Music Enhances Employee Productivity

Moods and behavior are greatly influenced by music.  Employee productivity is influenced greatly by music.  Will installing an in ceiling radio inside your office lobby or inside your company’s pantry increase your employee’s performance thus resulting to greater productivity?  Although there not too many studies that prove that indeed music can influence one’s performance, there are still a lot of people who are doing great at what they do and would prefer listening to music while working.

Have you heard of the Mozart effect?  Let me quote it from lifehacker.com and it says “It suggest that listening to certain kinds of music—Amadeus Wolfgang's classical works, in particular—impacts and boosts one's spatial-temporal reasoning, or the ability to think out long-term, more abstract solutions to logical problems that arise.”  Different studies show that listening to Mazart songs does not increases one’s IQ but it induces a short-term improvement on the performance of certain kinds of metal tasks.

Does music really have a positive effect on the productivity of the employee?  A retail company tested the effects of music on their employees by giving out stereos to wear for four weeks while working.  After the trial they achieved a 10% increase in productivity from those who wore the stereos.  A similar study was conducted at University of Illinois and they found a 6.3% increase when compared with the no music control group.  In Canada, some software developers were tested and study show that they were at their lowest productivity when they had no background music to listen to.  It also showed that it took them more time to finish a task in the absence of music.  On the other hand, there was a positive mood change and enhanced perception when music was played while they were working.  Researchers from University of Windsor noted that this positive change in mood correlated with increased curiosity, which was an excellent thing to have when doing creative work.

Bottom line is, no matter how many times it is proven that music has indeed a correlation with employee’s productivity and performance, it still depends on the individual if he will be persuaded by the music or not.  Listen to music that will influence you positively.  Learn to read the lyrics first before listening to it.  These lyrics will enter your subconscious and will be stored there for a period of time.  So it is very important that you filter the music that you listen to.

Music is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind and it will definitely help you be more productive.  Question is will you be influenced by it or not.  

Music Therapy: Effects Of Soothing Music To Our Health

Music has an insightful effect on your body and consciousness.  Music therapy is becoming more popular in the field of medicine.  It has grown tremendously in the field of health care.  Hospitals are now also into music therapy to help them with pain management, relieving stress, prevention of depression, reduction of muscle tension and for many other benefits that music therapy brings to a patient.  Having an in ceiling radio and in wall or in ceiling speakers inside a patient’s room or within the vicinity of the hospital would definitely help in eliciting the desired results and benefits of music.  Listed below are some of the effects of music to our body and to our over health:

1.     Prevention of Chronic Stress – Alterations in brainwaves can activate the relaxation response, thus putting you into a deep rest.  These brainwaves that are altered by the chnages that music brings can influence our breathing and heart rate.  Soothing music can slow down breathing and heart rate causing you to relax.  Try listening to jazz or classical music right now.  You will notice that your mood will change and it will just make you relaxed in a few minutes.  Be careful though, you might sleep while reading this article.

2.     Releases Stress and anxieties – King David once used music as a form of releasing his fears and anxieties to God.  Music has indeed been used for the longest time in venting out all the worries of life.  And as you release allyour anxieties, it lessens if not eliminates stress that can cause diseases such as cancer and heart attack.  It also relieves your body of the burden that anxiety has caused you.  Music helps you in expressing your emotions such as joy or sorrow.  In fact, the slaves also utilized music during the time where racism was so high in the US.  They cried out and vented their frustrations and anger through music, hence they survived that season.

3.     Increases Creativity – music helps in developing that creative part of the brain.  With this, our mind becomes optimistic.  One begins to see the beauty of life through music.  In fact, during the World War II, music was used to make those soldiers who were wounded to get up and learn to walk again and it was attested by according to Lee Anna Rasar, a musical therapist at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

4.     Tones our muscles – music is now used to make people’s body fit and healthy.  There are a lot exercises, which utilizes the power of music.  There’s Zumba and Ballroom dancing which can help in toning the body.  These exercises also improve mental ability of the person doing it.  It stimulates the brain and makes it more active.

Music is indeed powerful.  Scientists and doctors are still in search for more benefits that music can bring.  Although there a lot of facts that proves its effects, you should still visit your doctor and ask their opinion.

