Author: Christopher Laird Simmons

Akai’s New MPK61 Is Fourth Model Of Unique Keyboard and MPC Performance Controller

Christopher Laird Simmons

Cumberland, R.I. (MuseWire) – Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces the MPK61, the fourth model in the company's unique line of keyboard/MPC performance controllers. The MPK61 will make its debut at Akai Professional’s booth, number 400, at the Summer NAMM Show held at the Nashville Convention Center, July 17 – 19. The […]

Akai Professional Launches RPM8 Studio Monitors

Christopher Laird Simmons

Cumberland, R.I. (MuseWire) – Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces their RPM8 reference production studio monitors specifically intended for use with the company's MPC music production workstations and production controllers. The RPM8 monitors will make their debut at Akai Professional’s booth, number 400, at the Summer NAMM Show held at the Nashville […]

Southern Rap documented by filmmaker Ariel Santschi in Pitch Control Mixtape Volume 3

Christopher Laird Simmons

Houston, Texas has always been a hotbed of left-field musical talent, says Pitch Control TV. They have always done things their own way down south, and for that they should be applauded. But what was once the home of alternative country pioneers is now the center of one of the most vibrant and exciting hip hop scenes in the land.

Audiofile Engineering Updates FiRe iPhone App

Christopher Laird Simmons

Minneapolis, Minn. (MuseWire) – ­ Audiofile Engineering, a leading audio software developer for the Mac, announces version 1.1 of FiRe, their professional field recording App for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to iPhone OS 3.0 compatibility, FiRe adds to its lengthy list of professional recording features with Varispeed playback, multiple VU meter […]

Native Instruments Releases KONTAKT 3.5 with Extended Memory Addressing

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today released KONTAKT 3.5, a major free update for its leading software sampler. The new version fully utilizes the capabilities of today’s computer systems to overcome existing performance barriers, and includes many improvements that make KONTAKT even more powerful and convenient. At the heart of KONTAKT 3.5 is a […]

Roland Launches One In A Million Cube Amp Contest

Christopher Laird Simmons

Los Angeles, Calif. (MuseWire — To commemorate a million CUBE amplifiers sold, Roland U.S. has launched a new contest where enthusiasts of the legendary CUBE-Series can win one of every CUBE amplifier currently being made. CUBE amplifiers are known for packing a sonic punch in a portable package, and Roland wants to know how players […]

Top independent faith based record distributor worldwide, partners with Lataillade Entertainment

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MuseWire) – Central South Distribution, Inc., which has been the number one independent faith based record distributor in the world for the past decade, has formed a partnership with Lataillade Entertainment, headed by contemporary gospel label/publishing/marketing guru Vicki Mack-Lataillade and her husband, Claude Lataillade, and Grammy nominated songwriter/producer Rene Moore, head of Ruff […]

New Online Guitar Lesson Series Launched by Educator Greg Varhaug

Christopher Laird Simmons

HOUSTON, Texas (MuseWire) – Houston Guitar Lessons has released a new streaming video lesson series for beginning and intermediate guitarists, available by monthly subscription. There are over 270 separate practice videos in the lesson series. Greg Varhaug, a professional guitar teacher and the creator of the series, says that the amount of time it takes […]

New iZotope iDrum Beatboxing Edition for iPhone let’s you record samples, add effects, and create custom beats

Christopher Laird Simmons

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MuseWire) – iZotope, Inc. announces iDrum Beatboxing Edition, the latest addition to their popular line of iDrum Apps for iPhone and iPod touch. This new edition puts the user in the spotlight to record custom samples, add fun effects, and create unique beats. iDrum for iPhone and iPod touch makes beatboxing easy, even […]

Cakewalk® Announces Free Update When You Buy SONAR 8

Christopher Laird Simmons

Boston, Mass. (MuseWire — Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, today announces a unique promotion, where users who purchase or upgrade to SONAR 8 Producer or SONAR 8 Studio will receive the next paid update to SONAR as a free download when released. “Retailers […]

