Month: May 2022

5 Tips for More Music Success in “The Year of the Rabbit”

It’s 2011 and it’s the year of the rabbit according to the Chinese.

While Eastern astrology claims that this is going to be a lucky year for most people, we can’t afford to be complacent. So now is a great time to take a deeper look at our musical progress and determine what changes we can make for the better.

Here are my 5 simple points to help you achieve more this year:

1. Don’t be shy to ask for help. Asking for help won’t make you less of a person. If you are not sure of something in music marketing or you really don’t know about some business related matter, ask until you get the answers.

Remember, it’s better to ask a question and look stupid for 10 seconds than not to ask and look stupid for the rest of your life. Whatever help you need, there will be people out there to lend a helping hand. Ask and you shall receive

2. Be positive. Believe in your capacity as an artist. Your career may be lukewarm at this point but it doesn’t mean that it will stay that way.

I’ve heard David Bowie say that one of the things that helped him be successful is that he use to act as if he was even when nobody knew about his music.

You should do the same thing.

3. Reality Check. Assess yourself and your music. Are you happy with how things are going? Do you have good music habits? Are you playing the right gigs? Ask yourself these questions honestly and make the changes that will bring most success..

4. Learn something new. As a musician, you can learn to play a new instrument or start to write some songs if you don’t at the moment. This can be a great way to add a new energy and excitement back into your career because things can become stale if you do the same stuff all the time.

You could simply read books, newspapers or magazines so that you will have good answers when asked to comment on certain issues during your interviews.

5. Celebrate your accomplishments. Whether you’re satisfied or not with how your music career fared in the previous year, you have to find a way to give yourself a pat on the back and say “good job”.

Give yourself some time to relax and have fun before your schedule becomes hectic this year!

Good luck,

– Chris…

Best Laptop Review

Buying a notebook can be quite an expense, especially if you’re a student or young professional with hardly any money. It makes sense then to check out all the options before you commit to buy one. Reading best laptop reviews can be a great way to start your search.

There are many different types of laptop on the market these days, from notebooks to netbooks and everything in between. When deciding what kind to buy, you should consider what you’re going to do with it. If you’re always on the go, a portable netbook can be the right solution. Likewise if you’re chained to a desk, but still want that element of mobility, a regular notebook will suit you fine. Avid gamers should consider a performance gaming laptop, but with those comes a price increase.

If the type of laptop to buy is confusing, finding the right brand can be something of a nightmare. The big 3 manufacturers are Dell, Sony and HP. They offer some incredible products for very reasonable prices, and you’re always going to get a good deal. Coupled with great customer service and warranties, it’s easy to see why they are the market leaders. You should also consider other makes like Acer, Asus or Samsung which offer equally as excellent products but are perhaps less well known.

Performance can be split into 3 levels: entry level, mid range and high quality. With each level you’ll generally see similarities in components like Intel processors (for example i3 to i7 or dual cores), RAM, hard disc size and graphics card output. You should consider your needs objectively and select the correct performance level. If you plan to mainly use office programmes, you don’t need a high quality laptop with 8GB of RAM and an i7 processor. Likewise if you tend to use processor hungry applications, getting a netbook with 1GB of RAM and an integrated graphics system would be foolish. Gamers should stick to high quality laptops like Alienware with powerful systems as a rule. Anything less will detract from the experience.

There are more designs and colours of laptop than can be categorised. Essentially personal preference will dictate what design you choose, however certain trends do exist. Currently pink laptops are highly popular, and Dell offer a good choice of customisable colour options. HP also offer very stylish artistic designs in every colour, including pink. Asus have even jumped on the pink laptop bandwagon with their 1008 Eee PC styled by top designer Karim Rashid. The choice is yours when it comes to design, so expand your mind!

Whatever your needs, there’s a laptop for you. Whether it’s a entry level 15″ notebook like the Dell Inspiron 15, a gaming laptop like the Alienware M17x or a small netbook like the Acer Aspire One, there’s something out there that will suit. Read all the reviews you can and make an informed decision, that way you’ll enjoy every second with your laptop!…

A Look at Small Laptop Computers

Gadget enthusiasts are head over heels about small laptop computers which are so tiny they can fit into a book bag or a purse and come with customizable skins. Are these as functional as mainstream units?

These units are very light, weighing only about 2 lbs and run familiar operating systems with sufficient memory for daily computing tasks the just like a desktop PC. Some though use Linux or other systems not very familiar to most users. These tiny processors come with a lot features and options making them perfect for combining travel and work.

The leading minicomputer according to consumers is the Asus Eee PC with its 9.5 hours of battery life in just one charge. However, it operates on Linux which is actually customizable and quick but is simply unfamiliar to Windows users. It can be switched over to Windows though with some technical help.

Are there any other tiny data processors?

The thinnest unit today is the Sony Vaio X505 with 10.5 inch screen at only 1.7 lbs. Its battery life is very short at 1.5 hours and the memory is not sufficient to run major applications however, its being thin is novelty enough for most consumers.

The Acer Aspire released two minis; the AOA150 and Vivienne Tam HP. The Vivienne Tam HP offers a feminine style with its floral printed skin. Both of these units have 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 processors and 1GB of RAM however the HP has a smaller hard drive and shorter battery power.

The MSI Wind is pre-loaded with Windows XP and features condensed keys on the keyboard’s periphery making the letters and numbers appear in full size. It has more USB ports and comes with an Ethernet port and card reader.…

Kiss Music and Merchandise

Heralded as one of the finest and most outrageous heavy metal bands of all time, Kiss are an exceptional live act. The group showers the stage with pyrotechnics, thumps out big guitar riffs, and forever performs in their trademark makeup.

Kiss brought out its self-titled debut album in Feb 1974. Paul Stanley rapidly accepted the persona of lead performer on stage, whilst Gene Simmons became the driving force behind what became an voluminous Kiss marketing franchise. KISS toured unrelentingly; their live double record album KISS Alive (1975) gave them superstar status, and for the rest of the seventies they were among the top acts in the cosmos. In the ‘eighties they recorded periodically while Simmons, forever the active businessman, followed other adventures, acquiring a couple of motion picture roles and (incongruously) managing the career of Liza Minnelli .In between times the core of the group Simmons and Stanley have stuck around with Criss and Frehley coming and going.

The best album to seek out for the casual or new Kiss fan is probably the Very Best Of Kiss. With eighteen studio, three live, and four solo record albums to decide from, coming up with the conclusive “Very Best of KISS” is a sizable it is to be performed correctly. This 21-track collection just about takes the cake. You have got the 6 standard KISS classics (songs that have been included on three preceding greatest-hits bundles): “Deuce,” “Strutter,” “Detroit Rock City,” “Beth,” “Calling Dr. Love,” and the energetic live variation of “Rock and Roll All Nite.” So THE VERY BEST OF KISS is the 1st intelligent attack at a single disc career spanning compiling of KISS’ most favorite material (including studio and live cuts) and not containing any weird edits, remixes or re-recordings. OK, so we have got twenty-one cuts of blistering KISS activity.

Does it reach all the high notes? Everybody can plausibly concur that it doesn’t. Seriously, how could it? What’s on here that does not belong? What’s not on here that’s indispensable? Everybody will have their own solutions to those final 2 questions, but I believe the compilers did a reasonably adequate task of cramming one disc chockablock full of KISS classics.

KISS products are always available to devotees around the globe. And so understandably, the KISS empire and Gene Simmons are doing all right, thank you very much.…

What Turns Music Videos Into a Viral Music Marketing Pandemic?

In medical terms, the word viral is feared and dreaded. Same thing can be said when it comes to computers and the Internet world for the word virus is associated with damage and destruction. But recently, the word viral has gained a positive connotation, when you mash it up with the word “marketing”, especially when it comes to the music video world.

When a song or a video goes viral, it gets linked really fast and the hits will flood in. But the question is, what makes music videos share-worthy in the first place?

The 3 points below will get you started on the road to a viral musical pandemic!

1. New. A music video becomes viral when it is new and original in terms of music, concept and the whole production itself. Viewers in general always love to be surprised. So come up with an original idea of how you’re going to perform on video.

Will you go for laughs?

Are you going to take it seriously?

Just make sure that it’s original and has never been seen before.

2. Emotion grabbing. Apart from sheer originality, a music video must be emotionally charged as well, whether it provokes tears, laughter, passion or hatred. It is important that a music video contains elements that can entice people to feel whatever message it is trying to convey and connect with them on a deep level.

3. Quick and clear. People are getting busier and busier these days and they can’t afford to spend time watching a new video that goes on for too long. If you’re planning to make a music video for your band, aim for under 5 minutes for best results.

If your running a little long use fast cuts and get rid of any filler from your video.

Viral marketing is not an exact science so you need to follow the above guidelines and then produce a lot of videos to see which ones connect with your potential fans the most.

Good luck,

– Chris…

The Envelopes of Sound: Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release

What is sound? That is an extremely broad question with answers coming variously from science, arts, and even philosophy. One way to think about sound is to consider it in contrast to sight.

In the arts, when we think of a single image, for example a painting, it is completely independent of time. It remains the same from the moment we see it to the next time we look at it. This is specifically for an isolated image, obviously not so for a watching a sunset or a movie.

With sound, it is much more difficult to think of it outside of passing time. The only way to think of this would be to imagine a single, unwavering tone, but even then, that is a single sound extended over time without any changes. More importantly, unchanging flat tones are barely considered art. When we think about the sounds that are produced in the service of music, we must take time into consideration.

When we hear a chord being played on the guitar, it comes to us in several phases that change over time. Even the singular smack of the snare drum becomes modified in our perception in just a few microseconds.

What defines the different stages in time of a sound and how we hear it are commonly known as envelopes, and they are an extremely important lesson for music recording. They are: attack, decay, sustain, and release.

Attack

Imagine visualizing a sound as a mountain, with the main part of the sound being represented by a plateau at the peak. The attack is the upward slope of the mountain. In other words, it is the amount of time it takes from the first instance of the sound (or from when the note is struck) until it reaches its peak volume. Drum sounds, especially the snare, have a lot of attack.

Decay

If our sound mountain’s plateau was not actually the highest point of the mountain, but rather after we reach that initial peak after the attack, it sloped down a little before becoming flat, then this downward slope is the decay. It is the amount of time for a sound to settle after it hits its attack peak until it reaches the level the sound will be sustained for.

Sustain

This is our plateau. It is the main level of volume that the sound will be heard. The longer the sustain, the longer the sound. Pianos have sustain pedals to keep the sound going longer after the pianist hits the key. Synthesizers can hold a note with endless sustain. Most acoustic instruments will have a relatively short level of sustain before beginning to die down again.

Release

This is when we come down the mountain. The release measures the time from a sound’s main sustain level until it is inaudible. With synthesizers, the release is counted from the moment the key is released, hence it’s name.

Every sound has this …

Music of the 70s

The 70’s what a great decade for music and for music lovers too. Music of the 70’s has had a lot of influence on the music we listen to today and of course there are some of us who still have some of our favorite 70’s records and listen to them still. Some of the genres that really came into their own in the 1970’s are Classic Rock, Disco, Southern Rock, Punk Rock, and the birth of Heavy Metal although it was originally known as Hard Rock as well. No matter if you were born into a younger generation there is more than likely a 70’s song or album that you listen to so lets look at some great albums of the 70’s.

More than likely, regarding the music of the 70’s the music genre most closely related to that American decade is Disco, which really came on strong in the mainstream after the film “Saturday Night Fever”. The soundtrack from that movie went on to become one of the greatest selling albums of all time too. Rolling Stone magazine in 2003 placed the album on their 500 greatest albums of all times list, and in the same year, VH1 called it the 57th greatest album of all time. With songs like “Staying Alive”, “Night Fever”, “If I Can’t Have You”, and “Boogie Shoes” it is no surprise that this album soared to the top.

Another genre that really increased in popularity during the 1970’s is Southern Rock. There were a whole slew of Southern Rock bands in the 70’s that really exploded on to that music scene too. Bands like the Allman Brothers, The Outlaws, and Molly Hatchet made some great music, but the ones who set the standard of Southern Rock music of the 70’s is none other than Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lynyrd Skynyrd had four platinum albums in the 70’s, three of which went double platinum. Street Survivors however, showcased the 3-guitar attack of Gaines, Collins, and Rossington behind Ronnie van Zant that other bands try to copy today making Street Survivor their most important album in the 70’s.

