system maintenance

don’t come unglued, bake a tape!

blog, pswblog · 2009-12-02

In late 2008 I was called out by a friend to repair a Studer tape deck; an A827, which I had never used before. While I was very fortunate that the studio owned both the original alignment tape and tentelometer, the original (rather aged and unused) tape shed like crazy because of its storage conditions, and our inability to bake the tape before use.

Baking has gotten myself and many a colleague out of a sticky (ha ha) situation. However, I’ve run across my fair share of engineers who either don’t know what baking is, or who don’t have a tried and true method. So, I thought I’d pass along this great article by Eddie Ciletti, If I Knew You Were Coming I’d Have Baked A Tape! It’s a remarkably thorough read, and full of information about tape baking for both novices and pro’s. It has been cited as the definitive source of information in all manner of post across the TapeOp Message Board (TOMB), GearSlutz, and even an Electronic Musician feature. While you’re there, check out some of his other articles on tape machine maintenance, which have all appeared in print, and include some great advice. All in all, what a great resource!

What do you think about tape baking? Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, share you thoughts or experiences in the comments below!

help for remote computer support

blog · 2009-07-03

Anyone who’s worked remotely in supporting computer systems knows the frustration of being on the same page as the client. However, from Lifehacker comes a quick tip that can easily save hours of fumbling over the phone. Enter Support Details, “a site that makes life simpler when you ask the client what browser they’re using and they say ‘Vista.’”

Support Details

via Lifehacker / photo via Support Details

photo by thedak

industry certifications for audio professionals

blog · 2009-04-30

Upon hearing the phrase “industry certification” an audio engineer might think immediately of ProTools, installers might be inclined to think of the various options offered by InfoComm, and engineers of all kinds are bound to think of Syn-Aud-Con. However, after another desk-bound work-week, I’m definitely thinking about a completely different yet equally important area of education for engineers.

Why’s that? In the past week, I spent almost every hour on the computer! Not hours surfing the ‘Net or Twittering, but maintaining web servers, encoding video, and performing scores of other computer based tasks. So what certifications do I think are equally important for today’s multifaceted audio professional? Well, I’m talking about Apple Certification!

From TUAW:
Not many people know about the certifications available to Apple professionals. Certification has a number of benefits to independent consultants and wage slaves alike, including recognition of professional competency, credibility with clients and employers, and the ability to publicize your certifications on Apple’s website.

pin-outs in a pinch

blog · 2009-04-28

Ever found yourself looking for the pin-outs of a 5 Pin XLR Connector or an Apple Display Connector and come up short? While there are many sources for pin-outs, a good start in your search is AllPinOuts.org, which has a surprisingly comprehensive index of common audio, video, and electrical connectors and cables. Vendor websites are helpful as well, especially when dealing with more specialized connections like DB25 or EDAC. My favorite resource for these connections is the pin-out page of Patchbays.com; they have a wonderfully complete resource which I find myself visiting at least once every few months. Have any favorite resources for pin-outs or any other wiring related hints? Share it with us in the comments!

photo by matsuyuki

the last minute call for advice

blog · 2009-02-26

I think we’ve all been there, or at least I have. The call comes through when you’re busy preparing for your own gig, you see the name of an old friend on the caller id, and you think what’s the harm in a little catching up? Then, just a few moments after exchanging pleasantries the other shoe drops; they wanted to reconnect, but also need some emergency advice during their volunteer live sound gig.

I actually love solving problems (look at my profession!), but not every moment is convenient for giving advice over the phone. So, I was extremely excited when I stumbled across an article on ProSoundWeb by Bruce Bartlett entitled “The Checklist: Solutions for Fixing Church Sound System Problems.” I wasn’t, however, excited because all my calls come from friends who volunteer for churches, quite the opposite, really. Rather, I was heartened because both demographics share some common elements; they’re volunteers, and they’re doing the best they can with the skill sets they have available. Because of this, I’ve decided to arm some of my volunteer engineer friends with this article as a pocket guide. My hope is that by providing them with this article which doesn’t explicitly give them the answers, but rather teaches them where to look, they’ll improve their troubleshooting skills over time.

From The Checklist:
“Check all switch positions. Is a mic/line switch set to “line” when it should be set to “mic?” Is a fader down that should be up? Is a microphone not assigned to the proper channels or groups? Are any mute or solo buttons pressed? Is the input trim turned all the way down? Is a wireless microphone turned off? Is phantom power turned on for condenser mics?”

If you’ve ever found yourself in my position, try passing it on! Who knows, it just might save you some time trying to explain why the sound isn’t coming out.

Have any techniques for helping a friend out remotely? Have you sworn off telephone advice permanently? Share you thoughts or experiences in the comments below!