Movie Review: Season of the Witch (2011)

Season of the Witch doesn't aim very high, which at least allows it to accomplish what it sets out to do. A few cheap scares, some bloodless swordfights, a slightly miscast Nicolas Cage and a perfectly cast Ron Perlman keep the simple plotline moving along, while the bevy of witches, demons, and deformed priests don't hinder the minimal thrills. Perhaps the film never really knows what direction it's ultimately going, but that uncertainty offers a level of unpredictability that keeps the audience guessing - to an extent. Is the girl a real witch or just an innocent child? Are the priests evil torturers or wise saviors? Is there an underlying theme of redemption through sacrifice, or a championing for fair trials? Nah, probably not.
After many years and countless battles, Crusaders Behmen (Nicolas Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman) realize the devastation they have caused in the name of God. Denouncing the church and casting off on their own, the two knights wander the countryside until they happen upon a village ravaged by plague. Apprehended by soldiers and faced with execution for desertion, Behmen and Felson agree to once again assist the church in a perilous mission - transport a young girl (Claire Foy) accused of witchcraft to a remote monastery where the monks' rituals might at last end the suffering. Enlisting the aid of weary knight Eckhart (Ulrich Thomsen), disgraced merchant Hagamar (Stephen Graham), paranoid priest Debelzaq (Stephen Campbell Moore), and young runaway altar boy Kay (Robert Sheehan), the knights begin a dangerous quest through uncharted territory - where mysterious forces attempt to destroy them from the outside while each man's internal demons threaten to destroy them from within.
It's been some time since a theatrical swords and sorcery movie was released, sticking strictly to the time period of the medieval 14th century, with themes of witchcraft, crusaders, knights, the church and the devil. Although supernatural in nature, Season of the Witch is thankfully devoid of Krakens, Gorgons and other such mythological creatures that disrupt the generally more believable notion of possession. Unfortunately, with generous amounts of computer graphics during the conclusion, the marginally creepy, craftily foreboding opening act is forgotten to the utterly unconvincing animation.
Nicolas Cage, who portrays his average self in a new environment, isn't nearly as authentic as his partner Ron Perlman, who carries himself like an aging warrior knight crossed with Will Ferrell. The language, which cuts in and out of old English and contemporary jesting, also betrays the setting, despite the costumes and gruesome makeup effects that work to complete the illusion. The random flashbacks to scenes witnessed a mere 15 minutes earlier are nothing short of insulting, along with the raspy demon and mutant wolves that appear hideously out-of-place, but a certain atmospheric charm exists over the basic epic quest plot.
While the film only briefly succeeds at creating suspense, the inclusion of swordplay for the sake of swordplay, staring contests, castles, flesh-eating disease aftermath, mass graves, duels, ferocious animals, treacherous bridges, lightless forests, ghostly towns, unsettling fog and boil-covered monks lend to amusing imagery. Sadly, Season of the Witch can't quite recapture the entertainment of '80s sword and sorcery B-movies, despite the wealth of technological advancements.

