Oct I Nov 2015
studioexpresso eZine
Since 2000 
The Sound . The Soul . The One . .. HAMMOND 
 
Hammond Artists, Gary Swan, Robby Robinson, Emiko gather at Church Keyboard Center in Monrovia to celebrate the opening of the store's new location. Scott May from Hammond (middle) conducted training and provided Hammond and Leslie Caps!

The Big Apple is the place to be where audio gurus and fans will meet this week to hear and test drive what's new and cool in recording gear. studioexrpesso brings you previews and more...We visit the new home of Hammond artists in Monrovia, Cali check out who's in the studio in the valley and big cities like Hollywood and New York.
We bring you a play where Russian text is mixed with American sound. Learn what's on democrat and republican playlists, celebrate success of a speaker company started in family garage, and meet a producer who works from his gut every time.
   
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!
 
     
In This Issue
Fischer & Curry United Sessions
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
Duo De Lux
Hammond Corner: New Showroom in Monrovia, Cali
 

     
  Fischer & Curry United


Arranger Brent Fischer (Elvis Costello & The Roots, D'Angelo, Usher, Michael Jackson) visited United Recording with The Jazz Butchers in July 2015. 
Leader and producer David Curry and co creator, Jim Matthews are working on their second album due out 2016.  The sessions with the Brent Fischer orchestra were recorded with engineer Matt Brownlie on songs: Esmeralda Flores (composed by Louis Barrigan), Holy and Chimney Cove  were given full orchestra (horn and strings) treatments by Fischer.  Songs were composed by David Curry.  
The Jazz Butchers have residency at Jax in Glendale.  
  

BETTERMAKER C502V 500 SERIES At AES 2015
Trans Audio Group Introduces the Boutique Analog Compressor 

The 139th AES Convention runs from October 29-November 1 at the Jacob Javits Center, and will bring together the world's largest gathering of audio professionals. TransAudio Group, Bettermaker's U.S. distributor, will introduce the pathbreaking Bettermaker C502V at Booth #935 at AES's 139th Convention in New York City, October 29 thru November 1. Like the rest of Bettermaker's catalog - which in just a few short years has earned numerous TEC, Resolution, and Prosound award nominations and wins, the C502V combines a boutique analog signal path (newsworthy in its own right) with intuitive, musical controls and complete parameter recall and automation from a linked DAW-based plug-in - high-end analog sound paired with a superior digital workflow. The C502V is the first compressor from Bettermaker, although with three distinct VCA flavors in one 500-series chassis, it could just as easily be described as the first three compressors from Bettermaker! Stereo, dual mono, or M/S modes, as well as USB or analog side-chain with adjustable high-pass filtering and "look ahead" functionality expand the C502V's universe of possibilities.

"The C502V compressor is the realization of a long-standing dream of mine," said Marek Walaszek, Bettermaker's owner and inventor. "I wanted to make the most versatile VCA compressor possible without breaking the bank - something that would be admired by professionals as well as those that are looking for 'their first'. With three different VCA compressors in one box, the C502V gives engineers options that have never before been available in the analog world. The design took several years of interviews and secret talks with some of the top players in the game. But the wait was worth it. I couldn't be happier with the result!"

In "BM mode," the Bettermaker C502V provides gentle mastering-grade compression with unique attack behavior suitable for strapping across drum and mix busses. In "SG mode," the parameter controls and sound draw inspiration from the classic British VCA buss compressors. And in "DX mode," the parameter controls and sound draw inspiration from the classic 160A that is so loved on drums. Like all Bettermaker products, the C502V can be fully automated and recalled from a DAW-hosted plug-in in all the popular formats. For stand-alone operation, it offers 399 onboard presets and a unique 'Undo' function. Both channels provide wet/dry control and threshold controls that range to 1:2 for expansion and transient designing. When multiple C502Vs are installed in the same 500-series chassis, they will automatically link without any extra cabling.

