Showing posts with label kindle devices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindle devices. Show all posts

Autodesk Mudbox 2011 Review

Autodesk Mudbox 2011
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if youre a student with a student email you could get this for free! After i bought this i was sent to the web site for auto desk student site. it's says get all auto desk for students for three years. if youre not a student i suppose it's worth it, but for me i just paid $53 for some thing i could easily have gotten for free.

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Autodesk Mudbox 2011 software helps accelerate design, sculpting, and approval phases with powerful new tools for deforming and posing models, and the new ability to help create high-quality turntables for presentations. Moreover, the texture painting toolset is significantly extended with image adjustment brushes and blend modes for paint layers, while a Vector Displacement map extraction method offers new possibilities for creating and rendering complex details. And, with single-click file transfer with Autodesk Maya 2011 software; multi-layer PSD exchange with Adobe Photoshop software; and added support for Windows 7, and Mac OS X 64-bit operating systems, Mudbox 2011 integrates more easily into existing pipelines.



Key Features and Benefits
Posing Toolset Quickly and easily deform and pose models to change their design, access occluded regions, present them for approval, or prepare them for map extraction. With tools for quickly creating and editing joints, and the ability to import weighted skeletons from Maya 2011, Autodesk 3ds Max 2011, or Autodesk Softimage 2011 software, the new toolset enables modelers to create and manipulate poses as part of the design, sculpting, painting, or approval process.
Image Adjustment Brushes Selectively edit and manipulate existing paint and photo-based layers with new image adjustment brushes: Blur, Dodge, Burn, Contrast, Sponge, Hue, Hue Shift, and Invert. These brushes enable existing image data under the brush to be altered or enhanced—for example, color-corrected, brightened, or softened.
Vector Displacements Extract maps using a new Vector Displacement method and represent displacements that do not simply follow the normal: for example, forms with appendages, undercuts, folds, and bulges, such as a human ear. Once extracted, maps can be used to help recreate detail at render time in supported renderers, or as brush stamps or stencils in Mudbox to sculpt complex detail onto meshes in a single stroke. Artists can build up a library of commonly-used forms and reuse them on models.
Paint in UV Space in the 3D View While painting in 3D space helps with precise placement of detail on the model, in some cases it is easier to paint textures in a 2D format. An innovative new feature in Mudbox unfolds a 3D model into a 2D representation, based on its UVs, but retains the benefits of working in a true 3D environment such as the ability to analyze lighting and material qualities. Beyond painting, sculpting on the unfolded mesh with tools such as Grab and Smooth enables basic editing of the 3D model's UVs.
Enhanced Interoperability with Maya, 3ds Max, and Softimage No need to navigate through multiple file browsers and remember path and filenames: now models and scene information transfer between Mudbox 2011 and Maya 2011 with a single click. In addition, Displacement and Normal maps extracted in Mudbox are now associated with models when an Autodesk FBX 2011 file is exported, helping to eliminate the need to manually reassemble the asset when brought into in another program. Meanwhile, using Mudbox in concert with a favorite content creation application is easier than ever with a choice of familiar hotkey setups for common actions.
Blend Modes for Paint Layers Control how paint layers composite together to help create a final image by selecting from one of the new blend modes: Multiply, Screen, Add, or Overlay. These non-destructive settings help artists to experiment freely when constructing complex multi-layered textures by offering the flexibility to change the blend mode.
Multi-Layer PSD File Exchange with Photoshop Import and export multiple layers in PSD files to leverage the Adobe Photoshop toolset on more demanding scenes and projects. Now artists can edit layers in the context of the final composite, helping preserve continuity in look and workflow when moving between Mudbox and Photoshop.
High-Quality Turntables Quickly and easily create high-quality 360 degree turntable movie files directly in Mudbox. Common file formats enable movies to be more easily accessed for remote review or approval via email or on a website; turntables are also useful for showcasing artists' work.
Session Recording Record a sculpting and painting session in Mudbox and export the recording to a movie. Recorded sessions can be used to share workflows, teach techniques, and showcase talent.
Superior Performance Work with assets of greater complexity through significant performance increases for scenes with multiple objects.
Enhanced Color Chooser Store and recall recently-used colors and user-defined palettes, and work in a choice of color spaces using the same new color chooser as Maya 2011.
64-bit Support for Mac OS X and Windows 7 Mudbox 2011 has new 64-bit executables on Mac OS X and Windows 7 operating systems providing more addressable memory to more easily handle the increasingly detailed models required by today's challenging productions.
Mudbox In-product Community Get more out of your Mudbox experience with online community resources accessible directly from the Mudbox application. Artists can select from hundreds of stamps, stencils, base meshes, and tutorials in the Mudbox Library, and share their work with other users for valuable peer review without ever having to leave their work environment.
Separate Normal Map ChannelView and edit Bump and Normal maps simultaneously, using the new Normal Map channel in the default material to display normal maps.
New Incandescence ChannelCreate glows and other self-lit effects with a new Incandescence channel in the default material.
Subdivision-Based Map ExtractionA new subdivision-based map extraction method helps produce higher quality maps more quickly and easily than the traditional Raycast method.
Extended SDKWrite custom brushes for painting and sculpting, with an extended SDK (software development kit) that offers additional examples.
Enhanced User Interface LookAn updated user interface features a dark-gray color scheme that helps reduce eyestrain and makes it easier to evaluate materials and lighting.
What's New in Mudbox 2011 Autodesk Mudbox 2011 digital sculpting and texture painting software includes the following new and enhanced features:
Deform and pose models quickly and easily to change their design, access occluded regions, present them for approval, or prepare them for map extraction.
Selectively edit and manipulate existing paint and photo-based layers with new image adjustment brushes.
Transfer models and scene information between Mudbox 2011 and Maya 2011with a single click.
Extract maps using a new Vector Displacement method and represent displacements that do not simply follow the normal: for example, forms with appendages, undercuts, folds and bulges.
Import and export multiple layers in PSD files to leverage the Adobe PhotoShop toolset on more demanding projects.


