On August 14, 2006, No Island Media will be conducting primary production filming for “Gibson Acoustic” at the Gibson Acoustic Shop in Bozeman, Montana.

Being filmed by Montana-native, motion picture photographer, Erik L. Brown (The Horse Whisperer, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Ali, The Black Dahlia), the Gibson Acoustic production expands the format of “The Search for the Perfect Guitar Tone” series into the world of motion picture documentaries.

A Limited Edition DVD of Gibson Acoustic is available from www.noisland.net throughout August, 2006 ($30.00).

Gibson Acoustic will feature master luthier Ren Ferguson, at the Gibson Acoustic Bozeman, Montana facility, and explore the deep and timeless tradition behind one of the most enduring brands in the guitar world.

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

Posted in Education, Guitar, History

Alfred is pleased to release the new Hits for Easy Guitar series. These books are hand-picked collections of the some of the easiest (and most recognizable) songs to learn on guitar.

Acoustic Rock Hits for Easy Guitar
Acoustic Rock Hits for Easy Guitar contains nearly 20 of the most popular acoustic rock hits ever written! Artists featured include the Eagles, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Buffett and Green Day.

Titles are: All The Pretty Little Ponies (Kenny Loggins) * Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell) * Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell) * Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) (Green Day) * Heart Of Gold (Neil Young) * Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett) * Old Man (Neil Young) * Peaceful Easy Feeling (Eagles) * Photographs & Memories (Jim Croce) * Ripple (Grateful Dead) * Sister Golden Hair (America) * Sunshine On My Shoulders (John Denver) * Take It Easy (Eagles) * Tin Man (America) * Tame Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver) * Ventura Highway (America) * Wake Me Up When September Ends (Green Day).

Surf & Spy Hits for Easy Guitar
Surf & Spy Hits for Easy Guitar features some of the most recognizable surf and spy hits ever recorded. It contains over a dozen songs that are easy and fun to play!

Titles are: The Batman Theme (The Ventures) * Cannonball (Duane Eddy) * Espionage (Green Day) * Forty Miles Of Bad Road (Duane Eddy) * The James Bond Theme (The Monty Norman Orchestra) * Misirlou (Dick Dale) * Out Of Limits (The Marketts) * Peter Gunn (Duane Eddy) * The Pink Panther Theme Henry Mancini) * Ramrod (Duane Eddy) * Rebel Rouser (Duane Eddy) * Telstar (The Tornadoes) * Wipeout (The Surfaris).

Classic Rock Hits for Easy Guitar
Learn over a dozen of the easiest classic rock hits! This collection features nearly 20 songs from legendary artists like the Grateful Dead, Neil Young, The Animals, The Zombies, The Kinks, and many more!

Titles are: China Grove (The Doobie Brothers) * For What It’s Worth (The Buffalo Springfield) * Friend Of The Devil (Grateful Dead) * Gimmie Some Lovin’ (The Spencer Davis Group) * Helpless (Neil Young) * A Horse With No Name (America) * The House Of The Rising Sun (The Animals) * I Got A Name (Jim Croce) * Listen To The Music (The Doobie Brothers) * Mama Told Me (Not To Come) (Three Dog Night) * My Music (Loggins & Messina) * Rapid Roy (Jim Croce) * She’s Not There (The Zombies) * Watching The River Run (Loggins & Messina) * Wild Night (Van Morrison) * Woodstock (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) * You Really Got Me (The Kinks).

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

Posted in Education, Guitar

IndyGuitarist.com has released “How to Design, Customize, and Build Effect Pedals” by Brian Wampler, a book aimed at helping musicians create their own effects pedals.

This new book will walk you through designing custom circuits for effect pedals that you plan, design, and build from the ground up.

This book will teach you everything you need to know to get to the level that most “boutique” pedal builders are at very quickly and easily. Most builders and DIY’ers have struggled for years to learn this information, now it’s at your fingertips and in a easy to understand language.

Many pro guitarists use boutique pedals because they prefer the way they sound. This has created a huge market for those that build effect pedals, and prices keep going up on custom built “boutique” pedals.

With this book you will learn how to design and build your own effects that are customized completely for your needs. If you have ever desired to build your own fuzz, overdrive, or distortion pedal that sounded completely different than anything else, this book will be a great resource.

* Written for those who have purchased a previous Indyguitarist ‘DIY’ book or have electronics experience.

