Archives for August 2018

The sound that connects Stravinsky to Bruno Mars

August 9, 2018 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

If you listen to the first few seconds of Bruno Mars’ “Finesse” (hint: listen to the Cardi B remix) you’ll hear a sound that immediately creates a sense of 80s hip-hop nostalgia. Yes, Cardi B’s flow is very Roxanne Shante, but the sound that drives that nostalgia home isn’t actually from the 1980s. Robert Fink and the inventor of the Fairlight CMI, Peter Vogel, help me tell the story of the orchestra hit – a sound that was first heard in 1910 at the Paris Opera where the famed 20th century Russian composer Stravinsky debuted his first hit, The Firebird. The video below is, in short, a history of the original orchestra hit sample from The Firebird Suite to the 1982 hit “Planet Rock” to “Finesse.” And as a treat, here’s a playlist of way more songs with orchestra hits than you probably wanted.

I love the scene where Herbie Hancock is showing Quincy Jones the fairlight.

Filed Under: Art, Blog, Music, Technology

NATURAL LIGHT: THE BENEFITS OF BRIGHTENING UP YOUR HOME

August 7, 2018 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

Natural light simply cannot be rivalled by artificial light. Natural light can have an effect on both your mental and physical health, as well as playing a critical role when it comes to your overall wellbeing. Therefore, learning some of the best ways to let more sunlight into your home is invaluable.

NATURAL LIGHT SOURCES

In order to establish the best ways of letting more light into your home, you’ll need to first understand the differences between natural light and artificial light. Natural sources include the sun, stars, moon, fire and lightning, where sources of artificial light include candles, lamps, electric bulbs, smart phones, tablets and computers.

Although artificial light can also have its benefits and advantages to our lifestyle, natural light really cannot be rivalled and letting more sunlight into your home wherever you can will help you reap its many rewards.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF NATURAL LIGHT

When the sun’s out it makes us feel good, uplifted and wanting to get out and about. Sunlight and Vitamin D go hand in hand. Vitamin D helps to lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. As well as this, natural light helps support the regulation of Serotonin and Melatonin levels, helps to reduce stress levels, and helps regulate Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

As well as all the above health benefits, sunlight is also known to improve productivity levels and improve sleeping habits. Natural light has a profound effect on our sleep and waking habits, and is vital in regulating our circadian rhythm. Did you know that people exposed to greater amounts of natural light during the morning (8am – noon) often fall asleep more quickly at night and have fewer sleep disturbances?

The following infographic, designed by the team at Cool Shutters, outlines some of the main benefits of letting more sunlight into your home, as well as some key ways in exactly how you can let more natural light into your home. From windows, sky lighting and doors to mirrors, paint choices and flooring, there are plenty of opportunities to brighten up your home or even your office space.

In an easy-to-follow layout, the infographic starts off by pinpointing the key differences between natural light and artificial light and the various sources of each, the infographic then goes onto explaining blue light, the Lux levels of different types of lighting and then some key facts around energy savings. Going into in-depth detail, the infographic shown below also explains the many health benefits of sunlight, and then concluding with some top tips on how exactly you can increase the natural light exposure in your home.

source: https://www.coolshutters.co.uk/2018/05/21/natural-light-the-benefits-of-brightening-up-your-home/

Filed Under: Architecture, Blog, Home Care

How to Choose a Ceiling Fan for Comfort and Style

August 4, 2018 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

Find out what fan size to buy, the blade angle to look for and which type works with your ceiling height

Ceiling fans make great additions to the home year-round. They cool us down in summer and warm us up in winter. New features and technologies mean they’re more energy-efficient than ever, and design updates have led to some pretty stylish models.

Personal preference plays a big role when buying a ceiling fan, and it’s always helpful to discuss your needs with a professional. To get started on your own, check out the following tips on how to choose a ceiling fan, including determining the right ceiling fan size and the optimal hanging distance from the ceiling.

How to Choose a Ceiling Fan for Comfort and Style

Filed Under: Appliances, Blog, Decor, Home Care, Home Remodel

Oddball – The Drum Machine Crammed in a Ball

August 1, 2018 By EmmanuelFonte Leave a Comment

Oddball is a drum machine you can bounce off walls to make beats! Currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, Oddball is a drum machine encased in a bouncy ball you can throw at any surface. The ball behaves as the percussion trigger, and sensors inside translate noise via Bluetooth to a dedicated app. The harder you bounce it the more intense the sound, the lighter you bounce it the more delicate. Users can play around with beats, looping them to make original tunes, or even adding them to existing tracks and share their creations. For more advanced users, the round instrument also works as a MIDI controller in apps like Ableton, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Garageband. Oddball can easily be recharged over USB, and includes an app preloaded will all kinds of effects. watch the video below