The APEX AX-48 was just released by Ultimate Support, adding to their APEX line of keyboard accessories that boast of the streamlined functionality to the classic column-style keyboard stand design. This tot boasts of the same Ultimate Support’s signature streamlined functionality among its classic column style keyboard stands. Not only that, it also has cable channels that will keep your keyboard cords neatly tucked away during use. Now, isn’t that the type of performing convenience that you are looking for?

With the APEX AX-48 Pro, you will definitely be safe from the shame of having wires and cords cluttered around unlike typical keyboard stands. An because the AX-48 can support up to two keyboards at the same time, it is not only stylish, but practical as well. The APEX-AX 48 Pro will give you and your keyboard both a rugged and a reliable look, all ready for your spotlight moment.

Although patterned after its infamous predecessor, the AX-90, the AX-48 Pro still stands on its own. Its sleek and new design brings out the star in every performer. It still gives justice to the quality and the aesthetics that the entire APEX line of keyboard accessories have, and so much more.

If you are familiar with the APEX keyboard stands, you will be delighted to see a few familiar essentials in the AX-48 Pro – the same style of a standard column type keyboard stand is maintained as well as the same tri-bar arms system and its adjustable height. It still ha the same support and flexibility as well.

But the best feature of the APEX AX-48 Pro is that it makes set up and tear down a breeze. It easily breaks down into a slim piece of item that is very easy to carry from one gig after another. It will not require you to bring any case or to have a lot of space because its hollow column becomes its own storage feature. You will not have to worry about legs and parts protruding during transport. The legs of the AX-48 Pro will remain connected and will simply slide in and out of the base of the column while the arms stay safe and sound at the top of the column.

The APEX AX-48 Pro is a result of more than 20 years of thinking and skill. So why entrust your precious instruments for anything less? Get the Ultimate Support APEX AX-48 Pro Keyboard Stand today!

Here’s another post about the APEX AX-48.

Sorry to say, that would be the incorrect question to ask! It really isn’t the background material that offers you the sterile white that you are looking for.

It is actually the source of the light!

Here is the situation…you put up a clean white bed sheet or a roll of white paper – and you position your model in front of it.

You set up a light source or – even more than one, and light your model. All is looking fine. You think you have got a satisfactorily lit model and a nice white backdrop.

Now, you take the photograph.

Worriedly, you hurry to the photo lab if you are shooting film or to your computer if you are shooting digital. You look at the finished photo and ta daaa!

Your model is flawlessly lit, but the background is a dull gray color. Not the clean, untainted white you saw inside the viewfinder!

Seem typical? If you have been having a hard time getting high key photography…And you have been getting that dull gray color (no matter what materials you employ) here is the way to repair the situation!

All light has a certain fall off aspect.

With that I mean that the further away the light is from a subject matter, the dimmer it is. As a result, meaning… if you have a specific amount of light hitting your model, and you are using that SAME light to light your backdrop, your light is further away from your backdrop than from your model. Consequently, it is going to be somewhat dimmer by the time it gets to your background substance.

Wow! That is a mouthful. Simply stated…

The reason you are creating that gray color is because there’s more light hitting your model than is hitting the photography background.

To get your backdrop be a real, flawless white…merely hit it with MORE light than you will be using on your model!

Appears obvious as soon as you comprehend it, but this is a major sticking point for many photographers.

The amount of “over-exposure” you should have for the background depends upon the color of the backdrop substance. If it is already white, you could get by with using sufficient extra light to get an over-exposure in the region of half an f-stop. Possibly even one full f-stop.

If the material you are starting with is gray…that is OK too! Simply hit it with approximately 2 ½ stops (give or take) more brightness than you might be using for the model.

Here is one that could blow some minds…what if your photography background material is really a pure black piece of canvas – or black paper?

It doesn’t make any difference! Zap it with 5, 6 or perhaps even 7 additional stops worth of illumination (more than you’re using for the main model) and you’ll once again have a nice clean white background.

This can be a LOT of illumination and I wouldn’t suggest starting out using a black backdrop. When you begin closer to white in the beginning, it’s a lot simpler and easier. Nevertheless, attempt it! It’s a fun experiment and will educate you a lot on the subject of light!

The point being – by means of enough light, you can get a nice white photography background no matter what type or color substance you start with.

