Roger Waters New Washburn Signature Guitar

Washburn Guitars is a division of U.S. Music Corp., a world leader in the production and distribution of fretted instruments, amplification and sound reinforcement. The 125-year-old company began as a high-quality stringed instrument manufacturer in Chicago and has since acquired Oscar Schmidt (makers of the AutoHarp and student instruments), Sound Tech (sound reinforcement and pro audio gear), Randall Amplifiers and it's most recent acquisition, Vinci Strings. U.S. Music Corp. is rated as one of the top 50 companies in the music industry worldwide and is currently located in Mundelein, Illinois.

Many great guitarists are playing washburn guitars. Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has been playing the Washburn RR300 for two years and has been very amazed with the guitar over this time. When Washburn approached him about a Signature Limited Edition, he gladly agreed to work with Washburn on this special offering.

The RW300 brings together a Seymour Duncan P90 style pickup and a Fishman preamp with a piezo bridge. These pickups, in combination with the chambered mahogany body and solid spruce top, reduce the chance of feedback and give the RW300 a tremendously accurate and vibrant acoustic tone. Roger was the creator and sonic architect of such undeniable classics as Dark Side Of The Moon (which spent nearly 15 years on the Billboard 200 album chart), The Wall (which has been certified 23x RIAA platinum), Animals, Wish You Were Here, and Final Cut. Following Final Cut, Roger Waters left Pink Floyd.

His first full-length solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking was released in April 1984 to great critical and popular success, generating his first solo tour. June 1987's Radio K.A.O.S. continued the path of solo success, bringing Roger back to the stage. His last full-length solo album, the moody and ironic Amused To Death, considered by many to be a comparable achievement to Dark Side Of The Moon or The Wall, was released in August 1992.

Waters has been working on Ca Ira (pronounced sa-ira), an opera in English and French, a new rock album to be released in 2002 and Echoes the best of Pink Floyd, which was re-mastered by long time Pink Floyd producer James Guthrie.

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A review on Digital Pianos

Piano is a musical instrument that is classified as a keyboard, percussion, or string instrument, depending on the system of categorization used. Playing the piano is wide-spread in western music for solo performance, chamber music, and accompaniment, and is also trendy as an abet for composing and rehearsal. Materials used for pianos are strings, pin blocks, strings, plates and soundboard. Pianos also have pedals. They are of three types:
• Damper pedal
• Soft pedal
• Sostenuto pedal

A digital piano is a modern electronic musical instrument designed to serve primarily as a substitute to a traditional piano, both in the way it feels to play as well as sound produced. Digital pianos are also premeditated to look like an acoustic piano. While digital pianos may plunge short of the genuine article in feel and sound, they nevertheless have many advantages over normal pianos:

• They are relatively inexpensive and are considerably lighter.
• They do not necessitate tuning.
• They usually manufacture several different piano timbres.
• They integrate MIDI implementation and have extra features to aid in learning and composition.
• They embrace headphone output and have a transposition feature.

When a key is struck on an acoustic instrument, digital pianos fabricate overtones that reverberate around the room creating a sound that no digital instrument can accurately capture. Today's digital pianos are so good that most listeners can not tell the difference between a "live" piano and a digital one. Add to that the fact that they are the most inexpensive of the kinds of pianos you can buy and you've got an instrument that's hard to beat.

Digital piano manufacturers are getting better and better at duplicating the tone of real acoustic pianos. But no matter how well the piano sound is sampled, it will always sound digital. The acoustic sound is far superior to that of a digital piano. Due to portability, economical and MIDI capabilities piano and keyboard players choose digital pianos over their acoustic counterparts.

Advantages of digital pianos:

• Built-in rhythm accompaniments
• Ability to record your performance

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Buyers Guide To Electric Guitars

Live rock concerts were the rage in the 70's and they are still the rage. The essence of rock music does not just lie with the lyrics; it also lies with the electric guitar and the various sounds that it can produce. There are so many kids across the block who would give up anything to play like Ritchie Blackmore, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Kirk hammett, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page etc. These men are not just some of the best guitarists of their times, they are legends.

Now if you are interested in learning how to play the guitar then the first thing you will need to buy is a guitar. Most people start with an acoustic and graduate to the electric guitar. It is quite difficult for anyone to choose the right electric guitar since there are hundreds of models and several brands out there in the market. If you are buying an electric guitar then you will need to also buy amplifiers, pick-ups, pick, tuner etc.

