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Audio & Recording
Enter the World of Chord and String Instruments with the Best Ukuleles
You might be wondering that in a world of guitars, why would people even want a ukulele? We don't know if it was your vacation to Hawaii or simply a trend that gave this amazing instrument popularity, but in the past few years there have been a record number of sales - especially among young children and seniors. The ukulele is an affordable instrument that gives everyone a chance to play and jam without spending a ton of cash. Are you looking to buy a ukulele? If so, your search ends today. We have compiled a list featuring the best ukuleles in 2021 that help you play ear-soothing music. Having a good-quality instrument is mandatory for having a worthwhile experience. Our thoroughly detailed buying guide will help you pick the perfect one for you.
The Evolution of Portable Music Players
The combination of smartphones, streaming services, and wireless headphones have made music more accessible than ever before. Freedom to play music on the go and on demand began with the first Walkman in 1979. For a history of how music playing went from the phonograph in the 1800s to the Apple ipod, check out our quick list below.
10 Tips to Becoming the Best Percussionist
A percussionist is someone who specializes in playing instruments that require hitting or scraping. These instruments may include the konga, cajón, bass drum, bongo, timpani, marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, bells, chimes, triangle, tambourine, and other such things.
10 Most Popular Musical Instruments to Play
Music, as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow asserted, is the universal language of mankind. Music is found in different forms all over the world, with each culture having its own unique music style and musical instruments to accompany it. Alongside vocalization, musical instruments lie at the core of music-making across various climes and cultures. There are many musical instruments available today, each with its unique attributes and use. This article examines the 10 most popular musical instruments to play.
6 Common Mistakes When Buying a Guitar
Many people look to guitars as the ideal instrument to pick up. It's portable, has a relatively low skill floor, and can be a great hobby to pick up in general. However, many people grow too excited for their own good and make serious mistakes when buying their first guitar. Here are some of the most common mistakes made when buying a guitar for the first time.
10 Essential Items for Guitarists
Whether you are a newbie or intermediate guitar player, there are a number of accessories and items you must have in your arsenal to get started or improve your playing. With them, you can also make the most of your guitars wherever you are. Let's discuss the 10 most important of these that are must-haves for every strummer.
Different Types of Guitars Explained
So, you want to get into the world of guitars. While the skill floor of learning guitars is certainly lower than other instruments, such as the piano, there's still quite a bit you need to learn before you pick one up. With multiple different types of guitars out there, the type of guitar you pick can largely influence what music you'll end up playing in the years to come.
7 Guitar Tips for Beginners
Learning to play a guitar can be a roller coaster experience. From the highs of learning your first chord to the lows of playing out of tune, you experience it all when learning to play. This article identifies seven useful tips for guitar beginners.
Save Space with the Best Keyboard Piano
The piano is a beautiful instrument. It's also less physically torturous to play than a string instrument like the guitar. Unfortunately, a full size piano is a gargantuan room-dominating monolith. Keyboard pianos exist to solve that problem. Here are our top picks for the best keyboard Pianos in 2021.
Best Drum Machines for Perfect Rhythm
Since the first "rhythm machine" (the "Rhythmicon") was invented in 1932, people have sought out a way to overlay their music with loop-based percussion parts. While the first machines could only play a limited number of rhythms, such as mambo or tango, the modern day drum machine is loaded with thousands of preset rhythms, as well as specialized sounds to help the producer or DJ realize a finished track. Some drum machines are also samplers, allowing the user to create their own sounds and trigger them from the pads. The things to look out for in drum machines are the quality of the sound, of course, but also how easy and fun it is to use in practice. When shopping for a drum machine, questions arise such as, how responsive are the pads themselves, how intuitive is the screen interface, and what are the connectivity options in terms of a larger rig? All of the best drum machines in 2021 below satisfy the core requirements of a functional drum machine, but they differentiate themselves because of the answer to those questions, as well as the quality of sound.
Best Snare Stands for Your Drumkit
The snare drum stand is an important piece of hardware which, as its name implies, holds the snare drum in place. A drummer's snare drum takes a lot of abuse as it's usually hit a bit harder than other drums, and therefore these stands needs to be of the best quality. Snare drum stands usually come in two different heights which are drum set and concert height. Drum set height stands are meant to be played from a seated position while playing drum set. Concert height stands are meant to be played while standing, often in an orchestral setting. Obviously, drummers should look for a drum set height snare drum stand if they primarily play drum set. My picks for best snare drum stand are all drum set height stands, as concert height stands have been excluded from this list.The most important feature of the snare drum stand is the design of the "basket" on top of the stand which holds the drum in place with three arms. The stands on this list have great baskets that are easily adjusted and don't require excessive turning of the wrist. The "tilter" device is a mechanism allowing the drum angle to be adjusted and our selections all have durably constructed tilters which can be adjusted to any angle you need.These picks od the best snare stands in 2021 are also height adjustable and don't take up a lot of room with excess parts. Sometimes you'll have to adjust your snare drum to a variety of angles in the middle of a gig or recording session, so all of these picks feature systems for making quick and easily adjustable. The way your snare drum sounds says a lot about you as a drummer, and I have chosen stands that allow the drum to ring properly. These picks are all durable stands from the best hardware manufacturers in the industry and are made with parts which won't fall apart on you.
