Story Index for Articles, Interviews, News and Reviews
INTERVIEW: Managing at least 5 interlocking careers, Los Angeles-based Sheena Metal maintains a wickedly funny view of her life on the radio, on stage, and behind-the-scenes in the swirling worlds of music, movies and TV. The first time I saw Sheena Metal perform was in a real dive. Let’s call it Magee’s. It was popular […]
MODENA, Italy — IK Multimedia is pleased to announce that SampleMoog(TM), the Moog(TM) Synth Anthology Virtual Instrument, a cooperation between IK Multimedia, Moog Music(R) and Sonic Reality, is now shipping. SampleMoog(TM) includes the sounds of all the most sought-after Moog synthesizers spanning the entire Moog history, in an easy-to-use, sample-based virtual instrument “powered by SampleTank.”
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — International Productions, a Los Angeles based company, today announced that baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky will perform one live concert on the stage of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on November 11, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. Accompanied by conductor Constantine Orbelian and the Russian Chamber Orchestra.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Georg van Handel (CEO) and Chris Honetschlaeger (President) with BETA Records, LLC, announced today that they will partner with Limelight Networks to allow users to stream and download songs and videos at lightning speeds. Using their reliable network to distribute content globally, music fans will enjoy a high-quality rich media experience.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — With a new genre of music called axuality, guitarist Brian Butler is composing and performing music with a lofty goal: to improve listeners’ mental outlook while enjoying cool, unique guitar playing. Whether performing live or when recording his just-released album, also entitled “Axuality,” Brian Butler improvises layers of sounds in order to emphasize the purity of the creative process.
HAMBURG, Germany — Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH is proud to announce a new version of its award-winning Nuendo audio production environment. Nuendo 4 offers a range of new features and technologies dedicated to mixers, engineers and editors in post production, studio recording and live recording.
BOSTON, Mass. — Take a fresh look at your evolving music creation and production needs, and turn to SONAR 7 Producer Edition, the technology leading digital audio workstation. SONAR offers a remarkable experience that excels at every step of your production – from its inspiring, open and customizable environment, to intuitive music creation and editing tools, to polished mixing, editing and delivery – with the recognized best audio quality in the industry.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Korg is pleased to announce the release of system version 1.3 for Korg’s flagship OASYS synthesizer, delivering the next level of the sound-creating and performance potential of this acclaimed instrument. In addition to new features and enhancements, version 1.3 includes a new version of KARMA (2.1), and makes available two more optional expansions: the MOD-7 Waveshaping VPM Synthesizer, and the EXs-3 Brass & Woodwinds Expansion sample library.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP) recently announced their seminar line-up for September and October, 2007, which includes “Art of the Music Deal” (with music biz attorneys Todd Cooper and Dina Lapolt), and “Producing Hit Songs” (with Tena Clark).
GRENOBLE, France — Arturia announced today that they will soon publish a major upgrade to Analog Factory, to be called Analog Factory 2.0, and which will be free to curreny registered users. Most notable is inclusion of Jupiter-8V presets and nearly twice the sound “patches.”
BUENA PARK, Calif. — Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH is pleased to announce that Groove Agent 3 is now shipping to resellers in the US though Yamaha Corporation of America. Groove Agent 3 provides new virtual drummer modules, drum kits and a range of other features to provide a complete and unique virtual drumming solution within one VST instrument.
ST PETERSBURG, Fla. — TrueFire, the leading interactive video software publisher of educational content for musicians, released two new interactive video courses for intermediate and advanced level guitarists. Blues Rock: Secret Sauce and Blues Rock Evolution thoroughly examine contemporary rhythm patterns, soloing concepts and improvisation for modern blues-rock guitar.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — From October 5 to 8, 2007, the AES Convention will return to New York City for what is gearing up to be another record-breaking event. It will be held at the Javits Center in Manhattan where you will have easy access to all of the cultural and business opportunities in the “Big Apple.”
CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple today unveiled Logic(R) Studio, a comprehensive suite of professional tools that gives musicians everything they need to create, produce and perform in the studio and on the stage for just $499. Logic Studio features Logic Pro 8, a major upgrade that combines an intuitive new interface with Logic’s renowned sound quality.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Native Instruments today announced KONTAKT 3, the latest version of its industry-leading software sampler. With its powerful high-resolution audio engine, comprehensive sound shaping capabilities, unique KSP script programming, and universal sample format compatibility, KONTAKT has established the cutting edge of sampling technology for music production, live performance and sound design.
ST. HELENA, Calif. — Dave Smith Instruments (DSI) announced on Auguest 31st that the newly designed Prophet ’08 is now shipping to authorized dealers, and is available direct from DSI. In addition to the standard Prophet ’08 features, the Special Edition includes red lighted wheels, exotic leopardwood end panels, and a special commemorative overlay signed by Dave.