Electric guitars are available in a lot of variety, colors, and designs with the aerodynamic designs being one of the most popular. Don't go for the first electric guitar you see. You need to look around a bit and check out the prices and models before you buy one. In fact, one of the best ways to choose a guitar is by the brand or by the style. Here’s our take on the four important styles:

Stratocaster
This certainly is a show stealer and has a typical style. The most famous is the red and white color combination, which was extensively used by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. The Stratocaster is from Fender and has a neck bolted to the guitar body. Apart from this, it has double cutaway sides, 22 frets accompanied by a tremolo system or the wammy bar and three single-coil pickups. Fender designed the first Stratocaster in the early 50’s. Some of the popular designs include:

1. Fender Deluxe Stratocaster: approx $600
2. Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar in Rosewood: Approx $1200
3. Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar in Maple: Approx $400
4. Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar in Rosewood: Approx $600
5. Fender Stratocaster Eric Johnson Signature model: Approx $1800

Telecaster
The Telecaster is another creative instrument from Fenders. It is more than just a guitar it is a complete orchestra. It is a solid body electric guitar and comprises of dual pick-ups. The first Telecaster was manufactured by Leo Fender in the 1940's and has a single cutaway body. It doesn't have the tremolo or wammy bar but has two different single-coil pickups. Some of the popular Telecaster models include:

1. Fender American Telecaster HS guitar: $900-$1000
2. Fender Standard Telecaster Electric Guitar: $400-$500
3. Fender 63 Telecaster Relic Solid Body Electric: $2500-$3000
4. Fender 72 Telecaster Custom Electric Guitar: $700-$800

Les Paul
This is a classic guitar that has been designed by Gibson. The salient feature of a Les Paul's is its set neck construction, which means there are no joints or bolts. The body is a single cutaway and rounded. It is equipped with two humbucker pickups as well as a raised scratch-plate. If you want to play distorted sound then the Les Paul’s will provide you with a varied range of such sound. Some of the legends who use the Les Pauls include Eric Clapton, Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Slash (ex-G’N’R). Some of the famous Les Paul models include:

1. Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar: $3000-$3500
2. 1959 Les Paul Standard Guitar: $5500-$6000
3. Les Paul Vintage Mahogany Electric Guitar: $700-$800
4. Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar: $1800-$1900

Gibson
Gibson is one of the greatest brands in music and all their guitar models are classic and can't be compared to any. Gibson was actually started in 1902 by Orville Gibson and has been responsible for giving the world some of the best acoustic and electric guitars. Some of the famous models include the arch-top Gibson L5 model, the ES-150 electric, Gibson Explorer, Flying V etc. Some of the legends who have played a Gibson or are still using it include Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Ace Frehley (KISS), Frank Zappa, and Toni Iommi (Black Sabbath) to name a few. Some of the popular Gibson models include:

1. Gibson Flying V Electric Guitar: $500-$600
2. Gibson SG 61 Classic Electric Guitar: $1500-$1600
3. Gibson Faded SG Special Electric Guitar: $550-$600
4. Gibson Explorer Pro Electric Guitar: $1100-$1200

These are the best brands in electric guitar. The other aspects that will help you to pick up a guitar include fretboard, the pick-ups, and the body. Full-bodied guitars are normally preferred as they can produce some of the best sounds that you will ever get to hear.

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Shuffling to the Music

Much as we sometimes fear change, some inexplicable part of the human psyche loves unpredictability. Even those among us who crave order in our homes and office spaces sometimes love to throw caution to the wind and lose our organized selves in a whirlwind of spontaneity. While many of us feel that things should have their place, and be in that same place when we go to look for it as we're running out the door, still we long for the odd surprise to make life just a little more interesting. Perhaps, then, it's little wonder that our favorite iPod tool is the shuffle key.

In the days of the record and tape cassette, our only listening option was a chronological one. And because even our very favorite album usually has a song or two that doesn't quite hit the spot, we always ended up listening to it anyway, skipping the needle over (quite often making horrible scratches in the process that invariably cut through the songs we did like), or pushing blindly on fast forward to get to the tune's other side.


But with the advent of CDs, our options expanded, offering us for the first time a perhaps more playful way of listening. And while CDs undoubtedly offered us greater listening flexibility over their predecessors, portable music had not yet reached its zenith. Now we have the iPod, and the user friendly listening of the CD has been combined with a storage system that allows us carry with us almost as much music as we could ever want.

But with that enormous choice available to us on a daily basis, it can be difficult to know where to begin your listening pleasure. Of course there are always days when you have a hankering for a particular song, but when the music stored comprises all your own personal favorites, how do you choose? Perhaps that's why the iPod's shuffle option is one of the device's best loves features.

So much so that Apple, the company who make the iPod, have produced a version of their digital music player that's quite descriptively called, yes, you guessed it, the Shuffle. Realizing that the feature was one of the iPod's most popular, they came up with a music player that assumes this mode by default. You can still store all the music you like on the new iPod version, only now you don't have to choose which song to play – the Shuffle plays your music randomly, so you are always treated to that element of surprise.

