Showing posts with label audio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label audio. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
How To Choose Audio Recording Software
The question: "What features should I look for when choosing audio recording software?"
The answer: "It depends on what you want to record."
There are many low cost recording programs available that can be used to record from existing media (tape, cd's, vinyl lp's) or from radio and internet broadcasts. Even these low priced software programs have editing features and native effects that can be applied to the recording.
Live recording is best accomplished by using multitrack recording/editing software that incorporates tools and effects suitable for application to live voices and instruments, one of the most important being compression. Compression is essential to level the extremes in volume that inevitably occur in live recording.
Several features/capabilities should be considered when choosing software for live music recording (listed below).
Required features:
1. Recording - record multiple stereo tracks
2. Editing - edit a track's waveform
3. Mixing - mix multiple tracks into one stereo track
4. Effects - native (built-in) effects such as delay, reverb, fade in, fade out, flanger, compressor and various high/low filters
5. File conversion - convert to/from the most popular music formats such as wav, wma, mp3
Additional useful features:
6. Plug-ins - accepts 3rd party software plug-in effects and tools
7. Ripping - pull individual tracks from music cd's
8. Burning - copy recorded tracks to cd audio
Optional features (depending on need):
9. Midi - record midi instruments (midi keyboards, synthesizers, guitars)
10. Video - synchronize audio with video files
So, in conclusion, if you are recording music to computer from pre-recorded media, you can certainly get by with software on the low end of the price spectrum. But, if you want to create professional sounding mixes from live music, you'll need the higher level of sophistication available in a quality multitrack recording program.
Cost shouldn't be an issue in the choice as the difference in price between the low end software package and a quality multitrack program can be as little as $10 - $20.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Audio Books - 5 Unheard of Uses
Five Reasons to Listen to Audio Books You May Never Have Thought Of
The typical hardcover or paperback book is not going anywhere. The format shows no signs of ever dying off, even after considering the many technological advances made in recent years. It would, however, be foolish to deny the obvious and not so obvious benefits of listening to audio books. Here are some ways audio books could be put to use:
1. Do you like reading poetry? Then experience it in the way it was meant to be experienced: with your ears! Back in the good old days, it was not uncommon for poets to recite their works before a swooning audience. The great Irish poet and playwright, W.B. Yeats, was said to have written poetry in such a manner that, when vocalized, it would have a certain effect on the ears of its hearers. If you like the writings of T.S. Eliot, there is actually available a recording, on compact disc, of Mr. Eliot himself reading his own poetry. It’s obviously a fascinating investment for fans of Eliot. It’s only one in a series called The Voice of the Poet.
2. Fight road rage while listening to audio books—seriously. Statistics show that violent crime resulting from what is commonly known as “road rage” has increased tremendously over the past couple of years. If you happen to be one of those individuals with a bit of a mean-streak when behind the wheel, then don’t take to the boulevard without Waitley’s Optimal Stress Reduction in your passenger seat—or simply check out a few of the innumerable audio book titles available from an audio book rental club or in your local book store in the self-help section
3. Revisit the “Golden Age of Radio”. It is now possible to find a vast array of classic radio dramas on compact disc. Fans of The Shadow radio program have known this, and are undoubtedly pleased. Also, if you happen to like The Twilight Zone television series, then try to get your hands on a copy of The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas—Lou Diamond Phillips and Adam West are among the talent contributing to these programs.
4. Struggling in child-rearing? Audio books just might be part of the solution. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a hit with the kids (just as every other Harry Potter book has been); and an obvious choice might be an audio book from the Lord of the Rings series—these classic Tolkien works are available in abridged and unabridged editions.
5. Learn another language… in your sleep. When you fall asleep your brain doesn’t just turn off. On the contrary, research has shown that the sleeping brain does receive, process and perhaps even store information. So why not use your good nights sleep effectively by listening to one of the many foreign language audio books. And while this technique may not be the only means of mastering a second or third language, it will make things a little bit easier.
If these uses don’t seem practical to you, they might put you in the mindset to think of your own ways to utilize audio books. And although some may say that listening to audio books is no substitute for reading, the growing popularity of audio book rental services such as Jiggerbug.com may eradicate paper books completely or at least come close!
The typical hardcover or paperback book is not going anywhere. The format shows no signs of ever dying off, even after considering the many technological advances made in recent years. It would, however, be foolish to deny the obvious and not so obvious benefits of listening to audio books. Here are some ways audio books could be put to use:
1. Do you like reading poetry? Then experience it in the way it was meant to be experienced: with your ears! Back in the good old days, it was not uncommon for poets to recite their works before a swooning audience. The great Irish poet and playwright, W.B. Yeats, was said to have written poetry in such a manner that, when vocalized, it would have a certain effect on the ears of its hearers. If you like the writings of T.S. Eliot, there is actually available a recording, on compact disc, of Mr. Eliot himself reading his own poetry. It’s obviously a fascinating investment for fans of Eliot. It’s only one in a series called The Voice of the Poet.
