Category: Story Index

Audinate and Shure Partner for Dante Network Audio and ULX-D Wireless Line

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) – Shure Incorporated and Audinate, Inc. have announced a licensing agreement for Audinate’s Dante™ digital audio networking technology. Dante networking enables multiple channels of audio to be distributed to a variety of devices over a single Ethernet cable. Dante networking provides reliable, low latency audio transport and can coexist safely on the […]

Book Review: ‘Jazz/Not Jazz’ Attempts the Impossible and Fails

John Scott G

The dozen essays in “Jazz/Not Jazz” all tend to pick, poke, and prod the meaning of the term and the elastic nature of the genre. Which is good, but the book is often academic in the extreme and often turns into a snooze-a-palooza. After trying for years to interest friends in jazz, it must be […]

Ambient Deviant Speedmetal Polka Chapter 4 – First, They Laughed: A Big Bad Blast of Buckethead

John Scott G

MuseWire BOOK SERIAL – Chapter FOUR – First, They Laughed: A Big Bad Blast of Buckethead — Hitting the stage incognito isn’t new but no one else has been outfitted like this: an oriental theater mask, a nylon hoodie, and a family-size chicken bucket from KFC. Reactions are derisive and derogatory until the guy starts […]

Michael Hoover named new President of Cakewalk Inc.

Christopher Laird Simmons

BOSTON, Mass. (MuseWire) – Cakewalk, Inc., the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, today announced the resignation of Greg Hendershott as Chief Executive Officer. Michael Hoover, currently Executive Vice President of Products, has been named President and will assume primary responsibility for all day-to-day Company operations, […]

Music Internships – Aligning Yourself for the Best Experience Possible

Loren Weisman

MuseWire COLUMN: Music internships can be a great opportunity for the beginner to the semi pro, to the professional musician that might be changing focus to another aspect of the music business. At the same time, the wrong music internship can leave you as an unpaid employee, doing crap work and learning nothing. Before jumping […]

Ambient Deviant Speedmetal Polka Chapter 3: Falling into the Abyss: Front Line Assembly

John Scott G

MuseWire BOOK SERIAL – Chapter THREE – Falling into the Abyss: Front Line Assembly — Industrial rock flirts with pure noise, goes out on dates with electronica, and then shacks up with body-bouncing beats. Having embraced all three of these approaches, Front Line Assembly makes music that is aggressive, loud, abrasive, anarchic, nihilistic, and existential. […]

Musicrow announces Bass Lab Virtual Synthesizer for Native Instruments REAKTOR

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire NEWS: Musicrow has announced a new virtual instrument for REAKTOR, called Bass Lab. According to the company, “Bass Lab is a fully equipped laboratory for the production of ultra-modern fat and punchy electronic bass sounds. It offers 14 different saw waveforms, 11 types of resonant low pass filters, super fast envelopes, a bass booster […]

Toontrack announce N.Y. VOL.2 Presets – Neil Dorfsman – Companion to New York Studios Vol.2 SDX for Superior Drummer

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire NEWS: Toontrack today announced a new preset library for its popular drum sample virtual instruments, Superior Drummer 2.0: N.Y. VOL.2 PRESETS – NEIL DORFSMAN. The company describes it like so: “In this pack Neil gives you five fine examples of exactly how great, unique and diverse one can get a quality drum recording like […]

TC Electronic Announces LM2 Radar Loudness Meter Plug-in Supporting all Major DAWS

Christopher Laird Simmons

RISSKOV, Denmark (MuseWire) – TC’s highly acclaimed Radar Loudness Meter technology is now available as a dedicated stereo plug-in supporting all major plug-in formats. The new LM2 plug-in features TC’s innovative Radar Display that provides a quick – yet detailed – overview of the loudness landscape of any stereo audio signal. The main radar view […]

Cakewalk Announces HD Grand Pianos for Dimension Pro and LE Virtual Instruments

Christopher Laird Simmons

MuseWire NEWS: Cakewalk this week announced a new “high definition” digital piano library for its Dimension Pro and LE virtual instrument platforms. Based on the success of the HD Songwriters Collection, Digital Sound Factory brings two new grand pianos to Dimension Pro/LE in High Definition. Using high quality microphones and preamps, multiple layers were recorded […]

Romancing the Macabre: Curse in the Woods Spearhead Original Sound with a Freshly Cut Debut Album

Christopher Laird Simmons

MONTREAL, Quebec (MuseWire) – At the crossroads between pop, folk and horror music, the Montreal-based group Curse in the Woods bring you their bold first album, “The Deals They Made.” Composed of nine musicians and a video projectionist, the group pioneered their way passed the ordinary to draw forth a theatrical and melodic reflection of […]

StudioBLADE keyboard production station for Mac OS X announced by Music Computing

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) – Music Computing, the makers of all-in-one keyboard production stations and multi-touch touchscreens, announced today it has released a Mac OS X compatible version of the StudioBLADE keyboard production station. StudioBLADEs are all-in-one music production stations complete with piano keys, drum trigger pads, knobs, sliders, thousands of sound presets and software for […]

Star Trek Convention In Nashville Features Sandra Piller Onstage June 9 with Award-Winning Songwriter Jane Bach

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MuseWire) — Sandra Piller, country singer-songwriter and widow of beloved Star Trek head writer/producer Michael Piller, will be appearing at the official Star Trek convention in Nashville on June 9 and performing alongside Jane Bach, award-winning hit songwriter for Tammy Wynette, Reba […]

Nashville-style Songwriter Rounds Invade New York In June Featuring Jane Bach, Sandra Piller, Kati Mac, Billy Lee, Jake Holmes

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — Bringing a country music tradition to Manhattan, Jane Bach, Sandra Piller, Kati Mac, Billy Lee, and special guest Jake Holmes are set for “Nashville in New York,” a pair of songwriter rounds which will take place this June at […]

Listening in Colors: Lydia Purple

David Kronemyer

MuseWire COLUMN: Lydia Purple is one of those songs that, for me, encapsulate an era. It is evocative and redolent of the late 1960s. Like a latter-day time traveler, I cannot listen to it without being magically transported back to another world, another moment in space and time. The iconic version was performed by the […]

The Music Biz: Planning for the Work After the Music is Done

Loren Weisman

MuseWire COLUMN: Artists need to think past the recording to get it heard, to get it sold and to get that larger fan base at shows. Too many focus on the recording and don’t think about the marketing, the promotion and the branding of how they will get that music out there. Looking at the […]

Native Instruments releases TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 – introduces the innovative Remix Decks with 64 Loop Slots

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Today, Native Instruments announced the availability of TRAKTOR PRO 2.5. This latest version introduces the innovative Remix Decks, giving access to a powerful loop suite made up of 64 slots, each able to hold loops, one-shot samples or even tracks. DJs can control up to four Remix Decks at once and […]

Ultimate Music Desk: Music Computing Releases Waterproof Bullet-Resistant Touch Screens and Interactive Tables

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) – Liquids, bullets and electronics usually don’t mix, but you never know these days. The latest additions to the MotionCOMMAND(TM) line of multi-touch products from Music Computing can take the hit and keep on making hits. Released today are waterproof MotionCOMMAND FRAMES that can instantly turn any video monitor into a multi-touchscreen. […]

Back to the Byrds House: Eight Miles High

David Kronemyer

MuseWire COLUMN: “Eight Miles High” is one of the greatest songs of all time. It influenced me significantly and from what I can discern from multiple sources had major social-cultural impact also. It doesn’t help that I idolize the Byrds and McGuinn is one of my musical heroes. There are different versions of the song’s […]

To Celebrate Bob Moog’s Birthday, Spectrasonics expands Bob Moog Tribute Library sound pack for Omnisphere

Christopher Laird Simmons

BURBANK, Calif. (MuseWire) – Celebrating Bob Moog’s 78th birthday today, Spectrasonics has announced a free update to the Bob Moog Tribute Library for Omnisphere, with 78 new patches. With these new patches by Eric Persing, the library now features “over 800 stunning sounds for Omnisphere,” according to the company. Existing Moog Tribute Library customers can […]

GOOG: Music Pioneer and Inventor Bob Moog’s Birthday Garners Google Recognition and Industry Support

