Leslie Ann Jones is no stranger to the the recording world. Her engineering and mixing credits include:  Grammy® Award for Best Engineered Album, Classical:  Quincy Porter: The Complete Viola Works, featuring Eliesha Nelson and John McLaughlin Williams. 

Jones is  key to the music team at Skywalker™, a dynamic force in the art of sound design,

editing, and mixing for over twenty-five years. With 18 Academy Awards® and dozens of nominations for best achievement in sound and sound effects editing, the facility has established itself at the forefront of the industry. Skywalker Sound has provided sound services for more than half of the top twenty-five highest grossing films of all time. The Stanley Kubrick Studio houses a Neve DFC and is designed for premixing and single mixer projects. The David Lean Studio is one of the midsize dubbing stages and The Kurosawa dubbing stage features a Neve DFC console. When planning to record in northern Cali, find out about Skywalker accommodations, to include continental breakfast and more...   "Presently, we have a fibre channel infrastructure that allows sharing of files and data quickly and easily throughout the Technical Building and around the world. An editor can work on a session in a private suite using one of our 80 ProTools digital audio editing systems while the mixers are mixing the exact same material on one of our six dubbing stages," says Jones. Skywalker proprietary library offers more than 100,000 unique sound effects.

Future Youth at Studio Trilogy

   

Pictured in session at Studio Trilogy's SSL 9000K console are (L-R) programmer Chris Scanlan, Future Youth director/producer Jason Wall, and recording engineer Willie Samuels. Photo by David Goggin.

Future Youth Records, the new non-profit label based in the SF Bay Area, has begun a series of sessions at Studio Trilogy. Founded by producer Jason Wall, the label is the first full-service, non-profit record label dedicated to helping youth 12-17 years old write and release original music.

"Many new artists need guidance because they pay the costs of recording, manufacturing and promoting their music, only to have to give it away for free or at a big loss." By taking the profit out of recorded music, Future Youth Records has created a new business model for youth to learn about professional recording and the realities of today's music industry. The goal of the label is to give kids of all socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to write and record while at the same time learning about the nature of well-recorded music."Studio Trilogy is a great place to begin -- great acoustics, great equipment, and a smart and friendly staff, " adds Jason.

 

  

  

Studio Expansion At Paramount

"We are trying resurrect the history of the facility and are looking for historical pictures,"
he says. Give Mike a call  323 465-4000. Paramount may be one of the larger commercial facilities in LA now with Encore Recording Studios 721 So. Glenwood, Ameraycan Recording,  Track Record in North Hollywood and Wilder Brothers Studio in Los Angeles- six recording studios and eight prdouction rooms. But, who's counting when you have artists like Bruno Mars lining up to to book the rooms!

Tube-Tech, GML and more...

Muse's The 2nd Law world tour (which supports Muse's current album of the same title) kicked off last summer with a performance at the closing ceremony at the Summer Olympic Games in London and then continued through Europe up until December. On Jan. 21, 2013, Muse embarked on the North American leg of the tour, starting in San Diego and ending April 26 at Colisée Pepsi in Quebec. From there, the band heads to Europe, Japan and Brazil.

The English trio Muse - comprised of Matthew Bellamy (lead vocals, lead guitar, keys), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass, vocals, keys, rhythm guitar) and drummer/percussionist/synthesist Dominic Howard, with the addition of keyboardist/percussionist Morgan Nicholls on their live performances - offer an engaging blend of electronica, metal, classical and space rock.

Engineer Marc Carolan has been in charge of FOH for MUSE for more than ten years. A  freelance engineer from Dundalk, Ireland, Carolan started mixing for the Dublin underground music scene in 1995. Along the way he worked with such Emerald Isle groups as JJ72, Mary Coughlan, and The Pogues. From there he moved on to international acts such as The Cure, Snow Patrol and Josh Groban. He met Muse when he was mixing JJ72 on a European tour opening for Muse. The trio took a shine to his talents, and he's been mixing for them since 2001.
In 2013 the sound production sets itself apart from the majority of touring acts by being close to 100% analog. All the major channels from the band itself passes through the classic MIDAS XL4 analog console. (Sequenced tracks pass through the MIDAS Pro2 for scene recall). Tons of High quality outboard assist the XL4 in making this production truly outstanding.

Tube-Tech plays an important role in the production of this State of the Art show:
Two TUBE-TECH LCA2B compressors handle bass and guitars and a TUBE-TECH SMC2B has recently been added to the setup.

Marc Carolan is currently experimenting with using the SMC2B for more smoothness in the high mid register when playing in venues where the acoustics ads too much harshness to the sound. He's looking forward to using the SMC2B even more creatively when the world tour hits the outdoor venues in summer 2014.
"We were invited to the Los Angeles concert at Staples Center, January 2013. The sound of the show can only be described as VERY Impressive! Extremely full and transparent, yet still very punchy sound with some of the best low end we have heard. It sounds loud but very pleasing and we were surprised to hear that the SPL never exceeded 110 dB," says Brad Lunde.

