Dear Friends,
 Time to Hit the Books!
After digging your toes into the sand and sipping a long cool drink all month long, it's
time to start thinking about the end of Summer and what it's going to
take to get ready to go back to school.
This month's newsletter includes articles,
information and links pertaining to:
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DJ-Man
Returns With A Word To The Wise...
This month we welcome back our very own DJ-Man, who passes on some good
advice on a very important topic - hearing protection!
Take it away DJ-Man...
Hey AudioMan. Thanks for having me
back.
As sound systems become more powerful, and new portable listening
devices hit the market an increasing number people are experiencing a
loss of hearing, this group consists mostly of grade school students
and musicians. It's important that you think about your hearing
before the damage may have been done. It’s not cool when
you can't hear, so you might want to listen up.
Exposure to excessively loud levels of noise can't always be
avoided, but we can do things to prevent damage to our ears. At
first, the hearing loss may only be temporary, with hearing returning
to normal after several hours or days. But, if exposure occurs
repeatedly the ears will eventually lose their ability to bounce back,
resulting in permanent hearing degeneration.
There are three kinds of hearing loss:
- Acoustic Trauma - This causes
immediate and permanent hearing damage. This happens when a person is
exposed to a sudden, extreme noise, in excess of 140 decibels.
- Temporary Threshold Shift - This is
a noise induced chemical imbalance in the inner ear and will go away
when time is spent away from the noise source.
- Permanent Threshold Shift - This is
noise induced hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea, an organ
covered with tiny hairs and nerves. The higher frequencies are where
this type of hearing loss is first noted because the hairs for those
frequencies are more fragile. This is the usual type of damage that
leads people to believe that they are "getting used to the
noise." What is really happening is that the damaged ear can no
longer hear the damaging frequencies as well and therefore the
perceived volume is lower.
So what can you as a musician do to help protect your hearing? Here are some suggestions:
Position the band or DJ setups behind the dance floor speakers. It's obviously not nearly as noisy behind the speakers as it is in front of them. If you're working in a venue where the dance floor is overpowering your monitor, turn the monitor off. With a little practice and warm-up you can learn to compensate for the delay created by signal processors, remote amplifiers, and echo.
For beginning DJs, train yourself to mix and monitor at very low volume levels. You'll find that there is a natural tendency to turn the headphones and or monitors too loud while learning to mix thereby requiring the same (possibly damaging) level once you've gotten the knack for it. Leave the headphone slightly off your ear to soften the impact. If you've learned your music well enough, you don't need to hear the music clearly, just well enough to discern the beats. I use JVC's HANC100 DJ Headphone, it’s noise canceling enhances listening even at low volume levels!
Purchase headphones tailor made for DJs. DJ style headphones provide better sound quality and are much easier on your ears than the small ear bud style headphones often used with portable CD MP3s and I pods. This small style of earphone was originally meant for listening at much lower decibel levels due to the fact that they pump directly into the ear canal. There is a full spectrum of DJ style headphones to use with portable listening devices, and the sound quality of these headphones are far superior in addition to being safer on your ears.
Consult a physician. If you perform regularly and are exposed to loud noises for extended periods of time, you should see an audiologist to make sure your hear remains in check. Many people don't think twice about getting their eyes examined on a regular basis, readily purchasing glasses or contact lenses if necessary, and yet neglecting to take care of their ears.
Grandma's chicken soup. Nutritional supplements are another way you can protect yourself, Research in this area has found correlations between serum magnesium levels and noise induced permanent hearing threshold shifts. What does that all mean? Go down to your local drug store and buy a bottle of magnesium supplements. You'll be less likely to receive permanent ear damage once you do.
Lastly give your ears a rest for 24 hours after exposure to dangerous levels of noise.
These simple tips will greatly help you keep your hearing, a cause most definitely worth the time and effort. A musician’s hearing is their ultimate gift, without it, it is very difficult to perform, and you will miss out on a lot of life too.
Back to you AudioMan...AudioMan...Hey! AudioMan!
What?...Huh? Did you say something?