Best Pianos with Amazing Sound
Digital pianos certainly aren't a casual purchase. These instruments offer up the feel, look, sound and size as a more traditional acoustic piano, but also come with more modern features that bridge them into the 21st century. This gives buyers a best-of-both-worlds type of playing experience. These are the best pianos in 2021 available today, with each one here manufactured with a minimum of 88 keys to give you a realistic range to make your playing experience feel authentic, they're equipped with realistic, built-in effects to help color the sound of your performance, and each offers USB connectivity for linking the piano to your computer for enhanced playing and recording options.
Dial-in Your Musical Ability With One of the Best Oboes
The oboe is a double reed instrument in the woodwind family and an essential member of large ensembles such as orchestras, bands as well as smaller chamber ensembles. The best oboes in 2021 recommended here are all manufactured by reputable brand names, built from high quality materials to facilitate great sound production, accurate tuning and smooth key response. For more help selecting the right oboe for your needs, check out our buyer's guide provided below.
A Band Staple: Best Saxophone
Invented by Belgium native Adolph Sax, the saxophone is classified as a woodwind instrument due to the reed situated in the mouthpiece which is used to produce sond. Today, the four most commonly played saxophones are the soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones.Since its invention in the mid-1800's, the saxophone has become a staple in wind and small ensembles, bands, solo performances, the occasional orchestra piece, and more. All of the best saxophones in 2021 featured on the following lists are manufactured by reputable brands, feature durable construction, and manufactured with quality materials which facilitate exceptional tone production and intonation. For more help selecting the best saxophone for your needs, you can check out our buyers guide below.
Beautiful Sound from the Best Clarinet
B-flat soprano and bass clarinet are the most commonly played members of the clarinet family, finding their way into orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz bands, small ensembles and solo performance. The best overall clarinets in 2021 we've listed here are manufactured by reputable brands, built of high-quality, industry-standard materials designed to facilitate great sound production, accurate tuning, and smooth key action. Each clarinet comes with a case, mouthpiece, ligature, at least one reed and a cleaning swab, though performers will most likely want to customize their mouthpiece setup. For more help selecting the best clarinet for your needs, check out our buyer's guide below.
The Best Flutes for Starters
A member of the woodwind family, the flute is one of the world's oldest known musical instruments, with early examples dating back over 35,000 years. Each musician's personal preference and experience level will be a determining factor in selecting a flute with a wide array of choices in terms of brand, metal combination and tone colors.The best flutes in 2021 provided on these lists serve as a great starting point for finding a suitable instrument. They're all produced by reputable brands using craftsman-level manufacturing techniques with each instrument built from high-quality, industry-standard materials to facilitate great sound production and accurate intonation. For more help selecting the best flute to meet your needs, check out our buyers guide listed below.
Perfect Your Sound with the Best Mic Preamp
The pre amplifier has been around as long as sound has been recorded. For the past 80 years, thousands of different models have been made and manufacturers have enjoyed successful business from this product.Preamps work by amplifying the signal so it can properly handle further processing. The amplification is done as close to the sensor as possible to decrease any outside noise or interference and how the signal is amplified determines the kind of sound you'll get. Traditionally, tube preamps add their own color to the signal and solid-state preamps boost the signal while attempting to keep as much transparency as possible. These two lists of the best mic preamps in 2021 comprise of the best of both worlds and any preamp discussed here will satisfy any recording situation you may have ahead of you.
Perfect for Practice: Best Electronic Drum Sets
Because of their technological capabilities and the simple fact they're quiet, electronic drum sets are becoming very popular. A drummer can plug in a pair of headphones and practice without disturbing neighbors or parents with a lot of noise. And with the added technological components, you're buying not only a musical instrument but a mini-computer as well. Choosing the best electronic drum set doesn't have to be complicated, especially after you've gone through our list of the best electronic drum sets in 2021 and our buyer's guide provided below.
Great Tone from the Best Box Cajons
Cajóns are all over the retail percussion market these days. It's to the point where competition is apparently so fierce, top manufacturers are cranking out excellent low priced models. All the finalists on this list of the best box cajons in 2021 are remarkably well balanced and diverse in sound projection and tone quality. They'll all make a great workhorse for pros or solid practice tool for beginners. The basic principle behind ranking was how close each one compares to pricier cajóns by the same leading companies. Meinl's Headliner series is clearly the best value – none come close to that kind of quality for a hundred bucks.
