Copper


Issue 54

Issue 54

Issue 54

Issue 54
Happy St. Pat's!

Happy St. Pat's!

Welcome to Copper #54! Beannachtai Na Feile Padraig Oraibh! ---which is allegedly, "St. Patrick's Day Blessing Upon You!" in Gaelic. My middle name's Moore, and I am of Irish heritage, but I can't...

Happy St. Pat's!

Issue 54Opening Salvo

Welcome to Copper #54! Beannachtai Na Feile Padraig Oraibh! ---which is allegedly, "St. Patrick's Day Blessing Upon You!" in Gaelic. My middle name's Moore, and I am of Irish heritage, but I can't...

Read more

Spotify Files for IPO; Tower Records Founder Dies

Back in Copper #36, we looked at the financial state of Spotify. The short story was that the number of users had grown tremendously over the preceding year, and that trend has continued:...

Spotify Files for IPO; Tower Records Founder Dies

Issue 54INDUSTRY NEWS

Back in Copper #36, we looked at the financial state of Spotify. The short story was that the number of users had grown tremendously over the preceding year, and that trend has continued:...

Unusual Madrigals

“Madrigal” is one of those words that showed up in European music under vague circumstances, then stuck around long enough to change its meaning a few times. Most of us...

Unusual Madrigals

Issue 54SOMETHING OLD / SOMETHING NEW

“Madrigal” is one of those words that showed up in European music under vague circumstances, then stuck around long enough to change its meaning a few times. Most of us...

Roll Over, Beethoven

Roll Over, Beethoven

If you were a professional orchestra conductor – or even a professional orchestra – it would behoove you to take steps wherever appropriate to promote the public perception of your...

Roll Over, Beethoven

Issue 57QUIBBLES AND BITS

If you were a professional orchestra conductor – or even a professional orchestra – it would behoove you to take steps wherever appropriate to promote the public perception of your...

De Vriend’s Beethoven Cycle

I wrote in the last issue of Copper about how the Mahler Symphony Cycle has more or less replaced the Beethoven Cycle as the reference standard against which modern conductors and orchestras...

De Vriend’s Beethoven Cycle

Issue 58QUIBBLES AND BITS

I wrote in the last issue of Copper about how the Mahler Symphony Cycle has more or less replaced the Beethoven Cycle as the reference standard against which modern conductors and orchestras...

Much Ado About Nothing

Sometimes the dumbest questions can be the toughest ones to answer.  Take this one, for example: “What does space look like if you take everything out of it?”.  On the...

Much Ado About Nothing

Issue 55QUIBBLES AND BITS

Sometimes the dumbest questions can be the toughest ones to answer.  Take this one, for example: “What does space look like if you take everything out of it?”.  On the...

That Whose Name May Not Be Spoken

In every corner of life there are guilty secrets, ancient truths that are never discussed, arcane knowledge that must be kept hidden, heresies that must never be spoken.  And every...

That Whose Name May Not Be Spoken

Issue 54QUIBBLES AND BITS

In every corner of life there are guilty secrets, ancient truths that are never discussed, arcane knowledge that must be kept hidden, heresies that must never be spoken.  And every...

Be Steadwell

Every time she opens her mouth to sing, Washington, DC-based singer/songwriter Be Steadwell exudes calm and strength. As devoted to political activism as she is to music, she has a growing...

Be Steadwell

Issue 54AND INDIE FOR ALL

Every time she opens her mouth to sing, Washington, DC-based singer/songwriter Be Steadwell exudes calm and strength. As devoted to political activism as she is to music, she has a growing...

Milk Snatcher

Milk Snatcher

I find it very impressive that Copper has managed to survive – and even thrive – after two years as a bi-weekly publication. During that time I’ve allowed my columns...

Milk Snatcher

I find it very impressive that Copper has managed to survive – and even thrive – after two years as a bi-weekly publication. During that time I’ve allowed my columns...

Sandwiches of You

A couple issues back, discussing the NAMM convention, I mentioned Kevin Godley and Lol Creme in the context of their invention: The Gizmo. I thought I might write a bit about them...

Sandwiches of You

Issue 54MUSIC AUDIO AND OTHER ILLNESSES

A couple issues back, discussing the NAMM convention, I mentioned Kevin Godley and Lol Creme in the context of their invention: The Gizmo. I thought I might write a bit about them...

Cables: Speaker Cable Design, Part 2

Part 1 of this article in the previous issue ended with the design brief for conductors in a speaker cable. I described why I chose a star-quad geometry using a  20-mil wire...

