A Million Lives

A million lifestyle hacks...unlimited possibilities

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How Learning Music Makes You a Better Person

There’s a reason that music is a passion for many- it’s incredible for you. While there’s something beautiful and enabling about knowing how to make music, whether playing it, singing it, or composing, there are so many other benefits to draw from. We have heard about the studies that show how learning music positively impacts our brains, there are other very practical applications that should encourage you to take up this hobby, no matter how old you are.

It Improves Creativity

There are so many different types of music out there, and so many ways to evoke emotion even out of the same piece of music. Improve your creativity with music lessons in Montreal, starting from the basics or supplementing the knowledge you already have. There’s something distinctly “you” when it comes to music, and this can be used for stretching our brains in a creative way and having another way to voice our opinions, style, and talent.

It Keeps You Disciplined

While geniuses do exist, to realistically get good at anything, you must work at it. Practice makes perfect, and no where is this more apparent than in music. While style and creativity are a huge part of music, having the technical knowledge and skill will give you the ability to express yourself with your instrument, voice, or otherwise. This self-discipline can trickle into every aspect of your life, from making healthy food choices, staying on top of schoolwork, or exercising.

It Relieves Stress

There’s something comforting knowing that when you press a certain piano key, there’s a determined tone that is emitted. The dependability of playing music, along with the personal aspect of the sound of it makes music a great therapy tool for those struggling with stress or other difficult things.

It’s a Community

Knowing how to play an instrument or sing can also open the door to the community. You can become part of a band, an orchestra, or just join in on casual jam sessions. Though music is something that you can work on as an individual, it’s also something that you can do as a group. You can even take lessons in a group environment if that’s how you like to learn.

There’s no time like the present to start your involvement in music. It might mean picking up that dusty guitar or signing up for violin lessons, but one thing is true: music is for everyone.

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What Materials are Used in Soundproofing?

Soundproofing can be an imperative update to any home. If you live in the city, especially if you live near heavy traffic transportation areas, like a main road or railway, then having soundproofing can greatly improve your quality of life. Knowing what types of soundproofing material there are available can help you choose the right option for your home, based on yours and your family’s needs. That is why, if you are looking to live in a quieter home, you should start by familiarizing yourself with these terms:

1. Acoustic Foam

This material is often called studio foam. It can be noticed by its distinct pyramid shape and is used most often in studios or other sound-creating rooms to muffle the noise for the rest of your home, neighbors, or to maximize sound quality in professional recording studios.

 2. Sound Insulation

This is made of mineral wool, rock wool, and fiberglass. It is designed to fit behind your walls. It helps by reducing the amount sound can travel between your home through the walls.

3. Acoustic Panels/Boards

These are made up of sound insulation materials or acoustic foam, only designed specifically for better aesthetics. This way, if you don’t have extra space between your walls, you can incorporate your soundproofing as part of your interior design.

4. Acoustic Fabrics

These fabrics are often used in studios or theatres. They are very heavy and minimize the amount of noise coming through the walls.

5. Acoustic Coatings

By using a dense rubber like Mass Loaded Vinyl, otherwise known as MLV, a variety of different rooms and items can be better soundproofed.

6. Underlying Floors

Hearing your neighbors or other family members walking overhead can become very annoying, very quickly. If this is the problem that is causing you distress, then there are a few underlayment options. It will require your floors to be redone so that cork, felt, or polymers can be installed between your floor and subfloor to reduce noise.

 

7. Architectural Soundproofing

Double paned windows, thick doors, and even traditional insulation can all help improve the soundproofing abilities of your home. If you find that the windows let in too much noise, consider replacing them or installing thick, acoustic fabric curtains, and so on.

Installing soundproofing in your home can be the solution to all your woes, and by knowing what options are out there can help you make the right decision based on your needs. Done right and chosen well, you should enjoy a property that lets in less noise, perfect for those sharing walls with neighbors or busy roadways. Alternatively, they can be necessary if you yourself create a lot of noise, for example in the creation of music.

