Story Index for Articles, Interviews, News and Reviews
MuseWire REVIEW: Yes, OK, it took him a long time to get them done, and some people still haven’t gotten theirs from the initial production run. I am pleased to advise, though, that it is well worth the wait. Ours arrived from Europe in good order with sturdy packaging, nothing to be worried about as […]
NEW YORK, N.Y. (MuseWire) — Jonas Music Services today announced its first “Worst Press Kit Contest” with one selected winner receiving a custom designed press kit package worth $700. Jonas Music Services’ Executive Director, Dr. Ann Lathan Kerzner, explains, ‘Press Kits are so essential in the marketing success of musicians and bands, but they are often poorly understood by the groups creating them.’
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) — The Bob Moog Foundation (BMF) proudly announces the launch of a pilot program of its hallmark educational project, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool (formerly known as MoogLab), at Asheville City Schools’ (ACS) 2nd grade classrooms.
MuseWire NEWS: Italy-based Studiologic has announced a new virtual analog keyboard, combining their popular keyboard action (Fatar) with a virtual analog synth engine from Waldorf. While the engine spec sounds familiar to those who have used the Waldorf 3-oscillator type virtual analog structure (Blofeld, Q, Largo, etc.), what is most surprising about the new keyboard […]
BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Waldorf has announced a new digital-analog MIDI synth module, the PULSE 2. Available Summer 2012, the Pulse 2 features three analog oscillators in combination with a true analog cascading filter. The promo from Waldorf reads like so: “Sometimes they do come back, and this time, it’s with even more brute-strength power […]
BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – To conincide with the Winter NAMM in Anaheim, German synth wizard Jürgen Michaelis, of JoMoX GmbH, has previewed his latest creation, the Moonwind Analog Filter Tracker. According to Michaelis, “Moonwind is a true analog stereo filter with built-in step sequencer, a fantastic sounding digital FX chip, 2 LFOs and envelope modulation. […]
MuseWire COLUMN: For immediate dispatch from the wild and wooly frontier south of Disneyland – after a decade of resisting the blandishments and imprecations of colleagues I finally re-attended this year’s NAMM convention (Jan. 19-22, 2012). NAMM of course stands for the National Association of Music Merchandisers. Its annual soiree is held at the Anaheim […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Roland is proud to introduce the CM-220 and CM-110 CUBE Monitors, two portable 2.1 speaker systems for playing, practicing, and recording musicians. Outfitted with two satellite speakers, a subwoofer, and multiple stereo inputs for electronic musical instruments and other devices, the versatile CM-220 and CM-110 systems are perfect for practice […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Roland is proud to announce the release of its very first backing keyboard, the BK-5, the latest in a series of Roland musical instruments with intelligent backing-track technology. Hundreds of great music, rhythms, and tones from around the world are available at the touch of a button. With exceptional sound […]
Meylan, France (MuseWire) – At the Winter NAMM 2012 show in Anaheim, Calif., Arturia will announce their first analog keyboard, the MINIBRUTE. Arturia announces the upcoming release of MINIBRUTE. The pure analog, multi-wave oscillator combined with a huge sounding classic multi-mode filter, and wide range of modulation capabilities will bring new life into your recordings […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Roland is proud to introduce the LX-15 Digital Piano, an elegant upright-style instrument with grand piano sound and attitude. The LX-15 boasts Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine, plus a newly developed Acoustic Projection sound system that delivers an inspiring multi-dimensional sound field never before available in this instrument class […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Roland is pleased to announce the new PK-6 Dynamic Pedalboard, an impressive MIDI controller that puts the excitement and versatility of live bass performance with full MIDI control within reach of any musician. The new PK-6 MIDI Pedal controller is the successor to the popular PK-5A, and preserves many of […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Roland is pleased to introduce the RP301R Digital Piano, an attractive, fun, and affordable instrument that will please players of all levels. Featuring the SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine, Ivory Feel-G keyboard, and built-in rhythm accompaniments, the RP301R is perfect for beginning piano students, families, and anyone that wants to have […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Roland is pleased to announce the TD-30KV and TD-30K V-Pro Series V-Drums, the new flagship kits in its industry-leading lineup of V-Drums electronic percussion. Featuring SuperNATURAL sounds with Behavior Modeling technology, improved V-Hi-Hat® and V-Pads™, and many more enhancements, the TD-30KV and TD-30K kits offer serious players the ultimate V-Drums […]
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – BOSS is pleased to announce the TU-10 Clip-On Chromatic Tuner for guitars and basses, the first of its type available from the industry leader in electronic tuners. A number of unique and useful features, along with legendary BOSS accuracy and reliability, make the TU-10 a true standout among clip-on style […]
MUSIC GEAR: Roland and Fender are proud to introduce the VG Stratocaster G-5, an amazingly versatile electronic guitar that fuses traditional design with the latest in digital music technology. Combining Roland’s revolutionary COSM modeling with Fender’s classic Stratocaster guitar, the VG Stratocaster G-5 gives players instant alternate tunings, a wide selection of electric, acoustic and 12-string guitar models, and more—all easily accessible with standard controls on the front.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Roland, the premier manufacturer of quality organs for home, church, and stage, is pleased to announce the most recent addition to their MUSIC ATELIER family. The AT-900 ‘Platinum Edition’ boasts a newly-designed cabinet, expanded voice palette and features including SuperNATURAL sounds, improved user interface, and Roland’s latest arranger technology – […]
MuseWire COLUMN: The Sundance Film Festival begins today (January 19th) in Park City, Utah, and runs for an exhausting 10 days through January 29th. When I was an executive in the independent film business I attended Sundance regularly. I’ll never forget the frisson of excitement I experienced when a film I financed and produced – […]
Music Industry Newswire COLUMN: Somehow the Internet encyclopedia Wikipedia managed to get backed into a political corner where it had to shut itself down for a day (January 18th) in order to demonstrate solidarity with those protesting proposed legislation to restrict the prerogatives of web site owners.
