May 2008

Layout Tool Disguised as Aperture's Book Making Function
by Derrick Story
May 06, 2008

Aperture 2.1 includes a more versatile book-making tool than we saw in earlier versions. So powerful in fact, that calling it a book making tool is really selling it short. It's actually a flexible layout application with some very useful output options. In this podcast, Derrick Story talks with Joe Schorr and tries to uncover all the hidden gems buried in Aperture 2.1.

April 2008

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 24: 200 Digital Audio Blogs
by David Battino
April 24, 2008

To celebrate his 200th blog entry, O'Reilly Digital Audio Editor David Battino shares the sounds behind the stories. Hear how a bad pianist inspired the first computer music program, the surprising benefits of high-resolution distortion, and sneaky uses of voice recorders.

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
John Paul Caponigro on the State of Printing
by Derrick Story
April 23, 2008

Photographer and fine art printing expert John Paul Caponigro sits down with Derrick Story at Photoshop World 08 in Orlando to provide an inside look at the Epson Print Academy, the changing world of photography, and even a few remarks about his favorite printing papers.

Sal Soghoian on Extending Aperture with AppleScript
by Derrick Story
April 10, 2008

Apple automation guru, Sal Soghoian talks about the scriptability of Aperture in this podcast interview with Derrick Story. Sal points to the "Aperture-InDesign Integration Demo" as a powerful example of how AppleScript can extend Aperture's capabilities.

Special Report: Musikmesse 2008
by Jochen Wolters
April 03, 2008

Jochen Wolters scours the world's biggest musical instrument trade show and finds magical software, exotic synths, handheld recorders, and exceptional performers.

March 2008

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 23: Inside Intel Inside
by David Battino
March 28, 2008

Last year, O'Reilly Digital Media's David Battino got an amazing gig: the chance to compose and record the theme music for Intel's internal podcast on Open Source developments. With some slick music software and the freedom to explore endless musical ideas, he wandered into several hilarious dead ends before remembering some great advice and finding his voice.

Aperture 2 Features 101-103 with Joe Schorr
by Derrick Story
March 18, 2008

Apple's web page says, "Aperture 2 delivers over 100 dramatic, new features." And still there are a few terrific ones they forgot to put on the list. In this podcast, Derrick Story chats with Joe Schorr, Senior Product Manager for Aperture, to uncover a few of these hidden gems.

Using the New Adjustment Tools in Aperture 2.0, Part Two
by Ellen Anon
March 11, 2008

In this second of two parts, Ellen Anon (Aperture Exposed and Inside Aperture) takes you through the bottom half of Aperture's Adjustment palette brick by brick. She picks up with the Enhance brick and continues down through the rest of the new tools. This two part article series is a great resource that belongs in any Aperture bookmark list.

Put Your Photos on TV, Part 2
by Michael W. Dean
March 06, 2008

Filmmaker Michael W. Dean reveals how to make a compelling video from your still images and music, make it fit broadcast standards, and get it shown on TV. In Part 1, you learned how to create a TV-ready video. Here's the crucial final step: rendering the video onto a broadcast-ready DVD and putting it in the hands of producers in a way they can't refuse.

Using the New Adjustment Tools in Aperture 2.0, Part One
by Ellen Anon
March 04, 2008

In this first of two parts, Ellen Anon (Aperture Exposed and Inside Aperture) takes you through the top half of the Adjustment palette brick by brick. This article is a terrific reference piece that that should come in handy time and time again. Next week in Part Two, Ellen picks up with the Enhance brick and continues down through the rest of the adjustments.

February 2008

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 22: Synthesizer Sound Design
by David Battino
February 15, 2008

Part of the joy of playing electronic musical instruments is exploring the unique banks of sounds inside. This month, we speak again with Francis Preve, a Top 10 remixer who also works as the principal sound designer for Ableton and a consulting sound designer for Korg. Hear how he creates the sounds behind the hits.

Aperture 2.0 with Joe Schorr
by Derrick Story
February 12, 2008

Aperture 2.0 is faster, easier to use, and produces better images, says Joe Schorr, Apple Senior Product Manager. In this interview with Derrick Story, Joe explains how Aperture 2.0 meets those lofty claims. This chat covers a lot of new ground.

January 2008

MORE Music Technology at NAMM 2008
by Tim Tully
January 31, 2008

We're back from NAMM 2008 with even more intriguing new gadgets and gear. Once again, the throbbing halls of America's biggest musical instrument trade show introduced a torrent of high-tech goodness. From a $99 Steinway to a truly killer guitar, from audible notation to singing keys, here's what you'll be playing this year.

Review: Sony PCM-D50 Portable WAV Recorder
by Mark Nelson
January 10, 2008

Sony's newest digital audio recorder boasts many of the exotic features of the flagship PCM-D1 for a third of the price. Once again, guitarist Mark Nelson renews his quest for the perfect handheld recorder — and it looks like the sixth time may be the charm.

Joe Schorr on Leopard and Aperture
by Derrick Story
January 08, 2008

Leopard brings a host of new goodies for Aperture users by virtue of the new photography functionality baked right into the operating system. In this interview with Senior Product Manager Joe Schorr, you'll hear some of the most enticing and useful features for Aperture photographers.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 21: Remixing Tips with Francis Preve
by David Battino
January 04, 2008

Francis Preve produced six Billboard Top 10 remixes last year alone, but he graciously found time to share his insights and techniques. Hear the Preve magic in before-and-after musical examples and learn how he turned a shockingly small pile of gear into a production powerhouse.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Rendering Previews, Discarding Previews
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Rendering and manipulating previews of your photos is easy in Lightroom. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Renaming Files on Import, Proper Punctuation
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Learn more about giving your files unique, machine friendly names when importing. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Finding Missing Files
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Find missing files with Lightroom's help. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Creating and Using Watched Folders, Tethering a Digital Camera
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

By enabling Lightroom's Auto Import feature from the menu bar, you can automatically import photos into the Lightroom Library module using a designated watched folder. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Creating and Using Stacks
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Stacks are another useful way to organize your images. Learn how to create them! Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Using Quick Develop
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

The Library module contains streamlined image processing capabilities via Quick Develop. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Noise Reduction
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Lightroom's Noise Reduction feature can easily reduce the effect of electronic noise, while maintaining image detail. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Lens Corrections
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Add and remove vignettes with ease. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Evaluating Tonal Distribution and Color
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

What you see on your monitor, even if the monitor is perfectly calibrated, can be deceptive. Let's look at the various tools Lightroom offers to evaluate your images. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Adjusting Tone Directly from the Histogram
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

If you prefer, you can make your Basic tone settings directly from the Histogram. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
The Split Toning Pane
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

The Split Toning pane can also be used to subtly tweak color in just the highlight or shadow areas and create a more pleasing looking image. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Getting a Cross-Processing Look with Split Toning
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Cross-processing is a popular technique in the film world, where film was deliberatively processed incorrectly. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Exporting Revealed
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

With Lightroom, you can export one photo at a time, or as many as you wish. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Saving Metadata to the Original File
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

In order to properly open or view your Lightroom adjusted image files in Adobe Camera Raw or Adobe Bridge you'll need to make sure these develop settings travel with the file. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Using Metadata and Custom Text for Slideshow Captions
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Possibly the single most compelling feature of the Lightroom Slideshow module is the ability to turn metadata associated with an individual image into a slide caption which is totally sizeable and positionable. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Creating a Quicktime Slideshow
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Here's a way to create a QuickTime slideshow with Lightroom. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Lightroom Color Management
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

You may use a custom printer profile, or you can turn over the color management to your printer software. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Customizing a Web Gallery
by Mikkel Aaland
January 01, 2008

Lightroom ships with several templates for creating web photo galleries. You can customize these templates and save your own version. Excerpted from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, check out step by step examples on how to use some of Lightroom's most popular features.

December 2007

John McDermott on Assignment with Aperture
by Derrick Story
December 13, 2007

John McDermott's workflow once consisted of handing off rolls of Kodachrome to a courier and waiting to see which images appeared in Newsweek. He then struggled through the awkward digital transition until he discovered Aperture. In this conversation with Derrick Story, John talks about his life as an assignment photographer, and how he's adapting to the changing photography landscape.

The eSession Experience: Online Recording for All
by Spencer Critchley
December 13, 2007

Hear a song evolve from MIDI sketch to Grammy-quality mixdown as Spencer Critchley test-drives eSession, the online studio that lets you hire top musicians to record your tunes. He offers an inside view of a start to finish online musical collaboration.