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Sonar X1 Producer Review

Sonar X1 Producer
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Cakewalk has taken the ethical and professional step of centralizing the key functional needs of the sound producer, music hobbyist, or professional musician and engineer into one highly functional, affordable and simplified Digital Audio Works package. With the heritage of straightforward hobbyist-friendly user interfaces by the skilled hands of CakeWalk developers, this package steps boldly into the professional realm in terms of track standardization and management, streamlining of CPU loading and GUI, and incorporation of plug-in functionalities which could formerly cost an additional $3500 for the discriminating sound developer.
V Vocal replaces what one might formerly have to buy from AVOX AutoTune for $500 in terms of pitch and wave form correction
Dimension Pro 1.5 rivals the best of $400 Synths plug-ins with thousands of high quality instruments and programs interfaced easily with all MIDI devices.
TruePianos (Amber) - a Steinway Piano Synth which is the most quality and emotive piano expression I have used in a DAW.
Guitar Pro 4 LE - Guitar Amplifier and Effects emulation, with the leading package in that realm normally costing $200
Beatscape - A beat manager which replaces a ReWire style package costing $400 replete with hundreds of modifiable beats and programs.
ProChannel - simplified onboard track effects bin which reduces system effects CPU load and eliminates the need to purchase $200 external basic effects
Sonitus Effects - which rival overpriced/over ego-ed and horribly supported WAVES effects at $1700 and $200 per year for 'support'.
The list goes on and on. This coupled with a support and user forum backup which is highly touted in the user industry. Every single time I go to the Sonar/Cakewalk user forums, I either get immediately the resolution to my challenge, or I get the next logical step to try, within minutes in many cases - from some of the most well mannered and intelligent sound engineers I know.
The User Interface is intuitive and can be standardized into several different window/screen configurations and saved by the user to recall on the fly. I could keep going, but you have to try this package for yourself.
Overall, I am highly pleased with Sonar X1 and the mechanisms behind this excellent release.

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Click'N Design 3D CD Labeling Software Review

Click'N Design 3D CD Labeling Software
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I used a photo of my cat for my photo CD. Everything printed exactly where I put it. I did get it for free. I emailed them to check if it was just a demo. It was the complete package. I was ready to pay for it. I use glossy paper, so my picture looked like a photo. Resizing for placement was easy. Lettering was easy. I am very satisfied. Lots of features.

