Archive for June 20th, 2012

Toronto, June 20, 2012 —Mississauga, Ontario based SmithsonMartin Inc. has announced the appointment of Josh Davis to the position of Canadian Sales Manager. In his new role, Davis will be responsible for all Canadian sales activities for SmithsonMartin, reporting directly to CEO Alan Smithson.

A graduate of Fanshaw Colleges Music Industry & Audio Program and aspiring Electronic Dance Music producer, Davis has quickly become an expert with leading software tools such as Ableton, ProTools and other DAW platforms. “Josh has an uncanny ability to learn software rapidly, but more importantly, can impart that knowledge to our customers,” commented SmithsonMartin CEO, Alan Smithson.

Among his first responsibilities was attending the Music Industry Association of Canada / Professional Audio & Lighting (MIAC/PAL), recently held in his native Mississauga, Ontario.

“Josh is a musician first and sales person second,” Smithson continued. “His easy-going nature was one of they key reasons we hired him. He tries to help our customers rather than simply sell them. This makes our customers feel like part of the Emulator family,” continued Smithson.

SmithsonMartin is the market leader in touch interface control systems for Video, Lighting, DJ and Recording Studio software.

Command & Conquer, Harry Potter, Runescape Composer To Showcase Interactive Video Game Music at Royal Albert Hall on June 29

LONDON, United Kingdom – June 20, 2012 – The video game music of BAFTA award winner and five-time Original Music nominee James Hannigan will be celebrated in an upcoming Q&A and interactive event, “Conversations with Screen Composers: James Hannigan”, presented by BAFTA and the Royal Albert Hall. The second in a series of events showcasing the craft of major film, television and video game composers, James Hannigan will be interviewed by BBC radio and TV host Tommy Pearson about his creative process scoring music for video game franchises such as Command and Conquer, Evil Genius, Republic, The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. “Conversations with Screen Composers: James Hannigan” will be held in the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room on Friday, June 29. Tickets are available here: http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/bafta/james-hannigan/default.aspx.

Widely recognized as a leading composer for interactive entertainment, James will provide demonstrations of interactive music from an array of video game titles spanning more than fifteen years including Freelancer, Red Alert 3 and several BAFTA nominated / winning titles such as Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince and Theme Park World, detailing the development of the music in its various stages, and with use in context through video. Hannigan’s presentation will also feature live performances of his “Soviet March” theme from Red Alert 3 and the operatic, Slavic-inspired Republic Theme sung by soprano Tamara Zivadinovic.

In addition to scoring video games, James composes for film and television, contributing to TV series such as BBC America’s Primeval. His music has been recorded with orchestras around the world including The Philharmonia, Skywalker Symphony Orchestra, The Chamber Orchestra of London and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra – recording at world-famous studios Abbey Road, Skywalker Ranch and Air-Lyndhurst. James has also worked with renowned ensembles and soloists such as The Pinewood Singers, Tony Hinnigan (Titanic, Braveheart), Miriam Stockley (Adiemus), Miranda Keys, and Soname among others. Prior to his career as a freelance film, television and video game composer, James was in-house composer at Electronic Arts and also worked as a sound designer, contributing to films such as Lost In Space.

James is currently scoring several unannounced projects, including a major video game for Electronic Arts as well as composing new and updated themes for Jagex Games Studio’s massively multiplayer online role-playing fantasy game Runescape (www.runescape.com), recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s most popular free MMORPG.

For more information on James Hannigan visit:
www.jameshannigan.co.uk.

For ticket and event information visit:
http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/bafta/james-hannigan/default.aspx.

— Aphex® offers sound contractors and integrators microphone preamplifiers for a wide variety of applications, from a single channel with processing to comprehensively featured remote-controllable eight-channel units —

At InfoComm 2012, Aphex® (Booth C11142), the leader in sound enhancement technology, will show its complete range of microphone preamplifiers. Models on display include the versatile Channel; two-channel Model 207D; eight-channel remote controlled Model 188; and flagship eight-channel Model 1788A microphone preamplifiers for applications such as live sound, broadcast and recording.

The Aphex Channel features seven of the company’s renowned processing technologies, five of them patented, laid out in an intuitive, easy-to-use workflow beginning with the company’s patented Reflected Plate Amplifier (RPA) tube preamp. The single-channel 1RU unit additionally offers compression, gating, de-esser, parametric EQ and Aphex’s renowned Aural Exciter for improved detail and intelligibility, as well as Big Bottom bass enhancement. Additional front panel features include comprehensive metering, plus low jitter digital clock.

