Samson Technologies gives us their rendition of Invasion of the BodyPack Snatchers with the Airline “plug-in” guitar transmitter and wireless system. Really… there are NO BODY PACKS here! One AAA battery gives you 14 hours of reliable, clear reception. Built into the transmitter is a mute switch, input level control and a dual-purpose LED (power and peak detection). The accompanying signal receiver is about the same size and profile as a guitar pedal, and has a peak LED and volume control. There are two versions of this most covert of wireless transmitters: a Fender-style and a Gibson-style. The Fender version fits guitars with a recessed input jack (like those found on Stratocasters); the Gibson style fits most other guitars out there.
On Wednesday and Thursday, January 10th and 11th, The Coalition for the Future of Music hosted a two-day policy conference in Washington, DC, where music and technology experts (and a politician or two – not necessarily experts at anything, unless you count knavery) held the most comprehensive debate to date about the future of music. Some notables at this conference were former Throwing Muses member (and representative of virtuous.com) Kristin Hersh, Mark Kates of Grand Royal Records, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts Bill Ivey, Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, Chuck D., Ted Cohen from EMI, and former Tsunami member Jenny Toomey (also Executive Director of the Future of Music Coalition and founder of Simple Machines Records). These folks are getting together to discuss the most critical legislative, legal and economic issues impacting the music business community. We truly are at an interesting point in the history of the music business, and some important legislation and changes to the copyright statutes could (should!) result thereof. If you make money with your music, these events might be worth following.
