Friday, January 25, 2013

Propellerhead Record Redrum

Redrum is a great drum instrument for making beats on a track.

Learning an instrument can be time consuming and it requires practice and rehearsal. Not that recording electronic music is any easier, but a musician can program beats, basslines, melodies, and vocals into a full track without having the be able to physically master the instrument or singing portions.

I have tampered with drums back in my garage band days. We used to switch instruments after practice. I was alright at a point, because I practiced drums at least twice a week. But I never owned drums.

Instrumental parts of my tracks generally begin with drums. I program and edit Redrum kits, adjusting each drum to my preference, and then drawing the details into the sequencer. Everything I learned about computer music was based on UK Future Music and associated magazines, as well as YouTube tutorials and tips and tricks from Computer Music DVDs and my own musical intuition. Check out this video to learn more about programming virtual drum machines.




Thursday, January 24, 2013

EdHelper.com and Tutoring

www.EdHelper.com is an awesome tutoring and teaching website that makes worksheets, stories, and lessons printable and customizable.

I came across this site through the tutoring for which I work. Printing papers and using ink does become a hassle, but I much prefer this to photocopying textbook pages. Copiers can be slow! 

Check out the video I uploaded; it shows a brief example of what to expect from EdHelper.

Okay, NOW I NEED TO GO TUTOR!



Monday, January 21, 2013

Adobe Creative Suite Free

Adobe Photoshop CS2
Adobe Creative Suite 2 is free!

I am thankful for being wrong!

In my excitement to DL the software I did not take my time to seek out the serial numbers. A good friend pointed out that these are DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE DL LINKS!

Adobe Creative Suite 2 comes with InDesign, PhotoShop, Illustrator, and other applications.




Wednesday, January 16, 2013

ASUS G73SW Laptop (Review Comments)

The ASUS G73SW is a very powerful machine. The quietness of all the spinning parts and fans is amazing for something this large. I purchased the 17 inch, 720p Best Buy model (including a Black Tie one year warranty). Streaming and downloading is super quick.

The only main issues I had were with the touch pad and the video card.




These I was able to replace through the warranty since it covers hardware repairs. Best Buy took care of the shipping and everything. But I did have to get a Rent-A-Center rental laptop to get me through tutoring work sessions and writing that I am obligated to do for my work. This set me back, but it was worth the wait for repairs. Everything was fixed within 2 weeks.

Currently the laptop is running very nicely. It handles all my graphic work smoothly. The touch pad is still a bit too sensitive. The machine is beautiful, but lugging it to the library and to tutoring sessions and coffee shops can be a pain. I feel like I take up too much space. And I draw a bit of attention with this gigantic thing. I usually just want to get my work done. Constantly I am being approached with questions about the computer, which is fine. But it helps me to get my work done!

This computer can handle all that I need. But I may downgrade in size. I would consider a similar model. I have good faith in ASUS over HP now (after dealing with 2 previous HP 17 inchers). This computer is sturdier and much more consistent in performance compared to my old zd7000 and dv9000 models.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Bedroom Makeover!


My bedroom got this new makeover!
Check it out :-0

Tablet USB Keyboard (Toshiba Thrive Review Video)

My mother wanted a netbook to type out emails and go online etc.
In 2011 we went to get her a gift. With the techy spirits we possess, us as her family members all went out to get her a netbook and returned with a 10 inch Toshiba Thrive!

We were excited, but she still wanted a keyboard.

Here is a review of a cheap ~$25 USB keyboard with a portfolio case!
Find this entire package on Amazon.
Watch my review vid!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Windows Journal (software review)

Class Notes Sample using Windows Journal Software
I had never used or heard of Windows Journal until a few weeks back. The software is simplistic and not very powerful, but it gets the job done! This program is very nice for writing notes, editing, highlighting, and scribbling around similarly to how we do when taking extensive class notes. My favorite options are:




-import pictures
-create text boxes
-highlighter
-pen
-different colors and sizes of pens and highlighters

DOWNLOAD HEREhttp://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20771



Adobe Creative Suite and Photoshop Alternatives

A post from GIZMODO was forwarded to me from some techy buddies (www.gizmodo.co.uk). I was excited to see that I was supposedly going to receive a free copy of CS2! I downloaded each disc made available online. IT WAS WORKING! But then a serial number was requested.

"NOOOOO!!!"


How to be Perfect! by Grace Ncube

How to be Perfect! by Grace Ncube 
Image

Don't worry! I'm a screw up. And this I know.