Best Bongos for Quality Sound
Great skins or heads on cheap drums – okay, it may sound like a contradiction in terms, but consider this for a moment – if the issue were congas, it's of course a different story; but because bongos require a fraction of the wood or fiberglass that congas consume, the overall sound quality depends more on the skin and the player than the drum's body or even its hardware system. So again, consider the idea of not spending hundreds for upper echelon bongo drums. Instead buy a pair of the cheapies featured on this list for $100, and if the diameters match, invest in some quality hide or synthetic Remos. You should grab a mirror to check out the look of pleasant surprise that formulates on your face once you start playing! Even without high quality heads, the bongo drums here are pretty darn decent for extremely low prices. To learn more, check out our selection of the best bongos in 2021 below.
The Best Congas with Superior Build Quality
The sad fact is, many affordable conga drums are poorly made. They'll have cheap hardware that will easily strip and stock skins that aren't at all responsive, a pain to play especially if you're a beginner. The best congas in 2021 on this list, though, will last a long time and can take serious abuse if you're a pro who gigs a lot. The main criteria for the higher finishers was the quality of the factory-issued skins, as well as overall durability and sound quality. The top tier drums here do cost a bit more than the featured bargain models, but $300 is the "budget"-level limit.
Keep the Beat with the Best Metronome
The metronome is a powerful musical learning tool and within the last few years, the technology behind it has advanced considerably. Digital metronomes are becoming more common than mechanical metronomes because of the variety of features they are equipped with. Be sure to practice with these best metronomes on a regular basis, but be sure to use the right model which will force you to think and challenge your ability to keep time. Scroll down to our metronome buyers guide for additional information to help you find the perfect model.
Invest in the Best Violin
There comes a point when budding violinists know they want to stick with this instrument for a long time, and are ready to find a violin they can call their own. Purchasing a violin can be a good investment, for although violins are some of the more expensive musical instruments, they don't lose their value over time when treated with care. If the violin sounds good and is easy to play, owning a violin rather than renting one can be an inspiration for a young musician, encouraging them to spend more time playing the instrument. Finding such a violin can be a challenge, however, as every instrument is unique.There is no substitute for playing several violins to find the one that is right for you. If you don't have a good violin shop in your area, some shops are willing to ship several violins to you, allowing you to try them out and keep the one you like best. A good student violin will have a pleasant sound, consistent tone quality through the entire range of notes, responsive dynamic range, and will feel easy to play. Good craftsmanship is essential - look for a solid spruce top, aged maple back and sides, ebony pegs which don't stick or come loose, and fine tuners on an ebony tailpiece.The list below includes the best violins in 2021 from trusted shops which consistently receive good reviews from teachers, parents and students. They are all available as sets complete with a case and a bow for between $400 and $600. NOTE: If you order any violin from a manufacturer's website or other online source rather than from a violin shop, take it to a professional local violin shop for setup and adjustment to ensure good tone and playability.
Create Your Signature Sound with the Best Snare Drum
Of any drum, the snare is the one with the most character and the main component in defining a drummer's signature sound. Most professional drummers prefer to use different drums for specific genres of music and snares are no exception. The best snare drums in 2021 are versatile enough for use with multiple genres of music with the four main genre-specific categories being rock, jazz, metal, and hip-hop. We've compiled the following lists of the best genre-specific snare drums available and provided a buyer's guide loaded with information to help you in your search.
The Best Shoes for Drummers for Powerful Sound
As a drummer, I think a lot about the type of shoes that I wear when playing. I played barefoot for most of my young life. While in college, I recorded a rock album with my band in a professional studio. My first time recording, I played barefoot for the first half hour. I decided to switch to shoes when I first heard playback as my kick drum was pretty solid, but it just wasn't consistent enough. I needed every hit to be extremely powerful, and my foot just wasn't enough by itself so from that day forward I switched to wearing a pair of shoes every time I played.There are many types of shoes that are great to wear when playing drums. Most drummers want footwear that gives them some extra power without interfering with the foots natural motion while other drummers like a thin shoe that feels like a glove for the foot. Obviously, different people prefer different feels, but there are some common characteristics that most drummers look for in a pair of shoes.We chose the following best shoes for drummers in 2021 because of their comfortable feel which will allow you to focus on playing consistent patterns and perform advanced techniques picks. These shoes are all extremely lightweight as well so your feet won't be left feeling weighed down and sluggish when playing. Traction is also a very important consideration and while these picks allow for some sliding to perform doubles, but still have enough grip to keep your foot firmly in control of the pedals.
