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Session Start: Sun May 23 18:04:05 2004
Session Ident: #audiocourses
* Now talking in #audiocourses
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<Audiocourses> hey there
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<Audiocourses> welcome back
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<iNSTiNCTDK> thanks
<Audiocourses> how goes it?
<iNSTiNCTDK> goes good... did the mock exams :)
<Audiocourses> ah yes.. 
<Audiocourses> how did you find them?
<iNSTiNCTDK> ok.. did them without reviewing so some answers didnt come as quickly or at all :) but should be fine for the real exams after i've read up on all the weeks
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<Audiocourses> Sounds good, how long roughly did you take in order to complete each one?
<Audiocourses> HI grif
<griff505> helli
<griff505> hello
<iNSTiNCTDK> took me like 1:30 for the RT exam and close to 2 for the MT
<Audiocourses> Did you feel the answers were substantial enough? (not suggesting they were not), just curious
<iNSTiNCTDK> yeah I think so
<Audiocourses> and you griff?
<iNSTiNCTDK> dunno if i answered all of them right though :)
<Audiocourses> how did you get on?
<griff505> i haven't got round to doing them yet
<griff505> been very busy
<Audiocourses> GRIFF!
<griff505> sorry MA portfolio application is due next week
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<Audiocourses> Ben and his twins..
<Audiocourses> MA stuff sure that's important..
<griff505> in the past i have always used past papers as part of actual revision rather than doing them at the beginning of revision
<ben-m> this is the real me ;)
* ben_m was kicked by Audiocourses (Audiocourses)
<Audiocourses> still here?
<griff505> he's gone again
<ben-m> i'm here
<griff505> is there two bens here?
<iNSTiNCTDK> nah he's here
<iNSTiNCTDK> the twin left
<ben-m> :)
<Audiocourses> griff, I get you, I guess it makes little differecne which was around you do them. Though getting yourself "shocked" can work wonders also.. should you be shocked of course.
<Audiocourses> Instinct were you shocked?
<iNSTiNCTDK> not really
<griff505> yeah that is very true
<iNSTiNCTDK> just gave me some pointers as to what to study
<iNSTiNCTDK> or what i know of what we've done
<Audiocourses> sure..
<Audiocourses> It's always difficult to pin point exactly what will come up..
<Audiocourses> but I feel picking ip on the style of the questions can be helpful
<Audiocourses> you know the way the questions are generally contructed..
<Audiocourses> These next couple weeks are a chance for you all to really focus and get into some further details and recapping on the topics.
<Audiocourses> every one enjoying the sun are they?
<griff505> oh yeah
<Audiocourses> on the beer all day?
<iNSTiNCTDK> was nice weather here in DK too... had a couple brews..
<ben-m> <hic>
<Audiocourses> yeah it's the way forward on these gorgeous days
<Audiocourses> I'm planning a few soon..
<Audiocourses> IN fact I'm having to dash off a little earlier this evening..
<Audiocourses> I'd like to get some feedback right now though on how you each feel about the topics and if there are any areas of uncertainty.
<iNSTiNCTDK> i cant say anything for sure yet until ive read over my work from the weeks but I can always email or post it later on
<griff505> yeah me too, all the MIDI stuff is confusing to me but i hope to sort it out when i go back over everything
<Audiocourses> sounds good.. the forusm would be the place to post.. I'll be checking regularly.. and you would want to encourage each other to post.
<Audiocourses> Griff which specific bits of MIDI?
<Audiocourses> You know ben is a MIDI demon
<ben-m> griff, if you email me/post in forum some of the MIDI points later I can send you some information and some useful resources etc
<iNSTiNCTDK> just one question...
<griff505> yeah its nothing specific, and i'm sure it will be ok once i have read over it all
<iNSTiNCTDK> the 5 pin DIN connector... can it be used for midi?
<iNSTiNCTDK> that question im not sure
<ben-m> Instinct - the model answer would be no
<ben-m> because a pair of cables have been reversed
<ben-m> BUT.....
<ben-m> I have actually used a normal DIN connector as a MIDI lead before with no problems
<iNSTiNCTDK> so you can still say yes... I remember i wrote yes but pins 1 and 3 arent used... thats what i also wrote for the same question u gave us in week8
<ben-m> uf you are referring to this question
<ben-m> You have a cable with a 5-pin DIN connector at each end. If it is suitable for copying a recording from one cassette deck to another, would it be suitable for MIDI? (2 marks)
<iNSTiNCTDK> yep
<iNSTiNCTDK> 'tis the one
<ben-m> then there is a hint in the question
<ben-m> it states that the lead can be used to record from one deck to the other
<ben-m> so therefore output pin on one end goes to input pin on other
<ben-m> For the exam
<iNSTiNCTDK> then yes, it should be able to transfer MIDI aswell
<ben-m> they would want you to point out the reversed pins
<ben-m> so get that in there
<iNSTiNCTDK> i dont understand what u mean by reversed pins
<ben-m> ok, say that you have 5 pins
<ben-m> now each pin is usually connected to the corresponding pin on the other end
<ben-m> so 1->1
<ben-m> 2->2
<ben-m> so on
<ben-m> if, for instance you reversed pins 1 & 5
<ben-m> then it would be 1->5
<ben-m> 2->2
<ben-m> ...
<ben-m> 5->1
<iNSTiNCTDK> ok..
