Unzip To See What's Inside

Today's Google Doodle is a zipper in honor of Gideon Sundback, the creator of the modern day zipper. Today you can unzip the Google homepage to see search results. Not only is this another fun addition to the long line of Google Doodles but it actually made me pause to think about the zipper. When I�m getting dressed or putting on a coat I don't think about zippers; they are simply part of the garment.

Similarly, we have been discussing improvements to Express Zip, and I�ve never considered how zip files were named. Usually compression is the first thing that comes to mind when I start thinking about the software/file side of zipping. However, it is still a way to bring together two or more parts into one file, similar to bringing together two sides of your jacket with a zipper. When you unzip a file it is just like what Google is doing today - unzipping it to see what is inside. With Express Zip file compression software, we are making zipping and unzipping files as easy as using any other zipper.

Easier Than Ever Audio Mixing

When you�re mixing an audio project, you want things to be as simple as possible. Some great new features have been added to the latest version of MixPad recording and mixing software making it easier to use than ever.

To help you quickly make changes to the tracks in your projects - like adjusting the volume of tracks, adding effects, or using a VSTi - we've added a "mixer" view that opens in a separate floating window so you can still see the tracks. You can move the mixer anywhere on your desktop, or minimize or close it when you don�t need to use it. The mixer includes faders for each track along with a Master fader so you can control the volume of your entire project. Along with the faders for each track, the mixer has controls to:

• Pan a track right or left
• Arm a track to record
• Mute or Solo a track
• Open the Effects Chain to add, modify or delete effects
• Adjust the Audio Options
• Add a VSTi for a MIDI track

Another improvement you're sure to like is the ability to change the colors of the waveforms in each track. Use this feature to help organize your project. For example set your drum tracks to blue, your guitar tracks to green, and your vocal tracks to yellow. Now, at a glance, you can see where things are located in your project. It�s simple to change the colors of each track using the controls on the mixer, or just right-click on a track and select "Track Color" from the menu

Other enhancements you�ll find in the new version of MixPad multitrack mixing software include presets for effects, and an easier way to delete fade points. So if you mix audio, you will definitely want to check it out.

Infographic: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Guest Post by Best Masters Degrees

Working smarter instead of harder is the way that smart people advance quickly up their career ladders. One of the best and most important ways to do this is to not necessarily rush to do a task the moment you're presented with it. Take a few minutes before you answer that email or return that telephone call, unless, of course, the matter is urgent. Better yet, set aside certain times to the day to answer correspondence and return calls.

It's also important to know when enough is enough. Sometimes, you may need a breather and not realize it. Tasks that can seem insurmountable often appear easier after taking a break from concentrating on them. Work problems can be like crossword puzzles that way; focusing attention on something other than the problem for a period of time can often result in the answer being obvious when looked at from a fresh perspective.

J is for Jammin' Music Software

NCH Software ABCs Series

Get down with your music, and liven up all your favorite jams. Keep the beat on the dance floor, be the DJ at your party with your music library favorites, modernize and convert your vinyl collection, or record a jam session with your garage band, all with software from NCH Software�s audio department. Music is a part of who we are. It defines us as listeners and fans, and is a creative outlet for musicians. Whether you are trying to identify notes in a song to play along, or commit the composition in your head to paper, there are all kinds of jammin' musical software for your inner musician to explore:

• Zulu disc jockey software
  
• MixPad multi-track music mixing and recording
  
• WavePad music editing software
  
• PitchPerfect guitar tuning software
  
• TempoPerfect metronome software
  
• TwelveKeys music transcription software
  
• Crescendo music notation and composition software
  
• RecordPad simple sound recording software
  
• Golden Records vinyl and cassette digital audio converter
  

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Do More with Audio - Blog Carnival April 9, 2012

Here are this edition's entries to Do More with Audio:

Hina Azille presents How to Record Professional Quality Vocals With a Normal Mic, saying, "The big tip to recording good vocals, is learning to recognize peaks/clips/�the red� whilst recording. Understanding and recognizing the warning signs while you are recording will help ensure that you get the cleanest vocals possible. This Hub covers how to record the cleanest vocals, applying effects and the difference between mixing and mastering."

Daryl Sams presents The Art of Mixing Songs posted at Edgar Allen Floe, saying, "Tips I've learned over the last 15 years as a studio engineer."

