The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper: Line Out: Gear

The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper: Line Out: Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/blogs/lineout/ Seattle's #1 Weekly Newspaper. Covering Seattle news, politics, music, film, and arts; plus movie times, club calendars, restaurant listings, forums, blogs, and Savage Love. en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. editor@thestranger.com (The Stranger Editor) webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:15:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Ivan & Alyosha's Gear Gets Stolen, Rhapsody Gives 'Em $10,000, but They Still Want Your Cash http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/ivan-and-alyoshas-gear-gets-stolen-rhapsody-gives-em-10000-but-they-still-want-your-cash http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/ivan-and-alyoshas-gear-gets-stolen-rhapsody-gives-em-10000-but-they-still-want-your-cash Megan Seling <p>Ivan & Alyosha had their van, trailer, and gear stolen while on tour. THAT SUCKS. Man, does that suck. I hate hearing stories of bands being ripped off like this, even when they're boring folk bands with ties to Mars Hill. And while I certainly understand asking fans to help cover the costs of the stolen gear, I also hope that every band everywhere has their shit insured. <a href="https://www.musicproinsurance.com/">Here's a place to start</a>, if you don't.</p> <p>In Ivan & Alyosha's case, though, I was sent a professional press release about their <a href="http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ivanandalyoshavan">Pledge Music campaign</a>, to help replace the stolen gear. If you give 'em $50, <strong>you get a phone call from the band</strong>. In that press release, it states that:</p> <p>* Rhapsody has donated $10,000<br />* Amazon had donated $5,000<br />* Noisetrade is donating ad space and fans can tip/donate when downloading the band's album for free<br />* From June 24-July 1, Dualtone Music Group will give 100% of the net proceeds from digital and physical retail to the band</p> <p>And you're still asking fans for money? STILL? That's what insurance is for, right? If I'm getting a pro press release about how you just got $15,000+, <strong>YOU BETTER HAVE BOUGHT FUCKING INSURANCE</strong>. Or, maybe Mark Driscoll has some money you can have.</p> <p>Anyway. Whatever. See the list of stolen items after the jump. THEN, IF YOU'RE IN A BAND, BUY FUCKING INSURANCE.</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/f09a/1371491584-ivanalyoshagearlist.jpg" alt="IvanAlyoshagearlist.jpg" title="" width="500" height="735" /></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/ivan-and-alyoshas-gear-gets-stolen-rhapsody-gives-em-10000-but-they-still-want-your-cash#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=17044916&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/17/ivan-and-alyoshas-gear-gets-stolen-rhapsody-gives-em-10000-but-they-still-want-your-cash?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=17044916&id=comments 41 Ivan & Alyosha's Gear Gets Stolen, Rhapsody Gives 'Em $10,000, but They Still Want Your Cash Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:57:02 -0700 The Stranger Beck's and Decks: Beer-Bottle Music http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/becks-and-decks-beer-bottle-music http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/becks-and-decks-beer-bottle-music Dave Segal <p><strong>Thomas Edison</strong>'s cylindrical phonograph has been reincarnated—in a <strong>Beck's beer bottle</strong>. Check out a song—<strong>Ghost Wave's "Here She Comes"</strong>—being played on said bottle and learn about the technology behind this old/new invention. Audio ingenuity by Auckland, New Zealand company <a href="http://www.gyro.co.nz/">Gyro Constructivists</a>. Fascinating.</p> <p>Tip: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDJGospel">@TheDJGospel</a></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68007497" width="500" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> </div></p> <p>The first playable beer.<br />19th Century technology meets 21st Century music over a bottle of beer in the latest extension to the Beck’s Record Label project.<br />This time, the art label has evolved, and been replaced by the grooves of Auckland band Ghost Wave. Their new single was inscribed into the surface of a Beck’s beer bottle which could then be played on a specially-built device based on Thomas Edison’s original cylindrical phonograph.<br />Making the world’s first playable beer bottle was a formidable technical challenge. The clever people at Auckland firm Gyro Constructivists first had to design and build a record-cutting lathe, driven by a hard drive recording head. Then they reinvented Edison’s original cylinder player, using modern materials and electronics and built to very fine tolerances.<br />The Edison Bottle made its public debut at SemiPermanent in Auckland in May to a standing ovation from the assembled media and design community.<br />Beck’s has had a long association with music and art. In fact, at about the same time Heinrich Beck was brewing his first beer in the 1870s, Tom Edison was tinkering away on designs for the first phonograph.<br />Considering how beer has influenced recorded music since then, this physical collaboration was very appropriate and long overdue.<br />Client: Beck’s New Zealand<br />Creative Agency: Shine Limited<br />Machine & Bottle Production: Gyro Constructivists<br />Record Label: Arch Hill Recordings<br />Band: Ghost Wave<br />Album: Ages<br />Featured Single: Here She Comes</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/becks-and-decks-beer-bottle-music#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=17008730&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear ??!! http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/06/12/becks-and-decks-beer-bottle-music?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=17008730&id=comments 0 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:32:36 -0700 The Stranger Local Man Writes Eloquent Paean to the Compact Disc http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/15/local-man-writes-eloquent-paean-to-the-compact-disc http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/15/local-man-writes-eloquent-paean-to-the-compact-disc Dave Segal <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/76c4/1363385223-logo_compact_disc.gif" alt="logo_compact_disc.gif" title="" width="250" height="152" /></div></p> <p><strong>Peter Johansen</strong> (disclosure: I worked with him at <strong>Everyday Music</strong> about a decade ago) has launched his <strong><a href="http://numeralnine.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/in-defense-of-the-compact-disc/">Numeral Nine Music Blog</a></strong> with a post dedicated to defending the rebuked and scorned audio format known as the compact disc. Johansen gives five reasons for his positions and gets deep into mathy rationales in his argument for CDs’ merits, and then couples this audio science with his own well-argued personal preferences for the shiny disc. The man makes some <a href="http://numeralnine.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/in-defense-of-the-compact-disc/">fine points</a>. </p> <p>Here's one of 'em:</p> <blockquote><p>While MP3s are fine for ear-buds, the CD produces an objectively better sound when experienced on any decent loudspeaker or headphone. Using algorithms to remove data that is (hopefully) unnecessary, 256 or 320-kbps MP3s might not be significantly inferior to 1,411 kbps CDs, but few argue against the basic premise that lossless CDs can offer a superior sonic experience over compressed MP3s. The best that computer audio can do is to match CDs in terms of quality. FLAC, AIFF, and other file formats do apparently get there, though they represent only a small fraction of the music downloaded.