   
Plug Me In
Hear Stunning New Realism With Brainworx console Unveiled at AES 2015

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 - watch interview here) among them.
Now bx_console introduces a new paradigm in analog realism, Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT), which models individual component tolerances.

The next masterpiece from German plugin maestros Brainworx is available today, exclusively through plugin-alliance.com. An emulation of Brainworx founder Dirk Ulrich's (below) personal Neve VXS 72 desk, bx_console ($299 MSRP) changes the game of analog emulation with Brainworx's new patent-pending Tolerance Modeling Technology. Thanks to TMT, bx_console is the first Brainworx product that not only models the components in a circuit, but also models individual component tolerance differences, which cause the unit-to-unit differences between analog equipment of the same make and model.
TMT provides bx_console with 72 different channels, which effectively emulate the nuanced sonic differences of the original desk. The plugin also has a comprehensive dynamics section, including a compressor/limiter and expander/gate, four-band EQ, as well as high-pass and low-pass filters. The emulation even features several Brainworx "mods" to the fantastic original Neve design, including a Noise control that lets you mimic the noise of the original console, dial out the noise entirely or even add more noise to capture a certain vibe.
  
One of the highlights is the Analog Stereo Mode, which enables the user to use two slightly different modules for Left and Right channels, introducing the realistic imperfections of a large-format mixing desk in your DAW.
Taking in-the-box mixing to a new level of analog authenticity, TMT emulates the component tolerances of an individual piece of analog gear. Other plugins have offered some type of analog variation, but bx_console is the first product to model all of the components in a circuit. To emulate this circuitry, Brainworx cataloged the tolerances of over 150 individual components, along with all the variations within their realistic specs, as provided by the component manufacturers. So while bx_console faithfully recreates the legendary rock 'n' roll Neve signal path, it also delivers the character of Ulrich's individual Neve VXS, a console that served at Skywalker Sound in California and Bohus Sound in Sweden (formerly run by an ABBA member) before finding its way to Brainworx Germany.
"Ever since I worked on a Neve console for the first time, I wanted one," said Ulrich. "For me-like for most producers-it was the sound I had always been after. I bought the console for two reasons: to enjoy its sonics while working on it, and to capture its sound in its entirety to design the closest-to-real-life plugin emulation out there. Having recorded and mixed on this console for years, I know it inside and out, and I am extremely proud of the result our team has delivered after the biggest Brainworx development effort ever."
"The first thing I did with bx_console was pull up the kick drum track of a mix I was working on," said Grammy-winning mixer Craig Bauer of Hinge Studios. "Within a few minutes I had something that annihilated what I had previously."

Plugin Alliance and Brainworx will be demoing bx_console at the 139th AES Convention in New York City's Javits Center Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2015 in the Avid booth (#718). There you will be able to experience bx_console running on various systems and controllers, and witness the plugin's ability to map to various Avid console controllers, such as the Pro Tools | S6 and Pro Tools | S6L.



Coinciding with its Plugin Alliance partnership, Unfiltered Audio has released two major updates: Sandman 1.1 and G8 1.2. Both upgrades add AAX native and VST3 format support, a redesigned preset menu, touch automation in Apple Logic Pro, as well as other bug fixes and enhancements: 
  
G8 1.2 Dynamic Gate ($69 MSRP) adds native AU sidechains, a new Dark UI mode and improved waveform drawing. While its interface is unintimidating, G8's functionality far exceeds  that of a  standard noise gate. It can perform polyrhythmic beat slicing, AM/granular synthesis, MIDI instrument triggering or fractal auto-panning and tremolo. With four-channel output and complex in-DAW routing, it can even split the amplitude of a single source to route to different tracks.
Sandman 1.1 Delay ($49 MSRP) makes its Dry/Wet mix a lockable parameter and adds a Ping-Pong delay mode and a Kill switch. This deceptively simple plugin starts with all the essentials of a host-synched delay. Then the Sleep button throws your audio for a loop, freezing it and repeating it based on the delay value. From there, synch-able LFOs, a variable sample rate, loop reversal and other parameters send you on a wormhole ride of endless sonic possibilities.  

