MusicMoviesNews

October 21, 2008 – Lala is unveiling the first and only free fully licensed service to instantly provide anywhere Web access to an existing music library such as iTunes. Replacing the outdated approach of uploading MP3 files from a PC, Lala introduces a licensed technology to instantly match songs from consumers’ personal music libraries with the Web-based catalog on lala.com.

Adding new music to a licensed collection is easier and less expensive than ever. Sample any full song or complete album for free. Add songs to a Web collection for only 10 cents, and buy DRM-free MP3 downloads for as low as an additional 79 cents. Read more

April 30, 2008 – HDtracks, founded by David and Norman Chesky of the audiophile record label Chesky Records, today announces the launch of its ambitious audiophile-quality music download Web site (www.hdtracks.com) that offers music enthusiasts high-resolution recordings from a distinguished and diverse stable of thousands of artists, including Smokey Robinson, Joe Jackson, Bob James, Buddy Guy, Nina Simone, Earl Wild, Zubin Mehta, The Kinks, Of Montreal, Yo La Tengo and Jerry Garcia, from 60 independent labels around the world. Music can be downloaded in high definition uncompressed AIFF or lossless FLAC format files for playback on home audio systems, including PCs, Macs or music servers, or as 320kbps mp3 files that far exceed the quality of standard mp3 files for playback on iPods and other portables.

HDtracks offers an intriguing alternative for the current “iTunes” music buyer. In addition to offering consumers entire albums at value-pricing ($11.98), complete with PDF-file downloads of album cover art and full liner notes, it is the first site to provide nothing but high-definition, DRM-free* downloads for both PCs and Macs playable on any home or portable device. The site also offers thousands of music titles from diverse genres (including blues, classical, country, folk, gospel, jazz, latin, new age, pop, R&B, rock, soundtracks and world music) that are often overlooked by music sites designed to be “everything for everybody.” Read more

April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- US Music Corporation, a fully integrated musical instrument company, today announced that its Disney by Washburn Hannah Montana Electric Guitar has been honored by the Australian Toy Association with the distinction of 2008 Girls Licensed Product of the Year. Designed by Disney and manufactured by Washburn Guitars, the Hannah Montana Electric Guitar offers new musicians a high-quality, attractive instrument built with the attention to detail and fine craftsmanship that has been a Washburn legacy for over 125 years.

The Hannah Montana Electric Guitar features a select hardwood body designed in a comfortable shape and size that is perfect for a young girl. Easy-to-use controls and a great pop star look, including star shaped fretboard inlays, make the Hannah Montana Electric Guitar fun and simple to play. Additional features include a single coil pickup in bridge position with lipstick pickup in the neck position. Read more

April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) today announced the launch of LG: Rally for Music at www.rallyformusic.com, a Web-based social platform that aims to connect, inspire and motivate young people and allow undiscovered musical talent to shine and be recognized.

Music fans and aspiring musicians alike will be able to create personal profiles, commune across shared musical interests and enter to win valuable prizes. Registered users will have the chance to land a rock star opportunity through a video-based performance competition or enter monthly sweepstakes for the chance to win valuable prizes which include: LG high-definition TVs, MP3 players and the latest in mobile phones. Musicians will be able to upload their performance video for the chance to be rated and reviewed by their peers, with the top four contestants gathering for a live competition held August 2008 in New York City to determine the final winner. The event will be broadcast live on www.rallyformusic.com. Participants will then have a chance to go online to vote for their favorite with the grand prize of $15,000 to be awarded to the best musical talent with the most votes. Read more

April 7, 2008 - Gibson Guitar, the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology, announced a limited edition offering of the new Gibson Robot Les Paul Studio and Robot SG Special after huge demand from worldwide fans and musicians. The demand, stemming from the release of the first Gibson Robot Guitar model in December of 2007, offers fans a chance to own one of the most sought after and innovative musical products ever to be introduced.

