Musical Instruments
The Soundboard: All about Microphones
Any meaningful discussion with an recording engineer will inevitably morph into a discussion about microphones. Just as a closet full of shoes is never enough for a lot of the women I’ve known, a closet full of microphones is rarely ever enough for most recording engineers. There are a lot of different types of microphones and there are a many, many brands, shapes and sizes to pick from. I hope to at least get you started with a road-map of what to look for in microphones and I apologize in advance for setting you on this path! If you’re set on recording as a hobby or career, there’s a very good chance that you’re going to get slightly obsessed with microphones.
How to introduce your child to music
Flexibility is key for the iKlip Xpand adjustable tablet holder
As more of us either use, or are considering using, our iPads or tablets in a live music or studio setting, you know how precarious it can be to have it be both secure and within easy reach. Well, worry no more because the iKlip Xpand from IK Multimedia is here to alleviate your concerns with an incredibly handy and secure method of mounting your tablet to a mic stand or desktop for use on stage or in the studio.
Roland CUBE Amplifiers bring your music to life
In June of 2013, Roland announced a revamp of their popular CUBE line of guitar amplifiers. The CUBE line has been around since 1978 and has been the bread and butter of many practice and recording sessions. Randy Rhoads, Joe Walsh and Ritchie Kotzen are some of the artists who have used the amplifiers in the studio and on stage. Roland has been a solid brand in the music industry for decades. The CUBE line of amplifiers has a great history and has served many guitarists well. Of all the smaller practice amps out there, I have to admit that the offerings from the CUBE line sure look cool. From what I heard from them at NAMM, they also SOUND great too.
Keep your New Year’s Resolution to Learn a New Skill
Gifts for the musician: intermediate piano players
NAMM 2014: ESP Guitars – Works of Art
From what I understand, Best Buy and ESP are negotiating an exclusive model of their guitars that you can only get through Best Buy. Unfortunately, I can’t share any details about that deal at this point in time. However, I took a spin through the ESP booth today and was left speechless by what I saw. There are some beautifully crafted guitars hanging on the walls throughout the booth. The folks at ESP obviously like building guitars and are very creative …. to the extreme! To placate your interest, take a look at the photos of the models we found there…
