Eric Garner WAS MURDERED. PERIOD.

On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner, a black man, died in Tomkinsville-a neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, after police officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in a chokehold.
Thankfully, the whole attack was caught on video.
On December 3, a Grand Jury decided NOT to indict Pantaleo on any charge.
In case you're the average American nd don't really know what this means-it is NOT a proper trial or anything of the sort, it is the first step in the felony trial process.  The Grand Jury actually has a LOWER standard of proof, meaning instead of finding they believe someone did something "beyond a reasonable doubt" (a higher, criminal trial standard), they only need to have a, generally, found that there is "probable cause" to believe that someone did something, can be charged with a certain charge, etc.
The fact that this did not happen is what is referred to in legal circles as "bullshit".

Having myself spent 3 years studying law culminating in the dubious achievement of a Juris Doctorate (no, you don't have to call me "Doctor" anything, unless im trying to get reservations), I have a slightly better idea of how wrong the decision was. Since this is truly upsetting, I'm going to explain EXACTLY why Pantaleo should not only have been indicted, but CONVICTED of Murdering another human being.

Now, in the general legal understanding of criminal law, there are three elements of ANY crime:  Mens Rhea, Actus Rheus, and Causation.  Just to be unnecessarily obtuse and confusing, the legal community continues to employ a dead language even in 2014.  Since NO ONE speaks Latin, its necessary to explain that Mens Rhea is the mental element, or the "criminal's" intent-meaning they meant to do the Actus.  The Actus Rheus is, surprisingly, the act.  If the "criminal" intends to do something, but only dreams and never does-this element has not been satisfied.  Of course these both must concur, or happen at once to apply. Although the third element, causation, is not latin, it can be confusing.  In this context, for causation to be satisfied, the "crime" must actually be caused by the "criminal" and his Mens and Actus-basically IF without the "criminal's" intervention, the crime would not have occurred-then causation is satisfied.

In particular, Murder is described as "the unlawful killing, with malicec aforethought, of another human being".  This means Murder's particular elements (the particular things that comprise the crime of murder, as opposed to the crime of jaywalking, etc) are as follows:
-Unlawful : basically, its not Self-Defense, or War
-Killing : the victim is dead,, otherwise I suppose you'd be dealing with assault and so forth
-With Malice Aforethought : in other words, the accused didn't kill someone by accident, or so quickly that it was a reflex, etc
-of Human Being:  This means, for those of you, and we KNOW you ARE out there-who think that certain ethnicities aren't human beings, THEY MOST DEFINATELY ARE.

In case the Tomkinsville Grand Jury members are capable of reading, here's why Mr. Pantaleo should have been CONVICTED of Murder:

1.  His actions satisfy the Actus Rheus of Murder, the killing, because he was the one "applying" the "chokehold", or just plain CHOKING, Eric Garner.

2.  He satisfies the Mens Rheus, or had Malice Aforethought, because he plainly heard Eric Garner, ELEVEN (11) TIMES say "I can't breathe", and he did NOT release Mr Garner.  Nor his continued choking necessary to "defend himself", as there were FOUR (4) other officers immediately present, Mr. Garner was plainly no longer ANY kind of threat as he was face was down, on the pavement-AND Mr. Pantleo was engaging in an Illegal act applying the chokehold, as it is prohibited by the law enforcement division he is employed by. (this means the apparently completely incompetent prosecutor could also have employed some type of "per se" argument)

3. Since all this happened at the same time, it's easil proven that Mr. Pantaleo also satisfies the Causation element, of Murder because Eric Garner was a human being,  and the video clearly shows that Mr. Pantaleo's choking caused Mr. Garner to be unable to breathe, and, indeed, the official cause of death (notably) Homicide by asphyxiation CLEARLY proves it.

Ultimately, this simple and easy argument is crystal clear, correct, and obviously so.  We, as citizens and human beings, are resultingly left to ask: "Why wasn't is successful then?"  Why didn't the prosecutor resign in anger?  Was he so interconnected and involved with law enforcement as he works side-by-side with them every single day...that he was unable to adequately assert a simple argument?  Are we employing incompetent law enforcement?  Does the acquittal mean that the law DOES NOT apply to law enforcement? Or are black men committing misdemeanors no longer human beings?  Is racism STILL so prevalent in the USA as to be incorporated into law enforcement as a matter of course?

