Fast Food - minus the food

G'day bloggers,

Well, an interesting experience this week at two of Sydney's fast food outlets has left me disgruntled.

I'll take you back to the afternoon of Saturday May 10th. I went along to my local KFC outlet and asked for one of their 'extreme burger meal's. Everything went fine, and away I went. Took the box out, and found they had actually forgotten to put the potato into my potato 'n' gravy. In it was just gravy - and the chicken piece they put in was bones and more bones - hardly any meat. Grr..."Can't beat that taste" eh? They're right you know - try buying a potato gravy and finding no potato in it. Can't beat an original idea...

Then I went along to Maccas yesterday. This was a large order of about $36 which was gonna feed four people. Everything's fine, until we get home - we find not one, but two burgers missing. Great. Back we go, and the person who originally served us gave us the old "Oh I'll just get the manager" line - this arsehole didn't look like she even gave a shit to be honest. While waiting, the manager took her aside and we heard her having words with this frontline person. She had the hide to retaliate to the manager things like "It wasn't my fault!!". Listen, arsehole - you took the order! Geesh. This particular outlet wasn't the first time bullshit like this happens - the last time was a few weeks back when they had forgotten to put the bottom bun - yes, the bottom of the burger - on the crispy chicken fillet deluxe burger I ordered. I wonder what's gonna be next...you get a filet-o-fish without the fish patty? Or maybe a coke without any coke in it? How about the pack of 10 nuggets without the nuggets?

I know, I know, I can hear Chopper in my head saying "Eat some salad you fat bastard", but these two outlets should know better! ..and to that poor excuse for a human being at the Maccas who had an attitude problem, fuck you you year 10 dropout cretin. "Good time great taste" my ARSE!!!

2GB and 2UE are at it again

G'day bloggers,

A while back I reported on the fact that 2GB and 2UE were both using the mark knopfler track "this is us" on a generic station promo. Well, it's happened again.

The latest case involves a generic station promo again, but this time BOTH stations are using Pete Murray's "You pick me up"!

Once is enough guys...

AV Update - May 12th 2008

**All files available for download from 9.00pm AEST 12/05/2008


Video: Home Video logos, scrollers and idents
H.264/MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Mono/Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources: Betamax

Inspired by two of the guys on YouTube mentioned below, here are some Home Video logos, scrollers and idents, taken from the original ex-rental Betamax dubs. Please note that these are watermarked to distinguish them from the ones already appearing on YouTube.

CBS-Fox 1986: Closer with tone and end of tape slate - 0:34, 906 KB
First Release Home Entertainment 1989: Opener - 0:18, 807 KB
Rigby-CIC Video 1980: Opener - 0:33, 1.7 MB
**Note: This track is from a partially damaged tape**
Palace Entertainment Corporation 1987: Opener and preview short compile - 0:40, 2.2 MB
Roadshow Home Video opener/Premiere Home Entertainment closer 1987 - this track includes rating bands and preview titles - 0:50, 2.6 MB
Roadshow Home Video opener 1984 - 0:55, 2.9 MB
This track includes the scroller, a "keep watching after this movie" sweeper, and a new release information sweeper
CBS-Fox Video 1982 - 1:22, 4.4 MB
This track includes the scroller, CBS-Fox Video 1982 opening logo, and a preview sweeper
CBS-Fox Video 1987 - 1:18, 4.7 MB
This track contains the opening copyright warning, the CBS-Fox Video logo, and a short warning about checking your cassette to see if it is an original or "inferior pirated copy" - both VHS and Betamax cassettes are covered in this one! My cassettes all have that "polarised seal" they're talking about.
Video Classics opener 1982 - 1:12, 3.5 MB
Roadshow Home Video 1982 - 1:04, 3.5 MB
This version is one with a pink background and super slow scroller, and no voiceover as there is on the 1984 version above.


Video: Random picks from the vault
MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Mono/Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources include VHS and Betamax

Note: Some air dates may be inaccurate due to them being rough guesses!

TVC: Pea Beau with Ross Higgins - 0:14, 878 KB
TVC: Brisbane's 4BC Mornings - 0:29, 1.7 MB
TVC: Oral B with John Laws v/o - 0:28, 1.7 MB
7 Station Promo: A Country Practice - 0:20, 1.1 MB
7 Station Promo: Sons & Daughters - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: Kraft Singles - "Every Single Time" promotion - 0:31, 1.7 MB
TVC: Eta Margarine - "Ripper Rita" promotion - 0:29, 1.5 MB
9 Station Promo: Sale Of The Century (feat. Alyce Platt) - 0:17, 1.0 MB
9 Station Promo: Live At 5 with Terry Willisee - 0:29, 1.6 MB
Channel 9 Newsbreak - 0:44, 2.1 MB


Audio: 2UW Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!
Tape sources: 1/4" Open Reel Ampex 406/456 Masters

