GlendaleViper

A beautiful work of art that (ASSISTED in) changing our understanding of the universe - and our place in it, forever. [EDIT] Ooh, Thermos is a good one. More broadly, how about the man-made vaccuum in general?

I've been listening to Public Enemy A LOT lately and it made me realize that the hip-hop DJ has become something of a lost art. Most mainstream rappers are using more electronics than the traditional TT>Mixer>TT setup, and turntablism, well, that's another beast altogether. It seems to me that the simplicity of early hip-hop has for the most part been swept to the side in favour of more complex beats and melodies. This isn't a bad thing, really, but it did get me thinking about earlier prominent DJs like Terminator X, The Biz, Yella, Muggs and Lethal, who were all about the beat, setting up simple sets for the boys on the mic to shine through. I'm focusing on Terminator specifically, because he's a polarizing example - on one hand, his beats were so shaved down that they were bordering on noise; on the other, he incorporated "solos" into his performances, scratching and sampling all over the place. But it set the stage for one of the greatest rappers and lyricists to ever touch a mic. Of course, I'm talkin' about Chuck D (he know he nice). Terminator set up a beat and a flow for some of the most important hip-hop music made in the early 90s and it's the simplicity that helped Chuck's message come through with appropriate impact. What prompted the thread, is just how well it still holds up today. There are still a lot of traditionalists out there. Cut Chemist, Hi-Tek and Q-Bert are particularly skilled turntablists who have shown real ability to keep themselves in check while someone spits. This thread is about guys like them - the DJ that lays it all out for one reason alone: Making the MC pop. Any favourites?

Understanding makes it no less amazing though, does it? Simple machines are an obsession.

Picking up the new Propagandhi album, "Supporting Caste" this afternoon. I've been waiting for this sucker since a track leaked a couple of months ago. I'm still surprised it's already here; their trend has been 5+ years between albums since founding the G7 Welcoming Committee. Anyone else excited about the Winterpeg Punks' return? I'm going to be going crazy this afternoon, looking instead of listening. I had to pick a large image here, for detail. Some great album art once again:

Heck of a fit. Now, if that's your size I have to ask: Blessing or curse?

Then since we're on it, here's a simple device some of us might appreciate (probably shouldn't have searched for this at work... meh):

Then for those of us who are crude and uncouth BECAUSE of using chopsticks, here's a tacky little solution!

Not nearly as awesome as the fork! Are you insinuating a creator? Them's fighting words!!!

It's a nice product, sure, but well outside the realms of simplicity! We're talking about a machine with microprocessors, DAC chips, opamps, firmware, a GUI and, in some cases, WiFi... Would I be queering the thread if I told you both I love you? And I'm glad we're getting some nods for simple machinery. The screw is an excellent example, as is the Block & Tackle (just for reference, you may have an easier time with Wiki's write-up on Pulleys). As for blades, I'm a sucker for them as well. I was given a nice set of Henckel 5 star knives for Christmas and I've been babying them like an overprotective mother. It's sad, really. [EDIT] Good gravy, I guess I was late on the pulley reference!

I couldn't confirm or deny that - my vinyl setup isn't good enough to make headphone listening tolerable, let alone enjoyable.

Considering our hobby, I have to presume I'm not the only one that's sucked in by simple genius. This is a dumping ground for unique inventions that are underappreciated for what they are; they've become commonplace, obsolete or quite simply, frivolous! A few of my faves: The ZIPPO Lighter Simple in its mechanics, tank-like in construction, plus it makes fire. Fire good. I've been a Zippo fanatic since I was a kid. Incidentally, a more controlled flame (like a Bic) is probably the better choice for lighting firecrackers. The Rolling Machine Ok, seriously, this one is so damned simple I almost can't believe it ended up getting invented. But try one out - they work like an absolute charm! Every single time. The Pinball Machine We don't need an image for this one, do we? Between the physics, fun factor and ingenuity, this one might be larger-scale than the others, but when you crack one open it's not much different than ogling the innards of your favourite amp - point to point wiring and all. Classic workmanship paired with engineering and plain old fun. I get really, REALLY geeky when I have a machine to drop quarters into. Even more so when I can pop the hood. [EDIT] Okay, I couldn't help myself. Anyone remember this table?

I'll keep it going OT for now - IMO, the real strength of vinyl isn't in the details, it's in the live-sounding presentation. Records have an amazing ability to portray soundstage and speakers quite simply do a better job of playing to that.

You've given me an excuse to link this for my own purposes! LiveLeak.com - Tumbleweed Vortex

I don't know why, but that put me into a gigglefit. I guess we have an official link for really bad jokes?

Not a valid comparison. There's no way anyone who's heard SS distortion could agree with that sentiment, right? ...right?

Don't feel bad, now just treat your Stax to a vinyl rig and then pair it all up with a nice pair of mid-fields since *GASP!* vinyl is just better through loudspeakers.

MUST HAVE. Me buy soon, not later.

Ok, that's all the explanation I'll ever need. Long live the fuzz!

I don't know, but I can tell you I certainly don't get it. I assume the "sizzle" is the same flanged effect that keeps me away from compressed music in the first place? I'm interested too...

Original run, mint condition vinyl, under 10 bucks. Delicious. [url=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/04/Long_John_Baldry_1971.jpg/200px-Long_John_Baldry_1971.jpg]

Depends on what he wears which, I would imagine, is directly linked to the quality and availability of a nice bourbon.

Yea, but I can't make it this year, so I guess I'm wishing on all your collective behalf. I do suppose that makes me a bastard.

Ah, come on Tyll, you're gonna be at CanJam 09 anyway right?.. can't we convince you to put on a show???

I'd say it's convenience over condition, personally. I know more people with mid- to high-end stereo or 5.1 systems than people with boom boxes, and they all have DAPs. There's clearly still a fairly mainstream desire to have decent enough sounding music, but when the studios cater their recordings to the DAP market, there's not much you can do. I know we're dealing with survey results over opinion here, but I've been conditioned to look cockeyed at "statistics" and I'd say it's skirting the real issue - music is being produced poorly, people don't have a choice, and we'll listen to music over sound, plain and simple.

Yea, I can tolerate a lot of distortion too... this is my home rig: