Review of ShuttlePro V2 Control Device

For users who do a lot of video or audio editing, especially with programs that take advantage of "scrubbing" within their editing capabilities, the ShuttlePro V2 can be a nice complement to your existing way of controlling your workflow.  It has a jog wheel, a shuttle control, and fifteen separate user-controllable buttons.  Designed to be used in conjunction with a mouse or similar device, this device will reduce your reliance on the keyboard and keyboard shortcuts.

  

Here's a review video about this device:

A couple of the key points that I love about this Control Device are:
- Appears to be built solidly.
- Doesn't slide around on desk.

One thing I didn't like about the ShuttlePro V2 was:
- I'm just not accustomed to working with a device like this!  But that's a personal shortcoming, not a problem with the control device itself.

ShuttlePro has presets in the control panel for the following long list of programs in a variety of styles:

Adobe Flash
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Audition
Adobe Encore
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe PhotoShop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Soundbooth
Avid Liquid
Avid MC Adrenaline
Avid Media Composer
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Xpress
Boris Keyframer
Boris Red
Cakewalk Guitar Tracks
Cakewalk Home Studio
Cakewalk Music Creator
Cakewalk Plasma
Cakewalk Projects
Cakewalk Sonar
Canopus DV Rex
Canopus Sonar
Canopus Edius
Discrete 3DS Max
Discrete Combustion
DPS Velocity
Easy Prompt
Finale
In-Sync Speed Razor
Magix Samplitude
Magix Sequoia
Media 100 iFinish
Media Studio Pro
MicroSoft Access
MicroSoft Excel
MicroSoft Outlook
MicroSoft PowerPoint
MicroSoft Word
Pinnacle Commotion
Pinnacle Edition
Pinnacle Studio
Sony Acid
Sony Cinescore
Sony Screen Blast
Sony Sound Forge
Sony Vegas
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Nuendo
Steinberg WaveLab
ULead Video Studio
and many others

And of course, the presets are just there for convenience.  You can program your own for any software package that you own.

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Review of the Blue Spark & Spark Digital Condenser Microphones

For a mid-budget home studio voiceover/vocal microphone, my preferred choice is currently one of two condenser mics from Blue Microphones, either the Spark or the Spark Digital. I've had the Spark Digital for a long time and just recently got the regular Spark to add to my gear. 

 

These microphones retail for around $200-250 in Canada. I'm quite impressed with the Blue microphones, and they've also gotten good reviews from a lot of other people, so I decided to do a review of my own. These microphones are more expensive than the most basic low-end mics out there, but I feel that spending a bit of extra money is worth it, and you'll have pretty decent quality for whatever project you're working on. If you want to just watch the video review, here's the link, although I'll also include the specs of these mics further down in this blog post:





Here is the general overview of the Spark, taken directly from the Blue Microphones website:

Blue's newest professional mic, Spark, is a cardioid, solid-state condenser microphone designed to help you achieve professional quality recordings in any creative environment. Spark features a custom-designed condenser capsule with Class-A discrete electronics resulting in superbly detailed and uncolored output, making it the ideal microphone for recording vocals, drums, guitars, pianos, brass, woodwinds, and just about anything else you can light a fire under.

A new feature found only on the Spark microphone is the unique Focus Control, providing two different usage modes at the push of a button: the Normal mode (out position) providing increased low frequency sensitivity for recordings with great impact and definition, along with the Focus mode, (in position) for even greater clarity and detail.

The Spark microphone ships with a custom-designed pop-filter and shockmount as well as a convenient and stylish wood case for transport. With Spark, you've got everything you need to make professional recordings, all in one package.


Here is a general list of features of the Spark:

- Transducer: Condenser
- Polar Patern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 28 mV/Pa
- Output Impedance: 50 Ohms
- Rated Load Impedance: Not less than 1kOhm
- Maximum SPL: 128 dB
- S/N Ratio: S/N Ratio: 84 dB
- Noise Level: 10dB [A weighted]
- Power REquirement: +48V DC Phantom Power
- Weight: 1.25 lbs.
- Dimensions: Length - 7.76 inches; Diameter - 1.77 inches


The Spark Digital is good for USB 2.0+, 30-pin, or Lightning connections. You MUST specify which of these connections you need when ordering, as it doesn't come with all three choices! Of course, you can buy the separate cords if you want to be able to use two or three different types of connections.