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Design professional-looking CD or DVD labels and jewel case inserts. Click'N Design 3D lets you easily create labels using hundreds of premade CD and jewel case designs, or you can make one that's entirely your own. Select photos, backgrounds, and textures from the more than 5,000 included. Or, import your own images and use photo effects to colorize, emboss, create a mosaic, and more. Three-dimensional text and texture-mapping features are included as well. You can control bevels, extrusion, material, lighting placement, and coloring to give your text a custom 3-D effect. You can also use circular text that can be easily resized for the perfect fit. Click'N Design 3D supports all major CD-labeling systems, including CD Stomper, Avery, Neato, SureThing, Memorex, and more.

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Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 Multi User Review

Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 Multi User
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I don't like the new Peachtree Sage product. We have had nothing but trouble since we updated. It has lost information and it took hours to get technical help on line and on the phone. We waited on the phone from around 10:00, ate lunch with the phone on speaker, finished our meal and returned from our kitchen to the office and still no one was on the phone. Just that annoying music and occasional commercial. We still do not have the problem fixed after all that. We need another system.

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Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 Multi-User Edition provides access for 5 licensed, named users* with screen-level security and a clear audit trail. It combines robust, easy-to-use accounting with advanced features like job costing, time and billing, in-depth inventory capabilities, and analysis tools. More than 100 customizable business reports and financial statements are available. Save time with simplified navigation, integration with Microsoft Excel, multi-tasking screens, and comparative budgeting. Audit Trail helps you track errors and deter fraud. Achieve better business results through accurate accounting and business controls with Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011.

Additional Product Features
Business Status Center Dashboard
Manage depreciation for up to 200 fixed assets*
Streamlined service billing
Job status indicators
Enhanced assemblies reporting
Support for Terminal Services*
Create and track shipping with UPS integration*

Who's It For? Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 Multi-User Edition is designed for owners and managers of service- or product-oriented small businesses who need robust accounting functionality plus in-depth analysis for up to 5 licensed, named users*. This advanced solution offers user-friendly tools, multiple Help options, and advanced capabilities, including 100+ customizable business reports, time and billing, job costing, advanced inventory, and audit trails.
Sage Peachtree Complete Accounting 2011 enables fast start-up, check writing, invoicing, purchasing, bank reconciliation, project tracking, in-depth inventory, payroll*, time and billing, audit trails, screen-level security, and more. It's ideal for people who want to achieve better business results through accurate accounting and business controls. All first-time Sage Peachtree customers receive 30 days of free support*, 30 days of free online training*, and a no-risk, 60-day, money-back guarantee, which guarantees satisfaction or refund of purchase price less any rebates paid. In the event you need a more robust solution to handle such needs as company consolidation, compensation management and advanced budgeting, please consider Sage Peachtree Premium Accounting 2011 Multi-User Edition.
Why Choose a Sage Peachtree Solution? If you view accounting as a tool that can help you make better decisions rather than just a necessary chore, Sage Peachtree is the perfect choice. Sage Peachtree is designed for people like you who are dedicated to getting the numbers right, so you can truly understand how your business is performing. Sage Peachtree is an easy-to-use solution based on real, double-entry accounting principles with module- or screen-level security, audit trails, and automatic accounting checks. You get the accuracy and control you need to improve results.
(*See www.peachtree.com/disclosures for details.)
New and Improved Features for 2011
Setup Advisor helps new and veteran users discover better ways to use Sage Peachtree with step-by-step advice on how to create and maintain records.
Streamlined Service Billing helps service-based businesses save time and prevent delayed or lost revenue by quickly generating multiple invoices for unbilled time and expenses.
Job Status Indicators help users keep their jobs on track with an at-a-glance view that lets them quickly sort or filter jobs based on customizable status types such as "on schedule," "delayed," or "at risk."
Inventory and Services Management Center lets users quickly track and evaluate inventory items and services to make more informed purchasing and sales decisions.
Enhanced Assemblies Reporting helps you understand your assembly items at a glance so you can better manage assembly costs and meet customer delivery goals.
New Feature Screenshots

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MediaShout v4.5 Review

MediaShout v4.5
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Bear in mind I am only comparing version 3.0 to this one. Yes, verrion 3.0 and not 3.5. To start, it is a huge step in the right direction. Works perfectly in Windows 7. Writing songs is a breeze. Updating backgrounds is fantastic. You can change it on the snap by dragging the image or videoclip to the main cue and it applies it to all on the set. You can also do that to individual stanzas or blocks of text. Internet integration is easy also. We run Youtube videos once in a while and making them into cues is much easier than switching programs. The most noticeable improvement is editing margins. Version 3.0 had margin values. You had to increase or decrease the number to change the margin. Version 4 uses a drag and strech process that is much better. It just runs better, faster, and more efficient. I like it and so does everyone that has used it at church.

