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The article evaluates several sound recording equipment including a Digital Audio Workstation, Digital Performer and 828mk3 audio interface from Motu, Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools HD from DigiDesign.

The article features several online services that appeal to various types of bloggers which let them customize blog with music, games and headlines. One is the Blooger from Google Inc. that has what-you-see-is-what-you-get interface, which makes for easy posting and formatting with no hypertext markup language required. The TypePad from Six Apart Ltd. is claimed to be ideal for businesses, which enables them to set up static pages with designs that match blog's theme. Another blogging service from Six Apart Ltd. is Vox, which focuses on multimedia and social-networking features.

The article features the significance of the iPhoto, iMovie and iWeb software from Apple Inc. in working with photographs, videos and music. One can improve the composition of a photograph by placing its subject along one of the inner lines of this grid. This technique is regarded as the rule of thirds. It is said that iPhoto allows one to avoid photograph duplication and to move the photographs from their current locations, storing them in a new event. The iMove allows one to apply keywords to clips, thereby managing a large video library easier. It also lets the creation of a still frame from a video clip. The iTunes enables one to share constructed playlists and incorporates external Web pages into iWeb designs with the help of hypertext markup language tag.

Examines the controversy generated by the service offered by Napster, which allows users to swap songs online. Explanation on how Internet users download music from Napster; Details on the lawsuit filed by the rock group Metallica against Napster; Measures planned by the music industry to address music piracy. INSETS: Copyright--the law, by Debra Kruse;How Napster works: the pirate's toolbox.

Discusses how music can be recorded digitally. Advantages of sequencers over conventional tape recording; How to generate real-time effects; Evaluation on popular audio/Musical Instrument Digital Interface sequencers; Suggestions for choosing software synthesizers. INSET: Beyond miniplugs: audio hardware options.

Provides information on the Moving Picture Expert Group Audio Layer III or MP3, a format for compressing and storing digital music from the Internet. History of MP3; How MP3 measures compression settings; Results of the tests conducted on several MP3 players.

The article offers suggestions in setting up a recording studio in homes. The author first discussed some traps to be prevented including buying music gear regularly, as it can be a chief impediment to ones creativity, and false economies. Moreover, he names and reviews various devices needed for ones recording studio. These include the RME Fireface 800 and M-Audio Audiophile USB for ones audio interface, Logic Express and Pro Tools LE for recording software, and the Alesis Monitor 1 Mkll and Event ASP6 for monitor speakers.

The article focuses on the use of digital music player, iPod. With both USB2 and FireWire connectors for quick data transfer, the iPod can make a great portable hard drive. Using an accessory like the Griffin iTalk, one can used it for recording meetings, speeches and personal voice notes. If the person use Apple's Address Book and iCall application, one can use their iPod as a read-only diary. If the person want to push the boundaries of the iPod's hard disk, one can install an operating system (OS) on a FireWire-equipped iPod. This will give a disposable installation of OS X for testing new applications.

Presents tips and advisories in composing a film soundtrack in Macintosh computers. Highlights of the process of composing a film soundtrack; Assessment of the common mistakes and problems in the composition process; Views on the various computer software in soundtrack composition.

This article presents a review of digital sound recording application software compatible with Apple's Mac OS X operating system.

Over the next three issues of the periodical “Australian MacWorld,” starting with the June 4, 2004 edition, the section 'The Hub' will explore the ways and means of transferring your old analog media into your Mac computer for use in iLife and other applications. With this edition, the author looks at getting music off your long-playing vinyl records. With the endless advance of technology, it can get pretty frustrating to have your gear constantly being made obsolete. The classic example is music. The key audio formats you would be working with are the Audio Interchange File Format, the Windows-native file format for audio or WAV, the Motion Pictures Export Group - Audio Layer 3 or MP3, and the Advanced Audio Coding.

This article provides information on how to use the iTunes software. Anyone who has ripped an audio compact disc (CD) in iTunes knows what a simple process it can be. Insert the CD, wait for iTunes to download track information from the Internet, click on the Import button, and go about your business while iTunes does its business. What you may not know is that you have a choice when it comes to the format in which iTunes imports that CD. This article also presents strategies how to organize your iTunes playlist.

Information about the 2009 annual conference of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) that was held in Anaheim, California on January 15-18, 2009 is presented. The conference pulled in more than 1,800 exhibitors from Abbey Road Studios to Zinky Electronics. It featured several exhibitors including Ableton, Arturia, Minimoog Vproducts and Spectrasonics.

