Ask the expert Archives | Page 8 of 24

Ask the expert – problems with midi keyboards & Finale connections

By Marie@Musicademy | September 2, 2011

David Hughes posted on Musicademy’s Wall. “I have an old e-volution MK-149 midi keyboard which has a single midi out socket. I recently got a Logilink midi-USB cable to try using the keyboard on my new (Windows 7) laptop, but I’m not getting any signal through to Finale PrintMusic or MuseScore. How can I test […]

Ask the expert – why so many 16th note picking patterns?

By Andy@Musicademy | August 1, 2011

Kathleen Trissel emails: “Does the Intermediate Acoustic Guitar Box set utilize 8th note strumming patterns, and not all 16th note patterns? It seems all the patterns I’ve seen are 16th note patterns. I have a default strumming pattern, d d u u d u, that I always fall into. Also, do you cover combining finger picking and […]

Capos – a crutch for lesser guitar players or a stylistic tool?

By Andy@Musicademy | July 22, 2011

We had some customer feedback recently which we’d like to share with you: “When I purchased the Intermediate Electric Guitar DVDs it was because you advertised it as being a good way for an acoustic player to make a transition to electric. I have played acoustic for years and I have always used a CAPO […]

Ask the expert – how to mic a piano

By Guest Blogger | June 20, 2011

Alastair Gibson asks for ideas in how to mic a grand piano. Geoff Boswell replies: In my humble opinion, if you have to mic an upright or grand same rule applies – LISTEN to it! Generally wherever it sounds best is best place to start with a mic. Having said all that there is a […]

Ask the expert – advice on assembling a “suitcase” drum kit

By Andy@Musicademy | June 16, 2011

How to build a suitcase drum kit Paul Hewgill emails: “I am taking a small worship team to Mexico to serve a group of missionaries for their retreat. There will be only about 40 of them – so it will be a small room with a basic sound system. The band will consist of: One […]

Ask the expert – what to do with an Arbiter Flats drum kit that is (shock) too quiet

By Andy@Musicademy | June 9, 2011

What? A drum kit in church that is too quiet? Alastair Gibson asks: We currently have an Arbiter Flat Lite kit at church which is, sometimes, too quiet to be heard in the mix – hard to believe I know!! Rather than trying to mic up the kit I’m wondering whether we might be better of getting […]

Ask the expert – laptop sound issues

By Guest Blogger | June 7, 2011

Josh Wilcox emails quite a complex question for our technical expert Tim Horton from SFL. Its in response to our recent post about issues when playing sound through a laptop. I stumbled across this website when looking for a resolution to an issue I have had recently. From what I found on the website I […]

Ask the Expert – finger pain when picking

By Andy@Musicademy | May 23, 2011

Tony emails a medical question: I have a very puzzling question. I have been playing guitar for around 10 years and alternate picking is one of my strengths. I generally pick pretty hard and hold the pick at a grip of 6.5 if 10 being a death grip. Just last night when playing at moderate speed […]

Ask the expert – tips on reverb

By Guest Blogger | May 11, 2011

Dennis Hegland asks for some tips on eq and reverb use for both music and video. He says: “I’ve read that reverb is overly used. I’m thinking more in line of home studio recording than worship but we could restrict the discussion to worship if you want. Then regarding eq for guitar, is there a general […]

Ask the expert – Is there a masterlist of worship songs?

By Marie@Musicademy | May 2, 2011

Terry emails with a CCLI reporting request: “Hi Guys Thanks for all Your hard work in keeping us up to date & on the ball . This is a cry for help. Aghh our guy who does the power point can’t find some of the song authors and song ID numbers and is panicking. Is […]