Archive for DJ Equipment

birdlandmusic | January 26, 2012
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LED Light VS Traditional Par Cans

In the past few years companies such has MBT have developed and marketed LED Lights for bands and DJs.  When you consider some of the drawbacks of traditional Par Can lighting you will soon discover why stage lighting manufacturers are putting so much effort into this.

First traditional Par Cans use allot of power.   So bands and DJs whom frequent new performance spots every show never know what they are getting into.  Many typical bar rooms, restaurants and even some function halls do not have adequate power to support more than 8 par cans (two small trees) with dimmers.  In addition traditional par cans get extremely hot, the bulbs can break and one needs thick extension chords to run each one.

Any working musician or dj has experienced the first song when the music is going and the lights are on only to blow a breaker stopping the show.   – Or opted to use less lighting to avoid this problem all together, not to mention the concern when setting up light in a way that the audience will not burn themselves on the par cans or knock them over and do the same.

Are the LED systems as good?  Well, yes and they will most likely replace traditional incandescent systems as the technology increases. Things to consider when purchasing are the power ratings of the LED systems.  The are typically available in 1, 2 and 3 watt systems.  The 3 watt systems are strong and will have the same characteristics of the traditional smaller Par lamps. However some of the 1 & 2 watt LED lamp systems may do a job if you are not expecting a strong wash of color.

These systems are available in many of the traditional portable configurations musicians and djs are accustom to with incandescent systems.  You may find them in packages with 4 light arrays per tree, or even in floor systems which is a very simple set up indeed!

BirdlandMusic.NET has a full line of MBT LED lighting.  Check out our listings on line or call us 866-446-4135 for help choosing your next stage lighting system.

Jay Schultz, Pro Audio birdlandmusic.net

Category: DJ Equipment, stage lighting |
birdlandmusic | January 23, 2012
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Wireless Personal In Ear Monitor

What is a wireless personal in ear monitor. Perhaps the easiest way to answer  this question is to understand music from a historical perspective of stage performance and amplification.

Before the introduction of microphones and PA systems musicians would need to develop skills to get the most volume out of their instrument and retain a musical  sound to be enjoyed by the audience.  Hence, Opera and Show singers developed styles that used their entire body to resonate to its most optimum capacity to project from the stage. Not to mention, the halls used for performance before amplification were designed to be acoustically favored for sound to travel long distances without much coloration or negative impact on the different frequencies typical of vocalists and supportive or solo instruments.

One could very easily point out that many of the styles of music before amplification were a product of their times.   The Symphony Orchestra, the jazz big band and the choir were all holding fast to doubling instruments to produce more volume to fill a concert hall, dance hall or out door event.

The Microphone was invented by Emile Berliner for Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.  It did not take long for singers in Broadway style shows and big bands to realize that a microphone would allow them to project their voice on top of the instrumentation with out working so hard, and allow for expression in the voice never possible before. Instrumentalists also found it possible to take a “solo” in a large group and be heard over the back round of all the other instrumentation.

Ultimately this led to sound equipment and professional companies setting up large systems which include front of house speakers and monitor speakers on stage.  The Monitor speaker on stage allowed for performers to hear themselves better.  For example a vocalist or soloist even though amplified in the front of house speakers, would not necessarily hear themselves any better on stage due to the house speakers pointing out into a large room.  The stage monitor gave these performers more volume on stage.

So what does this have to do with the Personal In Ear Monitor?   Well, the biggest challenge ironically faced on any stage is the volume issue.  -Not loud enough is bad but to loud is also bad. The microphone and monitor system allowed bands like Led Zeppelin to play in large outdoor stadiums but also introduced the problems of over amplification which have been going on for decades. How many times have you gone to listen to a band and it was just too loud? .

Ironically, there seems to be an optimum point in any genre of music, where the musician is most comfortable hearing themselves on stage.  For example a Broadway singer may want it to be as close to “acoustic” or no amplification as possible, or slightly amplified.  A rock band may want a real punch however not so loud that the stage becomes a big mess of sound interacting to a point that it is no longer musical. -What is commonly known as feed back.

The personal in ear monitor solves this issue because it helps to keep the stage volume lower.  Stage monitors are typically medium throw speakers designed to fill typical stage sizes with sound. Obviously the larger the stage and band the more stage monitors are used.  Just like when you have 10 violinists in a orchestra Vs. one, the volume rises.  When the sound is put directly in your ear instead of a stage monitor, the musician can hear the group and himself without doubling or tripling the stage volume.  Often the louder one needs to play on stage causes each instrument to respond differently and especially for non rock oriented performances and instrumentation, there comes a point where the volume detracts from the performance.

