weblog.helpware.net » Music http://weblog.helpware.net Help MVP Rob Chandler's blog Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:23:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Windows 7 can run apps in true Windows XP Mode? http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=279 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=279#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:50:56 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=279 Wow this is ambitious. The idea is that Windows 7 will have deep compatibility mode where you can run an application in a kind of XP virtual machine mode box. I gather that Win 7 Pro/Ultimate users can download the required XPM bits free.

Read more…

PS.

Microsoft’s Application Virtualization product (App-V) has been released to manufacturing and can be downloaded here:
http://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter/appv/default.mspx
So this is probably what Microsoft are looking at using for Windows 7. Instead of running an entire virtual desktop, it allows an application to run in a bubble. MS purchased V-App (formally SoftGrid) from Softricity.
http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/46974/softricity-softgrid-31.html
PSS. MVP Brian Peek explains XPM – Brian Peek.com
]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=279 2 SUTS 2009 Songs http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=188 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=188#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:44:31 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=188 Here is a list of songs we played at the CMS SUTS 2009 conference. This year I played electric bass.

Sarah Dehn (Voc/Violin) and Shaun Islip (Music director)

Sarah Dehn (Voc/Violin) and Shaun Islip (Music director)

Nicky Chiswell, Dave Chiswell, Jono Bach, Peter Newmarch

Nicky Chiswell, Dave Chiswell, Jono Bach, Peter Newmarch

Shack Song number / Song Title / details / YouTube example clip
(**) = May not have played during the conference

Shawn thinks we also did these songs

  • A6 – All Who Are Thirsty
    First line: All who are thirsty, all who are week
    Brown, Brenton | Robertson, Glenn
    Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire)
  • A5 – Agnus Dei
    First line: Allelujah, Allelujah, for the Lord God almighty
    Smith, Michael W.
    Sony/ATV Milene Music
  • B1 – Be Thou my vision
    First line: Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
    Byrne/Hull
    Public Domain
  • The Almighty Reigns
    Houghton, Israel
    Integrity’s Praise! Music
  • Majesty
    Smith, Martin | Garrard, Stuart
    Curious? Music UK
  • Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
  • Better Is One Day
    Redman, Matt
    Thankyou Music
  • I Lift My Eyes Up
    Doerksen, Brian
    ION Publishing/Vineyard Songs Canada
  • You’re Worthy Of My Praise
    Ruis, David
    Shade Tree Music/Maranatha Praise, Inc.
  • Be The Centre
    Frye, Michael
    Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire)
  • Jesus All For Jesus
    Mark, Robin | Atkinson, Jennifer
    Authentic Publishing
  • Let Everything That Has Breath
    Redman, Matt
    Thankyou Music
  • Here I Am To Worship
    Hughes, Tim
    Thankyou Music
  • Lord Of All
    McPherson, Steve
    Hillsong Publishing
  • Oh Lord You’re Beautiful
    Green, Keith
    BMG Songs, Inc./BMG Songs, Inc./Birdwing Music */Birdwing Music *
  • I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
    Smith, Martin
    Curious? Music UK
  • Rejoice
    Kendrick, Graham
    Thankyou Music
  • I Give You My Heart
    Morgan, Reuben
    Hillsong Publishing
  • Breathe
    Barnett, Marie
    Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
  • The Highest And The Greatest
    Hughes, Tim | Herbert, Nick
    Thankyou Music
  • Freedom is coming.
]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=188 4 Trio Fidelis http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=129 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=129#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:31:31 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=129 I created a web site for Angela’s chamber music trio. Once again Google Apps to the rescue. Google Apps is a free web site, all you need to do is pay $10/yr for a domain name or bring your own.

I recorded Trio Fidelis performing at PLC Melbourne on the 4th May 2008. And thanks again to the kind folks at Google, we are able to post the entire concert video on the web site using YouTube. Enjoy.

]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=129 0 New Aria Stick Bass http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=49 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=49#comments Sun, 03 Jun 2007 12:20:55 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=49 I just purchased a new Aria EUB (Electric Upright Bass) which is still in the mail (shipped from Florida). The retail price for the Aria SWB-LITE stick bass is hard to pin down. The Florida shop says retail is USD$1900. I’ve seen US web sites selling the SWB-LITE for as much as $2850. I’ve seen it advertised on Australian web sites for AU$1800.

I was actually after the next model up but saw this brand new SWB-LITE on ebay for USD$775.  Given the state of the Australian dollar at the moment I think this was a good buy even with the added Postage and tax.