The article tackles on the changes in Apple's iPod line. Apple, the manufacturer of iPod, has updated the features of the iPod line and is adding another music player to the list. iPod shuffle has undergone the least changes in the entire line. Its only difference is the variety of colors available. Meanwhile, the iPod classic has the black and silver anodized-metal casing in the front. Its back part is still made up of shiny metal. This change in to make the classic's face less scratch prone. The battery life of the iPod classic was also improved, being 40 hours of audio playback and seven hours of video. Lastly, the iPod nano has changed in size, being wider and shorter than the previous model. It is also available in 4GB and 8GB versions.

The article provides information on how to install songs in a limited memory of iPod Nano. First is to select the top rated songs and load it in the playlist, upon finishing the process, indicate the memory to be used by changing gigabyte to megabyte and make sure to select iTunes to match all the standards within the combination. The technology introduced ways of modifying the playlists to update the music library. This involves changing of the artist, album where the song belongs and changing of the songs. It is suggested to update the technology from the newest Apple software to prevent cyberbug from causing damage in transferring the music lists.

The article introduces PowerBook G4 of Apple Computer Inc., the latest laptops which deliver higher-resolution screens and longer battery life. Apple has boosted the new model's screen brightness by a noticeable 46 percent in the 17-inch PowerBook and by 13 to 15 percent in the 15 inch model. Apple offered two standard 15-inch configurations,which has a 1.67 gigahertz G4 processor and a SuperDrive. The audio-in port can handle optical/digital audio input while the headphone jack doubles as an optical/digital audio-out port.

Features various audio editing software. Features and configuration of the Cubase SX 3.01 developed by Steinberg Inc.; Design and performance of Logic Pro by Apple Computer Inc.; Comparison of both software.

This article presents tips and advisories regarding strategies in starting one's radio station through podcasting. The author claimed that podasting lets one interact with audiences in a way that blogs can't. Recorded music and sounds can be broadcast through an online syndication technology called RSS (Really Simple Syndication). Equipments needed in podcasting is very basic for it only includes a microphone, a headphone, and computer software to record music and sounds. Recording one's voice would need special software like Amadeus II software and the Audacity software on the other hand is used to edit the podcast. The author presented the best ways of uploading the recorded sound or music for broadcast.

The article suggests ways of opening file formats that can be recognized by iTunes. Windows Media Audio (WMA) files can be played using the Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X. Another audio format one would likely encounter across the Web is RealAudio. Like WMA files, Real Audio require a special player, in this case, the free RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X. Like Windows Media Player, Real Player cannot convert RealAudio files into other formats. With the iTunes 4.5, Apple added Apple Lossless, an audio codec that compresses audio without throwing away any data. There are plenty of lossless formats that iTunes does not support though. These incompatible formats can be encountered when downloading live performances from places such as the Internet Archive and etree.org's Community Bittorrent Tracker.

This article evaluates Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod photo technology, the first of its portable music players to offer a color screen and the ability to display digital pictures and album art. Available in two configurations, a 40GB model and a 60GB version, these new iPods feature new graphics capabilities, as well as increased play times and the power to send photos to a television through a composite or S-Video cable.

This article shows how to organize music, network an iPod, and control sound levels through the Smart Playlist, an organizational tool provided by Apple Computer Inc. It demonstrates how users can create smart playlists based on the lyrical contents of the user's songs. INSETS: Share your master opus.;Dealing in volume.;One iPod, multiple Macs..

This article features several electronic keyboards that are available in the market, as of April 2004. The Remote 25 from the Novation company, is a two-octave controller, which can run on battery, USB or mains power. If you use rechargeable batteries they can be recharged via USB, which is a very useful feature if you plan on using the keyboard as a standalone controller in addition to being connected to your Mac computer. The MK-425c by the Evolution company has 25 full-sized, touch sensitive keys. It can draw power from USB or from an optional power pack connected to mains power, but there is no battery option. This keyboard may not be the fanciest on the block but does cover most of the bases and is very reasonable priced. The PCR-30 from the Edirol company is one of the larger units, with 35 keys. The product comes with a range of templates for the most popular music applications, and these can be saved to one of the fifteen user memory locations.

Advises computer users on recording streaming audio from radio broadcasts. Use of streaming-audio players, such as iTunes, QuickTime Player, RealNetworks' RealOne or Microsoft's Windows Media Player; MP3 format of internet radio stations; Compression of internet audio to allow streaming over slow modem connections.

Reviews the Logic Platinum 5.3 music production software from Emagic Inc.

Reports the implication of using Macintosh computer for digital-audio compact discs (CD). Account of the legal problems encountered by Napster Inc.; Details of the online music-swapping service; Development of a secure CD-recording platform.

Offers tips in operating Macintosh computers. Ways to boost iMacintosh sound output; Editing of texts; Folder organization in Macintosh OS 8.5 operating systems. INSET: Pica tip of the month, by Bridget Eley..

