 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  | ||
| By N2H | ||||
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck requires Flash Player 9 or better.
Tune in for a great new top 10 show tonight!
Why am I so sure tonight is going to be great? Dave the Intern will not be involved…I kid, I kid.
Well I’m serious about him not being here (Drinking too much is bad for you) , but we’ll all miss him for tonight.
Anywhooo tune in tonight at 8pm central on www.WestSideWill.com/radio .
NEW MUSIC GALORE!
Handshakes and High Fives,
The Nooge
Yes people that is right, Dave the Intern is back on the bloggin’ circut!!
Alright that’s enough the two people clapping excitedly can stop now, thank you very much though for the effort. Anywho I’d thought I’d write about how excited I’m am about our dive into the reality game show pool.
As you may have heard on the best unsigned artist show ever, Nooge, Boomer and I have discussed starting our own Westsidewill version of a little show called The Mole. I personally have never seen the show but I know the jist of it. Basically there is one person out of like ten that is trying to sabotage everybody elses attempt to win different challenges. The people, however, have no idea who this “mole” is and try to figure it out. After every round the contestants are asked questions about the mole and they answer based on who they think it is. Score the lowest score and you’re gone. I love the idea of our own startegy based show, but a bit worried because my talents seem to be geared more towards palor games as stated numourous times on the Top Ten Friday show. However I think I would start behind the rest of the crew since Boomer already believes I’m a snake and would be gunning to take me out from the start. I’m so excited about this game that I’m already trying to think of challenges to use for the game, like Kick the Can or a good rousing game of Mario Kart. With the cast of characters we have lined up for this game it should be very entertaining at the very least. The best part about this is that, YOU, the beloved fans of Westsidewill Radio will have the chance to vote for who is the Serpent. So keep listening and check back to see when all the crazy Serpent shananagins begin. Game on Boomer!!
Keeping it proper,
Dave the Intern
enjoy Late Arrival
Today my friends we talk about the sound card! Exciting stuff right? Well it may not be “exciting” like a Steven Segall movie, but it’s important.
Your sound card is going to dictate the quality of music that you create in your home studio. The sound card is what transfers the sound from the Mic or Keyboard or whatever the heck you are trying to get sound out of, to your computer and it’s recording software. So as the theory goes, the better the sound card the better the sound.
When we are talking about a “sound card” we don’t necessarily mean an internal sound card that you have to bust open your computer to install, we could also be talking about a card (or box really) that you connect to your computer via firewire or USB.
Let’s talk about WHY you need a new sound card, one that is better than the pre-installed card that comes with your computer. The cards that generally come with computers aren’t exactly designed for the type of recording you are doing, there is going to be a delay from the inputs to your computer, that means everything is going to be slightly off. We call this effect latency. You don’t want that, because when you play back your tracks you’ll notice whatever you just recorded is off from where you want it to be, that’s lame.
A sound card (or box) is specially made so that this effect is minimized. So why do you want a new sound card?
-They come ready to record without that latency issue thanks to ASIO drivers that were created to help you record your first hit!
-Unlike the sound card that is currently sitting inside your computer you can plug all sorts of stuff into a sound card that you buy! This means a mic, a guitar, a keyboard, a whatever else you can find a plug for. Neat!
-A lot of sound cards have some software that ONLY come with that particular sound card. For example my personal favorite cheap card, the Toneport UX2, comes with GearBox. It has all sorts of neato preamps you can play with and make your mic sound like a multitude of things. But this software doesn’t only distort the mic, if you want you can give your instruments added effects (like playing an acoustic guitar and making it sound like an electric!)
-You now have the ability, with most sound cards, to record multiple instruments at once. So your band can jam with headphones on, and instruments attached the sound card so you get a really nice, clean, sound. Awesome!
So what sort of sound card do you want? That’s a great question, there are a lot of really great ones out there, but you have to ask yourself how much recording are you going to be doing at once. If you are just a one-man-ban you aren’t going to need a multitude of inputs, just 1 of each you are using (Microphone, Instrument, Other?). Or if you are a rapper and just want to sound good over beats you really just need a sound card with a phantom power mic in. Sound Cards go from the not so complex, to the very complex ready to rock your rear off.
Some sound cards that I prefer (remember I don’t prefer any sound cards that you have to install in your computer. Every time you bust open your computer that runs a risk!)
Toneport UX2 - This one is one that I really like, it’s cheap (you can find it on Ebay for around 140 new…and much less used), and it comes with a great software bundle that will save you money later on.