2. Fight road rage while listening to audio books—seriously. Statistics show that violent crime resulting from what is commonly known as “road rage” has increased tremendously over the past couple of years. If you happen to be one of those individuals with a bit of a mean-streak when behind the wheel, then don’t take to the boulevard without Waitley’s Optimal Stress Reduction in your passenger seat—or simply check out a few of the innumerable audio book titles available from an audio book rental club or in your local book store in the self-help section
3. Revisit the “Golden Age of Radio”. It is now possible to find a vast array of classic radio dramas on compact disc. Fans of The Shadow radio program have known this, and are undoubtedly pleased. Also, if you happen to like The Twilight Zone television series, then try to get your hands on a copy of The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas—Lou Diamond Phillips and Adam West are among the talent contributing to these programs.
4. Struggling in child-rearing? Audio books just might be part of the solution. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a hit with the kids (just as every other Harry Potter book has been); and an obvious choice might be an audio book from the Lord of the Rings series—these classic Tolkien works are available in abridged and unabridged editions.
5. Learn another language… in your sleep. When you fall asleep your brain doesn’t just turn off. On the contrary, research has shown that the sleeping brain does receive, process and perhaps even store information. So why not use your good nights sleep effectively by listening to one of the many foreign language audio books. And while this technique may not be the only means of mastering a second or third language, it will make things a little bit easier.
If these uses don’t seem practical to you, they might put you in the mindset to think of your own ways to utilize audio books. And although some may say that listening to audio books is no substitute for reading, the growing popularity of audio book rental services such as Jiggerbug.com may eradicate paper books completely or at least come close!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
6 Tips For Buying The Right Mp3 Player
Next to cell phones, MP3 players are the must have, hot product everyone wants to own. There are lots of great players available, but how do you know which one is right for you? Here are some tips that will help you make the right decision before purchasing an MP3 player.
Tip #1 - Type of MP3 Player - There are basically four types, flash, hard drive, micro hard drive and CD based players.
Flash players are small, have a memory chip built-in, and are more durable with no moving parts, which mean they will not skip a beat during sports activity or running. Because of their compact size, space is limited to 4gigs or less depending on the model you choose. iRiver, SanDisk and Creative MuVo are three popular brands of flash memory players.
Hard drive players are great for anyone who wants to take their entire library worth of music with them. Featuring high capacity storage ranging anywhere from 4gigs to 60gigs of hard drive space. With so much disk space available, you can also store data files, pictures and video, allowing for true portability.
Unlike flash players, hard drive players are larger in size, cost more and have more movable parts, which may not make it idea for physical activity. Popular among the brands are Apple Ipod, Creative Zen Vision, and Wolverine MVP models.
Additionally you can opt for an micro hard drive player. Micro MP3 players are a cross between a flash and a regular hard drive player. Max storage capacity is usually 8gigs, have a miniature hard drive, and are light weight and compact. These players still have movable parts and some models include non-removable re-chargeable batteries.
CD MP3 players are similar to CD players, except they can read data CD's. Capacity is the same size as a CD which is 650mbs, and the music needs to be burned. They can also play standard CD's.
Tip #2 - Digital Format - Not all players support every music format but should play the standard mp3, wma, wav formats. For additional audio format, look for players that support aac, asf and ogg. Not stopping at audio format, you may also have a need to view video formats such as mp4, mov, wav, avi, and flash. To get the most out your purchase and enjoy your favorite digital pictures, look for models that support picture formats such as jpeg, gif, tiff and png. Flash Players such as Creative Zen, iRiver Clix, and Cowan iAudio can display text documents.
Tip #3 - Battery Life - Next to storage capacity, battery life is probably the most critical consideration with MP3 players. Options include standard batteries (AAA or AA type batteries) or rechargeable batteries. With standard batteries, you can easily replace them when needed, while some rechargeable models are non-removable lithium-ion batteries, and typically last two to four years. Since flash players need to be synced more often, recharging occurs as you sync. For larger players, battery life is usually longer but may not always be the case. Make sure you inquiry about battery life for those models.