Need to know how to get a professional quality photography background for NEXT TO ZILCH? This is certain to take your photographs to the next level! Check out the above link.

Or, If you are already a pretty good shooter…do you want to start earning money with your camera? Look at: PartTimePhotography.com.

For some more photography background information, check out this video:

In a lot of cases, what is considered relaxing is based entirely on subjective preferences. This is why some folks listen to slightly upbeat pop songs and still get a general feeling of relaxation. This may also apply to you but it’s worth noting that there are reasons why instrumental tunes are better options.

Compositions that don’t have words in them are good choices to help calm you down because they provide a more subjective experience. Lyrics are limiting because they have themes and ideas that restrict a listener’s thoughts and feelings. In short, you are boxed in by what the words mean.

Songs can still be considered very relaxing soothing music if they carry the kind of words and themes that elicit calmness. Many songs however can only be categorized as soothing because of their slow beats but actually fail to calm listeners because the gentle tones are accompanied by lyrics that aren’t relaxing. Songs of love lost for example may only lead to feelings of sadness.

There are other special advantages to using instrumental tracks like soothing piano music for relaxing. One other reason is that a number of instruments used for these compositions have naturally relaxing qualities. Instruments like the piano and flute for example are naturally calming because they produce sounds that are smooth, flowing and nearly similar to natural sounds. The same cannot be said for electric guitars used for rock, alternative or punk rock songs.

Because instruments like the piano are naturally calming, they are the best options for visualization. When you listen to these instruments, you can imagine or create calming thoughts and situations better. Modern piano pieces for example can lead you to a spot under a tree or beside a brook even while you are seated in your workstation. It can help you see what is relaxing for you even if you aren’t in a very relaxing place. Lyrics can’t accomplish the same effect simply because words can rein in the imagination.

There are many online and offline stores that sell soothing music. Some of the most commonly bought selections fall under classical or jazz. There are now a number of contemporary artists however who specialize in creating music just for relaxation. This is actually fast becoming a lucrative field for the musically gifted. This is because a lot of professionals feel the need to relax after having had to cope with the fast pace of modern life. This is why musicians now sell recorded pieces to help people relax. There are many sample records that you can listen to before you choose albums.

In modern soothing music, there is no doubt that words can play important roles. In a lot of cases though, you would always prefer to have a completely subjective experience when you want to relax. If you want your imagination to work to your advantage during your chill out moments, you had best settle for instrumental compositions.

The occasional confusion over the band’s overall sound probably reflects its rocky start. This American band first came together when each of its members had different pursuits. Vocalist Dez Fafara was with Coal Chamber but had declared interest in breaking away from the group. Guitarist Jeff Kendrick, bassist Jon Miller and drummer John Boecklin were already Area-51 in early years. Fafara met Boecklin and guitarist Evan Pitts on separate occasions and DevilDriver was born in 2002.

Deathride was the first original name choice for the group. This however was not the best choice of name because other groups, musical or otherwise, were already using it. The group settled for DevilDriver being more original and menacing. The cross of confusion became the group’s official sign, one that illustrated the philosophy of questioning everything. The symbol and the name are all elements from Fafara’s own life, having had a rough past, Italian roots and having been brought up in a questioning environment.

Each DevilDriver CD is seemingly unique from the other. Critics think however that what is most likely strikingly different from everything the group has ever done is their self-titled release. This initial work has received considerable negative feedback despite the good sales of band related goth clothing. Some critics had the impression that the band wanted to enter the mainstream scene more than make music. After this release, Pitts made his exit and Mike Spreitzer took over.

Apparently though, the only thing difficult for the group was the start. Their second release The Fury of Our Maker’s Hand which came out in 2005 was met more favorably. This was proven by the fact that the album settled on the 117th slot in the Billboard 200. The album, which was recorded in a nearly isolated location, is so good that some tend to forget that there was ever a first one before it. Like the first release, this second one touches on elements of Fafara’s life.

The second album put the band on a roll and they released The Last Kind Words. They promoted their work in the Download Festival where music legends like Iron Maiden were also in attendance. In 2009, more success came for the group when Pray for Villains took number 35 in the Billboard 200. This got the band even more pumped up for work and led them to make more plans for 2010. Another album has been set for release. Although there might be shifts again in the band’s musical approach, listeners can only tell for certain once the work has been released. Fafara has already said though that the fifth release will be different from the other four.