 



 
 
Trans Audio Group 
 
Producer Matt Wallace On Following Your Gut


Like Apple, Amazon, Disney and Google, Matt Wallace started out in the garage. His parents' garage, to be exact, is where he built an eight-track recording studio. There he produced recordings for local musicians, including a few who would go on to form Faith No More. 
Matt had to choose between working with two artists. One was an established band, the other group had recently been dropped from Warner Bros., and had become the first signing to a brand new label. Matt followed his gut: he passed on the established act, and signed on to produce the underdog. That band was Maroon 5. studioexpresso caught up with Matt and picked his brain about his favorite gear and sound. And here's what Wallace says. 
"As far as products, I think that the Distressor, made by Empirical Labs, is one of the most versatile and 'musical' pieces of new equipment.  The fact that there are two different distortion options as well as high pass filter choices, makes for a piece of gear that will work well for practically any instrument in almost any application. Having variable attack and release as well as stereo and 'British' mode means that you are only limited by your imagination as to what kind of processing you want to do whether it be unnoticeable or absolutely in your face.
With the variable attack and release a musician or engineer can emulate old school compressors such as the 1176, the LA-2A or, one of my very favorite oldies... the Allison Research Gain Brain.   
I think that one of the elements that Empirical Research got right with the Distressor is that, taking into account that any piece of analogue gear will 'color' the sound they not only didn't shy avoid 'coloring' the sound in fact they active searched for aspects of sound 'color' that those of us who make music as well as those who enjoy listening to it find very, very appealing.
As far as albums, I think that Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon was one of the most forward thinking (and sounding) records in that it sounds, amazingly, 'timeless'.  The record could have been made last year or 30 years ago.   
Because of their choices of sound 'colors' and 'textures' the album comes off as timeless and not only resonates with those who grew up with the album but also with a young/new audience.  Even how they used the Hammond B-3, opting for slower Leslie cabinet sounds and even the approach to the tonal characteristics was unique sounding.   
Lyrically the album could have been written today because many of the elements of the human condition, specifically alienation, are beautifully conveyed in an understated fashion.  There is a sense of unadorned ease in which the concepts are shared with the listener which makes it feel more like an intimate conversation as opposed to someone on a soap box preaching a strong, directed agenda. 
Because the distortion on the guitars is relative light compared to artists of the era of Dark Side Of The Moon as well as today, the listener can't pinpoint a specific time that the record was made.  This also applies to the ambience on the drums which is, again, almost timeless because there is no sonic signature that indicates a specific decade. The fact that it is still a record that is enjoyed today in spite of having been released a little over 40 years ago is a tribute to the convergence of four singular talents that sublimated their egos as well as the sounds of their specific era and helped to birth forth an album with tremendous depth, scope and longevity." Well put, Dr Wallace. See what's Matt up to now...read his bio here  
 
 
WIN AURATONE REFERENCE MONITORS at AES 
TRANSAUDIO BOOTH 935 
Alex Jacobsen, Jack Wilson's grandson, has now taken the helm of Auratone

Perfected by Jack Wilson in his California garage in 1958, the Auratone Super Sound Cube reference monitor is a legend in the recording, broadcasting, and motion picture industries for its unfailing ability to represent mixes as they will so often appear in the "real world" - on small-format, zero-crossover loudspeakers. At the upcoming 139th AES Convention in New York City. TransAudio Group will be showcasing the Auratone Sound Cubes at Booth #935 and will be giving away a pair of speakers every day of the show to the lucky sweepstakes winner.
 