I think, if nothing else, the legacy of Eric Garner-and too, too many others-is to define and elevate the importance of those questions and others.  If we let them drop, or accept the answers this acquittal (and the recent one in Ferguson) leave us with:  That law enforcement is not subject to the rule of law; That ACCUSED Black misdemeanor criminals are not human beings; That the courts are not able, or, worse, unwilling, to enforce the law against their own officers; etcetera and on and on..then we are no better than the members of that grand jury, the incompetent or unwilling court, or the supportive and corrupt law enforcement in that community.

I sincerely and honestly hope that no one who reads this is capable of that.



-x

" The "Chokehold" is a tactic banned by the New York City Police Department (NYPD).^[9][10] Garner was initially approached by Officer Justin Damico on suspicion of selling “loosies”, single cigarettes from packs without tax stamps.^[11] After Garner expressed to the police that he was tired of being harassed and that he was not selling cigarettes, officers made the move to arrest Garner. Officer Daniel Pantaleo, also on scene, put his arms around the much taller Garner's neck, applying an apparent chokehold shown in a widely viewed video recording of the event. While lying face-down on the sidewalk surrounded by four officers, Garner is heard to repeat numerous times, "I can't breathe".^[2] Garner was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at the hospital"
--Published December 3, 2014, Wikipedia News feed

New SIMPLESEQ 10 step analog sequencer in Simple line of Eurorack Synthesizer Modules from New Voodoo Design now available!!
We have set the price point for the next few made for $120.00 (USD), which is VERY AFFORDABLE and in keeping with our Simple line in general.  The SimpleSeq will ONLY BE AVAILABLE VIA CUSTOM FOR CLIENTS CONTACTING US DIRECTLY, it will not appear on the web site as the others have.
The demand is simply WAY TOO HIGH already and we cannot expect to satisfy demand or fill orders if we put up a 100$ analog sequencer on our site.

Please check out the SIMPLE SHORT YOUTUBE DEMO here
http://youtu.be/PhDNVZUKgAA

Sponsoring Artists
Give us YOUR INPUT!!
Please let us know, via this blog, or our email, or any other contact info you get-what you think about sponsoring artists.
Does it work?
Does it make you think more or less of a product?
How far should we go? (keeping in mind we are a small company)
In this vein, take a look at the shop, WWW.NEWVOODOODESIGN.COM, site's front page-where we've posted a video of a song where an artist (through NO payment or support of ours) used one of our devices-the Hate Generator-in his music.
Thanks Everyone, hope to hear from you-and-as always-WE VALUE OUR CLIENTS OPINIONS IN EVERYTHING WE DO!! 

GUY WALKING AROUND CARY TOWN IN FAN IN RICHMOND VA WEARING OUR SHIRT FROM LAST YEAR!!

GUY I SAW/RAN INTO WALKING AROUND CARY TOWN IN FAN IN RICHMOND VA WEARING OUR NEW VOODOO DESIGN & CUSTOM INSTRUMENTS SHIRT FROM LAST YEAR!!

Front (left his head off for privacy reasons)

Hell yeazzz.

THAT is NICE, right? 

Back. AWESOME RIGHT?!!!

Ideas-PLEASE let me know if this one is DECENT

Im thinking of putting out a small run of simple utilitarian modular modules in eurorack (most popular) format.
Perhaps as a part of the Simple Module run? if anyone has ideas for a name for them other than that, let me know.

