>> from the editor...

An end of the year call to all producers, engineers and mixers and producer managers: Please check your listing in our online producer directory - we need any and all updates before we put it in print at the beginning of next year! Send any updates or corrections to your listing to Info@rpmdirect.com. If you have industry related press, news, announcements, client updates, music reviews or something else to contribute, send it here. Happy Holidays!

>> Music Industry Commences New Wave Of Legal Action Against Illegal File Sharers

The music industry recently announced another expansion of its ongoing campaign against those who illegally distribute large amounts of copyrighted music files through the Internet. In addition to the 308 lawsuit notification letters sent and 341 lawsuits filed since September, the industry is this week filing 41 new suits and sending 90 lawsuit notification letters to illegal file sharers in various new regions around the country. The goal of these lawsuits is to help foster an environment that provides a level playing field for the growing number of legitimate online music services to thrive. As the music industry's enforcement campaign continues, many targeted illegal file sharers contacting the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to work out settlements. The RIAA has now secured 220 settlements with file-sharers, resulting from a combination of lawsuits filed, notification letters sent to those targeted for legal action, and individuals who had contacted the RIAA after learning that their identifying information was subpoenaed from their Internet service provider (ISP). Additionally, 1,054 former file sharers have submitted affidavits for the "Clean Slate" amnesty program. The anti-piracy campaign has also made significant moves to deepen the understanding of the illegality of file-sharing copyrighted songs, according to a new consumer survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. New consumer survey results from a November poll, among 802 Americans age 10 and over, show that 64 percent of those polled understand it's illegal to "make music from the computer available for others to download for free over the Internet." That's up from 37 percent in November 2002, and for certain subgroups, the new awareness numbers are even higher -- for example, 69 versus 16 percent among "regular Internet users." The latest November survey shows that by a margin of more than two-to-one, 56-23 percent, Americans are supportive and understanding of the industry's decision to undertake "lawsuits against computer users who share substantial amounts of copyrighted music online." Independent analyses (for example, Nielsen/Netratings) from a variety of experts suggest traffic on the illegal peer-to-peer network sites is down and virtually all of the legitimate services report an increase in traffic to and interest in their sites. And new Peter D. Hart Research numbers also show a deepening appreciation for the legal online music marketplace: by a 52- 20 margin, respondents feel there are good legal alternatives to illegal downloading.

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>> Joe D'Ambrosio Producer Management Updates

We recently caught up with Joe D'Ambrosio for a roster update before we break for the holidays. Here's the latest: Tony Visconti is in the midst of Producing the new Manic Street Preachers release (Sony UK). He is also preparing to Mix several live David Bowie albums for 5.1 surround release. Bob Rosa has his second #1 Billboard position of 2003 with Ednita Nazario’s Ednita Por Ti (Sony Discos) on the Billboard Latin Charts. (Bob’s previous #1 this year was Becky Baeling’s “Getaway” (Universal).) Eric Schilling has just completed Mixing Juan Luis Guerra’s latest release, Soldado (Karen/Universal). He begins Mixing Gloria Estefan-Live and Unwrapped in Las Vegas in stereo and 5.1 for DVD release (Sony). Additionally, Eric is featured as Mix Master in the January issue of MIX magazine. Danny Kadar (My Morning Jacket, Chris Whitley, Iggy Pop) is in the midst of building his studio in New Orleans and has just finished Recording and Mixing Almas Gemelas. Lawrence Manchester is in currently Woodstock Recording and Mixing The Darren Lyons Band with David Sancious producing. Lawrence has just finished Recording/Mixing the Off-Broadway play Boy Meets Boy as well as the original score to the film, Door In The Floor, for composer Marcelo Zarvos. Josiah Gluck is going into Sear Sound later this month to Record and Mix Karrin Allyson (Concord). Tom Durack is in Atlanta working with Cindy Wilson (B-52’s) on her new project, The Cindy Wilson Band. Tom’s Mix of Reevolution (Virgin France) for Etienne Daho has already gone gold in France in its first month of release. For more information contact Joe D'Ambrosio at Joe D'Ambrosion Management (914) 422 0022.

