Things to Consider Before Deciding for Your Bathroom Suite
Choosing a bathroom suite will in the end come down to the shape and size of your bathroom. It doesnât have to be a large area, even those with the simplest and smallest of bathrooms can add a few unique features and generate something to delight and take pride in. A bathroom is a room to take pride in; with a little personal touch the right bathroom suite for you will mean life becoming more relaxing and convenient.
If you are out of ideas have a good look around and donât make a hasty decision. Interior design magazines often have a section on bathroom suites or home and living type magazines will supply you with different types of suites. A visit to the local DIY or bathroom showroom will give you some inspiration too and there is always the Internet for stores worldwide with plenty of ideas.
A bathroom suite has to fit your lifestyle. a suite; donât just choose one because you like it! It has to fit around the requirements of everyone else living in the house too. If you have children or older parents living with you they will have wildly differing needs to a young couple. Also take under consideration the style and period of the rest of the house and select something that will fit in with its surroundings. If your house is Victorian then an ultra modern look wonât suit, visa versa, a new apartment with a Victorian bathroom might look out of place.
Before you go searching the stores for a bathroom, measure the room first and draw up a plan as the type of suites you look at will be dictated by the size and shape of your bathroom. The type of suite you like might not fit well into the space you have, so this is important to check.
Taking everyoneâs needs into consideration is vital, even when it comes down to the flooring and wall coverings. Tiles on the floor will be easy to wash down but could be slippery for children and a bath might prove complicated for an older couple with mobility problems, a shower would be far more convenient.
Pick out the features you like about your current bathroom and those you want to remove. Would you prefer a bath or a shower, or is the bathroom large enough to house both? It is important you take under consideration the number of people who will be using the bathroom, their ages and particular needs.
You are not stuck with the current layout of the bathroom. There might in most cases be a better option or a space that isnât used effectively that could be improved. Just donât forget to make a careful research before making any big decisions as changes to the plumbing and plastering work can be costly.
A new bathroom will update and give your bathroom a whole new modern look. Depending on the look you want to achieve, bathroom suites can be found in contemporary, modern or traditional styles. If your house style is Victorian a traditional bathroom will probably be a good choice, choose a decorative basin and pedestal sink for an antique look. If you live in a modern apartment, you might want to go with a contemporary style with simple clean lines.
Money will in most cases have the final say when it comes to house renovations. You can find many modern bathroom suites that look good and in the same time low in price these days. And if you want to go with the traditional look, try scouring the antique warehouses for second hand original pieces.
Bathroom taps can be durable and last for many years to come if you pick the right one. A fashionable, popular look this year can quickly look outdated next year. Classic designs and simple lines will last you for a lot longer. Of course if you have unlimited money and you like to keep up with the latest trends and fashions then you can always redecorate again in a few years time.
Your choice of bathroom will be individual to you as everyone has different tastes and ideas. Make a research by looking through design magazines, bathroom showrooms and online and youâll soon find inspiration and be ready to go. Choose a bathroom suite to fit your needs and requirements, add a touch of luxury and you will have the perfect bathroom suite.
Michiel Van Kets provides articles for Neil Yeomans who is working for Victoria Plumb. A online shopping site offering information and supplying luxury bathroom products like bath rooms and bathroom taps.
Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work could be putting employees’ health in danger and causing illnesses such as asthma, dermatitis or cancer.
Under CoSHH regulations, it is a requirement that employers control substances that can potentially cause harm to workers health. One of the stages in the CoSHH risk assessment framework is to identify what hazardous substances might be present in the workplace.
Substances covered by CoSHH can take three possible forms – solids, liquids and gases and vapours. Solids comprise substances such as toner powder, smoke, dusts, sawdust and fumes. Liquids include rubber cement, paint thinner, solvents and fuels. Gases and vapours come in a variety of forms such as smoke, ammonia gas, paint vapours, carbon monoxide and natural gas.
It is important as an employer to identify what substances are coming into the workplace and where they are used, worked on, handled or stored.
It is crucial to also investigate what substances could be produced as by products which could give off toxic fumes or waste.
Substances can arise from a number of sources such as maintenance, cleaning or repair work.
To recognise a hazardous substance you must have the necessary CoSHH knowledge, skills and expertise to do this. If the substance is classified as toxic or ‘dangerous for supply’ then the supplier must send a safety data sheet (MSDS) when the product is initially ordered. This information offers guidance on safe handling practices. If necessary contact the supplier or sales representative for more information. Another way to gather more information on the product would be to research it on the internet or check the HSE website (CoSHH) under the sub heading for your trade.
Examples of hazardous substances found in the office include photocopier toner, glue, paints, and domestic cleaning products such as bleach and furniture polish and pest control substances.
Substances which can also be harmful and cause the skin condition dermatitis include flowers, bulbs, fruit and vegetables. Dusty working areas, for example in welders and woodworkers, can cause lung diseases.
