Digital Music Books - Page 13

The iPod Book: Doing Cool Stuff with the iPod and the iTunes Store, Third Edition (3rd Edition)

Scott Kelby

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The world's best-selling iPod book is back and fully updated with all the new iPods and features in iTunes 7. This book is so popular because it is a book of a different breed. There are basically two kinds of iPod books: (1) The "tell me all about it" kind, which includes in-depth discussions on compression algorithms, debates about analog vs. digital equalizers; and tutorials on how to export your playlist in Unicode format. (2) There's this book. It's not a "tell me all about it" book, it’s a "show me how to do it" book. Award-winning author Scott Kelby shows you step-by-step how it's all done, using the same casual, plain-English style that has made him one of the world's best-selling technology authors. You'll learn how to do only the most important, most requested, and just plain cool things you're going to want to do with your iPod—so you can start having fun with it today. Right now! Each page covers just one topic, complete with full color photos, making it easy to find just what you're looking for fast. Plus, it shows you how to get the most from the iTunes Store, how to watch movies and TV shows with your iPod, how to integrate your iPod into your car, which iPod accessories are hot, how to use photos with your iPod, and everything you need to know about the latest models in the iPod family, including the iPod Nano and the re-designed, tiny iPod Shuffle! It's all here, in the only book of its kind, and you're gonna love it!

The Guide To MIDI Orchestration

Paul Gilreath, Jim Aikin

List Price: $79.95 By: Musicworks Atlanta Amazon Marketplace: 3 new & used starting at $79.90

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Subjects -> Entertainment -> Music -> Instruments & Performers -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

revised opinion 3 out of 5 stars.
9 of 11 people found this review helpful.

When I first received this book I was disappointed by it. The first things I noticed where: 1) it does NOT provide a comprehensive introduction to orchestration (as another reviewer said); 2) almost half of the book consists of the author's opinions -- which are overwhelmingly positive -- of various softwares and sample libraries (information that is freely available on the internet and which is certain to be outdated quickly and which I don't want on my bookshelf and certainly don't want to pay for!) and 3) the book stank to high heaven when I got it, thanks to the chemicals used to print it in low quality hi-gloss color. Every time I touched it I felt like I had to wash my hands, as if they were covered in bleach or some other odious chemical.

So I contacted the publisher, asking if I could return the book. The publisher at first refused, saying that I hadn't ordered the book through them, so there was nothing he could do about it. But then I got a very nice letter from the author, offering a refund if I was dissatisfied with the book.

BUT....by then...in the midst of a film scoring project, I'd turned to the book and found it useful.
There are many little tips in this book that are helpful, inspiring, or both.
(Also, the chemical stench is starting to wear off.)
So I decided to keep it.

This book is aimed at folks who want to use software samplers to emulate orchestras in pursuit of the Hollywood sound. The author obviously has a great deal of experience and does have a number of interesting ideas about how to use software samplers to create soundtracks.

If you want/need brief introductions to the various intsruments of the traditional orchestra, that's here. If you want to write film scores but don't really want to bother with a book like Adler's guide to orchestration, this book can serve as a useful, though extremely basic, introduction to general orchestration principles.

But really, the book is focused on a specific kind of orchestration: the big Hollywood sound. As such, I find it useful, for 2 reasons: 1) there will always be clients who want that and 2) you have to know what the rules are before you can break them, and for better or worse, that 'Hollywood' sound rules the mainstream roost.


IN SUMMARY

The author is very nice, generous and knowledgeable.

The endless and endlessly glowing reviews in the book are annoying, but there are good advices to be had from this book.
There is absolutely no reason for this book to be 700 pages, or printed in glossy color. A 300 page
paperback in black and white, minus the software reviews, would be better.

It is not a detailed introduction to orchestration. Adler's orchestration book is much more thorough.

I'd prefer a book on this very specific subject -- using MIDI to imitate Hollywood orchestras -- that's half the size and half the price, but if you want to learn this material and eighty dollars doesn't seem like a lot of money to you, give it a shot. You may want to contact the publisher before ordering
re: their return policy if you have any thought that you might want to return the book, as there seems to be some confusion on their end.

After Effects and Photoshop: Animation and Production Effects for DV and Film

Jeff Foster, Sybex

List Price: $49.99 By: Sybex Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $11.78

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Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> General
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Thank God Somone's Listening!! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Tired of the usual "Blah, Blah, Blah" in computer books? FINALLY - somone is listening to the needs of graphics professionals and students wanting to learn tips and tricks for doing these effects and animations! Foster not only shows you HOW to do these techniques, but more importantly, WHY! I have found this book indespensible in my advancement way beyond the basic tools and functional training of other After Effects books. If you want to learn animation or do any kind of special effects on your own, then get this book NOW!

