Travis In Austin

I think it is a great idea. I agree, check out Mapleshade. I always wanted to ask Renee, I think his name is, why he records on analog and goes to redbook? You have to be very careful on the budgeting because in your example above you have painted with some very broad strokes. Your costs would be true assuming that you record a work that it is the public domain and there is no arguable copyright. It also assumes that you get signed contracts from the "session" musicians that makes it clear they are being paid for their time as performers and they waive any and all rights in the final product. Maron on this forum would be a good source. He was a recording engineer on a fair number of classical recordings he did for University orchestras, etc. He might be able to tell you what barriers may come up. For example, there is no way you would be able to get permission to record the U of H Chamber Sting Quartet, if there is such a thing, because you could not use there name without getting the school's approval, and you are not going to get that unless you pay a royalty, which means you are going to have to sell that many more cd's to brake even. That does not mean that you cannot hire several of U of H music students, some or all of which might be in the String Quartet, to play some selected works for you, it just can't be marketed as the U of H string quartet. The thing of it comes down to what in the business they call the "talent." In other words the draw, the demand. Even in the classical genre there are certain SO's and certain conductors that sold. Regardless of how good the composition is, how good the recording was, some conductors sell better then others. It of course all feeds off of itself. A conductor that sold well on his last lp could demand a certain engineer or might not even have to. The company made sure they had the best. Here is an idea, you could advertise in Craig's list in Austin, that you, an experienced recording engineer, will do "demo tapes" for free for select bands. They get a high quality demo out of it, you negoiate some sort of deal that you get the exclusive rights to the high resolution stuff you sell on your site. Then all that is at risk is gas and your time. Travis

That is, for the most part true. HOWEVER, when it comes to the value of a record the answer really is always going to be the same: "It depends." Different record companies designated "promo" copies in different ways. A promo copy was for anything other then retail sales. So it could be for a radio station, some of these have timing strips on the front, or they could have simply been made to be given away. The most common way for record companies to designate them was to use a white label instead of their normal colored label wiith some wording such as "demonstration - not for sale" or "For Radio Use Only." Others, like Mercury, would use a special prefix like MK. Sometimes regular stock copies have a "Not for Sale . . ." rubber stamped on them or stamped in gold foil. These are known as "designate promos." These are not true promos and they are valued as a stock copy that has been DEFACED, like having a cut-out or hole punched. What you are describing sound like desinate promos and are actually of less value then a stock lp in the same condition. Now the "it depends" part. If you have a real white label promo copy of a particular lp, it can add significant value over a stock copy. There are too many examples of this to list, but here are a couple off the top of my head: Doors, LA Woman, white label dj promo is worth at least ten times more then stock copy. Beach Boys - Holland If the promo copy is colored vinyl vs. black, it can also add significant value. The famous exception to this is Elvis' Moody Blue. If you have a blue copy, not worth much, but if you have a stock or promo in black then it is worth big buck. The only way to know is to do some research on each lp and they you begin to develop a feel for it after some time. The only way to know for sure is to research it to double check. Travis

Need more axioms with regard to the twins Now, back to my tea. T

Thanks Shawn. Do you agree that the soap plays a much more pivotal role when using the straight compared to a disposable? Travis

Kind of the pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think? You criticize him espousing his views on gun control but then take a stab at trying to advocate the death penalty.Fortunately, we have a Constitution that would never allow your social experiment of “putting ‘em down” to even get off the ground. One of the principal backbones of our Constitution was to prevent a mob mentality being able to enact and enforce laws. I agree with your initial premise, however, that this should be about what Glen and his family are going through, and not what may or may not have prevented it (gun control, death penalty, or "putting 'em down) as nothing can undo the stress and horror to Glen’s family and community. Our thoughts need to be with him , his mother, family and neighbors. Glen, God’s speed to you and yours. I am so thankful that they all escaped harms way and hope this is not too stressful on y’all, especially your mom. Travis

