Welcome back! California heat continued this month as ... firefighters put out the worst fire in a decade (from Simi to San Diego). Much strength and love to those who were affected ( Red Cross disaster relief activities). Actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger was sworn in on Monday as California governor after winning California's historic recall-election last month.
The 31st American Music Awards announced the usual-suspect wins with few surprises on 11.16 -- JLO, Ricky Martin, Justin Timberlake (scroll down to the end to learn more about his new restaurant in LA!), Faith, Hill, Linkin Park, Steven Curtis Chapman, Alabama, Missy Elliot, Tim McGraw, Kid Rock, Celine Dion, 50 Cent (two wins), Fleetwood Mac, newcomers Clay Aiken and Toby Keith, Isley Bros., Alia (who was late to the show because her limo was stolen!) and everyone's MAN (recovering in the hospital) Luther Vandrose (two wins). Congrats!
The Coca Cola/CMJ sponsored the new unsigned artist and the winner, "Bomb Squad" got to perform. As far as live performances go, Pink stole the show (with a blond on black do) her acoustic duo performance of "Trouble" rocked - the lady's got style and can sing!
Los Angeles' new Disney Hall grand opening made headlines and covers in music and style mags worldwide...in the words of composer Randy Newman: "LA... We Love It!"

In case you haven't noticed the big holiday marketing push, it's that time of the year...so let's take a deep breath, simplify life and support someone in need...OMMMM......For your convenience we've listed some cool causes -- scroll down to the end and GIVE!

Thanks for reading! Keep us informed with what you're doing (we'll post it on studioexpresso's community calendar) and keep the great ideas coming!

Studio City Sounds!

...where sounds of NSYNC, Chicago, Tim Pierce, Brian Setzer and numerous artists are being recorded and mixed.

studioexpresso caught up with owner Tom Weir who gave us the grand tour.

Take an Express Tour of SCS with Tom and studio manager Estelle Harrison and hear the latest here...

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11. 19
6:30 -9:30pm

Check out the StudioExpresso online event calendar

Charity event raising money for the Angel Guardian School in Columbia Silent auction to raise funds for this special school that educates underprivileged children in Columbia.
Live music performances by LA artists including Loely "Leigh" Burgos with special event honorary host Anthony Hopkins.
For more info contact Leigh: (818) 613-0431

Location: 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles

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Pink
Try This

"Try This" hit the stores and competition from new releases by Britney Spears and Alicia Keys isn't bothering her. "That's the beautiful thing about the music business, is everybody can win at the same time," she said.

Pink enlisted the help of Rancid's Tim Armstrong and Blink 182's Travis Barker to give the set more of a punk rock flavor. The first single from the album, "Trouble," was co-written by Pink and Armstrong, who also produced the track.

Dave Carlock who was hired as her keyboard player for various TV dates to promote her new Charlie's Angels theme, was asked by Pink to stay on as her engineer on the new cd. Dave has engineered on 9 tracks, including work on "Trouble" which was mixed by Tom Lord Algee. Carlock also played keyboards, bass, guitar and did background vox on various tracks. Additional writers and producers on the album include Billy Mann, Linda Perry, and Dionne Warwick's son Damon Elliott.

Pink's last album Missundaztood sold more than 5 million copies in the U.S.

Robben Ford
Keep On Running

Ford's second for Concord Records, Keep On Running displays his expert guitar, vocal, and keyboard parts while "Over My Head" showcases Ford's organic, breezy compositional style.
A core group of heavyweight players-bassist Jimmy Earl and drummers Toss Panos and Steve Potts. Ford, himself a diligent multi-instrumentalist, redid most of the keyboard parts, using the more appropriate-sounding Wurlitzer electric piano. Bob Malach appears on tenor sax and Edgar Winter on baritone.

On "Badge" (written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and recorded by Cream), Ford offers another respectful cover, his smooth vocals backed by those of Siedah Garret (the singer also appears on "Bonnie"), and his creamy guitar tone recalling that of Clapton, while retaining Ford's own unmistakable imprint. "I've always loved the first Cream album, which is brilliant," says Ford. "Recording 'Badge' was my producer, John Wooler's idea. I'm glad he suggested it; the song was so nice to use as a touchstone, since I had worked with Harrison, and he had recently passed away. You can really hear his influence in there, as well as Clapton's."