Nanny McPhee Returns

Sequels are rarely as good as the first film, but Nanny McPhee Returns surprised me. If you are unfamiliar with Nanny McPhee then you might want to think of Disney's Mary Poppins. Nanny McPhee shows up when a family is in great need of her assistance, just like Mary Poppins. She is a disciplinarian with children and adults, just like Mary Poppins. She has lessons to teach, and when they are complete and balance has been restored to the household she must leave, also just like Mary Poppins. One of the main differences between the two characters is that Mary has a level of vanity and a certain attractiveness that Nanny McPhee does not possess (or at least not at first).
The film starts out with Mrs. Isabel Green narrating about her farm, which is both lovely and very dear to her heart. As we zoom in for a closer look, we meet her three children: Norman, Magsie, and Vincent. Mr. Green has been called away to war and has been absent for some time. The Green family is coping with his absence - or so Mrs. Green tries to tell herself. The children are screaming and fighting with one another while their mother is screaming at them to stop screaming.
The Green family will soon have guests staying with them for an unknown amount of time. Their cousins Cyril and Celia, who are about Norman and Magsie's ages, are from the city and have been sent to stay with their aunt due to bomb scares in London. All of the children will need to get the farm tidy and attend to the piglets that are going to be sold to Farmer Macreadie. Mrs. Green has had difficulty making ends meet with Mr. Green gone and the sale of the piglets will allow them to make a payment on the tractor so that they can harvest the barley to sell. All of this sounds like the perfect plan.
As Mrs. Green is on her way to work, her brother-in-law, Phil, approaches her with the plea to sign over her half of the farm to him. He implores her that the farm is too much to handle. Little does she know that Phil has gambled away the entire farm. He is desperate to get the farm before bill collectors Miss Topsey and Miss Turvey remove his kidneys. Mrs. Green has no intentions of selling her share of the farm. Phil, who is very attached to his kidneys, discovers the family's plan to sell the piglets and devises a plan to leave Isabel with no choice but to sell her half. He plans to return later than evening and dig a hole under the side of the barn where the piglets sleep and lure them out into the field to roam free.
Meanwhile, the children are trying to complete their chores and tidy up things for their cousins who are to arrive the following day. The cousins however arrive a day early and are not pleased to be in, "The Land of Poo." The Green children are in turn not pleased to have such mean, disrespectful and ungrateful houseguests. The bitterness between the two sets of kids leads to threats, chases, hitting and all other sorts of childlike violence. When Mrs. Green gets home from an exhausting day at work, she discovers that her niece and nephew have arrived early and are quarreling fiercely with her children.
Mrs. Green is stressed, tired and is about to break down into hysterics when there is a knock at the door. Standing on the stoop is an old, heavyset woman dressed completely in black with a black-feathered hat on top of a mass of dry coarse hair. She has a protruding front tooth, two large hairy moles, one on her chin and the other under her nose. Her brows start at each corner of her face and meet in the middle to create one long, bushy eyebrow. She introduces herself as Nanny McPhee and has been deployed by the army to assist the family. Mrs. Green is reluctant at first, but Nanny McPhee assures her all will be well.
Nanny enters the parlor where the combative youngsters have moved their fight and she closes the door behind her. Standing tall and speaking in a firm voice, she tells them to stop fighting and to go to bed. The children ignore her. Nanny McPhee slowly pulls her hand out from underneath her long black coat to reveal a large knobby walking cane. She firmly strikes it against the floor and sparks fly. Suddenly, if by magic, the children stop fighting with one another. They are now battling themselves. Celia is pulling her own hair, Magsie is striking her face to the floor and then pulling her face up by her hair, Cyril is putting himself in a headlock, Norman is poking himself in the eye and poor Vincent is striking all the best china with a club. They plead with Nanny McPhee to make it stop and she will, on one condition: they must apologize for hurting each other and stop fighting. They refuse and continue to beat themselves up. After a bit more of self-inflicted suffering they concede. She strikes her cane once more to the floor and the self-torture stops.
The children calmly walk up to bed in a collected manner and bid goodnight to Mrs. Green. The large dark hairy mole beneath Nanny McPhee's nose disappears. On her way upstairs to check on the children, she tells Mrs. Green that she has five lessons to teach. The first, to stop fighting, has been completed. Upstairs, Victor, Norman and Magsie are refusing to share their beds with Cyril and Celia. Nanny McPhee announces to all the kids how she works. "When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I must go." Four more lessons to go long with more magical events.
Nanny McPhee Returns is a delight. I was surprised to learn that the lead actor and Academy Award Winner, Emma Thompson, wrote the screenplays for both of the Nanny McPhee movies, which were adapted from the series of Nurse Matilda books. There are some moments that are definitely more appealing to kids (such as pigs climbing trees and then beginning to synchronize swim), but it is a lovely film overall.

