2014, a dark year for Malaysian aviation.

Call it shocking, label it butchery. Flight MH17 tragically ended near the Ukraine-Russia border in the most undignified manner I can imagine. And just 4 months ago, the strangest aviation mystery of the decade struck home, MH370 still lingering in the back of our heads.

Nearing midnight of 17th of July that fateful Thursday, news of the crash began emerging on my social media feed, each passing minute added details more disturbing than the previous... Ultimately by midnight, it seemed clear to most everyone. MH17 was shot down with very likely no survivors.

How did I took the news? 1st thing I did was to check if one of my friend and senior (a pilot working in MAS) was okay. Turns out he had just checked in Maldives 6 hours ago, so I assumed he wasn't assigned to that flight thankfully. The rest of the night was just me contemplating the news and checking out different news portals on the latest information as to who fired the shot.

I write this now just so that I might relieve some of my frustrations... It greatly troubles me, aviation accidents always troubled me. Fact is that once you're up in the air, the only thing that's keeping you there is a few engines and 2 pilots. Any one of these fail, and you're that much closer to kingdom come. But being shot down? That adds the unprecedented wild-card. That fact had me disturbed the most since hearing the news. I guess I feel that way because it seems like the passengers and crew weren't given a chance, not even a grain of dignified chance to fight for their survival, to hope and cling to the possibility that the pilots can pull off an emergency landing, to use all those years and training in pilot academy to pull off that meagre possibility of a miracle. No, not at all, because it was shot down. Forced to ground without a chance to fight back. Blasted out of the sky if you will. Why am I infuriated? Because they were civilians, and war should never have involved them. This kind of brutality at least, the kind without any hint that it might hit you, it scares me to the core.

I guess the only consolation is that most of the passengers hopefully experienced an unexpected quick death, the kind that they never had anticipated, the one which leaves no room for suffering. I can only hope.

In memory of the victims, here's an article detailing some of them by The Star. Do read them if you have the time, honour their memory by staying strong as a nation and family. It saddens me greatly, and the vividness in all their description just adds a little more to lament for. But they all deserve some peace after this horror, and I do pray for that.

Studio Chronicles 2

Written by Zongxu, 15th of Feb 2014

This week in recording class, we continued our exploration on different stereo miking, this time we tried it on percussions and strings. During Wednesday, we did recording for percussion, applying the XY stereo miking positions, both coincidental pair and near coincidental pair. I played for the rest of the class to record, doing some rhythms on the congas and tambourine. We quickly learned that stereo miking generally does not work well with moving instruments, such as the tambourine. After several takes, we tried to do overdubs to see if it works for percussions. The end result is a track that simulated a percussion group, an interesting effect that I feel has a potential to be applied in my future projects.

As for Friday, we had a chance to try and record a string duet consisting of violin and cello, played by our fellow course mates Eugene Yeo and Darshan respectively. This time we tried the AB miking technique. After several takes of "Canon in D" trying out with different distance between the players and the mics. The end result of the overdub simulated that of a medium sized string ensemble. The interesting part was when we tried doing close-miking on the players individually going through the Neve mic pre-amp. As told by our lecturer, the resulting track had a different tonal quality, that of a more prominent brightness compared to the Safire pre-amp while retaining the warm mids and lows of the violin and cello. This made me realise the role of a pre-amp beyond just amplification.

Studio Chronicles.

Written by Zongxu, 6th of Feb 2014

Coming back from the 5th week of our Studio Recording Techniques classes, we were told by our lecturer to begin doing regular reflections on previous topics covered in class.

To begin with, it is the 1st time I contemplate the signal flow pattern in out college's own studio, and how this reflects the industry's probable similarities. 2 weeks ago, me and 2 of my classmates booked the college studio to attempt setting up a Pro-Tools session from scratch without any supervision form our lecturer. The objective was to a 3 channel drum mix into session, 1 on the kick drum, 1 on the snare and a mono overhead. We spent 1 hour troubleshooting and understanding how the studio's patch bay worked, and recording 2 of the same take, one through the saffire audio interface pre-amp, and one through the analogue mixing board pre-amp. We all took back a copy of the session to compare the difference.

Last week, we learnt multiple ways to mic and record an acoustic guitar, and how listening from different positions will give us a preview of how it'll sound like in the recording if we placed the mic in that position. We also learnt that simple overdubbing and compression can change the the tone of the performance.