Guitarists worldwide have demanded another opportunity to own this revolutionary self-tuning guitar and Gibson USA has offered the opportunity through the introduction of the two new models. The debut of the Gibson Robot guitar in late 2007 was the most anticipated and talked about guitar launch of its time. The Limited Edition Robot Guitar was available in stores on a Friday and were sold out on Monday. As a result of the immediate sale, thousands demanded another opportunity for a Gibson Robot guitar model using the amazing self-tuning robotic technology. In answer to the public demand, Gibson is now offering the Gibson Robot LP Studio Ltd. from Gibson USA. The model features a performance safeguard which secures the cord into the guitar and all the power and tone of a traditional Les Paul. The model features the Robot automatic tuning and is available for a limited time, in limited quantity, in Purple Metallic finish. MSRP is $3,999 USD. Read more

March 18 - iVideosongs announced today the addition of 14 new songs, including Meant to Live and 24, by Switchfoot, to its growing catalog of high def music instruction videos. Each of the Switchfoot titles feature the band's founder and guitarist, Jon Foreman. Also featured are three new titles from acoustic guitar virtuoso, Pierre Bensusan, and Poco's Jim Messina shows how to play the country rock classic, You Better Think Twice.

iVideosongs is the new service that shows aspiring musicians everywhere how to play their favorite songs completely and accurately, with the instruction provided by the original artists who wrote, performed and produced them, and also from expert instructors. Read more

March 7, 2008 -- SCI-FI-LONDON is delighted to announce that Hollywood Legend, JOHN LANDIS (Blues Brothers, An American Werewolf in London) will head the Jury for the 1st SCI-FI-LONDON 48 hour film challenge as part of this year's SCI-FI-LONDON, the UK's only dedicated science fiction and fantastic film festival (30 April – 4 May 2008).

The 48 hour Film Challenge will take place 5 – 7th April 2008. Entrants register as a team online and then attend a briefing on April 5th where they are given a randomly generated film title, some dialogue and a prop – all of which must be in their 5 minute film. They then have 2 days to write, shoot, edit and complete the film and return it by Noon on April 7th. Read more

February 14 - iVideosongs (www.ivideosongs.com) announced yesterday the addition of 23 Beatles songs, including Day Tripper, Revolution and Get Back, to its catalog of high-def music instruction videos. Each of the Beatles titles feature background, insight and musical commentary from Giles Martin, the Grammy Award-winning producer of The Beatles LOVE CD and music soundscape for the Cirque du Soleil show of the same name.

iVideosongs is the new service that shows aspiring musicians how to play their favorite songs completely and accurately, with the instruction provided by the original artists who wrote, performed and produced them, and also from expert instructors. Read more

Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the industry now having picked a winner in the face-off between the two competing high- definition DVD formats, Netflix, Inc., the world's largest online movie rental service, today said that it will move toward stocking high-def DVDs exclusively in the Blu-ray format.

Citing the decision by four of the six major movie studios to publish high-def DVD titles only in the Sony-developed Blu-ray format, Netflix said that as of now it will purchase only Blu-ray discs and will phase out by roughly year's end the alternative high-def format, HD DVD, developed by Toshiba. Read more

Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibson Guitar, the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology announced today the limited availability of the world's first guitar with robotic technology, the Gibson Robot Guitar. True to the spirit of innovation that inspired Gibson to invent the legendary Tune-o-matic bridge, the powerful humbucker and the revolutionary HD.6X Pro digital Les Paul guitar, the Gibson Robot Guitar is set to make music industry history.

1. The Gibson Robot Guitar eliminates tuning problems for guitarists. It automatically tunes to standard A440 tuning.
2. It also allows players to access six commonly used altered tuning presets at the push of a button. These tunings were used on many well know hit songs, giving players easy access for the very first time.
3. The Gibson Robot Guitar allows the guitar to be intonated in seconds after string changes, truss rod adjustments or change in weather conditions.
4.  Finally, with the locking tuner, single string changes or changing the entire set of strings are an automated breeze.

The system consists of five high technology components which are extremely light and do not change the instrument in any way. A control knob (which also serves at the volume knob) enables the tuning with a simple push or pull. Each tuner is equipped with specialized servo motors. As the motorized tuners adjust the pitch of the strings they are monitored by means of a Tune-Control Bridge. Read more