Editorial Review:

If you're an animator, or a video or film producer, you know the significance of using After Effects and Photoshop together effectively. After Effects and Photoshop, which covers After Effects 6 and Photoshop CS, is the first guide to using Adobe's two market-leading graphics-creation programs simultaneously to create animations and production effects in the real world. Find solutions to the challenges you face daily and discover insider tips not commonly known outside of Hollywood. The premium-quality visual approach of this book makes learning straightforward and enjoyable. The accompanying DVD is loaded with skill-building materials, including project files and footage for the tutorials, production materials, 3rd-party plug-ins and filters, stock video, and more.

iPod & iTunes Pocket Guide, The (3rd Edition)

Christopher Breen

Amazon Price: $9.99 List Price: $9.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Peachpit Press Amazon Marketplace: 45 new & used starting at $2.57

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Apple -> Graphics, Animation & Illustration
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> iPods
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> iTunes

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good intro book 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This book is handy for people (like me) who often tend to forget exactly how to do this or that thing with an iPod, or who don't realize all of the various things that iPods and iTunes can do. It's well-organized so it's easy to find what you're looking for. I am going to lend it to my mom so she can find out how to download podcasts and things like that. This makes a nice stocking stuffer or Secret Santa present for someone who has an iPod but isn't necessarily super tech-savvy.

Editorial Review:

Here is your essential companion to the iPod touch, classic, nano, and shuffle, and the iTunes application. The iPod & iTunes Pocket Guide,
Third Edition, steers you through how to

• Import songs into iTunes and assemble playlists, listen to podcasts, and burn CDs.
  
• Find music, movies, TV shows, videos, and audiobooks on the iTunes.
• Store and see song and film recommendations, discover podcasts, and send gift certificates.
• Buy music from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store and sync songs with your computer.
• Use your iPod to keep contacts, view events, and store files (as a portable hard drive).
• Make your iPod even more useful (and awe your friends) with fascinating tips and tricks.
• Fix common problems and learn what to do if you can’t fix them yourself.

Propellerhead Reason 4 Tips and Tricks

Hollin Jones

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: PC Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $11.34

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> General
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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Software -> General

Editorial Review:

For Reason version 4

For Mac OSX and Windows

Master recording and editing of MIDI

Creative sound generation with the Combinator and Thor

Automate tracks and play Reason live

Mix and master your tracks with the MClass effects

This book covers everything you need to know about using Reason in your everyday music-making. It will let you unlock the full creative potential of your software by giving you the inside track on how to make the best and most effective use of it.

Ideal for beginners, intermediate and experienced users, the book covers topics from advice on computer audio setups and operating systems through to working methods, linking Reason with other programs and using your own sounds and custom racks.

Other topics include expert tips on using all the instruments such as the new Thor Polysonic Synthesizer, tools and effects, the ReGroove mixer, recording and sequencing, detailed MIDI editing and parameter automation. It even tells you how to mix down and publish your tracks.

Propellerhead Reason Tips and Tricks is an invaluable everyday companion to help you get the most out of Reason.

Audio Postproduction for Digital Video

Jay Rose

Amazon Price: $46.01 List Price: $46.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: CMP Books Amazon Marketplace: 9 new & used starting at $28.00

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Computer Science -> General
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Reviewers' comments about the author's previous book:

"Jay Rose brings a wealth of experience to Producing Great Sound ... the book is replete with facts and useful information." - Dennis Berkla, Videomaker magazine

"... an invaluable collection of step-by-step how-to information combined with the technical reasons things do or do not work. - Dominic Milano, editor in chief, DV magazine

"The most comprehensive, in-depth resource I've found for audio production in the desktop environment. ... a 'must-have' resource." - Randy Cates, Videography magazine

Make your soundtracks as good as your pictures with this compendium of professional audio techniques that can be adapted to desktop post. Specializing in sound after the shoot, this book features many practical examples, cookbook recipes, and tutorials. Audio theory, when necessary, is presented in plain English with plenty of visual analogies.

FAQs, full explanations, and from-the-trenches tips address the complete range of processes from wiring and hardware to testing the final mix. The one-hour audio CD features platform-independent diagnostics, demonstrations, and tutorial tracks. Novices will learn how to improve their soundtrack-even after the actors have gone home. Experienced producers will learn how to solve technical and creative problems quickly.

You get recipes and step-by-step instructions on how to: · build an efficient and reliable audio post setup · plan and budget a good soundtrack · get sound into your NLE without losing quality or sync · edit voices and music (totally different techniques) · record Foley and ADR · find music and use it effectively · find or create you own sound effects · shape sounds with equalization, reverb, noise reduction, and more · produce the final mix · test the final product for various media

Adobe Soundbooth CS3 Classroom in a Book

Adobe Creative Team

Amazon Price: $34.64 List Price: $54.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Adobe Press Amazon Marketplace: 48 new & used starting at $21.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

This project-based guide from Adobe will teach readers all they need to know to create and edit audio with Soundbooth CS3, Adobe's new audio-editing application targeted at creative professionals in all disciplines (no sound engineering background required!) Soundbooth CS3 will appeal to users who want to use audio in their everyday tasks: recording and editing, removing unwanted noise, customizing sound effects, adding aural emphasis to a scene, or creating royalty-free music to match the mood of a production. Soundbooth's tight integration with Flash and Premiere Pro lets users create flawless voiceovers, remove pops and scratches from recordings, and create customized music for any video or Flash production. Using step-by-step instructions with projects that build on the knowledge learned in each lesson, readers will learn techniques for recording new dialog tracks and sound effects while learning how to modify existing audio files with tools that cut, copy, paste, fade, stretch, and add effects. Readers will also learn how to take advantage of AutoComposer, a feature that speeds the process of creating customized music to accompany their projects. 

