HowAudio.com Blog

Line 6 Spider III Amp - some of the features

Joe Randeen — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:33:34 +0000

New YouTube entry :: "Line 6 Spider� III delivers detailed amp models based on some of the greatest guitar sounds ever created." That is the claim made by Line 6. Probably a well-deserved claim at that. When the Spider Valve first came on the scene, HowAudio.com did a video tutorial on both the Spider Valve and the Spider III Amps. In this segment, guitarist, producer and sound designer Bobby Hartry demonstrates some of the feature of the spider 3 amp.

HowAudioTV Breaks 1.3 Million Views

Joe Randeen — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:43:09 +0000

This week HowAudio.com�s YouTube Channel (HowAudioTV) broke 1.3 million views. Obviously we are very excited about this. We are grateful that people find value in what we are working hard at.

Some of our top-viewed videos include: Antares Auto-Tune, DJ CD Player, How to Relic a Guitar and Drum Tuning. The Mic Shoot-Out videos are some of the fastest growing videos and we hope to bring you more of them in the near future.

Line 6 Meets iPhone ::iPhone Meets Line 6

Joe Randeen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:33:11 +0000

Line 6 and D'Addario, the world's leading producer of musical instrument strings, drumheads, reeds and accessories, announced today the development of MIDI Mobilizer�, a new portable MIDI interface, and Planet Waves� Rig Remote�, new iPhone� software that will enable guitarists to control Line 6 guitars and amplifiers via Apple� iPhone and iPod� touch.

Line 6 Spider III and Spider Valve Amps tutorial available for FREE in its entirety

Joe Randeen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:22:26 +0000

This tutorial features two of Line 6�s new generation of modeling guitar amps. The lastest in solid-state modeling and effects amps, Line 6 Spider III instantly delivers hundreds of killer preset sounds used by some of the world�s most legendary guitarists. The Spider Valve� is a collaboration between Line 6 and Reinhold Bogner, who is considered one of the best amp technician/designers in the world. Spider Valve� delivers the best of both worlds by combining the versatility of a modeling amp with the performance and tonal feel of a world-class tube amplifier.

Sibelius Music Notation now available

Joe Randeen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:56:27 +0000

Sibelius is the music notation software of choice among professionals and educators to write beautiful scores, inspire spellbinding performances and print pieces that look as professional as published sheet music. Join Roger Cole, musician and composer, as he shows you how intuitive Sibelius is to learn and use. From inspira- tion, to composing and arranging, to playback and publishing, Sibelius is a powerful tool that will have you easily creating your compositions on your terms. Whether you are a composer or a music educator dis- cover the joys of writing or teaching music with a program that matches your creativity with versatile innova- tive tools, as well as a user-friendly interface.

M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 Monitors :: productSPOTLIGHT

Joe Randeen — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:23:06 +0000

The compact Studiophile� AV 40 powered speakers deliver the same proven M-Audio technology favored by top producers, recording engineers and musicians around the world. The combination of 4� polypropylene-coated drivers and 3/4� ferrofluid-cooled silk dome tweeters provides punchy lows, crisp highs and a balanced, uncolored response. Custom cabinets with dense wood construction deliver more accurate bass response than you could ever get from plastic multimedia speakers. And for the highest possible fidelity, the Studiophile AV 40 speakers also feature OptImage III wave-guide technology and a 20 watt-per-channel internal amplifier that utilizes Class A/B architecture. The Studiophile AV 40 reference monitors are the perfect solution for traveling musicians or anyone who wants top-notch sound from their desktop multimedia system. :: M-Audio Website

Mic Shoot-Out :: Blue's Bottle versus AKG C-12

Joe Randeen — Mon, 18 May 2009 05:41:34 +0000

Founded in 1995 by Skipper Wise and Martins Saulespurens, Blue has grown from a desire to create a few hand-built mics for fellow musicians into a unique, multi-faceted audio company with a prestigious line of award-winning microphones and accessories. Headquartered in Westlake Village, California and with engineering and manufacturing facilities in Latvia, Blue Microphones continues to grow and lead the way with cutting-edge design and technological innovation in the field of recording. Current projects include the building of a state-of-the-art recording and training facility and capsule testing area located at company headquarters in Southern California.

Lil' Elvis [65 AMPS] is here

Joe Randeen — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:01:33 +0000

A few weeks ago I headed up to the Blue Microphone Studio to check out a microphone shoot-out between Blue's Bottle and the AKG C-12. That's another story entirely. What I wanted to talk about was the amp that Don Felder (formerly of the Eagles) brought with him. At the time it was a prototype but now it is here.

The 65 AMPS Lil' Elvis is an amazing sounding amp. It's not for the faint of heart at a list price of $2,195 for the Combo and $1,850 for the Head. But, you get what you pay for and you get a lot from 65 AMPS. Here's some info from their website:

"Lil Elvis is a breakthrough amplifier rooted in some lost designs from the early 60�s best designer. Based on a 2xEL84 power section, 12AX7 front end and a clean output of 12 watts. The authority and vocabulary of this little amp are truly surprising and inspiring. One will never feel that he�s playing a small amplifier at all. With the feel of a mini-4x12 rig, Lil Elvis is truly a pleasure for the rock, country, jazz, R&B and hard rockers alike.

DAWs: There Must Be An Easier Way!

Joe Randeen — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:33:02 +0000

Most of us record on computer-based DAWs these days, and why not? There�s a huge range of choices in software platforms, recording interfaces, control surfaces, and plug-ins. With everything that�s available, and given the constant rate of improvement, they seem like the obvious choice.

But there�s been a concurrent development of standalone, hardware-based, all-in-one digital workstations that are the preferred tool of many, and are used in conjunction with � or even instead of � a computer-based system. [READ MORE - source EQ Magazine]

Compressors: The Essentials & Introduction to Equalizers DVD

Joe Randeen — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:42:44 +0000

HowAudio.com Releases New DVD on Compression and Equalization.

Compression is a process that manipulates the dynamic range of an audio signal to achieve more uniform and consistent sound. It basically alters perceived volume. Compressors are used during recordings, live performances and broadcasting. This title addresses the advantages and disadvantages of both hardware and software compressors. Since the type and amount of compression appropriate is dependent on the type of audio signal being processed, Jeff Dykhouse outlines how the various compressor controls affect the audio signal. You will see and hear the how different compressors affect various instruments.