Auratones found their way into studios and recording trucks around the world in the 1970s and 80s because they were ridiculously affordable and represented a common-denominator tool that every engineer was familiar with. Most importantly, Auratones have a seemingly magic ability to raise an auditory "red flag" on any aspect of a mix that is imperfect. Alex Jacobsen, Jack Wilson's grandson, has now taken the helm of Auratone. With the help of other family members, Alex provides Super Sound Cube components from contemporary suppliers in the USA to build a modern "5C Super Sound Cube" that has the exact same sound and magical properties of the vintage Auratone cubes.
 
"When I first heard that the Auratones were being provided by Alex, I asked for a vintage pair and a new production pair to play around with in my office," explained Brad Lunde, founder and president of TransAudio Group, Auratone's new U.S. distributor. "I put up some great mixes and some terrible mixes and some individual tracks, and it's obvious why so many engineers swear by Auratones. They make good mixes obviously good and bad mixes obviously bad. Moreover, and unlike the cheap Auratone knock-offs, Alex's new production sounds exactly like the vintage Auratones. There was no attempt to improve or alter the sound at all."
 
"It took a lot of time," said Jacobsen. "I pored over box after box of my grandfather's specs, drawings, and records. I found new suppliers in the USA and carefully tested all of the huge number of possibilities to find combinations that were repeatable and that had the exact same sound as my grandfather's vintage Sound Cubes. Our standards are strict because these ARE Auratones, they're not a knock-off! It was daunting, but I got help from other members of the family, including my mom, who remembers helping my grandfather in the shop in the 1970s."
 
In an age when more and more consumers are listening to music and watching programming using computer speakers, ear buds, car stereos, Bluetooth speakers, and so on, Auratones have a new relevance. "The Auratone Sound Cubes are a more professional and consistent way to check your mixes than running out to your unique car or listening on your unique boom box," Lunde said. "And at $350 a pair, the price is right. In fact, they're a great option for engineers on the go - it's easy to take a small pair of Auratones and a small power amp and have an in-the-box recording or mix station set up anywhere. And the beauty of course, is that when it sounds good on the Auratones, it will sound good anywhere!"

For more information on Auratones, 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.
 

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
   
    
Oct 29- Nov 1 2015
139th International AES Convention 
Jacob Javits Center, NY
More info here

Through Dec 6
Uncle Vanya at the Antaeus, North Hollywood, CA
Music by Marvin Etzioni
Tix here


Sat Jan 23, 2016 (Save the Date)!
Same day as Tec Awards
studioexpresso & Trans Audio Group Present at NAMM
Tec Tracks -- details coming soon!

   
 
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 ).

 
  


    
   



The Capitol Tower Welcomes A&R Executive Ashley Newton 

 
LA based Ashley Newton will likely hold a dual title of CMG president and evp of creative/special Projects for Universal Music Group. He's headed to Capitol Music Group and will be joining chairman Steve Barnett. The two Brits go back decades and worked together at Sony (Barnett served in various roles at Epic Records -- including president -- from 1996 to 2004, then moved over to Columbia as chairman), on projects like Adele. More recently, Newton played a key role in Jeff Lynne's soon-to-be-released album under the Electric Light Orchestra banner, All Alone in the Universe, due out Nov. 13.  Ashley held A&R stints at RCA Records, Virgin Records U.K., has worked closely with Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams, and got his start at Island Records under industry legend Chris Blackwell.


Music For Uncle Vanya 

When Marvin Etzioni wrote songs for his album, "Mandolin Man" in 1990
he could not have imagined that some of his songs would find their way back into the new production of Anton Chekhov's play, Uncle Vanya in 2015. 