Flint Webster Davies complete master tape - Commenced 5th December 1979, various tracks - Part 2 (final part)
Tracks 7 to 9 inclusive: 2UW Sales Promotion 1984 - Summer In The City jingles
Track 10: The Most Music/Summer Jam Weekend ID's session tape 1979 with Margot Knight
Track 11: Graham Goble (LRB) raw unedited vocal takes, ID's, interview tracks
**Note: I'm not too sure if the Margot Knight mentioned here is the same one that took on a role in Prisoner Cell Block H in the mid 1980's starring alongside Maggie Kirkpatrick

Tracks 7 to 9:
30 sec bed only - 0:32, 768 KB
Top 'n' Tail 60 sec - 1:02, 1.4 MB
60 sec bed only - 1:02, 1.4 MB

Track 10:
Complete session reel - 6:12, 8.7 MB

Track 11:
Complete session reel - 5:44, 8.0 MB


2UW Hit Squad unedited master #4 complete master tape - No recording dates available
Complete reel - 10:57, 15.4 MB


2UW Jingles Master #2 - Various 2UW Jingles: Part 1
Generic 1 - 0:09, 230 KB
Generic 2 - 0:08, 195 KB
Generic 3 - 0:07, 172 KB
AM Stereo - 0:11, 277 KB


Audio: Top Spots Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!
Tape sources: 1/4" Open Reel Ampex 406/456 Masters

Heckendorf Advertising Master #7 - Part 2
Ateco Suzuki: Radio Campaign 1980's

Cortina (TVC audio track) - 0:29, 696 KB
65 Cortina - 0:30, 706 KB
Escort - 0:29, 703 KB
VW - 0:30, 716 KB
Your Old Car - 0:30, 716 KB
Torana - 0:29, 684 KB
Datsun - 0:29, 697 KB
Gallant Wagon - 0:31, 730 KB
71 Mini - 0:31, 727 KB
Cortina - 0:29, 702 KB

Home Video logo's, scrollers and idents

G'day bloggers,

Having a browse of YouTube tonight I came across a whole bunch of idents and scrolls from various home video distributors such as Palace, Roadshow Home Video and heaps of others.

I have in excess of 500+ betamax tapes, all original in-store ex-rental tapes of movies from various distributors and each one has these idents on the start. Inspired by what I've seen on YouTube, a special update will be in place in the next few days with some of those logo's. Please note these will carry a watermark which will distinguish my dubs from the ones on YouTube.

*Thanks go to bigdan1985 and palaceroadshow on YouTube for the inspiration*

Sydney Radio Ratings - Survey #3 2008

G'day bloggers,

Well, quite an interesting survey result this time for the Sydney radio market.

2GB lost some ground over all shifts but I don't think this is gonna worry them. Overall they're the no. 1 AM station in Sydney, with 2DAY-FM being the no. 1 FM station.

Triple M's result hasn't really surprised me since Get This left the airwaves - this result for them for midday to 4pm saw them drop from 9.0 to 7.7%. I hope the 7pm to midnight part doesn't start ringing alarm bells but I'm a bit dismayed to see my fave announcer on there, Spoonman (Brian Carlton)suffer a 1.9% drop to 4.4% - last survey this time block was at 6.3%, putting Brian's figures in the same league as Vega 95.3 in that block, who are now at 4.5%, a rise of 1.0% from last survey. Triple M's weekends have also suffered, with a 0.4% drop to 4.6% - probably time to get a live announcer in for Saturday nights eh gang?

Mix 106.5, also automated on saturday nights, also suffered a drop of 0.6%. Strangely enough, 2WS who are also automated on saturday nights went up 1.5%! At this point I'd like to say congratulations to a jock who has kicked arse in the radio scene for well past 30 years - Ron E Sparks (Ronnie in the 70's). He's gone up 2.9% to 10.6% from 7.7%. Well done Ron!

...and finally, seeing as 2GB won this survey (their 32nd consecutive win!), here's a screenshot of their transmitter mast, and adjoining transmitter hut, right near the water at Homebush Bay.

Frankster's Archive thanks Google Earth for the use of the image

Foxtel problems nationwide

G'day bloggers,

Felt compelled to write this puff piece about Foxtel and it's software upgrades.

Recently I read through an internet discussion forum and noticed some people were having trouble with the latest software, in the sense that it was buggy. Thinking nothing of it, and because my IQ box wasn't affected, I thought nothing of it.

Last saturday night while playing back a recorded program, it crashed twice. Both times the back and select reset was done, but when that yielded bugger all, I did the full reboot - power, up, down, power. This re-downloaded the software and all was well..for at least 10 minutes..then it crashed once more.

I thought it was just that program that had somehow become corrupted, so ended up deleting it, and on Ray Hadley's 2GB program a couple of days I heard a few users having problems with Foxtel. So I wrote to Ray and explained what I'd read about the latest software upgrade being buggy and it may have been related to it. This was on tuesday morning.

Yesterday at 4.30 I get an email from Shane at Foxtel who said something about software and how it's used to run the box blah blah..upon which I replied that I was aware of what the software does but the latest version you guys put onto it was buggy and causing problems.