Women and Science Fiction

I'm a science fiction fan and a woman. There! I said it. Phew! It feels like such a load off my back. Okay, seriously, I had my doubts about writing an article on women and science fiction, after all scifi doesn't still have these weird, male connotations, does it? These days it's cool to be a girl and a geek.
But after thinking about my own experiences and reading blogs of other female scifi fans, I thought otherwise. I was particular fired up for this article after reading Annalee Newitz's report on io9 that the Sci Fi channel's advertising for Battlestar Galactica had scaled back the spaceships, in order to bring in more female viewers. Is this also the reason why the new Galactica series, Caprica is being described by its creators as a "Dynasty in Space"? Well, I for one would prefer less Melrose Space type drama in Galactica, and more story arc episodes that actually push the plot forward in a meaningful way.
I was raised on a healthy diet of science fiction, thanks in large part to my wonderfully geeky older sister. The idea that science fiction and women don't go together just seems plain wrong to me. My earliest science fiction viewing was V, which, while admittedly a little corny, had the brilliant Faye Grant as both scientist and *leader* of the resistance, Juliet Parish, and Jane Badler as Diana, who let's face it, was essentially the one calling the shots, on those Visitor mother ships.
I grew up with Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton as role models, who not only could get out there and play with the boys, but also outlive the boys. Not to mention the many other women I could give shout outs to such as Claudia Christian inBabylon 5 and Nana Visitor and Terry Farrell in Deep Space Nine- all of which have played characters that have helped influence who I am today. And this is all before Joss Whedon came along to bring us a series about a certain vampire slayer.
So clearly there are many images of strong women associated with science fiction. This is not even including the numerous female writers out there such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Joan D. Vinge and Elizabeth Moon, who have all managed to conquer the science fiction genre. And I can't tell you how many quality genre shows former BBC Controller Julie Gardner has helped to bring about.
Science fiction as a genre has truly shown me what women are capable of. Women can be fighters as well as mothers; they can be world leaders (although growing up in Thatcherism, that one wasn't as much of a shocker); they can be intellectuals; they can be superheroes.
So why do some women steer away from science fiction? Not all women, mind you, but there's definitely a lot out there who only want to talk about Sex and the City, and have trouble accepting that a show like Lost is remotely in the same genre as Star Wars. You tell them you like scifi and they look at you funny.
For a long time, Iwrote for a fashion magazine, so my inner geek was like my alter-ego. It left me hesitant to tell certain people what I was into. Luckily, writing for IGP and trying to get IGP out there to the world has certainly helped me deal with that hesitancy. And the truth is, admitting I like scifi will either show me someone I can bond with on multiple levels, or not, so why not just admit it? As for my reaction from guys... it ranges from becoming firm friends because we like the same shows, to "wow, I thought you were into the Sound of Music". Go figure!
So, yes, tell everyone you know, because as it turns out, women and science fiction do go together. You don't have to pander to get women to like the world you've created. The fact is: quality writing will draw people in. Throwing dynasty-type antics into a series isn't going to draw female viewers in (that's what soap operas are for) and is as blatantly obvious a stunt as creating a female sexbot just to draw male viewers in. But create characters that are interesting (male or female) with equally riveting storylines and trust me, your female viewers will follow.

Shiromi Arserio is the writer and editor of Inter-Galaxy Portal. Check out IGP for all the latest news and reviews from the other side of the Portal.

