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I finally got a chance to try the microphone out last night.  It installed fine and was recognised by both my web cam software and by windows itself.  The Cakewalk Sonar LE software that came with the whole package did not work though.  I think it’s because the soundcard on my laptop is not good enough.  I will try that again when my desktop PC arrives from the UK.

I played about with the webcam and microphone together with mixed results - none of them satisfactory.  I think the problem is that both the microphone and camera are sharing the USB bandwidth and I am experiencing pops and clicks in the sound.  This ticked me off somewhat!

I’ll play around a bit more and see if I can improve the situation.  Maybe this will also work better on my desktop?  Hope so.

Anyway, the microphone on its own works great.  I did a quick test using Audacity and I was fairly happy with the sound that was captured.

I’m finding it difficult right now to get through a song without feeling my voice/throat strain.  It’s probably because I haven’t done any lengthly or regular singing sessions since moving to the States.  I’ll be practising a bit more to try and get back to where it was at…!

I was playing about with the webcam that I bought recently trying to record some music. The sound really blew out on the loud notes. The last webcam I tried didn’t have this problem at all. I will play about a bit more to see if I can improve the situation.

I found this condenser microphone today on Amazon. It looks great and works straight off USB without the need of a pre-amp. It’s a Samson CO3U. I’m buying it as part of a kit that includes a stand and shockmount.  I’m really looking forward to recording with it.

Have any of you used it?  It seems to get good reviews on Amazon.  I’m now hoping it arrives before the Thanksgiving holidays!

These are some of the albums getting a lot of play on my ipod right now:

Plans - Death Cab for Cutie

This is my favourite album now for a long time. Every song on this album is brilliant. The lyrics are smart. The best songs would have to be Marching Bands of Manhattan and I Will Follow You Into The Dark.

Five Score and Seven Years Ago - Relient K

I love Relient K. This new album takes them to the next level (their previous album MMHMM is also amazing). There are so many good songs on this album, but my favourites are Come Right Out And Say It, Must Have Done Something Right, Faking My Own Suicide, and Deathbed.

Wincing the Night Away - The Shins

I found this album on iTunes a couple of nights ago. I hadn’t heard them in years. I used one of their old songs, Know Your Onion, on a ski video of mine years back and then forgot about them. This album is great, the melodies and lyrics up there with Death Cab.

Live Monsters - Jars Of Clay

I used to be a big Jars Of Clay fan, right from their first album I owned on cassette. They started to experiment musically and have changed a lot through the years. I went off them a bit until listening to Livc Monsters which seems to be a return to form. This is a live album and captures the old Jars’ passion I used to love. Oh My God is amazing live.

Memory Man - Aqualung

I’ll probably buy anything that Aqualung produce. I’m a big fan and have seen them in concert whenever they have come to Ireland. Ben Hales is a very talented musician and vocalist. They are probably best described as a cross between Radiohead and Coldplay. These guys deserve more radio airplay that they actually get. I’ve only bought this album recently, so it’s still growing on me.

Beta Male Fairytales - Ben’s Brother

Was recommended this band by a colleague in work. I immediately liked them from the previews on their web site and bought the album on iTunes. The best song on the album for me is Carry On. I am tempted to learn the song and do a YouTube cover - if time allows!

Speak for Yourself - Imogen Heap

I heard a in a television advertisement and googled a section of the lyrics. I found the song was called Hide and Seek and was by Imogen Heap. The song is so different to anything else out there. The rest of the album is so-so and I should really have just bought the song off iTunes - however I’m still giving it a chance and listening to it for a while longer.

I knew Gary, Niall, James and Laura were writing and recording, but I hadn’t yet heard their stuff properly - especially the results of the studio session.

I sent James a text tonight to tell him about Sunday’s debrief and he sent me back their myspace link.

I’m not about to regurgitate what’s already on their site but I will say that they should add Ash to their list of influences. I think they sound like them on If You Don’t Understand in particular. Anyone agree?

I was really impressed with the tracks listed on their myspace (as was Liz). These guys have a future and I wish them all the best. I hope they remember me when they are famous!

Check them out now!

A mp3 player is something I always thought would be nice to have, but couldn’t justify the big bucks to purchase one. I’ve been close to purchasing on a number of occasions but always bailed out - and sure enough, life was not that difficult without one.

However, it’s getting to the point now, where my computer is brimming with music I rarely listen to and I’m subscribing to podcasts (NHC, Ragamuffin Soul, New Release Tuesday, Worship Central) that I can’t keep up with - all because I’m not sitting in front of computer as often as I used to.

It was tax free shopping this weekend here in Durham, North Carolina. I was going to save myself 8% on brand new iPod.

Before I left the house, I counted out the exact tax free amount and slipped it into a separate compartment in my wallet. I was on a mission.

I drove to the Apple Store and joined the queue. I didn’t need to speak to anyone. I knew exactly what I wanted.

“A black, 80gb iPod please”, I asked.

While he retrieved the little box of tricks from the cupboard I took out my wallet and removed the $350 I had carefully counted at home.

“That will be $372.56 please”, he said with a smile.

“Whaaa!”, I gasped, “Doesn’t this come under this tax free thing?”

“Sorry, ‘fraid not bud.”, he said, “It only applies to computers.”

I counted out another 22 dollars and passed them over the counter. There was no turning back now.

He must have read my face. He asked who I worked for and if it was a fortune 500 company? I told him who I worked for and he tried to verify it from a list.

After a short time he couldn’t find it on the list, but out of the kindness of his heart decided to give me 6% discount anyway. Rock on!

So now, today, I’m sitting here in the US with an 80gb iPod and one album that I bought last night from iTunes UK. My entire music library is at home, in Ireland, on my desktop. Shucks!

We had a great time in New York.  There is so much to do there we’ll probably head back that way some day.  We flew into London, UK on Wednesday and had a couple of days rest.  I then got news I was needed back in Durham, so on Saturday morning I flew back out to North Carolina.  I’ll be here for a couple of weeks now.

I called with New Horizon Church today for the Sunday morning service.  They are doing a really good series on money at present.  I recommend checking out the podcast (see titles Ripped Off, Monster & Profit Sharing).  I need to get myself some kind of portable mp3 player to listen to these on the move!

This is a modern hymn written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztd1VUOJWAY]

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztd1VUOJWAY

I love this version of Amazing Grace by Todd Agnew.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu0fxvnlygQ]

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu0fxvnlygQ

Relient K have a new album out - well it’s been out since 06 March but I’ve only found out about it tonight (cheers Neil!).  I had a quick listen to some of the tracks on iTunes and it sounds amazing.  Any Relient K fans out there?

Played this song for the first time in ages last Sunday.  I love the lyrics of this song - the story it tells…

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3upBTbs1M4]

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3upBTbs1M4