Just yesterday morning, we recorded 3 vocalist using a coincident pair stereo miking technique, doing multiple takes with the vocalist singing similar parts but in different distance from the mic. The final combination of all the tracks created a wide stereo like spread with audio implications of something that of a choir rather than just 3 people. For me, this was rather interesting, as it also seems possible for instruments such as strings and wind instrument, instruments usually found in larger ensembles, can be recorded with lesser people while achieving a recording similar to recording an actual full ensemble.

Rear-view mirror to my year.

Definitely took a long break since my last post. It's the end of the year, and it's been quite a year indeed. I look back to the many fragmented events that happened, and I must say in all honesty, I preferred last year.

Why you may ask. I'm not sure myself. All I can say is the end of last year left me in hope and want. The end of this year left me unsure and doubtful. Unsure of my actions, doubtful of my future.

Academics? My 2nd half of the year was definitely better than my 1st half. Must be the transition from foundation to degree that caught me off guard. But I got the hang of it by the end of the year, came back with decent results, I'm part surprised.

Relationships? Broke up, that's all I got to say. Didn't work out, we were too different at the end of it. But being single has its perks.

My progress as a musician in general? Nothing much to say, so far only taking baby steps. Of course I can mention the HELP college concert that I helped in the middle of the year. But apart from that, it's been small open-mic gigs here and there, and a heavy workload of playing for people in college. But I do enjoy playing.

So what can I say? I only wish I was a little more restrained with many of my decisions. A lot of rash ones were made this year.

But apart from all this, I have dear December waiting for me regardless, and that I shall look forward to. Good day people.

Moving to the visual blog.

So I got a new phone, a Nokia Lumia 520. Pretty neat a device, the specifications pack quite the punch, especially given how low the price is.

Not so fortunately, the camera is actually really good for a budget phone, and that brought out the side of me that never did manifest before... I'm starting to take pictures of things I usually won't take.

So I've moved on to the photo blogging world. You can now find it @ http://toozgx.tumblr.com/

But I'm not giving up my blogspot yet. It's still going to be my primary word blog. In the mean time, lemme enjoy my probably short-lived camera frenzy.

In the shadow of a misconception.

There is this cloud lingering in my thoughts. I always found it a hindrance, this feeling that demands reciprocation when in reality it does nothing but pushes away further the thing of which it so desperately wants.

This shade of red I so greatly yearn, but then truly is it red, or is it a maroon? I have failed to see the latter as such. What right should I have then to judge when in truth I know not her colour?

Indeed, red is a beautiful colour. I see it fit I should understand the colour deeper. But a fool I am; despite already knowing the red is an illusion, and maroon may very well be a reality; that I still choose to paint this portrait of roses.

Joy is knowing maroon. But why do I keep seeing red?

Had you known my desperation I fear you will be alienated by me.

Melodies of one's passing.

I heard this song being played by a pair of seniors last Friday. They were the guest performers for the week, and it's been awhile since the duo had been on stage together. Eugene and Terry, our college's very own Antoine Dufour & Tommy Gauthier. I did not initially know what song they did, but I do know it was a really heart-warming song. I went home to search for it, and lo I found it:

As I've guessed, they did do a Antoine/Tommy number, and also found out that this version is actually a cover. The song was originally written by Don Ross, a Canadian finger-style player. He wrote this song in memory of his Aunt who passed away. Catherine was her name, and the song invokes a really charming and heartfelt impression of her. Sounded lovely when they played it last Friday, and now, the song is stuck in my head.

Tribute to Coldplay.

So yesterday, we paid tribute to the one and only Coldplay. A mini-concert so to speak, organised by an all-student team, it lasted for 1 and a half hours maybe? I had loads of fun, loads of emotional moments through the songs, because some of them remind me of a time I once had. Singing along was fun.

After months of planning and probably a year or so of envisioning the concert, Karen, one of the final year students in college (also a Coldplay nut like me, maybe even a bigger one) successfully organised and produced the show she wanted to do. The concert happened in the college recital hall, and the chairs were cleared away from the hall, it was an all-standing concert (rock concert ma). The band consisted of my fellow college-mates, and the production team were a band of volunteers. Weeks spent into brainstorming the décor and layout came into being last night.

