Discussion in 'General Electronics Chat' started by vijaybala85, Feb 2, 2010.
The input to the opamp is 0V or 5V (digital outputs from NI's Data Acquisition Card). The motor controller I am trying to run from the output of the opamp runs on 24V @11.6mA (0V o/p for 0V input and 24V o/p for 5V i/p). PLease please tell me if I am on the right path. I have these circuits soldered and they seem to work fine once or twice but not consistently. Please help... I am on time constraints and would really appreciate it if I could do something with this opamp.
What is the part number of the op-amp you are using?
Generally fine for simple gain of 10 amp. But some details depend on the op amp, the range of input and the input and output. In particular you may have trouble reaching the rails. What op amp are you using, how well is the power supply bypassed. What is the input and the expected output?
The biggest problem I see is ground. As a class op amps do not handle being to close to either power supply rail very well, neither on the input or especially the output.
Actually, the LM324 input range includes gnd, and the output will go within a few millivolts of ground with a 10k pulldown to gnd.
Yea! now that I think about this, I seem to be getting a constant output of 22.638V at the output even when the input should be zero. I am assuming that the zero is technically a few hundred millivolts. Is that right?
Are you sure the 24V input needs to be *limited* to 11.5mA?
Most devices that take a switched 24V control signal are internally limited; it likely draws 11.5mA when connected to 24V.
Also, try putting a pulldown resistor from the none-inverting amp input to 0V, say 10K or even 1K depending on what is driving it.
You could also add a signal diode inline from the 5V control to the amp input, so the 5V signal has to exceed 0.6V before the amp input lifts from 0V.
If I was building this, I'd use two transistors; something like a 2N7000 or a section of darlington driver to give an open collector output, then a resistor to the gate of a P channel FET with the source connected to 24V (and another resistor between source and gate to set the correct G - S voltage for the device).
The drain is then the 24V switched output.
Yea, I thought so too about the device drawing its required current when connected to a 24V supply because most digital inputs have high input resistance. But, I dont know how to verify this. Can I just measure the resistance from A digital input with respect to the ground using a multimeter?
Regarding pull down resistor, I have to place a 1k or 10k from non-inverting input to ground right?
Diode i tried. 5V -> -|>|- ->op-amp ... sometimes, the input voltage to the diode fluctuates..Dont understand why. The output from an NI DAQ card is 5V @ 5mA that drives the op amp.
I tried many circuits, but I thought an op amp is the simplest for now. Will look into your circuit at the same time.
The motor controller is Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 70 Adjustable Frequency AC Drive from Rockwell Automation.
I think you will be better of with a votage comparator setup.
I looked at the user manual, page 1-16, table 1.H. The LM324 should work. Instead of using negative feedback, connect a voltage divider to the inverting input, 100k from the inverting input to+24V, and 10k from the inverting input to ground. This will give you a threshold of 2.2V, which is good for any 5V logic system you are getting your control signal from.
You don't need any pull up or pull down resistors on the output, and the LM324 can provide the required 11.2mA while giving you adequate voltage margins for both high and low level requirements. The requirements are Von(min)=19.2V, Voff(max)=3.2V (from Table 1.H). The LM324 should provide Von≈22.4V, Voff≈10millivolts.
I would normally recommend a comparator, but our OP already has the LM324, and it should work fine.
So, no feedback at all, Just 5V into Non inverting input and voltage divider 2.2V at inverting input. this gives the voltage, I get that.
How would I know if the current is within 11.2mA? Correct me if I am wrong. I am connecting an ammeter and measuring current from the output to ground. Now that is short circuit current right? Thats the only current I can measure. But under load of the digital input, the current may be different. How to know what current enters the Motor controller? should I connect an ammeter in between the output of opamp and motor controller and check?
The input is basically equivalent to a ≈2k resistor to ground. I wouldn't fret about measuring the current. If you want to, connect the ammeter between the op amp output and the digital input. It should read zero when the input is zero, and about 11 mA when the input is high.
@ Ron... Thanks a ton! You have clarified a lot for me. Regarding your circuit, I plan to implement in the next phase. Right now, I am on negative feedback non inverting op amp and it seems to work well. I have pull down resistors at the output to make sure the current is limited to within the range and I measure it as well. So for now, I am using the above with a 2.2K pull down resistor at the output and then feeding the signal to the motor controller. Please let me know if I am doing things right at the moment.
A pull down resistor goes from the output directly to ground. I think you are describing a 2.2k series current limiting resistor. This will form a voltage divider with the ≈2k input resistance of the controller, and you will get less than 12V on the input. This is not enough to switch the unit on.
You don't need to limit the input current. It will only draw as much as it needs (≈11mA).
Oh no no... I think I didn't describe it clearly. I changed the 2.2K current limiting resistor to a pull down resistor. The 2.2K is connected to ground and the output is given directly from the opamp to the motor controller.
btw, how did you know that the motor controller has an input resistance pf 2k ? is it mentioned in the manual?
You don't need a pull down resistor. The op amp has active drivers, and pulls up and down without the need for external resistors.
I said the input resistance is ≈2kΩ because 24V/11.2mA≈2kΩ.
Could somebody please tell me what this may be?


text:
Analysis of @mahonas FOLLOWERS
@mahonas said: Meus seguidores são de Brasil(65%),EUA(19%),Reino Unido(3%) tweepsmap.com/!mahonas
About @mahonas (amanda):
The top three countries where mahonas's Twitter followers are from include Brazil(67%)USA(17%)and UK.(2%). Whearas the top three states/provinces where mahonas's Twitter followers come from are Somewhere, Brazil(21%), São Paulo, Brazil(13%) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil(10%). Finally the 3 cities where mahonas's Twitter followers are the most from are Somewhere, Brazil(21%), São Paulo, Brazil(13%) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil(10%)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Contact ATD
Join ATD
NADA Home
ATD Show/Events
ATD NextGen
ATD's primary mission is to advocate on behalf of truck dealers before Congress, the federal government, manufacturers, the media and the public.
Visit Legislative Priorities
ATD's Regulatory Affairs Group protects and promotes franchised truck dealership interests before the federal administrative agencies.
Visit Regulatory Affairs
Revisit the 2019 ATD Show
ATD Show Official Website
Truck Dealers of the Year
Truck Dealer of the Year Award Winners
ATD Dealer/Manufacturer Industry Relations Yearbook
ATD is the dealer's advocate in dealer/manufacturer relations, addressing dealer concerns with manufacturers and distributors. View the Yearbook
ATD Chairwoman's Column
ATD Insider
Commercial Truck Dealer Future Landscape
Federal Excise Tax (FET) Compliance Guide
2019 ATD Performance Measurement Guide
ATD Leadership
ATD Past Chairmen
ATD Strategic Plan
Learn more about ATD Leadership
Read the ATD Strategic Plan
ATD Chairman's Column
July 2016 ATD Chairman's Column
ATD Chairman's Column: Truck Dealers Converge on Capitol Hill July 2016 ATD Chairman's Column
By Steve Parker, July 2016
ATD Chairman
Last month, ATD hosted its second annual fly-in on Capitol Hill where commercial truck dealers urged members of Congress to protect dealerships from harmful policies and regulations that would hinder the growth of one of America's most important industries.
ATD's summer meeting turned up the heat with 67 congressional meetings, congressional guest speakers, and critical legislative briefings that were held in conjunction with ATD's annual June board meeting. This was an ideal opportunity to speak to our elected officials and hear from them. I had the honor of speaking with my own U.S. Senator, Ben Cardin (D-Md.). It was reassuring to see that many of our congressmen and senators understood what's at stake in our industry.
Our No. 1 legislative priority at the fly-in was opposing an increase in the federal excise tax (FET), which is applied to the sale of most heavy-duty trucks, tractors and trailers at its current rate of 12 percent. During our board meeting, we had the privilege of hearing from Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.)—one of the authors of H. Con. Res. 33, a bipartisan resolution that puts Congress on record in opposition to a FET increase. Rep. Walz co-sponsored the bill, along with Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.).
Walz stated: "When you raise the taxes on new, clean and efficient trucks, you encourage people to buy old, dirty trucks and you don't move the economy ... one of those unintended consequences is people purchase older trucks that actually have higher carbon emissions."
As a result of the Hill visits, three additional congressional co-sponsors have joined and several others are pending bringing us to 33 bipartisan cosponsors on H. Con. Res. 33.
Another ATD legislative priority is informing Congress about dealer concerns with the proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) / National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Phase 2 greenhouse gas / fuel economy rule. If unreasonably implemented, this rule will have negative consequences for truck dealerships, employees and the economy.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with White House officials who are reviewing the EPA / NHTSA Phase 2 rule. At the meeting, I highlighted ATD's concerns with the rule's technological feasibility and cost effectiveness, and questioned its potential impact on the upfront and ownership costs of new equipment. I also raised issues with the rule's lengthy timeframe (2018-2027), suggesting that there be a mid-term review to reevaluate underlying assumptions, akin to that set out in a comparable rule for light-duty fuel economy mandates.
I'd like to sincerely thank all our engaged and hardworking truck dealer members and state association executives who attended the ATD fly-in and contributed to a hugely successful week. Not only did we make our voices heard this month, but we created and solidified relationships for the future. Hosting officials at our dealerships during the congressional recesses is a logical next step.
I urge truck dealers across the country to host your members of Congress this summer when they are home in their districts. Thanks to the efforts of our dealers, we have six pending visits to dealerships across the nation as a direct result of our fly-in. With decisions looming this year, these visits are vital to building long-term relationships with our own legislators, and not just when we're on Capitol Hill.
ATD represents more than 1,800 medium- and heavy-duty truck dealerships, and we stand committed to protecting each one of you now and into the future.
For more information on H. Con. Res. 33, S. Con. Res. 40 and ATD's other legislative priorities, click here.
About The Column
The Chairman's Column provides a monthly commentary on the association's key issues. Questions or comments? Contact us at publicaffairs@nada.org.
ATAEs:
ATAEs are encouraged to republish the commentaries in their newsletters and other publications. For more articles that can be republished, view our Press Releases.
Jared Allen
Vice President, Communications
202.412.3881 (mobile)
Juliet Guerra
Director, Media Relations
Abram Olmstead