Here’s a snap of the Aria SWB-LITE bass with another bass I picked up, the Aria Sinsonido AS-690B/FL.

bassx2.jpg

Rob

6-Jun-2007: Basses arrive 

Both basses arrives from USA today. So here’s a quick review.

Aria Sinsonido – Is very light. Great for beginner bass player. Good one for taking on holidays or travelling. I’d never play it on stage. I think this one is for my kids who are wanting to start playing bass as it happens. Interesting its output can be plugged into an Bass Amp or a pair of standard headphones. Aria SWB-LITE – For the price its a resonable bass. It did not arrived setup, and I prefer a lighter/softer string on the double bass. So there is some work to do. The treble control needs to be turned right down otherwise you hear too much hand movement noise. I think I will defer my judgement on this bass until I get it setup (watch this space). What I was looking for was a full 3/4 size stick bass that sounds resonable. I think it shows great potential. The fisherman pickups have a good sound.

Now to get my violin maker to tweak the setup. BTW if you need someone to work on your Bass (or other stringed instrument) and you are in Melbourne I highly recommend Ben Puglisi: 42 Church St. Hawthorn: 9853 9525.

]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=49 1 Jazz Talk: The Real Book http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=46 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=46#comments Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:54:21 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=46 realbook.jpg

Jazz musicians will know the “The Real Book”, a spiral bound stack of photocopies of all the most popular Jazz standards, which was sold under the counter. Book 1 (5th edition) and Book II (1st edition) came in C, Bb, Eb, Bass clef versions. Since the 70′s they have been an essential companion for all working musicians.

In 2004 Hal Leonard published legal copyright versions of these books. The books look much the same as the originals, and are usually cheaper. Book I (6th edition), Book II (2nd edition), and now Book III,  can be bought off Amazon for under US$20 each [see Amazon example]. I notice there is now a The Real Vocal Book – Volume 1 -Second Edition too.

A few songs didn’t make it into the 6th addition (couldn’t get the rights).  So some extra songs were added to the 6th edition. See Wikipedia for details.

But this is all history and Wikipedia tells the story better than I can
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Book

Illegal copies of the Real Book are still around. The Internet providing easy purchase and delivery of electronic PDF versions.

The electronic version is actually very useful as it also comes with recordings of all the songs (US$54.90). I must admit that I did purchase this version as it was so handy, but I also purchased the legal versions from Amazon as well.

Other interesting links

Hal Leonard Jazz Play Along Series

Other books that caught my eye today are the Hal Leonard “Jazz Play Along Series”. There are around 60 Volumes in the series. Each Volume contains about 10 songs, charts for Bb, Eb, and C instruments, and a play along CD. You can tune out the Bass or Piano parts.

I bought several off Amazon. At $10 a volume you can’t go wrong. We have Piano, Trombone, Flute and Bass in our family, as well as many musician friends so we should have great fun with these publications. Combined with Real Book chord and vocal parts I expect the kids and I should have some fun. I’ll report back once we have things moving along.

Rob

]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=46 0 Cakewalk Sonar 6 = 5 Stars http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=41 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=41#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2007 14:21:06 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=41 Gotta share some good news on the music front.

As a musician I’ve been hunting for a new Sequencing software package (Midi/Audio recorder) for a number of years. I was using Musicator but it’s too old and unstable now. I tried all the industry standards — Digidesign Pro-Tools 7, Cubase, Ableton Live 6, Sibelius 4. None of products were intuitive to me as a Windows user. None worked under Vista 64bit. Honestly I don’t know why musicians persever with these products. The learning curve is just hurendous. Most follow Mac UI standards instead of Windows standards (I guess they were imported from the Mac platform).

Then I read some reviews on Sonar 6 by Cakewalk and thought I’d check out the trial version. Alleluia!  Windows Vista 64bit support. Follows Windows standards to the letter, good old Windows right+click menus, intuitive, and CHM help is professionally written and easy to read. It was written for Windows and for Windows users. These guys did a great job. Everything is where you expect it to be. Everything is logical, and you can customize every inch of the UI if you want. Thanks Cakewalk.

Hey but I’m glad I purchased ProTools 7 because now I can save money and get the Sonar compeditive upgrade. :-)

US$619.00 Sonar Producer Edition — xgrade = US$399
US$369.00 Sonar Studio Edition — xgrade = US$199

14 Reasons to Switch to SONAR 6 (xgrade page)
- WMV movies show you some of the incredible features of Sonar

]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=41 1 Weird AL Yankovic in Melbourne Australia http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=23 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=23#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2007 04:04:59 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=23 I want to review last nights Weird Al Yankovic concert help at Hamer Hall, Melbourne Australia (23rd March 2007).