"While planning this album, Wooler and I were talking a lot about Freddie King. As a youngster, I'd never gotten next to him, but now that I've taken the time to get inside his style. I modeled 'Cannonball Shuffle' after tunes like 'Hideaway' and 'The Stumble.'" Wooler and I worked up some of the arrangements at rehearsal and then recorded it," says Ford.

Loon
"Loon"

Harlem's Bad Boy is back with a vengeance and ready to do the damn thing. Toting fifteen songs of pure Bad Boy hip-hop, Loon's debut album doesn't need a catchy slogan or flashy name to get your attention. Done with the skill passion and commitment expected from one of Harlem's finest, the album shines all on its own, all on the strength of Loon. The joint is self titled because it is Loon. Bangin' hip hop produced by Shaft with P. Diddy, E-40, Trina, Missy Eliott, & single "Down For Me" w/ Mario Winans. Loon reps for all the ballers, pimps, players, and entertainers who never bow out. Ridin' as the first artist on next-generation Bad Boy. Rockin' for the neighborhood and culture that he calls his own - minus the drama.

John Adam

Somewhere between the Beatles, Queen and Nirvana, JohnAdam and his band mates blend intense, driving energy with massive, orchestral arrangements in a concise format that catches your ear. The latest cd is mixed by Michael C Ross (Christina Aguilera, Vanessa Carlton).

Look for Adam live in LA -- (recent gig at the Gig) and was guest of Broadband at KCRW.

Marc Antoine
Meditteraneo

Travel to the sights, sounds and sensations of the mysterious and romantic Mediterranean with flamenco-jazz guitarist Marc Antoine as your guide. Recorded on location in Madrid, Mediterraneo, Antoine’s debut release on the new label founded by Dave Koz, is a collection of 11 inviting songs that melds the diverse musical traditions of the Mediterranean: classical, flamenco, Latin, Jazz and Euro-Pop.

Featuring a mix of old and new studio friends—from legends Luis Conte (percussion), bassist Jimmy Haslip to longtime Antoine band members Andre Manga (bass) and Jan Fabricky (drums)--the collection positions Antoine as a dynamic new force in world music, while enhancing his popularity in contemporary jazz. The tracks were engineered by Rafa Sardina Catch Marc on tour with Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber and Chris Botti - check press release and tour dates here!

Luis Miguel
33

Miguel is listed as WMI's best-selling artists. Pop/ballad is Luis' story and he’s sticking to it. At age 33 he has every right to do what he wants and what he does best. He produced this album and co-wrote and arranged several songs.

Armando Manzanero once again contributes four songs, including the beautiful ballad “Un Te Amo” which opens the album and “Que Tristeza” which Luis Miguel sings with poignant sadness. Juan Luis Guerra, long a fan of the vocalese style where voices are arranged to sound like instruments, contributes the smooth jazz “Te Necesito” with Take 6 singing backup.

His up-tempo stuff, though it sounds a bit dated, offers interesting chord progressions with Lalo Carillo’s playing bass and the funky choral arrangements in “Vuelve” which Luis Miguel co-wrote with Alejandro Asensi, Edgar Cortazar and Francisco Loyo. Rafa Sardina mixed 5 tracks on this new release.

Godfather Tom
Music from the Armenian Underground

Nominated for 5 music industry awards in 2002, singer/songwriter Gor Mkhitarian returns to the world music scene with his explosive second album entitled Godfather Tom: Music from the Armenian Underground.

The use of banjos, acoustic/electric guitars, flutes, an African Djembe and harmonicas on Godfather Tom reflects Gor’s quest to diversify and electrify his unique style of New Armenian world indie-pop. Recorded in Armenia during the summer of 2002, Godfather Tom also features Gor’s longtime musical collaborator Aaron Stayman on the banjo and guitar. Like Kristi Stassinopoulou (The Secrets of the Rocks) of Greece, Ely Guerra of (Lotofire) of Mexico and Manu Chau (Clandestino) of France, Mkhitarian creates a homeland sound without worrying about being “authentic.”