Yelin george presents 10 Songs Whose Lyrics We Get Wrong, saying, "Have you ever come across the lyrics to a favorite song and realized you�d been singing it wrong for years? It�s happened to me � several times, in fact. If you�ve ever discovered that what you were singing wasn�t what the artist was singing, then you will no doubt appreciate this list."

Joe Hannigan presents Recording Classical Music: Microphones and Multi-tracks posted at Joe Hannigan's blog Weston Sound Blog, saying, "My take on why we record music with more than just two microphones."

John presents Podcasting Teaches Valuable Lessons to Homeschoolers posted at The Wired Homeschool, saying, "The ways which podcasting can help your student in their education."

Michael Walsh presents Understanding Audio Effects posted at Sounds Defy Gravity, saying, "Even if you are just starting out on your audio production journey, you�ve likely come across audio effects including delay, reverb, distortion, compression, phase, flange, pitch-shift, ring modulators or filters. This article will help familiarize you with these terms and what they do."

Varosound presents The Many Shapes of Delay posted at Variety of Sound, saying, "There are quite a number of different types and applications for audio delay effects that open the door to a wide range creative effects that can lead to a complete deconstruction of the original sound."



That concludes this edition of Do More with Audio. If you have an audio story to share or advice, tips or tricks to share, we hope you will submit your audio posts and articles to the next edition.

Super Features: Debut Video Capture

Debut Video Capture Software is one of the most feature-rich video capture programs available, allowing you to capture video from a variety of sources, including your screen, webcam, network camera, or external devices. If you haven�t had time to explore all the amazing ways Debut can make recording video easier for you, we�ve made a list of highlights.

• Add a text caption to your video. Choose the placement, enter the text, change the font, the font color, and add background color to make the text stand out. Be sure to add your caption before recording starts. (more ways to add text to video)
• Add a watermark to your video to ensure you get credit for the video. Choose a watermark image that isn�t too large, adjust the transparency, and set the alignment. The margin percentage controls how far away the watermark is from the edge. Again, be sure to add your watermark before recording.
• Create a time-lapse video. Station your camera and click the Edit Output button. On the tab specific for the type of camera you are using, make sure the Enable Time-lapse checkbox is checked. You can specify how often a frame is captured: the closer in time the images are taken to each other, the smoother your video will look. For a more choppy outcome, space images out further.
• Capture a window or custom area. This is a very useful feature if you want to focus on one area of your screen, rather than the entire thing. Click the selection icon in the lower right corner, next to the caption, color, and watermark buttons. You can then drag the cursor to select a recording area, or highlight and select a specific window on your screen.
• Schedule recordings. If you need to record while you're away from your computer, set up a scheduled recording. Click the Scheduler button on the toolbar to set a recording time.
• Click the Edit Output button to resize the final video or to change the frame rate. Remember that a smaller size and a lower frame rate will make the file size smaller.
• You can specify the file format for the recording from the Record as drop menu. Select the file type, or select which device you are making the recording for.

If you need to edit your recordings after they have been recorded, we recommend you use VideoPad Video Editing Software. With VideoPad, you can edit multiple screen captures or webcam recordings together, add background music and narration, and compile the final product in a format for viewing on your computer, television, portable device, or on the internet.

2 Easy Ways to Rotate Video

Need to rotate a video? Whether you recorded video on your phone in the wrong orientation or are you want to rotate a video solely for effect, NCH Software has two easy ways for you to rotate your video clips.

If rotating is the only thing you want to do to your video, or if you want to rotate a bunch of videos all at once, then Prism Video Converter is the way to go. Not only can Prism convert video formats, it can also be used to rotate videos. To rotate a video you have loaded into Prism, click the Effects button at the bottom of the window, and set the rotation from the Rotate tab. To Rotate multiple videos the same direction just select them all before opening the Effects effects to save the time of setting the rotation to each clip individually.

If you will be doing more video editing with your rotated video clip, then you might want to rotate your video directly in VideoPad Video Editor instead of using Prism. To rotate in VideoPad, select the video clip on the timeline then choose Rotate on the Effects tab, where you can once again use the arrows to rotate the video clip to the right or left, and notice that the preview will change to display the new orientation of your video clip. Tip: You may need to combine the rotate effect with the crop effect to maintain the aspect ratio of your video without the addition of black bands to the sides of your now rotated video clip.