proposed outboard joystick module design sketch

As the first  one,Im thinking Ill do one thats allows you to hook any 2 control or Audio cables up to a simple Joystick (the 2 cables being controlled by UP/DOWN, and LEFT/RIGHT directions on the stick). 
Heres the kicker though:
-I want to use a cable to allow an outboard joystick.  Perhaps 6 foot straight or 12 foot coiled?
Anyways, this crappy sketch ought to give you an idea what im talking about.
Ive seen modules put out by other companies with "force pads" (pressure sensitive resistors) & joysticks..BUT both have the operative device (joystick, pad, etc) ON THE MODULE...meaning that someone wanting to use the damn thing would have to HOLD THEIR HAND UPRIGHT ON THE MODULE IN THE MODULAR the ENTIRE TIME THEY USE IT.
That seems somewhat absurd and nonsensical to me.
Nobody wants to do that.
That's why controllers for game systems are NOT on the box itself.
Duh.
Anyways, I think Ill at least make 5 or 10 with a simple little thumb joystick and see how popular the idea or run ofmodules turns out to be.
If its really popular ill make more..maybe even if its only kinda popular because I think the idea is so good.
Any ideas for other "utilitarian modules"?
Perhaps another outboard one? Like an 'outboard mini-mixer console'?

Thoughts?

thanks

MORE SDIY (SYNTHESIZER DIY) THINGS NOONE EXPLAINS: NOMENCLATURE & WHAT STUFF LOOKS LIKE THAT PEOPLE CALL THINGS YOU DONT KNOW

Let's start today with the different kinds of TRANSISTORS:
1. TO-92 type 1 -
 this is the most common type you will see today. Its plastic, black and about as small as possibly can be and still be able to be handled and employed by human beings' hands.
NOTE: when using these in anything-PAY ATTENTION to the WAY THIS IS POINTED (WHICH SIDE IS ROUNDED AND WHICH FACES WHAT WAY




2. TO-3 this is the METAL CAN type often seen in higher voltage type stuff and vintage germanium and others used in pedals & effects that employ vintage parts.









3. SOT-23 this is the type more and more in use lately as it is a SMD (surface mount) type design.  VERY small and essentially TOO small to be easily handled by a human. Most often employed on assembly lines and plants using robotic emplacement and manufacture



4. TO-126 this is almost entirely limited to vintage (80s-early90s) manufacture.  Not seen often in newer designs, but is sometimes. Allows for some small heat sinking, but is still relatively small and plastic. Note the hole which identifies it in relation to the others.






5. TO-18 & TO-5 these are the SMALLER METAL CAN type, also much more common with vintage and more expensive parts. Durable and dependable.





6. TO-92 type 2 VERY similar to #1, but differentiated visually by the difference in the way the legs appear-they have a fanned-out design as opposed to the straight-down formation of #1.  Also very common today and still very much in use.

SOT252

Other less common types: SOT 29 & 89, TO 251(these have metal heat sinks attached) & 252 (these have notches & heat sinks) etc

THATS ALL FOR TODAY !!
But these are the most common, and if you know what 1-6 mean, youll be able to nvigate most buying, catalogs and searches on ebay or mouser, etc.
Good Luck!

LOOKING FOR ANIMATORS OF ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS FOR FUNKY

ELECTRO-RAP SPACE PIRATE SHORT COLLECTION/MOVIE
Myself (Jim Tracy : The New Voodoo (electronic/punk), Heyzeus (Folk/Funk), TriUM (underground hiphop), No Bueno (old school punk), Dread (Grind/Death Metal), Locust (Electronic/Black Metal), BURNd (atmospheric/doom) etc) and Dustin (Dank D (hiphop/underground) are looking for Students, Amateur, and Professional Animators to produce shorts which will be essentially be music videos that help tell the story of 2 Space Buccaneers (Space Captain Crash &   ) as they engage in various adventures involving: The Attack of The Lovely Lesbians (Robots originally made to be Sex Toys who altered themselves to carry Boobazookas & other weapons), The Race to Defuse The Funk Bomb, Battle with the Henchmen of the Anti-Groove & their WhiteBread Whips, Smuggling Powdered Weird into the Everpresent Empire of Corporate Blah -past the Evil Corporate Forces of Generals GetAJob & GrowUp, and finally their participation in the Revolution of Beat as it finally takes down Emperor Ass Pilot despite his attempts to use his secret "talking out of his ass" hoodoo to confuse our heroes.

