These (Music) Podcasts Could be Your Life

 

I have always been drawn to audio over visual presentations, in part because I prefer the mental imagery generated by the voices, music, and sounds in my head. 

I was asked to provide some podcast favorites around music criticism in two recent social discussions.  This list does not include podcasts that play music or streaming shows I tend to be a bit fanatical about (i.e., Bagel Radio, Rock n’ Roll Manifesto, Tommy Unit Live!, Hair Metal Mix Tape)

What are your favorite podcasts on Music?

Pazz & Jop (with a nod to the ole' Village Voice annual music roundup)

Sound Opinions

• Two legendary music critics discuss new releases &  interview musicians from all shades of genres. 

Strong Songs 

• host breaks down new and classic songs & discusses techniques and tools of songwriting.

Broken Record 

• Started by Rick Rubin and Malcolm Gladwell, the show has insightful interviews. 

Hit Parade 

• Somewhat like a Decoder Ring (another fave of mine), the show combines elements to deconstruct and laud songs that have topped the charts and our brains. 

Switched on Pop

• Hosted by a Musicologist and a Songwriter, the show is Similar to Hit Parade with a heavier interview element. 

Introspection and Tunes

A Deeper Listen 

• From the fabulous Seattle-based, listener-sponsored KEXP, this podcast explores the meaning and stories behind songs from multiple genres. 

Bizarre Albums (& singles)

• Tony Thaxton, drummer for Motion City Soundtrack & Don’t Stop or We’ll Die explores the strange, odd, and outright weird albums that make us simultaneously laugh and take inspiration. 

My Favorite Album-with Jeremy Dylan

• Interviews with musicians, songwriters, and producers about what inspires them, the craft, and what keeps them passionate. 

James Aster’s Perfect Sounds 

• Actor, Comedian, and genuine music lover James Aster shares his guest music perspectives and spends each episode trying to convince them that 2016 was the most significant year in music ever. 

Three Track Podcast 

• Comedian and all-around renaissance man Gabriel Ebulue has guests pick any three tracks and dig deep into their cultural significance and why they are so emotionally tied to them. 

History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

• It is a remarkable breakdown of where rock has come from, how it evolved/ branched, and whether it will continue to influence the future. 

A to Z of Psychedelia ( on BBC Radio 6)

• BBC Radio 6 is doing what it does best: exploring a genre with music, interviews, and backstories that put you right ‘on-stage’ with the movement. 

 

Down the Rabbit Hole (Tech, Technology, and Culture of Recording Music)

Recording Rockstars 

• An award-winning recording engineer dives deep into the magic of making music in the studio. The show is full of brilliant discussions and brimming with advice, tips, and tricks. 

Working Class Audio

• After losing a studio during tough times, Matt Boudreau started the podcast to work through his feelings and reconnect to the art. His interviews are incisive, intriguing, and intelligent, giving us a window into many top engineers' personalities, work ethic, and inspiration.

TapeOp

Hosted by the Editor of TapeOp magazine, it combines the storytelling essentials and technology that produce beautiful music across genres. 

Hanging Out With Audiophiles 

• HOWA delves into the songs & the technology, techniques, and inspirations required to make “...make things sound right.”

 Cleaning A Speaker Suggestions For Maintaining Solid Sound

Speakers make up the final component of an audio system. The combination of cabinets and drivers brings music and movies to life, filling a room and enveloping the listener. As such, keeping your speakers clean both inside and out ensures years of high-fidelity performance.

Exterior Cabinets

The cabinets provide more than a structure to hold electronics; the shape, size, and materials help to reinforce low-end resonance and propel the sound forward. 

Whether constructed from fine, rare woods or specially designed composites, keeping them clean prevents the accumulation of dust that can fall into the drivers and maintains the visual appeal. Unless the wood requires special care and oils, using a damp cloth (preferably microfiber) to wipe the surface should be sufficient. If desired, an occasional manufacturer-approved wood polish can be used to protect the surface.