Protect Your Drums On the Go in the Best Drum Case
The first time I thought about getting cases for my drums was before my first gig in high school and my rock band was booked to play a set at a local coffee shop. I had to bring my drum set to the venue, and that meant I needed some cases put my drums in while I drove them to the gig. Heading to the local drum shop, I was surprised at all the questions they had for me! Expecting the clerks to just to hand me a set of bags and a bill for $10, I actually had to go back home, measure my drums, determine what kind of bags/cases I needed, and finally borrow some money from my parents because my $10 budget just wasn't going to cut it!There are two main types of protection for drums to consider. Hard cases are often called "cases" and soft cases are generally referred to as "bags". Hard Cases are made of a molded plastic material with most hard case manufacturers offering the option of lining the inside of the case with protective foam. While expensive, it's highly recommended for individuals seeking the most protection. Hard shell cases with foam lining offer the most protection of any case option because those without the foam lining don't offer protection against scratching.Soft bags are made of a synthetic fabric or nylon material. They're lined with padding and are typically a cheaper option than hard cases. Soft cases are also much lighter making them easy to move around. It's important to choose cases that are appropriate and cost effective to the drums you are protecting. For example, I have hard shell cases with foam lining for my expensive drums and soft cases for my inexpensive drums.The best drum cases in 2021 can cost you about $50-100 per case, but in most situations the price of admission is worth the initial cost. I have several snare drums that are custom built and one of a kind. If they were damaged in any way, they could not be replaced. I have had some of my cases for 20 years, and they look brand new. I have quality cases for these drums. These cases have lasted countless plane rides and 2 cross country moves.It is important to measure your drums properly before you purchase cases. It is also a good idea to talk to the company or venue about things like mounting hardware and snare strainers. Sometimes these items can determine the size of the case that is needed. The actual size and weight of a case is very important for the gigging drummer. Hard cases are going to be more bulky and heavy than soft bags.We chose the following best drum cases for the superior level of protection they provide thanks to their durable construction whether hard or soft shell, their generous sizes which can comfortably accommodate most any setup. These picks are all the lightest options available which allows for easy transportation without compromising their level of protection.
New Sound and Feel from the Best Bass Drum Beater
The bass drum beater is the part of the bass drum pedal actually striking the head, making it an important element in determining the sound and feel of a drummer's bass drum. All bass drum pedals come with a beater but vary greatly in design, so purchasing a new bass drum beater is a great way to change the sound and feel of your existing pedal.There are several different types of bass drum beaters. They mostly vary in the type of material that strikes the head with the most common options being felt, plastic, wood, wool, and metal. There's also beaters available which have multiple surfaces on the same beater. These types are great because you can switch the surface during a gig with one simple turn of a drum key. You can also find beaters made out of a soft synthetic fur material and look like a beater for a concert bass drum.The material the beater striking the head is what determines the sound you hear. It's recommended you have several bass drum beaters because you'll need to produce a different sound for each style of music you play. For example, a felt beater is good for general playing because it's very versatile and you may usually only want to use a plastic beater when your felt beater isn't cutting through. While plastic beaters have a "ticky" sound, they're a bit louder than a felt beater. A wooden beater can be used for a raw, articulate, open sound that's ideal for simulating a concert bass drum. If you're someone who enjoys playing loud heavy metal music, look to a metal beater for your needs.These for picks for best bass drum beaters in 2021 come available in a variety of different striking materials to suit the sound you're looking for. They're also all constructed to be extremely durable, meaning the surface will not wear down over years of playing with them; durability is extremely important with a felt beater because it's the most susceptible to wear from normal use. Therefore, all of my felt picks are made with quality felt that will retain their sound over time. Lastly, these picks also all have the proper balance of size and weight to ensure consistent sound every time.It is important to note we're only focusing on beaters intended to play the drum set bass drum. These are often called "kick drum" beaters. Concert bass drum beaters that are used in the orchestra will not be discussed in this review.
Practice New Techniques on the Best Practice Drum Pad
A practice drum pad can be a wonderful tool in developing technique and speed while at the same time allowing a drummer to practice anywhere, and not worry about making a lot of noise. A practice pad looks like a thick drumhead that a drummer can hit to simulate the feel of playing on a real drum. Most drum companies have their signature practice pad available in multiple sizes. Usually the sizes range from 6-12 inches. The most common pad surfaces are rubber, plastic, and an actual drumhead. However, it's important to note a practice pad is only a tool for practice and not an acceptable substitute for an actual drum. While practice pads are great for practicing stick control exercises and speed building workouts, they cannot improve sound production.Recently companies have been making practice pads with multiple surfaces to simulate the feel of playing on different types of drums; for example, snare drums feel different than tom toms and often require different techniques. Therefore, some of our picks have multiple surfaces on one side while others are double-sided with a soft surface on top and a hard surface on the bottom. Most rubber surfaces are soft and are good for speed building.It's important to note some soft pads aren't designed to feel like a real drum, but rather are designed to help build better technique. Hard plastic surfaces are good for simulating the feel of a marching snare drum or cymbals. The actual drumhead surface does a great job of simulating an actual drum and can often be tuned to different tensions.A drummer should have several pads for practicing different techniques. It's preferred to have multiple surfaces on a pad so one can practice multiple techniques in a given practice session. Another hallmark of a good pad are mounting options for cymbal pad stands. I usually prefer 6 inch double-sided pads for gigging. They are small and don't take up a lot room in my stick/hardware bag. Small pads are perfect to have for a pre gig warm-up backstage and you'll usually want to keep larger practice pads in your studio at home.We chose these best practice drum pads in 2021 for their responsiveness, drum-like feel aimed at helping you build better technique, they offer multiple playing surfaces to simulate different drums, and their overall durable construction ensures each pick will last you many years.