Effects Of Music And Sound Inside Your Classroom

Have you attended any whole day seminars or an overnight team building session?  Were you able to connect with the speaker or the facilitator or you just slept while hiding behind those big clear folders?  This is usually the case for most gatherings that are set up inadequately.

Maybe the content of the seminar was really good but the environment and the ambience was too boring.  Or they may not have any quality in ceiling radios or speakers that could have helped them in getting the attention of the attendees.  Whatever the reasons are, these trainers or speakers have a responsibility to the audience and that is to relay their message no matter what.  One way of ensuring that the message is well communicated to the other end is trough the use of music.  Yes, music and learning works hand in hand.  Try attending a seminar without any music that plays as a background during activity hours.  You will definitely miss out something.  It’s either you fall asleep or you zone out.  Don’t be surprised seeing yourself scratching the surface of your chair, writing those tiny letters of the person you love or just your name.

To prove the point of this article, here are some effects of music when used during a time of learning.

1.     Lowers stress level – Music relaxes our mind.  During a long training day, it is essential that you pause for few minutes to relax the mind.  And when your mind is relaxed, it boosts your memory allowing your brain to access reserve capacity.

2.     Faster Learning – Once endorphins are released, it produces a relaxing state, which leads to a more efficient learning.

3.     It awakens our bodies – Music helps in increasing oxygen level and blood flow to the brain, which can make a sleepy head, stay awake.  That is why it is very important that a room has and in house in ceiling radios or in wall speakers to help in waking up those sluggish learners.

4.     It inspires emotions – Music stimulates our emotions thus creating clear channel to a long term memory.  That is why you remember those romantic songs even if years have passed since you first heard that song.

5.     Being More Active – Music can help in facilitating activities, which requires participants to move.  These activities become easier if accompanied by music.  Imagine an activity where in you need to dance and move your butts but without a music.

We can go on and on with the effects of music to learning, but without the right equipment such as your in ceiling radio, mic and quality speakers, all of these are useless.  Having the right components and environment will definitely aid you in learning.  

Benefits of Running With Music

It has been a long-running debate among runners whether or not it is good to listen to music while running. So let us set aside this debate and really ask the question, “What is it about music?”

Running purists argue that listening to music while running can distract the runner from his or her surroundings: oncoming traffic, other runners, animals, or uneven ground or obstacles. But then, sometimes it’s those “distractions” that make music so appealing while running. Would you rather be in tune with all those or in tune with an up-beat track?

If you are one of those non-“hard core” runners; who just runs for health and fitness and not really for competitive training but are also concerned with safety issues of outdoor running, then a good alternative for you would be setting up a treadmill and installing an in-ceiling radio in your home. This way you can enjoy the benefits of running while enjoying your favorite tunes.

But if you are a competitive runner, having music while running can help take your mind off the fact that you’ve been running for two hours and you’ve still got an hour to go. Marathon training involves long and often tedious runs, so anything that helps you pass those hours, decreasing the mental pressure, is a good thing.

Music can also serve as a great motivator. There are people who put together running playlists customized to their trail and/or running routine. They arrange the songs in such a way that certain songs “kick in” at specific points during the run. A more technical choice would be to select tracks by their beats per minute (BPM); the idea is you’d want faster tracks to help you pick up your pace, which is ideal for short-distance runs. While slower tracks are recommended for marathons, where you need to sustain a steady pace for a few hours.

Although music has many benefits it is also important not to get too wrapped up in the “music video moments” that running with your favorite playlist creates. Runners still shouldn’t neglect the fact that they are running through an intersection or past wildlife preservation area. We are all primarily responsible for our own well-being.

How To Wire Your New In Ceiling Speakers

Having a quality sound system adds up to the surreal audio experience at home or even in your workplace.  An in ceiling radio or an in ceiling speaker’s elegant and stylish look changes the aesthetic feel of your environment.  And as you upgrade your audio system at work or your home theater system inside your living room, it would require hooking it up to your in ceiling speakers.