TC Electronic Classic450 bass amp now shipping

Christopher Laird Simmons

DENMARK (MuseWire) – TC Electronic's Classic450 is a brand new bass amp that gives bass players exactly what they need: pure tone and power. After showing the world its bass amp credentials with the award-winning RH450, TC Electronic is going back to bass basics with Classic450 — an amp that offers players easy access to […]

SoundExchange and ‘PurePlay’ Webcasters Reach Unprecedented Experimental Rate Agreement

Christopher Laird Simmons

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – SoundExchange announced today innovative, experimental new terms for “pureplay” commercial webcasters, covering royalties for the Internet streaming of sound recordings that offer the potential for artists and copyright holders to share in the revenue growth of pureplay webcasters. The agreement, under the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009, gives “pureplay” webcasters the […]

Native Instruments Announces Departure from Industry Tradeshows

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today announced that it will no longer maintain a booth presence at industry trade shows like the NAMM Show, Musikmesse or AES in the future. The company has decided to instead prioritize online communication channels to engage with customers directly even stronger, and to allocate budgets accordingly. This shift […]

Mouse Mic from Blue Shines in New Star Trek Movie

Christopher Laird Simmons

Westlake Village, Calif. (MuseWire) – Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone design and technology, announces the movie debut of its Mouse microphone, which appears in the new Star Trek movie (released May 8). Over 30 Mouse mics were used in the filming of Star Trek, all of which can be seen on the podiums […]

Roland releases 1.30 update for the Fantom-G workstations

Christopher Laird Simmons

Los Angeles, Calif. (MuseWire — Roland Corporation is pleased to announce today the release of version 1.30 update for the Fantom-G workstations. This free download adds new content and enhancements to the Fantom-G, including new rhythm patterns, and a newly added Arpeggio Import Function. The Fantom-G has redefined the boundaries of playability and creativity with […]

Reflect 2.0 – The Algorithmic Reverb available now

Christopher Laird Simmons

PFINZTAL, Germany (MuseWire) – VirSyn’s REFLECT – The Algorithmic Reverb updated. Native or Hardware? Version 2.0 of REFLECT comes with a new RealIR Engine using direct convolution of the critical early reflections without compromising the flexibility of the algorithmic reverb tail generation. The resulting density and smoothness rivals those of the most expensive hardware reverbs. […]

Native Instruments Launches ‘Kompletely Insane’ Special Offer for KOMPLETE 5

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments has just launched the “Kompletely Insane” special for KOMPLETE 5, a time-limited special offer that gives producers access to the industry-standard instruments and effects bundle at a drastically reduced price while supplies last. KOMPLETE 5 is recognized as the leading software collection for contemporary music production, live performance and […]

ASCAP Joins in Supporting President Obama’s National United We Serve Initiative

Christopher Laird Simmons

Washington, D.C. (MuseWire) – ASCAP’s more than 350,000 members are urged to promote and participate in summer community service to help bolster U.S. renewal and recovery. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have just launched a new national service initiative, United We Serve (www.Serve.gov), that calls on all Americans to find ways to […]

iZotope Brings Studio Quality Audio Effects to iPhone & iPod Touch Developers

Christopher Laird Simmons

Cambridge, Mass. (MuseWire) – iZotope, Inc., a leading innovator in audio signal processing technology, has expanded their extensive licensing program with a suite of audio enhancement tools and effects available for integration into 3rd party software applications for the iPhone and iPod touch handheld devices. “We are seeing a significant demand for our audio effect […]

Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Sony Comments on the Passing of Michael Jackson (as posted to michaeljackson.com): Michael Jackson, one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture. Commenting on his passing, Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President, Sony Corporation, said: […]