It’s also a myth to believe that just because a product is labeled ‘natural’ it can’t be harmful. For example, henna can cause dermatitis and asthma.
Aside from health hazards, there can also be physical effects such as fire and explosion from certain hazardous substances. An example of this is that certain solvent-based products emit a flammable vapour. Also, clouds of dust from everyday materials, such as wood dust or flour, can explode if ignited.
Once it has been ascertained that hazardous substances are present in the workplace it is essential for a CoSHH risk assessment to be carried out.
Dale Allen delivers CoSHH compliance as one of the UK’s leading compliance authorities. Find out more about how you can use his online COSHH365 CoSHH asssessment tool to produce compliant CoSHH assessments with the benefits of a managed Safety Data Sheet library.
Keeping children safe is the prime consideration in every parentâs mind. This is why choosing the right products like safe and trusted stair gates needs to be done with care. Just because something is being marketed for children does not mean that it is safe and dependable. Parents should know that there are some tips to keep in mind to make selections of safety stair gates and other child protection devices an easy and worry free process.
⢠Choose stair gates that have a certification from JPMA or CPSC
⢠Select stair gates made from sturdy material with secure latch fittings
⢠Make certain that the stair gates are appropriate for the area where they are to be used. Some of these safety stair gates are only appropriate for use at the bottom of a staircase
⢠Choose a mounting system that is easy to install and will work on the walls of your home
Certifications
Having a certification seal from JPMA or CPSC is considered a gold standard for any products designed to be used by children. This certification ensures that parents are choosing an item that has met or exceeded every manufacturing guideline that promotes safety. JPMA is one of the largest groups that monitor whether or not childrenâs products meet the required safety standards. ASTM is the organization that lists all of the safety features and quality standards for products being prepared for market. JPMA is a separate product authority that works with ASTM and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to develop and maintain the highest level of standards and quality for the juvenile marketplace. When you notice the JPMA certification seal of approval you are assured that the product you purchase has been tested both during and after the manufacturing process. JPMA will only approve juvenile products like child stair gates after these items have met the most stringent criteria standards.
Material Strength and Mounting Systems
When choosing safety stair gates parents should always select those that are made from sturdy, dependable material. Cheaper items are readily available and these are constructed from flimsy plastics or cheap wood. These types of safety gates will not hold up under the weight of a determined small child and can result in a serious accident. The mounting systems must also be made from material that will be secure once installed. Hardware consisting of metal mounts is ideal and this type of setting can hold firm against the push and weight of small children who are trying to get through the safety barrier.
A childâs safety is not something to jeopardize with an improperly chosen safety item. You want the best for your children and this means selecting safe and trusted stair gates that will prevent an unfortunate accident. Parents should always choose child gates that are made of high quality material, have a certification seal from JPMA or CPSC, and have a strong, durable mounting system. This will give your home the child friendly safety features that you can trust.
Chris Levy writes about child safety for parents and would like to invite you to visit Stairgatesonline.com for more information on finding safe, affordable stair and safety gates.
Tissot: T-Touch Technology drives all modern industry and Swiss watchmaker Tissot is no exception to the rule. Cell phones, self-checkout lanes and computer have touch screens and Tissot has capitalized on this popular trend to create a watch unlike any other. Tissot T-Touch watches offer specialized features at the fingertips of the wearer. Eight separate functions are available on the sleek touch screen including an altimeter, chronograph, compass, alarm, thermometer, barometer, date and time. Known for its innovation and accuracy, Tissot T-Touch watches deliver up-to-date information with a modern appeal. Available in a variety of collections, there is a fresh T-Touch watch to meet the demands of every wearer.
T-Touch. The standard T-Touch watches come in a variety of colors and combinations. Their unifying feature is in fact the patented touch screen technology and each one includes eight practical and high-quality functions. Whether a polished titanium dial or a unique 18K rose gold finish, the standard range of T-Touch watches are water resistant up to 30 meters.
T-Touch Nascar. Tissot enjoys a unique relationship with Nascar in that it serves as an official timekeeper and produces official watches for the sport. The T-Touch Nascar watch brings the same level of precision that is necessary at the finish line to the wearer?s wrist. It features a bold chronograph accurate up to 1/100th of a second. A variety of bold rubber wrist straps can be matched to any favorite Nascar or other sports team. This timepiece is also available with a titanium or steel bracelet for a sleek, professional look.
T-Touch Trekking. The T-Touch Trekking model brings together a futuristic look and essential tools for survival in the great outdoors. This is a fully functional piece of equipment that compliments the casual outdoorsman or the avid orienteer. Its defining feature is a bold compass around the dial that is easy to read. Other aspects such as the thermometer and barometer prove especially effective in the wild.
T-Touch Expert. Tissot welcomes its newest member in the T-Touch collection with the Expert model. This watch was crafted to bring together the competitive nature of sports and the adventuresome elements of the great outdoors in one package. It is an extra-large piece with a display fit for the biggest of adventures. The T-Touch Expert is a bold companion for mountain climbers, skiers and anything else that takes place under extreme conditions in the outdoors. It has an extra edge in that it is water resistant up to 100 meters.
