>> from the editor...

The print edition of our online Producer/Engineer directory is almost here -- if you're interested in a "name your price" ad to position your company, studio or industry service in front of our international audience, there's still time. To request an advertising rate card or more information, please send email to Advertise@rpmdirect.com. Meanwhile, if you have industry related press, news, announcements, client updates, music reviews or something else to contribute, send it to News@rpmdirect.com.

Remote Recording recently returned home to NYC, after broadcasting the 76th Annual Academy Awards, for the first time in 5.1. Remote Recording's "Silver Studio" provided the orchestra mix, as well as having the live announcers in their acoustically isolated on board booth. Remote Recording recently purchased a Martinsound MultiMAX EXR, for surround mixing on their Neve VR console. Chief Engineer, David Hewitt said, "The MultiMAX came highly recommended, and lived up to its praise. This was the first time the Academy Awards would broadcast in surround, and we wanted to make sure it went off without a hitch. We have recorded many live shows for surround using other systems, but the Martinsound became our choice." Tom Vicari was on board as the Orchestra Mixer, along with brother Dan Vicari, who was the Orchestra Stage Manager. Phil Gitomer supervised all things technical and Sean McClintock made sure all the Orchestra microphones were in place for the 96 channels of Millennnia HV-3 Preamps to send to the Neve in the Silver Studio. Vicari sent the orchestra mix to Ed Greene, who then sent out stereo domestic, stereo international, surround domestic, and surround international mixes. Tad Scripter, the Engineer In Charge, was quite happy with the result. Tom Vicari recorded to the Genex 9048 for instant replays of the sound checks. The Genex records 48 tracks of DSD digital as well as PCM 96K. The comparison was quite interesting. To contact Remote Recording, call 212-759-0141, or visit their web site at www.remoterecording.com ^ Back up ^

>> Yamaha And ABC Give Lucky Family An "Extreme Makeover"

Yamaha recently helped make dreams come true for an unsuspecting family by donating a selection of musical instruments, recording equipment and accessories as part of ABC's "Extreme Makeover/Home Edition," which aired last month. Each week, the primetime inspirational home makeover show gives one deserving family with a compelling story a complete home renovation in a one-week period of time. The segment, Episode 3, "Garage Band/Recording Studio," focused on a family with musical talents. While John Cox traveled worldwide to help churches and organizations, his wife Wendy quit her job as a nurse to support her husband’s work and stay at home with their three daughters. John recently received a permanent position as a youth pastor, and was able to buy his family their very first home. As the family plays in a band, the renovation team turned the garage into a performance/recording studio area - something John had always wanted, but was unable to afford. Yamaha supplied an 02R96 digital mixer and AW16G digital workstation, MSP10 Studio monitor speakers, several acoustic and electric guitars (CPX5S, AES620 and SLG100N), an acoustic and electronic drum kit (Stage Custom and DTX PRESSII), a small P.A. system, a P90 digital piano and a complete selection of accessories. Custom studio furniture was supplied by Sound Construction & Supply, Inc. of Nashville, TN, and all microphones were supplied by Shure. "Prime time network television exposes music industry products to potential customers who may not normally walk into a music store," states Tom Sumner, general manager, Yamaha Professional Audio & Combo Division. This type of exposure is part of Yamaha's market expansion strategy to drive customers into its dealers. These consumers are amazed at the quality and value in Yamaha products when they get the opportunity to experience them." The show's lead designer and host is Ty Pennington, best known as the master carpenter from TLC’s hit "Trading Spaces." Pennington and the design team of Paul DiMeo, Michael Moloney and Constance Ramos began construction for the first season in early December, and are in production until May 2004, redesigning twelve homes. For more information visit www.yamaha.com.

