How to Troubleshoot Virtual DJ

Troubleshooting a copy of Virtual DJ is fairly easy to do, and troubleshooting tips are given in the user's manual. Virtual DJ simulates the physical setup of a DJ booth, with turntables, a mixer and many other useful tools for mixing music. The first step in troubleshooting is to make sure the computer Virtual DJ is installed on meets the minimum system requirements of the program. There are three common points for troubleshooting, according to VirtualDJ.com.

Speakers Produce a Humming Noise

• 1

  Check and make sure all plugs are securely fastened.

• 2

  Plug in any loose plugs. A loose plug can easily cause external noise.

• 3

  Check the ground. This can also be caused by a laptop with a poor ground. If the laptop has a problem with the ground, that can cause a major humming noise. The ground will either need to be removed or an isolator will need to be added.

Freezing or Pausing in Playing Audio or Video When Loading a Track

• 1

  Check the USB ports. Some computers may occasionally have problems with USB ports.

• 2

  Free up space on the USB. If two devices, like an external sound card and external hard drive, are used at the same time, there may not be enough bandwidth for both devices. When the USB ports do not have enough free bandwidth, audiovisual information cannot be transmitted quickly enough into the program, causing freezing or pausing.

• 3

  Unplug one of the devices or copy the files onto an internal hard drive to fix the problem of freezing or pausing.

Integrated Video Card Doesn't Run Videos

• 1

  Don't run video. Integrated video cards, often found on laptops, are not powerful enough to use with video in Virtual DJ.

• 2

  Use lower-resolution video.

• 3

  Purchase a dedicated video card from manufacturers such as NVIDIA or ATI. Make sure the card has dedicated video RAM.

Electronic Wind Instruments

• Modern electronic wind instruments can control VST instruments. Hiroshi Watanabe/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  An Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) is a synthesizer designed for woodwind players. Electronic wind instruments give woodwind players control over electronic sounds, while providing a similar level of expressiveness as an acoustic instrument. The EWI was the brainchild of Nyle Steiner in the 1970s. Akai Professional owns the names "Electronic Wind Instrument" and "EWI," so the term "wind controller" is used to describe competing products from Yamaha, Casio and Synthophone.

Akai Professional

• Akai Professional has two electronic wind instruments on the market: the EWI 4000s and the EWI USB. The 4000s is the first in the industry to have a built-in sound module, allowing you to plug a wireless MIDI or audio module into the base so that you can move around the stage freely. It has highly-sensitive breath response, with additional controllers for pitch bend, vibrato and glide. WindSynth.net calls it "an outstanding, professional instrument for any serious wind controller player." The EWI USB is a relatively affordable, user-friendly wind controller. Because it uses a USB connection, you can plug it straight into your computer and play the included software synth.

Yamaha

• Yamaha produces one wind controller: the WX5, which it claims "makes expressive wind control more accessible than ever before." It is suitable for experienced players, who will appreciate the expanded sonic possibilities, but is easy enough for beginners. Older Yamaha electronic wind instruments include the WX7 and WX11, both of which were popular when in production and are now available on the second-hand market. The WX family has saxophone-friendly fingering, so learning to play these instruments is easy.

Casio

• Casio has ceased production of its electronic wind instruments, but they are available on the second-hand market. Casio models include the DH-100 and DH-200, as well as the DH-500 and DH-800, which were available only in Japan. These instruments have lightweight keys that click a lot, and none of the DH line comes with a reed bender or other controller. According to WindSynth.net, these electronic wind instruments are suitable only for beginners, not for professional use.

Synthophone

• The Synthophone is an advanced wind controller built inside an actual saxophone, which provides a familiar experience for the player. This electronic wind instrument is at the higher end of wind controllers, and has many customizable options, including customized fingerings. As of 2010, a new Synthophone could cost up to $5,000 -- $2,500 for the instrument itself, and another $2,500 for the electronics and programming.

Are a Strum Bar & Whammy Bar the Same Thing?

Guitar terminology can be confusing to a newcomer, and the downside to the "Guitar Hero" craze is that real guitar terminology can be lost in the ether.

Strum Bar

• A "strum bar" is a component on a "Guitar Hero" controller that allows you to simulate picking the notes on the game. This is not on a real guitar because actual guitars have strings and a plectrum to pick them with.