"It happened over a phone conversation with my friend (stage/TV actor) Arye Gross who has hand picked my songs for the IV-act play directed by Robin Larsen," says Etzioni who is listed as music director. studioexpresso was invited to see the preview before the big opening night on October 14 . We learned that to accommodate the long running play (through Dec 6th) Marvin worked closely with two set of actors who were coached to sing and play the accordion and mandolin live in between set changes.   
Like a good book, good songs have the ability to erase time and place.  Yes, Chekhov's play takes place in Russian countryside, but it could be in rural America.  It was written in the start of 19th century, yet it touches themes familiar to our times.  Only rare references to horse and carriage (for transportation) bring the age of the play to focus.   Uncle Vanya brings more to focus: The age-old themes of unrequited love, lust, family dynamics and the human condition draw us in.  We meet a country, Dr Astrov, a seemingly successful handsome man who won't admit to his (vodka) addiction. AA folks can relate to this today. The good Dr happens to be passionate about saving the forests and not cutting trees for building homes.  Industry's effects on the environment is very real in our times.  There is even a murder plot which strikes a chord with American views on gun ownership.  The whole play takes place at Professor Serebryakov's country house, which is inhabited year-round by his daughter, Sonya, his late wife's mother, Mariya, and his late wife's brother, Vanya. They're like his secret, leftover family while he lives it up with his new young wife, Yelena, in the city. The play is beautifully adapted by Annie Baker who worked with a literal translation by Margarita Shalina and the original Russian text.  It plays like Seinfeld in 19th-century Russia!  "Baker's goal is creating a sound for the play that's familiar to contemporary American ears," says Arye Gross (who plays Vanya). 
Etzioni's songs, "The Mandolin Man," "Miss This World," and "You Possess Me," and handful of others fit the play beautifully, helping realize Ms Baker's goal.
Meantime you can hear major themes of existentialism in Chkhov's play. In the absence of a God and traditional values, where shall we now find the meaning of life? Chekhov is too wise to give answers; he presents the situation: Boredom or hard work can lead to hope, hope to passion, and passion to drinking.  It is a coming-of-age story of sorts, except that the protagonist is already middle-aged when he comes into mature self-awareness. Though the play is over a hundred years old, Uncle Vanya probes at the central questions of human nature proving that these questions are both timeless and universal and that Chekhov's understanding of them is as acute as ever.  It's this restless nature of characters (humans) throughout the play who must endure their trials before they are put to rest (final rest).  The play ends with Sonya conjuring up images of paradise and consoling Uncle Vanya: "Wait, Uncle Vanya, wait! We shall rest. We shall rest. We shall rest." Perhaps it is this lack of a climax and resolution that makes Uncle Vanya seem more modern, even avant-garde. 

Go see the play! Uncle Vanya offers capable cast, top-notch production and tasteful musical elements that wrap the play in an entertaining package for Americana audiences.   Antaeus theater offers an intimate setting (49 seats)where you can experience actors and the music up close and personal. 
During intermission, I was ready for a good cup of Russian tea from the samovar with a slice of apple pie! 
  
Download the playlist for Uncle Vanya available at  Regional Records
Watch studioepxresso YouTube  interview with Etzioni and Gross (Uncle Vanya himself) here 
Anteus theater  playing Uncle Vanya through Dec 6. 
5112 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood,CA 91601
buy tix here

NY's Avatar In The News 
 
The cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame recorded at Avatar Studios from September 28-30. The album will be released by Ghostlight Records in January 2016.  iTunes pre-orders will be accepted beginning December 4th. To sign-up for pre-sale information, visit   http://sh-k-boom.com/hunchback-of-notre-dame. 
  
This first ever recording of the acclaimed American stage score based on the Academy Award-nominated 1996 film brought together a 25 piece orchestra, a choir of 28 and some of Broadway's most formidable talent.
And Sessions must go on!
Every year this time NY studios host big parties for AES guests. This year is no different but the major studio landscape is changing. 
Chieko and Kirk Imamura (left), the owners of  Avatar  Studios (441 West 53rd Street in Hell's Kitchen, formerly known as the Power Station), are looking for buyers, hoping to sell to another music industry outfit rather than a condominium-building developer.   "We're getting calls almost every day from developers. So, the fact we're ignoring them says something about our intentions," Imamura told the Times late September. Kirk and Tino supported many musicians and have been recording and preserving 30-year-old recording history of hits made at Avatar. We wish them continued success and best wishes.
 
