Tag: Videos

Vaping Diaries #34: Vape Dudes Review

Here’s a review of three of the most popular flavors from Vape Dudes: Buttery Nipple, Mocha Java Drizzle, and Orange Cream. Vape Dudes’ e-liquids are made-to-order and come in plastic drip-tip bottles. This is a great company for new vapers or people looking to experiment with flavors, since the company offers a 40-percent discount to new customers. As for these particular flavors, I totally see why two of them are popular, but was disappointed in one. Here’s the breakdown.

Buttery Nipple: This is a great e-liquid for vapers with a sweet tooth. The butterscotch flavor is very strong and is complemented with a touch of cream. Although the web site shows a picture of the popular buttery nipple shot, I didn’t get any alcohol from this juice at all. If that’s the kind of thing you’re looking for, I suggest Pink Spot Vapor’s Butter Rum Lifesaver. Out of the three juices covered in this review, this was easily my favorite — very sweet and very delicious.

Mocha Java Drizzle: This is a great choice for fans of sweet coffee drinks, like those popular Frappuccino and Macchiato drinks at Starbucks. If you’re a fan of “real” coffee then this might be too sweet for you. The coffee taste is definitely there, but the chocolate and caramel flavors are more pronounced. As some of you know, I’m a total coffee nerd, but I understand why those Starbucks drinks are so popular. This juice is a nice approximation of those popular beverages.

Orange Cream: Here’s Vape Dudes’ take on the popular creamsicle flavor. I’ve had quite a few creamsicle e-liquids from other vendors and this wasn’t one of the better ones. The cream flavor is good, but the orange was a bit artificial and the flavors didn’t quite blend together. Some people describe this juice as having a “tinny” taste and I see what that mean. To me, it has an aftertaste reminiscent of children’s aspirin. It’s not a horrible juice, but there are much better creamsicle choices out there.

Steeping Notes

Buttery Nipple
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: January 15-31, 2013

Mocha Java Drizzle
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: January 15-31, 2013

Orange Cream
50/50 PG/VG Ratio, 6mg nictone
Uncapped: December 3, 2012 6:08PM
Recapped: December 5, 2012 6:56PM
Vaped: January 15-31, 2013

NAMM 2013: Bad Seed Titanium and Steel Guitars

Continuing my NAMM 2013 quest for traditional musical instruments made out of unusual materials, I interviewed Bad Seed Ltd. owner Sheldon Currington about his company’s titanium and aircraft-grade steel guitars. Bad Seed guitars use wooden necks and metal bodies, with a neck-through process that allows for killer sustain. I’ve tried a few metal electrics in the past and they had an artificial tonal quality. Bad Seed’s guitars have a more vibrant sound that’s also unique. In addition to a more natural sound, titanium is just a cool material.

You know how a lot of fantasy nerds believe that everyone in New Zealand is tied to The Lord of the Rings in some way? In Bad Seed’s case, that’s actually true. Currington worked on some special effects for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. One of the company’s guitars features control knobs and tuners that look like skulls. The skulls were designed by a person that worked on the miniatures for the films.

Currington also has a background making race cars and hot rods. Bad Seed combines his passion for metal working and music. So yeah, this guy makes cool guitars, worked on The Hobbit, and makes race cars. He’s pretty much the coolest person I’ve met in the last year…and makes me feel bad about making goofy videos and writing goofy articles.

Anyway, check out the video above. It’s a fun talk about some of the coolest electric guitars I saw at NAMM 2013.

NAMM 2013: Vibrato Sax Polycarbonate Saxophones

One of my missions at NAMM 2013 was to find traditional musical instruments made out of non-traditional materials. Vibrato Sax’s polycarbonate alto saxophones certainly fit the bill. I interviewed company president Piyapat Thanyakij to learn more about these instruments. To get an idea of how they sound, my brother — jazz musician Reggie Padilla — put them through their paces.