Whammy Bar

• A "whammy bar," otherwise known as a tremolo bar, is a component on both real and "Guitar Hero" guitars that allows you to alter the pitch of notes with your picking hand. Generally, this is used for vibrato, but there are many more creative applications. Whammy bars are affixed to the guitar's bridge.

Guitar Hero

• Even on the "Guitar Hero" controllers, which feature both a strum bar and whammy bar, they maintain these operations. You have to play the note with the strum bar and then you can mess with the pitch using the whammy bar.

The Specifications of a Yamaha P85

• The Yamaha P85 is part of the P Series Yamaha digital pianos. Digital pianos are built to serve as a viable alternative to a tradition and pricier piano. Some digital pianos come equipped with foot pedals as well, just like authentic pianos. The digital piano, while it doesn't feel as genuine as a traditional piano, is more versatile and has a wider range of sounds.

Dimensions and Controls

• The Yamaha P85 is 6 inches thick and 52 inches wide with a depth of 11 inches. It weighs a sturdy 25 pounds. The P85 has 88 keys with touch sensitivity ranging from hard, medium, soft and fixed. This feature attempts to give the piano an authentic feel to the touch. Yamaha calls this the Graded Hammer Standard keyboard.

Recording Capabilities

• The Yamaha P85 has the ability to record with the song recording feature. After recording a song it can be played back on the keyboard through its internal speakers. A built-in metronome also enables a musician to keep proper timing while practicing.

Features

• There are four different reverb effects available on the P85, and it also has 50 preset songs to play along with on the piano. The amplifiers are 6 watts of output per channel. The P85 is equipped with two speakers for 12 watts of total power. Optional features include a three-pedal unit that gives you the same kind of sustainability of chords and control over your notes as a grand piano. A matching stand is also available that provides a stable and stylish foundation for your Yamaha P85.

The History of Behning Upright Pianos

The Behning Piano Company dates back to the mid-1800s; this New York City company produced elegant upright pianos. Henry Behning, originally from Germany, founded the company in 1861 after arriving in the United States in 1856.

History

• Behning pianos were manufactured in New York City's "Piano Row" district. piano image by Pefkos from Fotolia.com

  In 1881, Henry's son was welcomed into the partnership, and the name of the company changed to Henry Behning and Son. Henry's grandson, Gustav Behning, took over the company in 1931. One year later, Gustav sold the company to Kohler and Campbell due to hardships caused by the Great Depression. Kohler and Campbell continued to mass-produce upright pianos under the Behning name until 1956.

Style

• Behning pianos are popular choices for piano restoration enthusiasts. piano image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com

  Behning upright pianos had an elegant style and details like decorative woodwork and pure ivory keys. Some upright models featured an open face, which allowed the piano player to view the movement of the steel strings while playing. The company name appeared in gold-leaf lettering on the keyboard cover. Behning pianos were crafted mainly from hardwood, and veneered in mahogany.

Age

• Reading the serial number is the most reliable way to date a Behning upright piano. piano keyboard iii image by Hao Wang from Fotolia.com

  Each piano has a serial number; and the five- or six-number code is on a cast-iron plate on the soundboard. This serial number indicates the piano's age. A serial number beginning with "2" indicates a piano from the late 1880s, while a serial number beginning with "4" means that the piano was made in the 1920s.

How to Order Back Copies of Playboy

Playboy has been in print since the 1950s with the first cover featuring Marilyn Monroe. Whether you're a collector or are doing gift shopping, there are several outlets for ordering back copies of Playboy magazines. You can go through the magazine's official website or find another reputable site online. Some of these sites have phone numbers if you have questions or concerns before ordering. Original issues are available as well as reprinted issues.

Official Website

• 1

  Log onto playboystore.com, which is the official Playboy website.

• 2

  Click on "Magazines" near the top right of the page.

• 3

  Scroll the mouse to the left side of the new page and click "Back Issues."

• 4

  Go through the back issues and choose the one you want. The prices are under each. When you click on a certain back issue, a new screen will come up so you can view the details of the magazine.

• 5

  Scroll to the bottom of the screen and choose the quantity of the magazine you want and click "Add To Shopping Bag." A new screen will come up for you to fill out the necessary information to complete the purchase.

• 6

  Call 866-892-6377 if you have any questions.

Auction Site

• 1

  Go to ebay.com.

• 2

  Type "playboy issues" into the search bar.

• 3

  Scroll through the auctions and select the one you want. If you must place a bid, do so but remember that once you bid on something, you're making a commitment to buy that item for the amount you bid.