Edirol UA-25EX- This is another one that I approve of, it’s kind of like the UX2, but a little bit more pricey (around $240.00). It’s a Roland so it comes with a powerful recording software that the world loves, cakewalk.
Lexicon Lambda - This is a cool little unit, the really nice thing is that like the other cards I listed it’s not huge. You can move it around with your laptop or whatever you want to do. My favorite part about this unit (because it has all the parts you want) is the price tag -you can get it on Ebay for like $70 used. Nothing wrong with a used unit people!
Those are just some of the units out there, honestly there are a ton that could fit your needs just hit up eBay or whatever the heck you use and look around. If push comes to shove you can ask me and I can help you out even further if I know your exact situation.
Your homework - Get out there on the web and decide what type of interface you are looking for in terms of a sound card. Remember, know your computer, that is key if you want to get an interface that will work with your computer/operating system!
Class Dismissed!
Professor Nooge
So if you listened to today’s Unsigned Artist Showcase you will know that I was perplexed trying to come up with the name of the Captain that Michael Jackson played in this Disney movie.
At first no one believed me, but then Matt D. came through with some real knowledge this morning, he played “Captain EO”. I thought it was Captain Nemo, so I was kind of close. Anyway I found the vids on YouTube…Enjoy:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Captain EO is a leader of a ragtag bunch, I bet Matt D. feels the same way about being here at WestSideWill Radio. I think Dave is the Hooter (the elephant) of our team. And often times we have to dance and sing for our survival.
Side note: I don’t remember this movie being so weird…I’m kind of creeped out by it to be 100% honest. Anywhooo, enjoy your Tuesday!
The Nooge
Look, I’m as shocked as you are that I’m blogging again but stranger things have happened a.k.a The Date the Intern escapade. Anyways I was taking in the local sites and sounds at The Last Fling in Naperville, which is a carnival of sorts signifying the end of summer, and happened to find out that The Doobie Brothers, a 70’s powerhouse, were performing that very night. As a cultured radio personality I wasn’t about to waste this opportunity to take in a concert with hundreds of middle aged Doobers. One hour and forty five minutes later I was still singing “Taking it to the streets” as I stumbled back to my car with a half eaten elephant ear in my hand. Obviously I never saw them in their prime but man can they still harmonize with the best of them. I was very upset when I missed other acts in the past such as the handsome REO Speed Wagon and the sandwich selling Hootie and The Blowfish, but after the tantalizing vocals of “Black Water” I knew I could sleep easy. I wouldn’t be surprised if their music was getting downloaded at a record pace, not that we at Westsidewill condone such activities. Tasty elephant ears and rockin’ beats were at the forfront of my weekend, what about you?
Jesus is just alright with me,
Dave the Intern
So I’m back in action on the blogging tour and I have got a goodin for you. With all these animal posts ie. Bigfoot and the Knighted Penguin, this one is just as great. A pigeon has been incarcerated in a Bosnian prison for smuggling heroine to the inmates. I’ll let that marinate for a bit……..a pigeon had been taken into custody by police, who have launched an investigation aimed at identifying those who had loaded it up with the drugs.
“We do not know what to do with the pigeon, but for the time being it will remain behind bars,” Jail official Josip Pojavnik said. The prison has considered whether to close a prisoner pigeon-breeding program project established as part of the rehabilitation program, despite the fact that they believe none of those pigeons where used.
I’ve got to hand it to those guys training a pigeon to be a drug smuggler is quite an accomplishment. Miss America contestants train birds to fly around to music or something and take years to do so and these guys get them to fly 40 miles with bags of heroin attached to it. I think they should get a prize or something like extra outside time or at least a good book. A penguin gets knighted one day and a pigeon gets jailed for drug smuggling? Watch out world the animals are slowly taking over!!!!
Enjoy Arts & Sciences,
Dave the Intern
Or not. Look some colleges and Universities throughout the U.S. are thinking it’s a good idea for the drinking age to be lowered to 18. I don’t know what to say to that other than…It’s probably not the BEST idea they have ever had, but I’m not sure it’s a terrible idea.
The presidents of about 100 colleges and universities say current alcohol laws may actually encourage binge drinking on campuses. They say U.S. lawmakers should consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18.
Critics, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, say the change would lead to more fatal car crashes and move the problem of underage drinking from college campuses to high schools.
