Only a few years ago, home theaters consisted of large tube-based TVs, VCRs, and stereos with two speakers. Today, home theaters consist of flat-panel HDTVs, receivers, surround sound speakers, DVD players, and more. So what components will make up the home theater of tomorrow? Audio, video, and data distribution will be key to any future home theater, which will soon morph into a home theater network.
Today’s home theater is limited to a single room. For example, a show recorded on a DVR can only be viewed on the TV to which the DVR is connected; music heard from the speakers of a home theater can only be heard in the room in which the speakers are placed. However, by establishing a home theater network, owners expand the capabilities of their home theater by creating a system capable of sending a recorded TV show to any bedroom, or playing music on speakers throughout the property.
The equipment needed to change a home theater into a home theater network includes a router, receiver, and a home theater PC (HTPC). The router distributes data and allows Ethernet-capable devices in a home theater to connect to the Internet and a home network. The receiver distributes audio and video from a home theater to multiple rooms. Note, the simple 5.1 surround sound receivers of today are not capable of this function. Newer receivers with multiple-zone outputs will be necessary for a home theater network. Finally, the HTPC functions as a source for audio, video, and data. For example, the HTPC can be used as a central server where an owner can save all of his music, video, pictures, and data. An HTPC also has the ability to serve as a DVR, and record TV shows. Since the HTPC is a computer, its capabilities are essentially endless.
Tip! Think about what kind of look you want in your home theater. If the room is a dedicated home theater, you can pretty much pick whatever look you want.
As prices drop, more people are trading in their large, tube-based TVs and stereos for thin, high-definition TVs and multi-zone output receivers. Also, more people are building home networks with their laptops and multiple computers. The merging of the home theater and home network into a home theater network will arrive in the not-too-distant future. Your first home theater network lies just around the corner.
http://www.hometheaternetwork.com is the all-in-one source for HDTVs, networking devices, receivers, speakers, DVRs, game consoles, HTPCs, HD DVD, Blu-ray, VOIP, PDA phones, cables, interconnects, and setting up a Home Theater Network.
Saxophonist Kevin Brown recently had the pleasure of doing an interview
with Dick Gordan from “NPR”, National Public Radio.
Probably the most compelling, and instiring interview you will ever hear.
Dick Gordan Wrote, “Saxophonist Kevin Brown travels the world playing jazz. And as for many people, music has been Kevin’s companion through the ups and downs of his life.
Kevin was born totally blind, but doctors restored some of his vision when he was 6. He fully used his partial site - even playing football as a kid and teaching himself to play the saxophone. But the day he was hit by a car, Kevin realized the limits of his eye sight. Soon after that, he began to focus more on music.
Kevin talks with Dick Gordon about how jazz revived him when he needed it the most: Kevin lost his eyesight permanently at age 35″.
Will Bethune wrote:
“Kevin – I heard you on NPR today at lunch. I love your incredible spirit as much as your incredible music! In fact, I’m going to try to order some right now. God bless you”. Will Bethune
Kevin says, “You know,…I am just a normal guy.
At least, that is what I think.
I love music,…I love to play my horn.
That is what has gotten me through some really tough times.
Through all of the really great times, and all of the really bad times, there has always been the Music, The Jazz, The Saxophone, and most of all,…The Creator!”
Julie Adriansen of Lake Villa, IL wrote: “I am sitting here right now and your story with Kevin Brown just concluded, I have tears in my eyes….. What an amazing, soulful, wonderful, emotional, sweatheart of a guy he is. I am going to the music store after work to buy all the music he has made. You have a way of interviewing that seems to make all the “shyness” (for lack of a better term) of your subjects just melt away. You get into Very personal feelings with these people sometimes. This is my favorite story so far and I listen to you almost every day… Thanks to you and Thanks to Kevin for sharing his amazing and enveloping life story…. and thanks too, to Kevin for playing his music, I am sure it has prompted many people to go on and let go of what was holding them back. What a guy….thanks for introducing him to me…..” Always, Julie
Kevin says, “I never wanted to be the best saxophonist in the world,…I knew at an early age that there just too many awesome musicians to have that kind of attitude.