The Annoying Future of Cell Phone Headsets
by Peter Drescher
December 07, 2007

Once again, Peter Drescher has glimpsed the future of mobile audio, and this time, it's deep in your ear. Come explore heavenly and hellish mobile speaker scenarios that are likely just around the corner.

November 2007

Anarchy, Integrity, and the Digital Marketplace
by Michael W. Dean
November 29, 2007

Protect your art, make a living, and still be able to sleep at night. Here's how one digital filmmaker beat back the anarchist punks to distribute a feature movie on his own terms: a high-quality director's cut with no DRM.

Sal Soghoian on Leopard, Automation, and Aperture
by Derrick Story
November 27, 2007

Apple's product manager of automation technologies is the same guy who many of us consider the ultimate AppleScript guru: Sal Soghoian. Even though Sal and I live only a few hours apart, I had to go all the way to the Caribbean to chase him down for this podcast interview. It was worth it. Sal talks about Leopard, automation improvements, and of course, how this all affects Aperture.

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
Mikkel Aaland Shares CS3 RAW Tips
by Derrick Story
November 21, 2007

The new Bridge 2 and Adobe Camera Raw 4 combination included in Photoshop CS3 provides photographers with the tools they need to build an excellent post production workflow. In this interview at PhotoPlus Expo in New York, Mikkel Aaland, author of Photoshop CS3 Raw, talks about the power of these applications and how best to use them.

Backup Strategies with Aperture, Part Two
by Josh Anon
November 09, 2007

In this second part of a two-part series, Josh Anon takes a look at the best ways to back up Aperture files with third party tools such as RSyncX, .Mac, and Retrospect, and online options. Josh also explores Leopard and Time Machine to see if there's functionality there for hardcore Aperture users.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 20: Precision vs. Feel
by David Battino
November 08, 2007

One of the fascinating challenges in modern music production is balancing the creative tension between computer precision and human feel. Hear how playing with quantization (timing correction) can make or break a groove.

Backup Strategies with Aperture
by Josh Anon
November 02, 2007

In part one of this two-part series covering strategies for protecting your photos, Josh Anon discusses some basic archiving concepts and then delves into hard drive options, including RAID configurations. There's lots of food for thought here as you devise your strategy for storing images.

October 2007

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
Rick Sammon's Travel Tips for Photographers
by Derrick Story
October 26, 2007

Seasoned travel photographer Rick Sammon sits down with Derrick Story in the O'Reilly Media booth at PhotoPlus Expo '07 in New York City. In this podcast, Rick draws upon his experiences to offer good advice for photographers on the go.

Apple at PhotoPlus Expo 07 - Joe Schorr Interview

October 26, 2007

Apple Senior Product Manager, Joe Schorr, sits down with Derrick Story on the last day of the 2007 PhotoPlus Expo show in New York City. Joe discusses the growing interest in Aperture's custom books, integration with Keynote for DVD authoring, and the growing popularity of the application among big time photographers.

DIY Surround-Sound DVDs
by David Battino
October 25, 2007

Learn how to make 5.1-channel Dolby Digital DVDs at home without pricey pro software. Plus — a sneaky way to hook multiple speakers to a stock Mac.

Special Report: 2007 Podcast Expo
by Michael W. Dean
October 11, 2007

Last week we brought you the sounds of the 2007 Podcast and New Media Expo. Here are the sights, trends, and some fascinating links, all wrapped up in an irreverent photo tour.

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
Peter Krogh on Digital Asset Management
by Derrick Story
October 11, 2007

"When you think about keywording," says Peter Krogh, "you have to determine what the use will be. Are the keywords to help you find you own pictures, or are they for a stock agency?" Peter, author of The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers talks about tagging and other important organizational tools for photographers during his interview with Derrick Story on the expo floor at Photoshop World 07 in Las Vegas.

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
Tim Grey on HD Photo and Microsoft Technology
by Derrick Story
October 11, 2007

"HD Photo has been in development at Microsoft for the better part of 5 years now," says Tim Grey during his interview with Derrick Story on the expo floor at Photoshop World 07 in Las Vegas. "It enables us to have really good images within a smaller file size." Tim goes on to explain the benefits of HD Photo in detail during this chat in the O'Reilly booth.

Publishing with Aperture - Jennifer Sauer Interview
by Derrick Story
October 05, 2007

Jennifer Sauer is a pro shooter who has incorporated Aperture into her post production workflow... but not in the way you might imagine. For her latest project, The Way to Tea (a glorious book that's an adventure guide to San Francisco tea culture), she chose Aperture to handle the Raw processing for images from her Canon 5D. She also used Photo Mechanic and Photoshop for other stages of production.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 19: Inside the New Media Expo
by Michael W. Dean, David Battino
October 04, 2007

In this special guest episode, DIY digital media expert Michael Dean interviews podcasting's rock stars to learn where the format is going and how we all can get involved. Recorded live at the premier podcasting show, the New Media Expo.

September 2007

Review: Steinberg Sequel Recording and Performing Software
by Jochen Wolters
September 27, 2007

This new audio program from the makers of Cubase promises the drag-and-drop ease of GarageBand with the realtime remixability of Ableton Live. It features 5,000 loops, 600 virtual instruments, and runs on both Mac and Windows—all for just $99. Jochen Wolters digs deep to learn if Sequel is truly a better way to record, edit, mix, and perform.

Teaching with Aperture - Ben Long Interview
by Derrick Story
September 21, 2007

One of the most startling things teacher Ben Long learned about last summer, while teaching photography to teenagers, was the caliber of the students: their dedication and focus was impressive, as was the quality of their work. What also impressed Ben was how much easier it is to teach and manage a lab using Aperture. In this conversation with Derrick Story, Ben talks about Aperture in the classroom.

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
Deke McClelland on Photoshop CS3
by Derrick Story
September 21, 2007

"Finally we have nondestructive filters to work with," said Deke McClelland in his interview on the show floor of Photoshop World 07 in Las Vegas. During this discussion with Derrick Story, O'Reilly Digital Media Evangelist, Deke covered his favorite aspects of CS3, some old techniques he just can't let go of, and some great inside anecdotes about his latest book, Adobe Photoshop CS3 One-on-One.

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
Mikkel Aaland on the Lightroom Adventure
by Derrick Story
September 21, 2007

"I wanted real world experiences with Lightroom," said Mikkel Aaland during his interview at Photoshop World. "So we took 12 great photographers to Iceland to put this product to the test." Mikkel goes on to tell the story of how the Lightroom Adventure came about, including some great anecdotes from the trip. This knowledge and beautiful imagery is captured in Mikkel's latest book, Photoshop Lightroom Adventure.

Inside Digital Media Podcast Series Photography
Stephen Johnson Talks Digital Photography
by Derrick Story
September 21, 2007

"That magic of seeing something that is a momentary capture of something almost beyond belief that makes you grab your camera to begin with," said Stephen Johnson, "that's why we love photography. And that's why I wrote this book." Stephen was referring to Stephen Johnson on Digital Photography, his latest published work that is a comprehensive examination of many facets of photography.

Review: Zoom H2 Handheld Surround Recorder
by Mark Nelson
September 13, 2007

With twice the mics and half the price of the competition, this breakthrough digital audio recorder puts four-channel surround recording at your fingertips. Is this the one we've all been waiting for? Guitarist Mark Nelson fires up the bagpipes to find out.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 18: Better Arpeggiate Than Never
by David Battino
September 07, 2007

It's about the most fun you can have with one finger. Arpeggiators turn a single note into a spiraling flurry of sound for instant musical fun. Hear how they work and explore some surprising applications.

Organizing Power Tips with Joe Schorr
by Derrick Story
September 05, 2007

Do you know the difference between blue folders and yellow folders? What do you do if you're about to meet with clients and want only their images to show in Aperture? In this podcast interview with Joe Schorr, Derrick Story discovers advanced organizing tips for Aperture power users.

August 2007

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Basic Tonal Control in Lightroom 1.1
by Colleen Wheeler
August 29, 2007

Using Lightroom's Develop module, you can do a lot to bring out the best tonal qualities of your images. Lightroom has easy-to-use sliders that allow you to react to the Exposure, Highlight/Shadow, and Brightness/Contrast needs of your images. In this excerpt from Chapter 5 of Photoshop Lightroom Adventure, Mikkel gives you a lushly illustrated overview of how to use the sliders in the Lightroom Develop module to quickly, easily, and satisfyingly make a variety of technical and aesthetic improvements to your photos.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 17: Secrets of the Demo Gods
by David Battino
August 23, 2007

Top music technology gear reviewers Jim Aikin and Mark Nelson reveal how they create their web audio examples. Listen to some of our favorites.