Last night at about 9.15, the box suddenly stops what its doing, and launches into the "Updating System Software" screen. From that point on, talkback radio is flooded with calls from various people saying the same thing has happened. Then this morning, some calls from listeners to Foxtel are saying that their box has now frozen due to the update they did, and advised everyone to pull the power lead out for 30 minutes, then put it back in again. Happy to say mine's been functioning fine ever since last night's upgrade. I haven't checked the version number yet but it's probably safe to assume the box has been reset to the update before the buggy one. Last night's apparently happened nationwide..either myself and everyone else who jumped up and down about the software upgrade being buggy got some action, or Foxtel had noticed it themselves. Quite a coincidence!

AV Update - April 29th 2008

Video: Random picks from the vault
MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources include VHS and Betamax

**All files available for download from 11:35pm Tuesday 29th April 2008**

Note: Some air dates may be inaccurate due to them being rough guesses!

TVC: KFC Bucket promotion 1983 - 0:30, 1.6 MB
TVC: Commodore 64 Computer System - $499! - 0:29, 1.6 MB
Station Promo: Channel 9 "Willisee" - 0:29, 1.6 MB
Station ID: Channel 9 Still The One - 0:21, 1.2 MB
TVC: Minties with Michael Horrocks - 0:25, 1.4 MB
TVC: McDonalds good 'n' hot promotion - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: Chandlers Stores - 0:30, 1.7 MB
Station Promo: TV0 Eyewitness News - 0:31, 1.7 MB
TVC: Red Rooster "Big Rooster" (QLD Version) - 0:29, 1.6 MB
Channel 9 Newsbreak - 0:38, 2.1 MB


Audio: 2UW Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!
Tape sources: 1/4" Open Reel Ampex 406/456 Masters

Count The Cash - Winners Master 1982: Part 3 (final part), Tracks 21 to 23

Track 21 - 1:00, 1.4 MB
Track 22 - 1:06, 1.5 MB
Track 23 - 1:31, 2.1 MB

Desert Island Requests complete master 1990 - Chris Kearns and Gary Jaegar, special guest Craig McLachlan

Complete Tape - 29:35, 41.6 MB

Flint Webster Davies complete master tape - Commenced 5th December 1979, various tracks - Part 1

Track 1: 3KZ Newsflash Sound Effects - 4 Takes

3KZ Newsflash SFX (4 takes) - 0:16, 384 KB

Tracks 2 to 6 inclusive: 2UW Sales Promotion 1984 - Summer In The City jingles

Full Mix - 0:32, 763 KB
Top 'n' Tail 30 sec - 0:32, 763 KB
Intro/Outro 30 sec - 0:31, 747 KB
Intro/Outro 30 sec version 2 - 0:32, 763 KB
Tail Only - 0:33, 779 KB


Audio: Top Spots Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!
Tape sources: 1/4" Open Reel Ampex 406/456 Masters

Heckendorf #9 Master Tape - Part 2 (Final Part)

Pizza Hut: Taco Amigo Taco Salad promotion: Work parts and final mixes - 19th August 1985

Taco Salad: TC017 Pre-Mix - 0:24, 570 KB
Taco Salad: TC017 Final Mix - 0:31, 743 KB
Taco Salad: TC018 Pre-Mix - 0:24, 572 KB
Taco Salad: TC018 Final Mix - 0:30, 725 KB
Taco Salad: TC019 Pre-Mix - 0:26, 611 KB
Taco Salad: TC019 Final Mix - 0:31, 747 KB

Heckendorf Advertising Master #7 - Part 1

Ateco Suzuki: Radio Campaign 1980's

Subaru - 0:28, 679 KB
Old Moke - 0:30, 704 KB
Holden - 0:30, 716 KB
Gemini - 0:29, 697 KB

The John Butler Trio

G'day bloggers,

Click below to listen to a remix I've made of the John Butler Trio's "Funky Tonight". Would love to hear what you guys think of this one!

Funky tonight (Frankstermix 2008) - The John Butler Trio
Click here to play it now!

ANZAC Day 2008

G'day bloggers,

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

Frankster's Archive would like to thank the Australian War Memorial for the use of the above stanza.

I remember in 2005 when I was attending AFTRS sitting in a room with several students and our lecturer at the time, Peter Saxon (head of Radiowise Media Networks), and Peter playing us CD's of radio features to do with war. One guy I listened to really moved me. He was telling the interviewer that during combat, he had his best mate next to him, who was killed, and to get to the other side he had to walk over him - the saddest part of this story was when he mentioned as he walked over him, he heard his ribs cracking under his feet. When Peter had switched off the CD player I looked into space in shock - and that's just one of the horrible atrocities these brave guys had to deal with in combat.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Update 5.01pm: I'm sorry to have to report this everyone, but I've just heard on 2GB's Macquarie National News that a 65 year old was bashed while on his way to the ANZAC Day commemoration in Victoria - and for what? His mobile phone. Unbelievable! To that arsehole who bashed him, rot in hell you despicable bastard.

The Pete Berner Experiment...