The genre of Progressive Rock is another style of music that while born of Psychedelic Rock in the 60’s, really made its bones on the back of earlier artists in the 70’s. Bands like ELO, Utopia, Kansas, and Rush moved into the forefront of the genre maintaining the core of their listeners, while making Prog Rock Top 40 friendly as well. Of all the bands mentioned Rush really is the standard by which all other Prog Rock bands are measured by. Perhaps their most significant contribution in vinyl to music of the 70’s is the bands album “2112”, and the boss track on that album “Passage to Bangkok”

The last of the genres we are going to talk about is of course Heavy Metal, which assaulted Rock and Roll and went mainstream in the 70’s Motorhead, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden found a home within …

An Overview of the Sager NP7280 Gaming Laptop

The Sager NP7280 is as much a desktop that folds as it is a laptop. It comes standard with a requirement for a 300w PSU, weighs almost 12 pounds, SLI, the capability for a six core i7 processor, a three channel DDR3 with as much as 12 Gigabyte, 193/24 bit kilohertz capability, and a modified x58 motherboard. It is a person who works at a workstation working on math based problem that need multi threading and multi coring capability with some degree of portability or someone who does 3D animation or designs or plays games for a living it is a dream come true. With the right headphones or speakers it is also audiophile’s dream come true.

It specifications include:

– A 3.06 Gigahertz Core i7 950 CPU made by Intel.

– 6 Gigabytes of DDR3 1333 RAM.

– 1 X 160 Gigabyte X25 m G2 SSD made by Intel.

– 2 X NVIDA GTX 460m (192 cores and 1.5 Gigabyte GDDR5 each)

– DC-RW/DVD-RW/BD-ROM Optical Drive.

– A 17 inch LED 1080p Display.

– It weighs approximately 12 pounds.

– AC Adapter Plug for a 300w PSU rear ports.

– A 7 in 1 card reader, HDMI, IEEE1393, 2-SATA, HDMI Out 2 X USB 3.0 slots, Gigabit Ethernet, a CATV jack for a TV tuner, a DVI Out, Left Side (Back to Front)..

– An AC adapter plugged in light and a battery light, and an Infrared receiver in front.

– 7.1 surround capable with a card that can handle 182 kilohertz/24 bit audio, subwoofer port, digital out, a microphone jack, a headphone jack, 3 X USB 2,0 slots, Right Side (Back to Front).

This laptop is over 16 “wide and over 2” thick and has sufficient room for a speakers, a number pad, and a full size keyboard. The trackpad is very useful because it is somewhat sunken into the keyboard and is larger than the space key. The 17 inch monitor has good definition and is blindingly clear and bright. It has a minimum amount of chrome and is finished in all black. The number pad and keyboard have the authoritative feel to them that lets you know that you have hit a key and are styled like a chiclet. The key placement is segregated which reduces the risk little airborne particles such as dust getting stuck in the keys and impeding either the game in progress or typing. There isn’t any flex anywhere in the machine and it is structurally sound. It takes some effort to flex the screen, the computer chassis won’t bend, and the wrist pad is good and stiff. In addition, the hinges on the display don’t permit it to collapse onto the body.…

Casinos don’t want you to know that the payouts of each spin on a slot machine are independent of the previous spins. In other words, if you’ve won the jackpot on a spin prior, that doesn’t mean that you’ll win it on the next spin. This is something casinos don’t want you to know about slots because they want you to gamble, not think about the outcome.

Video slots pay out lower prices than classic reel slots.

There are two primary slot machines: the classic reel slot and the video slot. A five-reel grid characterizes the traditional reel slot. Video slots are also more volatile than classic reel slots.

While both types of slots have different features, video slots appeal more to players due to their pop-culture themes. Consequently, video slots payout lower prizes than classic reel slots. Both types are cheaper to operate and maintain. And they don’t cost as much as classic reel slots, so casinos can lower their payout rate to attract more players.

Old-school slots payout bigger payouts

A bally slot machines Houston TX machine can still give you big payouts at casinos. This is simple: the older machine, the higher the payout percentage. This is because casinos set up two or three bankrolls at different machines. So to get the maximum payout from these machines, you need to invest more money.

They are a huge moneymaker for the casino.

Casinos make billions of dollars each year from slot machines. While the casino may have a smaller revenue per machine, it still pulls in over $200 million a month. While the average casino slot machine makes about $80k a year, it is still profitable to play penny slots. Unlike blackjack and craps, penny slots only lose you a few cents a day. Nonetheless, slot machines have become the most popular games at casinos.

The popularity of digital gaming has reduced slot machine revenues. Free-to-play games, such as “Clash of Clans,” have a much larger market than traditional video games. Some of these games are estimated to make over $1 million each day. These games are huge moneymakers for casinos and are the most popular among young people. The casino’s slots game, Wheel of Fortune, generates $1.3 billion in annual revenue.

They are connected to a single carousel.

Carousels are an excellent way to showcase products and services, and they also present some unique challenges, such as the pressure to produce great content. Slots are often a combination of different content, with similar calls to action placed in the final card. It is also recommended to test different card orders before implementing them on your website. If possible, place the main offer on the last card. Be sure to track your traffic and clickthrough rates and measure demand trends.

Generally, slots are connected to a single carouse, or bank, of machines. They can be of various denominations, but most slot machines use a common coin size, making it easy to distinguish between them. For example, a nickel …

The MSI Gx660-260us, Rooted in the Institution of Superiority

The MSI Gx660-260us is a good-looking machine. Externally and internally MSI has everything covered. This isn’t the absolute top of the line system but is set up to look good for durable use. To start it is encased in a high gloss coated plastic finish. There is also an off-centered two-button touch pad demonstrating MSI’s attention to the details customers anticipate.

The MSI Gx660-260us comes with what 15.6″ Wide SXGA+ widescreen – 1366×768. This is feature is mid range quality. When looking for high impact graphs having both the numbers in the pixel rate be four digits is acceptable. For example a number like 1920×1080 is on the higher end of the scale. Next to the motherboard is an Intel Core i5 460M processor. This duel core processor is one of the best that can be found. Anything better is a quad processor supplying a quad-processing price. Its capabilities and turbo boost is lesser than the 540M

A great feature on the MSI Gx660-260us is its LED Status Indicator panel. It is located above the keyboard and below the display. The best button on the panel is a turbo button. This provides additional power support when the processor’s clock time reach over its maximum ability. Next to the turbo button there is a fan speed controller. Next to that is a windows key lock to help in uninterrupted gaming. There is a power management button providing five different power management settings: gaming, movie viewing, presentation, text processing and turbo battery. This is another great attribute on the panel. Knowing how power is distributed through the gaming system, helping increase the users vantage point and involvement in the computers upkeep. All of these additional buttons supplies the user with more control of their high-powered computer.

What sold me on this computer were its external features. This is a more affordable unit with lesser quality internal systems. To make up for the lack of interior flash MSI has handed over more control to the gamer. This is a great trade off. The performance factor of the gamer can sometimes be the key component with trying to work out the subtle nuances of game play. With MSI giving more control to the gamer, I can be the factor that makes a good player, great. Hopefully the higher end computers will eventually incorporate some of the MSI GX660-260us’ features into their systems. If budget is the main concern for you new gaming laptop this computer then the MSI GX660-260us will fill the void.…

Things to Keep in Mind While Shopping for Gaming Laptop

Many people who travel a lot and love playing computer games look forward to buy gaming laptops. The gaming mobility that gaming notebooks brings to you lets you enjoy your favorite games while you travelling or going to a local coffee shop. When you inquire about such laptops at computer shops, you will notice that the price of such systems is often more as compared to normal laptops.

Here are some tips that you need to keep in mind while finding a laptop that will meet your gaming requirements:

Processor

Gaming requires a powerful processor that is not only fast but also gives you true gaming experience. If you are confused about deciding on a processor, you need to check out the games you play and find out what is the recommended specification for playing those games. Also make sure you compare the specification with the forthcoming games to make sure that your processor is able to meet the requirements of the forthcoming games.

RAM

RAM is one of component that can truly enhance the gaming experience. The more amount of RAM you install on your laptop, the better performance you will get. If you do not know how much RAM should your laptop have, it would be better to have at least 2 GB of RAM on your system. Most of the current can easily run with 2 GB of RAM. You should go for a laptop that gives you an extra RAM slot. This will help you in adding more RAM in the future.

Graphics Card

This is one of the most important components of a gaming laptop. The graphics card should have its own video memory. The minimum required memory should be at least 512MB. However, some laptops come with 1GB to 2GB for better gaming experience. Make sure the graphics card does not become obsolete within six months of using. Hence, you need to have graphics card that will be compatible with the games that will be released in the coming years.

Sound and Display

If you are going to often use your gaming laptop in crowded areas, you should not look for a laptop with awesome sound card because most of the time you will enjoy listening game sounds through the headphones. Also, you should go for a laptop that has got a high resolution display screen that measures fifteen to seventeen inches.…

Dust Off Your Songs

If you are like most musicians who write songs and music and leave them on the shelf collecting dust you should read this.

Many artists find that after creating their work that they often criticize, find fault, lack the confidence to release their material. Now not all material is ready for the next phase, but I find that a lot of songs have the right elements to become hits. Sometimes you just have to let go and see what the general public’s response is going to be like.

If your created work has a good story/lyric and has relatable subjects, such as relationships, good times, hard times, pets, cars, friends and family or just about anything that people can understand and relate their life to, with those same experiences, you may have a hit.

Musically, if your melody is simple with the lyric’s sung within your melody, people will not lose interest in the song. I see a lot of virtuoso’s who are incredible musician’s with unreal technical abilities and yet they are not selling more records than the artist who is less technical but kept their stuff simple and relatable.

The general public is far most receptive to your music than you would give yourself. The self criticism of our own work will keep it on the shelf collecting dust and you may be holding back the next platinum worldwide hit.

Take a chance, send those tunes out to publishers, producers and even recording studio’s.

There is a possibility that someone would show interest and want to produce your song.

Also consider, that the music industry can’t survive without a constant supply of new material. This applies to every genre of music. Publishers and producers need a supply of music for their signed artist’s. Not all mainstream acts write their own music and songs.

That’s where you come in. Don’t be the final judge on your music. You will find fault most of the time and decide it’s not good enough. As a working recording engineer and producer I can tell you we have access to many new upcoming singer/songwriters who have music that completely fills the demand and quality of what you hear on the radio today.…

World’s Most Popular Public Venues: Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall, located on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, New York is by far one of the worlds best known concert halls. The hall itself consists of three different performance spaces which include the Issac Stern Auditorium or the Main Hall, The Zankel Hall, and the Weill Recital Hall. All of these halls vary vastly in size with the Main Hall being the largest and having the seating capacity of 2,804 people.

There is more than just its performances spaces; it also houses the Rose Museum which has been in operation since 1991, and the Carnegie Hall Archives which have been there since 1986. It is in both of these places that you can see and experience the history that Carnegie Hall holds. The studios above the hall also hold a lot of history, as artists from all walks of life have lived in them over the years.

The hall has housed many big name performers in its venues over the years. Many of the greatest classical music performers have had the divine pleasure of being able to perform at this venue. Judy Garland, Harry Belefonte, and Stevie Ray Vaughan have all recorded live albums at Carnegie Hall.

The history doesn’t stop here though, while most people think of Carnegie Hall as a place to go to, to listen to Jazz or Classical music that is not all the hall has seen on its stages. In February of 1964 Carnegie Hall started regularly booking Rock & Roll bands, starting with the Beatles and only continuing from there to include other rock legends such as Pink Floyd.

Many great legends have performed on the stages of this famous venue over the years from Nat King Cole to Ike and Tina Turner, the hall has seen it all. It is considered a great honour to be invited to play at Carnegie Hall and no artist who is given the opportunity takes it lightly. It is no secret that many of the greatest musicians have graced the stages of Carnegie Hall at some point in their careers.

There isn’t only history with the artists who have played this venue but with the architectural design of it as well. It is one of the few large buildings in New York built of masonry with no steel frame. This only holds true for the original structure, as when there was an addition of studio spaces it was necessary to add a steel framework to parts of the building.

