A musician was using this in the club that I was spinning at. It looked pretty big and obstrusive. So I decided to do some reasearch on this DI box. It seems that this is the best passie DI bx that money can by. It uses Jensen transformers in it. This DI box is not cheap. It costs about US$199. But I was told that this DI box lasts a long time. I suppose that one has to pay for quality.

I have had this Linksys WRT54GC router for almost 5 years. It is a nice little router and it is still in use. I have used it as a wireless broadband router, as a wireless access point and even as a standalone switch and during that time, it has always performed the job admirably. I can find no reason to replace it with another as I like the routers with antennas, not the ones with the built-in ones. So I suppose I will be using this for a while longer yet.

All DJs and sound technicians need to get a pair of these. I will give one scenario. What happens one day when you have to plug your DJ controller, for example, into a mixing desk that does not have RCA jacks? For that very reason, I had to use mine twice this year alone and I am very lucky that I have a few of these. Always have a pair in your tool-box. They will save your gig, in more ways than one, and in times when you least expect it

Frankly, I am amazed at this Behringer Mixer. This has been the main mixer in the club where I DJ at and this is used by the live band. An excellent clean-sounding, value-for-money mixer that survived all expectations and has been doing so for the past seven years it has been at the pub. And I can attest to that. Specifications of the mixer are:

• 16 XENYX Mic Preamps
• Two stereo input channels with 4-band EQ plus 2 additional stereo input channels with Level and pre-fader Aux controls
• Neo-classic British 3-band EQs with semi-parametric mid band
• Two independent 24-bit stereo FX processors with 100 presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and various multi-effects
• High-precision 9-band stereo graphic EQ for monitor or main mixes
• FBQ Feedback Detection system
• Peak LEDs, Mute, Main mix and subgroup routing switches, Solo and PFL functions on all channels
• Inserts on each mono channel and main mix for flexible connections to outboard processors
• 4 Subgroup outputs and additional Mono output with sweepable Low Pass filter for subwoofer application
• 4 Aux sends per channel: 2 pre/post fader switchable for monitoring/FX applications, 2 post fader (for internal FX or as external send)
• Balanced Main mix outputs with 1/4 inch jacks and gold-plated XLR connectors, separate Control room, Headphone and stereo Tape outputs
• Solo-In-Place and Pre-Fader-Listen functions plus full-featured Talkback section
• Standby switch mutes all channels during breaks while background music is provided via CD/Tape inputs
• Long-wearing 60 mm logarithmic-taper faders and sealed rotary controls
• Internal auto-ranging power supply (100 – 240 V)

I want to see if Behringer makes smaller mixers. I might need one. Looks like their Eurodesk series needs some serious contemplating by me…

I bought these Sennheiser headphones for my wife. Even though they are Made In China (what isn’t nowadays?) I find that they quality is excellent and the sound, pristine! They were relatively inexpensive and they are lasting well, so far. They are also very comfortable to wear and I see that I might get a pair myself in the near future when my current pair of headphones bites the dust.According to the Sennheiser website, these headphones feature:

• Powerful sound reproduction
• Rich, crisp bass response
• Lightweight and comfortable to wear
• Good attenuation of ambient noise
• Extremely rugged
• High-quality leatherette ear pads
• Gold-plated ¼” (6.3 mm) jack adaptor
• 2-year guarantee

A friend of mine told me to get these cables because according to him, these cables bring out the fullness in music. I can honestly rebut this because I have always believed that there is no magic in the wires. Furthermore, I do happen to use Belden signal cable and they are holding out just as well as these cables from Mogami are. Do not get me wrong. These cables are great…and I do know about the reputation of Mogami. I just happen to already have the signal cables I need!

I bought this for my house personal computer because sometimes, I would like to have the flexibility of wireless. This was the cheapest one that I could find and I must admit, it works pretty darn good! Only cost me about $16. I bought one for my wife as well because her old computer does not have its wireless capability anymore as the internal wireless module is shot. Works a treat as well!