Wiring your speakers is not too easy but with the proper guidelines, it becomes simple.  Follow these step-by-step guide on how to wire your in ceiling speakers:

1.     Read the instructions manual that comes with the box.  Make sure that you go through the directions and specifications before installation.  This will prevent you from distorting the quality of sound. 

2.     Prepare a ladder.  Make sure that the ground where you’re ladder is standing is secured or flat to avoid any accident.

3.     Check the ceiling and the exact spot where you will install your speakers.  Make sure that you scan it before creating the hole.  Avoid and joists during the installation.  You can mount your speakers in between the joists.  You can also use a wire and a pipe scanner just to make sure that your running your wires in the right place.

4.     Prepare the template.  Your speakers should have a template or a sketch inside the box.  If there is none, create your own template.  Use it in tracing out the outline of the speakers.  Ideally, the speaker hole must be about two inches from adjacent walls, internal studs and pipes.  To minimize wires, make sure that you strategically choose the best spot for your speakers.

5.     Cut out the sketch with a saw.  Make sure that you are wearing protective gloves and eye goggles to avoid any injuries on your end.

6.     Run your wires from the TV and from your amplifier to your in ceiling speakers.  You can use wire channels which you can purchase online or at any home improvement or audio supply store.  To make your life easier, you can buy a wire channel with self-adhesive backing for easier installation.

7.     Hook up the in ceiling speaker to our home theater or sound system. Plug in the wires into the jacks at the back of the speaker and the system or amplifier.  Connect the positive speaker wire to the red terminal on the speaker and the other end of the wire to the red terminal on the system.  Hook up the negative wire to the black terminal on both the speaker and your home system or amplifier.  Make sure that you have this accurately to avoid any problems with the quality of sound and the lifespan of the system.

8.    Test the audio and make sure you pack away all tools you’ve used.

Listen to your favorite music and enjoy watching your movies with your family and friends with your new in ceiling speakers.  You can also purchase an in ceiling radio for your kitchen and your bathroom for additional surround sound experience.

How To Mount Your In Ceiling Speakers Inside Your Office Space

If your office space is small and you are a minimalist type of person, in ceiling speakers and in ceiling radios are just right for you.  Choosing the right type of speakers mounted inside your ceiling or walls can save you more space for other office gadgets or equipment that you might want to have inside your workspace.

Aside from the benefit of having more space with the luxury of listening to good music, in ceiling speakers are clutter free.  Who would want wires laying around the room and eventually accumulating dust, which can really be an eye sore?  Another advantage is that you can use these speakers as output for your iTunes music coming from your Mac, iPod or iPad.  You can also set an alarm clock using the apps in your iPhone to wake you up after having that 15-minute power nap. 

Choosing the right type of speakers and installing it as it should be can add room-filling sound that's as discreet as it is luxuriant and energetic. Here's how to install in-ceiling speakers inside your office.

1.     Before the actual installation and drilling happens, make sure that you determine your requirements.  How you intend to use the speakers will definitely help you start right.  Go online for other references on how to get the best sound out of your speakers.

2.     Read the manual that comes with the box.  They would usually include instruction manual on how to mount your in ceiling speakers.  If there is none, well read on.

3.     Select where to mount those speakers.  Do you want it directly above you or on both ends?  Once you determine the location, get a pen and mark those spots.  Get a measuring tape and measure the size of the speakers.  Make sure that speakers are also evenly positioned around the room.

4.     Use a stud finder to make sure that you don’t cut any joists along the way.  If the marked locations of the speakers are in that same spot as the joist, make the necessary adjustments.  Just make sure that speakers are still evenly situated to enjoy quality sound.

5.     Once location is final, get the template on how to cut the ceiling that will fit the speaker.  Drill a small hole in the center of the sketch.  This hole will be your starting point, get the saw and start cutting the ceiling.

6.     After creating the hole, prepare the wires that will connect the speakers and the amplifier and the AirPort Express.  Make sure that you cut the wires according to the length that it would require.  It’s better to exceed than to cutting it short.

7.     Prepare the amplifier and your AirPort Express. 

8.     Connect your wires to their respective left and right positions on your amp.  Attach your AUX cable to the AirPort Express' AUX output and the two RCA plugs to your amplifier’s INPUT.

