Olympus 64 MB SmartMedia Card Review

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(More customer reviews)SmartMedia is sold under several brands. Olympus branded SmartMedia allows you to take "panorama" shots. Essentially, you take multiple shots while making sure to overlap edges. You then reassemble these multiple shots using the "Camedia" software that came with your Olympus camera. The difference is that when an Olympus brand SmartMedia card is used, your digital camera keeps exposure settings constant across these multiple shots; which makes for a consistent panorama when you reassemble the individual shots via your computer.
This is a nice feature, but not a feature most of us use often; for example, on a recent two week trip, I took 220 shots of which only 12 were panorama. If you are going to purchase multiple SmartMedia cards, you might be able to do with just one or two Olympus brand cards - especially since they cost more than other brands. I use two other brand SmartMedia cards, and save my Olympus brand cards for when panorama shots present (since you can switch the cards out at anytime - unlike traditional camera film).
Also to realistically determine what the price premium is, check prices for Olympus and other brand SmartMedia not only here, but also at other popular commercial sites.

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Stop juggling multiple SmartMedia cards, and replace them all with a high-capacity 64 MB SmartMedia memory card. Olympus SmartMedia cards are compatible with any product that uses SmartMedia (3.3V). Olympus SmartMedia memory cards also make panorama pictures a snap by taking advantage of the panorama function in Olympus digital cameras.

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Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface with digital Connection - Macintosh and Windows Review

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(More customer reviews)I looked at virtually every multiple mic interface on the market and couldn't find anything to touch this in features and/or price... so I bought it.
Wow!This thing rocks! I connected up 8 microphones for Kick, Snare, Hi-hat, Tom 1, Tom 2, Tom 3, Left Overhead and Right Overhead... all those mics plug into the 8 XLR mic sockets at the front of the unit. Got some really great 20ft XLR mic cables from Amazon for only $6.95 each (Whirlwind LowZ Microphone Cable (20 Foot) I then plugged in my bass guitar into one of 2 switchable line/guitar 1/4" mono inputs on the front.
Each of the 10 front panel inputs has a volume control knob and red/green led. The drummer hits each drum individually one by one so I can adjust each vol control so that it just occasionally clips red but mostly stays green.
After adjusting the six individual drum mics I now get the drummer to play the whole set and I adjust the left and right overheads mics so they don't clip (go red). That's it! The mics are setup ready to record.
I took the main output from the back of the unit to my monitors and there's a volume control on the front of the unit to allow you to turn down the monitor while recording... then you turn it up to listen back... so in effect, the unit has it's own monitoring control.
Two headphone jacks would've been nice, but I used a Y-adapter 1/4" Headphone Splitter to split the output allowing me to plug in the two headphones for me and the drummer.
I now setup recording on my laptop (HP TX2500z) using the supplied Cubase LE4 software which is really easy to use - buy yourself the The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recording with Cubase. There's no specific book for version LE4 but this idiot's guide worked great for me.
A note about my notebook - It's a tablet PC laptop HP Pavilion tx2500z 12.1" TOUCH-SCREEN Notebook with a great touch screen - so you can arm/disarm or mute/unmute your record channels/tracks just by touching the screen buttons with your finger - it's just like a real mixing desk with real tactile switches - it's really cool!
You may need to tweak your laptop for audio recording to get the best results otherwise you will hear artifacts (odd noises) when recording if the laptop is struggling to find the necessary processing power. I tweaked my laptop and it was just amazing to see the difference in performance. You can Google "Tweak Vista for audio recording" to find the information on how to tweak.
I also replaced my 5400rpm drive with a 7200rpm drive Seagate 500 GB 7200RPM 2.5" Drive - it's real easy to do... Google "Upgrading laptop hard drive". As well as getting a faster speed drive I also made it a 500GB to replace the 320GB drive that I had - so lot's more space... and very low cost too!
RESULTS!!!!!!!!!!!
Well... Let me tell you, I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the results obtained with this unit! The Tascam 1641 is an amazing piece of gear and Amazon's price is just out of this World at only $299...
It's like having a whole recording studio in a box - the mic pre's, the mixing desk (vol controls), the signal LED's, the monoring vol control, headphone controls, etc... AND the software - all for $299 - You can't beat that!
The actual sound that I got was totally professional - I couldn't have done better if I was in a top-notch recording studio. I am 100,000% satisfied!
GO FOR IT!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!