Interview with Tom Hogarty, Lightroom Product Manager
by Michael Clark
August 17, 2007

O'Reilly Lightroom blogger Michael Clark caught up with Lightroom Product Manager Tom Hogarty at the Photo Arts Santa Fe trade show in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They sat down to chat about Adobe's professional photo management application, both as it stands now and where it might be going.

iLife '08 for Aperture Users with Joe Schorr
by Derrick Story
August 16, 2007

Apple recently released iLife '08 with a truckload of goodies for Aperture users. In this podcast, Joe Schorr tells you how to use some of these new tools and discusses the latest Aperture update (1.5.4).

Slideshows from your Aperture Images, Part 2
by Dominique James
August 15, 2007

In part two of our series on creating slideshows with Aperture images, you'll learn how to tap iDVD and Keynote to build professional presentations for clients and promotion. iLife's integration with Aperture makes it the perfect source library for authoring dynamic slideshows.

Pictures in Motion: Slideshows from your Aperture Images
by Dominique James
August 09, 2007

Aperture provides plenty of tools for creating professional looking slideshows from your images. But you have even more possibilities outside its cozy confines thanks to its interoperability with other Mac OS X applications. In this first part of a two-part series, Dominique James explores the options within Aperture, then takes you on a tour of other Mac OS X slideshow tools.

New Music Gear at Summer NAMM 2007
by Scott Snyder
August 09, 2007

Scott Snyder combs the giant musical instrument show to find the products that spark his "Wow, I wish I had one of THOSE" smile.

Review: Korg MR-1 Hi-Def Portable Recorder
by Mark Nelson
August 02, 2007

Thanks to 1-bit technology, this new audio recorder puts Super Audio CD resolution in the palm of your hand. Guitarist and recording engineer Mark Nelson jets back to Hawaii to test it and is astonished by the quality.

July 2007

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 16: Cover Yourself (A Radical Approach to Copyright)
by David Battino
July 27, 2007

Open source enthusiast Lucas Gonze wanted to record cover songs and share them online. But copyright law and web spiders crushed that plan. Then he found a mother lode of free music on a government web site.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
The Lightroom 1.1 Develop Module Revealed
by Colleen Wheeler
July 26, 2007

In Lightroom's 1.1 Develop module, you'll find sophisticated yet easy to use tone and color developing controls. Other tools in the Develop module provide basic retouching ability, plus cropping, straightening and more. Our excerpt from Mikkel Aaland's Photoshop Lightroom Adventure provides a guided tour of Lightroom 1.1's shining glory.

Version Control in Aperture
by Jeffery Morse
July 25, 2007

Many Aperture users don't realize exactly what's happening behind the scenes with versions, how many options there are, and what versions actually entail. In this article, Apple Pro Trainer Jeffery Morse takes you inside Aperture's versioning function so you can tap its power to its fullest potential.

QuickTime Web Movie Secrets
by David Battino
July 16, 2007

QuickTime is still the best-looking, most flexible way to present video on the web. Here's how to present multiple movies on a single page, launch a movie in fullscreen mode, and even play a sequence of movies automatically.

Advanced Aperture Techniques with Joe Schorr
by Derrick Story
July 03, 2007

Have you tapped the power of Album Picks or mastered the Primary Only function? In this edition of Inside Aperture, Joe Schorr talks with Derrick Story and explains some of his favorite power techniques.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
The Lightroom 1.1 Library Revealed
by Colleen Wheeler
July 03, 2007

In Lightroom's 1.1 Library module, you can edit, rate and sort images, add keywords and perform basic image processing on one or multiple images at the same time. Join us for a quick tour of its key elements, including an explanation of the new "catalogs" (formerly known as libraries) concept.

June 2007

Hands on with the Aperture 1.5 Professional Keyboard
by Bakari Chavanu
June 29, 2007

I wanted to work faster in Aperture 1.5 and realized that I needed to stop being the mousy navigator that I am and begin learning more keyboard shortcuts. I mean, really, mousing to the Adjustment HUD five or six times a session is just ridiculous. So I checked out LogicKeyboard's Apple Pro Keyboard for Aperture, and have a hands-on report for Inside Aperture readers.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 15: The Fat Man Sings...Digitally
by David Battino
June 28, 2007

The DigiTech Vocalist Live stompbox listens to your guitar playing and automatically generates vocal harmonies. Listen up as the Fat Man puts it through its paces and predicts where this breakthrough technology will lead.

More on Export Plug-Ins
by Derrick Story
June 19, 2007

Aperture made its WWDC debut with its first official session and an after-hours reception hosted by AUPN. Derrick Story sits down with Richard Kerris, Micah Walter, and David Schloss to talk about the latest in export plug-in development, hot plug-ins, Aperture Plugged In web site, and the Aperture Users Professional Network.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 14: Doug Wyatt
by David Battino
June 15, 2007

Renowned music software programmer Doug Wyatt deftly fuses vintage electronics, Swedish vocals, and digital technology into remarkable soundscapes on his latest CD. We visit his home studio to learn how.

dekeBytes: A Taste of Vanishing Point 2.0 in Photoshop CS3
by Deke McClelland
June 15, 2007

Deke McClelland takes a look at the new and improved Vanishing Point 2.0 Photoshop filter in Adobe's CS3. The Digital Media community can follow along with example files as Deke melds an image around a virtual DVD case!

Web Audio Lab: Three JavaScript Tricks to Spice Up Your Site
by David Battino
June 08, 2007

Our simple tutorial on building an online MP3 player inspired hundreds of you to ask for enhanced features. Now you can grab our latest code and experiment yourself.

Joe Schorr on iPhoto to Aperture
by Derrick Story
June 01, 2007

Many photographers have scores of valuable images stored in iPhoto libraries. As Aperture becomes incorporated into the workflow, what's the best way to move those pictures to the Aperture environment? And what if you want to share your Raw files with both iPhoto and Aperture? In this podcast, Joe Schorr, senior product manager for Aperture, explains all of the inside tricks for working with both iPhoto and Aperture libraries.

May 2007

Digitizing Your Film Archive with Aperture
by Micah Walter
May 25, 2007

One of the biggest challenges to digitizing your film archive is organization and metadata management. In this article, Micah Walter proposes a sane approach to bringing your analog past into the digital age.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 13: Seize the Rhythm
by David Battino
May 24, 2007

There's rhythm all around us, and computers make it easy to capture those sounds and weave them into your own compositions. In this episode, we transform the everyday rhythms of talking, laughing, and even toothbrushing into exciting new grooves.

iPod Mic Shootout
by Mark Nelson
May 18, 2007

Apple finally added "CD-quality" recording to the iPod. But how good is it really? Recording engineer Mark Nelson plugs in three leading add-on mics and records voice and guitar to find out.

What Does Photoshop CS3 Mean for Aperture Users?
by Josh Anon
May 17, 2007

Aperture's comprehensive set of photo management tools keep users within the Aperture environment for the bulk of their work. But for more complicated image editing tasks, round tripping to Photoshop is often the workflow of choice. CS3 offers improved performance and new tools, many of which will be of interest to Aperture users. In this article, Josh Anon take you on a tour of the best of these improvements.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 12: Synth Mania, Part 2
by David Battino
May 10, 2007

Synthesizer maniac Paolo Di Nicolantonio returns with more stories, sounds, and musical toys.

April 2007

Rick LePage on Fine Art Printers for Aperture
by Derrick Story
April 30, 2007

Affordable hardware for fine art printing is more bountiful than ever. In this exclusive Inside Aperture podcast, Macworld editor at large, Rick LePage, covers the latest offerings from Epson, HP, and Canon. Rick supplies plenty of insight about how HP is challenging Epson, and some thoughts about Canon's emergence, then absence in the mid range fine art market. Derrick Story chats with Rick during a visit to San Francisco.

Review: Boss Micro BR Palmtop Recording Studio
by Gina Fant-Saez
April 26, 2007

At just over 3x5 inches, the Boss Micro BR is a digital recording studio you can use anywhere. It records up to 32 tracks, has a built-in mic and drum machine, and even plays your MP3s. Can it possibly work at just $229 street? Reviewer Gina Fant-Saez finds out.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 11: Synth Mania, Part 1
by David Battino
April 20, 2007

Synthesizer enthusiast Paolo Di Nicolantonio runs a wonderful website of synth sounds and information. In this episode, we listen to famous sounds, infamous sounds, and Paolo's favorite keyboard ever.

Controlling the Aperture User Interface
by Dominique James
April 18, 2007

In this article, pro shooter Dominique James shows us his commonly used techniques for working faster and smarter with Aperture. He shares some of the most practical tools that he uses when dealing with thousands of shots from his studio sessions or location photo shoots. He also provides a nifty list of his favorite keyboard shortcuts.