</p></blockquote> <p>I prefer <strong>vinyl</strong>, but I will never be one of those people who jettison their entire CD collection. I don’t trust <a href="http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031">the cloud</a> as far as I can throw it. Artifacts! I wanna touch ’em <em>and</em> hear ’em!</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/15/local-man-writes-eloquent-paean-to-the-compact-disc#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16265535&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear Teh Internets http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/15/local-man-writes-eloquent-paean-to-the-compact-disc?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16265535&id=comments 3 Local Man Writes Eloquent Paean to the Compact Disc Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:11:01 -0700 The Stranger SubPac Gives You Portable Low-End Sensations http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/07/subpac-gives-you-portable-low-end-sensations http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/07/subpac-gives-you-portable-low-end-sensations Dave Segal <p>"The <a href="http://thesubpac.com/">SubPac</a> is going to revolutionize how people experience music forever," says <strong>Todd Chernecki</strong>, co-founder of SubPac. According to SubPac's website, the product "is a <strong>high-fidelity portable tactile audio device</strong> that quietly and directly transfers low frequencies to your body," at a price similar to that of premium headphones. For people who think it's not enough to simply hear music but to <em>feel</em> it, <a href="http://www.factmag.com/2013/03/05/sub-bass-just-got-portable-introducing-subpac/">SubPac</a> could be a real <del>game-</del> internal-organ-changer. </p> <p>SubPac has endorsements from such top-flight musicians, labels, and organizations as <strong>Adrian Sherwood, Kode9, Mala, Joker, Pinch, John Tejada</strong>, <strong>Hyperdub</strong>, and <a href="http://dbfestival.strangertickets.com/">Decibel</a>, so maybe there's validity to the grandiose claims. One wonders if it's going to come in various sizes, though. Seems like the larger one's back is, the less impact the SubPac will have.</p> <p>Check out the Kickstarter video for SubPac below.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PJzAVbptA7o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/07/subpac-gives-you-portable-low-end-sensations#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16188947&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/07/subpac-gives-you-portable-low-end-sensations?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16188947&id=comments 3 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:53:54 -0800 The Stranger Kurt Cobain's $3,000 Farfisa http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/01/kurt-cobains-3000-farfisa http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/01/kurt-cobains-3000-farfisa Derek Erdman <p>Looking to update your jams with Nirvana's patented sound? Need an organ for your organ? Beat your fingers on over to Craigslips and gaze upon an advert for Kurt Cobain's $3000 Farfisa organ. Do it! <a href="http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/3601467772.html">Click right here!</a></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/404e/1362177346-photo.jpg" alt="You're looking at a picture of a picture of the internet on the internet." title="You're looking at a picture of a picture of the internet on the internet." width="500" height="374" /><ul><li class="imageCredit"></li><li class="imageCaption">You're looking at a picture of a picture of the internet on the internet.</li></ul></div></p> <p>Now, it would be common for a person to be skeptical about the past ownership of this fa-fa-Farfisa, <strong>but don't fret</strong>. It comes with "an appraisal and authenticity document from a world renowned appraiser of fine and important antiques." So ease your mime, John Nash.</p> <p>H/T: Dre Gordon (Grey Dragon)</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/01/kurt-cobains-3000-farfisa#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16141418&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/03/01/kurt-cobains-3000-farfisa?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16141418&id=comments 6 Kurt Cobain's $3,000 Farfisa This is an actual picture of a picture on the internet. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:38:25 -0800 The Stranger "This Music Is Bananas," Says NPR http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/21/this-music-is-bananas-says-npr http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/21/this-music-is-bananas-says-npr Anna Minard <p>But they mean <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Y_M4GpyOM">LITERALLY</a>. Ha-ha! Not hip with the kids, I hadn't heard of this magic machine that makes seemingly anything a keyboard until I was researching farm science on a public radio website. And what was recommended to me? <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/02/19/172431202/this-music-is-bananas-really">This article</a>, with this video:</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xvmTav3SYsc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>I can't tell if this is (a) the <strong>most Brooklyn</strong> thing ever, i.e., a man with a very deliberate hair situation in a ratty old sweater covering a '90s song on a DIY musical instrument on the hardwood floor of his apartment; (b) pretty <strong>adorable</strong>—I mean, those GRAPES!—or (c) just the best <strong>pun-bait</strong> ever. "You give a whole new meaning to the word 'producer,'" reads a top comment. ZING!</p> <p>However you feel, I personally have a much-preferred <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSZuPt74e_c">musical banana joke</a>...</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/21/this-music-is-bananas-says-npr#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16068103&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear Staying In Video http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/02/21/this-music-is-bananas-says-npr?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=16068103&id=comments 1 Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:01:44 -0800 The Stranger MIDI Well, Droogs: The Numark Orbit DJ Controller http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/23/midi-well-droogs-the-numark-orbit-dj-controller http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/23/midi-well-droogs-the-numark-orbit-dj-controller Dave Segal <p>Watch this video to learn about the <strong><a href="http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2013/01/numark-orbit-wireless-handheld-dj-controller-unveiled/">Numark Orbit DJ Controller</a></strong>, "the world's first handheld MIDI controller" with "no detectable latency." This device could be a real game-changer in the digital DJing realm. Have fun with that, early adopters. I’m going to keep spinning records on turntables, if it’s okay with everyone. </p> <p>The <a href="http://www.numark.com/">Numark</a> Orbit DJ Controller is available this spring for <strong>$99</strong>.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LhRyGb_Rj0o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/23/midi-well-droogs-the-numark-orbit-dj-controller#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15820354&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/23/midi-well-droogs-the-numark-orbit-dj-controller?