Traktor Kontrol S2 MkII

Native Instruments has been at the forefront of DJ software technology since the very beginning. Its Traktor package was one of, if not the first truly professional solution for the DJ working with a computer.

Since then, Traktor has built upon its reputation for power, stability, features and flexibility, and Native has expanded its catalogue with a range of tailor made hardware controllers for the software.

The S2 and S4 in particular have proved to be insanely popular, providing ‘hand in glove’ integration with Traktor, in a robust, intuitive and great-sounding controller.

Now, the Berlin software giant has updated these controllers to ‘MkII’ versions. We take a critical look at the ‘little brother’ in our Traktor Kontrol S2 MkII review.

Before we talk about what’s new in the S2 MkII, here’s a little summary of what the original was… Put simply, the S2 was a high quality 2-channel DJ controller with built-in high quality audio interface.

The new MKII version is the same, at its core- but what’s new? Plugging in and firing it up reveals an altogether more colourful experience. The four hot-cue/ loop/ sample trigger buttons now bear resemblance to the trigger buttons on the excellent F1 sample deck controller. A sample deck level controller effectively turns it into a third channel.

No surprise, perhaps. The new, multi-coloured, LED lit buttons are very welcome, however, with colours coordinating with the colour set for a sample within Traktor.

The jog wheels/ platters have also had an update. Gone are the plastic models, to be replaced with a new design featuring and aluminium top. They remain as tight and responsive as their predecessors, however.

Flux mode is now featured on each channel (aside from the sample deck channel) via a button above each tempo fader. If you haven’t used this before, this allows the user to move the jog dial for cuts, scratches, spin backs or other effects, whilst the track continues to play ‘in the background’. So, when you stop scratching and take your hand off the wheel, the track will play from where it would have been had you just left the track to play.

A booth output has been added, meaning that there’s now a pair of RCA outputs and balanced jack outputs.

The other big addition is that the S2 Mk2 is now iOS compatible, integrating with the Traktor DJ app.

Aside from this, NI say that tech specs such as dynamic range, output level, and cross talk have also been improved.
Using the S2

If you’ve used the original S2 model before, there’s little to bewilder you here. The new jog dials are very nice, with a more reassuring feel when depressed. In addition, they seem (to me) to be slightly more responsive and accurate. Making tiny moves just seems to have a greater sense of precision than before, something that could be said, in fact, for all of the controls on the S2 MkII.

In terms of construction, the S2 has a slightly more robust feel. Rotary controls are a bit more solidly placed, as is the chassis. The faders have new slimmer caps, and the grey filter knobs are a nice touch.

A big deal has been made on Internet forums about the new remix deck buttons (or lack of them) on the S2 and S4. I guess the speculating public always tends to ramp expectations up to levels where the finished product would never match it. Adding more of these buttons would have made the unit more expensive and bigger. Plus, for many people, 4 (or rather 8 in total) is more than enough, so why make the majority pay for features they won’t use?

Plus, if you really need more, you can always add a Kontrol F1 and get the maximum possible control over the remix decks.

Also see: DENON DJ VL12 Review

CITIZEN ECO DRIVE PROMASTER

If you were looking for a dive watch to purchase, it would be important for you to buy one that will meet all of your needs. It does not matter whether you are a professional diver or someone that would just like a nice flashy watch to strut around with. In the case that you are a diver, you would want to make sure that the watch meets all of your requirements. A dive watch can determine the life of a diver. This is because it is the instrument that you will use to tell how long you have been under the water and when to come out for another oxygen tank. I wouldn’t want to imagine what it would be like running out of oxygen when you are two hundred meters under the water.

There are very many brands of dive watches on the market and it is very essential for you to make sure that the one you are buying is actually a dive watch. The reason for this is because all watches seem to be trending with the same design, whether it is a sports watch, dive watch or any other type of watch. Some will come with bezels complete with stainless-steel housings for fancy reasons, while others will come equipped for diving, and yet they look the same. Before you quickly jump into buying a dive watch, the best way to find out what the best brands are is to do a thorough research. Thanks to the internet, that is something that could take a very short time as you go through user experience reviews of the different products on offer. You should especially be keen to check out the specifications and features of the dive watch.

In this article, we are going to review the CITIZEN ECO DRIVE PROMASTER Watch with Blue PU Band. This is a rather interesting dive watch that comes with a bold blue urethane strap. It can take some time getting used to the blue strap, but the color does blend in well with water. One advantage of the strap is that it is long and can fit comfortably onto a wet suit or a person with big wrists. The watch comes with a solid build that is much thicker than the normal watches. You can dive with the watch for up to 660 feet (200 meters), which is suitable for most divers. The watch comes with a fancy matte finish that makes it less reflective and not too bright.


