The Yamaha QY300 Sequencer

Sequencers - This is computer software that records the computer information from MIDI instruments and MIDI controllers transmit. Quite literally, the computer information that makes up the music is put into order or sequenced. From this software a huge variety of editing functions exist. One could make sections of the music louder or softer, shorter or longer, faster or slower, simply by changing the computer information with a click of the mouse! Today's sequencers have become very powerful tools for creating music. Some sequencers also allow for the music to be printed out on music staffs. One can time-lock the computer to movies or videos, inserting music or special effects by using SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers). One could also record any sound into the computer, if the sequencer allows hard disk digital audio recording. Finally, one could create the "digital master" that compact discs are made from in the computer. An important point to remember: MIDI is computer information to play synthesizers/samplers or drum machines. Digital Audio is the process of taking any sound and changing that sound wave into numbers; like a compact digital disc.

Humanize - This is another feature of sequencers. One can totally time correct the music so that it is in perfect time. This sounds very mechanical and is sometimes used in Techno Music and some Dance Music. Often times, you want to retain the musical feel, but tighten up the time. You can do this by humanizing the music, you can make many time adjustments until you like how tight or loose the music is to the beat.

Groove/Swing - This section of the sequencer allows you to re-groove or swing the beat. Let's say that you have a simple four beat song, but you want it to sound like a hip hop or shuffle beat. One click of the mouse, and your music is instantly changed. Sometimes composers leave the verse of a song in a simple four beat, then at the chorus, activate the hip hop or shuffle beat.

http://ed.fnal.gov/linc/spring96/projects_linc2/Allmusic/Technology/samplers.html

E-MU® Darwin Hard Disc Recorder®

Digital Recording - The digital recorder measures the sound waveforms thousands of times each second and assigns a numerical value, or digit, to each of the measurements. These digits are then translated into a stream of electronic pulses that are placed in a memory bank for later retranslation and playback. The following are a list of companies that make digital 8 track machines: Sony, Tascam, Alesis, Fostex, E-mu, Akai and Panasonic. The unit above is digital multitrack hard disc recorder. On this unit you can record mutilple instruments, each on their own track. For example, let's say we record a guitar on track one. This particular unit records the sound information to a hard disk! Some units record the digital information to various types of magnetic tape. Now, on the next track we record a lead vocal, on the next track the drums, etc.. Until we feel the song is complete. You have an unlimited amount of tracks by "bouncing" down to an empty track! 

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Sony XDR-F1HD: The best HD radio to date

Hailed by audiophiles as one of the greatest tuners ever, the Sony XDR-F1HD is arguably the best--and most affordable--way to add HD radio to any stereo system.

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