There is no doubt that when a music lover heads to New York, it will be on their list of places to visit. They may have a hard time finding the hall itself as it is not uncommon for visitors to get lost on their way to the hall. There is an old joke at Carnegie Hall that when a person asks how to get there the response is practice, practice, practice. So if you find yourself asking for directions don’t …

The Future of the Music Industry – Will Digital Media Take Over Physical Discs?

They say change is the only permanent thing in your life. Well it certainly holds true with regards to the music business. The music industry of today looks nothing like the music industry of twenty or even ten years ago. There are tons of reasons with most of them related to the digital technology. Many dire and ominous assessments have been made about the record business, few of them supported with believable facts. The truth of the matter is no one can even pretend to know about the future of this extraordinary business; but with digital media rapidly holding fort over music business and distribution, it is getting harder to stop these dismal speculations. So what really is happening to the music industry, what will it look like in five or ten years?

One debate pertaining to music industry that is unlikely to see a resolution anytime soon is the fate of physical media as opposed to the rapidly growing digital distribution. There are a lot of people who believe that the future of all music is in digital media and yet some others believe that technology is not where it should be for digital distribution to take over completely and physical media will always be around.

It is especially ironic that a new technology, the digital music has forced record labels to abandon the status quo, releasing albums and return to the past of selling singles. That might singularly be the biggest mistake the record industry ever made, abandoning the pop single in the first place. Customers were forced to buy albums to get the one or two songs they loved; honestly, how many albums can you say that you truly love, or love even half of the songs? Very few! But now the people have spoken: they want one song at a time; digitally please, maybe even free. Is it all that surprising people are gravitating towards the digital media?

When the long-playing record format was introduced, the industry as a whole resisted it, and many predicted it would never take off because 78s sounded better. But given the choice of expediency over quality, the consumer opted for convenience and simplicity (not to mention less shelf space). The same fate was dealt with audio cassettes, the industry resisted it, while the consumers embraced it heartily, going for handiness rather than superior quality. Starting about twenty years ago, people took to CD like fish to water, burying both the LP and the audio cassette in a few short years. At that time, the CD was the last word in simplicity and convenience. And now when digital media offers us convenience as well as an economical alternative, it is hardly surprising that digital media is rapidly become the new dominant form of music.…

Reissuing Catalogs of Vinyl Records

Reissuing catalogs of vinyl records gives music lovers the chance to enjoy albums that have not been in circulation since their original release. These records consist of artist that made their way into the hearts of music lovers everywhere. Some of the vinyls now being reissued through restoration projects include artist like Johnny Cash and Jimmy Buffett who made a huge impact on the music industry in their day.

Many other singers/songwriters also took the world by storm throughout the 20th century, making an impression on all types of music lovers. For the first time, projects involving the reissuing catalogs of vinyl records are making it possible for you to enjoy albums by these artists. For some people, it will be the first time they’ve ever had the chance to hear these songs recorded the way they were meant to be heard and for others, they will bring back memories of a time once forgotten.

Reissuing projects help to keep these albums alive in their original form for today’s consumers and future generations to enjoy. True audiophiles look for opportunities to keep vinyl records in circulation and this is one of the best ways to do that.

You can buy albums from record stores online and sites like eBay and but when records are reissued, they’re in perfect condition. You don’t have to worry about scratches or any type of defect hindering the music experience. They’re brand new like they were when they were first recorded and released to the public. They also make excellent collector pieces so, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The reissuing of “shelved” records is so exciting because you wouldn’t have the opportunity to buy these albums without these projects. These particular albums would eventually die out and become obsolete, which would be a sad day for music lovers everywhere. It would be a shame for such extraordinary music to disappear, never to be heard again. However, with projects such as these underway and true audiophiles doing their part to support these programs, this music will continue to live on.

Now, thanks to reissuing catalogs of vinyl records, anyone from the record store entrepreneur to the individual has a chance to support these projects and be one of the first to enjoy these amazing albums. Don’t be left out of all the excitement. It only takes a few minutes of your time and a small donation to be a part of one of the most exciting opportunities to hit the music industry in years.…

Designer and Sophisticated Laptop Bags and Cases for Ladies

Exceptionally trendy and designer bags for ladies are now being launched in the market by many renowned brands and companies. A feminine touch is provided to all the cases and bags that make them perfect for working women and executives. All working women need to carry their laptops with them to the office on a regular basis that is why they must seek options that are trendy, elegant and comfortable to carry around from one place to another. Some of the best options that are available for ladies these days are sleeves, designer totes, wheeled cases, messenger bags and backpacks.

If you are looking for the perfect design that would compliment your personality then you must surely consider the attractive options that are mentioned below.

1. Stylish designer sleeves

Stylish designer sleeves are the perfect bags for all the ladies who are looking for style and elegance. They are available in floral prints, oriental looks, polka dots, natural colors, retro prints and metallic finish. You will see that the stylish designer sleeves are usually made of neoprene rubber and leather and these cases are extremely strong and sturdy. You can carry them along with you while traveling and they provide scratch, moisture and shock protection to your laptop. They have slim and sleek deigns that comes with interior as well as exterior pockets. The padded pockets and the efficient zip system help you in storing additional accessories like your iPod, folders, files, pens, CDs and writing pads.

2. Laptop totes For Ladies

When it comes to laptop totes, you have innumerable options in the market ranging from trendy colors, good quality materials to designer finishes. They are made of leather and nylon and if you want you can also get the wheeled totes for traveling purpose. A good quality totes would surely help in protecting your notebook from dangers, mishaps and other rough weather conditions. They are available in 15 as well as 17 inches and you can conveniently purchase them from any online website.

3. Brief case bags for women

For working women, the briefcase would be a very good option. They are made of durable materials and have various compartments and pockets. They also come with removal straps that are padded. If you travel a lot then you must opt for the ones that have been approved by checkpoint security.

So, above stated are some great options that you can consider when it comes to designer ladies bags.…

Why You Should Consider the Sager NP8850 Gaming Laptop

Although some people play a video computer game as a hobby in their own house, there are a great number of people who take playing computer games very seriously and want the ability to play these computer games at anytime wherever they are. Enter the Sager NP8850 gaming laptop. This gaming laptop is not only portable but it can also be depended on to provide world class performance because it is supported by the newest technology.

This machine features the fastest Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) ever put in a laptop which is the GeForce GTX 480M made by NVIDA and the newest Core i7 CPU that is manufactured by Intel. This gaming laptop resides in a onyx case that has a futuristic design and is trimmed in silver. It also has all the newest connectivity ports.

The NP8850 can handle the 1333 Mega Hertz dual channel DDR3 memory and uses a PM55 chipset that is made by Intel with the new Calpella Platform. It can offer extreme performance for the most modern games. This machine also features multiple hard drives that are RAID capable, a fingerprint reader for easy log in and security, a 20. Mega pixel high resolution video camera, a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port, and an amazing 17.3 inch full High definition Led display in addition to the cutting edge graphic and CPU technology, which will provide beautiful visuals that will only serve to enhance your gaming experience.

The specifications for the Sager NP8850 Gaming Laptop computer include:

• A 17.3″ 1080p glossy panel with a LED that is backlit.

• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

• A Core i7-940XM Extreme Edition quad core CPU (2.13 Giga Hertz/3.33 Giga Hertz in Turbo Mode with, 8 Megabyte L3 cache, (QPI,55W TDP/ 2.5GT/s) made by Intel.

• A PM55 chipset made by Intel.

• An NVIDA GeForce GTX 480M with 2 Gigabyte GDDR5 video memory.

• 8 Gigabyte DDR3-1333 dual-channel RAM (2 X 4Gigabyte).

• 80 Gigabyte G2 solid state drive made by Intel.

• A Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN wireless made by Intel.

• Bluetooth v2.1+EDR, built in.

• A DVD burner.

• One year parts and a three year labor warranty with lifetime technical support.

• Li Polymer battery (11.1V/3800mAh/42.18Wh).

• It weighs about 8.35 pounds

• Its dimensions are 1.69~2.25 inch height X 16.25 X 11 inch length.

The best technology in the world costs approximately $3.639 for this gaming laptop.…

ASUS N53SV-XE1 Laptop Review

In this ASUS N53SV-XE1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop review, we are going to look at this Asus laptop designed for gaming and enterainment and let you know whether it is one you may be interested in. To be sure, it is one of the best-selling laptops on the market today and we will tell you whether it deserves that spot.

Laptops become best sellers based on many things. One of them, obviously, is price. However, each of today’s best selling laptops also has something that makes them unique, the special features that elevate it above the other. In the case of the ASUS N53SV-XE1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop, we find an Intel Core i7-2630QM Quad-Core Processor 2.0 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz, a 500GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM), 4GB of DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, with 16GB Max, an Nvidia GT540M Graphics with 1GB DDR3 VRAM, a 5-in-1 card reader and much, much more. In my opinion, ASUS continues to astound with what they pack in a laptop for the price.

While these are great features to be sure, we need to find out if the core of this machine can hold up with the others options that we have as buyers.

The processor in a laptop is definitely something that you want to have a close look at. Is it a new Intel core processor? These processors pack a lot of punch and detect how fast your laptop will run. The processor, combined with the memory, is the most important component in a system.

This Asus laptop comes with a i7 processor, the latest and greatest made by Intel. As mentioned above, this i7 processor is actually 4 processors in one and it’s speed will blow you away.

When my friend Beth was buying a laptop recently, she asked me the importance of memory in a laptop because she had no idea. Beth is like many people because memory is a mystery. Think of memory as your desktop at work and how many things you can put on your desktop. In other words, how many things can you work on at any given time? Thus, the amount of memory is very important.. This Asus laptop comes with 4GB of memory and should be able to handle all that you can throw at it.

Aesthetics play an important role in every laptop. How does the computer feel to you? Do you like the way it looks? Do you like the keyboard? And, perhaps most importantly, do you like the screen in terms of size and resolution? On that note, you will be extremely pleased with this Asus offering. The display size measures 15.6 inches taken as a diagonal measurement across the screen and comes with an award winning graphics driver to ensure tremendous resolution for this Asus model.

The ASUS N53SV-XE1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop also comes with a 500 gigabyte hard drive which should hold all of your data. However, if you have hundreds …

Sunshiny Music Schools

“Do You Know The Way To San Jose?” was one of the more famous tunes of the 60’s, it was written by Burt Bacharach and sung by Dionne Warwick. Warwich to begin with rejected, however ended up being encouraged by Bacharach to sing it due to the fact he informed her it would certainly be an absolute winner. The lyrics are on the subject of a young lady who moves to Los Angeles to become rich and popular, but after a period, decides a choice to move back to her hometown of San Jose. Bacharach as well as Warwick both earned Grammy’s with regard to that song.

San Jose, the third largest city in California is in fact the tenth largest within the United States. It is actually the county seat of Santa Clara County. It is the county seat of Santa Clara County. It’s situated along the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay Region and is in the heart of Silicon Valley, best known for its advanced businesses and computer chip development. It looks forward to a Mediterranean weather and basks in 300 days of sunshine annually, it is an ideal climate and location with regard to the San Jose Music Schools with its industrious music recording student.

You will find conventional four year colleges in San Jose that will allow the audio student to be able to earn a diploma inside of conventional class settings. Some do offer on the job expertise should they have a audio recording facility on campus. The down-side with a few of these music educational facilities is the fact that except if the student intern within an realistic functioning recording studio in his spare time he/she will certainly gain hardly any “actual life” practical knowledge. On a positive note at the very least the actual student can minor in training and possibly teach at a later time, in the event that is what they would want to do.

There are many music and music recording schools and institutes within the city of San Jose. Most of these institution are much more hands on as well as offer mixing, synchronization and also recording and mixing techniques. The adverse side to these San Jose music educational facilities is that if a student are only able to learn in the traditional school room setting. On the plus side, there is certainly conventional instructing but joined with learning inside a actual, functioning studio with functioning professionals. Many of the best audio and audio engineers available right now offer their particular mentoring services to those schools. These associations not merely provide one on one understanding and studying but the tutor will introduce the student to his / her business friends and colleagues. This allows a student to acquire priceless business relationships that may support them in the future when they start to look for work.

