New! Video Interviews of world-renown producer/engineers/composers
Get your FREE Real One Player download

Greg Ladanyi at Tidalwave Studios, California - watch the interview here!

Coming soon...ken Allardyce interview from SARM Hook End Manor Studios, UK
photo courtesy of RP
studioexpresso in alliance with the following affiliates is pleased to bring you these interviews.
Big thanks to: Record Production & Babblefish

Billboard charts
Top 100 Positions /Issue Date:August 17, 2002

Media Venture, home to renown composer Hans Zimmer, is a state-of-the-art studios with Euphonix consoles offering services to the film/music community in the heart of Santa Monica, California.

We spoke to manager Tom Broderick who talks about the facility and reports recent sessions and goings on.

Take an express tour and learn more...click here.

Back to top

George Shilling, Engineer/Producer/Musician/Composer
Bernard Butler, Primal Scream, Opera Babes

Greg Ladanyi, Producer/Engineer/Mixer
Don Henley, Jaguares, Pat Green

Juan Carlos Paz y Puente, Musician/Composer/Arranger/Producer
Francisco Cespedes, Rocio Durcal, Pandora

Mark Ryan , producer/mixer/re-mixer/writer
Soul Decision, Bran Van 3000, Daze

Back to top

Quietstreet Productions presents The Section with Eric Gorfain, Daphne Chen, Leah Katz and Richard Dodd.

LA's premier rock & roll string quartet live at LARGO
Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 9pm $10
For dinner reservations (recommended): 323-852-1073

Special guests include Grant Lee Phillips and Jon Brion, with more surprises in store!

New Artist centeric jazz label, Bop City Records is a collaboration of three friends and legendary producer/engineers, Ed Cherney, Elliot Scheiner, and Al Schmitt.
Look for Fall releases by new and established artists Les Brown, Taylor Eigsti, LM Pagano and Steve Lukather.

The trio who have won 17 Grammys, collectively have teamed up as Co-music Directors of DH1 studios which is a wholly owned music subsidiary along with Doc Hollywood Records, both founded by veteran film financier Steven Saxton. The dream team will produce up to six albums over the next twelve months.

The unique aspects of Bop City Records include a royalty structure more favorable to the artist, and a scholarship fund for young artists. Look for releases in a variety of established and new artists, introducing the listener to familiar straight-ahead jazz sounds with a modern marketing and packaging approach.

This Fall look for the release of Session #55, the long-anticipated album from the great Les Brown & His Band of Renown, produced by Al Schmitt and Les Brown Jr., featuring vocals by Jane Monheit and Lou Rawls.

Schmitt's first signing is 17-year-old virtuoso pianist Taylor Eigsti. His debut album, "Resonance," already garnering overwhelming response at jazz radio. "Hopefully we can help some budding young jazz artists...and even some budding old jazz artists!" says Schmitt.

The Lukather Christmas album, "Santamental" produced by Scheiner features guest performances by Eddie Van Halen, Edgar Winter, drummer Greg Bissonette, Steve Vai and Slash, among others. According to A&R, the album cover alone should make this a sizzling experience (that's all we can tell for now)!

LM Pagano is the latest addition to the Bop City Records family, and her new album, "Azalea," will also be released this fall.

The partners also plan to put Bop City artists' music on soundtracks of Doc Hollywood films. And Bop City artists can share in a special fund being created by co-owner Steven Saxton. "Each of the film and music properties will contribute a small percentage of their earnings into this fund for later distribution," says Doc Hollywood Vice President Benjamin Osgood.

Elliot Scheiner, who just returned from Europe where he engineered Lenny Kravitiz's live concert sessions, states, "Four or five years ago, we got the idea to start an artist-friendly jazz label. We wanted to treat the artists more fairly than they've been treated before, like the original concept of United Artists, where artists share in the profits," says Scheiner."Friendship and trust are crucial to this partnership. We're all old buddies. Aside from loving each other, we respect each other," adds Elliot.

Scheiner won 5 Grammies and has been nominated another 16 times. Scheiner has also garnered 2 Emmy Nominations and 3 TEC Award nominations. Scheiner has worked with world renown artists such as Steely Dan, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crowe, Macy Gray, Moby, Al Green, and Van Morrison. He is also one of the world's leading authorities on 5.1 Surround Sound mixing and DVD audio.

Ed Cherney, who just finished recording the Rolling Stones in Paris, states, "It's important not to have to worry about radio and the whims of an aloof promotion department," Ed says. "We won't have a large infrastructure to support, so we can move fast and efficiently — and be able to be successful without having blockbusters."

Tracks Cherney recorded at Guillaume Tell, some of which are destined for an upcoming collection, are part of a blitz from the storied band that includes a world tour and the Aug. 20 release of 22 remastered Stones albums on hybrid Super Audio CD. Rough mixes are in Cherney's words, "stupendous."

