musings about universal stuff

New Cosmological constant theory

Having had a think about the maths involved in working within any kind of universe wide theory, there will have to be several assumptions made.

The comparison i see in my mind.

We as a solar system are a small clump of grass flowing down a wide river, we cannot see the bank, we have no idea of where the river comes from or where the river is going also we have no idea of the depth.. The part of the river we are in seems to be stable in that as far as we can see in all planes the motion of objects around us look to be reasonably constant.

If we make a few assumptions

1. Our current model is for a local area within a new area with no size, the environment within which everything is based 

2. Our immediate area (the known universe) is constantly moving within this environment

3. There may be intersecting movement within our local area from other local anomalies.

4. Other than this the only forces acting on our local universe are object based (black hole,  star death etc) apart from

4a. Forces from the larger environment such as gravity or larger forces yet to be understood.

As usual this is just my casual musings i believe that to get anywhere with the maths we need to have a notional area that has no size, i am not sure if this is a thing in maths but if its not it should be, and not infiniti as they keep mucking about with that it has to be an area with no dimension in any plane and without limit on number of dimensions and perhaps working on another scale entirely, (the big version of quantum mechanics) basically it has to be outwith our current thinking  .

As usual  i would be grateful for comment 

Drew

Bose Quiet Comfort 35

i received these headphones from Bose to use on an art installation we were working on in Edinburgh, this was an inclusive project aimed at blind and partially sighted patrons and the artist was also partially sighted.
We had a number of pieces with a multi channel soundscape but one piece was set up for use with headphones. This had an eight way soundscape that changed depending on where you were and how you were orientated.

Initial impressions when tried for the first time were that i was very impressed at the quality of the Bluetooth transmission, if you are used to Bose systems you will recognise the Bose voicing straight away, the audio is everything you would expect from Bose, at low volumes you are aware of the noise cancelling but at higher volumes this becomes less apparent.

The headphones are also equipped to be used with a mobile phone and can handle calls as well as music etc. this function is great if you enjoy listening to music or watching films while travelling.

The CQ35s come with a charging lead and a cable for connecting equipment that is not Bluetooth compatible

Pioneer XDJ-RX

I have now owned the pioneer XDJ-RX for about a year after spending a few years DJing with first Traktor and then Serato using a series of midi controllers all of which had issues.

The main reason i decided on the pioneer unit was that in my day job i was encountering RekordBox in high end DJ booths on a fairly frequent basis with more and more of the residents i deal with moving over to this platform using DJM/CDJ 2000 series kit and usb drives. The sound quality was obviously superior to the other platforms and the functionality of the RekordBox software seemed to be pretty good.

After setting up the software i had to transfer all my original WAV files back into the mac as the RX does not support FLAC which meant loosing my ID3 tags.

The unit its self is very functional and pretty well laid out, as i said i've been using it for about a year and its been a dependable solid workhorse any issues are pretty minor but i will highlight a few things that may be of interest.

The input gain structure is pretty hot ( by that i mean overly sensitive not sexy) i find that to keep the input gain level in the green it sits around 40% which is pretty low and leaves in my view a ridiculous amount of potential for distortion.

I use the RX in conjunction with my mac which provides excellent search facility and a simple drag and drop system for loading the files, the RX then does the work which means if i have to download tunes mid gig i don't run the risk of crashing the software.

the setup and eq is very "pioneer" as you would expect everything works and it has the usual array of effects which work in a couple of banks allowing you to layer the effects if you are in to that sort of thing. The bass mid and treble controls are functional, the only comment i would add is that it could do with a sub pot for nightclub work.

The Loop function works very well and has the usual functions for pioneer which allow you to select a loop length which you can double and half etc as normal as long as you have analysed your files in advance.

build quality is ok, haven't had any disasters with it, i did invest in a Magma case which helps get it about, its not to heavy and its pretty quick to set up.

in conclusion i am definitely glad i bought it and it has performed pretty well flawlessly at a fairly heavy duty level doing clubs and upmarket parties through quality sound systems. probably one of the best solutions around if you don't want go down the DJM/CDJ route but want a better sound quality than the other major platforms and a lot less hassle with software issues.