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15820354&id=comments 0 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:18:42 -0800 The Stranger Everybody Needs a 303 Documentary http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/22/everybody-needs-a-303-documentary http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/22/everybody-needs-a-303-documentary Dave Segal <p>This 20-minute documentary, <em><a href="http://www.nkhstudio.com/pages/popup_bassline.html">Bassline Baseline</a></em>, about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TB-303">Roland TB-303</a> bassline-generating synthesizer has been around since 2005, but you may have missed it, as I did. It’s an informative, breezy look at the invention, history, and utility of this crucial piece of gear in electronic/dance music (hiphop, electro, acid house, Big Beat, minimal techno, etc.). If you were ever going to use the annoying word "game-changer," you'd be justified in dropping it in regard to the TB-303. </p> <p>Also, you gotta love (or hate) how the film’s narrator/director, <strong>Nate Harrison</strong> (who let me crash at his pad in Manhattan a long time ago; respect!), expresses way less emotion than the 303 itself. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/omHUR3R0Qqw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/22/everybody-needs-a-303-documentary#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15805962&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear History Film http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/22/everybody-needs-a-303-documentary?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15805962&id=comments 0 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:18:39 -0800 The Stranger Want a Pill Flash Drive With Your Disco? USB in Luck. http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/10/want-a-pill-flash-drive-with-your-disco-usb-in-luck http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/10/want-a-pill-flash-drive-with-your-disco-usb-in-luck Dave Segal <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/182d/1357841048-pills.jpg" alt="pills.JPG" title="" width="250" height="250" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">TROUBLE DISCO</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div></p> <p>At the next <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/529917003706568/?fref=ts">TROUBLE</a> disco night Fri. Jan. 11 at <a href="http://www.qcapitolhill.com/">Q Nightclub</a>, the first 100 people who arrive after 10 pm can score free USB flash drives in the shape of a pill. They contain mixes by <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/optimo-dj-makes-passionate-love-to-your-ears/Content?oid=2243580">Optimo's JD Twitch</a>, <strong>Jason Justice</strong>, and <strong>Trouble</strong>. The latter two plus Justice's DJ partner at the beloved <strong><a href="http://trustseattle.com/">TRUST</a></strong> party, <strong>Treasure</strong>, will be spinning their usual impeccably selected disco jams. </p> <p>More info <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/529917003706568/?fref=ts">here</a>.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/10/want-a-pill-flash-drive-with-your-disco-usb-in-luck#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15716810&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear Upcoming http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/10/want-a-pill-flash-drive-with-your-disco-usb-in-luck?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15716810&id=comments 1 Want a Pill Flash Drive With Your Disco? USB in Luck. TROUBLE DISCO Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:08:31 -0800 The Stranger Drop the Needle on the 3-D Printed Record http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/drop-the-needle-on-the-3-d-printed-record http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/drop-the-needle-on-the-3-d-printed-record Dave Segal <p>Humans can now <strong>make records with a 3-D printer</strong>, reports <em>Wired</em> magazine. They sound like crap and will murder your turntable's stylus, but, hey, some kinks still need to be worked out. Nevertheless, the technology behind this is amazing. Just don't expect audiophile-level quality for a while yet.</p> <p>Seattle native <strong>Amanda Ghassaei</strong>, assistant tech editor at the San Francisco-based <a href="http://www.instructables.com/">Instructables</a>, printed discs of <strong>Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Pixies' "Debaser,"</strong> and <strong>Daft Punk's "Around the World,"</strong> the first two of which you can hear in the video below. <em>Wired</em> writer <strong>Nathan Hurst</strong> explains how Ghassaei accomplished this:</p> <blockquote><p>To create the 3-D model for the record, Ghassaei essentially reverses the process of ripping an MP3. As the groove of a record is a microscopic image of the analog audio, she starts with the digitized waveform, using Python to take it directly from the MP3 file, and renders the shape of it into an STL wireframe using Processing, an open source tool that automates the file generation. She then uses the software to wrap it in a spiral on a 3-D 12-inch disc, varying the depth of the groove to match the waveform. Compared to a normal record, hers have increased amplitude and groove depth to account for the coarse resolution.</p></blockquote> <p>Read more about this development—which will likely give Mike Nipper an aneurysm—<a href="http://www.wired.com/design/2012/12/3-d-printed-record/">here</a>.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><object id="flashObj" width="404" height="436" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=2046097169001&playerID=1813626064&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAF1BIQQ~,g5cZB_aGkYZXG-DCZXT7a-c4jcGaSdDQ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=2046097169001&playerID=1813626064&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAAF1BIQQ~,g5cZB_aGkYZXG-DCZXT7a-c4jcGaSdDQ&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="404" height="436" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/drop-the-needle-on-the-3-d-printed-record#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15664711&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/01/03/drop-the-needle-on-the-3-d-printed-record?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15664711&id=comments 3 Thu, 03 Jan 2013 10:09:17 -0800 The Stranger What is the Best Way to Report Stolen Gear to Seattle Area Pawn Shops? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/what-is-the-best-way-to-report-stolen-gear-to-seattle-area-pawn-shops http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/what-is-the-best-way-to-report-stolen-gear-to-seattle-area-pawn-shops Trent Moorman <p>When musical equipment is stolen, what is the best way to notify Seattle area / Washington State pawn shops?</p> <p>Is there a single place or website that is tied into all Washington State pawn shops, that notifies them of stolen gear?</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/what-is-the-best-way-to-report-stolen-gear-to-seattle-area-pawn-shops#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15456802&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/what-is-the-best-way-to-report-stolen-gear-to-seattle-area-pawn-shops?