It has been decades already that people with mobile electronic systems in their vehicles, particularly car stereos, have pushed it to the limit in order to have the best quality of sound. Once before our grandparent’s cars have these static-filled and bulky AM radios. Then, these gave way to the cassette tape playing stereos and [...]
Posts Tagged ‘sound’
Beta Testing, Anyone? Ten Potent Strategies for Achieving Success Posted By : DHARMESHVINAYAK
August 4th, 2009 |
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Successful beta testing starts even before your system is born! Does that idea sound strange? It’s not really that odd when you think that beta testing is meant to involve a methodical prove-in of a carefully designed system, such as an electronic device, Web site, or automated tool. It’s not meant to be a hit-or-miss, cross-your-fingers-and-hope-everything’s-OK Band-Aid that you can apply at the last minute.
We’ve all seen examples of software programs — even from well-known, respectable soft
Acoustic ear-scanning will make iPods, mobile phone theft-proof
July 29th, 2009 |
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Do you want your iPod and mobile phone to be theft-proof? Well, then listen up: scientists have found a way of using the “acoustic fingerprint” of a person’’s ear to make sure that personal portables are well-protected.
Boffins have found that they can pinpoint individuals from the unique sounds of the ear chamber. They sent a [...]
Kyp Malone “Give Blood”
July 24th, 2009 |
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Kyp Malone Debuts “Give Blood” Off New Album Rain Machine
 Kyp Malone |
The first song off Kyp Malone‘s much anticipated solo release Rain Machine is premiering right now at pitchfork.com. “Give Blood” is a rocking percussive number with blissfully fuzzed out guitars and some genius word play.
Set to be released September 22 on Anti-records, Rain Machine features ten unflinchingly original and emotional songs mixing elements of modern jazz, bluegrass and blistering guitar driven rock into a refreshing new sound. As singer and guitarist for celebrated band TV on the Radio, Malone proved himself both a captivating and delightfully unpredictable musical force. On Rain Machine, he shows himself a singer and a lyricist of startling talents. Malone recently described Rain Machine as “nearly full spectrum of frequencies audible to the human ear, a reflection of a variety of emotions and situations real and imagined – some rhythm some rhyme.” In most instances such a statement could be dismissed as nothing more than playful hyperbole. This is not one of those times. Rain Machine is the sound of an extraordinary artist emerging into his own.
Cameron Diaz too scared to star in ‘The Sound of Music’ remake
July 23rd, 2009 |
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American actress Cameron Diaz has revealed that she is too scared to star in a remake of the musical movie ‘The Sound of Music’, as Julie Andrews’ original performance was so incredible.
Diaz, 36, who is rumoured to be the favourite for the lead role of Maria in a new version of the classic musical film, [...]
The Phenomenal Handclap Band:Self-Titled
July 22nd, 2009 |
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By: Aryeh Carni
The Phenomenal Handclap Band, fronted by DJs turned producers Daniel “The Witch Doctor” Collas and Sean “The Medicine Man” Marquand, is a Brooklyn-based collective with almost too much talent. Their self-titled debut album (released June 23 on Friendly Fire Records) features myriad talented and diverse musicians and vocalists, each boasting unique musical backgrounds.
Collas and Marquand’s wide spectrum of musical influences garnered from their deejaying days is on visible display, as the album creates a fresh new sound transcending definitive genre. The album’s essence, however, is a throwback to the psychedelic disco era of the seventies that incorporates progressive electronic sounds and techniques of the digital age.
The opening track, “The Journey to Serra De Estrela,” begins with a sweeping synth and a light psychedelic sound reminiscent of Steve Winwood’s early seventies ensemble Traffic. Moments later, Luke O’Malley‘s deep, soulful guitar appears, conjuring a sound similar to The Mars Volta. Drummer Patrick Wood and bassist Nick Movshon turn up the heat as the pace quickens and the fun begins. Caught somewhere between the Bee Gees, Cream and Lotus, a hybrid sound emerges, paying homage to a form often lost in contemporary music. Quick disco-inspired guitar licks come and go, perfectly complimenting a tight, funky rhythm section as the multitalented Collas switches between a multitude of synthesizers and keyboards to bring new life to an outdated sound.
While the opening track is fully instrumental, the rest of the album features a new lead singer on each track, barring Bart Davenport who sings lead twice. The next three tracks, “All the Above,” “Testimony” and “Give it a Rest,” each provide a different flare of funk with unique vocalists constantly providing a refreshing sound.