Ist Impresions Formula Sound FF6.2

Formula Sound FF6.2


 This is part of the continuing collaboration between two great British  companies Funktion One and Formula sound who both have stunning pedigrees to live up to. Formula sound have made some of the most iconic mixers a DJ booth has ever seen and Funktion One make in my opinion the best professional sound systems in the world.

Taking it out of the familiar Formula Sound box the first thing you notice is the weight, for a DJ mixer its  encouragingly heavy it feels solid and the range of controls makes it look on first glance very like the popular FF6000 in black.

Setting it up is pretty straight forward , swapped out the FF4000 from Glasgow Universities Hive nightclub which is conveniently kitted out with a Funktion on Res4/F221 system witch is capable of shaking the whole west end . The mixer is routed through a Formula sound limiter AVC2D to keep the system from destroying the new union building and to prevent to much movement on the snooker tables 4 floors above. The x-over is a Funktion one XO4 and the amps are Funktion one E series including an E90 9000W @ 4ohms monster for the 4 x 21" drivers on the bottom end.

After plugging in and  chasing off some random medical students that may have been drinking i stuck on a CD copy of the new chic remix releases to warm the system up..  I plugged in my HD25s and put them on to be stunned with what sounded like a completely different set of headphones, (i,ve owned these for at least 12 years and done thousands of gigs with them) the sound was stunning through the cans, the detail and openness was quite disconcerting, not like any other mixer I've used ever, this was a pretty good start to the evening.

Once everything was as i like it and i had put my mixing trousers on i got some newish house tunes out, toward the funkier side with decent production and wound the system up a bit, first obvious thing you notice is there are four eq pots per channel giving substantially more frequency cutting control around the sub end of the spectrum, you can keep the energy on the floor while  reducing the wash of sub that can spoil the mix . With the eq's flat the sound is big, really really big there is so much space in the music which i have to add made the first few mixes terrifying because you can hear everything,  you need to be accurate and thoughtful. Once you get your head around the quality of the output it really starts to get exciting, stuff happens in mixes that you have never heard before which encourages experimentation, i had genuine excitement while using this, i cant remember feeling that since the first residencies that i had the chance to play 4 nights a week which gave you the chance to really experiment with how certain tunes mix together.

The addition of HPF/LPF on the line channels gives you a bit of  variation in executing mixes and if you feel the need there is ample provision to insert effects processors, preferably high end low noise to minimise distortion on the channels. The Mic channels have compressors on them which is an intelligent addition  to the desk especially if you have a guest vocalist as the Formula Sound mic channels are better than most house desks, and if you are working a big room the compressor makes a big difference, also handy if you are recording the set.

All in all i had a ball of a night with the FF6.2 if you currently use ta FF4000 or FF6000 you will find it familiar but so much better, you do have to concentrate on your mixes but it encourages you to have a bit of fun and as an old bugger of 52 with 37 years of playing with DJ equipment for a living i loved it an
 i want one, NOW! 

Available now contact for pricing.

http://formula-sound.co.uk/

http://www.funktion-one.com/products/ff62-dj-mixer/

Official Information

DJ Interface, the creative tools.

Simple informative graphics, anodised black front panel, large knurled aluminium knobs, spring loaded LED buttons, intuitively mapped and spacious layout make for a beautiful aesthetic and natural workflow.

Precise four-band full-kill EQ not only allows for complete frequency band cuts and isolation, but also for subtle spectral balance mixing more common in studios. The EQ frequency response characteristics have been carefully optimised to give excellent and intuitive control of bass, low-mid, high-mid and highs.

Separate high pass and low pass filters on each channel encourage more creative mixing possibilities. These specifically developed adjustable filters cut frequencies with accuracy and transparency and can be easily bypassed when not in use.

Channels 1 and 2 are switchable between microphone or stereo line inputs.  These channels also both have a selectable compressor built in for further control.

Channels 3 to 6 are switchable between stereo phono or line inputs.  These channels have separate cross-fader routing selection.  The contour of the cross-fader is adjustable to preference.

A dedicated console microphone input is also provided. With three-band EQ, level, on-off and cue selection, it is routed directly to the master output.

Two separately selectable auxiliary sends, on each of the six channels, can be used to route audio to external effects. Individual level controls for both auxiliary sends are located in the output section of the mixer. The effects return via any other channel, allowing for full control in terms of level, EQ, filters and compression.

An additional insert is provided at the master output stage.