Concert Sound for the Opening Act

I decided to write this series of articles, in response to years of listening to my musician friend's regale me with tails of woe, about "Bad Sound Experiences." BSE if you will. Most often, these BSE's had a common identifiable trait (New or inexperienced sound tech) and almost all were related to on stage monitor mixes. These unfortunate experiences made playing their music un-fun and un-inspiring. Since these are the two reasons most of my friends play music... I thought I'd try to help!
For this article, I added a caveat, to make a larger point... communication... So the first two articles are set in the scariest place in the music business... When YOU is the Opening Act!
This series is an effort to empower musicians on two levels: first with a basic knowledge of "Concert Sound" technology and second with a willingness to engage the concert sound engineers they encounter daily, as collaborators and co-conspirators and not as road blocks to success.
"In the this article, we'll talk about a point Bad Blake makes in the movie "Crazy Heart."
Blake to the sound mixer: "We're gonna stay here all day 'til we get this mix right!
Mixer: It is right....
Blake to his band: They always say that... but they're gonna make sure the opening act doesn't sound as good as the Headliner! "
You can see some of that exchange at the link on the bottom of the article.
It takes a minute to buffer, so be patient, at about 40 sec into the trailer you see part of this exchange between musician and sound engineer.
I've been in this exact situation many times myself at sound check, so it seems like a good place to start a discussion about several important points. One would be the obvious... communication between musician and sound engineer, another, the opening act and the headliners sound engineer... maybe one more... the opening act's sound engineer and the headliner's sound engineer. Let's sort through this potential mine field.
TRUST ISSUES:
In our previous example, the musician Bad Blake and the sound engineer Bear have some obvious trust issues. As the scene progresses we find out that Bear is the sound engineer for the headliner but is mixing the "Front of House" (FOH) for Blake's band (the dreaded Opening Act) at this concert. Everyone seems a little cranky, and time is most likely running out on sound check.
Let's go back to the "You don't know me" article for some help. Here are two passages that relate to this point.
"The next most important people you'll need to find are the sound technicians. I can't emphasize enough how important - this part of the process - is to the actual outcome of your bands performance. We'll discus this aspect (Sound) in great detail with a future article."
And
"One of my favorite IATSE sayings is "Chaos creates CASH." This is the exact nature of the relationship between the "Production" and the local IA crew. If the production is well planned and organized, the day will go exceedingly well. If the production has organizational issues, these issues will put pressure on the deadlines all day. Stuff happens... Trucks show up late, chain motors break and thunder storms blast in! None of that stuff is the IA's fault but because their work rules, such as, Meal penalties, will be enforced... the pressure mounts.
This pressure (even on a perfect day there can be pressure) impacts the amount of - production stage time - available to "Opening Act." The Opening Acts production representative needs to be aware of how the Headliners production is coming together. Show up early and pay attention to the workflow. Monitoring the progress of the production is critical! "
If nothing else, we've established that there are forces beyond the control of us mere mortals...
Let's look at some basic "Opening Act" scenarios from one of the previously mentioned perspectives: Headliners sound tech and Opening Act Musicians.
Let's take a quick tangential left and define what makes a "Top Notch" sound company? First, the gear has to be excellent and in good working order. They must also be very knowledgeable about the technical aspects of sound reinforcement. Those two sentences describe about 80% of the sound companies I've encountered over my 35 years in this business. So if the gear's good and the sound techs know what they're doing what's the problem?
Attitude... not Aptitude
The difference is in the people not the equipment. You can assume, if a sound company is out on a tour with a headliner or they are the Sound Company of choice at a major venue, that they understand the technical aspects of sound reinforcement. Ahhh.... Will they be advocates for your music? That's the question.
This is how to find the answer!
Some advocates a PAID not born! I'm serious! This is a business! The sound techs work a long hard day. To a sound tech... the most beautiful words in the entire Musical lexicon are, "An Evening With." This means: No support act, the headliner will go at 8:00PM play a 75 min set plus an encore or (2) 45 min sets with an intermission. The concert ends at 10:30PM at the latest.
The gear gets packed up and they're on the road HOME before midnight!
It also means, when sound check ends 6:00 -6:30 PM there's a break until 7:30 PM. Because there's NO STAGE CHANGE!
The next most beautiful words are, The Opening Act is a comedian... WE LOVE COMEDY... One microphone and one monitor. BEAUTIFUL!
When I was on tour with Ann Murray back in the 80"s Jerry Seinfeld - before he was SEINFELD - was her opening act... Comedians are always nice to the sound techs.... Except for Gallagher... he's never nice... but he's definitely the exception.
The ascending hierarchy of love is as follows: Solo Acoustic act, Duet... Trio... you get the picture.
So when YOU show up looking for 32 input channels and 10 monitors mixes for YOUR band.... Remember.... You're being compared to "An Evening with"
The saying..."To Insure Proper Service" T.I.P.S. is not a bad way to go here. $200 will get you a long way down the road of making "ADVOCATES." Get the stage manger away from stage, discretely and respectfully offer to "Sweeten the Pot" "donate a little something for the EFFORT." Without exception they will say, "You don't need to do that we'll take care of you" Your firm reply is "I'm not worried about that. I know what a pain in the butt this is for you guys, please accept it as our offer of appreciation for that effort." It may go back and forth a time or two, but it needs to end with you giving either him or the monitor engineer the $200.
Now there's a professional demeanor to your end of the production.
My previous article spoke at length about the organization of band gear (back line) and distributing the technical information to the proper channels. The $200 is NOT gonna do much for you if you haven't taken care of the technical organization and business before this point. It's the combination of all these things that will ensure your band has a good "Opening Act" experience.... On Stage.
Let's move on to the FOH (front of house) sound. This is where we started; remember the discussion from "Crazy Heart." The Headliner's FOH mixer or his system tech (the guy responsible for the technical aspects of the PA) will be mixing the opening act - assuming the band doesn't have an actual sound tech. These guy's have a reputation to uphold, and it's at stake too. They will make every effort to make the Opening Act sound as good as possible. There is one caveat here so we should talk about it now.
In the dialogue from "Crazy Heart"
Blake to the sound mixer: "We're gonna stay here all day 'til we get this mix right!
Mixer: It is right....
Blake to his band: They always say that... but they're gonna make sure the opening act doesn't sound as good as the Headliner! "
Here's what that means to you. The Headliners sound crew will compress the Opening Acts sound. They do this for a number of very good reasons. Here's the major reason.
COMPRESSION by this definition is the intentional limiting of the Dynamic Range. That means it lessens the difference of the volume between the softest and loudest sounds in the mix. Compression for this purpose is meant to protect the PA from any over modulated (distorted) audio signals. It is done to ensure that the PA system will be in complete working order for the Headliner.
Back in the previous article I spoke of the possible revenue generated by a single Sport Arena concert as being in the several million-dollar range. If the PA does not work and headliner can't play.... the money gets refunded. COMPRESSION will be used.
Bad Blake, has a point... and now we all know why. The amount of compression that is applied is the key to success. If the band can stay under control, meaning good consistent audio signals. It will serve to build confidence in the FOH people responsible for the safe keeping of the PA system and they will apply less compression. Understand this and you'll sound great!
The Band finally gets the stage. This is where communication is key, and where the pros excel. Work to ensure the band gets comfortable on stage this is where the music gets made so start... on stage.
All of the PRE-PRODUCTION work bears it's fruit at this point in time.
Placement of band gear (back line) on stage is critical, the placement of "AC" drops and DI boxes in the correct spots will get you up and running for line check quickly. Have the musicians nearby... don't let them on stage until line check has been completed. Nothing drives sound techs crazier than having the musicians on stage before the Microphone lines and Monitor mixes are correct and verified. Have a designated person - conduct the communication - between the band and the monitor engineer. Be nice and never blame the gear as the problem until your convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that it is in fact... the gear... that is the problem!
Time for a reality check, in '87 the Opening Act on Whitney Houston's "Moment of Truth" tour was "Kenny G"... yes before he was " KENNY G" on Hall & Oats' "Rock and Soul Review" tour the Opening Act was "INXS." Yes before they were... you know where I'm going with this... the point is EVERY Band starts as Opening Act... The sound/lighting companies understand that today's Opening Act is tomorrow's Headliner, the concert promoters understand that as well. The production personnel will be there to help for all of the reasons we've discussed. They are Professionals and they know what's at stake.