Everyone is distinct. Several may well seek out a far more traditional approach to learning while other people might …

Numark ICD DJ in a Box – What Every DJ Needs

Numark just announced the release of their latest DJ equipment that will change the traditional two turntables and a microphone DJ mixers’ setup. With the Numark iCD DJ in a Box, any DJ can now perform with just two CDs and an iPod! This new DJ mixer is a complete system that features two Numark NDX200 CD players, and an iM1 two-channel DH mixer that has a built-in iPod dock, headphones, along with all the necessary connection cables.

Using this latest DJ equipment from Numark, you can readily transform your computer into a DJ workstation. An ideal starter kit, it uses your computer as the heart of your DJ system. All you could possibly need to keep those beats up is contained in one box, ready for your laptop. So whether you are setting the pulse at weddings, bars or any other events, Numark’s iCD DJ in a Box is the perfect playmate for your computer. Simply attach this convenient DJ mixer to your computer and you are up to perform in no time.

The iCD DJ uses Numark’s very own Total Control DJ software, perfect for DJs who want to revisit the control they left behind when they switch from a traditional mixer to the multi-processing power of laptop DJing. Total Control is an extremely class-compliant USB MIDI device and is the best tool for any performing computer DJ craving for total software control. Total Control features 31 buttons, 20 knobs and 5 faders. It also lets you send MIDI date from the controller to your DJ software of choice, giving you the convenience of mouse or track pad software control a piece of history.

Unlike any other DJ mixers today, the NDX200 CD players of iCD DJ are performance grade players with a heavy, rugged build as well as a large wheel giving you a rather comfortable yet powerful performance. The best thing about the iCD DJ in a Box aside from being compact and portable is its Anti-Shock buffered skip-protection technology, a feature that keeps music the music playing even when the vibrations might cause other DJ equipments to skip. On top of that, the NDX200 CD player also gives nothing but seamless looping, ideal for creating and integrating loops into remixes.

Numark has definitely raised the bar with this one; a performance grade unit offering all the DJ essentials like two input channels, main and headphone outputs, mic input, as well as smooth faders. Its iM1 mixer records mixes straight for the iPod too, providing greater flexibility and convenience.

Every DJ needs an all-in-one package whether to get started or as a secondary system, and iCD DJ in a Box is made with that intention. The Numark iCD DJ in a Box is what every DJ needs, whether you are an experienced veteran switching from vinyl or just starting out. So get those beats up and get the The Numark iCD DJ in a Box …

Guitar Selection – How to Find a Guitar That is Right For You

Are you about to buy a guitar? Does the selection intimidate you? Here are some tips on finding a guitar that is right for you.

Style

The first thing you have to ask yourself is what kind of music do you plan on playing. Do you like flamenco, speed metal, or campfire music? After figuring that out then you will at least narrow your selection down a bit. Speed metal and rock music lovers will likely be heading to the electric guitars and the others will be looking for some sort of acoustic guitar.

Size

I personally like to play my guitar while I am sitting at my desk working on the computer. This had a big influence on the type of guitar I bought. I needed something small and I was also interested in plugging it into my computer somehow. I found a really cool guitar that easily fit on my lap while sitting at my chair. It is one of those headless types that have the tuners near the base of the guitar. It was ideal for me. So you have to think to yourself where you will be playing your guitar and also about the room needed to store it near where you play it.

Volume

Chances are that when you get your first guitar that you are going to be pretty bad for quite some time. Think of those around you. Do they really want to hear you practise? Maybe you live in an apartment building with intolerant neighbours. Figure it out — maybe an electric guitar would be a good choice in this case as you can plug it into headphones and not bother those around you.

Pain

Do you have soft tender hands? If you are a beginner then there will be some pain involved as your fingers get used to pressing strings. Some people find this discouraging and quit. One solution is to find a guitar that has easy to press strings. Some models have the strings very close to the fretboard, and others even have a scalloped fretboard which makes it easier to press the strings. I personally find that most electric guitars have strings that are easier to press than the traditional acoustic guitar.

Brand

Everyone has a favorite brand of guitar. I personally recommend that you just walk into a music store and try out several guitars and find one that you like. Why be swayed by other peoples opinions when you can make your own decisions.…

Summer Camp – Refresh Your Child

The coming of summer brings a lot of mixed feelings in a family. On one side, children feel happy and excited to stay at home and spend most of their time doing their favorite tasks while on the other hand, parents remain busy looking after the children and making sure that they enjoy their summer vacations. Though with it the rising temperatures, it still brings along with it a lot of good times to enjoy and learn new things.

After spending long days in the schools, children love to stay at home and do only those things they love doing. Summers are the times, when they spend most of their time playing around with their friends. But with the passing days, they tend to get bored of the regular things and games which indirectly makes the parents tensed and stressed out. This finally makes the summer vacation somewhat boring and dull not just for the children but also for the parents. Thus, if you wish your children to refresh themselves and enjoy the summer vacations, then the summer camps are the best way to make them enjoy all their time in the vacations.

There are various other activities like horse riding, rock climbing is fun to do. Children get to learn a lot and these thrillful activities are a great source of stress buster too. Some camps focus more on music where the music teachers teaches how to play various instruments, how to sing and how to dance. These activities help the child to develop his/her personality and it is joyful too. If the child is more inclined towards sports then there are some camps that focuses on training a child in various sports like – football, basketball etc .. There are various other summer camps like the ones who teaches martial arts, cycling and many more. There are various day – camps, which means a child can go home after spending their day in activities. These camps are suitable for the the parents who do not want their child to spend their evenings out of the home.

Children love adventure and like to learn new things that interest them a lot. They can’t remain tied up to one or two things throughout the summer vacations and thus the summer camps are the best way to make them enjoy their vacations. Summer camps are one of the most interesting vacationing places for the children where they get to learn various new things not just related to games and fun, but also about life. Today, there are numerous summer camps being organized for the children that offer a list of facilities and activities for the children to enjoy. Most of these summer camps offer trekking and mountain climbing activities, kayaking, rafting, swimming, learning music instruments, etc. which thus help your children to develop new abilities that would help in shaping your child’s personality. Also, children hate being alone and instead love making new friends so …

Tips For Buying and Building a Guitar

Making your own guitar will take time, but the satisfaction that it can bring is tremendous. The following guidelines will show you how this is done.

How to Build a Guitar

Required Tools and Materials

Wood

Level

Strings

Router

Screws

Saw

Braces

Driller

Wood glue

Masking tape

Sandpaper

How to Make the Upper Part

Cut wood according to the needed shape. Apply adhesive and join the two pieces. Drill the openings for the soundhole and the registration holes.

Create the rosette with the drill. Apply sandpaper so the object assumes the desired shape. Put in the soundhole and smoothen the edge with the router.

The X Brace

Create an incision at the X brace. Note the points where the braces are to be put. Put the braces in. The X carve is typically slim and high. Put the bridge plate between the X brace. Apply sand on the upper braces and secure them. Take off the edges and sand the interior parts.

How to Make the Back Component

Create the shape as you did the upper portion earlier. Make an incision at the center strip. Put the strip in place. You can file the sides with the router.

You can also use the router to thicken the shape. Place the grain strip and place it in the center. Create some holes with the router and fasten the braces.

How to Make the Guitar Sides

Slice the wood and soak it in water. This will make the wood bendable. Chop the rib end section and secure the shape. Fasten the neck block. If necessary, use sandpaper. Create a depression and dovetail so you can connect the neck.

Joining the Body

Create the binding ledge and purling ledge. Bend it and make some joints. Secure the wide purling at the corner wedge. Stick it to the back with a masking tape. Make a hole with the drill. Put in the hook and add the dovetail handle. Put the soundhole cup in place.

Make the Neck and Strings

Cut the wood to the desired shape. Make the truss shape rod and put in the pegs (use the level if necessary). Cut an anchor pocket for the truss rod. Attach the truss rod with glue. The jig openings for the fingerboard can be made with the drill.

Cut a shape 14 inches in diameter. Make the fret slots. Align them and put in the inlay and nut. Fasten in the strings.

Buying Cheap Electric Guitars

Search online. There are sites that sell branded guitars for cheap. Buy during the post holiday sales as prices are lower. Buy in stores. Compare different websites so you can see the price difference.

If you are buying a used guitar, check for signs of warping. Make sure you get a good amp too, because that will affect the sound.

There are many cheap guitars available so you should have no problems finding one. Just make sure you assess the quality. The …

Allienware M11x Gaming Laptop – Lightweight Gaming Fun

It offers oodles of gaming advantages in a sleek, tight form and packs in a crate-load of special features to boot. On top of it all, this bad boy comes at an impressively low price for what you get under the hood and that’s something you can’t ignore.

From Dell’s Alienware team, this M11x is the first ultra-portable gaming laptop to come with an 11-inch screen. It’s a lightweight beauty, weighing in at less than five pounds, and it typically costs around the $800 mark at most retailers across the country.

One of the most striking features of the Alienware M11x is the automatic Nvidia Optimus graphics switching with Optimus technology. If that sounds like a mouthful of nothing, you’re wrong.

A Nvidia GeForce GT 335M card comes with this bad boy. That’s an upper mid-range card that delivers a lot more power than other laptops in this price range. With the ability to switch graphics to meet the needs of different applications and games, your options are virtually endless.

The Alienware M11x’s 11-inch screen comes with 1366×768 pixel resolution and seems made to be plugged into an external monitor for extra fun. It’s a great size for average gaming, sure, and the glass exterior does provide an extra layer of gloss, but sometimes the glare can be a little excessive and a change is in the works.

Built-in 5.1 speakers help complete the ultimate gaming package, making the Alienware M11x a wonderfully economical and fun first-time outing for the system in such a compact format. There are a few issues, like the lack of ports on the right and the omission of an optical drive, but this unit is still a satisfying and fantastic laptop for gaming and graphics-oriented apps. Currently, it is selling for just around $999 per unit.…

True Audiophiles Unite – Keep Great Music Alive

True audiophiles unite to keep great music alive and vinyl records are at the top of the list. There is nothing more exciting to a music fanatic than putting a record on the turntable and listening to the beautiful sound it makes. Vinyl records are recorded in analog and since you actually hear in analog, it’s a more natural sound that’s more pleasing to the ears.

When you’re ready to join music lovers everywhere to help keep in circulation some of the best sounding music in history, here are five great ways to keep vinyl records alive:

1. Participate in restoration projects designed to restore vinyl records. When you take part in and help these projects through your support and funding, you help to keep vinyl records and all they have to offer available for future generations.

2. Start up a collection of singles and albums from all music genres.

3. Go shopping for records on eBay, Amazon and other sites that offer great deals on all types of music.

4. Look for vinyl albums at garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores where they may be tucked away in a corner somewhere.

5. Talk to others about the importance of uniting together to support the buying and selling of records along with showing your support for projects designed to restore or recreate vinyl.

Let others know that you are doing your part and everyone must come together to keep vinyl alive for future generations to enjoy. When true audiophiles unite together you can accomplish just about anything you set your mind to do. Make your presence known and show just how important it is for all audiophiles to show their support.

It’s hard to believe that there are some people who don’t even know what a vinyl record is or what great sound it produces. These are the ones that have grown up on iPods, MP3 players and CDs. This is a shame because they are missing out on so much and don’t even realize it. You could be the one to bring classic vinyl into their lives for the first time.

When true audiophiles unite to keep this music alive, it gives this and future generations the chance to hear music in its purest form. Vinyl records were the first method used to bring music into homes where you could pick and choose what you listened to when you wanted to hear music, unlike the radio where you had to listen to whatever they decided to play.

This makes vinyl records a huge part of history and something worth working to keep in circulation. It’s also one of the reasons why true audiophiles unite together to buy, trade, restore and do whatever else they need to do in order to keep great music alive.…

A Description of the Sager NP8850 Gaming Laptop Computer

This machine comes with all of the latest technologies such as USB3.0 connectivity, 2.0 Gigabyte of dedicated video memory, and a Core processor made by Intel. The Sager Company, who manufactures portable computers in the United States, is offering this custom gaming laptop computer. This machine delivers all of the newest technology features such as many I/O slots and ports. This is no entry level computer but rather a custom gaming laptop that is rather expensive. In addition the users have the option to customize the machine prior to actual buying it so that they can have what they really desire.

This machine comes with the option of numerous CPUs that are powered by the newest Core i7 920XM CPU Extreme Edition made by Intel that has a maximum 3.2 Giga Hertz clock frequency with Turbo boost. It also comes with a 17.3″ backlit LED widescreen display that has a maximum resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels and will support full High Definition (1080p) content. In addition, the CPU is available with Hyper Threading technology made by Intel, 55W Max TDP, and 8 Megabyte of cache.

