Podcast: Episode 8

Introduction

Hey light audio recordists!

Are you well? Because you’re looking well. It’s Ronan Fitzgerald here, from light audio recording dot com, and today is Thursday April twenty fifth, twenty nineteen. You’re listening to episode eight of the light audio recording podcast.

How’re’ya?

In this episode, we’ll discuss rumors of a new Chromebook from Samsung; a company that’ll get you making your own pro audio gear; and a fascinating story where the city of Nashville is getting sued.

Item one

In the world of Chromebooks, rumors are rife that Samsung have something new and shiny up their sleeve, for public reveal in the not too distant future.

The website, sam mobile dot com, reports that the Korean company is working on a high end Chromebook, likely as an addition to their successful Chromebook Pro range.

The Chromebook is codenamed Kahaku, and the website, Chrome Unboxed, reported seeing the addition of the product to Chromium repositories.

Now, at present, this is so new, there’s not a single other detail available about the machine itself. It’s speculated that it’ll be Samsung’s flagship Chromebook, and that any official announcement will take place in January twenty twenty at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The release of a new high end Chromebook from Samsung is good for light audio recordists. Because, it means that the current models, which will be higher spec than cheaper ones, are going to drop in price.

And we’re all about price drops.

Item two

Next, a company that intends to take the development of pro audio gear directly into the hands of those who need it. Us!

Now, with pro audio gear, there’s a tendency to buy a piece of kit, and then realize, “Actually, there’s something about this that isn’t what I need or want.”

The company is called Make Pro Audio. They’re based near Cologne in Germany, with a research and development center in Bangalore in India.

While there are existing companies who’ll sell you DIY kits to make your own pro audio gear, Make Pro Audio’s kits don’t involve any soldering, and apparently fit together like Lego.

As a non-American, I appreciate that they say Lego instead of Legos.

Regardless, what I really need is an audio interface that will work with mobile devices and my Chromebook. From the information available, it’s not clear if I can do that.

Kits start shipping this July, they’re expected to cost less than two hundred euro, and you can find more information at make pro audio dot com.

Item three

For those of you recording your music at home, you might need to be careful about making money from it.

Now, I must acknowledge from the outset that I discovered this via Google while looking for topics for the podcast, and I found it on the libertarian website, Reason. The story was reported by Fox a year ago, and Pro Sound Network in December 2017.

As I have said: ongoing saga.

Regardless, Elijah ‘Lij’ Shaw has been producing music forever, working with everybody from Jack White to Adele. Eventually, he made himself a decent studio at his home in Nashville.

However, in August 2015, Shaw received a letter from Nashville’s Department of Codes and Building Inspections, declaring that his studio was illegal. And he needed to shut it down.

Apparently, Nashville’s zoning determines whether an area is commercial or residential. And if you’re making money from your home in a residential area – regardless of whether or not it interferes with the residentialness of an area – that makes you king scalliwag.

Shaw’s business has taken a hit. And it’s been dragging through the courts for four years.

Item four

And finally, a story of interest for our guitar-oriented listeners.

A documentary movie is currently on limited theatrical release, called Carmine Street Guitars.

The movie is named after the shop of the same in New York’s Greenwich Village. Basically, the store is a custom shop, run by Rick Kelly.

He’s had the shop since 1990, where his specialty is guitars made from the wood of some historical buildings in New York.

Clients over the years have included Lou Reed, Patti Smith, and Bob Dylan.

While Rick’s guitars cost far more than could be considered affordable in light audio recording, there’s not doubt that it’s an endearing watch for enthusiasts.

The film currently has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was produced by Canadian company, Sphinx Productions, and started garnering acclaim doing the rounds at last summer’s film festivals.

For more info, including screening, visit sphinx productions dot com.

Wrap up

So, as you’ve heard, it’s been a pretty quiet month. I’m back next month with another round up of whatever’s been happening, that might help you with your light audio recording.

Our next podcast will be out at the end of May twenty nineteen. The weather is already picking up, so maybe you can listen on your way to the beach or a barbecue!

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the light audio recording blog at light audio recording dot com, where you can follow the exploration of recording music in an affordable and compact way.

You can also find light audio recording on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

I’m Ronan Fitzgerald, you’ve been listening to episode eight. Have a great weekend recording your music, and I’ll catch you next time.