Sporting a sound closely akin to Dave Matthews, Bob Dylan, and Armenian troubadour Rouben Haghverdian, Mkhitarian’s sensitive yet unsentimental style of music maintains a populist appeal.

The G-Man
Electro Pop

The G-Man invented a new genre of music called Grin Groove that is being broadcast globally and played in clubs from Los Angeles to Miami to Paris to Moscow.

The G-Man's first release, Grin Groove, was named Electronica Album of the Year at the 2002 Los Angeles Music Awards. Grin Groove contains 9 slammin' songs, plus 2 exciting remixes by il moroso (jazz-classical pianist William Morosi) and DJ Insane (leader of Europe's The Allianz).

The G-Man's second album, Electro Bop, is in a different genre: electronic-with-vocals. The album has received immediate interest from radio programmers (two tracks were added to college radio playlists and played in clubs prior to the album's release).
Songs on both albums are hot -- tracks have been compared to Moby, David Bowie, Spandau Ballet, Die Form, Fatboy Slim, Chemical Brothers, Thomas Dolby, and even Zappa. Rumor has it that Matt Forger will be mixing few new tracks on G-Man's follow-up release.

11.11.03

Concord Records
upc # 0-13431-21872-2
release date: 10/7/2003

10.21. 03
Album on Amazon
Bad Boy Entertainment

New Artist Spotlight
Purchase cd here!

9.23.03
Rendez Vous Music
Amazon

9.30.03
Wea Intl.

New Artist Spotlight
Pomegranate Music
POM CD-1919
11.04.03

New Artist Spotlight

Electro Bop
Delvian Records
UPC: 6-75604-21002-7
03-03

Label Mergers Are Music to Indies' Ears
As the record industry's leaders rush to combine, upstart companies say the trend will work to their advantage.

Meet the CEO's of contraction big 3
Nobuyuki Idei (Sony), Jean-René Fourtou (Vivendi Universal), Richard D. Parsons (Time-Warner)

The latest wave of consolidation in the ailing music industry could mean that 75% of the music sold in the world would be controlled by just three companies. Consider the headlines of the past several weeks: Sony Music Entertainment, a division of Sony (SNE ), plans to merge with BMG Entertainment. Meanwhile, No. 1 music company Universal Music Group is snapping up the record division of movie studio DreamWorks for an estimated $100 million. And the Warner Music Group, a division of Time-Warner (TWX ), and EMI continue to explore combining operations.

This sharp contraction will send ripples through the music industry, but executives of independent music companies don't seem too worried. Their message to the music giants: Merge away! In fact, this new consolidation, and the resulting pressure to cut costs, will create enormous opportunities for them, the smaller fry figure. As management and artists get dropped by major labels, the upstarts will be able to recruit new executive talent and sign acts looking for more nimble handlers.

Result: Independent record labels think they'll grab a larger share of the music market, after dropping to 25% from 28% four years ago. "We're ushering in a period that will be the blooming of a thousand independents," says Steve Gottlieb, CEO of TVT Records, which has about a 1% share of the music market. TVT's roster of artists includes Lil Jon & The EastSide Boyz, Sevendust, and Default.

WILL ARTISTS SUFFER? Taking a long-term view, the consolidation baffles some veteran music-industry followers. "Merging doesn't get you more or better music," says Hal Vogel, founder of media investment firm Vogel Capital Management. "It only stifles creativity, as executives worry more about budgets and who's going to be the next to go out the door."

The cost controls that big music companies say they're seeking in consolidation have been standard business practice with smaller independents all along. In a leaner industry, the leaner operations will thrive, so bring it on, they say. Bigger and fewer music companies "just won't be as friendly to artist development," says Cliff Chenfeld, co-founder of Razor & Tie, whose roster includes Dar Williams, Brand New, and 40 Below Summer. "I see more opportunities for us, not less." (Privately held Razor & Tie has a distribution deal with fourth-largest music outfit BMG.)

