CONTENTS

– BARRY RUDOLPH barry@barryrudolph.com
YAMAHA’S CP4 STAGE PIANO
TASCAM DR-40
The DR-40 is a handheld 4-track digital recorder with many professional features that transcend expectations
of the lowly field recorder. The “Dual Record Mode” allows for a simultaneous back-up recording
at a (pre-set) lower level in the event that unexpected audio peaks occur overwhelming your initial record
level settings and distort. This is a great insurance policy for the location sound recording engineer—now
all field-recorded audio is useable—nothing lost due to distortion.
The ability to overdub to an already recorded backing track within the unit is brilliant. This is great for
capturing those “on the spot” lyric or instrumental ideas—moments of inspiration in the process of songwriting.
You would have the track stored and played from the DR-40 ready to add your ideas. The DR-40
records up to 96kHz/24-bit or directly to MP3, plus you can move audio files to your computer via a USB
2.0 connection.
With this four-track system, why not bring it to your next live show and record the FOH’s board mix
through two channels while also recording the room sound/ambience with the fully adjustable cardioid
X/Y stereo mics on top? There are also the XLR-1/4-inch combo inputs with phantom power available.
The DR-40 runs for 15-hours on three AA batteries, has
loads of external controls and features TASCAM’s non-menu
intensive operating system. With a full complement of accessories
available, the DR-40 includes a 2G SD card and sells for
$279 MSRP. Visit http://tascam.com/product/dr-40.
TWA GD-02 GREAT DIVIDE 2.0
Godlyke Distributor’s Totally Wycked Audio GD-02 Great
Divide® is an analog synth octaver guitar pedal. It combines an
analog octave divider circuit with proprietary synth technology to
create a new kind of guitar effect with five independent voices.
These five voices are programmed and mixable by using slider pots.
You can get sounds from classic “stompbox” octave divider to multi-layered
synth sounds and envelope follower treatments.
Features include a relay-based, true hardwired bypass that automatically reverts to
bypass if power is lost. Power comes from an included 9-volt power supply—sorry no batteries
allowed. Other controls are: dry signal with level fader, -1 octave down and +1 octave
up both with separate level faders & low pass filter controls, +1 octave envelope mode, Sub
voice and Syn voices with separate level faders and individually selectable between -1, -1.5, -2 or -2.6 intervals.
There are four selectable waveforms for the SYN voice and a single send/return TRS Effects Loop to patch in external
effects. The TWA GD-02 Great Divide sells for $399 direct from http://godlyke.com or call 866-246-3595.
eMEDIA SINGING METHOD
eMedia Music takes advantage of modern technology with its eMedia Singing Method. It uses Interactive
Feedback technology that actually listens as you sing and tells you whether you are singing sharp,
flat, or spot on—right in tune. Even if that was all it did, most novice singers would love it, but add the
Performance Evaluation system that listens and gives you specific feedback makes it irresistible.
There are over 200 short lessons beginning with proper singing techniques, singing in time and in
tune. Further lessons cover how to project your voice, increase your range, vocal agility, expression and
sight-reading. You can sing along with about 80 included songs—some actual tracks and also MIDI files
for playing your own sounds. eMedia Singing Method covers folk, pop, jazz, R&B, opera, classical and
show tunes, including contemporary hits made famous by John Lennon, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and
more.
I like the video animations and the ability to loop more difficult sections—repeat them for practice and
to develop your ear. Doing these lessons in the privacy of your home is a great way to learn to sing and
self-improve at your own pace.
eMedia Singing Method DVD-ROM is for both Windows and Macintosh platforms and sells for $59.95.
Check out http://eMediaMusic.com.
Match its 88-note Natural Wood Graded Hammer action with 45 voices from Yamaha’s premium handcrafted grand pianos,
including the CFX, CFIIIS and S6, 47 vintage electric pianos with Virtual Circuit Modeling effects and you have just the start of the
CP4 Stage Piano at $2,999 MSRP. You’ll also want the 321 sounds based on Yamaha’s flagship MOTIF synthesizer included in this
slim, lightweight design with its large lighted buttons for splits and layers.
At $2,399 MSRP the CP40 Stage also has a selection of grand piano sounds based on the Yamaha CFIIIs and one of the
Premium Collection grand pianos. It also includes 35 vintage electric pianos, 247 Motif instrument Voices and 62 VCM effects. The
CP40 comes with Graded Hammer action
with the same simplified interface as the
CP4. For more information, visit http://usa.
yamaha.com/products/
BARRY RUDOLPH is a recording engineer/mixer who
has worked on over 30 RIAA certified gold and platinum
award-winning records. He has recorded and/or mixed:
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart,
the Corrs and Robbie Nevil, among others. Barry has
his own futuristic music mixing facility and also teaches
recording engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood,
CA. http://barryrudolph.com
12 November 2013 musicconnection.com