u/labubuking

I've learned quite a bit practicing my favorite Queen, Guns and Roses, Sting, system of a down, Journey and can match their tone even a lot of the time.. but once I try to sing in the "rnb style" e.g. wanya morris style of Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight higher notes like upper 4th octave.. it all just falls apart like it's a whole different technique lol. When I practice speech level singing exercises it seems like I have to restrain myself more than I do when I normally sing but when i do that it gets closer to rnb style. But it feels like a stronger less airy falsetto most of the time 😂 and sometimes when I hear these singers it sounds like they have a growl to their sound like in gospel church so I try to add that in too at certain sections but I wonder how the heck are they able to not sing so loudly and sound like their speaking voice up there without changing the vowels all together and make it match with this other lighter mix sound (e.g. peabo bryson in the mid - upper 4th octave). Like in rock like "dont stop believin", steve parry would approach the words differently. My voice would default to that but if peabo bryson did that same song he'd probably still sound like hes not even changing the words up there. Like lately, ive been trying to practice more towards the peabo bryson way but it feels like a looooot of adjusting to do. It feels odd lol but ever since I've been practicing a lot more of his style, I feel lots more improvement than ever before.

Certain vowel sounds I can get right with rnb but other sounds feels like I haven't discovered how to do those vowels in a more "chesty" connected way without a raised larynx sound whereas with rock its like second nature but vowels become steve perry ish... like some of the technique sounds I learned from singing rock pop songs can overlap with rnb singing but other sounds are just very very hard like the OOOOOOO sound. Can do a scale up and down and even sirens with all sorts of vowels without disconnecting but it freaking sounds like a head voice instead with OOOOOOO and if I try making it "chestier" it sounds so squeezed and I naturally feel like i need to open up into an OH sound instead or even OWWWW. Like im stuck in overdrive cvt mode for OO.

Like when I speak it's pretty twangy and strong... i usually narrate videos a lot. Probably because of being a baritone or something. I always found love Ballad songs easier to sing completely than most.... but the newer pop style seems insanely difficult.

Now when a video goes viral it seems like the person isn't that popular as they would be if it were 10-20 years ago.

I remember when Susan Boyle got viral... everyone locally that I met even knew who she was. I'd go to the dentist and even they were wanting to talk about her. "Hey did you see Susan Boyle!?" Now if someone new on Got Talent goes viral, people in real life likely will still not know who the person is! Unless it was an act from a specific country like Philippines where they'd actually hold a big celebration for the person on the street 😂 or a person from the show representing local town in the middle of nowhere.

Same with American Idol. Seemed like everyone knew the contestants especially season 1-3. Pre-social media. All we had was watching tv and it was something to always look forward to voting for every week with multiple phones. Now it isn't so special these days to vote. I remember when my entire family wanted everyone they knew to vote for their favorites to win a show lol. We'd call the number non stop with every phone we could find and wait til the time the polls closed. It was THAT serious.

Like what was the recent last act in the past 5 years to ever go globally famous that it would be shared across social media feed everywhere? I can't even think of one.

To see the look of that one reddit users face lol

I see a100 htvront for sale with hat, tumbler, and heat press combo $339 but its 12x10... same with sublimation printer (et8550, 15000) and more... they have pretty good sales right now. If i buy the wonderpress today (kickstarter ends tomorrow) then i'd have to wait til end of july when they ship it. Lol. I'd love to start ASAP. Still need a printer but thats on sale too.

Theres also hrvront auto press 2 $279 and ver 1 of it $188

The buzz side plot was there to show the difference between the new and the old technology... and that sometimes the young generations can still enjoy old technology even when there's new ones. They can co-exist.

The older technology has to do some work arounds (og buzz) but they have the "street smarts" and despite their technological disadvantages, they can still figure out a way around... and they were og toy story characters that have been passed through generations of children (Jesse), so they have knowledge of what it is like to be loved by a child (or even many children), whereas the new toys don't have any experience and use the internet to connect with one another. The new tech is locked down with software (e.g. lilypad showed concern for updating operating system, buzz seemed like they all had only one same personality even though they were many). The old buzz was like "open software" buzz where he was free to think, do whatever he wants, no restrictions because he's OLD and didn't use the internet.

The new tech don't really know what else to do in life other than their sole purpose, what they were programmed for-- e.g. the lilypad vs the poop toy storyline. They both can connect to the internet but the poop toy is og tech so it isn't as advanced but it does have the street smarts and "heart."

I thought it was pretty neat. And these other old toys also have the street smarts to figure out situations outside the internet! E.g. when they were trying to figure out directions & when Jesse got stuck in the barn, she figured out a way to get out of there by using real animals.

Movie is basically parallels to older generations vs current generation right now where the brainrot kids stereotypically rely on ipad for entertainment and connecting with other kids, finding a way to be cool by joining the bandwagon/algorithm, and neglecting toys. Only want to do what "tiktok" tells them to like. Vs the little girl from Jesse's old home who doesn't really use the internet, has a huge imagination with play, which is rare for children these days. Not to mention has a lot of "donated" toys she plays with in that little house (I think). Kids nowadays just want the new stuff. No used stuff. She was real happy to find an old toy and even displayed it! Likely had different parenting.

