sept 2015
studioexpresso eZine
Since 2000 
 GOOD DESIGN
    
Good design is everywhere - in art, architecture, web sites, new Apps, fashion, gear, work flow, business models and of course, in music and film.  This month we meet a few good designers in and out of the studio, hear new releases, unveil products that are nominated for awards. Listen to how Platinum is made on Music Row, who's recording in a houseboat. Hear sounds that are out of this world,  meet great minds who talk sound design. We even look at a new web design aiming to help customers and more...

There is still time to visit a few exotic studio destination featured in Expresso 7      
Fall is here and we got over 100 studios where good vibrations are recorded and invite you to meet and work with hit-maker producers  from studioexpresso community.
   
As always, big thanks to our 24,000 + readers and studioexpresso's community of studios, composers, arrangers who create music that lives and moves.  Congrats to all of you who have renewed and enjoying work, industry networking and more.. Renew today. Thank you!

 
studioexpresso   
In This Issue
Platinum with ATCs
Renew studioepxresso Today!
New Gilmore Album, Rattle that Lock
PlugIn Alliance Offer
Watch studioexpresso interviews!
New Fischer album: Out of the Blue
studioexpresso on YouTube Chl
Bock Microphones
Hammond Corner: Meet Marine Lacoste of Uncle Kracker
 
   

Front Stage Where Miranda Lambert Recorded Platinum
ATC Speakers Take Center Stage In the Legendary Studios on Music Row

Country legend Miranda Lambert was the first artist to use Front Stage after the renovations, and, true to its "let's get the work done" attitude, Sound Stage gave her every accommodation.
"Miranda wanted to live in her tour bus while she was recording, and Sound Stage arranged it so she could park just a few steps from the studio door," Ainlay said. "Because her bus says 'Miranda Lambert,' it attracted fans, and the studio gave her the necessary security. They were cool and the fans were cool, and the whole thing ended up having a nice feel to it. In addition, we allowed her to keep her kangaroo [editors note: for real] in the studio. It became a running joke, 'Hey look out! There's a kangaroo under the console!'" Autry was clear about their move to ATC mains SCM 300ASLs for all three rooms: "Chuck's been using ATCs for so long. In fact, he got a pair of ATC SCM25A nearfields a few years ago and we all loved them so much that now the studio owns a pair as well. We have other nearfields available, of course, but clients tend to stick with the ATCs once they hear them. It was a no-brainer for us to upgrade the other rooms to ATC mains. People know what they're getting and they're excited about it. As an engineer myself, I love ATC's clarity throughout the frequency response (most especially in the low end) and I love that my mixes always translate beautifully. Because that's what it's all about in the end - creating tracks that sound fantastic on anything." ""David (Gilmore) had ATC SCM300ASL loudspeakers on his houseboat (see Gilmore's new album "Rattle that Lock" review (right)...They sounded absolutely stunning," says Ainley.

In addition to all the usual accommodations, like having appropriate plug-ins and music creation software, Sound Stage has taken a bold step forward in terms of visual content creation. Part of Back Stage's renovation included the installation of eight 1080p, 360 full-view remote control cameras and a new video-editing suite to go with it. "It's a big deal because people want content," says Nick Autry the studio's current general manager. 

Sound Stage Studios and Ronnie's Place on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee are two of the city's few historic studios where Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carrie Underwood have recorded.  The studios successfully survived the recording industry tumult of the 2000s, now thriving under management by Black River Entertainment.  Sound Stage and Ronnie's Place are known around town as the place to go for SSL J-Series analog consoles, ATC mains and nearfields, and a work ethic that reliably transmutes creativity into chart-topping hits. Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer  Chuck Ainlay (former co-owner of the facility) who worked with famed producer Jimmy Bowen still remains the principal resident of his longtime home, Back Stage.


Michael Bolton Shining Light On Detroit
A Documentary About City's Regeneration

Michael Bolton's  self-financed documentary tells the recovery story of a great American city. While Bolton was working on his new album "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," an homage to the music of Motown, he and manager Christine Kline realized that there was a new excitement in the city of Detroit that the media wasn't talking about. So, Bolton and Kline decided to make a documentary and tell the story of city's regeneration. "Detroit is coming back including business growth, collaboration, start-ups, artists and people coming into the city as opposed to people leaving Detroit," says Kline who also is listed as producer.
In the doc you meet Veronika Scott, who created The Empowerment Plan inside Ponyride, a warehouse located in Corktown.  Scott employs homeless women who create coats to then distribute to the homeless. Kline thinks it's easier for an outsider like Bolton to come in and shine light on the citizens' taking positive actions to rebuild the city. "I think someone like Michael, because he comes from obviously a music history, but also he comes from a history of really believing in the American dream," she says of Bolton who has sold more than 53 million albums and singles worldwide. The currently untitled documentary is scheduled to premiere on October 2, 2015 at the Fox Theatre in Downtown Detroit.

We caught up with Andrew Spence who is mixing Bolton's documentary at his studio in Los Angeles. "It's a delight to work with Michael on his new doc where you can see his passion for Detroit's rebirth," says Spence, also known for his sound design work on Sam Raimi's, 'Drag me To Hell'.  Here's what he says about the sound effects that accompanied the score, original motion picture soundtrack by Christopher Young, just in time for Halloween!
"The additional 'music sound design' that accompanied the horror score was an interesting array of musical and non musical instruments or should I say utensils. From dropping a metal baking bowl on the strings of a grand piano (ow!) or dropping ping pong balls on the strings, to recording plastic whirly tubes, feedback from two close proximity cell phones or recording an array of sounds from children's toys, these sound effects became an integral part of the score for this movie," says
Spence who is also in pre-production with writer/singer Chris Ruffin in LA.