As a result of the electronic technology boom in the past 10 years it is inexpensive to produce wireless transmitters and in ear “monitors” often called earbuds, sound isolating earphones and earbud earphones. It does not take long on any given day to see someone walking around with an ipod and earbuds.

For some older performers it is a bit of a challenge to use the personal in ear monitor.  It is closer to wearing earplugs as you have an isolated feel, and the sound of the band is not a seamless blend with what is in your ear.  However, with the right adjustments and a bit of patience one can easily adapt.  The first musicians to use amplification also had to adapt to the challenges of listening to themselves in a different sonic state than pure acoustic.

At BirdlandMusic.Net we offer a variety of solutions for in ear monitoring.

Jay Schultz, Pro Audio birdlandmusic.net

 

Category: DJ Equipment, Wireless Monitor |
birdlandmusic | February 28, 2011
6 comments

Why Harmonicas Make Playing Music So Much Fun!

The harmonica, also known as the French harp, is a small wind instrument held in hand while playing. It can be played by inhaling and exhaling through several air slots. Kids love playing these because they’re easy to learn and provide fun entertainment and lively music. Also, harmonicas are small so they can easily be carried in a shirt pocket or pants pocket. Many adults love them for these same reasons!

The most common key on the harmonica is C. Harmonicas that are played in the Appalachian South only play a diatonic scale, but not chromatic intervals that are between diatonic scale tones. Therefore, these harmonicas are typically sold in various models based on keys. For instance, there are G-harmonicas, D-harmonicas, C-harmonicas, and so forth.

Harmonica Construction and Sound

In the past, harmonicas were usually made of wood. Today, many harmonicas are constructed from injection-molded plastic. There are also high-end harmonicas that are built from metal alloys, silver, or Lucite. The harmonica’s sound is often based on the materials it is made of, with each material giving its own unique sound. For example, blues harps or marine band harps are made of soft wood that resists moisture and create a rich, unique sound.

Types of Harmonicas

Harmonicas come in many different types and styles. These are often chosen by players according to the type of music they would like to play. Some harmonica players enjoy performing at events as soloists or with a group or band. The cross harp is often used in blues music, but can also be used in many types of music. It is a diatonic harmonica that is played in a key that is actually seven half-steps up from the harmonica’s main key. For example, if the harmonica were tuned in C, it would actually be played in G.

A diatonic major harp is the most common type of harmonica. It has all the “Major Scale” notes such as C, D, E, F, G, A, B. The chromatic harmonica has the same notes as the diatonic major harp, but with a half-step between each major note.

Different styles of orchestral harmonicas are also available for those who perform with orchestras.

Find Harmonicas and Accessories Online

There are many harmonica resources online today that sell harmonicas and accessories. There is free tablature (with tabs and symbols) to help beginners and experienced harmonica players learn new songs. Accessories such as amplifiers, cases, sheet music, microphones, CDs, and more are available online at reasonable prices. Beginners can research online to find out how to care for their harmonica. From tuning to cleaning, there are a few definite “dos and don’ts” to follow.

The beautiful music that flows from the harmonica can never be matched. Harmonicas are so diverse that they can be played alone while sitting on a porch swing, at a family gathering for singing and fun, or in a professional concert. They can be played around the world no matter what the country. These hand-held instruments bring joy to any setting!

Category: amplifiers, DJ Equipment, double bass, modern music, music for beginners, music for the blind, musical instrument, musical instrument for a child, popular instruments, popular music, Powered speakers, right instrument, Virtual Band, Zeta Strados and Jazz Fusion Violins | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
birdlandmusic | February 21, 2011
One comment

Learn To Play The Violin: Why Violin Lessons Benefit Your Children

Violin is truly one of the famous musical instruments being used by people. Rich in history and equipped with class, it is one of the instruments that one aims to learn playing with. We see people playing it with so much finesse and we could not help but be amazed by how well they do it, their moves, the timing and the way they sway their head to the sound of it – lovely, just lovely.

It is a proven fact that music stimulates the brain, and that a baby or child who is exposed to classical music responds and interacts well. It is never too early to expose your child to classical music education. In fact, many expecting mothers give their unborn babies a head start in life by listening to classical music before their baby is born. One way of giving your child the extra edge in life is to let your child take violin lessons to learn to play the violin.

So why are violin lessons beneficial to your children?

