Once you have mastered it people will see a big difference in the way you perform. A person’s ability to read music well is the difference between an average player and being a world class performer that always has the audience mesmerized with their skill. Of course like many things you cannot master it until you have a firm grasp of the basics. As the old Chinese proverb goes a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.

So let’s get to the basics!

Learning how to read music is very similar to learning to read and write there are some basic rules that you need to follow that everyone does. Straying from this basic foundation can lead to problems later on. Music is not formatted the same as writing, where this is on a single line musical notes are displayed over five lines and contain a treble clef.

There are various clef types with the two most common being the bass clef and the treble clef. One way of remembering these is that the treble clef is the right hand on a piano and the bass clef is the left hand. I realise that you may not be playing the piano but this is the easiest way to explain it. There are other types of clef and you should not let this worry you too much at this stage as you can play excellent sounding music with just the notes that are on these two types of clef.

The way to read notes is dependent on their position on the five lines or between them. The following are read from the bottom to the top…

This article is an excerpt from How to read Music by M-Audio Direct, the UK’s leading supplier of M-Audio electronic music equipment.

The Cables & Leads stock already features a wide variety of cables such as DVI to HDMI adapters, Composite video cables and even iPod earphones. With new product stock coming in from Monster Cables, cables-leads.co.uk has extended the range of quality digital equipment available for online shoppers. This includes the popular Monster 750HD HDMI cable, the Monster Blu-Ray Advanced High-Speed HDMI and the Monster THX Certified Component 2m video cable.

Monster cables was founded in 1979 by Noel Lee, and through years of research and development a new industry of quality cables which he named the ‘Monster Cable’. The company itself focuses on producing cables with superior quality materials, which range from medium to high and provides excellent performance. Monster Cables is now the leading manufacturer of high performance cables and cover a broad range including anything from components for music enthusiasts, sound professionals, recording studios and individuals.

“We are really looking forward to stocking Monster Cables. Monster have long been one of the leading cable manufacturers. We are now able to give our customers more options than ever before” Say’s Robert Deans Sales & Marketing Manager for Cables & Leads. “We will be one of only a few stockists’s to carry the full product range” he adds.

Purchases can be made online at any time. Phone support is available from 9-5, Monday to Friday. Shipping is free for all products over £35 to mainland UK and starts elsewhere at £2.99. Upgrade to next day delivery is available for orders placed before 3.30pm on working days.

In order to begin using a MIDI controller, some there are some basic requirements that you need to grasp in order to properly utilize the device. Just remember that the MIDI itself is not an audio device – it does not produce audio or anything we know as sound.  The MIDI simply is a device used to communicate with what is known as a sequencer which determines what notes are being played and the duration of time which it is played for – after the signals from the synthesizer have been converted, then we are able to hear the music that we would expect.

The process is very simple – computer software in this day and age act as sequencers themselves, meaning that hardware sequencers have become unnecessary. The sequencers hold a large quantity of sound files which have been derived from various instruments such as guitars and pianos. When a MIDI device is connected to the computer, software generated sequencer can playback the sounds stored in the database to create the sound and music that we are familiar with through the digital input from a MIDI.

It is possible to have a variety of different MIDI controllers and only one sequencer. This is possible due to the fact that computer software nowadays is extremely powerful, with the most professional ones being able to support a wide range of instruments. Thus, by purchasing more than one MIDI, you won’t need to worry about finding another set of software that plays specifically for that instrument and thus making the MIDI a very flexible solution.

The only drawback is that some older computers may not be able to handle being used in accordance with MIDI’s, simply because the soundcard is incompatible or too old.  Unfortunately this means that MIDI’s will not be compatible with older models, and may running sequencer software on these types of computers may cause an overload in the CPU. It is therefore recommended that you check your system specifications, especially the soundcard and cross-reference it online to see if a MIDI can run on your model first.

After that, there’s really nothing more to using a MIDI than to simply plug it in, set up the software that contains the information acting as a sequencer and get composing. The MIDI has evolved to become an extremely practical tool for musicians and composers alike, and best of all it’s a device that anyone can use. They are easy to find, easy to set up and easy to use once you grasp the basics. The MIDI is the digital artist’s best friend – and from the features mentioned above, it’s not hard to see why.

This Article was written by Robert Deans. Robert is the SEO copywriter for www.m-audiodirect.co.uk. M-Audio Direct is the UK’s Premier supplier of M-Audio equipment. Be sure to check out some of Robert’s other articles, including How to add music to your myspace profile

With the move to the digital age the amount of data that is needed to be transferred has increased massively between digital devices. This has been due to the fast moving pace of updates in modern home entertainment systems and the needs of their users. Due to these increased demands cable technology has also had to be improved to transfer this vast amount of data without loss of quality.

There was DVI which now struggles to keep up next came HDMI which can handle more than enough data for any current digital devices and those in the foreseeable future, future proofing yourself, or should I say as future proof as we can be.

