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[Matt Houghton]

PW and I often debate the definition of a plug and a socket, usually when on long motorway journeys. He argues the Ministry of Defence's policy that the terms refer to the bodies of the connectors, the plug being the insertive one.

I prefer to think the plug is the one with the insertive pin terminals....

But whichever way you decide, you're always stymied by those connectors which have the properties of both...

Our long journeys simply fly by...

...and they wonder why we always make them sit together at the SOS Christmas party.

[blinddrew]

A thread on any forum... :

"Could someone please explain why is the sky blue?"

"Ah; but it isn't really blue."

"Quite; it's not nearly as simple as that."

"Don't forget sunsets."

"And dawns."

"And then there's the whole issue of rain."

"Quite. Then it's not blue at all."

"Of course it is. It's only at ground-level that it appears not to be."

"But of course the higher you go it starts to go black."

"Why is that?"

"Well it sometimes appears blue because it's reflecting the sky."

"Eh?"

"Oh sorry. I thought he asked why is the sea blue. "

"I think pollution is a terrible thing. Blue Sky? Have you ever been to India?"

"Well that depends which part of India you're talking about."

"Quite so. I was in the Himalayan foothills once and we had blue sky all week."

"Hang on. he only asked for an explanation of 'blue sky'".

"But it's not nearly as simple as that. If you don't give the full explanation he'll never understand about refraction, water vapour, atmospheric pressure, high-altitude dust and all the other vital aspects."

"On the subject of high-altitude dust, I seem to recall..."

"No that's not right. What's your source?"

The O/P: "I had no idea it was so complicated. I think I'll take up knitting instead."


There's nothing so simple that you can't make it complicated if you put your mind to it.

[Climbs off hobby-horse]

I'm done on this... taking up knitting...

But which sky? The sky on mars would be a very different colour...

[Sam Spoons]

That's brilliant but i must've missed the bit about plugs and sockets

[Sam Spoons]

PW and I often debate the definition of a plug and a socket, usually when on long motorway journeys. He argues the Ministry of Defence's policy that the terms refer to the bodies of the connectors, the plug being the insertive one.

I prefer to think the plug is the one with the insertive pin terminals....

But whichever way you decide, you're always stymied by those connectors which have the properties of both...

Our long journeys simply fly by...

...and they wonder why we always make them sit together at the SOS Christmas party.

These days I find it safer to use the non-gender specific noun "connector". But I suppose I'm going to have to change my habit of using the terms "Lady" and "Gentleman" to define the alternate versions.

[Mike Stranks]

That's brilliant but i must've missed the bit about plugs and sockets

Sorry it's not as simple as that. A plug is not necessarily a plug and a socket is not necessarily a socket. Some sockets have plug-like characteristics and vice-versa. And some plugs are actually double-ended sockets. And then there's the sockets that aren't the right kind of sockets. Why, oh why, do manufacturers insist on using them when everyone knows that another type is far better? And don't talk to me about the plugs that should be balanced but aren't - not even psuedo-balanced.

That's why I've bowed out. I'll leave the simple explanations to the experts.

[Hugh Robjohns]

What size needles are you using?

[zenguitar]

The IAAF are struggling with a similar issue on plugs & sockets.



Andy

[ef37a]

There really isn't that many audio connectors for the beginner to worry about?
"Kids" today don't know they are born. When I was in a band we had seven or so MAINS connector variants to contend with! Every other microphone mnfctr had their own idea.

But how in H did we end up with SO many different USB plugs?

Dave.

[Mike Stranks]

Sorry blindrew...

Your very well-intentioned initial comment/question which I applaud has gone somewhat awry. And that's largely my fault.

Seems like a series of short, sharp articles in the magazine would be the way to go.

[Wonks]

I think this is getting over-complicated. We need a "beginner's studio" and "beginner's PA" article on the website specifically for forum use which we can refer people to. This could be published in the mag, but unless it's made the cover story, you won't get beginners rushing to buy a copy just because it's there.

A series of articles on fundamentals would be useful in the magazine to everyone.

Knowing what those articles would be would help in constructing the beginner's guides, as hyperlinks to the articles could then be added as the articles become availble (and vice-versa).

That's how I'd do it.

[blinddrew]

No apologies required Mike (or anyone else), digression is the nature of this forum.

Lots of good stuff on here.

[Sam Spoons]

So back on topic what is the simplest way for a total noob to start recording?

[Wonks]

Hire a recording studio!

[Sam Spoons]

There's always one..........

[MOF]

So back on topic what is the simplest way for a total noob to start recording?

Hire a recording studio!

You’ll still need to do an article(s) about preparing to go into one though.
What kind of artist/band are you? Making sure your kit is session ready, rehearsing, preproduction of midi arrangements (back to home studio tutorials) etc.

[blinddrew]

So back on topic what is the simplest way for a total noob to start recording?

Hire a recording studio!

You’ll still need to do an article(s) about preparing to go into one though.
What kind of artist/band are you? Making sure your kit is session ready, rehearsing, preproduction of midi arrangements (back to home studio tutorials) etc.

All of which is on my list - because it doesn't matter where you're recording, some principles still stand.

[Wonks]

All of which is on my list - because it doesn't matter where you're recording, some principles still stand.

But you can sit to play quite a lot of instruments, if you wish.

[blinddrew]

It's the principals who stand, with or without principles...

[Wonks]

Without principles, it's just politics.

[blinddrew]

Briefly back on topic, it occurs to me to wonder, given the learning proclivities of a lot of the people raising these questions, would we be better with a video series?


::: grabs hard hat and ducks :::