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>> Hit Song Science Scores A Hit On First Attempt – Anastacia's "Left Outside Alone"

Polyphonic HMI recently announced that it has guided the production of it's first hit song. The first song, to be released whose producer used Hit Song Science (HSS) as a production tool has reached "Hot Rotation" upon release in its debut market. The song, Anastacia's "Left Outside Alone", was released to radio in Europe in late February and already is burning up the charts. Radio Hamburg's program director, Marzel Becker says the song "performs very well (as per audience feedback) and we've put it in hot (heavy) rotation." The song was produced by Glen Ballard and Dallas Austin with additional production and mixing done by Grammy-winning producer Ric Wake who used Polyphonic HMI's service, Hit Song Science (HSS), to calibrate the work for optimal mathematical patterns. "HSS takes a song that sounds like it might be a hit and makes sure it can be one. With finely tuned adjustments in the mix we can ensure it has the optimal mathematical patterns for maximum market performance," said Wake who has been using the new HSS technology in his studio for several months. "With that base covered, the odds of success are tremendous." "Hit Song Science does not take the place of golden ears and gut instinct", said Mike McCready, CEO of Polyphonic HMI. "Much like the x-ray machine is a tool that gives doctors objective and scientific information about the body, HSS is a tool that allows artists, producers and music industry executives the ability to see their music and their markets in ways that were previously impossible. Even with great ears however, the best in the industry are wrong a lot more often than they are right. The stark reality for every music label is that songs that sound and feel like hits get promoted on a regular basis, but strangely do not perform in the market. Most of these songs do not have what Polyphonic has determined to be optimal mathematical patterns that compel people to want to hear the song again and again, or better yet, go out and buy it. This is not because of some mind-controlling element hidden in the music, rather simply because the music connects with them on a visceral level. HSS helps the labels avoid promoting the kind of songs that are destined to be duds no matter how much they sound like hits. And that can save literally millions of dollars for the music industry." For more information visit www.polyphonichmi.com

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Rafa Sardina engineered Alejandro Sanz' latest album which won a Grammy in the best latin Pop catagory. The title track says it al -"It's Not the Same." What is most compelling about No Es Lo Mismo is the way Sanz and his co-producer, the Cuban musician Lulo Perez, have synthesized separate yet complementary music elements -- Sanz' signature flamenco style, as well as bossa nova all set against a backdrop of blues, jazz, and a hint of disco -- into one purely individual style. The sound was influenced by Sanz' diverse set of personal tastes, from the flamenco that he grew up listening to in Spain to more contemporary fare, "even some Linkin Park," Sanz admits. In its first week worldwide the album generated 1 million in sales and debuted at #1 in Spain, #1 in Argentina and Mexico, #3 in Chile and #2 on the Billboard Latin album charts in the US. Sanz recorded the album in his native Spain, as well as at Miami's Hit Factory with Michael Landau and rhythm section of Vinnie Colaiuta and Anthony Jackson. Sanz's previous efforts have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide, and he's enjoyed an increase in popularity in the U.S. after cleaning up at the Latin Grammys two years in a row. "It was a pleasure working with Alejandro, Lulo and all the amazing studio musicians. They made my work sound as good as it gets," says Rafa Sardina. Multi-Grammy winning engineer/mixer Rafa Sardina has an eclectic and impressive client list that includes artists: Alejandro Sanz, Macy Gray, Jessy Moss, Dru Hill, Kina, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel, Soul Coughing, Angie Stone, Juan Gabriel and more. For more information contact Claris Sayadian-Dodge at C Management (818) 990-3031.

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>> Recent Session Action at Avatar Studios in NYC