Best Cymbal Bags to Keep Your Cymbals Scratch-Free
The cymbal bag is perhaps the most important case a drummer can own as protecting one's cymbals is usually the highest priority. It doesn't take a lot to scratch a cymbal, so it is important to protect then during travel. Since most drummers spend a lot of money and time to find cymbals, protecting them adequately is of the utmost importance. Fortunately, there are many different cymbals bags to choose from on the market.The two main options of cymbal bags are soft and hard shell. The hard shell is usually referred to as a "case." Hard shell cases are made of a hard plastic material and offer more protection. Soft cymbal bags are usually made out of leather or a synthetic material that is lighter and generally easier to carry. I own both hard cases, and soft bags. Soft cymbal bags are usually fine if you will be the only one handling your cymbals. Soft bags are usually easier to open, often only having a zipper. Hard cases usually require a strap or screw being undone, and the case being separated into two separate parts. This can be a hassle and can lead to a lot of time spent fussing with your cymbals. I find hard cases are better for touring and airline travel.Most cymbal bags/cases can accommodate cymbals as large as 22 inches, and that's the size bag that I recommend. If you are one of the few people that have a 24 inch cymbal, then obviously you should purchase a bag that specifies it can hold a cymbal that large since some bags can only accommodate cymbals as large as 18 or 20 inches, which in my opinion are too small for normal use. If you don't have a 24 inch cymbal, you shouldn't buy a matching 24 inch soft cymbal bag. The extra room in a soft bag allows the cymbals to move around, and that leaves the door open for a lot of scratches and dings.A cymbal bag should also be as light as possible since they usually become extremely heavy when they're loaded down with cymbals, so the bag itself should be as light as possible. When I first started playing gigs, I would always bring a cymbal bag with a shoulder strap which led to a lot of unnecessary pain in my shoulder when I'd be playing a gig. This is the reason that most of my picks have wheels. While some bags also have backpack style straps, I find these usually break from the continual heavy weight of the cymbals. Another helpful convenience is a front pouch for high-hats or sticks.These best cymbal bags in 2021 were chosen for their durable construction which provides a superior level of protection for your cymbals, generously sized interiors sizes to accommodate most cymbals, and they've all been designed with features which makes them convenient to transport from one gig to another.
Comfortable and Functional: The Best Drum Throne
A drum throne is a fancy name for the stool that drummers sit on while they play. After all, since you're sitting on a throne, you should feel like a king! A good drum throne will position the player in an upright and comfortable position. The three main variables that distinguish drum thrones from each other are: seat design, height adjustment mechanism, and legs; these often change within models provided by a particular company.The most important part of the throne is the padded seat (for obvious reasons) which vary by design and the amount of cushion they provide. Ideally you'll want to have several thrones you can use for different gigs. For example, if you have an intense rock gig, you may prefer a firm seat and vice versa a soft seat for musical theater or pops concert gigs.One common seat design is a round pad that looks similar to the top of a barstool. The other design you're likely to see is called a bicycle seat or "tractor style", although it's actually much wider and more comfortable than a bicycle seat. A bicycle/tractor seat design is triangular in shape, and feels drastically different than a round top. I have thrones with both seat designs and I usually use the bicycle/tractor style for longer gigs because they're more comfortable.The seats height adjustment mechanism is sometimes hydraulic (similar to a modern office chair) with a lever that you pull to raise and lower the seat. This mechanism adjusts the quickest but it will most likely start to fail after several years of consistent use. There's also an extended pole design similar to a cymbal stand and other pieces of drumming hardware. This design can be difficult to adjust but it's often the easiest to set and remain level if you have a locking bracket. Finally there's the screw type design that spins to adjust the height. In my opinion this design often moves around slightly height-wise but is more durable overall.The last variable to account for is the number of legs on a throne. Thrones typically have three, four, or even five legs which can usually be folded so the base can be neatly packed into a hardware bag. Many thrones also have a backrest that you can purchase separately and is highly recommended if you spend a lot of time playing. One thing to note is some companies are experimenting with tilting thrones but we're going to be focusing on the traditional design for this best list.The criteria we've used in choosing these best drum thrones is their level of comfort, ease of adjustment, and overall durability. Comfort is important when you spend long hours practicing and playing gigs and these picks feature the perfect amount of support and padding, both the resting position and while you're playing.Drum thrones also need to be height adjustable for obvious reasons, and all of these picks of the best drum throne in 2021 are easily adjustable; you may find yourself plating gigs that don't allow a lot of space to get off of your throne to adjust the height so this is a key feature to have. Lastly, each of these thrones are durably constructed because who doesn't hate situations in which you reach to pick up your throne, and the seat separates from the base?