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15456802&id=comments 1 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:47:42 -0800 The Stranger AT&T + iTunes Match = Bummer (And a Workaround) http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/atandt-itunes-match-bummer-and-a-workaround http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/atandt-itunes-match-bummer-and-a-workaround Grant Brissey <p>A few months back, I signed up for iTunes Match ($24.99 a year), the service that <strong>backs up your iTunes library to the Cloud</strong> and allows you to stream your music or stream and download your music to your device. Also, my mobile service provider is AT&T.*</p> <p>So here's the problem: With Match enabled, every time you sync your iPhone to your computer, <strong>Match wipes the slate clean</strong>. Whatever you bothered to download last time you were out and about or before last time you left the house <strong>gets zapped back up into the Cloud</strong>—reverse lightning. Then next time you go out into the concrete gymnasium, you have to stream all your tunes. And because you're streaming with AT&T, <strong>your tunes sputter, cough, and wheeze their way into your ears</strong>. It's a lousy way to experience music on the go, which is one of the most pleasing times to listen to the stuff. It's a cost of convenience.</p> <p>I'd rather curate my mobile library occasionally, when the mood or inspiration strikes. It's almost not worth the peace of mind facilitated by knowing <strong>your entire library is backed up, with redundancies</strong>. (Apple states that if you cancel your subscription, you get all your songs back.) </p> <p>So after I spent several months and several paragraphs whining about this, I decided to look into it (such is, sadly, <strong>the same way I approach many minor annoyances in life.</strong>) <del>and the workaround, thankfully, is very simple. Turn off Match on your phone, and </strong>manually manage what music goes on it.</strong> Your library is still backed up (assuming it's not just on your phone), and you get the songs you want with no stream stalling.</del> Now then, <a href="http://vimeo.com/14975413">what else can I complain about</a>?</p> <p>Okay, I wrote the first half of this post, like, last week. The fix didn't work! <strong>Verdict: STUPID</strong>. There is an option "Sync only checked songs and videos," but the default mode checks the things when you import them to iTunes. Who wants to go through their entire library and uncheck everything they don't want to hear when they go out for a trip. Then, <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2012/12/04/1354674877-1.png" alt="1.PNG" title="" width="500" height="750">this</a> happened, and then, two days later, <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2012/12/04/1354675074-2.png" alt="2.PNG" title="" width="500" height="750"">this godamn shit</a> happened.</p> <p>If there's a non-stupid way to decide when you want to sync your stuff, I take this all back. <strong>Except the part where it should be way more intuitive.</strong> If you know this way, kindly chime in. Also, who's backed up their music library to a cloud and is happy with their experience? Chime in in the comments section.</p> <p><small>*If you're not familiar, AT&T provides notoriously subpar cellular/digital coverage.</small></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/atandt-itunes-match-bummer-and-a-workaround#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15403012&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear Teh Internets http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/12/05/atandt-itunes-match-bummer-and-a-workaround?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15403012&id=comments 9 AT&T + iTunes Match = Bummer <del>(And a Workaround)</del> Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:55:40 -0800 The Stranger Speaking of the Greatness of the Clavinet... http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/29/speaking-of-the-greatness-of-the-clavinet http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/29/speaking-of-the-greatness-of-the-clavinet Dave Segal <p>When writing <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/28/one-of-the-most-common-mistakes-bands-make">this post</a> about the extreme coolness of the clavinet, I neglected to mention <a href="http://www.discogs.com/artist/Politicians,+The">the Politicians</a>’ <strong>“Funky Toes,”</strong> a song from the Detroit group's 1972 LP whose excellence you can hear below. (<strong>DJ Spooky</strong> sampled it for his track <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj_31rOwNng">“Galactic Funk (Tau Ceti Mix),”</a> a highlight from his 1996 debut album, <em>Songs of a Dead Dreamer</em>.) Now you know.</p> <p>I'm telling you: The clavinet is key. Ask <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/05/go_huge_with_the_clavinet">Lymbyc System</a>. </p> <p><small>Thanks to <a href="http://madelikeatree.com/mlat62-Explorateur">Explorateur</a> for the Politicians reminder.</small></p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Whs_nzEx2hE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/29/speaking-of-the-greatness-of-the-clavinet#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15406786&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear Song Classic http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/29/speaking-of-the-greatness-of-the-clavinet?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15406786&id=comments 0 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:23:23 -0800 The Stranger One of the Most Common Mistakes Bands Make http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/28/one-of-the-most-common-mistakes-bands-make http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/28/one-of-the-most-common-mistakes-bands-make Dave Segal <p>One of the most common—and heinous—mistakes most bands make is not having a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clavinet">clavinet</a> in their music. To state the bloody obvious, the clavinet creates one of the coolest sounds in the history of instruments. It's a keyboard with a husky, staccato twang in its DNA and it's played key roles in some of the funkiest tracks ever by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efLOr3tM1KI&feature=related">Billy Preston</a>, <strong>Sly & the Family Stone</strong>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUTabYaU5Uw">Edgar Winter Group</a>, <strong>the Commodores, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1f7eZ8cHpM">Steve Miller Band</a>, Parliament-Funkadelic, George Duke</strong>, etc. </p> <p>Yes, clavinets are rather scarce in the wild, but, damn it, groups need to try harder to obtain 'em—unless they want to continue to handicap themselves with a clavinet-free sound. Use your connections, be resourceful, build one yourselves—<strong>do whatever it takes</strong>, people. Your music is too important for it <em>not</em> to have clavinet in it.</p> <p>Below watch <a href="http://funkscribe.com/">Funkscribe</a> break down the multiple clavinet tracks in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE">Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"</a> and be astounded anew at this classic.</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WryUOXo9sfM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/28/one-of-the-most-common-mistakes-bands-make#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15397180&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear Tip http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/28/one-of-the-most-common-mistakes-bands-make?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15397180&id=comments 1 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:04:45 -0800 The Stranger The Ultimate Mobile DJ? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/06/the-ultimate-mobile-dj http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/06/the-ultimate-mobile-dj Dave Segal <p>Wheels of steel on wheels? Not quite, but <a href="https://twitter.com/childofsunDJs/status/265858296953581568/photo/1">this dude</a> with his CDJs, mixer, and speakers mounted on a bicycle has taken the term “<strong>mobile DJ</strong>” to its logical limit. What ingenuity! (I hope it's not a fixie....) Gawk at the unique setup <a href="https://twitter.com/childofsunDJs/status/265858296953581568/photo/1">here</a>.</p> <p>Tip: @<a href="https://twitter.com/TheDJGospel">TheDJGospel</a> & @<a href="https://twitter.com/childofsunDJs">childofsunDJs</a></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/06/the-ultimate-mobile-dj#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15203184&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear ??!! http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/11/06/the-ultimate-mobile-dj?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=15203184&id=comments 0 Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:35:09 -0800 The Stranger New Death Grips Out (For Free) with a Picture of a Dick http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/01/new-death-grips-out-for-free-with-a-picture-of-a-dick http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/01/new-death-grips-out-for-free-with-a-picture-of-a-dick Trent Moorman <p>At midnight last night, Sacramento based <a href="http://thirdworlds.net/main/">Death Grips</a> released their new album, <em>No Love Deep Web</em>, for free. The cover art is a picture of a penis with the album title written on it in Sharpie. (Click link above for your viewing pleasure, if you are 18, and not surrounded by children or people that would be offended by seeing a dick with handwritten words on it.) The date of the album release seems to have been a point of contention, with <a href="https://twitter.com/DeathGripz">Death Grips' twitter</a> saying:</p> <blockquote><p>The label wouldn’t confirm a release date for NO LOVE DEEP WEB “till next year sometime”</p></blockquote> <blockquote><p>The label will be hearing the album for the first time with you</p></blockquote> <p>So it’s out. And it crushes. Death Grips are a three-piece armada. Rap-heaves of electronic brute pissing kerosene on a fire. </p> <p><object height="345" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F2552078&show_comments=false&auto_play=false&show_playcount=true&show_artwork=true&color=000000"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="345" src="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F2552078&show_comments=false&auto_play=false&show_playcount=true&show_artwork=true&color=000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/deathgrips/sets/no-love-deep-web">NO LOVE DEEP WEB</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/deathgrips">deathgrips</a></span></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/01/new-death-grips-out-for-free-with-a-picture-of-a-dick#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14899872&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> New Releases Art Death Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/10/01/new-death-grips-out-for-free-with-a-picture-of-a-dick?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14899872&id=comments 5 Mon, 01 Oct 2012 08:47:52 -0700 The Stranger Sweet Grooves (Literally), Breakbot http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/09/24/sweet-grooves-literally-breakbot http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/09/24/sweet-grooves-literally-breakbot Dave Segal <p>Via <a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2012/09/chocolate-record-actually-plays-and-dest.php">geekologie.com</a></p> <p>An artist named <a href="https://www.facebook.com/breakbot">Breakbot</a> has released a record titled <em>By Your Side</em> that's made out of chocolate. It can be played three to five times before the grooves get worn out. Then you eat the damn thing... unless you're a hardcore vegan or you hate chocolate. If you don't think this music's the shit, just wait a while—it will be. </p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5bte5jzPD3c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/09/24/sweet-grooves-literally-breakbot#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14840386&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear ??!! http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/09/24/sweet-grooves-literally-breakbot?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14840386&id=comments 1 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:37:32 -0700 The Stranger The Ultimate Mobile DJ Setup? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/30/the-ultimate-mobile-dj-setup http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/30/the-ultimate-mobile-dj-setup Dave Segal <p>Via <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDJGospel">@TheDJGospel</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/TheDJGospel/status/241069088783360000/photo/1">Check it out</a>: A jockey of discs precariously perches his Pioneer CDJs and mixer on a scooter (the wheels of rubber). It's doubtful you've ever seen a more makeshift DJ setup... but if you have, please let us know about it.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/30/the-ultimate-mobile-dj-setup#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14610187&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear ??!! http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/30/the-ultimate-mobile-dj-setup?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14610187&id=comments 0 Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:06:58 -0700 The Stranger Do You Have the Decksterity to Make Your Own Turntable? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/24/do-you-have-the-decksterity-to-make-your-own-turntable http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/24/do-you-have-the-decksterity-to-make-your-own-turntable Dave Segal <p>If you’re adept with tools, possess knowledge of electronics, have access to wood, and can accurately find the center of a platter, you can make your own turntable. With <strong>Technics</strong> ceasing manufacture of its industry-standard SL-1200 series, this skill may come in handy. </p> <p>German <a href="http://www.altmann.haan.de/">Charles Altmann</a>—of <strong>Altmann Micro Machines</strong> fame—has provided <a href="http://www.altmann.haan.de/turntable/">a detailed how-to photo guide</a> to constructing your own record-playing device. It’s a daunting task, but Altmann has gone to great lengths to lead you through the delicate, precise process. The rewards of accomplishing this feat will be immense, of course. Read all about it <a href="http://www.altmann.haan.de/turntable/">here</a>. Godspeed—at 33 1/3 <em>and</em> 45 rpm.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/24/do-you-have-the-decksterity-to-make-your-own-turntable#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14555358&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/24/do-you-have-the-decksterity-to-make-your-own-turntable?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14555358&id=comments 2 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:59:18 -0700 The Stranger Hawthorne Stereo's Used Room 10-20-30 Super Sale http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/22/hawthorne-stereos-used-room-10-20-30-super-sale http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/22/hawthorne-stereos-used-room-10-20-30-super-sale Grant Brissey <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/f9c3/1345674007-photo.jpg" alt="The Used Room is calling your name." title="The Used Room is calling your name." width="500" height="375" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Yours Truly</li><li class="imageCaption">The Used Room is calling your name.