Pinnacle Studio 11 for Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide

Jan Ozer

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> Audio & Video Editing
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Microsoft -> Operating Systems -> Windows - General
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Well Done, Except for One Minor Thing 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

While Studio comes with a printed manual (and how unusual is that these days?), this book is a necessary supplement. Its emphasis on the practical, along with inclusion of useful methods and workarounds, makes it the "go to" book when the manual doesn't answer your questions. Previous editions have saved me several times. There's only one thing I wish it had: a short section on what's new in Studio 11. The manual doesn't have such a section either, and what's on the software box is, not surprisingly, promo copy. The lack of a "what's new" chapter doesn't change the fact that this is absolutely required reading if you're going to get the most out of Studio. It would just make the book better yet.

Editorial Review:

Pinnacle Studio 11 is the latest version of the industry leading home video editing tool aimed at the Windows consumer market. In Pinnacle Studio 11 for Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide, veteran journalist and teacher Jan Ozer tackles Pinnacle Studio version 11 in classic and popular QuickStart style--with step-by-step instructions, plenty of illustrations, and straightforward language. Jan provides the skinny on all popular Studio 11 features like HD capture, editing and disc burning: Pinnacle Studio Plus edits native HDV or AVCHD footage and then authors HD DVD format discs that will play on the latest HD players; the new Scorefitter music generator which automatically generates soundtracks with 40 source tracks; new simplified web publishing features where users can now automatically post movies publicly on Yahoo! Videos and more. 

Expert Podcasting Practices For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

Tee Morris, Evo Terra, Ryan Williams

Amazon Price: $19.79 List Price: $29.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: For Dummies Amazon Marketplace: 55 new & used starting at $1.55

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

If you once dreamed of a broadcasting career, or if you’re passionate about a cause you want to share with the world, podcasting may be just what you’re looking for. But it’s not as simple as picking up a microphone—at least, not if you want great results. So pick up Expert Podcasting Practices For Dummies instead, and discover the secrets of producing professional podcasts!

This plain-English guide shows you how to record like a pro, build an audience, and maybe even generate some revenue from your podcasting passion. If you're ready to go live with what you have to say, here's how to create podcasts that appeal to a large audience, sound top-notch, and communicate a message. Find out what equipment you need, how to promote your podcast, and how to:

• Choose a topic and decide whether to narrow or expand your focus
• Sort and filter information about your subject matter
• Set up a recording studio
• Record with pro-level software and hardware
• Produce your show with sound effects, music, and appropriate sound balance
• Create a video podcast
• Craft a targeted distribution, marketing, and promotional plan
• Promote your business or a nonprofit group
• Turn your podcasting hobby into a moneymaking venture by selling ads or products on your podcasts, or by using them to promote your own skills

There’s a lot to think about if you’re considering creating podcasts that will stand out and get noticed. With this guide by your side, your star status is much closer.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Final Cut Studio On the Spot, 3rd Edition (On The Spot {Series})

Richard Harrington, Abba Shapiro, Robbie Carman

Amazon Price: $19.77 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Focal Press Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $17.89

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Digital Music -> Audio & Video Editing

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Packed with more than 500 techniques, this book delivers what you need to know-on the spot. It is suited to editors of all experience levels, whether you are:

* Migrating from another NLE
* Upgrading to Final Cut Studio 2
* Seeking a handy reference to raise your proficiency

No need to wade through tomes of documentation. Final Cut Studio On the Spot presents immediate solutions in an accessible format. Step-by-step instruction by Apple Certified Pros shows you how to:


* Optimize system performance
* Create impressive titles with Generators, Motion, LiveType, and Photoshop
* Build Commercial-quality transitions
* Work quickly with buttons and keyboard shortcuts
* Color correct to save vital shots, and keep them broadcast legal
* Fix and mix for professional-quality audio
* Use the compositing tools of master editors
* Design and import graphics seamlessly
* Integrate with other applications including Motion, Soundtrack Pro and Color
* Troubleshoot and recover files
* Manage media and backup strategies
* Export and publish finished projects to tape, DVD, or the Web

Key Features:
* 400 time-saving workflow techniques
* Concise presentation is great for as a reference or a casual read
* Covers the major Studio toolsets for the editor