Only the highest quality materials are used in the manufacture of these fine watches. The stainless steel used in Tissot watches is highly resistant to corrosion and extremely durable. Sapphire crystal is used to protect the watch face. It is extremely hard and can only be scratched or cut with a real diamond. These quality elements make Tissot?s watches a step above the rest.
All Tissot watches come from a rich history of innovation dating back to the year 1853. The organization partners as an official timekeeper of professional ice hockey, fencing and cycling in addition to Nascar. The T-Touch watches are an example of rich tradition coupled with creativity, artistry in design and high-performance all in one.
TheWatchery has a large selection of Tissot Watches at discount prices. http://www.thewatchery.com TheWatchery has a watch blog that is updated daily.
Did you ever wonder about diamonds? Where diamonds come from? What makes a diamond so special? Or how diamonds are formed?
Diamonds are a mineral, a natural crystalline substance, the transparent form of pure carbon or nearly pure carbon. Diamonds have extraordinary qualities. Diamonds have a broad colour range, high refraction, high dispersion of fire, very low reactivity to chemicals, rarity, and of course, extreme hardness and durability. Diamonds are known as the “king of gems” they glitter, dazzle, and symbolize purity and strength.
A diamond is the oldest thing you will ever own, probably 3 billion years in age, fully two thirds the age of the Earth. A diamond is a strategic and high-tech supermaterial for our technological society. Diamond is the birth stone for the month of April.
A diamond is composed of the single element carbon, and it is the arrangement of the C atoms in the lattice that give a diamond its amazing properties. Both diamond and graphite are composed of just carbon. However a diamond is the hardest known material and graphite is one of the softest, this was caused by a rearrangement of the way the atoms are bonded together. Diamond carbon atoms are linked in a regular three-dimensional lattice with a repeating or crystalline pattern.
Diamond belongs to the cubic, or ‘isometric’ crystal system. The most commonly seen crystal structures or arrangements are:
• Octahedron (8 faces)
• Cube (6 faces)
• Dodecahedron (12 faces)
A diamond is the ultimate gemstone, having few weaknesses and many strengths. It is well known that diamonds are the hardest substance found in nature, but few people realize that diamonds are four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral, corundum – sapphires and rubies.
Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle layer from the element carbon, about 180km below the surface, where high temperatures and pressures exist. Some diamonds form at depths of 300-400 kilometres, or even deeper, but these diamonds are particularly rare.
The earths mantel is made up of molten rock, metals and other materials. The temperature is very high at this depth – between 1100 degC and 1400 degC. The high pressures needed to form diamonds are produced by the weight of 180km of rocks pressing down. Besides carbon, there are very small amounts of other substances, such as nitrogen and sulfur that can become trapped in the crystal when it is formed in the mantel. These impurities can give color to the diamond. One of the most rare is pink diamonds.
Natural diamonds are classified by the type and level of impurities found within them.
• Type Ia diamond – Most natural diamonds are of this type, which contain up to 0.3% nitrogen.
• Type Ib diamond – Very rare (~0.1%) in nature, but almost all synthetic (industrial) diamonds are of this type. They contain nitrogen at concentrations of up to 500 ppm.
• Type IIa diamond – Very rare in nature, these diamonds contain so little nitrogen that it can’t be easily detected by the usual IR or UV absorption measurements.
• Type IIb diamond – Extremely rare in nature. These have such a low concentration of nitrogen (even lower than type IIa) that the crystal is a p-type semiconductor (due to uncompensated B acceptor impurities).
Due to its unique internal structure and powers of light reflection, when cut to proper proportions, diamonds gather light within itself and then sends it back in a shower of fire and brilliance. The life of a polished diamond is regarded as the amount of light that is reflected back to the viewer. The term life is also referred to as brilliance. If the diamond is cut with good proportions then the brilliance will be increased. Lustre refers to the surface gloss on a polished diamond. Fire the play of colours that can be seen from the crown of a polished diamond. As light enters the diamond it is refracted and broken up into the colours of the spectrum and reflected back. The resulting rainbow-like colour flashes are called fire.
The hardness of diamond is an important property. As an industrial tool it has many uses and modern industry is highly dependent upon it. As a gemstone, it is resistant to scratching and abrasion, which ensures that a finished gem will retain its brilliance and polish. Because of its hardness and the unique way in which it is manufactured, a diamond polishes very slowly. It forms an unusually flat, finely-polished adamantine surface, with very sharp, straight edges between facets. No other gemstone can quite match this standard of polish.
Diamond has the highest coefficient of thermal conductivity of any known substance because the closely-packed crystal structure conducts heat very quickly. The thermal conductivity of diamond is five times higher than that of copper. This explains why a diamond feels cold to the touch when first picked up but quickly becomes warm from the heat of your fingers.