Features digital sound recording software including Cubase VST 4.0, Logic Audio Gold 3.6 and Vision DSP 4.1. Interfaces; Ease of use; Flexibility; Capabilities; Prices; Enhancements; Key specifications.

The article announces that Sir Paul McCartney's next album, "Memory Almost Full," will be available for download from iTunes Store on June 6, 2007. It states that the partnership between McCartney and Apple signals a further thawing of relations between long-time litigants. It also reports that the tracks which will be available in iTunes includes an exclusive bonus track. According to the author, the release of McCartney's latest album falls very close to the 40th anniversary of the seminal Beatles album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

The article evaluates the Pro Tools version 7.3, a digital audio workstation, from Digidesign.

The article reports on the computer applications Acoustik Piano from Native Instruments and the Brass from Arturia. Acoustik Piano, which have lowered the price point without compromising quality, can work as a stand alone application or as plug in for the digital audio workstation. In a stand alone format, the keyboard and Core Audio preferences can be configured and the piano to be played can be selected by the user. The options offered to be selected include Steinway D, Bechstein D 280 and the Boesendorfer 290 Imperial grand pianos. Meanwhile, the Brass offering of Arturia is an addition to its extensive suite of products, which is similar to that of the Acoustik Piano.

The article focuses on the introduction of the MacBook laptop computer from Apple Computer Inc. According to Apple, the MacBook features the Intel Core Duo processor and a 13-inch widescreen display. It is available in three configurations with price ranging from $1749 to $2399. The screen uses the low-reflection glossy polarizer surface coating that significantly reduces the amount of reflection, thus preserving an image even in high ambient lighting conditions. Other features include a built-in iSight video camera, Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter, Front Row, Apple Remote, DVI with dual display support, and optical digital audio input and output.

This article reports on Apple Computer Inc.'s release of iTunes 4.9, an updated version of its digital music jukebox and music download store software for Mac OS X and Windows. The release features the ability to browse and subscribe to podcasts, radio-style shows that can be downloaded from the Internet and listened to either in iTunes or using an Apple iPod. Apple vice president of applications Eddy Cue believes that podcasting is the next generation of radio. He talked about efforts to bring podcasts to the mainstream by making them easy to find, subscribe to and manage with iTunes.

Introduces the 4GB and 6GB iPod Mini, the enhanced and smaller-version of the iPod digital music player, manufactured by Apple Computer Inc. Product features; Physical description; Pros and cons; Performance.

Introduces the 30GB iPod Photo, a high-capacity digital music player that can also save and previews photos with its colored LCD display, manufactured by Apple Computer Inc. Product features; Physical description; Performance.

This article presents a review of GarageBand 2 digital sound recording application software from Apple Computer.

This article presents a review of Arkaos VJ digital sound recording application software from Arkaos.

This article presents a review of GarageBand 2.0 digital sound recording application software from Apple Computer.

Evaluates Hermstedt's digital music storage solution called HiFidelio.

This article discusses issues relating to computer networking. One is a website called MeetTheNeighbors.org, created by Jarred Nissim. He had the idea after running "The Lunch Club," a way for singles living in New York City to meet each other over a meal. MeetTheNeighbors is different from the social networking site Orkut in that it is about real-life, in-person, face-to-face relationships with actual, physical neighbors, not random strangers in cyberspace. The other networking issue is about Delicious Library, an Apple Macintosh program that is leading the charge in letting people publish their libraries of digital videodiscs (DVD), compact discs (CD) and books for friends to browse and borrow. Delicious Library's purpose was to allow people to create a visual catalog of their stuff quickly, using their iSight to scan barcodes on books, music and DVDs, and pulling information and pictures from Amazon.com.

Reports on Apple Computer Inc.'s negative reaction to RealNetworks' announcement that its Harmony technology would enable protected music downloaded from its RealNetworks Music Store to play on an Apple iPod player.

This article compares Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store and subscription-based models, such as Napster or RealNetworks' Rhapsody. While Apple's approach to online music sales is an a la carte model, services such as Napster charge their users a monthly fee. However, there are problems associated with subscription-based services, including variety and portability. One solution may be that Microsoft's digital rights management software lets users transfer subscription-based content to compatible music players. But for people familiar with the iTunes Music Store, the biggest concern may be one of ownership. Napster has made much of the economics of its model versus that of the iPod/iTunes combination. But a Napster subscription can go on forever, or until the user stops subscribing and their music is gone.