Book Details:

• Paperback: 73 pages
• Binding: Wire-O
• Publisher: IndyGuitarist.com (July 2006)
• Price: $39.95

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

Posted in Education, Effects, Guitar, Technology

dbx® Professional Products has recently announced an interactive online training course for its DriveRack® 4800 and 4820 System Processors. As part of its commitment to provide contractors and system integrators with up-to-the-minute information and support for its extensive range of DSP solutions, three different Quickstart Training Modules are available covering the entire process of operating, system configuration and editing. The new online training modules make it easy for a system integrator or contractor to learn how to get the most out of their DriveRack 4800 or 4820 System Processors.

The Quickstart Training modules are as follows: 4800/4820 GUI Configuration Wizard; 4800/4820 GUI Editor Module; and 4800 Front Panel Module. Each Quickstart Training Module offers an intuitive, step-by-step tutorial with comprehensive coverage of the most common user requirements and illustrates many of the capabilities of the DriveRack 4800 and 4820 System Processors. In addition, the Quickstart Training Modules have been created to answer the most commonly asked questions and provide configuration examples for the DriveRack 4800 and 4820.

Dale Sandberg, Senior Product Manager for dbx Professional Products, stated, “We’re extremely pleased with the high rate of DriveRack 4800 and 4820 adoption, while also realizing it is nearly impossible to offer on-site training in Sydney, Toronto, Boston, Paris, Seattle and Dallas all at the same time. We are continuing the dbx University program because we believe face-to-face training is ideal — however, we’ve found that web-based tools like these Quickstart Training Modules allow any user to have considerably more than a ‘basic level’ of training at his or her own convenience, regardless of time of day or location. They are very helpful tools.”

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

Posted in Audio, Education, Technology

Pantomime Music Publications has announced that their fast-selling e-book, “Essential Chord Progressions,” is being given free-of-charge to purchasers of “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting,” which is available at www.secretsofsongwriting.com. Both e-books are written by Gary Ewer.

“‘Essential Chord Progressions’ is perfect for songwriters who use chord progressions as a starting point for the song composition process,” says Ewer.

It was written as a companion text to the e-book, “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting.” That book shows writers how to get a handle on writing melodies, chords, lyrics and more. It also includes a comprehensive discography, as well as a chapter on how to properly protect your songs.

“Some people get stuck at the chord progression stage of writing,” says Ewer. “This book simply allows them to get going writing the songs they want, because it’s full of useful progressions that can be used as is, or modified to suit any song.”

“Essential Chord Progressions” normally sells for $9.95US, but for the month of August, 2006, will be given away free to purchasers of “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting.”

Posted in Education, Guitar

Limited Edition versions of the Paul Reed Smith, Bob Taylor and Robert Godin episodes of “The Search for the Perfect Guitar Tone” are now available on DVD from documentary producer No Island Media.

The Limited Edition episodes are fully authorized by the manufacturers and each episode has been produced in close co-operation with each innovator. Extended versions are 51 minutes each and include:

1. INSIDE PRS - a documentary photographed and directed by the Clio award-winning David Insley, Director of Photography for such massively successful cult films as Hairspray, Polyester, Cry Baby, and Pink Flamingos, and is a DP with over 300 commercial shoots in his portfolio.

2. BOB TAYLOR: AMERICAN LUTHIER - a documentary profile of Bob Taylor and Taylor Guitars, shot in high definition.

3. ROBERT GODIN: GUITAR CLINIC - a theater presentation by the founder/innovator behind Godin, Seagull, Art&Lutherie, Simon & Patrick and Norman guitars.

The Limited Edition DVDs are limited to a print run of 2,000 and retail for 24.99. The Extended episodes will also be included in “The Search For The Perfect Guitar Tone : Complete Collection.”

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

Posted in Education, Guitar

Alfred is pleased to release 2006 Rock Charts Guitar - The Hits, So Far, the latest addition to Alfred’s Rock Charts series of books. This collection provides authentic guitar TAB for 15 of the biggest Billboard-charting rock songs released during the first half of 2006.

It features some of the most famous rock artists in the world, including Santana, Sheryl Crow, Green Day, Nickelback and Staind. It also includes hits from new artists like Trapt, Seether and Lifehouse.

Titles are: Animals (Nickleback) * Falling (Staind) * Good Is Good (Sheryl Crow) * Guarded (Disturbed) * Holiday (Green Day) * I’m Feeling You (Santana featuring Michelle Branch) * Jesus of Suburbia (Green Day) * Photograph (Nickelback) * Remedy (Seether) * Right Here (Staind) * Savin’ Me (Nickelback) * Stand Up (Trapt) * Stricken (Disturbed) * Wake Me Up When September Ends (Green Day) * You and Me (Lifehouse).

