From Radiohead to Vivaldi � How Ford used an eclectic playlist to perfect the sound system

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added: 8 Feb 2012 // by: Andy Snipper

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COLOGNE, Germany, Feb. 7, 2012 ' Every car ' like every room or auditorium ' has unique acoustics qualities. The size and shape of the cabin, the materials in the seats and dashboard, the ratio of glass and steel ' all of it impact the sound quality in a new car.

When Ford engineers set out to fine tune the perfect sound system to match the acoustics of the new B-MAX multi-activity vehicle, they found they needed a special tool -- the perfect music playlist.

Radiohead, Black-Eyed Peas, the Eagles and jazz legend John Coltrane rubbed shoulders with classical composers Vivaldi and Carl Orff on the B-MAX playlist as engineers used key moments in the songs and pieces to fine-tune the B-MAX sound system.

The classic opening to the Eagles' anthem Hotel California features the ideal 'dry' sound for testing bass, ambience and tone, says Ford of Europe audio engineer Matthias Terstegge. He should know. He has listened to it thousands of times while developing the B-MAX and other Ford cars.

He also listened out for the powerful kick bass in Black-Eyed Peas' track Just Can't Get Enough to test the woofers in the B-MAX; tuning the low frequency filters in the amplifier unit to retain a strong and punchy bass sound without door buzz and rattles

The all-new Ford B-MAX will be available with an exclusive premium quality Sony audio system. It features eight high performance speakers and a 4 x 25 Watt Sony amplifier. Drivers can select music from the built-in CD/radio unit, including Digital Audio Broadcast, or from their own portable music players connected via USB or Bluetooth.

The tuning top hits used by Ford audio engineers include the following tracks.
Artist Track Tuning potential
Yello Oh Yeah Kick bass / Low voice
Fugees Nappy Heads Low bass / Mid bass / Door buzz
Talking Heads Flowers Kick bass / Door buzz / Woofer distortion
Radiohead Packt Like Sardines Kick bass / Door buzz / Woofer distortion
Peter Gabriel Growing Up Low bass / Kick bass / Door buzz
Joan Baez Diamonds And Rust Ambience / Treble / Tonal balance
Black-Eyed Peas Just Can't Get Enough Low Bass/ Kick Bass/ Door Buzz
Mariah Carey Butterfly Ambience / Treble / Tonal balance
Susanne Vega Tom's Diner Center imaging
Jennifer Warnes Somewhere, Somebody Center imaging / Mid bass /Tonal balance
Steve Strauss Mr. Bones Center imaging / Mid bass /Tonal balance
John Coltrane My Lazy Bird / My Favorite Things Treble / Tweeter distortion
Carl Orff Carmina Burana Treble / Tweeter distortion / Dynamics
Vivaldi Four Seasons: The Summer Treble / Tweeter distortion / Stage width
Eagles Hotel California Live Low bass / Mid bass / Ambience / Stage width
/ Tonal balance

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Lily Allen loves �perfect� daughter

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added: 22 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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Lily Allen is on a 'total high' since the birth of her baby daughter, says a source.

The British star gave birth to Ethel Mary in November.

Lily has suffered with depression in the past, and was worried about how a little one would affect her lifestyle.

However, sources close to star says her worries were unfounded.

'Lily can't believe how perfect things are. She was anxious she might get post-natal depression because of her history, but despite being exhausted, she's on a total high,' a friend of the star told British magazine Closer.

Lily is reportedly keen to drop the extra pounds she gained while pregnant. The 26-year-old songstress doesn't want an extreme diet and exercise plan though.

'Lily ate well during her pregnancy and didn't go on a diet the minute she gave birth like a lot of celebs,' the insider said.

'She never wanted to do a hardcore weight-loss regime, but she's starting to think she's got no choice. Yet she's saying she'll 'ease' herself into it.'

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Amber Rose: My boyfriend is perfect

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added: 13 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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Amber Rose 'doesn't see any flaws' in her boyfriend Wiz Khalifa.

The gorgeous model is very much in love with Wiz.

Amber cannot think of anything bad to say about her beau.

"He's so freaking cute, that's my baby right there," Amber gushed on RapFix Live. "He's beautiful, he's perfection to me. I don't see any flaws when I look at him."

Wiz and Amber were rumoured to have married in September 2011, but that did not occur. The pair did move into the same building around that time period though.

"When we met, we fell in love and then he moved to LA and he wound up moving in my building and we just started our life like that together," Amber explained. "It's good, we're not married yet, and it's good that we still have our separate places. I have a lot of clothes, so my clothes are not going to fit in his condo at all."

Amber enjoys doting on Wiz. The rapper is a fan of Amber's domestic skills.

"I get up in the morning, I cook him breakfast every morning. I rub his feet, I give him kisses, feed him breakfast in bed," she detailed. "I clean the house, I run the shower for him; I iron his clothes and whatever he wants. I love him; I would do anything for him. He is a spoiled brat when it comes to me. I don't let him lift a finger; I do everything for him. I am the wife, I take care of all that. He doesn't have to do anything."

Amber feels that Wiz reciprocates in effort and appreciation.

"He respects me, he loves me, he gives me all that in return," she said. "We kinda do that to each other."

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