Recent sessions at NYC's Avatar Studios: In Studio A - (Neve 8068) AOL Music was recently in filming and recording performances by Alanis Morissette and Blondie for "Sessions @ AOL". Engineers Gregg Thompson and Anthony Ruotolo handled multitracking and live sound duties. Nathan Lane and the cast of The Producers, were in recently doing recording and ADR for an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Avatar engineers Roy Hendrickson and Brian Montgomery worked on the session. Producer Nile Rogers recently in with Octone Records band Maroon 5 recording tracks for an upcoming Sly and the Family Stone Tribute. Rich Hilton engineered with help from Peter Doris. Engineer Al Schmitt and producer Jorge Calandrelli recently in recording Rosa Passos for Sony Classical. Studio B - (SSL9000) Engineer Chris Shaw recently in mixing songs for an iTunes release of the MTV show Dashboard Confessional. Peter Doris assisted. Studio C - (Neve VRP72) AOL Music were back in filming and recording a performance by Norah Jones for another "Sessions @ AOL". Engineers Gregg Thompson and Anthony Ruotolo handled multitracking and live sound duties. Producer Arif Mardin was in recently recording for an upcoming Queen Latifah album. Michael O’Reilley engineered with help from Aya Takemura. Studio D - (SSL9000) R&B producer "Knowbody" recently in while tracking for new SRC/Universal artist Patricia Bernetti. Carlos Bess engineered with help from Chad Lupo and Kurt Nepogoda. Studio R Mix Suite- (Yamaha DM2000) Avatar engineer/mixer Roy Hendrickson was recently in mixing a live album by Danilo Perez in his Yamaha DM2000 equipped Pro Tools HD suite. For more information contact Tino Passante Studio Manager (212) 765-7500

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>> Learn Berklee’s World-Renowned Production Methods For Yourself

Study Berklee College of Music's acclaimed production techniques with online courses at Berkleemusic.com. Collaborate with other producers and a Berklee College of Music professor in their Production Seminars. Berklee also offers instruction in a variety of other music production areas including MIDI Sequencing Basics using Reason software, Desktop Music Production using Logic and Reason software, and Digidesign's Pro Tools. Study on your own time with the faculty of Berklee College of Music. Online courses are now enrolling for the April 5 semester. For more information visit: www.berkleemusic.com

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Russ Berger, owner of the world-renowned acoustical and architectural design firm Russ Berger Design Group (RBDG), recently paid a visit to the Atlanta chapter of the AES to deliver a lecture on a key issue for studio owners. Forty-two audio professionals packed into Studio 9000 at PatchWerk Recordings, an RBDG-designed facility in Atlanta, to hear Berger address the topic "Surround Challenges in Acoustically Small Spaces, or (fortunately) No One Ever Dies From Bad Sound." "With the proliferation of very advanced, powerful and extremely cost-effective computer-based editing and recording systems, many studios are thriving in smaller spaces," says Berger. "The world of SACD, DVD-Audio and Video DVD is demanding surround sound mixing, and we need to address this real-world industry trend to help solve the small studio's acoustic challenges when implementing surround monitoring systems." In his lecture, Berger covered design philosophy points that connect the room, monitors and listener as an inseparable system. Berger says, "The room is the interconnect between the equipment and the listener. Room acoustics are the last link in the audio chain and must be addressed correctly as there is no substitute or work-around for acoustics." Russ Berger Design Group (RBDG) is a design and consulting firm that combines expertise in acoustics, architecture and interiors to create technical environments and buildings for recording studios, broadcast facilities, creative production spaces and home theaters.

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>> Angel Mountain Installs Studio Network Solutions' A/V SAN PRO

With the premium placed on the availability of high-profile studio space and time of producers, engineers and musicians, Angel Mountain Production & Sound, located in Bethlehem, PA, decided to install Studio Network Solutions' A/V SAN PRO in their new facility to ensure the reliability of the studio's hard drive system. A proven leader of fibre channel storage solutions, the A/V SAN PRO is designed specifically for the A/V industry to link multiple production workstations and provide concurrent, real-time access to a centralized storage system by all users. Integrated with the A/V SAN PRO system is SNS's SANmp management software. SANmp works in parallel with the SAN to enable simultaneous, dynamic access to shared storage even in multi-platform environments. "I like the A/V SAN PRO especially for its stability and I enjoy using it in front of really important clients," says Angel Mountain's director of engineering Carl Cadden-James. "I will put our biggest clients on the SNS system and not even flinch because it just doesn't crash. System failures are the last thing you want happening to your clients because downtime is wasted money and just not acceptable to them." Recent projects completed at Angel Mountain using the A/V SAN include 5.1 remixes of Marvin Gaye's "Lets Get It On," Ludacris' "Chicken and Beer", as well as The Allman Brothers' "Eat a Peach" and "Live at the Fillmore East." The next project, which is set to begin shortly, is Bob Marley's "Burnin'." Studio Network Solutions' A/V SAN PRO system, which utilizes the fibre channel communications protocol to achieve extremely high data-transfer rates, is capable of eliminating many common hard drive and I/O-related PCI bus errors. Featuring up to 400 MB/s of throughput and concurrent access for multi-users, the system also enables simultaneous data back-up while using the drives. Angel Mountain Productions & Sound's new multi-room studio complex spans over 18,000 sq. ft. and includes three world class 5.1 audio control rooms, soffitted Quested monitors, and the new SSL XL 9000K mixing console. The facility, built from the ground up with the most painstaking attention to both technical and architectural detail, has already taken its place as one of the largest and most encompassing audio post-production facilities in the country. For more information visit www.angelmtn.com