There are many reasons why you might need soundproofing, and there are many different materials and soundproofing options out there to choose from. That is why it is important that you choose the right materials for the job at hand so that you can get the results that you are looking for.

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5 Pros and Cons of the Chord Mojo

When you want to experience great sound, the Chord Mojo is a delightful find. There are some pros and cons that you need to look at when it comes to this product. I’ll let you decide whether the $500+ falls under the pros or the cons list, but most people find this to be a very reasonable price for such a cool new toy for audiophiles. Let’s go on to look at five pros and cons of the Chord Mojo.

Pros of Chord Mojo

1. Great Bitrate for the Price

The Mojo has one of the best bitrates for the price and can play digital audio of up to 768kHz. Many people describe CD audio as proper and if that is true, the Mojo can 17x that.

2. Full & Tight Bass Content

Getting full, clean bass all the way down to the sub frequency isn’t always easy, but Mojo can do it. There is a lot of sizzle display in the top frequencies, and it is never harsh. Even audios that challenge any system can’t embarrass this product.

3. Great Build Quality

While some people are not big fans of the way the Mojo looks, the build is of high quality. The sturdy Mojo is not too light or too heavy, and if you can fit a full deck of playing cards in your pocket, you can fit the Mojo. Hold the power button for two seconds to turn it on, and it will flash to let you know you’re good to go.

Cons of Chord Mojo

4. Questionable Support

There are some reports of support being less than responsive when it comes to Chord Mojo. Others say that they have received great support. Hearing about lack of support leaves you with a question in your mind as to whether you’ll get a response or not. Some resale sites will offer support on their products, so if you bought it through a retailer, you could always ask them for help.

5. Not the Best When USB Connected to the Phone

While this is a con for Mojo, this is true for many other products as well, so you might not be able to find what you want in this case. If this isn’t important to you, you may not see this point as a con.

Why DAC Amps Are Important

If you aren’t sure why you would want to use a DAC, here are some things that you need to know.

DACs are a quick way to clean up your sound. If you are experiencing sound that is less than what you would like, give DACs a try and see how much difference you can tell. While it is true that there have been many advancements in technology and the DAC in your computer is much better than those of 5 or 10 years ago, many audiophiles can tell the difference in the sound and are not impressed. If you can hear the difference, it is worth putting out the extra money to get the sound that you want.

You may not see yourself as an audio superstar, but even those of you that aren’t as fanatical about sound will be able to appreciate the difference that you hear if you add the Mojo to your list of sound toys.

How Do DACs Work?

Understanding how DACs work makes it easier for you to put out hundreds of dollars to invest in them. If you don’t understand what they do, you might not want to put out the kind of money it takes to get the best DAC available for your needs.

Sounds that we hear in music most often begin in an analog domain. Sounds like people talking or a dog barking are included. These sounds are captured and digitized which is the first point of entering the digital domain through the analog-to-digital conversion.

You can think of digitizing audio like freezing the audio picture. Digital audio quality is measured in bitrate which represents the amount of data captured per unit of time. When the bitrate is higher, this means it is denser in detail. The denser it is in detail, the higher the perceived audio quality.

The quality of conversion that takes place depends on the quality of the DAC chipset. While higher resolution files do sound better than lower ones, the DAC chipset is what makes the difference. The processing power of the DAC chip determines things like the transient clarity stereo width and more.

While you don’t have to go for the highest end product on the market, you would be able to tell the difference between a $50 converter and a $500 converter. Even if you weren’t an audiophile, you could tell the difference in the quality. If you’ve put money into amazing speakers and headphones, you need to get a good DAC to do them justice.

Conclusion

When you are researching the Chord Mojo, you will see a lot of good reviews, but there are some reviews that are not in love with the Mojo. The best thing that you can do is decide what you want out of your DAC so that you don’t get distracted by reviews from people that might not appreciate the product. Knowing what you are trying to achieve will allow you to take in the information and process it as necessary to make the right decision for your sound experience.