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Using Solid State Logic’s XL 9000 K Series SuperAnalogue console for the first time, Tony Maserati, renowned for his cutting-edge mixing style, completed the production on Beyonce’s recent #1 album “Dangerously In Love” at the Hit Factory, Studio 3. Although Maserati has worked on Solid State Logic consoles since 1985 and almost exclusively on SSL consoles since the introduction of the SL 9000 J, he was still surprised by the ease of his transition to mixing on the SSL XL 9000 K. “I was really amazed at how quickly I was able to start mixing on this console,” says Maserati. “In the blink of an eye I was going back and forth between Pro Tools and the XL 9000 K’s new faster console computer, helping me to take the creative ideas that I had in my head and seamlessly integrate them through the console.” Maserati, clearly happy with the results of the work done on SSL’s XL 9000 K, is already hard at work on Beyonce’s upcoming album and is again using the “K.” Maserati was recently nominated for three Grammy’s including Best Engineered Album, Non Classical for his work on the Black Eyed Peas “Elephunk” album as well as two nominations for Record Of The Year for Beyonce featuring Jay-Z “Crazy In Love” and the Black Eyed Peas “Where Is The Love.”

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>> RPM Direct Set To Release Producer/Engineer Directory in Print -- UPDATE YOUR LISTING!

RPM Direct and The Music Business Registry have partnered to publish the print edition of RPM Direct's producer and producer management directory. NOTE: If you have a listing in our directory - producers, engineers, mixers, producer managers - MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE YOUR LISTINGS! We want to make sure your information is up to date before printing. Interested in advertising? For more information about extremely affordable introductory advertising rates, please contact Advertise@rpmdirect.com. Visit RPM Direct online: www.rpmdirect.com Visit The Music Business Registry online www.musicregistry.com

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>> Pacifica Software Creates Site for Studio Managers

Pacifica Software LLC, a provider of online business solutions, recently announced the availability of StudioSchedule.com, a Website designed specifically for managing recording studio schedules. Using StudioSchedule.com, studio managers can track their sessions from any Internet-connected computer without installing additional software. Since Studio Schedule is a Web site, there is no software to install or maintain, and you can let any number of computers access the site. Facilities can customize the site with the names of their studios. Managers can add logins for users to view the schedule, and any number of users can be granted access for one monthly fee. The Website can also generate custom printable track and take sheets for each session. For more information visit StudioSchedule.com or contact Sales@StudioSchedule.com.

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>> Fits & Starts Productions Surround Sound Road Tour Hits Road Again in Jan 2004

Fits & Starts Productions, LLC, North America's leading provider of audio seminars, is hitting the road once again with its continuing series of surround sound road tours. Over 270 seminars have been conducted all across the USA and selected sites in Canada over the past five tour seasons. Featuring audio engineer and surround authority Mike Sokol as the seminar lecturer, the seminars are scheduled to visit 18 cities from January 2004 to April 2004, totaling 36 cities for the season. The January schedule is avaialbe at the website link below. All surround seminars are free of charge to attendees, but you must RSVP to the local contact listed for your area. For upcoming tours please see www.modernrecording.com/seminars/index.shtml.