Only about one-fifth of all mined diamonds could be considered of gem quality. From 40 to 250 tons of gravel and sand must be processed today to recover one rough diamond from the world’s thinning diamond deposits. Experts estimate that all known supplies of diamonds will be depleted within 30 to 40 years. 75 - 80% of all diamonds mined are used for industrial applications such as drilling, grinding, or sawing. The remainder are used for jewellery or investment. Less than 2% of the diamonds mined are of such high quality that they may be considered investment quality.
On average, 250 tons of ore must be mined and processed to produce a one carat diamond of gem quality. When the mining operation is completed, sorters look at rough diamonds, separating them into small piles by shape, size, and quality, a long and laborious process.
The earliest examples of diamonds in human hands were found 3,000 years ago, in India. There, diamonds were used primarily as talismans to ward off evil and protect the wearer in battle. Diamonds were also used by the early Chinese, Greeks, and Romans as an engraving tool. While there was some mystique surrounding diamonds because they were so rare and difficult to obtain-many early cultures believed they had magical properties
The word diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas” meaning unconquerable, in reference to the eternity of love. In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, thus, starting the tradition of diamond engagement rings. The reason a woman wears an engagement ring on her third finger of her left hand dates back to the Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of that finger.
Many of the rarest diamonds occur by rare accidents of nature in shades of pink, blue, green, amber, or even red. These diamonds are referred to as Fancy diamonds and are evaluated by a different set of color standards. Fancy diamonds are the most expensive due to their extreme rarity.
Towards the middle of the 20th century, De Beers began using its slogan “a diamond is forever” in its advertising. Their campaign was so successful that today, diamonds are strongly associated with engagement rings and eternal love.
It is the only gem mineral composed of a single element making it the purest of earth’s gemstones. Therefore it is fitting that the purest and most brilliant of all the world’s gemstones make the diamond engagement ring the perfect symbol of eternal love.
You may copy this article about diamonds and place it on your own website, as long as you do not change it and include this resource box and the live links
Australia’s Leading Wholesaler of Excellent Cut Diamonds and Certified Diamonds
Diamond Imports is one of Australia’s largest importers of loose diamonds specialising in excellent and ideal cut diamonds, certified diamonds, wholesale diamonds and diamond engagement rings.
When was the last time you bought a fish oil supplement and were disappointed with its lack of results? It’s all too frequent for most of the people who take fish oil. Due to the lack of regulation in this field, there are a lot of sub standard oils out there. So how does one find the best fish oil supplements? Let’s find out now.
The best fish oil supplements There are just a few things you need to check to find the best supplement. Here they are: 1) Check the fish from which the oil is derived. Is it naturally rich in DHA Omega 3 fats? DHA is the most beneficial component of the oil, so we want more of it in our supplement. The Hoki fish from New Zealand is one such fish. 2) Where was the fish caught from for making the oil? Fish from polluted water will contain a lot of those contaminants itself. Look for fish from clean water, like the southern coast of New Zealand. 3) Is the fish fresh? This is only possible if the supplement production facility is near to the place from where the fish is sourced. This will ensure that only fresh oil goes in into the supplements. 4) Check if the oil has been thoroughly refined. Even fish from clean water can contain natural impurities. Molecular distillation removes most of these impurities. This is an expensive and complex process, and most of the companies do not use it for this reason only. Make sure your supplement has undergone this rigorous refining technique. 5) Does the oil contain more DHA than EPA? Traditionally, EPA has been the dominant ingredient in fish oils. Latest research has uncovered, however, that it is DHA that provides most of the benefits we get from fish oil. Also, the human body can convert DHA into EPA easily, but the reverse is not possible. That’s why the best fish oil supplements will contain DHA predominantly and EPA in lesser quantity. 6) Is the supplement delivered in an enteric coating? Contrary to other nutritional supplements, an enteric coating is not needed in fish oil. The oil can easily be released into our stomach without any problem in absorbing it. In fact, some companies use an enteric coating to hide the fact that their oil is not fresh.
Now that you know this you can find the best fish oil supplements easily. Just go out there and do a little research.
Visit my website today to learn more about cod fish oil and other fish oil supplements I’ve discovered that I’d like to share with you.
Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website – Omega3Information. To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit – http://www.omega3information.com
Christmas Light Source Offers Tool to Help Christmas Decorators Manage the Lights on Their Trees
It is an age old question.It has kept many a man up at night,pencil in hand,scribbling figures and measurements endlessly on ream after ream of paper.Still it perplexes even the most astute scholar of mathematics:How many lights should I put on my tree?When decorating indoor and outdoor trees for the holiday season,just how many lights should be used?The Christmas Light Source has found a solution to the problem.No more sleepless nights,no more endless formulas to compute.No,all you have to do is visit their website to see the Christmas Lights Calculator and answer a couple of questions to find out pretty much instantly how many lights you should put on your tree. While not everyone decorates their tree the same way,this tool is a good place to start.Individual taste usually dictates how many lights a tree should have.What is simple to one person may be extravagant to another.There are not hard fast rules,but there are some standards that can work as guidelines for designing the perfect tree.The tool calculates the size of the tree and the type of lights that the person intends to use.It then recommends how many lights should be used,but they can do more or less,depending on personal taste.The calculator is intended for trees that have kept their leaves.In the case of a tree that has lost its leaves,Christmas Light Source recommends using up to half of that number of lights.For indoor trees,they suggest adding 30% to the highest recommended amount of lights if you like your Christmas tree lighting to be over the top.It should also be noted that the tool is trees. “We had so many people calling in asking for advice,”says Shellie Gardner,co-owner of Christmas Light Source.”So we thought we’d create this tool to give them an easy way to see what changing the sets of lights would do for the quantity that would be required.”And it is certainly doing its job.Along with pithy but fun comments returned to users,the little tool keeps with the lightheartedness and humor that is prevalent throughout the Christmas Light Source website.They have managed to solve yet another holiday dilemma with a creative,effective,user friendly tool.Now,if they could only solve the fruitcake issue… Christmas Light Source is a one stop shopping source for Christmas lighting needs.From hardware to lights and everything in between,Christmas Light Source has everything for holiday lighting decor as well as tips,tricks and do it yourself projects.For more information,visit their website at christmas-light-source.com
A few years ago 5.1 surround sound DVD video players looked likely to become standard kit in every living room in the technology friendly world.
So now a few years on, what has happened to the original promise of surround sound music? Well the answer to that is ‘lots, but not nearly enough.’
For those that don’t know already, 5.1 surround sound is basically five speakers and a sub-woofer placed around your room allowing you to listen to music or a movie soundtrack literally surrounded by speakers. The film industry pioneered it for theatres and it then became available as a DVD player add-on for home entertainment systems.
Now at least 100,000,000 people world-wide own systems, which can and should be used for all manner of surround sound music DVDs.
I hear you say, ‘but surround sound music on DVD hasn’t really caught on. All that wire in my living room’.
Even though the consumer can buy a DVD player and surround speaker system cheaply enough, surround sound music hasn’t really caught fire yet. Why?
There are reasons why we should all remain confident that surround sound music will become more popular, but at the moment it’s still an infant child.
The amount of different DVD and surround sound formats is confusing and can be offputting.
The consumer desperately wants an end to the confusing compatibility war between different surround sound formats.
Many music artists would start producing DVDs if it wasn’t so complex, just as there are many consumers that would purchase a surround sound DVD system for the same reason. They should be able to buy a DVD player and play any product claiming to play DVDs.
Consumer surround sound formats currently include sound on video DVDs encoded as Dolby 5.1 surround sound or DTS; the competing DVD-Audio (DVD-A) and Super Audio CD (SACD) formats and MP3 Surround.
There are 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 systems, four speaker systems, even one speaker systems and ‘simulated surround sound systems.’ Phew! See what I mean?
They all have their uses, but the I feel the music business would be wise to embrace one format. Every time the consumer buys a surround sound music product they have to research whether it will be compatible to their particular system.
The good news here is that slowly, but surely things are improving. As long as there is no ‘new’ new format to rock the boat, the problem of incompatibility could become a thing of the past.
There are many great web sites to visit which do explain (in as much detail as you could possibly imagine) all the different formats and help you decide what to buy.
How about all that wire in my living room though?
There are wireless speaker systems available, but the cheaper ones are for mainly rear-channel wireless amplification. This doesn’t quite get rid of all the wires and limits people who have odd shaped rooms. But they are better than nothing.
It would be great for a ‘let’s make it fun revolution’ to occur with surround sound, like the iPod. Small wireless speakers one could place anywhere. The recommended configuration would still be in a circle, but you’d have a license to have fun by placing them in different locations.
Certain types of music would not really benefit from this unconventional approach, but other types mixed specially for surround sound might not suffer that much and it would release the consumer from the pressure to set their systems up in a way that would please an audio engineer or DVD manufacturer.
Not enough of an improvement on CDs and overall lack of interesting music DVD products.
The amount of compression used for music on DVD video is far greater than CDs. So stereo music on CD is generally of a higher quality than stereo music on DVD. However, add the extra speakers and a properly mixed 5.1 surround sound piece of music and all of a sudden the playback bit ratio seems much less important.
‘What is’ you ask, ‘a properly mixed 5.1 piece of music?’
Recreating real space is what seems to interest some surround sound pioneers. The chance to paint a more precise musical picture by placing you the listener deeper inside a musical ensemble or concert venue.
This approach has got its merits, but it’s reliant on people having their speakers in precise locations, and that they will sit dead centre amongst them. Pluses can turn to minuses at this point. If you don’t have a perfectly set up system it might just sound weird, especially if you are used to the stereo CD mix from the same artist.