As I've mentioned, I've owned Spark Digital for a while now and I've been pleased with it, so I figured it was worth a review. Also interesting is that although Blue says that the internal specs of the two microphones are the same, their website lists a frequency response of 26 Hz to 20 kHz for the Spark Digital, rather than a low of 20 Hz. Perhaps this is a typo?

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Review of the RØDE NTG2 Directional Shotgun Microphone

For a mid-budget directional shotgun microphone, my preferred choice is RØDE's NTG2 condenser microphone. 

 

I bought this a while ago after researching a number of mid-range directional microphones in the budget range of around $250-300. I've been happy with the performance of this microphone, so I decided to do a review. This microphone is more expensive than the most basic low-end directional microphones out there, but I feel that spending a bit of extra money is worth it, and you'll have pretty decent quality for whatever project you're working on. If you want to just watch the video review, here's the link, although I'll also include the NTG2's specs further down in this blog post:





Here is a general list of features of this microphone, taken directly from the RØDE website:

- Broadcast sound quality
- Low noise circuitry
- Condenser transducer
- Rugged metal construction
- Two step High Pass Filter (Flat/80Hz)
- P48 phantom power or AA battery option
- Low handling noise
- Low weight - 161g (5.17 oz.)
- Includes mic clip, wind shield and zip case
- Ideal for professional applications within the film, video, television and production industries
- 10 year extended warranty with online registration


Here are some of the specs of this particular microphone:

- Acoustic Principle: Line Gradient
- Active Electronics: JFET impedance convertor with balanced transformer output
- Capsule: 0.50"
- Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
- Address Type: End
- Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz(selected HPF @0)
- Output Impedance: 250Ω
- Maximum SPL: 131dB SPL (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1KΩ load)
- Maximum Output Level: 6.9dBu (@ 1kHz, 1% THD into 1KΩ load
- Sensitivity: -36.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (15.00mV @ 94 dB SPL) +/- 2 dB @ 1kHz
- Equivalent Noise Level (A-weighted): 18dB-A
- Power Options: AA Battery+48V phantom power
- Weight: 161.00gm
- Dimensions: 280.00mmH x 22.00mmW x 22.00mmD
- Output: XLR Output
- Warranty: 1 year with free extension to 10 years following online registration



As I've mentioned, I've owned this for a while now and I've been pleased with it, so I figured it was worth a review.

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Ten Best House Music Documentaries

Beatport recently featured an article about the ten best documentaries of all time. You can check out their article here:

http://news.beatport.com/blog/2013/02/11/the-10-best-house-documentaries-of-all-time


If you want to check out any of the documentaries (I'm working my way through them right now), here are embedded links for each of the ten. However, the Beatport article/link above also has a few words about each video:

The Chemical Generation from Racket Racket on Vimeo.

From Jack to Juke: 25 Years of Ghetto House from Sonali Aggarwal on Vimeo.

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

DJ Dan Canadian Tour Video

I just put together some video of DJ Dan on a recent Canadian tour. The footage comes from five different clubs, including The City Grill and Triangles in Moncton, The Palace and Reflections in Halifax, and The Warehouse in Calgary.



Tracks Used in the Backing Audio include:
DJ Dan, "N20" (DJ Dan's Bongloid Mix)
DJ Dan, "Stick Em" (DJ Dan 2010 Edit)
DJ Dan, "Seduction" (Original Mix)
DJ Dan, "Tribute To Voodoo Ray" (Dan's Spellbound Mix)

Here's a link to the video:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pJ4i4sU3UI




A big thanks to Dan for being so accommodating with all of the filming in the various locations. For more information about DJ Dan, visit:
http://www.djdan.com

Unfortunately, the footage that was taken on four of the five nights was almost lost due to a major malfunction in the camera used. We managed to recover a small amount from each night, which was used to put this video together, but if you look closely you can still see a few skips and artifacts that we regrettably had to live with.

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Video: Setting Up Your Turntables

Several years ago, I filmed Marc Carnes (a DJ and audio expert) doing a tutorial video on the proper setup of a turntable. I ended up posting it to YouTube about two years ago, although I had to cut it up into five different videos at the time because YouTube's 10-minute length-limit. I was tidying up some videos this week and noticed that the series had gotten quite a few views, so I decided to re-encode the original as a single full-length video and post it online to replace the older series. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_SWUbDgAW8




Basically, the video shows you how to properly set up your Technics 1200 turntables, including leveling, grounding, platter assembly, attaching a cartridge or headshell, and balancing the tone-arm. The Technics 1200 is the industry standard deck, but people using any other turntable brands will gain a fair amount of knowledge from the video too.