...sucks big time.

For those who don't know what I'm on about, The Pete Berner Experiment is what replaced Tony Martin's "Get This" on Triple M. Another talk 'n' music show - funny that, considering the reason a talk show was in place in the afternoon was what prompted the head honchos at Austereo (rapidly becoming Austerile in my opinion with the lamearse excuses for program changes lately) to pull Get This off the air.

So they put Pete Berner on at 3pm, then have Will 'n' Lehmo from 4pm for a couple of hours. Can anyone explain how the bloody hell this combo is better than Get This?? For a start, you again have two talk 'n' music shows back to back, but the combined on air total per day is now 3 hours and not 2 - and as it stands, the "Experiment" has fallen arse over tit to be honest. It's NOT funny, it contains someone giggling away at EVERYTHING Pete says in the background, and we then have to put up with the fact Get This was replaced FOR THIS???

I swear, some days I have no idea if the powers that be running that network know what the hell they're doing. The original idea I think for axing Get This was the fact they wanted to concentrate on the brekky shows and put music on in the afternoons. So if you're so intent on playing music, get rid of the lamearses you've got between 3 and 6/7pm at the moment. Your "afternoon music" premise didn't hold water at all because again now you've got two talk shows, except Get This isn't there - and it sucks, and now there doesn't seem to be a chance Get This will ever return because Ed Kavalee's now with the dregs at Nova. (I swear, what is it with brekky and drive time shows on FM that has hosts droning on and on with fuckin' giggles every 5 seconds?? Shut up and play the fuckin' music, gees!!!)

Experiment? Bullshit. Backfire? You bet.

Bizarre audio mastering

G'day bloggers,

I've been asked to remaster a whole bunch of two radio programs that were once broadcast on 2RDJ in the 80's, 90's and 2000's recently. Both programs were either produced or hosted by a guy called Bill West who was a really great guy..unfortunately just recently, Bill passed away, but the master reels of all his programs have been found. Well, just about all of them.

Bill certainly accumulated a LOT of tape, all of it quarter-inch. He had reused some tapes for his own program, The Steel Needle, which dealt primarily with 78 RPM records, but the other one he produced and panelled, Library Lowdown, well he kept every single one. 10 boxes of reels found their way to my place yesterday (yup, do the math..each box has 45 reels...). Prior to these 10 boxes, another 3 boxes worth of Steel Needle has just been finished and are now on CD.

Bloggers, I've had some weird and crazy production jobs in my time, but this one takes the cake. Why do I say that? Read on.

2RDJ started transmission on November 5th 1983, thereby making this their 25th year. Programs recorded on 1/4" tape were done on Revox B77 MkII recorders, which for RDJ were configured with half-track heads. No problem really, considering both on air and production studios had two decks in them each, all four being half-track. So what do I find while sorting the tapes out today? Yep...the most bizarrest thing I've ever encountered.

4 tapes were recorded at 3.75 IPS - okay cool, run the tapes on the 3.75 and 7.5 IPS machine and transfer them yeah? Nope. All four of these tapes have no less than 12 episodes on the same reel! This makes them quarter-track mono tapes - which can't be played on a half-track machine. Ah but out comes an Akai 1721W machine, and voila, the quarter-track tapes could be transferred. Yeah! I don't know what the reason was but 12 episodes stripped across all 4 tracks of the tape, 3 per track, certainly gave the word bizarre a new meaning for me today! And guess what? Each of the 3 episodes on Track 1 of the tape were seperated by red leader tape. Yeah, no worries for the episodes on track 1, but I just wonder if the episodes on track 2, 3 and 4 now cut out when the leader goes through! Unless every single one is so precisely timed to coincide with the leader running through that it doesn't cut out.

An interesting remastering job this time - I've done transfers before on all sorts of oddball configurations, but quarter-track mono at 3.75 ips where 12 shows are stripped across all four tracks of the tape seems very bizarre. Up there for economy, but shithouse for sound quality...

AV Update - 21st March 2008

Video: Random picks from the vault
MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources include VHS and Betamax

**All files available for download from 3:00am Monday 21st April 2008**

Note: Some air dates may be inaccurate due to them being rough guesses!

Station Promo: Channel 9 Election '93 - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: New Idea Magazine (1993) - 0:30, 1.7 MB
Station Promo: Channel 9 "Sex The Series" 1993 - 0:14, 901 KB
Channel 7 Station ID (1991? 1992?) - 0:06, 431 KB
TVC: Pizza Hut with italian guy at restaurant - 0:29, 1.7 MB
TVC: Continental Lotsa Noodles - 0:31, 1.7 MB
Program Excerpt: The Mike Walsh Show 1983 bits 'n' pieces - 8:26, 26.8 MB
TVC: Sanyo Microwaves - That's Life - 1:00, 3.3 MB
**The music bed in this TVC was produced by Top Spots Studios - and we have various demos and client tapes containing the audio track from this series of TVC's! When we get to putting it up is anyone's guess. Keep watching!
Program Excerpt: The Mike Walsh Show 1983 - Dr James Wright segment - 8:10, 26.0 MB
Program Excerpt: The Mike Walsh Show 1983 - Ronnie Burns sings "Hello" and Mike introduces Jeannie Little - 12:01, 38.2 MB