Thanks a lot DJ-Man. Another great article!
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 September 2005 Giveaway Contest
The Anchor Audio AN-130 Basic PA
System Package.
Enter AudioLink's September 2005 FREE Giveaway Contest for a chance to win a Anchor Audio AN-130 BP Basic PA Package!
This Anchor Audio PA system comes complete with a wireless volume remote control, and your choice of wireless microphone (handheld, lapel, collar or headband with bodypack transmitter).
The AN-130 Basic Package is the perfect choice for classrooms, conference rooms and the corporate “road warriors” who rely on their sound systems to command the audience. It’s also the ideal companion for multimedia presentations incorporating auxiliary devices such as a video projector, CD player, DVD or VCR.
Weighing in at only 8.5 pounds, this powerful sound system is designed for audiences up to 100 people.
Other great features include:
110 volt AC operation, 16 channel wireless UHF diversity, up to 101 dB of crystal clear sound, bass and treble controls, 30 watt amplifier, magnetically shielded carbon fiber speaker, mic, instrument and 2 line inputs, 2-way speaker system combining 4.5” woofer and dome tweeter and a 6-YEAR WARRANTY!
Take a look and you'll see that this system is just right for the small conference on the go!
Enter today for your chance to win one FREE!!!
Enter NOW - One entry per customer per month - No purchase necessary!
See the WINNER of the August 2005 Giveaway Contest.
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 Introducing Fender by Meguiar
Instrument Care and Cleaning Products
AudioLink Services is proud to announce the addition of Fender Instrument Care Products Made by Meguiar to our line of Musical Instruments & Gear.
Musical instrument polish formulas on the market today leave a lot to be desired. Most are nothing more than the same old furniture polish packaged in a new bottle. This leads to light scratches being left behind and a dull haze all over the body. Wouldn't you rather use the name brand that automobile enthusiasts trust on a million dollar Ferrari?
Now you can!
What began a century ago as a simple furniture polish laboratory and plant in the garage of founder Frank Meguiar, Jr., now spans four generations of Meguiar family stewardship. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2001, Meguiar's, Inc. has become one of the world's leading surface care products companies, providing highly specialized products for almost every conceivable type of surface.
While Meguiar’s corporate headquarters are in Irvine, CA, they manufacture their products in their 200,000 square foot, state-of-the-art production facility in Nashville, TN. The family business now manufactures more than 300 different cleaners, polishes, waxes, conditioners, and protectants for homes, cars, boats, and now musical instruments. 
Continuing Frank Meguiar, Jr.'s tradition, each Meguiar’s product carries the promise of being the very finest of its kind.
See all Fender Instrument Care Products by Meguiar
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 Do you have pro-audio questions? AudioMan's got answers!
Billie M. asks:
In 2003 I purchased a Nady Quad lavaliere mic system from your company and I've been very happy with the sound and dependability. I would like to purchase another set but I'm concerned about frequency interference. I understand there are more frequencies to choose from. Can you help?
Hi Billie,
I sure can! There are 2 groups of frequencies available for the quad system. Which means you can use a total of eight mics at one time. Without getting too technical, the basic designations are always shown on your receiver. So if you have A, B, D & N (the factory default) you would need to specify your next set as E4, F, H & E.
Alternatively, just tell us what you currently have as settings and we will do the rest.
Hope this helps!
Troy C. writes:
Please help! I have been put in charge of upgrading our school auditorium sound system and I've been advised to purchase a "pre-amplifier". Do you have one and can you explain what it does? Thanks.
Hi Troy,
Let's see if this clears the air. A pre-amplifier (or pre-amp) is a device that takes a single source signal, such as a turntable, tape-deck or CD player, and passes that signal on to a power-amplifier. A pre-amp allows you to adjust that single source before it is mixed in with other sounds.
To accomplish this, the pre-amp usually has a number of controls, including source selector switches, balance knobs, volume sliders and tone-controls which aid in fine tuning your signal.
Your pre-amplifier is just a link in the amplification chain which affords you greater control over your program source, tone and volume.
