA 26″ LCD for karaoke and music videos. A nifty benefit to this company purchase is that I keep it housed next to my laptop. The first thing I noticed when I hooked it up to the cable was the addition of digital channels. I have been a skeptic of the switch to digital from the start, I think that analog is a significantly more rugged signal type and the pictures look fine. Despite the signal issues I have with digital broadcasts, I am quite impressed with the other added benefits that digital brings. The opera was on was on the local PBS station and I felt like I was at the opera! It was as though there were people walking in the TV, I really couldn’t believe it! In addition, digital programs can be mixed for surround sound to provide a theater like experience with everyday TV. There was also one other major benefit to the digital channels that hasn’t been hyped as much.

For the past few years I have been watching TV on my mac via Miglia’s TVMicro. The TVMicro connects through USB and utilizes EyeTV software as the user-interface. The two features I have become addicted to with the software have been the on-screen instant guide (no need for stupid cable boxes) and the ability to schedule programs to be recorded (handy for my odd job hours.) It’s like having a glorified DVR for really cheap and with one simple remote.

Well after watching basic cable on the LCD for a few weeks, I have been missing the TV Guide. Heres the cool thing though, the digital HD stations are encoded with the TV guide. Yes! Really cool!! Plus, it is attached to the program… so when a channel changes their lineup at the last minute or the baseball game runs into extra innings - the tv guide is always correct! It’s the best TV guide I’ve seen to date. So you would think I’d be in heaven (aside from no DVR, but that can be expected.)

I found out that the basic cable which Comcast is sending does not include any HD channels. The only HD channels available are coming from local air stations. Perhaps an account upgrade would help… but is it worth it? I mean, the current technological setup with the mac is working fine… and eventually (who knows when) Comcast will offer all of the channels in HD for no extra cost.

So while I am lovin the LCD… I’m thinking that until the cable company pushes all the HD channels at no extra cost, I’ll be using my mac connected to the LCD for TV - mostly for the TV guide but also the added benefit of DVR. BUT, if there happens to be some good sports or television on the local air stations… I so going for the HD signal.

The other day my grandfather and I went to Half-Price Books. By far one of my favorite book stores around! It’s just one of those stores that you can not leave empty handed. My grandfather was looking for some books on tape to use up his fathers day gift card. Quite a convenient gift since he and grandma needed something new to entertain them on the way back to New Jersey.

So while he was off getting lost, I ended up in the music section of the store and picked up 2 box sets of CD’s.

The first set of CD’s I found archives the origins of electronic music. It’s a box set of an electronic music history book, 3 cd’s and a dvd with tracks from the very first artists who created “electronic” music - the oldest track on the set dates back to 1948! Really cool. I admit, I am a slight nerd with music… which leads to the next box set I found buried.

The second set of CD’s is a 10 cd-set of early Rhythm & Blues. I am stoked about just sitting down with a beer (or wine) and some pretzels (or Hors D’oeuvres) some night and checking out the cuts. (I know, what a date that’d be - right?)

Don’t get me wrong, I like new music - I love new music of most styles and genres - but discovering where music has evolved from really intrigues me, while the new music excites me.

The first CD set: OHM+ “the early gurus of electronic music”
Some really really trippy tunes…

The second box set: Rhythm & Blues - Original Masters
  

While exploring the saturday paper on sunday, I came across an interesting article about the origin of cyber hackers. 

When I was growing up my grandfather use to have a large model HO railroad setup in his basement year round. Then when I was in the 5th grade he gave it to us for our basement.

I thought the coolest thing was all the wires and the controls that made everything work - and the possibilities it brought. I loved how you could easily rewire something and create all sorts of cool effects.

Eventually working with trains led to much other “hacking” of other electronic pieces of equipment and even several electrical creations. Which with several dots in between, dropped me in the fields of interest that I am currently entangled with.

My ‘Work’ Bench:

One of the many light boards. Several have said this the safest looking one I’ve created…

So when I saw this article I thought it was ironic that hackers had there origin with model trains, because that is how I got my interest in electronics and computers.