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This impeccably crafted 30-inch Venmar Jazz range hood is a perfect match for chefs of all ability levels. Descending from your ceiling, this dazzling stainless steel box brings a sleek style that works well with eight- or nine-foot-tall kitchens. The three-speed, high-efficiency blowers make quick work of clearing steam and smells from above your stovetop, allowing you to sear, sizzle and flambé with as much gusto as the recipe requires. Finally, the halogen bulbs and easy-to-clean aluminum filters add useful touches that make this appliance as practical as it is stylish.
Whether you need to quickly disperse the air above a smoky stovetop or slowly fan away kitchen odours, this two-speed blower is up for the job.
The sleek look of your range hood remains intact thanks to the minimalist LCD display and push buttons.
Keep your kitchen clear of steam and your range hood running efficiently with these easy-to-clean aluminum filters.
The 20-watt GU10 halogen lamps (bulbs included) offer warm and direct lighting.
Whether you have an eight-foot or nine-foot ceiling, this stretchable chimney will adapt to fit your space.
The HVI (Home Ventilating Institute) certifies the performance of North American home ventilating products. If a range hood is not HVI certified, there are no guarantees regarding its performance.


Before requesting a catalog (or compiling one with puppet apply), Puppet will collect system information with Facter. Puppet receives this information as facts, which are pre-set variables you can use anywhere in your manifests.
Puppet also pre-sets some other special variables which behave a lot like facts.
This page describes how to use facts and lists all of the special variables added by Puppet.
You can see the list of core facts to get acquainted with what's available. You can also run facter -p at the command line to see real-life values, or browse facts on node detail pages in the Puppet Enterprise console.
This version of Puppet supports fact values of any data type. It will never convert boolean, numeric, or structured facts to strings.
Puppet 3.x sometimes converts all fact values to strings (e.g. "false" instead of false), depending on the stringify_facts setting and the installed Facter version.
If you're writing code that might be used with pre-4.0 versions of Puppet, you'll need to take extra care when dealing with boolean facts like $is_virtual, since the string "false" is actually true when used as the condition of an if statement.
This pattern (quote the variable, then pass it to str2bool) will work with both stringified facts and full data type support.
All facts appear in Puppet as top-scope variables. They can be accessed in manifests as $fact_name.
Benefits: Works in all versions of Puppet.
Drawbacks: It's not immediately obvious that you're using a fact — someone reading your code needs to know which facts exist to guess that you're accessing a special top-scope variable. To get around this, some people use the $::fact_name idiom as a hint, to show that they're accessing a top-scope variable.
Classic facts use the same naming conventions as normal user-set variables, so the value of a fact variable can be overridden in a local scope.
If a programmer overrides a fact value in a local scope, it will only affect code that they control.
Most people don't set tons of variables in node scope.
But prior to Puppet 3.0, Puppet's long and unpredictable chains of dynamic parent scopes could create serious problems, where an overridden value would clobber distant code that was trying to access a normal fact. To defend against that, people started using the $::fact_name idiom to always access the top-scope value of a variable.
Then, when Puppet 2.7 added deprecation warnings about dynamic scope lookup, the code that implemented the warnings had an annoying bug that could cause false warnings when facts were accessed without a leading $::. This made even more people start using it, just to make the warnings go away.
Since Puppet 3.0, $::fact has never been strictly necessary, but some people still use it to alert readers that they're using a top-scope variable, as described above.
Facts also appear in a $facts hash. They can be accessed in manifests as $facts['fact_name']. The variable name $facts is reserved, so local scopes cannot re-use it. Structured facts show up as a nested structure inside the $facts namespace, and can be accessed using Puppet's normal hash access syntax. Due to ambiguity with function invocation, the dot-separated access syntax that is available at the Facter command line is not available in manifests.
Benefits: More readable and maintainable code, by making facts visibly distinct from other variables. Eliminates possible confusion if you use a local variable whose name happens to match that of a common fact.
Drawbacks: Only works with Puppet 3.5 or later. Disabled by default in open source releases prior to Puppet 4.0.
Compiler variables, which are special local variables set for each scope.