All gaming laptops need to have a reliable and fast graphics controller. This machine comes with an NVIDA GeForce GTX 480M that is built in with HDCP, DirectX, and PhysX supported GPU and 2 Gigabytes of GDDR5 video memory that will satisfy the moist demanding multimedia enthusiasts and serious gamers. It also has as much as 1.2 Terabytes of storage capacity with a secondary hard drive and as much as 8 Gigabytes of internal DDR3 13333 Mega Hertz of RAM. In addition it comes with either a DVD burner or the optional Blu Ray Burner/Drive and the PM55 Express chipset made by Intel.

The Sager NP 8850 laptop computer allows the users to stay connected with the Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR modules and the integrated wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n. This computer has four USB I/O ports, an S/PDIF output, a DVI-I and a HDMI interface, an eSATA, and a USB 3.0. It comes with a seven in one media card reader and an Express Card slot. It is also available with a 2.0 digital web camera for video conferencing.

This laptop is available with a 32/64 bit operating system and a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate, professional, or Home Premium that is preinstalled. The machine has a 3800 mAh Li Polymer battery pack which brings the weight to 8.35 pounds.

The users of this high performance PC can make use of the 7.1 channel audio output bay means of the S/PDIF port. It has a built in Sub Woofer, and four speakers that are built into the 3D Stereo Enhanced Sound System.

To ensure that your personal files are protected, this PC comes with a fingerprint reader and a Kensington Lock. As an option a television tuner is also available. The basic cost for this powerful PC is $2,149.…

Best Gaming Laptop Review on Sony VAIO E Series SVE14A1HFXBC Boomdizzle

One of the recently-released laptops today is the Sony VAIO E Series SVE14A1HFXBC, which was launched last June 13, 2012. This is a especially-designed mobile computer that is built for utmost home entertainment and bundled with a top-notch DJ headphone to further enhance the enjoyment of its use.

While this laptop was mainly engineered to provide maximum entertainment at home through listening to top-quality music and watching high-definition movies, this review is done to assess if this laptop is up for gaming. Keep in mind that in order to launch new generation games, higher system specifications may be required compared to simply watching movies and listening to music.

In this case, speed is a critical aspect to consider, especially when playing action-packed games like the Modern Warfare 3. When it comes to speed, the Sony VAIO E series Boomdizzle is fully-armed with a powerful Intel Core i5 2.5GHz processor, which is next to the top-of-the-line Core i7.

This is already a great platform that has the power to launch various applications at high speed. But what makes it even more powerful is the DRAM RAM space of 8GB. This is way beyond the required RAM space of even the most demanding games in the market nowadays, and even for games scheduled to be launched in the next couple of months.

The tandem of Intel Core i5 with 8GB of DRAM RAM memory space is always enough to guarantee that this laptop is truly up for heavy gaming. What is even more interesting is that RAM is upgradable up to 16GB.

But this is only in retrospect to speed, which is just one aspect of playing games. The other aspect is the quality of the video card. This feature largely influences the quality of the graphics, which is crucial in watching movies and playing games.

No matter how great the game is, but if your laptop is not able to present the full potential of the game in its maximum graphics presentation, then your gaming entertainment is not fully optimized. In order to enjoy the optimum quality of the games in terms of graphics, make sure that the video card meets the required system specs.

Traditional games normally need minimal video card requirement of about 512MB. With this video card onboard, you can easily play Scrabble, chess, and other standard games. But if your preferred games are the new-generation types that are relatively demanding in system requirements, then go for laptops with state-of-the-art video cards.

The Sony VAIO E Series SVE14A1HFXBC laptop is bundled with Intel HD graphics 4000 that provides integrated solution for graphics. This is highly capable of running demanding games that require Direct X11. RAM memory is shared with the integrated 8GB DDR RAM, giving it ample graphics space for maximum performance during games.

Other notable features of this model of Sony VAOI are as follows:

G-Sensor shock protection technology

Impressive compact sound system powered by Dolby …

5 Gadget Ideas for Christmas

Christmas is quickly approaching and many people are looking for gifts for their friends. It can be difficult to find a suitable gift for your friend. If your friend is geeky, you might want to consider giving him a gadget. Some of the gadgets Christmas gift ideas include Apple iPad, Ironkey military thumb drive, lady laptop bag, aluminum laptop bag, and BlueAlert bluetooth bracelet.

1. Apple iPad

The Apple iPad is one of the latest gadgets on the market. It makes a great gift for people that like to read ebook. The Apple iPad allows the user to read ebooks, in an interactive manner. You can use your fingers to touch the iPad screen to flip the pages, just as if you are flipping a hardcover book. The iPad has a larger screen compare to the iPod touch. It functions just like a mini computer and can be used for typing, watching movies, listening to audio and etc.

2. Ironkey Military Thumb Drive

Ironkey military thumb drive offers secure encryption for the file. Though it is possible to use security software in thumb drive, the Ironkey military thumb drive is more secure. The encryption data chip prevents other users from accessing the files without the use of a password. Password can be hacked easily so IronKey thumbdrive don’t use password to lock the files. After 10 failed attempts to enter the right password, the chip will self destruct so that the content cannot be accessed anymore.

3. Lady Laptop Bag

If you have a geeky girlfriend, you can buy a lady laptop bag for her. The lady laptop bag has a similar appearance to a purse. The lady laptop bag is equipped with padding to protect the laptop. You can buy one that is made from leather.

4. Aluminum Laptop Case

The aluminum laptop case is suitable for a boyfriend that carries his laptop frequently. The cost of the aluminum laptop case is as little as $50 so it is very affordable.

5. BlueAlert Bluetooth Bracelet

BlueAlert bluetooth bracelet is one of the bestselling electronic gadgets in the market. It can inform you that your phone is ringing. It can automatically connect to a mobile phone that is stored in a nearby place, for example, a backpack. Some people like to keep their mobile phone in the backpack. When the phone rings, they have to search the contents of the backpack to find the mobile phone. With BlueAlert bluetooth bracelet, you no longer have to rummage the backpack to find the mobile phone. The bluetooth bracelet will produce the ringing sound when your phone is ringing.

If you want to find out more gadget gift ideas, you can do research by reading the electronic gadgets reviews site. The electronic gadgets review sites will offer information about the latest gadgets on the market.…

What Do Artist Managers Do?

Managers are, in a sense, kind of like some reality tv celebrities to those entering the music industry (metaphorically speaking): they seem to be everywhere but no one know quite what they do. They are, however, far more important than the random people gracing the covers of tabloids who are famous just for being famous. So what the heck do they actually do and why are they so important?

Well, managers do a bit of everything. They are responsible for setting the career plans for theirs artists, representing them to the label, acting as their liaison between the other people working with and for the artist, setting parameters for touring, and doing just about every and anything else that may come up along the way. The manager is the artist’s ally, guide, and confidant and helps to keep them organized and happy no matter what the situation. Depending on the artist, this may mean responding to publicity questions (though also the job of a publicist), seeking a record deal, finding a lawyer, getting the artist out a jail, helping to manage a tour, watching a pet or child, consulting on fashion and hairstyles, securing travel visas, and any other number of odd jobs. The manager keeps the musician’s career running smoothly and oversees everything that happens along the way. He or she must be a problem solver, a business savvy marketer, an image and brand consultant, an industry expert, a creative mind, and an organized assistant all rolled into one extremely important role.

The specific job of an artist manager is a bit hard to define because it can involve so many different things. Still, the manager is arguably the most important person on an artist’s team and can help to make or break a career. In fact, the role of a manager has become increasingly important in recent years (in many cases anyway- but more on that later). If you think this the job for you, you should be a great people person, an excellent problem solver, generally organized and efficient, and also very patient (for dealing with those strange creative types). Managers tend to need to be available around the clock to deal with anything that might come up for his or her artist. Also, managers tend to need to work their way up a very defined career path from intern, to trainee, to assistant, to junior manager, and then finally to manager. This job is a lot of work but it can be one of the most rewarding both as far as achievements and monetary gain. You get to help your artist build and develop every aspect of their career and be directly involved every step of the way. In return, managers tend to earn 15-20% of an artist’s income.…

Laptop Reviews – Republic of Gamers ASUS G73JW-A1

Blow away the competition with the ASUS G73JW-A1 gamer’s computer. Offering innovation unlike any other comparable unit, this is a gamer’s computer with style and finesse along with power and speed. Priced under $2000, this laptop comes at a small price to pay for all of the benefits and features.

A 1.73GHz Intel Core i7-740QM processor with Turbo Boost Technology provides the foundation for this one-of-a-kind computer. Dubbed the Republic of Gamers, the ASUS G73JW-A1 packs in Intel’s leading-edge processor and allows for impeccable rendering of games and videos. With awesome memory bandwidth as well, this beautiful computer allows for multi-tasking by adjusting for each and every one of your performance needs.

Of course, what everybody wants to know about a gaming computer is the kind of graphics it offers. This Republic of Gamers unit features NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics with 1.5GB GDDR5 VRAM, allowing for amazing DirectX 11 gaming that gives you the edge over your opponents.

In terms of storage, the ASUS G73JW-A1 includes two 500GB hard drives clocked at 7,200rpm. This lets you grab all of the files and games you want and leaves plenty of space left over for footage of all of your victories. The two drives come with dual HDD support, of course, and provide fluid access with 8GB of DDR3 RAM to boot.

HDMI connectivity gives you the opportunity to spread your wings and your gaming experience to your HDTV. The 17.3-inch LED-backlit provides 1080p HD playback, while the Altec Lansing speakers bring every creek and rumble straight to your ear drums. EAX Advanced HD 4.0 provides the perfect audio mix with the best in acoustics.

As you can see, this Republic of Gamers computer from ASUS is a monstrous laptop for gaming purposes. It’s hard to justify making this kind of purchase if you don’t take gaming seriously, but if you’re intent on destroying your competitors this is the laptop for you.…

Can Music Programs Prevent Childhood Obesity?

According to the U.S. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, child obesity raised from 6.5% to 19.6% between 1980 and 2008. This is a startling jump which reflects the cultural changes that are happening all around the world. As modern technology becomes more and more advanced, greater conveniences are being introduced to communities around the world. Families are becoming more sedentary as a result of all this convenience.

This is a problem seen around the world, but it isn’t something that cannot be turned around. Parents concerned with raising healthy, active children are now looking for creative ways to get their children away from the video games and computers and tuned into physical activity. Just going out for a walk doesn’t cut it for most children today. They need something more entertaining.

One option that parents can grab onto is music lessons. There are music programs for children as young as two or three-years-old, running up to the age of seven and beyond. These programs get children out of the house and allow them to learn new skills that will benefit them throughout their life. Even more important, these lessons encourage children to get into music and move their bodies.

Dancing is actually a great cardiovascular exercise that burns a lot of calories and gets the heart rate up high. Children who invest in music lessons start to dance and move around without even realizing they are doing something very healthy for their bodies. Even those who take dance lessons benefit from taking musical lessons as well. They establish a deeper appreciation for the music they are moving their bodies to in dance lessons when they experience the music from the creation side.

As children grow older, they will develop their own preferences for different styles of music, but the experiences of dancing and appreciating music in their younger years may stick with them. They may enjoy dancing around their bedroom or going out for walks with their music. They learn to relax and express themselves through music in those younger years, so music becomes a tool for healthy mind and body in later years.

Parents can back up the music lessons by turning on the music at home and encouraging dance. If children experience their parents dancing and moving around the home, they will pick up those healthy habits as well. This is a subtle, fun way for parents to encourage physical activity for their children from a very early age.

The catch here is that music should be introduced as early in life as possible. Older children can still be exposed to music and will learn to use it as a healthy tool, but those who are exposed at a younger age grow up feeling like music is just natural. They may feel more comfortable moving their bodies and dancing because they have been doing it since they were too little to be self-conscious.

Music is probably not the sole cure for …

Why Should You Buy the MSI GT780 Gaming Laptop?