Opening the concert with their new numbers, the show started off at a high point with Hurts like heaven and Charlie Brown. The Christmas lights and bright colours were mesmerising I must say (Probably because I'm part of décor team, I'm biased :P). Glad to say that the crowd were really sporting, singing along, dancing and really getting into the music. The band was tight, and the mix was good. Viva la Vida played, the bells struck, the strings going off. Clocks was good, and the Scientist brought my thoughts back to her a for moment, since the song made sense to my situation now. I really love Yellow, that was the high point of the show for me. Also, I came to like a song I didn't initially like, "In my place" :D. Violet Hill was dedicated to out college management, hahaha, and boy it was a killer rendition. Balloon party started with Lovers in Japan, and the show came to a close with Paradise.

Until the crowd grew restless and asked for an encore, because yes, we left the best for last. The crowd wants it, we'd love to do it. And we did, we wrapped it all up with Fix You. If I hadn't had any video shooting duty, I'd be in tears already, haha. It was a good show yes, although the confetti-clearing part was quite a pain, but fun nevertheless. Now all that's left is for Coldplay to actually come Malaysia and have a concert, I will be sure to be there.

The tribute band. Photo credits to my college-mate Louisa, taken from facebook

Postings from the 18th floor: 1 year anniversary.

Exactly 1 year ago, I posted for the 1st time from my condo in Titiwangsa. So much has happened in what seems to be a mere 365 days. Good things, odd things, bad things, all that and more.

The new semester in college has proven to be a bigger race than ever since coming back. The mounting pressure to balance between being a performer, an arranger and production personnel is beginning to take a toll on me, since Live Sound classes begin this semester. Unfortunately for me, the way my degree programme goes requires me to be good at all 3... Alas...

Things have become quite well though nevertheless, so much more music to work with, while ever needing to keep my cockiness in check. Yes I admit, I'm letting improvements get the better of me, but I despise those moments later when I begin to realise how my attitude might begin to irk people.

I did my 1st open-mic gig yesterday at The Bee in Publika yesterday with a few of my college mates and a friend from HELP. 2 songs, 1 prepared, the other improvised, but it turned out all not too bad, had quite a bit of fun back there.

But so far, I'm happy to get back to college. It's always better than having nothing to do over the holidays. I really do enjoy practising alone, still do, although I'm not exactly very disciplined with my practice methodology. Nevertheless, it has been good to be back.

All is well so far yes, although I have admit, there's just this lingering feeling like I scarred a friend of mine, by ways of words. Can I move on? Hopefully.

So, I will hope for good days ahead in this dull city. Till then.

I slipped.

To think of it, I had no good reasons to call other than the fact that I am confused the past few days.

It didn't help that I watched Les Miserables, nope, and it didn't help that I read Shingeki No Kyojin. Those 2 worked like a catalyst to my feelings.

I admit, I felt guilty that I have feelings so soon. I thought maybe by calling you and implying to you how things have become might just allow me to attain catharsis, maybe you'd move on and won't respond with any emotional retaliation to my thoughts.

But I guess that was just wishful thinking. Knowing you, you won't offer said support, knowing you, you won't hold back lashing out to me. And I don't question why, it's only normal that you feel that way, after all I am the bigger traitor in this picture.

Nevertheless, there's a small part of me wishing that I hadn't let my tongue slipped. The thought that maybe you not knowing so soon or at all; whether it would be a better choice; still lingers in my mind.

So tell me if you will, given that I can't change what's happening, would you rather have not known this instead?

Like old times.

Maybe it's just like old times, I stumble and fall.

I'd look for you, often I'd share with you my thoughts and desires, you liked not but you'd listen anyway.

Maybe I thought we'd move on, so I wasn't guarding my tongue, wasn't guarding my heart.

This time didn't felt that different... Guess that keeping it to myself isn't comfortable.

Maybe, I thought maybe... It was like old times?

Dull things so far.

It's been dull, there has been little to do. My mind wanders, my thoughts leave me stranded.

I can't wait until next week though, should be busier, because it's NATCOMP week, marching band all over again~

Also can't wait to get back to college. That place actually keeps my lameness in check. Now I'm like going full lame-berserk.

So, I guess I'll call it a day.