MuseWire COLUMN: A press release today (January 17th) from Clear Channel announces a new division called Entertainment Enterprises, to be headed by John Sykes. I think Sykes is a nice guy; I used to work with him when I was at Capitol-EMI and he was at Chrysalis Records. The premise of this new venture, however, […]
ANAHEIM, Calif. (MuseWire) — Voices.com steps up to the microphone as a Premier sponsor of VOICE 2012, a conference for voice actors to be held June 13-16 at The Happiest Place on Earth(R) – The Disneyland(R) Hotel and Resort in Anaheim, California. Stephanie Ciccarelli, Co-founder of Voices, served as a panelist at VOICE 2010, on a panel devoted to business and service providers.
PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) — Following the success of similar events in recent years, key manufacturers including Lab.gruppen, Peavey Commercial Audio, Bosch Communications Systems, Yamaha Commercial Audio, Audinate and ASL, will be hosting an all day event on Tuesday 31 January at the Holiday Inn Amsterdam.
Risskov, Denmark (MuseWire) — Now available for Android OS devices, the new app compiles all TonePrints for TC Electronic’s TonePrint enabled guitar pedals in one place and allows users to ‘beam’ new TonePrints to their pedals in a matter of seconds. The idea behind the technology is as simple as it is ingenious: Each TonePrint has been converted to a unique-sounding magnetic impulse that can be beamed via the phone’s internal speaker, through the pickup of a guitar and directly to a TonePrint pedal.
Music Industry Newswire NEWS: Akai this week revealed their second of three new MPC-flavored products, as a follow on to the groovy new MPC Renaissance “Music Production Controller.” The small, and shiny, MPC Studio is a slimline (one inch thick) controller that has traditional MPC style control buttons to right side of the familiar 4×4 MPC drum pads, then instead of knobs or sliders on left, are larger DJ-friendly dial-knobs.
Paris, France (MuseWire) — Emulation II features a set of unique instruments to reproduce that typical music from the 80s: from warm digital sounds to the most analog-ish textures. Sounds were recorded and carefully selected from the authentic restored instrument, with the very best analog and digital gear.
Music Industry Newswire NEWS: AUSTIN, Texas — Music Computing introduces ControlTOUCH, “your laptop’s new best friend.” The world keep changing and that’s no different for music production and performance, says the company. Traditional instruments are giving way to computer-based alternatives and the key is to bridge the two worlds without stifling creativity or getting lost in the technology.
Seoul, South Korea (MuseWire) — DEELEEBOB Music Products, is exhibiting for the first time at Winter NAMM 2012, Booth #3496 – The Effect Rack. This new product provides benefits musicians / technicians and music enthusiasts. The bracket device allows for safe carriage and easy access to a variety of devices normally placed hap-hazard on top, or beside an amplifier.
LONDON, U.K. (MuseWire) — Sample Magic has announced the full line-up for the first ever London Electronic Music Event (LEME 2012), with appearances from Ben Watt, Toolroom Records, Dom Betmead (The Nextmen), SoundCloud, Hal Ritson (Dizzee Rascal), DJ Magazine and more.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) — Moog Music has announced the release of Minitaur, the newest addition to Moog’s Taurus Bass Synthesizer family. Minitaur is a compact and powerful analog bass synthesizer that features a classic one knob per function layout.
Music Industry Newswire NEWS: Just in time for the 2012 January NAMM show, Akai Professional has announced a new line of MPC-branded music gear, starting with the gorgeous ‘MPC Renaissance’ which looks like the Borg step-child of a MPD MIDI controller and the MPC-5000, but better. The Music Production Controller claims to fuse ‘legendary MPC production with the power of your computer’ with a Vintage Mode changing the sound character to MPC3000, MPC60 (8 to 16-bit sound), with 16 backlit MPC pads, 16 Q-Link controls, and adjustable backlit LCD screen.
