Official Off Topic Thread

[Meedleyx10]

^totally agree with your preferences on temperature. I don't like high heat at all and LOVE the cold. I went for a walk the other night when it was at least -10 out. I usually walk outside to school, unless I have my guitar with me in which case I'll take the skyway...but considering how few people are on the streets when it's this cold, it's one of the few times I actually can enjoy a late-night walk through the city. Don't even get me started on how much I loved the winters when I was still in Montana...walking through the woods along the river at dusk when it's about 0 out....win.

anyway....

Just about done with finals. I've got to finish a paper on The Rite of Spring tonight, but other than that I am finished and I am looking very forward to next semester...largely because including my ensembles at school, I'll be playing in at least 5, but possibly 7 different groups. The juggling act will be exciting next semester...

 

[Marwen]

^ Rite of Spring is a masterpiece.
I like what you're studying man, lucky you.

@ all:
I live by the Mediterranean, so no snow in the winter and too hot for my likings in the summer. Not a bad weather in general, but I'm so not staying here anyway, I love the cold.
It's cold right now, but not as cold as it is for you guys up there.

 

[Burnout]

It got down to the mid-40s here the other day so I opted to spend the entire day inside.

 

[1by4by9]

A couple of years ago temperature was like -35 Celsius degrees (-31 in Fahrenheits) so I had to wear long johns.

Some footage from my trip to Latvia (the music is by me, btw):

 

[OfSinsAndShred]

Lasse, your music's great. Your voice leading/harmony is always awesome.

 

[1by4by9]

Thanks Jeff! More new stuff coming soon when I get a new computer.

 

[Meedleyx10]

I hope everyone who's celebrating tonight has a great time and stays safe! I'll probably have a beer or two, watch a movie, drag myself through the little get-together that my parents are having here and then go to bed relatively early...my kind of new year's eve, almost.

 

[SilentRealm]

i got sooooo wasted! it was awesome. but now no more!

 

[DoomsdayZach]

Damnit charis, i tried to call but maybe i'm too uhhhhh....... well, how the scientists say "fucked up" to talk.

everyone else... i'm too fucked up to talk. Jeff, you should call anyway hahaha

 

[1by4by9]

You can see SyX guys in this Christmas video by Circus Maximus.

 

[SilentRealm]

lol yeah zach i got your voicemail msg, and you were like 'yeah this is zach from the symphony x forum' - and im thinking 'pfft of course i know who it is, as if i know any other' lol

 

[DoomsdayZach]

Heh..... yeah........ i was really high charis.

 

[Kenneth R.]

I called Yas. And then my phone died

 

[OfSinsAndShred]

That CM video is pretty badass, Lasse. I'm so jealous when I see them hanging out and partying with SX.

 

[SilentRealm]

zach you should call me when im high too one time lol.. like right now!

 

[Kenneth R.]

And then you'll get your phone bill.... "OMG 2 and a half hours of giggling and laughing and I don't even remember!"

 

[Kenneth R.]

If I lose the title to a car, how do I get a new one?

 

[DoomsdayZach]

DMV or DOL... whatever your state has.

 

[Meedleyx10]

I'm looking to put together a CHEAP stereo setup in my apartment at school. I'm probably going to try to get some speakers at a pawnshop (i can pick those out on my own), but I'm looking for reccomendations on a turntable. I definitely want it to be under $100, preferably closer to $75 or less if I'm buying new. I'm not looking for super-nice audiophile level equipment, just something I can play my vinyl on that wont sound bad. I have no problem with shopping used for the turntable as well, but I wouldn't know what brands are good or what I should check for in terms of quality/condition. If anyone has advice in that respect, fire away. Stereo equipment was never my thing...I've always been more interested in the sound coming out of it.

Ken, you're the vinyl whore around here, any thoughts?

 

[Kenneth R.]

Ebay. Seriously though. Direct drive, ebay.

I bought a new one though, was around $150 in a steal-deal on Amazon, but typically costs 250-400. Audio Technica PL-120. Nice one, that. The thing to be wary of are so called DJ tables or ones with USB and other suspiciously ipod-like outputs. These tend to include pointless bells and whistles while skimping on the important hardware. Also, some of the DJ units are designed for scratching and mixing, ie, not exactly what you want to be "playing".

Other features to keep in mind are if you want it to play 33rpm (your standard 12" LP), 45rpm (a 7" single) or various other formats like 16 or 8 rpm (old orchestral and spoken word) and 78rpm ("high fidelity" 10" or 12" singles). Some players have multiple mode selection for this. There's also the desire to have it be able to play backwards, speed up or slow down, but those are extras. Furthermore, some players will set their own needle, and others (manual) you must do it, which personally I like better.

While a 70s player with a nice tube drive amp in it is ideal, you'd never be able to afford it and neither can I. Also, keep in mind that you will need an amplifier if one isn't included (and typically they aren't.) Alternatively, you need powered speakers. Most decent turntables have a stereo output in RCA connector types, so you'd have to figure out what your speakers or amp take for an input, and get the right kind of cable (or make one).

That's really about it...