The Elton John Productive Tracks Uncovered

In '60, combined with the help of his buddies, Elton has developed a music group named "The Corvettes", which from one time, become "Bluesology", a new more truly serious team. Inside '67 Elton John left the team "Bluesology" and has teamed with Bernie.
The following venture brings to his earliest cd start. "Your Song" evolved into rapidly considered one of Elton John greatest hits. The song has been initially revealed within the U.S. in 1970 October, and even it had been a B-side as "Take me to the Pilot" has been at A-side. However the fans favored "Your Song" besides "Take me to the Pilot", and also people made it undoubtedly one of the superior ten in Great Britain together with Unites States music charts.
Everybody adored this unique song quickly. Actually the critics got only good considerations to mention about this. For example, Bill Janovitz by Allmusic believed that it can be the "near-perfect song". Lot of men and women suppose the melody justifies to be inside the very best five from Elton John greatest hits.
One more Elton John's greatest hits will be "Candle in the wind", with the help of music executed just by the singer as well as lyrics by Bernie Taupin. The record was initially prepared within remembrance and respect for Marilyn Monroe, that deceased 11 years earlier. "Goodbye England's Rose" a rebuilding for "Candle in the Wind" is actually a tribute to the Princess of Wales, Diana. This was revealed on 1997 in the United Kingdom and also it was singer's 4th number 1 track. Furthermore, it turned first in a couple of other lands. The main model of this track showed up through 1973.
Year '76 made welcome another Elton John's greatest hits "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word". This period artist labored on the lyrics too. This tune was basically piece from the Blue Moves album.
"Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" had been on very best 20 inside United Kingdom not to mention within Unites States, achieving number 6 inside the Unites States and even number eleven inside Great Britain. However within the Easy Listening chart this melody moved to position 1.
That melody had other variations as well, like throughout 1997 once Steven Houghton featured it on his record. The group Blue recorded that melody again together with Elton John within the year 2002. There have been a lot of features about the tune so, we can easily undoubtedly state that this might be undoubtedly one of by far the most appreciated Elton John greatest hits.
Another track which should get to get in Elton John Greatest Hits catalog might be "Sacrifice", that is definitely more of a ballad compared to a record. Lyrics have been performed just by Bernie Taupin along with music by just Elton John. The tune came out in the album "Sleeping with the Past" within 1989. "Sacrifice" had been a success particularly inside France and also U.K..
Through The month of January '90 this melody has been number fifty five inside United Kingdom music charts and also 18 within the U.S. charts. When this British DJ, Steve Wright performed the record on BBC Radio 1 shortly, different radio programs adopted and the melody achieved number 1 in June, July year '90.