Music Industry Newswire COLUMN: After several visits to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the primary reactions were trepidation and consternation. The building itself is quite impressive but the well-packaged contents of the RARHOFAM are often silly and ultimately insignificant.
Music Industry Newswire COLUMN: His name was Paul Atkinson and he played electric guitar. He made music in the most inventive of the British Invasion bands, The Zombies, whose gorgeous harmonies, infectious hooks and intriguing jazz-pop blend made huge sellers of ‘She’s Not There,’ ‘Tell Her No’ and ‘Time of the Season.’
AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) — Austin based Music Computing this week announced a new ‘souped up’ version of their computer-based keyboard music workstations, the StudioBLADE Gen2, with a ‘TypeR’ trim package. While it might not tear up the Nurburgring like a Nissan GTR, it does come with carbon fibre and custom livery like many glammed up sports machines.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (MuseWire) — MakeMusic, Inc. (NASDAQ:MMUS) this week announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Garritan Corporation, a leading provider of software musical instruments. Under the terms of the agreement, Garritan Corporation will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MakeMusic. Founder Gary Garritan will be joining MakeMusic as director of instrumental sciences.
Music Industry Newswire COLUMN: When you hear the word ‘image’ you may think of a pretty picture or the manufactured persona of someone who is famous for being famous. But if you say ‘Baron Wolman image,’ suddenly you’re talking about beauty, truth, and iconographic permanence.
GRENOBLE, France (MuseWire) — Arturia this week announced some important updates, including 64-bit support for the CS-80V and Prophet-V virtual instruments, bringing both versions to v2.5. The updates include several bug fixes, as might be expected, and some technical improvements. Additionally, version 1.4 of Spark was released.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) — SoundExchange has announced the appointment of Scott Day to the role of chief technology officer (CTO). Scott will assume responsibility for identifying and implementing technology innovations that create strategic business value for the organization.
Music Industry Newswire COLUMN: Got a new product to announce? Then have a launch party! Got a cause, a business, a candidate? Launch party! But what’s the recipe? You line-up these ingredients: venue, food, alcohol, DJ, band, singers, photographers, videographers, and ink-slingers like me. Stir together and serve chilled.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (MuseWire) – Based out of mostly sunny San Diego, Calif., Mr. Mike Shirk, an artist and former ad exec, is living with an illness called inclusion body myositis. To deal with his health issues he launched a blog called lifedisabled.com and created a music video called “I won’t stand for that.” As […]
WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) — Bringing musicians from around the world to communities across America, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced OneBeat this week, an initiative that will bring up to 50 international musicians between the ages of 19-35 to the United States for a month-long exchange.
SEATTLE, Wash. (MuseWire) — Using Kickstarter a popular fan and crowd funding site, Loren Weisman is raising the funds from fans for a 15 City Speaking Tour over the period of a month in the spring of 2012.
Music Industry Newswire COLUMN: Some of today’s rock music has excitement, power, and a terrific touch of sinful intent. But in addition to those things, Punk music had danger. By looking back, can we look forward to a rock resurgence?
WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) — American Voices, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is now accepting ensemble applications for the American Music Abroad 2012-2013 touring season.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MuseWire) — Cutting-edge, online music licensing site Splother.com is pleased to welcome legendary singer/songwriter, Robert Earl Keen, to their team as Strategic Advisor. In his position, Keen will provide strategic advice, artistic vision and act as a voice for the company.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) — The Bob Moog Foundation announces the release of its 2012 calendar, ‘Moog Pioneers in the Studio.’ The calendar features photos and history from Bob Moog’s archives, as well as photos from collections of pioneering synthesists.
NEW GEAR: Inventor and iOS app developer Alex Smith of Alkex Instruments is back with his latest foray into MIDI controllers, with his ‘Ball Beats’ MIDI step sequencer product. Unlike his somewhat failed stab at creating a wood and knobs controller for virtual instruments earlier this year, this new product looks polished, and has a boutique coolness…
MODENA, Italy (MuseWire) — The new Stealth CS series of mobile audio interfaces combines powerful audio interfaces with the revolutionary AmpliTube Custom Shop software. The Stealth CS series of interfaces includes the StealthPlug CS and the StealthPedal CS.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — Acorn Instruments, a developer of high-value, digital musical instruments, recently announced the availability of their new Masterkey 61, the latest addition to their line of USB keyboard controllers.
GRENOBLE, France (MuseWire) — Arturia, in partnership with the late Bob Moog, made a faithful reproduction of one of the most famous series of synthesizers: the Moog Modular. Version 2.6 expands the already amazing feature set with: MIDI Control Assignment Improvement; Support for 64-bit VST and Audio Unit; Support for Pro Tools 9 and 10; Support for Mac OSX 10.7 (Lion).
Risskov, Denmark (MuseWire) — P2 Stays Ahead of the Curve – TC Electronic Releases Free Software Update for P2 Level Pilot. TC’s P2 5-band loudness controller and limiter becomes fully compliant with ITU BS.1770-2, EBU R128, ATSC A/85 and TR-B32.