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With sixteen inputs, the TASCAM US-1641 is the ideal choice for musicians to record the whole band to a computer. Eight mic/line inputs plus six line inputs gives you plenty of channels for a large ensemble, drumset, live recording or worship service. It includes Cubase LE4, Steinberg's latest version, for 48 tracks of 96k/24-bit recording power. Using the latest high-speed USB 2.0 technology, the US-1641 packs the interfacing power of a big console into only one rackspace.The eight mic inputs employ TASCAM Pro mic pres for 60 dB of gain and phantom power for studio-quality recordings. Two balanced TRS line inputs on the front panel are switchable to guitar level for direct-in recording of bass or guitar tracks. Four more balanced line inputs and outputs fill out the rear panel, along with MIDI and S/PDIF digital inputs and outputs for a total of 16 ins. A built-in power supply means there's no special wall-wart to lose, and connection to the computer is handled by USB 2.0 technology - 40 times faster than USB 1.1 and 20% more bandwidth than FireWire 400.The US-1641 comes with Cubase LE4, Steinberg's latest version of the 48-track, 96kHz recording workstation, so you'll be ready to cut tracks right away. Also included is TASCAM's Continuous Velocity Piano, a VSTi plug-in for Windows that uses Giga technology for totally authentic grand piano sounds. The US-1641 installs ASIO and Core Audio drivers for Windows XP, Windows Vista 32 and Mac OS X, with simple instructions for hooking up to Logic Pro, Cubase, Nuendo, Digital Performer, SONAR, Reason, Live and nearly all other recording software. For musicians and bands always looking for more inputs, the US-1641 is the ultimate choice. Gather up your mics and head to your TASCAM dealer for more.

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Yamaha PSR-295MS Portable 61-Key Touch-Sensitive Electronic Keyboard with Adapter and Stand Review

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(More customer reviews)[This review holds for Yamaha PSR-295. Please note that this product is currently available from Amazon under two packagings: PSR-295AD (includes adapter) and PSR-295MS (includes adapter and stand).]
I got this full-length keyboard at a great price of $190 with included adapter and keyboard. Both accessories are a must, since this thing is huge.
The product shipped in two days (from PA to MD) with free shipping. I was delighted to find a helpful instructional DVD in the package to get started with the basics, so I didn't have to go through the manual, except for detailed and advanced features.
Also included was a Song Book, with staff music for some popular songs. It's great for someone who knows how to read music - I'm still learning to. There's also software to transfer music between PC and keyboard.
"Portable Grand" is just a one-touch button option to set the keyboard to Grand Piano mode. Of course, this cannot be expected to sound as great or realistic as a high-end digital piano or an expensive wooden one. However, the touch sensitive feature makes it as realistic as possible.
Here are the features I liked:
* Display shows notes and chords being played in three ways - staff notation, note name (ex. E# m7 aug etc.), and graphical (actual keys on a diagram).
* Truly Touch (Force) Sensitive Keys (can be toggled on/off).
* 487 Voices (incl. ~360 XGLite voices).
* 136 Accompaniment Styles to play along.
* Built-in songs which can be practised using Yamaha Education Suite. (Buil-in feature).
* Jog Dial to move between voice/style/song numbers.
* Flash memory to record your songs.
* Direct USB connection (MIDI-USB connecter cable *not* required - that cable would cost around $40).
* Software to transfer songs and voices between PC and keyboard.
* Truly stero output (not just two speakers).
* Phono/Line-Out socket.
* Sustain pedal socket (pedal not included).
Here are some things I didn't like:
* USB cable not included. ($7 extra from Amazon).
* Volume sometime seems a little low. But then, you can always pass output through amps if you really need it that loud.
* No mic or line-in socket.
* Phono out uses 1/4 inch pin. Had to buy a 1/8 to 1/4 converter from RadioShack.
* LCD display is highly "directional", visible only when looking at a particular angle. This is not much of a problem when playing sitting. However, if playing standing, this may be a little inconvenient.
* No sustain toggle switch. If you don't have a sustain pedal, turning sustain on/off manually takes a couple of steps.
Overall, at under $190, free shipping and included adapter and stand, this is a great buy for beginners as well as advanced users.
I had a Yamaha PSS-11 long back. It was a good beginner keyboard but it soon outgrew me, since you couldn't play it with two hands. Overall, I like Yamaha quality and find their keyboards much more professional than Casio ones (maybe I'm wrong). Of course, "real" professionals would use KORG, but that'll be upwards of $1000! :)


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First Act FL312 Discovery Learn & Play Accordion Spiral Bound Book Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an easy to follow and very durable book and leads to many hours of enjoyment! Be sure to get the First Act Discovery Accordion to play along! First Act Discovery FA107 Junior Accordion

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The accordion has always been an intriguing instrument. This book will let aspiring musicians explore this fun musical instrument while developing a lifelong love of music. Give it as an inspiring gift to your favorite junior musician. Ideal for children and beginners, the 42-page book features one- and two-hand exercises, international songs and custom illustrations. Imported.

