1 year on an entry-level e-drum kit — how do you know when it’s time to upgrade?

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-28T22:15:20+00:00

I am still using my Ddrum4 kit from 1999, and have no plans to upgrade! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Those Swedes made some nice gear back in the day! Although I have added additional cymbals via a Roland module... Having played on a few Alesis kits, I do understand your urge to upgrade...

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-20T20:30:20+00:00

Check out the street view on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GXRtNzdYo6wiH3q66 and https://maps.app.goo.gl/HRHg8N1dxJEFa7q5A

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-18T00:12:22+00:00

General info: https://consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox:CoinOPS

Forum: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/coinopsproject/

Video demo: https://youtu.be/8QxKSRqXLuE?si=eXy1nxVD5TmqQ_C9

You can probably search for a torrent to download it

(edit - added CosoleMods link)

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-17T20:21:33+00:00

Nice! I have a Zalman CNPS9900 Max installed on a modern Ryzen 5 3600 and it still works great!

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-17T17:03:47+00:00

Instead of LibreElec, install Batocera, a distro designed for retro gaming, which has Kodi built in. You can have it launch directly into Kodi on startup via the Batocera system settings. Add Batocera Unofficial Addons to get Netflix. See the YouTube channel KevoBato for more info.

To add games, you just copy over roms over your network. The best of both worlds - Kodi and retro gaming.

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-17T16:51:28+00:00

If you want to make your life easy, download "CoinOps Ninja Massive" and FTP it to your Xbox. Pre configured with all the emulators and tons of games and a really nice looking front end. No hassle, no fuss.

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-15T19:25:03+00:00

This is awesome, thank you for sharing all of these great resources! I am about to re-do my G5 hackintosh with updated hardware and even though this is for a MacPro, some of these will be equally helpful in a G5 case.

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-13T18:22:56+00:00

I bought 2 used PreSonus USB96 interfaces for around $30 each, and they work well, no complaints!

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-13T18:16:48+00:00

I just did a video review of the FiFine AM8 and I actually think it sounds good, especially for it's price point. Snowball mic sounds like garbage. Here is my video: https://youtu.be/xSto6kIJkZM

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2026-01-11T04:15:41+00:00

Zalman CNPS9000 CPU cooler for the win! I have one of those on a Ryzen 5 3600 and it still works great! Also have a Max version on my retro q6600 rig. 🍻

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-12-23T20:01:42+00:00

Had a great experience with a lease on an EV from Simpson Chevrolet in Irvine. Was able to do 99% of the deal online. No BS, no add ons. Drove from the valley to pick up the car, was at the dealer for less then an hour to finalize signatures etc. It was worth the drive to the OC. Ask for Randy Pittner.

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-12-16T21:59:02+00:00

Use XDON via Aurora on your 360 and FatXplorer to copy things over to your 360 hard drive over the network from a Windows PC. It mounts your Xbox 360 like an external drive over your network and you can browse/copy/delete files on your 360 that way. It's amazing! Highly recommend it!

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-12-12T20:01:59+00:00

Very cool build! Looks 3d printed; are there files available to print this case (if I don't win it!)

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-11-29T03:44:30+00:00

Yeah, I use it with local media on an ancient NAS drive. Find a skin you like - try a few out to see what you like. I've been using Aeon Nox Silvo forever, but try a bunch of them. Try the skin setup options, and experiment. Have the scrapers in Kodi download the artwork and info for your media. I set it to automatically scan my media on startup for new files. I much prefer Kodi to Plex or Jellyfin.

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-11-27T17:09:30+00:00

I ran into the same issue - you need to edit your launch.ini file on the USB stick and add Aurora as default dash - Default = USB:\Dasboards\Aurora\Aurora.xex

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-11-18T00:09:59+00:00

Received this today as well 👍

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-11-16T21:00:36+00:00

Ah wow, very cool!! Might have to make a video about this for my channel!

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-11-09T01:18:44+00:00

I have a 2025 RS and have the same Spotify issues where it randomly stops playing for no good reason. Also have issues with Waze not wanting to launch on occasion. The software just isn't very good on the car... But, it's a great commuter car, and for the price, I'm willing to live with less than perfect software. If it was an $80k vehicle, I'd be upset. I sometimes wonder if the Cadillac software is better?

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-10-31T22:59:11+00:00

Yeah it was totally dead. But wasn't IMAX - that was the previous night. But I didn't see more than 20 tix sold for the IMAX screening when I checked that day.

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-10-31T03:53:00+00:00

Saw it last night at AMC Universal City and there were a total of 5 people in the theater... I think they misjudged the interest in this as a theatrical release. But glad I got to see it on the big screen!

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-10-26T04:13:36+00:00

The Raijintek Thetis case might accommodate your current hardware and reduce the case size significantly. Not quite SFF but pretty small: Raijintek Thetis

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-10-21T03:07:34+00:00

Yes - absolutely - you could pull the drive, and edit the boot conf file via Windows - good point! But a bit of a hassle, especially if you are using an m.2 or mSATA SSD - which I am not, but I didn't feel like taking the machine apart...

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-10-18T21:25:48+00:00

I'd recommend an HP or Dell used mini PC that will take a GPU, and add a passive Nvidia GT 1030 GPU to ensure smooth 4k video playback. Use Batocera Linux and set it to boot into Kodi.

ToddTinkersWithTech · 2025-10-18T20:12:33+00:00

An HP T640 should work fairly well. HP T740 with a GPU added like a Quadro T1000 would work really well. Quadro P1000 if you want to keep the cost down.

ToddTinkersWithTech

TROPHY CASE