</li></ul></div></p> <p>It's been taunting me for weeks now. <a href="http://www.hawthornestereo.com/">Hawthorne Stereo</a>, the <strong>audiophile's wet dream/nightmare</strong>,* on Roosevelt has got this sale going in which you get 10 percent off the first thing you buy in the used room, then 20 percent of the second, and—you guessed it!—30 percent off the third. If I didn't already have two perfectly good stereo systems (one of which I'm considering setting up in the basement with my drum kit because <strong>no one will join my new band called Buckaroo Highrise</strong>) I probably would have already have fallen victim to this because there is so much great stuff in there that it makes my nerd-brain want to explode into a million bits of data. I finally went in there yesterday <strong>for a bit of masochistic self-deprivation</strong>—sort of like watching a snowboard video in the middle of summer. TORTURE. The sale ends Labor Day, which everyone knows signals the slow march into the throes of <strong>Old Man Winter's seasonal-affective disorder marathon</strong>, for which <em>you</em> know you want a great stereo. Consider it an birthday present for someone else that you just took home and plugged in!</p> <p>Secondly, I was pleased to confirm that <strong>Hawthorne carries needles/styluses</strong> and they will check yours out for you. This is great news for me, because the current turntable I'm using I <strong>found on the side of 10th Ave while jogging</strong> about six years ago. There was a note on it that said "Works—just needs new stylus!" But then the guy at J&S told me the stylus was fine.</p> <p><strong>Two more reasons you should patronize Hawthorne Stereo:</strong> 1) Their slogan is "A pretty nice place" and 2) They've been in business since 1946.</p> <p>See some of the deals that made me want to cry and then work in a more lucrative field after the jump:</p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/c4c9/1345674041-photo2.jpg" alt="photo2.JPG" title="" width="500" height="375" /></div></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/3a74/1345674100-photo3.jpg" alt="photo3.JPG" title="" width="500" height="375" /></div></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2012/08/22/1345676313-stanton.jpg" alt="stanton.jpg" title="" width="500" height="375" /></div></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2012/08/22/1345676344-rtec.jpg" alt="rtec.jpg" title="" width="500" height="375" /></div></p> <p><div class="blogImageCenter" style="width:512px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/images/blogimages/2012/08/22/1345676392-teac.jpg" alt="Not in the Used Room but still rad." title="Not in the Used Room but still rad." width="500" height="375" /><ul><li class="imageCredit"></li><li class="imageCaption">Not in the Used Room but still rad.</li></ul></div></p> <p>For a complete list that will make you cry or get in your car and drive there immediately, go <a href="http://www.hawthornestereo.com/used/">here</a>. </p> <p><small>*Wet dream if you're in the market for an excellent stereo/nightmare if you're broke</small></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/22/hawthorne-stereos-used-room-10-20-30-super-sale#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14535126&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear Staying In http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/22/hawthorne-stereos-used-room-10-20-30-super-sale?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14535126&id=comments 4 Hawthorne Stereo's Used Room 10-20-30 Super Sale The Used Room is calling your name. Yours Truly Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:30:10 -0700 The Stranger LOL @ Headphone Reviews http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/20/lol-headphone-reviews http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/20/lol-headphone-reviews Dave Segal <p>Over at <a href="http://gizmodo.com/">Gizmodo</a>, <strong>Joe Brown</strong> has <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5936233/every-positive-headphone-review-ever?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow">distilled every review about headphones ever into one über review</a>, with his bullshit detector on blast. Nod and chuckle in recognition as every sentiment ever written about those cans around your ears gets dissected and dissed. </p> <p>Thanks, Joe. Your assessment definitely packs a midrange-y punch.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/20/lol-headphone-reviews#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14512838&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/20/lol-headphone-reviews?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14512838&id=comments 1 Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:46:28 -0700 The Stranger New Music Store Opening on Capitol Hill! http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/17/new-music-store-opening-on-capitol-hill http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/17/new-music-store-opening-on-capitol-hill Emily Nokes <p>ATTENTION <strong>SHRED DAWGS</strong>: </p> <p>You can now shred even harder and <strong>break all the strings</strong> you need to! Because <a href="http://www.highvoltagemusicstore.com">High Voltage Music</a> is opening on Capitol Hill this weekend, so you no longer have to deal with a) getting to Guitar Center b) parking at Guitar Center or c) talking to a Guitar Center employee and accidentally buying an overpriced <a href="http://www.daisyrock.com/node/182?sku=185">Daisy Rock</a> (okay that's your fault, those are hard to resist). </p> <p><strong>High Voltage</strong> will be located on E Pike and Broadway (in between Ballet and the Shell gas station) for all your string instrument needs*. Check out the <a href="http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2012/08/17/capitol-hill-gets-a-guitar-shop-high-voltage-ready-to-rock-e-pike">CHS blog</a> for the full scoop. <strong>Thanks CHS blog!</strong></p> <p><em>* This just in! They also carry drum, bass and keyboard gear!</em></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/17/new-music-store-opening-on-capitol-hill#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14490101&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/17/new-music-store-opening-on-capitol-hill?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14490101&id=comments 8 Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:29:34 -0700 The Stranger NEWS FLASH: These Ear Buds Are a Piece of Garbage http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/09/news-flash-these-ear-buds-are-a-piece-of-garbage http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/09/news-flash-these-ear-buds-are-a-piece-of-garbage Grant Brissey <p>Okay, not to be <em>this guy</em>:</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8r1CZTLk-Gk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>But I think some griping is warranted when something <em>so</em> amazing is manufactured at such a lowest-common denominator, Consumer Price Index-optimized <strong>crap-level of quality</strong>. I'd rather pay more money for something built well and built to last than something that <strong>works poorly but is priced low</strong> enough to justify buying a replacement when it breaks at the one-year mark. </p> <p>Almost two years (and several pairs of ear buds, which still have a dumb name) into owning/using and iPhone/ear buds, I have determined that not only are these things <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2011/02/21/i-am-going-to-get-myself-killed-with-these-goddamn-ear-buds">going to get me killed</a> (twice, <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/12/i-have-not-died-do-to-headphone-use-yet-but-i-have-developed-some-rules-about-it?oid=13909062&show=comments&sort=desc&display=">even</a>!), but that they <strong>sound like garbage</strong> and are not designed to make full use of their amplification/decibel output, which <strong>causes us to turn them up too loud</strong>. Surely this is not a revelation to anyone. Nor is it to me, but it's just that I'm using them enough now that <strong>my Complain-O-Meter™ has gone through the roof of the atmosphere</strong>. Now I use them when I'm running, and trust me people, the music needs to be LOUD to motivate a guy to haul this lanky frame for a couple miles. I also use them when I work at a coffee shop and <strong>I can't stand the coffee shop's music</strong>, which is most of the time, or when a child is screaming and throwing Cheerios at the table next to me (right now).