The author recounts his experience of buying an Apple iTunes Music Store prepaid card from the Amazon Website. The author wanted to find out if he could use the card in Australia and if he could circumvent the barriers Apple has in place to restrict use of the Store geographically. Amazon accepted the author's credit card, and to get around Amazon's policy of not delivering the prepaid cards outside the United States, the author had Amazon send the card to Florida, where it was delivered to him in Australia via Access USA. The author succeeded in overcoming Apple's refusal to open the Store in Australia, its refusal to sell the author a gift certificate online, its stopping Amazon from posting the author a prepaid card, and bureaucratic hurdles designed to stop the author from using a prepaid card should one happen into his possession.

This article features Apple Corp.'s iPod shuffle for the computer industry in Australia. The technology is so simple. A cap at the end comes off and reveals a universal serial bus (USB) connector that plugs directly into the Macintosh computer, without wires. With 12-hour rechargeable batteries and USB, there is also no need for power cord. The controls offer Play/Pause, next and last track, volume up and down, and an almost invisible slider on the back for choosing straight play or shuffle.

This article describes SoundBridge M1000 and M2000, wireless digital music players from Roku. On a scale of one to five, M1000 received four while M2000 received three and a half. Both offer support for compressed and uncompressed audio, digital and analogue ports, and ease of setup. It streams music over a home network from Macintosh or microcomputers running iTunes. A dot matrix screen lets the SoundBridge display waveform graphics while it is playing music. It also has a simple remote control. SoundBridge can play only a few music formats natively: MP3, unprotected AAC, and uncompressed AIFF and WAV. It can connect to a computer running Slim Devices' free SlimServer software.

This article compares two digital music players for Apple Macintosh, SoundBridge from Roku and Squeezebox from Slim Devices. SoundBridge has a 280-by-16-pixel dot matrix screen. Hampered by an old-style character-based screen, the Squeezebox could not display graphical visualizers, offer multiple fonts, or generate readable large type. Just before the first SoundBridges shipped, Slim Devices updated the Squeezebox. Which player is better depends on the user's priorities. The author prefers the Squeezebox for its superior SlimServer software and more file-format options. The SoundBridge includes direct iTunes support and a distinctive metallic-tube design.

This article describes Live 4, digital audio workstation from Ableton for Apple Macintosh. On a scale of one to five, received the rating of five. When it comes to real-time computer music creation, Live is in a category all its own. Musicians and disk jockeys have made Live their tool of choice because of its simplicity, its powerful beat-matching and looping tools, and the fact that they can use all its functions without interrupting audio output, which makes it ideal for live gigs and improvisation. With the addition of MIDI and virtual instruments, Ableton addresses a primary shortcoming of previous versions of the program. Users can sketch MIDI patterns with the pencil tool in Clip view, record them from a MIDI device, or jam on the Mac's QWERTY keyboard.

This article evaluates BIAS' SoundSoap Pro 1.0 audio plug-in for the Mac operating system. It is priced at $999. It consists of four intuitive modules: Hum and Rumble; Click and Crackle; Broadband; and Noise Gate. It has an intuitive interface, and it effectively removes a wide range of noise. However, it does not work fully with all Audio Units-compatible applications. It combines powerful noise reduction with an easy-to-us interface, and it costs significantly less than other professional solutions, such as Waves' Restoration Bundle.

This article presents a number of accessories of Apple Computer's iPod digital music player. Griffin Technology has introduced the Griffin EarJams earbuds for better sound quality. It increases bass response and also increases overall volume by around 10dB. Also from Griffin comes the RoadTrip. The unit essentially combines two products, the iTrip and the PowerPod, and adds a cradle as well. This means that the user can charge the iPod and play it back through a car's FM radio. SoundDock from Hi-Fi specialist Bose which allows connecting an iPod to a Bose speaker system.

This article reports that Ego Systems Inc. has introduced a portable FireWire audio interface, the QuataFire 610, for totally mobile portable audio recording for the Mac user. It is a very compact unit which contains six audio-ins and 10 audio-outs. There are two XLR/combo audio inputs that allow microphone, line level and instrument connections. There is a headphone output with separate volume control. Overall audio performance is up to 24-bit/192kHz. The supplied manual is quite extensive and walks the user through interfacing the unit with the major audio software flavors.

This article reports that Steinberg's Cubase SX3 is a major upgrade. A range of new features come with this new version. Some of the more notable include: user-defined workspaces; ability of users to do real-time pitch shifting and time stretching of audio tracks; new MIDI Device Panels which provide direct access to MIDI hardware via graphical panels that the user can define; an Extended Freeze function; and dummy plug-ins. The Cubase SX3 requires at least a Mac G4 867MHz machine with OS 10.3.3 and 384MB of RAM to set started. It also requires a DVD-ROM drive and spare USB port for the copy protection key.