  

Music of Democrats VS Republicans
Here's a shout out to my Econ professor at Sonoma State, Ron Schulke who  asked us to write a paper using popular songs with references to economics. 
I got an A for the paper, probably because I knew lot of good songs!
As America is listening to debates from both democrat and Republican party candidates, Facebook took a look at social data from each user who liked the page  of a political candidate running for Senate,
   
House Of Representatives and governor. Then, the social network looked at other categories-including music, books and TV shows-and found out what Democrats and Republicans like.
According to the chart, Democrats are really into the Beatles and Lady GaGa. Republicans favor a lot of country, including Toby Keith and Trace Adkins. Both parties, however, seem to agree on Metallica, AC/DC and Journey. Somehow it makes total sense! Check out the chart and let us know your thoughts on our facebook page here!


100 Sinatra

 
The Recording Academy®, AEG Ehrlich Ventures, and CBS will honor the remarkable legacy of nine-time GRAMMY® winner Frank Sinatra by presenting "Sinatra 100 - An All-Star GRAMMY Concert," a primetime entertainment special celebrating the late icon's 100th birthday. Initial performers announced for the tribute include 17-time GRAMMY winner Tony Bennett, two-time GRAMMY winner Garth Brooks, 15-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys, nine-time GRAMMY winner John Legend, three-time GRAMMY winner Adam Levine, seven-time GRAMMY winner Carrie Underwood, and eight-time GRAMMY winner Usher. The live concert taping will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, at Wynn Las Vegas' Encore Theatre. Additional performers will be announced shortly.
The special will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 9 - 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Presale will begin on October 28, at 10am PST. A very limited amount of tickets are available for purchasing by ordering on-line here.  Use the password NARAS 
Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV Wed, Dec 2, 2015 07:30 PM 


Rubin Honored by P&E

The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® (P&E) will celebrate its ninth annual GRAMMY® Week event by honoring multi-GRAMMY winner Rick Rubin for his commitment to creative and sonic excellence and ongoing support for the art and craft of recorded music. The event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at The Village studios in West Los Angeles. GRAMMY Week culminates with the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards® on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, airing live on the CBS Television Network, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
 
"Rick Rubin has said he has one rule regarding his recording process, 'The only rule is that it's not done until it's great,'" said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy.   Rubin has received eight GRAMMY Awards, including two for Producer Of The Year for 2006 and 2008. He is best known for Producing critically acclaimed and multiplatinum albums in a wide array of genres, including country, hip-hop, metal, pop, rock, and soul, additional artists Rubin has worked with include the Beastie Boys, Black Sabbath, Neil Diamond, Eminem, Jay Z, Kid Rock, LL Cool J, Metallica, Tom Petty, Public Enemy, Damien Rice, Ed Sheeran, Slayer, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, and ZZ Top. 
 

 
Make it all treats this month!   

Remember to check out studio destinations at  studioexpresso home page 
Help fans find you easily and contact us to update your studioexpresso profiles with your social networking links (sample: Kenny Aronoff).
Simply send an email to claris@studioexpresso.com  or call 818.990.3031 and tell us your artist story and say "I want to RENEW!"
   
Until next month, Safe and happy Halloween!
Music lives and moves. 
  
Claris Sayadian-Dodge, Founder I Editor studioexpresso
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Congrats to the following studioexpresso friends whose work has been recognized by The Recording Academy and is on the
Official Ballot for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards

Take a Listen!