Tips on How to Move a Piano Made Easy

Moving a piano can both be a tiresome and frightening experience; tiresome because you couldn't move it that easily unlike other furniture; and frightening because for sure, that piano is among your most precious possessions and moving it may mean having to risk scratches and other unsightly damages to get in the way.
Basically, a piano can be moved in two ways: hire a professional and save you from the hassle or you can always use some help from friends and save yourself hundreds of bucks. Either way you want it, it is essential that you know how to do it.
Tip # 1: Moving a Piano by Hiring a Professional
This is definitely the easiest among the two categories. All you ever need to do is contact the nearest Professional Piano Moving Service in your area. A cost of $125-$600 is the usual price when the move is just within the city and an additional of $2-$10 per step if it has to be moved upstairs. When a piano needs to be lifted through a window, the cost is $700-$2,000 depending on the accessibility.
Important reminder: follow these tips on how to move a piano and take detailed pictures of the wrapped piece then show it to the piano mover before moving it out the truck so they know which parts to handle with extra care.
Tip # 2: Moving a Piano on Your Own or with help from Friends
There is no question as to how heavy a piano can be so moving it is not at all easy. Before you attempt at trying to move it, it is recommended that you know how heavy it is so that you will have an idea how many people are needed.
Before anything else, protect the piano by wrapping it with blankets. When using the help of friends to move a piano, there is no special equipment needed except for a good pair of gloves. Gather at least 4 to 6 people depending on how heavy the item is and remind them to lift it all at once. When everyone is ready, move it one at a time doing it endways, not sideways.
Decide which of these tips on how to move a piano suits you and your piano well. When your area is enough to efficiently do the moving, then go for tip # 2 but if you have the budget, then go for tip # 1.

Ableton Classes Can Do Wonders For Music Skills

There's been a point in most people's lives when they've enticed the idea of being a DJ or getting more heavily involved with the music world. Ableton Classes do wonders to make this a possibility.
Professionals Offer Tutorials
Whether choosing a class about songwriting specifically or mixing trance beats, Ableton classes offer many opportunities to get going with these dreams. If a person is just starting out and has gotten their first bit of real equipment, there are many chances to find the right class for the skills that are needed with in the music industry. Try searching through all the different choices they offer and a person will see the many different opportunities to hear from the industry's leading professionals and get first-hand knowledge of what they think may be most crucial to the skill that is being learned. These real life tips from some of the leaders can really help an aspiring musician to get a leg up and get out there making their own path.
Classes In The Comfort Of Home
No one wants to have to rush around, getting supplies ready to head off to a location just to worry about parking or being tardy. With Ableton classes it's possible to always be on time and still get that all important knowledge that can add the edge of professionalism to everyone. Why not get those beats and rhythms taught while still wearing pjs and sitting on the couch? Or do a little multitasking and enjoy dinner while learning how to mix trance or dance beats. Wanting to get more involved with the writing process and still have a ton of laundry to catch up on? Go ahead and do some multitasking, getting learning in while managing the daily routine around a house can be a real bonus. These classes allow for plenty of flexibility and freedom while still providing their students with more than enough skills to really pave the way to a better business and career.
Take The Music To The Business Level
It's not just about all the lyrics and compositions a person can handle at Ableton classes. There are also chances to learn more about the business end of the process. Most often business can be both daunting and confusing, leaving the budding entrepreneur in wonder of what step or direction is best to head towards next. With the classes they offer there is a time and place to learn every aspect of what it may mean to run and own a DJ business, or to get that career making and composing music. Learning about how to make money and the legalities that may be involved can go miles to making a hobby and passion into a career. Take a little time and choose the best class to start out with to get that business going or growing. Or ask for some guidance and get a few chosen in a row that will help develop the talent in the direction that is most desired.

Can a Mastering Studio Make a Bad Recording Sound Great?

Many modern recording artists may feel that they are able to "fix it in the mix" - meaning any errors or problems can be corrected during production and engineering of a sound recording. But how true is that? The topic of this article is: "can a mastering studio make a bad recording sound good?" This is an important question but it can be a bit of a loaded question. I'll try to give some insight into the kind of things that make it possible for engineers to take your home recording and make it sound absolutely fantastic.
In the process of audio production there is a concept called "source-quality rule." This refers to the quality of the initial source of a recording that you make. The most obvious place where source-quality rule comes into play is when you create your recording. How good is the way you set up and position your microphone relative to your instrument or voice? How good are the audio interface, preamplifier and converters you are using? Are the settings of your audio workstation correct?
All of these different things are very important factors when creating a good sounding recording and will impact later processes (i.e. mixing and mastering). If the source quality is not there, there are stringent limits on what can be done in the studio. Significant improvements and enhancements can be made, and a professional engineer may meet your expectations, but you cannot take a bad source recording and turn it into a world-class recording.
One point I'd like to make is that a recording nowadays can be a midi recording or a sequencing of a midi instrument and those sources must be high quality as well. Another important consideration is the arrangement - the way different sounds are combined throughout a song - has a huge impact on the process. This is all part of the pre-production process and can force limits on your engineer at the time or production, mixing and mastering.
Having said all that - it is definitely possible for professionals to make significant improvements to your song. But whether or not that recording/song sounds like a world-class recording is really a function of the different parts of the "music production workflow" - pre-production, recording, mixing and mastering. It's important to get educated about all of this so that you have the greatest number of options to make your song sound world class. It's not a matter of learning how to mix and master yourself, but by understanding the basics about those processes, you will make better decisions in all parts of the music production workflow. I hope this helps!

