Know the Stage

Category: Book Club

  • Computer Networking Basics Book

    networkingfirststepsI am not sure how to categorize this, since it’s relevant to electrics, sound, automation, and more.  So I’m just sticking it in the book club area, and know that it’s important in many aspects of the our industry.

    We are seeing more and more gear networked together, and knowing how networks… um, work, is going to be a skill we don’t just want to have in our back pockets, but need.  As in NEED.  Most of radio broadcasting, at least those broadcasters with a little money, are all moving over to Audio over IP, and we aren’t far behind.  Digital consoles are being networked together, and DMX nodes are nothing new.

    A fundamental knowledge of networking and TCP/IP can help you more than just in the world of stagecraft.

    I’m just about done with Computer Networking First-Step by Wendell Odom.  It’s been great, even if it’s a little heavy on the metaphor.  It explains how networks talk, the main components, and how the layers and protocols work together.  No previous knowledge required.

    (as posted on a previous Book Club entry, the link above is to Amazon.com, but it is not an affiliate link.  I do not earn any money off the sales of any books through that link.  As nice as that would be, Colorado is not eligible for Amazon affiliate programs.  There, you have been fully disclosed to.)

  • Midi Basics Book

    51zbJQseDyL._SS500_MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) isn’t just for synths any more.  It’s not as fast or wonderful as ethernet, or a number of other protocols out there, but it’s still in use.  Even if it’s simply tying lighting consoles together, there are plenty of uses for MIDI in the theater.

    I learned the basics of MIDI from the book, MIDI for the Technophobe by Paul White.  It is fairly basic, and it’s been around a long time, but MIDI hasn’t changed much in the years since it’s been around.  It’s a fast read, and worth your time.

    And if you are a book type learner, and you are interested in sound, I recommend any of the audio books written by Paul White from Sound on Sound Magazine.  His style makes it easy to understand what he’s talking about.

     

    (the link above is to Amazon.com, but it is not an affiliate link.  I do not earn any money off the sales of any books through that link.  As nice as that would be, Colorado is not eligible for Amazon affiliate programs.  There, you have been fully disclosed to.)