 

In addition to the video, I also have a page on my website that talks about this turntable in a lot of detail:

djbolivia.ca/turntables

 

I know that the old series turned out to be useful for thousands of people, so hopefully this single version is a bit more convenient. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments section on YouTube and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. As always, if you find this video (or the turntable page on the website) to be useful, I appreciate you posting links on your blogs or favorite message boards.





I'd love to see this post & video shared around more. If you're a Google+ user, click on the +1 button to give them a thumbs-up:

        

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

 

Felguk Video from Halifax

Felguk is the stage name of the Brazilian DJ's and music producer duo Felipe Lozinsky and Gustavo Rozenthal. Felguk were brought into the Paragon on March 5th, 2010, by a friend of mine, the late Galen MacDonald (GTM Group). Thanks to Felguk, the Paragon, and GTM for their assistance in getting footage to create this video:


YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdGlP8ftAp0



Audio backing tracks used in this video include:

0:00 Felguk, "Buzz Me" (Rework 2011 Master).
2:03 Felguk, "Galaxy Traveller" (Original Mix).
4:32 Felguk, "Side By Side" (Felguk Intro Mix).

Click here for a discography of the group.


Unfortunately, the footage that was taken that night was almost lost due to a major malfunction in the camera used. Galen and I talked about it last summer, when I was working out west and initially tried to start editing. He was disappointed that the footage had been lost and it wouldn't be possible to complete the video. However, I rediscovered the tapes again last week and by using some older cameras in the my studio, I eventually managed to recover a small amount which was used to put this video together. If you look closely at the final video, you can still see a few skips and artifacts that I regrettably had to include, since there was so little good footage that I could recover. However, I think that if Galen was still around, he'd be very happy to know that something came together eventually.

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Video: Classified, "Oh Canada"

Now that hockey season is heating up, I figured it was prudent to show a bit of Canadian nationalistic pride. Here's a video by Classified, a group from Halifax, which has been a favorite of mine for a while now. It's kind of funny seeing quite a few of my friends in this shoot.



YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znejGNjOtmY

Sorry that I had to use this smaller version with lyrics. The original on YouTube, which had a lot more views, just got blocked in Canada by Sony, for reasons which I haven't figured out yet. Probably because of the entire Heritage Council commercial that was also included. Viewers from other countries might be able to watch it though.

Anyway, big ups to Classified & IV for this little bit of Canadiana.

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Video: Chromeo, "Night By Night"

I'd like to think that I know a fair bit about music, because I pay attention to so many different genres. But that approach has its own downfall, because it is impossible to really become proficient in one or two genres if you're watching half a dozen. Time waits for no man, and time is my most precious commodity - worth far more than anything else to me.

A lot of the videos and bands that I feature in this blog will NOT be electronica/dance based. However, this particular act is an exception. It is also an exception for another huge reason: I am ashamed to admit it, but I didn't know anything about this act until 24 hours ago. Their name is Chromeo, and they're a duo from Montreal.

I first heard of Chromeo when reading some history of Hall & Oates (previous blog post). And then later in the day, one of my Berklee classmates mentioned the duo again in a discussion about grooves in music. I was stunned that these guys are from Canada (which admittedly has a smaller music scene) AND also have videos on YouTube totaling millions and millions of views, and yet, somehow they slipped through the cracks for me until now.

A few interesting facts:
- "Dave 1" is David Macklovitch, who does the guitar, lead vocals, and dancing.
- "P-Thugg" is Patrick Gemayel, who does keys, synths, and talk-box.
- The two childhood friends JOKINGLY describe themselves as "the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture." (I try to stay away from political commentary in this blog and on my fan page, because music should unite people of all opinions, so please don't jump on this comment as anything negative from my own point of view).
- Dave 1's brother is A-Trak (1997 world DMC champ). Dave also worked in a record store with world-renowned DJ/producer Tiga.
- Their song, "Don't Turn The Lights On" was featured in FIFA 11.

So yeah, I stand humbled. Check out this video for "Night By Night."



YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppNC0uAaCv0

Doesn't that video make you want to shoot a video in a warehouse with a Freightliner?




One of my profs from Berklee (Loudon Stearns) pointed out a great link for me about Chromeo:

Motherboard TV Link: http://motherboard.tv/2010/9/21/electric-independence-chromeo

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Popcorn

One of my favorite songs when I was young was a song called "Popcorn," which my parents had on an old eight-track cassette tape.

The song was originally created by Gershon Kingsley in 1969, and then redone by a group called Hot Butter in 1972 (the version that I knew). The song made history as the first predominantly electronic song to crack the Billboard pop charts. A ton of artists have remade the song since then, including a fairly well-known version by Crazy Frog in 2005. However, the Swedish Chef from the Muppets has a video out now featuring the song.

 

Check it out, it's pretty awesome:



YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvDvTnTGjgQ

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Jeremy Messersmith - "Tatooine"

For those of you who enjoy indie productions, you MUST check this video out, which was only released to YouTube yesterday:



YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp7UzGSg8g0

Jeremy is from Minnesota, but I wish that Canadians could claim him as one of our own.

Web: http://www.jeremymessersmith.com

And yes, although the song is great by itself, don't forget to note that the video portrays the original Star Wars trilogy, rendered in lo-fi paper animation.

 

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Allen & Heath Xone 4D Mixer

I just fell in love, for the second time.

I got a new piece of equipment today, the Allen & Heath Xone 4D mixer. Check it out:



Let me preface by clarifying a few thoughts on mixers. DJ's always seem to have a favorite mixer. As do any real audio engineers or producers. I also have a favorite, the Pioneer DJM-600. And why not - it's an industry standard, and there is a reason for that. It's easy to use, well-built, has good effects, and is fairly versatile in terms of outputs, etc. I can use it in pitch black conditions, simply by feel and familiarity. However, I have also been a fan of the Allen & Heath mixers, because the sound quality has always seemed to be slightly better to me (more noticeable in bigger sound systems).

Do you like more than one type of cheese? Or more than one type of ice cream? Then you can appreciate more than one type of mixer.

So anyway, I was kind of excited to get a Xone 4d, but it took a month for it to arrive because I live in such a backwater town in Atlantic Canada, so some of the excitement was subject to deflationary pressures during the past several weeks. However, the mixer arrived today. And once again, after unpacking the beast, I'm all revv'd up with no place to go.

At this point, if you're not a DJ or audiophile, you may as well just give up on the rest of this post. It doesn't get any better. Scroll to the bottom, take a quick look at the other pretty picture, then surf to Spankwire or something more exciting (and be careful, that site is not office-friendly). But for those of you who like the technical specs on high-end audio equipment, stick around and check this out. Basically, the 4D is a combination audio mixer and MIDI controller. Specifically:

- Start with the audio specs of a Xone 92 (almost). Add 105 MIDI controls.
- 96/24 20-channel USB 2.0 sound card.
- Only four channels, but all triple input (line/phono/soundcard). And with the decline in popularity of tech 12's, four is enough.
- 3-band EQ's (not double-mids), a slight compromise.
- Two SFX sends.
- BPM counter, although you can always put a piece of duct tape over that. Of course, admittedly, it can probably be useful when merging with Ableton.
- 105 basic MIDI controllers, HOWEVER, they are shiftable, giving 227 total. I haven't figured out yet where the extra 17 come from. But it has everything from faders to rotaries to switches to jog wheels. And by the way, I'll admit that no DJ in their right mind probably needs more than 105 controls, except maybe the nutbars like Deadmau5 (and I mean that in a completely appreciative manner). And I bet that Nic Fanciulli could make this thing sing, except I assume that he plays mostly on CDJ's.
- Integration between some of the mixer controls and MIDI, which I think must be where the other 17 MIDI triggers come from.
- Inherent ASIO driver for USB communication, naturally.
- And most importantly, UV Paint!! Ok, I'm showing my geekiness here:




And all this for slightly less than the price of a failed marriage ...


Late Note, March 20th, 2013: I've just put together a very detailed and comprehensive YouTube video about this mixer:

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Video of DJ Colette in Moncton

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of playing at a show with DJ Colette of Chicago. Colette is, without question, one of the most enjoyable DJ's and producers out there when it comes to house music. Not only does she have a number of huge hits of her own, but she actually performs them live during her shows, singing over instrumental versions and over other tracks.





