Category Archives: Tools
My inner “Tim the Tool Man Taylor” says:
Mobile Patching system
Sin and Cos
Using a POD 2 switcher
I wanted to add some components to my home listening system, so a switcher was needed. I’ve decided to use a POD 2 switcher…
the POD-2 is a (6) Stereo input – stereo switcher that has the ability to sum all inputs. The output of the switcher feeds a Stereo Penny and Giles fader then directly to the Mackie HR824 speakers.
I’ve got to find a panel… but as far as home friendly user interface goes this is as simple as it gets.
1 Turn Table
2 Radio
3 Mac Mini
4 Cassette
5
6 Airport Express out

Jeff Wolpert dolling out the wisdom
Jeff and Sydney did some fantastic work while I was at Revolution Recording. They’ve setup a killer room downtown and have Wizard Services to offer. Here is a great lesson from a very learned man.
A Social Experiment
I’ve been thinking about a social experiment.
I often take calls from people looking for services, I’ve met a lot of great people in this industry and I do stand by their great work and contributions. So instead of fielding calls and answering the questions I’ve created a Wizard Services section at http://audioaholics.com/wizard_services
I am asking you my friends to use it to work, get work share work and do work together. I would like to consider it my rolodex
I’ve got the permission to post a few contacts and will be doing so this week.
Moved
A project I’ve been working on has come… full circle ;-)
Congrats to Kevin Park and the Lacquer channel team for getting the Neumann VMS70 back in the game. A fantastic project to have been a part of! We recapped the entire audio electronics for Kevin before he had lathe aficionado Chris Muth calibrate it. It’s a fine precision piece of audio electronics and Kevin is one HELL of a lathe mechanic and cutting engineer! It, and he, are in good hands over at Toronto’s Lacquer Channel. I’m excited to cut a few plates myself!
Photo and story here: http://www.thegridto.com/culture/music/play-it-as-it-lathes/

Many Thanks to Dave, Jose, and Tyler for their help and enthusiasm about the project!
Sound guy xmas idea #28 – contact cleaner
20060723 – HVR ceiling fixture
In 2006 we (Myself and Andrew Waters) built a ceiling diffuser for the studio. I’ve been doing some data backups and thought I’d share some pictures and info on the build. The whole thing was made out of 2 X 4s and 3/4″ MDF. I had a carpenter friend cut all the pieces
This was the proposed layout. Using a “herringbone diffuser” design, a frame would hang from the ceiling with some turnbuckles. Continue reading
Sound guy xmas idea #25 – New drill with USB charger
I love DeWalt tools. My drill has built many studios and is still going extremely strong! It is however very bulky for the work I do now. DeWalt (those clever guys) sent an email about their new 20V XR that looked great. One of the newest accessories is the USB charger attachment. I think it would come in handy all the time on a job site. It’s unfortunate that the DeWalt tools are “Steal me yellow”, it’s gold to a thief… I’ve lost a few pieces


Sound guy xmas idea #23 – New “Hand Cart”
Sound guy xmas idea #23 – New “Hand Cart” – AKA: Dolly, Two Wheeler, Mexican Segway, Miss Parton…
I was working with a cheep Canadian Tire dolly and blew a wheel almost right off the hop. It finally gave out and I needed to move something heavy. I couldn’t just leave the tire flat so I cut it open and stuffed with old jeans and gaff taped it up. It got me through the move but this piece of shit has to go! a new wheel is 2/3 the price of the dolly… such junk is not worth repairing.

So after some looking I came across the GRUV GEAR V-Cart SOLO 
It’s transformable and flexible.
Sound guy xmas idea #20 – New Leatherman
I try to keep one on myself at all times… it’s an Every Day Carry. I think I can build an entire studio with one of these tools, and there hasn’t been a day in a good long time I’ve not put this tool to work. I’m partial to the Leatherman Wave and I know there is MUCH debate about these types of tools so to each their own. They just released a black one with interchangeable bits. Though I love my “classic one” I can see the bit set coming in very handy!


Sound guy xmas idea #19 – Good cable ties
Sound guy xmas idea #18 – TOUGH GAFF tape dispenser
Either tape inner diameters are shrinking or my hands are getting fatter… Could have put one of these to good use this weekend
http://www.sourceshop.com/product.asp?pid=568

Sound guy xmas idea #17 – WALKIE VEST
I was doing a show today and I could have really used something like this to keep me organized. Walkie pulling down my pants on one side, mic pre-amp hanging from a piece of sash… this would have been MUCH better
Sound guy xmas idea #16 – CANFORD RACK MOUNTED FRIDGE – 13 RU
Engraving curved text – Old School
Sound guy xmas idea #15 – MINI PAK’R Air Cushion Machine
I hate packing things, and a machine like the “MINI PAK’R” Air Cushion Machine would really come in handy. I always wondered how they make the packets… these machines are very cool! About $1500 but if you’re doing a lot of shipping packaging is very expensive!
http://www.amazon.com/MINI-PAKR-Air-Cushion-Machine/dp/B002SWDVZE
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