The two-channel Aphex Model 207D is also built upon the RPA tube mic and instrument preamp, and offers extremely low noise and high gain. The unit offers a rear panel mic input and front panel instrument input per channel, with AES3 and S/PDIF digital output plus Word Clock connections, and supports sampling rates up to 96 kHz. With its patented MicLim limiter preventing unwanted clipping, the Model 207D is the ideal front-end interface to any digital recording system.

The Model 188 is a 1RU rack-mountable chassis housing eight channels of Aphex transformer-coupled mic preamps with eight analog outputs. Two ADAT Optical outputs offer redundancy or may be used together for 2X sampling rates (SMUX). The Model 188 features may be remote controlled via MIDI over Ethernet, by using the optional 5200 interface and the Aphex 1788SW control software (PC/Mac) or by specific Avid control surfaces or Yamaha digital mixers. Alternatively it may be controlled by the 1788A-RC hardware remote.

The 1788A is Aphex’s flagship multi-channel remote-controllable mic preamp, and features eight balanced Jensen® transformer-coupled microphone inputs with two sets of analog outputs for each channel. The Aphex 1788A incorporates MicLim limiting on every channel to prevent input clipping, while the inclusion of LeNA, Aphex’s patented digitally controlled Low Noise Amplifier, allows the input gain to be adjusted in 0.25 dB steps without noise or glitches. The 1788A may be configured with an additional three digital outputs (24-bit AES/EBU and ADAT Optical), extending the versatility of the unit and allowing it to be used as a mic splitter. The 1788A may be remote controlled from Avid and Yamaha consoles using Aphex’s Model 5200 interface. Aphex 1788SW controller software (Win 95/98/2000/XP® or Mac OS X® compatible) displays all parameters, status information and metering for up to 16 units, and allows 20 user definable scenes to be saved, modified and recalled.
“Outside of our reputation for designing and manufacturing high-quality audio products, Aphex has one of the widest ranges of microphone preamplifiers available in the industry today,” stated Aphex Chairman/CEO David Wiener. “Because of the breadth of our product line, there is an Aphex preamplifier to suit every installation situation and client’s budget, all featuring, of course, our legendary Aphex sound.”

As Part of the Texas Summer Speaker Series, the Event will take place Saturday, June 16, 2012

In its ongoing mission to promote both sound quality and the overall art and craft of recording music, The Recording Academy®’s Producers & Engineers Wing® and Texas Chapter will host “Quality Audio – The Future Is Now,” featuring GRAMMY® award-winning engineer Chuck Ainlay. As part of the GRAMMY GPS: Texas Summer Speaker Series, this event will offer members an up close and personal opportunity with Ainlay, who will discuss the current and future state of audio quality. This series will take place on Saturday, June 16, from 2 – 5 p.m.at the Studio CBC (located behind the Community Church, 2477 North Loop 1604 East in San Antonio, TX).

Recently Ainlay opined on the state of high-resolution audio in today’s music industry: “Mastered for iTunes, HD Tracks and premier headphones are all new consumer indications that there is a demand for high resolution audio. We have to stop thinking that just because people have been listening on ear buds to low-res downloads, that is the way it will always be. The music we record today must exceed the resolution of tomorrow.”

“We strive to provide our membership the most up-to-date information on the current state of recording technology,” stated Maureen Droney, Sr. Executive Director of the P&E Wing. “Our session with Chuck Ainlay reinforces the Wing’s position to advocate and educate on how important the role of sound quality is in communicating the artist’s vision in recorded music. Chuck’s passion for this subject along with his extensive and ever-growing discography puts him in the perfect position to share a unique insight on these topics.”

The program will be followed by a catered networking reception providing members the opportunity to continue the conversation. Admission is free for Recording Academy members. RSVP at RSVP_Texas@grammy.com.

