From amateurs to professionals, avid musicians have become increasingly aware of the usefulness of MIDI keyboard controllers. These devices, unlike other types of electronic keyboards, are used in all forms of digital music creation to synthesize instruments and beats. Electronic keyboards, on the other hand, replicate (or digitize) the sound of a piano.
MIDI controllers often resemble electronic keyboards to offer the full range of notes and also have a series of knobs and buttons that can be used to manipulate and alter the resulting sounds. With these controllers and specialized computer software digital musicians can add a wide variety of sound alterations on the fly.
While nearly any MIDI controller will be an improvement over other methods of music creation, there are certain features that are more beneficial than others.
Pressure Sensitivity
Like electronic keyboards, MIDI controllers have varying sensitivity to their keys. The more sensitive the key, the lighter the touch that is required to activate it. The less sensitive the key, the heavier touch required. This lends itself to triggering unintentional sounds or missing beats completely. Excellent keyboard style MIDI controllers should have keys with roughly the same sensitivity of a well tuned piano. This will allow for the most intuitive, accurate use.
Number of Octaves
The best MIDI controllers offer more versatility with the number of notes. Five octaves, or 61 keys, is the most common and flexible keyboard layout. While smaller controllers are more portable and convenient for on the spot performances, the wider range of notes in larger controllers allows for more extensive sound creation.
Simple Setup
A MIDI controller won't do you much good if you can't figure out how to map it to your virtual instrument. High quality models will include easy to use software that will help you set up your controller quickly and easily. Another important feature is built in settings that will allow easy integration with other software. Both these features will help amateurs and experts learn their new controller and put it to the best use possible.
Flexible controls
While the number and sensitivity of keys and the ease of use are key features, the ability to manipulate sound is equally important. The main benefit of MIDI keyboard controllers is the option to alter the sound as its synthesized. The availability of modulation and pitch control knobs and sliders, as well as their usability, should be a major deciding factor before purchase. The best control knobs (or sliders) will, like the keys, be just the right sensitivity – not too easy to spin but not too hard – and offer a wide range of levels for the specific feature.
When the time comes to make a purchase, your application will make the most difference in your choice. Other options, including USB power and built in sound reproduction, are available to fit the needs of any digital musician.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Midi Keyboards and Controllers - Must Haves For The Avid Musician
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Garmin Navigation Systems
Sports and Fitness Units
The Garmin Forerunner 205 is the market entry fitness model of a range of wrist worn GPS and fitness monitors which extends to the Forerunner 405. All the units monitor, track and store data which can later be down loaded and analysed on the Garmin Fitness Center software, which will display in graphical format, data such as distance, time and, in some cases, heart rate.
Garmin nuvi Range
Specifically designed for use in covered vehicles (cars, vans and the like), the Garmin nuvi range is renowned for its ease of use and clarity of display. Features include touch sensitive screens, spoken directions, Bluetooth connectivity and Traffic reports (model dependant). Garmin have also announced the new nuvi 1200 and nuvi 1300 families, which are designed for both car and pedestrian use. Both will include a new system called CityXplorer which will help you to find your way around specific cities by public transport, although the cities to be covered by this system have yet to be announced.
Garmin Zumo
The requirements for a motorbike sat nav are quite different from those of other vehicles. Weather proofing is an obvious requirement, but so is a secure mount, and the ability to use Bluetooth to provide directions and telephone hands-free facilities to helmet mounted earphones and microphones are another. Just importantly, the screen must be able to easily handle touch screen instructions for riders wearing thick gloves. Obviously the Zumo range handle these requirements with ease.
Garmin Marine Range
Garmin’s range of marine instruments are even more extensive. Hand held GPS and navigation systems like the Garmin GP SMAP range are designed for small boat use, while the larger Garmin fishfinders require transducers to be placed over the side or permanently installed. And then you get into the really fancy kit; the combined GPS, Fishfinder Plotter, which will give you all the advantages of a marine sat nav system, showing you a chart of your location, the depth under your keel and even if there are fish there. The Garmin GP SMAP 555 is just such a unit, waterproof, naturally, as well as having integral tide tables and bright, sharp screen, to make it easier to see in sunlight.