I just love to play,…I love to share with others what the Creator has given me.
I Love the texture of rich sound,…I love to shape it into something that others can enjoy.
There is far too much hurt in todays world.
The least that I can do is give something to help relieve some of that pain”.
Saxophonist Kevin Brown’s new CD, “Like Yahweh’s Heart”, is now on sale from “CD Baby”.
You can listen, and obtain a copy at this URL: Click Here For CD
Kevin says: You know the funny thing about all of this,…NPR’s producer for “The Story” found me in a Zimbabwe news paper…LOL
Wow,…sound gets around doesn’t it!…LOL”
Anita wrote: “Kevin, It is my pleasure! I am so glad I found you in the Zimbabwe paper. I am even more happy that I will be able to introduce you to others in the world who may not have yet known of saxophonist Kevin Brown.Again thanks Kevin because you have made a difference in my life!” Anita
Anita S. Woodley Producer, N.P.R & A.P.M “The Story: with Dick Gordon” www.thestory.org
Regarding an inexpensive but effective Home Studio: The first thing is to carefully go over your budget,because once you get going,little bits and pieces can nickel and dime you to death. KNOW how much you can safely spend WITHOUT putting yourself into financial jeapordy,and getting Financial Backers isn’t always the best answer since they will often want the lion’s share of any rewards plus interest until the debt is paid back in full! Thinking big is fine,but starting out small and smart is the best policy in putting together your own studio.
The next subject to ponder is what will you use it for? Is it for your own solo material,a Band,or are you planning on taking in clients? Each one can vary greatly depending upon the quality you are seeking from YOUR studio. As an example,I have worked in,Managed,recorded in,or Produced in 7 Recording Studios ranging from simple but effective equipment,to a serious basement Studio,all the way up to a current multi-million dollar Recording Facility here in Connecticut. A special note is that as you move up in the degree of Studio you work in,your abilities,ears,and skills need to also move up dramatically! But the good thing is that if you start out small,determined to succeed,and keep an open mind to learning from others,then you can develop up to whatever level you wish to as long as you can handle it. Recording Schools are great too,but they are not inexpensive,so you may wish to invest in books and videos about recording first and they can be gotten from many local Musical Instrument stores and national chains,including mailorder.
Tip! Be Well Rehearsed. You’ll be surprised how many bands suffer shock when they get the final recording bill.
Another option is to try to develop a relationship with someone experienced that can act as a Mentor,it can be invaluable to you! So after figuring out what level you are at first and then what you wish to use your studio for,now comes the time to start making a shopping list. If you are a beginner or even an experienced veteran,the best options would be either a good home computer with LOTS of memory,and there are many great programs that you can purchase along with the proper interface equipment,or purchase an all-in-one Recorder/Mixer/CD Burner unit. My suggestion is that when it comes to efficiency and cost effectiveness,the all-in-one units are outstanding and can create some wonderful results if you take your time,study and learn the functions,and then PRACTICE with it. The better ones are advisable and can range from approximately $1200 to around $4000 and these units usually include invaluable options and functions such as built in effects programs that can cost a lot of money if you were to purchase the individual units,processors,mixers,CD burners,and such separately. Since technology has improved so much over the years,these type of units can sound as if you recorded in a full blown recording studio.