About Chuck Ainlay:
Multiple GRAMMY and ACM Award-winning producer/engineer Chuck Ainlay is one of Nashville’s top recording engineers and a leading pioneer in the world of surround sound. Currently a member of The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing Steering Committee, he has recorded and mixed more than 200 albums, including work with legendary country music artists Chet Atkins, the Dixie Chicks, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Miranda Lambert, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Lee Ann Womack. In addition, Ainlay has placed his distinctive production and engineering stamp on projects with mainstream pop artists such as Mark Knopfler, James Taylor, Peter Frampton, Lionel Richie, Melissa Etheridge, Everclear, Chuck Leavell and Sheryl Crow, earning him widespread international recognition. His work in 5.1 mixing has resulted in ground-breaking projects such as the 25th anniversary surround remix of Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive and the GRAMMY-winning 20th anniversary surround remix of Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms.

— Aphex® 188 mic preamps that combine high efficiency with great sound for a variety of M3’s projects —

Music Mix Mobile (M3), a New Jersey/California-based remote recording, mixing and production company, are one of the most in-demand audio teams in the country, and their services have helped several television programs and large-scale events broadcast the highest quality audio. Such programs include The GRAMMY®s, The Latin GRAMMY®s, VH1 Storytellers, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’s live broadcast from the University of North Carolina, and the 2012 concert event commemorating the bestowing of The Gershwin Prize, among many others. A key part of M3’s signal chain is the Aphex® Model 188 Microphone Preamp, included as part of their recording and post-production infrastructure.

“The Aphex 188 is crucial to making the signal chain work efficiently and effectively,” states Joel Singer, Chief Engineer for M3. “We chose the Aphex 188 because it solves so many of the challenges that come with working on complex music programs in remote broadcast situations,” he says. “We can get 96 channels of microphones into a single 24-space rack, and that saves us critical space and weight. We can control the mic-pre’s remotely, which increases efficiency, and they have digital outputs, which further reduces space that would otherwise have been taken up with A-to-D converters. And the 188 sounds fantastic – they’re incredibly clear sounding and very musical. Combine that with all of the operational efficiencies they offer and the amount of functionality you get for the price and you see that they’re the best choice for this kind of work. That’s also why we have another 128 channels of Aphex 188s for our West Coast office. It’s a great device.”

The Aphex Model 188 provides eight high-quality Aphex transformer-coupled mic preamps in a 1U rack-mount chassis. Like the popular Aphex 1788A, all settings of the Model 188 can be remote controlled via Ethernet or MIDI, using the 1788A-RC remote or the 1788SW control software (PC and Mac). It can also be controlled via the Aphex 5200 interface from an Avid Pro Tools or Yamaha control surface. The Model 188 has an eight channel analog output as well as two ADAT Optical outputs, each carrying eight channels of audio. The two outputs can be used for redundant operation, or in combination for 2X sampling rates (SMUX).

— 228th Guitar Center location features on-site lessons and repair services, along with GC’s vast inventory selection —

Westlake Village, CA (June 4, 2012) – On the evening of Thursday, May 24, 2012, Guitar Center held the grand opening of its new location in North Portland, Oregon, located at 1147 Hayden Meadows Dr., Portland, OR 97217-7547. Guitar Center North Portland is Guitar Center’s 228th retail location.

Guitar Center North Portland’s grand opening introduced customers to a vast selection of products and a dedicated staff with unparalleled musical knowledge and experience. To celebrate the store opening, Guitar Center hosted a Grand Opening Weekend celebration featuring exclusive savings, gear giveaways and free events catered to local musicians. Special workshops will continue throughout the first 3 months.

Guitar Center’s newest North Portland location features showrooms for customers equipped with the latest products – from guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments and keyboards to live sound, DJ, lighting and recording equipment. The store also features Guitar Center Studios, an in-house, state-of-the-art lesson facility, which is already creating unrivalled opportunities for North Portland musicians of all ages and skill levels. Guitar Center Studios will provide music lessons from beginner to advanced featuring certified instructors teaching world-class curriculum as well as one-on-one courses on Pro Tools, Logic Pro and GarageBand. Guitar Center Studios is now the most modern and affordable lessons facility in the area. Guitar Center North Portland also features GC Garage, Guitar Center’s on-site guitar repair service. Musicians were able to try out the GC Garage for free on Grand Opening night, and with a guitar purchase, customers also received a free, 22-point personalized set-up.