Now the unpredictability that keeps us on our toes can be a part of your life every day. Shuffle to the music!

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Digital Voice Recorders for Your Busy Lifestyle

Using digital voice recorders in every day life has become so commonplace that most people do not even give it a second thought. There are dozens of reasons both professional and personal to use digital voice recorders, whether you need to record important business conversations or just want to have a good time with your friends.

One of the smallest of the digital voice recorders also happens to be one of the largest capacity voice recorders on the market. It is capable of recording up to one hundred-forty hours continuously. And the features on the great little unit go on and on. Not only are they digital voice recorders, but they have a stereo FM radio, and a time and date stamp, Plus they are voice activated, have a flash memory, and can be used as a cell phone recording detector and they also have a land phone recording connector, just to name a few. There is even a dot matrix LCD with blue back light and automatic microphone sensitivity. Couple all of that with a lapel microphone, stereo earphones, and a USB connector cable and you will have everything you need for many hours of great digital recording.

All of this operates on just two "AAA" batteries. Another great feature on these digital voice recorders is that you can timer record up to three programs by day, by week or by date. They also have three speeds in which to play back your recording. What more could you need or want?

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Four Essentials to the Ultimate Home Theater System

The high-definition television revolution is already under way, as most of the major TV networks and cable outlets are quickly adopting this cutting-edge version of digital television as their broadcasting standard and offering consumers more shows in high definition.

In fact, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, 9 million households are likely to purchase HDTV products during the next 18 months. Another 30 million consumers consider themselves likely purchasers within the next three years.

This newer technology can be overwhelming for consumers, especially when they are not properly educated about the tools needed for the best setup of a high-definition home theater system.

Four basic elements are needed: picture, source, sound and assembly. Interestingly enough, the CEA says that approximately 30 percent of U.S. homes already have these basic ingredients.

* Picture: Most digital, high-definition televisions feature large screens in widescreen formats that create a theater-like experience right in your home. HDTV delivers crisp images that make you feel like you're part of the action.

Plasma and liquid crystal display televisions have generated the most excitement so far. These thin, lightweight sets can hang on a wall and only take up four inches of depth. Other examples include the microdisplay rear-projection televisions such as digital light processing sets. These TV sets are thinner, lighter and brighter than traditional projection TV sets.

* Source: Some high-definition televisions have a built-in tuner to receive local high-definition broadcasts. These are referred to as having "HD Built-In." Sets without an integrated tuner are "HD-Ready" and need a set-top box to decode the high-definition signal. Starting next year, many digital televisions will come with a high-definition tuner and the cable box built in, simplifying the connection for consumers.

* Sound: Most people don't realize that the high-definition television format incorporates digital 5.1 surround sound into high-definition broadcasts, giving you that "in the middle of the action" feel. For a truly engaging viewing experience, it is important to get a sound system that is comparable in quality to your television.

* Assembly: To tie it all together, you need to make sure you have the right cables and accessories to connect your system. Many consumers prefer using service personnel to deliver and set up the system at home - making sure everything is in place, connected and calibrated for the optimal home theater experience.

So how much does a home theater system cost? A wide range of prices are available, depending on an individual's needs and desires. For example, high-definition televisions sold at Best Buy start at less than $500 and go all the way up to $10,000, with numerous models in between.

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Digital Video Recorders

Digital video recorders (DVR) are recording equipment that can record and store digital video on a computer. These can record audio as well as video data from multiple sources.

A DVR is basically a hard drive that can be connected to the computer and to other video sources such as a VCR. It has a tuner which captures the signal using a cable, antenna, or a satellite. The analog signals are compressed and converted into digital signals, which are then stored on the hard drive. A built-in MPEG-2 decoder converts the digital signal back into analog signal when it has to reach the television for viewing. Each DVR has an operating system within the hard drive.

There are several advantages to digital video recorders. They do not require a recording medium like tapes, as the data is stored on the DVR itself. Another main advantage is that the recording and playback can be done at the same time. Using this, even a live program on the TV can be paused, in the sense that the program can be recorded on the DVR and then viewed instead of the live program. However, the space within a DVR is limited, which is its main disadvantage. DVRs also have a live-TV buffer that keeps them in a constant recording mode for an hour or more.

Another interesting feature of DVRs is their search tool, which allows searching of a particular program by name of the program, name of the actors, or even by keywords. Some DVRs can be programmed to record some programs that have certain words in them. DVRs have recording capacities ranging from thirty hours to 320 hours. This also depends on the quality of the stored files.

The main categories of digital video recorders are TiVo, ReplayTV, and UltimateTV. Some of the top manufacturers of digital video recorders are LG, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, RCA, Samsung, Sonic Blue, and Sony. Prices range from $600 to $1,200 or more, depending on the brand, the model, and the options provided.

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