TAG bolas
When it comes to studio design, it's in details and in the people who take care of them.
Niko Bolas  lists his go to sounds as follows:   
"AC/DC "Back In Black," Sam Cooke "Shake" -  my go to references in strange places," says Bolas who lists his favorite places to record/mix: Blackbird Studio A, Capitol Studio A, East West Studio 2, Avatar Studio A, any room at Sunset Sound...ATC easy, UAD Plugins...  are among some of Niko's favorite things... and places that sound good quickly and the headphones work right away - so you don't lose first takes!"

brentfischer Finally we asked Brent Fischer, who was at United Recording last month with David Curry, about sound design. "Arranging and/or producing is the art of bringing out the emotions in a song.  When I'm given a rough mix where an artist is looking for me to add my sound to theirs, I will weave a rich sonic tapestry around the existing tracks, supporting and complementing what they have done with everything from subtle nuances to surprising twists.  I use a timeless approach in my sonic design, making it possible for a hits of today to become classics of tomorrow," says Brent Fischer (Elvis Costello & The Roots, D'Angelo, Usher, Michael Jackson). 
 





Plug Me In
American DJ/Producer Andrew Bayer is from Washington, DC. Best known for his unique progressive house productions on the Anjunadeep and Anjunabeats labels, he incorporates elements of idm (Intelligent dance music), progressive breaks and other genres.  If you like Above & Beyond and Deadmau5, you'll like Bayer.   PlugIn Alliance  caught up with Bayer to talk plugins, production and process during the San Francisco stop of his 2015 Do Androids Dream Tour. Watch the interview here


 

The new Classic Guitar Tones Bundle from Plugin Alliance debuts a new Brainworx toolset that allows guitarists and producers to achieve an astounding range of guitar tones by mixing and matching effects. The Brainworx bx_bassdude provides the warm, clean amp that many guitarists favor as the foundation for a pedalboard full of effects. By combining the effects in this suite of native plugins, they can then build a flexible palette of guitar sounds, from sweet, chorused cleans to screaming metal leads. And for the first 30 days beginning today, the Classic Guitar Tones Bundle will be available for $129- a 62% discount off the combined retail prices (offer ends October 15, 2015).

This new guitar suite of five Brainworx plugins is also being added to the new Plugin Alliance All Bundle 3.4, along with the four Lindell Audio plugins recently added to the Plugin Alliance lineup and the recent Accusonus ERA-D restoration plugin, which simultaneously removes both noise and reverberation from audio. The All Bundle 3.4 now stands at an enormous 58 plugins for a price of $3,789-a 60% discount off the combined retail plugin prices. All 58 plugins are available in AAX native, VST2, VST3 and AU formats and many are available in other formats, including AAX DSP.
"We're so happy to be able to offer additional high-quality guitar oriented emulations for native systems," said Brainworx founder and CEO Dirk Ulrich. "The bx_bassdude combined with these pedals is like having a gig-ready rig inside your DAW."

Every Plugin Alliance product is available for a fully-functional 14-day demo from a single downloadable installer. The All Bundle 3.4 plugins run on Mac OS 10.6 or higher and Windows 7 or 8. Customers can pay off the All Bundle in 12 monthly, interest-free installments. Existing users receive credit for previous Plugin Alliance purchases toward the All Bundle cost, and they can upgrade as future plugins come out for a reasonable price.  Watch it here

The roster of elite engineers and producers joining the PlugIn Alliance network is growing rapidly. GRAMMY Award winning mixing engineer, Craig Bauer, Khaliq Glover (Michael Jackson, Prince, Justin Timberlake) and Rafa Sardina  (Calle 13, Placido Domingo, Lady Gaga) among them.  full PlugIn Alliance interview with Rafa Sardina here 

DRAWMER 1978 STEREO FET COMPRESSOR 
Offering A Wide Range of Analog Signatures 

TransAudio Group, longtime U.S. distributor of Drawmer professional audio products, is poised to begin shipping Drawmer's new 1978 Stereo Tone Shaping FET Compressor.
The 1978 gives unparalleled flexibility to recording and mix engineers who wish to bless their tracks with an analog soul. Four character settings that interact with the compressor settings (threshold, ratio, attack, release) can be engaged alone or in combinations to produce a huge number of possible compression flavors, and an independent saturation knob dials in variable amounts of luscious harmonic distortion. Unique side-chain filtering options, which can operate on an external signal or on the input signal itself and which allow variable amounts of low- or high- end filtering, multiply the palette of options even further. Comprehensive, meaningful metering, wet/dry control, and output gain round out the Drawmer 1978's unparalleled feature set.

"With the 1978, Drawmer has given engineers a tool that can impart a huge range of genuine analog signatures on their tracks," said Brad Lunde, founder and president of TransAudio Group. "Of course, Drawmer is well known for designing musical compressors, and the 1978 excels in that regard. But the addition of the character settings and the saturation knob put the 1978 in a class of its own. With the affordable, single-rack space Drawmer 1978 Stereo Tone Shaping FET Compressor, engineers get the versatility and sonic possibilities that otherwise would require multiple racks of high-end, analog gear."

MAP: $999.00
UNITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.
     