From the analog Midas XL4 console, "the main Left/Right goes through a GML 8200 parametric EQ, then into a Tube-Tech SMC-2B stereo multiband mastering compressor," Carolan explains. "We have been testing and experimenting

Read about the Tube Tech SMC2B and LCA2Bs in use at front of house for the current Muse 2nd Law Tour here. Read more here  

TransAudio Group, founded by industry veteran Brad Lunde, has quickly become the premier US importer/distributor and/or US sales and marketing representative for high-end audio.

contact Brad Lunde re Tube-Tech   or Phone (702) 307-2700 or visit www.transaudiogroup.com

The HAMMOND B-3 was revolutionary upon its release in 1955, and became one of the most important instruments in history. Now HAMMOND repeats the revolution for the 21st century in the form of the Stage Keyboard (or Sk) series of keyboards, which combines the "must-have" keyboard voices needed for any gig, any session, in any genre, with a full-featured genuine HAMMOND Organ plus Digital Leslie, and provides it in trim packages that range from the ultralight 15 pound Sk1 to the 35 pound Sk2  Hear it here

Come check out the "neo-retro" look of Hammond. Keyboard players have asked for an ultra-portable Leslie that had a true Leslie Horn and Rotor, and Hammond has delivered their wish. Best part? Select electronics and woodworks are all hand-built in the USA.    Just call or visit our new showroom in Pasadena: 2295 E Foothill call Claris at CKC 909-599-7899.  Give your roadies a break. Seriously! 

"The Voice" show on NBC will double to two hours on April 30 and May 7 to showcase pivotal rounds in the singing competition in its new season at 8 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 25, with another two-hour episode. NBC, struggling in the ratings, is counting on the show to provide a boost. Returning coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will be joined by newcomers Usher and Shakira.

Imagine Strong 

Brett-Livingstone Strong

This is the only statue of the uniquely talented and legendary John Lennon created during his lifetime by sculpted by Brett-Livingstone Strong.   This work of art honors John Lennon's life and his vision for world peace. The statue is mounted on a polished marble base in which the word 'Imagine' is carved. The statue has been unveiled in Los Angeles in 1981 by LA Mayor Tom Bradley, and in New York by Andy Warhol. Those of you in Los Angeles, may recall its temporary home at the Grammy Awards Music Academy close to a decade.
In the early 80s Rolling Stone Magazine received over 250,000 signatures petitioning to overcome a park moratorium to have the statue placed in New York's Central Park. This moratorium prevented any statues from permanently residing in the park unless the sculpture's history is relevant to New York after a period of 25 years. The overwhelming public support to place the statue in Central Park, adjacent to the location of John's New York home at the Dakota apartments, may now be fulfilled as 26 years since his tragic death have passed. The monumental bronze may finally be donated as a public tribute and placed in New York's Central Park or another suitable area to honor John's legacy and his vision of world peace. The valuable original statue has been appraised in excess of $12 million by museum appraisers. The artist envisions that a version of the statue be created as a 24" gold award. These valuable works of art are to be presented every year at the proposed IMAGINE Awards ceremony in memory of John Lennon and his legacy. Of twelve nominees, one honoree in each category will receive the award for helping the environment and wellbeing of our planet, the preservation of world peace and freedom, and advancements in medicine and the health of mankind. Each rare and prestigious award is valued at over $1 million.

A New Alliance: studioexpresso & FameWizard 

Artist Development Meets Career Strategies
 

studioexpresso and FameWizard have announced an alliance this month where the two companies plan to work together to bring artists the best of both worlds - support artists with creation of quality content and sage career advice. When it comes to your music, studioexpresso's producers  with multiple Grammy awards and an industry network can help develop an artist or catalogue. But, what about general career coaching in absence of a manager?   Enter FameWizard where artists are coached on how to work with publishers, get marketing tips, learn how to build and grow your fan base, book gigs, promote and more...

"This is a good fit. studioexpresso producers help develop FameWizard artists  in the studio while FameWizard empowers them to implement winning strategies for successful careers. I'm excited about this alliance specially with some of our entry level artists who could use an interim -manager-type support ," says studioexpresso founder, Claris Dodge who also manages choice artists like multiple grammy-winner mixer/producer Rafa Sardina, and Grammy-winning composer/arranger/MD, Brent Fischer  (FameWizard's advisory board member). "I see this alliance as  win win. Our artists often need quality product and a trusted production team behind them which is what studioexpresso has been providing since 2000," says Fame Wizard COO,  Tony Delmercado. 
As a FameWizard member you get access to FW webinars like the one with entertainment attorney Ben McLane (Big Bad Voodoo Daddys). Last month
Ben offered the basic concepts in publishing, licensing and doing your diligence on any licensing or publishing houses and/or service provider before laying out your hard-earned cash. Here you get updated course content and more in-depth information on various topics.  Tune in and sign up here!

"Before I joined Fame Wizard, I was feeling completely lost in the music industry. Fame Wizard's Academy courses taught me so much about the "business" side of music. Fame Wizard has been the wheel to my car, steering me in the right direction and giving me motivation along the way. My coach, Ghezzi, is incredibly knowledgeable and kindly guides me through my own career. Fame Wizard teaches Artists everything - the important information that is not available on the web. The coaches give you advice based on YOUR goals. I highly recommend this site to any Artist that would like to enhance their own career, " says member Charlotte Forbes.

It took Nirvana and Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl to put the ill-fated studio , Sound City (Grohl affectionately calls the magical shit hole) on the map again with a new documentary that's opening in theaters nationwide this month.

The greate drummer and frontman, Grohl  documents how legendary studios like Sound City inherently inspire artists to reach to their highest level. The film's roof-raising debut at Sundance 2013 is testament to Grohl's  loyalty & respect for good gear and creative environments where artists are "left to their own," as he puts it.   Grohl  who enjoys "good strong coffee" knows about starting over or reinventing. It's  what every musiican does in their bedrooms or studio before getting to the big stage. 

Sound City had a vibe and soul of its own. A big part of it was its storied past now preserved on film.