First, your child will improve on coordination skills:

Learning to play the violin involves coordinating one’s left hand with one’s right hand. The left hand will need to learn to finger the violin strings correctly so the right tone and pitch is achieved to play a song. The right hand will need to hold the violin bow correctly and bow the right string to produce the right tone. Playing the violin involves the coordination of both left and right hand. As such when you send your child to violin lessons, you are letting your child learn how to fully utilize both his left and right brain.

Second, playing the violin develops your child’s brain.

In playing the violin, your child will need to learn to recognize the right tone and pitch when bowing and fingering the violin so as to play a song to the right pitch. This promotes the neuron and brain cell connection and develops the intelligence level of your child. Think of it as brain gymnastics. Your child exercises his brains and stretches it to its full potential. As such your child will benefit in other areas, with improved reasoning skills, abstract reasoning and mathematics.

Third, learning to play the violin give enhances your child’s confidence.

It is not easy to learn to play the violin for the above reasons. So when your child manages to learn to play the violin, he will have a sense of accomplishment and feel confident. This confidence will translate to other areas of his life.

You may also want to take this a step further when your child has reached a certain level of playing the violin, to expose your child to solo or group violin performance. It is usually unnerving for a young child to perform in front of a big audience. However if your child is exposed to this couple of times, it will enhance his confidence even more.

Fourth, taking violin lessons teaches your child the concept of perseverance.

In the beginning, your child will feel that the violin lessons are difficult and he cannot manage. But if you encourage him and he finally learns to master and play the violin, he will understand the concept of perseverance. This will aid him in whatever he chooses to do in life later.

This small instrument with a wooden body, strings and bow to help produce the sound can play some wonderful music once tuned, whether it be solo or in a group. It is a beautiful instrument to listen to.

Category: amplifiers, DJ Equipment, double bass, modern music, music for beginners, music for the blind, musical instrument, musical instrument for a child, popular instruments, popular music, Powered speakers, right instrument, Virtual Band, Zeta Strados and Jazz Fusion Violins | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
birdlandmusic | February 14, 2011
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Buy Superior Quality Speakers

Speakers define the quality of sound in various audio systems. You need to buy high-quality devices for optimal outputs. The sound system you select has to depend on the area you wish to cover and the amount of cash you are willing to spend. There is an immense variety available in the market. You don’t have to be a die-hard audio ace to understand the basics of sound and acoustics. You can get superior sound equipment at affordable prices from leading companies.

Speakers are the deciding factor of the tones you hear and a vital part of the chunk of the sounds produced in audio systems of various kinds. With the various devices of modern technology that use sound systems, manufacturers have a range to meet various needs. Audio speakers are made for various equipments which include PCs, home theatre, stereo systems, iPods, headphones, and many other systems.

Different Types Of Speakers

Sound systems for audio output are of many types. Among the varieties are the following:

* Indoor
* Outdoor
* Bookshelf
* Floor standing
* In-ceiling
* In-wall
* On-wall
* Satellite Subwoofer combinations
* Rear channel
* Sound bar system
* Compact system.

Shopping For Quality Products

When you decide to buy stereo speakers or any kind of loudspeakers, it is not necessary to know the intricacies of its workings. It should be based on how good it sounds to you and your requirements. There are so many things to consider if you go into technicalities. Speakers can be based on mounting locations, types, sizes and shapes, and power considerations.

You can buy speakers by listening to the sound quality several times. The equipment should match with the amplifier or receiver with the right amount of power for getting the best performance. Placement is also important if it involves music or home theatre systems. There are certain ranges specified which are right for power outputs.

Great Choices

Now with advanced and sophisticated technology, you have a tremendous choice in sound systems. You can convert your living room to a cinema with the kind of sound effects you get with sophisticated state-of-the-art sound technology. You get multi-channel AV receivers which give you perfect surround sound experience. You can spend hours of quality time with your family watching films with sheer pleasure of sound quality that blends with the cinema experience.

Your home PC, laptop, or any multimedia device that you use can have direct connectivity with amazing stereo sound effects, with the range of gadgets available to give you optimum quality in listening. There are digital audio systems for your iPod and other multimedia, which give you perfect sound quality. If you are looking for passive loudspeakers in shelf, standing, universal, or floor varieties, you can find the topmost quality in leading brands.

Superior quality speakers are available directly from leading manufacturers online from websites that market these specialized products. You get excellent customer service for any questions related to your purchase and you also get related advice. You can get top quality at the best prices for any choice of product from the comfort of your home.

Category: amplifiers, DJ Equipment, double bass, modern music, music for beginners, music for the blind, musical instrument, musical instrument for a child, popular instruments, popular music, Powered speakers, right instrument, Virtual Band, Zeta Strados and Jazz Fusion Violins | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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