How To Write Songs People Will Love

If you asked a roomful of aspiring songwriters how they approach writing a new song, a lot of them would say basically the same thing: "I just write what I feel."
Now don't get me wrong, many of the greatest songs are written from the heart. But there can be a huge difference in the way a song is written from the heart.
Pick any hit song that sounds as if the writer is just pouring out his or her feelings. I can almost guarantee that writer spent hours upon hours, and days upon days making it sound that way.
The Rewrite
This is where the rewrite comes in.
Every great song becomes great because of the rewrite. The song is still written from the heart, but it's also given the attention it deserves. That may mean rewriting the song five or ten times!
Not too long ago I would get angry and defensive if a publisher suggested I rewrite the second verse. I would think, "How dare you!" or "What do you know?" Luckily for me, I always kept my frustration to myself!
But after a couple of days spent thinking it over, I usually found myself agreeing with their advice. I would then channel that otherwise frustrated energy into rewriting the second verse. And you know what?
The song would always turn out better than before!
Give Your Song The Attention It Deserves
I find it strange that a musician will spend hours a day honing his skills on his instrument (not to mention hard-earned money for lessons), but when it comes to songwriting, "I just write what I feel."
As if the first thing that comes out of their head is sacred! It doesn't matter if you are a guitar virtuoso, if you don't have a great song you ain't got nothin'!
Give your song the attention it deserves. The song is, and always will be King.
I no longer dread the rewrite. I look forward to it. And I don't wait to be asked. (But if I am asked, I gladly comply!)
Rewriting is now business as usual. Once I've finished the first draft, I pat myself on the back. Then I get down to the business of writing the real song. It doesn't often turn into a completely different song, but it always becomes better. More concise. Punchier.
I'm learning how to write songs that say more in less words. I urge you to try to do the same. Take a line that has 11 syllables and try to say the same thing in 7. Cut out the filler. Keep only the words that add to the story. It takes some work but the results can be well worth the effort.

Different Kinds of Bass Guitars

A band is not complete, or even qualified to be called a band, if it does not have a bass guitar. This guitar is never in the spotlight for anything and therefore many people consider it just like any other guitar like the rhythm or the lead guitar. However, this guitar does really play an important role when all things are considered, it gives life to any band and adds quality of the music. There are different kinds of bass guitars in the market today, thanks to the fact that this instrument has undergone a lot of evolution over time and we still have not seen the end of this awesome music instrument. Some people insist on the branded bass guitars which are more expensive than the unbranded varieties.
Speaking of the different kinds of bass guitars that we have in the market to date, perhaps the oldest kind and which has consistently stayed in the market is the solid wood guitar. This guitar is made of solid wood, carved into many designs and patterns. Mostly made of alder wood, the neck is usually made of maple and the fret board is made of rosewood. For durability and longevity, this kind of guitar beats almost all the others in its range.
The other kind of bass guitar is the hollow body guitar which though not very common or so obvious, it is every musicians favorite today. The hollow body is cut out to echo the sound and the resonance of the strings for a longer lasting effect of the sound. If you combine that sound and resonance with electric power, you have the most original and superb sound that you have never heard before.
There are also called semi-hollow body which is composed of both solid body and hollow body guitar. Semi-hollow has a solid cored center but the both sides are hollow that provides a low tone. This is good for jazz, R&B and alternative rock type of music.
The acoustic guitar is on the other hand loud enough to be heard even without amplification. It is the everyday favorite for students who are learning to play the bass guitar.
There are more types of bass guitar aside from what I have mentioned above such as fretless, neck-through, five-and-six string, extended range and short-scale. So, don't underestimate the importance of these guitars in every band because without this, the recipe of music won't be complete.

Asin Too Hot

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Multilingual actor Asin Thottumkal was recognized youth icon in Kerala in a public poll conducted by TV channel Asianet.