text:
» Sweet Release
I do it socially, but I also do it alone. I do it early in the morning and late at night. Sometimes I do it without telling other people, or when I really shouldn't be spending the money. If I'm perfectly honest, sometimes I don't even enjoy it…but I do it anyway.
I'm talking, of course, about eating cake.
I am not alone in my love of cake. Sugar is a main contributor to America's obesity problem, yet people just can't seem to shake that urge to eat, eat, eat. And who can blame us? It's just. So. Good.
Too good, as it turns out. As Michael Pollan points out in his book In Defense of Food, our bodies were genetically programmed a long, long time ago, back when sugar was a rarity. In those days, it was a welcome source of readily useable calories, and so our bodies recognized it as desirable in all situations.
And so it remains today: desirable in all situations. Or so we fool ourselves into thinking. Unfortunately, it is now also available in all situations, and many people give in so regularly that the medical community has begun to define sugar addiction.
In fact, says Dr. Charles Raison of Emory University Medical School, people who can't stop eating sugar have much in common with people who can't stop smoking cigarettes or using heroin.
"Increasingly, scientific studies suggest that eating activates the same brain areas that are the primary targets of drugs of abuse," Raison says. "Foods high in sugar, fat and certain carbohydrates are especially likely to stimulate our brain in ways that can become addictive."
Raison also points out something that many of us already know: there is an emotional component to eating sugar. Stereotypical Hollywood-breakup sobbing-and-chocolate scenes aside, many of us respond to a bad day with a big bowl of ice cream. Or a carton. Who's counting?
But the relief offered by an indulgence – or a binge – doesn't last.
"While processed sugars may produce a brief emotional high, several lines of evidence indicate that they affect our biology in ways that promote depression," Raison says, adding that "rates of depression in a country rise in lockstep with per capita sugar consumption."
Sugar, in other words, can produce a classic addictive cycle in its users: eat it, feel great, lose the high, want some more, eat it…or don't, and feel lousy.
I've experienced this firsthand. On many occasions I've promised myself that I wouldn't eat it anymore, and after a few easily distractable days ("Donut?? Who said donut?!"), I've felt great. My undoing always eventually arrives, however, in the form of a small, easily justified, sugary little package: a slice of wedding cake, a dinner out, a cupcake someone baked just for me. How could I refuse?
And then it's the next day, and I look sadly at the impressive pile of candy wrappers I've just produced, feeling sick and sorry for myself.
I've learned that triggers are often small, but that doesn't mean they don't have big consequences. The only solution is to remove the trigger entirely, and that means no sugar at all. Upsetting, I know, but the alternatives are pretty grim: binging, depression, obesity. Even if you're thin, high blood pressure and diabetes circle the sugar-addicted like wolves.
Naturally, not everyone is like me: most people are capable of enjoying treats in moderation. But if you do have a propensity to respond irrationally to sugar – if you are, like me, unlikely to stop at one piece of cake – then giving it up entirely might not be the worst idea.
It will be hard, yes. But impossible, no. Can I do it? I'm going to try.
My Brain is Having an OMG Moment
iStock_000020060863_Small_helix.jpg
Our Obsession with Obsession
WikiCommonsKievCakeSlicePublicDomain.png
This Is Your Brain on Capsaicin
pepper_helix.jpg
Science Club is an afterschool, mentor-based science program for middle school youth. This program brings graduate student mentors together with small groups of students to conduct fun and engaging scientific investigations.
The mentorship-based, science education model includes:
A focus...


Over the next four years, South Gloucestershire Council will work with a college coordinator from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Filton to recruit around 240 apprentices, or 60 a year.
Ultimately, the aim is to have apprenticeship opportunities within key areas in which the council and its suppliers work. Examples include housing, care, catering, street services and horticulture, but there will be many others. The purpose is to create the best possible career start for young people, in line with national policy to support apprenticeship opportunities for those aged 16 – 24 years old.
How does it work? Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes for those aged 16 plus. Apprentices will have a contract of employment and will be supported to gain the relevant qualifications through on-the-job learning, workplace support and college attendance.


text:
Bus falls into Zachu River; 12 dead, 5 missing
Phayul[Monday, December 12, 2011 11:54]
DHARAMSHALA, December 12: Twelve people have been confirmed dead and five others missing after a bus fell into a river in Chamdo, Tibet according to a report published by the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
News about the accident, which reportedly happened as early as Tuesday, December 6 was published only last Saturday, December 10.
According to the report, the ill-fated passenger bus was carrying 19 people including the driver when it fell into the Zachu River at around 4:30 p.m. local time Tuesday.
The report cited regional government officials as saying that 12 bodies had been recovered by Friday night while two people, including the bus driver sustained slight injuries. Rescuers are reportedly searching for the five missing passengers along the river.
Without giving any further information, the report said that six of the dead were Chamdo natives and the rest were from the neighbouring Tibetan regions.
The vehicle has been pulled out of the river while the local police are reportedly investigating the cause of the accident.
Chinese official statistics for the year 2010 show that there were 1,317 road accidents in western and central Tibet alone, killing 621 and injuring 1,161.
Severe road accidents are common in Tibet due to bad road conditions and lax safety and security measures. Earlier this year 16 people were killed in a highway accident while seven died when their truck rolled into a deep gorge.
Czech FM meets the Dalai Lama, hails meeting as 'inspiring'
Leaked video shows China's brutality in Tibet


