Behringerv Keyboard Amp

If your after an inexpensive keyboard amp then I highly reccomend this one.
It's a Behringer Ultratone K1800FX.
When it comes to bang for bucks I don't think you can do any better.
How does 4 channels, 180 watts, sub out and built in effects sound?
What if I told you it also has a phantom powered microphone input, XLR stereo out and costs around $AU 400?

Here's the LINK
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Vintage Piano Keyboard

After extensive research into a new keyboard for the studio, I finally found this little beauty.
It's a Nord Electro 2. Great if your after nothing but vintage sounds like Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clavinet and good acoustic piano's.
You can update and/or change sounds online and it comes in 3 variations.
This is the link to their website if you want to know more... NORD

More VST Instruments

I put a link page on my studio website for VST Instruments.

RDMS VST Links

Finding good VST Instruments is always a bit of a struggle, so I decided to link to the ones that are actually studio quality.

VST Instruments (SoundFonts.it )

In my never ending pursuit for QUALITY VST Instruments I came across SoundFonts.it

Aside from some very good free instruments that have a brief nag screen (donationware), they also sell some wonderful high end emulations.
Classic Hammond B3 and Yamaha CP-70 as well as the timeless Rhodes piano.
The Trumpet emulation, called Miles'Tone, has to be heard to be believed....!

I've bought most of them now and love them all to death.
Payment is through Pay Pal. Registration was fast and painless using either code entry or activation .dll .
I've also had friendly communication with the developer and it's always fast and courteous.

So come on people..... Get the free instruments and try the demo's of the purchase versions.

You won't be dissapointed.....

Too Old To Drive

Old Adelaide drivers !!!! Absolutely the worst on the planet.
My wife has had a new car for only five months and already had two idiots hit it. The last one was the most frustrating. In her seventies and not capable of reversing out of her own driveway without smashing into a parked car !!!
When talking to wife about it she commented "My insurance company will love me, I've had so many accidents lately". About time to hand over your licence before you kill someone you senile old fool.
To think that they actually give insurance discounts for older drivers !! Why? Sure they drive less, but when they do get behind the wheel it's absolute devestation......

Duplication Frustration.

Here's a little tale for those of you already in the music business or just starting out.

Had a customer back in the studio telling me about his duplication woes.....

The duplicators have a mastering facility on their premises and were really upset that it was mastered somewhere else first. "They won't do a very good job" was the statement made at the time !!! (Interesting that such a blanket statement was made. Do they assume that nobody else is capable of mastering outside of their business. A very arrogant point of view indeed).
Additional comment were made about my customer having their artwork done somewhere else as well. You guessed it, they also have an in-house artwork facility.

"Tell me" I said to my customer, "You've had listening copies of the master for over a month now. Do you like it?"
"Yeah, it's great !" Came the response.
"You've played it to other people and they think it's good?"
"Everyone that's heard it loves it" said smiling customer.
"Well, at the end of the day if you, the customer, is happy with the results and the reaction from other people. Where's the problem?"
"The problem is that this guy is an arrogant dick, you don't know where else I can take my music for duplication do you?" said my very frustrated customer.

So here's the moral of this little tale.....

Never assume you know more about someones music that the artist. It's their creation and they are highly tuned in to the results.
Making blanket, criticising statements about their choices prior to and whilst seeing you is asking for trouble. What you are in fact doing is insulting their judgement.
Offer suggestions but don't criticise.

It's very common in this industry to bag other studio's work and equipment choices. This is a very slippery slope to get onto. (In fact I am probably a little guilty myself by posting this article, which is why no names have been included).

Accept the part of the creative process you have been offered. It is a privilege, no matter how much of the total project you are given.
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Fonic Acoustic Treatment

For those of you living in Australia I highly recommend Fonic acoustic treatments.
My own studio is kitted out with their products and they are great.
Look good and improve the sound no end.

Available through Billy Hyde on request or many dealers in QLD.

Here's a link to their website if you want more information.
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