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Instrument calibration exists as an essential process to maintain the accuracy of instrumentation. Whether the instrument in question is used in the field, in the laboratory or in a manufacturing facility – accurate readings provide a firmer sounding board for decision-making.

Each environment will require different levels of accuracy and deciding what is an acceptable range to configure an instrument to will be balanced between corporate policy and legal requirements. Goods manufacturers and product testers will be well-versed with the complexity of such legal requirements. It is for this reason that companies which do not employ in-house calibration specialists will often seek out calibration experts with a specific knowledge of their sector or instrumentation type.

A variety of situations typify the need for calibration: new instrument manufacture/installation, routine maintenance, emergency maintenance, changes in external conditions and in any situation where the operator might find the reading/results questionable. Changes in external conditions can include climate changes, excessive shock damage, corrosion, water damage or gas leaks, for example. Routine calibrations occur over certain periods of time or over a specific usage/operating period (for example: 6 months usage over 5 days per week at 12 hours a day).

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Back 120 years ago, the “How’s” of the cause and spread of infection were just being discovered.  Celebrated surgeons in the 19th century frequently used the same medical instruments while going from one patient to the next.  The cleanliness aspects of wiping the surgical instrument with a cloth or pouring a alcohol liquid over it to clean it, were the only measures of sterilization available.   Often times, during surgery, the knife would be placed between the teeth of the surgeon, enabling his hands to be free to operate within the incision, till its use was needed again.  If a cut healed rapidly, it was a rarity and sufficiently great to spawn dialog and comment.  Now, today the exact opposite holds true.  The former result was a accident of cleanliness rather than the deliberate acknowledgement of what should have been the rule.  The most successful surgeons/doctors of the day were those that possessed intuitive habits of neatness and cleanliness.

Dr. Valentine Mott, (one of the most highly regarded surgeons in the 1890′s) was meticulous to a fault on the cleanliness of his hands and medical instruments, prior to, during and after surgery.  Often the butt of jokes by his peers and friends, Dr. Mott was steadfast in his routine and his success rate was above reproach.  Only years later with the advances of knowing the “Whys” in the spread of infection, did others fully understand the achievements of Dr. Mott.  Read more...

Musicians know that their instruments are their life. It’s not just a piece of wood, string, or metal, it’s a part of them. And apart from the personal value that cannot be pegged to a price tag, the reality is that these instruments do not come cheap. If you happen to have a historically significant piece, the cash value increases substantially as well. What’s more, if you’re a professional musician, it’s also your livelihood. If you’re without your musical instrument, you lose income. So given all of these reasons and if you really think about it, musical instrument insurance makes absolute sense.

If you can insure your car and your jewelry, why not insure your musical instruments too?

Shop Around

Just like any type of insurance, the best advice is always to shop around. Thanks to technology, the internet can now help you shop around in less time and with less hassle. It’s very easy to get quotes from insurers with the click of a button. And most insurance companies have their own websites that can cater to your inquiries 24/7 too.

Also there are musical instrument insurance comparisons sites such as www.click4carbon.com which can help give you access to different rates in just one website. Sites like these can give you a wider view of your options. And it can give you a general view of the rates available for your particular insurance plan.

General Insurers vs. Musical Instrument Insurers  Read more...

Everyone is affected by music in some form. There is music that we hate, and music that we love.
Music is in everyone. Anyone with a love of music and a burning desire to learn to compose and perform music can do so with the help of a computer based home recording studio.

Music software makes songwriting and recording possible without even a formal music theory background or music writing proficiency.

Sequencers can be used to overcome some of the gaps in your musical training.
Some computer music hobbyists may even consider the mouse, keyboard and computer to be their musical instruments.

MIDI(Musical Instrument Digital Interface) lets you work with music, much like a writer works with words. You work at the level of a single note, with full control over how it is played.
MIDI lets you craft your own song at your own pace, using whatever works best for you.Mistakes are easily fixed and new alternatives can be tried, while you hear the results in real time.

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The fact that you cannot even play a short melody on an instrument is no longer a reason to keep the music inside of you.
Even though you may not be able to keep a rhythm, you can still craft rhythms, edit and make changes using simple familiar visual techniques.
It is as simple as using a computer painting or drawing application and it is an interactive way to compose your own music.  Read more...

Lots of children are naturally interested in playing a musical instrument or singing. They may have seen a character in their favorite television program playing an instrument, or perhaps they saw their school friends or parents playing instruments. It could just be that they watched a movie on YouTube of a guy playing a guitar solo at warp-speed and said, “wow, I’d like to try that”. Below you’ll find 5 ways to help and encourage your child to explore musical instruments.

Of course, not all children will be interested in playing an instrument. It may not be the case that they don’t want to, it may just be that they haven’t been exposed to musical instruments and don’t have a concept of how much fun creating music yourself can be. In that situation you can check out the 5 ways to help and encourage your kid to play an instrument below and hopefully they’ll pick up an instrument and start having fun.

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1: Explain to your child how the basic toys they played with when they were really small are different to the musical instruments older children and adults play. Children will usually start with small electronic keyboards that play all musical “sounds”. You can make the distinction between the “keyboard drum sound” and a real drum kit. You could even get some pots and pans out and create your own drum kit.

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