9.     Set up your AirPort Express.  Check the Internet for a separate process on how to do it.  After setting it up, you can now start enjoying your music in your iTunes inside your office.

In ceiling speakers are the best solution for small spaces without losing the quality of your audio.  Get one now!

The Era Of Digital Music

Digital Market is still booming and it will continue to grow in the next few years.  According to a current study, the digital music market will increase from $ 4.81bn to $ 13.74bn representing a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 30%.  This is how promising digital music market is.  Therefore if you are into the music or audio industry, this is a very lucrative year to compete and penetrate the market. 

As the industry evolves, new players are still coming in, trying to get a piece of the huge pie that the market is offering.  In ceiling radio and in ceiling speakers are also riding the wave of digital music.  These elegant speakers, which you would not usually see inside a house or an office is also trying to get a slice of the market. 

In today’s ever changing world of technology, you would be able to enjoy quality music in atypical ways.  Whether listening through your receiver, i-Pod, MP3 player or through your laptop, nothing beats a good pair of speakers.  In ceiling speakers and in wall speakers are one of the options that you can consider especially if you are the type of person who prefers clutter free space and a low-key approach. 

Most of the music that we are enjoying right now are produced and distributed in digital formats.  Compact discs are now becoming more unpopular.  Gone are the long play vinyl albums that Baby Boomers and Generation X usually enjoyed during the 60s and the 70s.  A new of way of distributing digital music has gone way beyond what the latter generations could ever imagine.  Music files are now being transmitted through the power of the Internet.  This technology was popularized by what we call now the MP3.  These are compressed files, which occupy little space and are distributed via the Internet more efficiently.

The Internet has made music more available in the homes of common day people who love listening to their favorite tunes.  In line with the accessibility of songs, gadgets such as iPods and MP3 players are now becoming the main source of good audio.  These portable devices are docked or connected to home speakers through wires, Bluetooth technology or IR.  Hence in ceiling and in wall speakers and radio are becoming more popular and in demand.

Until such time that they find a new way of marketing music, digital marketing is here to stay.  Enjoy listening to your choice of music through your gadgets and speakers.

5 Inexpensive Ways To Revamp Your Kitchen

It has been said that “Home is Where the Heart Is,” and it has also been said that the Kitchen is the heart of every home. Here are five inexpensive ways you can revamp your kitchen.

1.    In-Ceiling Radios –on hindsight people might argue that this is not inexpensive at all, but when you consider the minimal investment it takes to purchase a unit that comes with its own DIY kit (like the KBSOUND® in-ceiling radios that come in complete DIY kits and are designed to install quickly and easily into your Kitchen or Bathrooms or other rooms), it becomes a wise investment. It adds class and creates a positive environment in your kitchen space. Depending on the type of music you choose to play, it can create a soothing mood for relaxing while drinking a cup of coffee or a happy working mood while preparing a meal for family and friends. Also, an in-ceiling radio is a space-saving way to improve your kitchen.

 2.    Metallic-Finish Countertops – Remodelaholic.com features an affordable DIY way of upgrading your kitchen countertops to a classy metallic finish by using sheet metal, either stainless steel, copper or zink –whichever look you prefer. If you are willing to do the measurement and installation yourself, then you will save a lot of money; your local metal sheet shop will most likely just charge you for the material and the fitting.

 3.  Upholstered Stools – Craftaholics Anonymous shares an easy bar stool makeover that uses only a one-inch (1”) thick foam, some quality fabric (depending on how much you need for the type of stool you have in your kitchen) and clicking on this upholstering tutorial link.

 4.   Repainted Cabinets—You can never go wrong with the classic tones—especially white and all you need to do is go to your nearest hardware store and buy liquid sandpaper, primer, and paint. The blog “A Swell Place to Dwell” provides a step-by-step way on how to DIY.

  5.  Glass Panes on Cabinets –aside from repainting your cabinets, you can add a little variety by installing glass panes on some of them. Measure out the surface area of the cabinets you want to apply the glass panes to. Purchase the glass and go to the blog “Between Blue and Yellow” to learn the DIY step-by-step process.

Revamping your kitchen should not be expensive.  Be Creative.  Get the best in ceiling radio out in the market.