Y is for YouTube

NCH Software ABCs Series

YouTube has a wealth of videos, from information to humor you can find videos about just about everything, a whole world of endless amusement is just a click away. But watching videos isn't the only side. There are millions of aspiring YouTube stars out there who would do well to note some of the useful and easy YouTube software programs below that can help you download, record, edit and upload videos directly to YouTube. Who knows, yours could be the next big viral video.

• VideoPad - Edit Video for YouTube
• Debut - Record Video for YouTube
• Prism - Convert Video for YouTube
• WavePad - Record and Edit Audio or Voice-overs
• MixPad - Create and Mix Together A Video Soundtrack
• FlashLynx - YouTube Video Downloader
• Switch - Extract Audio from Video Clips

And, for video tutorials on many NCH products, stop by the NCH Software YouTube channel.

<<< Previous: X if for eXpress

Next: Z is for Zip >>>

Convert Old Files to Give Documents New Life

Have a large number of .doc files? Did you recently upgrade your word processor? Or get a new computer?

The good news is you don't need to manually open every document in order to re-save them to the .docx format. As Computeractive recently highlighted, with Doxillion Document Converter to help you, you can easily batch convert documents, transforming them all in one pass.

In their article on, How to convert text documents to other formats, the Computeractive staff detail how to use Doxillion for converting documents, praising the program as "a handy free tool that can convert a wide range of document formats with a couple of clicks from within Windows Explorer. [Requiring] no technical expertise." So if you have files to update, download Doxillion Document Converting Software to get the converting done quickly and easily.

Disketch Best Disc Label Software

Recently Software Review Boffin reviewed our Disketch CD/DVD Label Software noting that "it can create professional CD and DVD labels in a blink of an eye." If you are making your own mixed CDs or home Video DVDs for the holidays this can be the perfect finishing touch.

"With Disketch Disc Label Software users can create a vast range of CD or DVD labels quickly and effortlessly. Additionally, [we] were able to create labels and covers with an ease and smoothness that made the exercise a pleasant experience. Letting you put your own personal touch on your CD and DVDs."
  � Software Review Boffin

You can read the complete review on Software Review Boffin, or head over to nchsoftware.com to download Disketch Label Maker Software to get started creating your own unique CD and DVD covers and labels.

X is for eXpress Software

NCH Software ABCs Series

Express might not be the best 'X' word, but there is no questioning its relevance as a descriptor for NCH Software. NCH has several products with "Express" right in their names. When I think of express, many connotations come to mind including speed and efficiency. So think of these as software programs to streamline the processes that they are designed for, and help you sail through tasks, not unlike being in the express lane.

• Express Accounts bookkeeping software
  
• Express Burn disc burning software
  
• Express Delegate dictation and transcription management
  
• Express Dictate digital dictation software
  
• Express Invoice invoicing software
  
• Express Rip CD ripping software
  
• Express Scribe transcription software
  
• Express Talk computer softphone
  
• Express Zip file compression software
  

<<< Previous: W is for Web Access

Next: Y is for YouTube >>>

WavePad's Chicago Fire Cameo

If you're a fan of the new NBC show Chicago Fire and you have sharp eyes you might have spotted WavePad on the recent Two Families episode that aired on November 21st. For those of you not familiar with the show it is an intense look at the lives of the firefighters and paramedics Chicago Firehouse 51. One of the subplots of this rather intense Thanksgiving episode includes one of the firefighters deciding to put together a podcast, and there is a scene with him doing an interview with another one of the station 51 firefighters. As they are talking if you are familiar with the WavePad interface you might recognize it in the computer sitting on the table between them. For us this was an added excitement to add to the already action packed television show.

If you haven't seen it you may very well want to start following the heroes portrayed in Chicago Fire. And if you want to create a podcast of your own you will want to have WavePad Audio Editing Software on your computer.

Do More with Audio - Blog Carnival December 3, 2012

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

Lambert Varias presents 3D Printed Records for Fisher Price Toy Player posted at Technabob, saying, "Instructables member Fred27 figured out a way to play pretty much any tune on a Fisher Price toy record player with a little bit of code and a 3D printer."

Mitchell Morris presents Helping Your Child Choose a Musical Instrument posted at Full Time Nanny, saying, "Musical instruction can help your child master more than just how to play an instrument over the course of their education"

Jeff Moore presents 10 Signs Your Child Thinks Your Taste in Music is Lame posted at Babysitting Jobs, saying, "Hating your parents taste in music seems to be a rite of passage these days."

Anisha presents How I Minimized My College Debt as a DJ posted at NerdWallet, saying, "A self-taught DJ tackled college debt by spinning records at college parties. Get creative and get paid."

Neil presents What was the number one song the day you were born? posted at This Day in Music.

Bobby McFerrin plays... the audience! posted on TED: Ideas worth Spreading:


You might also be interested in:

• Audiophiles Rejoice
  
• Record Skype Calls
  
• Give Your Computer A New Voice
  
• Text to Speech Software
  
• Audio Software for Radio
  
• Best Software for Making Music
  
• Hawaiian Slack String Guitar Tuning
  

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.

Hawaiian Slack String Guitar Tuning

I started my holiday season this year visiting family in Hawaii and in addition to some fun in the sun, and some really amazing produce; we took the opportunity to learn a bit about Hawaiian culture and music. It sometimes amazes me how much technology and software surrounds me and is a part of my life even when I am trying to unplug myself from the grid. This time it was my appreciation of music that started me thinking about PitchPerfect guitar tuning software.

I had the chance to listen to a very interesting performer who not only played for the audience, but talk about the history of music on the islands. He talked about the traditional instruments they played on the islands, how music and hula played a big part in their oral history and how the Hawaiians began to adopt the guitar and use more western melodies learned from Spanish contractors and other traders. As they continued to embrace and experiment with the guitar Hawaii made two contributions to guitar music before also creating the ukulele. The lap steel guitar and the slack string guitar both originated on the Hawaiian islands.

Unlike my instrument, the cello, the guitar has many alternative tunings that can be used to achieve different sounds or make it easier to play certain chords. This makes the guitar a very versatile instrument but it also makes tuning the guitar more of a challenge. This is why it can be extremely useful for guitar players of all levels to take advantage of an easy-to-use tuning program like PitchPerfect when tuning their instrument, especially when using a tuning pattern you aren't as familiar with.

For a tropical influence to help you relax as we all make our way through the rest of this holiday season maybe you will try a slack-key guitar tuning and look up some Hawaiian music to help you hang loose. Also be sure to take a look at our other musician software for guitar players and more. Because even software can help you relax, by doing things for you, like taking the stress out of tuning.