text:
New VX3 Range For All Sizes
posted: November 13 2019
The club online shop has been updated with the new range of branded VX3 wear.
Children sizes are now included and the products can be delivered straight to your door in time for Christmas! Certain items can also be personalised for a small additional fee. You can click the VX3 logo to the left, or the VX3 logo on the Club Shop section to visit the online shop.
Alternatively, for the usual in-house club shop items, the shop will be open on Sundays in the lead up to Christmas.
New Season & Renewed Belief
posted: August 30 2019
To get us in good shape for the new season, the club entertained Vigo and Old Williamsonians in consecutive weeks under lights at The Mote. Both opposition sides provided strong packs and intelligent backs, which was believed to have been a good test to see how far the preseason work has come along.
As well as returning faces such as Luke Debnam & Ben Weston, the game also had a number of debuts. Louis Frost, Peter Simpson, Jay Tobbell, Bailey May, Ben Tugwell, Jordan Dabnor & of course Lead Coach George Flatman all made their 1st XV squad bows.
Vigo presented problems in the first quarter and took the lead, only for Maidstone to have a storming second quarter and scores posted by MoTM Tom Chandler and Jason Hazlehurst. In the absence of Euan Caborn, it was Jason Smith who slotted the extras. Vigo pressed to score again, but Maidstone's defence showed great progression and stayed resolute. In attack, they did manage to stretch the tough Vigo side, but the pitch width and oppositions determination thwarted any further scores.
Old Williamsonians arrived with a strong pack and some classy backs, which made some inroads early on, to take a well deserved 0 - 7 lead. Maidstone responded well once the cobwebs had been shaken, with Joe Burden making no less than five tackles in a row to keep the visitors tails from really rising. Eventually, it looked as though Maidstone's fitness was going to show through, taking a 22-12 lead into halftime. Back the visitors came though, with their second wind and onslaught. The highlight which shows all of the hard preseason work, was seeing Maidstone camped on their line and down to 13 men, pushing back the oppositions scrum for a turnover. Showing grit and tenacity, they hammered their way up the pitch to score in the corner, rounding off the game at 34 - 12.
To Vigo and Old Williamsonians, we say thank you for coming down and we wish both teams the very best for the upcoming season. Both sides showed some fantastic skill and handling, which we are sure will cause many teams all kinds of problems in the months ahead.
For Maidstone, the real test begin with a tricky opener away to Old Colfeians on Saturday 14th September. Spaces are available on the coach for supporters and we know the lads would love to have your support on the sidelines against a very, very, strong opposition for the league opener.
3rd Team Captaincy Announcement
posted: July 10 2019
The club is delighted to report that Mike Gillies has agreed to Captain the 3rd (Barbarians) team for the upcoming season. Mike started in his native Warminster before becoming the ever present scrum-half for the Barbarians, playing well below his capable level. His leadership on the pitch and ethos will continue to be a great addition to the club and to all players within the side, both novice and seasoned.
With players both old and new returning back this term, the season looks bright for Maidstone's competitive social side. Not only is there an array of talent within the squads, but also the blend of corinthian spirit of players getting involved just to have fun. So, if you are a player returning to rugby or a player that likes a competitive and yet social game, then get down to training and see what it's all about.
AGM: Committee Announcement
The Annual General Meeting for Maidstone Rugby took place at The Mote on Thursday 25th July.
With great thanks to Melanie White for all of her work as Honorary Secretary, she now steps down in the role. Her efforts and diligence will be very much missed. After ratification, Brian McKeon an ex-player and long term member of the club will take the position as of August 1st 2019. The club and committee welcomes Brian to the position and have every confidence that he will have the skills required to fulfil the role as an officer of the club.
Minutes of the meeting are available by request from members.
Preseason Matches
Before the league season kicks off for the 1st XV away to Old Colfeians on September 14th, two preseason games have been scheduled. Both games provide the opportunity to try out different combinations and for the coaches to assess the talent pool ahead of the new season. There looks to be some terrific competition for places, so there will be some added interest to an otherwise usual set of standard preseason friendly games.
Both games will be held under lights at The Mote, with the bar open as usual. We hope that you can come on down, see how things are shaping up, as well as support the 'Stones ahead of the regular season.
Tuesday 20th August v Vigo
Thursday 29th August v Old Williamsonians
Both games are planned to kick off around 7.30pm.
Next Players Forum: Thursday 15th August UPDATE
The next players forum will now be held at the club on Thursday 15th August, after training. It's an opportunity for all senior players of the club to discuss how preseason is shaping up and going forward into the new season.
All senior players are welcome to join and share their views.
Preseason Underway
Preseason is underway with nearly sixty players in attendance for the first week. Lead Coach George Flatman and Backs Coach Dave Charlton have been putting on versatile sessions, that cater for & include all levels within the club. These not only focus on fitness, but more ball in hand rugby orientated drills as well.
The first sessions included players from the latest crop of 18yr olds, all the way through to Veterans.
A club that trains together, wins together, so get on down and see what it's all about.
Training sessions are currently at the club Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.15pm. The popular Fatboys run by Club Captain Shaun Neaves and assisted by D.o.R. Pete Barford continue on Saturdays for sixty minutes from 11am.
Veterans Captaincy Handover
posted: June 14 2019
After three years Neil Cole has stepped down from being the Veterans skipper. Neil worked tirelessly with his little black book of contacts to get a strong Veterans side out each week. Introducing the old favourites back of oranges at halftime and a pot of tea after the game, the Vets went from strength to strength. During the injury crisis of last year, they stepped up to help out up the club and even took some noticeable scalps along the way. Neil and his wife Sharon also worked behind the scenes to organise the Summer Balls for the club.
During his last season, Karim Neseyif was shadowing to take over the mantle as Captain. Karim has been around the club for several years, playing in the Barbarians before transitioning to the Veterans. The Veterans is the perfect, welcoming social side to fit into, if you want to get involved again with Rugby but feel the body perhaps cannot do what the brain is telling it to! They also run a cracking Tour every season, seeking out the finest ale establishments along the way.
The club wholeheartedly thanks Neil Cole for his great tenure and we look forward to seeing Karim at the helm.
Role Vacant: Honorary Secretary
After two seasons, Melanie White will be stepping down as the Clubs Secretary.
If any club member is interested in the role, please contact Club Chairman Craig Tuffrey in the first instance. The role involves taking the Committee Meeting notes at the monthly meetings and updating the clubs online directory. From time to time, there will be documents for signing and discussions that will need your input in the capacity of a Club Officer.
The role would take up a few hours a month and would suit somebody with good administration skills and a good knowledge of the club.
The club is pleased to announce the recruitment of George Flatman as Lead Coach for next season. George will take on the role from July onwards, inclusive of roles as both our Forwards Coach and player. Dave Charlton's role will continue as Backs Coach.
George has been coaching since the age of 14 years old, running sessions at Canterbury Rugby Club and coaching in a number of schools. He is a Level 2 coach in both rugby and cricket and is working towards his Level 3 in rugby. He has a degree in Sports Coaching Science and was President of St Mary's Mens Rugby from 2015 to 2017, where he increased the number of qualified coaches from 11 to 56 and worked closely with the RFU to deliver targets for the club. More recently, he has been Player Coach at Thamesians RFC, where he coached both the men's and the newly formed women's teams. George is also a Coach Educator at the Bank of England Sports Club where he helps to make parents more effective coaches.
Pete Barford commented, "Both Dave Charlton & myself are excited at the prospect of working with George, not only for what he will bring as a coach with new ideas and a fresh approach, but also for what he will add as a player. We had a long and in-depth discussion at the end of which I was convinced that he will make a big difference at the club. George significantly impressed at training at the end of last season and I was aware of his previous coaching work, hence the meeting. He has a confident way about him, is an excellent communicator and has refined observation skills".
The club would like to thank those members who stepped up and showed an interest in the role.
Sad News: Kevin Murphy
It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Kevin Murphy whose health has been steadily deteriorating over the last year few years
Kevin Joined Maidstone Football Club in about 1975 and played for the B and ExA teams where he took over the captain's role for the ExA in 1977 and ran the side for 5 years. He was a founder member of the Vets team and played through until the 1990 season.
He was a very competent full back and his ability to confuse the opposition with his walking sidestep was a thing of beauty to behold. At full back, this put him in a great position, he thought, to advise the referee on his decisions and would let the ref know if he thought a mistake was made.
Off the field he knew where all the little back street pubs were with good real ale. He was the first person we knew to have a mobile phone albeit brick size, and would phone ahead to the restaurant and book us in, we were impressed.
An amazing character that leaves us with so many great memories.
Our thoughts are with Jo and family at this very sad time.
Latest 500 Club Winners
Here are the latest winners of the 500 club draws.
£100 Steve Matthews
£50 Barry Topple
£50 Nic Cracknell
£30 James Findlay
£100 Steve Vincent
£50 Tom Challis
£30 Paul Ehrhart
NatWest Rugby Force - Sat 22nd June
NatWest Rugby Force 22nd June
The club will again be participating in the Natwest Rugby Force weekend on the 22/23 June. The aim this year is a major ground tidy up on the immediate pitch surrounds of the 1st XV pitch, but more importantly along the perimeter fence lines that surround the ground along the rugby boundaries.
When? Saturday 22nd June @ 10:00am
Where? The Rugby Club
What? As mentioned above, the day is ground maintenance orientated.
How? The aim is to split into a number of teams each with specific roles. There are some paving slabs to be laid, weedkilling and strimming/brushcutting to be done and some paths & steps to be cleared, plus other odd jobs that need doing.
The day will be capped off with a BBQ and some refreshments.
What part do you play? Your participation is critical, there is significant work to be done and this is not a task that can just be left to the dedicated few who always turn up; whether you can spare the whole day, or just a couple of hours you participation is crucial to making this a success. Those of you that have petrol driven strimmers or brushcutters, or even hand hedge cutters/loppers and other garden implements, then if you could also bring them along it would be appreciated. It is recommended that all participants bring a pair of gardening gloves.
The whole thing shgouldn't take too long and your help would be appreciated, remember, if you as members can't be bothered to help out, then you end up with the club you deserve.
One Year Lookahead - Discussion 25 June 7.30pm
On Tuesday 25 June at 7.30pm Pete Barford will discuss his One Year Lookahead plan that has been approved by the club.
Any member of the club is welcome to come along to listen and then ask any questions about the plan.This is the perfect forum at the club to discuss the direction of playing and integration.
Announcement:: Forwards Coach steps down
The club is disappointed to announce that Steve Millward has stepped down from his role in the coaching team. 'Milly' has been a popular figure in the coaching set up for a number of years and took on extra responsibility last season when a number of changes were introduced to ensure the club stayed in London 2 (South East). The club would like to thank Milly for his sterling work and commitment to the cause.
Pete Barford, Director of Rugby, further commented "We worked well together over the second half of last season and I know Milly will be making this decision with regret. We had a difficult discussion but a constructive one. However, the club has to cut its cloth to suit the budget for next season and the situation is what it is. Milly knows he will always be welcome at the club and we have parted on amicable terms".
Pete has started the process of looking for a replacement in the coaching set up and is confident of starting formal week day training on Tuesday 2nd July with a full coaching team.
Ups & Downs, A review of the season for Kent's clubs
posted: May 22 2019
An End of Season Summary
English Clubs Championship
National 1: The last two seasons have seen the promotion battle very much a 'one horse race' as Hartpury and then Coventry romped to secure promotion by a wide margin; not so this time around. Chinnor were the early season leaders but fell off the pace in mid-season as a group of 4 or 5 clubs fought for promotion. Both Blackheath and Elthamians were very much in the mix going into the last quarter of the campaign, along with Ampthill, Rosslyn Pk and Rotherham. In the end it became a battle between Elthamians and Ampthill and the early March clash between the two is probably what decided the issue with the Hertfordshire club taking the points and going on to clinch the title leaving the SE London club to think what might have been. Blackheath's challenge also fell away in the second half of the campaign where losses to the eventual winners, plus Rosslyn Pk who finished third, and a couple of mid-table sides saw them drift off the pace to eventually finish fourth.
At the foot of the table Loughborough Students, Esher & Caldy struggled throughout, although the battle for survival wasn't lost until the final weekends and the final places weren't decided until the last day. Loughborough faced an uphill struggle against champions Ampthill and lost out heavily, Esher were reliant on other results and did what was needed but couldn't recreate Loughborough's escape act of last season, whilst for Caldy and Cambridge, their fate was in their own hands. In the end Caldy fell to last day defeat at fellow strugglers Moseley and relegation, whilst a Cambridge win saw them live to fight another season
National 2(South): O Redingensians or Rams as they became shortly after the season started, pretty much took the division by the scruff of the neck very early on and had built a big enough advantage by the mid-season point to ride out any slip ups in the second half of the campaign as they coasted to take the title in early April. The chasing pack consisted of four clubs, who themselves had a significant cushion over the mid-table melee. Both Canterbury and Tonbridge Juddians were in that chasing group, with Canterbury very much leading the chase from the mid-season point, whilst TJ's were largely at the tail end of the group at the halfway stage. Both clubs kept their form as first Taunton and then Henley stuttered with TJs very much coming up on the rails. Whilst they never really got close enough to really challenge, they were always in with a shout and in the end finished third, having kept their county rivals always looking over their shoulder and just a point shy of their total. Canterbury, having taken the playoff place, went on to meet London 2(N) club Chester who had finished behind Hull Ionians, with Canterbury taking the tie 19-10 to join Blackheath and Elthamians in National 1 next season.
At the foot of the table there was a group of three clubs that pretty much struggled throughout and by the time the season went into the last quarter Guernsey, Ldn Irish WG and Birmingham & Solihull (B&S) had noticeably fallen adrift of the field. Having narrowly avoided the drop last season Ldn Irish WG were relegated in the latter part of March, with Guernsey joining them in early April with B&S's relegation confirmed a week later following defeat by the league champions.
London & SE Premier: The promotion battle had no county involvement and was a three way battle from pretty much the season mid-point, with Sutton & Epsom (S&E), Westcliff and Wimbledon competing for the promotion places in a battle that wasn't decided until the final weekend. Each of the clubs appeared unable to take the advantage as they all slipped up against mid-table opposition, in the end it was Tring that decided the issue, Having beaten both S&E and Westcliff on the run in, they then torpedoed Wimbledon's hopes of an immediate return to National 2, leaving S&E as the league champions and Westcliff to go on to face Barnstaple in the promotion playoff, a match which they went on to win convincingly
For the counties clubs, promising starts somewhat faded and both clubs ended in mid-table, with Sidcup as they did last season, slipping down the table and flirting with the relegation battle. After a promising first season in the division last year, Tunbridge Wells might have expected a better campaign this time around but it was their propensity to lose to sides below them and beat sides above them that saw them hovering on the edge of the danger zone for a large part the season, and whilst other results never really saw them in danger it probably made for an uncomfortable campaign. That said, the end of March saw the relegation issues sorted, with Shelford, who endured a torrid campaign having their relegation confirmed in mid-February, they will drop into Ldn 1 (N) along with the two clubs promoted from that division last term, in Brentwood and Chingford.
London 1 (South): What a nail-biter this division was, with just a single point separating four clubs going into the last month of the campaign; and the promotion battle literally going down to the wire with both Medway and Sevenoaks involved. Brighton and Medway had set the early pace but both clubs had wobbles and Sevenoaks and Camberley were able to maintain station. In the end both of the early season leaders potentially saw their hopes dashed in the home straight, as first Brighton stumbled and Medway's challenge dissolved with three defeats in the closing stages of the campaign. The final day saw Sevenoaks take the title, but it was a gritty comeback on the last weekend by Brighton at fellow challengers Camberley, that saw them snatch the runners up spot and the promotion playoff place against Colchester, an encounter which in windy conditions saw them again came from behind to take the promotion place.
At the bottom of the table Hove anchored the division and were relegated by mid-February, and they were joined by Chobham at the end of March with Tottonians the other side to join them after the likes of Havant and Chichester, who both had poor first halves to their campaigns, moved clear of danger. Of the county's other representatives; Dartfordians enjoyed a solid first half to the campaign before flirting with the drop zone in the third quarter of the season, eventually finishing eleventh, whilst Westcombe Pk, who might have been expected to challenge for promotion were never quite on the pace as they finished in mid-table.
London 2(South East): In a division dominated by Kent clubs, it was Beckenham that took the title at the end of March, last season they were in the running but showed greater consistency this time round to finish clear of Horsham in the playoff spot. Very much like last term, the battle for the playoff place was fought between several clubs, although the closing weekends saw that crystallise to a battle between Horsham and Charlton Park as both O Colfeians and Haywards Heath dropped away, with the Horsham securing the runner-up spot on the final weekend. At the bottom end of the table both of the relegation places were finalised on the same weekend with Aylesford dropping straight back down to London 3 along with bottom club Heathfield & Waldron. For the rest of the county's clubs it was mid-table mediocrity with Gravesend in the top half of the table whilst Maidstone, Dover, D&B and Thanet all struggled at some point through the campaign.
London 3(South East): Crowborough were the only Sussex club in the top half of a division dominated by Kent clubs last season; always one of the front runners this time around they had built a healthy lead by the season mid-point, going on to secure promotion and the league title at the end of March. It was Kent clubs that provide the competition with Beccehamians and Vigo always in the hunt with Folkestone recovering from a very poor start to the campaign to be in with an outside chance in the closing stages of the season. In the end it was Beccehamians that secured the promotion spot on the last day of the campaign, from Folkestone who will no doubt look back at their awful start to the season, and Vigo who finished fourth.
Of the rest, Pulborough never quite strung together the consistency to sustain their challenge. At the bottom end of the table Hellingly's withdrawal meant there would be just two relegation places this term, with any of the bottom half of the table likely to be dragged into the struggle. In the end Lewes were relegated in mid-March, and as Park House lifted themselves clear of danger it was between Hastings & Bexhill and Bromley as to who would fill the other spot. The matter was decided on the penultimate weekend as the same match Beccehamians secured their promotion and Hastings were consigned to relegation.
Shepherd Neame Kent 1: Ashford took the league title at something of a canter, strengthened by returning players they proved to have too much firepower for the competition. Anchorians put in a good season to take the playoff spot against Crawley, which they subsequently won, although a slight wobble in the closing stages could have seen them caught by Cranbrook who very much came up on the rails in the in the final weeks of the campaign to finish fourth. O Gravesendians for long periods looked like potential challengers but fell away in the second half of the season and finished in fifth place. At the bottom, the withdrawal of RBS meant just the one relegation place and in many ways it was a formality as Sheppey suffered a horrendous season to finish well adrift at the bottom and drop to the Kent 1. There was very much a top and bottom section to this division with Foots Cray, Whitstable and New Ash Green very much the bottom half of the table with a 18-point separation between them and the top section occupied by the promotion chasers and mid-table, Kings College Hosp and HSBC.