Speaker Grills, the fabric cover that protects the drivers from bumps, pokes, and other environmental dangers, can be cleaned with a soapy sponge. After drying, lift off any remaining debris with a vacuum and a brush attachment.

Woofers and Tweeters (Drivers)

Nearly all speakers will have at least one Woofer (mid- to low-frequency) and one Tweeter (high-frequency) driver; higher-end models include additional units dedicated to specific sound ranges. Over time, dust build-up in the drivers adversely affects the quality of reproduction, making it muddier and less distinct.

Tweeters are made of very delicate materials applied as a thin sheet over a framework; as such, great care must be taken when cleaning. In most cases, using canned or compressed air will remove any dust. Take caution and keep the nozzle an inch or more away to avoid poking the surface physically or from the air pressure.

While the cones (low and mid-frequency drivers) are constructed of more durable material, they should still be handled with care. If applying compressed air does not complete the job, use a small soft brush or microfiber cloth to remove stubborn dirt manually. Again, proceed with care to avoid pushing the cone in or puncturing the skin (The sound Link Ray created by punching holes in his guitar amp may have inspired a generation of rock musicians, but it is a disaster when listening at home.

Connectors

The connectors are the most durable component on any speaker and do not often need cleaning to improve or maintain performance quality. Still, these connection points are made of metals that can deteriorate or corrode over time, including the overhyped use of gold.  

Use a soft cloth to remove dirt or foreign particles from a connection point. If you are experiencing crackling, intermittent connectivity, or hum,  a light application of contact cleaner can help. 

A Little Care Goes A Long Way

While audiophiles can spend hours in isolation tweaking tweeters or adjusting coverage and sweet spots, a few simple actions will keep your system (of any size or quality) sounding great for longer. 

The Sadness of Sound

The Sadness of Sound

A meditation on the state of sound in our lives and ruminations on fixing it.

Let there be no noise made, my gentle friends, unless some dull and favorable hand will whisper music to my weary spirit. - Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3.

Alright, this may come off as a bit of ‘much ado about nothing’ to some, but the state of sound all around us is frustratingly bad and only getting worse. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded by a cacophony of noise that distracts and dulls the senses; like the ever-present background radiation of the universe, we have come to accept, however begrudgingly, its intrusive presence. 

An international parasite seems to have wormed its way into our heads, hearts, and souls, dragging down our expectations like Jacob Marley’s chains. In 1991, Karlheinz Brandenburg opened Pandora’s box by successfully converting Suzanne Vegas’ Tom’s Diner into the digital domain(as an MP3), bringing us the blessed curse of quantity over quality.

The Meh! Of Mediocrity 

The remarkable achievement of digitizing music has fulfilled its promise to ‘democratize’ access to songs from around the world, breaking new bands and saving niche artists from obscurity. The technology requires balancing file size and sound quality, compressing data where possible while providing good enough delivery. The palpable joy of carrying hundreds of complete discographies in a pocket comes at the cost of losing many rich elements that add depth and lushness.  

The overwhelming ubiquity of MP3, originally seen as a tool to level the playing field, dulls our senses with mediocre audio and takes the soul out of sound. The MP3 foundation agrees, officially killing off professional licensing in 2017, stating: “The codecs of the AAC family, for example, are included in billions of devices today and provide excellent sound quality at low bit rates.”

Cut Throat Communication 

 So, here we are, conditioned to accept that ‘just good enough’ is more than adequate. Live events folks like to throw around the phrase ‘good enough for rock n’ roll,’ but this is a great misnomer. From symphonic metal to lo-fi grindcore and punk, the sound generated is carefully crafted. Why do we accept the sub-par sound in our daily lives, especially in business communications?

 

During the pandemic years of remote work, universal distance learning, and streaming presentations, audio quality was clearly an afterthought, even when we realized that the situation was to be a marathon. It is possible that many saw investment in upgraded hardware as a temporary hiccup and not as a wise use of company money. Yet, the situation was terrible for years prior. 

