No Island Media is printing 5,000 copies of The Search for the Perfect Guitar Tone Complete Collection, Limited Edition, for the 2006 holiday season, with 2,000 being available in North America, 1,500 in Japan and 1,000 in the U.K.

The encyclopedic, six DVD boxed-set will include 22 hours of footage, extras, tours, interviews, episodes, short films and performances from established motion picture cinematographers, and include expanded versions of all episodes from both seasons, including profiles and interviews with:

Hartley Peavey
Paul Reed Smith
Kelly Butler (First Act Luthier)
Robert Godin
Bob Taylor
James Brown ( tube amplification engineer : Kustom)
Ren Ferguson (Montana Gibson Custom Shop)
McGregor Gaines and Don Young (National Reso-Phonic)
Matt McPherson
Ralph Novak
Stuart Spector
Michael Robinson (Founder, Eastwood Guitars)
Ben Fargen (tube amplification engineer – Fargen Amplification).

Thirty minutes of previews from the series can be found on the No Island website.

The Search for the Perfect Guitar Tone Complete Collection, Limited Edition, retails for $200 US. and will ship November 1, 2006.

For more information, visit their web site at www.noisland.net.

Posted in Education, Guitar

RoGame Software has released the third generation of the Mozart music education program. Mozart has found wide acceptance with universities, schools as well as professionals and students. While the basic concept and premise of the program have not changed there are many new features and improvements in version 3.0.

Mozart is a program designed to aid in the process of learning how to read music. It does that in the form of a game. Once the game is started via the toolbar or menu, a stream of whole notes comes streaming from the right side of the screen. These notes have to be named in the order of their appearance with the current input instrument (i.e. piano). Once a note gets too close to the clef on the left side of the screen it disappears in a cloud of vapor and the player loses one life. For each note named in time the player gets one point or more depending on level. The further the game progresses the more notes will appear in this steady stream and their range will widen to potentially include many ledger lines above and below the staff. Once a player has depleted all his lives the game is over.

With version 3.0 Mozart can use new sound modules from RoGame Software. These are part of a sound library that will be made available in other music education titles as well. The game includes a Grand Piano module that sounds very realistic. Palm OS 5.x is needed for playback of these new sound modules and playback is asynchronous on many devices like the newer Treos, which makes for a very realistic game experience.

Version 3.0 adds key signatures which makes Mozart an even more valuable tool for the student as well as for the professional. A real boon, however, is the option to have the notes of the current key signature highlighted graphically in the current instrument. The Solfege instrument now works according to the “movable DO” principle and the letter input instrument changes note names according to key. A toolbar button to switch between parallel major and minor makes this concept very transparent.

Another new feature in Mozart 3.0 are ranges. This concept has been implemented very broadly and allows for different ranges in every clef and instrument. By allowing the student to adjust the range of notes that can appear in a practicing session games can be better targeted towards specific weaknesses.

Graphically the application is much improved in version 3.0. The instruments are laid out in much broader fashion and are easier to use. The notation area can be customized to change background patterns and staff color. A new set of toolbars simplifies the operation of the game significantly. Between sessions the toolbar provides quick access to all essential dialogs and functions and once a game is started all game relevant information is displayed.

Previous users of Mozart will find many more new features in version 3.0 than can be described here. There is a new bass instrument. Sessions can be repeated. Solfege syllables can be switched to use Si instead of Ti. The game speed can be adjusted globally and is now constant, and much more.

New Features Recap:

• Sound modules for realistic sounding instruments
• Toolbar interface
• Customizable notation view
• Live play mode in all instruments
• All major and minor key signatures
• Parallel major/minor switch
• New instrument controls
• Added instrument bass
• Repeatable session
• Sessions wizard to configure key and range of training sessions
• Movable Do for Solfege exercises
• Switch between Ti or Si
• Updated for new Palm handhelds
• New full screen interface

Mozart is available by itself and as part of Music Bundle and Music Bundle Pro.

For more information, visit their web site at www.rogame.com.

Posted in Education

eMedia Music Corp. announces the release of Arobas Music’s Guitar Pro 5.1 CD-ROM – the new Windows / Macintosh hybrid version of the best-selling multi-track tablature editor software for guitar, banjo and bass. Besides writing scores, Guitar Pro 5.1 is a complete tool for beginner and accomplished guitarists alike to improve, compose, or accompany themselves.

Guitar Pro 5.1 is a complete workshop for guitarists at an affordable price. New advanced notation features add drum notation, vocal notation and tablature support for any stringed instrument with four to seven strings. You can create complete scores for a band in minutes. Guitar Pro 5.1 is also a complete solution for creating lead sheets, scores, or lesson sheets for students.

Guitar Pro 5.1 features the newest in playback technology including RSE-Realistic Sound Engine. RSE gives you real time playback of your scores with realistic sound samples taken from high quality guitars and real time effects such as wah-wah. Improved ASCII import/export and the newly enhanced speed trainer are also part of Guitar Pro 5.1.