JOIN TODAY!
All interested parties can either email newvoodoocustoms@gmail.com or go to www.newvoodoodesign.com or this blog and use the contacts.
Simply submit any example of artwork and you will be sent an abbreviated example track and must return an animation of 15-20 seconds sync'd up with any portion provided within 7 days to be considered for the project.
The project will be displayed on screens behind the band on a 46-state tour of the US, shown in select theaters, and promoted on various media and the web, so any work provided by artists will be repaid in recognition in addition to the achievement and collaboration itself.

Blog in question

COOL BLOGS TO CHECK IF YOURE BORED/IN LINE/WAITING/ETC
I was sitting in the DMV the other day and decided to just screw around on the net on my phone (for once, Id remembered to charge it all the way recently) and it occurred to me that (since I couldnt watch or listen to anything) id like to peruse a few blogs and either learn something or have one up on whoever Im talking to in the future by knowing current events or trivia.
I mean, keep in mind, Fox news is basically a conservative outlet, CNN is just confused and everywhere else is 24-hr Kardashian/celebrities-ve-never-even-heard-of. So, here's a few I found that i'd recommend:
1. NERDY AND GEEKY MUSIC http://nerdymusic.wordpress.com/
Sorta self-explanatory, but id also mention surprisingly well informed and lacking in BS about awards, celebrities, etc. UNFORTUNATELY the blog on page today was about some BS awards. So her F up but normalllly very good

2. INSTRUCTABLES http://www.instructables.com/
This is what MAKE should be.  Here's all you need to know-the front/home page says: "I want to make ___" and you fill in the blank to search the site for DIY instructions. And each is pretty well done and fully annotated.none of this "and then you build the amp" or "after that you program the game" or "once you have the wood, use it to build the wall". (in other words, instructions with no explanations)

3. ANGRY ROBOT BOOKS http://angryrobotbooks.com/books/
awesome steampunk, fantasy, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic ..and combos of the aforementioned.  If you dont see the cover art on the home page and book titles mentioned and get interested...then you're pretty boring and I don't get you.

4. NPR npr.org
Intelligent news that actually legitimately ATTEMPTS, whether successful or not in every instance, to be "fair and balanced" (rather than simply say that phrase to fool idiots into believing that the info imparted is unquestionable).

Id add more, but really, very few people read past the first few in a list (or the first page in a search, etc).

The BIG SURPRISE: some bigots are rich guys!!

What annoys me most about the whole "Clippers owner is racist" story is that people act surprised!
I mean, is ANYONE wandering around out there honestly thinking that all the wealthy people, the 1%-ers who have 90% of the wealth in America (im NOT making that up, by the way-google it if you dont believe me), are NOT bigots, racists, and social darwinists?
OF COURSE THEY ARE!!

racist team owner

Among the other things that annoy me about this story are:
a) That it is taking up DAY AFTER DAY of news time, on every station-even NPR-not just celebrity news magazines & shows like E news.  This is time that would otherwise have been used to let people know about the hundreds of conflicts going on and the millions of people suffering and dying in innocence in places, THAT NOW, you will have never heard of!!

b) That NO ONE seems to be spending any time figuring out how, why, and who got this PRIVATE conversation, in a PRIVATE home, between PRIVATE individuals, spread all over the news. I mean-its a bit worrying that anything someone might say in the privacy of their own home might be on the news later that day. 
Think of all the things youve said when angry or drunk or young-that you didnt mean or would NOT want publicized!!

c) That TOTAL RETARDS are saying things like "go to the games and make sure you support the team because they need your help in this difficult time"..YEA, that statement isnt comprised completely of TOTAL BULLSHIT.  The "team" does NOT "need your support"--they need your MONEY, and they are a business, which STERLING OWNS, so every DOLLAR YOU SPEND IN "SUPPORT" OF THAT TEAM GOES TO HIM!! Or, at least, the part that is profit does.  

d) That ANYONE cares AT ALL is all part of the much, much, much more disturbing phenomenon of team identification.  The social mechanism that makes people like your neighbor say "We lost last night" when speaking about, say, the Dallas Cowboys..which he is not on, working for, related to a member of, ever met a single person who is on, or ever will meet a single person who is on.
I mean, isnt that a little bizarre?