Audio: 2UW Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!
Tape sources: 1/4" Open Reel Ampex 406/456 Masters

Count The Cash - Winners Master 1982: Part 2, Tracks 11 to 20

Track 11 - 0:49, 1.1 MB
Track 12 - 0:55, 1.3 MB
Track 13 - 1:12, 1.6 MB
Track 14 - 0:51, 1.2 MB
Track 15 - 0:56, 1.3 MB
Track 16 - 1:31, 2.1 MB
Track 17 - 1:55, 2.6 MB
Track 18 - 0:55, 1.3 MB
Track 19 - 1:17, 1.8 MB
Track 20 - 1:20, 1.8 MB

Audio: Top Spots Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!
Tape sources: 1/4" Open Reel Ampex 406/456 Masters

Heckendorf #9 Master Tape - Part 1
This update commences a new Top Spots master in the form of Heckendorf Advertising Agency commercials - this is part 1 of master #9.

Katies Winter Sale 1985: Jingles and 2 track mixes

Katies: 2 Track jingle mix 1 - 0:33, 797 KB
Katies: 2 Track voiceover mix Take 1 - 0:35, 823 KB
Katies: 2 Track voiceover mix Take 2 - 0:33, 787 KB

Oral B Labs: Asian TV Submission Tracks - 8th May 1985

Oral B: TV Track 1 - 0:29, 703 KB
Oral B: TV Track 2 - 0:26, 613 KB
Oral B: TV Track 1 revised version - 0:27, 656 KB
Oral B: TV Track 2 revised version - 0:22, 525 KB

Pizza Hut: Taco Amigo Fruit Salad promotion: Work parts and final mixes - 10th December 1985

Taco Amigo: Jingle Close - work part - 0:08, 207 KB
Taco Amigo: Fruit Salad - final mix TC020A - 0:31, 733 KB
Taco Amigo: Fruit Salad - final mix TC020B - 0:30, 717 KB

Nokia getting in on the music downloads act

G'day bloggers,

Another report in today's Sydney Daily Telegraph talks about Nokia getting in on the iTunes act offering music downloads, and also music streaming for $10 a month. The article also goes on to say that it will be like YouTube where users cannot download the stuff.

Oh yeah? Bet these guys would love to hear that:

Click here to see what I mean

YES!! About time!

Well bloggers, this is red letter day! I've just read through this morning's Sydney Daily Telegraph, and am absolutely stoked that The Angels are reforming (yes, the WHOLE band this time, not The Angels and Doc Neeson's Angels as seperate groups).

All I've got to say is...YOU BLOODY BEAUTY!!!!!

Now....does anyone wanna employ ME to do celebratory CD releases of their back catalogue? :)

And one more...

Erin McNaught Cockatoo Ridge Advertising Campaign: "She likes a cockatoo"


Austen Tayshus, Australiana: "She's probably seen a cockatoo" (intended as "cock or two")



Ho-hum...

Not ANOTHER one...

Triple M Station Promo: "Fifi can burn breakfast cereal..."


Garfield Comics - Sketch: "...he can ruin cereal"



Coincidence?

Drinking cordial while you're sleeping?

G'day bloggers,

I can't resist putting this one up. I'm a member of Valued Opinions where they email you surveys to take for rewards, and the latest one I got today was nothing out of the ordinary and decided to go ahead with it.

I have never laughed so damn hard in my whole life. One of the questions was as per the screenshot above. Check out the first answer - yep, it says "Sleeping"! I'd love to hear from anyone reading this blog who swears blind that they drink cordial while they're fast asleep.

Frankster's Archive suffers a meltdown

Sorry folks! We were offline for a day or two there as some of you would have noticed. But we're back now and a new AV update is now in place for you guys to savour. Enjoy!!

AV Update - 8th/9th April 2008

Video: Random picks from the vault
MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources include VHS and Betamax

Note: Some air dates may be inaccurate due to them being rough guesses!

TVC: Custom Credit with John Newcombe - 0:29, 1.6 MB
TVC: Telecom Australia - "Handle it STD" promotion - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: Flake Chocolate - 0:29, 1.6 MB
**Next time someone says to you "flake off", you know this TVC was the inspiration!
Station Promo: TV0 - Eyewitness News - 0:24, 1.2 MB
Station Promo: TV0 - The A-Team - 0:31, 1.7 MB
TVC: Island Cooler - 0:29, 1.5 MB
Station Promo: TV0 - You Only Live Twice - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: Lamb (version with dog at window and butcher miming actions) - 0:28, 1.6 MB
Program Excerpt: Hey Hey It's Saturday (includes Elton John live from an AIDS benefit concert) - Part 1 - 9:50, 30.8 MB
Program Excerpt: Hey Hey It's Saturday (includes Elton John live from an AIDS benefit concert) - Part 2 - 5:51, 18.6 MB