</p> <p>SO, here's the question, dear LineOuters: Can anyone recommend a <strong>moderately priced pair of headphones</strong> that features <em>not only</em> voice capabilities (one thing the ear buds do okay), but quality, audible sound when not at top volume, <em>and</em> a not-falling-out-of-my-ear-while-running-type fit? Noise canceling jobs seem like a bad idea for running because <strong>they would definitely get me killed</strong>, but there has to be a compromise, or is this just a pipe dream whose pipe bowl is <strong>filled with melted wire and plastic?</strong>* I would happily spend the money for such an item, provided that it's likely to last. I suspect, though, that reality will dictate two pairs, one without noise canceling for running/gym, and one with for cafe/crying-baby-sitting-next-to-you-and-throwing-Cheerios-while-you-try-to-work situations. Any recommendations are much appreciated.</p> <p><small>*If someone reveals such a pair of headphones to me, I will melt down all the copper from the throngs of shitty headphones I have purchased over the years and donate the proceeds of its sale to charity. </small></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/09/news-flash-these-ear-buds-are-a-piece-of-garbage#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14412538&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/08/09/news-flash-these-ear-buds-are-a-piece-of-garbage?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14412538&id=comments 14 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:45:15 -0700 The Stranger The Sounds of Lots and Lots of Instruments in Under Six Minutes http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/26/the-sounds-of-lots-and-lots-of-instruments-in-under-six-minutes http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/26/the-sounds-of-lots-and-lots-of-instruments-in-under-six-minutes Dave Segal <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/45489906?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ababab" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe></div></p> <p>Bomb Squad producer <a href="http://shocklee.com/2012/07/listen-to-every-instrument-known-to-man/">Hank Shocklee's site</a>—via <a href="http://robotrepair.net/">Robot Repair</a>—has a video featuring snippets of countless (<em>I</em> certainly don't have time to count 'em) instruments, which serves as an efficient intro to some—if not all—of the musical sounds that can be made by human beings. (But, hey, no clavinet?! Heinous omission!) I bet you can't just watch this once.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/26/the-sounds-of-lots-and-lots-of-instruments-in-under-six-minutes#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14288328&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/26/the-sounds-of-lots-and-lots-of-instruments-in-under-six-minutes?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14288328&id=comments 0 Thu, 26 Jul 2012 09:41:17 -0700 The Stranger Turning Ink Into Sound http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/11/turning-ink-into-sound http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/11/turning-ink-into-sound Dave Segal <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pREx00d2DAM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>Via <a href="http://shocklee.com/2012/07/new-german-technology-turns-ink-into-sound/">shocklee.com</a> [<strong>Bomb Squad</strong> producer (<strong>Public Enemy/Ice Cube/Son of Bazerk</strong>), <a href="http://shocklee.com/">Hank Shocklee</a>]</p> <p>A brilliant German professor is working toward revolutionizing audio technology... with ink and paper!</p> <blockquote><p>A professor at Germany’s Chemnitz University has been developing novel technology that will <strong>transform electronics into printable material</strong>. Professor <strong>Arved Huebler</strong> who has worked on the product for 12 years calls the technology, which conduct sound and can even be used for generating electricity, “a printed loudspeaker”.</p></blockquote> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/11/turning-ink-into-sound#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14150879&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/11/turning-ink-into-sound?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14150879&id=comments 0 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:13:34 -0700 The Stranger The Four-Stringed Wonder http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/02/the-four-stringed-wonder http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/02/the-four-stringed-wonder Brendan Kiley <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/2809/1341251629-music-feature-570.jpeg" alt="music-feature-570.jpeg" title="" width="250" height="176" /><ul><li class="imageCredit">Mike Force</li><li class="imageCaption"></li></ul></div>Until a few years ago, most Americans thought of the ukulele—if they thought of it at all—as a fake instrument. It was just a toy, something your grandpa might've played in the living room during the family cocktail hour, or a prop for vaudeville routines. The uke had a few high-profile partisans over the years—including George Harrison, who reportedly brought them to friends' houses as gifts—but as far as the rest of the world was concerned, the ukulele stopped with "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" and Tiny Tim.</p> <p>Ten or 15 years ago, things started to change. Locally, the ukulele was becoming more popular with the new wave of circus and cabaret acts (Circus Contraption, for example). Nationally, bands like the Magnetic Fields, Beirut, and the Decemberists began treating the ukulele as a serious instrument for composing songs, not just adding it as a flourish. "[The Magnetic Fields'] <em>69 Love Songs</em> is primarily ukulele-based," Jason Verlinde, the publisher of <em>Fretboard Journal</em> said. "At the time, it was probably the best-selling ukulele record of all time."</p> <p>That change hit rollercoaster speed one sunny afternoon in 2006, when a young ukulele player from Hawaii named Jake Shimabukuro sat down in Central Park and played a stunningly virtuosic version of Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Shimabukuro was visiting New York and playing for some segment on a local TV show, but the video found its way to YouTube and exploded—the video went viral before the term "viral video" was even coined.</p> <p><u><a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-four-stringed-wonder/Content?oid=14029587">Continue reading »</a></u></p> Gear History Interview http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/07/02/the-four-stringed-wonder?