Tip #4 - Features - With the capability to view video and photos, bright color screens with image display are usually a favorite among buyers. Voice recording with built-in or optional voice recorders, let you record seminars or meetings. Want to listen to other music, some models include an FM tuner for listening and recording (mp3) radio stations. Players such as Apple iPOD and Creative Zen line allow for personal information management options such as phone books and calendars that can synchronize data between desktop applications and the player.
Other features to consider: advanced playback features such as shuffle, repeat, resume, and playlist functions. Newer models now offer the ability to create on the fly playlists, smart playlist for grouping songs in shuffle mode and automatic volume control that makes songs play at the same volume. Don't forget about music search and sort options to find songs.
Tip #5 - Connectivity Options. Most if not all MP3 players support USB 2.0. Other connectivity options you may want to consider is Firewire, audio and line inputs. Some next-generation models include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth capabilities.
Tip #6 - Functionality - Don't just consider bells and whistles when looking for the right MP3 to purchase. Functionality is usually what makes MP3 players stand apart from each other. Test drive each player and notice how easy or hard it is to navigate the menus. Do the buttons feel cheap or easy to press? Is the screen display sufficient in bright light? Is it compact enough for daily or sport activity? What accessories are available for the player?
No matter what model you choose, an MP3 player will be a great addition to your entertainment hardware!
Tip #1 - Type of MP3 Player - There are basically four types, flash, hard drive, micro hard drive and CD based players.
Flash players are small, have a memory chip built-in, and are more durable with no moving parts, which mean they will not skip a beat during sports activity or running. Because of their compact size, space is limited to 4gigs or less depending on the model you choose. iRiver, SanDisk and Creative MuVo are three popular brands of flash memory players.
Hard drive players are great for anyone who wants to take their entire library worth of music with them. Featuring high capacity storage ranging anywhere from 4gigs to 60gigs of hard drive space. With so much disk space available, you can also store data files, pictures and video, allowing for true portability.
Unlike flash players, hard drive players are larger in size, cost more and have more movable parts, which may not make it idea for physical activity. Popular among the brands are Apple Ipod, Creative Zen Vision, and Wolverine MVP models.
Additionally you can opt for an micro hard drive player. Micro MP3 players are a cross between a flash and a regular hard drive player. Max storage capacity is usually 8gigs, have a miniature hard drive, and are light weight and compact. These players still have movable parts and some models include non-removable re-chargeable batteries.
CD MP3 players are similar to CD players, except they can read data CD's. Capacity is the same size as a CD which is 650mbs, and the music needs to be burned. They can also play standard CD's.
Tip #2 - Digital Format - Not all players support every music format but should play the standard mp3, wma, wav formats. For additional audio format, look for players that support aac, asf and ogg. Not stopping at audio format, you may also have a need to view video formats such as mp4, mov, wav, avi, and flash. To get the most out your purchase and enjoy your favorite digital pictures, look for models that support picture formats such as jpeg, gif, tiff and png. Flash Players such as Creative Zen, iRiver Clix, and Cowan iAudio can display text documents.
Tip #3 - Battery Life - Next to storage capacity, battery life is probably the most critical consideration with MP3 players. Options include standard batteries (AAA or AA type batteries) or rechargeable batteries. With standard batteries, you can easily replace them when needed, while some rechargeable models are non-removable lithium-ion batteries, and typically last two to four years. Since flash players need to be synced more often, recharging occurs as you sync. For larger players, battery life is usually longer but may not always be the case. Make sure you inquiry about battery life for those models.
Tip #4 - Features - With the capability to view video and photos, bright color screens with image display are usually a favorite among buyers. Voice recording with built-in or optional voice recorders, let you record seminars or meetings. Want to listen to other music, some models include an FM tuner for listening and recording (mp3) radio stations. Players such as Apple iPOD and Creative Zen line allow for personal information management options such as phone books and calendars that can synchronize data between desktop applications and the player.
Other features to consider: advanced playback features such as shuffle, repeat, resume, and playlist functions. Newer models now offer the ability to create on the fly playlists, smart playlist for grouping songs in shuffle mode and automatic volume control that makes songs play at the same volume. Don't forget about music search and sort options to find songs.
Tip #5 - Connectivity Options. Most if not all MP3 players support USB 2.0. Other connectivity options you may want to consider is Firewire, audio and line inputs. Some next-generation models include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth capabilities.
Tip #6 - Functionality - Don't just consider bells and whistles when looking for the right MP3 to purchase. Functionality is usually what makes MP3 players stand apart from each other. Test drive each player and notice how easy or hard it is to navigate the menus. Do the buttons feel cheap or easy to press? Is the screen display sufficient in bright light? Is it compact enough for daily or sport activity? What accessories are available for the player?
