Now that this title has been released, I've got 2 tutorials on very different audio programs. SONAR is an incredibly powerful, profession-level recording and mixing program. Unlike ACID Pro (below), you bring your own music to this gig. You're going to have fun with this one!

Be patient and get an audio interface that works with SONAR (most are - not trying to scare you there) and is ASIO compatible. If in doubt, contact Cakewalk or really look into the specifications of the interface you have or are considering.

This is my third graphics title for VTC, and I had a blast. Rather than concentrate on the program features directly, I took a "project approach" to this tutorial. My original name (which seems to have been lost in the shuffle) was Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI Artistry. I wanted this product to be very different from my tutorial on version X of PSP, and I know I've succeeded.

There are a lot of very cool projects to learn from in this tutorial. Every single on may not float your boat, but I put my heart into finding projects that I think actually make sense to learn how to do. I hope you agree!

Sony ACID Pro 6.0 is my latest, and "funnest" title for VTC. I jumped into this one with both feet and ended up composing and creating an entire album to support the tutorial, Go Superhero Go. ACID Pro really gives you the freedom to express yourself musically. LOVE IT!

No new gear for me on this one, but the folks an M-Audio were very kind and sent me an Ozonic keyboard to use during my recording. It rocks!

Now I'm not a keyboard player, but I can get around and play chords, improvise, and so forth. My gig is guitar. But this was fun. I'm going to look into getting something for the family to play. I liked the MIDI aspect and hooking the Ozonic into the computer to play, but in this case you have to and there is no other option. So for me, I want something I can carry around and we can play in different rooms.

Special thanks to Tim Maloney, a great long-time friend. Also to Amanda at M-Audio. And of course David (my agent) and the entire crew at VTC!

This title marks the first project I used my new Rode NT1000 (rodent... get it?) large-capsule studio condenser microphone (with satin nickel finish!). It's big, it's cool, and it's good. Oh yeah. I was able to get a scissor-type desk mount for the mic and it didn't take me too long to get used to the setup. Thing plugs right into my M-Audio Mobile Pre USB Preamp, which then goes into the computer via USB.

I really liked working on this project. I had a good handle on the content, liked what I was doing, and it went very smoothly! I am actually favorably impressed with Photoshop Elements. Of course, if you are used to Photoshop it's like a dog, but still, for people who can't afford the larger price-tag and don't need to print CMYK... it's cool. The organizer is actually fun to play with.

This was my first VTC project and I have to say I continue to really like Corel Paint Shop Pro. Graphics professionals will never give up on Photoshop, but Paint Shop Pro is a perfect alternative for the cost-conscious consumer or small business. Really. There's not much you can't do in Paint Shop Pro and it costs far far less. In some ways you can do more in PSP than Photoshop.

Here is the link to Amazon.com. I have a very favorable review that I'm very proud of!