I was having some difficulties with iTunes 10.7 so I opted to update to iTunes 11, now I want to roll back. My opinion is that the UI (and to an extent the UX) sucks, sorry Jonathan Ive. – Yet at the same time I realize that as artists when we have come to a new “enlightened” state about one of our designes solving more relevant problems we have to wipe away the old version and reach out for the new potentials. But in this case I think bringing over the design elements from iOS is a bit overkill. It does not respect the device and the mood created by the device (bring touchscreen to the Mac and I might reconsider).
I have been thinking about using a MacMini as a media / web server. I wonder if there might be some long-term financial benefit to running the server at home, with higher levels of RAM. Rather than paying an annual cost for a hosted solution.
There are several articles which have been interesting on the matter.
Over the last several months I have been looking for and comparing digitization services for audio, film, and for images (slides and more). I have been doing this as part of the ongoing work at the Language and Culture Archive to preserve the linguistic and cultural heritage of the people groups SIL International has encountered and served. I have not come to any hard and fast conclusions on “what is the best service provider”. This is partially because we are still looking at various out sourcing options and looking at multiple mediums is time consuming. Then there is also the issue of looking for archival standards and the creation of corporate policy for the digitization of these materials. I am presenting several names here as the results of several searches for digitization services providers.
Another option the Archive has been looking at is to determine if the the quantity of the work is cost prohibitive to have professional done. Meaning that, we would be better served by buying the equipment and doing the work in house. So in the process I have also been looking at people’s experience with various kinds of equipment and technology used in scanning.
I have been reading a lot of user stories like Dave Dyer’s reflection on Slide Transfer and MacIntouch Reader Reports from 26 April 2006 on Slide Digitization.
This past weekend I walked across the street from our house with Becky and went to an estate sale. In one of the rooms there was a stack of electronics. There on a dresser was a Reel-to-Reel machine in almost perfect condition.
AKAI GX-220D
The week prior I had been working with some Reels of language data in the archive. We have two machines but one of them does not work completely. Some amazing stuff. So now it sits on my desk and I am using my Marantz PMD 661 to digitize all sorts of Reel to Reels. Today I was looking up this model online and found it on Ebay for $300 and in Germany on Ebay for 500€, not bad as I paid $35 for mine. I finally found the manuals online for Free! It seems that somebody is trying to sell print offs on ebay for $11 each. But here is what I found.
Specifications
Track system: 4 track, 2 channel stereo/monaural system
Maximum reel capacity: 7″ reel
Wow and flutter: 0.08% at 7.5 ips
Frequency response: 30Hz to 24kHz at 7.5ips
Distortion: less than 1.5%
Signal to noise ratio: >50dB
Heads: 3 heads
Motors: 3 motors
Dimensions: 430 x 425 x 230mm
Weight: 19kg
One of my concerns is with the 30Hz playback.
Was this standard for reel-to-reels or was there better recordings done but I will never know because of the model of playback machine I have?
Another concern I have is about the heads:
If they are magnetized will they erase my tape? How do I tell if they are magnetized?
In a recent (2010-2011) Language Documentation Project we decided to also collect GIS data (GPS Coordinates), about our consultants (place of origin and place of current dwelling), about our recording locations and for Geo-tagging Photos. We used a Garmin eTrex Venture HC to collect the data and then we compared this data with GIS information from Google maps and the National GIS information service. This write up and evaluation of the Garmin eTrex Venture HC is based on this experience. Continue reading →
I had an OS failure while I was in Mexico. I managed to reinstall the combo update and things started working again. However, some of my big files (movies) will not copy, Time Machine fails, Some PDFs are now failing to copy. It always comes back to a -36 Error. I cannot find the error report for this online. It seems to be some sort of I/O error. I left a comment over on this blog.
prompt%> mv /Users/phil/Desktop/movie.avi .
I tried the command line mv command and the command line told me Input/Output error.
Failed mv
But I can play the file on my harddrive. – I have the same error if I try to copy the file to somewhere else on my internal harddrive.
Using OS X 10.6.5 on MBP 15″ moving the file to a WD My Passport via USB. The file in question is a .mts movie file. I can move other .mts movie files which were made with the same camera, at the same time, and are in the same folder to the external hardrive.
Error -36
I can’t figure out why I have this error or how to solve it.