Apart from all the technical considerations, I consider a great 5.1mix a strong alternative to the stereo mix. Let’s say the artist already has their stereo mix. Why not make the surround mix something that really explores that extra space and is different from the stereo mix.
Give the consumer a choice of two distinctly different sounding mixes. This might inspire more people to make the effort to set up those surround speakers which are still sitting unused in the attic.
Currently it is almost mandatory to include some type of visual content on a DVD.
In a way, it’s a shame that ‘audio only’ DVDs haven’t caught on…yet.
Depending on the level of production the artist is looking to reach, it can be both very expensive and time consuming producing enough visual material to accompany all the music for a competitive DVD release.
Most musicians have a hard enough time producing their music let alone having to produce hour’s worth of videos as well. So you could say that the need for visual content (as exciting as it can be) is holding back the growth surround sound music.
Live concerts are the most successful type of music DVDs, mainly because they are relatively cheap to produce.
For ‘audio only’ DVDs to catch on, consumer expectation will have to be ‘re-trained’ to expect what they might consider as less. I feel that the days of distributing film or music products on any type of disk is going to disappear fast.
What does the future looks like for surround sound?
The real turning point will come when the Internet becomes surround sound friendly. A new MP3 surround streaming module has just been announced that allows manufacturers to build web radios featuring true 5.1 surround sound.
Many people surf the Internet sitting at their desk, listening to music for hours at a time. Soon they will be able to surf and listen in surround sound. Small near-field computer monitors would work perfectly.(especially wireless ones).
It’s inevitable that 5.1 radio and TV broadcasts will soon become the norm. Even without the music business, embracing surround sound as anything more than a small niche, the amount of people with a 5.1 system is steadily increasing.
At this point, surround sound music becomes a viable ‘audio only’ product. If the surround sound community can simplify the production process even more allowing the average project studio to easily create surround sound content, we should all benefit.
I predict there will be a tipping point where all of a sudden the ‘need’ for surround sound music will exceed the amount of available products.
Live surround sound music can be amazing. I went to Berlin and mixed a gig by the experimental Electronic band ‘Warren Suicide’. Instruments and vocals flying around the room in surround sound mayhem. It was great, and opened my eyes to what I hope is ‘the future’ for certain styles of music.
Dance music is an area I really hope starts to explore surround sound. The drum/synth based repetition is perfect fodder to trigger a quantum leap in 5.1 music production. All the technology is now available to present surround sound mixes in smaller clubs or ‘surround rooms’ in larger clubs.
I have to quickly point out that the 1 in 5.1 stands for sub-woofer (a dedicated speaker designed to carry just low frequencies). This on its own is a major step forward for dance music fans.
DJ producers in particular can take control of the ‘low end’ of their tracks and shake the furniture more than ever before. Because one doesn’t have to squeeze all that low end into the same speakers as everything else it allows for a more overall dynamic mix.
Music mixed in 5.1 surround sound gives us the opportunity to produce and listen to music in a completely new way.
Both as a composer and as a engineer, I personally feel liberated, set free from the confines of stereo. In this case more really is better. The extra speakers/channels give you more ‘room’ to put your music.
My hope is for ‘audio only’ surround sound music to take off. Music is, after all, the world of the invisible – it seems a shame to connect it at the hip to pictures. Your mind processes visual images first, then sound. So pictures can distract people who might listen more carefully without them.
There is room for both music videos and surround sound music without the videos.
‘What kind of gear do you need to start mixing in surround sound?’:
a) A reasonably fast computer
b) Music software package that supports 5.1 mixing (Logic Audio, Pro-Tools etc.)
c) Minimum 8 channel audio interface (Motu, Digidesign )
d) Five matched self powered speakers, and a sub-woofer
Mixing In Surround Sound:
When I first started mixing something in surround sound, I went out and purchased three sets of Sony Mega Bass self powered computer speakers. After connecting them directly to my audio interface outputs, I then assigned the surround sound out-puts in Logic Audio. I opened a song I was working on and spread the instruments out around the channels and hit play… Wow! The five mini speakers sounded great. Mixing in a tiny bit of subs from my Genelec sub-woofer, it sounded even better.
I know… I can hear engineers crying out.. ‘But what about…?’ Well, it’s unconventional but as a starting point this system does work. Now I own a full set of Genelecs, but I still use this approach.
The normal way to mix in surround sound is to have a matched system where the sub-woofer is driven from the speakers. A roll-off decides that everything below a certain frequency is sent on to the sub-woofer. I favour rooting the signal directly to the sub-woofer from a send on either my main out-put fadder’s or occasionally individual instrument fadder’s. This way I can choose which instruments to place in the sub-woofer and which not to.
I say to music mixers; ‘Approach the surround mix with a fresh concept, understanding that it can reflect a different side of the song/composition.’
I don’t recommend the approach of mixing both the stereo and surround mixes at the same time. It seems that one or the other will be compromised. You’re still ‘thinking in stereo’.
The effects needed and levels will be different in a surround mix. I find I use less processing overall especially compression, again it comes down to having more space to place the instruments.