Shepherd Neame Kent 2: It was newcomers Cliffe Crusaders that were the pace setters, taking top spot early in the campaign and going on to take the title in their debut season in the leagues. The battle for the other promotion place was really between three clubs with Sittingbourne falling away leaving Faversham and Lordswood to battle it out in a contest that went to the final two weekends of the campaign as the top three clubs were pitted against each other, with Faversham eventually taking the promotion place. At the bottom of the table Askean anchored the table from Greenwich, with Dartford Valley the other club in what was a clearly delineated bottom three in the table.
RFU Cup Competitions:
Intermediate Cup: Seven of the county's clubs entered the competition with varying degrees of success as Aylesford, Beckenham, Dover and Maidstone all fell at the first hurdle. The remaining sides all made good inroads into the regional competition in reaching the semi-final stage. Inevitably at least one would exit at that point and whislt Gravesend went out to fellow Kent club O Colfeians, Charlton Park, who have a good recent record in this competition, were unlucky to lose out Letchworth 20-21 with a converted penalty that was the last kick of the match. The final saw Colfes always in control to take the regional trophy 12-34 and progress to face Gloucestershire club Matson in the national semi-final. In a match that proved to be a game of two distinct halves, Colfes roared to an 18-0 lead at the interval before losing out 18-19 at the close, having seen a long range penalty attempt ricochet off the posts in the dying minutes. In the national final Colfe's conquerors Matson lost out 32-26 to a well drilled Kenilworth outfit.
Senior Vase: Only three of the county's eligible entered this year's competition, with both Folkestone and O Dunstonians exiting in the first round, Bromley, whose recent record in this competition has been good, fell at the next hurdle as they lost out to Portsmouth, who would go on to take the regional title against Chelmsford, but eventually fall to Devon club Honiton in the national semi-final, who then went on to take the national trophy against Northallerton in a very tight 29-27 contest.
Junior Vase: In what is the largest of the RFU Cup competitions, this season saw just six Kent clubs enter a tournament that suffered badly with walkovers in the opening rounds. Bexley exited in the first round with Greenwich and Sittingbourne progressing, although Sittingbourne with some good fortune despite losing their fixture against London Media. In a second round racked with walkovers that saw only five of the sixteen scheduled matches take place, Greenwich exited leaving Anchorians, Ashford, New Ash Green and Sittingbourne to progress. New Ash Green departed in the third round with Sittingbourne going out in the quarter-finals along with a much fancied Ashford side who lost out to Reeds Weybridge who would eventually go on to take the regional title on their way to Twickenham. Anchorians made the regional semi-finals, but suffered a heavy 68-0 defeat at Hitchin, who were then comfortably beaten by Reeds Weybridge who went on to defeat O Cryptians in the national semi-final. Reeds went on to take the national title in a rather one sided contest against Yorkshire club Thornensians 42-5.
Shepherd Neame Kent Cup Competitions
Kent Cup: Just six of the nine eligible clubs entering a tournament that saw only one fixture played prior to a repeat of last year's final between Sidcup & O Elthamians. Elthamians started quickly held the early advantage, pushing out to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter before Sidcup began to get into their stride and pegged them back to a 17-15 scoreline at the half-time interval. Elthamians started quickly again in the second half, extending their lead to 24-15 before a succession of three Elthamians tries and a penalty in the middle period of the half took the score out to 48-15, ensuring there would be no repeat of last year's result where Sidcup took the trophy in the dying minutes. It wasn't until the final 10 minutes and with a man advantage that Sidcup were able to respond with two converted tries of their own before a final flourish by Elthamians to lift the Kent Cup for the first time in their history with a 55-29 scoreline.
Kent Shield: Now in its third season, this competition for teams at Levels 7 & 8 saw less than half the available clubs enter, and again a competition littered with walkovers. Of the round one fixtures only one was played as part of the preseason preparations. Of the semi-finals, only Charlton Park's match against Aylesford took place, with Gravesend benefiting from a walkover in the other and reaching the final without ever having to put their boots on. The final was always a close encounter with Charlton Pk holding a narrow 8-6 advantage at the interval and with the lead change hands during the second half. In the end in a contest where there was little to separate the two sides, it was Gravesend who held off some late Charlton Park pressure to take the trophy 23-26
Kent Plate: Entry into the Plate is for losers of their first fixture in either the Cup or Shield competitions; and ended with a Canterbury v Westcombe Pk final without a ball ever being kicked. Nonetheless, the final proved an enthralling and high scoring encounter in which the advantage swung back and forth with the lead changing hands on five occasions. In what was always a close contest it was Canterbury's Pilgrims that lifted the trophy with a 31-39 scoreline.
Kent Vase: It would appear that there is much more enthusiasm for the county cup competitions amongst the junior clubs with 23 entering the Vase competition and out of the 19 fixtures up to the final only five were conceded to walkovers, which is a credit to all the clubs concerned. To mention all the matches would be impossible, but some of the fixtures of note were the efforts of league debutants Cliffe Crusaders who made it to the quarter-finals before falling to eventual finalists Kings College; and non-league Ash, Ashford Barbarians and Swanley who all went out in the opening round. Their participation in the competition is most welcome, and without wishing to be political, their willingness to compete perhaps an example to some of the senior clubs. The semi-finals saw Kent 2 club Bexley concede to Kings College whilst the other semi also resulted in a walkover with Ashford being given the concession by O Gravesendians. The final saw Ashford always in control to complete a successful season with an 18-3 victory to lift the trophy.
Kent Salver: Only four clubs failed to transfer to the Salver through conceding their fixtures and pleasingly the competition progressed through three rounds with only one further walkover. The semi-finals saw Cranbrook fall 19-27 to Southwark Lancers, whilst in the other Faversham were 29-7 victors against Sittingbourne. In the final Faversham took a slender 7-5 advantage into the interval but it was Southwark who looked like picking up the trophy having moved into a 7-15 lead, but the 'castaways' came back with two further scores to eventually lift the Salver with a narrow 17-15 win.
London & SE Promotion & Relegation Summary
Promoted: Ampthill.
Relegated: Esher, Loughborough Students and Caldy
National 2 (S)
Promoted: Rams and Canterbury (Playoff v Chester (Nat 2N))
Relegated: Ldn Irish WG, Guernsey and Birmingham & Solihull
London & SE Premier
Promoted: Sutton & Epsom and Westcliff (Playoff v Barnstaple (SW Prem))
Relegated: Shelford, Brentwood and Chingford
London 1 (N)
Promoted: Rochford Hundred
Runners Up: Colchester
Relegated: Diss, Luton and Fullerians
London 1 (S)
Promoted: Sevenoaks and Brighton (Playoff v Colchester (Ldn 1(N))
Relegated: Hove, Chobham and Tottonians
London 2 (SE)
Promoted: Beckenham and Horsham (playoff v Farnham (L2SW))
Relegated: Aylesford Bulls and Heathfield & Waldron
London 2 (SW)
Promoted: KCS OB
Runners Up: Farnham
Relegated: Effingham & Leatherhead and Gosport & Fareham
Promoted: Crowborough and Beccehamians
Relegated: Lewes and Hastings & Bexhill (Hellingly – withdrew)
Promoted: Winchester and Battersea Ironsides
Relegated: Teddington, Petersfield and O Whitgiftian
Shepherd Neame Kent Division 1
Promoted: Ashford and Gillingham Anchorians (playoff v Crawley (Sussex1))
Relegated: Sheppey (RBS - withdrew)
Promoted: Cliffe Crusaders and Faversham
Promoted: Uckfield
Runners Up: Crawley
Note: Promotion/relegation between Kent Div 1 & 2 does not take account of potential restructuring during the closed season.
MFC Youth Academy & Structure
The club is pleased to announce the start of the Youth Academy at Maidctone FC. These changes are being introduced as part of the One Year Look ahead plan from Director of Rugby, Pete Barford.
Academy Coach
Under the direction of of the D.o.R. the club is pleaseed to announce the appointment of Mick Walker as the Academy Coach for next season.
The Academy will be formed of players from next season's U16s, U17s and U18s, based on what Pete has seen last season in terms of potential, character and attitude. 'In the future, I believe that it should be the case that every player from the relevant age groups should aspire to be part of the Academy' said Pete. 'The formation of an Academy will allow youth players to build together, establish new relationships and be coached outside of the 'comfort' of their own age group'. As for his choice to kick start the future, Pete said 'Mick was an obvious choice to me and having spoken a number of times to him about his passion to coach again, Mick showed the enthusiasm required plus he has the credentials to deliver the role'. Mick has an extensive and varied CV, with notable success with the Army U21s, who were undefeated for three years under his tenure, periods at North Walsham in National League and then Sheppey. He was also involved in the development of the successful Aylesford Ladies team and more recently the all conquering Mustangs team from two seasons ago, which now forms the core of the current 1st Team.
Discussions have taken place with the Head Coaches from the relevant age groups and the Youth Chairs about the introduction of the Academy and the concept has been positively received.
An initial group of 25 players will be selected within the next week and a meeting held with them prior to the start of next season to discuss expectations.
School & University Liaisons
Separately, Pete has made two further appointments that close some loopholes he identified from his knowledge of the past and the time he has had during last season as both Youth Rugby Manager and covering for Director of Rugby.
Jamie Mills will become the University Players Liaison and will provide a link with all players going to university from the club. Jamie will be setting up a database covering future university players and also looking to capture information relating to those who are already at university. Pete commented 'We need to be spot on in the way we deal with those who go on to further their education and make them feel that they are still very much part of the club'. He added 'It also does not make any sense that someone as capable and successful in his time within the Youth Section as Jamie is no longer involved with the club'.
The final appointment is Gavin Allwright as Schools Liaison. Gavin has already done a lot of work with a number of schools over the last two seasons but his role will be a broader one based on the relationships with schools established last year by Pete. Pete commented ' Gavin is a big character and he is a smart thinker and we need to be smart when we deal with schools as opportunities for both contributing to player development and recruitment clearly exist'. Gavin will also continue to be part of the coaching set up for the Colts team next season.
Fat Boys Training 2019
posted: April 30 2019
The ever popular "Fat Boys Training" returns for the summer, on Saturday June 1st at 11am on the Somme - and guess what? You don't need to be fat to attend - or even a boy for that matter, but you do need to be 16 or over.
Hosted by the never popular Shaun Neaves, you can be sure he will put you through considerable discomfort in the interests of making you a better, fitter and more committed rugby-player - and human-being (which are not entirely incompatible objectives).
He advises that you should bring water and boots and, in the interests of decency, clothing of some description.
National 2 Promotion Playoff: I had the good fortune to be invited to this fixture and quite a day it was, my thanks to Shepherd Neame for the invitation, it was most appreciated. More important was the on the pitch display which saw Canterbury prevail over opponents Chester with a 19-10 scoreline. In a match played largely in sunshine the early pressure came from the home side with the first scoring opportunity a penalty which drifted wide of the posts. Chester then began to get back into the match and were first on the scoreboard after a penalty gave them the territory and they were able to cross from the resultant lineout. With little between the two sides much of the half was then played in midfield and it was only in the closing stages that Cant began to exert pressure in the Chester 22m, Eventually the visitors solid defence cracked as Canterbury crossed and with the conversion successful held a slender 7-5 advantage at the interval. A half-time hailstorm had just about cleared by the restart and again the two sides found themselves locked together in a largely midfield battle until the closing minutes of the third quarter saw a good piece of anticipation with Canterbury intercepting a loose pass on halfway, which completely flatfooted the Chester players who were set in attacking mode as the ball was dotted down under the posts. Another try wide on the right a short while later looked like it might settle the affair as the lead stretched to 19-5 but Chester fought on manfully although it wasn't until the dying seconds of the match that they were able to score their second try. Congratulations to Canterbury on a great effort and a great result as they now join Blackheath and Elthamians in National 1.
RFU Cup National Finals:
Intermediate Cup: Kenilworth always had just a bit too much for Matson who had beaten Colfes in the semi-final. Despite conceding almost from the kickoff Kenilworth were 14-5 up inside 10 minutes and when a penalty and a further try took the score to 22-5, it looked like Matson were dead & buried. A late first half rally reduced the deficit to 22-12 at the interval and when the teams reappeared for the second half, the game restarted at a furious pace with both sides on the scoreboard in double-quick time. With the score at 27-19 the game settled into long periods of Kenilworth pressure, but unable to inflict the decisive blow it was Matson who scored next to set up a tense final ten minutes with the score at 27-26. In the end it was Kenilworth who kept their nerve to cross for a try with 4 minutes remaining to take the Cup 26-32
Senior Vase: This was a very tight match that ebbed and flowed with Northallerton first on the scoreboard with a penalty after 15 minutes, little the two sides but it was Honiton's two tries against the one from the opposition that gave them a 12-10 advantage at the change round. The second half followed much the same vein as the first with scores for both sides as Honition led 19-17 going into the final quarter. Two quick Northallerton scores looked like they were going to snatch the trophy before the Devon club responded with tries of their own to take the Senior Vase 29-27.
Junior Vase: Of the three club finals today this was perhaps the most one-sided as Yorkshire club Thornensians had no real answer to the attacking Reeds Weybridge, who had pretty much wrapped the game up by half-time as they ran in five unanswered tries at regular intervals to take a 35-0 lead into the break. Thorne did get on the scoreboard early in the second half to reduce the deficit, but that was as good as it got with Reeds scoring again with what was really the last meaningful play of the match to take the trophy 42-5
Sad News: Reg Dancer - FUNERAL DETAILS UPDATE
The club is saddened to hear the news of the passing of Reg Dancer. The ex-player & long supporter of the club became unwell in December and has been in a care home since early March.
His friend Phil Giddings was with him on May 1st and said that Reg was comfortable and at peace, ready to leave this world for the next.
Reg passed away shortly after.
Tributes have been pouring in for Reg over the past twenty-four hours, remembering him as an always friendly and welcoming character around the club. Known for his sing songs and front row grunt, he will be sorely missed by all those that were fortunate to have known him at the club.
The Club President Paul Ehrhart remembers Reg fondly. He said "Reg first played his rugby for Maldon Vikings and Chelmsford in Essex where he skippered a team in both clubs, and then joined Maidstone in 1973 as a prop forward for the B team; he then took over as skipper for a number of seasons, and then was a founder member of the Veterans team in 1985/6 season. All the time he played he could always be found after the game still in his muddy kit in the bar singing away much to the annoyance of the committee. He was a great tourist leading the singing, and his rendition of The One Eyed Trouser Snake or The Wife the Maid and I, will never be forgotten. His dedication to the game showed when we went on tour to Canada, the fire alarm went off in the hotel at 4 in the morning and Reg was the only one outside carrying his kit bag, the fire wasn't going to stop him playing!!!!!!!
A great character, a one off, never to be forgotten".
On behalf of the club, we wish Margaret, the entire family and friends our deepest condolences.
The funeral will be held at the United Reformed Church, Week Street, ME14 1QU at 3.15pm on Friday 24th May. This will be followed by the wake at the clubhouse from 5pm onwards. Margaret has requested that any club members wishing to attend the funeral, does so wearing club blazers & ties.
Around the Grounds - Shepherd Neame Kent Cup Edition
National 1: The last weekend of the regular season rather saw teams somewhat reliant on not only their own performances, but also on results elsewhere. At the top any hopes Elthamians had that relegated Loughborough St could do them a favour against leaders Ampthill were somewhat forlorn, with the students falling to a 20-52 defeat to end another difficult campaign and seeing Ampthill taking the sole promotion place. Elthamians meanwhile had done all they could, posting a 31-12 win against fifth placed Rotherham. Rosslyn Park's 50-19 win against Cindderford saw them move into third as Blackheath slipped to fourth after losing 22-24 to Esher. This was a match where Esher needed a BP win and other results to go their way, firstly they needed Caldy to lose, which they did, going down 12-10 at Moseley having led at half-time. Esher also needed Cambridge to lose at Sale, but a 5-24 win for the East Anglia club meant that Esher's fate was sealed, along with Caldy who join Loughborough in dropping to their respective National 2 divisions. In the other results, Chinnor lost 10-17 to Plymouth Albion and DMP were 34-26 victors over Bishops Stortford.
National 2(S): With the promotion, playoff and relegation issues all decided on the penultimate weekend, todays fixtures really were an honours only affair, and in the case of Canterbury, getting through the days encounter with the league champions without injury before next week's promotion playoff. In the end Rams ran out comfortable 14-31 winners against the city club, which meant that TJ's 24-47 win at relegated B&S narrowed the gap to just a point separation between them and their county rivals. Henley's 33-12 win against BSE sees them in fourth, again just a point off the runner up spot with Taunton in fifth some 20 points adrift after they fell to a heavy 66-31 final day defeat at Worthing. At the bottom with bottom club Ldn Irish WG losing 21-29 to visiting Barnes, Guernsey were the only one of the relegated trio to post a win, with a 26-19 win against O Albanians; whilst Dings and O Redcliffians who had both flirted with the drop zone both lost out, with 33-20 and 17-0 defeats at Redruth and Clifton respectively.
Ldn & SE Playoffs:
In the playoff for promotion to National 2(S), Westcliff played host to SW runners-up Barnstaple who were looking to reverse last season's relegation at the first attempt. In the end the contest was a somewhat one sided encounter as the Essex club comfortably ran out winners 44-5. Having taken a 20-0 lead into the interval, they stretched that further to 37-0 before Barnstaple finally got onto the scoreboard 10 minutes before the final whistle, although the Essex club still had time to round off a convincing display with another converted try 5 minutes before the final whistle.
The battle for promotion to the London Premier Division was a much tenser affair between Colchester and visitors Brighton. Playing into a strong wind the Sussex club took an early 0-7 advantage but were pegged back with a couple of penalties before Colchester then took their chances to go into the interval with a 21-14. Brighton, with the wind at their backs stayed within one score before taking a one point advantage 26-27 going into the final quarter, a long range penalty from halfway increased the lead which was followed by another impressive kick as Brighton went into stoppage time at 26-33. The drama wasn't yet over as their hosts fought back and crossed the whitewash only for the ball to be judged 'held up' in what was the last play of the match and saw Brighton join fellow Ldn 1(S) club Sevenoaks in promotion.
A Word From Our New Director Of Rugby
Firstly, I would like to thank both Andy Golding and Craig Tuffrey for the support I have had during last season. Andy, in particular, has given me an insight into the running of the club and how to conduct oneself. Little did I know that my role as Youth Rugby Manager would end up by the end of the season as being one that is encapsulated in the role of Director of Rugby at the club. However, incorporating one into the other makes a lot of sense for the future.
I am proud to have been given the chance to bring change and success. Anyone who knows me and knows my past will be able to confirm that I will be totally focused on delivering success for the club, starting from the Youth Section.
The club is already in receipt of my One Year Lookahead, which includes some accelerated change. This will be presented to club members before the start of next season but it is true to say that the work has already started. The plan emphasises the start point, which is the Youth Section, and then goes on to cover the Senior Section and finally Culture & Standards.
As for the team of coaches I have inherited, I feel that we have a good balance of skills and effective communication styles. Having observed for the first part of the season and then had some involvement for the second part of the season, I believe I know what needs to be done for next season. I am meeting the coaching team and associated team members on Monday 29 April to discuss next season and the future.
And finally, for the playing members at the club, I am sure we all want success plus a bit of fun on top. An emphasis on the One Great Club message is the only way forward.
Pete Barford