Guitar Pro 5.1 is available now at computer and music retail stores nationwide with an estimated retail price of $59.95. The hybrid CD-ROM is compatible with Windows 98 SE/2000/XP and Macintosh OSX 10.3 or higher.

For more information, visit their web site at www.emediamusic.com.

Posted in Education, Guitar, Tab

Nextcat, Inc. announces the launch of Nextcat.com, the world’s first entertainment industry-focused social networking web site. The site is freely accessible to the public in beta release.

The Nextcat.com website caters to working entertainment professionals as an extension of the way their industry already functions—making it a natural application for a social networking site. Jeff Pucci, co-founder and CEO of Nextcat, Inc., said, “Connecting talent with services when bolstered by peer-approved referrals makes all the difference.”

To date, the alternatives for entertainment professionals to network with colleagues or to seek and offer work has consisted primarily of using the telephone or posting on (classified ad mega-site) Craigslist. While acknowledging that MySpace has become a useful tool for one-way promotion and broadcasting information to a large fan base, Nextcat observed that entertainment professionals do not typically utilize MySpace for networking with industry colleagues or to find work.

For more information, visit their web site at www.nextcat.com.

Posted in Education, Industry, News

ASK Video Interactive Media adds to their growing library of titles with a new DVD Tutorial for Celemony’s Melodyne pitch shifting and time-stretching software.

ASK’s resident software genius, Morgan Pottruff (aka Morg) is back to host this informative DVD on one of the most unique and acclaimed music software applications on the market.

Based on Melodyne 3, the intuitive interface and menus guide users through the 34 ultra-high-quality videos, packed with real-time screen animations, audio examples, and techniques that can be immediately applied in real-life situations. Users of Melodyne studio, cre8, uno, and essential will also benefit from the hours of instruction.

The Melodyne DVD Tutorial begins with a basic introduction to the program with chapters on Installation and First Run, Audio and MIDI Setup, and a Guided Tour. Next come chapters on navigating the program; The Transport, The Mixer, The Menus, Quick Run Through and so on. From there, Morg takes users through Editing, Tuning, Pitch and Time Correction, and Recording. The final chapters are devoted to advanced concepts such as Detecting Audio, ReWire, MIDI and Synchronization.

System Requirements:
This product includes QuickTime 7.x Mac/PC which is required for video playback. DVD-Rom drive required. Minimum screen resolution 1024 x 768. PC: Windows XP Home or Professional, Intel Pentium or AMD Athlon 800 MHz or faster, 256 MB RAM. Windows MME or DirectSound Sound Card. MAC: Requires Mac OS X v10.2 or higher, Power Mac G4 867 MHz, 256 MB RAM, Sound Card.

Pricing and Availability:
The Melodyne DVD Tutorial is available in September, 2006 for $55 USD.

For more information, visit their web site at www.askvideo.com.

Posted in Education, Software

Curriculum Offers Music Production Essentials In Tandem With Goal-Oriented Classes In Songwriting, Film Scoring, Remixing and Arranging

Propellerhead Software has joined forces with Berklee College of Music’s online extension school, Berkleemusic.com, to develop four accredited certificate programs based on Reason. The programs are Propellerhead Software certified and mark the beginning of formalized education surrounding the award winning software. The certification will enable existing Reason users and those new to the software to gain an industry recognized certification with courses developed and taught by the renowned faculty at Berklee College of Music.

The four certification programs; Sound Design using Reason, Electronic Music Production using Reason, Music Creation using Reason and Music Production using Reason offers students a directed study plan that addresses practical approaches to music production, sampling, sequencing, sound design and arranging in various genres. The online courses enable students to study with Berklee College of Music’s production faculty and collaborate with other musicians and producers from anywhere in the world. In addition, Berkleemusic offers nine individual online courses using Reason and has taught over 5000 students worldwide over the past four years.

“This certification provides an excellent learning platform for existing Reason users as well as musicians new to the software,” says Barry Kelly, Director of Marketing, Berkleemusic.com. “Not only will they gain industry recognized proficiency but they will walk away from these programs with core skills and new music production techniques. The online courses also bring Reason users far and wide together in an collaborative environment to share and exchange ideas.”

“We are excited to be working with Berklee College of Music and their innovative approach to teaching music theory, engineering, and production,” comments Robert Pointer, Propellerhead’s Director of U.S. markets. “The Reason certification program will enable artists around the world to get closer to their creative potential by acquiring the certification. One of our goals as a company is to provide the tools and the path towards making music a reality for all artists, and the Reason certification program is a valuable step towards that goal. We can’t wait to see this be available to Berklee’s online students.”