Vibrato’s altos weigh about 1/3 of what a typical brass saxophone weighs, and they’re waterproof to boot. To attract younger players, Vibrato offers parts in various colors, allowing for bright personalization. These altos are also a compelling choice for older players looking for a travel saxophone. My brother was impressed by the sound, saying that it was very close to the output of a brass saxophone. He’s looking forward to the company’s upcoming tenor model.

This was easily my favorite NAMM 2013 video. It was fun working with my brother on a project and I was genuinely impressed by Vibrato. The company is based in Thailand, so hopefully I’ll get to stop by and see where they’re made the next time I visit my second home. Check out the video above and listen to my brother play a Vibrato Sax polycarbonate saxophone (please!).

NAMM 2013: Audiofly AF120, AF140, AF160 In-Ear Monitors

Audiofly has been getting a lot of attention with its high-quality headphones. The company recently won a CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award for its AF78 model. At NAMM 2013, I met up with Audiofly CEO Dave Thompson to learn more about the company’s new Performance line of in-ear monitors. These models (AF120, AF140, AF160) offer superior sound for use on stage, in the studio, and at home. The difference between the three models is the number of balanced armature drivers. The AF120 has a single armature driver, the AF140 has two, and the AF160 has three. Each model is available with a standard cable, as well as a microphone cable with iOS-compatible controls. Prices start at $249.95 and run to $399.99.

Check out the video interview above to learn more about Audiofly’s in-ear monitors.

NAMM 2013: Blue Microphones Nessie

Tech nerds love Blue Microphones’ mix of quality construction, sleek looks, and great sound. The company’s USB mics are used by thousands of musicians and podcasters. The latest USB mic from Blue is the Nessie. Like the Loch Ness Monster it’s named after, the Nessie has a curved, elongated neck. It uses the same capsule as the renowned Yeti, but features adaptive processing for users that don’t want to mess around with EQ and levels. The Nessie features a built-in pop filter and shock mount, adding to the user friendliness. This mic is a great choice for podcasters that don’t know how to optimize sound and musicians laying down quick scratch tracks.

I’m a huge fan of Blue Mics. I use a Yeti for VO and used an Encore for interviews/karaoke. While the Yeti is still going strong, a friend of mine broke my Encore by accidentally smashing it on concrete (I’m still not over it). Some of you will recall that comedian Jay Mohr was so impressed by my Encore that he grabbed it and busted out some Van Halen. Anyway, back to the Nessie! On paper, it looks like a great USB mic for single users. I expect it to offer the same great sound quality as the Yeti, but in an idiot-proof package.

Check out the video above and let me know what you think of the Blue Microphones Nessie when you have a chance. Also, since Blue already has the Yeti and Nessie, which mythical creature do you think the company will go with next?

NAMM 2013: Journey Instruments OO-verhead Guitar

I’ve seen a lot of travel guitars over the years, but all of them compromised sound quality for portability. The OO-verhead from Journey Instruments is significantly better than its competitors. It offers surprisingly full sound for a travel guitar, yet is small enough to fit in an overhead bin. In terms of sound, the OO-verhead is as big as a dreadnought acoustic at its thickest point, allowing for a full and rich tone. In terms of portability, it comes with a carry-on sized case that has enough room for the guitar, a 14-inch laptop, a tablet, and other travel items.

The OO-verhead is available in wood and carbon fiber. The wood model is geared towards players that want a traditional acoustic sound. Carbon fiber offers a brighter tone, which is a bit polarizing. Unlike wood, it’s not sensitive to humidity changes. The carbon fiber model is a good choice for world travelers that hop around different climate zones…or people that dig the cool, space-age look of carbon fiber.

Personally, I’m lusting for the carbon fiber model. I love its sleek looks and weather resistance. As someone that hops around between California, Hawaii, and Thailand, I appreciate what carbon fiber brings to the table.

Check out the video above and let me know what you think of the Journey Instruments OO-verhead (please!).