I am an avid listener to Bloomberg radio, not that I have any real money to invest, but the socio-economic ramifications of market changes fascinate me. As such, I get to hear a ton of earnings calls from companies large and small, and boy, howdy are they terrible. The sound is akin to kids shrieking over tin cans connected by a fishing line; in reality, two guys are shouting into a speakerphone.

 While some put money behind comprehensive conference systems, why is there resistance to one-on-one or huddle rooms?

The Curse of Audiophiles

Various attempts have been made to inspire a popular uprising by consumers, playing off ingrained cultural desires for the latest and best and one-upping their friends. So far, the results have been lackluster. Star-backed platforms like Neil Young’s (now defunct) Pono and Jay-Z-fronted TIDAL have made inroads with a niche demographic—generally wealthy status-conscious men. Surveys and polls show that most music listeners put availability over audiophile aspirations, at least regarding the cost of file formats.   

There is an oft-told joke about modern vinyl fans: What attracts them to the format is its expense and difficulty in making it work right. Comedic simplifications aside, there is no better example of the overwrought and avarice of so-called audiophiles than the now-defunct Rocky Mountain Audio Show. This yearly gathering of self-important audio mystics chanting over meteorite-sourced metal tweeters and rare wood cabinets smoothed by exotic virgins from lost islands has killed the better audio aspirations of the masses. 

Seriously, why would anyone think they can join the League of Better Sound when comment boards are filled with claims that crystal-infused slate platforms and naturally damping volcanic cones dramatically improve audio from a CD player? Add to this ‘essential components such as $1000 Streaming DACs, $8000 tube amplifiers, $20k speakers, and $600 hokum accessories- oh my! 

Seriously, while looking at the hope diamond is lovely, anyone insisting that to be truly fashionable, you must wear jewelry of equal value and ostentation is socially deaf and damages perceptions. Are we, as an industry, guilty of the same?

Making Presence A Priority 

We want our voices to be heard when we speak with a group of friends, on a conference call, or during a Zoom meeting. Ensuring everyone on a conference call is distinct should be a priority for everyone, not just the geeky AV folks. When properly punctuated, a voice imparts presence, giving ideas and statements a sense of authority and gravitas.

In order to change the mindset of just good enough to solid solutions, we need to provide clients with practical implementation without the Tiffinay boxes. Sometimes, this happens on a grand scale, an epiphany with angelic choir music. In reality, it takes baby steps, integrating higher-quality files, better headphones, and home entertainment. When people make better sound part of their everyday lives, they begin to demand it everywhere. 

How do you convince clients or yourself to pursue better sound daily? Or have we already stepped too far over the precipice?

This article was originally posted on AVNation.tv Features on February 24, 2024

Thoughts on Rejecting Audiophilia in Pursuit of Better Sound

Can we reclaim the heart and soul of Audiophiles by abandoning the word and seeking better sound while rejecting the anxiety of chasing the next shiny claim of fidelity? 

Michael Andrew (aka Michael Perez), founder of Hive Marketing group and writer for StereoNet International, recently posted about declaring his independence from the term Audiophile. It is a very good read that I have long banged the drums about. 

Yes, yes, and yes, again and again! The pursuit of audiophilia is something I have long struggled with. As a trained audio engineer who designed and installed custom home theaters and media rooms, Mr Perez/ Anddrew's enthusiasm and concerns are right on point. 

Birds of a Feather, Leave the Flock Together

I adamantly (to the point of obsession) insist on being surrounded by quality sound, and none of us should have to settle for lousy file formats or subpar reproduction. Yet the audiophile community continues to ostracize anyone who first enters or strays from the cannon.

There is an oft-told joke about modern vinyl fans: What attracts them to the format is its expense and difficulty in making it work right. 

