Who wants an update in my continuing adventures in audio insanity?
Okay, so when I left off last time, I discovered that my my new computer did not like my previous setup of hooking my turntable up to my computer via my Art USB Phono Plus. It was creating a muddy sound that cut off a lot of high frequencies. I then discovered that if I used my Art USB as a traditional pre-amp, and hooked it up to my computer via my line-in, then I got rid of that problem.
The downfall there was that I was getting increased line noise. A problem that I could then reduce by editing the file using the excellent DeNoise program. It was still there, but not in a way that bothered me significantly.
Well, for at least a week or two.
Anyways, before I figured that out, I went ahead and ordered another stylus to see if that was the problem, picking up an Audio Technica AT 120E/T from Amazon, a decent mid-range cartridge comparable to my Nagaoka MP-110. Even though I had solved the problem, I went ahead and gave that cartridge a go with my new setup. I liked how it sounded, just a little fuller with a little more treble, and decided to keep it.
So tonight, I was having problems recording my Blade Runner vinyl. It’s a great-sounding record, but it’s also very quiet, I was having a hard time getting rid of the line noise in the recording. On a whim, I decided to hook up my Art USB to my computer via USB once more, and see how that sounded with the new cartridge.
Holy shit! The “muddy’ problem was gone! Apparently there was something about my cartridge that was angering either the Art USB or my computer. I don’t know how that works, but whatever, now I got a setup that has the best of both worlds; no muddy sound from my previous USB connection, and no line noise caused from a crummy line-in connection.
I’m sure I’ll find something about it that’ll piss me off in a week or so though.
By the way, these were all recorded a while ago and are not indicative of any audio revelations.
A Guy Called Gerald
Voodoo Ray (Extended Mix)
Voodoo Ray (Gerald’s Rham On Acid Remix)
Voodoo Ray (Paradise Ballroom Mix)
Voodoo Ray (Penthouse Mix)
Voodoo Ray (Voodoo Raydio Mix)
A Guy Called Gerald is Gerald Simpson, who at one point was a member of the legendary dance act 808 state. I do not know who Voodoo Ray is.
Now that I think about it, I don’t know what Voodoo Ray is. Perhaps Voodoo Ray isn’t a person, but a raygun that attacks people with the powerful force of motherfucking voodoo. And I saw Serpent and the Rainbow. That shit is fucked up.
Bran Van 3000
Drinking In L.A. (Dave One Remix)
Thinking In L.A. (Zoobone Remix)
Sinking In L.A. (Dub)
Drinking In L.A. (Who Mix?)
Drinking In L.A. (Fink Mix)
I grew up in Toledo, and we had a Canadian-based alternative station called 89x, so I actually heard this song when it first came out in 1997. Later that year, a 17-year-old me went to L.A. for the very first (and last) time to tag along with my dad for an industry convention. Within about about two days I thought, “yup, that Bran Van song has this city pegged pretty well, Hell A.” This is the Canadian hip-hop version of that one Tool song.
That was a weird sentence.
Anyways, these mixes are from a 12″ single. And if you’ve never heard of Bran Van 3000, check them out, they’re pretty fantastic.
And yo, don’t forget that I’m once again trying to get rid of some records! Check out this post for more info.
wasn’t there a story that Voodoo Ray was meant to be called Voodoo Rage but the computer wouldn’t allow a file title of that length, so it was shortened to Voodoo Ray? Apocryphal perhaps.
According to Wikipedia:
“The track contains samples of comedians Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, taken from the first Derek and Clive LP, Derek and Clive (Live), specifically the “Bo Duddley” sketch. “Voodoo Ray” combines a sample of Cook delivering the phrase “voodoo rage”, truncated due to the recording equipment’s lack of memory…”
Still in Toledo. I used to LOVE 89X!!!!!!!! Had no idea about these remixes of Bran Van. Thanks so much for them!
“wasn’t there a story that Voodoo Ray was meant to be called Voodoo Rage but the computer wouldn’t allow a file title of that length, so it was shortened to Voodoo Ray? Apocryphal perhaps.”
…I heard a story similar to that about the track but slightly different…
Basically – the audio that Gerald wanted to use for a sample was someone saying “Voodoo Rage,” but the audio was too long for the sampler… so “voodoo rage” became just “voodoo ra-” (so ‘ra-‘ sounds like “ray”)
I’ll buy that for you. No payment necessary, I’ve had 10 times the cost from your posts.
You posted these same Voodoo Ray tracks a few weeks ago, but that’s okay, they’re still good.
Sigh.