OT: Apple Sucks

RANT:
Just felt the need to say that. I was planning on getting an IPod Classic 160G to hold all my music and my home videos. My home vids are in MPEG-2 format. I went to the Apple store today and asked what I needed to convert the vids to play on the IPod. I was told Quicktime Pro would do it. I buy it and nope. I then read I need the MPEG-2 utility here. Another $20 bucks.

The MPEG-2 site reads (pay close attention here kiddies):

"Transcoding video content

Your MPEG-2 video content can be imported into QuickTime and exported to other formats such as MPEG-4, the new international standard for Internet media, QuickTime Movie or DV Stream, to name a few. The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component allows the transcode of MPEG-2 video from both multiplexed and elementary video streams(1). By converting your MPEG-2 video content into other formats, it can be used in new forums, such as on the web, on CD-ROM or on DV tape."

I convert the home video and... no audio. So I go to the online support and find this!:

"It is not possible to export the audio portion of a muxed MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio/video stream using QuickTime. For editing purposes, the entire MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 stream is treated as a single sample. You may create edit lists to display parts of the stream in the usual way, but if you flatten the movie data, the entire stream is saved, not just the parts displayed in the movie."

I'm sorry, but WTF is that?! Apparently there are no refunds either, so I'm out $54.43 for software I don't even need. Apple sucks. And for the record, every single report of problems with the site have been on the Mac.
RANT Over

So if you are considering doing the same, consider yourself warned. This software seems to work, and was recommended by the guys at Gizmodo, but it will cost me another $29.95 to automate the process.

BTW, if I'm reading the above wrong and it should actually work but I need to do something I'm missing let me know.

BTW, I'm pissed at MS to. Why the hell they released the Zune in only 30G capacity is beyond me.

AH Cali 2007 Images

Two sets are in:

One
Two

AKA AH Bay Area 2007

Update: another set via synchro1
and more from retrosynth.

Sound Transform Systems Serge

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

New Timbral Oscillator
Wave Multiplier
Wilson Analog Delay
Precision Voltage Controlled Oscillator
Mixer
Divide N Comparator
Variable Resonance Voltage Controlled Filter
Universal Audio Processor

Alicia Keys and the Jupiter-8 - VMA Awards

My wife is watching the VMA awards (I'll never admit to it : ). Anyway Alicia Keys just played and get this, she had a Roland Jupiter-8 out on the catwalk. She performed and walked over to it and played a few notes. If anyone has a screen shot of this or sees it on YouTube, post back and I'll update the post up. Not much happens with it, but it was nice seeing something vintage there. There were some nice close-ups of it.


Update: image and link to the video via the comments.

Iapetus - instrumental synth prog rock

YouTube via hamsterdunce.
"More music on umop.com!
Putting the mental in instrumental, once again... Another odd ditty... this one grooves in an alternating 15/8 and 4/4... more epileptic dancing fun for everyone! Backing tracks & rock organ part are all Garage Band... such a great program. Meanwhile, the Nord Lead, Access Virus kb, and trusty old Korg 01/W are along for the ride, with Cthulhu riding shotgun."

Drunk

YouTube via reichmarshall.
"I don't drink very often. Here's why." Lightweight. :)

MD liveset practice part 1

YouTuve via daswesen.

keybdwizrd - Morphine Demo

YouTube via keybdwizrd.
"Demo of the Morphine additive synthesizer (software), using M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2 MIDI controller. Minor detail: The Morphine GUI is NOT as large as it appears here - I used the zoom feature in OSX to make it bigger on the screen for purposes of making this video."

MOOG The Source

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Roland SH-3A

It looks like the Roland SH-3A in this video by AtomaticGainsay is up for auction. Title link takes you to the shots.

"Functions:

One oscillator with five level-adjustable sections offering 3 waveforms to choose from for "additive" type sounds, adjustable pulse-width modulation on the 8' setting, and adjustable frequency modulation.

One 24 dB/oct voltage controlled filter with resonance that can self-oscillate, adjustable envelope sensitivity, independent pre-set envelopes as well as ADSR control, and adjustable filter modulation.

Level-adjustable noise generator with pink and white noise that can be directed through the VCF or directly to the VCA.

Two Low Frequency Oscillators. One is an adjustable saw wave. The other is an adjustable square or sine wave with adjustable delay. The LFOs are connected to a matrix-style routing system, allowing you to direct different waveforms to different sections.

The VCA has a level control, an adjustable hold control, ADSR or independent envelope controls, and adjustable amplitude modulation.

ADSR envelope which can be directed to VCF, VCA, or both.

Pitch control knob, octave selector switch, and "glide" button, which pulls the pitch of any note played down a half step, returning it to its proper frequency upon release.

Adjustable portamento, with defeat button for non-portamento use in the midst of portamento use.

Extensive and unique sample and hold section with triangle, ascending and descending ramps, and random waveforms, with adjustable level and adjustable sample time.

Adjustable headphone volume and jack.

The back port features another tuning control, CV control of oscillator, CV control of filter, phones jack, and three-level adjustable output jack.

It should be immediately apparent that this synthesizer demonstrates a level of versatility uncommon to a single-osc. monophonic. Because of its unique architecture, it is capable of generating unique sounds of a desireable sound quality consistent with it being fully analog. The waveform matrix, the dual LFO matrix, the preset envelope waveforms (essentially giving you two envelope generators!), the VCA modulation, the degree of control over the Noise Generator, and the amazing "Sampler" section all combine to give you a surprisingly powerful monosynth.

For a demonstration of this synthesizer (this exact synthesizer), please watch the videos below!

I have owned this synthesizer since about 2003 or so. It has been lightly used, and kept in a smoke-free studio.

The synthesizer comes with its cover and the original manual. The power cable is built-in, and can be found in a compartment on the underside of the synth.

The synthesizer face is in very good condition. There is a mark on the metal above the keyboard from what looks like excessive cleaning. The paint of the Roland insignia on the back has been scratched. The outer case demonstrates some wear in places as shown in the pictures. The tolex is slightly loose in a place on the lid, but is not a threat and could be glued down.

Functionally, the synthesizer is in great condition. All knobs and sliders work, and do what they are intended to do. The "chorus (which is actually PWM)" function sounds like it may need calibration to me, but is still functional. There is some oscillator-divider crosstalk when you listen to the synthesizer in the headphones, but this is not apparent in the general output (as demonstrated in the video).

The sounds you hear coming from the synthesizer in the video are recorded direct without effect, EQing, or room ambience.

If you're looking to create a signature sound, if you're looking to have an analog sound, if you're looking for a vintage piece with a great aesthetic, this is the monosynth for you!"