Total Conversion

I hope this resonates with some of you. I'm not an audiophile, but I've been very disillusioned with the sound coming out of my PC.  I've been thinking that Music and Games can do with a bit of improvement in audio quality on my older machine and spending money on expensive USB gaming headsets wasn't helping too much I thought. I eventually settled on an Asus Xonar D2 card as it has optical in/ out to let me connect to an AMP,  but I love the 3.5 mm jacks for 7.1 audio.  I have combined it with a Razor Tiamat 7.1 gaming headset as it is also 3.5 mm connector based, not USB. My initial tests were underwhelming, but after a few weeks I think things improved.  Not sure if it was just shaking the cobwebs out of the headset, but now it sounds awesome. Sadly, Asus Win10 drivers aren't amazing, but they certainly do the job now. Listening to lossless audio is awesome and gaming sounds better than ever. https://www.asus.com/Sound-Cards/Xonar_D2PM/ http://www.razerzone.com/a

Well, I guess this collection is going to grow in spurts. Listening to CD Bong 2 for this post got me listening to Get the Balance Right (Combination Mix) for the umpteenth time.  I've always loved the way it builds from 4 minute mark onwards.  The groove around the 5min mark building in each layer just hammered it into my head what I loved about Mode.  Each synth layer coming and going and the drum machine just being the foundation to an instrumental solo that makes this track my favourite.  So many later tracks are more engineered and polished and technically superior, but this one holds up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ikiOWAToSg Discog link same as My Secret Garden Much credits to the Youtube poster Gabriel Marcelo for the turntable in the video.  Loved it. #depechemode   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ikiOWAToSg

This is a selfish post.  Since I first heard My Secret Garden on a bootleg tape many years ago, I have loved this song.  These were the days when certainly all I could lay my hands on were original vinyls.  Finding out about the wealth of b-sides and live versions that DM was putting out on singles was a revelation.  I've always loved this version of My Secret Garden as it evokes so many memories of that time.  It's a slow build which I always imagined involved Alan Wilder, but I could never be sure.  I was delighted to find this live footage so many years later.  Watching it tonight I remember how much I loved imagining what it must have been like to be present. When you finally see DG walk on stage and utter the words "Good evening, everybody"  it's probably very underwhelming for you all, but for me it was the best intro to a concert ever.  From this era, I would have to say the version of Nothing to Fear that they did live also has a special place in my memory

My first kickstarter funded project arrived today. Happy.

Growing up in Cape Town, I never heard John Peel's radio show back in the day.  I was exposed to him for the first time by my first "white" friend who luckily shared similar tastes.  I was introduced to the Cure, Smiths, Bjork, etc.  A few years ago I found an archive with tons of his Festive 50's.  Currently listening to 1981. New Order, Siouxsie, Joy Division, The Smiths, The Cure, etc. Ace. #johnpeel #british80's #angst

Humble Bundle still delivers the goods every now and then.  This is good value.  I have some of these, but nice to add to the collection.  Pity it doesn't unlock on Android/ PSN as well, but nonetheless, I'm eager to play through the Walking Dead games. Originally shared by Humble Bundle Gather 'round, boys and girls! It's time for us to tell you a tale… a tale of how you can get a bunch of sweet Telltale games at a price of your choosing! http://bit.ly/HBTellTale

Last night. The man made structures spoil it though.

My morning companion. Edge of my seat included as a distance ref.

My final post for this initial collection strays from the path in that its a cover of the tribute album.  For the Masses.  I was drawn to this album while flipping through the shelves in a store when it came out.  The artwork immediately screamed depeche mode ;) https://www.discogs.com/Various-For-The-Masses/release/37284 I'm not a Rammstein fan, but I love this treatment of the song.  I can heartily recommend this tribute cd as the bands are mostly bigger bands.  I won't name them all, but really you can't go wrong with bands like Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, Gus Gus and Monster Magnet.   If there is a better tribute album, please enlighten me! I love that they took the time to break down the track and play with the melody after the 2 minute mark.   I honestly don't care for anything else Rammstein has ever done, but their live versions of Stripped are mostly pretty good too.   I don't mean to disrespect Rammstein and their fans, its just not for me.  Same thing go

Just to kick off the collection, I will make an exception and do 3 to to get started.  this is 2 of 3.  I don't intend to spam this group.  Maybe one a week or so... While the Goldfrapp Halo mix is far more commonly known, I love her treatment of A Pain that I'm used to.  This is probably my fave track off the Playing the Angel album in 2005. This version is from CDBONG 36 in 2005. https://www.discogs.com/Depeche-Mode-A-Pain-That-Im-Used-To/release/1637887 #depechemode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqLXyowy_IA

First post from my collection.   Hope this gets some of you to rediscover my favourite band of all time.  The songs won't follow a theme, but I'll do my damndest to vary the styles and showcase unusual mixes.  I'll mostly post Youtube links + the album / release it comes from.   If you love the tracks, please +1 and buy them.  Some of the Soundcloud mixes won't be available, but do follow the authors.  I will credit as best as I can. From: http://www.depmod.com/singles/dream_on/b4114.htm About this track.  From the Exciter album.  This version has a tv cop show feel.  Love the 70's style. #depechemode http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytSsZ2LnQs8

Loop 100 http://loopgame.co addictive game.