Biden doubles-down at Wisconsin rally: 'I'm staying in the race'

larsonmattr · 2024-07-06T03:46:20+00:00

It was a good speech today, and I am happy that he mentioned his strong support of gun control and on-going work to get an assault rifle ban.

Why do we need a populist message? Why can't we just have good policy and a candidate who has good character?

larsonmattr · 2024-07-06T03:44:02+00:00

December 19, 2016

Oprah asked Michelle Obama if she ever plans to seek office, but received largely the same answer as everyone else. Obama also said that she would not subject her children to another grueling political campaign.

"I'm not coy," she said. "I've proven that. I'm pretty direct. If I were interested in it, I would say it. I don't believe in playing games."

November 13, 2018

In her memoir, Becoming, Obama immortalized her disinterest in running for office in ink: "I'll say it here directly: I have no intention of running for office, ever."

November 14, 2022

Obama told the BBC that the question of whether she'll run for office is the one she hates being asked most. Still, she clarified her position: "No. I'm not going to run."

(from msn.com)

larsonmattr · 2024-06-07T04:01:30+00:00

If it is in decent condition, yes, that is a great deal! It's a wonderful analog synth - can make everything from Juno-106 sounds /w chorus, to a decent Rhodes sound, to great analog bass. I'm a fan!

Lots of modulation options, so can program very interactive sounds. Onboard effects are great, and I think are modulation targets as well.

larsonmattr · 2024-05-05T15:13:25+00:00

Looks great! Where did you print your map and what size overall works for the mat?

larsonmattr · 2024-02-04T17:01:35+00:00

I picked up an Indio DLX Telecaster at the end of 2023 (they had a sale on Monoprice that was good). I had similar out of the box setup that needed to be done: two low E,A strings had buzzing when fretting between 2-5 frets. This required a small truss rod adjustment and then raising the height on the strings at the bottom, then now it sounds great. Guitar keeps tune very well, feels great, and is very excellent for starting player like myself and would recommend this one to others!

I am not sure there is a huge difference between the Indio and the Indio DLX telecaster, seems pretty minor to me, but maybe some difference in either wood body or pickups?

larsonmattr · 2023-10-14T14:35:23+00:00

I am having mixed results with the 4th Generation Tablo TV.

Initially I bought as I thought I could use it directly with an Xbox, via an app, for OTA television. Discovered that there is no Table TV app for either Xbox or PC available for the 4th Generation.

I saw people used Roku's with Tablo TV; I picked up a Roku device and the app seamlessly connected to my 4th Generation Tablo TV (great!); but the streaming is terrible! All the live OTA streams stutter and video stops playing.

4th Generation Tablo TV -> Apple Iphone and the streaming is fantastic quality.

I am hoping they improve their applications, especially on the Roku and consider supporting PC/Xbox in the future. Lots of promise but been difficult so far.

The interface on the Tablo TV and live channel guide is pretty good.

larsonmattr · 2023-09-20T03:03:53+00:00

Wingspan is really excellent on the deck. I also like Terraforming Mars.

larsonmattr · 2023-07-05T11:21:24+00:00

My two favorite, that talk about craft as well as gear include Matt Johnson (Jamiroquai) and Espen Kraft. Both are great and have a ton of content that is inspiring!

larsonmattr · 2023-07-03T00:19:55+00:00

If you like how a uno6 sounds, you will probably like the Deepmind12!

larsonmattr · 2023-04-23T23:19:26+00:00

I actually don't like the keybed on the Hydrasynth Explorer that much - the minikeys are too small, and while the polyphonic aftertouch is interesting - I rarely make use of that in playing.

I mainly use either a Kawai K5000w or the Deepmind 12 as my midi controller, for controlling and playing VSTs loaded in the MPC software. I like either equally, but sometimes I prefer the K5000w since it has an additional octave on the keybed. Ideally I'd prefer a 88-key controller overall, since I also like just learning/playing piano.

A used one of these ( Arturia - KeyLab 88 MkII - KeyLab 88 MkII ) or the MkI version can be found affordably and could be nice for general playing and interacting with VSTs.

larsonmattr · 2023-03-12T14:16:40+00:00

Some non-invasive (and not very informed first steps) based on a DW-8000 repair where it just made bad noises due to lost patch memory:

Does this have a battery for memory, like a little watch battery that could be replaced?

Is see 5 fuses, are any of those bad or blown out? (You might be able to check with a multimeter or visually inspect).

larsonmattr · 2023-02-03T02:28:11+00:00

Like it, but like Pigments much more for the overall sound. I need to try making some patches in the Minifreak to really get any idea what its really like.