The big question is what brand of soap or cream do you prefer with the straight razor? I like Kiehls and Trumppers, but was wondering what other folks liked. To me, they go hand in hand, you have to have the right cream/soap to go with that cold steal or you might as well forget it. Travis

DD, That is a very good question. The only way someone would know about these kind of companies is if they have a trademark or copyrights that are worth substantal value. You are actually aware of the business niche, you just didn't know it. ASCAP and RIAA are businesses that try to stop unauthorized violations of copyrighted material and collect royalties on things that are authorized. In the more traditional business sense, they either have an in-house department that does it, or they hire a company. You are required to do this if you want your trademarks to stand. If a trademark owner is aware of infringement and does nothing, they risk losing the trademark. In order to continue to hold the trademark you have to enforce it or risk losing it to the public domain. These companies that enforce trademarks and copyrights on behalf of others have been around a long time, however, the internet has created a much greater need/demand for them. Travis

Very sorry to hear about your loss. Dog person, cat person, does not matter, they become family and there is just no denying that fact. Have a photo you can post? I understand if it is still too soon for that. Travis

Goodness gracious sakes alive. The only other time I heard of that happening is when LarryC sent a pair of Klipschorn tops to the factory, they were 10 or so years old at the time I beleive, and they just switched everything out. I am not sure if he was original owner or not. Travis

That is for sure a question you are going to want to ask Mark. Does it have the Cream option (MC phono input), if so there may not be much difference. I recall mark saying at some point that Cream option may be more difficult or not possible on early models, but that may have also been with reference to the peach. Of course the Extreame came out since then, with beefier power supply and upgraded caps, amoung other things, and you would have to ask Mark what is available in terms of an upgrade. I would say if it has the cream option, or if you don't plan on using a turntable with a MC cart there is not going to be much difference. You will want to ask what tubes are with it. If they have upgraded tube this can be a significant bargin in itself, although the tubes that Mark supplys are just fine. Wish I could be of more help. Travis

Looking good as usual Luther, Can't wait for a new listen in the new digs. Travis

Ralph, Very very nice. I can't wait to hear how the rest of the show went, and maybe some more photos? Which brands do you import to the U.K.? Travis

Am I reading that wrong then? If her patent it good, then she controls both technologies, HD and BlueRay. Thus there is no advantage to HD since they have to license and pay just like BR and thus it will not have an impact on the technology war? Travis

Mike, I very much agree. original Doors pressings are fantastic, but original Doors Elektra pressings will have a tan or gold lable. Travis

It is listed as hers, and on her behalf alone, which means it is all hers. If it was on behalf of a University it would have had her name, and "on behalf of" some institution or company. Does HD use a blue diode laser? I assume not, hence the name Blueray and the incompatibility between the two. Travis

Sounds like you need to come to Spamorama here in Austin, you could take first place with that one.

He was indeed a gentleman's gentleman. We were alumni from the same instution, brothers in the same fraternal orgnazation, and I got to meet him on several occasions. The encounter I will remember forever was a day I got to spend sailing with him and the obligatory cocktails, before, during and after. He was deeply religious and devoted to his faith. He was a true libratarian. He acknowledged the defeat in the war on drugs in the early '80's and was clear that it was not the business of the Govt to be engaged in that pursuit. The "conservatives" were outraged, but he was so quck to point out what it really meant to be "conservative." He didn't shape his views on ratings, the audience, or anythng else. Since the time he was editor of our college paper he had his own views and could care less what anyone thought about them. He was the most widely read college paper editor in the country and he never looked back. His one big regret was smoking. He switched from cigs to cigars, which he inhalled. and it eventually killed him. Rush and all the rest couldn't even hold a candle to him, they would be child's play for him. None of them would even be qualified to hold cue cards on his show. What was the best about him was his sense of humor. Sometimes it was in your face, sometimes it was so buried his intellectual wit that people didn't even know they were the object of his ridicule until days or even weeks later. It was a very, very sad day to learn of his passing. Travis