Ivor Drawmer, veteran designer and manufacturer of boutique high-end audio processors, has earned a 2014 Resolution Award for the new Drawmer 1973 three-band stereo FET compressor. The Drawmer 1973 benefits from Ivor's deep, thirty-plus years of experience building best-in-class signal processors and is unique in its combination of three critical attributes: its controls are remarkably easy to use, its price is low, and its sound is, of course, beautifully musical. "The Drawmer 1973 multiband compressor is the kind of tool that mix and mastering engineers will find so useful they'll wonder how they ever got by without it," said Brad Lunde, president of TransAudio Group, Drawmer's U.S. distributor.  

TransAudio Group, founded by industry veteran Brad Lunde, has quickly become the premier U.S. importer/distributor and/or U.S. sales and marketing representative for high-end audio. Success hinges on TransAudio providing dealers and end users with a higher standard of product expertise and support far beyond the norm.

For the latest info on ATCs or Drawmer contact  Brad Lunde at TransAudio Group 702-365-5155
 
 
Trans Audio Group 

Matt Forger Recording at House Of Blues
Songwriter/producer Rob Shapiro is working with producer/engineer Matt Forger for an upcoming project recorded with musicians Bob Boulding on acoustic and electric guitar, Frank Caglitore on bass, Christopher Allis on drums and percussion with Rob Shapiro on Piano. "We enjoyed the vibe and great gear at House Of Blues (HOB), What a relaxed atmosphere to get great sounding tracks in, we all loved the experience. My assistant Sadaharu did and excellent job as well. Gary and Shelly are terrific and very welcoming and the studio was a great place to work!" says Forger.
When asked about good design in the studio, Forger prefers vintage mic pres "Neve or API, one will make a good mic sound better, even an old Shure 57 that I love. As to what is my standard for a great sounding recording, BAD. The frequency bandwidth and balance of that CD is amazing. I use it to check speaker tuning, track 3, Speed Demon. Original release of the disc, not reissues. The guys* got that one right," says Forger.  *Co-produced by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, the song appears on Jackson's album, Bad.  The song's lyrics are about driving fast According to Jones, Jackson wrote the song after he received a traffic ticket, which caused him to arrive late to the recording studio. Jones told him to write about how he felt, which he did, thereby turning it into a song.
 
 Al Schmitt's Star
First Ever Engineer to Receive a Hollywood Star

On August 13, Al Schmitt became the first recording engineer to be presented with a star on the Hollywood walk of fame in front of Capitol records.  Producer Don Was, president of Blue Note Records, congratulated Schmitt in an inspired speech. "And let there be no mistake about it, it takes a beautiful cat to consistently make such beautiful records. I can think of no other figure in the entire music business who is as loved and respected as Al Schmitt," said Was who likened Schmitt's career longevity, success and enduring vitality to that of iconic Mick Jagger's.   Legendary musician Joe Walsh offered this:  "Elvis, for a while, sold the most records of anybody. For a while the Eagles did, then Michael Jackson took over. U2 claims they've sold the most records of anybody. Nope. Twenty-four Grammys, 150 gold and platinum albums-Al Schmitt has sold more records than anybody," said Walsh. 
Schmitt gracefully thanked his long-time collaborator Tommy LiPuma "for 45 years of just great music."  He also thanked Paula Salvatore, manager of Capitol Studios for being the heart of the studios, and Capitol Records executive Maureen Schultz, and studio technician Art Kelm, for keeping the studios running.  Schmitt also thanked his family, especially his wife, Lisa and his higher power. Fellow Walk of Famer Dave Koz, musician Orianthi, singer Brenda Russell and musician Richie Sambora, and colleagues and family were in attendance.  Natalie Cole and Paul McCartney sent telegrams of congratulations. Label executive LiPuma read a note from Dian Krall at the reception following at Capitol Studios. Inside the guests were in a celebratory mood. Al's long-time assistant Steve Chadwick offered an emotional thank you as did mixer Tim Elmhirst who was working on Adel's new album next door. Engineers Ed Cherney and Niko Bolas offered their sentiments adding good myrth to the mix. Al's wife, Lisa told studioexpresso Al hopes he's opening door for many more deserving engineers to receive a star while Ed Cherney insisted this had to be the first and last star for engineers.  The mood at the legendary studios was celebratory.  
"We hereby declare this Al Schmitt Day," said Leron Gubler, president/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, presenting Schmitt with a resolution signed by the members of the City Council and the Mayor of Los Angeles. Well done Dr Schmitt!
 

TEC Awards Nominations Are In...
Four Trans Audio Designers Recognized For Innovation
 
When it comes to gear design and performance Tec Awards recognizes innovative features and solid sound quality.  Four of the manufacturers distributed by TransAudio Group have earned NAMM's 31st Annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Award nominations.
Bettermaker, the Poland-based maker of high-end analog equalizers with plug-in control and recall, earned two nominations: one for the Bettermaker EQ502P 500 series module and one for the Bettermaker EQ232P MKII rack-mount.

Drawmer's 1978 Tone Shaping Compressor, which incorporates different analog character circuitry and variable saturation, and Tube-Tech HLT 2A, which pairs high and low shelving with an innovative "tilt" midrange filter, earned nominations as well. Finally, ATC earned a nomination for the ATC SCM45A, three-way compact near-field monitor with unparalleled midrange fidelity. The winners will be determined by online voting via Mix, Pro Sound News, Pro Audio Review, and Electronic Musician and via professional audio and sound production organizations.
"All of these nominations go to inventor-owned companies, the kind of companies where innovation is king. We're proud to have these exciting new products recognized with TEC Award nominations," said Brad Lunde, founder and president of TransAudio Group. It's easy to imagine that there's nothing new under the sun in the world of pro audio, or that anything new is a gimmick, but that's simply not the case. The sound quality of Bettermaker's equalizers would have earned TEC nominations by itself, but the fact that their fully-analog circuitry can be recalled and automated via a plug-in interface has obvious advantages in a modern workflow. The Drawmer 1978 and the Tube-Tech HLT 2A prove that traditional compressor and equalizer topologies are not the only way to inspire fantastic mixes. Taking a different tack, ATC's SCM45A gives engineers a beefier three-way ATC nearfield with fidelity that ensures mixes will translate outside of the studio. Obviously, we encourage folks to cast their votes for these innovative tools!" adds Lunde.