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Sage ACT Premium 2011 Corporate License & 1 Hour Online Training Webinar held weekly Review

Sage ACT Premium 2011 Corporate License and 1 Hour Online Training Webinar held weekly
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We installed ACT 2011 last year, upgrading from an antiquated version of the program. After reviewing various contact management options, we went with ACT because our owner was familiar with the old version and felt more comfortable staying with ACT, rather than learning a new program; we did not select it because it was the best or easiest-to-use program.
We were right not to.
The program is too bulky, which makes it slow and hard to use. Simple tasks, like changing records, take way too much time. Customizing the templates (one of the major selling points) basically requires you to learn a new language; nothing I had ever learned about graphic design, coding, or database management helped me figure it out.
Even worse, the web version flat-out doesn't work. This was one of the essential features for us, because several of our team members use Macs, and installing Parallels was not an option. Also, most of us travel or work from outside the office, so remote access is crucial. It mostly works, most of the time, but then will mysteriously stop working, lock us out, and require us to click on the red flagged item to fix the error.
There is, of course, no red flagged item visible on the screen.
At this point, trying to use ACT has probably cost us more time than, for example, designing a contact management database in Excel would have. Add the cost of buying licences for our whole team, and having to pay an "Act Specialist" to set it up (by the way, even the "specialist" is frequently stumped and can't figure out how to get support), and this piece of "productivity software" has lost us time and money.

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Winjournal Review

Winjournal
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WinJournal is great at helping me organize my busy life. Keep tabs on what I'm doing, goals, creative writing, dreams, etc... it has a calendar and can send entries to Blogger, LiveJournal, etc. Recently I've been using the audio recording for notes and stuff I don't want to forget.
cool skinable app
great integration with blog sites
cheap price
nearly indispensable fro every day life
a bit clunky in places
no Xanga blog support

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Combat Mission II: Barbarossa to Berlin Review

Combat Mission II: Barbarossa to Berlin
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Unfortunately I am unable to play this game. My relatively new laptop has a graphics card that is incompatible with the in-game text of the game, and I have been unable to find a successful work around. This is no fault of Amazon, just a lesson learned when buying a 9yr-old game and trying to get it working on new equipment.

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DAT Achiever Dental Admission Test Prep (Challenging CBT Questions with Detailed Solutions) -- 3 Full-Length Sample Exams Review

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Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 32-bit English 1 Pack DSP OEI DVD Review

Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 32-bit English 1 Pack DSP OEI DVD
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BUYER BEWARE ****SYSTEM BUILDER**** INSTALLATION DISK ONLY (Not for typical end user installation)
This should specify boldly in product details that this is a SYSTEM BUILDER PACK ONLY....... Do not buy this if you are planning to just install on a system that you purchased or a pre built system. I contacted customer service and they were not aware of it so I contacted Microsoft and Microsoft stated "return the disc to the company, you can not use it unless you are a system builder". Waited the shipping time and everything for this to install it on a family members machine and now we are stuck waiting again.
Amazon customer service was on the ball in terms of trying their best to get this resolved. They have managed to get me set up for an expedited refund and an expedited solution. I am crossing my fingers that this time it is what I needed.
BUYER BEWARE ****SYSTEM**** BUILDER INSTALLATION DISK ONLY (Not for typical end user installation)

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Endnote X4 for Macintosh Review