Comedic simplifications aside, there is no better example of the overwrought and avarice of so-called audiophiles than the now-defunct Rocky Mountain Audio Show. This yearly gathering of self-important audio mystics chanting over meteorite-sourced metal tweeters and rare wood cabinets smoothed by exotic virgins from lost islands has killed the better audio aspirations of the masses.

Balance Without Anxiety or Sacrifice

While my technical knowledge and skill sets allow me the freedom to make the most of any setup, I have found Andrew Robinson's (former Home Stereo Review editor) reviews and insights just the right mix. In my humble opinion, Andrew has the right blend of lofty audio aspirations and real-world considerations. 

I applaud Michael's declaration and look forward to hearing more about what discoveries he will make and how he finds a balance between the need for quality without the anxiety and avoiding the drive to continually make 'just one more tweak.'

How Applying Basic Knowledge and Actions Generate Progress And Profits

 

Great acts are made up of small deeds - Lao Tzu.

Perhaps it is the influence of action movies or 30-minute crime shows or just how stark differences allow us to comprehend change, but subtle movements tend to be ignored or disregarded. There is a long-standing rule in technology called the KISS standard; while I would love for this acronym to involve kabuki-style grease paint, fire breathing, and overwrought power chords, it simply stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. 

The most complicated live events start with a basic concept or goal; the pathway to the final product is a series of micro steps. I recently re-entered the live events industry with a role on the back end of things. My past experiences in the field, most recently traveling around the US and parts of Asia/ Oceania for Broadway tours, allow me to see the big picture. Yet, with all the drama and adrenaline from working live shows, it was a service guy who taught me patience and the value of quiet observation. 

Like A Swiss Timepiece

Mike, though we called him Alex, his middle name because there were too many folks named Michael (4) at the time, is a Swiss engineer who fell into the world of event staging. Mike was brought in to develop home-grown solutions for the expanding installation and special projects part of the company; by default, he also ran the in-house maintenance department. 

Taking me under his wing, Mike shaped my ADD tendencies and helped hone them into something I could act on, granted this was presented in his pragmatically austere Nordic engineer manner. Now in his defense, he had a very casual side, not quite footloose American, but as we were neighbors in Park Slope Brooklyn, there were ample opportunities to share a drink or three.

  

Alex, when we were not drinking, impressed upon me that While attempting to replace an IC or soldered components was not to be considered lightly, there is usually a much simpler, often glaringly easy fix. It is a life lesson I try to impress on the young and inexperienced techs under my management.  

Fast, Furious, Methodical

Keeping things moving and ensuring the equipment a company uses is in running order is essential in any audio-visual shop; this is doubly critical when working at a mom-and-pop company. Without the resources of larger shops, we need to pay close attention to the condition of the equipment used for shows; with a limited inventory, we cannot afford to have gear go down, especially during busy seasons. 

The reality is that sometimes this means we identify a problem and, like a NASCAR pit crew, get the unit running with a spot of glue and some gaffers tape because the truck is leaving now for a 6 am load in. Fast and furious is the order of the day at these times; sometimes, taking a step back and relying on experience provides a longer-term solution. 

Looking for the Obvious

A co-worker recently brought me one of our workhorse projectors with a thermal overload error on the LCD control screen. After reviewing the maintenance manual and consulting the manufacturer support via email, we were given several possible causes, including a faulty PCB board, failed thermal sensor, or damaged fan controller. The support agent gave us options for sending the unit in, all expensive propositions, and a timeline for return that did not fit our immediate needs. 

Once we removed the unit's top, it was clear that the fans were working, and the software tools did not indicate any deeper issues. I recalled a valuable lesson Mike had often repeated to me, the weakest link in electronics is the connections. If one pin is slightly misaligned or an edge connector has slipped, ghosts in the machine can appear and disappear at random moments. 

Well, Would You Look At That

After turning off the projector and letting it cool down (no need to get burnt or blinded by the light engine), we looked more closely at the numerous circuit boards that make up a modern piece of AV gear. Using a mix of habit and trained intuition, I gently pressed down on board connections; in return, we were greeted with the satisfying crunch of connectors nesting again.