"The study was conducted within 15 days, and the participation of many people. Asin winner, because she's smart thinking and a youth representative. She is a talented, beautiful and made Kerala proud," the source said.

March 26 actress won the honor in the presence of who's who in the South Indian film industry and political leaders.

Seven-year-old fan Asin in January won the prize because she adored Asin. It was interesting and busy Asino gesture, "said the source.

The actress was awarded a cash prize, which she gave to palliative care hospitals that focus on reducing the severity of symptoms.

Asin's other wins approval: In South India wild Asin wins another approval. Good luck on her side when she won the prize, and then another.

Currently, she is revered as an icon of youth Kerela. This is based on public voting. Talented, beautiful girl made Kerela proud.

She was awarded the prize for the 7-year-old fan, who adored Asin. "It was interesting and gesture overloaded Asin.

In addition, it also award a cash prize award, which she gave to palliative care.
She was honored in the presence of political leaders, ministers and culture of South movie brotherhood.
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Bikini is my friend

Bikinis should not be a frightening prospect. You can sit at your computer now to think of himself that when you go on holiday this year may go to one piece swimsuit and a big towel to hide under. But remember that you are your own worst critic. There are several things you can do to ensure our guests a perfect look at the beach this summer. First, make sure you choose the correct size bikini. If you put a few pounds since you got married and had children, or something, then the current bikini can be a bit tough, and it is one of the main reasons why they may not look as good as in the past. And probably why you're here on the coast looking for a new site clothes.

First, do the right thing and make sure you buy the right size bikini. This is where the bikini has priority over the one-piece swimsuit. Bikini two parts. Why not buy them in two pieces? La Senza, for example, specializes in bikinis that fit like underwear with a cup size and waist size that mix and match to provide good equipment (in fact, many other brands of swimwear is also available). Besides La Senza do not believe in adding costs just because you're a great goblet. All of their bikini tops estimated in the same way regardless of what your cup size. If you do not know how different dimensions of comparison, look at our size chart.

The next thing is to make sure to choose the right style for your figure. If you have big feet, though it may seem strange, you should consider trying a string bikini bottom, and no shorts, shorts tightness around your feet will pay particular attention to their size. If you have relatively short legs, and then select Bikini Bottom, with a high reduction in the leg as a stress-length legs. However, if you want to reduce the appearance of the upper body, why not consider the tankini?

You are certainly hoping to return from holiday this year with beautiful looking tan. Make sure that while some preparation. You will have more confidence to go to the beach in the beautiful Melissa Odabash room one day, if you already have a beautiful bronze color for your skin. You are trying to start and kicked it in their yard, but most likely you will get cold here in the UK shortly skin begins to darken. Why not take a look at some of the products of tanning, or even several tanning sessions? Make sure, however, that the use you intend to use in a bikini on the beach, so that the white spots in the right places.

Other builders trust, which pays dividends if you're trying to mirror bikinis to draw attention to your skin. If you have your pedicure, waxing your treatment and expanded moisture and your feet will move closer in the mirror. This will lead to greater confidence when entering the beach, where people usually only will you verify the distance. By the way, do not forget your arms!

Why not increase in the chic department too. Match your accessories bikini beach. Big hat and bag, and quality sunglasses and sandals will do wonders for your appearance. If you want to add the length of the legs, then why not try a healthy wedge sandals electricity?

Next tip may seem a bit condescending, but remember back when your mother is crying, you have used all the time "does not stoop. You should put this great advice to good use on the beach. Great looking bikini child will always walk with your shoulders and chest forward and never her abdominal muscles relax, even in the state, walking or sitting. Be sure to maintain this position throughout, and there is no reason why this beautiful babe bikini can not be!

There is always a fact, however, that after enjoying a few extra parts of Turkey, Christmas, you can put a few pounds since last summer. If so, and really want to knock them dead on the beach, then begin to think about the new government to implement a ton of muscles to quite a few weeks before the anticipated debut of the bikini. Concentrate on problem areas such as abdomen, lower and upper arms. Using the relatively light, portable scales. Your new bikini will look better on a firm, toned body.

Finally, do not forget to have. Eat a balanced diet (not intrusive, it would mean a hammer all over again) and drink plenty of water. The last point is important because it helps keep your skin healthy and looking to improve its structure.

Remember that Bikini is not your enemy, he is your friend. It reflects your good side, and if you wisely choose to emphasize their assets, and also drew attention from the less perfect bits. Do not hide under the carpet, that the whole weekend, we'll show you a bikini and be sure to identify the person who always wanted to be.