Endnote X4 for Macintosh
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I have been an enthusiastic user of EndNote since its earliest versions. I use EndNote on an almost daily basis, preparing scientific journal articles and using the program to search the Medline database. As EndNote has reached its current version, however, the Macintosh version seem to be a low priority of the parent company. Specifically, the X4 version is incompatible with Microsoft Office 2011 and as I write this review in mid December an Office 2011 updater is still not available some 4-5 months after Office 2011 went Golden Master. On the EndNote users forum website an updater is promised "in early 2011". In my mind this is unacceptable. Competitive products such as bookends are already Office 2011 compatible.
If you have Office 2011 installed on your Mac, be aware that you won't be able to use EndNote's 'Cite while you write' module (which is the main selling point of the software) with Word 2011. When they finally release a compatible version I'll probably upgrade my rating, but given the company's recent track record of not moving quickly on OS X or MS-Office updates for their Mac version, I am planning to switch to another bibliography software program to avoid being left behind after the next Mac OS X or MS-Office update.

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Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home 11 Spanish Review

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home 11 Spanish
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1 of the best tools anyone can buy for the price. If you need to dictate a lot of spanish notes, you should get this tool.

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Crazy Machines: Inventors Training Camp Review

Crazy Machines: Inventors Training Camp
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Crazy Machines (Inventor's Training Camp) is a good puzzle pc software game for learning how to solve beginning mechanical problems (weights and balances, steam power and gears, cranks and levers). The design is tutorial and sequential so even young children can succeed with solving Physics problems.
The age range for using this software could be five-years to adult. My eight-year-old Goddaughter loves working the solutions and is very good at solving the problems presented. The only difficulty without a solution is getting her to bed on time when she is workiing the puzzles; but then, I have the same problem. A great way to enjoy your child and engage in family fun.
This software was a good price for countless hours of fun, and a painless way to educate children using these fundemental principles of Physics.
Crazy Machines: Inventors Training Camp


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System Mechanic Pro 8 W/free V10 Upgrade Review

System Mechanic Pro 8 W/free V10 Upgrade
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I have spent hundreds of dollars over the years for software that promises to speed up or fix my computer.
System Mechanic Pro has software tools included (also includes an Antivirus) for the same/or less price that some other brand single stand-alone tools cost. If you bought all those single tools from other fix up software sites you could end up spending $200.00 to $300.00 to do what comes packaged in the System Mechanic Pro.
You can download Sys Mech Pro for a free 30 day trial from the iolo homepage to see if you like it. When you order the Sys Mech Pro from Amazon you can save time by using the serial # from your bought Sys Mech Pro to register your 30 day trial version. No need to download or run the DVD since the serial # will then allow you to get the latest updates after you register.

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Propellerhead Record for Reason Owners Review

Propellerhead Record for Reason Owners
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Great sounds. Easy to use. If you have been using a previous version of Reason, now is the time to upgrade. The Kong is amazing. If you have used drum machines that do acoustic modeling, you will love the Kong. Other updates are exciting as well... Good stuff here and well worth the money!


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Have Reason already? Supercharge it with Record for the ultimate upgrade. Record for Reason Owners upgrades any version of Reason to Record 1.5 and Reason 5, bringing audio recording and countless other enhancements to your favorite music software. Add Record to your Reason rack and get unlimited audio tracks, a studio grade mixing console, Line 6 amps, improved sequencing and a whole lot more. As a Reason user, you will feel right at home in Record. Reason and Record will fuse together, adding just the features you always wished for, as well as flow and functionality you never knew existed.
Record for Reason Owners gives registered Reason users a direct path to add Record to their setup. Record for Reason Owners contains a complete version of Record, Propellerhead Software's new recording software, and comes with an upgrade to the latest version of Reason — Reason 5.

Highlights in Record for Reason Owners Easy recording, unlimited tracks Record gives you unlimited audio tracks, world class effects and mixing gear, and a whole new take on music recording, in a familiar environment.

Mix in studio grade quality Record's fully equipped mixing desk adds a big studio signal chain on all your sound sources. EQs, Dynamics, gain stage and advanced routing will give your music that unmistakable million-dollar console sound.

Multi processing Believe it or not, Reason running through Record is actually lighter on your computer's processor than Reason 4 standalone.

Richer racks Record's multiple, parallel racks give users an intuitive and easily navigable music environment. Smart scrolling lets you access any unit in seconds.

Line 6 in the rack Record packs guitar and bass amplifier devices from the world's greatest amp modeling people – Line 6. Add their amp and speaker modeling your recordings or run your Reason devices through them.