And when these old toys get abandoned they get reaaal sad because all their life they've been played with so they try to reason with what's going on so they can be relevant again.

Don't forget about the parents... they kinda hesitated with giving the lilypad and the father kinda didn't question anything she wrote to him. "Put the toys in the garage." Kinda shows that the father is probably too weak and not really a good parent. But the mother on the otherhand was willing to talk to her daughter about feelings when she saw her sad. So the movie wants to teach parents that they should talk to their children about their mental health and that it isn't always a good thing to chat with strangers on the internet.

Whereas the other parents of the isolated child far away from everyone else with the farm animals ... compared to them. I forget, I'd need to see it again.

It completely makes sense to me.

The toy story gang has went on all these adventures and their entire lifes purpose is to give their child joy.

Woody being back made sense because it kinda motivated Buzz to gain confidence in talking to Jesse and completing the mission to find her. Woody was the original guy who knew how to plan schemes out and it seems it will always be that way because even Buzz has technology in him but Woody is purely street smart. He is shown living outside with Bo Peep.

So the price is $269 + $50 shipping + tax making it about $350 on my end.

Seems damn expensive but everyone in the facebook group is telling me they're so excited for it that they recommend "buy now or cry later." Referring to the "all-in-one" kit with the 3d form module & oven. $599 + $90 shipping + tax = $750usd. I was just thinking about the press itself... hate time sensitive deals that rush me to buy. "Oh if you don't buy now then the item will be $300 more later."

I do not have a printer to use it with but I was going to try it with an Epson Et2800 or similar (like the one from costco that's going for $180-200) and use 3rd party sublimation ink.

I mentioned this in the group and they said I will probably grow out of the small paper size real quick... and just "go big or go home." Recommending the Et-15000 or Et-8550 instead with sublimation ink kit.

I am wondering if I should try something else and cheaper... if so, what?

I don't know if it's worth buying. I found one that is selling a large sized one for $199 and another small version like 50x50 for $69 under preorder called the "pixmaker". I aliexpressed image reversed it and found a cheaper one for more than half the price but it's not the same thing. I tried the free app it showed in the description and it seems to work okay? 😂... idk if I should try that or just do the old fashioned way to start & if aliexpress beads are good enough

I used the acrylics I've been using for my 3d prints from Michaels. They're the pack of 24 or something like that for $9-20. I 3D printed one of those rollers but apparently I looked it up saying I need to get a rubber roller made for these arts and crafts stuff instead... since 3D prints aren't entirely smooth. I even made sure it was lightly pressed too. Nothing worked.

I washed the plate with dish soap and yeah nothing would transfer. I followed the tutorials and all -- I guess the culprit could be a combination of the paints I'm using plus need to pass thru my laser twice I guess... and the roller being 3d printed. Maybe I need to spend more to make this work. I changed the contrast, shadows, and blacks in my images too (my personal photography). Tried my best to spread it evenly but all the black acrylic just went to the page instead, lol

Do you let the air out of the straw only when you vocalize sirens, scales, etc.. I usually sing songs into it but sometimes find myself going into "edge" twangy vocal mode (what cvt says) and it makes it sound pushed. And if I let go too gently I break into a falsetto. That's if a straw is like a coffee stir straw size. I used two of them to help relieve pressure...

So the only way to "smooth" out between the two extremes: gentle and pushed, I have to back off a little bit where it feels comfortable but it also feels "heady" at some point in pitch. It feels a little more back in my face rather than the extreme forwardness (out of the straw completely) if the straws diameter is too tiny.

I was practicing bohemian rhapsody for the trillionth time in my life and I learned something kinda new. Heh. Realized certain sounds he made sounds like the sounds I made before when I play around with voice impressions and even use to express myself when I'm sad or excited. So I decided to try something different again and again. I realized this because I rarely ever recorded my voice and play it back when I practice... now I do every single time I'm at home and a capella. Well before I kinda knew this already because when i'd go to concerts the artists would be really hyper when they speak to the audience and it would also be in a higher pitch too just like their singing voice. Bruno Mars would be a great example.

I never really had the luxury to have my own car until now so I don't feel the sensation of "holding back" and "fear" like I used to .... but when I'm in an environment similar to before - it triggers my anxiety and tenses my throat to the point i feel scared to project and I can't go higher anymore.

Usually I need to have a mood booster to help me want to project my voice, otherwise I'd be too lazy and not really try. Even if I know the feeling... I just can't get the sound out the way I want it to if I'm feeling no motivation or "shy". If I can best describe this... like when you have low blood sugar and suddenly have matcha tea or strong coffee - suddenly I have all this energy and want to talk talk talk. Before drinking the matcha tea, I would feel sluggish and don't really feel like trying. I just wanna take a nap. 😂

I don't know if you guys are even familiar with CVT (complete vocal technique) but I used to self-teach myself 10 years ago with Tristan Paredes and friends and do videos on social media trying to identify the modes and learn how to do it with other folks. I stopped doing that for a decade and just did my own thing when covid happened.

