Here’s the latest addition to my microphone collection. A sweet sounding ribbon microphone that I assembled with my own hands. I’ve been wanting to build my own microphones for a while now but was always putting it off because I didn’t know where to start. However, this semester I was given the opportunity to “learn a new skill” of my choosing. Being that I’ve never built a ribbon microphone, I wanted to take on a project that walked me through the process. I ordered this particular kit from this website. I learned a lot from this experience and now I have a better understanding of the entire process. I have already compiled a list of improvements that I hope to implement in my own version. I will be developing my own ribbon microphones in the very near future.

The stance that Indiana seems to be taking on marijuana possession are disturbingly polar considering the decriminalization trends taking place in other parts of the country. What’s more, they are looking to impose harsher penalties on the substance by moving to make possession of small amounts a felony. I am especially bummed out about the following paragraph…

The panel on drug in the Delaware County sponsored by the Muncie-Delaware County League of Women Voters was predictable, given that law enforcement and the government they work for was represented. Without a war on drugs, the need for law enforcement, criminal justice and corrections is diminished, meaning fewer jobs and less money.

I finish my first year of teaching a college-level introductory audio course at the end of this month and now I have this strange urge to add some educational type videos to my studio’s youtube page. Here’s to hoping I don’t come off looking/sounding like a doofus.

For as long as I have been recording I have been purchasing blank cassette tapes from Target. Today I bought the last case that they had in the store and it felt bittersweet. On one hand I am psyched that I was able to get them, but on the other hand I realize that I will have to order them from now on. I haven’t purchased cassettes for quite some time now so it all sort of worked out. I made the decision to release 10 cassette versions of my new EP and Target had exactly 10 cassettes.

I’m a bit bummed about these cassettes being “normal bias” instead of the “high bias” that I usually get, but this is all that they had. I’m sure I’ll get them to sound fabulous. Besides, most people will buy the cassette version for the nostalgia… I doubt many people will actually listen to the tape. If anything, they’ll put it on a shelf and then use the download code. I just wanted to reconnect with the way I used to record when I first started.

Discovered a new game the other day while getting my drink on at The Heorot. The game is called Zombie Dice. It’s a pro-zombie game. The whole point is to survive and eat as many brains as possible without getting murdered by multi-colored shotgun blasts. The game is one of the most simple games I’ve ever played. The game is based entirely on dice, which is awesome because dice rolls are sweet. So yeah, you should play this game if you get a chance. Look at all the brains!

This is a fairly positive review considering the fact that I lost every single game that I played. I played at least 6 times and lost every time. It’s a good thing I’m not a zombie.

We’ve been having some issue with robins around my neck of the woods lately. Well, not all of the robins. Just one fat and stupid robin that keeps trying to fight his reflection in some sort of idiotic territorial battle. Every morning when the sun starts to come up enough for him to see his reflection he begins a cycle of violence and loss of bowel control. My car has taken the brunt of his attacks. This is a serious amount of bird shit.

My sweet little kitty cat, Bootsy Collins, would like to wish you a very happy holiday. She looks precious next to that plate of peeps. She’s not supposed to be on the table but her punk rock personality gives no shit about the rules. Anyway, even if you’re not a religious person, I hope that you are able to utilize this holiday to spend time with friends and family. That stuff is important.

I made an impulse purchase today while I was dropping my guitar off to be set up at Atomic Comics and Music. Before I explain my purchase it is important to note that this store has evolved into one of the weirdest combination stores I’ve ever been to. It was originally a music store that offered repair services. Now it’s a comic book and game store that also sells a few musical odds and ends in addition to repair services. Long story short, I ended up buying a chinese-manufactured card for my Nintendo DS-Lite so that I can add multiple games to a single cartridge. Pretty sweet. That, and I can play all of the original NES roms on my DS. It’s a good day!

I chose to write and record a 5-song EP using an iPad 2 via the Alesis iO Dock which has the capability to record two channels simultaneously at a sample rate of 44.1 with a bit depth of 16 bits. The overall audio quality is nothing to write home about but audio quality is just one piece of the puzzle. I selected the iPad 2 as my recording medium because this platform is pioneering touch-screen-based recording. It doesn’t offer the best audio quality on the market, but what it lacks in audio quality it makes up for in other areas (eg: ease of use, portability, downloadable instruments, and intuitive design).

My goal is to write and record 5 different songs utilizing a different approach for each song. Some songs will be recorded by using microphones, while others will be created entirely inside of the iPad. My primary points of interest involve work flow, mixing tools, and perceived audio quality. I want to see if it’s possible for me to write, record, mix, and master this EP using nothing more than an iPad. I will then compare my iPad recording experience with my normal studio work and document a list of pros and cons to the experience. This project will give me a chance to become familiar with a new method of recording so that I will be better suited to make suggestions on useful improvements for recording engineers that would one day hope to utilize these devices as a more serious studio tool.

Anyway, here’s a link directly to the article if it’s no longer on the front page when you visit. http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/5-dorito-centric-recipes-fill-cool-ranch-locos-tacos-void