Mixer direct outs Record lets you plug any and every channel straight into your ReWire host, while keeping all automation data fully intact

Expert exporting In one single click, Record will export your separate mixer channels as individual audio files, with or without effects. Need just the effects? No problem.

Swift sequencer editing Record's fresh sequencer features — like audible note preview, improved clips handling, and the brand new Blocks mode — make editing and composing fast and flexible.

Reason 5 included Record for Reason owners comes with the Reason 5 upgrade included. Version 5 adds the mighty Kong Drum Designer, the versatile Dr. Octo Rex loop player, live sampling, the Blocks pattern based sequencing mode and much, much more.

About Record Recording music is all about seizing the moment. Capturing a perfect performance–or even nailing that idea before it goes away–requires tools that are ready when you are. Record is always ready. Created with musicians in mind, Record lets you create record ready channels in an instant, minimizing the steps between idea and actual recording. The result equals more music–and less dialog boxes. Simply plug in, breathe out and you're ready to go.

All the instruments, processors and effect units used in a song are housed inside Record's customizable rack. Any device created is automatically and logically patched into the rack, but if you're feeling adventurous or need to do some routing of your own, just flip your entire Record rack over and all the cables are all yours!

Your Record rack can be stacked with an infinite number of reverbs, distortion units, delays, dynamic processors, mastering EQs–everything you need to shape and color your sounds. Click and drag effects straight to the rack, or load any of the expertly crafted patches.

To help you arrange your tracks in a smooth, effortless way, Record comes with a fast and flexible sequencer. Immediate and intuitive, Record's sequencer puts you in control of your arrangements, letting you move and edit parts as you go along.

Record's sequencer also takes care of your MIDI performances, for use with the build in ID-8 instrument or for controlling Reason instrument and devices when Record is paired with Reason. Every thinkable knob, button or fader can be automated with ease, and then edited and fine-tuned in the sequencer.

Finally, all your sounds will end up in Record's main mixer. This mixing console's sound and signal processing was faithfully modeled after* the legendary SSL® 9000k analog mixing desk. Flexible routing, full dynamics, EQ, advanced effects handling, full automation and a 64-bit mix bus gives you that big studio sound right out of your computer. And yes, you do get that master-bus compression.

For guitar and bass players, Record comes installed with separate guitar and bass POD® units from amp and cab simulation experts Line 6. With bass and guitar amplifiers available for every single track in your Record project, you are never short of interesting tones and timbres. As the Line 6 amplifiers are insert effects and don't affect the original instrument signal, you are free to change your amplifier and cabinet settings at any point in time–even after laying down your track.

For vocalists, Record 1.5 comes with the super flexible high-quality Neptune Pitch Correction and Voice Synth effect. Use Neptune to correct sour notes, shift pitches, create backing harmonies, formant shift or take your vocals into outer space.

To help you complement your recorded material, Record also comes with multi instrument ID8–a songwriter's toolbox. ID8 ships with a wide palette of sounds useful for building a steady foundation for your tracks, like pianos, drums, bass, strings and more.

As a perfect performance may be less than perfect from scratch, Record features a swift and easy to use comp editor. Building the ultimate vocal track is as simple as selecting the parts that work and muting the ones that don't. Exit the comp editor and listen to the results; a perfect take containing only the good parts.

Record has a unique twist on the concept of time and tempo. Record's real-time time stretch lets you play now and pick the tempo later; change the song tempo and all your audio tracks will follow right along without any need for pre-processing of any kind. Need to slow your song down to nail a tricky passage? No problem. Just reduce the tempo, record your performance and bring the tempo back up. The audio quality? Amazing.

New in Reason 5 Dr. Octo Rex Loop Player The upgraded Dr. Octo Rex loop player loads eight REX loops into one player and lets you switch between them on the fly. This makes arranging a breeze — load the drum loops into one player, the guitars into another and use the sequencer to select what loop to play in a pattern-like fashion. With eight loops to switch between, the new loop player also comes ready for the experimental minded. Set the player to retrig the loops on the beat, on the bar or on the 16th note. Or program the loops manually like in the original rex player. For each of the eight loops, the new rex player also comes with an expanded set of per-slice settings. Set pan, pitch, filter frequency and level, reverse slices, use multiple outputs, create alternating groups of slices and much more. The Reason 5 Factory Sound Bank comes complete with guitar and acoustic drums patches for Dr. Octo Rex and a huge selection of techno, house, club, hip hop and r&b loops from signature sound designers.

