Taking Care CDs, DVDs, and Cassette Tapes

For most people these days, music that they listen to is usually downloaded from the internet and played back on their Smart phones, tablets or MP3 players. Only a small percentage of people still actually use CDs, DVDs, Vinyl records and even cassette tapes. I personally still like to listen to my music on CD but, I do still have a box cassette tapes in my collection. I have even gone to the extent of transferring some of my cassette tapes to my computer allowing me to make a CD copy to play in the car, etc.

Today, I came across an article on Prosoundweb.com that discussed how to maintain magnetic and optical media (ie: CDs, DVDs, and Cassettes). The article tells you how to solve problems with your media. Like a scratched CD or a crinkled and snapped cassette tape.

Click here for the article: 

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/maintaining_optical_media_recovering_data_damaged_storage_devices/

So, if you still have recordings on these older formats, take a few minutes to read this article and learn how to keep your collection in good shape. For all the younger people out there who have never seen or used a cassette tape, see the diagram below:

.....And Here is a picture of a typical dual cassette deck that will playback and record onto the above shown cassette tape:

With a dual cassette deck, one deck is playback only while the other is playback and record. This allows you to playback a pre-recorded cassette on the playback only deck and record a copy onto a blank cassette using the record deck. Blank cassettes available with various time capacities. Standard formats are C-60 and C-90 which meant 60 mins total recording time and 90 mins total recording time respectively. Recording is available both "sides" of the cassette tape. A C-60 tape will be 30 mins per side and a C-90 tape will be 45 mins per side.

Some samples of 60 min. and 90 min blank cassette tapes (new):

Cam Jam 2015 - A great success!

On Nov. 21st, I mixed sound for "Cam Jam 2015" at the community centre in Camlachie, ON. It was a great day of local country bands and a little blues thrown in there for good measure. During the day I did have some minor technical glitches to deal with but, solved those problems in good time.

Stephen Dumont and friends last night at cam jam
Posted by KayDee Connors on Sunday, November 22, 2015

Wiring The Stage Efficiently and Safely

Today, the feature article on Prosoundweb.com is all about wiring up the stage efficiently and safely. There are some excellent tips to help every sound technician when wiring the stage. Here is the link to the article on the web site:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/stagecraft_wiring_a_stage_efficiently_neatly_safely/

Another great resource I found was a downloadable spec sheet on "Stage Zones" by Radial Engineering. They are a company that manufactures snake systems and cabling assemblies and custom patch solutions. Radial products featured in the document are the: Stage Flea, Stage Bug, and Stage Slug. These are various kinds of sub snake systems for cleaning up stage wiring. 

The document features a diagram showing how the stage can be divided up into "Zones" making the wiring the stage more efficient, clean and safe. Click here to go to the Radial Engineering web site and download the PDF document:

http://www.radialeng.com/rcs/pdfs/radcat-snakes-slug-bug-flea-spider.pdf

The Alchemy Interviews: Arnold Lanni

I found this video about Mr. Arnold Lanni originally from the Canadian bands "Sheriff" and "Frozen Ghost". I have been a big fan of all the Frozen Ghost music since the 80s. Frozen Ghost disbanded in 1993 after their last album and Arnold Lanni went on to become a major record producer. Arnold has worked with bands like "Our Lady Peace", "Finger Eleven", and "Simple Plan". In the video, Arnold Lanni talks about his time recording albums for these bands.

Here is the link to the video:

https://youtu.be/3sqx96-DfLA?list=PLWruhInq97c-KXjckUDNhiShWQCPb5kTW

Sennheiser Asking Bands & Artists To Review Their New D1 Series Wireless Systems

Reading the most recent entry in Canadian Musician magazine blog reveals that Sennheiser is looking for bands and artists to test out their new D1 series wireless systems. Sennheiser is looking for official testers to try out the new products. You must go to the Sennheiser web site to register yourself as a potential tester. Sennheiser says that they have 150 spots for potential testers.

Please click on the link to read the blog entry in Canadian Musician magazine and then click on the Sennheiser web link for more information and how to register.

http://canadianmusician.com/blog/2015/11/06/sennheiser-calling-on-bands-artists-to-review-its-evolution-wireless-d1-series/

Here is a look at the D1 Series Wireless Systems by Sennheiser

Canadian Musician Magazine - Dean Brody CD Giveaway

Here is the latest sweepstakes from Canadian Musician magazine. CM is giving away Dean Brody's latest CD "Gypsy Road along with a copy of CM magazine with Dean Brody and Paul Brandt as the feature article. Go to the web site link to enter:  http://www.canadianmusician.com/sweepstakes/
Good luck everyone!

Country Cam Jam Saturday, November 21, 2015 - My Next Gig

Here is the poster for my next sound gig the Country Cam Jam 2015. It is at the Camlachie Community Centre on Saturday, November 21st, 2pm to midnight.

Here is the band lineup for the event:

- Borderline

- Cornhuskers

- Country Kings

- Free Rein

- Joan Spalding

- Stevie D.

- Vic & Kim

Yours truly will be doing the live mix for the show using the sound system provided by John Tiernay and Borderline. I am looking forward to the gig. Let's Jam!