So start fresh without any of your stereo effects haunting you. It’s one of those things that will save you time in the end, plus you will probably mix more creatively.
After a little guess work and experimentation I managed to figure out the right level to print my mixes. Again the sub-woofer channel was tricky, but after burning a few trial DVDs trying different levels I got the hang of it.
I played some mixes I had done in my studio at Real World and Metropolis Studios and they sounded right. It shows you can produce your own surround sound music at a reasonable cost, even in a project studio.
There are hours worth of surround sound production tutorials available from all the major music software companies. Just visit your software makers web site to get started.
Of course the absolutely best way to mix music in surround sound is to go to a top recording studio. If you’re just starting out with surround sound, mix a track with the guidance of a highly trained professional engineer, who has experience with surround sound mixing.
There are great audio engineers who would (for a smallish fee) come to your project studio and ‘consult’ with you on the technical elements of your mix.
If you are producing a DVD for commercial release, it’s still best to get your project professionally mastered. Any decent music mastering facility can (to a point) rebalance your surround mix, so if you are a little heavy or light on the subs they can deal with it then.
Tips on ways to create your own visual content:
The quality you want to achieve is normally connected to the expectations of your audience.
With enough time and energy you can make videos using a consumer DV camera and Final Cut Pro (or PC equivalent). DV cameras are generally just not quite good enough for any ‘serious filming’, but if used creatively for certain situations it’s possible to pull it off. HD camera’s are much higher quality but still do cost a lot more to buy.
Live concerts and gigs can work well though. If you are doing a gig, ask around all the people you know and see how many DV cameras you could borrow. If you have four cameras set up around the club, one camera to roam around and some decent lighting on stage, you’re in business. Make sure the people operating the fixed cameras don’t mess around during the filming. No zooming and out or trying to track the movements on stage. Perfectly still videos are much better to edit. Then in your film editing software, you can cut between different angles and add zooms, even simulate camera movement.
There’s no guarantee, but if the actual performance is strong enough, some of the production values will be overlooked.
Done well enough, you can produce a DVD using still images, like a slide show – again a good film editing program allows you to animate still photos way beyond what one might think is possible.
There are some fantastic animation programs like Bryce 3D, and Cinema 4D that are worth looking into. Start producing convincing 3D text an logos.
Warren Suicide are a great ad-sample of a band who are embracing the audio – visual age. Their DVD was produced by them, and although they worked really hard on it, the finished DVD was not expensive to make, but is just as imaginative and entertaining as any big budget music DVD I’ve seen.
How do I get my mix on to a DVD?:
There are, as you can imagine, quite a few ways available.
The huge majority of DVD players in circulation use the DVD video format. So I recommend choosing Dolby 5.1 or DTS encoding, don’t worry too much about all the others. DTS sounds just as good to me, but I found more options were available with Dolby 5.1.
All you really need is Final Cut Pro and DVD studio Pro or the PC equivalents. DVD Studio Pro comes with a audio compression program called Apac. Apac allows you to compress your six channel mix into a single 5.1 file, ready to place on a DVD.
These programs are not cheap, but they are worth every penny if you’re considering commercially releasing your DVD. Between them you can edit and effect your video footage/audio content, add text, export the outcome in a format which is ready to be authored and finally burned on to a DVD. WOW! All in you back room – not bad.
Merv de Peyer is the Son of virtuoso Clarinettist Gervase de Peyer. He is a holder of a degree in Performance and Composition from the prestigious Berklee College Of Music.
After graduating Merv moved to New York to pursue a career as a jazz pianist, and studio musician.
Through his career he has consistently worked with entertainment’s largest names including: Miles Davis, Pharaoh Sanders, Eddie Murphy and Bernard Perdie.
He recorded then toured Cameo’s multi platinum album “Word Up”. And was recently commissioned to Compose, Score (for full orchestra), and Mix (in surround sound) the sound track to the world’s first 360-degree movie currently showing in Germany.
An accomplished producer and studio musician he has more than 100 major label records to his credit, ranging from working with artists like the Bernard Sumner, Johnny Marr super group Electronic, to mixing Mi Chico Latino, the first Geri Halliwell single to reach number.