• USB 2.0 connector
• Wireless speed up to 54Mbps, ideal for basic Internet surfing
• Supports WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryptions
• OS: Windows 7 32/64bit, Vista 32/64bit, XP 32/64b

This is probably the closest that you can get to the performanceof the old Technics SL1200 MKII turntables, which are not being manufactured by Panasonic/Technics anymore. I do not know why but I suppose that they have their reasons but you can bet that DJs all over the world are lamenting the fact that we do not have what we consider the icons of the DJ industry being made any more. A pity really. There are a few other brands out there in the market…some look like the Technics, some try to have the same performance like the Technics. However, one of them, in my opinion, is capable of the same performance that the Technics had. And that honour goes to the Reloop RP-6000 MK6 b

According to their website:

Reloop’s RP-6000 MK6 b professional turntable comes in an all black makeover. The rubberized surface and operating elements harmonise with the white super bright LEDs that never leave you in the dark. Furthermore Reloop’s flagship is compatible to any kind of mixer and amplifier due to the signal output as line or phono – no grounding necessary. Its highly dependable direct drive furthermore features a variable torque (2.5 or 4.5 kg/cm) which will satisfy club DJs and turntablists alike. The Reloop MK6 b: A statement.

I have actually had a look at these turntables and they are quite solidly made and the finish is awesome. They may not have the minimal looks of the SL-1200 MKII but they do make up in a few other features and the famous torgue that was so famous on the Technics turntable is there. If you ever get one of these turntables, look at the motor assembly. Yep. The Reloop turntable, with the platter being part of the motor, just like the Technics,is what gives it the great performance, torgue-wise. And the features? Here we go:

• Quarz-driven DJ turntable with upper torque direct drive
• Adjustable starting torque (2.5 kg/cm – 4.5 kg/cm)
• Noble rubber paint finish
• Phono and line output (no grounding necessary)
• Direct interconnection of turntable and motor for maximum stability
• Adjustable start/stop speed (0.2 – 6 sec.)
• Metal chassis
• Extra heavy design
• Height adjustable S-shaped pickup arm with anti-skating
• Pitch range ±10%, ±20%, ±50%
• Easy-to-exchange, freely revolving stylus illumination with super bright LED
• Quartz lock
• Safety mains switch
• Forward and reverse mode
• Additional start/stop button for vertical installation
• Rubber ply to reduce vibration and ambient noises
• Detachable mains and RCA cable
• Immersed connection cavity for easy case installation
• Shock-absorbing feet

So as you can see, you get quality. I still have my Technics. If they ever croak, I did have the Numark TTXs in mind. But after trying out this reloop, looks like my mind has been changed, and yes, made up too. Reloops will be the choice.

I just heard about this D.A.S. speaker system the other day. This one sounds just about perfect for an outdoor bar or an alfresco setting because it is weather resistant. So that makes it ideal. According to their website, this speaker boasts:

-Molded high-impact ABS enclosures
-Available in black or white color options
-Small size and ready-to-paint exterior
-Adjustable ceiling/wall mount included

The Arco 24 incorporates two 4” woofers with weather resistant polypropylene cones. High frequency reproduction is handled by a 25 mm neodymium dome tweeter for brilliant highs and balanced performance. An Overload Safety Circuit protects the speakers from damage in case of overpowering.

IP-54 versions are available for outdoor use.

Looks like quite a few manufacturers are dabbling in outdoor speakers. Last count, I only counted Technomad and One Systems to have such speakers. Looks like I may have another one on my list when it comes to outdoor installations! Polypropylene cones. Hmmm…gets one thinking…

I got this image from CNET and it shows what the servers at Google look like. Apparently, they do not use uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) as there is a built-in battery on each and every server. Also, al their servers run at 12 volts. There is no 5 volt rail like most normal computers. That makes it more power effiicent. Also, it looks like the motherboard has been specially made for Google by Gigabyte and it looks as well that they are running a RAID1 with two hard drives. Simple design…proprietary computer. That is the way it should be.