For example,while I work in a big studio,I also have my own Roland unit and record my own clients I Manage, Songwrite, and Produce product for and I don’t have to worry about paying for recording time or high utility bills! I can take all the time I wish without watching the clock and can get the results I want without the added pressure. While I do know what I am doing and have much experience recording and Producing,I have recorded my Country Artist “Miss Marie” Wuhrer’s first CD “Bad Reputation” on it and it received airplay in approximately 75% of the US and many Record Label inquiries to boot!!! So the all-in-one units can be quite cost effective while returning professional quality results,and they are also very portable if need be. (A major plus!) The next issue is to get some very good recording microphone(s) and perhaps a few stage mics for good measure. Plan on at least a vocal and an instrument mic. The recording ones are CONDENSER mics and they require phantom power to operate them,which is simply a low voltage power source from 9 to 18 volts which is usually included in the all-in-one units as standard equipment. The stage mics are called DYNAMIC mics and just require connection to a preamp/mixer. Never run phantom power on dynamic mics or you could easily and quickly damage them or the power source. If you plug the mic into the unit and it doesn’t work in any of the channels as is,then you probably have a condenser mic and must press the button to turn on the phantom power unit.
Tip! Location The choice of location or venue really is a critical factor in determining what the final recording will sound like. All venues large and small have their own unique acoustic properties that interact with the performance of the musicians and some concert halls become famous for their great sound whilst others achieve notoriety for theirs’.
By the way, condenser mics are usually extremely sensitive and can pick up stray noises in the room so be careful when they are live during recording as to not have a noisy environment! And mics go by sensitivity specs,but to avoid a lot of explanations and distortion when recording,look for a mic that has a 40db or higher rating for sensitivity so if you have a loud singer,you won’t overdrive the microphone easily and get distortion in the vocal tracks. Next,you have to determine where you are going to record,especially if it is in your home. Most studios are in the basement areas and require deadening of the room to make it quiet for recording,although when using an all-in-one unit,you can do most of your recording directly into the mixer/recorder without worrying about the noise you or others are making,it is all very quiet. This is especially true when using a drum machine instead of an actual Drummer and live drums! Except for vocals and live drums,you can actually record a full song in a bedroom with family members in other rooms and they won’t even hear you doing it! if you do designate a specific area,your recording room should not get too hot or too cold,and dampness is not good for any electronic equipment so be careful. When going for the cheap but effective recording studio,you can put up heavy rugs or other deadening material to quiet down the room accordingly. Whether you try making a semi-formal recording studio or a simple one,always remember to use NON-FLAMMABLE materials to deaden the room to avoid potential disaster! Last for now,I recommend getting good headphones for you and some spares for others to use,and a headphone amplifier to run multiple sets of headphones. (For the best results,you should use the same brand and model CLOSED BACK HEADPHONES which are essential for recording with live microphones. Semi-open or Open backed headphones allow the sounds coming through to be picked up and fed back into the mic and recorder. The more isolation the headphones offer,the better.) Last in the chain would be a pair of powered studio monitors for playback and mixing. The best ones have the Bass ports in the front so they can be used in many different locations if necessary. The ones with Bass ports in the rear require a reflex action off of a wall for sound quality and this may not be practical for a home studio. As with all of the equipment I mentioned,there are many good brands and models out there and the costs vary greatly.
Tip! Preparation The second vital element in getting a decent recording is the preparation of the choir. Being prepared has not only served the boy scouts well but is an invaluable piece of advice when it comes to the recording session.
For cost-effectiveness,Behringer,Samson,and Event make some great units for home studios,and the bigger the Bass speaker,ie: 8 inches in most,the better the quality of the sound you’ll get in final mixing and playback. A fairly inexpensive boom box is a great tool to have after making a mix too. When I finish a mix of a song,I usually make both a CD and a cassette copy of it and play it on a good stereo,a cheap boom box,and a car radio just to see if it sounds good and fairly consistent for quality. If it sounds good on all of them,then I know that I have a good mix for the final product. I also have a seperate stand alone CD burner that I can use to make copies while I am using the all-in-one unit for other songs and projects,rather than tying up the unit’s built in CD Burner for making copies other than a Master copy. They cost from $200 to $500 and more,but I find it invaluable for my needs.