Trans Audio Group Web Site Redesign 
TransAudio Group, the U.S. distributor and representative of high-end studio recording equipment manufacturers such as ATC, Bock Audio, Drawmer, Tube-Tech, A-Designs, Daking, Pauly and others, has redesigned their website to give users a faster and comprehensive access to content and technical information.
"We succeed by helping recording professionals succeed, and the honest pre- and post-sale support that we have consistently offered our clients has earned us respect in the industry. Beyond its better aesthetic and cleaner topology, the new website provides (up front) the kind of content that we've found to be most helpful in our conversations with clients. It's a great resource for audio professionals who are researching solutions for the challenges they face," says Brad Lunde.

For more information on Bettermaker EQ232P MKII, Drawmer's 1978 Tone Shaping Compressor,
Tube-Tech HLT 2A and  ATC SCM45A For the latest info on Tube-Tech contact  Brad Lunde at www.transaudiogroup.com  or call  702-365-5155.



 Trans Audio Group  
 
tag crew
l-r: Richard, Todd, Janis and Brad at Trans Audio Group    
 
 
 For the latest info contact   
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. Success hinges on TransAudio providing dealers and end users with a higher standard of product expertise and support far beyond the norm. TAG product line includes A-Designs (USA), ATC Loudspeakers (UK),
Questions- pricing, availability and dealer locations please email sales@transaudiogroup.com
   
    
 
Cognitive Dissonance
Saturday, October 3rd, 8PM - 11PM  Beyond Eden Gallery, Barnsdall Art Park 
4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027

Gallery and Thinkspace have partnered up this year to bring you the powerful new body of work from the west coast king of Graffiti, MEAR ONE, at this year's fifth and final installment of Beyond Eden, a multi-gallery event celebrating the New Contemporary art movement.
In Cognitive Dissonance the artist explodes back onto the scene with a thought-provoking narrative series of large oils and acrylics, recently described by the SF WEEKLY as the "blood diamonds of Pop-Surrealism" and by fans as the "Robert Williams of Graffiti." 
MEAR ONE (Kalen Ockerman) has been at the forefront of LA's graffiti and mural culture for nearly three decades. He is famous for having pioneered the Melrose graffiti art movement in the late 80s and is considered by many to be LA's most prolific public muralist MEAR ONE helps us envision the sublime spirit of our time - not by escaping reality, but by confronting it head on. 


   
 
studioexpresso and Trans Audio Presented Production Panelists at 2015 Hot Zone at NAMM 
l-r: Claris Sayadian-Dodge, Cheche Alara (Latin Grammy Awards,The Jimmy Kimmel Show, Bonnie Hunt Show) 14x Grammy-winning Rafa Sardina (Lady Gaga, Placido Domingo, Calle13), Ellis Hall  "The Ambassador of Soul" (Ray Charles, Boston Pops, Tower of Power) and  Grammy-winning Brent Fischer (Usher, Clare Fischer Big Band, Elvis Costello & The Roots).   
Alex Acuna (Randy Newman, LA Phil).
23x Grammy-winning Dr Al Schmitt (Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Jefferson Airplane)
 Kenny Aronoff (The Smashing Pumpkins,  Bob Dylan, Uncommon Studios ).

 
  


    
    
  
 
Cymbal It: A Social Network for Musicheads
New App Cymbal Created by Three Undergrads Friends
photo: courtesy of Forbes
 
Think of Cymbal as an Instagram for music. Developers Amadou Crookes, Gabe Jacobs and designer Mario Gomez Hall created a new app fueled by fresh cash and coffee.  Cymbal fills a gap in the digital music space, which has yet to create a truly social experience for music lovers. The app, developed by Gabriel Jacobs, 21 with fellow Tufts University students Crookes and Hall launched just before their graduation in May, and describes itself as "music discovery powered by friends, not algorithms." Users can post just one song, illustrated by colorful album art.  Cymbal involves a home feed, personal profile, followers, likes, comments, hashtags and tags. Post a song from your friend's band who just released it on SoundCloud. The app has been downloaded at least 17,000 times, spreading from the Medford, Mass. campus to colleges and high schools as far away as Los Angeles. The trio just landed $1.1 million in seed financing led by New York's Vaizra Investments (Yik Yak, Casper) and Cambridge's General Catalyst (Snapchat, Airbnb), valuing the  startup at $6.1 million.  Happy Graduation boys!
 
