Many find Alcorn McBride deficient in so many respects, except as
typical boiler-plate and boring technology. That's why we spent the
bucks and developed our own specifically designed for audio and other
media delivery in public spaces. Instead of devil, we got angels to
work with, and don't much hang out with devils any more. A waste of
time and leaves you hungry in the end.
Bernie Krause
Wild Sanctuary, Inc.
P. O. Box 536
Glen Ellen, California 95442-0536
Tel: (707) 996-6677
Fax: (707) 996-0280
http://www.wildsanctuary.com
>Hmmm.I wouldn't sign on as an unabashed fan of Alcorn McBride, either.
>Many's the late night I've cursed them. In my experience with their
>stuff, I've run into problems, discrepancies, unimplemented features,
>etc. They have, though, with few exceptions, been pretty responsive to
>issues. While I'm always on the lookout for other vendors, I keep using
>their stuff, partially based on "better the devil you know.", partially
>because I haven't found replacements I trust for hard continuous daily
>use.
>
>
>
>As for the 8Traxx, I've never had one overheat. I have had them stop
>responding, freeze up. The upshot is that Alcorn's mp3 player seems
>pickier about the format of the mp3 files than most, and it seems
>related to the software used to make the mp3. I haven't had problems
>with mp3's made in Cool Edit or Wavelab. I have had problems with files
>that came from other designers. Converting to wav and back to mp3 in
>Cool Edit or Wavelab seems to have fixed the problem. What I like about
>the 8Traxx is that it avoids moving media (unless you use a
>microdrive!).
>
>
>
>Nope, you can't do synch groups with the 8Traxx. In the Alcorn world
>that would take a Binloop (named for the old pool-table-sized multitrack
>audio tape loop bins that used to do the same job at Disney parks years
>ago), or other vendor's stuff. At client request, I'm going to be using
>Richmond Audio Boxes in an upcoming museum install. Hard drive based.
>I know of attractions that use them, but I've never used one myself.
>Stay tuned.
>
>
>
>Scott
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Rich Peet
>Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 6:46 AM
>To:
>Subject: [Nature Recordists] Re: Pronghorn display ? (was Stereo like
>sound)
>
>
>
>I am not a fan of alcorn. specifically the 8traxx flash chip player.
>The machine is unreliable which is strange for a flash chip player.
>Channels just drop out over time and the machine overheats easy.
>Channels on the 8traxx machine can not be synched for stereo or 8
>channel play.
>
>I think with dvd player or buy your own mp3 players and anyone would
>be miles ahead.
>
>Can you tell I still have not cooled down over how this pro line
>product performs like junk.
>
>Rich Peet
>
>
>--- In "Scott Shepard"
><> wrote:
>> David,
>>
>>
>>
>> I've been using Alcorn McBride (www.alcorn.com
><http://www.alcorn.com/>
>> ) stuff for museums and theme parks for a while. They have a single
>> unit stereo mp3 player and another model with eight independent mp3
>> players in one box. The mp3 files are stored on compact flash
>which can
>> be burned from your computer. They're set up to accept external
>> switches for triggers or serial commands via rs232. Depending on
>how
>> interactive you plan on getting, they have some show control toys as
>> well.
>>
>>
>>
>> I've looked at the Stop and Listen stuff but never used it. My
>greatest
>> objection to those and other products (like the Roland message
>repeaters
>> which, god help me, power the Indiana Jones ride in Tokyo.not my
>> idea!!!) is that you store your sound by recording analog audio
>into the
>> device, or one just like it. I prefer to have more control over
>the
>> digital media, and to be able to burn it offsite and offline from a
>> computer.
>>
>>
>>
>> Scott Shepard
>>
>> Kuma Sonics
>>
>> +1.310.399.6515
>>
>>
>>
> > www.kumasonics.com <http://www.kumasonics.com/>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Kuhn
>> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 11:27 AM
>> To:
>> Subject: [Nature Recordists] Re: Pronghorn display ? (was Stereo
>like
>> sound)
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim, what is a "Pronghorn display"? I'm looking to develop an
>> interactive stereo sound system in our local museum (Koke'e Museum
>on
>> Kaua'i) and several other museums in Hawaii, using my stereo
>> recordings. So far I've only found an outfit called Stop and
>Listen,
>> but their interactive electronics are only mono. I'm figuring I'll
>> probably have to start from scratch.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> David
>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>> David Kuhn
>> Terran Tours
>> Koke'e, Kaua'i, Hawaii
>>
>>
>> 808 335 0398
>> Mail to PO Box 1018,
>> Waimea 96796
>> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>
>> --- In "Jim Morgan"
><>
>> wrote:
>> > I have just finished a trial CD for the Buenos Aires National
>> Wildlife Refuge
>http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/arizona/buenosaires/
>> located in SE Arizona (USA) that contains a variety of their local
>> birds vocalizing in what sounds like stereo.
>> >
>> > This was done by pasting a series of monaural recordings into
>dual
>> channel recording, using Cool Edit 2000. The individual recordings
>> are easily edited providing almost unlimited flexibility. It works
>> like a charm, don't know why I never thought of doing this before,
>> it's so simple.
>> >
>> > This cd will be used in a Pronghorn display with the speakers
>> concealed in each corner of the display; they will be about 20 feet
>> apart.
>> >
>> > Jim Morgan
>> > Prescott, AZ
>> >
>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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