I use Vqme.com spam blocker, It really cuts it down, it runs 30 a year but is well worth it. It blocks over 300 emails a day for me, and it is easy for real people to get through. They even allow a free trial period/

Interesting hobby there! On average, how do these PR tapes compare to other sources of that material? Mark, Now that is a very good question. If you read all of the hype, there should be no high-end left in a recording that is over 20 years old. However, if tapes are stored properly, according the the Ampex white papers, there should be no problems in frequency response even after 50 years. So they have to have been stored properly, that is about 70, no more then 20% humidity, vert. and not after being rewound or fast forwarded. That is, played normally with a nice ticgh even pack. The Ampex, Capitol, Columbia, Magtec 7.5 IPS 4 track tapes are consistently better then the vinyl. These were recorded with Ampex equipment in double time and then 4X slaves, and were second generation from the mix down master. They are at least one generation better then an LP, a duplicate of the master was sent to the tape duplicating faciliity, that was run at 15 IPS, the slaves at same speed. Later they went to 30 IPS which was 4X speed duplication. This was no problem, as the industry started out at 30IPS, guides, tape tolerence, etc. was all good at this speed. Most of the 3.75 IPS that was recorded by Ampex, Capitol, RCA, Columbia is also quite good and for the most part equal to or exceeds the vinyl counterpart. The big problem is with Columbia House Record Club tapes. These tapes are easy to spot, they all Cat. numbers that begin with 1R1 or 1RC1. These tapes were available in the latter 70's until the very early 80's. The masters that were used to make these can vary a great deal, what generation, etc. More importantly, they were recorded on 60IPS machines, the equipment was just not good enough to support that kind of speed and so you have a major reduction in FR, in S/N ratio and channel seperation as well as print-through. They are hit and miss. The 2 track from the 50's were recorded on mylar, which is a good thing, it does not degenerate, and they are almost always far superior to the vinyl of that era. R2R in the 50's was for the super elite. A 2 track tape in 1958 went for about $17.00. I believe an LP might have been $2 if that. It was for the serious audiophile. The last 2 track tapes were made in about '59. I brought Kind of Blue to Larry Clare's last Strathmore affair, this was the 4 track, manufactured in 1960, it was played on Larry's Revox machine and everyone who heard it agreed it was the superior to the vinyl. In fact, a few people who heard it have either purchased r2r equipment or are in the process of doing so. The problem with R2R is that it is a headache, like with any vintage gear, but even more so. More so becasue there is a mechnical component to it on top of the electrical and depending on the machine, a lack of parts. But there is something to it because you look at what the great mastering people use, that some bands still insist on recording on tape. There are companies that do nothing but restore and keep Ampex equipment in tip top shape, that relap heads so that they can be reused. Tim de Paravinici of EAR Audio has made a lot of money building the preamps for this analog recording equipment and that would be my ultimate goal, his preamps on a very nice transport. The other problem is with the software, the tapes can sometimes be in bad shape. There are a few very good sellers on ebay and they stand behind what they sell, and are accurate in what they describe, so I have not really had a problem buying from them. Now here is the best part, the cost. It has been a great secret for me, but I would rather see more people get enjoyment out of it then hold back, but I have talked about this before here in this forum. As an example, about 2 years ago I bought a sealed copy of Kind of Blue for less then $150.00. A still sealed first pressing of KOB, stereo, just sold on ebay for $1,500. There is of course much, much more demand in vinyl then R2R and the prices are going to be way up. If you are more into the music then the collectability, R2R is the way to go in my opinion. The sound is equal or better, and it is way cheaper then the vinyl route. However, your children and other heirs will not reap as much benefit when it comes time to sell off your collection of tape then if you had bought all vinyl. Although, 10 years ago a KOB R2R might have been $25 or 50. Now the big current rave, that the verdict is still out on, is The Tape Project. My first tapes will be coming in soon. 15IPS 2 tracks, straight from the original stereo masters, Rollins' Sax Colosus, Evans' Waltz for Debby, we believe and hope that these will be the best versions of these masterpieces that have ever been made available to the public. They in fact should be, they are at least 1, and in some cases as many as 3 generations better then the original vinyl pressings. Mark, I am hoping someday to hear that you are going to be at a show close enough that we can set up my tape system with a Tape Project tape in your booth/suite as the source material for your Juicy Music equipment and then you can decide for yourself. Travis