Special Report: Musikmesse 2007
by Jochen Wolters
April 12, 2007

Jochen Wolters hits the world's biggest musical instrument trade show and finds fresh sounds, fantastic new gear, and phenomenal performers.

Joe Buissink on Capturing the Moment
by Derrick Story
April 11, 2007

At the recent WPPI conference, Joe Buissink discussed how to unlock the artist inside of you. I really enjoyed Joe's presentation and wanted to follow up with an interview with this "wedding photographer to the stars." I discovered that he is just as informative, interesting, and candid in person as he is on stage, and I think you'll learn much from this exclusive chat with him in Las Vegas.

March 2007

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 10: Annoying Audio
by David Battino
March 30, 2007

Peter Drescher designed the sounds for everything from After Dark screensavers to the T-Mobile Sidekick. Hear what it takes to annoy (and thrill) this top ringtone composer.

Robert Leslie on Shooting TED and Using Aperture
by Derrick Story
March 27, 2007

Event photographers need all the help they can get to survive the grueling hours and gigabytes of data they amass. Pro shooter Robert Leslie just completed one of the most challenging events of all, the TED conference in Monterey, California. In this Inside Aperture interview, Derrick Story talks with Robert about TED, tips for successful event assignments, and Aperture's impact on these types of gigs.

Singing With Your Thumbs: How To Make User Interfaces Musical
by Peter Drescher
March 22, 2007

Peter Drescher, the #1 Google hit for "annoying audio," returns with another wonderful article on creative sound design. Triggering boatloads of MP3s, he walks us through the adventure of designing emotional sounds for really tiny speakers.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 9: Songs You May Have Missed
by David Battino
March 16, 2007

Did you realize we've published nearly two dozen musician interviews on the O'Reilly Digital Media site, many with full-length songs? In this episode, we dig up some of the "lost" tunes and explore the surprising technology behind them.

Joe Schorr on UI Customization in Aperture
by Derrick Story
March 15, 2007

In this edition of "Inside Aperture," Joe Schorr, Apple Senior Product Manager, provides a bounty of tips for customizing the user interface. You might want to have Aperture running as you listen so you can see how these adjustments look, then pick the ones right for you.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Creating Identity Plates in Lightroom
by Colleen Wheeler
March 14, 2007

You can personalize the Lightroom environment by creating Identity Plates that appear throughout the application for a nice aesthetic touch. They also have very practical purposes as they can be used to identify slideshows, web galleries, and prints. Here’s how to set up an Identity Plate of your own.

Aperture vs Lightroom - An O'Reilly "Inside Aperture" Field Test
by Micah Walter
March 06, 2007

During a week long field test of Aperture and Lightroom, Micah Walter put both photo management applications to the test comparing ease of use, tool set, speed, and output. He summarizes his findings in this article with links to the complete set of blog posts that he published during the week of testing.

Lightroom vs Aperture - The Results
by Michael Clark
March 06, 2007

During a week long field test of Lightroom and Aperture, Michael Clark put both photo management applications to the test comparing ease of use, tool set, speed, and output. He summarizes his findings in this article with illustrations comparing key functions for each program.

Six Slick Tricks for the Creative Xmod Audio Enhancer
by Erica Sadun
March 01, 2007

Smaller than a computer mouse, the Creative Xmod packs some surprising sonic powers inside its sleek white shell. Erica Sadun reveals how to use it to pump up your MP3s, enjoy nine-speaker surround sound, and even upgrade your car stereo.

February 2007

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 8: A Theme Come True
by David Battino
February 23, 2007

What makes a good musical theme? We ask Emmy Award-winning composer BJ Leiderman, the melodic mastermind behind NPR's Morning Edition, PRI's Marketplace, and many more irresistible tunes. Then we digitally deconstruct an original theme song to see how it works.

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Organizing the Lightroom Workspace
by Colleen Wheeler
February 22, 2007

The Lightroom workspace is extremely malleable. You can easily enlarge or shrink the various windows to suit your viewing and working preferences, whether you are on a laptop in the field or your cinema display in the studio. In this downloadable PDF excerpt from Photoshop Lightroom Aventure - Mastering Adobe's next-generation tool for digital photographers, Mikkel Aaland takes you on a short Lightroom tour of the workspace.

The HP Pro B9180 Inkjet Printer - Pro Quality at an Enthusiast's Price
by Derrick Story
February 15, 2007

Photographers searching for an affordable, gallery-quality, pigment-based inkjet printer should give serious consideration to the HP Pro B9180. Yes, it's made by HP, not Epson or Canon. Yet it churns out beautiful 13 x 19-inch images that are rated for 200+ years. Combined with advanced features such as a densitometric closed loop color calibration system and built-in networking, this printer is a steal for about $510. Derrick Story reviews.

Joe Schorr on Color Management in Aperture
by Derrick Story
February 13, 2007

Joe Schorr, Apple Senior Product Manager for Aperture, covers color management in Aperture 1.5.2. Derrick Story interviews Joe in this exclusive O'Reilly Media podcast.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 7: Express Yourself
by David Battino
February 12, 2007

Expression is the soul of music. In this episode, we listen to the techniques players use to coax emotion out of electronic instruments and software.

Review: Zoom H4 Handy Recorder
by Mark Nelson
February 01, 2007

Mark Nelson completes his tests of today's three hottest audio recorders with this in-depth review. The Zoom H4 offers more features than the M-Audio MicroTrack and Edirol R-09 for $100 less. But is it right for you?

January 2007

Lightroom O'Reilly Help Center
Lightroom Revealed: The Modules
by Colleen Wheeler
January 30, 2007

Lightroom is designed to streamline the process of importing, processing, and sharing your digital images. Although much can be discovered by simply experimenting on your own, there is a lot to the application that doesn't immediately meet the eye. In this first in a series of downloadable PDF excerpts from his book "Photoshop Lightroom Adventure - Mastering Adobe's next-generation tool for digital photographers," Mikkel Aaland gives you a quick overview of each of the modules available in Lightroom 1.0 (Library, Develop, Slideshow, Print, and Web).

Photo Workflow on the Road - A Hitchhiker's Guide to Aperture
by Micah Walter
January 26, 2007

For many photojournalists, traveling the world and owning a desktop computer back at the home base just isn't practical. But the laptop-only alternative -- making sure images are safely backed up, archived, organized, delivered to clients, and easily findable down the road once had its challenges too... before Aperture. In this article, Micah Walter provides Aperture tips for the photographer on the go.

New Music Technology at NAMM 2007
by David Battino
January 25, 2007

America's biggest musical instrument trade show just wrapped up, and we brought back sounds, photos, movie clips, and more. Check out our gallery of new music technology and see what you'll be playing tomorrow.

Compare, Select, and Rate
by Derrick Story
January 19, 2007

Aperture's powerful sorting tools enable photographers to cull hundreds of images quickly. This podcast features Derrick Story and Scott Bourne explaining the compare, select, and rating tools, including stacks, during a recent workshop at Macworld San Francisco.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 6: Desktop Music in Japan
by David Battino
January 08, 2007

From Tokyo, David Battino interviews DTM Magazine's Daigo Yokota on the state of Japanese music technology, tests Mixmeister's slick podcasting software, and explores two cool songs on the DTM DVD.

Richard Kerris on Aperture Plug-In Development
by Derrick Story
January 04, 2007

Richard Kerris is a director in the Applications Division of Apple Computer. He focuses on professional photography partnerships, spending a lot of his time with third-party developers. In this edition of Inside Aperture, Derrick Story talks with Richard about the plug-in architecture for Aperture, both from programmer and photographer viewpoints.

December 2006

Joe Schorr on Aperture Sharpening and More
by Derrick Story
December 21, 2006

Joe Schorr, Apple Product Manager for Aperture, covers edge sharpening, metadata presets, and provides lots of helpful tips for working efficiently in Aperture 1.5.2. Derrick Story interviews Joe in this exclusive O'Reilly Media podcast.

Automated Workflow to Archive Your Best Images to DVD
by Derrick Story
December 20, 2006

Aperture's Vault feature is an intelligent way to back up your photos to one or more external FireWire drives. As good as the system is, it depends on the integrity of your hard drives. As an extra measure of precaution, I also archive my best images to DVD. And to remove the tedium from the process, I've developed this semi-automated system to manage the process. Here's how it works.

Three Surprisingly Cool MIDI Controllers Under $300
by Mark Nelson
December 20, 2006

Mark Nelson tears into a MIDI drum set, guitar, and keyboard that look like toys but deliver big-time musical fun.