The Advantages Of LCD TV
So you've decided to take the plunge and pick up a high-end television for your home. But you're hearing a lot of about LCD vs. Plasma and the discussion tends to be over your head. Fear not! The following information provides a look at LCD's side of the story, and gives you some of the advantages of choosing LCD over Plasma.
How does LCD TV work?
LCD TVs are made using two transparent panels that polarized and glued together. One of the two panels is coated with a special polymer that contains the Liquid Crystals from which LCD TV gets its name. A current of light is then passed through these crystals which creates the images we see on our LCD TV screen.
What are the Advantages of LCD TV?
OK, enough with the technical stuff B let's get to the real benefits of owning an LCD-TV and why they represent a better purchase decision than Plasma televisions.
Advantages of LCD include:
- Higher brightness levels. LCD TVs are generally easier to watch than their plasma counterparts because they have a higher brightness capability. That means colors are sharper and the picture quality bolder and brighter than other technologies.
- It's plug-and-play all the way. Unlike some high-end plasma TVs and other devices, LCD TVs come equipped with tuners inside the unit. So all you need to do is plug it in and enjoy the show.
- Multi-functionality. One of the coolest things about LCD TVs is that they can be used for a variety of different purposes, including:
o Home video player B Plug in your digital camcorder and your LCD TV will deliver a cinematic experience unmatched on rival product types.
o Computer monitor B Because of the sharp quality of the LCD TV's graphics, text and web-based images look super-sharp.
o HDTV player B Most LCD TVs are now HDTV ready right out of the box. And boy, do they deliver, especially when using a BluRay DVD player.
Why choose LCD TV over Plasma?
There are several advantages to choosing an LCD TV over a plasma TV, including:
- With an LCD TV you won't have to worry about static images getting Aburned into the screen.
- LCD TVs are generally lighter than Plasma TVs, making them easier to hang on the wall
- The brightness of the LCD TVs gives them the power to produce a sharper image than many Plasma screens.
- Until recently, LCD TVs were more expensive that Plasma models. But in the past year, the price has dropped so much that is now possible to get much more A bang for your buck with an LCD model.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Blackberry 9500 Storm Orange- Experience The Innovation
If you are looking for a Smartphone packed with various high performance features, then go for the BlackBerry 9500 Storm Vodafone and Orange. To enjoy hassle free and pocket soothing mobile communication you can team up this high-end phone with any of the Orange tariff plan. You can also get this handset at cost-effective price through Orange.
The BlackBerry 9500 comes equipped with media player that supports MP3, AAC+, AAC, eAA+, WMA, WMA Pro Plus file format. You can also record and stream video, create text, send e-mails and avail various other services on this cutting edge phone. It is a 3G mobile phone that will let you access to the world of information and knowledge through the Internet.
Other innovative features that this phone supports include video camera, Bluetooth, EDGE, USB and Quad band with GSM. The camera of the phone further comes with flash feature, so that the darker and dull environment can be illuminated. You can make use of the camera to capture still images as well as record video footage. For connectivity with other compatible devices, you can make use of the Bluetooth wireless and USB option. For high-speed connectivity, the phone supports EDGE technology, GPRS and 3G HSDPA.
Other fundamental features of the Blackberry Storm contract include various messaging services such as SMS, MMS, e-mail and instant message. These messaging services will let you send images, voice mails, videos along text messages to all your friends and family. For storage, the phone comes with internal memory of 1GB that you can expand up to 8GB with the help of microSD memory slot.
To find competitive deals of BlackBerry 9500 Storm Orange you can go through the various online mobile shops. Before choosing the deals make sure that you compare them so that you can get hold of the best deals of Storm available on Orange.
Microsoft's Xbox Will No Longer Be Supported
A veritable Murphy's Law of wrong can go wrong and probably will. Lurking just around the corner of continued use is the dreaded DRE, or disc reading errors, when you learn in a moment of panic that your "games are not reading." Other "issues" that your once coveted console might have include freezing or overheating, a sudden and inexplicable loss of sound, power, or video (how did that happen?), you keep getting a litany of error messages, you keep getting a "call customer service" message every few seconds (it's taunting you as if it KNOWS that its warranty has expired), your controller won't respond, you can't modify; or, if it's the Xbox360 you're pitifully holding in your hand, you're getting three red lights, also known as the "Three Rings of Death" and this is real, you're NOT standing in a Tolkein-like mythical land of Mordar.