Other than some patch cords,spare mic cables,telescoping mic stands,music stands,a good comfortable rolling chair,decorating your recording room to taste,and some blank CDs to put product on,you should be able to get some very good results with your projects at a reasonable cost with these recommendations. As your skills improve,you can always upgrade your equipment and studio to fit your needs and dreams. Again,think smart and not for showing off! I’ve seen some seemingly crappy setups outdo some much more expensive setups,the main goal is to concentrate on getting good RESULTS. Besides,as you begin to make your fortune,you can hire professional studio designers/builders to create your dream Palace!!!! Good luck and God Bless.
Tip! Know When To Quit. Recording often leads to diminishing returns.
Saxophonist Kevin Brown recently had the pleasure of doing an interview
with Dick Gordan from “NPR”, National Public Radio.
Probably the most compelling, and instiring interview you will ever hear.
Dick Gordan Wrote, “Saxophonist Kevin Brown travels the world playing jazz. And as for many people, music has been Kevin’s companion through the ups and downs of his life.
Kevin was born totally blind, but doctors restored some of his vision when he was 6. He fully used his partial site - even playing football as a kid and teaching himself to play the saxophone. But the day he was hit by a car, Kevin realized the limits of his eye sight. Soon after that, he began to focus more on music.
Kevin talks with Dick Gordon about how jazz revived him when he needed it the most: Kevin lost his eyesight permanently at age 35″.
Will Bethune wrote:
“Kevin – I heard you on NPR today at lunch. I love your incredible spirit as much as your incredible music! In fact, I’m going to try to order some right now. God bless you”. Will Bethune
Kevin says, “You know,…I am just a normal guy.
At least, that is what I think.
I love music,…I love to play my horn.
That is what has gotten me through some really tough times.
Through all of the really great times, and all of the really bad times, there has always been the Music, The Jazz, The Saxophone, and most of all,…The Creator!”
Julie Adriansen of Lake Villa, IL wrote: “I am sitting here right now and your story with Kevin Brown just concluded, I have tears in my eyes….. What an amazing, soulful, wonderful, emotional, sweatheart of a guy he is. I am going to the music store after work to buy all the music he has made. You have a way of interviewing that seems to make all the “shyness” (for lack of a better term) of your subjects just melt away. You get into Very personal feelings with these people sometimes. This is my favorite story so far and I listen to you almost every day… Thanks to you and Thanks to Kevin for sharing his amazing and enveloping life story…. and thanks too, to Kevin for playing his music, I am sure it has prompted many people to go on and let go of what was holding them back. What a guy….thanks for introducing him to me…..” Always, Julie
Kevin says, “I never wanted to be the best saxophonist in the world,…I knew at an early age that there just too many awesome musicians to have that kind of attitude.
I just love to play,…I love to share with others what the Creator has given me.
I Love the texture of rich sound,…I love to shape it into something that others can enjoy.
There is far too much hurt in todays world.
The least that I can do is give something to help relieve some of that pain”.
Saxophonist Kevin Brown’s new CD, “Like Yahweh’s Heart”, is now on sale from “CD Baby”.
You can listen, and obtain a copy at this URL: Click Here For CD
Kevin says: You know the funny thing about all of this,…NPR’s producer for “The Story” found me in a Zimbabwe news paper…LOL
Wow,…sound gets around doesn’t it!…LOL”
Anita wrote: “Kevin, It is my pleasure! I am so glad I found you in the Zimbabwe paper. I am even more happy that I will be able to introduce you to others in the world who may not have yet known of saxophonist Kevin Brown.Again thanks Kevin because you have made a difference in my life!” Anita
Anita S. Woodley Producer, N.P.R & A.P.M “The Story: with Dick Gordon” www.thestory.org
Saxophonist Kevin Brown recently had the pleasure of doing an interview
with Dick Gordan from “NPR”, National Public Radio.
To hear this compelling, and inspiring interview in it’s entirety, Click below.
Here is an interview that saxophonist Kevin Brown had the pleasure of doing with Dick Gordan from NPR.