For more info go to www.mervdepeyer.com
Heritage Fireplace Shop Heritage Fireplaces Doncaster Make Heritage Fireplace shop in Doncaster your first choice when you decide to give your room a lick of paint, and then you begin to hanker after some new furniture. Yet if you are looking to breath some new life into your home, there is no better way to totally transform a room than with a new fireplace. It provide a focal point and sets the style for the rest of the room. For brilliant innovative ideas, a visit to Heritage Fireplace Showroom in Doncaster, Doncasters premier fireplace specialists is a must. Heritage fireplace showroom is a family run business which has been in business in Doncaster since 1989. Over the years Heritage Fireplace Showrooms have installed many fireplaces and surrounds in Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and Sheffield. Because our showroom has two floors of fires with over fifty fires to choose from in all styles from Wall Mounted Fire, Inset Fires, Traditional Fires, Contemporary Fires in Gas Fire ranges and Electric Fire Ranges. We also stock Flueless Fires. We stock fires from house hold names like Magiglo, Valour , FEF and Verine. Some of our customers have traveled long distances because of our choice and service is the best in South Yorkshire and neighbouring counties. We stock a hugh range of Fire Surrounds from Elgin and Hall, Montepellier, Aquisition of London, Gavin Scott and Farmington, all in different styles and finishes from Marble Surrounds, Stone Surrounds and Wood Surrounds … Video Rating: 5 / 5
High voltage switching is something that is required on a regular basis across different industries. However, it is of the utmost importance that high voltage switching is only carried out by personnel that have the necessary experience and qualifications to do so. Additionally, the personnel that engage in high voltage switching need to be certified on a regular basis.
This means that anyone who engages in high voltage switching or any other related activities needs to partake in regular training sessions and update their knowledge with regards to the latest safety norms and procedures, as well as any other legal obligations and requirements. High voltage switching is a complex activity and, as such, it is totally illegal to have an unqualified person attempt to engage in the process themselves or even be involved in it for that matter.
Power Supply Services & Electrical Training is one of Australia’s most respected names in the field of training and services related to the electrical supply industry. The industries that are serviced by Power Supply Services & Training include, but are not limited to, mining and heavy and light industries, as well as oil, gas and chemical industries.
Power Supply Services & Training has been around for over a decade and the collective experience of the professionals that work in this firm is simply unimaginable. For more information about the products and services offered by Power Supply Services & Training, as well as other information, such as the contact details of the organisation, please visit the company website at http://www.powertraining.com.au.
Martin Boyd has been working in the power supply industry for the past 12 years and has worked with some of the leaders in the field. He brings his vast knowledge and experience into play while writing his articles.
Single Beds for Adults, a Guide to Finding the Right Bed
With new homes getting smaller & smaller single beds are becoming more & more popular. Not just for children, single beds are used as spare beds for overnight guests, or as twin beds by married couples wanting a better nights sleep, or even as the main bed in a studio flat or the small bedroom of a shared flat. So, what are the available options? High street shops have limited choice, for a better selection it might be pay to have a look on the internet.
Single beds come in 3 sizes, a child’s bed size, 80cm x 190cm, a UK single bed size of 90cm x 190cm or a European single size which is 90cm x 200cm. All sizes are easy to buy mattresses for, & bed linen for European singles can be found at Ikea, Habitat & online. Until fairly recently single beds for adults were usually the divan bed style, but now other styles are becoming more common, especially online.
Bed frames in metal or wood with a slatted beech base can be an inexpensive, easily available choice & have the advantage of having room underneath to store boxes etc, unlike divan beds. Traditional Pine & white painted wood are always popular as they will fit in with most colour schemes.
Bed frames in metal fit into two categories, traditional or modern. Traditional bed frames in black or white painted iron (either antique or new) with crisp white bed linen can make a beautiful design statement, & the antique French or English ones can be pricey & upmarket enough for even the most discerning buyer. Modern metal beds are a different story, however. They are usually cheap to make, not particularly well designed. The very plain ones are good if you are after a masculine look, on a budget, but some of the supposed ‘designer’ metal beds can look anything but designer.
New(ish) in the UK market is the single storage bed, which has a lift up slatted mattress base (usually with a hydraulic gas lift) & sealed storage inside the entire bed base. These are a great idea, after all if there isn’t enough space for a double bed then extra storage is always going to be welcome. Some UK manufacturers make divan storage beds, which are good value, however if you are looking for something more distinctive there are plenty of other styles from Italy.
Not normally found on the high street, Italian beds are starting to really gain market share despite being more expensive than most of the usual single beds for sale, as there is an extensive choices of styles, materials & colours, with that reknowned quality & Italian design. For those willing to pay for something a little better these can be an excellent option.
Italian single beds are good for tall people too, at 200cm long they are 10cm longer than UK single beds. Mattresses are easy enough to buy & that extra 10cm length should be enough for even the tallest adult.
Great extras, like guest beds hidden in the base are popular too. The hidden beds have a good mattress, with a spring base & are comfortable enough to be used by adults – although using the second bed every day is probably not advisable. The second bed is accessed by lifting up the side of the main bed & pulling the spare bed out, then sliding the frame so the bed is the correct height.
Some single beds can also be ordered to look more like a sofa than a bed, with a back & two sides instead of just a headboard at one end. Choosing a bed like this allows you to have it in a sitting room, hall or study as to most people it just looks like a sofa, especially with matching mattress cover & some scatter cushions or a bolster at each end.
As you can see, there is plenty of choice, but to find some of these beds you will need to get busy online. Whether you want to buy a single bed for guests or for yourself take time to choose the right bed as these days there is no excuse for not getting a bed.