Audio: 2UW Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

Count The Cash - Winners Master 1982: Part 1, Tracks 1 to 10

Track 1 - 1:14, 1.7 MB
Track 2 - 0:58, 1.3 MB
Track 3 - 1:08, 1.5 MB
Track 4 - 1:15, 1.7 MB
Track 5 - 1:00, 1.4 MB
Track 6 - 1:03, 1.4 MB
Track 7 - 1:17, 1.8 MB
Track 8 - 1:09, 1.6 MB
Track 9 - 0:57, 1.3 MB
Track 10 - 0:43, 1.0 MB


Audio: Top Spots Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

Heckendorf #8 Master Tape - Part 4
This tape continues on from the last update - some tracks include tones and tape ID's. This is the final part.

Pizza Hut: Taco Amigo promotion - 2 tracks

Pizza Hut: Taco Amigo promotion - TA049 - 0:48, 1.1 MB
Pizza Hut: Taco Amigo promotion - TA050 - 0:38, 894 KB

Raw tape for a voiceover session with background conversation

Voiceover Session raw tape - 2:37, 3.6 MB

Women's Weekly Magazine: September big spring carpet guide - Miscellanous Track

Women's Weekly misc track - 1:02, 1.4 MB

Sydney City Mission - 2 tracks

UW319C 60 sec version - 1:24, 1.9 MB
UW319D 30 sec version - 0:39, 932 KB

Pizza Hut: Taco Amigo - Burger For A Buck promotion - 2 tracks

TC002 - Version 1 - 0:52, 1.2 MB
TC003 - Version 2 - 0:38, 905 KB

Tobac Original Aftershaves: Christmas and miscellanous tracks

Christmas Version 1 - 0:39, 926 KB
Misc Track 1 - 0:36, 845 KB

So, where's the latest update Frankster?

It should be up here later on with a bit of luck - it's been an incredibly hectic ol' week. Hold on folks!

Todd McKenney loses his driving licence

...well, until July 6th

In the words of John Lennon: "Instant karma's gonna get you..."

Click here for news.com.au's article

Fun with 1/4" audio tape

G'day bloggers,

Couldn't resist throwing these videos up on here, courtesy of YouTube and a guy called Julius, naming himself Meowbay on there. Amazing to see how much time and effort would've gone into editing a megamix up on tape! The fun starts at 4:20 on the one below - check out all the splices flying past.



Then there's this one which just spins me out - more splices whizzing past in quick succession! The magic starts at 0:55.



Then there's this last one which includes Kylie Minogue's "I should be so lucky" in the mix, torn apart completely! Check it out from about 1:03.

AV Update - 31st March 2008

Video: Random picks from the vault
MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources include VHS and Betamax

Note: Some air dates may be inaccurate due to them being rough guesses!

Station ID: Channel 9 1986 - 0:10, 668 KB
Program Excerpt: Channel 9 Nightline 1996 - Port Arthur Massacre - 2:26, 7.7 MB
TVC: Nottage Hill Wines "It's nottaaaa, it's nottaaaaa..." - 0:29, 1.6 MB
TVC: Fox-FM Morning Crew 1996 - 0:30, 1.7 MB
Program Excerpt: Children's Hospital Appeal(1984?) - 5:28, 17.5 MB
Note: This is a compile track and it seems that this telethon was broadcast on a couple of stations at the same time - the person who originally recorded it seemed to be flicking between the channels carrying it and so a couple of versions of the telethon are on this compile. Due to the final file size in mp4 format, the original track of 27:58 duration has been edited down to 5:28 for this update.
Program Excerpt: Hey Hey It's Saturday (1991?) - 3:40, 11.4 MB
Station Promo: BTV6 - Beyond 2000 (1989?) - 0:10, 601 KB
Station Promo: TV0 - Elvis One Night With You - 1:01, 3.4 MB
TVC: Woman's Day Magazine - 0:31, 1.6 MB
Station Promo: TV0 - V The Series - 0:29, 1.6 MB


Audio: 2UW Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

The Complete Masters Series
2UW Call Girl: Master #3 - 27:32, 38.7 MB
This is the next tape in the series for the 2UW Call Girl - here's master #3.

Download
Play

Audio: Top Spots Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

Heckendorf #8 Master Tape - Part 3
This tape continues on from the last update - some tracks include tones and tape ID's

Delva's Hair Treatments info spot - 2:22, 3.4 MB
HCF Hospital Cover misc vocal track - 0:38, 896 KB
Mazda NSW: Test Drive promotion - 0:51, 1.2 MB - Keyed: MAZ020
Mazda NSW TV Submission Tracks - Cut 1 - 0:47, 1.1 MB
Mazda NSW TV Submission Tracks - Cut 2 - 0:43, 1.0 MB
Mazda NSW TV Submission Tracks - Cut 3 - 0:47, 1.1 MB
Mazda NSW TV Submission Tracks - Cut 4 - 0:45, 1.0 MB
Mazda NSW TV Submission Tracks - Cut 5 - 0:40, 959 KB
Mazda NSW TV Submission Tracks - Cut 6 - 0:45, 1.0 MB
Midford Uniforms: TV audio track with VT clock and misc track - 0:47, 1.1 MB

Daylight Saving 2008/Server Reset

G'day bloggers,

As some of you may or may not know, daylight saving has been extended this year. Instead of it ending this weekend, it's now next weekend (April 5th and 6th). I wonder if Microsoft have released a patch yet to stop all the computer clocks adjusting themselves this sunday...