NAMM 2013: IK Multimedia iLoud Speaker

Like most of you, I’ve seen loads of Bluetooth speakers over the years. The IK Multimedia iLoud stands out for its blend of power, sound quality, and versatility. In addition to being able to pair with your PC, tablet, or phone via Bluetooth, the iLoud also features a 1/4-inch plug that accepts microphones and musical instruments. With 40 watts of power and high-quality sound (according to the manufacturer), this speaker can double as a studio monitor for musicians and vocalists. The iLoud also features a built-in iRig circuit that allows you to manipulate mics and instruments with mobile apps like AmpliTube and VocalLive.

I spent some time at NAMM 2013 playing with the iLoud and was impressed by its power and versatility. With all the noise blaring on the show floor, I wasn’t able to get an idea of the sound quality it offers. The iLoud will be released some time in the first half of 2013 and hopefully I’ll be reviewing it in the future. For now, please check out the video above and let me know if the iLoud is something you’re interested in.

Vaping Diaries #32: Cirrus Vapes Tank Review

For the last few months, I’ve been using a pair of tanks from Cirrus Vapes — one polycarbonate tank and one pyrex tank. Both are made in the USA, feature caps and tips made from aircraft aluminum, come with a 90-day warranty, and are among the best-looking tanks I’ve seen. The construction and finish of these babies are top notch. While both tanks are undeniably high-quality products, I found one to be on the expensive side and the other to be inline with the competition.

The polycarbonate tank I used was designed for XL cartomizers. The blue tank and tip looked fantastic on my Vapor4Life Handle and would look equally sweet on eGo-sized products. While it’s easily one of the best-looking polycarbonate tanks I’ve seen, its price is high — $36 for the tank and $10 for the matching drip tip. That’s a fair price for an aluminum tip that’s made in the USA, but paying that much for a polycarbonate tank is tougher to swallow.

The pyrex tank, on the other hand, is priced similarly to other high-end glass products — $46 for the tank and $14 for the large drip tip. This particular model was made for standard-sized cartomizers. Like its polycarbonate sister, this is one of the most beautiful tanks I’ve seen. The craftsmanship of the tank, caps, and drip tip are impressive. It looked great on my iTaste MVP and made all of my mods look better. Although there are many pyrex tanks priced similarly or cheaper than this Cirrus Vapes model, I don’t know of any that can match its combination of quality and looks.

In addition to its “standard” line, Cirrus Vapes makes lots of custom models too. Check out the company Facebook page and you’ll see a wide variety of designs — leopard print, camouflage, stars, flames, crosses, skulls, and more. The custom models are totally sweet. The green camouflage with black caps is especially awesome. Me want.

While Cirrus Vapes makes some of the finest tanks you can buy, they’re not easy to find. Right now, they’re only available at certain California retail stores and a handful of shops in other states. The good news is that the company is expanding, so expect to see them in more and more stores. The better news is that Cirrus will have an online web store in the near future.

If you’re able to pick one up, I highly recommend Cirrus Vapes’ pyrex model. It’s well-made, sturdy, and beautiful. As a homer for made-in-the-USA products, I’m thrilled to see an American company offering top-notch products at a fair price.

Path of Exile Preview and Video Interview

Yesterday, I caught a demo of Path of Exile by Grinding Gear Games. The game is a free-to-play action-RPG that reminded me of an ultra-hardcore version of Diablo. The game also has features the reminded me of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X. The developer cites Magic: The Gathering and Call of Cthulhu as influences. Check out the video interview by Paul Semel above, as well as the screenshot gallery below.

One of the most striking things about the game is how customizable everything is. As you’d expect, armor and weapons can be upgraded. What’s really unique is that items like potion bottles and maps can be upgraded as well. In the case of potion bottles, the effectiveness and potency can be manipulated. As for maps, they lead to portals to secret areas; they can be upgraded to increase monster level and difficulty, as well as to give your character a gameplay advantage.

Armor, accessories, and weapons can be adorned with different gems that grant various spells and boosts. The developer noted that the materia system in Final Fantasy VII was an influence. Gems can be stacked for more powerful attacks at the expense of more mana (generally speaking). For example, a fireball gem can be armed for a basic projectile attack. It can be accompanied with a “fork” gem, which causes the fireball to split in two after it hits an enemy, allowing a single fireball to potentially hit three foes. The spell can be further enhanced by a “multishot” gem, resulting in three forking fireballs (say that five times fast).