Last time we saw Al live in Melbourne was Oct 2003. According to Wikipedia this was Al’s first overseas tour. It’s a lot of work to put on a show this size. Even more to transport it to the other side of the world and perform live while jet-lagged. We love you Al and team for making it to Australia yet again. We love that you always give 110% at all your performances.

There were 10 in our party. 4 adults and 6 kids. AU$80 a ticket. On the way in we waved to various people we new.

So the concert started at 8pm, and kicked off fairly promptly with a local standup comedian. Same comedian and same jokes as the 2003 tour. A bit too crude given the young kids in the audience. Anyway it was over fairly quickly and we all waited with great anticipation for Al.

And we waited. And we waited. We watched for 30 mins as the 3 projectors each continuously performed 5 min countdowns. Eventually there was an announcement that there was in fact technical difficulties and Al would be out shortly to give us the best show ever. Al said later they had problems with the Video server. Lukily Aussies are fairly easy going. After the announcement we all got up and stretched , mingled, chatted, bought refreshments etc.

After 9:30pm on comes Al and… we are blind (talk about that soon). The show featured all the new songs from Al’s new album, Straight Outta Lynwood, and (from memory) kicked off with the Polkarama medley from the album. It was a good strong show. We were delighted that he did the last part of “Trapped in a Drive-Thru” including Led-Zepplin on the radio bit :-) . The usual strong end with “The Saga Begins”, followed by “Yoda”. The the funny Hucka type chant this time included the “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oye, Oye, Oye” cry. Ending with some classics “Eat it” and “FAT”.

Al is never one to disappoint Fan’s. And despite the very late start Al put on a solid encore which the fans loved and so delivered a full 2+ hrs of concert. Finishing at 11:45pm giving fans just enough time to catch the last train out of Flinders Street station.

Thanks Al and team you rock!

Blinded

This is where technology can go horribly wrong. For about 1/3 of the performances we were almost blinded by a spot light. Behind the band were 2 motorised intensely glarey piercing lights. We were in the Circle (first big balcony seating several hundred people. There’s another larger balcony above that). Unfortunately for most of the performance they directed these intense lights directly into our faces (probably over a hundred people were effected). Apart from blinding us, they completely obscured our view of the main performer on stage (since the lights were just behind Al).

Here is some video that fairly accurately shows you how awful it was. The entire night for me spent squinting in discomfort, and wondering if I should disturb everyone by walking out and finding the lighting manager so I could explain this intolerable situation. Well 1/3 of the night.  The lights sometimes swung away, and were turned off during the Videos segments.

or click here to open the video in a separate window

These stills show pretty accurately how the spot light at the rear of the stage obscured our view of Al (forgetting for a moment how uncomfortable it was)

“The Saga Begins” .. I think we can see Al’s legs

Ah… no light. We can see Al :-)

Spoke too soon :-(

 If you were at the concert and had the same problem, here is the official place to complain to:

  • Lennard Promotions Pty Ltd. 34 Queens Rd Melbourne VIC 3004. Ph (03) 98664536
]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=23 3 Parallels, The Music of Yes http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=18 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=18#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2007 01:05:33 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=18 Just got back from a trip to Seattle (Microsoft 2007 MVP Summit). Paul O’Rear and I being “Yes” devotees went and saw the band “Parallels, The Music of Yes”  YES TRIBUTE IN CONCERT, Saturday, March 10th @ Roy’s Place, Lynnwood

Great band. Great performance. Their first gig after many months of rehersing. They did a fantastic job of interpretting the music of the great band “Yes”. Looking forward to seeing them again sometime.

And… I won a CD for travelling the furthest to the gig (Melbourne Australia) razz

Rob

]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=18 0 Treadmill Dancers http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=13 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=13#comments Sat, 24 Feb 2007 10:05:10 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=13 Definitely one of our all time family favorites on UTube. The treadmill dancers.



]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=13 0 Amazing Clips http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=8 http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=8#comments Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:07:01 +0000 Rob http://weblog.helpware.net/?p=8 Arn’t there some absolute gems on UTube. A musicians paradise.

23-Feb-2007

  • Singer Imogen Heap is inspirational. Search Google you will find she has a huge following. And not surprising when you watch her clips Just For Now and Hide and Seek.

9-Feb-2007

]]> http://weblog.helpware.net/?feed=rss2&p=8 0