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>> Darkness, Goldfrapp, MOS, Basement Jaxx Highlight Return of Fanclub

In a move that perfectly illustrates the rise of the online fan club, UK based acts The Darkness, Goldfrapp, Melanie C and Ministry of Sound are making it a bumper Xmas for fans with a flurry of fan site promotions. This is a growing phenomenon as UK artists and their labels - including Robbie Williams, Moby, Craig David, Travis, So Solid Crew Def Jam, Cradle of Filth, Paul Weller, Universal Music, Warner Brothers, BMG, Ministry of Sound and Sanctuary - take advantage of the chart eligible status of their web shop sales handled by Recordstore.co.uk. Fans of The Darkness who spend more than £30 in the band's online store, are offered the chance to win a signed, gift-wrapped copy of their hotly tipped Christmas single, Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End). Goldfrapp on the other hand are using their shop to give away Goldfrapp Christmas cards to all those buying via the webiste. Offers like these are part of a growing trend of artists building ever-stronger relationships with fans via their web sites. Artist sites have been around for years, but sales have recently taken off thanks to the chart eligible status of Recordstore.co.uk, which runs their online shops. This has led to an uncorking of the internet genie across the UK industry - in addition to the 200 shops it already manages, Recordstore.co.uk has deals in place to develop stores for a score of Universal sites and several others for Sony Music UK and Warners. Finally these fan sites are doing what they would have done years ago had it not been for the chart issue - sell music. This has heralded the 'return of the fan club' - a great way for labels to sell music and merchandise while at the same time develop a stronger, closer relationship with their fans. Said Recordstore.co.uk CEO, Russel Coultart: "The flurry of artist web site xmas promotions illustrates labels and managers now getting to speed with the digital age. Creating a system for artist site sales to count towards the chart led to labels across the music spectrum selling music this way, and these activites are the next evolutionary step." Recordstore.co.uk operates online shops for over 200 UK labels and artists/bands. The company currently carries 160,000 individual product lines, covering music and music-related merchandise. Recordstore.co.uk is one of only six e-tailers whose sales count towards The Official UK Chart. www.recordstore.co.uk

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>> The Mastering Lab Garners Another Grammy Nomination

The Mastering Lab in Hollywood, California is proud to announce another Grammy nomination. Mastering Engineer Gavin Lurssen has been nominated under the Best Historical category for his work on the “Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues” box set. The set is an accompaniment to the much acclaimed PBS series aired recently under the same title. This is the third nomination for the Mastering Lab. Doug Sax and Robert Hadley were nominated in 2002 for Album Of The Year for their work on The Dixie Chicks release “Home” and Gavin Lurssen won a Grammy in 2001 for Album Of The Year for his work on T-Bone Burnett’s “O Brother Where Art Thou” soundrack album. Additionally Doug Sax has been selected to receive the Grammy Tech award for 2003 for technical achievements throughout his 35 year career. He joins distinguished colleagues Rupert Neve, George Massenburg, Les Paul and Robert Moog among others for this award. Please visit The Mastering Lab online at www.themasteringlab.com

>> Norah Jones Returns To The Studio

Blue Note Record recording artist Norah Jones is currently putting some finishing touches on her second album in a New York studio with a planned release date of February 2004. "I really can't think about the success of last year," said Jones, referring to her multi-platinum selling and 8-time Grammy award winning debut album Come Away With Me. "I'm just focusing on trying to make the best music I can at this point." Veteran Arif Mardin is once again handling production duties, along with Jones. Guest artists on the record include Dolly Parton, Tony Scherr on guitar, Rob Burger on organ, Jessie Harris on guita), drummer Levon Helm, keyboardist/saxophonist Garth Hudson, and jazz drummer Brian Blade. Jones is due to kick off a worldwide tour in Europe in April 2004. www.norahjones.com

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>> Midem 2004 To Launch Brand New Mobile Music Forum

