Just did an interview today. For a position in Sparky Animation.
Their quota for 1 week is 1 minute animation. Good animation. That's heavy.
I wonder if my skill is up to it... time to put my 'speed animator' to test. God please grant me your wisdom and strength.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Steelseries 7G
Gotten this keyboard from Joan for my 21st. Thanks, baby! <3
I want to attempt a little review here so please bear with me. :D This keyboard deserves it.
As you all who read the blog (if there's any at all) know, I play Audition. I am a beat up fan. I have been trying to break my perfect record and I feel that my skill has reach a certain level where I might not improve so much anymore (except I play hardcore songs for hours on ends daily), so I tried browsing keyboard and wanting to see if they make a difference.
If you are interested to see just how my skill fare, check out my youtube.
I want to attempt a little review here so please bear with me. :D This keyboard deserves it.
As you all who read the blog (if there's any at all) know, I play Audition. I am a beat up fan. I have been trying to break my perfect record and I feel that my skill has reach a certain level where I might not improve so much anymore (except I play hardcore songs for hours on ends daily), so I tried browsing keyboard and wanting to see if they make a difference.
If you are interested to see just how my skill fare, check out my youtube.
You can see that I am pretty good at it (at least I think so). For this game, especially this mode, response time is king. It's a lot more anal than Stepmania and O2Jam. I have been training for quite sometime before I can hit 800 perfect for the song on the video above (80 odd great). I can still improve but I did not train that song anymore so it's just stagnant now.
I have a theory for this game. You earn 80% of your perfect in beat up with your skill, the remaining 20% comes from the rig that you use. But yet again, your rig dictates how far you can polish your skill. It's a mutual relationship. It's like..... you just started to play beat up and you want to improve your skill, but how far you can improve also depends on how good your computer and keyboard is.
Maybe with a good pc and a good keyboard, you will reach peak of your skill within 6 months. Without, you will take 1 year to reach your peak.
I will start with my 1st keyboard ever.....................
HP (1st)
Default keyboard that comes from HP for the PC in NTU. I must say that keyboard is absolutely impossible to play with. I have overall more great than perfect in beat up mode. Granted, my skill was not the same level as I am now, but I tried to revisit the keyboard and I still am disappointed so that's a no. Won't recommend this one.
If this is yours, please change it. It's the keyboard that has the silver board for the f1 f2 f3 section and black for the rest.
Apple Macintosh Keyboard (2nd)
(The white one, but not the flat one). It's the old model that's out of production right now. I must say that the response time is amazing. But somehow I cannot get consistent timing from the keyboard. Yes it has fast response, but it's not consistent. I began to suspect that it's probably because it's a USB keyboard.
Nevertheless, I improved the most with this keyboard (solidified my theory that you need to start with a good rig before you can improve faster).
Downside? Wears out really fast. I keep changing to a new one every time the old one wears out.
Logitech (not sure which model, the same with Era keyboard (3rd))
Bought this just to try out a different keyboard because the Apple Keyboard wears out really fast. It was alright, but it's a step down from Apple because the response time is almost twice to what I am used to with Apple.
Performing alright with this keyboard, but terribly disappointed with the response time that I decided to abandon it and just keep using the old, beat up Apple keyboard.
Microsoft Wired MS500 (4th)
It's a PS2 keyboard. It is slightly faster than Logitech in terms of response time but not on par with Apple that I had. I decided to give this keyboard a chance and I don't regret it. It might not be on par with Apple, but it's really, really, consistent. Like seriously. I broke all my previous records that I did with my Apple and I began to appreciate consistency and slightly slower response time over inconsistency but lightning fast response time. This was my best keyboard and considering it's just on 20+ dollar range. Absolutely recommended.
PS: It's from this keyboard as well that I suspect ps2 is just better than USB. Consistency vs Inconsistency.
Other keyboard that I don't own but I tried for beat up:
-Some Japanese keyboard called OwlTech something: It was recommended by a friend who never play beat up, but plays audition. It supposedly is the fastest keyboard she ever owned. But when I got my hands on it, it's not as great as I thought. Sure it's not slow, but not fast either. A tad bit above average I would say. Definitely slower than my Microsoft MS500 though.
-Apple Macintosh Keyboard (Flat): This keyboard is the one that came out just after my old keyboard is out of production. My keyboard's little brother, so to speak. I was excited because I thought I might've discovered another gem of a keyboard and it's flat!!
To my disappointment, this keyboard is absolutely horrible with its response time. On par with my HP and that's a big NO to me. I was really disappointed.
- Razer Lycosa : I would say about on par with my microsoft (response time). Just a liiiil' bit slower. Very little. It's flat so it's an advantage as well. But for the price, you can buy 5 Microsoft keyboards so I never buy it. I heard multiple problems from people that own it. Like keys doesn't register and have to restart, spoilt space bar after a few months, rubber feeling become yucky after it wore out, etc.
