In our quest to continually improve Onstage, we've added three more columns to the magazine. We did this to give more depth to our coverage and to expand into areas that we know today's performing musician cares about.

“Making Tracks” is our entry-level recording column and is aimed at players who are interested in setting up their own personal studio, or who already have one but are new to the recording process. The column is written by Jon Chappell, a longtime Onstage contributor who is also the former editor of Home Recording and Guitar. In his debut column, he looks at the different types of digital recording setups available and helps you evaluate which is right for you.

Our other new column is called “Tech Talk,” and it features interviews with techs from well-known touring bands who offer up tips, tricks, and advice that you can apply to your own setups. Another longtime Onstage contributor, Emile Menasché, will be conducting those interviews and writing the column. This month's column features keyboard-rig setup tips from Dave Hampton, who is Herbie Hancock's tech.

In addition, we brought back the “Minding Your Business” column, which deals with the ever-more-complicated business issues that today's musicians face. It's written by Onstage editor Chris Kelsey. Chris is not only a strong writer, but he's a longtime saxophonist and band leader and has had to deal with business (and Internet) issues for years in his own career. In this month's issue, Kelsey discusses how adopting a professional attitude can help your business dealings be more successful.

I'm sure you'll find that the new columns will make Onstage even more informative and entertaining than before. I welcome your feedback on them and on all the content of Onstage, so please feel free to e-mail me at onstageeditorial@primediabusiness.com.

• • • • •

I'd like to take a moment to congratulate the winners of our first-ever, “Onstage Guitar Gear Giveaway”: Eileen Millman of Danvers, Massachusetts (first prize), and Jack Vroble of Amity, Pennsylvania (second prize). The winners received prize packages consisting of gear from a number of manufacturers including ESP, D'Addario, Godlyke (Maxon), ISP Technologies, Levy's Leathers, Planet Waves, and Sennheiser. Way to go, Eileen and Jack!