When someone mentions HDMI cables many people believe that they are really expensive. While you can spend a large amount of money on a HDMI cable it is perfectly feasible to get a functional cable on a smaller budget. These cables will do exactly the same job as a more expensive one and will offer the same performance. The only thing that a more expensive cable will do is potentially last longer than a cheaper alternative….

Artilce courtesy of Cables & Leads view the full article here Why HDMI doesn’t have to cost as much as you think

There are seven sub systems of VGA. These are separated into specific categories, including graphics controllers, display memory, serialiser, attribute controller, sequencer and the CRT controller. Each of these parts performs a different task and as a result, displays text and graphics on the screen. The CPU processor of a machine will process all the necessary information, and then feed it to the VGA which will then process it. The VGA system in itself is quite outdated, although standard PC’s do boot up in VGA mode, with the maximum resolution size of 640 x 480 and 16 colours.

Since VGA is much too outdated to be used in common systems such as laptops and PC’s, it has evolved into something much more complex – the XGA. This is the first step up that IBM developed that resembles something closer to what we would expect of home computers and laptop resolutions, allowing 800 x 600 pixels of high colour (16 bits per pixel) and 1024 x 768, the standard resolution that most computers run on nowadays with a palette of 256 colours. Electronic equipment such as projectors and digital cameras also use XGA support. XGA is much more aesthetically pleasing, due to the larger amount of pixels that it can hold.

Another variety of the VGA cable that we have includes the SVGA, or otherwise known as the Super Virtual Graphics Array, which was originally released as an extension to the original VGA set by IBM in 1987. SVGA was formed as a means of standardizing for cross-compatible graphics display and display adapters. While we may think of SVGA as an enhanced, better product in comparison to the XGA display, it in itself does not have a specific resolution definition and is more so a means of generalizing a higher level of graphics display featuring resolutions of 1024 x 768, and versions of SVGA which could support up to 32-bit colour.

VGA has and still is the basic fundamental of graphics display for digital devices. Although it has now been replaced by the more commonly used XGA and SVGA standards, VGA still exists as an important graphics base that will continue to guide how graphics display and resolution will operate. The VGA system has since revolutionized the display of graphics and digital equipment that still exists today, especially with low resolution technology.

This article was written by Robert Deans. Robert is the SEO copywriter for www.cables-leads.co.uk. Cables & Leads are the UK’s Premier online retailer of audio, video and computer cables. For more articles by Robert, or more information please visit Cables & Leads

Trading online for well over 7 years, the MediaAtlantic team has over 30 years of combined of e-commerce experience. They are a dedicated on line UK technology retailer with well over 27,000 IT, Audio, Video products and accessories. MediaAtlantic LTD hopes their experience and extensive product knowledge will make Cables & Leads a popular choice for all connectivity queries. The high volume buying power means Cables & Leads will be able to supply premium cables at a fraction of high street prices.

“With this site we are not just creating an on line shop, we are bringing years of experience to the table to offer solutions. We want our knowledge base to be somewhere people can come not just to buy cables but to find answers,” says Robert Deans, Sales & Marketing Manager. He goes on to add, “We are really excited about the launch of this site. It is the second of our breakaway sites dedicated to specific niches. Our vision is to become an authority in this area that people come to both know and respect.”

The site will also have an extensive reference area, including how to guides and answers to commonly asked questions. Development is also underway on a forum for the site, thus creating an online community of people with the same Questions and more importantly, Answers.

About Cables & Leads
Cables & Leads was launched in 2009 as an extension of the MediaAtlantic Group. As a 100% online retailer, Cables & Leads is dedicated purely providing connection solutions. From Scart leads to the latest DisplayPort cables .With 1,000’s of products in stock a fast, cost effective solution is only one click away.

For more information about Cables & Leads please visit www.cables-leads.co.uk

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In order to add music to your profile, you have to first log into your Myspace account. Afterwards, find the link where it says Music. This should be in the top navigation bar where you can find all the other links such as Home and Profile. Afterwards, you should be brought to a page which displays albums and artists. There should be a search bar to the right of the page. Click on it and enter an artist of your choice… Read more about How to add music to your Myspace profile.

Products are immediately updated every time a new release is announced on the market for M-Audio products. Music and DJ enthusiasts in the UK can be sure that M-Audio Direct will stock the newest M-Audio products as soon as it becomes readily available on the market, straight from the manufacturing outlet and provided in top quality.

Featured products are displayed on the front page and recommended products are displayed through large rotating banners near the top of the page. The product range is massive, containing just about every product that M-Audio offers.

According to the press release announced by M-Audio several weeks prior to its launch, M-Audio Direct will feature a variety of different how-to guides and review articles which will help shoppers make the right choice in finding costly equipment. M-Audio Direct features a news blog which is regularly updated and hosts a variety of different guides, ranging from how to set up a home music studio to utilizing and making the most of MIDI controllers.