The next two tracks “You’ll Disappear” and the catchy single “15 to 20,” feature two talented female vocalists, Carol C and Lady Tigra, who continue the excitement and surprise for the listener. Despite displaying impeccable song structure and quite possibly being the best song on the album, “You’ll Disappear” uncovers PHB’s greatest weakness. As the track builds its layers beautifully, it slowly deconstructs, culminating with a series of masterfully crafted drum fills leaving only a synchronized drum and bass behind. As O’Malley’s blood-pumping guitar swell boosts the energy, another perfect drum fill ties together the remainder of the song, reintroducing the rest of the instruments. However, just as you think he’ll explode, O’Malley’s sweet-sounding guitar actually disappears, leaving the listener frustrated and disappointed, despite the foreshadowing hinted in the song’s title. Moments later O’Malley can be heard flexing his golden strings as the song begins to fade out, giving the listener a taste of what could have been, only furthering the anguish. Less than a minute away from perfection, a juggernaut of a song sadly ends on a low note.
The second half of the album goes on to display Collas and Marquands’ versatility, starting with the indie-rock jam “Dim The Lights.” In comes the funky “I Been Born Again,” featuring Collas on the organ and clavinet layered over the Santana-sounding O’Malley. Next up is “The Martyr” featuring Collas singing lead, playing like a fun mix of Cream and My Morning Jacket, followed by the Jefferson Airplane-esque “Tears,” which features shimmering flutes and worldly congas. Concluding the album is the soul-infused ballad “Baby,” displaying the first sounds of brass, while “The Circle is Broken,” a nine-minute, organ-heavy conclusion, ties together the innumerable sounds exhibited on the album.
Despite some clear holes, The Phenomenal Handclap Band has put together a unique album with tight song structure perpetuated by the diverse talent collected by the producers. The synergized songs and multitude of contemporary electronica sounds is transparent evidence that the producers are former DJs, an advantageous flare bringing a novel sound to an ever-changing musical landscape.
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In need of a fashion Doctor?
July 22nd, 2009 |
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Matt Smith’s Doctor Who is very this season. But shouldn’t a Time Lord be above all that?
Hey, check out the new Burberry model, hanging out in the VIP section of Glastonbury, en route to meet Emma Watson and Pixie Geldof. Oh no, wait a fashion moment minute – it’s Matt Smith, the all-new Doctor Who, on set in Cardiff.
I’m going to be honest here: I hate this look. Hate it. And I’m going to be even more honest: I hate it largely because it is not worn by David Tennant, who I adored so much as Doctor Who that it is possible part of my admiration had less to do with his thespian (and style) skills, and a lot more to do with me having unprofessional feelings for him.
But even aside from that quibble, I hate this outfit because it commits the ultimate fashion crime: it is trying too hard. It is a patchwork of “Grazia told me this is very fashionable right now” looks, and that is just wrong. A Time Lord should not read Grazia.
DM boots and all their lookalike cousins have, incredibly, been having what magazines insist on calling a “comeback” for some time, mainly on the basis that Agyness Deyn likes them. The shortened trousers are the signature style of the perennially trendy menswear designer, Thom Browne. Thanks to the joyless likes of Pharrell Williams, bow ties are very in now but, like, ironically (that sound you hear is the sound of style dying) and, yes, you can buy them at American Apparel. Of course you can.
Give the man a tweed jacket, top the whole shebang off with some posh boy big hair and – badda bing, badda boom – we have a fashion pin-up, made by committee.
True, some of the blame for this debacle must lie at the feet of my beloved Tennant because he made Doctor Who a fashion icon, with his tweedy suits and Converse trainers. But that was done with a light touch, this one is done by sledgehammer. And the end result is Indiana Jones on his day off, with an added dash of Grazia.
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Crickets – the new sound of summer
July 15th, 2009 |
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The chirp of crickets and grasshoppers is overtaking our native songbirds as the sound of the British summer
The song of the skylark may have been the essential sound of the British summer since time immemorial, but now, because of intensive farming and climate change, the little brown bird that inspired Vaughan Williams to write his Lark Ascending and any number of walkers to haul themselves up steep hills, is in danger of being drowned out by the sound of much more mundane, hardworking, leaf-munching crickets.
The skylark, says the RSPB, is is in swift decline – its numbers are down 53% in just 20 years – but at least two species of cricket are mightily expanding their range, munching their way north from the south of England to colonise the Midlands, East Anglia and beyond. In just two decades, says Bjorg Beckmann, of the UK’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, some species have increased numbers by up to 600%.
The skylark clearly deserves to win any competition for summer sounds; the tiny bird’s song can follow the wind and then fill the sky like a complete orchestra. But the cricket should not be dismissed. The omnivorous little scavenger feeds on any decaying plant and animal material and “sings” by rubbing its wings and legs together. That’s a pretty good trick and for anyone who goes often to the Mediterranean it can indeed conjure the sound of summer. Britain has at least 30 species of bush-cricket, grasshopper and ground-hopper (like tiny grasshoppers, but secretive and unlikely to be found by anyone other than an entomologist). Some are so rare as never to be found by anyone. But you may well hear them: that monotonous, one-pitch sound so evocative of southern England.
In 50 years’ time, perhaps, British composers will relax on their parched lawns, home-bottled sauvignon in hand, inspired by the rasping sound of a little insect. Until then, the lark is lord of the sky.
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