-Razer Arctosa : I only tried it once, so I can't do an informed assessment on it, but I judged that it's roughly the same with Lycosa. Maybe slightly better. It's cheaper too so I think Arctosa is a better investment than Lycosa if you absolutely must own Razer.
-Microsoft Wired MS600 : Slower than MS500. USB Port. Inconsistency issue. But it's cheaper than MS500 and it looks quite nice so I think it's not a bad keyboard for its price.
-Razer Blackwidow Ultimate : I never tried it. But I got a review from a friend who is pretty good at beat up too. She used to play with Lycosa and she said she can't differentiate the response time with her old Lycosa. Major problem is:
1. Price. Mechanical keyboard is really pricey.
2. It's NOT N-Key Rollover which is really really disappointing. You will experience problems with Guitar Mode, for sure.
In the end my friend re-sell that keyboard and stick with Lycosa.
Up to this point, I had pretty much resign to my Microsoft Wired MS500 and thought that would probably be the best in the market. I am talking strictly about response time and consistency of course. I often dreamed about keyboard that has my old Apple response time and yet consistent as well, but it seems hard to find. Especially no one really review keyboard in terms of response time. Most of them just say 'It feels pretty fast' and that's it. The only way is to buy all those keyboard and test them with beat up mode, and I am not that rich.
Until....
Steelseries 7G became my birthday gift.
Steelseries 7G (5th, and I think last)
From the first moment I unpacked and tried this keyboard, I have been so amazed by it. This is the perfect keyboard that I have always dreamed about. Lightning fast response time + consistency.
My theory has been soundly proven ( at least to me ) that with a good peripheral, you can improve your best records. I did improve. On overage 30 perfect more than what I used to reach in any song. My greats normally are below 90 so for me to improve 30 perfect is quite significant. For particularly fast song, I improved close to 70 perfect. (A testament to the speed of this keyboard and the consistency of it.)
It's an absolutely worthy investment especially if you are an auditioner, more so a beat up-er. I discover this after a few hours playing with this keyboard. I am extremely intrigued of what makes this so I did a bit of googling. Turned out this keyboard has individual keys gold-plated to ensure the lowest latency. The reviews that I've read mostly mention this, but never have a concrete example of how low it actually is. They just base it on gut feeling.
They have never played audition. This game is anal about response time and I wish they would use it to review any keyboard, but that would require them having some sort of skill beforehand so I guess it's not easy.
Well, I can assure you now that it's absolutely right. Without question, this keyboard has the lowest latency out of all the keyboards that I've ever played with. It's probably on par or better response time compared to my Apple keyboard.
Upside:
1. Mechanical keyboard with the longest durability switch ensure this keyboard will last 10 times longer than your average membrane keyboard.
2. Unparalleled response time and consistency.
Downside:
1. No backlight, no macro. But this is not really a downside for me because I value a keyboard based on its performance, not look and extra stuff.
Considering the life span of this keyboard, it will last 10 times longer than a membrane keyboard, so the x10 price is justified to me. Especially with this amazing response time, it's a joy to play with it.
I am not affiliated with Steelseries in any way. If anything I have more history with Razer than Steelseries. I tell it for what it is.
I have found my perfect keyboard. Thanks again, baby!
I have a theory for this game. You earn 80% of your perfect in beat up with your skill, the remaining 20% comes from the rig that you use. But yet again, your rig dictates how far you can polish your skill. It's a mutual relationship. It's like..... you just started to play beat up and you want to improve your skill, but how far you can improve also depends on how good your computer and keyboard is.
Maybe with a good pc and a good keyboard, you will reach peak of your skill within 6 months. Without, you will take 1 year to reach your peak.
I will start with my 1st keyboard ever.....................
HP (1st)
Default keyboard that comes from HP for the PC in NTU. I must say that keyboard is absolutely impossible to play with. I have overall more great than perfect in beat up mode. Granted, my skill was not the same level as I am now, but I tried to revisit the keyboard and I still am disappointed so that's a no. Won't recommend this one.
If this is yours, please change it. It's the keyboard that has the silver board for the f1 f2 f3 section and black for the rest.
Apple Macintosh Keyboard (2nd)
(The white one, but not the flat one). It's the old model that's out of production right now. I must say that the response time is amazing. But somehow I cannot get consistent timing from the keyboard. Yes it has fast response, but it's not consistent. I began to suspect that it's probably because it's a USB keyboard.
Nevertheless, I improved the most with this keyboard (solidified my theory that you need to start with a good rig before you can improve faster).
Downside? Wears out really fast. I keep changing to a new one every time the old one wears out.
Logitech (not sure which model, the same with Era keyboard (3rd))
Bought this just to try out a different keyboard because the Apple Keyboard wears out really fast. It was alright, but it's a step down from Apple because the response time is almost twice to what I am used to with Apple.
Performing alright with this keyboard, but terribly disappointed with the response time that I decided to abandon it and just keep using the old, beat up Apple keyboard.