FYI -this month ONLY on my commercial site im BLOWING OUT a LOT of RARE/DISCONTINUED stuff

Among the things we are liquidating at New Voodoo Design's commercial site (www.newvoodoodesign.com) (since almost all the things the site sells that are NOT custom made by NVD are simply leftover from projects) are a number of RARE/UNIQUE items.  Among them:
-Vintage MXR Pedal PCB's dating from 75-9 roughly: Phasers, Chorus, Delay (BBD), Distortion, Gain, EQ, Envelope Filters
-x0xb0x PCBs-the famous/legendary & discontinued clones of the more famous & legendary Roland acid synth-we've got some of the main PCB and a few more of the I/O pcb (some with the USB smd chip already soldered in)  (**NOTE: this project is NOT for beginners, its a real bitch w/a billion components)
-Also, if you plan on using the aforementioned PCBs, or are in the process of, making a x0xb0x (the Adafruit-template/type), you'll have a hard time finding these in your standard SDIY/Audio home workshop parts bin.  I based this on my experience building one of the b0xes.
Even if you don't have the other parts, its a good buy since the other parts (things like 1/4 watt resistors, etc) can be had from places like Mouser and Jameco for fractions of a penny often.
-Vintage STILL IN THE BOX W/SEAL INSPECTION DATE FROM KOREAN WAR military chest mics
-and much, much, more..anyways, its a chance to get some neat stuff for cheap, and if you email me in the next week, Ill give you a 10% off discount code!

SOLICITING ADVICE!! GIVE US YOUR OPINION!! TELL US WHAT TO DO!!
-yep, I truly AM asking you, the reader, to give me-the humble writer--your opinion on what YOU want to see from NVD in the future.

In the past (one month ago) I solicited advice on  a forum for the same reason:

After reading over 75 posts, a consensus arose and we decided that this year's "Semi-Commercial Product Run" from NVD would consist of 3 types of devices:
1.  Pedals : for guitar, vocals, bass, etc.  We've already promoted, released, and sold out (of the first 50) of "The Robot Assassin" (see photo below in last week's blog)

2. Modular Synth Modules : the overwhelming majority of suggestions was for Eurorack format, but if we make any PCB/Kits to sell, I plan to follow Barton Musical Circuits (www.bartonmusicalcircuits.com/‎) lead and make sure that MOTM and others can use the PCB for their formats as well

3. Stand Alone Synths : We've already done a run of the AEye (and sold almost all of them) and have another (hint hint) we'll be unveiling early next week.

However, now that we've decided on what TYPES of devices to create, we need to focus on a SMALL NUMBER of each..perhaps four (4) more of each of the three (3) categories for a total of five (5) of each.

**EDIT : Thus far we've gotten some notable suggestions:
       for Category 3 : a portable semimodular that could be used by itself or easily plugged into a modular
       system,
       for Category 1 : an Uber-Fuzz pedal combining many of the most popular fuzz pedal sounds/effects in
       one, and just as interesting- a sampler/looper to be controlled via a wah-type pedal
       for Category 2:  one idea was to make functional and inexpensive modules like tube amp/gain, another
      was to create a "Fibonacci Sequencer"

GIVE US YOUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS AND IF WE USE THEM-THE PROTOTYPE WILL BE SHIPPED TO YOU FOR FREE!!

-simply email me  with your ideas-include pictures and examples if you can.  Sometimes it is hard for me to understand your idea without illustration.  Not because anyone in particular is a poor communicator, but because ideas and the like are extremely difficult to translate into terminology successfully.

      

 ALESIS VORTEX KEYTAR MIDI/USB CONTROLLER REVIEW
 -Great price, useability, ergonomics, design & function..and it looks cool too.

First of all, the Alesis Vortex Keytar retails for a FRACTION of the price of similar products by similar manufacturers (i.e. Roland, Yamaha, etc).