PARIS, France — Eiosis is proud to announce the release of AirEQ TDM. Their acclaimed 8 bands EQ – which already exists in all formats for OSX and Windows – is now available in the TDM/RTAS format for Protools HD on Mac OSX.
PFINZTAL, Germany — VirSyn recently announced a new product called REFLECT, which is an algorithmic reverberation plug-in which combines the flexibility of vintage algorithmic reverbs with the sonic quality of convolution based reverbs.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Audiofile Engineering, a premier developer of audio solutions for the Mac, has recently acquired Rax version 2 software from PLASQ, makers of Comic Life and other software tools. Rax is intuitive virtual rack software for Mac OS X.
MODENA, Italy — The newly released SampleTank 2.5 is a major update for IK’s industry-standard sample workstation. With an exclusive combination of features and sounds, SampleTank stands apart from any other sample-based virtual instrument, making it one of the most powerful and easy to use solutions for making fully produced songs right out of the box.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Approximately 25% of Americans are Black or Latino. In our nation’s professional orchestras however, Blacks and Latinos combined comprise approximately 4% of the musicians. On September 25, The Sphinx Organization, the non-profit organization dedicated to building diversity in classical music, will present the all Black and Latino Sphinx Chamber Orchestra and Harlem Quartet at Carnegie Hall.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. and LONDON, England — BETA Records, the online record company, officially launched BETA Records UK (www.betarecords.co.uk) on September 1, opening a London office and a portal for music lovers and artists of every style. This follows the success of BETA Records in the USA, Germany and Mexico.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — DJs, remixers and music-lovers everywhere can share in the celebration surrounding the release of the new G-Man album “Crazed and Dazed” (UPC 6-75604-10252-0) by remixing one of the tracks and/or including it in a club or on-air “set” and sending a recording for consideration to G-Man Music in Los Angeles.
COLUMN: Record companies, radio stations and iTunes don’t fully control what music you get to hear. Scott G examines the ever-changing role of the music supervisor for motion pictures and TV.
DALY CITY, Calif. – Structure(TM), the professional sampler workstation for Pro Tools(R) that redefines the art of sampling, is getting some good company. The Digidesign(R) Advanced Instrument Research (A.I.R.) group is excited to present two new members of the Structure family – Structure(TM) LE and Structure(TM) Free – that both offer an affordable way to venture into the world of Structure.
SEATTLE, Wash. — Kagi Media, producer of pro audio training products, follows on the success of their recent “Mix It Like A Record” DVD with the release of HUSTLE HARDER XXL, a music production course on DVD plus “in the trenches” music business documentary taught by multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Producer and DJ David Shayman (aka Disco D).
LONDON, U.K. — Version 1.5 of GURU, FXpansion’s creative beat box workstation, has over 50 new features and an additional 3GB of exclusive, original audio content covering styles such as hip hop, grime, tech house, and electronica.
GERMANY — Access Music Electronics GmbH has announced a new update for users of the Access Virus TI line of keyboards. The new version features RTAS for Digidesign Pro Tools M-Powerered, LE and TDM users as well as optimisations for Imageline FL Studio 7 and Ableton Live.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Native Instruments has just released TRAKTOR SCRATCH 1.1, a free update for its new high-performance digital DJ system. The update includes additional functionality and a wide range of further refinements to various areas of the software, resulting in increased creative potential and optimized handling of the system.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) features progressive rock band, CANON in an unprecedented environmental event at Union Station (GO METRO to see CANON!), on Saturday, September 8, 2007, 8:00 P.M. at The Old Ticket Room. The only way to attend the concert is to arrive via the Metro subway or bus and by presenting a valid Metro, Metrolink or bus pass.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Artist, producer, and film composer Tom Rothrock, legendary vocalist Roman Carter, and a host of studio session pros have completed a unique collaborative project titled: ROMAN CARTER “NEVER SLOW DOWN.” A full length release is due out November 6th, 2007, on the recently re-launched independent Bong Load Custom Records label.
MADISON, Wis. – In 2005, Sony Creative Software released Drums from the Big Room, an elegant five-disc collection of 24-bit multitrack drum loops performed by legendary timekeeper Steve Ferrone (Eric Clapton, Duran Duran, Tom Petty) and produced by Grammy(R) winner Greg Ladanyi (Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Toto).
MIAMI, Fla. — Ms. Phyllis Sdoia-Satz, well-known educator, author, pianist, composer, clinician, lecturer and Owner/Executive Director of the prestigious music school, Sdoia-Satz Music Institute (The Husky Gang School) in Miami, FL has, this week, announced the opening of a new division of the school: DIMECC, the Division of Music Education Consultants and Clinicians.
ONTARIO, Canada — ASK Video Interactive Media, a world leader in DVD tutorials for popular music software programs has updated their popular instructional DVD for Ableton’s Live music creation, production and performance software. New for Live 6 are more videos, content, and new files and examples.