Now I will go back to the bohemian rhapsody part... I'll try to explain the best I can.

"I'm just a poor boy I need no sympathy."

I used to do this in a spongebob voice, shouted out with my grown male talking voice, or falsetto. It feels either pushed or too let go. I realized that I can't change it to sound any better with any of those. So when I heard him sing "I'm" I realized the feeling isn't actually "chesty"... it's the same freakin sound I hear singers like Serj Tankian of SOD do and actually it feels closer to the feeling I do with this "Nick Pitera" girly head voice sound but a little more padding to the sound.

How I find this sound is say "how!?" In a really surprised voice like the same type of voice I'd make when I hear someone passed away that is close to me then try vocal siren with that sound. Lol. It may sound really funny at first... kinda like the Bruce Almighty movie where the reporter got mind controlled with the teleprompter 😂 "heyyy payyy!!!" That's the sound I worked with and it feels like instead of HEYYY like yelling to someone across the street... it actually feels like a "HEYYYY" in head voice but add the feeling of "oh no im in pain help me here!!!!!" Like holding back tears. "Im gonna cry". You know when a movie makes you choke up? That feeling literally WHILE doing head voice 😲. Now you will notice if the feeling is too strong that your voice will probably crack or sound terrible. Too squished. Actually the best example would be the "hoooyyy yeaaahhhh" can you give me a HOOIYYY YEAHHH viral dudes. THAT sound is what you can work with to figure out your upper range you never knew you had, lol.

Then the next part is trying to speak and sing in this higher pitch. First SPEAK... or just keep repeating the part in song. To me it feels like the back of my tongue is saying the word and the feeling in my mid section is exactly like when I say "SHH SHH SHHH SHHH SHHH" like when telling someone LOUDLY to "shhhhhhh". Not too light. That part feels like it's held out exactly the same feeling as "shhhh"

Then once you get this "head voice" feeling down you will be able to siren up and down back into your "chest voice" and even way higher than normal. For me it goes like into the 5th octave lol.... like the volume shouldnt be a drastic difference... try be consistent - because of pitch the higher notes will always be louder than the lower notes but not like 100% louder-- maybe like 15% louder... but you will notice vowels that you're not used to making up there are going to be extra difficult. You have to learn how they should sound like and then practice from there---

I'll say vowels like UH, IH, OO, and EE are the most crucial to practice in this 4th octave. Particularly the "EE" sound.... I found that one to really lessen my "airiness" in my sound over the years. It was way airy before...

Anyway have a good day

I don't really care too much about those vacuum features or oven. I do 3d printing. Maybe I could use them... maybe not. But heck if I wanted to make molds I could just 3d print a mold and do that already. But I just want to save $$ as much as possible for now. Well simply because the shippings $95 bucks for the all in one bundle and that'd make the entire cost become $599 + $95 + 10.25% california tax. Too much money for someone who never had a heat press before. I need a printer too... I just want to do this to start with FOR FUN And to learn with then eventually I can start selling things when I learn how to do it right but for the first few months I'd be making things for myself and family - and friends too. I don't really expect to make money off of this right away - I gotta see if I like it first.

The base models $50 shipping + tax but $279 + $50 + tax... maybe under $400 bucks in total. I don't really know this kickstarter stuff. Not too into it. Plus it won't ship til july or later! That's basically the entire summer I could've been making stuff 😂

I see the newly released htvront a100 bundle is $369 after coupon and it ships june 16 ish. Mind you it can be purchased on their website directly already... no kickstarter needed. Comes with cup press, hat press, detachable heat press head (main unit is the heat press)... but seems like the work area is smaller. Not sure if it's a good one or gonna be a good one. Seems like for the same price as the kickstarter (wonderpress only) I get to have all these other things included as xtools all in one kit ... just minus the vacuum forming tool. i don't know why everyones raving about the wonder press though. Seems too much hype over it on facebook.

It looks like a good starter kit but it seems like maybe I don't even need all that extra stuff and just probably should get a heat press alone. Yes cups would be nice... yes hats too... but yeah my friend gave me a cricut maker coming in the mail today so I could use vinyl transfers too.

I don't have a sub printer yet but was thinking of just doing an ecotank 2800 or similar series first to get started with. Whatever I can find that won't break the bank.

I don't really care too much about those vacuum features or oven. Well simply because the shippings $95 bucks for the all in one bundle and that'd make the entire cost become $599 + $95 + 10.25% california tax. Too much money.

The base models $50 shipping + tax but $279 + $50 + tax... maybe under $400 bucks in total.

I see the newly released htvront a100 bundle is $369 after coupon and it ships june 16 ish. Comes with cup press, hat press, detachable heat press head (main unit is the heat press)... but seems like the work area is smaller. Not sure if it's a good one or gonna be a good one. Seems like for the same price as the kickstarter (wonderpress only) I get to have all these other things included as xtools all in one kit ... just minus the vacuum forming tool.

I don't have a sub printer yet but was thinking of just doing an ecotank 2800 or similar series first to get started with. Whatever I can find that won't break the bank.