Cables: Speaker Cable Design, Part 2

Issue 56FEATURED

Part 1 of this article in the previous issue ended with the design brief for conductors in a speaker cable. I described why I chose a star-quad geometry using a  20-mil wire...

Cables: Speaker Cable Design, Part 1

In this series, we've discussed the basics of audio cable design (Part 1 Part 2 Part 3), RCA and XLR interconnect design, and now we look at speaker cables. These...

Cables: Speaker Cable Design, Part 1

Issue 55FEATURED

In this series, we've discussed the basics of audio cable design (Part 1 Part 2 Part 3), RCA and XLR interconnect design, and now we look at speaker cables. These...

Dickens

“You’re going to see that wee, fat conceited bastard?” said the owner. “Why?” On one of my many trips to London to visit a hi-fi show and some of my...

Dickens

Issue 54MUSIC'AL NOTES

“You’re going to see that wee, fat conceited bastard?” said the owner. “Why?” On one of my many trips to London to visit a hi-fi show and some of my...

We Don't Need No Education...We Don't Need No T...

Well, you will soon see that I disagree with that opening title but before I get into the next audio controversy let me wrap up the 3-part audio gear history...

We Don't Need No Education...We Don't Need No T...

Issue 54TWISTED SYSTEMS

Well, you will soon see that I disagree with that opening title but before I get into the next audio controversy let me wrap up the 3-part audio gear history...

Cables: XLR Interconnect Design

In the previous article in this series, we discussed the design of an RCA interconnect, and how it’s important to have a good coaxial cable design in place before designing...

Cables: XLR Interconnect Design

Issue 54FEATURED

In the previous article in this series, we discussed the design of an RCA interconnect, and how it’s important to have a good coaxial cable design in place before designing...

Violin + Orchestra, Part 1

Violin + Orchestra, Part 1

Our story begins with Beethoven. (What else is new?) His Violin Concerto (1806) especially, because it’s the poster child for Modern Concertos in so many ways. First, he wrote it...

Violin + Orchestra, Part 1

Issue 54Too Much Tchaikovsky

Our story begins with Beethoven. (What else is new?) His Violin Concerto (1806) especially, because it’s the poster child for Modern Concertos in so many ways. First, he wrote it...

Rock This Town: Rockabilly, Part 2

During the 1960’s rockabilly was mainly heard on the nostalgia tours.  Wanda Jackson, the ‘First Lady of Rockabilly’ had a hit in 1960 with ‘Let’s Have a Party’ a remake...

Rock This Town: Rockabilly, Part 2

Issue 54MUSIC TO MY EARS

During the 1960’s rockabilly was mainly heard on the nostalgia tours.  Wanda Jackson, the ‘First Lady of Rockabilly’ had a hit in 1960 with ‘Let’s Have a Party’ a remake...

Speakers Are Exhausting

“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” For engineers, Newton’s Third Law of Motion is both blessing and curse. In audio, the law is primarily of concern...

Speakers Are Exhausting

Issue 54VINTAGE WHINE

“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” For engineers, Newton’s Third Law of Motion is both blessing and curse. In audio, the law is primarily of concern...

This... Is Not That

There’s a term that both guides and haunts any human involved in marketing or selling not just audio, but…well, anything, really: differentiation. How is what I do/make/sell different from what everyone...

This... Is Not That

Issue 54THE AUDIO CYNIC

There’s a term that both guides and haunts any human involved in marketing or selling not just audio, but…well, anything, really: differentiation. How is what I do/make/sell different from what everyone...

Desert Island 2

Desert Island 2

Desert Island 2

Issue 57FEATURED

Desert Island 1

Desert Island 1

Desert Island 1

Issue 56FEATURED

What Happened?

What Happened?

What Happened?

Issue 55FEATURED

Thicker, Stronger....

Thicker, Stronger....

Thicker, Stronger....

Issue 54FEATURED

Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes

Issue 57PARTING SHOT
Austria

Austria

Austria

Issue 55PARTING SHOT
I...Buried...Paul....

I...Buried...Paul....

I...Buried...Paul....

Issue 53FEATURED

The Big Rock Show

The Big Rock Show

Some friends of mine have been putting on a big rock show annually for the last few years, under the name Wild Honey, as a benefit for the Autism Think...

The Big Rock Show

Issue 53

Some friends of mine have been putting on a big rock show annually for the last few years, under the name Wild Honey, as a benefit for the Autism Think...