ASK Video Ships Cubase 5 Tutorial DVD

Christopher Laird Simmons

Ontario, Canada (MuseWire) – ­ ASK Video Interactive Media, a leading creator of software tutorials on DVD, is now shipping the highly anticipated first installment of their Cubase 5 DVD tutorial series. In Cubase 5 Level 1, ASK Video CEO and Cubase guru Steve Kostrey acquaints users with the latest version of Steinberg’s legendary Cubase […]

TC Electronic announces that its Nova Drive pedal is now shipping

Christopher Laird Simmons

Denmark / Music Industry newswire/ — Nova Drive is TC Electronic's incredible new programmable analog overdrive and distortion pedal. It features the same awesome analog drive circuit as the acclaimed Nova System and has full digital control. Nova Drive is therefore the ultimate distortion and overdrive pedal, offering the best of both worlds: sonic excellence […]

Ben Deily’s Varsity Drag Joins Evan Dando’s The Lemonheads for NYC Show

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Nearly 20 years after leaving cult band The Lemonheads to return to college and “try to become a grown up,” co-founder and certified grown up Ben Deily has come full circle: his new band Varsity Drag makes their New York City debut this Thursday at the Bowery Ballroom, sharing the […]

Music Video Helps Promote Second Season of Potty Mouth Comedy, ‘Poor Paul’

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Tweens, teens and adults alike have been anxiously awaiting the sophomore season of the wacky politically-incorrect comedy with a heart, also known as Poor Paul, produced by Eye Scream Films. These same fans are also excited for the premiere of the Disney Channel’s Princess Protection Program which happens to star […]

Musicrow updates Vintage Strings MkIII to v1.1

Christopher Laird Simmons

Haifa, Israel (MuseWire) – Musicrow updates Vintage Strings MkIII to version 1.1. The new update includes the following bug fixes: The spring reverb bug was fixed. The chorus noise problem that occurred with some hosts was fixed. Automation problem was fixed. The interface graphic problem with Reaper was fixed. Vintage Strings MkIII is a new […]

Toontrack Updates Superior Drummer to 2.1.1

Christopher Laird Simmons

Sweden (MuseWire) – Superior Drummer 2.1.1 is now available from the Software Updates section of all registered Toontrack user accounts. This update contains a number of bug fixes. It is recommended for all users and is essential for full Metal Foundry SDX support. An update to EZplayer Pro was also releases June 9. The 2.1.1 […]

Streaming Music Industry will Contribute to $78 Billion in Revenue Over 6 Years, says Insight Research Corp.

Christopher Laird Simmons

BOONTON, N.J. (MuseWire) – Streaming video and music distributed across the Internet, an IPTV network, or a mobile handset will generate more than $78 billion in network-derived and content-derived revenue into the U.S. markets over the next six years, according to a new market research study from The Insight Research Corporation. Streaming media refers to […]

Cakewalk® Announces Guitar Tracks Pro™ Version 4 & Guitar Tracks Pro USB for Windows

Christopher Laird Simmons

Boston, Mass. (MuseWire — Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, today announces Guitar Tracks Pro Version 4 and Guitar Tracks Pro USB, a new version and look-and-feel for the leading software designed for the recording guitarist and singer/songwriter, plus a new, complete recording solution […]

iZotope & Downtown Records Announce iDrum: Major Lazer App

Christopher Laird Simmons

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MuseWire) – ­ iZotope, Inc. and Downtown Records have collaborated to bring a new edition of the popular iPhone and iPod Touch music app, iDrum, to the iPhone and iPod touch. iDrum: Major Lazer lets you instantly remix elements from the new album, Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do, produced by dance floor […]

Trance Fury’s New Age Electronica Music CD Promotes Environmental Awareness

Christopher Laird Simmons

RALEIGH, N.C. (MuseWire) – In an effort to raise environmental awareness, Trance Fury, a TFR Records artist, recently released, “Mother Earth and Father Time.” The CD has gained national attention and the Weather Channel is currently featuring the track, “Carolina Shore,” on its “Local on the 8s” from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. In addition, […]