• 4

  Fill out the necessary information you need to once you win an item to complete the transaction.

How to Send Your Music for Free

There are plenty of ways to send files, but not every option is free. Sending music files can be tricky because of file limitations with free alternatives. But more and more free file sharing services are opening up to allow larger file sizes, fewer restrictions and a wide range of features. Sending your music for free no longer has to be a hassle.

• 1

  Send an email attachment. Log in into your email account and click "Compose." In the "To" field add the email recipients and separate them by adding a comma between each email address. Enter the subject and body. Then click "Attach file." Your music file will upload. When you click "Send," everyone that you selected to receive the email will get the upload to your file, which they can download.

  One problem with email attachments is they come with a file attachment limit of 10 to 25MB. Another problem arises when your contact's email provider has a smaller file attachment limit. If this is the case, you may not have the ability to send them your files. If you have a collection of music to send, you may have to send out more than one email at a time.

• 2

  Share your music on Twitter. To do this, visit the File Social website. Click on the "Upload File" link and log in to your Twitter account. Attach the music files and File Social will create a link that will upload to your Twitter page. Your followers will simply click the link to your file(s) and download. You can send files up to 50MB

• 3

  Send your music with no file size restrictions with Click2Copy. There are no restrictions because nothing is stored on their server and files are transferred using your ISP bandwidth. On the website, click "Send a file" and then click the "Browse" button to upload your music. You will receive a link that you can share to spread your music around. If you have several music files to send, compress the files into a zip or .rar file format. File size is unlimited, but there's space to upload only one file at a time.

How to Setup an Upright Bass

The upright bass has grown increasingly popular throughout the last century due to its ability to perform in a variety of music ensembles. It is not uncommon to see the upright bass featured in symphony orchestras, jazz combos and rock bands. If you are interested in learning to play the upright bass, it is now easier than ever to find an instrument for purchase. By following a few simple steps, you will be able to set up your bass for years of musical enjoyment.

• 1

  Purchase a set of strings for your upright bass. The bass uses four strings that vary by thickness and composition. Strings are often sold as a complete set.

• 2

  Wind the thinner end of the string through the tailpiece and gently pull it up to the tuning pegs. The string should be stopped by the ball at the opposite end, making contact with the tailpiece. Guide the thin, cloth-covered end of the string through the tuning mechanism in the scroll and turn the tuning pegs to secure them into place.

• 3

  Use a tuner to find the desired pitch of the string. Turning the tuning mechanism to the left or right lowers and raises the pitch of the string. If you are uncomfortable or unsure how to properly tune your instrument, instrument repair technicians at most music shops will tune your bass for a small fee.

• 4

  Coat the horse hair of the bass bow with rosin by gently running it across the surface of the rosin. The hair on your bow will either be black or white. According to David Gage, an expert on bass technique and repair, "Black hair is considered generally more coarse than white hair." Do not be alarmed if the bow does not run smoothly over the rosin. The rosin is purposely sticky to strengthen the grip of the horse hair on the bass strings.

• 5

  Loosen the end pin at the bottom of the bass and pull it out to a point that allows you to prop the bass up and hold it comfortably. Tighten the end pin back into place before you begin playing.

• 6

  Place the bass in a case for protection when you are not performing on the instrument. This is an extremely important step in the setup process, as string instruments are easily damaged by small collisions. Purchase a case that has shoulder straps for easy transportation to and from concerts and shows.

Things You Can Do With a Wah Wah Pedal

• The wah wah pedal is a tone filter effects device used by guitar and bass players. It sits on the floor close to the guitar player, who operates it by depressing and raising its pedal manually with his foot. The pedal became prominent in the late 1960s due to its use by musicians like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.

Vocal Mimicry

• A skilled guitar player can use a wah wah pedal to simulate the rises and falls in the pitch of the human voice. To accomplish this, the pedal convert a plucked note's bass signal into treble. You can hear this technique on Jimi Hendrix recordings like "Machine Gun" and his cover of the Bob Dylan classic "All Along the Watchtower." Hendrix uses the wah wah pedal to create a vocal doubling effect, in which his singing is mirrored by the pedal's note bending.

Wah-Wah Percussion

• Employing a palm-muting technique along with a wah wah pedal can create a percussive sound that simulates a beating drum. A guitar player using this technique can play double duty as both a lead instrument and a source of time-keeping percussion. This technique is heard throughout Alice in Chains' music, particularly on "Man in the Box."