Artemis Records, for example, can sell 100,000 copies of an artist's CD and make a profit, while it takes sales of a million or more for a major to make money, says music-industry vet Danny Goldberg, Artemis' founder. That's because indies have lower fixed costs, pay less for promotions, and have less staff to support. What will happen as a result of these mergers is that more performance-based deals with artists will be struck, rather than "deals based on what you hope they will sell," says Goldberg. Artemis' roster includes Steve Earle and the Pretenders.

WAKE-UP CALL. Driving this new merger wave is the 20% decline in music sales over the past three years. Labels blame the precipitous falloff on piracy and online file-sharing, while some consumers point to lousy music offerings. The merger rationale is that by combining operations, costs can be cut, offering some leeway to the big music companies pressured by shareholders to try to gain traction selling tunes online.

Is consolidation a Band-Aid approach? "It allows for a 36 month solution," says Gottlieb. "Once the costs are cut, there are no economies of scale. Look, it's not like scale has insulated any of the big music companies from the real problems the industry faces."

Being big still has its advantages in exerting leverage to get new artists on the radio and on the shelves of big retailers, like Wal-Mart (WMT ), Best Buy (BBY ), and Target (TGT ). But as online music becomes more popular, the majors' leverage "doesn't count as much," says Vogel. "The cost of distributing your product doesn't cost nearly as much per unit in cyberspace."

Like the wake-up call that piracy sent to the music moguls, perhaps watching more and more acts on independent labels rocket up the charts might serve as yet another reminder to the Big Labels that their industry needs fewer tourniquet approaches and more strategic thinking. (By Tom Lowry in New York, BW)

Keys to Avatar!

Tino Passante (Avatar Studio manager) with Alicia Keys at the videotaping for Sessions@AOL event held in Studio A
on 9/15 with J Records and AOL Music.

J Records and AOL Music recently taped "Sessions@AOL" with Alicia Keys in studio A (Neve 8068). The live performance to air in October was engineered by Greg Thompson, Brian Montgomery and Anthony Ruotolo.
Tommy LiPuma and Al Schmitt recently returned to Avatar with Diana Krall who's recording for her upcoming Verve release. Brian Montgomery & Ross Petersen assisted.

Grammy Award Winner Sheryl Crow recently in recording for the "Carter Family Tribute" to Johnny Cash. AVATAR's Roy Hendrickson engineered and mixed with help from Anthony Ruotolo

Engineer/producer Kevin Killen recently mixing the new album by Five For Fighting for Columbia records in studo B- (SSL9000). Tracks were produced by Bill Bottrell and Gregg Wattenberg. Brian Montgomery assisted.
Producer Gregg Wattenberg recently in doing overdubs for Wind-up Records' Big Dismal with engineer John Agnello. Ross Petersen assisted.

Producer John Alagia (Dave Matthews, John Mayer) recently in with RCA recording artist Rachel Yamagata cutting piano and vocal tracks for her upcoming release in Studio C- (NEVE-VRP72). Ross Petersen assisted.
Engineer Joe Ferla recently in tracking with RCA artist Eliane Elias. Elias co-produced along with Steve Rodby. Peter Doris assisted.

Producer/Engineer Jason Corsaro recently in mixing with new artist "Vast"
for an independent release in Studio D- (SSL9000) Peter Doris assisted.

Avatar Studios appointed Roy Hendrickson (above) as their Chief Engineer. His
duties include heading up Avatar’s renowned maintenance department. Roy is already a resident of Avatar’s recording complex with his own mixing room, Studio R, on the 4th floor. That is where he recently mixed Cheap Trick’s soon-to-be-released DVD, featuring live concert footage mixed in surround, on his Yamaha DM2000 console. Roy brings over 18 years of engineering expertise and industry experience to his new position.

Skywaker gets an 88R and hosts to great session!

Highlights include: 6 channels of Pacific Microsonics Model 2, 48 console controlled remote Neve mic pre-amps, 48 channels of Pro Tools HD, and 48 channels of R1.