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14079832&id=comments 0 The Four-Stringed Wonder Mike Force Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:02:19 -0700 The Stranger You're Not Really an Old-School DJ Unless You're Rocking This Setup http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/27/youre-not-really-an-old-school-dj-unless-youre-rocking-this-setup http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/27/youre-not-really-an-old-school-dj-unless-youre-rocking-this-setup Dave Segal <p><strong>Dangerous Minds</strong> has the ancient scoop on <a href="http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/the_oldest_dj_set_up_in_the_world_1910">the first DJ setup</a>, the <a href="http://www.aqpl43.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/auxetophone/auxetoph.htm#gau">Gaumont Chronophone System</a>. Fuck your SeratoPad or iTraktor or whatever the hell you kids use these days when you play-act as if you're DJing.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/27/youre-not-really-an-old-school-dj-unless-youre-rocking-this-setup#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14040184&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Hey You Fucking Kids! Gear History http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/27/youre-not-really-an-old-school-dj-unless-youre-rocking-this-setup?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=14040184&id=comments 0 Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:36:27 -0700 The Stranger If It's Too Loud... You're Too Old? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/20/if-its-too-loud-youre-too-old http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/20/if-its-too-loud-youre-too-old Kelly O <p>Whoah-ho-ho! Check out THESE subwoofers...</p> <p><div style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x4jGQW8fIWo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/20/if-its-too-loud-youre-too-old#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=13975616&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/20/if-its-too-loud-youre-too-old?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=13975616&id=comments 1 Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:04:35 -0700 The Stranger I Have Not Died Due to Headphone Use Yet, but I Have Developed Some (More) Rules About It http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/12/i-have-not-died-do-to-headphone-use-yet-but-i-have-developed-some-rules-about-it http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/12/i-have-not-died-do-to-headphone-use-yet-but-i-have-developed-some-rules-about-it Grant Brissey <p>Almost a year and a half ago, <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2011/02/21/i-am-going-to-get-myself-killed-with-these-goddamn-ear-buds">I wrote this</a>:</p> <blockquote><p>Up until this year, I'd never owned an iPod, and it's been years since I lost my portable CD Player (which didn't get as frequent a use because it was cumbersome). I got an iPhone for Christmas, and now <strong>I've got those little white speakers in my ears all the dang time</strong>. I take care to look both ways twice before I cross the street, and try to be conscious at all times, but still, I think <strong>I am going to get myself killed with these goddamn ear buds</strong>. Two days ago I was walking around in the grocery store, grumbling to myself about oblivious people who walk too slow and don't pay attention to their surroundings. Not thirty seconds after thinking these highly hypocritical thoughts, I turned around sharply and almost ran into someone. It was totally my fault. <strong>New rule: no more ear buds in the grocery store.</strong> Did you have to set rules for yourself when it comes to personal audio systems (or whatever they're called)? If so, what are they?</p></blockquote> <p>And astute commenter and sometimes Line Out contributor <strong>Travis Ritter</strong> commented:</p> <blockquote><p>I haven't listened to a portable device with headphones in over three years, when my last discman broke... Not while walking, and not even on the bus. I see that as my time to enjoy (and sometimes rather not enjoy) whatever sounds are going on, and to <strong>be able to engage with the world around me</strong>. Too many people in Seattle have those stupid white earbuds crammed into their head, creating more disconnect [in] their world. It bugged me the most when they intently listened to their iPods WHILE SHOPPING IN A RECORD STORE, a place you go to hear music that isn't your own (yet).</p> <p><strong>Call me old fashioned. It's a real social plague.</strong></p> <p>I will, however, take my portable tape player with an external speaker, and jam the shit out of Black Sabbath while walking around.</p></blockquote> <p>Well, in addition to the no-headphones-in-the grocery store, I've got two more recent ones:</p> <p>1: I now <em>always</em> take them out if I'm crossing a busy or even busy-ish street because I'm becoming increasingly paranoid in my old age (56 years old on Friday!).</p> <p>2: I take them out to say hi to and thank the bus driver. (I already take them out for any other human interaction (duh).)</p> <p>I asked this back then, but maybe habits have changed. <strong>What are your headphone-wearing rules?</strong></p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/12/i-have-not-died-do-to-headphone-use-yet-but-i-have-developed-some-rules-about-it#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=13909062&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Death Gear Sort of News http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/06/12/i-have-not-died-do-to-headphone-use-yet-but-i-have-developed-some-rules-about-it?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=13909062&id=comments 62 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:38:49 -0700 The Stranger chicBuds: EARO OR ZERO? http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/05/24/chicbuds-earo-or-zero http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/05/24/chicbuds-earo-or-zero Dave Segal <p><div class="blogImageRight" style="width:262px;"><img src="http://www.thestranger.com/binary/1aec/1337897842-arts-header3.jpg" alt="Arts-header3.jpg" title="" width="250" height="98" /></div></p> <p>Today's email deluge included this missive; I've added commentary in brackets:</p> <blockquote><p>Women today want everything to be a reflection of their style. [TWO GROSS GENERALIZATIONS IN THE FIRST SENTENCE. WELL DONE!] And with <a href="http://chicbuds.com/arts.html">chicBuds</a> bridging the gap between fashion and music technology, your favorite gadgets can now be accessorized with your look! Austere ear buds are a thing of the past [AUSTERE EAR BUDS? WELL, I NEVER!], with the newest addition to the chicBuds collection: ARTS! ARTS inner ear buds combine modern design with contemporary patterns and styles. Women can wear Zebra Stripes to mirror their wild side [BECAUSE NOTHING SCREAMS "WILD" LIKE ZEBRA STRIPES.], Pink Leopard to match their summer brights, and Blue Graffiti to capture that edgy cool vibe [FUTURA 2000 IS VERY HAPPY FOR YOU.].</p></blockquote> <p>Let's have a poll to determine if chicBuds are a good idea.</p> <p>[ <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/05/24/chicbuds-earo-or-zero#comments">Comment on this story</a> ]</p> <p>[ <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=13765683&id=comments">Subscribe to the comments on this story</a> ]</p> Gear http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2012/05/24/chicbuds-earo-or-zero?show=comments#readerComments http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Rss.xml?oid=13765683&id=comments 20 chicBuds: EARO OR ZERO? Thu, 24 May 2012 15:22:26 -0700 The Stranger