Tonal Adjustment

• Adjusting the pedal on a wah wah can give an amplifier a wider tonal range than is possible by simply plugging it into the amplifier directly. Once a desirable tone is achieved, the guitar player is free to leave the pedal at its current position. She can also adjust the pedal over the course of a song for dramatic effect. This technique can be heard on Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love."

Setting the Mood

• Proper application of a wah wah pedal can lend a certain mood to a piece of music. The pedal's ability to bend and compress the notes produced by a guitar can create a downright eerie tone. Marilyn Manson's cover of the Eurythmics hit "Sweet Dreams" is clear testament to this technique. The pedal can also give music a warm and inviting tone. Jimi Hendrix used the wah-wah pedal to give "Voodoo Child" an airy, inviting, groove-driven feel.

Affect the Effects Chain

• The wah wah pedal may have a subtle or overt effect, depending on where it's placed in the effects chain. The "effects chain" is the linked sequence of effects pedals, starting from the guitar and ending at the amplifier. A wah wah pedal plugged in at the start of the effects chain has a more subtle influence on a guitar's tone, while the same pedal connected at the end of the chain has a greater ability to bend notes. This versatility allows a guitar player to use the pedal as a simple tonal aid or as an active element of musical creation.

How to Obtain a Photo Copyright If the Studio Closes

Photographs that are licensed, contain a copyright or were taken at a photo studio may not be able to be copied by the client. This is because the rights to any photos shot by the photographer or studio belong to them, as of the March 1, 1989 copyright law. Although this is the matter with most licensed and copyright photos, there are methods of obtaining permission to make copies of copyright and licensed photos if the studio or photographer are no longer in available.

• 1

  Inspect the photos or envelope for studio and photographer information. If found, enter the studio or photographer's name in an online search engine find their current location information to contact them. Studios often times close a business in a certain location, but may have other establishments open. Photographers may also relocate to practice in other areas, but may have a profile page online where past customers may contact them.

• 2

  Contact the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) to provide them with the studio or photographer's name if the company appears to be fully out of commission. The Photo Marketing Association is an organization that helps work with the international imaging community. This association can run an investigation to locate the studio owners or photographers, and assist customers in obtaining permission to re-print images.

• 3

  Inform the PMA that you wish to make copies of a photo, but the studio or photographer are no longer available in your area. Provide them with all of the studio establishment and photographer's past information to aid in the investigation process. If the search results are negative, request a Customer Copyright Declaration Form to be mailed out.

• 4

  Complete the Customer Copyright Declaration Form to request re-print copies of photos from the processing lab in your location. This document will give the lab permission to re-print the photos. Fill out any additional customer responsibility forms, such as the Transfer of Copyright Ownership form and service order forms, as requested by the processing lab.

How to Remove a Fender Vintage Bridge

The Fender vintage bridge has been fitted to many classic Fender guitars over the years, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster. Many modern bridges are seen as a better option as general wear and tear on the vintage compromises its ability to stay in tune. If you want to remove the vintage bridge from your Fender, it is a very quick and simple job.

• 1

  Remove the ashtray bridge cover by sliding it toward the base of the guitar. Not all vintage bridges have an ashtray.

• 2

  Remove the tremolo bar by unscrewing it from the bridge.

• 3

  Remove the strings by unwinding the tuners and taking them off in one piece or by cutting them with wire cutters.

• 4

  Remove the screws at the top of the bridge.

• 5

  Lift out the bridge. If it is tightly mounted, you can use a flathead screwdriver or knife to pry it up.

How to Set Up My Recording Studio Equipment

With recent innovations in personal computing and audio technology, building a home studio has become a realistic goal for aspiring music producers. Although first steps into the world of professional audio equipment can be intimidating, following a few simple guidelines will lead to a well-designed, quality music-making environment. After purchasing your equipment, a small amount of preparation and construction will allow you to quickly bring your new tools into effective operation.

• 1

  Decide exactly where you will be installing your new recording equipment. Choose a room that offers enough space for physical comfort that is well isolated from environmental noise. It is advantageous to choose a room that has multiple electrical outlets, as it is very easy to overload a single socket with multiple pieces of technology.

• 2

  If you have purchased mountable hardware equipment, such as compressors and equalizers, securely screw these items into your rack. Place the rack in close proximity to your digital workstation. Wiring from your hardwire will connect into your audio interface which will be located next to your digital workstation.

