Amazon.com Product Description

Turtle Beach Systems's Electronic Keyboards is the software companion for your MIDI musical keyboard. More than just piano lessons on a CD, Electronic Keyboards provides a dynamic, well-rounded multimedia environment for learning basic piano keyboard skills as well as a comprehensive overview of MIDI technology and the history of keyboard instruments.

Use the interactive MIDI Songbook, which contains more than 75 popular songs, to experience the fun of performing. You'll also enjoy the included bonus tutorial "Understanding MIDI and Synthesis," which offers a wealth of information on how PCs and keyboards generate sound and make music. And when you're ready, you can record your performances and compositions in the easy-to-use Recording Station. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Don't know anything about it...
When I try to run the program it tells me to insert a disc and the disc is in the cr-rom drive. I tried everything to get it to work, I even got a hold of Voyetra. They sent me an email asking about information that doesn't even have to deal with the problem. They finnally come up with an answer on why it doesn't work but it didn't fix the problem. I am going to put it up on eBay now....So if you bid on it hopefully it works for you. I would recommend this to anyone who gets it to work. And if anyone had a problem like mine please email me letting me know what it was please. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Teach Me Guitar, Voyetra's interactive multimedia guitar teaching system, teaches you to play the guitar through lessons (showing you how to play chords), songs with videos, intuitive charts and diagrams. In addition, an online instructor demonstrates techniques, then talks you through a lesson as you play along. When you're ready to jam, click on the animated fretboard, which shows neck fingerings in real time as you play. Plus, you can control tempos or loop sections to learn songs at your own pace. When you've got the song down, step in and play with the virtual backup band. Teach Me Guitar comes with picks, a Pocket Guitar Chord Dictionary, and a software-based tuning system. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not very comprehensive
I picked this up at Costco. I was hoping it would give me enough info to get kick-started. Unfortunately, all it does is teach you a few chords and a few ways to practice them. It's useful for the practice, but it doesn't give any in-depth information and nothing ties all the lessons together except one lesson at the very end. This software won't get you playing songs.

Confusing
I was very exited to try Teach Me Guitar. However I was quickly dissapointed. First off, it crashed my computer. After several calls into the company,I got it working but the lessons were confusing because they skipped around a lot. I learned very little for the program over all.

Not too shabby.
Just got this a couple of days ago and so far so good. It's very slick and I am just running it off of the cdrom. I haven't even installed it and there is no lag in the video instruction. I've been through the first lesson and it was actually a lot of fun. The video instruction was very helpful and the information was useful. This media will get you playing guitar fast and actually sounding like you know what you are doing. ... Read more

Features

• Learning piano rhythms is made simple -get a solid grip on chords and scales
• Do finger aerobics to make playing easier
• Learn every note on the Keyboard
• Technique reviews are reinforced with computer-based exercises
• Follow along with the Music onscreen while you play

Amazon.com Review

Here's an affordable home mixing suite that has the capacity to mix orremix music and video. That might sound too good to be true. Our firstimpression was that a huge amount of memory was required just to power thesophisticated-looking interface. But, after a few minutes of playful fun, thefull potential of playR deLuxe unfolds, and it isn't disappointing.

playR deLuxe comes with a varied selection of ready-made audio and visual files.You can load your own files in most formats (MP3, WAV, AVI, etc.) or mix themwith all or some of the available demo pieces. Of note are the quality of theaudio in perfect real time and the clarity of the visuals in sync with theaudio. The main screen is presented as a virtual pair of CD players, completewith EQ, effects, and smooth crossfader. There is no clunky delay, and the slidecontrols can cut in and out when you actually want, without missing a virtualbeat. Both media can be automated with a variety of different filters andpsychedelic swoops, while you concentrate on creating your perfect playlist asDJ, VJ, or both.

There is good flexibility here. You can create suitable audio samples for use inthe supplied music editor. It works much the same as any other WAV editor, whichmakes it simple to record favorite pieces of audio and mix them with others insequence or simultaneously, while you choose a visual backdrop for yoursoundtrack. While this is by no means a professional tool, it does provide thesame addictive thrill as most virtual hardware in that being the DJ for just ashort while makes for hours of fun. --David Trueman ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wikky...Wikky...Blech!
All I wanted to do was remix and create songs for my own personal enjoyment. Well, this didn't cut it. Not only is it SO VERY NOT USER FRIENDLY, (You'll have to read the manual three times over) but it, often freezes up, and takes alot of memory (and you still have to keep the CD-rom in the drive when you start it.) It comes with two discs, I didn't even get to the second one. After spending a good amount of time remixing one of my favorite tunes, I found that I was unable to save the mix in any kind of useful format. Can't exchange the tune, and can't burn it to a CD. I often thought how much easier it would be to have a double casette deck. It was a thrifty purchase, but I guess you get what you pay for.