Large luminous orange dots replace numbers, and the hands are also luminous orange. This is especially good because being luminous, they absorb light and when you go into the dark abyss of the sea, they reflect that light back, enabling you to read the watch when you're in the dark. The rotating bezel of the watch is tight and in order to rotate it, you have to hold onto the ridges, meaning that the bezel is firm. We would have preferred a slightly bigger date window but it is okay. In order for one to use it, the crown has to be unscrewed, a good sign that this watch was indeed made for divers. Dive times are given on the band in meters


This fancy looking watch can also be worn by people that are not divers, and also by women that tend to prefer bigger watches. One of the other good things about this watch is the fact that it starts ticking as soon as you expose it to light since it has a solar powered battery.

Features

Round watch featuring unidirectional bezel and blue dial with date window at 4 o'clock and luminous hands/hour markers
Eco-Drive technology is fueled by light and never needs a battery
​43 mm stainless steel case with mineral dial window
​Japanese quartz movement with analog display
​Molded polyurethane band with buckle closure
Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft): In general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not scuba diving

Pros

It comes with a great design that makes it attractive to more than just divers
Good illumination and readability due to the luminous hands, and it can be read even in the dark
It has a solid build
​It is made of high quality materials
​Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft): In general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not scuba diving
Eco-Drive technology is fueled by light and never needs a battery
It feels very robust and with the mineral crystal display is sure to stand some serious beatings

Cons

We really didn’t find any bad reviews of this watch, apart from the fact that some users were not impressed by the strap. They say that it feels very stiff unlike other polyurethane straps. 

Conclusion

The Citizen Eco-Drive Men's BN0151-09L Promaster Diver Watch with Blue PU Band is a dive watch that is a bang for your buck. It is sturdy and comes with all the features needed for a diver. The watch also looks very fancy and can be worn for other activities. The mineral glass can resist most scratches, not being as strong as sapphire, and the casing solid, meaning that you could be using the watch for the next couple of years without worrying about it failing you. The 20 bar water pressure rating is excellent for divers, and they can go up to 660 feet deep. With this eco range watch, you won't even have to think of replacing the battery any time soon. About the strap, I think that it still looks pretty cool, and the blue color compliments the colors in the casing.

POULAN PRO CHAINSAW

To start, I want to mention I started a couple of threads on the subject of chainsaws.

To begin with, I wasn’t happy having to buy a Poulan….... ANYTHING…... I’ve had my share of problems with those engines and understand the well deserved nickname of “pullin’” Some of those old saws and weed eaters wouldn’t start with starting fluid and and a stick of dynamite.

However, this saw seems to be different.

I bought it (POULAN PRO CHAINSAW) on the 15th of July, 2012. To begin with, the saw started and ran on the first pull after filling it with 40:1 gas oil mix. Lots of power and I could not bog it down no matter what I did… Yup, a new saw.

After about 10 hours I noticed I was working way too hard to get through a 20” cut and had had no kickback whatsoever. Hmm.

I looked at the chain and it was a Hairy Homeowner style, with low kickback and a low profile to keep the homeowner’s safe from themselves. Personally, I hate those…. I grew up with chainsaws and don’t need to be coddled so I don’t hurt myself. (On another thread we discussed making ribbons and a little bit about how to sharpen).
This chain is called a “Vanguard” (72LGX070G), chain and while it’s great for things under 16”, it’s almost worthless for aggressive cutting through a 40” log with a 20” bar.

I immediately found a replacement chain, the 72LPX070G which is round chisel chain, and not low kick back.

I went from 3 minutes and change through a log about 36” thick to 1 minute 45 seconds. Or there abouts.

The next problem I ran in to was that the nose sprocket on the bar would heat up and seize when cutting though a thick log with the nose buried in the wood…. a common problem with laminated bars and home owner saws.
For a week I would make 4 deep cuts then work the bar in oil to loosen it back up. I got pissed and then sent the saw back. The wife exchanged it and after using the exchange for about 20 hours, it did the same thing. On this one though, I greased the nose sprocket every morning and every evening. So it wasn’t lubrication that was the problem, and reading into the reviews, this has been a problem with the 5020AV.
Don’t get this confused with the PP5020AVX.. those were produced by the old Poulan and really have no relationship to the PP5020AV which is produced by Husqvarna and closely resembles the Husky 455, even down to the oiling and carb system.

I’ve ordered a new bar and chain, the Oregon 200RNDK095 bar and the 72LPX072G chain. It’s not any longer, but has a replaceable sprocket and the chain is two links longer.
I would have preferred a 24 or 26” bar, which I’m certain this saw could handle, but the wife was after me to get this stuff ordered and I let her get the better of me.