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Your Guide to the Best Bluetooth Wireless Speakers

Woman is connecting her smartphone with wireless speaker while being outdoor.

Are you looking for bluetooth wireless speakers? Here are the best speakers on the market. Read this guide before buying speakers.

It was during the last decade when wireless speakers were a luxury only the fortunate were enjoying. Shopping for a good Bluetooth speaker today will bring you hundreds of results on an Amazon search.

Unlike the boomboxes of the 80s and 90s, you won’t be wearing your new speaker on your shoulders; there’s a good chance your purchase may even fit in your pocket!

Obviously, size is not a concern with today’s speakers and neither is volume (even the least expensive option is plenty loud). While these are great characteristics to have, they highlight many other key aspects of your decision. Don’t go shopping without having your priorities in check.

Spend Within Your Budget, Not Outside Your Budget

With so many options available, you do not need to feel pressured into buying one particular speaker or brand. A Bose speaker is a lovely purchase, but if your budget doesn’t meet their price tag, that’s okay! You still have great choices available.

In September of 2017, our friends over at Headphones Addict made a list of their 10 favorite outdoor Bluetooth speakers. The list is extensive, detailing out awesome buying info, but one of the best aspects of their list is the different price tiers they showcase for you!

Good Battery Life Is Always a Plus

It’s tough enough just to keep up with the needs of a phone battery, and that’s something you use every day. This is a product you will use less often, and the last thing you want to occur is a dead battery at the start of your use.

Read Customer Reviews for Wireless Speakers

Take advantage of the internet and see what others have decided to mention about the same Bluetooth speaker you’re prospecting. Perhaps it has a great price and impressive battery life, but the sound quality is subpar and its range is pitiful. That’s not a purchase you need to make if you’re not okay with those characteristics.

Reviews are there to specifically help you gain the insight you weren’t going to have otherwise.

Our tech pieces are written to give you new info on a variety of topics, but a real review from a real product owner is the best advice you can find when you’re considering a purchase.

Decide How Important Water Resistance is to You

Where do you intend to take your new wireless speaker? If it’s going to live indoors and away from water, this is not a feature you’ll need. If you’re planning on taking this speaker everywhere you go and that includes the beach or the pool, you’ll need to take this feature seriously.

Today’s selection can provide splash resistance all the way through being fully submerged for minutes at a time, allowing you plenty of solid options.

Buy With Your Lifestyle In Mind

Having so many choices can be a burden at times, but this is not one of those moments. Take your pick from the litter when seeking out the best wireless speakers to fit your lifestyle, and don’t settle for anything less than the right one.

Our blog is full of the tips and tricks you’re looking for while trying to enjoy your life in a busy world. If there’s something you can’t find in them, let us know and we’ll sort that out. In the meantime, use what we’ve written here to help you play more music to fill your days!

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How Using the Internet can help a Guitarist

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There has never been a better time to be a guitar player because of the amount of resources we have available to us via the internet.  Whether it is to improve your overall skills or for self-promotion, we now have the likes of social media and Youtube to sink our teeth into. The technology we have available today can really help your progression as an artist.  I have included a few tips below which will help you make the most of the internet’s resources, which can benefit you in numerous different ways.

Online Shopping

Travelling from music shop to music shop on a busy schedule is never easy and is there anything more frustrating that not being able to find what you need?  This is never ideal especially if you have a lot of practicing to do for a gig approaching.  Thankfully we are graced with online music and guitar stores, so whether you need replacement strings or a new gear next day delivery has got your back.  Obviously online shopping is a mystery to nobody but the best thing about it is the competition, as there is endless amounts of sites that offer the same product you will tend to find that there is huge opportunity to save yourself some money.  So whether it is your profession or a hobby before paying retail prices have a look around online and let the bargain hunting commence.