The skill tree is a massive map of powers, passive abilities, and boosts, with each section of the tree specializing in certain types of powers. It reminded me of a much more flexible and diverse version of the sphere grid used in Final Fantasy X. While I wasn’t able to explore the intricacies of the skill tree during my short demo, I was impressed by its size and the amount of choices it gives players.

Another curious facet of the game is that there’s no gold. The developers eschewed currency in favor of a barter system. As armor, accessories, items, and weapons are modified, they become more valuable. Players can choose to stash items for future use, trade them to a generic in-game trader, or trade them with other players. I was told that in the closed beta, some players got so into the crafting and trading elements of the game that they spent more hours on selling goods than slaying monsters.

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Path of Exile hits open beta on January 23, 2013. The full release should be some time in Summer 2013. Be sure to watch the video interview for more details, including the Kickstarter-like system the developers used to fund the game. Find out why 176 gamers spent $1,000 to get cool and unique in-game items. Lastly, let me know what you think of the game. Do you think the hardcore gamers that were disappointed in Diablo III will find what they’re looking for in Path of Exile? Are you interested in trying the game?

Vaping Diaries #29: Volcano Vapor Cafe Tour

While I was in Hawaii for holiday break, I stopped by Volcano Vapor Cafe in the Kapahulu section of Honolulu. My brother mentioned the place to me, as it’s just down the road from his condo. Naturally, I had to stop by. What I found was a fun place where you can check out e-cigs and e-liquids, as well as hop on the Internet, grab some coffee, enjoy a sandwich, watch TV, and play some console games. Check out the video above for a tour of the cafe.

The cafe’s staff are a nice bunch of people that are friendly and knowledgable about vaping. Similar to my experience with The Vapor Spot in Los Angeles, they’re a cut above the employees you find at most retail shops. As many of you know, I generally hate the retail experience; I rather slam my fingers in a door repeatedly than deal with some of the people I’ve encountered at Best Buy and GameStop. After watching the staff at Volcano Vapor Cafe for a few hours, I was reminded that the retail experience can be a pleasant one.

The customers were a diverse group of people. Most of them were locals that were stopping in to get new cartomizers or juice. They seemed proud to be supporting a local company (Volcano HQ is in Oahu, near my beloved Lanikai Beach). It was cool seeing people quickly to stop in to get cartos, similar to how they’d drop by a convenience store to get tobacco cigarettes. Naturally, there were a lot of people that were inquiring about the LavaTube Version 2, one of the hottest products on the market today. Lastly, there were some tourists (Kapahulu is minutes from Waikiki) that were picking up e-cig kits to bring back to their countries. Whatever their needs were, the staff took care of them in a polite and friendly manner.

While I was filming, some of the patrons noticed my Ovale USA eVic. It was cool that other vapers were immediately able to identify new gear. Of course they had lots of questions about the mod and the software it works with. And of course, I had to let them try it. Soon enough, a bunch of people got out their drip tips and tried my eVic. After that, we talked about the different tanks I had on me (Cirrus Vapes and Valley View Vapes). This led to other conversations about different gear and e-liquids, showing the community aspect of Volcano Vapor Cafe. It’s awesome that vapers have a place to hang out, meet fellow vapers, and share experiences.

By the time you watch this video and read this article, Volcano will have a second cafe. I was told that the new cafe will be bigger and feature a stage for live music. Coincidentally, it will be in Ewa Beach, which is where my parents recently moved to. I’m pretty sure that there are cosmic forces at work, placing vaping cafes near where my brother and parents live, respectively.

If you’re a vaper that’s vacationing in Oahu then I highly recommend stopping by Volcano Vapor Cafe. It’s just a fun place to hang out, vape, grab a snack, and meet fellow vapers. While there are many Internet vendors that I love dealing with, it’s awesome that there are more physical locations where vapers can shop and socialize too. Hopefully more and more vaping cafes will open in the future. With some luck, perhaps a Volcano Vapor Cafe will open up in your town!