>> Major Acts Unite for Sweet Relief’s ‘Badass Benefits’ Concert Series in Los Angeles

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of renowned music industry non-profit, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, Music for Charity Productions (MFC) is staging three intimate, one-of-a-kind, concert events at the legendary Troubadour in W. Hollywood, CA. The all-star concert series, scheduled for three consecutive Mondays, April 5th, 12th & 19th, will feature the LA debut of reunited critics' darlings, American Music Club, and the first appearance by the Jerry Cantrell/Billy Duffy Band, a unique covers project featuring Cantrell (Alice in Chains) and Duffy (The Cult), performing their favorite songs and those songs that made them famous. Cantrell/Duffy band is slated to feature a revolving array of guest musicians including members of Puddle of Mudd. Other performers confirmed to appear include: Concrete Blonde, performing a special acoustic set, Michelle Shocked, Paula Cole, Jesse Harris (Grammy Winning Songwriter), Grant Lee Phillips, Michael Penn, Glen Phillips, Peter Himmelman and Whitestarr. Conceived by acclaimed songwriter Victoria Williams in 1994, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund (www.sweetrelief.org) is a non-profit charity providing financial assistance to musicians for medical expenses, alternative therapies and basic needs. Sweet Relief was founded by and for musicians, and is known for its star studded tribute albums to Victoria Williams and Vic Chestnut (the latter which features performances by BadAss benefits performers Michelle Shocked & Michael Penn). In addition the concert series, artists including The Pixies, Liz Phair, Linkin Park, Henry Rollins and Weird Al Yankovich have recently donated items to the funds current on-line auction. More information on Sweet Relief’s auctions can be obtained directly through the Sweet Relief website. Following is a list of each ‘Badass Benefit’ show roster: April 5th: American Music Club, Concrete Blonde (acoustic), Paula Cole, Jesse Harris & Glen Phillips April 12th: Jerry Cantrell-Billy Duffy Band (w/special appearance by members of Puddle of Mudd), Whitestarr & More tba, April 19th: Michelle Shocked, Grant Lee Phillips, Michael Penn, Peter Himmelman & More TBA. For more information on MFC and the April ‘Badass Benefits’ contact Scott Dudelson at Music for Charity Productions at (818) 384-4727 / www.sweetrelief.org

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>> Sugarhill Alum Launches Production Company