• 3

  Place your microphone stand as far as possible from your other hardware to eliminate the possibility of electrical hum in your recordings. The length of your microphone cable will ultimately limit the possible distance you can create. Do not place your microphone stand near a window or door, as the chance of environmental noise leaking on to your recording will be much greater.

• 4

  Tape large pieces of dampening foam on the walls nearest your microphone stand. Place one piece of foam on the ceiling directly above the microphone. Dampening foam will help eliminate unwanted echo and reverb in your recordings.

• 5

  If you have purchased studio monitors, place these near your digital audio workstation. If possible, elevate your monitors off of the floor. Studio monitors are used for critical listening, and the best results are often achieved when the monitors are mounted above your workstation or at eye level. The columnists at "Digital Trends" emphasize the importance of quality studio monitors, stating, "You should spend a fair chunk of your studio budget on some good speakers."

• 6

  If you have the luxury of multiple power outlets, assign devices to each outlet and plug them into surge protectors. Plugging equipment directly into a power outlet creates the risk of damage from power surges.

How to Run Effects Into the Power Amp

A power amp is essential to any live performance. It takes incoming line-level audio signals and amplifies them to drive loudspeakers. Since it is the last component in a live audio chain, it is not a bad idea to take advantage of a power amp's mixing capabilities to connect any effects processors you intend to use. There are two basic types of effects processors: "send" and "insert." They connect to a power amp in two different ways.

Insert Effects

• 1

  Plug one end of a TRS cable into the "Send" jack on one of the power amp's mixer channels and plug the other end into the "Input" jack on the effects processor.

• 2

  Plug one end of the other TRS cable into the "Output" jack on the effects processor, and plug the other end into the "Return" jack on the same power amp's mixer channel.

• 3

  Plug your instrument or microphone into the "Input" jack on the same mixer channel. You will find that the signal coming from your instrument is processed by your effects processor, with none of the original "dry" signal remaining. This setup will work for effects processors that are meant to alter the entire signal, such as equalizers, compressors, limiters, noise gates, or wah-wah pedals.

Send Effects

• 1

  Plug one end of a TRS cable into the "Effects Send" or "Aux Send" on your power amp's mixer, and plug the other end into the "Input" jack on the effects processor.

• 2

  Plug one end of the other TRS cable into the "Output" jack on the effects processor and plug the other end into the "Effects Return" or "Aux Return" jack on the effects processor.

• 3

  Plug your instrument or microphone into the "Input" jack on one of the power amp's mixer channels, and use the "Effects" or "Aux" knob to adjust the amount of effect that is added to that particular channel. This setup does not alter the entire signal; it just sends a bit of the signal through your effects chain and returns the altered signal to the mix, to be added to the original signal. This works for effects such as reverb, fuzz, flange, or any kind of tape delay processor.

How to Identify Fender Pickups

Identifying the pickups on Fender guitars can be difficult. Leo Fender never envisioned the instruments that he was creating in the early 1950s as vintage collectible items. Details concerning serial numbers and parts for the guitars were not recorded systematically when they were produced. Another problem in identifying the pickups on a vintage Fender guitar is that the pickups may have been changed or altered over the years by previous owners. Nevertheless, there are a few tips to follow that will help to identify the pickups on your guitar.

• 1

  Match the year of your guitar with Fender chart specifications. Fender charts and specs are available online. The specs will inform you what type of pickups were used on your Fender guitar.

• 2

  Visually inspect the pickups on your Fender guitar. The pickups themselves have the manufacturer's name stamped on either the top side or the underside of the pickup. In order to visually inspect the pickups, it is necessary to remove the guitar strings and the pickguard. Fender pickups are secured to the pickguard. Remove the screws around the edge of the pickguard. Look at both the top and the bottom of the pickups for the manufacturer's name and model number.

• 3

  Test the pickups with an ohmmeter. Connect the positive and negative leads to the pickup wiring. Record the resistance reading.

• 4

  Compare your pickup's resistance reading with Fender pickup specs. For example, the ohm reading for a 1954 Fender pickup is 5.76k and the ohm reading for a 1967 Fender pickup is 5.88k.

Boss GT 10 Tips

• The Boss GT-10 is a multi-effects guitar processor that features a phrase looping function and allows you to make alterations to your sound even while performing. The GT-10 can store up to 400 "patches" of effects, and on these patches, you assign the values to the unit's foot switches and dials. Effects processors are notorious for hiding features away in menus and being generally awkward to use.