Ad-Hoc Clustering
by Raimo Koski
December 14, 2006

Clustering may sound like rocket science, intended for large or complex computationally expensive problems. It doesn't have to be difficult, however. You just need a parallelizable task and some creativity. Raimo Koski demonstrates how to build an ad-hoc cluster to rip digital music.

Sal Soghoian on Automating Aperture
by Derrick Story
December 13, 2006

No one knows more about bringing automation to Aperture than AppleScript guru Sal Soghoian. In this interview, Derrick Story talks with Sal about enhancing Aperture workflow using Automator. Sal makes many great points, including that automation is the way for users to customize an app for their specific needs.

O'Reilly Happenings at Macworld SF 2007
by Bruce Stewart
December 11, 2006

Macworld SF 2007 is shaping up to be a busy show for O'Reilly Media. We have great specials, lots of books, a full speaker lineup, and a menu of activities. Here's a comprehensive overview.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 5: Portable Recorders
by David Battino
December 08, 2006

Go inside the mind of guitarist and recording engineer Mark Nelson, whose unusual reviews of pocket digital recorders are top-ten Google hits.

Tethered Shooting in Aperture
by Micah Walter
December 05, 2006

Sending captured images directly to your Mac provides some useful options in studio and time-lapse photography. In this tutorial, Micah Walter shows you how to incorporate Automator into your tethered workflow to help you shoot and process as efficiently as possible.

November 2006

Six Fresh Tips from iPod: the Missing Manual
by J.D. Biersdorfer
November 30, 2006

The fifth edition of O'Reilly's action-packed iPod guide just hit the streets, and here are six free excerpted tips you can put to use right now. Learn how to load high-res photos, where to get free vids, how to share your player among multiple computers, and more.

Bill Frakes on Aperture
by Andrew Darlow
November 28, 2006

Bill Frakes is a versatile pro shooter who is widely known for his Sports Illustrated work. In this podcast interview conducted by Andrew Darlow in New York City, Bill talks about his workflow and how he manages thousands of images using Aperture.

Review: Cakewalk Dimension Pro
by Gregory Moore
November 22, 2006

High-tech composer Gregory Moore dives into what may be the best computer music-making bargain around: Cakewalk's first virtual instrument to run on both Mac and 64-bit Windows.

Five Zune Secrets You Need to Know
by Erica Sadun
November 16, 2006

Learn how to hack your Zune's video output (and save a hundred bucks), avoid the WMA plague, install your own movies, and more in this fast, easy tutorial.

More Joe Schorr on Aperture 1.5
by Derrick Story
November 14, 2006

Joe Schorr, Apple Product Manager for Aperture, digs deeper into Aperture 1.5, Apple's premier photo management application. He explains the new referenced files option and how it compares to the managed library approach. Joe also gives some great tips and discusses how you can use managed library and referenced files together.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 4: (((Echo)))
by David Battino
November 09, 2006

Sync and grow rich! Hear how tempo-synced effects can bring your music to life. Plus: virtual guest appearances by drummer Stewart Copeland and drum machine pioneer Roger Linn.

Top Ten Aperture Features
by Scott Bourne
November 01, 2006

Apple's ground-breaking, workflow tool for professional photographers has caused quite a stir in the imaging community. After working with Aperture for a year, I've decided that although it's not perfect, it has some incredible and exciting features that photographers can really use. Here are the 10 that top my list.

Joe Schorr on Aperture 1.5
by Derrick Story
November 01, 2006

Joe Schorr, Apple Product Manager for Aperture, gives us an inside perspective on the development of Apple's premier photo management application. He discusses the program's evolution over the past year, then turns his focus to some of the new features in version 1.5.

FOO Casts
Ken Milburn Unplugged
by Sara Peyton, Ken Milburn
November 01, 2006

Take a listen. The author of Digital Photography Expert Techniques, Second Edition knew Dan Rather in college, started his career taking publicity photos of Hollywood starlets, and shot album covers for Capitol Records. Ken talks to O'Reilly staffer Sara Peyton about his career, tips and tricks, and creating the wow factor.

October 2006

QuickStart: Digital Audio Editing
by David Battino
October 26, 2006

Want to clean up your recordings but not sure where to start? We walk you through some essential audio editing skills, from reading a waveform to crafting the perfect fade.

Bill Atkinson Describes Dust Mapping with the ExpoDisc
by Derrick Story
October 19, 2006

Yes, the ExpoDisc works great in odd lighting situations to help you capture accurate color and clean whites. But you can also use this photo accessory for identifying color shifts across your sensor array and for creating a dust map for auto retouching. Check out this video where color expert Bill Atkinson explains additional uses for the ExpoDisc.

What's The Big Deal About Making Music Players Social? Microsoft Zune and the Big Idea
by Erica Sadun
October 17, 2006

Why does Microsoft insist that a social music player, its upcoming Zune, is the wave of the future? Zune social networking manifests itself through its Wi-Fi-based music sharing and its PC-based (and presumably MySpace-inspired) Zune Marketplace. Microsoft gambles that these two spheres are sufficient to define a new and unique Zune space. Erica Sadun takes a good hard look at the Zune and tries to figure out if it is the wave of the future--or just a pipe dream.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 3: Singing Computers
by David Battino
October 16, 2006

Daisy, Daisy, make your computer sing. Listen up as we uncover sneaky new tricks for speech synthesizers and audition some amazing new singing software.

September 2006

Two Slick QuickTime Tricks
by David Battino
September 29, 2006

Turn your video on its ear! Our hands-on tutorial shows you how to work with vertical movies and then embed them in a web page with a friendly new kind of trigger.

FOO Casts
The Way of a Digital Photography Pioneer
by Sara Peyton, Stephen Johnson
September 29, 2006

In Stephen Johnson on Digital Photography, the renowned photographer writes about his journey on the "bleeding edge of digital photography's evolution." In this podcast, Johnson talks to Sara Peyton about his career, photo techniques, photo ethics in a digital age, and why, for him, taking landscape photos became synonymous with caring about the wild places he wandered in.

O'Reilly Photography Learning Center
Shooting RAW with Mikkel Aaland
by Daniel H. Steinberg, Mikkel Aaland
September 26, 2006

We talked to Mikkel Aaland about shooting RAW when we met up with him at the MacWorld Expo in January 2006. Aaland is the author of Photoshop CS2 RAW and is an expert with working with RAW files in Photoshop, Bridge, and Adobe Camera Raw. (11:34)

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast 2: The Vocoder
by David Battino
September 21, 2006

Hey, Cylon breath! Think vocoders are only good for robotic sound effects? Hear how top musicians are using them creatively as we dive into the expressive sounds behind four recent features.

Burn Your New iTunes Movies to DVD (and Protect Your Other iTunes Purchases)
by Erica Sadun
September 19, 2006

How much money have you spent at the iTunes store? And what do you have to show for it? An iPod full of music? TV shows? Those new games and movies? Too many people forget how much cash they've put into their digital media. And when bad things happen--house fires, computer theft, iPod loss--they're not always prepared to be able to recover those digital assets. Erica Sadun shows you archiving techniques to preserve your (hefty) iTunes investment.

FOO Casts
Creating Beautiful Digital Photos the Eddie Tapp Way
by Sara Peyton, Eddie Tapp
September 15, 2006

Eddie Tapp, 2006 Photoshop Hall of Famer, award-winning photographer, and much sought after educator, discusses his new book from O'Reilly, "Photoshop Workflow Setups." In this interview by new O'Reilly staffer Sara Peyton, Eddie talks about his photography roots, the art of taking pictures, his new book...and why he lives by the rule of 300.

O'Reilly Photography Learning Center
Sharpening with Camera Raw
by Mikkel Aaland
September 15, 2006

Almost every RAW file requires some degree of sharpening to counter the effect of blurring that occurs at some stage of image capture or image processing. But when do you apply the sharpening? In Camera Raw or later in Photoshop? The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. In this excerpt from Photoshop CS2 RAW, Mikkel Aaland shows you how to sharpen your images with confidence.

FOO Casts
Barbara Brundage discusses "Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual"
by Sara Peyton, Barbara Brundage
September 12, 2006

In this podcast, O'Reilly Media's Sara Peyton interviews Barbara Brundage. Barbara's an extraordinary harpist who has performed for dignitaries and celebrities around the world, including Margaret Thatcher, Tom Cruise, the Clintons, and Isaac Stern. She's also the go-to expert when it comes to using Photoshop Elements. Her brand new book, Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual, is all about the just-announced version of Elements. She talks to us about the cool new tools for digital photographers and scrapbookers in this new program.