Built by gamers and created for gamers, the new MSI GT780 gaming laptop is rapidly becoming a favorite and can replace your normal desktop computer especially when you want to play games. Company teams from MSI, Steel Series, , Evil Geniuses in the United States and Europe joined forces to develop what is perhaps the best gaming notebook ever. The MSI GT780 already received the highest score on Mark Vantage. It is now considered the best and highest quality gaming laptop that has launched onto the market. This notebook lives up to its title for having excellent performance and brand new features compared to its competitors.

Boasting a powerful Sandy Bridge Intel Core i7-2630QM Quad Core processor and an Intel HM67 chipset, the MSI GT780 will meet all your expectations for gaming. If you’re browsing the internet, editing your digital videos or creating 3D animations you’ll be able to do it easily due to the processing power of this notebook. Powered by a Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M with 1.5 GB GDDR5 VRAM, the graphics and images on the notebook will be vivid and ultra smooth. The three dimensional graphics will enhance your gaming experience as the images will appear almost realistic. The sound equipment comprises two side speakers, a subwoofer, a tandem speaker, and THX Tru Studio Pro software to provide a truly amazing sound performance with great sound effects.

The MSI GT780 has a keyboard specifically designed for gaming. Fnatic and Steelseries joined together to create a one of a kind gamers keyboard that was easy to use and functional for gaming. The keyboard was split into three sections with separate LED back lighting in each zone. To make the keyboard more functional for gaming, the windows key was relocated to the right of the keyboard and the Ctrl and Alt keys were enlarged to have them more accessible.

The casing on the notebook is aerodynamically designed with the gamer in mind and the exterior appearance was made to look sleek and smooth. Since the notebook was made by gamers for gamers it has the added advantage of being portable so you can now travel to your friend’s house when you want to play.

The specifications and features of this notebook are also top class. This gaming notebook is available in either 17.3 inch Full High Definition or High Definition Plus with LED backlight display which brings out the best video quality than most standard notebooks. Having an Intel 120 Gigabyte SSD and a 750 Gigabyte Hard Disk Drive with an average speed of 7200 RPM makes for a lot of space when you need to store multimedia files. Other features include a Blu-Ray optical drive, High Definition type webcam, extra USB ports, Wireless LAN for connectivity, Bluetooth capability, and a 9-cell Lithium Ion Battery. All of these complete the package.

MSI has truly mastered the art of creating the best gaming notebooks around and the MSI GT780 is no …

Tips For Getting Your New York Concert Tickets

One of the fun things to do in New York City is experiencing the incredible variety of live music shows at a range of New York music venues. There are plenty of live music shows and concerts held on a nightly basis; from the up-and-coming musicians performing at small music venues to chart topping musicians playing to a packed arena. Often, you do not need to purchase tickets in advance for the smaller music venues including a range of bars with live music, like the Red Lion or Bitter End on Bleecker St. As for the medium to large music venues, such as Joe’s Pub or Hammerstein Ballroom, it’s advisable to get concert tickets ahead of time.

So what is the best method of getting your coveted New York concert tickets?

• If you’re interested in seeing a particular band, then check out their website or MySpace page to find about their show dates and when tickets will go on sale.• You may want to consider joining a fan club affiliated with the artist or band. Membership benefits often include getting concert tickets at a discount and before they are available to the general public.• If you don’t have a particular band in mind, then you need to figure out which concert you would like to attend. Check NYC weekly papers or entertainment guide websites to find up-to-date music calendar listings at the various music venues in New York City.• You can purchase tickets through an online ticket vendor in advance. Search and compare for the best deals available online.• If you are in New York, you have the option of getting your tickets directly from the box office on the day the ticket goes on sale and avoid additional fees. If there is a lot of interest for the concert, you may have to arrive at the ticket booth hours before tickets go on sale.• If concert tickets are sold out, you can contact the music venue and ask if there are any returned tickets or if they will release house seats.

Don’t forget to take advantage of some credit cards like American Express that offer membership discounts. If you have an AMEX card, log into your account online and look under entertainment benefits to find a list of upcoming concert tickets at a discount.

To get your hands on the best selling tickets, whether it is lady gaga concert tickets or NYC opera tickets, it’s recommended that you plan as early as you can and get the tickets in advance. Some of these music shows could be rare performances you will fondly remember for years to come. So grab your ticket, guarantee your spot and enjoy the show!…

Top 3 Pillars for Online Success

So in this article I want to tell you why you need to ensure all 3 are rightly placed.

Traffic – Gone are the days when the designer used to tell us that “all you need to do is build a nice fancy site and people will find their way to you because the internet is like the high street and people will always stop by.” Even you know by now that life online does not work that way. Try putting your video online without any promotion and check the views in 6 months time. Whether you have a website, Facebook, MySpace (are you still using this?) or Twitter you need to be doing all you can to get traffic to your site. The best product in the world without traffic remains the best kept secret. Best kept secret sites do not sell products and have no money.

Relationships – All successful people have learnt that they need to build relationships. In the online world simply having a bunch of emails from your gig or subscribers will not ensure success. What will bring success is the frequent contact with these people and the development of trust. Unless people trust you they will not spend with you. So how well do you use your mail list? Do you send products to them regularly, are you keeping them update with some good information about yourself, are they opening your emails now because they look forward to hearing from you? Relationships are one of the keys to online success.

Products – When guests become subscribers and now trust you, you need to have something to sell otherwise you are warming them up for someone else. So what kind of products should you have? I want to suggest that you need at least 3 types of products:

1. Entry level products. This can be like an album. CD or Download, a T-Shirt, ticket to a show etc something that will cost £5-£20.

2. Next Level Products. This could be the above but in a bundle. What I mean is – an album. CD or Download, a T-Shirt, ticket + DVD all for £30-£50

3. The Premium Products: These are your top products that have everything in 1 & 2 + something like 1 years’ tickets to gigs, 5 DVDs and an additional studio album for £100-£150 depending.

You might even go further by having a special jacket made with your logo and add this to your Premium Products and sell this new bundle for £300+.

Without traffic there will be no relationships and without solid relationships you will struggle to sell. Have all theses in the right place and you will have a great chance of succeeding online.…

Toshiba Qosmio X505 – Q880 18.4 Inch Gaming Laptop

Specifications: Gaming laptops have always been bigger and much more expensive than regular laptops thanks to their astronomical specs and features. Among the many models that are currently available in the market, the Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q880 would have to be one of my favorites.

For starters, the 18.4-inch screen on this model is a HD display. It has a 1680 x 945 resolution and supports 720p videos. This model comes with an Intel Core I7-720QM processor, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, a 64GB solid-state drive and a 500GB SATA hard drive. As we all know, the graphics card is one of the most important features on a gaming laptop. It has a NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M graphics card. All these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cool features. This laptop even has a Blu-ray drive! Other notable features that include a set stereo speakers (Harmon Kardon), Bluetooth 2.1 and a 12-cell battery.

Design: The black/red Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q880 is mostly black in color. The external casing has a glossy black finish with the logo Qosmio etched in the center. The sides of the laptop have a sexy red finish, giving it an edge. This model measures at 17.4 x 11.6 x 1.63 inches and weighs in at 10.1 pounds.

Features & Performance: Many customers and tech experts have gave the Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q880 nothing but raving reviews. Considering its amazing set of specs, it gives a pretty good value for your money. This model is currently retailing for around $2199 per unit. Although this model is designed for gamers, anyone who is looking for a powerful desktop replacement model (and with some extra cash to spare) will find the Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q880 to be a delight!…

The Razer BLADE: Gaming Laptops May Never Be the Same

If you are looking for the latest greatest thing in new gaming laptops then you might be interested to know that RAZER is coming out with the latest answer to the gaming laptop community. The Razer Blade claims it will be the world’s first “true gaming laptop”. I was a bit skeptical at first but then I took a closer look. Most of the hardware offered by Razer is pretty standard in performance laptops with the exception of a couple of things. They are offering a Next generation NVIDIA™ discrete GPU (GT 555M) with 2GB dedicated GDDR5 of video memory and Intel’s 2nd Generation Core i7 processor, but the thing that is going to making this the world’s first true gaming laptop is The Razer Switchblade UI Interface

The Razer Switchblade UI Interface is a revolutionary LCD panel and keyset that is completely customizable. There are an infinite number of commands and combination of commands that you can set on the 10 dynamic adaptive keys with the matching icon overlays for whatever particular game you are playing. The panel below the keys is capable of two modes: one mode that displays in-game information for quick and easy access to certain commands that are need to optimal game play; and a second mode that functions as a super sensitive multi-touch panel for the gamer that relies on his/her senses rather than waiting for reactions. The fact that this LCD touch screen is completely customizable is awesome.

I’m definitely one of those gamers that has to have his buttons set in the right way in order to tear it up online. This is a brilliant idea by Razer to come up with something that will make the user more involved with their own laptop. Having a configuration that is not only optimal for online game play but something that is comfortable and innovative is a step above the rest. I can see this laptop setting the standard of new gaming laptops. Any gamer will tell you, the best way to succeed at any video game, or any kind of competition, is to have the most up-to-date equipment. Not only that, but having the where-with-all to know how to use your equipment to achieve it’s maximum potential. If the Razor Blade can give you the slightest edge, in that respect, then it is definitely worth a shot. Now the Razer Blade isn’t out quite yet I believe a release date has yet to be reached. I will most definitely keep you posted.…

Buy Cheap Car Charger For Laptop

A car charging for laptop battery is a type of a rechargeable battery that is the sole energy distributor in a car. What the battery does in a car basically is ignition, starting, and lighting.

The battery contains lead acid with six cells in series. The chemical reaction in the battery triggers electrons which in turn rush through the conductors which make electricity to be produced.

The chemical reaction is reversed once the battery is recharged. Then the lead and lead oxide occurs after lead sulfate is reformed. This process continues through out as the battery charge once the plates have resumed to their original condition.

Because there are different types of car batteries, they are also made using different mechanism. For example, the batteries made of lead-acid are made with a different technique because of its application and are good for car charging for laptop.

Apart from that, most batteries today are made out of flooded cells. They are widely preferred because they have little electrolyte liquid unlike the previous style of batteries.

Batteries that should be delivering high current in a short period of time are those that are intended for SLI battery system. The many thin plates that separate in between reduce resistance from the internal part of the battery.

It is good to keep in mind that many company claims that they manufacture dual battery batteries although we know very well that most of those batteries are counterfeits, so it is advised that thorough research is to be done in order not to buy fake products that may result in damaging a car charging for laptop because of poor charging procedure.

So it is wise to buy a quality car battery in order for the laptop to last longer.

Car batteries should be highly maintained and should be watered frequently to replace water lost during the process of electrolysis process that takes place on each charging cycle because of the car charger for Laptop.

By getting calcium from the alloying elements, unless overcharged, resent models have little loss of water.

Maintenance for modern car batteries has gone down and there are those that don’t even come with cell caps where water is added.

Another thing is that exposing batteries to high charging for a longer period of time might cause the water battery in the electrolytes to be turned into oxygen and hydrogen gasses which are lost from the cells.…

The Five Best Inexpensive Custom Gaming Laptops

A Custom Gaming laptop needs three primary things to play the newest computer games. These are a fast graphics card, a lot of RAM, and speed. Obviously those are only the basics and there are some other considerations. Therefore those are the three things that you should focus on when purchasing a custom computer that you can afford. You will also need a wireless LAN for online gaming to connect you to the Internet. If you want to use a wireless mouse because the touch pads on these machines can’t simulate the control and feel of a mouse, it is essential that you have Bluetooth.

As a result of the inability of the local electronics retailer to customize a computer and the small number of brands they carry, they are not the best place to purchase a machine for the true gamer. Rather, you should consider purchasing a gaming laptop. That way you can get just the features that you want and you won’t have to deal with any annoying salespersons. Here are the best custom gaming laptops.

The MSI MS-168213-002 (CX600) is a 16 inch laptop from the MSI Company that sells for $787.99 in standard configuration. This includes a 1.3 megapixel webcam, Bluetooth, a wireless LAN, ATI Radeon High Definition 4330 that has 512 Megabyte of DDR2 memory, and a 2.53 Giga Hertz Core 2 Duo P8700 CPU made by Intel. For an additional $175.93 is available with Windows 7 Premium addition, and 4 Gigabyte of Kingston HyperX memory.