No matter what model you choose, an MP3 player will be a great addition to your entertainment hardware!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Avnex Music Morpher Gold 3.0 – A Closer Look
Of all the features in Avnex Music Morpher Gold 3.0, the Editor contains a truly impressive collection of powerful and versatile audio tools. Let’s take an in-depth look at the various effects and filters built-in to this program. While most of them can be accessed on the fly in the Music Player and applied real time, these effects are only active during playback. To permanently alter your audio files you have to open them within the editor. You can work with one file or multiple files in multi-session mode.
What you can do. The selection is seemingly endless. There are 60 major filters and effects to work with. Plus support for Direct X and VST. That’s just the surface; let’s take a detailed look at the power contained within these modules. If you are familiar with basic audio terms, most of these modules will be familiar to you, but you may not have encountered such depth and precision available to you in one program. Here’s the detailed list of the AVnex Music Morpher Effects Library:
Voice Morphing
o Cher Modification - 10 presets 8 controls
o Frequency Morpher - 11 presets and a graphic interface
o Robot Voice - 9 presets 2 sliders
o Root Formant Mover - 8 presets 2 sliders
o Tempo Morpher - 11 presets one slider
o Voice LPC Pitch Changer - 6 presets one slider
o Voice Morpher - 16 presets 3 sliders
o Voice Extractor - 3 presets7 sliders
o Voice Remover - 3 presets 4 sliders
o Voice Extractor - 5 sliders
o Voice Remover - 5 sliders
Equalizers
o 2 order equalizer - 17 presets 10 sliders graphic control
o 4 order equalizer - 17 presets 10 sliders graphic control
o Graphic Equalizer - 13 presets 1 slider graphic control with 2 scales
o Linear Phase Equalizer - 17 presets 10 slides graphic control
Filters
o Low Bass Filter - 16 presets 3 slides graphic control
o High " " - 6 presets 3 slides graphic control
o Band " " - 8 presets 4 slides graphic control
o Band Reject Filter - 7 presets 3 sliders graphic control
o FIR Bass Filter - 16 presets 3 sliders graphic control
Volume
o Amplitude Morpher - 8 presets graphic control 2 scales 2 curves
o Auto Loudness - 12 presets 2 sliders
o Change Channel - 9 presets 2 sliders
o Constant - 2 settings
o Dynamics Morpher - 8 presets 2 sliders graphic control
o Fade In - 4 types 1 slider
o Fade Out - 4 types 1 slider
o Invert - 3 presets 2 settings
o Limiter - 16 presets 2 sliders
o Multiband Dynamics - 8 presets compression ratio/threshold graph
o Normalize - 6 presets 2 sliders
o Volume - 15 presets 2 sliders
Echo and Reverb
o Complex Delay - 14 presets 7 sliders
o Delay - 22 presets 5 sliders
o Mega Reverb - 15 presets 5 sliders
o PingPong - 12 presets 7 sliders
o Resonance - 6 presets 6 sliders
o Reverberation - 10 presets 7 sliders 3 line controls
o Stick Channels - 17 presets 9 sliders
Surround
o Pseudo Surround 12 presets 3 sliders
o Surround - 24 presets 2 sliders
Miscellaneous
o Beat Tracking - 50 presets 2 sliders import capable
o Chorus - 15 presets 4 sliders 5 options
o Chorus Plus - 11 presets 8 sliders
o Detonation - 14 presets 7 sliders
o Distortion - 5 presets 4 sliders
o Envelope Morpher - 10 presets 2 sliders graphic control
o Flanger - 8 presets 5 sliders sine/feedback control
o Hardcore Beat - 8 presets 7 sliders
o Karaoke - 4 presets 1 slider
o Music by Voice Morpher - 4 sliders file input option
o Noise Reduction - 9 presets 2 sliders
o Rhythm to Noise - 7 presets 24 sliders each with 4 waveform settings linear and log scales
o Spectral Peak Enhancer - 6 presets 3 sliders
o Squeak - 8 presets 5 sliders
o Tremolo - 7 presets 5 sliders
o Vibrato - 3 presets 3 sliders
o Vibrato Plus - 10 presets 2 sliders time/offset graph
o Wave - 16 presets 5 sliders 6 waveforms
o Wah Wah Filter - 10 presets 6 sliders 2 scales band filters
Have you ever seen a more comprehensive list of audio tools? This module alone sets Music Morpher Gold head and shoulders above the competition. Besides the ability to play almost any audio file and to morph them on the fly, beyond the amazing variety of audio tools, you can also burn CDs, organize your audio files, rip audio CDs, create covers and liner notes for your CDs, and capture/record from any input device. Truly this is a masterpiece of audio software that will provide you with the means of fulfilling any of your audio dreams. Logon to www.audio4fun.com to download a trial version; you won’t be sorry.