Recent mixing projects include:
5.1 DVD-A Herbie Hancock Future 2 Future
5.1 DVD-A String Cheese Incident- full concert video
5.1 SACD remix Michael Feinstein and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
5.1 SACD remix Rosemary Clooney's White Christmas

Recent recording projects include:
Vanessa Carlton
Michael W. Smith
Kronos Quartet

DMT provides an HD System for the recording of "Looney Tunes" & "Peter Pan"

The Scoring Crew at Warner Bros. Eastwood Stage during dates for "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" (left-to-right): Music Editor Ken Hall; DMT presidentDoug Botnick; Barry Fawcett (Warner Bros. Floor Man); Richard Wheeler(Warner Bros. Cue/Floor Man); Ryan Robinson (Warner Bros. Scoring TechnicalSupport); Jamie Olvera (Warner Bros. Client Services - in front); Pro Tools
Operator Tom Graham; Greg Dennen (Warner Bros. Scoring Recordist); PeteGermansen (Warner Bros. Scoring Technical Support); Bruce Botnick; and DMT'sBrad Cobb. Not pictured: Recordist Bob Bayless. Photo: E. J. Annas
Doug Botnick, composer James Newton Howard and scoring mixer Shawn Murphy pictured (R) at Todd Scoring during soundtrack recording and mixing for Revolution Studios' new film.

DMT Rentals recently supplied an array of high-precision converters to scoring engineer Shawn Murphy for use during the recording of James Newton Howard's haunting score to "Peter Pan," which is scheduled for release within the US this coming Christmas.

The highly experienced music scoring mixer/producer Bruce Botnick once again called on DMT Rentals to supply the high-precision recording systems he needed to capture Jerry Goldsmith's innovative musical score for Warner Bros.' new movie, "Looney Tunes: Back in Action," directed by Joe Dante and starring Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, Steve Martin,
Timothy Dalton plus Heather Locklear.

Botnick has recorded the majority of Jerry Goldsmith's scores, including "Star Trek First Contact," "Basic Instinct," "The Sum Of All Fears," "L.A. Confidential" and many more. In
addition, Botnick has just completed work on David Newman's score for "Duplex," directed by Danny DiVito. Other notable features include: Quincy Jones' score for "The Color Purple" and John Williams' score for "E.T." The
"Looney Tunes: Back In Action" score was recorded with a 100-piece orchestra
plus drums, electric bass and guitar at Warner Bros. Eastwood Stage in Burbank, California.

Botnick's next project will be an orchestral score with composer David Newman for Universal Pictures' upcoming feature, "The Cat In The Hat," directed by Bo Welch, and starring Mike Myers and Alec Baldwin.

More information on the complete range of DMT Rentals' equipment and
consulting services is available from fn 818.559.2272. fx 818.559.2329 EMAIL Doug Botnick

Allair Sounds!
A Recording Sanctuary for studio cats and the stars alike

Guests are greeted by Mr Ed at arrival to Allair

studioexpresso visited with vet engineer/studio manager Mark Mckenna back in October who told us what's up on the Glen Tonche hill-top studio ...great sounds coming out of the studio include -- Norah Jones, David Bowie, just to drop a few names! Craig Street with engineer Husky Hoskulds had just finished mixing the Gipsey Kings and were thrilled with the sound of the SSL 9K. The production team used the Great Hall itself as a live reverb chamber, making use of the room's nearly 90,000 cubic foot volume for natural reverb. A smaller space, the nearby men's room, was also used as a chamber; watch out - even the bathrooms can be mic'd up at Allaire! Craig and Husky dug the Augspurger monitors, and the dinners at sunset weren't bad either.

In the spacious control room with the SSL 9K studioexpresso's Claris with manager Mark McKenna

Choice gear, great hospitality and the down-to-earth vibe of this studio coupled with the VU's (high, about 2000 feet above sea level, overlooking this big reservoir. You can spot a hawk or eagles in the sky... it's truly outstanding! The on-site accommodations are superb --chef on demand, exquisitely decorated rooms... Good going Mark and staff! If you don't have your directions to the place, there's always a friendly Britt fetching you to the hilltop mansion on Glen Tonche! Put this one on your must visit list if/when near New York. It's only an hour away from the Big Apple near the artsy town of Woodstock. We enjoyed visiting the nearby historical village filled with great restaurants and galleries. Allair, Allright! Read more...