Colette has quite a few tracks out there, although you'd probably know her best for her albums Hypnotized (2005) and Push (2007), or for being featured on the recent JJ Flores & Steve Smooth track, "Stay." From number one best-sellers at various points on Beatport and iTunes, to featured spots in Motorola commercials and movies such as "The Devil Wears Prada," you'll quickly see that her music has just about universal appeal.

Anyway, check out this video on YouTube which features excerpts from five of her recent vocal releases. All footage was taken at her show in Moncton, New Brunswick, on August 21st, 2009:





If you're reading this on Facebook, it doesn't automatically embed the video in the post, so you have to click on this link to see it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odZcCX3Q1Zo

Special Thanks to DJ Sonny D and to the promoters & management at l'Osmose Club for setting this all up!

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca

Tour-Tech Trade Show 2007

I was at the Tour-Tech show this weekend in Halifax. The show itself was ok. I didn't see as many revolutionary computer products as I did last year, but then again, I concentrated on the conventional audio seminars all day, rather than going to any of the video seminars, which is a field that is arguably advancing much more quickly right now. For instance, I went to seminars on topics such as microphone placement, PSM's (personal in-ear studio monitors), designing sound systems for churches, etc. Nothing really that exciting, but useful sessions.

  

Anyway, even though the trade show itself was fairly uneventful, we had an interesting time the night before. We went out to visit a few bars and have a few drinks. The bar that I work at is being rebuilt in 18 months, so I was asked to take some photos of other venues, to help come up with some design ideas. One of the guys I was with (Darren Wheaton) runs a couple of the other bars in my hometown, so he was equally curious to go on tour.

We walked past a bar downtown called the Seahorse Tavern. Several people had mentioned this place to me before, but I could never think of where it was. When I saw it, I figured it would be a good place to visit, so we went inside. I was pretty surprised to realize that I had actually been in it before, many times: it was the first bar that I was ever in, many years ago, although it was operating under a different name at the time. In fact, I have many funny stories from that very bar. For instance, one night, a few of us got more intoxicated than usual, and I woke up the next morning sleeping on the Bluenose II, in the Halifax Harbour. I have no idea why I was there - maybe an RCN press gang? Luckily, it was still tied to the dock.

Anyway, the bar wasn't exactly hopping that night, but there was a blues band playing, so we stayed for a while. The band itself wasn't bad, although I have no idea who they were. The lead guitarist looked like Wolfman Jack, and played pretty tightly. The drummer was consistent, and made funny faces throughout the show. The bass player looked sort of like Mr. Clean, and he was pretty quiet and unobtrusive in the background, but he was very, very tight in his timing, so I was pretty impressed. He also played on a fretless bass. The rhythm guitarist, however, was the really interesting character. During his first few songs, he didn't seem that notable. His timing was so-so, but he looked a bit nervous, and played some fairly uninspired solos when given the chance. However, after four or five songs, he suddenly warmed up and honestly ended up stealing the show.

What really got me laughing was the fact that he had a wireless pickup, so he was able to walk around the crowd while he was playing. He also had so many effects on his guitar that he didn't really have to strum the strings while he was soloing - he could just push the strings up against anything, such as a nearby table, and get decent sound. As he wandered around, he came up to this "crusty old seadog" - an aging weather-beaten sailor with a greyish-blond beard and a cap slung down low - who was pretty much passed out with his head on the bar. Anyway, the guitarist started playing by wildly rubbing his guitar against the crusty old seadog's head, while the guy was still passed out! The crowd went wild. It was definitely the funniest thing I've seen in quite a while ...

I'm Jonathan Clark, known online as DJ Bolivia.  Do you want to learn more about DJ'ing and music production?  If so, visit:

djbolivia.ca/training

If you happen to enjoy techno tracks, most of my tracks are available as free downloads from this link:

djbolivia.ca/tracks

Thanks so much for visit, and for your support!  I really appreciate the fan base that I've been able to build up over the years.

Also, if you want to visit any of my other sites, here are a few links:

    YouTube:  youtube.com/djbolivia

    SoundCloud:  soundcloud.com/djbolivia

    Blogger:  djbolivia.blogspot.com

    Main Site:  www.djbolivia.ca