Sony CEO Steps Down; More Challenges for Gibson

Sony Corporation laid out major management shifts in a recent press-release.  CEO Kaz Hirai, widely credited with the company’s return to profitability, began his career at CBS/Sony Music, worked through the video...

Sony CEO Steps Down; More Challenges for Gibson

Issue 53INDUSTRY NEWS

Sony Corporation laid out major management shifts in a recent press-release.  CEO Kaz Hirai, widely credited with the company’s return to profitability, began his career at CBS/Sony Music, worked through the video...

Cables: RCA Interconnects

There is no magic to good cables; it is adherence to strict design rules that also encompass those “magic” tertiary variables. In the three-part series, Cables: Time is of the Essence, ...

Cables: RCA Interconnects

Issue 51FEATURED

There is no magic to good cables; it is adherence to strict design rules that also encompass those “magic” tertiary variables. In the three-part series, Cables: Time is of the Essence, ...

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Welcome to Copper #53! Our very first issue appeared on March 7, 2016. It's hard to believe that we've been at this for two years now; we've come a long way since...

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Issue 53Opening Salvo

Welcome to Copper #53! Our very first issue appeared on March 7, 2016. It's hard to believe that we've been at this for two years now; we've come a long way since...

Read more
Playing Through

Playing Through

Playing Through

Issue 53PARTING SHOT
Climbing to the Audio Summit Part 3: Speakers and Stuff

Climbing to the Audio Summit Part 3: Speakers a...

As I bring this “Climbing to the Audio Summit” exercise to a close I am not just taken aback by the total amount of gear that I purchased over the...

Climbing to the Audio Summit Part 3: Speakers a...

Issue 53TWISTED SYSTEMS

As I bring this “Climbing to the Audio Summit” exercise to a close I am not just taken aback by the total amount of gear that I purchased over the...

Cross-country Skiing

I expect all of you will be well familiar with skiing, that glamorous sport that involves hurtling from the top to the bottom of a snow-capped mountain, while dressed in...

Cross-country Skiing

Issue 53QUIBBLES AND BITS

I expect all of you will be well familiar with skiing, that glamorous sport that involves hurtling from the top to the bottom of a snow-capped mountain, while dressed in...

Piano Club

Piano Club

Their lead singer and songwriter goes by the cool-cat name of Anthony Sinatra, so you know they take pop vocal music seriously. Still, Piano Club, which has been recording and performing...

Piano Club

Issue 53AND INDIE FOR ALL

Their lead singer and songwriter goes by the cool-cat name of Anthony Sinatra, so you know they take pop vocal music seriously. Still, Piano Club, which has been recording and performing...

Move It On Over: Rockabilly, Part 1

Dave turned onto 13th Ave that runs west out of Ames Iowa, and into the farm country for a Sunday drive with Penny.  Dave’s dad had recently bought a ’56 Chevrolet...

Move It On Over: Rockabilly, Part 1

Issue 53MUSIC TO MY EARS

Dave turned onto 13th Ave that runs west out of Ames Iowa, and into the farm country for a Sunday drive with Penny.  Dave’s dad had recently bought a ’56 Chevrolet...

Rikki Farr, Part 1

[Rikki Farr had a long career as a raconteur and concert promoter, starting with the Beatles ‘way back at the dawn of time—well, the early ’60’s, anyway. Son of Tommy...

Rikki Farr, Part 1

Issue 56THE COPPER INTERVIEW

[Rikki Farr had a long career as a raconteur and concert promoter, starting with the Beatles ‘way back at the dawn of time—well, the early ’60’s, anyway. Son of Tommy...

Are We Having Fun Yet?

A newbie wandering onto almost any audio website or forum might ask, after a brief perusal, “Jeez, why so serious? Why are they all so ANGRY?? “Is anybody having FUN??”...

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Issue 53THE AUDIO CYNIC

A newbie wandering onto almost any audio website or forum might ask, after a brief perusal, “Jeez, why so serious? Why are they all so ANGRY?? “Is anybody having FUN??”...

QED, Bitches!!

Agnostics are often assumed to be wishy-washy—that they dither and um when asked about greater things. But actually, an agnostic has a firm belief: they do not have enough information...

QED, Bitches!!

Issue 53FEATURED

Agnostics are often assumed to be wishy-washy—that they dither and um when asked about greater things. But actually, an agnostic has a firm belief: they do not have enough information...

Fort Peck

“You won’t find a hotel room anywhere for the next 300 miles.” We had stopped in a town called Glasgow, Montana, to gas up. I hail from Glasgow, Scotland, and...