I guess I'll also have to mention that I am in love...

Kampar.

So last weekend I made a trip to Kampar in Perak. Since my friends can't come visit me, I'll go pay them a visit instead, haha.

Departing from KL Sentral, it was my 1st time on the ETS, the local version of a "bullet train", because it is "very fast". But to be fair, the train was on time, so it's still good.

Kampar, a town not too far off from Sitiawan, became the bustling town it is today ever since UTAR existed. You can definitely smell teen spirit here, the newer side of town is a college oriented town.

How so you may ask. Well here's one way to elaborate:

Once my friends came to pick me up and we ventured down town, I begin to notice a lot of the stores around cater for what's trending among our generation, specifically the Chinese group. Also, you go to what seems to be rows and rows of terrace houses, only to find out that once you've entered, it really looks more like condominiums from the inside.

So Friday evening, I reached to my destination, a 3-storey house within this grandly named area, Imperial. Went out to have dinner soon enough after checking into Jia Xun's little crib. So pasta for the 1st night, but what I enjoy is catching up with the bunch, this old gang of the 5 of us ex-classmates. As always, it felt like it was eternity the last time we met.

Saturday was the attraction, we went to Gua Tempurung, only about 10 minutes drive away from where we are. We departed in the morning and began our hike at around 10am. The hike took us through the enigmatic cave, that for the most part of my life I've only heard and never have been, until now. The climb upwards proof to be taxing on this unpractised body. But the fun part was when we had to travel back out through the streams within the cave. At some points we had to get down to all fours and let the water reach our necks. Quite the thrill given that all of us were badly equipped for the whole thing, having only 2 torch lights to share and all of us not even wearing shoes, haha. By the time we were done, it was already noon time. We headed out to Ipoh later to chill about and buy stuff. And the day passed so quickly, just when you begin to have fun.

Come Sunday morning and I had a invitation from Daniel whom I got to know from NS, and we met up for most of the morning for a chat and a follow-up. Easily a year and half since we met, so yeah, lots to say, yet to finish. Later in the afternoon we went to visit another friend across the street, Huey Pei. Although not that close back in high school, it's still nice to catch up with her. Unfortunately we took a little too long to chat, and I nearly missed the train back home, haha. Thankfully Shin Yun was a steady driver. Soon enough I was back home, and it all left me wanting more of it.

Reflecting on what just happened the past 2 days on the train back just made me realise how lonely sometimes I can be here in college, no one knows you like your own high school friends I guess. Also worth a mention is the food: it's good and CHEAP. In addition, the slow pacing of things there in Kampar relieved me of that constant pressure you get here in the Klang Valley. Once I arrived KL Sentral, I had the loneliest dinner in awhile... Not that I haven't had dinner by myself before, but it's just that, after days of having your heart so full and contented, only to have it removed so suddenly... Maybe you can call it a vacuum effect. I miss you guys in Kampar already...

Thought in the late of night.

I'm not one to enjoy the situation; In times like this I abstain.

Love is giving and lust is stealing; With little control I will be disdained.

One day I will receive resolution, known things I shall not taint.

As I taste the fruits of fasting, Joy is there for me to attain.

Watching the sun rise.

It's not the prettiest sunrise I've seen in my life, but it's definitely my 1st time seeing the brightening of the day in KL as far as I can recall; I practically didn't sleep for a night. So how did a dinner lead to this chit chat marathon?

We had dinner at Uncle Jang's, a Korean diner specialising on Dak Galbi, a spicy chicken noodle dish. Consider it a 2nd post-concert celebration for the HELP concert along as a farewell dinner for the keyboardist from Sarawak, our dear friend Ricky.

Now Ricky is from Miri, and when we 1st met, I found to my delight he was actually a tubist from Chung Hwa Marching Band, a fellow marcher :D. Since then we went along well, since we had a similar background and something in common to chat.

Sadly he had to leave here after completing his foundation, since he has a family business waiting for him, and he's staying put in Sarawak after this. So after the dinner, me and him and a few others chose to find a spot and just chat the night away, it was nice. He turns out to be a very interesting guy, full of stories. Consider it heart to heart, I can feel the sense of warmth in the night. This is the first time I stayed awake past 3am without feeling one bit sleepy.

I'm gonna miss that guy.