Smart Target

By January I plan to be able to read music fluently and play keyboard better. I will do this by learning to play the minor and major chords. hopefully that would increase my skills on the keyboard, as that target seems almost easy, if I finish early I plan to go gym a lot more as I signed up for the gym.  

Gig Review

Performances on the 14^th of October 2015

The dance and acting performance we witnessed at 2 pm started off very confusingly with dancers, dancing all around the stage, but was brought to order by simple clicking, which led to groups in turn, ‘strutting their stuff’ which was quite interesting and ultimately left the crowd speechless. What followed next was acting, the theme was ancient Greece and whilst it was repetitive (which I think was part of the act), I think others will agree it was an exhilarating performance. Another exciting piece from the gig would have to be the act at the end with the acting and rapping which almost all the audience thoroughly enjoyed, mostly as it came as a surprise, but it also made the performance that much more interesting.

Performances on the 15 October 2015

The dance, acting and musical performances we saw starting once again at 2pm started with acting and the audience seemed to be on a emotional ‘roller coaster’ with the skill of the actors, due to the touching act of soldiers leaving their wife’s and fiancées for war and only one returning out of the two. I have to say the performances on this day were very much more engaged with the audience, as when many of songs were being performed the lead vocalist would often invite the audience to clap along to the song. In addition I’m sure the audience would agree that the almost all the songs performed were invigorating and all the performances in general on this day were amazing.

Microphones Test

1) As a general guideline, it can be said that dynamic microphones are best suited for live sound work, and that condenser microphones are more suited for use in a recording studio.

Give technical and practical reasons for why this may, or may not, be a valid statement (include diagrams if necessary). 

Depending on what will be recorded in the studio, for example whether it is multiple vocals at once or a certain instrument that requires a microphone which can pick up sound from all directions will a dynamic microphone or condenser microphone be more suited but as it it more practical for one vocal to be recorded in a studio a dynamic microphone would be more suited as it picks up sound from one angle (Uni-directional). As for live sound work a condenser microphone would be more suited as there will be more than one instrument and vocals at once and as the condenser microphones can be omni-directional or bi-directional it would be better suited for this than a dynamic microphone. However if two people are singing into one microphone for a duet then a condenser microphone could be more useful in a recording studio due to it being bi-directional. In addition for some instruments like the guitar a dynamic microphone could be heard better if amplified using a dynamic microphone so it only picks up that sound.

2) What are the three main polar patterns found on microphones? Describe the differences and give examples of how each could be used. 

Uni-directional also known as Cardioid or Hyper Cardioid which is best for picking up sound from one angle and more focused sound, is most commonly found on Dynamic microphones. 

Bi-directional also known as the figure of 8 picks up sound from both sides of the diaphragm and is most commonly found on condenser microphones. 

Omni-Directional which is also known as Omni picks up sound from all directions of the diaphragm.

3) Dynamic and condenser microphones are the two most commonly used type of microphone found in the studio. Can you name any other types? Explain their basic technical features and how, or why, they might be used.

Fibre optic Microphones- Fibre optic microphones using thin strands of glass to relax information instead of the usual metal wires, they tend to be quite small and can be used where normal electric equipment can't. In addition since there is no metal used to make these microphones they can be used without magnetic interference.

Carbon Microphones - Carbon microphones use carbon dust and was used in the first telephone made, they tend to have a plastic or thin metal diaphragm on the inside that change when sound hits it has a constantly changing resistance that changes the amount of current flow.

4) Give suggestions as to what you might use the following microphones for and explain your answers (using the microphone’s technical specifications to support your answers):

1. Audix D6 - Is known mainly used for kick drums, but is a dynamic instrument microphone so it can probably be used for instruments which create noise that can be picked up by uni-directional microphones but it mainly used for instruments with low frequency sounds. It can be used in either live stage or recording.
2. SE Electronics Titan - A multipattern FET condenser microphone with a titanium diaphragm. I can imagine this microphone would be most suited to live performances on instruments due to it being a condenser microphone but after reading reviews it't proven to be just as good with vocals.
3. Microtech Gefell M300

Gig review Plan

1) First i would start off my review, by stating which performer sung which song.

2) Secondly i would write how well i thought the audience reacted to the performers.

3)Thirdly i would judge how well the performer interacted with the audience.

4)I would move on to say how well i thought the performers performed using words like ;

enthusiastically, joyfully, horrific, heavenly and dreadful.

5)Whether the performance was good or not and why.

6) What instruments there were.

David Rodigan

Background Information

David Rodigan was born on the 24^th of June 1951, in Hanover, Germany. David played his music on the following radio stations; Radio London, Capital 95.8, Kiss 100, BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Radio 2 and BFBS Radio. David is well known for his love for Reggae and Dancehall, which he so happens to play. He went to school in Gosford Hill School in Oxfordshire. David states that his love for Jamaican music came from witnessing Millie Small perform “My Boy Lollipop” in 1964. Once David had hit 15 he was already DJing at school dances and local youth clubs, after David had left school he was selling records in Oxford followed by Putney which was when he had found himself a radio on Radio London in 1978 to DJ on a show called “Reggae Rockers”. Almost a year later he was given a permanent slot on Capital Radio, which he stayed with for about 11 years. David has clashed against recognized sounds such as Bodyguard, Bass Odessey, Killamanjaro, Barry G and Stone Love. David joined the British Forces Broadcasting Services in 1984, where he had a weekly show and stuck with it for 25 years. David was added to the Sony Radio Academy hall of Fame in late 2005. In 2014 he combined with Chase & Status, Shy FX and MC Rage to make the sound “Rebel Sound” for the Red Bulls Culture Clash, which they won.

How He Motivates The Crowd & What Equipment He Uses/Used

David motivates the crowd by talking to the crowd a lot through his microphone, which he also uses to make random out bursts of noise to express his passion for DJing. In addition David sometimes, even uses a Caribbean accent during some of his performances, bounces and even adopts the poses of various animals. David used to use and still uses a unique set of Dubs.

Island Records

Island Records Background

Island Records was founded in 1959, Jamaica, by Chris Blackwell, who claims he "never expected Island Records to grow into the international phenomenon it became. When I was starting out making my first record with Lance Hayward in 1959 all i wanted to do was get that one album released."

It is also said Island Records proved themselves in the 1960's-'70's aka the musical revolution.
In 1973 Jimmy Cliff helped reggae music earn its place as a music genre from the songs "Wonderful World, Beautiful People", and so on.

In addition Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso and Cherry Smith were called the Teenagers who later changed their name to The Wailing Rudeboys, then to The Wailing Wailers, which was when they were discovered by record producer Coxsone Dodd and this is when they finally agreed on The Wailers. Furthermore their single "Simmer Down"