Articles written by Richard Mudhar

Wind blast often spoils audio recordings made outdoors, and pro wind shielding is expensive. A DIY approach can reduce wind noise at modest cost.

Jul 12, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

The 48th issue National Savings Certificates on isue from the 12 May 2011 deliver an inflation-proof safe haven for UK cash savers.

May 12, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

Distributing audio in offices, schools and other large spaces needs to use high voltage (constant voltage in US parlance) transformers to keep losses down.

May 12, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

This Sony single-point stereo microphone is unusual in being a MS design rather than a more common XY configuration, offering excellent mono compatibility.

Feb 25, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

A simple 12V solar power system can power lighting and entertainment in a shed or outbuilding without running AC power to it.

Feb 17, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

Using a dedicated power amplifier per loudspeaker drive unit is theoretically a better way of driving loudspeakers, but is it worth the cost?

Feb 2, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

Active operation, using separate power amplifiers for each driver, brings extra clarity and bass control to Naim's recently introduced Ovator S-600.

Jan 26, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

The large floor space at Suffolk Food Hall hosts a lot of regional and local food from East Anglia and gastronomic delights from around the world.

Jan 19, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

The aim of the Bedini Audio Clarifier is to make audio CDs and other rotating digital media carriers like DVD sound better.

Jan 7, 2011 - Richard Mudhar

Snow and ice make it hard for garden birds to find food in winter. Feeding them helps them survive and puts on a great show.

Dec 3, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The RSPB reserve at Snape Warren near Snape Maltings concert hall offers a chance to view to stunning aerial display of thousands of starlings roosting.

Nov 22, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The deeply mystical form of the unicorn is an inspirational totem spirit guide. Learn how to work with your unicorn power animal.

Nov 2, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Technology has made urban field recording easier, but fieldcraft is essential to getting good street sound recordings.

Nov 2, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The Canadian composer introduced the terminology of the soundscape to characterise the sonic environment.

Oct 2, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The Linkwitz configuration of electret microphone capsules delivers clearer sound with high volume levels, at the cost of modifying the capsules.

Aug 28, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The Cuprinol Sprayable Fence and Shed sprayer seems to be the answer to quickly covering fences and sheds with wood preservative.

Aug 21, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Music can help an outdoor summer party or barbecue flow. This article describes how to use a domestic hi-fi to get background music at a low cost.

Aug 2, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Sometimes it is necessary to wire unbalanced consumer microphones to a balanced professional input. This article describes how to connect a TS jack to XLR.

Jul 13, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The ConDem coalition has issued its first budget with the emphasis on reducing the UK deficit, this is a round-up of the key changes.

Jun 23, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Sound mirrors were an attempt to get an early warning of approaching enemy aircraft. Some of them still stand as imposing monuments on the south coast.

Jun 20, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

DSL uses the existing phone line to provide broadband, but the signals need to be filtered from phones with a DSL line filter.for best broadband speeds

Jun 19, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

East Anglia is one of the sunniest and driest regions of England, and the vines at Shawsgate have produced wines for the last 30 years or so.

Jun 19, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

This strong and gentle horse was the mainstay of early 20th century East Anglian agriculture, but is now a rare historic breed.

Jun 1, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The Suffolk Punch Trust is a great family day out among the gentle and rare Suffolk Punch horses and other rare breeds on the 180 acre farm.

May 31, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

One of the biggest challenges facing the newcomer to radio-controlled flying is the first flight and successful landing. Flight simulation can de-risk that.

May 26, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Microphone cables fitted with 3-pin XLR connectors or TRS jacks can be used for stereo signals at a push. Here is how to use a mono mike circuit for stereo.

Apr 7, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Castle Acre situated on the Peddar's Way is rare surviving example of a Norman planned village. It has two historic sights and pleasant tea shops.

Apr 7, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The atmospheric ruins of Castle Acre Priory are still a grand sight now. The village of Acre is on the ancient Peddar's Way where it crosses the River Nar.

Apr 7, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The impressive remains of the castle at Castle Acre are a clear example of a motte and bailey castle, established soon after the Norman Conquest.

Apr 7, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Dedicated audio test gear is expensive and out of the reach of many users. This article describes how to use PC audio test software to get good results at low cost.

Mar 29, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

A normal text and image blog sometimes benefits from short sound clips. Audioblogging and podcasting can be overkill for this. Here's how to add inline audio to a blog.

Mar 28, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

An iPod is a great companion on a long car journey. Here is how to connect an iPod to a car radio and play it via the automotive audio system.

Mar 14, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Personal music players can be too personal at times - sometimes it is nice to listen to the same tunes with a friend, here are some simple ways to share.

Mar 14, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

The RCA jack or phono connector is widespread despite its poor design, this article describes how to solder it and the color codes for common signal types.

Mar 6, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Dynamic mics like the Shure SM58 deliver a signal that is not loud enough for cheap recorders. Transformer matching can lift the signal level, reducing noise and hiss.

Feb 8, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Most audio sources are not impedance matched to their loads, but some are sensitive to load impedance and may need transformers or a DI box.

Jan 11, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Earth loops and ground loops are a common cause of hum and buzz problems in Hi Fi systems. With a little bit of attention to detail, these can be reduced to low levels.

Jan 2, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Knowing whether there is a ground connection to Hi Fi equipment can be useful when tracing ground loops and hum problems.

Jan 2, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Boiling a kettle is a small act repeated many times, and common wisdom is that gas is cheaper than electricity for heating. The results challenge the obvious assumption.

Jan 1, 2010 - Richard Mudhar

Personal music players like the iPod are often used for long periods at high volumes. Proposed EU regulations will limit initial volume to 85dB(A) to prevent deafness.

Dec 29, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Many journeys are made more bearable with MP3 players. However, losing one's hearing is serious. It is possible to enjoy music and reduce the risk of deafening volumes.

Dec 29, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

The Zoom H4n works well for the musician on a budget. It can record from its own mics, or interface to studio mics or mixer via XLR or mini jacks.

Dec 9, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Headphone cables are very difficult to solder due to their special construction. Knowing the details makes it possible to replace the moulded plug in many cases.

Nov 24, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Gilded English walnuts make cheap and attractive Christmas decorations. They have been a popular home-made Christmas tradition since Victorian times.

Nov 1, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Noise weighting compensates for the fact that the human ear does not have a flat frequency response. The variation in noise weighting curves can be confusing.

Oct 28, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Using sound is easier with advances in technology like digital MP3 players, and cueing the audio is easier with these tips to make the sound operator's job simpler.

Oct 21, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Realising the extra sound quality from high definition audio files sampled at more than CD quality needs more than just a PC with an audio interface card.

Oct 14, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Compressed audio downloads means poorer audio for quality conscious listeners. Here are some sites selling downloads of lossless compressed CD quality or better audio.

Oct 13, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Saxon noblewoman Richeldis de Faverches had a vision of recreating the house where Jesus's birth was announced by Gabriel. Thus was the legend of Walsingham born.

Sep 28, 2009 - Richard Mudhar

Candles have improved indoor ambiances for years, however some studies show that it is worth moderating the use of some types due to emissions of potential carcinogens.

Sep 27, 2009 - Richard Mudhar