text:
AT&T flicks the switch on LTE-A carrier aggregation, but you'll have to wait to use it
Robert Triggs
We've been hearing about LTE-Advanced networking for a little while now, and whilst the option is slowly gaining momentum all across the globe, AT&T appears to be the first company in the US to roll-out its LTE-A service, or at least the carrier aggregation part of it anyway.
AT&T SVP of Network Technologies Kris Rinne told Gigaom in a recent interview, that the new network configuration has just been activated in several regions across the US, but only confirmed one city in which the service is currently live – Chicago.
So why the silence about the network upgrade, especially considering that AT&T will be the first to offer this service in the US? Well, it's likely due to the fact that only a handful of the company's customers can actually take advantage of it, AT&T hasn't officially announced any smartphones that can make use of the service.
Although handset and chip manufacturers have been gearing up for faster data speeds for a while, the vast majority of these handsets are being sold in areas like South Korea, where LTE-A connections are more readily available. AT&T only recently announced its Unite hotspot carrier-aggregation device, which is currently the only device certified by the company to make use of these new speeds. The first smartphone that we are likely to see make use of AT&T's upgraded network could be the new Samsung Galaxy S5. At Mobile World Congress, Samsung confirmed that the S5 would support carrier aggregation on some US networks, of which AT&T could be one.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 comes with Cat 4 LTE support, offering data speeds up to 150Mbps.
It's also worth noting that there are other AT&T devices which, on paper, also already support carrier aggregation, such as the Snapdragon 800 powered LG G2. But before you get too excited, it's likely that existing devices will require a firmware update before they could even potentially begin to work with multiple AT&T frequency bands. Hopefully we'll hear more about new and existing handsets when AT&T is ready to announce its network update officially.
In case you've missed out on the all marketing buzz, LTE-A carrier aggregation essentially opens up two bands of traffic for your device to use for downloads, rather than operating on a single band, to increase your maximum data speeds. In other words, LTE-A gives customers access to more of the network to use at once.
For example, in Chicago, AT&T is running its fastest data speeds on two LTE bands, its 700 MHz and the 2100 MHz Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) frequencies. By aggregating those two channels together, AT&T will be able to send data over a 15 MHz-wide downlink, increasing theoretical download speeds to around 110 Mbps.
So far, AT&T has only confirmed its new LTE-A service in Chicago, but other areas are set to follow suite, possibly including Baltimore, Dallas, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., all of which are currently undergoing 2G/3G to LTE transformations. There are also many other cities, like Chicago, where AT&T owns the AWS spectrum.
AT&T may well be the first U.S. provider to make use of LTE carrier aggregation, but all of the major operators have the technology in their roadmaps too. Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint have all been buying up the necessary spectrums, and should also be switching on their services in the not too distant future.
Are you looking forward to the LTE-A data revolution?
AT&T, LTE Advanced
AT&TLTE Advanced
Source: Gigaom
Via: Droid-Life
5G has arrived: Here's what you can expect from Verizon
by Kevin ParrishJuly 14, 2019247 shares
Revealed: The worst things we do with our phones while flying
by Hadlee SimonsJuly 10, 2019208 shares
The best AT&T deals (June 2019)
by AA StaffJune 28, 2019857 shares
Check your bills: AT&T sued over hidden $2 monthly fee
by Hadlee SimonsJune 25, 2019115 shares