Which tapes? New, prerecorded, the Tape Project Tapes? I bought up all of the Quantagy 456 I could find, I have 100's of pancakes, and also a lot of GP9 (3M 996). If you need blank I might be willing to part with some if you need it, but new is easy to get again. The Tape Project Tapes are just coming in, 2 track 15 IPS and they are 200 a tape if you buy a subscription, and my first tapes are coming in, which is the blues and jazz, so I don't think I will be wanting to part with those anytime soon, if ever. As far as prerecorded tapes from the 50's, 60's and 70's I am up to about 400 now. I am trying to collect every one of the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time List in prerecorded tape. About 300 on that list were available in PR tape. The other day I got together about 30 prerecorded tapes that were either duplicates or stuff I was not interested in that I had aquired as part of larger collections. I was going to send them to a lady I know in California to sell on ebay for me. I think there is a Doors in there and a very valuable Zeppelin III. If you are interested I can send you a list. Travis

Where did LP's go? I literally just got home from buying some NEW DOMESTIC VINYL a mile from my house. It never went away people. Eric, Bring it over this weekend, I want to hear it. I wonder if you can get heritage in African Mahogony? Travis

Those are some interesting sites. I am still going through Beaty's site, he seems to be saying there are a couple of ways to looks at things, neither is right or wrong, EM vs. electrons, it depends on what terms you are using, and how you define it (electricty). In his definitions section, this guy got my vote: "The electric fluid flowing through the wire is the negative one, directed, therefore, from lower to higher potential... The next important question is whether the structure of this negative fluid is "granular," whether or not it is composed of electric quanta. Again a number of independent experiments show that there is no doubt as to the existence of an elementary quantum of negative electricity. The negative electric fluid is constructed of grains, just as the beach is composed of grains of sand, or a house built of bricks. This result was forumlated most clearly by J. J. Thomson, about forty years ago. The elementary quantity of negative electricity are called electrons." Travis

You are correct again oh Jazzmesiter, all on Contemporary save and except one: Exploring the Future on the DOOTO label.

Actually, the 400 is the metal one... the composite is the 401. Thanks, I should know that, I have a brand new pair of 401's in the garage in a box. You would figure I would have gotten it by now. Marvel, don't you have some historical prices on these? Travis

If they can go on the long (16') wall that will be fine. GaryMd has his about 10' apart and they sound very, very nice, but that is a specifically dedicated 2 channel room. What is the size of the other room that does not have corners? The "metal" midrange horns are 401, as opposed to the 400 which are composite/glass. Mine did not have 401's, and many on here prefer those to the 400's. The finish description is a problem. There are people who have owned Khorns for years and will tell you they are "walnut" or "mahogny" or whatever. However, what they really are is birch plywood that has been stained by the original owner in a walnut color or a mahogny color, etc. Again, that is no big deal, it is very common, and some are done very, very well. The factory also made walnut veneer models that were either "oiled" or "laquer". the SN will tell you for sure what it is without actually seeing it with your eyes. BR in the S/N means Birch raw, and if it does not look like raw pine anny more it means they were stained by someone along the way. If the say WO, they are oiled walnut, and WL is walnut, laq. If they are oiled walnut, in good great shape, no dings, chips or gouges, they are worth the BIN of $2,500. If they are raw birch with a good stain job then 2 to 5 hunded less. Someone has a running log of what recent sales have gone for on ebay. Travis