Producer Cory Rooney and Engineer Peter Wade Heat Up!
The New GML 8200 Stereo Parametric EQ Hit after Hit

It doesn't get any hotter than the string of artists producer Cory Rooney and engineer Peter Wade have been recording this year. Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony, Toni Braxton, Tamar Braxton (Toni's younger sister) and Tarralyn Ramsey, winner of the "VH1 Born to Diva" contest, have all worked with this much sought after production team. Rooney and Wade work out at the Pool House Studios in Long Island.

"I've used all the GML gear for years now going back to my stint at Sony's studios," engineer Peter Wade says. "There is something about the 8200 - it adds the proper amount of life to anything."

Peter Wade goes on to say: "For recording at the Pool House, I've been using
either the Universal Audio 2-610 tube mic pre-amp or my Vintech X81 modules
(Neve 1081 module copy) which both have EQs. Sometimes I leave them flat and
experiment with the 8200 to carve out whatever frequencies I need to dump or
boost. I wish I had an entire desk of 8200s. It's such a great workhorse.

On Jennifer Lopez's album, "This Is Me Then," in conjunction with Bruce Swedien, Wade used the 8200 to track all the MIDI instruments at the Hit factory in New York. "We were holed up in Studio 2 for almost a year," Wade continues. "Having the 8200 around was amazing to make synths and drum machines sound 'bangin', and if need be to make them more pleasing. The 8200 makes it easy to clean up grimy sounding samples or synths. My sounds had to blend with the great live sounds Bruce got on musicians like drummer Omar
Hakim and bass player Verdine White. Really what I like about the 8200 is that I know what I can get out of it and I can get what I need - FAST! There are a lot of other boxes I could use but they're just not as fast and don't sound as good."

Designed by George Massenburg, the two-rack space GML 8200 is the archetype stereo parametric equalizer and has been an industry standard for over twenty years. Each of the five broad and overlapping bands offers 15dB of boost or cut and adjustable bandwidth (Q) from 0.4 to 4. Additionally, the lowest and highest bands can be switched to shelf modes. Known for its extraordinary resolution, benchmark transparency, generous headroom, and
surgical precision, the GML 8200 continues to be the reference standard for many other equalizers with none considered better.

Transamerica Audio Group, founded by industry veteran Brad Lunde, has quickly become the premier U.S. importer/distributor for high-end audio. Transamerica AG's product lines include AEA ribbon microphones (USA), Apex (Belgium), ATC Loudspeakers (UK), Brauner
(Germany), Drawmer (UK), Geoffrey Daking & Co. (USA), George Massenburg Labs
(GML) (USA), Manley Labs (USA), Mission Audio (UK) Phoenix Audio (UK)
Soundelux (USA), SoundField (UK), and Z-Systems (USA).

Plus XXX hosts Durack in the new SSL K room

US engineer Tom Durack recently finished mixing a new album for Virgin France artist Étienne Daho at Plus XXX in Paris, using the facility’s new Solid State Logic 9088 XL K console. The album, entitled Re-evolution, was produced by Daho in conjunction with musician Bertrand “Mako” Blais and will be released in November.

R-Place in Nashville

Industry veterans David Schumaker and Crystal Taliefero have taken their combined 30 years of experience and established a unique approach to the studio business forming R -
Place Studios, an all inclusive production studio located just 10 minutes from downtown Nashville. The studio, formerly known as The Salt Mine, reopens this month with a new name, new gear, a new design and a new attitude. "Our philosophy is simple: the right vibe, the right gear, the right price," said Schumaker.

For more information on R-Place studios visit them on the web at or call 615-377-0677.