Extensive metering is provided to encourage correct gain structure in order to maintain the highest audio quality. All Input channels have 12 LED metering with an additional clip warning LED. Master and booth outputs have 2 x 12 LEDs for stereo metering. 

Booth output has optional mono selection and pan adjustment to accommodate any booth set-up or preference.

The high power cue headphone output is through both 3.5mm mini-jack & 1/4in jack sockets. The precise cue/master mix, split cue and pre EQ/filter selection provides complete listening control.

All controls have been selected for the quality of feel and reliability.  Faders are well weighted and precise.

These features have been carefully chosen & developed to be creative tools to help the artist elevate their performance, and showcase their music in the best possible way.

Connectivity and control for the sound engineer.

The ergonomic and intuitive layout continues on the back panel. Each input and output connector is aligned with the corresponding front panel controls for ease of patching.

Channels 1 & 2 both have twin balanced 1/4in jack sockets for line and single balanced XLR sockets for microphone inputs. The balanced line inputs allows external instruments and other DJ mixers to be routed through the FF6.2.

Channels 3, 4, 5 & 6 all have two sets of stereo RCA connectors. The lower pair are for phono inputs and the upper pair are for line inputs. Both have recessed gain trim. The phono pre-amps are of very high quality.

Further controls are located on the underside of the mixer for system technician use. These include: Microphone level trims; phantom power switching; optional microphone to DJ booth routing and threshold & ratio for both built-in compressors.

The console microphone input is a single balanced XLR socket, with the corresponding gain trim and phantom power switch next to the connector.

The stereo master and booth outputs are via twin balanced XLR sockets. A separate single XLR socket is also provided which can be switched (via the underside of the mixer) between a mono master output or a sub-bass (<80hz) output.

The stereo direct insert is via twin 1/4in jacks (both 3 pole send and return).  The two stereo auxiliary send outputs are via twin balanced 1/4in jacks.

Record out is via stereo RCA.

All fore mentioned connectors are gold plated.

An additional stereo 'zone' output is provided via a 9 pinPhoenixconnector.  This output is controlled by a dedicated remote panel which can be physically located within the zone (for example in a bar or green room).

A fire alarm interface via phoenix connector allows all signals to be muted in case of emergency except for the console microphone.

Power supply can be switched to operate at 110V or 230V.  IEC socket with on/off switch.

A version of the mixer with external power supply is also available to special order and 19" rack mount wings are available upon request.

A focus on versatility and quality from the engineers perspective differentiates this mixer from any other in the market.

The Formula Sound and Funktion-One collaboration throughout the design and development of this mixer has led to the FF6.2 being a serious alternative for club installation and events. Its precise creative control and superior audio quality leads directly to enhanced crowd experiences.

First impressions of the Microsoft Surface Book

Microsoft Surface Book i5 128gb

Purchased November 2016

Two Weeks In

So far pretty good, the machine its self is great to use , it recognises me 90% of the time which is better than most of my friends, it has only seriously crashed twice and generally its a joy to use.


Primarily i bought the laptop to replace a dell precision which was excellent but very very heavy and was bereft of a touch screen , so in my usual way i spent 3 or 4 months researching  up to date tech, and the Microsoft Surface Book seems to be the primary contender as most of the work stuff i do uses windows based software and the developers cant be arsed going down the apple route.

The laptop its self is very well built, it feels good to hold and to use, its light enough to cradle in one hand while showing your stuff to a busy wife who is wandering round the house herding unruly children, dogs and furniture, i got the lowest spec as the upgrades on SSD were stupidly expensive, i just keep all my data on sticks and cards etc. the screen is very good and the Bluetooth pen thing is great but there is nowhere to keep it on the surface Book, it is magnetic but that's not going to end well , a UAG protective case with pen bit has been ordered.

First real test of the beastie was an awards ceremony in London where i had to sort out various technical running order type things and edit some audio and video, performance it was great but it did crash at one point while using Cuebase. to be fair it did have 5 drives and an extra screen to deal with as well as Cuebase , it did seem to be a windows 10 kind of crash rather than a smoke and fire thing.

So far so good it is quite amusing that when my wife picks it up to use it it just says i don't recognise you so you cant play, this windows Hello thing does seem to work quite well but it will probably just be a matter of hours till the good lady has hacked into it anyway just to keep an eye on what i'm up to.Quite right to i suppose.