Useless
Folks !!! You can record your mix but can't save them in a useful format. Forget about burning your own CDs, this won't cut it. Besides it uses humonguous amount of resources and is very unstable as a result. I would not recommend it.

Great Way to Personalize Your Music!
I'm sure that most people have seen the ads on tv for this program and wondered is it good or not,I say yes. Most of the remixes that you hear are just plain bad and though it is a little hard to use,with a little practice you can make awsome music that is truly yours! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

No Magix in this product!
Very poor software and they know it. You can always tell when a software company is peddling something with little value because they make it extremely difficult to contact them. And of course the Magix.com website is a maze of misdirection and confusion.

The cheaply produced manual is extremely sketchy giving you almost no information on how to operate the software and with the website offering no further assistance you are left with nothing but a useless pair of CD's.

The Guitar Instruction is nothing but white text on a blue background and there is no sound or video with the instruction section like they lead you to believe in the material on the box. The overall quality is so poor It reminded me of the old MSDOS programs from the 1980's.

If they had put as much effort into developing the product as they did in their packaging it might have worked. But they didn't and it doesn't. ... Read more

Features

• For the beginner with no prior training, learning to play the piano can be very difficult
• Fortunately, there's an easier way to learn the piano -- with your computer
• Learning piano rhythms is made simple
• Get a solid grip on the basics -- chords and scales
• Learn finger aerobics to make playing easier

Reviews (2)

Get Voyetra "Teach Me Piano"
I already owned the Voyetra teach me piano and went ahead and bought the Alfred version because it looked more up to date and slicker looking. Well, be that as it may, it's mostly quicktime videos with a guy giving you general lessons.

The MIDI implentation is virtually nill compared to Voyetra (sp?). I didn't realize how good Voyetra "Teach Me Piano" was until I tried this product. I am going to try and bring it back to Borders...It's that bad...Don't get it..

Very dry and uninspiring
This is a very disappointing piece of software. It's not interactive at all - it's more like a book on CD-ROM. They give you a tiny screen and let you flip pages. Not suitable for little kids at all, even thought it says for all ages. BS. ... Read more

Features

• Everything needed to get started playing bass
• Tips on buying and maintaining your instrument
• Teaches how to read tab and standard music notation
• Instruction in a wide range of popular styles
• Accompaniments for songs and exercises included

Amazon.com Product Description

Easy Bass includes a complete set of bass lessons specially designed forbeginners. Learn how to tune your bass and hand placement techniques. Watch as an expert shows you the right way to play in easy-to-follow video demonstrations. Print out song pieces and chords to practice. Learn aboutbass history and famous players from jazz to rock. Move to advanced lessonsas you learn. Also includes a complete guide to reading music. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sweet bass software
this software really helps you w/ your bass skills,and is very fun.I learned alot! ... Read more

Features

• Features a complete learning system for better guitar skills -- over 175 lessons in all
• Full-motion video and high-quality sound as you watch expert guitarists play hit songs
• New scale directory and varibale speed MIDI tracks - adjust the speed of the music and loop certain sections for repetitive replay
• Lessons are divided into six categories, covering the basics in-depth -learn about left-handed playing, strumming styles, scales and fingerstyles
• Read standard musical notation or tablature

Features

• Extensive guitar tools designed to be used by all skill levels
• Play 10 original recordings with full or simplified versions of each
• Built-in recording tools let you hear yourself
• Animated fretboard shows real-time display of notes for classic blues songs
• Complete set of playing tips from the experts

Features

• Prepare for a first date, job interview, or coffee house visit
• Impress friends, influence people, or simply brush up on interesting topics
• Speaking with confidence provides a verbal advantage
• Complete and easy-to-use resource offers the knowledge needed to succeed
• From Jazz to Folk Music to Classical, never again be left speechless