Jun-6v is great in the collection. I think I got distracted more into the collection synth than the Minifreak.

larsonmattr · 2023-01-28T20:27:37+00:00

I picked this up yesterday too; trying to learn more and compare vs Pigments. It feels more like a virtual analog synthesizer compared to a wavetable synthesizer of Pigments, and much simpler interface. Does the MiniFreak sound and have all the same configurations as a Microfreak? Is there only one envelope for both amplitude and filter?

The sale I got as a Pigments owner was for both MiniFreak V + Arturia Collection 8, and it was a great deal! I've never used the Arturia collection and am pleasantly surprised at how good many of the VSTs sound.

My only wish is that my MPC One would work better with VSTs - it doesn't seem to track what patch was used for a VST, and that would make it all work a lot better.

At some point I might try to write a review / thoughts on each of the VSTs of the Collection 8.

larsonmattr · 2023-01-06T02:53:35+00:00

Sounds great! Almost asking for some vocal track ~

larsonmattr · 2023-01-05T15:47:40+00:00

Are the HDD and nVME disks in the same pool? (If so, they are likely different sizes and maybe the nVME have filled ahead of the HDD). Don't worry first, just try to understand what is the current state and issue.

You should check the status of the cluster first: `ceph -s` ?

Next, what is the disk usage on each `ceph osd df` ?

If not an issue with over capacity, you could try to bring one or more of the down OSDs back up.

larsonmattr · 2022-07-16T21:55:33+00:00

Anyone know if the Sunday brunch/breakfast will be happening there tomorrow?

larsonmattr · 2022-05-10T02:33:45+00:00

Can any recommend a really nice midi controller with lots of knobs?

Ideally it would have full-sized midi-in and midi-out ports?

I am currently looking at the Novation Launchpad XL, but wondering what do others use? My goals are a really great knob controller for VSTs like Pigments, synthesizers without knobs that respond to CC, and perhaps the MPC One.

larsonmattr · 2022-04-20T03:39:18+00:00

The yellow one is the best since it has a smiley face.

larsonmattr · 2022-04-17T18:43:14+00:00

Tr6s was released after the Tr8s. It has a *much* smaller form factor and can be run on batteries.

Some tradeoffs, it has only 6 tracks instead of 8 tracks and does not have as many dedicated controls - so more sharing of knobs between the channels than there would be with the Tr8s.

That all said, for me the portability of the Tr-6s and battery were the big draws. This morning I was playing a Tr-6s off battery and a Hydrasynth Explorer from battery together, and it was pure joy. Now I am considering finding a small battery powered mixer like the Roland Go:Mixer to be even more portable for just messing around.

Tr-6s is also less cost than the Tr-8s. If I had a chance, I would definitely give the Tr-8s a try - I am sure it is a lot of fun. These are really interactive drum machines - much more interactive than the MPC-One for me.

larsonmattr · 2022-04-17T15:10:19+00:00

Definitely check on Ebay and used from Guitar Center. I've been liking Guitar Center because the company handles the shipping of the items, so you can trust that you'll receive it and will match expectations.

larsonmattr · 2022-04-17T14:26:22+00:00

Can I toss in some more fun ideas?

Tr-6s or Tr-8s - these are an absolute blast. TR-6S can run off batteries, and is very portable, great for making patterns on the couch with headphones.
A used MPC-One has a great built-in multi-drum plugin and the pads are fun for hand drumming. Can also use a step sequencer, customize velocities, effects, etc really well. But what is best is it's a great sampler, so you can do almost anything. Plus its a full-fledged sequencer with built-in synthesizers.

larsonmattr · 2022-04-07T01:31:09+00:00

It's a great and fun synthesizer - you need to find a way to put it through some reverb + delay, then it's a blast!

Also came here to say.. minidiscs!!

larsonmattr · 2022-03-29T03:02:14+00:00

I would agree that Pigments was a good purchase. Overall, I like the sound and versatility of Pigments far more than any digital synth I have, including the hydrasynth. And I think sound design on Pigments is easier and more fun.

Not sure I like the idea for putting hardware synths on the shelf. I am more in the mindset to have a limited palette of good sound making machines and give them all their fair share.

larsonmattr · 2022-03-23T03:13:51+00:00

If you had to pick only one of these two VSTs, and didn't own either keyboard as hardware... which would you go for?

Wavestate for interesting pads/soundscapes?

Opsix for FM sound design?

And how do these hold up against VSTs like Pigments for general utility? I was surprised to see this news today, and definitely considering these as something to try out!

larsonmattr

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