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He’s a man who wears many different hats—and we’re not just talking wardrobe. One day he’s a music producer, the next he’s doing PR while he creates album-cover artwork. But first and foremost, Robert Harris is a full-time jazz and R&B musician. Based in central Florida, Robert Harris and the Robert Harris Group perform their Latin-influenced smooth jazz at festivals, jazz clubs—even on cruise ships. And while Robert may be a natural at multitasking, he also gets help from his armory of HP PCs. Learn how each of Robert’s HP PCs play an important role in his music career.
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Meet Robert
Ready to Shop
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A band of HP PCs |
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» The creative process |
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» Looking back, looking ahead |
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As a full-time musician, there are many different aspects of my business that I need to manage. My HP PCs help me keep everything in harmony. Right now, I have two HP dv4t series Notebook PCs, one HP Pavilion Elite m9400 Desktop PC and one HP Mini 110 Netbook. I also have an HP docking station, 20-inch monitor and wireless keyboard in my studio’s writing station.
I use one HP dv4—the workhorse of all my computers—exclusively for managing the business side of my career. I initially had just one HP dv4, but the first worked so well that I bought a second one in a matter of months.
In my writing studio, the dv4 helps me capture rough cuts of new songs as I develop them. I also use it with a variety of powerful software to create CD artwork, music videos, press kits and newsletters; manage my website (www.robertharrismusic.com); and to e-mail1 contacts about upcoming gigs.
My second HP dv4 notebook PC serves as a conductor during my live performances. Whether I’m performing solo or with the Robert Harris Group, I use this dv4 to play accompaniment backing tracks while I’m on stage.
One of my favorite dv4 features is its LED screen—an absolute must at an outdoor festival. I couldn’t live without it. The old LCD screens were impossible to read on stage in the glaring sun. But when I adjust the brightness on the dv4, I can see the screen even in full sunlight.
My HP m9400 Desktop PC is dedicated to running powerful recording software in my home recording studio. I love having my own studio because it gives me the freedom to record as many takes as I’d like without running up a huge bill. The dv4 also helps me manage the sound engineering.
I recently transitioned from a hard-based recording system to a software-based one. I chose the HP m9400 Desktop PC with a quad-core processor because I needed something more than powerful enough to handle my recording software and expandable for future upgrades.
I’m currently producing a brand-new CD project that will be recorded in my studio on my HP desktop PC.
In between creating, producing and performing my music, I pull out my HP Mini 110 Netbook. It’s small enough to fit in my guitar case’s front pocket, so it goes with me everywhere. I take it to gigs to check my e-mail and use it to keep my calendar up to date and surf the web.1
Check back in mid March to learn more about how full-time musician Robert Harris uses his HP PCs for the day-to-day management of his business.