Blocks Many musicians tend to think of music in terms like intro, verse, chorus, breakdown, buildup and so on. With the new Blocks mode in Reason 5 and Record 1.5, your sequencer does too. Blocks lets you sequence your songs using a more pattern-based approach, with the segments of your song as individual building blocks to be laid out in your arrangement. Start by creating the discrete parts of your song in blocks mode. When you are ready to start building your song, just switch back to song mode and draw in what blocks should play in the dedicated pattern lane. Use one block for the verse and one for the chorus — or build your song around a single 8-bar loop. Blocks provide a very fast way of creating a musical structure for your song. But the options don't end there. With the basic arrangement laid out, you can see the contents of the blocks and create variations and mute individual parts, or add further musical elements in song mode. A typical use for Blocks is to create your backing track in blocks and then use the song mode sequencer to record vocals or instrumental performances. For music based around a single looped section, one repeated block with automation and mutes of individual tracks added in song mode makes arranging a breeze. You never have to commit to using either mode — you are free to move back and forth between Blocks and Song mode, and any changes you make in your Blocks will instantly be manifested in all instances of that Block. Need some tambourine on that chorus? Add it, and there will be tambourine whenever the chorus block is playing.

Live Sampling Remember the time when samples were something you sampled and not loaded from your hard drive? When a sampler was a machine that could record samples, not just play them back. As samplers became software instead of machines, they came to rely on external sample editing software for recording and editing the samples and the art of spur-of-the-moment creative sampling was pretty much lost. Now we are bringing it back to Reason 5 with its live sampling input. All sample players in Reason are now samplers. Just hook up a sound source to the rack's sampling input and you are ready to start sampling. Use a mic, a turntable, an instrument or the entire Reason mix. Sampling in Reason is simple and straightforward. Hit the sample button and Reason starts sampling. Reason will detect the sample start automatically. You can sample when Reason is running too if you like — no need to stop the music. If needed, bring up the built-in sample editor to set start and end points, loop points and more. This is possible for all loaded samples by the way — not only the ones you have sampled. As always, Reason lets you focus on music making — and sampling in this case. All samples are neatly stored in our song file and accessible in the new samples pane in the tool window. Here you can easily see what samples are loaded into what machine and delete and export samples as you wish. Live sampling together with pitch detection of root key and automatic zone mapping makes it dead easy to sample an instrument and map the samples across the keyboard. This way you'll create your own multi-sampled instruments for NN-XT and NN-19 in an instant.

Kong Drum Designer Analog synthesis, physical modeling, sampling, REX loops, support sound generators, effects, flexible routing, multiple hit types and more. The Kong Drum Designer is not your regular drum module. It's the drum module focused on letting you get exactly that drum sound you're after.Kong has 16 pads and 16 drums. Build your drum sounds based on any of the nine different drum modules. Flavor the sound with 11 support generators and effects. Program automation, create alternating groups and let Reason's powerful sequencer control the beat. Reason 5 ships with a sound bank with a generous supply of kits for Kong across a wide variety of styles.

System Requirements Windows
Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon or better (multiple cores highly recommended)
1GB RAM
DVD drive
Windows XP SP3, Vista or Windows 7
2 GB free hard disk space
Monitor with 1024x768 resolution or larger
A 16 bit Windows compatible audio card, preferably with an ASIO driver
A MIDI interface and a MIDI keyboard recommended
Requires any version of Reason or Record Reason Duo
Mac
Intel Mac (multiple cores highly recommended)
1 GB RAM or more
DVD drive
Mac OS X 10.4 or later
2 GB free hard disk space
Monitor with 1024x768 resolution or larger
CoreAudio compliant audio interface or built-in audio hardware
A MIDI interface and a MIDI keyboard recommended
Requires any version of Reason or Record Reason Duo


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Adobe CS5.5 Design Premium Student and Teacher Edition Review