Virgin Media and Universal Music to Launch Unlimited Music Download UK Subscription Service

Christopher Laird Simmons

London, UK (MuseWire) – Virgin Media and Universal Music today unveiled plans for a ground-breaking digital music service designed to bring about a rapid and permanent change in the way UK consumers buy and listen to music. The service – a world first – will enable any Virgin Media broadband customer to both stream and […]

Akai MPC Killer: The Open Labs DBeat is Shipping, Now in Two Flavors

Christopher Laird Simmons

COLUMN: As a long time fan of Open Labs, I’ve been watching pretty closely the development of their new “MPC Killer” (they don’t use that term, but I do), since it’s a truly remarkable bit of kit, dubbed the DBeat. Officially it began shipping this week (June 10, as promised) and it now comes in […]

TC Electronic announces Nova Repeater shipping

Christopher Laird Simmons

DENMARK (MuseWire) – The latest addition to TC Electronic's Nova range is now available. Nova Repeater is a new dual delay pedal for the guitarist who demands instant, high quality and unique results – without any fuss. Nova Repeater features the same great sound that made TC Electronic's Nova Delay the first choice pedal for […]

TC Electronic announces Classic450 bass amp

Christopher Laird Simmons

DENMARK (MuseWire) – TC Electronic announces Classic450, a brand new bass amp that's all about pure tone and power. After showing the world its bass amp credentials with the award-winning RH450, TC Electronic is going back to bass basics with Classic450 – an amp that offers players easy access to a wide range of classic […]

Automap for iPhone: take instant remote control of your music making software

Christopher Laird Simmons

High Wycombe, UK (MuseWire) – Novation's Automap has already revolutionised the way we control music production software ­ now Automap is set to do the same with the iPhone and iPod touch. The power behind Novation’s award-winning SL MkII, SL Compact and Nocturn MIDI controllers is now available for your iPhone / iPod touch, providing […]

Interactive remixing course with Vincent DiPasquale and Steven Lee now available on the web or on DVD

Christopher Laird Simmons

Hollywood, Fla. (MuseWire) – ­ FaderPro .com and Auraleo Advanced Learning, producers of pioneering video training products, announce the availability of The Art of the Remix interactive training course. Formerly titled Remix It Like A Record, The Art of the Remix is taught by multi-platinum remixer/producer Vincent DiPasquale, together with world-renowned DJ, producer, and remixer […]

EDIROL R-44 Field Recorder Updated

Christopher Laird Simmons

London, UK (MuseWire) – The latest update takes the R-44's software to v1.05 and enables users to add effects in Pre Record mode, and also includes updates for the BWF (Broadcast Wave File) marker format, notable with previously recorded data. Other improvements include quicker shutdown times in some modes with SD cards, and a smoother […]

Apple Announces the New iPhone 3G S, lowers price on 3G-8GB model

Christopher Laird Simmons

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (MuseWire —Apple® today introduced the new iPhoneâ„¢ 3G S, the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet, packed with incredible new features including improved speed and performance—up to twice as fast as iPhone 3G—with longer battery life, a high-quality 3 megapixel autofocus camera, easy to use video recording and hands free voice control. iPhone […]

Mutiny Pictures reports busy winter and spring with key accounts including Interscope Records, ABC, and Drew Seeley

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Mutiny Pictures, a Los Angeles-based film company specializing in online branded entertainment and webisode production, made several company announcements through founder Michael Pierce on recent high-profile projects that showcase their branding capabilities and post-production expertise. Mutiny Pictures director Kenny Stoff recently teamed up with U2 to document the launch of […]

Toontrack Music announces The Metal Foundry SDX

Christopher Laird Simmons

Sweden (MuseWire) – The originators of multi sampled drums and Drumkit From Hell, Toontrack®, Music presents an all-new SDX expansion pack for Superior Drummer® 2.0 – The Metal Foundry SDXâ„¢. The Metal Foundry SDX is an all-new recording with Meshuggah drummer Tomas Haake, featuring seven massive drum kits, spanning 300,000 sound files of raw, single […]