It’s hard to create a strict category for a DevilDriver album. It doesn’t really matter much though. As long as they make relevant music, the fans will continue to listen.

For many of us, creating satisfactory exposures is simply a matter of putting our camera’s controls on automatic and shooting away. However the one thing our camera CAN’T achieve for us is to generate a beautiful, professional looking background.

That’s a tremendous creative feature that separates the experts from the novices.

Hand painted, material backdrops can cost THOUSANDS of dollars. Far too much for most newbie budgets…consequently, until now, we’ve resigned ourselves to shooting without them and dreaming of – someday.

That someday has arrived. Part Time Photography has produced a course training all of us the way to make professional quality photography backdrops for pennies on the dollar! The truth is, they assert you could make 4 beautiful backdrops for approximately the price of shipping on just ONE of the commercially made ones.

With this quick, on line video course, you will first learn what supplies are necessary and where to get them… Then you can make your first photography background – a blue, “Old Masters” style including learning many ways of using it to obtain unique effects.

Next up, you will produce a red background – then a black one and finally gray. These are in the popular “Old Masters” style that shooters have gravitated to for decades.

When finished (they each only take a few minutes to create) – you are able to roll them up, toss them inside your car, and never be lacking a photo background again!

The second part shows you a simple way to make a backdrop that’s expandable which enable it to be used on any size “set”.

The following part covers chroma key backdrops…their history, why you on occasion see a blue screen and other times a green one…and how to get and use your own. Again, you will possess your own for pennies on the dollar.

In conclusion, the course reveals how to completely master your camera, lenses and lighting gear so that – using the fundamental backdrops you have previously learned to generate – you are able to turn them into any color (and any shade of that color) background – at will, without guesswork. It is a very advanced technique that not many shooters comprehend. Even most professionals fall short in this area.

Stunning, “Old Masters” style backdrops are now within the financial reach of even the greenest of newbies. By the point you have gone through the materials and produced your four photography backgrounds, your photos will rocket to a higher level and begin to truly become an art form and not only a recording medium.

For further information on the new photography background course, simply head to: http://www.PartTimePhotography.com/PhotographyBackground.html

Band Story

The story of the band’s name is a unique one. Parkway Drive used to practice in a house called Parkway House. The property sat on a street in Byron Bay from which the band took its name. The original band members then were Shaun Cash, Winston McCall, Jeff Ling, Brett Versteeg, Ben Gordon and Like Kilpatrick. At some point, the group collaborated with I Killed the Prom Queen to make the split EP “I Killed the Prom Queen/Parkway Drive.”

In the following year, Parkway Drive came up with their first eight track EP “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” This first solo work was so well received in their home country that the band eventually saw the growth of a loyal fan base. Things started to look up even more for the band after other bands like Shadows Fall and Hatebreed performed in the same band events.

It was only after three years or so after the band’s formation though that major developments came up. The band finally got the chance to travel to the US to record their first album. A tour followed to promote the album “Killing with a Smile.” More positive developments came when the group later inked a deal with Epitaph Records at which point their album was released in the US. Just when everything seemed to turn out well though, Shaun Cash who played bass left the group.

It was a double blow for the group because Brett Versteeg who also handled bass left as well. A friend of the group Jia “Pie” O’Connor was tapped to take on the bass player spot. Despite the changes, Australian fans and tour merch customers continued to multiply especially after the band’s tours. A further boost to their popularity was the second release of the EP “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” This second release contained songs from the Byron Bay Hardcore compilation and their split EP. The second Parkway Drive Album “Horizons” was also well received.

Studio Albums Released

“Killing with a Smile” served as their debut album recorded in 2005 and released in the US 2006. The album played a major role in giving the band international recognition. Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage fame produced the album.

October 2007 saw the release of their second album called “Horizons.” Fans highly anticipated the release since they played a few songs that were going to be in the album live. Both critics and fans enjoyed the album, making its way to number six on the ARIA Charters. It is now the bestselling release in the band’s history and has reached multi-platinum status in Europe.

Vocalist Winston McCall announced in 2010 that Parkway Drive is working on a new album claiming that it “will be their rawest and heaviest record to date.” Subsequent updates were posted on online avenues including MySpace and their blog. There is no word on the title of the album or how many tracks it would contain, but the album will be released after their current European Tour and before the Vans Warped Tour to start on June 2010. Truly a well anticipated addition to the Parkway Drive discography.