Et Voila! Reapplying power brought the projector to life in a healthy state, with the previous warning messages nowhere to be seen. After letting the unit run for an hour and a couple of re-starts, it was determined we had a solid fix. 

Because our equipment is moved from shop to show and back to shop again, pieces jiggle, shake, and ultimately work themselves loose. Rather than being afraid of the devices our livelihood depends on, careful observation and gentle prodding lead to better understanding and lower maintenance costs. 

Small Steps for Giant Leaps

I once had a therapist/life coach explain that if all you look for is the end goal, the job may seem unattainable and prevent you from taking the first step. Honestly, it is advice that I do not always follow but inevitably come back to. Working with fear holds a person back, restricting movement and advancement; if one can find simple solutions, getting back on track becomes an obtainable task.  

Do you have trouble completing a large task or cannot get started at all? How do you break it down, and whose voice lives rent-free in your head, guiding you to success?

Is Threads A Viable Option For You?

 A Quick Overview of Threads by Instagram for the Curious, Weary, and Reluctant 

If you want to destroy my sweater, just pull this thread as I walk away. 

- Undone,Weezer

If you are like me, the search for an alternative to the mess ole’ Musky has created at twitter is hot and heavy. Politics and personality conflicts aside, the billionaire space cadet has managed to ostracize all but the most pie-eyed users. Whether it is destroying trust, imposing fatuous limits, or blocking tools like tweetdeck, and technical failings at every turn the frustrations have continued to mount. 

Threads, Now Open To All

Yesterday, Meta opened up Threads by Instagram to the masses (racking up 10 million subscribers in less that 48 hours), I am member # 368852 - (thank you very much).  If your curious or wary from trying alternatives like Mastadon or waiting for access to the Jack Dorsey backed BlueSky- getting going on to threads is really simple. 

Simple and Streamlined

If you already have an Instagram account, head over to the App Store and download ‘Threads, an Instagram app. Note that if you search for just ‘Threads’ you may get another social app,(the poor bastards), by the same name. ( the company has now added ‘not related to Meta’ disclaimer to their description). 

Once downloaded you can sign in with your insta credentials and off you go! The platform does ask if you want to automatically follow the same accounts you already do on instagram. In seconds you are brought to the main thread screen, free to scroll through it all. 

A Few Knots and Tangles

The ease of use does belie some issues percolating underneath it all.  There are a number  necessary features that must be implemented sooner than later for the platform to be viable and a true ‘Twitter Killer’. 

First, and most annoying for me, is that there is no way to have direct messages or filter who you see. Currently, you view one continuous stream of folks you follow and what the algorithm thinks you should see ( yes advertising cannot  be far behind). While it is possible to search for an account and have a threaded dialog there, it is a bit unruly (who remembers all of the account names you follow?)

While Threads allows 500 characters, you cannot edit after the fact (twitter allows this) and you cannot edit images in the app (again twitter allows this). 

Some Old Bugaboos 

This IS a Meta, née Facebook product, so many of the privacy concerns around your data and actions are the same here. It has to be said though, Zuckerberg has been active answering questions, hinting that more features will roll out shortly and promoting safe and healthy dialogs. 

In addition, Threads is inexorably tied to Insta, so if you want to delete a Threads profile, you must delete your Instagram account as well.  Thankfully it is possible to suspend a thread profile without interfering with insta. The settings page does provide a growing list of tools to manage, control, and track how your data is used. 

Ready to Take the Leap?

Is Threads for you? Right now the platform is a welcome relief with a familiar feel, if but limiting. I do not particularly like the scrolling (yes, this is identical to how your Instagram home page works) and I desperately want a ThreadDeck. 

If you are looking for a simple and streamlined app that will get you going and engaging in mere moments, the app is Certainly worth a go.

Questions? Happy to tell you what I know, or can find out from peeps with much deeper knowledge than me.