Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Denon DJ DS1



The DS1 is a breakthrough interface for users of Serato NoiseMap™—the system used to control a Serato-based digital music library when you’re using a turntable or CD player.  This article walks through a number of Frequently Asked Questions about the Denon DJ DS1.

DS1 Drivers:

The DS1 is class compliant (plug and play) for Mac OS X. Drivers are only required for Windows. Windows drivers are located at this link.

Serato DJ Software:

  1. Download the Serato DJ Software: http://serato.com/dj/downloads
  2. Unzip the Serato Software package and extract them to your desktop.
  3. Run the Serato DJ Setup file.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the software installation.
Note: Serato DJ 1.7.6 or higher is required for DS1 compatibility.


Frequently Asked Questions

Does the DS1 come with a full version of Serato DJ and Serato DVS expansion pack?

Yes, it comes with both. Serato will unlock as long as the DS1 is connected to the computer.

What are supported operating systems?

Any OS that supports Serato DJ 1.7.6 or later.  The latest Serato DJ system requirements can be found here.

Where can I download the software?

Serato DJ can be downloaded directly from the Serato DJ website. Serato will unlock as long as the DS1 is connected to the computer. 
Please note: In order to use different hardware with Serato DJ, you may need to purchase additional licenses from Serato. Please see the link here for more info: https://serato.com/dj/pricing

Can I use this unit with Serato Scratch Live?

This unit is only supported for use with Serato DJ version 1.7.6 and higher.

Do you require a mixer for the DS1?

Yes. You will need a mixer (any brand) with 2+ channels.

What are the dimensions and weight?

Dimensions: (width x depth x height)
• 4.7” x 3.0” x0.9”
• 11.9 cm x 7.7 cm x 2.3 cm
Weight:
• 0.55lbs.
• 0.25 kg

The blue LED on my unit is blinking, why?

If the LED is blinking, the unit is connected but it cannot recognize the drivers (Windows). Reinstall the drivers, which can be downloaded from this link.

If the LED is on, the unit is working and drivers are recognized as normal.

In Serato DJ, what is the difference between ABS, REL, and INT?

ABS stands for "absolute" where the vinyl mimics real vinyl. Dropping the needle at the start of a record will cue the beginning of the track. Lift the needle and move it half way down the vinyl and you will go to mid-way through the track, just like real vinyl.
REL stands for "relative" where the position you drop the needle on the record will cue to the relative position you are at in the track. Basically, you can drop the needle anywhere and it will start the track from the beginning, lift the needle and drop it half way down the vinyl and it will play from the same place in the song you lifted it from.
INT stands for "internal" where all track control is performed by keyboard shortcuts or midi input. The control vinyl does nothing.

When I connect my vinyl turntables to my DS1, I hear a consistent hum.  How do I fix this?

It is very important that when you connect your turntables to your DS1, you're connected correctly from your DJ mixer.  Follow the following steps to correctly setup vinyl turntables with the DS1 and Serato.
  1. Connect your vinyl turntables LEFT and RIGHT RCA's to the LEFT and RIGHT INPUTS on your DS1.
  2. From your DS1, set your PHONO|CD switch to PHONO.
  3. Ground your turntables by either using your DJ mixers GND or DS1's GND.
  4. From your DJ mixer, connect the LEFT and RIGHT LINE INPUTS to your DS1's LEFT and RIGHT OUTPUTS.  **Do not connect from your DJ mixers PHONOINPUTS.  
  5. That's it!

Can I record directly in Serato DJ with the DS1?

No, not currently. There is no Aux Input featured inside the interface and the audio is mixed externally in a DJ mixer, not in the Serato DJ software. Because the final mix does not come through Serato or the DS1, the mix will need to be routed back into the computer before it can be recorded.
We've put together a guide to walk you through an easy method of recording your mixes using a free software called Audacity. See the guide below:

Thursday, September 21, 2017

LGs Brings New High-Efficiency Residential Solar Panels To SPI For Reveal



LG has unveiled a series of new residential solar modules that take the record as the highest efficiency residential solar panel produced by LG.

The new panels look very similar to most residential solar panels but the secret is in the sauce as the new LG NeON R panels take the 60 cell panel configuration and level it up with a rating of 365 watts. Compared to the 245 and 255 watt panels on my roof from a few years ago, these new LG panels pack a significantly higher power output into the same form factor. Even compared to today’s more common 290 watt panels, the NeON R panels are a step change improvement. That could be a game-changer for homeowners with limited roof space for solar panels ( for example: GOAL ZERO NOMAD 20 )and installers looking to maximize system output while minimizing installation time.

As the solar technology space continues to evolve we are proud to offer one of the highest power output modules for residential applications,” said Stephen Hahm, vice president and head of LG Electronics USA’s Energy Solutions business. “We’re eager to continue to make innovative products, delivering quality results for our customers.”

The new panels also feature the highest wind and snow load rating in the industry, which makes them perfect for installation in regions that trade copious amounts of summer sunshine for occasional (or not so occasional) snowy winters. Adding to their appeal, LG’s new NeON R panels also sport one of the best temperature performance characteristics on the market, which allows them to continue producing power in a wider range of temperatures.

