VirtualMusic.tvEditor Notes

When Video Cards Explode

Ryan Van Etten — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:20:28 +0000

For the last few months I’d occasionally been hearing mini-explosion sounds like those bang snaps that I remember from my semi-pyromaniac youth. I finally figured out they were coming from my computer—a custom PC that I built in 2007. After another explosive pop yesterday, the graphics on my screen started to look like they were drunk. I opened up the PC case and my 2 SLI graphics cards were literally like a million degrees! I let them cool a bit, then pulled them out of their PCI slots, and, as you can see, nearly all the capacitors are blown out.

I was actually a bit relieved. I had been worried it was the motherboard—a much harder swap out. Needless to say I was going to need to replace the card, and, since I use my computer all the time, I was going to need to replace it pretty fast. I went to Staples and ended up dropping $120 on a new one, a GeForce 9500 GT, which I had to split between two debit cards because neither of my accounts had enough to cover it on their own. Problem solved for now—fingers crossed—but if any generous hearts would like to help me and the site out by contributing to the repair fund, please write or PayPal to virtualmusictv@gmail.com and in return I’ll hook you up with some free advertising and/or a mention on the site. I’ve stoked about a really sweet new article that’s an inside look on a new music startup, so stay tuned for that this weekend—I think you guys are really going to like it—and for the dads out there (not me!), happy Father’s Day!

Remixed: Remix Writers Wanted.

Ryan Van Etten — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:20:27 +0000

Remixed is a new beta section on VirtualMusic.tv covering open remixing via remix reviews, remix stories, virtual collaboration, and remix production techniques. The idea is an mp3blog covering remixed tracks with posts that include—or link to—streaming remixed audio or video.

Indaba Music is one of many web-based remixing applications.

Remixing in the current, virtual realm is enabled by online, collaborative, remixing platforms like Indaba Music and JamGlue. Remixing is widespread through networks that share collaborated audio like ccMixter and SoundCloud. Our Remixed section is meant to tune into remixes created using virtual platforms and collaboration networks. We’re open to covering remixes from all genres—the more diverse the better.

If you are interested in writing for this section, then please email virtualmusictv@gmail.com. Please review our content guidelines before submitting entries. Not a writer? You can help contribute by letting us know the remixes that you’d like to see featured. For your reference, the ongoing list of remixing applications and collaborative production networks listed below is viewable at Delicious » ryanve » remixing collaboration apps.

VirtualArt Visualjournal (Updated)

Ryan Van Etten — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:05:08 +0000

Illustration: stockxpert/Dl1on

We’re running an image series, called Photo Journal, where we showcase live music photos, deviations, and digital artwork relating to music, arts, virtuality, and technology. The is an open-ended topic so feel free to be as creative. Since we want to promote both digital artwork and openness, we urge photographers and artists to release their images under these Creative Commons license terms.

Submitting Images

Photographers/artists can submit photos to our Flickr Group and/or write to us at art@virtualmusic.tv. If sending photos, please include the following info:

Artist Name or Username
Image Title and Description (Optional)
Image Link (on Flickr etc.)