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Dear Musician,

Although most news items about personnel changes get a well-deserved yawn, we’d like to congratulate long-time Harmony Central contributor/moderator/CD reviewer/all-around good guy Ara Ajizian, who’s been promoted to Associate Publisher at Harmony Central. Think this doesn’t matter to you? Actually, it does. Harmony Central continues to grow in terms of members, posts, content, advertising—you name it. And because we don’t want to stop growing, we need people with brains and talent to keep steering this ship. Ara is committed to continuing and amplifying the policy that has made Harmony Central the number one destination for musicians on the web: unbiased, neutral, real-world, informative, and entertaining content. Now more than ever, musicians need this type of resource—and we’re very, very glad (and relieved, considering we weren’t the only people trying to hire him!) to have Ara officially onboard.

Next up: the Frankfurt Musikmesse. By the time you receive this newsletter, our intrepid Editor-in-Chief, Craig Anderton, will be prowling (or crawling, depending on how many after-show parties he attends) the halls of the world’s largest music trade show and reporting back to the HC community about what’s new. He’ll also be teaming up with HC community members Mats Nermark (with Fuzz magazine), the notorious Dr. Walker (one of Germany’s premiere electronic musicians), and some other special guests and VIPS to give you the kind of show report no other website can provide. Stay tuned!

It seems that just about every issue we thank you for your continued support, but we can’t say it enough because you are what makes this adventure possible. Thank you!

- Your Harmony Central Team

What's Hot on HC This Week!

The Frankfurt Musikmesse is in full swing, and Harmony Central is there to give you the scoop. Follow the link on the home page to the latest coverage, and for discussions, check out our exclusive Musikmesse forum. Will there be amazing new gear? Nothing new after NAMM? You’ll be the very first to know.

Reviews & Techniques

Hot Tip!

The Tympanic Microphone Method

When listening to a source before miking it, a lot of people will stand a comfortable “social” distance—say four to six feet—in front of the performer and listen carefully before putting a microphone two feet away (and often at a vertical position different from where they were standing). If you really want to find the best mic position, make sure you listen to the source from various distances, including the exact location (however intimate) you plan to place the mic. You should first listen with both ears, the way nature intended, and then plug one ear and face your active ear toward the source at various axes. If you need both hands to make adjustments while listening (or to pick yourself up off the floor), then grab a set of cans and cover just one ear as you walk around, sit, kneel, and lie (if necessary). You might not have the complete isolation in one ear that sticking your finger in would provide, but you look a lot less silly. And be sure to tuck the headphone cord into your pocket so as not to trip on it; (please don’t ask why I always remember to offer this last bit of advice).

—Jon Chappell

Music Headlines

Ernie Ball MusicMan Unveils Albert Lee & Petrucci Baritone Reserve Models
Originally enjoyed only by family and revered artist friends, MusicMan's exceptional Ball Family Reserve instruments celebrate the company's most exceptional American artistry. (2008-02-29)
Kustom Announces the Double Cross All-Tube Amp
Designed by noted amp builder James Brown, the 100-watt Double Cross boldly redefines high-gain guitar amplification with a broad spectrum of stunning new tones and user-modified features. (2008-02-27)
PreSonus FireStudio Tube Now In Production
The FireStudio Tube is a complete 24-bit/96k, professional, FireWire recording system loaded with the perfect combination of inputs and outputs. (2008-02-26)
Hammerax™ Launches Whipcrash™ Bronze Cymbals
Whipcrash™ cymbals feature an S-shaped array of hammered microcups which can be stick-raked hard or softly to create one hand crescendos and decrescendos. (2008-02-26)
Allen & Heath Launches Xone:42 USB DJ Mixer
The Xone:42 incorporates a USB audio interface for easy connection to a computer and integration of digital media. (2008-02-25)
AxeTrak Introduces Innovative Speaker Cabinet
The AxeTrak 112 has many features that set it apart from other speaker cabinets and isolation cabinets on the market today. (2008-02-22)
Alesis Debuts iMultiMix 9R Rackmounted Pro Mixer With iPod Dock
The iMultiMix 9R can playback music from the iPod and mix your live performances instantly with iPod (Classic and 5th generation) or iPod nano (2nd and 3rd generation). (2008-02-18)
Big Fish Audio Releases Around The World In 80 Raves
For the first time ever, techno pioneers Eat Static open their sample vaults for a futuristic journey into world dance. (2008-02-13)
Midas And Klark Teknik At Prolight + Sound 2008
Assuring optimum audio performance, the Square ONE Splitter features Midas XL8-inspired mic preamps, providing a dynamic range of >140dB and high CMRR to accommodate input levels up to +22dBu. (2008-02-12)
Shure Releases Wireless Workbench Software For Macintosh Computers
Wireless Workbench lets users of Shure UHF-R and U-series wireless microphone systems easily configure and control large installations of wireless microphones in performance venues, theaters, meeting facilities, and houses of worship. (2008-02-12)

Forum Watch

Pro Review: Line 6 TonePort UX8 Line 6 goes upscale in the interface world, and their new UX8 goes under the Pro Review microscope--with some interesting results. Other new Pro Reviews: Craig Anderton's take on the Euphonix Artist Series control surface, and Jon Chappell's detailed look at the Gibson ES-339 Semi-Hollowbody guitar.
"American Idol" Meets the New Reality The ratings have dipped. But does that mean that American Idol, after seven seasons, is as out of touch with reality as the major labels? Find out here.
Digital Distribution Options Is there life after CDs? You bet! But it's a much more confusing life, and this is the thread that sorts out fact from fiction.
The Times They Are A-Changin' What will live performance be like in the next ten years? The Backstage with the Band community has some perceptive insights.
What Gear Do You Most Regret Purchasing? Find out about the klunkers here--and feel free to add to the list!
Audiophiles Can't Tell the Difference Between Monster Cable and Coat Hangers Ever wonder if "designer cables" are worth the bucks? This isn't the ultimate scientific answer, but it's worth a look.

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Harmony Central: Find Out What's Hot At Frankfurt Musikmesse!