Meet Cassie Ellis?a young college graduate with the world on a string, a yen for screenwriting, and a need for fast cash to pay off her student loans. Eager to avoid the lucrative snooze-fest of a reliable consulting job, she shocks everyone she knows by opting for a sexier, more flexible job: mixing drinks. Never mind that she doesn’t know single-malt whiskey from Jack Daniel’s: she’s eager to learn. And under the tutelage of a sexy Soho bar owner, she’s soon cranking out three-olive martinis with the city’s glitterati fifteen-deep at the bar?all while angling for tips, fielding bad pick-up lines, and trying to keep up with the other bartenders who party as hard as their stylish clientele.When Cassie accepts a summer gig bartending in the Hamptons, New York’s most elite summer destination, she finds herself catapulted into a whirlwind of dazzling celebrity and over-the-top wealth unlike anything she’s ever seen. Life behind the velvet rope is hard to resist, especially when she finds herself falling for a Hamptons hottie named James. But as the summer progresses, and she finds herself surrounded by playboys, moguls, spoiled rich kids, and Paris Hilton clones in strappy stilettos, she soon wonders if playing the ersatz socialite?while actually trying to make a living?is more than she bargained for.Drawn from the authors’ own experiences as bartenders in the thick of New York’s party scene, The Perfect Manhattan is a perfect mix of sparkling social satire, romance, comedy, and scandal that provides a fast-paced, enormously entertaining look inside the life on the chichi side of the tracks.

More than 30 years in the making, but worth the wait?Monster Musicpresents George Benson and Al Jarreau’s first-ever HDS High Definition Surround SuperDisc Givin’ It Up High Definition Surround Sound with In Your Room and In The Studio surround experiences. Special guests artists include: Herbie Hancock, Jill Scott, Chris Botti, Paul McCartney and more. High Definition Digital Music Files encoded with Dolby Headphone Surround. High Definition Stereo (PCM 96/24), and audiophile mastered. Bonus video footage of The Making of Givin It Up. Each package will include hang tab attached to the product. Two Jazz Greats Finally Collaborate Jazz/crossover legends George Benson and Al Jarreau have been dazzling audiences with their live performances and studio work (13 Grammy Awards between them) for the last three decades. Slated to tour together in the summer of 2006, George and Al decided to take it one step further: record an album together of classic and original material. An all-star cast headed by Stanley Clarke, Chris Botti, Marcus Miller and even Paul McCartney, contributed their musical genius to Givin It Up. Soul divas Jill Scott and Patti Austin pair off for guest vocal duets with George and Al, respectively. Legends Sound Even Better on SuperDisc Besides the stereo disc included for your CD player or car stereo, Monster Music brings you Benson, Jarreau and company in full HDS High Definition Surround on a SuperDisc for your DVD player. Better than normal stereo, music in High Definition Surround puts you right in the middle of the music. Its exciting, moving, and the way the artists intended you to hear it. And for audiophiles, there are High Definition Stereo tracks in 96K/24-bit lossless audio. SuperDisc Delivers A Surround Experience From Your iPod Direct from the master recordings are High Definition Digital Music files ready to download to any computer or portable music player that supports WMA (Windows), or AAC (Apple, iPod). Even better are Dolby Headphone music files that simulate surround sound through any pair of headphones. Givin’ It Up SuperDisc Features: High Definition Surround – Mixed for today’s 5.1 home theater systems to bring out more detail and discreet instrumentation In the Studio and In the Room Surround Experiences – 1.54 Mbps DTS 96/24 and Dolby 448kbps 48/16, sounds like you’re there for the live session High Definition Stereo – Audiophile Mastered PCM Stereo Tracks Also includes the original 2-channel stereo CD High Definition Digital Music Files ready to Drag and Drop Dolby Headphone Surround for virtual surround sound from MP3 Players

This entertaining and innovative book focuses on vocal performance styles that developed in tandem with the sound technologies of the phonograph, radio, and sound film. Writing in a clear and lively style, Jacob Smith looks at these media technologies and industries through the lens of performance, bringing to light a fascinating nexus of performer, technology, and audience. Combining theories of film sound, cultural histories of sound technologies and industries, and theories of performance, Smith convincingly connects disparate and largely neglected performance niches to explore the development of a modern vocal performance. Vocal Tracks: Performance and Sound Media demonstrates the voice to be a vehicle of performance, identity, and culture and illustrates both the interconnection of all these categories and their relation to the media technologies of the past century.