Features

• Music tracking highlights chords when they are played
• Slow the music down for following along, with the variable speed MIDI tracks
• Spoken hints & advice from the instructor as you play
• Song looping highlights and repeats any section of music you'd like to practice
• Recorder tool lets you hear yourself to measure your musical progress

Features

• First Interactive CDROM on Eastern Percussion, Tabla
• Features, India's top rated performers
• Hours of Video & Audio Included
• Learn How to Play Tabla
• Features the history of tabla, theory of eastern rhythm & music

Reviews (2)

Tabla Vol.1-An Exotic Journey Into Eastern Percussion
Excellent CD ROM. Hightly recommened for those who want to know EVERYTHING about the tabla....including history, tabla styles,and tabla accompaniment (with various types of instruments and vocalists)

Interesting Cdrom
I have been a fan of the tabla for quite a while now, ever since I caught the illustrious father - son duo Allah Rakha & Zakir Hussain over 10 years ago. The instrument is amazing and the sounds it can produce are astonishing. So, when I saw this product at amazon, I decided to have a look. Installation is straight forward, allthough be aware you have to have Quicktime installed in order to see the videos. If you do not have Quicktime, it is provided on the disc itself. There is a lot of material here and is a rather exhaustive work. Its really meant as an introduction. You can learn the syllables and some popular rhythmic cycles and a detailed history, learning traditions and theoretical knowledge. The musicians are all great and it comes with an additional Audio CD with the package which very good. The most entertaining part of the cdrom is that it showcases hours of audio and video highlighting tabla in various capqacities.Those of you interested in Tabla, should definately buy this product and dont worry if you have no knowledge of the instrument, its meant for all levels. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Magix Piano and Keyboard Workshop offers an appealing piano-practice tool designed for any beginning or intermediate musician with a MIDI keyboard or piano. With several features to improve your sight-reading abilities, this package is ideal for the younger user, but should be useful to adult players as well.

There are some 30 songs to practice in Piano and Keyboard Workshop. (More are available from Magix's Web site.) The selection of tunes centers on simple melodies such as "Alouette" and "Amazing Grace" to snippets of recognizable music from Bach, Beethoven, and Scott Joplin. In Teach mode, the program displays a keyboard indicating the correct keys to play. When you play on your MIDI-enabled keyboard, the Workshop synchs up your notes with the onscreen display. We liked being able to hide each staff so you could work on right-hand and left-hand parts separately, and the "loop" music was a pleasant way to get in some effective practice.

Definitely the most fun we had here is with the Backing mode in which you play a simple melody and hear a small electronic orchestra behind you. In this mode, your piano tracks are backed up by additional MIDI voices. (If you have any decent sound card or keyboard, you'll sound quite impressive, even just playing a single line of melody.) This feature should provide plenty of positive reinforcement to young musical ears, to help them keep practicing.

Another feature that will please younger users is the Game mode, which tests your ability to read music against several electronic musical "judges," with varying levels of difficulty. Here, swatches of music appear onscreen, and it's up to you to play the correct notes and/or rhythm. Electronic judges include Mr. Easy and Ms. Strict (well, admittedly not the most inventive of names). But with the most difficult, Mr. Guru, the game proved very challenging, with notably difficult dotted rhythms and plenty of 32nd notes that will test the sight-reading abilities of any piano student.

Overall, Piano and Keyboard Workshop offers an inexpensive, yet useful, tool for practicing music with any MIDI-compatible keyboard. You'll probably want to use this program alongside traditional--or electronic lessons--for additional background musical material, but there's little doubt this tool can hone your basic piano skills. --Rich Dragan ... Read more

Product Description

Personal Orchestra includes a comprehensive orchestral sample library, Native Instruments' Kontakt player, GenieSoft's Overture LE notation program and Ambience Reverb.Personal Orchestra contains samples of all the major instruments in a symphony orchestra-strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion-as well as instruments not found in other orchestral libraries-a Steinway concert grand piano, a Stradivarius violin, Wurlitzer and Venus concert harps, Haynes flutes, Heckel bassoons, a Mustel celeste, a Rudolf von Beckerath concert pipe organ, a harpsichord, and many other exquisite instruments. It even includes multiple solo instruments. Everything one needs to create orchestrations of any size! ... Read more

Features

• Strings
• Keyboards & Harps
• WoodWinds
• Brass
• Percussion