Karen: Ramji, this is what I have written today and I am excited about what knowledge has appeared to me; I look forward to hearing if my knowledge is actually knowledge!!
Ramji: Okay, sweetheart, you asked for it. Close but no cigar. It's knowledge mixed with ignorance. I'll help you sort it out.
Karen: Our waking life is actually more imagined (unreal) than our dreamworld.
Ramji: More imagined by whom? If they are produced by the self, the waking and the dreamworlds are not different, because the self has no duality. In fact they are not produced by the self, because the self is incapable of action. It is the immutable substrate of the three states. It is produced by Maya, which is not the self, but is not not the self. In any case, Maya/Isvara doesn't add value to or subtract value from the states. It just creates and destroys them impersonally.
So "more or less imagination" is your idea, the waking-state entity adding or subtracting value. It is a pyscho-spiritual belief that somehow the dream state is more real than the waking state. It isn't. They have equal value.
In fact most people think that the waking state is "more imagined," i.e. more real, than the dream. Why is your belief more important than the belief of the fry cook at the local diner?
The ignorance appears again in your statement "In dreams, you create the world…" This is not true. Imagination and creation are the same.
Neither the jiva nor the self creates the world. Maya/Isvara creates it. The "you" you are referring to is not Isvara. These are instances of superimposition (adhaysa). You are confusing Isvara's power to project with jiva's power to project, which leads to the next issue. You do say that God creates it, but that statement contradicts the statement that jiva creates it. You are addressing jivas with your writing. If they take you as an authority, they are going to be misled. So you have to have the knowledge of Isvara at your fingertips or you will get arguments.
Isvara creates the dream, but the jiva interprets it. Isvara/Maya doesn't interpret, because Isvara is not a person with karma. It has no vasanas, no interpretation mechanism. It creates vasanas but it is completely unaffected by them. The dreamer doesn't interpret the dream. The dream is only interpreted by the waking-state jiva, in this case, Karen. What is her interpretation based on? The effects of ignorance, i.e. her conditioning.
The dream is actionless action, meaning that nothing is actually happening in the dream. It seems as if it is, however. This leads to the next bit of ignorance: jiva creates or exhausts karma in the dream. Karma is only created or destroyed in the waking state by the waking-state entity, assuming it is real. The dream and the dreamer are mithya, apparently real. Apparent reality is as good as no reality because it has no impact on you, the self. And it only impacts on wakers who think it is more valuable than the waking state, which is equally dreamlike. But how can something that is unreal impact on anything or anyone? The real has no impact and the unreal has no impact. In other words, karma is also mithya. So you need to be careful not to create the idea that that dreams are more valuable for self-knowledge than other sadhanas. In fact karma yoga and jnana yoga are superior because they are based on the idea that thoughts and actions are unreal because the purpose of both is to negate the waker and the dreamer.
The dream state and the dreamer are just ignorance apparently outpicturing. Nothing is going on. Dreams are, well, just dreams. They are only useful to the waker, who is also just ignorance outpicturing.
In Vedanta we provisionally accept ignorance because that is all we have to work with. So we pretend that Karen is real and that her dreams are valuable.
The next bit of ignorance is assigning gender to Isvara. There is no actual difference between ignorance and its effects. So projecting gender adds an idea to the idea of God that is going to have to be removed if God-knowledge is going to be in line with the facts.
The basic problem with dreamwork is jiva's interpretation. Our argument is that jivas are not reliable interpreters, because their biases skew the interpretation. I sent you my dreamwork to point out that dreams are only useful if you have a non-human interpretation mechanism, i.e. Vedanta, because it takes all dream factors into account in an unbiased manner. Yes, you can argue that Vedanta is biased too if you are attached to dreamwork because the only conclusion you can come to is that the jiva and its dreams are equally unreal. But that is the whole point. The more you do some kind of sadhana the more you reinforce the belief that you are doing some kind of sadhana, which just keeps the notion of doership alive.
Jivas don't have clear knowledge of the four factors in reality: the self, Isvara, jiva and the world. If their natures and their relationships are clear, then dreamwork can be marginally helpful for the waker. If not, not.
You acknowledge this fact with your statement "Dreams are a step toward surrender, as they show us these projections, therefore dreamwork is a step toward freedom," the operating word being "step." So you are good to go. If you are going to tell lies, you should know that they are lies. Vedanta, as you know it so far, is also a lie, but it's a useful lie if you are trying to get out of samsara.