Looking at the overall audio recording picture in Language Documentation, the place of headphones is not to be taken lightly. The total recording act has a performer, performing the speech act, a microphone recording the sounds, a recording device digitizing the input from the microphone. And while it could all stop there, an additional step is needed – the monitoring of the input to the recording device. High quality sound is important in the recording process. If the Documenter does not have and ear for what a recording should be (training), then they are not going to be able to tell the difference between a good recording, a mediocre recording and a bad recording. It think it is well known, if not commonly acknowledged that a good mic is needed to make quality recordings (recordings which are faithful at recording the input). Likewise it is no less true that to listen to that recording to assure that it is truly a faithful recording a speaker or set of headphones is needed to produce a faithful output of the recording. So high quality audio (faithfulness to input and to the recording) is not only needed in the capture phase of the recording event but also in the monitoring phase (and the playback phase) of the recording event. Here inter the importance of headphones.
It is possible to record with out monitoring the recording but, actively monitoring recorded audio allows for on-the-spot quality control. I have seen some tears shed when a documenter waited till later to find out that the mic record level was set too low or that the record button was not pushed.
It is also possible to record with low quality headphones, or headphones which are not faithful to the recording. But when these kinds of speakers or headphones are used there is no way to accurately access the quality of the recording. I have seen a good quality recording played through laptop speakers and questioned as being a “quality” recording. I have also seen a poor quality recording listened to on poor quality speakers and thought it was a fine recording, only to find out later what the true quality of the recording really was.
Like all gear getting to know what levels your headphones are at is important. When the recording level is set to “y” and you are used to listening/monitoring with Headphone set “A” at volume level “z” and then you switch headphones and use headphones set “B”, the temptation is to change the recording level. Really what needs to change is the volume level from the recording device to the headphones. Every set of headphones will sound different at any given volume setting. The volume of a speaker or set of headphones is only part of the sound equation.
Recording volume (or Mic sensitivity) + Speaker volume = Total listening experience.
Just raising the volume on a speaker or a pair of headphones might make the audio more hearable but does not mean that a good recording is being captured. Conversely, a low speaker volume and a high mic record level does not make a great recording either. (It might be the right setup for your recording session but it does not guarantee a good recording all the time.)
Record and Volume Levels
Just as Language Documentation is about Capturing the event, headphones are about Monitoring the recording.
Headphones v.s. Speakers
Headphones have the distinct advantage over Speakers for not re-introducing noise into a recording, especially in a field recording environment. However, both can be used to monitor a recording. When I recorded in a professional recording studio the mixing room was isolated from the performance rooms and we had Speakers in the mixing room.
Different Uses
Different kinds of Headphones serve different purposes. A good knowledge of your purpose and a good knowledge of the right kinds of headphones will lead to a great experience. First, lets take a look at the audio listening needs on a language documentation project.
Documenter listening to the audio feed while video taping.
Documenter listening to the audio while recording.
Documenter and Consultant listening to audio while recording with the BOLD method.
Documenter editing audio and video.
Documenter doing analysis and annotation in the field with tools like Audacity, Praat and ELAN.
Documenter listening to their iPod in their hammock at night.
With these difference in mind, it is easy to see that various Language Documentation Projects will have different functional requirements depending on the project goals. Additionally, Language Documentation projects often have constraints on their weight of gear to area of service ratios. (Sometimes the documenter just can’t take everything. So take the right tool for the job and hope that tool is light weight.) Headphones come into the equation, as apposed to speakers, because they can deliver high quality sound at a low weight. However, should the language documenter just grab their iPod headphones and think that they will be alright?
What kinds of headphones are there?
There are several basic kinds of headphones which can be roughly broken down into 4 types of headphones (Depending on who is consulted.Types of headphones on:
First, there are over-the-ear headphones or Circumaural headphones which cover the wearers ears completely.
These come in two varieties:
Open Back – which lets ambient noise into the wearer’s ear canal.
Closed Back – which isolates the wearer from noise which is not in the recording.
Second, there are on-the-ear headphones or Supra-aural headphones. Supra-aural headphones sit on the wearers ear rather than covering it completely.
Lastly, there are in-the-ear headphones. This group can actually be divided into two sub-groups:
Ear buds, such as the Apple iPod Earphones, which sit in the wearers outer ear, just above the opening of the ear canal.
