This evening was a very good evening.
Rubbish
Bought some LEDs for the studio. Proper eBay bargain!
When did deep house become elevator music? What happened, when did I become an old man? Why is the music if my youth now used as “awkward situation” background music?
I remember when OS updates came on chips. Kids today have it too easy.
This is an OS update for a Kawai K4 Synth, which needs opened up and actual hardware replaced for an OS update. You know what hardware is right? Its like the big version if those VSTs…
Yes, I’m still alive and yes, I have pre-ordered the new Ripatti07 and the limited yellow Visa – although who knows when they’ll actually be released. 07 (or Ricky’s as it’s called) is pretty interesting, doesn’t seem to sound like much else. It reminds me a little bit of the Round One To Five records, but I don’t know if I’ve mentioned that or not.
Serviced a lot of gear, moved everything to Logic X (still learning), and I’m still looking for a good MIDI interface (although the MOTU Microlite will probably be what I end up with). Logic X is fucking solid, and the MPC 4000 is working a treat – in fact all my gear is currently working a treat.
Now I just need to find some time. Oh, and workout the pinout to an old Amphenol connector of an old spring reverb unit. Lucky for me I’m spending next week in Taiwan, then India, then Thailand, then Scotland, then Italy leaving all my gear to rot :-[
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Fuck you, shitty midi adaptor. You’ve never worked properly, and now I’ve accidently stepped on you and hurt my foot. We’re done.
Prick.
The internet changed a lot of things. Its impact cannot be overstated. And even now it’s continuing to develop and improve.
The internet has changed how we consume media, how we report events, how we hold politicians accountable. It’s the first thing we look at when we research, when we need basic guidance or technical information.
But most of all it has enabled me to buy records, in my underwear, drunk on a Wednesday night.
There are two good Nas records, “Untitled” and “Illmatic”. That’s it. From his extensive catalogue he’s managed two good records. To be fair, they’re both masterpieces of hiphop and either would satisfy the creative expectations of any MC.
Illmatic is flawless and timeless, it’s the “Kind Of Blue” of hiphop. Ten tracks and an instantly recognisable babyfaced cover. “Untitled” is a little more pragmatic, to say the least. I wasn’t a fan at first. Releasing a record dealing with racism/slavery the impending election of the first black president is not a situation we’ll ever see again. Compounding the righteous intentions was the leaked artwork (Nas showing his whipped scarred back) and fact that the proposed title of “Nigger” had been given the spanish archer (El-bow) from Wal-Mart, and would now be referred to as “Unititled”. I mean, what kind of artist caves in to Wal-Mart? Fuck.
Anyway, the record came out and it was great – brilliant in fact. It’s one of the few pieces of modern hiphop to 1) Say something interesting (the writing in “Queens Get The Money” is outstanding, without doubt the greatest few verses in hiphop) and 2) not sound like utter dog shit. And that, is what this is all about really. The production, the mixing are all top-notch. It’s an excellent sounding record considering within what genre it lay.
Here’s the thing though, until now I’d only ever listened to the CD. The vinyl is mastered
Nas – “Untitled” Vinyl Master
Nas – “Untitled” CD Master
This CD/Vinyl master comparison thing will be something I do until I get bored or forget it was ever a “feature”.