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) – The Bob Moog Foundation announced today that it is being joined by supporters worldwide in their celebration of the anniversary of the synth pioneer’s 78th birthday. Global technology leader Google released their latest doodle, an interactive, synthesizer-based, playable logo (“GOOG”), which honors Bob Moog’s inventions. The Moog Doodle can be played […]

Toontrack announce ‘Pop!’ EZX Drum Samples and MIDI for Songwriters

Christopher Laird Simmons

Sweden (MuseWire) – For the past decade and counting, Toontrack has recorded drums in some of the world’s best studios, with some of the most esteemed engineers, with the most in-demand players and with only the best of the best in terms gear at their disposal. With sounds recorded in legendary studios like New York’s […]

Native Instruments introduces THE GIANT – Virtual Instrument featuring the Intense Sound of the Klavins Piano Model 370i

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced THE GIANT, a new instrument based on the world’s biggest upright piano. For use in KONTAKT 5 or the free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER, THE GIANT features the intense sound of the Klavins Piano Model 370i, a super-sized instrument delivering a colossal sonic spectrum equally well-suited to urban […]

Moog Music Celebrates Namesake Pioneer with One Day Birthday Promotion Event to Benefit Bob Moog Foundation

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) – In celebration of electronic music pioneer Bob Moog’s 78th birthday, Moog Music, Inc. will donate 50 percent of all online clothing and merchandise sales on May 23rd to the Bob Moog Foundation. For every $350 raised, the company will also donate one Etherwave Theremin to the Foundation’s educational initiative, Dr. Bob’s […]

The Music Biz: Most Frequently Asked Questions – Asking the Right Questions

Loren Weisman

MuseWire COLUMN: In the music industry of today, the more questions that are asked more frequently will help artists make the smarter choices. There are a great deal of people out there that know what they are talking about, just as there are truck loads more than are fakes. The more questions an artist asks […]

Fleecing Indie Artists: The Music Conference

John Scott G

MuseWire COLUMN: You say you want to make money in the music business and you don’t care how. Let’s see if you’re ready. Greedy? Check. Ruthless? Check. Predatory? Check. Okay, you just might be well-prepared to screw artists by putting on a music conference. Indie musicians dream of many things. Fame. Fortune. Somebody playing one […]

Force of Nature and Act of God: An Appreciation of Solomon Burke

John Scott G

MuseWire COLUMN: In blending soul, R&B, gospel, and rock, Solomon Burke had the ability to reach from the stage and shake listeners to their very core. The might and majesty of Burke is honored in this updated version of a review of his 1997 stage show. It is just before midnight and I am standing […]

Lectrosonics Introduces ASPEN Dante Network Processor: 32×32 channel Plug ‘N Play network audio transport

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) – Meeting the demand for reliable network audio transport, Lectrosonics has developed the SPNDNT network processor to expand the ASPEN digital matrix processor family. The new network processor is much more than a simple network interface. Instead, it is a full featured DSP processor that can address both the ASPEN and Dante […]

Music Computing announces ControlBLADE Gen2 – Ivy Bridge PC or Mac-powered Music Workstations

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) – Music Computing, the maker of advanced computer-based musical instruments announced today its new ControlBLADE Gen2 line of all-in-one music keyboard production stations; powered by either Windows or Mac OS systems. Priced from $1,899, the line represents a new standard in value and performance. ControlBLADEs are all-in-one music production stations complete with […]

Music Meets Racial Profiling – Word-Soul Artist ‘LadyBoss-Amanishakhete’ teams with Portland Hip Hop Producer Anuff

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) – The Trayvon Martin murder amid racial profiling and stand-your-ground, taunting black males daily has inspired one word-soul artist to speak out. This travesty amid today’s hate-based politics inspired the release of LadyBoss Amanishakhete’s new single: “Murder 2012,” produced with Portland Hip Hop Artist Anuff. LadyBoss, who recently added the name “Amanishakhete” […]

Racial Profiling, Trayvon Martin Death Inspires New Single by Word-Soul Artist LadyBoss-Amanishakhete

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore., May 1, 2012 (MuseWire) — The Trayvon Martin murder may have grabbed national headlines over the course of 45 days, but it appears to have died down despite racial profiling and stand-your-ground, taunting black males daily. This travesty amid today’s hate-based politics inspires the release of LadyBoss-Amanishakhete’s (A-ma-ni-sha-kete) new single: ‘Murder 2012.’