NOTE: I GOT MINE FOR LESS THAN $100 - GO HERE IF YOURE READING THIS REVIEW IN THE TEMPORAL VICINITY OF WHEN I POSTED IT

Second of all, if you are short on time, just read this much--its the best possible deal on a new piece of gear.  (<--"period"). Short form: its got everything you would expect from a controller and extra features as well, and does everything it does well..and is made well...and is a solid design..its ergonomics/accesibility are/is perfect.
I'm going to tackle the rest of this review in sections for ease of use by the (potential/imaginary) reader:

a) Design: Since its a keytar, actual useabilty can easily be an issue. Its not.  Once strapped on, you can easily access the keys,  buttons, and pads.  The pitch wheel (spring return/tactile touch covered), octave up/dwn, and ribbon controller are in the "neck" and are also easy to access and use.

B)Features:Has a FULL set:

- 8 solid, rubber/tactile drum pads w/variable response & velocity sensativity
- 3-osctave keyboard. Solid keys-plastic (it IS reasonably priced)but excellent response and feel.
- 3 digit LCD screen
- 3 assignable knobs & lights & pads for program/patch control
ON NECK
-3 tctile buttons to control ribbon modes
-large/easy to reach & use tactile sustain button
-ppx3" ribbon controller (almost intuitive placement for left hand use w/fingers)
-octave up,down,keyboard lower, upper & split tactile buttons within easy reach of left hand middle to pinky fingers.
-VERY solid tactile rubber-covered pitch wheel perfectly placed for thumb use & control
-an assignable slider that could be controlled by thumb or finger (this is the ONLY control I question the placement of.)

c)OPERATION & FUNCTION

-honestly, there's not a lot to say about this. It functions as you would expect it to. The keys work great and could only be improved by being weighted (not possible at this price point- the 150-250$ avg cost retail)

-Power CONTROL : this is NOT something you see often enough, and you SHOULD. The vortex (by the ins/outs) has a solid switch to toggle between "BATT"(battery), "OFF", "USB", and "DC" (adaptor).

D. USEABILITY:

  The vortex offers a near-complete set of options:  traditional MIDI cable as well as USB.  Either appears to function in an intuitive, 'plug-n-play' fashion.  I had no problems using the traditional MIDI cable with my Roland, Boss, Korg, Yamaha, Serge, Doepfer & Mee-blip synths.  I simply plugged it in and hit the keys.
(*-Note: to change channels/modes all you do is hit the key apropo marked, EASY)
W/USB & software-it comes w/& works perfectly w/Ableton. I only also used it w/Arturia's Moog & CS-80 & Reason.  It worked fine w/both, although I had to go into menus and assign it.

There are a number of other things here that are worth mentioning that I'll let you discover for yourself as I do notnormally use them or have the experience to rate them. (ex. Sustain pedal etc)However, overall-with the things I DO have experience with, its a WINNER. Go buy it, there's no possible way you will regret it!!


PS-IT LOOKS KILLER, TRULY.

REALLY REALLY USEFUL INFO, TOOLS (RES/CAP CALCULATORS, ETC) & PAGES:

I've decided it'd be helpful (big part of why im even bothering to do this blog nonsense is to help others out)..REALLY helpful-to put up the links, etc that I use ALL THE TIME when im DIY'ing (DIM'ing?).
Here it is:
1. If you are buying or using wire you will see things like "18AWG" & think to yourself : "What the Fuck does AWG mean?" And its important that you DO take a look because it is NOT common sense and is completely counterintuitive to a certain degree (**the sizes go down for larger wires for example).
Here's a chart I've found easy to read and understand:
AWG (American Wire Guage) Wire Size Chart ( http://diyaudioprojects.com/Technical/American-Wire-Gauge/ )

2. Resistors..these things can be INCREDIBLY small.  And who can remember or memorize all the combinations of %, ohms, and color/number of stripes?  Much easier to use a handy:

Graphic Res Calc

3,4 & 5 Band Graphic Resistor Value Calculator ( http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/resistorcalculator.php )

3. Capacitors, same thing-they can be TINY..and its hard enough just to find the code, let alone read the damn digits.  Well, if you haven't already bought some killer magnifying lighted headgear..then you need to.  In the meantime, use your roommate's coke-bottle glasses to magnify the cap & read the code and then use:
Capacitor Code Calculator ( http://www.electronics2000.co.uk/calc/capacitor-code-calculator.php  )  