Digital Media Insider
Digital Media Insider Podcast: Playing with Audio Plugins
by David Battino
September 07, 2006

Listen as songwriter and Pro Tools guru Gina Fant-Saez transforms a dust-dry vocal into a gorgeous soundscape by chaining four cool effect plugins, and then builds a song from scratch using only virtual instruments.

August 2006

Review: Edirol R-09 Pocket Digital Recorder
by Mark Nelson
August 31, 2006

You asked for it: Recording engineer and acoustic guitarist Mark Nelson grabs this hot new 24-bit WAV/MP3 recorder and returns to Hawaii for a shootout with the defending champ, M-Audio's MicroTrack. Listen to the high-res WAV files and decide if Mark chose right.

ExpoDisc for Pro (and Easy) Color Capture
by Derrick Story
August 24, 2006

The custom white balance setting on my camera was one of my most underused features, though I knew it could save me lots of post-production time. On a recent weeklong assignment, I packed the ExpoDisc and tested its color balance prowess under a variety of conditions. Custom white balance is now one of my favorite features. Here's how it works.

Unify and Synchronize Your iTunes Libraries
by Matthew Russell
August 22, 2006

Last June, David Miller published an article that explained how to synchronize playlists on iTunes. Today, Matthew Russell extends this idea by investigating and presenting three different ways to synchronize the actual contents of your iTunes music libraries when they are scattered across multiple machines. Then in the second half of the article, Matthew lays the foundation for a custom Python script that you can extend across multiple platforms and in various other ways.

Inside Pandora: Web Radio That Listens to You
by Brad Fuller
August 17, 2006

Select a song or artist you like and Pandora plays similar songs through your web browser. Linux audio expert Brad Fuller reveals how Pandora's combination of open source wizardry, Flash artistry, and human ears serves millions of listeners fresh music--for free.

FOO Casts
George Jardine Discusses the Adobe Lightroom Adventure
by Derrick Story
August 17, 2006

George Jardine, pro shooter and Adobe Lightroom Evangelist, was part of the Lightroom Adventure team that traveled to Iceland during the summer of 2006. In this interview by fellow Adventurer Derrick Story, George talks about working with other world class photographers on location and the development of Adobe Lightroom... and how the two forces came together in Iceland.

The Top 20 Plugins for Musicians and Songwriters
by Gina Fant-Saez
August 03, 2006

Pro Tools guru Gina Fant-Saez has mastered dozens of audio plugins while running her world-class recording studio. Here she reveals her favorite virtual instruments and effects, then recommends what to get if you can only afford a few.

July 2006

Review: Frontier Design TranzPort
by Spencer Critchley
July 20, 2006

This wireless, two-way remote control won acclaim in the pro audio community for simplifying computer recording. Now it works with iTunes as well. Songwriter Spencer Critchley tests it with iTunes and Reason, discovering how to loop song sections, create remote playlists, and even tranzform iTunes into a foot-controlled backup band.

Automate Your Favorite Photoshop Routines
by Scott Bourne
July 13, 2006

If you find yourself performing the same tasks over and over again in Photoshop, it's time for you to tap the power of actions. Scott Bourne shows you how.

June 2006

Secrets of the Arpeggiator
by Jim Aikin
June 29, 2006

Arpeggiators are some of the handiest gadgets in computer music. With an absolute minimum of dexterity, you can create driving rhythms and superhuman tapestries of notes. Jim Aikin explains how arpeggiators work, what features to look for, and how to use them to revitalize your music.

Indie Podcasting with Open Source
by John Littler
June 22, 2006

Linux has a reputation as a multimedia lightweight. That's undeserved; there are plenty of powerful, useful, and usable applications to meet most of your media needs. For example, it's possible to become an independent podcaster with a little bit of equipment and experience. John Littler shares his advice on podcasting with open source.

Travel Advice for Photographers
by Ed Carreon
June 14, 2006

Are you the type of photographer who wants to be prepared for every situation on the road? If so, pro shooter Ed Carreon has tips for the traveling photographer based on his years of experience. You won't believe some of the items in his travel kit.

The Digital Songwriter: Better Music Through Computer Collaboration
by Gina Fant-Saez
June 07, 2006

Vocals in Texas, drums in Germany, guitars at Peter Gabriel’s studio in England—you can now co-write and record songs without leaving your desktop. All you need is an internet chat application, some basic gear, and these hands-on tips.

May 2006

Build a Better Web Audio Player
by David Battino
May 31, 2006

In the popular "Build a Simple MP3 Player for Your Site," you learned how to create a slick pop-up music player with just two lines of JavaScript. Version 3 of the technique now supports MP3 playlists and dances around Windows audio roadblocks.

Review: M-Audio Black Box, v2
by Mark Nelson
May 17, 2006

This breakthrough guitar processor offers amp modeling, unique rhythmic effects, a mic input, a drum machine, and a Pro-Tools-compatible USB audio interface for an astonishingly low price. Our impressed reviewer concludes, "It deserves a place in every guitarist's tool kit." Plus: exclusive tips and demos from inventor Roger Linn.

Photoshop Elements 4 for the Mac: Worth the Wait?
by Giles Turnbull
May 16, 2006

There was a minor uproar in the Mac community when Photoshop Elements 4 was released for Windows with no Mac version in sight. But Adobe has rectified the situation with a stellar release of Elements for OS X. Giles Turnbull takes you on a tour of its highlights.

From Darkroom to Lightroom: Downloadable PDF
by Ken Milburn
May 09, 2006

Lightroom is Adobe's new photo workflow application. It provides an upload-to-output solution in one attractive interface that's filled with features designed specifically for serious photographers. O'Reilly author Ken Milburn introduces you to this breakthrough application and provides a 22-page "Getting Started" PDF that you can download today.

Julieanne Kost Discusses Adobe Lightroom
by Derrick Story
May 09, 2006

By now, you've probably heard that Adobe's new Lightroom application simplifies your photography workflow, especially if you shoot Raw. In this seven-minute podcast, O'Reilly editor and photographer Derrick Story interviews Julieanne, and they discuss how Lightroom could change photography as we know it.

A Look Inside dekePod--Beware of What You Might Find
by Derrick Story
May 03, 2006

Deke McClelland introduces dekePod, his new video podcast devoted to computer graphics, digital imaging, and anything else that happens to spill out of his head. Lasting a mere five minutes (short enough to watch three times in a single coffee break), the pilot episode shows you how to scan and open money in Adobe Photoshop. I interviewed Deke to find out what's going on inside dekePod. I think you'll enjoy what he has to say.

April 2006

Could Mobile Game Audio BE More Annoying?!
by Peter Drescher
April 26, 2006

Danger, Inc., sound designer Peter Drescher is a master at squeezing really cool sounds out of really small speakers. In this enhanced transcript of his Game Developers Conference presentation (seven movies and 19 MP3s!), he reveals how to make smartphones stand up and sing.

Aperture 1.1--Apple Listens
by Scott Bourne
April 18, 2006

With Aperture's new features, bug fixes, and universal compatibility with PowerMacs and Intel Macs, it's now a serious contender for top digital photo software. Scott Bourne reviews Version 1.1.

Fee, Fi, Fo, FM: Explore the World of FM Synthesis
by Jim Aikin
April 12, 2006

In 1983 it ruled the world. By 1993, it was buried in scorn, the victim of cheap knockoffs. But FM synthesis has a sparkly magic that today is stronger than ever, thanks to powerful new software instruments. Jim Aikin explores the top four FM synths and explains how FM can make your music shine.

Digital "Not Hot" at Sundance 2006
by Susan Boyer
April 05, 2006

Digital cinema is no longer new or novel, but it is clearly, and inevitably, the wave of the future. Susan Boyer attended this year's Sundance and gives us a glimpse at how the cinematic landscape is changing.

March 2006

How to Make Your Sound Sing with Vocoders
by Jim Aikin
March 29, 2006

You've heard their smoothly sexy yet alien voices. Vocoders are devices that make ordinary sounds sing or speak recognizable words. In this hands-on tutorial, Jim Aikin explains how vocoders perform their magic and how to set up your own software vocoder, and shares some unexpectedly cool uses for vocoding.

Inside Animusic's Astonishing Computer Music Videos
by Randy Alberts
March 22, 2006

Composer Wayne Lytle's custom software transforms musical notes into jaw-dropping 3D animations. The resulting DVDs have sold tens of thousands of copies. Watch excerpts here and learn how Lytle turned his digital pipe dream into a thriving business.