Mark Linett, Engineer
Dead Rock West
in the following categories:

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
'It's Everly Time'

Best New Artist
Best American Roots Performance
'I Used to Love You'

Best Americana Album
 'It's Everly Time'


Brent Fischer, Arranger
D'Angelo & The Vanguard, Black Messiah
Album of The Year
"Really Love"






  

 The 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards®will be broadcast live from MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Thursday, Nov. 19,and will air in the United States on the Univision Network from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central).

Congrats to all nominees!
Sebastian Krys & Alejandro Sanz, producers
Sebastian Krys & Rafa Sardina, mixers
Track from: Sirope
Universal Music Spain
Latin Grammy Nomination

Mr Sanz is also nominated for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album, and Song of the Year for "Sirope"











 
bx_refinement's intuitive controls let you adjust various aspects of the sound with ease. it combines several characteristics found in ultra-musical tube-based equipment to give you an effective tool that is easy to operate with  precise visual feedback. The Harshness Control allows you to eliminate unpleasant high frequencies from complex signals and mixes.


 
 

Brainworx bx_opto Pedal Simplified
Version of BX Opto Comp FREE until July 22nd then $49. So don't miss out!

 

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 Sound . The Soul . The One 
The Hammond  Corner 
 
at 
250 W Duarte Rd. Suite B Monrovia, CA 91016
  
watch here 

 Sign Up here for Hammond Workshops here


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
 Click here to  
   
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 December, 2015.

  

 
Featured Hammond Artist    

Meet this month's Hammond artist Gary Swan.  "My dad who was a former professor at the United States Air Force academy made me an offer. He said if you learn how to play the organ I will buy you any set of drums you want. That's how it started. And no I never got the drums," says Gary Swan who remains grateful to God for the gifts he has and he is eager to share it with the world. 

Gary Swan has played with Billy Preston, Robbie Krieger (The Doors),  performed at BB King's, Chicago and Monterey Blues Fests, on TV shows, to include The Will and Grace. He has  backed up comedian Garett Morris of S&L for the the opening of his comedy club in LA, composed music for Vampire Piglets, Colorado Public TV Theme, among others.
As Music director for the Pointer Sisters, Gary was always in awe of working with the late June Pointer. "June was the star of the sisters and sang all the major hits and I thought I had passion until I met her. She was all about music twenty-four seven, 365 days a year from morning through out the day and night even as she slept. Her sister Bonnie who started the Pointer Sisters was the same way. The results are the highest of highs when you are on stage because you have eaten, drank, and slept this music so it is flawless for the fans. It's never about you, It's about the people who come to see you. Then the gift works as it was designed by GOD to bless an audience. They walk away and say "Wow! that was unbelievable!"
Swan performed Chopin at his first organ recital at age twelve after two lessons. By the age of sixteen he had already worked every weekend and summer performing professionally and was recognized as a first call keyboard player. His diverse ability and knowledge of music has been utilized by legendary artists like Jackie Wilson, Mary Wells, Etta James, Supremes, and dozens of others from country music to Rock & Roll.
Residing in Los Angeles now, Gary performs with his own band and continues working as a session player with some of Los Angeles top producers providing the classic Hammond organ sound for their projects.
"Indeed it's a treat to find Gary jam with fellow Hammond artists. Gary came to our store's opening in Monrovia last week. He's so passionate about Hammond instruments and always generous with his music," says Nelson Dodge of ChurchKeyboard.com.
Watch HDTV interview with Swan conducted by Emiko.  
  
For Hammond and Leslie products in Southern California contact
CKC
800.717.KEYS



  
Buena Vista Social Club Stops at
The White House
The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® was  invited to perform at The White House on October 15th  in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month. A delegation of about 500 dignitaries and politicians from around the world were hosted by President Barack Obama. As a historic shift in policy continues, we are reminded of the people's close relationship with each other.
  
In the middle of their sold-out North American leg of their international "Adiós Tour" the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® is the first Cuban musical group to perform at The White House.
  