Use EZ-Tone

• EZ-Tone mode is there so anyone who isn't familiar with effects processors can still set up the sort of sound that she wants. After selecting your pickup and output information, you can pick a music genre and then a variant on that genre to generate your sound. The GT-10 also uses intuitive musical terms like "soft" and "hard" as reference points for the sound. This requires no in-depth knowledge and is a way to find something acceptable to use, or alternatively, to use as a starting point for further experimentation with settings. You do this using the four parameter knobs located underneath the display screen.

Manual Mode

• The GT-10's "Manual" mode allows you to switch effects on and off using solely the foot pedals, with no patch changing required. You can set up the values of the foot pedals by pressing "System," scrolling to "Manual Setting" and then scrolling to the pedal you wish to change the value of with the buttons on the outside of the GT-10's dial. The dial itself is then used to alter the value of the pedal. This is very useful because if you set the pedals to the functions you will need to turn on and off during a performance, you can do the entire thing without having to change patch.

Phrase Loop

• The "Phrase Loop" function on the GT-10 allows you to record up to 38 seconds of mono sound and then plays it back in a loop for you to jam over. This gives you a plethora of opportunities to improve your soloing and jamming skills. You can control all the looping function through the foot pedals and you can spend as long as you like playing along to your backing track. You can overdub, adding stack upon stack of sound to the loop and creating a one-man-band experience. The major benefit of this is that the GT-10 can then be used as a songwriting and a practice tool, as well as an effects processor.

Problems Ripping Music From CDs

• Problems sometimes occur when trying to rip CDs onto a computer. Howard Kingsnorth/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Digital music is versatile --- it can be played on a computer, a digital music player and even most cell phones. Music files work best when they are purchased directly from a digital download source. As of 2010, ripping music files from a CD onto a computer usually works fine, but sometimes problems do occur.

Copyright Software

• Music is a protected form of artistic expression. To prevent buyers from making bootleg copies of CDs, some companies put software on their CDs that prevents them from being copied onto a computer. This is more often a problem with older CDs, since fewer people used digital music players years ago, and so there wasn't usually a legal reason to copy the contents of a CD onto a computer.

Varying Formats

• Although digital music files usually sound the same, there are several formats that they upload in. If you simply put the CD into your disc drive and follow the default prompts to rip it onto your computer, it may be copied onto your computer in a format that cannot be played on your portable device. To prevent this problem, open the program that you use in conjunction with your device and follow that program's prompts for ripping your CDs.

Missing Information

• For a digital music file to be easy to find on a computer and on a portable music player, it should have certain information attached to it. Most important, it should have the song title, album title and artist name. Although this happens less with newer CDs, sometimes tracks will rip to a computer without any of this information. Instead, it will say, "Track 1," "Track 2," etc., and similar generic information for the artist and album. If this happens, you will have to complete the arduous task of typing in this information one field at a time. It's time-consuming, but it will be much easier to locate and play your songs later with the information attached to them.

How to Run the Bose 802 in Parallel

One of the best and most compact speaker options for live music venues is the venerable Bose 802 series. Bose started in 1968 with home stereo speakers (the model 901). Soon, musicians started using them for live acoustic music and Bose developed the 802 model for live sound reproduction (for both permanent installation and mobile use). All 802 speakers have a native impedance of 8 Ohms, which makes them ideal for connecting in parallel to most sound reinforcement amplifiers.

Bose 802 Series I and II Parallel Connection

• 1

  Purchase or make a 1/4-inch plug terminated speaker cable long enough to reach between the rear panels of the speakers you are connecting in parallel.

• 2

  Plug parallel connection speaker cable into one of the 1/4-inch jacks on the back of the first speaker and repeat with the second speaker at the other end of the cable.

• 3

  Plug a second speaker cable into the amplifier's output. Plug the other end of the second cable into the remaining speaker input of either speaker.

• 4

  Turn on the amplfier.

Series III Parallel Connection

• 1

  Purchase Speakon-terminated speaker cables to interconnect your speakers, or make them with your favorite speaker wire and Speakon plugs.

• 2

  Insert the Speakon plug on one end of your interconnect cable into one of the Speakon receptacles on the first speaker. Push it in and twist it into a locked position. Connect the other end to the second speaker.

• 3

  Connect another speaker cable to the amplifier and plug the Speakon plug (on the speaker end) into the remaining Speakon receptacle on either speaker.