The group name is not the only one that stands out. The members have also taken on stage names that are reflective of their musical leanings. Other original members are Zacky Vengeance, James “The Rev” Sullivan and Matt Wendt. Current members with Vengeance and Shadows now include Synyster Gates who plays lead guitar and Johnny Christ who handles bass.

The group obviously belonged to the metalcore genre when they first began playing. This was exactly what they offered in Sounding the Seventh Trumpet which was originally relased by Good Life Recordings in 2001. The same metalcore album was released a second time by Hopeless Records in 2002.

In the following year, the group saw more action with the release of Walking the Fallen. In the same year, the group saw greater recognition as they played in the Vans Warped Tour in both 2003 and 2004. After this Avenged Sevenfold album release, their eventual move to mainstream was marked by their move to Warner Bros. Records. Apparently, this also introduced more popular Avenged Sevenfold merch.

It was with Warner Bros. in 2005 that Avenged Sevenfold came up with City of Evil, their third album. Despite being viewed as highly reflective of the band’s image, the album was a departure from their initial musical tone. Metalcore was no longer the strong element in the band’s music but rock. This is obvious because of the glaring omission of screaming vocal outputs.

In 2006, the group gained acclaim as MTV Video Music Awards’ Best New Artist. In this same year, they returned to the Vans Warped Tour, played in Ozzfest and launched their own world tour covering the US, UK and Australia among other locations. As if to highlight their new popular status, the band capped 2007 with the release of their self-titled fourth album, Avenged Sevenfold which debuted at the #4 spot.

The end of 2009 cast a pall on the rising fame of this gritty band. Drummer James “The Rev” Sullivan was found dead due to drug-related causes. He was only 28. The timing was unfortunate since the band had come in second place in the same month to Metallica in Ultimate Guitar’s list of Top Ten Bands of the Decade. Although the band mourned the loss of its member, they eventually decided to move on in February of 2010 with new drummer Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater.

The band has emphatically mentioned that Sullivan will forever be part of Avenged Sevenfold. The group’s new drummer however is obviously set to see more action in the months to come. Shadows has revealed that the group’s fifth album will be out by July. By his own admission, it will be the group’s darkest work yet.

The seeming switch in genre is understandable. Avenged Sevenfold is apparently evolving. Nonetheless, they are clearly on more stable foundations than other bands. There is hardly any doubt what the band wants to evoke with its dark sounds. They’ll surely be in more future band posters.

Band History

It was the members of 88 Fingers Louie and Baxter that originally got together to create the group Transistor Revolt. It was Tim Mcllrath who took the lead on vocals while Toni Tintari handled the drums. Mr. Precision took on the guitar while Joe Principe tackled bass. The two also provided backup vocals. The group was able to independently release an EP demo with four tracks. It was called “Transistor Revolt.” It was after this that they were then able to ink a record deal.

After the first independent EP release, Toni Tintari left the group, making the four tracks his only stint with the band. He was temporarily replaced by popular drummer Dan Lumley. After his brief inclusion, Brandon Barnes took the permanent role of drummer and still plays for the group.

After a year, the band signed up with Fat Wrech Chords which is an independent label. Before they were able to come up with their first album Transistor Revolt became known as Rise Against. In April 2001, they were able to release their first album “The Unraveling.” After the conclusion of this first project, Mr. Precision left and Todd Mohney took on his responsibilities. In 2003, the band released a second album, “Revolutions per Minute.”

The band began to move towards the mainstream path when they signed a deal with Dreamworks Records in 2004. This paved the way for the release of their third album, “Siren Song of the Counter Culture” in the same year. Dreamworks was later taken in by the Universal Music Group and Rise Against moved on to Geffen Records.

Todd Mohney left the band after the label changed and Chris Chasse stepped up to be the new guitarist. Chris Chasse remained in the band till 2007 after the fourth Rise Against album was released. After he left, Zach Blair replaced him. The four members proceeded to work on their fifth album and a couple of Rise Against video releases and still remain together.

Albums Released

“The Unraveling” is the debut album that was released in 2001 after “Transistor Revolt” changed name. All of the demo tracks in their early EP were rerecorded with Brandon Barnes in action as the drummer. It was reissued in 2005 where the tracks were remixed and remastered. Under the same Fat Wreck Chords label, “Revolutions per Minute” followed where it made it to number 15 of the 2003 Billboard Top Independent Albums.