The Bestselling Robotics Books–Now with New Projects and Online Tools!Have fun while learning how to design, construct, and use small robots! This richly illustrated guide offers everything you need to know to construct sophisticated, fully autonomous robots that can be programmed from your computer. Fully updated with the latest technologies and techniques, Robot Builder’s Bonanza, Fourth Edition includes step-by-step plans that take you from building basic motorized platforms to giving the machine a brain–and teaching it to walk, talk, and obey commands.This robot builder’s paradise is packed with more than 100 affordable projects, including 10 completely new robot designs. The projects are modular and can be combined to create a variety of highly intelligent and workable robots of all shapes and sizes. Mix and match the projects to develop your own unique creations. The only limit is your imagination!Robot Builder’s Bonanza, Fourth Edition covers:Parts, materials, and toolsBuilding motorized wooden, plastic, and metal platformsRapid prototyping methodsDrafting bots with computer-aided designConstructing high-tech robots from toysBuilding bots from found partsPower, motors, and locomotionRobots with wheels, tracks, and legsConstructing robotic arms and grippersRobot electronics and circuit makingComputers and electronic controlMicrocontrollers–Arduino, PICAXE, and the BASIC stampRemote control systemsSensors, navigation, and visual feedbackRobot vision via proximity, light, and distanceNew@ FREE online content at:www.robotoid.comMy First Robot tutorial lessonsProject parts finderAnimated, interactive learning toolsHow-to videos, robot e-plans, bonus articles, links, and morePlus, go to:www.mhprofessional.com/rbb4 for:Downloadable programsRBB app notesBonus chapters

Music SuperDisc: High Definition Surround Sound, High Definition Stereo SUPERDISC FEATURES High Definition Surround Front Row Surround Experience On Stage Jazz Club Surround Experience On Stage Concert Hall Surround Experience High Definition Stereo High Definition Digital Music Files Dolby Headphone Surround The Vince Guaraldi Trio Performs The Greatest Christmas Album While making the soundtrack in 1965 for the holiday television classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, Guaraldi’s legendary jazz trio and a children’s choir perfectly captured the holiday mood and spirit. Its become the sound of Christmas and has found its way into millions of homes. This Great Holiday Classic Sounds Even Better On SuperDisc Besides the stereo disc included for your CD player or car stereo, Monster Music brings you the Vince Guaraldi Trio in full High Definition Surround Sound on a SuperDisc. Playable in any DVD player, SuperDisc lets you choose between more than one experience, like the Front Row experience that gives you the best seat in the house or the On Stage Jazz Club experience that puts you on-stage right in the middle of the band. And for audiophiles, there are even high Definition stereo tracks in 96K/24bit lossless audio. SuperDisc Gives A Surround Experience From Your iPod Direct from the master recordings are High Definition Digital Music files ready to download to any computer or portable music player that supports WMA (Windows), Apple Lossless, or AAC (Apple iPod). Even better are Dolby Headphone music files that simulate surround sound through any pair of headphones.

Soundtrackstraces the relationships between music, space and identity-from inner city ‘scenes’ to the music of nations-to give a wide-ranging perspective on popular music. It examines the influence of cultures, economics, politics and technology on the changing structure and geographies of music at local and global levels. Taking music from its role as an expression of local culture in indigenous societies to its gradual evolution towards a global music industry, this work pays particular attention to the complex spread of world music from reggae to zouk and beyond. Containing an impressive and comprehensive range of global case studiesSoundtrackstakes an innovative approach to the complex and changing relationships between music and space to provide a genuine global assessment of the power and pleasure of popular music in its many forms.

Studio secrets, techniques, and tips For Pro Tools M-powered, LE, HD, and TDM Power Users! This practical guide from two certified Pro Tools experts begins where most other Pro Tools books leave off–it’s like having a high-level, hands-on studio session with your very own seasoned audio pros! Jump in anywhere and discover the professional techniques and tricks you need to get recordings right the first time, every time. Want to capture a perfect acoustic guitar? Record a band? Spice up your tracks with expertly sequenced MIDI? Record Foley and edit dialog for a movie? Make your final mix go from good to radio-ready? It’s all here in compact recipes to help you record, edit, compose, and mix with ease. Just flip to the topic you need and keep the session moving. Whether you’re a sound designer, podcaster, musician, or hobbyist, you can access the secrets of professional audio success. Discover loads of studio tricks, including how to: * Set up an efficient headphone mix for a band * EQ and compress sounds to get pro results * Record smart using quickpunch, loop, and alternate playlists * Enhance male and female voices and remove hums * Give your tracks cool, vintage effects * Master all of Pro Tools 7′s new MIDI and instrument track features * Mix, master, bounce, burn, and podcast your session * Seamlessly transfer film and video projects and set them up for 5.1 surround mixes * Master plug-ins to fix a drum sound, create the AM radio effect, auto-tune vocals, and more Learn how to get the most out of Pro Tools 7, such as routing MIDI with the new instrument track features.