Digital Bookmark Mods
by Matthew Russell
March 15, 2006

Matthew Russell shows you how to add better bookmarks to your audio books, add slideshows to your music files, create enhanced podcasts, and share your favorite mods with others--even if they're on protected audio.

Building a MythTV Antenna System
by Matthew Gast
March 15, 2006

Over-the-air reception with an antenna can be a maddening affair. TV signal strength can vary dramatically, especially indoors, and it can take a lot of tinkering to get an antenna system set up right. Matthew Gast walks you through his process of setting up a antenna system for digital reception.

Review: Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2
by Mark Nelson
March 08, 2006

"Rarely have I had so much fun testing software," says Mark Nelson after recording guitar and bass through this colossal rack of virtual amps and effects. "If you can't find a satisfactory tone, you aren't trying." But is digital guitar right for you?

February 2006

O'Reilly Photography Learning Center
Managing Digital Images: Applying Ratings and Keywords
by Peter Krogh
February 24, 2006

The explosion of digital imaging has left professional and serious amateur photographers drowning in photographs, with little guidance on how to store, sort and organize them. In this excerpt from The DAM Book, Peter Krogh shows you expert techniques for applying ratings and keywords so you can begin to take control of your digital photo library.

Killer Interviewing Tips for Podcasters, Part 2
by Jack Herrington
February 22, 2006

Last time, we showed you how to set up and record a great interview. Now it's time to edit it to flow beautifully and sound great. Grab the free waveform editor and follow along.

Featured Photographer
Julieanne Kost: Window Seat Photography
by Julieanne Kost
February 22, 2006

Julieanne Kost is an amazing amalgamation of personalities: painter, humorist, inspirational speaker, technician, educator, photographer, and illustrator. She assembled this portfolio of images over the course of five years while traveling for her job as a Photoshop evangelist for Adobe. And they are also included in her new book: Window Seat: The Art of Digital Photography and Creative Thinking.

Digitizing VHS Tapes with EyeTV
by Joe McMahon
February 14, 2006

By digitizing your old VHS tapes, you can move them from taking up precious shelf space to more readily available disk space. In this article, Joe McMahon shows you a hack that lets you archive full-quality digital recordings from EyeTV to offline media, but still play them back easily in EyeTV.

O'Reilly Photography Learning Center
Walking the Talk with Julieanne Kost
by Julieanne Kost
February 08, 2006

In addition to over 150 full-color images, Julieanne Kost's new book, Window Seat: The Art of Digital Photography and Creative Thinking includes details on such topics as how to make great-looking images of clouds, mountains, farmland, and water, while photographing through airplane windows. This excerpt from Kost's book explains how to do just that. Kost details some of the techniques she used to transform images captured from the skies above into the final images that appear in the book.

Free Your Music: How to Convert Digital Audio Files
by Bruce Fries
February 08, 2006

Is your music trapped in an inconvenient format? Maybe the files are too big, hobbled by copy protection, or incompatible with your portable player? Good news: Any audio you can play on your computer can be converted to work the way you want.

Mac OS X Screenshot Secrets
by David Battino
February 01, 2006

With the advent of Tiger, there are more ways than ever to capture pictures of your screen. Picking up where "Screenshot Hacks for Mac OS X" left off, this article explains how to grab the exact pixels you want, add window shadow, and even capture DVD stills.

January 2006

What the Critics Don't Get About Apple's Aperture
by Scott Bourne
January 25, 2006

Many reviewers have given Apple a pretty good thrashing over its new professional photography software, Aperture. After delving into Aperture, Scott Bourne has come to some conclusions about where the critics went wrong, and he puts forth his ideas in this article.

Special Report: New Music Gear from NAMM
by Randy Alberts, David Battino
January 25, 2006

The NAMM show is Mecca for musicians—acres upon acres of sparkling new instruments, pro audio gear, and music software, most of it not even released yet. But the show is not open to the public. Our team spent four days combing the halls and prodding the prototypes to round up this audiovisual gallery of what you'll be playing this year.

Putting Google Video onto Your iPod
by Erica Sadun
January 24, 2006

There's some pretty interesting stuff on Google Video. In this article, Erica Sadun shows you how to download videos, convert them to an iPod-friendly format, and load them onto your new 5G video iPod.

Killer Interviewing Tips for Podcasters, Part 1
by Jack Herrington
January 18, 2006

Podcasting expert Jack Herrington reveals how to set up, conduct, and record an interview that will delight your listeners.

Shop Different: Accessorizing Your iPod ... for Cheap!
by Erica Sadun
January 11, 2006

Even though there are aisle after aisle of iPod add-ons on display at Macworld, Erica Sadun went a different direction to accessorize her player. She made a visit to the Dollar Store. Here's what she found.

Andy West: From Dregs to (Software) Riches
by Randy Alberts
January 04, 2006

Dixie Dregs co-founder Andy West discovered that virtuosity can be a liability in the music world, but a benefit in technology. Now this four-time Grammy nominee programs computers by day and pursues his amazing music at night, drawing the best from both disciplines. Here's how.

December 2005

Create Scorching Grooves with Spectrasonics' Stylus RMX
by Jim Aikin
December 21, 2005

There's never been a better time to put together drum tracks in your computer. But Stylus RMX stands apart from the software crowd due to its inspired sound design, creative randomization engine, and vast customizability. In this hands-on tutorial, MIDI meister Jim Aikin reveals how you can get the most out of this amazing percussion plugin.

O'Reilly Photography Learning Center
Introduction to Camera Raw
by Deke McClelland
December 16, 2005

Adobe's Camera Raw is arguably the most popular RAW-format converter available today. In this video, Deke McClelland introduces you to this tool and shows you tips for making image adjustments.

Josh Gabriel: From Programmer to No. 1 Remixer
by Randy Alberts
December 14, 2005

Ten years before remix entered the musical lexicon, Josh Gabriel was inventing machines that remixed electronic dance music, eventually leading to Mixman, the first popular remixing program. A dozen No. 1 Billboard dance mixes followed. Now his inventor's mind has turned to the internet.

MythTV Part 4: Tuning and Troubleshooting
by Matthew Gast
December 07, 2005

It's certainly true that building a MythTV system is not for the faint of heart. In the course of his installation, Matthew Gast had four major problems to get through: two performance problems, one display problem, and one maddening mystery (solved). He tackles all four in this article.

O'Reilly Photography Learning Center
Introduction to the Variations Color Correction Tool in Photoshop
by Deke McClelland
December 05, 2005

Photoshop's Variations tool simplifies color correction by presenting you with visual options in realtime. In this training video, Deke McClelland shows you how perform simple color correction quickly.

Five Fun Ways to Play with Audio Hijack Pro
by Erica Sadun
December 02, 2005

It's like a sound lab on your Mac -- with Audio Hijack Pro you can digitize legacy music, time-shift radio shows, and even repurpose your legally purchased music. Erica Sadun shows you five of her favorite AHP tips.

November 2005

Review: M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 Pocket Digital Recorder
by Mark Nelson
November 30, 2005

Barely larger than a first-gen iPod, this portable recorder lets you capture sound in 24-bit WAV format or compact MP3. But is the low price too good to be true? Accomplished recording engineer Mark Nelson MicroTracks a Hawaiian guitar festival to find out.

Reaktor Secrets Revealed!
by Jim Aikin
November 23, 2005

If your music relies on fresh, ear-grabbing sounds, you'll love Reaktor. Native Instruments' flagship softsynth isn't just packed with cool presets; it's a set of more than 20 instruments, all of them packed with cool presets. In this hands-on tutorial, MIDI guru Jim Aikin uncovers expressive features most Reaktor owners overlook.

What Is Screencasting
by Jon Udell
November 16, 2005

Whether it's for a tutorial, a how-to, or a software review, if you have a product you'd like to explain to other users, screencasting—the art of screen recording with audio narration—can be both easier and more effective than written descriptions accompanied by static screen shots. Jon Udell walks you through how to make, edit, and deliver compelling screencasts.

Inside a Luxury Synth: Creating the Linux-Powered Korg OASYS
by Peter Kirn
November 09, 2005

Defying the trend toward ever-cheaper plastic gear and soulless soft synths, this super-keyboard is designed to rock the world for years to come. Create Digital Music's Peter Kirn goes behind the scenes at Korg USA to learn how the designers finally built the dream instrument they'd been planning for 15 years.

MythTV Part 3: Getting Quiet Enough for the Living Room
by Matthew Gast
November 02, 2005

My MythTV system sits on top of the television in the living room, which means it's subject to much more rigorous noise standards than my other computers. While some fan noise is expected, the white noise is much more distracting when it comes from the home theater. Here's how I tackled this problem.