In the Poulan’s defense, it is a strong saw and after nearly 90 hours of running it, it still starts first try after it’s warmed up. Cold it might take four pulls, but considering everything it does quite well.

This saw harkens back to the old days of Poulan and makes up for a lot of the problems we had with them 20 years ago.

I would recommend this saw to anyone who wants an inexpensive saw and needs it to do a real days work. I have to admit it is much more reliable than the old Pro-Mac 610 and Pro-Mac 650’s I use to have… Boy am I glad someone stole them!

Replacing or Repairing Concrete Sidewalks

As a property owner or manager, the thought of a customer, tenant or visitor to your business getting hurt on your premises likely makes you cringe a bit. And, it's probably not merely out of empathy considering your fellow-man suffering an injury, but also from fear of a potential lawsuit.

Keeping your concrete sidewalk repair contractors in Manhattan New York and concrete curbs in good repair is a must for center managers. Not only does it prevent these types of mishaps, but also it does wonders for the curb appeal of your building.

Get Your Property
Take a stroll around your center immediately to get the state of your own sidewalk repair contractor Manhattan and curbs. Are they irregular, elevated, cracked, or broken? If so, here's what a paving contractor can do to fix those problems:

Oily or Uneven Concrete Manhattan sidewalk repair
Most people probably think an irregular pavement is an enormous concrete pavement repair job, but it's not really that bad. Based on the type of concrete sidewalk repair Manhattan repair required, complete replacement might be required or a simple repair can be done.

Replacing Concrete
For a complete replacement, then your paving contractor will utilize a masonry drill to split up the part of concrete sidewalk repair Manhattan NY slab that's broken, sunken, raised, or uneven. He'll get rid of the crumbled concrete pieces and work to level the region.

A nearby tree might be the cause of this uneven concrete. Whatever the cause, following these issues are resolved, the paving firm will most likely use a form to maintain the new concrete to the desired shape of the new slab pump concrete to the region.

As a final touch, the still wet concrete segment is going to be leveled using a trowel to ensure the linking sections are flush. Once dry, the shape will be removed and the Manhattan sidewalk repair will be open again for foot traffic.

Repairing Concrete
If the concrete damage isn't excessive, then a concrete repair could be made using a procedure called "mud jacking". To level a slab of concrete using this process, the paving contractor will bore holes to the slab then pump a grout mixture into the holes to force the slab rise and level. This procedure can't just be completed in 1 day, but normal use of the concrete DOT sidewalk violation Manhattan can resume immediately following leveling with no drying time needed. Another benefit of this type of concrete Manhattan sidewalk repair repair is the fact that it can be achieved for a fraction of the cost of ripping out and replacing.

Importance of Sidewalk Signs in Building Brands

As a small business operator, among the barriers to expanding your company, is discovering innovative yet affordable methods to spread the word about your product or service. With small budgets for promotion, it is impossible to fit inexpensive radio and television advertisements thus, signs become the backbone of budget advertisements. Having sidewalk repair contractor Manhattan signs is among the very best strategies to capture the interest of passers-by and cost less than $300, which matches any budget easily. Above all advantages, pavement signs are simple to keep, very low cost and could be reused over and over again. These are high durability signs since they are created from plastic and can withstand both cold and heat without harm.

The simple principle behind advertising is that do not automatically think that individuals know about your merchandise or services, so notify them. Likewise, it is best to have a word out about your small business, service or store and there is not anything better than setting up signs outside your workplace. DOT sidewalk violation Manhattan signs are simple to show, change and store making them one of the popular means of marketing. Simply place it out as people walk or drive by, a fast glance is sufficient to recall when they want your services.

Whenever you are working to construct a new name using hints, it's very good to make certain that the business logo and motto is clearly visible above the message. This can help build brand awareness as more people find it and for the success of your small business, branding is imperative. If you truly want to raise footfalls in a short while on your shop, provide a discount on your goods and see the sudden surge of attention.

If your company isn't yielding your profits in the spiraling economy, maybe it is time to get a fast makeover in your marketing campaign. Get banners and signs that will help you 'be seen' above your local competitors. And as a result of flexibility provided by pavement signals, virtually any business owner can use it easily. You may have a store, library, bar, restaurant or even a publication, there are many means of employing pavement signs to brand your company.

But only placing sidewalk repair Manhattan signs is not sufficient as the next most important thing is having the ideal message and proper colors. You might scoff at the idea of having the correct colors being an important component, however, do you believe you are going to listen to sidewalk repair Manhattan NY sign that is all white with yellow letters? Not- since you'll firstly not detect it and second, you do not have the ability to see it in a rush! So getting the perfect contrast is crucial. Black background and yellow lettering or even a white base with the daring reddish colored font is striking and catches your attention. That's what you will need to create your sidewalk repair contractors in Manhattan New York sign stick out!

