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#510081 12/16/18 08:02 AM
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Some of you know this some probably don't. I drive a fair amount for work. I actually really enjoy it because it gives me a lot of time to listen, analyze, and just really appreciate different approaches to music.

I love radio ready production as well as stripped down, just starting out artists...and everything in between.

Where I feel guilty is, I REALLY enjoy a lot of the music this forum is creating. However, as I stated, I am driving as I hear it. I am totally against texting/messaging/distracted driving; so I don't comment at the time of the listening.

Compound that with the number of songs I listen to both from here and other sources and I honestly don't remember what I would comment; so I either don't post or go with the generic "Great song. Keep it up."

Does anyone have any suggestions for a quick, easy, and not distracting way (driving) to maybe do a little better on my part.

I considered recording my comments into my phone, but it takes me out soundcloud, or whatever app...and becomes a distraction again.

I feel guilty enjoying and not showing appreciation. I want to change that for 2019.

Thanks for any suggestions. Ya'll deserve some praise! smile

**Also, I many times will use speech to text if I have to, and it's FAR from perfect. I don't edit, because, again it would be a distraction. So if you ever receive an oddly worded message or post from me, you now know why smile

Last edited by HearToLearn; 12/16/18 08:06 AM.

Chad (Hope that makes it easier)

TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
HearToLearn #510096 12/16/18 08:56 AM
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You might try a Tascam DR-05:
https://www.amazon.com/Tascam-Portable-Handheld-Recorder-accessory/dp/B01GGPG7J0/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1544986252&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=tascam+dr+05&psc=1

Mount it within easy reach, set up to record MP3, place it on standby and after you hear a song press the record button, state the song and your comments, press the record button again to return to standby then repeat the process after each song.

You should be able to mount it with most mounting devices for phones.

Although not a perfect setup but just pressing one button is not very distracting, i.e. much like changing a radio station with a push button radio.


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HearToLearn #510122 12/16/18 10:32 AM
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For what you're wanting to do, Mario is on the right track. But since your goal is to record your thoughts for posting, you don't need to go to the expense of a recorder in the Zoom or Tascam quality field recorder.

A $29 Olympus voice recorder will do fine and most record continuously for 5-24 hours at different bit rates of MP3 to uncompressed WAV. Most have three different mic sensitivity levels and all are one button start/stop. You can get an external clip on mic for less than $10 and place it on your sun visor, turn on the recorder and record throughout the length of your trip. If you use the voice activation mode, simply listen to a song with the volume set a low enough value to not activated the recorder at the lowest recorder mic sensitivity, which is easy to do when using a clip on mic. The recorder is always standing by in record mode and will only activate and record when you speak. This will eliminate the dead time between your comments as you listen to the music. It will activate to road rage shouts so some degree of care will be necessary with your language. Best of all these units work marvously with all the voice to text software.

Last edited by Charlie Fogle; 12/16/18 10:34 AM.

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HearToLearn #510132 12/16/18 11:24 AM
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Well if it were me (and "me" includes the tech I use) I would simply tell Siri to create an Apple Note and dictate my comments. I've been using Siri so long she could nail me reading the Gettysburg Address. smile I would later cut and paste from Notes to the appropriate post.

Bud (A 73 year old who is on the veritable cusp of technology...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...yeah)


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HearToLearn #510150 12/16/18 12:26 PM
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I tap the red button on my watch.


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HearToLearn #510209 12/16/18 02:47 PM
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I have two Olympus DVRs and they are excellent recorders. The stereo separation is phenomenal considering that the mics are only an inch apart. The default record mode is .wma but easily switchable to .mp3/.wav/.ogg/etc. It records about 120 hours on 1 AAA battery.

Last edited by Don Gaynor; 12/18/18 04:37 PM.
HearToLearn #510310 12/17/18 03:11 AM
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Wow, great ideas! I will have to check into some of the recorders. I had no idea they were so inexpensive now!

Bud-I'm on android, which I tried their "hey google" then "take a note" it did...but...I have NO idea where it went to! LOL I'll keep messing with it. NOT while I'm driving of course. I'll also have to see how much this interrupts song flow. Great suggestion.

Matt, I pushed the red button on my watch and now there is some countdown to the end of the world show. I have a little over 3 minutes to cancel it. Any ideas how how to do that. I need an answer sort of fast...lol;)


Chad (Hope that makes it easier)

TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
HearToLearn #510406 12/17/18 10:09 AM
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another thought:

ditch the guilt. Guilt accomplishes little more than to steal your joy.