text:
Heuser ist ein deutscher Familienname.

Namensträger
 Adeline Heuser (1809–1897), deutsche Illustratorin und Malerin, siehe Adeline Jaeger
 Adolf Heuser (Theologe) (1900–1980), deutscher Priester, Theologe und Hochschullehrer
 Adolf Heuser (1907–1988), deutscher Boxer
 Alessandra Jovy-Heuser (* 1991), deutsche Volleyballspielerin
 Alwine Heuser (1820–1892), deutsche Malerin, siehe Alwine Schroedter
 Andrea Heuser (* 1972), deutsche Schriftstellerin und Übersetzerin
 Andreas Heuser (* 1959), deutscher Gitarrist, Geiger und Komponist
 August Heuser (* 1949), deutscher Theologe
 Beatrice Heuser (* 1961), deutsche Historikerin und Politikwissenschaftlerin
 Birgit Vogel-Heuser (* 1961), deutsche Informatikerin und Hochschullehrerin
 Björn Heuser (* 1982), deutscher Musiker und Liedermacher
 Caspar Anton Heuser (1822–1891), deutscher Priester und Theologe

 Ernst Heuser (1863–1942), deutscher Pianist, Komponist, Dirigent und Musikpädagoge
 Fanny Heuser (1838–1900), deutsche Schauspielerin, siehe Fanny Witt

 Frederick Heuser (1878–1961), deutscher Literaturhistoriker
 Friedrich Heuser (1890–1962), deutscher Verwaltungsjurist
 Georg Heuser (1913–1989), deutscher Kriminalist und SS-Hauptsturmführer
 Georg Ludwig Christian Heuser (1745–1811), Mitglied der Reichsstände im Königreich Westphalen
 Gustav Heuser (1817–1846), deutscher Komponist und Musikjournalist

 Harro Heuser (1927–2011), deutscher Mathematiker
 Hedda Heuser-Schreiber (1926–2007), deutsche Ärztin, Journalistin und Politikerin (FDP)
 Heinrich Heuser (1887–1967), deutscher Maler, Grafiker, Filmarchitekt und Kostümbildner
 Heinz Heuser (* 1928), deutscher Ringer
 Hermine Maier-Heuser (1882–1968), deutsche Schriftstellerin
 Isabella Heuser-Collier, deutsche Psychologin und Psychiaterin
 Johann Peter Heuser (1726–1809), deutscher Kaufmann
 John Heuser (* 1942), US-amerikanischer Biophysiker
 Jürgen Heuser (* 1953), deutscher Gewichtheber
 Karl Heuser (1867–1942), deutscher Konteradmiral der Kaiserlichen Marine
 Karl-Christian Heuser (1929–2018), deutscher Architekt und Autor
 Klaus Heuser (* 1957), deutscher Musiker und Produzent

 Loni Heuser (1908–1999), deutsche Schauspielerin
 Louise Heuser (1805–1874), deutsche Malerin, siehe Louise Wüste
 Lutz Heuser (* 1962), deutscher Informatiker und Manager
 Marian Heuser (* 1984), deutscher Slam-Poet und Moderator
 Marie-Luise Heuser (* 1954), deutsche Philosophin
 Michael Heuser (* 1954), deutscher Schauspieler
 Natascha Heuser (* 1982), deutsche Basketballspielerin
 Norbert Heuser (* 1965), deutscher Politiker
 Otto Eberhard Heuser (1896–1965), deutscher Agrarökonom
 Paul Heuser (* 1929), deutscher Musiker und Dirigent

 Richard Heuser (1905–1988), deutscher Brigadegeneral
 Robert Heuser (* 1943), deutscher Rechtswissenschaftler und Hochschullehrer
 Rudolf Heuser (1895–nach 1965), deutscher Schmetterlingskundler
 Stefan Heuser (* 1971), deutscher Theologe und Hochschullehrer
 Tilli Heuser (1880–1901), deutsche Schauspielerin
 Ursula Heuser (1915–2001), deutsche Malerin, siehe Ursula Benser
 Uwe Jean Heuser (1963), deutscher Journalist
 Werner Heuser (1880–1964), deutscher Maler und Hochschullehrer

Siehe auch
 Heuser-Nunatak, Nunatak im Viktorialand, Antarktika
 Haeuser
 Häuser
 Heusner

Weblinks
 Heuser bei namenforschung.net

Familienname
Deutscher Personenname

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
HomeLegendary Lucas and His Big Apple Brilliance
Legendary Lucas and His Big Apple Brilliance
May 23, 2021 Sirk Columbus Crew, Mr. Numbers Nerd, SportsLucas Zelarayan
It's been a few hours and I still can't process what I witnessed. After Eloy Room made some incredible saves to keep the Columbus Crew alive, Lucas Zelarayan stole the show, single-footedly flipping a one-goal deficit to a one-goal victory with a pair of late free kick goals. New York City FC, poised to claim a well-earned 1-0 victory, instead fell victim to a snatch and grab mugging befitting of their hometown.
In the 82nd minute, Zelarayan hammered a knuckleball that left NYC goalkeeper Sean Johnson flatfooted. He started to go to his right, but the ball suddenly zagged to his left. It was hit much too hard for Johnson to adjust, so he just stood there, like taking a called third strike from a hybrid of fireballer Nolan Ryan and knuckleballer Phil Niekro.
QUE GOLAZOOOOO @Lucazelarayan31! pic.twitter.com/Mkfrnhdimd
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) May 23, 2021
After that goal, I seriously typed out the following tweet: "Wouldn't it be funny if he did it again and the Crew somehow won this game?" I deleted it without sending because I didn't want to jinx it. But it did come to mind.
When the Crew won a stoppage-time free kick 18 yards plus three blades of grass from the New York City goal, I was overcome with tweet-deleter's remorse. I knew it as going to happen.
You guys. There's another free kick.
— Steve Sirk (@stevesirk) May 23, 2021
And what happened was this, in the fifth minute of stoppage time:
NO CHANCE.@Lucazelarayan31 with the game-winner! pic.twitter.com/rAA2n0ITiK
From an area that is almost always deemed to be "too close", Lucas Zelarayan took a one-step approach and gently curled a perfectly placed dipper over a leaping wall and into the net. The nonchalance was as jarring as the end result.
Zelarayan not only scored two free kicks, but they were two totally different freekicks. One was a vicious screamer from distance, while the other had all the urgency of practicing his pitching wedge at the driving range.
"I've never scored two free kick goals in the same match," Zelarayan said afterward. "It's the first time in my career I have done that. Standing over the ball, I tried concentrate on scoring and I tried to visualize that."
Lucas visualized it in advance, but Crew fans will never be able to stop re-visualizing the end result.
Zelarayan's performance made some history for head coach Caleb Porter.
"I've never coached a player who scored two free kicks in a game," he said. "It was unbelievable. It's just a different level."
There's a reason Porter has never coached a guy who scored two free kicks in a game. That's because it's some awfully long odds. The ever-helpful Rick Lawes at MLS HQ advised me that ever since free kick goals were specifically and officially marked as such by Elias Sports Bureau in 2003, Zelarayan is only the sixth player to score two direct free kicks in a single game. That averages out to one league-wide occurrence every three seasons. As many Columbus fans remember, one of the five prior incidences was authored by Columbus legend Federico Higuain in a 4-3 home win against New England on August 25, 2012.
Doing additional newspaper research, I was also able to determine that Zelarayan's third free kick goal of the season has tied him with Robert Warzycha for the Crew's single-season record. The Polish Rifle banged three free kick goals in 2000, starting with the memorable golden goal winner against San Jose on March 25, followed by free kicks at D.C. United on May 3 and at New England on August 6.
The goal was Zelarayan's third direct free kick goal of the month/season. There have been 12 instances of a player scoring three direct free kicks in a season since the official records started being kept in 2003. (This means Warzycha's separately researched feat from 2000 is not included.)
Additionally, despite it being just six games into the 2021 campaign, Lucas his halfway to the MLS record of six direct free kick goals in a single season, set by Toronto FC's Giovinco in 2017.
Over the years, the Columbus Crew have been blessed with some incredible free kick takers and some amazing Argentine playmakers. Zelarayan is both. I dug through the Columbus Dispatch archives to document the free kick goals by noted Crew luminaries Robert Warzycha, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and Federico Higauin, in addition to Zelarayan.
Surprisingly, Schelotto only scored two free kick goals for the Crew. His more common artistry was to serve free kicks to the head of Chad Marshall. His only two direct free kick goals occurred on July 22, 2007 in a 2-0 win vs. Toronto and on July 17, 2008 in a 3-3 draw vs. Kansas City.
Higuain and Warzycha, however, are tied for the club record of six direct free kick goals in league play.
Warzycha, however, stands alone in all competitions, with seven. He scored a direct free kick goal against the Rochester Rhinos in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal played in Virginia Beach on September 1, 1999.
With that preposterous free kick goal against Cincinnati last summer and the more recent free kick goal against D.C. United earlier this month, Zelarayan has bumped his career total to four. He's already within striking distance of Higuain and Warzycha for the Crew's career record. (And also Giovinco's single-season MLS record.)
And I've hit upon a plan to get him there….
1. Yes, I am. It's like riding a bike.
2. How lucrative??? https://t.co/NoaHynEqIr
— Alejandro Moreno (@AleMorenoESPN) May 23, 2021
Zelarayan's Big Apple brilliance also led to additions to two of the favorite things I track.
First, Lucas produced the 16th stoppage-time tie-breaking game-winning goal in Columbus Crew history. It's the first since Wil Trapp's spiritually-uplifting By Columbus, In Columbus, For Columbus bomb against Orlando on July 21, 2018, during the dog days of the #SaveTheCrew battle.
(NOTE: I have to include the "tie-breaking" caveat because Robbie Rogers scored a retroactive game-winner in the final game of the 2007 season at DC. His was an insurance goal that put Columbus up 3-1 in the 91st minute. D.C. United then got a 92nd minute penalty kick on the final play of the game to make it 3-2 after the result was already in hand. Robbie's goal that day was technically a stoppage-time game-winner, but it's not the type of dramatic thing I'm after with this list. On a separate note, overtime games only count if the goal was scored in stoppage time of overtime.)
Fittingly, that list begins and ends (for now) with direct free kicks.
The other list that Zelarayan personally put his stamp all over is the list of times the Columbus Crew have come back to win a league match when trailing after 75 minutes. It was the 10th time in club history the Crew trailed after 75 minutes yet came back to win a league game. It was also only the second time it had ever happened on the road, with the other being the improbable three-goal outburst in the span of 4 minutes and 22 seconds to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win at Philadelphia in 2014.
Zelarayan joins Brian McBride on September 26, 1999 as the only Crew player to score both goals in a late-game six-point swing. His 95th minute game-winner was also the latest game-winner in any of these dramatic comeback victories.
What Lucas Zelarayan did Saturday night was amazing enough in real time. But it's even more amazing when put into historical context.
What a moment. What a night. What a legend.
← The De-Brand Debacle: It's Time to Re-Respect Our Roots
Warzycha Knows and Appreciates Zelarayan's Free Kick Wizardry →