REVIEW: You’ll find clever lyrics, strong melodies, and excellent musicianship on songs in several genres on the new Rob Kendt album. But as Scott G points out, this may be too much of a good thing. Rob Kendt is a tall quiet fellow who writes nifty songs and evocative music for theatrical productions. He’s also […]
ADELAIDE, SA — Crysonic today announced the release of SPECTRAPHY LE, a highly optimized look-ahead Brickwall Limiter and Loudness Maximizer based on it’s bigger brother SpectraPhy. SpectraPhy LE has been designed to be used for tracking, mixing, Mastering and Live use or when ever a large quantity of limiters are required per project.
CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple(R) announced on July 31 that more than three billion songs have been purchased and downloaded from the iTunes(R) Store (www.itunes.com). iTunes is the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store featuring a catalog of over five million songs, 550 television shows and 500 movies.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — After the overwhelming success of Rocbeats.com and Rocbattle.com, Grammy award-winning producer, Rockwilder, is ready to take his online success to the next level; he has launched a third site that is currently in beta phase – RocMP3.com.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The full title of the new DJ Insane and The G-Man album (UPC 6-75604-10252-0) is “CRAZED + DAZED: An Experiment in Stimulating Psychotomimetic Manifestations Through the Use of Subliminal Bass Tones, Phase-Shifted Harmonics, Ultra Aural Distortion and the Relentless Application of Thump for the Rump.” But you can just call it “Crazed.”
PLYMOUTH, Minn. — The new Bravo XRn Network Disc Publisher works just like a networked office copier or laser printer – but burns and prints CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. Bravo XRn allows users to burn and print discs from anywhere on the network.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Are you a frustrated musician or vocalist seeking a record deal? Are you an unsigned or indie music artist who is looking for that first big break? Want2BDiscovered.com, LLC is giving unsigned artists more exposure than any other web site and has launched a seven-month urban talent competition – the Urban Showcase Series – to help get musicians discovered and the public involved.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Users of Windows Mobile phones and wireless handhelds now can get four continuous channels of all-live jazz, blues and Latin performances and complete concerts on-demand through a new partnership between InsideJazz.com and the makers of SelectRadio(R) software. Users of the latest version of SelectRadio software can get the new live music selections in both 32kbps and 128kbps CD-quality streams.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — With the opening of the new BETA Studio in the Los Angeles facilities of BETA Records, musicians have a new home for creativity. “It was exciting to launch our new recording studio with a week-long album session starring music industry legends, The Temptations,” states Georg van Handel, BETA’s CEO.
ADELAIDE, Australia — Crysonic today announced the release of nXtasy V2 and availability in Native Mac OSX AU, VST (PPC /Intel Mac) and PC VST formats. nXtasy V2 is an Analog based multi-Octave Harmonic saturation Audio DSP plug-in supporting 64-Bit internal precision. nXtasy can be used through out the entire chain of music production from tracking, live use to mixing and final mastering.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces the addition of veteran sales professional Scott Schumer in the position of Vice President of Global Sales. Schumer is chartered with the task of growing the sales and support infrastructure as well as utilizing key channel relationships to maximize opportunities in professional audio.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — John Petrucci premieres the first entry of Korg ProSessions, a series of videos with practice and warm up tips demonstrated by the artists themselves. A member of Dream Theater, John Petrucci is renowned for his serious guitar chops and distinctive style.
ST PETERSBURG, Fla. — TrueFire, an interactive publisher of educational content for musicians, has released two new interactive video courses for guitarists. Total Modal examines the theory, harmony and application of 19 essential modes and scales, while Vamps, Jams, and Improvisation illustrates approaches for developing melodic and rhythmic ideas for soloing and comping over vamps. Both courses are available on CD-ROM or as a streaming video course on TrueFire’s All Access TV.
ATHENS, Greece — Soundsnap is a new online platform for finding and sharing free samples, sound effects and music loops. Designed as a resource and community for musicians, sound designers, producers, film makers and web/video game developers, Soundsnap provides user driven content for use in virtually any kind of media production. Users can freely download and upload content to be legally shared and used in any media project.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Native Instruments announces the availability of the Receptor “KOMPLETE Inside” edition from Muse Research Inc. The versatile Receptor rack-format plugin host system offers musicians and producers an alternative way of running software instruments and effects without using a standard computer. The KOMPLETE 4 bundle includes 12 acclaimed software instruments and effects which have become a mainstay in all areas of modern music production.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — JSM Music owner and executive producer Joel Simon and his studio will have their own cause to celebrate at this week’s BET Awards. Tuesday night’s awards will include the world premiere of a new TV commercial featuring Mary J Blige – part of a campaign for Chevy Tahoe – for which Simon and JSM Music played a key role.