 
 
  
Björk Exhibit at MoMA
MOMA New York presented an exhibition "Songline" dedicated to the work of the singer, composer, designer and musician björk through June 2015. The retrospective was conceived and organized by Klaus Biesenbach, chief curator at large at MoMA  .
The exhibition presents björk's oeuvre in many layers, with instruments, a theatrical presentation, an immersive sound experience, a focused audio guide, and related visualizations, from photography and music videos to new media works. The show includes a new, immersive music and film experience commissioned by MoMA. In this video, we have a first look at the retrospective on the occasion of the press preview (this video is an excerpt, the full-length version will be available soon at www.vernissage.tv)
   

Master Class On Arrangement by Brent Fischer
Brent Fischer + The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Group performed Fischer classics for an enthusiastic audience on August 29 at LACMA, part of the museum's LATIN JAZZ summer series on the Green.  The party atmosphere brought together an enthusiasm audience of few hundred who could not resist dancing to the Latin rhythms created by Brent Fischer on Bass leading the stellar band to include:Kevin Ricard on Congas, Enzo Todesco on Drums, Alex Budman on Woodwinds,
Luis Conte on Timbales.  Fischer flew to San Jose, Costa Rica the following day to give an intensive master class on arranging and orchestrating for VonKelemen Master Series.
VonKelemen is an international non-profit organization that develops programs with the goal of bringing about universal access to education. Each year students are awarded scholarships and financial assistance. The VK Network has grown to include many studioexpresso producers: Sebastian Krys, Peter Doell, Colin Liebich, Cj Vanston, Gavin Lurssen, Moogie Canazio, Rafa Sardina, Benny Faccone and Brent Fischer.
"We give the students the tools, knowledge, experience, certifications, portfolio, and contacts needed to be competitive internationally," says Ludo VonKelemen, founder of the organization.
The VK store offering PlugIns and other products coming soon! 
 
 
 
Designing In the Kitchen Laura Theodore is the Jazzy Vegetarian on PBS. A vegan chef, radio and television personality, Laura is an award-winning jazz singer and actor, sustainable lifestyle blogger, and cookbook author. She is the proud creator of Jazzy Vegetarian, and author of Vegetarian Cooking for Every Day.
From "Festive Zucchini Lasagna" to "Dazzling Chocolate Desserts," Laura Theodore leads the viewer on a down-to-earth path to a heavenly feast. Watch Luara on the Jazzy Vegetarian  singing her way into the kitchen of celebs like Miachael Feinstein. As a jazz singer and songwriter, Laura has recorded six solo CDs, including her award winning disc, Tonight's the Night. She has toured throughout the country, performing at numerous major events, such as Night of 100 Stars, Fire & Ice Ball, and The American Film Awards. 
Laura invited Lynyrd Skynyrd lead guitarist, Rickey Medlocke (right)  to cook with her in the kitchen, and visited with the fabulous BLACKFOOT band in the studio. "We're makomg a rockilicious meal that's gluten free, soy free, plant-based and totally tasty!" says the jazzy diva.
 

Roots Agency and Art Fegan Entertainment Merge
The Roots Agency began in 1995 as Drake & LaRoche, an aspiring boutique agency representing a modest roster of five singer/songwriters. Key players in taelent (Dave Mason, David Wilcox, etc) Roots Agency and Art Fegan Ent. have merged their companies according to a joint announcement by their respective heads, Tim Drake and Art Fegan.
As of September 10, 2015, both companies will do business as The Roots Agency, with Fegan leading The Root Agency Nashville office. He will be responsible principally for overseeing the booking of Performing Arts Centers in the Midwest and select other regions, representing the entire combined talent roster. Tim Drake stated, "I'm very excited to be working with Art; he brings with him a tremendous amount of experience, relationships and expertise. It also gives the agency a Nashville presence."  Tim Drake   201-263-9200
  

The Most Positive Event Planning Experience 
Industry veteran Jane Scobie has launched Jane Scobie Event Planning (JSEP), "The Most Positive Experience". Scobie will provide planning and management for recording studio events, birthday parties, anniversary dinners, life celebrations, fundraisers, record release parties,  product launches, wine tastings.  All celebrations! 
Jane Scobie is originally from Great Britain and has made Los Angeles her home for more than 20 years.  Prior to launching Jane Scobie Event Planning, Jane enjoyed a long and successful career in the music industry.  Seeking a new challenge, she decided to indulge her passions for the culinary arts, fine wine, and the fun of hospitality and launch JSEP.  Jane is the author of a vegetarian cookbook with an international flavor and holds a Junior Wine Executive credential through LearnAboutWine School.  Her vast entertainment experience includes a recent stint as Party Manager for Good Gracious Events, an award-winning event and catering company based in Los Angeles. For more information visit: janescobieeventplanning.com and book Jane for a most positive experience!


The Birthday Song Now Free of Royalties.
Speaking of celebrations....The music to the 'Happy Birthday' song is believed to have been composed by a pair of sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill, in around 1893. The two gave the rights to Clayton F. Summy Co, which was eventually bought by Warner Music Group in 1998. This week a federal judge in Los Angeles, George H. King stated that copyright of the Clayton F. Summy Co. only applied to the various piano arrangements and not the lyrics. This means anyone is allowed to sing or perform it without the fear of breaking copyright rules. The ruling was made during a lawsuit that fought to include the song in the public domain, challenging Warner/Chappell's attempts to fine a group of filmmakers $1,500 for the use of the song.  Judge King wrote in his 43-page opinion. "The Hill sisters gave Summy Co. the rights to the melody, and the rights to piano arrangements based on the melody, but never any rights to the lyrics," he added.
Warner/Chappell has been collecting royalties for the song and receiving in excess of $2 million a year. The corporation was convinced it owned the legal rights to the lyrics.
 