4.  After that, you may have a schematic that says Mf instead of Uf (they;re the same, FYI) or that says "__n"  instead of " __uf" so you may need a :
Capacitance Converter Calculator ( http://www.calculator.org/property.aspx?name=capacitance  )

5. Speaking of datasheets (note rant below), here are 2 different sites which I often find the datasheets on. (**another source is any site, including the ones listed here, that SELLS components-they'll have the datasheets as well and are an EXCELLENT resource for data on current/not-discontinued components)
5a. Experimentalists Anonymous ( http://www.experimentalistsanonymous.com/ ) Excellent for dtasheets on IC's and semiconductors (diodes, voltage regulators, etc) of all kinds

5b. Frank's "electron tube database" ( http://frank.pocnet.net/ ) : Datasheets for thousands of Vacuum (electron) tubes

6. Transistor "pinouts"-here's a page with a quick, graphical reference to most of the transistors that you'll commonly be using and which lead is which ( http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/Transistor-Pinouts/index.htm )

7. LED Calculator ( http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz ): this is a single LED series resistance calc, for when you have a single LED and need to know "what resistor should I use with my LED?" This calculator determines that for you.
7b.  LED series/parallel array wizard (  http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz  ) for calcs with more than one LED. will help with connections for any number of LEDs.

8. Filter Calculators :
   8a. Active Audio Filter Calculator ( http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-filter.htm  ) This will not only calculate the values for you, it will also (*note the option) SHOW YOU THE SCHEMATIC!!
   8b. Simple Bandpass Filter Calculator/Designer ( http://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/Simple_Bandpass.php ) Similar to 8a, VERY COOL.

There are lots of other online tools I use, but those are the ones I use most often, Im sure there are lots more out there-take a look for yourself & explore! 


In closing, I thought I'd add some :
GENERAL AUDIO DIY/SDIY GENERALLY USEFUL HINTS:

1. Read the datasheet :  I can't tell you how many times I've spent hours online searching for a schematic, or looking through forums for information on where the VCC pin is or whether a chip will work on 5v instead of 7v, etc. Most of the time, I could have just read the datasheet!
(don't be as dumb as me, in other words)
Furthermore, you would be surprised how many of the "example of use" schematics included are the exact same circuit used by engineers/manufacturers in the device you are looking at (take a look at almost ANY "delay pedal" and then the Princeton PT2399 datasheet-you'll be surprised!)
Also, there are often multiple schematics/circuits in the datasheets for one IC, many times there are ones that closely approximate the use you have in mind. You may have to change only small things like the size of the output or the type.

2. Check Forums, Sign up for Forums, Read Forums, Contribute to Forums : This is THE best way to get answers to questions, find info, get advice, socialize, learn, etc from others who are motivated by their shared interest.
Here are a few I recommend:
Electro-Music ( http://www.electro-music.com/ )
DIYStomboxes (www.diystompboxes.com/‎ )
Muff Wiggler ( www.muffwiggler.com/‎ )
EEV Blog ( www.eevblog.com/forum/ )
Experimentalists Anonymous ( http://www.experimentalistsanonymous.com/ )

NEW VOODOO DESIGNS "AEYE PORTABLE MODULAR SYNTHESIZER, RANDOM SEQUENCE GENERATOR & DELAY MODULE/OSCILLATOR"

The first of our new line of portable "suitcase nuke" synthesizers.  All come in their own completely enclosed boxes, suitable for travel anywhere.  They are also completely modular, with their own power sources.

The Aeye, for example, can run on batteries or external power and all elements (oscillators, delay, melody gen) have in's and out's allowing connection to all other elements (in the Aeye's case these are 1/4" jacks, although other planned modules will have 3.5mm/ 1/8th" jacks to be completely compatible with eurorack synths).
The Aeye is a combination of a modded "Echo Rockit" by MFOS (see their  page http://www.musicfromouterspace.com) and a modded "One Song" by Barton Musical Circuits (see their page http://www.bartonmusicalcircuits.com).
The Echo Rockit section can self-oscillate for all kinds of crazy effects and sounds or be used as standard delay..or controlled via CV etc.  The One Song section can be used by itself (generates a random ..well actually chaotic..synthesizer melody) to generate sounds and melodies and speed them up, change their length, change the modlody or slow them down..etc..OR you can combine them.  Since they are modular, you can connect them to each other for TOTAL INSANITY.
Very cool.