A few special trusted facts appear in a $trusted hash. They can be accessed in manifests as $trusted['fact_name']. The variable name $trusted is reserved, so local scopes cannot re-use it.
Normal facts are self-reported by the node, and nothing guarantees their accuracy. Trusted facts are extracted from the node's certificate, which can prove that the CA checked and approved them. This makes them useful for deciding whether a given node should receive sensitive data in its catalog.
If authenticated is remote, this is the subject CN extracted from the node's certificate.
If authenticated is local, this is read directly from the certname setting.
If authenticated is false, the value of this key will be an empty string.
domain — the node's domain, as derived from its validated certificate name. The value can be empty if the certificate name doesn't contain a fully qualified domain name.
extensions — a hash containing any custom extensions present in the node's certificate.
The keys of the hash will be the extension OIDs — any OIDs in the ppRegCertExt range will appear using their short names, and other OIDs will appear as plain dotted numbers.
If no extensions are present or authenticated is local or false, this will be an empty hash.
hostname — the node's hostname, as derived from its validated certificate name.
The $server_facts variable provides a hash of server-side facts that cannot be overwritten by client side facts. This is important because it enables you to get trusted server facts that could otherwise be overwritten by client-side facts.
For example, the Puppet master sets the global $::environment variable to contain the name of the node's environment. However, if a node provides a fact with the name environment, that fact's value overrides the server-set environment fact. The same happens with other server-set global variables, like $::servername and $::serverip. As a result, modules couldn't reliably use these variables for whatever their intended purpose was.
The $server_facts variable is opt-in. Its trusted_server_facts setting is set to false by default. If you set trusted_server_facts to true, the $server_facts variable will be populated, and will ensure that you get trusted server facts.
In addition, a warning will be issued any time a node parameter is overwritten.
The following is an example $server_facts hash.
Puppet agent and Puppet apply both add several extra pieces of info to their facts before requesting or compiling a catalog. Like other facts, these are available as either top-scope variables or elements in the $facts hash.
$clientversion — the current version of Puppet agent.
$clientnoop — the value of the node's noop setting (true or false) at the time of the run.
$agent_specified_environment — the value of the node's environment setting. If the Puppet master's node classifier specified an environment for the node, $agent_specified_environment and $environment can have different values.
These are not available in the $facts hash.
$environment (also available to puppet apply) — the agent node's environment. Note that nodes can accidentally or purposefully override this with a custom fact; the $server_facts['environment'] variable always contains the correct environment, and can't be overridden.
$serverip — the Puppet master's IP address.
$serverversion — the current version of Puppet on the Puppet master.
$settings::<name of setting> (also available to puppet apply) — the value of any of the master's settings. This is implemented as a special namespace and these variables must be referred to by their qualified names. Note that, other than $environment and $clientnoop, the agent node's settings are not available in manifests. If you wish to expose them to the master in this version of Puppet, you will have to create a custom fact.
These variables are set in every local scope by the compiler during compilation. They are mostly useful when implementing complex defined types.
These variables are always defined (by the standards of the strict_variables setting), but their value is undef whenever no other value is applicable.
$module_name — the name of the module that contains the current class or defined type.
$caller_module_name — the name of the module in which the specific instance of the surrounding defined type was declared. This is only useful when creating versatile defined types which will be re-used by several modules.


It's been a while since I've done one of these posts, but I think it's time for a revival. This week's outing was to the first of the Jisc #connectmore16 conferences organised by Jisc Scotland and hosted at Forth Valley College.
The events are an opportunity to "Connect with your peers, learn more about their good practice and how, through Jisc, they are making most of digital" and yesterday certainly did that.
I was very impressed with the college campus, what a lovely space and view. Also the spaces we used for the break out sessions were really well kitted out too ( although we might have had a few more people than they were designed for squeezing into the sessions). I was particularly pleased that we had a smart board for presentation as I was able to be all "swooshy" ( aka share some of my digital capabilities) with my presentation which I created using Adobe Spark. I am liking this tool more and more. I was great to see some appreciation from the audience too.
#connectmore16 Love the credibility when speaker presenting on #digitalcapability is using tools like Spark, padlet, google forms to do so.
I have to confess though, I did find the onscreen keyboard a bit of challenge but the excellent IT support staff did a re-calibration and found the wireless keyboard. I wish all our learning spaces were as well kitted out.
I presented in the Leveraging change through digital capability, alongside Lawrie Phipps, Jisc and Terri Smith, West college.
Throughout the day I was reassured by the similar challenges colleagues across FE and HE are facing in terms of using (digital) technology effectively for learning and teaching. As ever this opportunity for formal and informal sharing of practice ( particularly over the lovely cakes and scones provided) is invaluable.
This storify gives a great overview and flavour of the day's activities and discussions and below is my presentation.