Branding is important in any business and you would like it to be along with your business also. People should only see your emblem and reconnect with the services and products you have. That is the initial step of company expansion. Instead of thinking big, start in the fundamentals- use low cost but powerful techniques to advertise. Of the numerous distinct kinds of signage that may be used, Manhattan sidewalk repair signs are effective and significant part your effort.

Razer's Power Bank keeps your laptop running

External battery packs are a dime a dozen, but you might want to pay attention to this one. Razer has unveiled the Power Bank, a 12,800mAh external battery designed primarily for laptops. It's clearly intended as a companion for Razer's own portables, and can extend the life of a Blade Stealth to as long as 15 hours. That's more than a little helpful if you're stuck traveling all day. However, its reliance on USB-C makes it compatible with any laptop that can charge using the newer connector. Yes, you could keep a MacBook running on this brick if you don't mind the style mismatch.


Like some of these batteries, the Power Bank doubles as a phone charger thanks to two USB-A ports. It even supports Quick Charge 3.0 for those phones that can handle it. This definitely won't be an inexpensive peripheral when it ships in March, at $150 (£170) -- we've seen higher-capacity batteries that sell for less, like Mophie's Powerstation XXL. Not all of those are designed to charge your phone and laptop at the same time, though, and the logo-emblazoned aluminum body might be worth it if you're a dyed-in-the-wool Razer fan determined to coordinate the look of your gear.

Also i want to introduce another strong power bank with solar panel, GOAL ZERO SHERPA 100 KIT This medium sized kit is excellent for camping, hiking and other outdoor activities. The maximum power it can deliver is 120 watt.

FEATURES

Battery Capacity: 98Wh, 8800mAh (11V)
Solar Capacity: 20W (18-22V)
Weight: 4.4 lbs (1.99 kg)
Recharge by: AC, 12V, Solar
Ideal for: Tablet, Laptop, DSLR Camera, Lights

An Animated View: Trends, Challenges & Women in Animation

Significant Trends Affecting Animation Today

I loved the recent Oscar-nominated film Ma Vie de Courgette (My Life as Zucchini). The film marks two significant trends. First, in terms of technique, it’s a great example of the return to a more handcrafted approach—in this case, beautifully designed stop-motion directed by Claude Barras. There is a bit of a backlash against realism-driven CGI animation currently. This film, however, shows that character and emotion can be even more potent with simply animated tactile characters and gently paced storytelling.

In terms of content, My Life as Zucchini manages to deal with a range of challengingly sensitive issues for children in a relatable, humorous, emotional way. Barras worked with Celine Sciamma, the French director of Girlhood, to adapt the screenplay from the original novel by Gilles Paris. The collaboration marks a brave step away from preconceptions about what constitutes a successful animated feature for a family audience. Ultimately, it is a film that understands its audience and does not patronize them. I’m hoping this marks a trend toward more diverse and thought-provoking subject matter for children’s content.

Women in Animation

Women have been involved in animation—particularly in independent animation—right from its inception. Lotte Reiniger and Claire Parker are key examples here. And of course, over time, women working in animation have adapted their practice to and evolved with the changing opportunities and challenges of the medium.

At Aardman, I work with women in all capacities. We have brilliant directors, producers, sound designers, VFX artists, designers, model makers, execs, writers and animators. Looking outside of Aardman and across the industry, I think that women access all areas—but there are also areas that would benefit from more female representation, particularly lead creative roles and in technology. That said, I do feel this is slowly improving.

The Commercial Directing Conundrum

In the U.K., I believe the split between male and female students in animation degree courses is roughly 50/50. However, something is still going wrong in the industry because there are so few female animation directors. I read that in the last decade of major US–released animated features, only one out of 93 was directed solely by a woman (Kung Fu Panda, directed by Jennifer Yuh).

A recent Women in Film and TV study found that from 2015 to 2016, women made up only 26% of creators, directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors and directors of photography working on broadcast network, cable and streaming programs. It’s not just animation—film as a whole, and especially comedy, is a male-dominated field. Misguided preconceptions about women not being able to direct comedy or fantasy are still quoted from major studios in the industry. This worrying reluctance to encourage women directing comedy/animation is easily proved wrong by directors such as Joanna Quinn, Rebecca Sugar or Michaela Pavlatova. Personally, I would love to see a major feature directed by Quinn. And I have to wonder, would she have already been given that opportunity if she were a man?