It Blow'd Up!!

I feel so stupid. My heart is broken. I am lost. let me share what happened.
I was in the old sound booth recording a movie trailer like spot for local radio and TV. I broke out the Sennheiser MKH-416 and WOW--it felt like the good old days. I was cooking. It really sounded good.
Then disaster struck. As I turned to make an adjustment on levels, I pulled a cord and WHAM-- I pulled my favorite testing preamp off the shelf.
Boom! Loud pop and lots of flash and sparks. My heavy duty surge protector not only shut everything down, the circuit breaker clicked off.

Shock and dismay. I felt like part of my soul had been ripped out. I really liked that little preamp. I had planned to write a detailed description and review of the Rane MS-1b preamp and why we used that particular unit.

Many of you have been asking lately about what preamp we used on most of our tests and why. I did not think it would be fair to test our wide variety and diversity of microphones on something like a John Hardy M1 (unless I actually had one) and after much consultation with many experts and technicians, we decided the little plain Rane would be the most appropriate for unbiased testing on a "lowest common denominator" basis.

Still, my feelings are hurt. Should I try to send the unit back to Rane for repairs? Just buy another? Or do you suggest another brand replacement to better serve our purpose.

Console me. Let me hear what you think. I am still too much in shock, literally, to make a sane decision.

Thanks
Fumbles

New Mic Tech..Is it coming?

Microphone diaphram moved by light bounced off sound waves!!

Is it time for new technology to get the most from the golden tones? This new Sennheiser mic is NOT going to make anyone sound like the ultimate voice.
But, isn't the idea interesting.

Is Apple Distorting the Term "VoiceOver?"

Ah! We showed you the Apple "how to record voiceover" with Joe Cipriano. (or was that Microsoft?) Anyway... Apple has adopted the term for a device that pronounces the name of the song and artist as you listen on your iPod. And it seems they intentionally used a very robotic voice to convey the information. Will that be a future trend we will need to emulate?
Check it out HERE.