The Sager NP7652 is an excellent machine. This 15.6 inch machine comes standard at $784.33 with 3 Gigabyte of memory, Bluetooth, a 2 mega pixel webcam that is built in, an ATI 4570 graphics card that has 512 Megabyte of GDDR2 memory, a fingerprint reader, integrated Wi FI, and a 250 Gigabyte hard drive. For an additional $214.67 it is available with Windows 7 Premium Edition 64 bit OS, 4 Gigabyte of memory, and a 2.53 Giga Hertz i5 540M CPU made by Intel.

The 15.6 inch Power Battalion 101 CZ-10 Ultra (2) comes standard with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS, a 2 mega pixel webcam, a Mobility DDR3 with 512 Megabyte of memory, an ATI Radeon HD 4650 3D video card, 4 Gigabyte of memory, and a 320 Gigabyte hard drive for $919. For an additional $45 it is available with a 2.66 Giga Hertz Core 2 Duo Mobile P8800 Dual Core CPU and an internal wireless network adapter.

The 17 inch Red Barn Carbon 171F comes standard with a 2 mega pixel webcam, Bluetooth, an NVIDA GeForce 9400 Graphics card, a 250 Gigabyte hard drive, and 3 Gigabyte of memory for $850. For an additional $143.17 it is available with a 2.4 Giga Hertz Core 2 P8600 CPU made by Intel. There unique upgrade policy permits you to get credit if you upgrade any of the components within the computer in the first three years. In addition, the …

Asus G73jw – By Far the Most Silent Gaming Machine

Asus consolidates their leading market position with the Asus G73Jw series gaming laptops, a great addition to the Asus Republic of Gamers series laptops. The Asus g73jw can play the latest computer games with ease and has room to grow with future game releases. The makers of the laptop has designed it in a unique way, which makes it stand apart from many models of its kind and helps in taking mobile gaming to the next level.

Will the Asus G73sw perform with the latest games?

This machine comes with a load of add-on features to offer the best gaming experience to the user. This machine comes in a rubber coated body, which gives it a sturdy feel. The machine is quite bulky and sturdy. Gamers love the look and feel.

Even the most demanding games run smoothly, since the laptop uses the latest Intel I7 740Q processor with power boost. The machine allows for 1TB of HD space, which is plenty for even the most active gamers. A GeForce Gtx 460M is setting this machine apart from the competitors in the same price range. It’s excellent performance comes in part from the 1.4gb DDR5 video RAM.

The HD display is an other advantage. In a dark environment gamers can enjoy a backlit keyboard and backlit LED screen. There is no doubt about the fact that modern games with advanced multimedia works require more battery backup and so the laptop has been provided with eight cells.

The machine is of course heavier than standard 17″ laptops, but pro-gamers are expecting a heavier machine for gaming. Like most of the modern gaming notebooks, this one also has first-class connectivity features including a USB3 port, an HDMI port that lets you connect a large screen TV.

Final thoughts on the G73Jw-Xt1

Asus G73JW-XT1 is often considered to be a flawless piece if someone is only concerned about gaming. The high-end configuration of the laptop has been rightly paired by the user-friendly layout of the model. The ergonomically designed keyboard also deserves mention, which allows users to play game for a longer period of time. However, if someone is making the purchase for watching Blu-ray movies, it might not be the best choice.

Asus G73JW-XT1 is ideal for those who are playing power-hungry computer games or video editing applications. The high-end configuration of the laptop has been rightly paired by the user-friendly design of the model. We especially appreciate the build quality of the laptop – good screen hinge unlike some of the problematic issues Alienware MX series laptops have.

Click here for more info, prices and reviews on the Asus G73…

Six Reasons Why Gaming Laptops Are A Better Choice Than Standard Laptops

Many people assume that a ‘gaming’ laptop means that these laptops are only useful for those users that want to play videogames – this is not true at all. When you compare the standard laptop to a gaming laptop, you will see it is almost an entirely different breed of computer. Even though gaming laptops are often more expensive because of the extra hardware you find on the inside, there are several reasons that they are absolutely worth the extra money that you spend.

The graphics card

Oftentimes, the main reason that a gaming laptop costs more is because the graphics card is superior. While this means better graphics quality when it comes to gaming, it also means less slowdown in overall performance. Everything from web browsing to graphic intensive programs (think Photoshop or perhaps even watching a movie on your laptop) are going to run better with a more powerful graphics card. Some people spend a great deal of money on their processor and skimp on their graphics card, only to realize that it just creates bottleneck problems down the road.

More and faster memory

Gaming laptops often have more and faster random access memory (RAM). While this is beneficial during gaming, (it means the computer can process requests much faster) it also means that the computer can process more tasks at the same time. This means that it is possible to check your email, Facebook chat with friends, and download a new album from iTunes at the same time without your laptop slowing down to a crawl.

The processor

What does every gamer want from their computer? The answer is speed! That is why having a faster processor is important; the processor is literally the heart of the laptop. The type of processor found in a standard laptop cannot come remotely close to the type of processor you will find in a gaming laptop. The processor is responsible for general functions and data processing, which may make it clear why you would want to invest a little more and get a great processor.

Built for the future

People often say that a computer you buy today is going to be ‘old technology’ by the time you bring it home from the store. However, with a gaming laptop, you are buying technology that is often ahead of its time when compared to the ‘traditional’ laptop. This means that you are paying a little extra now, but also means that your laptop may be useful much longer. It means not having to pay for upgrades early on down the road, which is what you would have to do with a standard laptop.

An investment

If all you are ever going to do is check your email and run a word processor, chances are that you may not benefit from a gaming computer. However, the moment you do anything ‘fun’ with your computer, graphics, design, games, web browsing, you …

How to Sign a Record Deal

As a musical artist it is important to know how to get recognized by big companies in the musical industry. Talent is undoubtedly the most important factor which will help you achieve this goal however you should also know there are other things which play key role in deciding the fate of your career. I have tried to outline a few basic principles which most young artist tend to over look resulting in complete failure of their musical talent. I have provided here with an outlook on how to sign a record deal with a big record label company.

The foremost thing for success in musical industry is quality. It is very important that your skills and talent should be of the top most quality only then will you ever get a chance to prove your worth. So instead of running around to find a deal with a record label try spending time to improve your skills and before you know you will have many representatives from record label running behind you to get you sign a deal with them.

The next step is to show your talent to the world only by this way does the world can appreciate what you have. In order to seize every opportunity you get to showcase your skill it can be just a concert for opening ceremony of a supermall in your locality or a local TV show which showcases your talent, because with every opportunity you are creating a loyal group of followers who love and adore your music. Soon your name will become famous in the local community once your performances becomes one of the important attraction of any local event the eyes of the big company will fall on you and you will be offered with a record deal. So do not pass any chance to get up on the stage and show the world what you are made up of.…

Are Broadband Deals With Free Laptop Computers a Good Deal?

With most mobile broadband providers now offering free laptop computers as an incentive, it is probably a good time to discuss the pros of cons of such deals. Increasingly, providers are adding such deals in an effort to stay with the market as we become addicted to mobile connectivity. But whilst it sounds an amazing deal, how good a deal is it really?

Firstly of course, it is not entirely free. You will have to commit to a mobile broadband contract with your chosen provider. The lengths of these contracts vary of course, though most are for at least twelve and can be as many as twenty four months.

This isn’t to say the providers when they tout themselves as giving away free laptop computers, (though the cynics amongst you will point to the fact that their mobile broadband packages bought on their own are significantly cheaper than those with a laptop attached), but you do get to walk out of the shop, with a new laptop under your arm.

It is quite true that simple mobile broadband packages bought on their own are cheaper; by comparing like for like contracts on just what you get with the contract itself; it will give you an idea of how much you will actually be paying towards the laptop.

Indeed, it is advisable to do just such a comparison; and see whether a simple package on its own will better.

When looking at both packages; you will find that the baseline monthly fee is determined by a number of factors; data allowance, (how long can you spend on line, and download and upload limits), the length of the contract, and the laptop you wish to use.

The best way to approach this task is to start from the cheapest up, looking at the data allowance. For internet use, this is the most important criteria of course. If you sign up to something that is less than you need, your additional monthly fees will increase significantly.

As a rule of thumb, if you can afford to buy a laptop outright, this would probably make for the best choice. However, there are many of use that simply does not have access to such amounts involved. If this is the case, then signing up to one of the free laptop computers deals will be perfect. Yes, you will have to pay perhaps a little more, but in the grand scheme of things, it will be excellent value for money.…

The National Scholars Magazine Gossip Column on Bach

The arrival of the Johann Sebastian Bach family in Leipzig as told by Anna Magdalena, Johann Sebastian Bach’s second wife.

It is June and we have just heard that the post of Cantor at St. Thomas’ in Leipzig is open. My Johann Sebastian will immediately apply for this prestigious post. An added joy to this month is that our first baby was born and we have named her Christiana Sophia Henrietta. Her brothers, Wilhelm Friedemann, Carl Phillip Emmanuel and Gottfried Bernhard and big sister, Catharina Dorothea, are delighted with the baby. Ah, but back to the Leipzig story.

Finally my husband has been asked to come to Leipzig to interview for the post of Cantor at St. Thomas. We have heard that the council is “sorry,” as they say, “that they can’t have the best, and that they will make do with what there is.” Ah, but my Johann Sebastian will show them what a composer and performer he is! Well, that is exactly what JS did! We were told that the entire council, all 32 members, unanimously elected my husband as the new Cantor of St. Thomas in Leipzig.

A very famous magazine, the National Scholars’ Magazine of the Neutral Correspondent of Holstein, has written about our move to Leipzig. It is so good, I must quote exactly what they said about the Bach family’s move: “Last Saturday around noon, four coaches with household equipment arrived from Cothen. They belonged to the former royal court Kapellmeister who was called to Leipzig and appointed Cantor at St. Thomas’s. At two o’clock he and his family arrived in two coaches and moved into the newly renovated apartment at St. Thomas’s school.” So, we are in Leipzig now. All seven of us: Catharina Dorothea who is now 15, the three boys and the baby Christiana Sophia. Our apartment is large and beautiful and takes up three floors of a huge old building over a century old.

Johann Sebastian is trying to understand his new position. He has to report to so many different people. It really is very tricky because the Kantor, my Johann Sebastian, is basically the music director for all the churches in Leipzig. In his new position as Kantor he has to answer to: the rector of the St. Thomas School; the city council made up of three burgomeisters (mayors of the town); two deputy burgomeisters; and ten assessors. My heavens! How is he going to manage to keep everyone happy? Besides that he has to compose a lot of cantatas, teach at the school, and of course play for all the services, weddings and funerals. We will be a busy family helping him with all this work!

This story is one of a dozen vignettes from the multi-media and organ program, Bach and Sons, presented by Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist.…

5 Things to Help You Promote Your Music Online

To put yourself in the mindset to promote your music online, there are 5 things you must think about. Doing these 5 things will make your experience very smooth and you will be in the correct mindset to sell more music. Do not underestimate these simple 5 things as they are often ignored.

Lets face it, with the fall of the major record labels, you have never been in a better position to sell your music online. You no longer have to deal with waiting for a record contract, and face unbelievable release schedules. You can now be your own record label, distribution company, and promoter.

Here are 5 things to help you promote your music online. They may seem simple at first, however if you have not engaged in these 5x simple things, you probably have not done anything at all to promote your music.

Take your Music Seriously

First, take your music seriously. This could be the key to getting you out of your day gig and putting you on the map as a seriously touring artist. Let the people around you know that you are very serious about this mission you are on.

Its a Business

Second, its a business. If you handle your career like a business everyone around you will realize that they need to give you the time and space you need to make things move forward.

Stay Focused

Third, stay focused. When you start to promote your music online you must setup a system and then focus in on working this system ever single day. Pinpointed focus will help you ever single day to actually move your project forward.

Use the Tools Around You

Fourth, use the tools around you. If you have not already discovered, there is MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more online services that will help you for free to promote your music. Dig in to all these sites and study how other artists are using these services.

Don’t Quit Your Day Job

Five, don’t quit your day job. It may end up costing you a bit of money to promote your music. Flyers, gear, heat, electricity, and food all cost money. So please don’t quit your day job until you are absolutely sure that are going to be able to sustain your income level forever!…

A Great DJ Is the Best Way to Make All of Your Parties Smash Hits

A party is only a party, when there is out of this world music being played at it. You need music that will get your guest up and dancing, as well as sticking around long enough to enjoy everything that your party has to offer. Nothing takes any type of social gathering to the next level, better than a fantastic DJ does.