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

Posted in Education, Guitar, Tab

Aviom has signed on as a Gold Sponsor of Fits and Starts Production’s popular HOW-TO Sound Workshops church tour. Designed specifically for to raise the audio proficiency and knowledge level of church sound personnel, praise team musicians and ministers of music, the two-day hands-on HOW-TO Sound Workshops offer the latest in gear and techniques, and are taught by live sound and recording engineers who have decades of experience in these fields.

As part of the sponsorship, Aviom has provided the workshop tour with its signature Pro16 personal monitor mixing system. In addition to being covered as part of the instructional portion of the program, workshop participants will experience using the Aviom personal mixers during a live performance of a local praise team during the second day.

“There’s no better way for church sound people to learn about the virtues of Aviom personal mixing than to use it for themselves,” explained Aviom’s Director of Marketing, Jason Frenchman. “The HOW-TO Sound Church Workshops give them that opportunity and, once they experience our technology first-hand, they’ll discover how it solves some of the problems of excessive volume and intelligibility they confront on Sundays.”

The current workshop tour begins on July 28 at the Rehoboth United Methodist Church in Williamsport, MD.

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

Posted in Education, Events

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the electric guitar, the Museum of Making Music is proud to announce the August 26 opening of a retrospective of the electric guitar, focusing on the pivotal contributions of Rickenbacker International Corporation (RIC) to the development of electric stringed instruments. This comprehensive exhibition will be accompanied by a benefit concert emceed Billy Hinsche (founding member of Dino, Desi & Billy) and will showcase Jefferson Starship in an intimate acoustic performance with original Jefferson Airplane guitarist and singer, Paul Kantner.

The four-month exhibition, “Brother Musician- Listen to a Miracle!: The 75th Birthday of the Electric Guitar presented by Rickenbacker” is a collaboration between the Museum of Making Music, Matthew Hill, expert in organology (the study of musical instruments) from the University of Edinburgh, and Rickenbacker International Corporation, the company who created the first viable and commercially successful electric guitar.

The exhibition will chart the development of the electric guitar by exploring the innovations, both well known and not so well known, pioneered by the Rickenbacker Company. The exhibition will focus on the story of Rickenbacker electric instruments, which have included, in addition to their well-known guitars and basses, electric violins, double basses, mandolins and even an electric orchestral pedal harp.

Featured in the exhibit are instruments from the personal collection of John Hall, C.E.O. of Rickenbacker International Corporation, and include many prototypes and custom instruments, as well as rare and vintage examples from Rickenbacker’s 75 year history. This is a unique chance to see a comprehensive display of electrified instruments rarely seen outside of the pages of vintage guitar-enthusiast magazines placed in historical context with historic documents and memorabilia, some never publicly displayed before, from the Rickenbacker archives.

The August 26 exhibit opening event begins at 6:30 PM with a reception in the Museum galleries where guests can enjoy the exhibit along with hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar. Following the reception, guests will get a rare chance to see an intimate acoustic performance by Paul Kantner, original member of Jefferson Airplane. Emceed by Billy Hinsche, founding member of Dino, Desi and Billy, and former member of the Beach Boys, the concert will feature Kantner who has been performing for over 40 years since co-founding Jefferson Airplane in 1965 and went on to become one of the key influences of the San Francisco sound.

Tickets to the opening and benefit concert are $50; advanced purchase is required. All proceeds benefit the Museum of Making Music’s exhibits and educational programs. For more information or for tickets please contact Jillian Jepsen at (760) 438-5996 ext. 212.

Another event benefiting the Museum will be held on Sunday, August 27 at the House of Blues in Hollywood. Sponsored by Rickenbacker, this concert features a full electric performance of Jefferson Starship with additional performances by The Smithereens, Haute Werk, Billy Hinsche and others TBA. Tickets to this event are available through Ticketmaster or the House of Blues box office.

For more information, visit their web site at www.museumofmakingmusic.org.

Posted in Education, Guitar, History

Dubbed Deming’s Tips & Tricks, CharterOak Acoustic Devices recently upgraded their existing website, reaffirming the commitment to provide unmatched service and support for the life of all CharterOak products.

CharterOak founder and record producer/engineer Michael Deming will add tips & tricks content at the beginning of each month. Deming’s 20 years of experience and passion for recording have played a major role in the success of CharterOak microphones.

Users of CharterOak products can visit the website to learn from the [microphone] designer, tricks for positioning and applications, favorite hardware compatibility, and more. Visitors can also make requests for future tips. As questions build, they will be addressed in the FAQ section of the website. Future plans also include the addition of a monthly forum for Q&A moderated by Deming.

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

Posted in Education, Live Sound, Recording, Technology