BIO:
Wayne Rice is a freelance journalist, copywriter, photographer and artist. He currently resides in the United States.
What you can do. The selection is seemingly endless. There are 60 major filters and effects to work with. Plus support for Direct X and VST. That’s just the surface; let’s take a detailed look at the power contained within these modules. If you are familiar with basic audio terms, most of these modules will be familiar to you, but you may not have encountered such depth and precision available to you in one program. Here’s the detailed list of the AVnex Music Morpher Effects Library:
Voice Morphing
o Cher Modification - 10 presets 8 controls
o Frequency Morpher - 11 presets and a graphic interface
o Robot Voice - 9 presets 2 sliders
o Root Formant Mover - 8 presets 2 sliders
o Tempo Morpher - 11 presets one slider
o Voice LPC Pitch Changer - 6 presets one slider
o Voice Morpher - 16 presets 3 sliders
o Voice Extractor - 3 presets7 sliders
o Voice Remover - 3 presets 4 sliders
o Voice Extractor - 5 sliders
o Voice Remover - 5 sliders
Equalizers
o 2 order equalizer - 17 presets 10 sliders graphic control
o 4 order equalizer - 17 presets 10 sliders graphic control
o Graphic Equalizer - 13 presets 1 slider graphic control with 2 scales
o Linear Phase Equalizer - 17 presets 10 slides graphic control
Filters
o Low Bass Filter - 16 presets 3 slides graphic control
o High " " - 6 presets 3 slides graphic control
o Band " " - 8 presets 4 slides graphic control
o Band Reject Filter - 7 presets 3 sliders graphic control
o FIR Bass Filter - 16 presets 3 sliders graphic control
Volume
o Amplitude Morpher - 8 presets graphic control 2 scales 2 curves
o Auto Loudness - 12 presets 2 sliders
o Change Channel - 9 presets 2 sliders
o Constant - 2 settings
o Dynamics Morpher - 8 presets 2 sliders graphic control
o Fade In - 4 types 1 slider
o Fade Out - 4 types 1 slider
o Invert - 3 presets 2 settings
o Limiter - 16 presets 2 sliders
o Multiband Dynamics - 8 presets compression ratio/threshold graph
o Normalize - 6 presets 2 sliders
o Volume - 15 presets 2 sliders
Echo and Reverb
o Complex Delay - 14 presets 7 sliders
o Delay - 22 presets 5 sliders
o Mega Reverb - 15 presets 5 sliders
o PingPong - 12 presets 7 sliders
o Resonance - 6 presets 6 sliders
o Reverberation - 10 presets 7 sliders 3 line controls
o Stick Channels - 17 presets 9 sliders
Surround
o Pseudo Surround 12 presets 3 sliders
o Surround - 24 presets 2 sliders
Miscellaneous
o Beat Tracking - 50 presets 2 sliders import capable
o Chorus - 15 presets 4 sliders 5 options
o Chorus Plus - 11 presets 8 sliders
o Detonation - 14 presets 7 sliders
o Distortion - 5 presets 4 sliders
o Envelope Morpher - 10 presets 2 sliders graphic control
o Flanger - 8 presets 5 sliders sine/feedback control
o Hardcore Beat - 8 presets 7 sliders
o Karaoke - 4 presets 1 slider
o Music by Voice Morpher - 4 sliders file input option
o Noise Reduction - 9 presets 2 sliders
o Rhythm to Noise - 7 presets 24 sliders each with 4 waveform settings linear and log scales
o Spectral Peak Enhancer - 6 presets 3 sliders
o Squeak - 8 presets 5 sliders
o Tremolo - 7 presets 5 sliders
o Vibrato - 3 presets 3 sliders
o Vibrato Plus - 10 presets 2 sliders time/offset graph
o Wave - 16 presets 5 sliders 6 waveforms
o Wah Wah Filter - 10 presets 6 sliders 2 scales band filters
Have you ever seen a more comprehensive list of audio tools? This module alone sets Music Morpher Gold head and shoulders above the competition. Besides the ability to play almost any audio file and to morph them on the fly, beyond the amazing variety of audio tools, you can also burn CDs, organize your audio files, rip audio CDs, create covers and liner notes for your CDs, and capture/record from any input device. Truly this is a masterpiece of audio software that will provide you with the means of fulfilling any of your audio dreams. Logon to www.audio4fun.com to download a trial version; you won’t be sorry.
BIO:
Wayne Rice is a freelance journalist, copywriter, photographer and artist. He currently resides in the United States.
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