Paramount Moves with Dooley

Paramount/Ameraycan Studios owners Adam Beilenson and Mike Kerns announced the appointment of Bill Dooley as chief mastering engineer and director of post-production services at Paramount Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

"We're very excited to have Bill join our team at Paramount," said Kerns. "Bill brings a wealth of talent, knowledge and experience to Paramount Mastering." Dooley, who has been involved in mastering since being the chief recording engineer at Atlantic Recording Studios in New York City, has also built and operated CD mastering facilities at the former A&M Recording Studios and the former Brooklyn, now Extasy Recording Studios. Dooley's mastering credits range from CD remastering of Madonna's Bedtime Stories and Me'shell N'degocello's Peace Beyond Passion, to Motley Crue's "Lewd, Crude and Tattooed 5.1 DVD. For more on Paramount Recording Studios, visit www.paramountrecording.com

Production space available for Lease

This excellent space is available adjacent to a recording studio & audio post-production facility. 2500 sq. ft. loft with Roof deck, skylights, hardwood floors, full kitchen, 2.5 baths, secure parking. Blocks to Main St., Abbot Kinney, Santa Monica shops and restaurants,
Pacific Ocean Suitable for record label • music/film related company.
For more info: click on space for lease at Tutto Media or call 310-399-2800

Business Chops offered inspiration and practical advice to musicians/songwriters

Presented by Guitar Center's GCPro in association with Succeeding In Music and studioexpresso, the seminars were held at Sportsmens' Lodge on 9.15 and The knitting Factory on 11.2. The events drew close to 300 musicians, songwriters and audio professionals who discussed current issues relating to the artist and offered positive suggestions on how to seize opportunities present in today's changing music Industry.

Artist Development Room (ADR) was hosted by studioepxresso. It featured producers Marvin Etzioni (Counting Crowes, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Grey De Lisle), Matt Forger (Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney)and Jeff Gross (Baywatch, MTV, Raj) who listened to songs and offered evaluation. Read more here...

The Acoustic Room hosted by studioexpresso featured producers (L-R) Jeff Gross, Marvin Etzioni and Matt Forger.

The Artist Revolution Panel moderated by John Wooler, featured producers (L-R): Bobby Borg, Scott Mathews, John Wooler, Michael C Ross and Andre Fischer.

Barry's Toy Closet
Yamaha's Three New VST/AU Plug-Ins

With "all things audio" now done inside of DAWs, it seems a good fit for Yamaha to release VST plug-in versions of their digital signal processes previously only available in their standalone outboard processors or digital consoles. The three new plug-in modules are compatible for Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98 or 98SE and Mac OS, 9.x or OSX.
First up is Pitch Fix (MSRP $299), the first plug-in implementation of Yamaha’s proprietary formant pitch correction and pitch shifting technology. Pitch correction using formant shifting better preserves the quality of the original signal. Vocal Rack (MSRP $199) includes 20 presets using processing tools specifically designed for vocal
processing, including a high pass filter, compressor, harmonic enhancer, three-band EQ, de-esser, gate and delay. Final Master (MSRP $199) is based on Yamaha’s compression algorithms including a multi-band compressor/limiter with adjustable frequency control, three soft clipping models and pre-seek look-ahead technology. Available in December, for more information contact:
Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Digital Musical Instruments, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone 714-522-9011, or visit www.yamaha.com,
www.yamahasynth.com or www.motifator.com

Who would you like to see interviewed? Send us your feedback.
Past interviews include:Get your FREE Real One Player download

Ken Allardyce - Sarm West, UK
Chris Fogel - Fig, Glendale, CA
Greg Ladanyi - Tidal Wave Sound, Studio City, CA
Joseph Magee - O'Henry Studios, Burbank, CA
Michael C Ross - Royaltone Studios, North Hollywood, CA
Tolbert & Sutton - Studio Atlantis, Hollywood, CA
Rafa Sardina - Abbey Road, UK

studioexpresso in alliance with the following affiliates is pleased to bring you these interviews. Big thanks to: Record Production & Babblefish

Elliot Smith 1969-2003 and Robert Palmer 1949-2003 RIP

If there's a heaven up there, we know Elliott is jamming with his hero George Harrison and Robert has the pretty models dancing in the background.

