A simple blog

I just discovered last.fm recently, and man, do I wish I had known about this earlier! It has already found a pile of great artists for me to check out, and while many of them are J-Pop bands (and thus are difficult for me to purchase), it's certainly fun to find new music. I have a fairly narrow range that I'll listen to, so anything that aids me in finding new favorites is always welcomed.

While browsing the site I discovered that anyone can post up their own tracks to last.fm's radio service for free. I have a few old electronic songs that I created in a program called FruityLoops (presently titled the more respectable FL Studio), so I decided to throw my "music" out there for all to cringe at. It's not fitting content for my web/graphics portfolio site, so it seems like last.fm would be a much more logical storage spot. Who knows; maybe someone out there might like a track or two!

Here's the link to my artist page, for anyone inclined: http://www.last.fm/music/Justin+Reuter

That's all for now!

Okay, so I returned my Zune(s), and got myself an iPod touch. Here's a recent write-up post I made over at Head-Fi on why I ended up with this decision:

First off, I bought an iPod touch recently, after months of deliberation and testing. I'm going to be as honest as I can here, and point out my reasons for preferring this product as a general user, amateur audio lover, and gadget nut. My needs are only my own, so my opinions should be taken only as such. Disclaimer aside, here are my bulleted reasons for choosing the touch, and why I, personally, see it as a peerless device.

- It's not a phone. While there are gobs of do-it-all devices in the cell phone market (of wildly varying qualities), all of them must be used with a monthly fee. The touch delivers a similar experience without this limitation.

- There are no PDAs to equal its audio/video/storage usability and options. If there's something I've missed, it's not going to be in the same price range, nor will it have similar storage space. Its integration with iTunes, whether you appreciate the program or not, is also a strong addition.

As a side note, I'd like to mention that I also find the touch's sound quality to be great with my PortaPros. I realize that this is not the common opinion, but, with proper MP3Gain-ing and a good equalization setting, my touch can deliver a surprisingly rich sound that is currently my favorite among portable devices. I have not tested it with IEMs, however, so I am unaware of any background noise they would reveal (I have found no such noise with my PortaPros.)

- It has an extremely capable internet browser. While lacking Flash abilities, and certainly choking at times on heavy sites such as Gamespot.com, it's a rare occurrence that I come across a web page that I am not capable of enjoying at near desktop levels.

- [B]Jailbreaking, and the upcoming SDK from Apple, opens this device up in ways that no other DAP can offer, and puts it in a position to directly rival full-fledged PDAs.[/B] I have my 1.1.2 touch jailbroken, and am currently enjoying the added benefits of all missing iPhone applications (sans stocks, as I chose not to install it) and various user-created programs. It's amazing what the modding community has done in such a short time. As they gain more traction, the touch and iPhone are both updated through Apple, and the SDK is released to the public, the possibilities will continue to open up.

I also reeeaaally like its e-mail application. ;)

- It just works. Yeah, I know; the old Apple claim. However, over the course of time I've tried trying various players from many companies, and this point has become paramount in my (never-ending) quest for the perfect player. My Cowon D2 had AVI video speed errors that were unacceptably difficult to fix, the Zune had inconsistencies with regards to its wireless syncing while docked, my old Creative players had failing headphone jacks, etc.. Make no mistake: I do NOT claim that the touch is without glitches - it certainly has its share. However, the current leader in consistent hardware and software quality is, in my experience, Apple, and this fact alone keeps iPod in a top position during each of my DAP upgrade cycles.

- I like well-implemented touch controls. I looooove touch controls! Mind you, I'm not just talking about screens; the new Zune's touch pad is currently my favorite of the DAP input mechanisms. Both the Zunes and the touch (I don't like the click wheel too much; not accurate enough) get touch control right in my book, and they're stronger devices for doing it so well. Though not quite as accurate, the Cowon D2 did a fine job, as well.