Native Instruments introduces DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today released DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS, a collection of cutting-edge multi-effects based on the powerful sound processing features of the KORE platform. The new KORE SOUNDPACK provides a wealth of advanced effect configurations that can be used to tweak and transform any audio material in innovative and inspiring ways, for direct […]

Napster Offers MP3s with its On-Demand Streaming Service

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Napster, the pioneer of digital music, today unveiled its latest music offering combining the freedom of MP3s with the discovery benefits of a high-quality streaming music service – all for one low price. For as little as $5 per month, Napster users get five unrestricted MP3 downloads, and unlimited access […]

EMI UK Releases ‘The Singular Thomas Dolby’

Christopher Laird Simmons

London, UK (MuseWire) – The Singular Thomas Dolby, a 2-disc CD and DVD (PAL) collection features all Thomas Dolby's singles and videos. It is released in the UK on May 18th 2009 and is available worldwide as an import. Thomas Dolby became one of the most recognizable figures of the synth-pop movement of early-'80s new […]

DashBook 3.0 adds new features designed to handle sales tracking and complex royalties for the music industry

Christopher Laird Simmons

HOUSTON, Texas — After a successful year on the market, adding user-friendly product components that dramatically improve front and back office operations for publishers of books and ebooks, today Financial Softworks, LLC, announced the release of DashBook 3.0 – with new features and functions designed to handle sales tracking and complex royalties for the music […]

Planet Waves’ Scale Master App provides 10,000 guitar scales, modes, and arpeggios

Christopher Laird Simmons

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – ­Planet Waves, one of the D’Addario Company’s family of world-renowned musical instrument accessory brands, introduces Scale Wizard, a comprehensive guitar scale library as a companion to their best-selling Chordmaster App, a quintessential guitar chord library. Between them, Scale Wizard and Chordmaster provide volumes of guitar reference material in a hand-held iPhone […]

ADAM Audio USA Taps Caputo For US Market

Christopher Laird Simmons

Westlake Village, Calif. (MuseWire –­ Berlin-based ADAM Professional Audio, celebrating 10 years of making critically acclaimed and award-winning professional studio monitors, have hired Robert Caputo as President of ADAM Audio USA. Caputo will over see all aspects of business in the US market and is tasked with expanding the growth the company has enjoyed for […]

Audiolife Tells Indie Music Artists to ‘Wave Goodbye to The Post Office’

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Audiolife (www.Audiolife.com), an Artist Services platform designed for indie artists to sell music online and on-demand to fans, has announced a new feature via its virtual, portable storefront. Using their free account, artists will now have the option to use the Audiolife platform for all fulfillment and warehousing needs. With […]

OS3 for Access Virus Ti Line Now Available – Out of Beta

Christopher Laird Simmons

Recklinghausen, Germany (MuseWire) – Access Music announced today the OS3 official release for the Virus Ti line of synthesizers. OS3 has been released for the entire Virus TI range of products after some month of public beta testing. The new operating system features many new effects including a tape delay, a phlethora of new distortion […]

Musician with ALS Composes Piano Rock Album with One Finger – New CD ‘Toxic Charm’

Christopher Laird Simmons

EAST LANSING, Mich. (MuseWire) – Ace Noface, a 38 year old man with Lou Gehrig’s disease, today announces the release of a piano rock CD, “Toxic Charm.” His goal is to leave a musical legacy behind, and raise awareness of ALS. May is ALS awareness month. Words like “inspiring” get used so casually that their […]

Native Instruments introduces DISCOVERY SERIES: NORTH INDIA

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced NORTH INDIA, a new sound library that captures and recreates the charismatic tones of classical North Indian music with unparalleled authenticity. It also marks the launch of the new “Discovery Series” of KORE SOUNDPACKS, which will translate the sonic heritage of various regions of the world into […]