True in-the-ear headphones or In-ear monitors which are actually inserted into your ear canal and isolate the wearer from exterior noise.
How do I know a good set of headphones from a bad set?
Well there are several ways we can answer the question as to what is “good” set of head phones. The most succinct way to say it is likely to be:
Closed back circumaural, 20-20k.
– Will Reiman
More generally, consider weight, size, durability, fit, frequency response and price.
Weight: The Lower the weight the better: less strain on the neck after hours of use and the less weight to carry around with you. Size: Do they fold up? are they compact and easy to pack and carry with your other gear? Fit:
Are they comfortable for people with large ears? You might not have large ears but if you are asking someone else to wear them then will it be comfortable for them, especially if you are asking them to wear them for a long period of time (long recording sessions).
Can they be worn with an over the head mic?
Can they be worn by someone wearing glasses?
Are they adjustable? Adjustable for head circumference and pronation around the ear.
Quality of sound:
Frequency response: Frequency response should minimally be 20Hz-20kHz. (because that is generally the range of human hearing.) I like going for 5Hz-30kHz because it gives me a full range of bass. I feel like I am hearing the whole range of sound.
Flat response: Just like microphones, speakers (and headphones) can make some frequencies (warmer) try and get a set of head phones which are true to signal (flat response).Read about how PC Magazine tests their headphones: How We Test Headphones.
Headphone Frequency Response graph by PDMag comparing three sets of headphones.
Price: I think I paid $50 (USD) for the Sony MDR-V600 even though the suggested manufactures price is over $100. So look look around. Find a deal.
Here is a look a some of the Headphones I have and I have used. How I used them and what I thought about them.
Headphone Type: Canal
Fit Style: Earbud
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
Impedance: 32 ohms per Apple for newer models, 16 ohms for older 2008-ish models.
Plug Type: 1/8-inch
Cable Type: Straight
Cord Length: Approximately 0.5 meters
Weight: 0.15 pounds
Comments: These are the ones which come with your iPod.
How I use them: I listen to my iPod with them. I also listen to music through my computer with them.
Rating by Hugh: 3.0 stars
Olympus Earbuds
They came with my Olympus WS-320M Digital Voice Recorder. No type ID indicated and they are not the ones indicated on the website currently.
Olympus Earbuds
Headphone Type: Canal
Fit Style: Earbud
Frequency response: ?
Impedance: ?
Plug Type: 1/8-inch
Cable Type: Straight
Cord Length: Approximately 0.5 meters
Weight: 0.15 pounds
Comments: Really clear and crisp sound. It took some getting used to because they are different than the iPod earbuds.
How I use them: I use these to actively monitor the audio though the video camera (Vixia HF200).
Headphone Type: Closed Back
Driver Size: 40mm
Fit Style: Circumaural
Frequency Response: 20Hz-22,000Hz
Impedance: 64 ohms
Plug Type: 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch adapter
Cable Type: Straight
Cord Length: Approximately 3 meters
Weight: 1.1 pounds
Comments: These came in a packaged kit with the Zoom H4n. They are a bit on the heavy side. they do have a nice sound to them. The do have an adjustment slider to fit various sizes of heads. They are not very compact.
How I use them: I use these to actively monitor recorded audio. Mostly when using a Zoom H4n, but also with an Olympus LS-10.
Rating by Hugh: 3.0 stars
Sony MDR-V600
A High frequency response range and a good reputation for durability.The Sony MDR-V600 is not to be confused with the Sony MDR-V6 which only has a response rate of 10Hz – 20,000Hz. (Many search engines do confuse the two.)
Headphone Type: Closed Back
Fit Style: Circumaural
Frequency Response : 5Hz – 30,000Hz
Sensitivity : 106dB/mW
Impedance : 45 ohms
Plug Type: 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch adapter
Cable Type: curly
Cord Length: Approximately 2 meters
Driver Unit : 40mm
Weight: 0.5 pounds
Comments: Between these and the Samson CH700 I like these much better. They are lighter, and more compact. They have a larger frequency response than the CH700. And they are adjustable for various head shapes.
How I use them: I use these to actively monitor recorded audio. Mostly when using a Zoom H4n.