If the people who post songs here were all needy types who might get depressed if they didn't get affirmation, then maybe there would be a solid reason for making sure everybody did their part to offer a bit of comfort. But...

I don't think the people who post songs here are needy and looking for a praise fix... so not dispensing the dopamine shouldn't be construed as an offense.

But, even if we assume that people ARE looking for praise: there is no contract stating that once they upload their song, anybody at all is required to comment on it.

What is uploaded freely is yours to enjoy freely.

And comparing the potential consequences of distracting yourself while driving to the potential consequences of not commenting on a song... I don't see them as being at parity of risk. Maybe err on the side of driving safety and limit comments to those times when you are listening at home?



standard disclaimer:
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HearToLearn #510417 12/17/18 10:44 AM
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HTL,

You are more than welcome to have one of my Olympi. I'll never get back to needing two. Just PM me with your shipping address.

The technology has changed a lot since I got them. The newer models are Bluetooth, these are USB Ported via a bayonet connection.

What goes around ... Matt sent me a vertical mouse with his generosity. It's my turn!

"Inexpensive", not. I paid 100 Bux each!

When I was commuting to work in Seattle, nearly an hour each way, I would record snippets of songs/ideas so I wouldn't forget before I got seated at my DAW.

Pat Marr #510569 12/17/18 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pat Marr
another thought:

ditch the guilt. Guilt accomplishes little more than to steal your joy.

If the people who post songs here were all needy types who might get depressed if they didn't get affirmation, then maybe there would be a solid reason for making sure everybody did their part to offer a bit of comfort. But...

I don't think the people who post songs here are needy and looking for a praise fix... so not dispensing the dopamine shouldn't be construed as an offense.

But, even if we assume that people ARE looking for praise: there is no contract stating that once they upload their song, anybody at all is required to comment on it.

What is uploaded freely is yours to enjoy freely.

And comparing the potential consequences of distracting yourself while driving to the potential consequences of not commenting on a song... I don't see them as being at parity of risk. Maybe err on the side of driving safety and limit comments to those times when you are listening at home?



standard disclaimer:
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All of the above is right on, particularly the distracted driving bit. Just enjoy.

Matt Finley #510609 12/18/18 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
I tap the red button on my watch.

Isn't that supposed to be used for: "Dick Tracy calling Joe Jitsui"?

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HearToLearn #510624 12/18/18 03:33 AM
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Pat, that has been my approach overall for a while. The problem came in with, when I would sit at my computer, I wouldn't remember the specifics of what I would want to say...so I would head to the "Off Topic" section and pretty much only comment there. Bad idea!

I totally get what you are saying. I guess it's sometimes rare to be able to hear someone's music, enjoy it, have the opportunity to thank them for the experience, and not take the opportunity. It felt selfish. That's on me though. It's not like when I don't comment for extended periods of time anyone is sending me a PM saying "hey man, you haven't comment on my song or anything else in a while. What's up?" Maybe it's time to let that guilty feeling go. It's how I'm wired; but maybe it's time for a rewiring. lol

Don, what an amazingly thoughtful offer. Thank you for that! My fear would be the second you put postage on it and sent it; yours would break! lol Redundancy can be a great thing in such situations. Thank you again for the offer though. I'm stunned and amazed by it.

Again, for the record, I would NEVER allow for distracted driving. I get we all have it to a slight extent; but I'm very much against it. I drive too much and see too many instances of people thinking they are driving fine. They are certainly not! There is just of it. I also believe in leading by example to my kids.


Chad (Hope that makes it easier)

TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
HearToLearn #510691 12/18/18 07:43 AM
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Quote:
Don, what an amazingly thoughtful offer. Thank you for that! My fear would be the second you put postage on it and sent it; yours would break! lol Redundancy can be a great thing in such situations. Thank you again for the offer though. I'm stunned and amazed by it.


HTL,

No, they are amazingly rugged and solid, unlike some of the competitive models which are mostly plastic.

This is the current equivalent model:

https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-VN721PC-Digital-Voice-Recorder/dp/B00YQPAAV4/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1545154621&sr=8-18&keywords=digital+voice+recorder+olympus

They are built like a tank for professional use.

HearToLearn #510844 12/18/18 06:53 PM
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I guess my point is the car is not somewhere to be thinking deeply about making particular comments on someone's song.

If your kids are in the car, it's probably a better example to them to take the time to pay attention to them, not to the recordist of a song.

Now, if you take the time to explain what you find interesting or enjoyable about someone's song to your kids while you are driving, that's worth tons more than the comment back to the poster of the song. You might end up with a reliable drummer and bass player in your future!

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