Adobe CS5.5 Design Premium Student and Teacher Edition
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
*** Please Note: I'm unable to reply to any comments. Amazon has taken this privilege from me. I'm very sorry.
Over the past several months, I've purchased the Student and Teacher Editions (academic versions) of Adobe CS5 Premium, Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, Photoshop CS5 Extended and Acrobat X Professional. Because of my recent Amazon purchase of Adobe CS5 Premium, Adobe graciously sent me via FedEx a free upgrade to Adobe CS5.5. This free upgrade was approved by Adobe after I submitted my Amazon proof-of-purchase and my CS5 serial number.
For anyone intending on purchasing academic software from Adobe, I suggest they first try out the 30-day trial versions, and then if still interested, sign up for an Adobe account. It makes things much easier during the verification stage by having your account already set up.
The entire verification process is very easy and it helps to have your scanned ID or any additional paperwork ready ahead of time. I received all of the serial numbers, which were four separate submissions, in less than 24 hours. Adobe says that it could take up to two business days for verification.
The following might be some helpful information:
Adobe allows you to install and activate your purchased software onto two computers. I have CS5.5 installed and activated on two computers that are connected to a home network. I am able to 'run' duplicate programs (ex. Photoshop & Photoshop, Dreamweaver & Dreamweaver, etc.) within CS5.5 on both computers at the same time without any indication of licensing issues. Activation is completed in the background during installation.
To install and activate your Adobe software on a third computer, you must first 'de-activate' the software on one of the other two computers. Make sure if you ever throw out or give away an old computer, that you first de-activate the Adobe software. Otherwise, you will lose one of your two activations. De-activation can be accomplished from any program within CS5.5 by clicking on the help menu. This de-activates the entire CS5.5.
After installing and activating, you can then register your software and receive a free gift from Adobe. The gifts vary for each software title. Some of the gifts are AdobeTextPro Font, Photoshop plugins, discounts on Adobe software and 30-day access to training videos on either Lynda.com or CreativeEdge.com. Lynda.com has an amazing amount of training videos. You may want to check out these two websites before registering so you have time to evaluate them.
Concerning future upgrades of Adobe academic software, here is a quote from Adobe's website:
"Upgrades don't have special education pricing. However, you can purchase upgrades for educational products at the regular upgrade prices from any Authorized Education Reseller."
So according to Adobe, you can upgrade your academic software for their standard (non-academic) software if or when you no longer have student or teacher status. That is a really good deal! Many software companies won't allow you to upgrade academic software.
If you are not a student or teacher and you want to purchase academic software, you may want to consider signing up for an interesting class at your local community college. You could then get your student ID and your student status. You don't need to be a full-time student and you don't need to be seeking a degree. Maybe you can find a convenient on-line class. You can then go to a website like JourneyEd and be eligible to purchase all kinds of academic software and hardware.
Also, Microsoft has a program called DreamSpark that allows students to download full-versions of their software for free. You need to first sign up for a Windows Live ID and then sign in and get verified on the Microsoft DreamSpark website. Microsoft uses your college-issued '.edu' email address for verification. During the verification process Microsoft sends an activation email to your .edu email address. You must log in to your .edu email account and click on an activation link within the activation email. My verification didn't go very smoothly as my college had blacklisted Microsoft's mail servers and wouldn't allow me to receive the activation email from DreamSpark. I was eventually verified 'manually' by Microsoft tech support. I had to email them a copy of my scanned school ID and a copy of my class schedule.
After you are verified, Microsoft will verify your student status once a year. You can download all of the software that they have available on their DreamSpark.com website. There are no time limits on the software. You can continue to use their software after your student status expires. After being recently verified, I downloaded the full version of MS Visual Studio 2010 Professional, another very expensive program that was completely free.
With that valuable student ID, you really can save many hundreds of dollars on academic software, hardware and training!

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Adobe CS5.5 Design Premium
Deliver innovative ideas in print, web, interactive, and mobile design
Use the enhanced Multiscreen Preview panel in Dreamweaver CS5.5 to quickly and conveniently preview your designs on different devices. View larger.

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Panda Antivirus Pro 2011 3-User Review

Panda Antivirus Pro 2011 3-User
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this product in a hurry, should have researched it first. The virus check went on forever,it did not provide me with adequate protection and was cumbersome to operate. the product was just unsuitable for my needs, so I bought something that was. Not impressed

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