Music SuperDisc: High Definition Surround Sound, High Definition Stereo SUPERDISC FEATURES High Definition Surround Orchestral Surround Experience In The Room Surround Experience High Definition Stereo High Definition Digital Music Files Dolby Headphone Surround Great Jazz Artists Perform an All-Time Holiday Classic The soundtrack from the television classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, perfectly captured the holiday mood and spirit. Now with acclaimed pianist David Benoit and incredible artists like Vanessa Williams, Chaka Khan, Brian McKnight, and Norman Brown, you can hear all new recordings of timeless holiday classics from the beloved animated special. SuperDisc Delivers A Better Holiday Music Experience Besides the stereo disc included for your CD player or car stereo, Monster Music brings you these artists in full High Definition Surround Sound on a SuperDisc. Playable in any DVD player, SuperDisc lets you choose between more than one experiene like the Orchestral experience, putting you right in the middle of the orchestra, or In theRoom that puts the artists and musician right in the middle of your room. And for audiophiles, there are even High Definition Stereo tracks in 96K/24bit lossless audio SuperDisc Gives A Surround Experience From Your iPod Direct from the master recordings are High Definition Music files ready to download to any computer or portable music player that supports WMA (Windows) or AAc (Apple iPod). Even better are Dolby headphone music file that simulate surround sound through any pair of headphones.

From ambient music to “Dixie” and Zulu Nation, from Sonny Rollins to the Beastie Boys and Elvis’s tailor, Sound Tracks quick-shuttles like a jukebox on Saturday night. Alphabetically ordered, this collection of pithy definitions and extended meditations most resembles a boxed set of anthologized sounds compiled by an omnivore of music.Spinning off from the “Definition of Sound” column he wrote for Pulse! magazine, Michael Jarrett mixes astute music criticism, an engaging writing style, and a wicked sense of humor to produce three alphabets that will provoke readers to rethink all sorts of popular music. Inventive and whimsical, these small essays coalesce around a serious purpose-writing about contemporary culture in a way that is meaningful to electronic-age readers and listeners.Take, for example, the entry on ambient music: like all of the entries in the book, it is preceded by evocative album art and followed by lists of readings and recordings that amplify the definition; this one lists related videos as well. But it also presents an interview with Carla Bley and Steve Swallow on the influential music of Erik Satie. Under the ls, producer George Avakian talks about how the technology that made LPs possible changed the music industry, and Pat Metheny talks about the challenges of sequencing an LP from a musician’s point of view. The entry for Carol (as in traditional songs for Christmas and the Middle Age dance craze) opens into a riff on cultural roots and survivals that invokes Chuck Berry’s classic song.Whether it is read start to finish or sampled, Sound Tracks is a book that music lovers and students of contemporary culture will applaud.

Boosting the bass guitar, blending the vocals, overdubbing percussion while fretting over shoot-outs in the street. Grumbling about a producer, teasing a white engineer, challenging an artist to feel his African beat. Sound of Africa! is a riveting account of the production of a mbaqanga album in a state-of-the-art recording studio in Johannesburg. Made popular internationally by Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, mbaqanga’s distinctive style features a bass solo voice and soaring harmonies of a female frontline over electric guitar, bass, keyboard, and drumset. Louise Meintjes chronicles the recording and mixing of an album by Izintombi Zesimanje, historically the rival group of the Mahotella Queens. Set in the early 1990s during South Africa’s tumultuous transition from apartheid to democratic rule, Sound of Africa! offers a rare portrait of the music recording process. It tracks the nuanced interplay among South African state controls, the music industry’s transnational drive, and the mbaqanga artists’ struggles for political, professional, and personal voice. Focusing on the ways artists, producers, and sound engineers collaborate in the studio control room, Meintjes reveals not only how particular mbaqanga sounds are shaped technically, but also how egos and artistic sensibilities and race and ethnicity influence the mix. She analyzes how the turbulent identity politics surrounding Zulu ethnic nationalism impacted mbaqanga artists’ decisions in and out of the studio. Conversely, she explores how the global consumption of Afropop and African images fed back into mbaqanga during the recording process. Meintjes is especially attentive to the ways the emotive qualities of timbre (sound quality or tone color) forge complex connections between aesthetic practices and political ideology. Vivid photos by the internationally renowned photographer TJ Lemon further dramatize Meintjes’ ethnography.