Fort Peck

Issue 53MUSIC'AL NOTES

“You won’t find a hotel room anywhere for the next 300 miles.” We had stopped in a town called Glasgow, Montana, to gas up. I hail from Glasgow, Scotland, and...

The Big Rock Show

The Big Rock Show

Some friends of mine have been putting on a big rock show annually for the last few years, under the name Wild Honey, as a benefit for the Autism Think Tank ....

The Big Rock Show

Issue 53MUSIC AUDIO AND OTHER ILLNESSES

Some friends of mine have been putting on a big rock show annually for the last few years, under the name Wild Honey, as a benefit for the Autism Think Tank ....

Daughters, Part 1

  Choose your parents carefully. That’s probably the best advice anyone can offer a young person who wants to become a composer. It helps a lot if your mom or...

Daughters, Part 1

Issue 53TOO MUCH TCHAIKOVSKY

  Choose your parents carefully. That’s probably the best advice anyone can offer a young person who wants to become a composer. It helps a lot if your mom or...

Audio Fidelity: Bobby Palomino of The Teemates, Part 2

Audio Fidelity: Bobby Palomino of The Teemates,...

[After the advent of the British invasion, pioneering audiophile label Audio Fidelity  took a crack at the teen market with a NY rock band, The Teemates. Part 1 of John Seetoo’s interview with singer...

Audio Fidelity: Bobby Palomino of The Teemates,...

Issue 54THE COPPER INTERVIEW

[After the advent of the British invasion, pioneering audiophile label Audio Fidelity  took a crack at the teen market with a NY rock band, The Teemates. Part 1 of John Seetoo’s interview with singer...

Audio Fidelity: Bobby Palomino of The Teemates, Part 1

Audio Fidelity: Bobby Palomino of The Teemates,...

[We’ve previously written about the pioneering audiophile label Audio Fidelity on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the release of the first single-groove stereo record by the label, and in John Seetoo’s interview with Andrea Bass,...

Audio Fidelity: Bobby Palomino of The Teemates,...

Issue 53THE COPPER INTERVIEW

[We’ve previously written about the pioneering audiophile label Audio Fidelity on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the release of the first single-groove stereo record by the label, and in John Seetoo’s interview with Andrea Bass,...

A Serious Hobbyist

A Serious Hobbyist

In Copper #52 we began poring through a collection of audio ephemera gathered by Dr. James McVay, the grandfather of fellow columnist Duncan Taylor. Dunc brought in a binder full of material from the...

A Serious Hobbyist

Issue 53VINTAGE WHINE

In Copper #52 we began poring through a collection of audio ephemera gathered by Dr. James McVay, the grandfather of fellow columnist Duncan Taylor. Dunc brought in a binder full of material from the...

Cinque Terra

Cinque Terra

Cinque Terra

Issue 52PARTING SHOT
Bach Violin Sonatas

Bach Violin Sonatas

J.S. Bach’s works for solo violin are compositional marvels that show off the instrument’s potential while allowing the musician to indulge in intellectual and emotional exploration. In three recent recordings,...

Bach Violin Sonatas

Issue 52SOMETHING OLD / SOMETHING NEW

J.S. Bach’s works for solo violin are compositional marvels that show off the instrument’s potential while allowing the musician to indulge in intellectual and emotional exploration. In three recent recordings,...

Jesca Hoop

Jesca Hoop

I can’t imagine a more auspicious start to an indie songwriter’s career than the one Jesca Hoop had in the early 2000s. She was nanny to the children of Tom...

Jesca Hoop

Issue 52... AND INDIE FOR ALL

I can’t imagine a more auspicious start to an indie songwriter’s career than the one Jesca Hoop had in the early 2000s. She was nanny to the children of Tom...

Rikers

“Roy, would you do me a favor? Can you visit Sammy in Rikers Island? He is stopping there for a few weeks on his way upstate to prison and he...

Rikers

Issue 52MUSIC'AL NOTES

“Roy, would you do me a favor? Can you visit Sammy in Rikers Island? He is stopping there for a few weeks on his way upstate to prison and he...

Climbing to the Audio Summit Part 2: Amps/Preamps

The response to “Climbing to the Audio Summit:  Turntables” was truly amazing. The comments really were, for the most part, insightful, and some manufactures should read them. I also have...

Climbing to the Audio Summit Part 2: Amps/Preamps

Issue 52TWISTED SYSTEMS

The response to “Climbing to the Audio Summit:  Turntables” was truly amazing. The comments really were, for the most part, insightful, and some manufactures should read them. I also have...