• 4

  Power up the amplifier.

Positives of Downloading Music

• Downloading music is common. Nick Koudis/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Given the number of music downloading sites and software programs that have emerged in the past 10 years, it's not surprising that music downloading has become a common activity, particularly among teenagers and young adults. Music can be downloaded either from paid sites, such as iTunes or Napster, or for free through websites and file-sharing programs (although in some cases these downloads may be considered piracy).

Convenience

• Downloading music is convenient for users, as they can obtain music, save it to their computers and potentially transfer it to CDs or MP3 players without ever leaving their homes. It can also be done from anywhere with an Internet connection, and at any time, in contrast to music purchases at a traditional music store. You can obtain potentially hard-to-find tracks without needing access to a well-stocked store.

Access to Older Music

• Music stops being produced and stocked in stores over time, making it difficult to access older albums. If these albums are digitized and downloaded, they become more accessible to listeners. It can also potentially continue to make money for the producer and artist (for paid downloads), or can convince a producer that continuing limited runs of the album is still potentially profitable.

Selectivity

• Downloading music allows users to select specific tracks that they want, instead of requiring them to purchase an entire album. This encourages users to download more because they feel they are getting a better deal. It also allows artists to gauge the audience's response to individual songs; this feedback may be used to guide future songwriting.

Cost

• Depending on the source, costs for individual songs can range from free to under $2; albums are usually sold online for $5 to $15. In most cases, this represents a cost saving over traditional hard copies because users are not paying for packaging, store costs and additional charges. It can also represent a cost saving to the artist, as they may be able to market directly to the audience instead of through a promotions agent.

Wider Fan Base

• Downloaded music exposes a wider audience to a particular artist or band. This makes them more likely to invest in concert tickets, hard copies of CDs and promotional material. It also allows the artist to gain popularity and spread their ideas to more listeners.

Recognition

• Free or low-cost downloads offer a chance for new or emerging artists to attract an audience. These downloads can be used as promotions for debut albums, or to simply introduce listeners to the artist and his musical style. Music downloads are a good choice for newer artists because they cost much less than a widespread promotional campaign and are generally more effective.

How to Make a Professional CD Insert

Creating and printing your own CD inserts means that you can make your home-burned CDs look professional. This is not only an aesthetic advantage, but it also allows you to store and find your CDs, and your favorite tracks on those CDs, with greater ease. What's more, if you are in a band and have recorded a CD, you can create your own album artwork before handing it out at venues and to record labels. All you need to carry out this task is a computer, printer and a CD cover design program.

• 1

  Find and download a CD cover design software program, which can be found over the Internet.

• 2

  Open and run the downloaded program by clicking on its icon. Go to "Template Options" on your CD cover design software and choose the "CD Front," "CD Back" or "CD Double" template, depending on how you want to design your insert. Check the box next to your chosen template. Click "Done" or "OK."

• 3

  Type in a title for the CD in the left column in the boxes below the Specify Title 1 header. Type in as many titles or subtitles as you want. Type in the track listing beneath the Specify Contents header.

• 4

  Click on the "Add Image" tab and upload an image to be displayed on your insert if you wish.

• 5

  Click on "Print" after you have finished designing your insert. Cut along the the edges of your template, denoted by lines, and insert it into your CD case.

The History of Picasso's "Fruit Bowl & Guitar"

Pablo Picasso is best known as one of the founders of the Cubist art movement. He worked in a variety of artistic styles. "Fruit Bowl & Guitar" is representative of a period in his work often categorized as Analytical Cubism.

Period

• It is believed that Picasso created "Fruit Bowl & Guitar" between 1927 and 1929. By this time, he had been working alternately, and sometimes controversially, in two styles for several years. In addition to continuing to explore Cubism in paintings, he also was working in a classical manner. Some of his paintings combined elements of both.

Style Considerations

• Picasso did not want the different styles he used to be viewed as steps in his evolution as an artist. Instead, he said, he allowed the subjects he chose to dictate how they should be painted. "Fruit Bowl & Guitar" is essentially a Cubist still-life.

Life Influences

• "Fruit Bowl & Guitar" was painted at a time when Picasso was experiencing a fame he did not enjoy. His wife Olga, a former ballet dancer who thrived on the public's admiration, could not understand Picasso's discomfort with his notoriety. In 1927, Picasso began an affair with Marie-Therese Walter, his son Paolo's 17-year-old nurse, and he and his wife eventually separated.