The third album “Siren Song of the Counter Culture” came out when they signed up with the Dreamworks label. Of all the releases, it was this one that was regarded a big deal but got mixed reactions from listeners. The fourth album “The Sufferer the Witness” was more popular, selling more than 48,000 in just the first week. Music fans have been more critical of the following album “Appeal to Reason.” Nonetheless, it still took the number three spot and sold more than 64,000 copies.

There is every indication that Rise Against will be moving away from the underground music scene. This has not met with complete approval among fans. Nonetheless they seem all set for a building a broader reputation. They will record a new album in autumn of 2010 and will soon open up for Green Day in the hopes of improving interest for the Rise Against discography.

Have someone you know take a few snap shots of you in a model posing. Have them take a close up headshot and a full length body shot. These are the pictures you will take to the modeling agencies. You can get a portfolio done as well. The pictures sizes range from 8 x 10 to 9 x 12. Get color and black and white shots taken of you. This is what should be in your portfolio, a few headshots, full length pictures, swimsuits, lingerie, commercial and high fashion shots.

Have more than one photographer take pictures of you. Most models do prints for poses. Being that we are in the digital camera age, you can get all your pictures on a CD. Next you want to get the photographs printed up professionally to put them into your portfolio. Before you get pictures taken of yourself ask to see the photographers work. Stay away from photographers that take nude or risky shots. Have someone that can go with you to your photo shoots or leave word where you are at with someone else.

Now it’s time to get your comp card made up. Sometimes people in the industry call this a zed card. This is what you will leave with the agencies. Make up stickers for your contact information to put on the cards. You’ll want to do this because if the agency wants to put their name on them they can do so with their stickers. Print up the best possible shots of yourself. You want good quality printing. Don’t print up just one agencies name on your cards, because you want to be represented by more than one.

Get ready to visit some agencies. You can find them by looking in the phone book or calling a union and getting a list of which agencies are on the up and up. Start by calling them and making an appointment. Many of them you can send your digital photographs via email. Don’t take an agency serious if they ask you for money. Agencies collect a commission for finding you work. When you become a model, I hope you’ll keep these tips in mind.

The online gambling world has a fascinating new tournament option that is called free slot tournament. As most tournaments require a cash buy in, a free casino slot tournament does not. Other than the fact that you do not have to pay to start playing, free slot tournaments are no different from buy-ins. Furthermore, you may need to download extra software, but waiting for any additional players to start playing is not necessary. Free slot tournaments are an excellent way to get practice because you can play for as much as you want with no penalty.

Free slot tournaments are similar to us casinos slot clubs because in both members acquire points throughout the duration of the slot tournament. The top scorer is named champion. Some die hard tournament players would even go as far to say they rather the glory of being slot champion than the cash prize itself. This is probably because a lot of players make a decent cash flow playing the game. Free casino slot tournaments differ than slot clubs in that you do not have to pay a membership fee to begin playing. Any free slot tournament that requires the player to pay a membership fee to join is not actually a free tournament at all. Contrary to free tournaments are sit and go games, which require a deposit or a fee to play.

When it comes to free slot tournaments there are various notable websites for gaming and different gaming software that these sites use. The two gaming software that sites use for currency transaction are Microgaming Casino and Vegas Technology. All slots casino offers numerous free Microgaming tournaments throughout the day. An important thing to know when researching slot tournaments is that Microgaming and Vegas Technology are of the same company, and that Microgaming is banned in the U.S. while Vegas technology is not. Some tournaments offer cash prizes in the millions. All that is required is a certain download. Royal Vegas casino tournaments offer 5000 dollar tournaments throughout the day, and throughout the weekend, 20,000 dollar tournaments are offered. Rich Reels casino (Microgaming) also offers numerous free slot games with various luxurious prizes along with cash prizes as well. That is just a standard. In addition to the various prizes, there are many different slot games to keep the gamers on their toes. Also continuously offering free slots is Black Jack Ballroom (Microgaming). Not only is Black Jack Ballroom free, but it offers a bonus of $500. Red Flush (Microgaming) is another free tournament site that also offers a $500 bonus, no deposit needed. 32 Red casino (Microgaming), considered the best free slot tournament site from 2003-2008. It is considered an international favorite for its great sign up bonuses and match play bonuses.