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Modartt Pianoteq PLAY Review

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(More customer reviews)Amazing sounding and performing pianos. I chose to buy it on Amazon as it was $10 less than then manufacturer's site. I downloaded the demo before buying (time limit and some keys are disabled), but I knew instantly that this was a great set of virtual pianos. There's great nuance captured in these settings and they haven't let me down. I use them as VST plug-ins for Logic Pro 9 and the easily mix well and don't use much processing power at all. One feature I really enjoy is the ability to set your polyphony. If you wanted, you could have 256 notes at your disposal. No complaints! Works super well on Mac OS X 10.6.5. Recommended for people looking for realistic piano sounds with great performance features. Please note, you need a decent sound card (w/ ASIO drivers) and a MIDI controller of some sort.

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Modartt PIANOTEQ PLAY was developed for musicians who want the convenience of a selection of beautiful virtual piano instruments for an immediate playing session. PIANOTEQ PLAY is a virtual piano based on the powerful, physically modeled PIANOTEQ software instrument, appraised by many musicians for its close intimacy and responsiveness. You can focus on your playing right away with PIANOTEQ PLAY as the software installs in a few minutes with no need for you to tweak settings and parameters. The virtual piano software is delivered with perfectly designed instruments. Modartt PIANOTEQ PLAY supports all PIANOTEQ add-on virtual instruments, and the grand pianos K1, C3, and M3 are embedded in it. The free add-on KIViR offers you a unique collection of historical instruments, including cimbalom, harpsichords, pianoforte, early pianos, and CP80 electric piano. With this virtual piano, all demanding musicians can now enjoy the power and beauty of award-winning physically modeled PIANOTEQ software which interacts with the player with the same close intimacy as an acoustic piano. Flexibility: Modartt PIANOTEQ PLAY users can at any time upgrade to any of the other PIANOTEQ software products to gain further sophisticated features, such as to tweak the physical model or to position virtual microphones around the instrument. If you want to upgrade to PIANOTEQ (standard) or PIANOTEQ PRO, the add-ons themselves upgrade automatically at no additional cost. Commercial add-ons are also available, including: Electric pianos Rhody and Wurly, Rock piano YC5, Clavinet CL1, and Vibraphones V-M and V-B.

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Protec Music Portfolio Bag, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great bag. I bought it 3 years ago for my oldest son to hold all of his sheet music and lesson books for piano. It is still in great shape. The zippers are sturdy and never catch on anything. The organizer pockets are big and helpful. It unzipps fully if you need it to. The carrying strap is strong and adjustable. No sign of wear. I am now ordering a second bag for my youngest son as he is now learning piano as well.

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Portfolio bags feature a rugged nylon exterior, multiple pockets for organizing sheet music, and shoulder strap.

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Casio CTK-571 61-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had this keyboard for many years. It's a great keyboard! Lot's of functions, easy to figure out the functions. It does go through batteries quickly though! Highly recommend this keyboard.

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The Casio CTK-571 portable keyboard features 61 full-size keys, 24-note polyphony, and 128 PCM tones, plus 9 drum-percussion kits. Built-in stereo speakers give you reasonable sound quality for most situations, and a headphone jack plus a stereo lineout (to attach to a home stereo) give you the volume options you need for late-night practice or big performances.
The CTK-571 includes a three-step teaching system. Just play any key to advance the melody notes, then play them--musical accompaniment will wait for you. Finally, play the melody in time along with complete rhythmic accompaniment.
Other features include song memory with two song locations, a sustain pedal jack, midi in/out jack, and a backlit LCD window. The LCD displays selections and status of tone, rhythm, song, volume, melody off, and tempo for complete control. The 100 rhythm patterns, 30 classical songs, and 20 popular songs complete the musical package.
The CTK-571 operates with an optional AD-5 AC adapter or D batteries.

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