OK folks, time for a server reset - if you haven't grabbed any of the files available here at the moment, grab 'em NOW! The reset will happen on Monday, March 31st at 12:01am, and a new AV update will follow later that day.

As they say in the classics...."avagoodweegend"

Ah, Triple M Sydney, You've done it again...

G'day bloggers,

Must write this piece yet again about Sydney's Triple M. Some bright spark either in copy or creative or whatever has decided their latest ID should say:

"The only time we interrupt is when we have to tell you there are no interruptions" - or words to that effect.

People, people, people...go into your archives and see if you can find Vince Sorrenti's album "Unbelievable" from the mid 80's. Play the first track on side 2 towards the very end. Vince takes the part of a radio announcer for an imaginary station called FRQ-FM, and in it he announces a few songs in a row which makes up track 2 onwards on that side of the album, by saying "Absolutely no interruptions except us telling you there are no interruptions".

I hope you guys are giving Vince his dues for knocking off his idea done almost 24 years before you guys thought of it...

Windows Vista = the new Windows ME?

Yup...

SP1 fails for Vista users

I've never used Vista, I'm quite happy with Windows XP Home SP2 - and after hearing so much about Vista's failing I shudder on the day by force I have to upgrade.

Any positive stories at all about Vista's performance out there?

AV Update - March 19th 2008

**Files available for download from 6:00pm AEDST 19/03/2008**

Video: Random picks from the vault
MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources include VHS and Betamax

Note: Some air dates may be inaccurate due to them being rough guesses!

TVC: Nabisco: Chicken In A Biskit promotion - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: McFaddyn Homes with John Laws - 1988 - 0:29, 1.5 MB
TVC: Duracell Batteries: Toys - 1988 - 0:29, 1.6 MB
TVC: Microwave Popcorn - never never coming out promotion - 0:30, 1.5 MB
Channel 7: 1988 Xmas Message - Jennifer Keyte - 0:26, 1.5 MB
This track should satisfy the people who have landed on this blog after searching for "jennifer keyte sexy upskirt" - gotta love web stats! Not saying there's an upskirt here but it's still Jennifer in it!
CSA: Do The Right Thing - 1988 - 0:58, 3.1 MB
Station ID: Channel 7 Australian Television Network - 0:15, 735 KB
This ID seems to be widely available online - it's on various sites including YouTube. Almost a race to see who's got the better quality copy!
TVC: Cottees Cordials 1988 - Version 2 - 0:30, 1.5 MB
Lookout for the kid doing the piece to camera - it's Kieran from Big Brother Australia series 2!
TVC: Smash Hits Magazine - The Album - 1988 - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: Tarn Off cleaning fluid - 0:30, 1.5 MB


Audio: 2UW Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

The Complete Masters Series
2UW Call Girl: Master #2 - 30:33, 42.9 MB
This is a raw, unedited tape to do with the 2UW Call Girl promotion from the 80's. Call Girl in this instance isn't a prostitute, but more a promotion where she would stop people in the street, ask them what radio station they listen to, and if they answered 2UW they'd get to choose from a bunch of sealed envelopes, one of which would contain the major prize - $10,000. Being a raw master you'll hear bloopers, problems with traffic noise and the like. The tape operator in this is Ron E Sparks who's still on 2WS-FM these days, and the call girl is Kobe Steele. Presumably this was recorded on a Nagra but I don't know for sure.

Download
Play

Audio: Top Spots Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

Heckendorf #8 Master Tape - Part 2
This tape continues on from the last update - the first 6 tracks are the final Muzuki Suzuki tracks

Muzuki Suzuki: Cut K - 0:39, 937 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut L - 0:39, 930 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut M - 0:39, 919 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut N - 0:40, 949 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut O - 0:38, 896 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut P - 0:41, 973 KB

Next up is a 60 seconder for Carpet Merchants and their Australian Women's Weekly track: Keyed CM083 - tracks may be a bit longer due to the inclusion of tones and tape ID announcements prior to the tracks starting.

Carpet Merchants - 1:29, 2.0 MB

...and the last 3 tracks for this update are for Delva's Hair Treatments - includes a bed and two final mixes.

Bed - 0:47, 1.1 MB
Final Mix A - 0:37, 872 KB
Final Mix B - 0:35, 823 KB

A plug for a fellow blogger / Peter Denahy

Big plug for a fellow blogger here. G'day to Dan over here first of all!