Microsoft Wired MS500 (4th)
It's a PS2 keyboard. It is slightly faster than Logitech in terms of response time but not on par with Apple that I had. I decided to give this keyboard a chance and I don't regret it. It might not be on par with Apple, but it's really, really, consistent. Like seriously. I broke all my previous records that I did with my Apple and I began to appreciate consistency and slightly slower response time over inconsistency but lightning fast response time. This was my best keyboard and considering it's just on 20+ dollar range. Absolutely recommended.
PS: It's from this keyboard as well that I suspect ps2 is just better than USB. Consistency vs Inconsistency.
Other keyboard that I don't own but I tried for beat up:
-Some Japanese keyboard called OwlTech something: It was recommended by a friend who never play beat up, but plays audition. It supposedly is the fastest keyboard she ever owned. But when I got my hands on it, it's not as great as I thought. Sure it's not slow, but not fast either. A tad bit above average I would say. Definitely slower than my Microsoft MS500 though.
-Apple Macintosh Keyboard (Flat): This keyboard is the one that came out just after my old keyboard is out of production. My keyboard's little brother, so to speak. I was excited because I thought I might've discovered another gem of a keyboard and it's flat!!
To my disappointment, this keyboard is absolutely horrible with its response time. On par with my HP and that's a big NO to me. I was really disappointed.
- Razer Lycosa : I would say about on par with my microsoft (response time). Just a liiiil' bit slower. Very little. It's flat so it's an advantage as well. But for the price, you can buy 5 Microsoft keyboards so I never buy it. I heard multiple problems from people that own it. Like keys doesn't register and have to restart, spoilt space bar after a few months, rubber feeling become yucky after it wore out, etc.
-Razer Arctosa : I only tried it once, so I can't do an informed assessment on it, but I judged that it's roughly the same with Lycosa. Maybe slightly better. It's cheaper too so I think Arctosa is a better investment than Lycosa if you absolutely must own Razer.
-Microsoft Wired MS600 : Slower than MS500. USB Port. Inconsistency issue. But it's cheaper than MS500 and it looks quite nice so I think it's not a bad keyboard for its price.
-Razer Blackwidow Ultimate : I never tried it. But I got a review from a friend who is pretty good at beat up too. She used to play with Lycosa and she said she can't differentiate the response time with her old Lycosa. Major problem is:
1. Price. Mechanical keyboard is really pricey.
2. It's NOT N-Key Rollover which is really really disappointing. You will experience problems with Guitar Mode, for sure.
In the end my friend re-sell that keyboard and stick with Lycosa.
Up to this point, I had pretty much resign to my Microsoft Wired MS500 and thought that would probably be the best in the market. I am talking strictly about response time and consistency of course. I often dreamed about keyboard that has my old Apple response time and yet consistent as well, but it seems hard to find. Especially no one really review keyboard in terms of response time. Most of them just say 'It feels pretty fast' and that's it. The only way is to buy all those keyboard and test them with beat up mode, and I am not that rich.
Until....
Steelseries 7G became my birthday gift.
Steelseries 7G (5th, and I think last)
From the first moment I unpacked and tried this keyboard, I have been so amazed by it. This is the perfect keyboard that I have always dreamed about. Lightning fast response time + consistency.
My theory has been soundly proven ( at least to me ) that with a good peripheral, you can improve your best records. I did improve. On overage 30 perfect more than what I used to reach in any song. My greats normally are below 90 so for me to improve 30 perfect is quite significant. For particularly fast song, I improved close to 70 perfect. (A testament to the speed of this keyboard and the consistency of it.)
It's an absolutely worthy investment especially if you are an auditioner, more so a beat up-er. I discover this after a few hours playing with this keyboard. I am extremely intrigued of what makes this so I did a bit of googling. Turned out this keyboard has individual keys gold-plated to ensure the lowest latency. The reviews that I've read mostly mention this, but never have a concrete example of how low it actually is. They just base it on gut feeling.
They have never played audition. This game is anal about response time and I wish they would use it to review any keyboard, but that would require them having some sort of skill beforehand so I guess it's not easy.
Well, I can assure you now that it's absolutely right. Without question, this keyboard has the lowest latency out of all the keyboards that I've ever played with. It's probably on par or better response time compared to my Apple keyboard.
Upside:
1. Mechanical keyboard with the longest durability switch ensure this keyboard will last 10 times longer than your average membrane keyboard.
2. Unparalleled response time and consistency.
Downside:
1. No backlight, no macro. But this is not really a downside for me because I value a keyboard based on its performance, not look and extra stuff.
Considering the life span of this keyboard, it will last 10 times longer than a membrane keyboard, so the x10 price is justified to me. Especially with this amazing response time, it's a joy to play with it.
I am not affiliated with Steelseries in any way. If anything I have more history with Razer than Steelseries. I tell it for what it is.
I have found my perfect keyboard. Thanks again, baby!
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