Chris Parkes's Blog

First, I really am planning on uploading both Nicks & Scratches and The Answer's Within MP3 and FLAC versions to the download page, but it is hard to find computer downtime to do the uploads while searching for a job.  Hopefully I can do the MP3s tonight.

Second, I switched Software suggestions and Audio Apps and FX suggestions both to blog style for easier posting and for RSS feeds.  Hopefully someone will find benefit from my research.

Third, I made the Home page on this site a great place to catch up on what's going on with my site.  You get to look at 4 feeds (the most prominent)...the Blog (this), Latest Uploads, Software Suggestions, and Audio Applications and Effects Suggestions.  Hopefully this will help connect new site visitors with what they like or can benefit from.

Email Me if you have any thoughts or suggestions.

FLAC files are great because they give you WAV sound, in a much smaller format.  The problem I am having getting them uploaded is with my internet connection, so I will have to do that elsewhere.  One sad reality with FLAC is that both Windows and Mac do not support the file type natively....There are some workarounds. With Media Player you can download codecs to allow AAC, FLAC, and other formats not normally available/playable.  Get a FLAC to WAV converter from the web (free).  OR, best of ...
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Because of a bunch of reasons CD Sales are being put on the back burner - Sorry.  I will soon have FLAC versions of both albums available if you would prefer a closer to CD version of the albums (you should if you don't).  The album artwork/info is available in the Gallery.

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Well, by removing any blame/responsibility on myself for CD orders that get lost or damaged in the mail I no longer need to ship with 'Delivery Confirmation', which means MUCH cheaper postage.  So because the postage is cheaper I now offer international orders.
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All right, if you read this blog, you know my internet connection is not real fast, and is dreadful for uploads.  So on that subject, I use File Savr (or have been) for audio downloads, but have been having trouble.  Lately I have been trying to upload the rest of the 'lossy' formats for my albums, but when I do so, others disappear.  I am not sure why I am having this problem, it's not like they share the same title and simply write over each other.  As far as 'loss-less' formats I am ...
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So, my streaming audio uploads go through ReverbNation, but other uploads (i.e. downloads) go through a premium account with File Savr.  The problem I keep having is my very slow AT&T DSL Lite service is too slow to upload anything other than Lossy formats (i.e. MP3, AAC, WMA), though I would love to have lossless formats available too (i.e. FLAC, Wavpack, .Wav).  I may be able to get the DSL/File Server to do it if I split the files in half, though this would probably bother people who...
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So I recently added a page where you can purchase music, which is only CDs, as all downloads are free at the moment.  I only allow domestic orders, as I need to be able to track the package/shipment for security and the international rates are NUTS.  I feel like a real jerk not allowing sales to anyone other than US customers, but what can I do.  PayPal, who I use for money transfers, doesn't allow me to block countries so I had to just put a real high shipping rate in for other countr...
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So, I finished the cover for The Answer's Within, but I still have the back of the insert, two inside pages, and the CD case back.  I really have not been very driven to do the artwork.  Still, soon.  I added a new page for Album Ordering, but since this album is kinda not fully finished, it will remain 'Under Construction' until I have this finished. 
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Finally added some poetry to the site.  Two older poems....comments are most welcome.
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Added some outtakes from 'Nicks & Scratches' to the outtakes page.  I may have some others, and maybe even some from 'The Answer's Within'.  Tomorrow I will be adding at least 1 song to un-released music.  Site is turning out good too. 
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