Without getting too far into geek-speak, the new NeON R panels have also been built to prolong performance over the years with a new formulation that uses almost no boron. This means that the panels are not as prone to Light Induced Degradation and ensures they are able to deliver maximum performance and maximum potential power output for the life of the module.

A closer look at the panels reveals that the visible wiring (electrodes) traditionally found on the surface of the panels has been moved to the rear of the panel, giving the external cover a more seamless appearance than traditional residential solar panels.

It is easy to dismiss each incremental improvement in solar panel efficiency as small and inconsequential, but the improvements from 2011 when I put up my first 245 watt, 60 cell panel to these 365 watt, 60 cell panels clearly show how all it takes is one step after another and before you know it, panel efficiencies have made efficiency improvements worth celebrating. I’m personally thankful for innovators like LG that continue to push the limits on solar panel efficiency. And no, this is not paid content.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Bag Your Buck With These Scouting & Trail Camera Basics



What’s the difference between eating your tag at the end of the season and wrapping it around a whitetail buck? It might just be your trail camera. Learn how to make the most of your device with this how-to cam scouting guide.

Your trail camera (for example: MOULTRIE M-999I MINI GAME CAMERA ) keeps a watchful eye in the timber, providing vital information on the big bucks frequenting your hunting property. This intel is, of course, great to use when hunting — and it helps you put together an effective plan for harvesting game.

Whether you’re a skilled hunter or just getting started, there are a few trail camera basics that always hold true. Use these tips to make the most of your time in the field.
How Your Trail Cam Works

Your trail camera is out of the box, and ready for the field. But before you can begin to glean info from it, you have to master its basic functionality.

Quite simply, the detection range is the range in which your camera can detect passing game and shoot a photo of it during daylight hours. The flash range is the range in which your camera can detect passing game and shoot photos during nighttime.

Any camera used in the correct fashion will give you scouting knowledge that you would not have had otherwise. But quality counts. Cameras with higher resolution capabilities and faster trigger speeds and recovery time will capture the best images.

The camera flash type refers to how your trail camera will take pictures during the night, and how it will illuminate passing game.
White flash cameras generally produce the most colorful images at night, however, the flash given off by the bulbs can be easily seen by the naked eye—and can easily spook your game.
On the flipside, no-flash infrared cameras are much harder for game to detect, but produce grainyblack and white nighttime photos.
Infrared trail cams (also known as IR cams) can also be further broken down into no-glow (also called “black flash”) or low-glow types, referring to the slight amount of glow given off by the camera when it is triggered.

Trigger Speed is the amount of time it takes the camera to detect movement in front of it and then take a picture. Recovery time, on the other hand, is the amount of time it takes the game camera to properly take the picture, store it, and then be ready to take another follow-up shot.
A trail camera with an ultra-fast trigger speed and recovery time may be beneficial on a highly used game trail where the deer will only be in front of the camera for a split second.
On the other hand, fast trigger speed and recovery time may not be as important on a camera set up on a food source where game is likely to browse for extended periods of time.

Finally, think about the image resolutions and video capabilities of your camera. Your camera’s “MP rating” denotes the number of pixels in your camera sensor. The more pixels, the higher quality photo your camera can deliver.

Not all cameras have video capturing capabilities, so if this is something you are looking for, be sure to double check the specific camera specs before purchase. The same is true for audio — always check product specs before purchasing, as not all trail cams capture sound.
Where To Put Your Trail Camera

Early in the year, deer are social animals, often frequenting the same locations over patterned, daily routines. The opposite is true later in the year during the peak of breeding season, known as rut. Knowing when these pattern shifts occur helps you choose where to set up your camera.

Spring & Summer: This is a great time of the year to get an inventory on your local deer herd as well as what kinds of bucks you will have available to hunt once fall arrives. Focus your trail camera efforts on food sources, such as summer flood plots, alfalfa/soybean fields, heavily used travel corridors, and (if legal) mineral licks. Mineral licks and corn piles are excellent trail camera locations at this time of the year because they allow you to set up in easily accessible, low-impact locations, such as field edges. Watering holes and other water sources are great cam location during hot summer months.

Late Summer & Fall: As fall arrives and cooler temperatures take hold, bucks will shed their velvet (usually in early September) and their travel patterns will begin to change. Wait until late summer or early fall, and then begin transitioning your trail camera. Focus on heavily traveled trails between bedding areas and food sources. During this time of year, deer are suckers for acorns, apples and chestnut trees. Think staging areas, outside of bedding areas, pinch points and naturally occurring terrain funnels that allow deer to pass through.

You can also try placing your camera over scrapes — pawed up ground below low-hanging tree branches frequented by bucks. You should pay attention to scent control, exit and entry routes, as well as the timing of your camera set-up. Be sure not to place cameras directly over scrapes but rather 20-30 yards away to avoid spooking camera-shy deer.