<ben-m> like reversing phase on XLR
<iNSTiNCTDK> ok
<Audiocourses> Midi cables or rather the conectors generally "suck" in my mind... but they were considered a cheap option for mass marketing at the time..
<Audiocourses> However, the MIDI protocal is quite something!
<Audiocourses> it's amazing how it's held it's own for so long now and shows zero signs of being outdated.
<iNSTiNCTDK> but does MIDI only use 3 pins?
<Audiocourses> Yup.
<ben-m> midi only uses 3 pins
<ben-m> 4,5, & 2
<ben-m> 4 & 5 for signal
<ben-m> 2 to screen
<iNSTiNCTDK> then why are there five pins on the midi cable and five pin inputs on the back of my triton rack module?
<ben-m> thats just the way it evolved
<Audiocourses> you can use any connector you wish instinct...
<ben-m> DINs were used for audio for a long time before MIDI
<Audiocourses> you can use a mains plug and socket should you wish..
<ben-m> DIN sync for instance
<Audiocourses> when the protocal was ind esign the DIN was very popular and very cheap
<Audiocourses> so they considered it a good idea to use it.. just so happens it have 5 legs on it
<ben-m> there are plenty of other interfaces in use that have superflous pins
<ben-m> VGA connections for instance
<Audiocourses> It's the same with any audio connector, they are just that was to connect one lead or item to another.. but you could use anything you like as long as one is female and the other male.
<Audiocourses> so you could take off the sockets on your keyboard replacing them with same electrical sockets..
<Audiocourses> then have electricl plugs on your MIDI cables..
<Audiocourses> a ludicrious concepts but you understand my point?
<Audiocourses> Microphone connectors for exmaple "could be" DIN sockets
<iNSTiNCTDK> true
<ben-m> and audio connections can be made on phono, din, xlr, 1/4" jack, minijack, bantam jack etc
<ben-m> as well as any other way if you get the soldering iron out
<Audiocourses> it's about thinking how the signal is conveyed, how many "legs" not really the "type" of connector.
<Audiocourses> Would you agree with that Ben?
<ben-m> yes, as long as you have the required number of 'legs' to pass the signal it could be anything
<Audiocourses> instinct is probably thinking "what a crazy couple of nerds"
<ben-m> GPO jacks evolved as they were used in the post office (used to run phone system)
<ben-m> lol
<ben-m> instinct
<ben-m> if this question comes up in the exam
<ben-m> you need to point out that a lead of the type mentioned is likely to have the crossed pair/null connection
<iNSTiNCTDK> ahha
<ben-m> thats the 'moneyshot' so to speak
<ben-m> MIDI uses straight connections
<ben-m> what confuses matter more is that there are different DIN connections available for audio
<ben-m> (although they are pretty much obsolete nowadays)
<ben-m> so you need to keep it simple, point out the crossed pair problem
<ben-m> and if you fancy a bit of showboating go on to explain the MIDI pins in use
<ben-m> but its 'only' a 2 point question usually so don't go overboard
<ben-m> once you've covered the main point you cant get any more points!
<Audiocourses> OK guys I have to dash off early this week, so I am leaving you in Ben's very capable hands. Best of luck with the revision this week and please do not remain silent let us all know how the revision is going. This revision period is very important, please do use it effectively. If you need help we are merely a mouse movement away, so to speak.
<iNSTiNCTDK> true...just give'em what they want Ben!
<iNSTiNCTDK> ok chris...see u
<griff505> bye
<ben-m> Instinct
<ben-m> here is a graphic representation of pins on audio DIN
<ben-m> http://homepages.tesco.net/~martin.batesuk/wersi/connections/Connections.htm
<ben-m> ignore parts on organs etc that is not relevant
<iNSTiNCTDK> ok, ill read it later on...thanks
<ben-m> ok
<ben-m> anything else you want to bring up
<iNSTiNCTDK> not at the moment no...
<griff505> not that i can think of at this stage
<ben-m> are you both confident regards the 'real' exam
<ben-m> ?
<iNSTiNCTDK> yeah, im ok confident... will be more though after i've revised...i think ima take off early today aswell... i'll post during the week if i run into problems or need more information on something while revising... and i'll talk to you next sunday
<griff505> i'm confident i will be confident by the time of the exam
<ben-m> ok instinct
<ben-m> griff, i'm confident regards your confidence
<ben-m> !?!?
<griff505> guess i will disappear too, get back to the MA portfolio
<ben-m> sure, no problems
<iNSTiNCTDK> bye guys..
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<ben-m> anything you need help on either mail me of post in forums
<griff505> ok, no problems,
<ben-m> whats your MA?
<griff505> is there a meeting next week
<ben-m> yes, same time unless chris contacts you otherwise
<griff505> Masters - creative music technology - i'm still applying for it
<ben-m> ah, at bath. yeah, go for it
<griff505> yeah
<griff505> i posted the applcaition form, now they want a portfolio
<ben-m> you got enough material?
<griff505> chris said 4-5 track would be enough
<griff505> i did one this last week, and i hope to do another by the end of this week
<ben-m> yeah, i would think so. a range of genres or styles is usually preferred
<griff505> yeah i have some different things going on in the track i want to submit
<ben-m> good stuff
<griff505> anyway, had better dash, catch you next week.
<griff505> bye for now
<ben-m> cheers griff, see you next week
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