Ken C. Pohlmann

Signals
Porky's Prime Cuts
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jan 04, 2021
When it was first introduced, digital audio was criticized as sounding “cold” or “sterile.” I vehemently disagreed. What some listeners heard as cold, I heard as a lack of distortion. Even after all these years, I suppose that's something we can still debate. But digital audio is indeed cold and sterile. Not the sound quality - the fact that it isn't nearly as funky, quirky, and weird as analog audio. Which brings us to George Peckham.

Continue Reading >
Signals
The Rapture of the Rumble
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Dec 28, 2020
Because everything must be controversial, I am going to be controversial. This blog discusses God, politics, climate change, and Enzo Ferrari. Furthermore, if it causes lightning to strike you, so be it.
Continue Reading >
Signals
Annus Horribilis
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Dec 21, 2020
2020 was not a particularly good year. In fact it was a horrible year. Normally, at year's end, we're supposed to reminisce about the year. But I think we'd all rather forget that 2020 ever happened. Let's ignore it, and instead skip back all the way to 1984, to a story about a Christian rock band, an LP record, and a very mysterious inner groove.

Continue Reading >
Signals
Backstabbing for Beginners
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Dec 07, 2020
Good morning students and welcome to Backstabbing for Beginners. In this class, you will learn how to betray like a pro. As we will see, there are many ways to screw over another party. But all backstabbing can be boiled down to two easy steps...
Continue Reading >
Signals
The Lasso of Truth
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Nov 23, 2020
You are in a real pickle. You've borrowed money for your project, and persuaded other people to invest their money as well. Everyone expects a return. The product is finished and ready to launch. Then there is a delay. Then another delay. And another. Everyone is getting antsy. What should you do?

Continue Reading >
Signals
A Different Kind of Streaming
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Nov 09, 2020
My prayers have been answered. Ever since I was a small boy, I have wanted this. Every day at school I filled my notebooks with scribbled diagrams of my dreams. My teachers thought I was crazy. But now, my dreams have come true. I pinch myself in disbelief as I say this – humanity has been gifted with a water-powered loudspeaker.

Continue Reading >
Signals
Here Come the Trust Busters, Part 2
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Oct 26, 2020
Alert readers will recall that in my previous blog I questioned whether Big Tech/Big Data had monopolistic motives. And lo and behold, last week the DOJ went full antitrust nuclear. First I inspire Superman to build a computer, and now I cause the U.S. Government and eleven state Attorneys General to file suit against Google. Never, ever, underestimate the power of Sound & Vision magazine.

Continue Reading >
Signals
Here Come the Trust Busters, Part 1
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Oct 12, 2020
“These companies copy other peoples' inventions, flood the market with chintzy products sold at bargain basement prices, and make consumers pay with their privacy.”

Continue Reading >
Signals
Is the Rolls Royce Playlist Worthy of the Marque?
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Oct 05, 2020
A few months ago, we considered the playlist used to tune the bespoke sound system in the Rolls Royce Phantom, a car that sells for a tidy $500,000. We discussed playlists generally and why they are so important. But is the Rolls Royce Phantom playlist a good one, and truly worthy of the marque?
Continue Reading >
Signals
Building the Best Computer Ever
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Sep 28, 2020
Alert readers will recall that I recently chatted up the idea of building your own computer. Unlike most of my words, these were not idle. I needed a new computer for work on book projects, and I was also intent on finding a solid-state home for all my Compact Discs. So, following my own advice, I built a PC.

Continue Reading >

Pages

X