Winter & Late Season: When the rut is over and hunting season is coming to a close, begin moving your trail camera location back to food sources and heavily traveled deer paths. At this time of year, deer are returning to their social nature, and their attention turns back to food. As winter progresses, your camera gives you a better idea of how your deer herd is surviving the cold, which deer lived through hunting season and when deer begin to shed their antlers.
How To Set Up Your Camera

Treat your time with your camera — checking it or setting it up — the same as you would a hunt. Pay attention to scent control, time and path of your entry and exit, wind direction and more.
Mid-day is usually the best time to set up or check your trail camera. Right before or after a light rain is even better, as it helps minimize scent.
Make sure the sensor is pointing in both the direction that you think the deer will travel, as well as the correct height of the deer, so that the motion sensor can detect movement.
Always make sure your camera has fresh batteries, a clean SD card and is pointing in the northern or southern direction, so it will not constantly shoot photos of shadows as the sun moves.
Avoid the temptation to frequently check your trail camera. Unless you plan to travel by your camera in perfect conditions, give cameras about 10 to 14 days between adjustments or SD card check-ups.

Monday, May 15, 2017

The rise of Amish quilts businesses

In 2009, well past the summit of the Amish quilt marketplace, the satirical online newspaper, The Onion, printed a brief article below the headline, "Amish Girl Knew She'd Quilt Sale the Second She Laid Eyes on Chicago Couple." The post carried on to detail the way the proprietor had her daughters "put on a small dog and pony show"; she said, "Give 'em a little 'no electricity' this, and some 'butter churn' that and chaching, you have got enough barn raising cash to last you a month." Just as this fictional store did, Amish and non-Amish quilt companies advertised quilts with the knowledge that consumers were fascinated with Amish culture and comprehended that when it came to quilts, Amish ones were greatest.

Many Amish settlements---especially those that bring tourists---have become home to quilt companies. The very first Amish-run quilt companies started in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the early 1970s. Hannah Stoltzfoos started her store in 1972, growing her company at a time when Amish quilts had started to bring widespread attention. In this period, the "Quilt Revival" started to emerge, inspired in part by the impending American Bicentennial as well as a renewed taste of conventional women's artwork. Companies like Stoltzfoos's began small, but grew as demand rose: in 1972 she sold 20 quilts on consignment, and in 1976 she sold 500. Most Amish companies were managed right out of houses, enlarging as needed. Some stores ran on the consignment model, retailing quilts made by others, while others purchased quilts outright. Some functioned as highly ordered operations, together with the businesswoman organizing all facets of quilt creation. Non-Amish entrepreneurs handled some businesses in the Amish quilt business, working with Amish quilt makers to make quilts for the consumer marketplace.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Amish Log Cabin Quilt History

Amish log cabin quilts


The annals of Patchwork Quilting goes back to the age of the Pharaohs where these samples are discovered on several graves. Even the armors they used were made of quilted materials. It's possible for you to locate a few astonishing 17th century quilted bed covers. Several immigrants from Europe chose this amazing artwork of making quilts with bits popularly called Patchwork Quilting to America leading to exchange of designs, notions, and materials. One outstanding example is Amish Log Cabin Quilts Layout which originated in Ireland where little bits of materials were used to create something useful and artsy.

The Importance Of Patchwork Quilting in the First Days

Patchwork Quilting was seen more as a way of providing comfort and heat as opposed to an item of artwork. It was more of an advanced usage of wasteful materials as sending material from Europe was a very costly event. The quilting technique found in patchwork is a mixture of three layers. i.e. the padding, the backing and the top that's been pieced together so that it holds the padding in place. The procedure for Patchwork Quilting was a long drawn one but gave much heat and endurance. It was likewise inexpensive.

How Did Quilting Get Visibility?

The Amish community which migrated to America practiced the craft of quilting which they'd learned from their English neighbors. The Amish folks believed in simple living and prevented any form of wastage plus they still indulge in handmade quilts so keeping their age-old customs still complete. They don't use any type of patterned fabrics for his or her quilts and is therefore readily distinguishable. The lively colors, as well as the straightforward layouts, are their forte.

How Can Patchwork Quilting Blocks Help?

By all-inclusive usage of Patchwork Quilting Blocks, it is possible to reach your quilting occupation readily. The quilt blocks are an effective way that will help you plan how big is your layout should you be working with very varied grids. Some quilters additionally say that ordering the entire layout is suitable using assistance from the quilt blocks. You can even plan the block sizes you want to work with. You cannot make a mistake with all the measurements of your material should you utilize patchwork quilt blocks.

Cutting of Patchwork Quilting Blocks

The way of cutting Patchwork Quilting Blocks is a complicated one as you must manage the many intricacies involved inside. But with a couple of helpful hints, it is possible to beat this huge job without difficulty. The most often encountered amounts which might be utilized in Patchwork Quilting are squares, triangles, and bars. You must take some precautionary measures additionally. Tend not to use the smooth surface for a setting of your materials. Use rotary cutters with sharp blades to get the correct contour with no frayed edges.

This is why everyone should be careful about making this decision otherwise one can be easily mistaken and make the mistake over and over again. For more information use Google or any other search engine system as it will be easier to find a solution to the problem if you try to do a little research by yourself.
Comprehension of the Grain

To get the most desired outcomes comprehending the grain of the material is incredibly significant in Patchwork Quilting. The threads which can be woven into the cloth are called grains.