Grammy Award winner Cherney is recognized as one of the most reputable Producer/Engineers in the world, as well as a leading authority on 5.1 Surround Sound mixing. Cherney has also won three TEC Awards and garnered 9 nominations. Throughout his career Cherney has recorded with some of the greatest musicians of all time such as the B-52's, Jackson Browne, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, the Goo Goo Dolls, Bonnie Raitt, to name just a few, and is currently working on the new Hootie and The Blowfish album. He most recently completed a 5.1 mix for Bonnie Raitt's album "Nick of Time", and will soon begin producing and mixing Juno winner and multi-platinum Canadian recording artist Jann Arden.

Eleven-time Grammy Award Winner Al Schmitt concludes, "I look forward to bringing together friends and new artists to this special venture. Working with Ed, Elliot, and DH1 to establish a label focused on the family of artists is one of the highlights of my career." Players are old trusted friends like Radio Promotion Team: Dick LaPalm & Freddie Mancuso and Legal expert Kim Guggenheim. "No advances, no producing and engineering fees," Schmitt adds. "We don't have to sell as many records to break even. We don't want our artists bitching and moaning they aren't getting their royalty statements. We just want to be fair and honest." There will also be lots of give-and-take between artist and producer, Schmitt promises.

Most recently, Al Schmitt was awarded his 11th Grammy for "Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical" for his work on Diana Krall's new album, The Look of Love, which is currently 47 Weeks at #1 on Billboard's Jazz Chart. With Doc Hollywood, Schmitt also produced and engineered Session #55, the final recording of legendary big band leader Les Brown. Schmitt was recently honored by Billboard Magazine (July 13th issue) for his life and work in recording, producing, and sound engineering achievements.

Majors shift

Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment have changed direction regarding online subscription services: Both majors are now willing to sell individual downloads that can then be burned into CDs, UMG via Liquid Audio for 99 cents, and SME through RioPort for $1.49. The shift is significant: As RioPort CEO Jim Long, foreseeing the inevitable growth of legal downloads, notes, "Selling a download without burning capabilities is like selling a car without tires. People will walk into the display room and look at it, but they won't buy it."

Pacifique Studios gets an XL!

Guests and clients alike enjoyed the reception held early this month to celebrate the reopening of Pacifique Studio West with the new 96 channel SSL XL 9000K Series console.

We visited with mixer/producer Dexter Simmons (Brandy, Backstreet Boys, Destinys's Child) who's mixing Monica's cd for J Records on the SSL 9K in Studio East at Pacifique. Tres chique!

Ask for the studioexpress tour!
contact: Joe Deranteriasian, studio owner/mgr.
818-761-8042 or visit the web site.

Morning View Sounds!

Looking for a cool spot to Record/Track, Show Case, Video or Live Venue? Look no more...on 6 acre, private estate one block from the ocean this may be the studio for you!

Sessions: Incubus credits their hit album "Morning View", named after the studio, to their wonderful experiences. Canadian Left Pencey debut album and From Zero's second album both for Arista were recorded here. Producers/engineers John Travis, Brad

Wood, Warren Riker, Scott Litt are but few names who have brought projects.
Gear: Vintage Neve console with full automation, Studer A-800 MK III 2, Apogees (AD-8000s), big Pro Tools rigs, Myteck Private Qs, best vintage mikes, Neuman M-50 & U-67, AKG C12 & C24, Closed circut TV, Massive PA systems for Drum sounds, etc.
contact studio owner/mgr: Albert Stern
(310) 457-9901 office (310) 457-5382 fax
Ask for the studioexpresso tour!

Surf's Up At Ocean in Burbank, California!

Manager Bob Breen reports a few fab sessions!
The band Endo is currently in the studio with engineer/producer David Schiffman and Pro Tools engineer Andrew Scheps, tracking and doing overdubs for their new Columbia release. Atlantic Records artist Joe Firstman spent time at Ocean this month doing basics on Ocean Studios' large 80 series Neve. Rick Parker was producer Brad Cook was engineer.Ocean also hosted a couple of

Ocean got a nice review in MIX LA Grapevine this month by Maureen Droney.

development sessions this month; producer James Saez and engineer Eddie Delena tracked new artist Sean O'Malley. Lava artists Porcupine Tree have camped out in Studio B with engineer Paul Northfield and producer Steven Wilson, doing overdubs
after tracking in Studio A. Brian Montgomery assisted as well, producer Jeff Weber and engineer Clark Germain tracked with new artist Melissa Peda featuring a crack band including drummer Kenny Aronoff. Ocean's Dean Nelson and Jason Cupp were assistant engineers on all sessions.

Contact: Bob Breen, studio manager
Call Bob at (818) 955-9010 fn Take an Express Tour here! or Visit Ocean's Web site.

Avatar Studios Nominated for a TEC-e!