Dan has run an article here where he talks about Peter Denahy's hilarious song "Sort of dunno nothin'". It's absolutely hysterical! When I became aware of it, I immediately bought and downloaded it off iTunes, and last week, I couldn't resist coming up with a short, stupid edit of it which you can hear below.

This edit makes it seem like the teenager really has no clue. I've rearranged some of his answers, matched them to questions in the song in random order, and now, for your entertainment, here's the result!

Sort Of Dunno Nothin' (Frankstermix 2008) - Peter Denahy
Dur: 0'38'', 192kbps 44kHz stereo MP3 file, 913 KB

Police truck stolen in Five Dock last night

...and I was there!

Click here for the article

I had left home about 9.45pm last night after having another infamous argument with my father (one of many recently but that's beside the point), and I needed to cool off so I went for a walk. I ended up on Parramatta Rd at Croydon at one of the bus stops there, intent on just being as far away as possible after the blow up. The plan was to get on the 461 and take it into the city where I was gonna stay for a few hours. Unfortunately I didn't see the bus coming and I missed it.

So there I was waiting in hope for another one, when first up I spot an ambulance doing at least 140k's an hour. I thought to myself nothing unusual - but a few minutes later, two marked police cars also tore up the same direction, sirens on etc. Then I thought probably an accident where someone's trapped somewhere up there. But then not long after, these same two cars had done a u-turn and were heading back the other way!

Few minutes after that, again the same two police cars went up the first way, but were then followed by two unmarked cars. This time all four cars did a u-turn and headed back again - where they were headed back to was a Shell servo which is probably the same one mentioned in the news this morning.

That wasn't the half of it though - where the bus stop that I was at was is about 300 metres down from that Shell servo. At about 10.30pm-ish I see this guy crossing the road and waiting at the stop, and a minute later one of those original police cars came to a grinding halt where 2 cops got out and asked this guy if he had any ID. He produced it, and after about 10 minutes, the cops left. Must've got the wrong guy. I started chatting with this bloke as he asked me if I'd seen any buses go past - all I had was bad news for him as that 461 turned out to be the last bus for the night. So he decided to walk to the train station, and I started the opposite way, going back home.

I'm halfway down one of the side streets when I hear the police chopper overhead - and they were circling me at one point!! I was wearing headphones listening to the radio and I had to actually take the headphones off and point them in the direction of the chopper to let them know hey, I'm not the one you guys are after. They must've seen it, as they weren't circling me anymore but were circling the area for a good hour or two afterwards.

So basically I was right in the thick of things - due to a stupid argument with dad and a missed bus! Certainly brightened up an otherwise dull night for me.

AV Update - March 10th 2008

**Files available for download from 3:00am AEDST 10/03/2008**

Video: Random picks from the vault
MP4, 320x240, 4:3, 25fps, 300kbps vision, 64kbps Stereo audio
Compatible with Quicktime and the iPod Video
Tape sources include VHS and Betamax

Note: Some air dates may be inaccurate

Channel 7 Promo: 7 Direct - 0:44, 2.5 MB
Channel 9 Promo: A Current Affair with Jana Wendt - 0:21, 1.2 MB
TVC: Amstrad Computers - 0:15, 924 KB
Amazing how far computers have come. This TVC suggests an Amstrad is worth $1099!
TVC: Balance Cereal with Dr. Christian Barnaad - 0:44, 2.4 MB
TVC: Comalco Cans with Pat Cash - 0:30, 1.6 MB
TVC: Funny Face Ice Blocks - 0:15, 927 KB
TVC: Heinz Soups with Penelope Keith - 0:30, 1.7 MB
Penelope Keith is described on The D-Generation's "Satanic Sketches" album as being "England's most stuck-up english tart"
Program Excerpt: Australia's Most Wanted with David Marshall - 2:37, 8.4 MB
More has been found of this program on another Betamax tape, so here it is!
TVC: Ski Yogurt - Ski Boom Ski Boom - 0:30, 1.7 MB
TVC: Westpac - 0:59, 3.1 MB


Audio: 2UW Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

The Complete Masters Series
2UW Bazz 'n' Pilko live from Moscow phone demo tracks
This master is one recorded to check out the sounds and crosses back to Sydney for Bazz 'n' Pilko live from Moscow series of radio shows.

Download - 7:35, 10.6 MB

Audio: Top Spots Master Tapes
MP3 192kbps 44kHz Stereo unless indicated
Compatible with just about anything!

Heckendorf #8 Master Tape - Part 1
This tape was put together for the Heckendorf Advertising group - the first 10 tracks are for Ateco Suzuki's "Muzuki Suzuki" promotion. Key numbers are AS305-A through to AS305-J.

Muzuki Suzuki: Cut A - 0:59, 1.3 MB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut B - 0:41, 962 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut C - 0:39, 924 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut D - 0:38, 907 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut E - 0:39, 918 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut F - 0:38, 904 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut G - 0:39, 1.3 MB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut H - 0:39, 937 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut I - 0:39, 925 KB
Muzuki Suzuki: Cut J - 0:39, 930 KB