text:
No. 132 Contents
Consoles/Summing, Interfaces
TASCAM: Model 24 Multitrack Recorder, USB Interface, & Analog Mixer
Reviewed by Jay Ribadeneyra
My first impression of the TASCAM Model 24 was of the classic design. From the red, blue, and orange Gain, EQ, and Aux knobs, to the faux wood sides, this is a classy-looking piece of gear. It wouldn't look out of place among the classic cassette multitrack recorders that TASCAM was famous for. The line of succession from the late '70s TEAC 144, the first cassette 4-track ever released, to the present day Model 24 is now complete. It's beautifully retro, while providing all the comforts of a modern 24-track digital audio workstation. This is a piece of gear that can fit into a wide variety of recording situations. Let's dive in!
The Model 24 is primarily a great sounding analog mixer with the convenience of an all-in-one digital multitrack track recorder (via built-in SD card) that also functions as an interface by pairing easily with your DAW. The channel strips are analog, but with both USB and Bluetooth connectivity, and built-in digital effects (like reverb, delay, chorus, and flange) it offers the best of both worlds. Using the SD card (not included) you can record up to 22 tracks simultaneously, plus a stereo mix down track (in 16/24 bit, 44.1/48 kHz, WAV format), and/or hook it up to a computer through the USB 2.0 port. I found that for my situation, someone who normally records track-by-track, connecting it to my DAW via USB was both intuitive and complimentary. With four stereo and 12 mono channels, the Model 24 is perfect for those looking to either put together a live rig or introduce an analog desk/multitrack into their home studio (at 22 lbs. it can easily be moved to accommodate both situations). All 16 mic preamps have 50 dB of gain and feature 48V (global only) phantom power. The 12 mono channels have an analog one-knob compressor and 4-band EQ, a 100 Hz high pass filter, a Pan control, and Aux sends for effects and monitor buses. Channels 1 and 2 have the most features, with additional dedicated instrument and 1/4-inch TRS inputs. The four stereo channels (13-20) differ in that they're without compressors and equipped with 3-band EQs. Channels 21 and 22 offer a stereo input with both RCA and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. And lastly, every channel offers PFL, and can be routed to the main Mix bus or a single stereo Sub mix bus. At first, I didn't really see why I would need the Bluetooth connection, but I soon discovered that it gave me the freedom to easily record tracks such as software drumbeats from my iPad to the Model 24 quickly – with the added convenience of having one less cord hanging around. Each channel can be set to one of three input sources: Live for signals coming from a mic or line source; USB for sources coming from your computer; and MTR (monitor) for when you want to playback sounds previously recorded to the SD card. All the inputs and outputs are located on the face above each channel strip, making them super easy to access.
During my first recording session, which featured a vocalist, acoustic and electric guitar, synthesizer, bass, and the aforementioned Bluetooth-connected drum machine, I decided to use nothing but the onboard effects, EQ, and compression that the Model 24 offers while both tracking and mixing. I recorded straight to SD card, and then sent the finished session via stereo outs to both analog tape and Logic Pro [Tape Op #74]. I wanted a piece of music that represented what the Model 24 could do with no outside influence, and at the end of the day I was really impressed by the results. The finished product was sharp, focused, and musical – all without the help of a DAW – and the finished track had a rawer feel to, it which I felt complimented the overall sound. This process doesn't work for everything, but it definitely inspired my workflow and was super enjoyable. The included digital effects are adequate for most situations and will sound great when applied in a live setting (which I feel is really where they shine). I found the reverbs to be especially pleasing when used in moderation. My main concern was the one-knob compression, and how it would perform to suit certain sounds that I was going after while not having attack or release controls. I found it to be a very versatile tool that adds a subtle taming of transients in a vocal performance, or a heavy-handed compression style that sounded awesome on synth bass. The compression is represented via green LED lights, and may take some testing in order to get a feel for it, but once I got accustomed to the character I felt confident to let my ears decide how much was required. It was refreshing to be able to grab real control knobs instead of having to use plug-ins. At the end of the session I made great use of the stereo seven-band graphic EQ on the main hardware output, and had a complete mixed track in just 20 minutes. This EQ can also be assigned to the monitor outputs as well, so along with the ability to use it as a mixing board during a live show while simultaneously recording the tracks to SD card, it makes Model 24 a handy live tool.
Lastly, I wanted to see how the Model 24 performed as an analog summing mixer. I took a previously-recorded track done totally in the box and, using only a low pass filter, ran the mix through the Model 24, then back into Logic. The subtle glue and depth this process added really complemented the mix, and after some A/B comparisons I preferred the summed version – something I hadn't often experienced with my current mixer and setup. The build quality of the Model 24 is fantastic (especially the 100 mm faders), and I felt like I was working on a board two times its price.
I make music primarily by myself, while occasionally recording live shows in cramped Brooklyn clubs, and this is a desk more than suited to any project that might come my way. I feel the Model 24 is perfect for those looking to own a vintage-inspired mixer/recorder without having to apply for a loan. I'd say TASCAM has made another future classic!
Buy Now From Sweetwater!
Buy Now From Reverb!
tascam.com; $899 street
-Jay Ribadeneyra johnjay26@gmail.com
Consoles/Summing, Dynamics, EQs, Mic Preamps | No. 50
ARC 1.1 Analog Recording Channel
by Craig Schumacher
What has 22 switches and 18 knobs, is accented with the colors of the rainbow, and is more flexible than a circus acrobat? Give up? The Buzz Audio ARC 1.1 Analog Recording Channel! It's a mic preamp,...
Control Surfaces, Interfaces, Software | No. 53
ProjectMix I/O, Pro Tools M-Powered 7
by Dana Gumbiner
The ProjectMix I/O is a stellar FireWire audio interface and integrated control surface from the folks at M-Audio. It's fully compatible with any DAW supporting Mackie Control, Logic Control and HUI...
Consoles/Summing | No. 129
Genesys & Genesys Black Console
by John O'Mahony
Consoles are iconic – for decades they were the nucleus of every professional studio. The first time I stepped into a control room and saw one I knew, right away, that was where I wanted to sit,...
Control Surfaces, Interfaces | No. 134
FaderPort 16 Control Surface
by Ben Bernstein
I recently received the PreSonus FaderPort 16 Production Controller to review. Since the biggest difference between this model and the FaderPort 8 [Tape Op #119] is the additional eight channels, I...
Interfaces, Mic Preamps, Recorders, Signal Processors | No. 33
Digi 002, Pro Tools LE 5.3.2
by John Baccigaluppi
See Issue #30 for my review of the Mbox as most of my comments there on small to mid-sized studios needing Pro Tools compatibility also apply here. You've probably seen the ads and know that the Digi...
Interfaces, Recorders, Signal Processors | No. 51
MicroTrack 24/96 mobile recorder
by Ramsey Tantawi
Hard drive and Compact Flash-based MP3 players have revolutionized portable music playback. No longer is it necessary to carry around stacks of CD's to enjoy a huge selection of music on-the-go....
Consoles/Summing, Control Surfaces, EQs | No. 137
S1 Control Surface
by Dave Hidek
I didn't know I needed the Avid S1 until I started using it. Most of my production work is done in Pro Tools. I utilize outboard gear via inserts, and I've used an Avid Artist Mix for fader rides at...
Interfaces, Software | No. 54
Link.USB audio interface w/ Tracktion 2, S?5 active monitor, SW?10 subwoofer
About six months ago, the fine folks at TAPCO (um... Mackie), sent me an awesome computer recording bundle that consisted of the Link.USB two-channel audio interface; Tracktion 2 software for...
Interfaces | No. 58
Mbox 2 Pro
Unlike the other Mbox 2 interfaces for Pro Tools LE (see Tape Op #51 and #57 for reviews of the Mbox 2 and Mbox 2 Mini), the Pro connects to the host via FireWire instead of USB, it supports 88.2 and...