blog | analogindustries.com

Mar.26
2010

So Much For The Party...

Whelp, my prediction of Awesomeness emanating forth from Musikmesse seems to have been somewhat optimistic. Other than the Octatrack and the Monotron, it's really mostly just the usual raft of jank, I'm sorry to report. But you already knew that.

So, back to work. Everything is chugging along 'round these parts. Discord 3 has its most grievous bug (one that held Adam back for several days) stomped in to oblivion through the judicious application of math and stuff, and much lauding and adoration resulted. The remaining silly things are mostly GUI-related, and thus relatively easy, if somewhat time-consuming, to deal with.

I also booked my room for NAB today. Rely on me to bring you the most stunningly banal reports from the exhibition floor that you're likely to find in a music blog. Or, failing that, the most stunningly banal reports from the craps tables that you're likely to find in a music blog. Any of the AI Loyal attending? (Other than synthetic, who we already know about.) If so, I submit that drinks shall be consumed in the name of all things Analog. Or Industrial. Or something. That's obviously a long shot, as NAB ain't the golden jewel of the music gear convention go-round, but hey, you never know. If you're exhibiting, I just wanted to let you know that my praise can be purchased.

Also, too, you probably already know that Soniccouture just put up a freebie, the exquisitely odd RMI Rock-Si-Chord. Get it here. As you all know, my love of all things electro-mechanical runs deep, and I'd love to get my paws on one of these bad boys. (My wife would love it not so much, akshully.) Until that blessed event occurs, this sample set will do nicely.

And finally, I'm sure that the Saga Of The Pool has been concerning you greatly. I'd just like to report that our pool has been completed, and (assuming I want to get my eyelids burnt off my face by fresh chlorine) swimmable. Just for posterity's sake: before, during, and after. I hope that "before" picture didn't make you throw up in your mouth a little bit. You should have ~~smelled~~ seen it in person.

Comments:

« Previous Page | Next Page »

Page: 1 2

Sometimes a green pool is just a green pool....

link [www.flickr.com]

posted March 26, 2010 by MrBiggs

You're going to NAB in search of ANALOG!? Bahhh ha hahhahh. There is NOTHING analog in that place, aside from maybe the radio transmitter amplifiers. Actually, truth be told, I think Otari shows a reel to reel a few years ago. Or Fostex? One of those.

But Eventide will be there. And, hmm. There's an audio/radio hall that I rarely go to, because it's at the other end of the convention center from us. And because it's a MORGUE.

TV/tech hall is fun though. And the city-block-sized Sony and Panasonic booths. You'll have fun. And first round is on me.

posted March 26, 2010 by synthetic

That Sir is a very skate worthy pool you have. Amazing. Although it does look very nice for the swimming too.
Enjoy.

posted March 27, 2010 by MrMZ

That's what happens when Jeff posts drunk. As always, the first rule of AI is don't talk about AI. But the second rule is "are you sure you're posting about what you think you're posting about?"

-CR

posted March 27, 2010 by Chris Randall

Supposedly, if a pool's chemistry is properly balanced, it shouldn't burn your eyes. A big 'if' though -- I use goggles if I'm going to have my eyes open underwater. It's less painful to open your eyes in the freaking ocean.

posted March 27, 2010 by chaircrusher

They just filled it, so the initial burst of chlorine is of the public-pool-kill-all-the-e-coli-from-the-unwashed-children variety. I was trying to talk the owners in to going salt water, which is cheaper in the long run, but if there's one thing the owners of this house aren't interested in, it's the long run.

In any event, it's about a week away from being properly Ph-balanced. But it's also about a week away from being warm enough to swim in without having a stroke, so it all works out for the win in the end.

-CR

posted March 27, 2010 by Chris Randall

CR, I'm sure you think I'm a total twat, but I just voluntarily had a swim outside, in the lake (I've got a habit). It's +2°C. After the first FFFUUUU it's quite nice - and a real warm sauna afterwards = ahh, just bliss.

Having said that, I envy your backyard. And the climate.

posted March 27, 2010 by Peppe

I don't think you're a _total_ twat.

I personally swim in pretty cold water comfortably, and the water temp of the pool is currently in the "brisk but I can deal with it" stage, at about 68F. If it weren't for the chemicals needing time to do their thing, I'd have already swam in it by now.

However, it's going to be 85F all week next week, so I can tough it out. The Pool Guy is going to come do the final round of Better Living Through Chemistry on Tuesday, and we'll be off to the races then.

-CR

posted March 27, 2010 by Chris Randall

Weird, most pools in Phoenix use salt because chlorine water evaporates more quickly in the mercurial heat of summer. But I guess you have to pay to get the pump changed over or something.

posted March 27, 2010 by synthetic

The pump is the same. It's an addition to any existing system; costs around $1500 for a pool our size. Just to be clear, a "salt water pool" is still a chlorinated pool; rather than adding chlorine to the water, it has a chlorine generator. People use them because (a) the water is much softer, and (b) the chemical cost is significantly lower, because salt is much cheaper than chlorine.

The way it works is kind of cool, really. You add salt to the pool, normal NaCl, at around 5000 PPM. (About as salty as human tears.) There's a little electrical plate thing that goes in the pipework and continually zaps the water with a low-voltage low-amperage charge. As the water passes over the charged plates, the NaCl loses its bond, and combines with H20 to create hypochlorous acid. (This acid is what is created when you dump liquid, powdered, pellet, or gas chlorine of any form in to water).

So, in effect, rather than adding big lumps of chlorine at intervals, you're creating small amounts of chlorine on the fly. The salinity of the water makes it a pleasant swimming experience, but that's not what's killing the algae. The hypochlorous acid is. In the long haul it's much cheaper because you don't continually have to buy, handle, and store chlorine tablets, or ride herd on the Ph balance of your pool so constantly.

But why pay for the right way, when you can do it half assed and make the chlorine the responsibility of your tenants? You could also have the pool plastered, rather than going with the slightly more expensive but far more durable and easy to clean PebbleTech. That'd be a great idea too.

-CR

posted March 27, 2010 by Chris Randall

« Previous Page | Next Page »

Page: 1 2

	New User
	Returning Member