 
RIP Csaba Petocz     

Celebrations for the life of respected producer, engineer and mixer Csaba Petocz continue. The beloved husband of industry leader Lisa Roy, and friend to many, Petocz  passed away on July 17 after a long battle with cancer. A three-time GRAMMY nominee with numerous number-one and platinum albums, Csaba worked closely with Metallica, Aretha Franklin, Alanis Morrisette, Cracker, Morrissey, among others. Conway Recording Studios owners Susan and Buddy Brundo and producer Matthew Wilder honored his memory  in a private service. "Csaba was my friend, my collaborator and my teacher in all things important in this world. His passion for life and his relationships was beyond extraordinary. It was reflected in his work and appreciated by all that came to meet him over his brief lifetime," says Joe Chiccarelli
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lisa Roy and Csaba's extended family. He is deeply missed  but his memory and work lives on. Feel free to leave a message here

 
Save Magnolia Theater, Former Evergreen & Enterprise studios  
4403 W. Magnolia Blvd.  
 
Designed by architect Clifford Balchn, the iconic Burbank building with extensive recording film and recording history is on the auction block this month. The theater seating 737 closed in 1979. The marquee and exterior of the Magnolia theater can be seen in the 1973 Columbo episode entitled "Double Exposure".  Enterprise Post, DVD and Two were a remaking of Barbra Streisand's 20-year-old Evergreen, with one of the largest live rooms available for music scoring and tracking. 

Building and Gear: 15,000± SF Building on 40,000± SF lot in prime location in the heart of Burbank has 4,000± SF Scoring stage with 30' height, Theatrical mixing room with Dolby Digital, THX & DTS, (2) 5.1 Edit rooms, free ISO booth, (2) Video editing suites, (2) ADR Recording studios, Multiple offices, chef's kitchen. Gear list includes Neve 72 Channel Mixing Console, Fairchild 670, Pultec Eq's, Tube-Tech Eq's and more... Over 40 Microphones including Neuman U87, U47...See listing here   Rumored Bankruptcy Sale with huge price reduction $1,705,000. Public records show last sold for $3,300,000 on May 14, 200. Extensively renovated and refurbished in 1998 & 1999
Ongoing improvements since 2004.
Contact Tiffeny Cook at 888-314-1314 or tcook@tranzon.com at Tranzon   
 
 
$ave Dat Money
Watch Lil Dicky create the most epic rap video, all while he $aves Dat Money!
Little Dicky's debut album went on the Billboard charts and he's is enjoying over 5million views on YouTube!  Watch how he uses his charm and simple ask to land a beautiful house, yacht and car and celebs to include T. Pain and Tom Petty.  How did he do it? Well, having ties to Mark Cuban helped.  Take a look...and it'll paint a big smile on your face.
  
 
 
 
Help Is Coming  There are 19.5 million refugees around the world - the greatest number in history and half of them are children. Now Benedict Cumberbatch is lending his famous baritone voice to a charity single in order to raise money for refugees fleeing Syria and other war zones.
The single is a remake of the Crowded House song, "Help is Coming", however the "Sherlock Holmes" star isn't singing on the record. Instead, the Oscar-nominated actor has recorded an introduction to the song.  The proceeds from the single will all go to the charity Save the Children, which is working to help children both within Syria and the countries in which refugees have traveled to flee the conflict. The single is now available on iTunes and a 7-inch vinyl version will be released September 28 in the United Kingdom. Watch a short film by director Mat Whitecross, in support of Save The Children's Refugee Crisis Appeal.
7" single via The Vinyl Factory available 28/09 with an exclusive b-side  purchase here 
 

Even though recent reports on CD sales are grim, showing 31% drop (41 million in the first half of 2015), music will continue to be made and consumed. It's up to marketers to figure out how to monetize one of the most valuable creation of mankind, Music!
While politics of 2016 election are heating up in America, Pope Francis reminds us during his visit that America is great by the power of its dreamers not its force.  Wishing you sweet dreams and lots of good music.

"It's beautiful to have dreams; it is also beautiful to fight for those dreams. Today, we have to keep dreaming."
- Pope Francis speaks about dreams and Martin Luther King Jr. at Harlem's Our Lady Queen of Angels school.

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Miranda Lambert Platinum was recorded by Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf and Brandon Schexnayder at Front Stage
It won Best Country Album at the
57th Grammy Awards



 David Gilmour 
 Sept 18, 2015
 
 
 
For someone who has been making music for five decades, it's important to rattle that lock and set creativity free. For Pink Floyd fans,  the new album brings the unmistakable guitar solos (in hauntingly beautiful "5 AM") and familiar vocals of one of the greatest musicians of rock era, David Gilmore. 
Here you get 10 songs, all with music by David: 5 with lyrics by his long-time writing partner and wife, novelist Polly Samson, and 3 instrumentals.The first single, with the title track begins with the four notes, created by Michaël Boumendil, which precede announcements at French SNCF railway stations (David recorded this on his iPhone at Aix-en-Provence station).  
Samson's lyrics are inspired by Book 2 of John Milton's Paradise Lost, which is also featured in her recent acclaimed novel, The Kindness. The single also features the Liberty Choir and singers Mica Paris and Louise Marshall.  The vocal harmonies of David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Gilmour soar with the synchronicity of aerobatic jets in "A Boat Lies Waiting,"  a touching tribute to the late  PF keyboardist, Rick" Wright.   This album translates well "In Any Tongue" with a timeless "Beauty" that shows depth and skill, making it relevant "Today" or any day. "And Then..." you just want to kick off your shoes and loose yourself in Gilmore's guitar speaking.  The album may be largely reflective - as expected - but also sounds unexpectedly spright for a piece of work dwelling on fleeting youth, ageing, and death.
Gilmore somehow emerges fresh with sophistication and ease that can speak to many generations.
 