There are likely other reasons that I'm not remembering, but these are some of the most important. The touch delivered almost all of the features that I've been looking and waiting for for years in the DAP/PDA worlds. The fact that Apple did it all so well, in one slim device, with such a clean and elegant interface has honestly blown me away. I really don't care for Apple's products on the whole, but the touch has delivered something so close to my ideal device that its existence amazes me, particularly at our current state of technology. The touch's strength doesn't so much lie in its individual technical capabilities, but the fact that it brought them all together into a finely-tuned, well-designed, and cohesive whole. There's just no other device that can also boast each of the touch's separate selling points as its own.

Well, I finally decided on keeping the Zune 80, after returning three 4s and one 80. The turning point lied in the fact that viewing subtitled anime just wouldn't work out on a 1.8" screen. 3.2", on the other hand, seems to fit the bill much more adequately, despite a (in my opinion) slightly inferior color calibration and its slight black crush annoyances.

It's truly a beautiful unit on the whole, with the large glass pane over the screen giving me much needed peace of mind with regards to scratch protection. The Zune Pad is easily the most accurate and intuitive touch interface I've ever used, as I found myself using it with ease and complete understanding in my first try. Coming from failures like Creative's attempts, and, later, Apple's relatively acceptable click wheels, I've found myself thoroughly enjoying the Zune Pad more than any previous control scheme. The Zune team has clearly put a great amount of effort into perfecting the feel of it.

The wireless syncing is proving to be just as great as I'd expected, with easy WEP key integration through the Zune software and a great overall system when plugged into the dock and an outlet. Leaving my Zune 80 on the dock not only gives me full control over the device while it's charging, but it offers me component video and line-level outputs as well. Not only that, but the dock also allows me to control the Zune via remote, giving me another reason to invest in a nice Logitech Harmony.

In any case, with the advent of all of these new Zune-related releases from Microsoft, I'm going to incorporate a new feature into my blog posts: new favorite tracks from Zune Marketplace. Whenever I post, I'll include a few of my favorite recent downloads from ZMP to share. With that said, here's the first batch:

Crazy Youth by unknown! on Wipeout Pure: Soundtrack
A fun, bassy song in the vein of The Crystal Method's works. Not too much to say about this one; it's just another great driving song!

Twist and Turn (Toby Emerson Mix) by Ripley & Jenson (and remixed by Toby Emerson) on Twist And Turn (5-Track Maxi-Single)
I've been loosely following Toby Emerson's work for a few years (I first found him when I was introduced to the music-making program, "FruityLoops"), and a quick search on ZMP with his name produced this sole track. As usual for Toby, it's high-energy and gets you moving.

With Love (Richard Vission Vs. Dave Aude Club Mix) by Hilary Duff (and the aforementioned mixers) on Ultra Weekend 3
This one surprised me, as I had been quick to dismiss Hilary Duff as another teen pop me-too (and rightfully so). However, this song piqued my interest, and, sure enough, her newest album, "Dignity," is a surprisingly adequate offering! I particularly like "Dignity," "With Love," "Never Stop," and "Happy." Well recommended.

And that's that, it seems. Composition 2 is finally finished, marking my last class to be taken at Century College. I received an "A" grade, giving me a final GPA of 3.91.

In other words: FRIGGIN' YEAH! WHOOOOOO!

I now sit at my desk, happily listening to Vanessa-Mae perform her version of "Classical Gas" on my brand-new Grado SR-325i headphones, still waiting for the realization to sink in. I think it'll hit sometime around the new semester's beginning, and my subsequent absence from any educational facility. It was a fairly long journey, one that I've valued heavily, and certainly one that I'm happy to be done with.

Soon my brother will start his journey at Concordia towards his bachelor's degree in music composition. Not only that, but my sister is soon to enter high school, having been home schooled nearly all her life. My mother's going back to work part-time after being a stay-at-home-mom since my infancy. And, of course, I am soon (God willing) to enter the workforce in some graphics and web design position.

Everything's changing, and it's all going to be fantastic.