(Source: http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=62630)
Stay with me here, for those of you who actually were in college, but I think it’s a terrible idea for 18 year old chicks (and some dudes) to legally drink at 18. I don’t care what you say, call me sexist (or a guy who hates on dudes who can’t handle booze), but it’s a fact 18 year old chicks (or some dudes) aren’t exactly the best drunks of all time. Can you imagine them legally crammed into bars? We all knew (or know) some 18 year olds who either a) Try to start a fight every time they are dunk, or b) who really cannot handle themselves at all when they are drunk. Then do you want those same 18 year olds deciding if they are too drunk to drive?
Not me.
But there is a good half to this as well; you are 18, you are paying taxes, you are voting, AND you can fight, and in some cases die, for your country. If you can pay and die, you can drink. That sounds fair to me. It’s an interesting debate. If I had a vote I would say, lower it for those with Military IDs, but not others, just for the fact that I like being able to drive at night without being worried about an 18 year old drunk (I’m not saying they aren’t on the road already, but if the drinking age is lowered there will be more of em). Personally I think MADD goes overboard at times with worrying about stuff…but, as much as I hate to say this, I’m with em’ on this one.
It’s weird, but it’s a neato debate and I wonder what the outcome will be.
Enjoy your booze!
The Nooge
It’s day 8 of this vegetarian crap and I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, not eating meat is stupid. I’m tired and hungry all of the time and never feel like eating cause there is nothing good out there…
Anywhooo, Paris Hilton responded to being in a video without her permission the other day. No friends I’m not talking about the “leaked” sex tape I’m talking about the John McCain ad! Yeah…I know, it’s not even the worst thing she’s been in. In fact I’m sure this McCain campaign ad is probably the best piece of work she has done! But wait…she took it one step higher and proved that she can in fact memorize lines. Well played Paris, well played. This will clearly be her #2 viewed flick on the internet:
She was actually pretty good right? It’s weird but I have a feeling if someone cast her as an Heiress sitting by the pool reading a magazine she’s going to do all right!
Enjoy the Wednesday people!
The Nooge
On the subject of wasting 3 hours of a Saturday night, UFC had me covered! And I’d like to thank them. Not only did I get to see some really really terrible fights (when I should have been watching affliction, and that’s all my fault for not springing for the $40) I also was able to see one of the worst, if not corrupt, decisions in all of sports.
Let me put it this way:
1) You can’t poke someone in the eye in mma
2) If you do, at first, you get a warning
3) If you continue to use that eye poking move, you get DQ’d or get a point deduction
4) Apparently, though, in the UFC you can poke in the eye and WIN!!! Hooray!
Honestly, UFC did more to make me dislike MMA than it did to get me to be a fan. I’m not a hardcore MMA fan, I’m a fight fan. I like boxing, and I really really want to like MMA because it seems as if MMA is trying to be non-corrupt, but apparently no one told UFC. Tonight was a garbage event, a waste of time, but give credit where credit is due. UFC managed to get me not to order the affliction PPV, which was their goal all along. Well played UFC, well played.
Guess what my friends, it is that time again! We are now accepting NEW radio bumps to be played during our shows. What is a radio bump? A radio bump is a little station ID type thing read by our bands and fans, here is how it works:
What you need
1) A Microphone attached to your computer
2) The ability to read and speak
3) The ability to record an MP3 (We will accept WMA’s, but we prefer not to)
How to record a radio bump
1) Make sure your MIC is attached to your computer, or whatever device you attach to your computer to record (i.e. a tone port UX2)
2) Make sure that your volume level is loud enough to hear, but not too loud that it sounds all blipy or fuzzy.
3) Read the script:
“Hi this is (Your Name) from (Band’s Name or State if you aren’t in a band) and you are listening to WestSideWill Radio, the world’s greatest internet radio for Unsigned Artists.”
Now, you don’t exactly need to say that word for word. You can make some stuff up, do whatever you want so it sounds good, but all we ask for is your name/state and make sure you say that they are listening to WestSideWill Radio. When finished be sure you email your bump to the email address found on www.westsidewill.com/howtosubmit . (The submissions email!!!! I didn’t type it here because our emails are getting jacked by spammers/bots and trying to sell porn and what not. Dave said he has “nothing” to do with it.)
Any questions please comment here and I will respond ASAP, and remember to have fun with it! You don’t have to be a band or artist either you can just be a listener or fan.
Handshakes and High fives,
The Nooge