The studio where Diana Krall's The Look of Love was recorded, is nominated for a 2002 TEC Award. Congrats!
Manager Tino sent us this update:
Gear: Avatar has a new Pro Tools HD rig and 2 Steinway B Pianos available for sessions.
Also try the option of digitally recording to 2-track DSD or 8-track DSD at the same time you are tracking to tape. "By doing this, you have the option to be able to release your recording in SACD format in the future. DSD, or

Direct Stream Digital, is a new and improved method of converting music into the digital domain, sampling at 2.8224 MHz. This results in a frequency response from 0 Hz to beyond 100 kHz, and a dynamic range greater than 120 dB. It may just save you a lot of time and give you more marketing options in the future," says manager Tino Passante.
Sessions: Elvis Costello and producer/engineer Kevin Killen recently recorded a song for TV. Ross Peterson and Anthony Ruotolo assisted. Elliot Scheiner and Tommy LiPuma recently in with Diana Krall recording a track for MCA Nashville's Patsy Kline Tribute record assisted by Aya Takemura. Also in for the tribute album was Michelle Branch with producer Greg Wells to record Patsy Kline's "Strange." Brian Montgomery assisted.Engineer / mixer Axel Niehaus was recently in doing remixes for Columbia artist AMERIE with producer Rich Harrison. Producer Gregg Wattenberg has been working with Sony Canada artist Chantal Kraviazuk. Engineering duties were shared by Brian Scheuble and Avatar's own Ross Peterson, assisted by Ricardo Fernandez. Gregg also produced tracks that will be used on the "Stuart Little 2" soundtrack with Kreviazuk and Mandy Moore. Producer Swizz Beatz was in working on the "Survivalist" project for Fo' Life Records. Engineering is Avatar's own Anthony Ruotolo.

Take an Express Tour here! Or virtual tour of Studio A, a 360° tour of Studio A .
(You will need to install the latest QuickTime plug-in)

Contact: Tino Passante
or call (212) 765-7500

Studio Suite version 5 is the choice software in the world of studio management. It helps streamline and simplify your operations, from top to bottom. It handles your scheduling, project management, invoicing, library and labels, equipment and media inventories, contacts, communications, maintenance, recalls, and so much more, all in one comprehensive software package that's customizable and networkable across Mac/PC/Linux platforms. Prez Joel Stoner reports that he recently moved the main office to Los Angeles. What more could you ask? Order that baby!
1-800-450-5740 (US and Canada)
1-818-752-3900 (Los Angeles)
1-404-329-1412 (Atlanta)

A 2 Z's of studio recall sheets!
A fine Web resource is available FREE at engineer/producer Barry Rudolph's Web Site here!
Barry has 169 front panel recall sheets of most of the popular outboard studio gear used in tracking and mixing. The sheets are presented in .pdf format ready to be view and printed using Adobe Acrobat and any computer. This resource replaces the need to keep copies of these sheets around the studio. Whenever you need a recall sheet for a particular piece of equipment, just go to his Web site and download and print as many copies as you want!
1000 multi-effects...from the AMS RMX-16 reverb to Universal Audio. They're all there!
Barry welcomes all who also want to add to the wealth by sending him any pages you might have that are not yet posted at his site.

And from the lost files department....
Missing Guitar! sent by Aiyana Markling -- notice the date...!
Reported stolen to San Antonio, TX, Police Department --Bexar County Sheriff's Report #84-21565. July 23, 1984
Gibson Super-V BJB/ASB Guitar (1980 Model) S/N: 81700067
Antique Sunburst finish, 1-"BJB" pickup neck-mounted, 2-faceplate-mounted knobs for volume & tone. Hard-shell case & black canvas case-cover.

...we decided to put the word out there anyway. Hope this beauty finds its way back after 18 years! Just call SE's lost & found hotline 877-645-9777 :-)

The film Premiere Magazine calls "Miraculous", and Glamour hails as "This year's coolest British movie." Set in Manchester, 1976, it chronicles the times of Tony Wilson (Steve Coogan) and his friends as they create the legendary Factory Records label and the Hacienda Club, and bands like Joy Division, New Order, and the Happy Mondays emerge to change the music industry forever. Packed with an incredible soundtrack and a famous cast of characters, 24 Hour Party People is a sprawling, energetic, and humorous history of one of the most important periods in modern music. Rated R for strong language, drug use and sexuality. In Limited Release beginning August 9th!
Coming to theaters near your courtesy of the MGM's roraing Lion: See preview!

Farewell to two prominent names in pop music

Record producer legend, Gus Dudgeon, best known for his collaborations with Elton John. Gus and his wife Sheila were killed in a car accident early this month. Quote above from 2001 Sound on Sound article.

Alan Lomax, the legendary musicologist and folklorist whose field recordings alone and with his father John A. Lomax gave the world the first recordings of Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, and Mudy Waters, and documented virtually the entire global music culture, died at 87. Since 1997, Rounder Records has been reissuing the massive "The Alan Lomax Collection" of world music, a treasure trove that inspired generations of musicians and music fans-including me.

Until next month... express yourself!

Claris Sayadian-Dodge
studioexpresso
Promotion & Referrals for the ProAudio Community - Come Together!