As part of Guitar Center’s ongoing initiatives designed to educate and inspire artists nationwide, Guitar Center North Portland offers unique opportunities for musicians to craft their skills, maintain their instruments and experience many other aspects of the music industry first-hand. Musicians interested in learning about the industry will be able to come to the store to interact with and pick the brains of several industry leaders. North Portland shoppers are also able to enjoy Guitar Center’s new multi-channel “endless aisle,” which includes multiple combinations of product options to conveniently choose from. Not only does the “endless isle” include North Portland inventory, but it also provides easy access to $400 million in new and used inventory located in hundreds of stores and warehouses across the nation. Customers have the ability to combine a myriad of in-store, online and phone options to purchase music equipment from anywhere they may be, allowing for a personalized and convenient shopping experience. Free Recording Made Easy classes are conducted every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 am for anyone who wants to make the exciting journey into recording their music.

In addition to special programs at the new North Portland store, Guitar Center offers nationwide programs designed to spearhead creativity and highlight the nation’s most promising undiscovered talent. North Portland residents will now be able to participate in these ongoing national events from their hometown:

• Guitar Center On-Stage is an annual competition that provides unsigned artists the chance to open for established artists such as Motley Crue, KISS and Jane’s Addiction.

• Guitar Center Singer-Songwriter is an artist discovery program which aims to find the nation’s best unsigned singer-songwriter. The winner receives a career-altering prize package including recording 3 songs with accomplished GRAMMY® Award-winning Producer John Shanks, recording time at Converse Rubber Tracks studio and $10,000 cash. The grand finale took place in Los Angeles on Feb. 18.

• Guitar Center’s Battle of the Blues is a nationwide amateur guitar skills competition with the goal of finding the next great undiscovered blues guitar player. This year’s winner, Jonathon “Boogie” Long, performed alongside GRAMMY-winning guitarist Warren Haynes at the Grand Finals in LA, and won an incredible prize package valued at over $50,000.

• Guitar Center’s Drum-Off, entering its 24th year, is the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered drummer. Drummers from across the nation compete in the world’s largest drum competition, vying for thousands of dollars in prizes and the coveted title of Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Champion. The grand prize package is valued at nearly $50,000.

Guitar Center North Portland is open seven days a week. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday; and 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sunday.

SAN FRANCISCO: Co-Chairing an AES Convention takes technical and interpersonal skills, an ability to juggle an infinite stream of details, an aptitude for delegating AND, the capacity for keeping a close eye on your day job. Clearly gifted with these indispensable talents, AES 133rd Convention Co-Chairs Valerie Tyler and Jim McTigue have returned to the scene of their 2010 success. Plans are well underway for the Convention set for October 26-29 at SF’s Moscone Center.

Both Tyler and McTigue take great pride in their contributions to this gargantuan undertaking. Like all the volunteer Chairs, they share a deep sense of accomplishment in producing what appears to attendees and exhibitors to be an effortless, efficient and smoothly running ‘clockwork’ event. Their goal is to perpetuate that ‘never let ‘em see you sweat’ cliché.

Since joining the AES in 1993,Valerie Tyler has served in a variety of Convention committee positions including Workshops, Special Events, Tutorials & Master Classes. Her extensive academic career includes music studies at UC Santa Cruz, music/recording industry studies at San Francisco State University, and electronic music, digital audio, digital video, web design, and graphic design studies at College of San Mateo where she currently holds the position of Webmaster. Tyler has also served as an audio editor and as a freelance live sound engineer.

A 35-year+ veteran of the acoustics, broadcast, and professional audio industry, Jim McTigue began his career at NY’s legendary A&R Recording Studios. He has served in technology and management roles for such leading firms as Altec Lansing, API, Broadcast Technology, Euphonix, Radix Systems and Chief Engineer at NY’s famed Sigma Sound Studios. McTigue is currently director, Audio Hardware Development for Avid Technology. His broad education includes engineering degrees from the Polytechnic Institute of NYU and the University of Oklahoma. In addition to Co-Chairing his 2nd consecutive AES SF Convention, he is currently serving on the AES SF Section Committee.

“Our Committee Chairs devote a vast amount of time and energy to AES Conventions,” says Executive Director, Bob Moses. ” In doing so they earn the respect and appreciation of their peers and the knowledge that they are performing an invaluable service for the industry. We are all indebted to Jim McTigue and Valerie Tyler for their extraordinary contribution to this massive venture. We are confident that they and their Co-Chairs are creating an unforgettable Convention experience.”

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Pictured: AES 133rd Convention Co-Chairs Jim McTigue and Valerie Tyler