Most, if not all top of the chart DJ’s will possess a collection of music that is suitable for almost any type of function. It does not matter if you want golden oldies, rock, classic, or any other type of music at your party; most of the best DJ’s today will already have every type of music ever created in stock to meet even the strangest request.

If you are not sure how to go about booking a terrific DJ, then you just might find the following information very useful. If you do not know of a marvelous DJ already, then you might want to ask your family or friends, if they know anybody that they would recommend.

If you do not get the answer that you are looking for, then it might not be a bad idea to stop by a few local clubs that play the same type of music you are looking for, and ask the DJ working there if they know anybody. More than likely they will suggest themselves, especially if you are planning on paying the DJ a great wage, or they are not working on the day of your party.

After you find the DJ that you want, the next thing you need to do is to book them as soon as possible. Most great DJ’s will be booked months in advance for the most popular dates, like Friday or Saturday night, and any holidays.

Before you give the DJ a deposit and schedule them, you really should ask them a few questions and make sure that they understand everything that you need. Of course, the first question to ask is if they will supply the type of music that you are looking for. Next, make sure that they understand what time they should start playing, how long they will perform, and what time they can pack up and leave the party.

If you get all the answers that you were looking for, then by all means give them a deposit and get on their schedule. After all, you are going to have a ton of other things to think about and accomplish before your big day rolls around. You are going to need to worry about the food, decorations, and all kind so of other things that make a party a really special occasion.

There is nothing like having a fabulous DJ playing your guest’s favorite type of music, to make any party an out of this world event. If you were thinking about using your …

All You Wanted to Know About Guitar

Guitar is a musical instrument and has been used as an accompaniment in various musical soirees. The instrument normally has 6 strings but 4 to 18 stringed guitars are also prevalent. In Jazz, Flamenco Blues and in various types of Pop, guitar plays a premier role. It can also be used as a solo instrument.

Guitar has been basically categorized under two types – the Acoustic and Electric. In the former type, the music is played on the strings and the tune is emitted both by the vibration of the strings and the hollow body of the instrument. Traditional guitars are usually constructed of a variety of wood, including spruce and cedar with nylon and steel strings. Tone of the music is dependent on the wood strength that has the ability to transmit energy from strings to the air. Sound is also dependent on the general characteristics of the guitar`s body and its resonant cavity.

In Electric guitar, the music is dependent on the amplifier which produces an electronically manipulated tone. This type of electric guitar came into vogue in the 1930s and it still has a predominant influence on Pop music which is extremely popular.

There are a variety of Guitar brands but the most popular ones are Dean, Paul Reed Smith, Gibson, Jackson and many such. It is believed that guitar as a musical instrument originated in Central Asia and India while in the European countries this form of instrument became popular around the 15th century.

The Acoustic type is not dependent on any external device for its sound emission. It rather uses the sound board which is a wooden piece mounted in the frontal lobe of the guitar. The sound hole in the Acoustic guitar is round shaped, placed under the strings and projects sound. This type of guitar produces a quiet sound and in recent times feature pick-ups ensuring the player the ability to amplify or modify the sound and tone of the music.

The Acoustic guitars have further sub categories such as the Classical and Flamenco guitar, Steel String guitar, Two string guitar and the Arch top guitar. The Classical guitars are also of two types – the Baroque and the Contemporary Classical types. The ancient classical guitars are much smaller in size and emit a quieter sound. The Baroque guitars are extremely ornamental and are embellished with ivory or wooden inlay. The contemporary classical guitars have nylon strings and emit classical tune. They allow the musicians to play scales. The Flamenco guitars have a more melodious sound and emit a medley of vibrations.

The flat top steel version of this musical instrument produces a louder tone and is associated with folk, country, jazz and pop music. The arch top guitars were designed by the Gibson Guitar Corporation which has the appearance of a violin. It has a hollow body and is equipped with magnetic pick-ups which make them acoustic as well as electric. It is a favored …

Production Music Careers

Pursuing a career in production music can be a daunting task. Beyond the years of formal musical training and hands on experience, one must be prepared to work in a highly competitive and sometimes not-very-lucrative field. Whether you’re considering a change of pace, or looking to move forward on your career plans, here are some tips to help you in your music career.

1) Get as much education as you can possibly stand. This piece often gets overlooked by musicians because of the stigma artists place around higher education institutions and their effect on creativity. However, there is no substitute for formal training on your instrument and in your craft. The more knowledgeable you are, and the better your skills, the easier finding work will be.

2) Get hands-on. If you can afford it, buy gear. Play with computers. Play with digital instruments. If you’ve gone through the process of bettering your education and formal training, do the same for practical application. Record other musicians, record yourself, and practice, practice, practice. Get familiar with your gear, and use it every day. Playing a sequencer is just as much an art form as playing a guitar, and both require hands-on practice. Produce a production music track every day and build up your library of composition ideas.

3) Network. Networking with other production music professionals is a must. Go to meet ups through your alumni association. Join film production associations. Go to music and composition meet ups groups. Sign up for mailing lists, and discussion groups on social media sites. Do whatever you can to meet as many contacts as possible.

4) Listen. Listening to other artists is crucial, as is being able to listen to the needs of your clients. Listen to how they talk, to how they describe music, to how they interpret things like emotion, tempo, feel. You’ll need to be an expert not only musically, but also as a translator from concept to score.

5) Be persistent. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your career be. Handle rejections gratefully, and move on. Keep sending demos, regardless of the outcome, but be sure to take heed of constructive feedback and criticisms. Always be looking for ways to improve your product and presentation, and keep at it. With time and perseverance, your hard work will pay off.

6) Be prepared. Production music careers are not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for days of low to no income, and either have the financial resources to back up your switch up front, or consider working a part time job to make ends meet while you move your career forward.…

Rockabilly Music Gave The World Its Greatest Music Sensation: Elvis Presley

After 60 years or so of rock and roll history, there have certainly been several true sensations. The Beatles of course spring immediately to mind. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and the list goes on. But Elvis was the original rock and roll sensation and remains the greatest of all. And that is rockabilly music’s greatest claim to fame.

Certainly we could talk about hit records, number one songs, album sales, weeks on the charts, and other measures of musical success. And just as certainly you can find someone who will argue the point over who was the biggest sensation. But in my opinion, no matter how you slice it, Elvis still remains the King.

When Elvis really hit the scene with his original rockabilly recordings in 1954, rock and roll was either in its infancy or not even born yet depending upon whom you talk to. But regardless of whether Elvis was the first rock and roller or not, he was certainly the cat who gave the new music its biggest shot of energy and forced it to explode upon the world’s consciousness.

This is what makes him rock’s biggest sensation. Elvis was a complete innovator. He took the country, blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, and other musical influence that he’d absorbed during his childhood and from that mix fashioned something no one had ever heard before.

And Elvis was a complete performer. To go along with his aggressive new musical style, he had dangerous good looks and a sensuality that quickly caused uproar with “decent” American adults. Everything about Elvis made the fans go wild for him. And yet, despite all of this, he presented himself as a nervous, humble, young kid who spoke quietly and respectfully. He was a strange paradox indeed!

This incongruity only made him more intriguing and made the fans love him all the more. With the momentum of screaming fans fueling his skyrocketing career, Elvis changed absolutely everything about pop music. He was exactly what the kids of the 1950s needed and wanted. Their parents’ pop music just would no longer suffice. Patty Page and Perry Como couldn’t speak to the kids. Elvis could swing his hip just once and he had the kids–girls and boys alike–eating out of the palm of his hand.

Yes, the fans went crazy for other bands. You can hardly even hear The Beatles Playing in recordings of the Shea Stadium concert, but by that time screaming girls at concerts were old news. Elvis had already written that script. Elvis taught thousands of musicians how to act, move, and perform on stage. Everyone wanted to be like Elvis. And everyone knew they never could be. The King was a sensation no doubt. He was so in every sense of the word. And he remains today–after 60 years of rock and roll–rock’s greatest sensation ever.…

Music Festivals in the UK

As well as the more obvious festivals like ‘V’ and Glastonbury there are a number of fantastic events happening around the country.

Here are a few more Festival suggestions for summer 2010.

Endorse it in Dorset Festival is held between the 6th and 8th of august on the A354 between Salisbury and Blandford. This festival is fantastic value and boasts 5 stages.

The Desmond Dekker Stage.

A Great mix of music with Eat Static, Subhumans, Vice Squad, N.U.M.B, City Stereo and Metropolise on the Friday (more to be confirmed) and Subgiant, The Damned, (not to be missed!), Pronghorn, Symarip. Urban Voodoo Machine, Curst Sons, Scubaroots, Inner Terrestrials. El Goodo and The Mopes all hitting the stage on Saturday.

On Sunday you can see Pauline Black (ex-Selecter), Spunge, Macka B, Credit To The Nation, Dubmatrix, Rhythmites, Lovegrocer and The Family Again more to be confirmed.

Other stages include The Wild Cat Stage, Wig-on Casino, Rock the Bus Bar Stage, The Purple Purge stage and Dance Tent incorporating everything from Roots Reggae and Dub to Punk Karaoke and Blues.

Endorse it is family friendly with a pirate themed kids area. Also on offer are lots of arts and crafts plus storytellers, breakdance workshop, freaky science workshop and fairground rides. Don’t miss Scrumpy Sunday encompassing all things West Country!

Creamfields Festival

Creamfields is aimed at electronic/dance music fan and is the UK’s no1 dance festival taking place over 2 days. Creamfields has been voted Festival Award Winner for 2009.

It is situated in Daresbury, Cheshire between Liverpool and Manchester. With over 130 acts, (too many to list here, see the Creamfields website), you are guaranteed something to make you move your feet BUT it is strictly over 18’s and photo I.D. may be asked for. 28th & 29th August 2010

Bestival Festival

On Thursday September the 9th The Isle of White will come alive with The Cuban Brothers host the main stage and will introduce you to The xx, Dizzee Rascal, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Flaming Lips, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Fever Ray, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Rolf Harris, and Marc Almond and that’s just for starters! The Acts list is fantastic!

As well as the main stage there will be at least 10 other arenas! Stand out areas for me are the hand stitched Bollywood Bar, Black Dahlia Cocktail Lounge and Time for Tease, a mixture of afternoon tea and burlesque!!!! My word, whatever next!!

Bestival has a wealth of attractions to suite all comers and takes place between 9th and 12th September 2010 on the Isle of White Camper vans are very welcome although subject to an additional charge.

Right if I think of anymore I will be back!…

Free Apple Laptop

Who does not want to get a free Apple Laptop- the wonder gadget and the dream possession for anyone? Since the gadget is a pricey one, the best way of getting it is by participating in the endless promotions that are always going on and you can participate in as many of those possible to increase your chance of getting the free Apple laptop that is just fascinating!

The best way to consolidate your chances of getting the free gift from Apple is by participation and completing the online form that you may be asked to fill with all your genuine contact details. The various organizations who arrange for these promotions do it as a part of their marketing strategy which is technically called the incentive marketing and has gained popularity these days as it has proved to be a blessing for both the company and of course the person receiving the free Apple laptop.

There are always these kind of promotions that are going on and all you need to do is to take advantage of the promotions and get hold of the laptop. The process and the procedures involved are really simple and all you have to do is to answer some very simple questions or fill up an equally simple questionnaire and furnish all the contact details, email id and all other relevant details and the free Apple laptop will be shipped to you – free of cost in 2-3 weeks’ time.

The questionnaire is also a simple and straightforward one and so you need not be tensed about it and many of the website also a point based referral system and you have more chances of winning the free Apple laptop the more friends and family you can refer. You will need to register to start with the process in any of the freebies website and then do as you will be instructed and complete the details of an offer. The sponsors will then evaluate your eligibility and if you qualify, the free Apple laptop will be sent out to you. When you are asked to refer friend and family as a part of the promotional campaign, it is a good idea to use the social networking sites and you actually increase your chance of winning the free Apple laptop.

The free apple laptop is the most hyped freebies as Mac is the producer of this wonder gadget and has an excellent high quality and is supposed to be one of the best in the world as the operating system has lesser bugs in it as compared to the Microsoft Windows and thus is one of the most preferred free gifts. So instead of waiting try and grab yours!…