Arturia announce Spring 2012 ‘Hybrid Madness Promotion’

Christopher Laird Simmons

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (MuseWire) – Arturia U.S. today announced a special promotion from May through June, 2012, for quite large product upgrades when purchasing either a Spark drum machine package, or any Analog Experience keyboard/software combo. According to Arturia, the package upgrades include: * If you buy Spark you will get a FREE V Collection […]

Korg Announces Mega micro Giveaway Contest

Christopher Laird Simmons

MELVILLE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – This year marks the tenth anniversary of the best-selling microKorg Synthesizer/Vocoder, which became the premier member of Korg’s “micro” family of products. As part of the year-long celebration, Korg USA is giving away a different micro-series product every month from May 1 through Dec 31, 2012! U.S. customers can enter the […]

Korg USA Announces iKaossilator V2.1 iOS App and Special Half Price Sale

Christopher Laird Simmons

MELVILLE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Korg has released Version 2.1 of its best-selling iKaossilator app for the iPhone and iPad. To celebrate the new release, current iKaossilator users can update at no cost. New users can purchase iKaossilator V2.1 from the App Store (inside the iTunes Store) at a special price of $9.99 USD – a […]

Celebrating International Jazz Day: concerts headlined by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock will be held in Paris, New Orleans, and N.Y.

Christopher Laird Simmons

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – In November 2011, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed April 30 as International Jazz Day. In celebration of the inaugural Jazz Day, a series of star-studded concerts headlined by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock will be held in Paris, New Orleans, and New York April 27 and 30. These inaugural celebrations, and […]

Singer-songwriter, Gregory Alan Isakov to perform at Grades of Green VERTE Event in Los Angeles

Christopher Laird Simmons

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MuseWire) – Singer-songwriter, Gregory Alan Isakov, will share his lyrical hit, “3am,” featured on the hit series “Brothers and Sisters,” at a special fundraiser and awards event, for the environmental education nonprofit Grades of Green. The annual awards and green fundraising evening, VERTE, will be held at the LEED Gold-certified Annenberg Community […]

Native Instruments announces SKANNER XT – virtual instrument designed by the expert team behind REAKTOR

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced SKANNER XT, a unique and highly distinctive KOMPLETE instrument, designed by the expert team behind REAKTOR. With a strong focus on unconventional tone and genuine musical expression, SKANNER XT is both an exceptional library addition for REAKTOR 5 users as well as an excellent sound resource for […]

Ohm Force updates audio plugins and virtual synths to 64-bit

Christopher Laird Simmons

PARIS, France (MuseWire) – Ohm Force this week announced the release of new 64-bit versions of classic plugins such as Ohmicide (multi-band distortion), OhmBoyz (multi-tap delay), Quad Frohmage (filter bank), Predatohm (multi-band distortion), Symptohm (synth), Mobilohm (phaser), Hematohm (frequency shifter), Ohmygod! (comb filter), Frohmage (filter), and Symptohm PE (synth). Additionally, a 10 percent discount is […]

Arturia announce new virtual instrument based on Wurlitzer 200A electric piano, the Wurlitzer V

Christopher Laird Simmons

Meylan, France (MuseWire) – Based on physical modeling, the new Arturia Wurlitzer V reproduces the acoustic properties of reeds, mechanics and amplification, thus bringing high sonic realism and maximum flexibility over your tone. To get a true classic vibe, it also comes with a complete studio featuring 11 boutiques stompboxes, 4 classic tube amps and […]

Haken Audio announces Continuum Fingerboard firmware version 5.01 and EaganMatrix Synth

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (MuseWire) – Haken Audio has announced a new firmware and software update for the Continuum Fingerboard. The new version 5.01 includes additions to the innovative programmable synthesizer in the Continuum Fingerboard, the EaganMatrix. The EaganMatrix design was inspired by classical modular matrix patching synthesizers such as the ARP 2500 and the EMS Synthi […]

Native Instruments announces recruitment program for employment in Berlin and L.A.