Current payment options include Google Cashout and Paypal, however M-Audio Direct has promised more flexibility with payment processors as it moves out of its early launch phase and becomes fully operational. Checkout is secured with 256 bit encryption with industry standard SSL and features live telephone support for any inquiries from Monday to Friday, 9AM-5PM every day.

The website itself presents a fresh and clean look that is easy to navigate, with product description and prices displayed for each individual item. The shopping cart is displayed in the right hand side in the navigation bar and can be easily managed by any online shopper. Delivery prices start at only £3 and products are shipped anywhere in the UK.

The team behind the M-Audio direct have nearly 8 years of experience in music and online retail. This guarantees that the service and quality of products that are ordered off M-Audio Direct will be the standard that one would expect of any purchase.

M-Audio Direct is definitely worth taking the time to visit, although it is a new online retailer, it has the potential to take a large share of the M-Audio digital product market especially in the UK. For those who are looking to purchase new equipment from a reliable retailer, M-Audio Direct is definitely a website to keep an eye out for.

What are some of the possible uses of a MIDI? Aside from being mainly used in recording studios at home or in professional sets, MIDI’s can be used in live performances bringing digitalized sounds to a stage. A common example of this would be a MIDI Keyboard Controller, which allows an artist to both play and alter the sound signals that are electronically sent.
If the main purpose of buying a MIDI controller is to record digital music, they come in masses and can be found in any major music retailer. These MIDI’s come in a range of size and styles and cover anything from drum kits to guitars. If you are looking for a digital replacement for an instrument in order to incorporate it digitally, a MIDI is the best solution there is.

How does a MIDI work? There are a few steps that are required in order for a MIDI to function properly. This includes making sure that a connected PC or desktop has the proper soundcard to handle MIDI compatibility. Some older models of computers will not have this, and therefore before buying a MIDI make sure that your preferred PC is capable of handling a MIDI.

Setting up the MIDI becomes the second part to this process. Many MIDI’s operate through the use of a USB controller which simply runs off DC power, but while this is common it is not universal. There may be additional tweaking required if the MIDI controller device is more complex, and some additional wiring may be needed.

Finally, after all the set up and compatibility checks have been complete, all you need to do now is start running your sequencer. A sequencer is simply a device which converts the digital signals given off by a MIDI into what humans come to understand as ‘sound’. Sequencers come as both hardware and software, but having a program on the computer to manage all the recordings is recommended. Quality music studio recording software would be able to cover this and act as a sequencer and save some time trying to configure hardware.

When you are looking for the all-in-one solution to making music digital, choosing a MIDI controller is the best way to go about it. They are reliable, convenient and allow you to record and compose just the way you would with any real instrument. You don’t need to be a genius to start up a home music studio, because when it comes to MIDI’s, they were created to be used by anyone.

For more information on MIDI’s including a full range of M-Audio MIDI’s please visit www.m-audiodirect.co.uk , Take a look at our MIDI Buyers Guide

The Torq Xponent

The M-Audio Torq Xponent is a cutting-edge Digital DJ system that brings the art of DJ mixing to a whole new level. The Torq Xponent integrates both a MIDI controller surface and a four-output USB audio interface that boasts control and solid sound performance at the same time. DJ’s are able to quickly move beyond the basics of basic beat matching and move on to more advanced functions such as loop, reorder, extend and load up a song at the touch of a button with the Torq’s high-end software.

The M-Audio Torq 1.5 software makes it easy for digital DJ’s to manipulate tracks easily and combine them with other features for a unique yet sophisticated touch. DJ’s can record remixes and any song played through the system as a new song. Easy access to features such as multiple distortion, filter, repeat, chorus or bit-reduction is made easy by the balanced design of the Torq that boasts every button and knob to mimic the same feel as the traditional DJ hardware.

So what is the difference between a new, high-end digital DJ system such as the Torq Xponent and the reliable traditional DJ software? There has been some debate that digital DJ stations have become far too automated, and there is not sufficient human input. In other words, less skilled DJ’s would be able to operate on the same level as veterans using the traditional hardware. With the aid of technology, it becomes easier to manage harder techniques, and thus there is a difference in the way that the audio is managed.

However, a DJ will always be a DJ, no matter what system they use. Examples such as the Torq will require time to master, and this is no easy feat even for those experienced at being DJ’s. Effectively, the digital DJ brings a whole new set of possibilities to the table. These systems are portable, easy to set up and work well with other devices. The more traditional DJ systems are just as effective in good hands, but will be used differently according to the preference of the DJ.

Digital DJ’ systems function just as well as a traditional DJ set. The feel and touch may be a little different at first, but afterwards many will find that it is just as easy to work with as a traditional set. There is no shortage of good DJ’s, and with the evolution of digital DJ hardware, they have been presented with more options. Both styles of DJ, digital and traditional, will continue to be used and respected regardless of what critics and markets consider the hype to be.