Hope this helps!
[Editor's note: For explanations of this and other mystifying phrases, consult our Glossary of Audio Terms.]
Nicole P. had this inquiry:
I recently bought your Califone 2455AV cassette/CD boom box with carrying case and now I need the companion speakers. Can you quote me a price? Also, I just wanted to say that I've searched many sites and found that you have the best prices to offer. I'm opening my own dance studio so thanks for the great deals!
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for your business and kind comments! We try to be the low priced source for all your School & Classroom needs and it's great to get some feedback on our efforts. The speakers you refer to are the Califone SP-2400 companion speakers (also known as the Buddy Blasters).
They're an affordable ($79.99 - that's 27% off retail) transportable speaker system ideal for use in settings that require additional sound projection. Although designed for use with Califone boom boxes, these speakers can also be used with any audio system rated up to 50-Watts RMS. Made of high-impact ABS plastic, the unique handle latches both speakers together for complete portability. They should be the perfect complement for your system and will work great in your new dance studio. Good Luck!
Hope this helps!
Keep those calls, cards and letters coming. Maybe we'll feature your question in an upcoming issue!
For more information about other audio topics Click Here to see Equipment Reviews, the Newsletter Archive and related Articles
AudioMan
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For Newsletter Subscribers & Shopping Cart Customers Only!
 Give Me Liberty or
Give Me PockeTalker!
Buy any Anchor Audio Liberty PA System during the month of September 2005 and take an additional Fifty Dollars OFF!!!
The Anchor Audio Liberty PA line is a battery-powered sound system that comes with installed heavy-duty batteries and the option of up to three (3) Anchor Audio UHF wireless receivers. With its 117 dB of crystal clear sound, the Anchor Audio Liberty PA system is rugged, reliable and easy to use.
Designed for crowds up to 1,000 people, the Liberty is so versatile that it's used at the White House for Presidential press conferences as well as thousands of schools and corporate centers around the world.
In addition to purchasing the Liberty system as a stand alone unit, there are four comprehensive packages to choose from which include options such as a CD player, speaker stands and wireless microphones:
The Liberty Basic Package LBP-6000; the Liberty Deluxe Package LDP-6000 (which incorporates a companion speaker; the Liberty Dual Basic Package LBP-6000 Dual (with a second built-in wireless receiver) and the Liberty Dual Deluxe Package LDP-6000 Dual Deluxe.
Order Yours Today!
Just put in this discount code, LIBERTY0905 when prompted in the shopping cart, or mention it to one of our call center staff members at 1-800-516-6955 and $50.00 will be automatically discounted from the price.
This offer expires September 30, 2005
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 Current Specials
If
you're in the market for a solution to your presentation
requirements, here’s a link to our current Specials
Take 5% off any Williams Sound PockeTalker!
AudioLink's Back to School Sale!
Check out AudioLink's low, low pricing on our line of School & Classroom A/V - on sale now at more than 50% off list!
And don't forget our CHOIR RECORDING PACKAGES for school recording and duplication of musical programs.
AudioLink - Sound Solutions© for your special needs.
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 AudioLink
Services
You already know that AudioLinks.com is the premiere
source for audio equipment discounts, but are you aware of the other
services we provide?
Conference &
Meeting Planning, Equipment Rental, Interpreting, Recording
& Transcription as
well as Voice
Over Production are just
some of the other areas of the industry we can help you with.
Let us give you a Free Consultation and you'll find out just how versatile we really are!
 Well, that's about it for this edition. In future issues we plan to offer reports and updates on different types of audio equipment, links to useful sites and to answer questions posed by you and other readers. We hope you will find this newsletter useful and we welcome your feedback.
Looking for something that's not on our web site? Contact Us and we'll respond as quickly as possible, or, visit AudioLink's product pages and see for yourself why we are known as: "The Home of Sound Solutions"
Until then,
That's sound advice...
Regards,
AudioMan
SiteManager@audiolinks.com
P.S. And Happy SECOND Anniversary to all my colleagues at AudioLinks.com
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