Improving your Skills

I can always remember how much of an issue it caused me to attempt to find the time to get some much needed lessons under my belt.  Let’s face life at the best of times can be extremely busy and finding the right time around your schedule for a lesson can cause issues.  With the internet access we now have this is something we no longer have to worry about, there are countless amounts of ways you can improve your skills online.  Whether you are starting out or have been playing for years, websites such as Youtube have endless amounts of videos helping out with learning a particular song or tips to support you.  Beyond free websites like that you can lose you self in e-learning books or even get guitar lessons online.

Self-Promotion

I have been speak with an old friend of mine Tom Hess Guitar player recently about how much of an impact using the internet can have on a budding guitar player’s career.  Tom has had a lot of experience with this due to his career spanning over 30 years in the industry.  Through those thirty years Tom has had success with bands such as Rhapsody of Fire and Holyhell and has also charted albums across Europe.  Whilst having all of this success, Tom also has his own tutoring and mentoring company online which helps many a guitar player around the world in which he shares knowledge gained from his experiences and two music degrees.  As Tom has throughout the years it is so easy to get your work out there and try to gain a following.  Whether the output is social media, streaming sites or online advertisement everyone knows the wildfire of viral popularity and how quickly it can take off.

Use it!

There are so many options you have and I really hope that you can use the online service you have available to you.  It is in your own hands!

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Experiencing Ireland’s Musical Splendour In Style

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Are you planning an adventurous, fun-filled, culturally intensive trip to the Emerald Isle? You’ve come to the right place then, especially if you really want to soak up the musical culture of the country of Ireland. Dotted with so many quaint and welcoming pubs all throughout the country, there’s no better way to truly take in the culture of Ireland than by stopping off in its friendly pubs to take in some of the local tunes. So grab yourself a rental car and some insurance by leading Irish insurance provider, Chill Insurance and hit the road to discover all the musical fare Ireland has on offer.

Dublin

With districts like the Temple Bar just teeming with pubs that offer up a whole host of traditional music including live bands who come in most evenings in the week to play their favourite traditional tunes, you can’t go wrong with a stop off in Dublin. While the Temple Bar district has the biggest selection of pubs with live traditional music, heading a bit off the well worn path can find you some real gems of the city. Head over to Fishamble Street to Darkey Kelly’s pub, which not only has a space for live music nightly but it also is home to a whole host of Irish craft beers and ales as well as delicious, hearty food. If you like the Dubliner’s though, be sure to check out O’Donohughe’s bar on Merrion Row where the band met and played their first gig!

Cork

Out in the countryside you’ll be sure to find small villages to stop off at for a Guinness and a snack. While not all of them may play live music, rest assured there will be all manner of traditional Irish music playing on their music system. If you’re a fan of Hozier and their song ‘Take Me To Church’, you can visit one of the filming locations for the video – the Inniscarra Dam, as well s other various locations around the city including the wasteland near the inner city. Cork isn’t just about music videos though, if you’re in the area be sure to get yourself the gift of the gab by kissing the Blarney Stone up at Blarney Castle, just outside of town.

Galway

Ed Sheeran filmed the music video for his hit song ‘Galway Girl’ at various locations throughout the gorgeous coastal city of Galway. You can follow in his footsteps and visit the very same locations in this colourful and welcoming city, such as O’Connell’s bar on Eyre Square. Don’t stop there though – Galway is the gateway to some of the gorgeous mountainous regions of Connemara with its wild, rocky coastline and spooky but strangely gorgeous marshlands.

So on your next trip to Ireland be sure to take in some of the great musical offerings the country has on offer. With this fantastic ebook put together by Chill Insurance as well, you can be sure to visit all the hottest spots where musicians lived, were born or where they played their first gigs. You never know – you might even run into one of Ireland’s best loved musicians having a pint in their local before putting on a show! So load up your playlist with all your favourite Irish tunes and hit the road – guaranteed you will enjoy every moment of exploring the Emerald Isle.

A Million Lives

Travelling in all its glory is fun and exhilarating but sometimes you might want to find some information on where to go, what to see and how to go about it from someone other than the go-to websites, especially when it comes to travel hacking and the coolest, most useful ways to get the most out of your next adventure.

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