The Music Production using Reason program consists of eight courses, five core and three elective courses that let students customize their own specific educational goals in music. Elective courses are offered in songwriting, film scoring, remixing, arranging, performance, composition, orchestration, music theory, production, and music business.

For more information, visit their web site at www.propellerheads.se.

Posted in Education

Chords4u is pleased to announce the immediate availability of Guitar Chord Finder Pro, a guitar chord dictionary that runs on a cell phone. With 100’s of chords in its memory bank, Chord Finder Pro provides all guitarists with a reference standard chord dictionary. Displaying common chords and the more exotic, such as Augmented, Diminished, 9th and 13th (to name but a few), Guitar Finder Pro is suitable for all guitarists from learners to the more advanced.

“Being an application that runs on a mobile or cell phone means Chord finder Pro is always available in your pocket and allows you to ditch the separate chord book or other devices we have all carried in the past; now if you have a compatible cell phone then you can have a comprehensive chord dictionary,” commented Trevor Conway, CEO of chords4u.

Guitar Chord Finder shows suggested fingering for each chord and, where possible, three different versions of each chord at different positions along the fret board.

Tested on a range of mobile or cellular phones Guitar Chord Finder is also available in a free, downloadable “lite” version restricted to displaying only Major, Minor and 7th chords. The “lite” version is free to download to test compatibility with your handset.

Pricing and Availability
Guitar Chord Finder Pro is available now at a price of approx $12.50 (£6.49).

For more information, visit their web site at www.chords4u.com.

Posted in Education, Guitar

Lexicon Pro™, a Harman International Company, has announced a collaboration with Wenger Corp. in the development and release of Wenger’s new Virtual Acoustic Environment™ (VAE™), a virtual environment simulator aimed at the music education market as a rehearsal/teaching aid.

Using Lexicon’s patented technology, the VAE creates extraordinary acoustic room simulations with settings that include Baroque Room, Recital Halls, Auditoriums, Cathedral and Arena. These active acoustic simulations contribute to the sensation of being enveloped — or surrounded — by the sound, and enable musicians to hear themselves as if they were performing inside a particular space. Based on Wenger’s revolutionary V-Room® technology, the new VAE offers an integrated music learning environment with active acoustics for “audio virtual reality” simulations and features built-in recording/playback capabilities.

The VAE can record up to nine single-track sessions with a 60 minute total recording time. Audio transfer of recordings is possible through the built-in USB connection in standard stereo .wav format (44.1 kHz, 16-bit). Accompaniment music may also be transferred to the VAE via this USB connection. By selecting from the nine active-acoustic settings, musicians can learn how to optimize their performance in different environments.

Designed for installation in a Wenger sound-isolated music practice room, the VAE features easy, intuitive operation, including visual feedback from an LED display and backlit, 18-button control panel. An optional foot control provides convenient, hands-free playback and recording.

For more information, visit their web site at www.lexiconpro.com.

Posted in Education, Production

Alfred is pleased to present the album-matching folio for Neil Young’s latest CD, Living With War.

Written and recorded in three days, Living With War is Neil Young’s second album release in seven months. When announcing the release of the record, Young issued a statement on his website saying “…I think it is a metal version of Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan…Metal folk protest?”

This book provides authentic guitar TAB for all the songs on the record.

Titles are: After the Garden * Living with War * The Restless Consumer * Shock and Awe * Families * Flags of Freedom * Let’s Impeach the President * Lookin’ for a Leader * Roger and Out * America the Beautiful.

For more information, visit their web site at www.alfred.com.

Posted in Education, Guitar, Tab

Attendees will walk out with a fully functional, Egnater-modified JTM45 Marshall head from Mojo Musical Supply.

On Saturday, October 14, 2006, Egnater is offering a One Day Amp Build Seminar. The classes are held at Egnater World Headquarters in beautiful Berkley, Michigan located just North of Detroit (Rock City).

When you sign up for the class, you are also purchasing an amplifier kit. These high quality kits are supplied by Mojo Music and use the JTM45 head model. Egnater then modifies the stock kit into a “hotrodded” version for you to build.

The modifications take the stock 4-input, 2-channel amp and turn it into a JCM800 master volume model on steroids. You get more gain, smoother tone and more punch than a stock JCM800.

Each participant has his/her own work station for the day. Instuctors will walk you through the process of building your amp kit, one step at a time. Failure isn’t an option, as you will be guided by professionals each step of the way. You are guaranteed to walk out at the end of the day with a great sounding amp head that you built with your own hands.

No electronic knowledge is necessary, though it doesn’t hurt to have some. You should also be somewhat proficient at using basic hand tools (screwdrivers, nutdrivers, pliers etc).

Email begnater@aol.com for an information package on the seminar.

Amp Loung/Egnater
3833 West 12 Mile Road
Berkley, MI 48072
248-541-9100

For more information, visit their web site at www.egnater.com.

Posted in Amplification, Education, Events, Guitar, News