Over recent months mobile music services have proven to be popular and profitable, with the growing synergy between mobile telephone devices and mobile music promising a new and targeted medium for the promotion and distribution of music. In response to this growing new market Midem 2004 launches the brand new Mobile Music Forum, on Sunday, 25 January. Focusing on the burgeoning mobile sector, the one day Forum will present a series of conferences, workshops and keynotes providing an ideal community and environment for professionals to network within the wireless music market. Mobile telephone networks, device manufacturers, service providers, labels and publishers, including numerous big names and leading experts from the sector, will get together in Cannes and give professionals the unique opportunity to share the tremendous openings for the music industry that this new technology provides. Ralph Simon, Chmn of MEF Americas (Mobile Entertainment Forum), is to chair the event, Takeshi Natsuno, Managing Dir, i-mode Strategy of NTT DoCoMo, will give the keynote speech and Graeme Ferguson, Exec Content Development, Vodafone Global Content Services is to present a spotlight. Executives from Nokia, Ericsson, T-Mobile and Universal Music Mobile will also contribute their extensive experience to the different panels. "Music + Mobile = Money + Marketing" will be the ongoing theme throughout the Mobile Music Forum. Will this be the winning formula for the music industry? www.midem.com

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>> New York's Avatar Studios November Sessions Highlights

New York City's Avatar Studios has remained busy as ever at this point in the year. Avatar's Studio A (Neve 8068) hosted Virgin Records and AOL Music to tape a recent "Sessions at AOL" with the legendary Iggy and the Stooges. The recording was engineered by Gregg Thompson, with live sound duties handled by Avatar's Anthony Ruotolo. Max Jazz artist Claudia Acuna recently recorded her new release with engineer Joe Ferla at Avatar with Brian Montgomery assisted. Avatar Studio B (SSL9000) recently hosted Island/DefJam artist Fefe Dobson in recording vocals with producer Jay Levine and Avatar engineer Brian Montgomery. Producer Gregg Wattenberg recently stopped by to overdub and mix tracks with Sanctuary artist the Mavericks. Avatar's Ross Petersen engineered with help from Brian Montgomery. Avatar's Studio C (Neve VRP72) hosted producer and Virgin Records exec Josh Deutsch, recently in recording tracks for Rick Fante's upcoming release. Vaughan Merrick engineered with help from Ross Petersen. For more information contact Tino Passante at (212) 765-7500.

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>> Recording Session Notes and Other Updates...

David Z has just completed the CD and DVD stereo and 5.1 mixes of "The John Mayall 70th Birthday Concert", which he also recorded in Liverpool. The concert features Eric Clapton playing for the first time with John Mayall since The Blues Breakers, 38 years ago. Also featured is Mick Taylor, formerly of the Rolling Stones. The DVD and CD is released on Eagle records this week. David Z has also mixed the Etta James CD called "Lets Roll", [Private Music/RCA] which is nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary Blues" Album. Mr.Z can be reached at; The David Z company at (615) 812 0222.

Michael Birnbaum produced and engineered the latest album from Coheed and Cambria, In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth: 3 which has been holding strong in the CMJ Top 20 for several weeks. Coheed And Cambria are currently on tour with Thursday and Thrice. For more information on Michael Birnbaum, please contact Andy Kipnes, Mark Beaven, Heather Hawkins, Mio Vukovic, Becky Scott, or Tara Kelly at 212-924-2929.

Moog Music announces its 2004 calendar, which celebrates 50 years of music technology. The full color, 12x12-inch hanging wall calendar features 12 months of current and vintage Moog photos, chronicling 50 years of the man and his instruments. It is available from www.moogmusic.com.

The 11th Annual Grammy Producers SoundTable will be held on January 17 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA., Top producers and recording engineers will discuss current industry technologies and issues, and how they affect the way music is made, heard and distributed. Hosted by NAMM and moderated by E! Entertainment music reporter and "Hits" Executive Editor Dave Adelson. www.grammy.com

Loho Studios in New York City recently hosted Patti Smith who was in tracking for 6 weeks for her new album on Columbia. The band self-produced, and Emery Dobyns engineered with Tom Gloady & Joe Hogan assisting. They tracked to 2" analog. Universal artist Flaw came in with producer David Botrill to cut guitars, vocals, piano, and strings for their upcoming spring release. Brian Sperber swappped between engineer / PT editor. They tracked to Botrill's Pro Tools HD rig. Gus Oberg assisted. For more information contact Jason Candler at (212) 979-8685

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