When one or more of these symptoms of despair begin turning your Xbox into something diseased, a real poxbox, and your warranty has expired, it's time to start hunting – for an independent repair shop either in close proximity or else a shop with a reliable mailing address. You'll be pleasantly surprised that many of these shops have access to the parts they need and are staffed by expert technicians, so that maybe, just maybe, your treasured Xbox can be fixed. Goodbye dreaded DRE. Hey, now you've got sound -- power is back -- video has returned -- your controller is responding. Once again, all is right with your world, or at least your Xbox.
Cheap Sony Ericsson mobile phones: better handsets at lesser price
To suffice only your communication needs is not really tough but if you are also concerned about your entertainment needs then you may have to go little higher in range. A simple mobile phone allowing you to serve only your communication needs can be entailed at lower prices easily. But hang on! A good market research can help you to get the best in least prices easily.
The Sony Ericsson J120i, Sony Ericsson K200i, K608i Sony Ericsson T250i, Sony Ericsson P1i and Sony Ericsson W300i, W880i, K800i etc. are some of the best and most popular contract mobile phones in market. These cheap Sony Ericsson mobile phones come equipped with variety of sophisticated features like recorder, camera, radio, multi media player, strong battery back up, Internet and many more. The Sony Ericsson mobile phones are excellent options for those seeking to buy feature rich phones at affordable prices.
You can select any mobile phone according to your personal preference, style and most importantly budget. You can even search online as it is much convenient source to select a desirable set. Just select the range within which you want your cheap Sony Ericsson mobile phones and get the detail.
The increasing competition has lead forced manufacturers to offer better products at cost effective rates. You can get good cheap Sony Ericsson mobile phones and fulfill your needs as well.
Security for Windows Mobile and BlackBerry phone users
Mobile phone users often look for a solution to provide them security on their mobile device. Taking the right security measures at the right time can help save you a lot of trouble, especially in cases like lost, misplaced or stolen mobile phone, or damaged phones. Text Guard is a helpful cell phone application which can be used by businessmen, by corporate clients, professionals and also individuals to provide them with backup of all their mobile phone activities. The software does not only block spam text messages, but can also be used to monitor text messages activity on the specified cell phone. All you need to do is to download the software from http://www.TextGuard.com (their 30 day evaluation version can also be used) and install it on the cell phone. To keep track of their childrens activities, parents can install it on their kid’s cellular phones. This software is also helpful to protect children from spam text messages as it allows you to block spam text messages. The utility also allows SmartPhone users to archive their email and SMS text messages for retrieval later on.
Likewise, corporate and businesses clients can also install the software on multiple cell phones to monitor the activities of all those employees. Text Guard also archives texts and SMS message which means you can access the complete archive of your cell phone text messages all at one place by logging on to the website. Corporations use Text Guard to track the activities of their employees, and could use the archived messages for later retrieval and record; if necessary.
With Text Guard, you can efficiently block spam text messages on your cell phones. This can spare you the frustration and save you a lot of energy and time. You can even block certain phone numbers to stop receiving spam messages from those numbers. You can choose between the three different editions offered by Text Guard, which include the Enterprise Edition, Business Edition and Family Edition. You only pay a nominal monthly fee per account for the storage space you utilize to save the SMS text messages at one place. If at any time you feel that you are running out of space, you can always purchase more space, or delete old messages by browsing through them using the SMS text messages search option provided in the Text Guard user module.
The utility not only lets users get rid of spam text messages, but it also helps in monitoring SMS text messages on the mobile phone.
Currently, it works on Windows Mobile phone and BlackBerry phones, and will soon be available for Android and Symbian operation systems. Some other features offered by Text Guard include blocking calls and monitoring calls as well as archiving all sent and received text messages as well as email messages from the mobile phone. These text messages are saved on a remote server, and can be accessed from anywhere by accessing the Text Guard website.