Tune in and enjoy.
** High Priority ** Good news, Your interview will broadcast nationally on “The Story with Dick Gordon” TOMORROW, September 21, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.! Also check out our website to view your web page the day of the interview at www.thestory.org
Feel free to forward this information to your family and friends! Listen to your show by going: *- ONLINE… go to the WUNC-FM internet site at this link: www.wunc.org
Friday 1:00 p.m. only To listen in real time, in the top right corner, under the LISTEN NOW category and choose a live stream program to play the interview from your desktop. –If it’s not working you may need to download FREE media streaming software. CLICK on ABOUT STREAMING MEDIA and follow the instructions. *- YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATION… “The Story” airs in over 60 cities now! If you’re in North Carolina the station is WUNC-FM 91.5 FM Are we in your area? Click this link to see: http://thestory.org/Stations
*- ARCHIVE… Anytime on your computer after 3:00 p.m. (EDT): http://thestory.org/archive/
*- By CD… I will send you a copy of the show next week! *- PODCAST… player of choice (iPod, MP3, SanDisk, PubCatcher, etc…) by entering this link: http://thestoryonline.org/archive/podcast.xml
*- XM SATELLITE RADIO… Wednesday-Saturday at 2:00 a.m. (EDT) on Channel 133 Again, thanks for being a part of our program. Happy Listening! Anita Anita S. Woodley Producer, N.P.R & A.P.M “The Story: with Dick Gordon” www.thestory.org
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Country music used to be associated with cowboys and cowboy singing ballads under a setting sun. However, all you have to do today is watch one of the thousands of country music videos to realize how the country western image has changed. Country music offers fans all kinds of performing artists like Johnny Cash dressed in black singing about his prison days, or Shania Twain’s sassy, country rock. Country music means a lot of different things to a lot of different people and you can see it all on video.
In the U.S. there are at least three cable network dedicated to the genre of country music. CMT, VH-1 Country and GAC are widely followed by music enthusiasts in the nation. These stations feature country music videos, and they offer entertaining programming that includes the history of country music and the latest gossip about country music stars. One stations featured the Country Music - Music Awards and the best music video of the year went to “As Good As I Once Was,” by Toby Keith, directed by Michael Salomon.
Tip! Utilize music beat resources that are available to you.
If you ever make you way to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee you can view live videos in a theater like setting presented by hosts like bill Cody. These videos present artists who have defined country music in the past as well as today. A new show is taped and performed live each week. While visiting this famous landmark, you can also tour the historic RCA Studio B where superstars like Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold and the Everly Brothers once recorded.
Country Music provides detailed information on Country Music, Country Music Lyrics, Country Music CDs, Country Music Videoes and more. Country Music is affiliated with Classical Music Downloads.
You’d have to have been living under a rock for the last few weeks not to have heard about my new site ExitExplosion.com. I even tried my best to keep it under wraps during the pre-launch but it seemed everyone was buzzing about it anyway! But, that’s expected of course, since ExitExplosion is pumping out thousands upon thousands of high-quality visitors to our members every day. The site launched officially to the public just a few days ago on August 22nd, but I decided NOT to blast out to my lists about it in order to give everyone else participating in the launch a fair chance. Well, I think they’ve had that now. And, they’re reaping the rewards in streams of visitors to their websites and boatloads of sales as we speak. So, this is my formal invitation to you to hop on the bandwagon and see what all the “buzz” is about. I intentionally made the site free, so that it isn’t a hard decision for you if you want to use it. Come grab your slice of free traffic using my brand new system right now. Yes, right now! http://www.runurl.com/xx.php?dah
Enjoy! Sheila Scofield ExitGrabber.com P.S. You’re probably pretty curious by now how it all works if you haven’t read the site yet. The short answer is I took the “exit grabber” concept and tweaked it until it turned into a viral traffic monster. For the long answer, check out the website