Music MZone

Home Recording and Studio Recording

admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:16:39 +0000

For some people, recording a studio-quality album might seem out of reach. After all, the studio fees can cost thousands, and some musicians feel uncertain about the return they will see from that investment, so they just scrap the idea altogether. However, with today’s modern recording equipment available to both home studio recording artists and professional recording studios, that dream of fame and fortune is much easier to achieve.

The home studio allows the recording artist the freedom of creativity, ability to do online mixing, and it is probably the least expensive option in the long run. However, it requires the user’s own software as well as a thorough understanding of how all of the equipment works. Also, one setback to home recording is that the state-of-the-art sound equipment found in professional music studios is out of reach for many due to higher costs.

On the other hand, many of these studios are becoming more affordable with their services. Even though they do have more sophisticated equipment, their operating costs are significantly lower than before because much of this equipment eliminates the need for additional recording professionals on hand. Many companies like www.recordingstudiolondon.co.uk can provide top-quality services at just a fraction of the cost, as they have shifted toward as much digital equipment as possible to quickly and efficiently mix audio. Other equipment includes top-of-the-line amps, distortion pedals, and other backline equipment to really bring out sound.

One option is to do a combination of home recording while allowing a recording studio to master the audio and add a new dimension of quality and richness to the sound. Some musicians might give their best performance off-stage so it can help for that person to record in the privacy of his or her own home and have the tracks mastered after the fact.

When it comes to recording music today, there is a vast selection of options available. Whether you want to rely on a recording studio for the entirety of your project, or you just want to add a professional finishing touch to your music, it helps to have the final pass go through a professional studio. Thanks to technological advancements, there are many options if you would prefer to record the first round of tracks from the comfort of your own home.

The Evolution of Sound Transmission: New Car Stereos and Music

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:13:18 +0000

The transmission of sound in vehicles has come a long way over the years. In the 1930’s the first car radio was invented and installed in most automobiles known as Motorola. In the United Kingdom, the first factory fitted car radio was made by Crossley. In the 1950’s, Ford made the ‘seek’ option on radios. The ‘dead pedal’ in modern cars on the left hand side of the driver’s floor was once used for the radio to activate the last used seek option for searching for a radio station. In the 1960’s, Phillips produced and launched the first compact cassette and Jim Fosgate built one of the first audio amplifiers that run on 12 volts, now standard in all new cars.

In 1983, the first 200 watt per channel car amplifier was built by Zed Audio which was then adapted to cope with the extreme temperatures and vibrations experienced by cars. In the 1980’s car audio competitions started with the first occurring in Bakersfield, California known as The Summertime Car Show and Sound Off Competition which continued into the 1990’s.

Nowadays, cars are fitted with standard stereos that have a CD-radio that an MP3 player can be attached to and a USB. Additional features can include a DVD player, USB flash memory, a control interface for GPS, trip odometer and back up/parking cameras.

Many car enthusiasts also install subwoofers, a particular type of low frequency sound producing speaker and deadening materials to reduce vibrations from the subwoofer bass tones. Unfortunately, high volume custom made stereos that are installed by many car enthusiasts are illegal in many parts of the world due to their low frequencies and noise pollution. Additionally, they can also affect the hearing of those in the car, damaging irreplaceable hairs in the cochlea in the inner ear and if the base is too high, it can cause nausea and possibly cancer if used for extended periods. Nevertheless, keeping the stock standard stereo can be considered boring to a male who like to accessorise and compete over who has the better car sound system.

If you are the type of person who does not care for competitiveness over an affordable new car system, you can simply save money and stick with the standard stereo that you already have in your car. It will still play music just as clearly as any car enthusiast’s stereo and it won’t put your wallet or your health at risk.

MZONE Ambassador Music Programme

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:34:09 +0000

MZONE, the Merseyside Youth Music Action Zone, has its own Ambassador music programme which encourages young people aged 14 – 18 to come together to make a difference to the music opportunities in their local area

Currently, the Ambassadors have been lobbying with key government Ministers and touring the UK presenting at conferences

MZONE are looking to recruit more ambitious Ambassadors to the programme and are looking for 14-18 year olds who have an interest in music (you don’t actually have to be a musician!). MZONE wants to create five Ambassador Councils throughout Merseyside: Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens and Wirral with each council being made up of 10-12 young people aged 14-18.

The Ambassadors in each area will get together regularly to discuss their needs and identify what musical provisions could be improved or introduced ranging from under 18 dry-bars to hosting key music events or securing musical training. The meetings are decided by the Ambassadors to identify their needs and with help of MZONE achieving these needs.

16 year-old Chris Castell, has been an MZONE Ambassador for three years, he now produces a radio show on Radio Merseyside and has also taught workshops to people at least 20 years his senior. He commented:
“The Ambassador programme has been great experience for me. You have to be pro-active and want to get things done, if you’re like that then the programme is a great platform for you to achieve things. I’m now part of a small group of Ambassadors who have been asked to travel around the UK and recruit Ambassadors for similar schemes in different cities. It is all really good fun.”