The album is produced by Gilmour (who handles all vocals and guitars, most of the bass guitar and keyboardsand) and Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, it is engineered by Andy Jackson, assisted by Damon Iddins.
ATC SCM300ASL Mains at Gilmore's Houseboat Studios
 
The album was recorded at  David's Astoria Houseboat studio and in Hove, Sussex, UK. 
The studio in a boat called the Astoria, was built a century ago, at the then-enormous cost of 20,000 pounds, for Fred Karno, a music-hall impresario whose protégés included the young Charlie Chaplin. It boasts Edwardian elegance with mahogany-panelled cabins, marble bathrooms and mother-of-pearl light switches.  The post-Waters Pink Floyd albums, The Division Bell and A Momentary Lapse of Reason were recorded here, as were Gilmour's solo albums, including On An Island. 
The album is beautifully packaged in a CD, Deluxe box, and Vinyl.  Some of the offerings include: A hard cover bound book, a 22 page photo/lyric booklet  with session photographs,  Blu-Ray DVD featuring 10 bonus audio-visual tracks, 4 bonus audio tracks, the complete album in Surround Sound, and memorabilia including a poster, postcard, and plectrum  The vinyl version is a single heavyweight LP in a gatefold jacket and download insert, along with a 16-page full sized booklet including artist photographs by Kevin Westenberg and album session photographs by Polly Samson. 
Live dates have been booked to support the album release, and, in addition to the 2015 dates across Europe, several shows have been announced in North America for March and April 2016, with stops in Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago and New York. Ticket buyers resident in North America will be among the first to receive the new album, as every ticket purchased online will include a Rattle That Lock CD . Mr Gilmore will be at Hollywood Bowl on March 24 and 25, 2016. The album was released worldwide on Friday 18th of September 2015. 
 
 


Clare Fischer
Out of the Blue
Clavo Records
Sept 22, 2015


Dr Clare Fischer's composition works have been lovingly archived in the capable hands of his son, Brent Fischer in the past decade or two. Now fans are able to hear never-before-released material, including rare piano recordings from maestro's catalog of approximately 150 originals, hidden gems, 14 of which appear on the new album, Out of the Blue.
Besides the Fischer originals, this album offers American, Brazilian and European standards by Mancini, Hodges, Jobim, Bonfa, and Reinhardt.
"It's an amazing experience when, unexpectedly, a wish suddenly comes true (out of the blue)," says Brent Fischer, who plays percussion instruments and bass on Out of the Blue, the 6th album Brent has produced for Clavo Records since his father's passing in 2012:  Continuum,  ...and Sometimes Instruments, ˇRitmo! (won Best Latin Jazz Album 2013), Music For Strings, Percussion And The Rest (won Grammy for Clare Fischer composition Pensamientos 2014), and Pacific Jazz released in summer of 2015.
  
It's a real treat to hear Clare's improvisational piano medley on familiar tunes like "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Someday My Prince Will Come."  Then you get a glimpse of the father and son having an intimate musical dialogue in "Squatty Roo (formerly released on CF Clarinet Choir, On a Turquoise Cloud).  Brent who plays vibes on two of my favorite tracks, "Millbrae Walk" and "Starbright" talks about the satisfying improvisational jams with his father and what it's like to be "inside Clare's mind."   
Clare Fischer genius is in making his intricate layers of development turn into pristine and simple musical statements like that of an expert chef's tasty reduction sauce or a master painter's work emerging from numerous layers of color.
Clare is spotlighted on all the tracks playing grand piano and digital keyboards, 
skillfully edited in from the Fischer archives. Clare plays some of his compositions plus his arrangements of Mancini on "Two For The Road," and  Jobim's "Amor em Paz." 
"The album ends with very slow-tempo "Carnival" (favorite playlist at weddings) melting into a dancable "Samba De Orfeu."  Clare Fischer Signature Sound you hear on "Cascade" and many of his recordings is a post-Rhodes keyboard connected to a synthesizer patch designed by Brent Fischer.  "It has very little attack and a lot of warmth," says Brent who offers three of his own arrangements on Out of the Blue  -- "Love's Walk," written for the joyful walks taken by Clare and his beloved wife, Donna; "49" a tribute to Clare's friend, Larry Ford who passed away at 49 and "Out of The Blue," the only track on the album featuring the vocal duo, Denise Donatelli and John Proulx. "I chose to have vocals on the melody line, without lyrics and approached the arrangement like two horn players would," says Brent.  It's indeed this Clare Fischer music "DNA," as Questlove put it in 2013, (crediting Brent for his arranging work on Wise Up Ghost, the collaborative studio album by Elvis Costello and The Roots) that Brent Fischer comes from. "I based my arrangements around Dad's piano interpretations during the last year of his life. They reveal the pinnacle of his emotional eloquence," adds Brent.  On "Novelho"  Brent and his engineer, Matt Brownlie use modern editing techniques to create a beautiful performance from available takes, originally recorded by Clare in the 60s. The incomparable Peter Erskine is featured on drums on five of the tracks.
  