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text:
Coach promotes two executives to lead e-commerce push
Matt Lindner | Jan 29, 2015
Andre Cohen and David Duplantis will be charged in part with continuing the luxury label's online growth.
Coach Inc. is promoting one executive and giving another more responsibility as part of its drive to grow online.
The luxury label has named Andre Cohen president of North America, where he'll be charged with heading up e-commerce, marketing, and retail management, among other responsibilities. In addition, current president of global digital and consumer experience David Duplantis is adding global marketing and consumer intelligence to his responsibilities. Cohen and Duplantis will be replacing Francine Della Badia and Stephanie Stahl, both of whom will be leaving the brand next month.
Coach announced the changes in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing
Cohen in particular will be charged with stemming the tide of declining sales in North America. CEO Victor Luis says on Coach's Q2 2015 earnings call that North American sales fell to $785 million, down 20% from $983 million during the same quarter last year.
Coach, No. 85 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, has steadily increased its online sales over the past five years, going from an Internet Retailer-estimated $207.3 million in 2009 to $401.5 million in 2013.
"Andre and David are both seasoned leaders and brand builders with experience across many aspects of Coach's global business," Luis says. "They are ready to address the opportunities ahead with their creativity, tenacity, and exceptional leadership qualities."
Both Cohen and Duplantis are Coach veterans, having been with the company for eight and 15 years, respectively. On the earnings call with analysts, Luis praised Cohen's experience as the CEO of Coach China and Coach Asia, calling him a "highly respected Coach leader." Duplantis meanwhile was recognized by Luis for his global digital expertise and his work on those initiatives over the past five years.
The move comes just weeks after Coach announced plans to buy luxury shoe maker Stuart Weitzman for $530 million in cash and $44 million in contingency payments that are based upon revenue targets being hit.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2015 ending December 27, 2014, Coach, which does not break out web sales, reported:
Net sales of $1.219 billion, down 14.1% from $1.420 billion during the same period last year.
Gross profit of $840 million, down 14.5% from $982.7 million during the same period last year.
For the first six months of fiscal 2015, Coach reported:
Gross profit of $1.555 billion, down 14.0% from $1.809 billion during the same period last year.
Consumer-Brand Manufacturers

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


M2 EQUITYBITES-April 2, 2012-Jura amends acquisition agreement with Eastern Petroleum(C)2012 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.
30 July 2010 - US-based provider of biotechnology solutions Charles River Laboratories International Inc (NYSE: CRL) today announced that it has mutually agreed with WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc (NYSE: WX) to terminate their previously announced acquisition agreement.
Sun River Energy, Incorporated (Sun River Energy) (OTC Bulletin Board: SNRV), a Denver based oil and gas exploration company, has signed a Share Purchase Agreement and an Acquisition Agreement.
BEIJING -- China Medical Technologies (NASDAQ: CMED), a leading China-based medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets high intensity focused ultrasound products and advanced in-vitro diagnostic systems, today announced that it has entered into a definitive acquisition agreement to purchase the fluorescent in situ hybridization ("FISH") business of Supreme Well Investments Limited and Molecular Diagnostics Technologies Limited (the "Sellers"), which are BVI-incorporated entities with operations in the U.
M2 EQUITYBITES-January 23, 2012-Watts Water Technologies signs acquisition agreement for tekmar Control Systems(C)2012 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.
On January 29, 2007, KCS sent a letter to TMM advising that KCS intended to assert against TMM certain claims under the Acquisition Agreement related to representations and warranties made by TMM in the Acquisition Agreement.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, ISI will continue as a wholly owned subsidiary of Argyle Security, and the stockholders of ISI will receive $16.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement between the Company and Summer Infant, the Company will purchase Summer Infant and its three affiliate companies, Summer Infant Europe, Limited, Summer Infant Asia, Ltd.
CHHH has executed a definitive acquisition agreement to acquire 60% of Henan Furen Huaiqingtang Pharmaceuticals Co.
Rabobank, the Dutch financial services leader specializing in community banking and agricultural finance, and Mid-State Bancshares (NASDAQ: MDST), the holding company for Mid-State Bank & Trust, today announced an acquisition agreement through which Mid-State Bank & Trust will become part of the Rabobank Group.
CHHH has executed a definitive acquisition agreement to acquire 100% of Shaanxi MeiChen Pharmaceuticals Co.


Denny Heck is the representative from Washington's 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House. He was elected to his fifth term in the office 2018 and was first elected to the office in 2010. Heck is assigned to the Committee on Financial Services and is a member of the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development & Insurance, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Prior to serving in Congress, Heck was a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 1976 through 1986.
Vice President of Policy Development, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.
Session on private sobriety housing, including Oxford Houses, new Muslim cooperative, Bridges to Change, Jason Johnson – Sober Living Oregon.