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Native Instruments has just launched a major recruiting initiative that comprises both a comprehensive advertising campaign and a highly functional new online careers section. “It’s the unique people at NI that shape our products and define what this company is all about,” said Native Instruments’ CEO Daniel Haver. “This is […]

Modartt announces release of PIANOTEQ 4 virtual piano instrument

Christopher Laird Simmons

Ramonville Saint Agne, France (MuseWire) – MODARTT S.A.S announced this week the release of PIANOTEQ 4, the company’s virtual piano instrument; slated for May 2012. Pianoteq 4 introduces the grand piano D4 which is the result of three years of research of refining the physical model that describes the hammers, the strings, the soundboard and […]

iZotope Releases Iris – New ‘Spectral’ Manipulation, Visual Instrument Music Synthesizer

Christopher Laird Simmons

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MuseWire) – iZotope, Inc., a leading innovator in digital audio signal processing, has released iZotope Iris, a new concept in sound design and sample manipulation in the form of a “visual instrument.” Powered by iZotope’s award-winning visual feedback technology, Iris lets you unearth a world of sounds you’ve never heard before. Delve into […]

Korg Announces New Line-up of Sound Libraries for Kronos Workstation

Christopher Laird Simmons

MELVILLE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Korg is pleased to announce the availability of many diverse expansion libraries and sample sound libraries for the Korg Kronos Music Workstation, including the EXs13 Jazz Drums Expansion Kit, the EXs11 Legendary Strings Expansion Library, and two series by KARO, a sound design team based in Germany who has been producing […]

Korg USA and USC Thornton School of Music Kick Off 2012 Artist Series with Adam Blackstone

Christopher Laird Simmons

MELVILLE, N.Y. (MuseWire) — Korg USA and the USC Thornton School of Music opened their 2012 Artist Series with a clinic featuring popular Musical Director and multi-instrumentalist, Adam Blackstone (Eminem, Janet Jackson, Drake, Maroon 5). Supporting the next generation of music makers, these artist events give USC music students ‘front row’ access to today’s influential music makers.

Stagetec to Introduce New Dante Module at NAB 2012 for the NEXUS Network System

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) – At the 2012 NAB, Stagetec, a German manufacturer of professional audio technology, will introduce a new interface board for the NEXUS network system which can be used in new and existing networks. The new XDIP board connects NEXUS to networks running Audinate’s patented Dante networking, which enables powerful audio and media […]

Universal Audio updates UAD-2 Powered Plug-ins: adds 1176 Classic Limiter Collection

Christopher Laird Simmons

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (MuseWire) – Universal Audio (UA), this week announced release of the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection for the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform and new Apollo High-Resolution Audio Interface. Picking up where UA’s original 1176LN Limiting Amplifier plug-in left off, this new 1176 collection provides unrivaled emulations of three distinct 1176 hardware units, and […]

Guitar Shorty: Long on Talent

John Scott G

MuseWire COLUMN: David William Kearney is a guitar slinger who will happily do axe-battle with you using blues, R&B, or rock. He’ll take on all comers with sweet toned ballads or psychedelic frenzy. And as this long-lost nineteen-ninety-eight article shows, the man has incredible roots. Oh, and he’s still gigging. From the band’s first few […]

KORG Announces microMADNESS Global Video Contest, celebrating the 10th birthday of its best-selling microKORG

Christopher Laird Simmons

MELVILLE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Korg is celebrating the 10th birthday of its best-selling microKORG analog modeling synth this year. In honor of the occasion, Korg is inviting consumers to participate in a very special contest by sharing what the microKORG or microKORG XL means to them and how the product helps bring out their best […]

Native Instruments Announces TRAKTOR REMIXED: a comprehensive revision of the TRAKTOR range

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR REMIXED – a comprehensive revision of the TRAKTOR range to coincide with the imminent arrival of TRAKTOR PRO 2.5. Due for release on May 30th – the same day as the TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 add-on controller – TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 is the catalyst for many important changes […]