The magnificent album cover photographs are courtesy of NASA.  It's the first close-ups of Pluto and Charon to reach Earth from NASA's New Horizons probe.  "My Dad and I shared a love of astronomy, among other things," says Brent.  "It's actually two Nasa pics: the blue orb is Neptune, taken by voyager around 1989, and we superimposed the new photo of Pluto and Charon in front of that to make it look like they're coming from out of the blue of Neptune," adds Brent who, in midst of a busy production schedule, came across NASA's detailed images (out of the blue)!
Brent goes on to explain in the liner notes how he stumbled on one of Clare's untitled manuscripts and after he asked his Dad to play the tune, Clare decided to call it "Out of the Blue."  You can hear this joy of spontaneity, and laid back but emotive content throughout the album.
Like the NASA photograph, Brent has brought the blur of a distant world into sharp focus on Out of the Blue.
Released digitally on Sept 22, 2015 and on CD on Sept 29 available now on Amazon, ITunes, CD Babay and ClareFischer.com 
  
Watch "Morning" by Clare Fischer performed by Brent Fischer on bass, directing The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Group with Luis Conte & Kevin Ricard on percussions, Alex Budman on woodwinds, Enzo Todesco on drums - Aug 29, 2015 from LACMA.


 
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PlugIn Alliance announces Accusonus ERA-D, The first restoration Plugin that simultaneously removes noise and reverbration with patented single or multi-channel joint de-noise and de-reverberation plugin
ERA-D is the product of 10 person-years of R&D and comes after more than 30 scientific papers and technology book chapters.   
Available now in AAX native, VST2, VST3 and AU formats for Mac OS 10.7 or higher and Windows 7 or 8, ERA-D will change your view of audio restoration for $299 MSRP, distributed through Plugin Alliance. All Plugin Alliance products are available for fully-functional 14-day demos from a single downloadable installer. Watch the demo here
 
 
 

  

 

 

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ATC SCM45A 3-way compact near-field monitor Gets A Tec Award Nom

 "ATC founder, Billy Woodman, and his team of R&D engineers never tire in the pursuit of perfection, and our request for a smaller monitor has led them to develop the SCM20PSL Pro MkII." The ATC SCM20PSL MkII is based around the ATC 6.5-inch "Super Linear" LF driver with integrated midrange, utilizing the same ATC developed SL technology used in our larger nine-, twelve- and fifteen-inch based monitors.




Ben Lilly of ATC 

 
Brad Lunde with Dave Hill 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Bock has now captured the sound of the vintage Neumann U47 tube microphone in the new Bock 407. As with Bock's other products, TransAudio Group will distribute the Bock 407 in the United States.  

 

  

 


 

HAMMOND CORNER
at Church Keyboard Center
 


The Hammond  Corner 
The Sound . The Soul . The One 
at 
250 W Duarte Rd. Suite B Monrovia, CA 91016
  
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Free Leslie Studio 12 with XK-3 package



Come check out this powerhouse package, suitable for studio, stage or worship center.  We'll throw in a Leslie Studio 12 (a $1,495 value) when you purchase a complete Hammond XK-3 package (includes bench).  Please call Nelson at 909-599-7899 to schedule an appointment to audition the XK-3
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Free Hammond Accessory Pack
with SK1-73 or SK-2
 
These Hammond accessory packs include an EXP-20 expression pedal, cables and a Hammond cap (a total value of $300)....and lots of space in the backpack for your stuff, including a laptop computer.  Free with purchase of an SK1-73 or SK-2 during the month of April, 2015.


 

 
Featured Hammond Artist
 
This month's Hammond artist, Marine Lacoste hails from Montreal, Quebec. She is
part of Uncle Kracker's band on the ''Under the Sun 2015'' Tour this summer, along with Sugar Ray, Better Then Ezra and Eve 6. 
  
Whether it's behind a Hammond Organ, a grand piano, an electric piano, a synthesizer, or even a keytar, she stops at nothing to bring every song to life and light the audience ablaze.
In addition to being an active member of the Uncle Kracker team, she has also shared the stage with several artists such as Kid Rock, Sugar Ray, Pitbull and The Smokin B3s just to name a few. Also, Marine has had the opportunity to appear on television shows such as MusiquePlus.
  
  
   
  
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Let there be Peace on Earth  
Designing A Peaceful Future

One summer evening in 1955, a group of 180 teenagers of all races and religions, meeting at a workshop high in the California mountains, locked arms, formed a circle and sang a song of peace. They felt that singing the song, with its simple basic sentiment - "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me," helped to create a climate for world peace and understanding.
When they came down from the mountain, these inspired young people brought the song with them and started sharing it (long before social networks). And, as though on wings, "Let There Be Peace On Earth" began an amazing journey around the globe. It traveled first, of course with the young campers back to their homes and schools, churches and clubs. Then the circle started by the teenagers began to grow. Soon the song was being shared in all fifty states - at school graduations and a PTA meetings, at Christmas and Easter gatherings.
The song is by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller written in 1955. Jackson, who had been suicidal after the failure of a marriage, later said that she wrote the song after discovering what she called the "life-saving joy of God's peace and unconditional love." The song was performed by the Young People's Chorus of New York City on 25 September 2015 at the close of the Interfaith Prayer Service and Remembrance, presided over by Pope Francis, at Ground Zero in New York.
I attended Catholic school, though I don't belong to any denomination as I don't belong to any political party.  I'm an independent voter, thinker and believer. There, I said it!
As for Pope's visit to US this month, we are reminded that he's a wise and gentle religious figure who deeply cares for the human race, not just Catholics. Suddenly, I feel we have a lot in common! The pope spoke eloquently (in English and Spanish) of the "American Dream" and expressed his sentiments at ground Zero, 9/11 Museum that of "palpable grief." He was deeply moving and healing. 
He spoke of the same peace that Lennon sang about and the same peace people of this earth desire.  Listen to the song "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me" performed by The Young People's Chorus of New York City. here
  

 

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