It's Still Ok To Dream
Atlantic Records has announced the November 18th release of an all-star benefit album in support of Save the Children, a development and relief organization working in the United States and around the world to make lasting, positive change in the lives of children in need.

The album features classic songs by 15 of the top names in contemporary music, including Babyface, Eva Cassidy, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli, Don Henley, Jewel, Carole King, Barry Manilow, Sarah McLachlan, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Sting, Barbra Streisand, and James Taylor.

The executive producer of this exceptional collection is the legendary Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager. “We live in troubled times and, if after hearing this record we feel a little better, then hopefully we can carry that feeling with us, and collectively make this world a better place. For in the end… it is always about the children,” says Sager.

Books 4 Stocking Stuffers!

The Men Behind Def Jam: The Radical Rise of Russell Simmons And Rick Rubin
by Alex Ogg

When Russell Simmons (most recently subject of a cover story by Business Week) and Rick Rubin started Def Jam from Rubin's N.Y.U. dorm room, they couldn't possibly have imagined it would turn into a multi-million-dollar entertainment company. But, it did, and the people who built the brand: LL Cool J (James Todd Smith), whose limitless talent and charisma have made him a star on the mike, the tube, and the silver screen; Flavor Flav (William Drayton) and Chuck D of Public Enemy, who released the hands-down great4est hip-hop album of the 80's the polictically charged hard-core rap masterpiece It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back; Hank Shocklee, part of Enemy's groundbreaking "Bomb Squad" production team; Lyor Cohen, Run-DMC's former road manager and Def Jam's current chairman and C.E.O.; Tom Araya, lead singer of Slayer, the first of Def Jams' hard-rock bands; and the almighty Run-DMC, Reverend Run (Joseph Simmons), and longtime assoicate Runny Ray (Raymond White)- transformed hip-hop and paved the way for all that followed.

American Music
by Annie Leibovitz


The new book out by photographer Annie Leibovitz - covering msucians in their homes, recording studios, and on tour. Four years in the making the book includes a picture with Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin (see footnote below) among numerous others. The acompanying exhibition will be presented at Experience Music Project, in Seattle from November thourgh January 2004.

The English Roses & Mr. Peabody’s Apples
by Madonna

Audible, Inc. is pleased to announce that Mr. Peabody’s Apples, along with Madonna’s first children’s book, The English Roses, both read by the author herself, are available for download beginning today at Audible.com.

Aged 44, Madonna remains a top-selling recording artist after 20 years in the music business. Despite mixed reviews her latest album, American Life, topped the charts in the UK and US - selling nearly half a million copies in America.

Broken Music
by Sting

"Having been a songwriter most of my life, condensing my ideas and emotions into short rhyming couplets and setting them to music, I had never really considered writing a book. But upon arriving at the reflective age of fifty, I found myself drawn, for the first time, to write long passages that were as stimulating and intriguing to me as any songwriting I had ever done" -- Sting

Chill At CHI
Justin Timberlake's Sunset Hideaway

8401 Sunset Blvd.
Sunset Hyatt Hotel
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323-656-1234

Described as "Shanghai-meets-Blade Runner," Chi's (inside the Hyatt Hotel on Sunset) decor includes an indoor waterfall and VIP room. Co-owners Art and Allan Davis said Timberlake was very involved in the details of opening the club and even offered interior design ideas for the furnishings. Although Chi has only been open for few weeks, celebs such as No Doubt's Gwen Stefani have already stopped by to check out it out.

Holidays -- GIVE!


SoundArt -- music program that encourages creativity, responsibility and self esteem in underserved Los Angeles youth.
Save The Children making lasting positive change in the lives of children in need
Heifer -- The difference a gift of an animal can make in the life of a struggling family.
Amnesty Int - Imagine -- to raise awareness and move people to consider what is required right now to make the world a safer, more peaceful place.
Olive Crest -- support a child or family
Red Cross - together we can save a life
Angel Guardian School in Columbia special school that educates underprivileged children in Columbia.

Early Fall Foliage, New York

Happy Thanksgiving!

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