The original Buena Vista Social Club album was recorded for World Circuit Records by Ry Cooder, Nick Gold and Juan de Marcos over seven days in Havana in 1996, bringing together many of the great names of the golden age of Cuban music in the 1950s, several of whom were coaxed out of retirement for the sessions. The album became a surprise international best-seller and the most successful album in the history of Cuban music.
  
Buena Vista Social Club had become a household name. A core band featuring several of the original musicians continue to sell out shows world-wide as Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club®.
   
I was managing Ocean Way studios and booked the mix sessions with Ry Cooder
Goes to show you that when work is done with the heart, good things happen! Watch it here
  
  
Avatar Studios, NY












 
 
Songrwriter Spotlight
Brooke Frasier
 
Her songs are filled with optimism and under stated intelligence. "Something in the Water" was on the democratic party playlist following Nancy Polosi's introduction of US presidential candidates. Brooke Fraser's confidence is rooted in a life-long history steeped in music. Her mom discovered her plinking out "Do-Re-Mi" from The Sound of Music on the piano when she was two, and made sure her daughter had access to instruments. Fraser grew up in New Zealand's capital city of Wellington, and her earliest musical memory is of watching her great-uncle Athol, "a one-armed trumpet player," practice circular breathing on his horn. At 12, she began writing songs after a music teacher asked her class to compose an original tune about Christmas. "I discovered that I felt at home in the process of creating words and melodies," she recalls. "And I've been writing ever since."
Fraser fell in love with the confessional lyrics and timeless melodies of James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Paula Cole, and eventually began to play the guitar. In 2002, when she was 18, Fraser signed with Sony Music and moved to Auckland where she played regularly at local venues while she wrote the songs that would appear on her debut album, What To Do With Daylight. That album, released in New Zealand in 2003, debuted at No. 1 and achieved gold status the same week. It eventually went eight times platinum, selling more than 120,000 copies in New Zealand alone, and remained in the Top 10 on the album charts for more than a year. The album spawned five Top 20 singles and made Fraser a star in her home country, leading to 2004 tours of Australia and New Zealand with John Mayer and David Bowie.

In 2005, Brooke took a trip to Rwanda, 11 years after a genocide that claimed the lives of nearly one million people. During the journey, she met and befriended a number of Rwandans who entrusted their stories to her, including an orphan named Albertine, the namesake of her second album, which was released in the U.S. in May 2008. After being featured on the iTunes homepage as an "Editor's Choice" selection, Albertine album climbed to No. 5 on the digital retailer's U.S. album chart. Fraser toured the States that fall, winning over audiences with her dry wit and warm stage presence. 
Her most recent album Brutal Romantic was released in Europe and the UK early 2015. family. Frasier is a Scottish name. She discovered that her family crest and motto is 'Je Suis Pret', which means 'I am ready.'   Brooke Fraser is ready for the world. http://www.brookefraser.com/


Music of Spectre
 
Already the new Bond film Spectre has beaten the first day total of the previous Bond movie--2012's Skyfall--and set new records for a first day gross in the UK. The film made £6.3 million on Tuesday 27 October, in its first full day of screenings.
As with Skyfall, Thomas Newman has written the soundtrack for the new Bond film coming to theaters this Fall.  We were expecting epic brass, moody sweeping themes and ton of percussion
and guess what? That's exactly what you get!!
Spectre is premiering this week, and Thomas Newman's soundtrack contain more than 100 minutes of new music.  Sam Smith has released the official theme song for Spectre
It's called 'Writing's On The Wall' (enjoying over 20 millions views on YouTube)!  
Smith has quite proudly stated in the press that the song took him and his writing partner, Jimmy Napes, just 20 minutes to write

The chorus is a new (unfamiliar) sound for a Bond score.  
Spectre will be released in the US on November 6, 2015. It co-stars Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, and Ben Whishaw,
  




Empire state Building in blue and white in honor of Audio Engineering Society (AES)
in NY!
 
 

  

 

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