Archive for 2008
Happy Holidays to the Damour Family
I am absolutely appalled. I know Black Friday was almost two weeks ago, but with a free moment in my hands I wanted to take a moment to share in how angered I was to learn about the death of Walmart employee Jdimytai Damour. His death at the hands of a raging stampede of customers insane for bargains really makes me look at how much we've lost the true meanings of the Holidays.
Enough about the Microwavers already!
With the new age of DJ software and digital vinyl systems (DVS) out there, I'm finding it ridiculous how much lately I keep hearing DJs complain to no end about the so-called "microwave DJs" out there.
They're referring to the new generation of DJs who took a big shortcut in the craft. These guys either purchased or illegally downloaded software like Traktor or Ableton Live, and then spent even more time downloading loads of MP3s off P2P programs, torrents, and blog sites. Within months, these rookies somehow manage to slither their way into DJ guest spots and even club residencies, the kinds that took seasoned veterans years to attain. The main complaint isn't just on all the music they pirate from the internet, but their lack of experience, experimentation, and even how many of them let the software do most of the work, like beatmatching.
Congratulations President Obama
I'm seated here now on my couch, watching the victory on television. It is a historic moment. A moment historic not because an African American has been elected to the highest office in the United States, but more because it's a moment the citizens of the US cast aside the typical apathy on election days. The day that everyone gave a damn...not just a small percentage.
Photography
With everything else I do in my life, everything I try to learn, photography came as a shot out of left field for many who know me, but it is a skill I have taken vested interest in since I began to see the connection between photography and graphic design. I see photography in every element of the trade. I look at posters, ads, web sites, and I see that a lot of the visual beauty has come from the photograph. It became imperative that I try to learn more about this aspect of my career field as a Web Designer/Developer.
My past photographic experiences involved simple point-and-click film cameras and then later some of the first digital cameras. Back when I was active with OS Magazine, it became such a challenge to take photos inside nightclubs. I remember especially trying to snap photos of the inside of Shelter with a sea of fog in front of me. Still, with time passing, I progressed.
No Complaining Allowed
Ok...I've had it.
I am thoroughly sick of people who waste my time as well as their time and energy mindlessly complaining about every possible “wrong” that they have endured in the world.
Review: Akai MPD24
For anyone either producing music with a DAW (like Ableton Live) or needing extra controls for your DVS (like Torq), you might want to consider picking up a drumpad midi controller. Granted M-Audio has a hit with their Trigger Finger, but I ended up selecting the Akai MPD24 for my needs. I found it's a more solid and versatile controller for multiple uses.
Akai has been known since the 1980s for their drumpad samplers, but obtaining one can be a pricey expenditure. The MPD24 gives you all the control bang of those older models without the sampler banks, hence why you'll need a DAW or other audio program to really make use of it.