Limited quantity, Handmade in RVA USA-<a href="http://www.newvoodoodesign.com/aeye-portable-modular-synthesizer--random-sequence-generator-delay.html">get yours today!!</a><BR><BR>

Simple Tools series
-a series of DIY/How-To articles concerning circuit bending tools that are both necessary and incredibly useful
 post 1:  Resistor Box (aka "Resistor Substitution Box")
Estimated time to complete: 1-1.5 Hours
Tools necessary to complete:  Soldering Iron, Drill, Pliers, Wire cutters
Materials:  Solder (small amount, electronics or 60/40), Wire (small amt or 1', 18-24awg , stranded or general "hook up"),  Potentiometers (100k, 10k, 1m, 1k), Multi-turn/Specialized potentiometer (1k, 10 turn, etc), Small plastic project box, SPST switch (toggle or otherwise), wire posts/hook points/clips etc (something to connect wires to repeatedly that you can remove them from easily)

example of finished box

 

This is a tool I use all the time, and anyone doing circuit bending, SDIY, Audio electronics, or just plain general electronics at home or in a workshop should have one.

-STEP 1: Preparing the Box
take your box, and drill 4 holes for potentiometers.

Remember to make SURE you have enough room between each, the sides, and ends, so that they can easily fit with their solder lugs and the eventual wires attached as well.  Remember the holes are a LOT smaller than the actual potentiometers and room you will need.

Then drill the holes for your switch and connections for the wires. As you can see in mine-I used some cheap alligator clip wires I got at the Dollar Tree and just stripped one end to connect to the pots and switch so keep in mind the choice youve made for making connections when drilling

- STEP 2: Wiring the potentiometers & switch

my cheap version. Handy though.

You will need 7 (seven) pieces of wire, each just 3 or so inches or less in length (depending on size of your box and distance between pots and so forth.
Strip the ends from each piece and connect as the photo shows (wire from last pot/connection to an outside solder lug on potentiometer, wire to the next on the inside/middle lug)
Solder each to the pots as described, and then solder the last to your switch so that you can use it to allow current to/deny current from the potentiometers.

AND YOU'RE DONE!!
Pretty easy, huh?
And now you can use this thing youve made to test connections while circuit bending or test potential potentiometer values for circuits you are working on.  Killer.

In an attempt to acquire some acculturation, I just saw Van Trier's Nymphomaniac.  I just don't get it.  I think it was kinda funny, but im sure it wasn't purposeful. For example, the whole story is told as a part narrative by the protagonist female, the "Nympho" in question, while she's staying at a man's apartment after he found her all beat up and took her inside to apply some aid.  While she's describing, for example. competing with another girl to see how many guys they can have sex with in the space of a train ride, the man helping her in the apartment says "oh, you're angling".  Which, apparently, is some kind of fishing terminology.

Typical scene.

This goes on throughout the story. She talks about having sex with strangers, he compares it to fishing.  Yes-hopefully you get why its 'laughable' more than funny.
Towards the end, I started doing other things so my time wouldnt have been totally wasted.
Im sure plenty of money will be made on this as its basically porn, and porn passed off as art or mainstream film always sells.
Overall, the whole thing, as with many "party" or "freak" movies, just reminds me of various people i've known or particular nights.  I just don't think its anything special, and, if you want-no matter what country you are in-Im pretty sure you can go out and find a prostitute and have some meaningless sex.
It's not impressive or worthy of artistic treatment as an observational phenomenon, which is how Trier treats it.  It's just blah. For example, there is a scene which consists of hundreds of penis's (penii?) being shown one after the other.  Point?
I suspect his ideaology concerns demonstrating how "Man" (note the capitol m) is a slave to his urges, biological in particular.  Not exactly news to any female over 8 years old, and not particularly true individually.
I guess i'm just too old to find it anything but porn with too much dialogue.
If your girl is watching your web history though or you otherwise are having problems finding masterbatory fodder-there it is.