October 2005

Vince Lawrence: 8,000 Square Feet of iTunes
by Randy Alberts
October 26, 2005

Step inside the cavernous studio of Chicago's Slang Musicgroup, where teams of computer-packing producers create hit songs and remixes in a vast range of styles—inspired by 20,000 CDs worth of networked iTunes.

Analog Fuel for Digital Audio: Great New AES Gear
by Gina Fant-Saez
October 19, 2005

Studio pro Gina Fant-Saez hit the recent Audio Engineering Society show with a mission: find great-sounding gear to help project-studio musicians achieve the highest quality possible. Here's her hands-on report from the booths of the boutique audio companies.

Canon 5D: First Impressions
by James Duncan Davidson
October 12, 2005

The first thing that's noticeable about the EOS 5D is that it is a full-frame camera. I took a shot out of my hotel window with an EF 24-70 L zoom lens at 24mm. My reaction was, "So that's where my wide-angle has been hiding all these years." James Duncan Davidson reports on the Canon 5D after his first assignment with it.

How to Record a Podcast Interview
by Glenn Fleishman
October 11, 2005

Podcasting interviews involve two distinct tasks. First you have to record the audio and prepare it for listening. Then you need to syndicate it via RSS so others can subscribe to your programs. In this tutorial, Glenn Fleishman shows you some nifty tricks for recording your audio, especially if you want to capture phone interviews for syndication.

Hacking Your Car: How to Get Clean Audio and Video Signals into Your Car
by Damien Stolarz
October 05, 2005

In the living room, red, white, and yellow RCA jacks are the universal standard for input. Wouldn't it be nice if car manufacturers did the same and put these jacks in your car? Car PC Hacks author Damien Stolarz thinks so, and shows you how to hack your ride to get a clean audio and video signal into your car.

Build an Enhanced MP3 Player for Your Site
by David Battino
October 05, 2005

Last time, we showed you how to build a simple pop-up MP3 player for your website with no complex Flash, redundant windows, or unpredictable plugins. A sneaky bit of JavaScript was all you needed to deliver smart-looking audio playback for your visitors. But what if you want to include a photo and caption with the song as well? A few more lines of JavaScript is all it takes.

September 2005

Featured Photographer
Nate Howard: Midwestern Photographer in Iraq
by Derrick Story
September 28, 2005

A photojournalist from Rochester, Minnesota is assigned to cover a local transportation unit on duty in Iraq. The images that Nate Howard returned with document the Iraqi people and American soldiers from a compassionate point of view.

Julian Kwasneski: Inside Game Audio
by Randy Alberts
September 21, 2005

If you've played Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, James Bond, or any number of NBA, NFL, PGA, or NCCA console games, you've likely heard the music and sound effects of Bay Area Sound. Cofounder Julian Kwasneski takes us inside the process of optimizing audio for games, then shares five MP3s.

Hacking Digital Video
by Joshua Paul
September 14, 2005

Need an inexpensive dolly to capture moving footage? Want to have some fun turning digital video into Matrix-style symbols? How about learning a way to create text on screen? You'll find hacks that provide the answers to these questions, and more, in these excerpts from Digital Video Hacks. If you're a digital video addict, be sure to check out the book for more hacks you'll find you can't live without.

Hosting Your Podcasts
by Jack Herrington
September 07, 2005

Once you've created an MP3 of your podcast, where do you store it? And since podcast files are much larger than HTML files or JPEG images, what about bandwidth? Jack Herrington offers several solutions to the podcast hosting problem, from using a dedicated service to reusing your blog or using your own ISP. Jack is the author of Podcasting Hacks.

The Synful Orchestra: Better Music Through Database Splicing
by Randy Alberts
September 07, 2005

Eric Lindemann’s goal is to help musicians play more expressively, and this inventor, composer, and former session keyboardist has developed some groundbreaking technology to do it. The Synful Orchestra is a new concept in virtual instruments that has audiences buzzing. Here’s how it works.

August 2005

What's New in CS2?
by Jennifer Alspach
August 31, 2005

What's new in Creative Suite 2 (CS2)? Jennifer Alspach runs down the list of the most compelling features in each CS2 app: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, GoLive, Acrobat, and Version Cue, as well as Bridge, the new connector program in CS2. Jennifer is a coauthor of the upcoming Adobe Creative Suite 2 Workflow (December 2005) from O'Reilly.

Review: Fervent Software Studio To Go!
by Brad Fuller
August 31, 2005

Pop this CD-ROM into any recent PC and it will boot up as a powerful Linux music workstation with tons of cool software. Eject the CD, and you're back to normal. Linux music expert Brad Fuller takes the world's roundest and flattest portable studio for a spin.

Mobile Video: Working with MPEG-4 Clips on Mobile Phones
by Doug Dixon
August 24, 2005

MPEG-4 files can be struggle to work with, but the format is so good it's worth taming. In this article, Douglas Dixon uses the QuickTime Player to view and deconstruct clips created by several camera phones. He examines the details of the MPEG-4 format for mobile phones--called 3GPP--and works around some of the idiosyncrasies of how different devices create slightly different formats.

Hands On: Ableton Live 5
by Jim Aikin
August 24, 2005

This premier music-production program gained massive features in its latest upgrade. Here are step-by-step recipes for shuffling beats, gating pads, extracting hits, maximizing MIDI, and much more.

Roger Manning, Jr.: The Digital Cookbook
by Randy Alberts
August 17, 2005

The analog virtuoso behind the Moog Cookbook, Beck, Jellyfish, Imperial Drag, and countless ads and soundtracks shares his tasty digital production tips.

Building My MythTV Box, Part 2: Software
by Matthew Gast
August 17, 2005

A MythTV computer makes HDTV much better. In the first article in this series, Matthew Gast went through picking out the hardware for his new machine. Now, it's time to make the software work. Here are all the details.

Important Notice for Digital Media Readers About O'Reilly RSS and Atom Feeds

August 16, 2005

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Ten Tips for Improving Your Podcasts
by Jack Herrington
August 10, 2005

Jack Herrington, author of Podcasting Hacks, offers his top ten suggestions for creating great podcasts. He starts with the basics: reducing noise, getting a good microphone, proper microphone technique, show prep, and format; and closes with tips that deal with improving the content of your show.

Doug Wyatt: Architect of Synchronicity
by Randy Alberts
August 10, 2005

Open Music System (OMS) mastermind Doug Wyatt is wrapping up a new ambient CD, and we go behind the scenes to explore his unique programming and recording techniques. Never has digital music been so analog.

Revenge of the Combinator
by Jim Aikin
August 03, 2005

When Propellerhead Software unveiled the Combinator in Reason 3.0, many musicians scratched their heads. But this misunderstood meta-module lets you create monstrous new instruments. Learn how in this hands-on tutorial.

July 2005

What Is Vlogging (and How to Get Started)
by Joshua Paul
July 27, 2005

Short for "video blogging," vlogging is another way to take advantage of the RSS enclosure tag. Josh Paul, author of "Digital Video Hacks," explains vlogging and shows you how to get your videos into the iTunes Music Store.

Country Music’s Digital Surprise
by Spencer Critchley
July 27, 2005

Some of the most cutting-edge music production is going on in Nashville. Join producer Spencer Critchley for a behind-the-scenes tour through the computer-powered recording sessions for “When I See You Smile,” Bo Billy’s acclaimed country remake of the hit Bad English song. Includes 18 MP3 examples.

What Is Podcasting
by Phillip Torrone
July 20, 2005

So, you're ready to hop on the podcasting bandwagon, but you're not sure how to get started? This article by Phillip Torrone briefly describes what podcasting is and the software you'll need, then takes you right to the fun with a comprehensive step-by-step guide to podcast production. From recording to editing to publishing and syndicating your podcasts, Phillip covers everything you need to know to serve up your first podcasts.

Gary Garritan: A Personal Orchestra for Everyone
by Randy Alberts
July 20, 2005

Producer Gary Garritan has made it his mission to put a high-quality digital orchestra in your hands—along with extensive free training. Hear how composers have seized the opportunity.

My Favorite Macworld Product: The IRISPen
by Adam Goldstein
July 19, 2005

Have you ever said, "If I learn just one great thing, then the whole conference was worth attending"? At Macworld Boston Adam Goldstein discovered the IRISPen, and he shares the details of this handy text-scanning device with us.

My Five Favorite Soft Synths
by Jim Aikin
July 13, 2005

Looking for sonic inspiration? Synthesizer guru Jim Aikin reveals his top five virtual instruments, explains why they’re great, and shares custom MP3 examples.

The Ultimate Portable