Saturday 27 July 2019

UDG Creator Ableton Push 2 Hardcase Black U8442BL - not really a review

I recently purchased an Ableton Push 2 from eBay that came with this carry case included with it. Fitting the Push 2 into it, it seemed like the case was pretty pointless. So I searched for it to see if others' opinions were the same, or there was some 'reason for being' I had missed.

On Amazon, all the reviews seemed to be pretty positive though. So, as someone that doesn't really have a need for it or having used it, I thought I might as well give my (negative) opinion to add some balance.

Firstly, trying to fit the Push 2 into the UDG case was extremely tight. I guess that's good for keeping it well protected (rather than having it slopping about inside the case). but I would say it's a bit too tight.

Secondly, the foam padding on mine has started to pull away from the edge of the case. This is a case of better glue being needed, and also the tight fit causing too strain when fitting / removing the Push 2 into / from the case.

There's no space in the case for anything other than the Push 2. It's nice that's it quite a tight fit, i.e. the case isn't a lot larger than the Push 2 itself, but I would much prefer it had space for the power adapter and USB cable. What point is taking the Push 2 with you without the power and USB?

Okay, you could argue that the power and USB can just be carried in your standard bag. But (depending on the size of your bag), so could the Push. No, it wouldn't be as well protected as in the UDG Hardcase, but there's not really much on the Push that could easily be broken off in a bag (like faders). If you were concerned about the buttons and knobs, you could put a decksaver on it before you put it in your bag (the decksaver is cheaper than this bag).

You can't use the Push 2 in the bag - it's for transporting / storing the Push 2 only. A design that allows the top & rear area to unzip completely so the Push can be used in the bag, then the top just zipped back on when you're finished would be much better in my opinion.

Other than that, the bag seems fairly decent. Nice zips, decently comfortable handle (though I haven't actually carried it anywhere), well padded, and the case is 'hard' but not completely rigid.

If I was after a case myself I'd be much more likely to go with something like a Gorilla Ableton Push Instrument Case (affiliate link). This case looks like it has room for the power and USB and the Push 2 can be used in the case. It will also look smarter if you already have your other audio equipment in flight cases.

Sunday 7 July 2019

Eating fruit with the skin

You can eat Kiwis with the skin, it doesn't feel furry when you eat it.

You can also eat Orange with the skin, but the taste of the skin is quite bitter. If you only eat a small proportion of the skin it is much more palatable, like eating marmalade. Easy peelers aren't too bad with the skin, though I would say they're nicer without the skin than with. Probably the skin is covered with harmful chemicals they spray on them while they're growing as well.

Grapefruit skin is like orange skin, only more pithy.

Banana skin is too tough.

Pineapple core can be a bit woody. The skin is 'okay' but I wouldn't purposefully eat it. If you do want to eat the skin I would suggest eating the flesh and skin together to reduce the taste of the skin. I suspect if a pineapple isn't very ripe then the core will be very woody and the skin probably taste worse than a nicely ripe one (the one I tried was ripe).