Dan Workman, co-owner and President of historical SugarHill Studios, has launched his long-awaited production company - Dan Workman Music. Workman, whose credits include Destiny's Child, ZZ Top, Beyonce, Smashmouth, Lyle Lovett and Enrique Iglesias, has slowly built his clientele and experience over the past 15 years through a well-rounded participation in projects of all descriptions. Most noted in the industry for his engineering and mixing, the projects he has contributed have sold millions and reached the top of the Billboard charts. For Workman, the natural progression was clear. "There came a time where my instincts about the music I was engineering had become mature. I found that I was able to sense what a song needed, and that I had the communication and diplomacy skills to share that vision." Since early 2004, his aspirations to produce full-time have finally seen the light of day. His excitement is evident, "The creation of Dan Workman Music frees me to spend more time in rehearsals and in the studio. The most exciting change in the business has been the hiring of my new Production Assistant, Logan Bosemer. Logan's skills complement mine incredibly well. Her industry experience gives us the ability to provide the full range of production and artist development services." Bosemer, formerly based in Nashville, has worked with artists Keith Urban, Diamond Rio, BR549, Jeff Black, Harley Allen and Australian comedian Kevin "Bloody" Wilson. She will head up the business and media aspects of Dan Workman Music as well as assisting in artist development. Current projects on the hotplate are R&B songstress Solange Knowles, southern roots jam band Moses Guest, brit-influenced rock PALE, and singer/songwriter Sarah Sharp. Dan Workman Music is a full service independent production company. SugarHill Recording Studios is the oldest continuously operating facility in the Southwest U.S. For more information contact: Logan Bosemer, Media Relations Dan Workman Music (713) 926-2544 or visit www.danworkman.com or visit www.sugarhillstudios.com

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>> Recordstore to Offer Chart-Eligible Downloads From Artist Websites

UK music e-tailer Recordstore.co.uk is launching a new service enabling labels and artists to sell chart-eligible downloads straight from their web sites. The company, which operates web shops for Robbie Williams, The Darkness, Craig David, Travis, Moby, So Solid Crew and Paul Weller, is in talks with all of its 200 labels and artists with a view towards adding digital facilties to their existing online stores. Launched at the end of this month, the service will seamlessly integrate downloads with artists' existing online stores, so that fans will be able to mix digital and physical goods within the same shopping basket. They will be able to buy downloads, CDs, T-shirts (and for Darkness fans, thongs) from the same checkout, allowing artists and labels to offer them an easy-to-use online experience. Being chart registered, sales information will be fed to the Official Charts Company for inclusion in the downloads chart. This will be merged into the Official Singles Chart later in the year (not a moment too soon, given UK downloads eclipsed all single formats bar CD in January). Said Russel Coultart, Recordstore.co.uk CEO, " The service makes sense for labels and fans alike. It's a no brainer - downloads are getting inceasingly important, and if there's a band you like, the logical place to find their music is their web site. What's really exciting is that fans will be able to buy downloads as part of the same shopping experience as other products, and of course that sales will count towards the download chart and ultimately the Official Singles Chart." Jupiter Media Matrix predicts a global download market worth US$1.1 bn this year and US$3.2 bn by 2008. www.recordstore.co.uk

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>> Starbucks & HP Team To Offer Music Downloads In Stores

Starbucks Coffee has introduced a service to make personalized music CDs for customers while they drink their coffee. Teaming up with Hewlett-Packard, Starbucks opened its first Hear Music store in Santa Monica, CA, on 3/16 and plans to install similar music kiosks in 2,500 of its stores over the next two years. The system allows users to choose from more than 250,000 online songs and to burn customized CDs for $6.95 for five songs, with each additional song for $1. Howard Schultz, Starbucks' chairman, called the move a natural extension of the company's success in selling its own brand of CDs in stores. The coffee company has been selling music CDs since it purchased Hear Music, a small music retailer, five years ago. Hewlett-Packard, the world's second largest computer maker, is supplying Starbucks with personal computers, software and storage to operate the music service. Starbucks had already offered high-speed wireless Internet access, or "WiFi," in more than 2,700 cafes, seeking to keep customers in the stores beyond the busy morning rush hour. "The goal here is how does a customer get their music in about the same time as it takes to get a grande cappuccino," said Felice Swapp, director of strategic initiatives for HP. The company has signed deals with most major record labels and many independent recording companies, MacKinnon said. "These are great times for the record industry," said Jimmy Iovine, the chairman of Vivendi Universal's Interscope music label. "Companies like this can move an attitude. This is where digital music will take off." Ten more music coffee house stores will roll out in Starbucks' home town of Seattle in traditional Starbucks locations this spring and Starbucks hopes to expand rapidly from there. Starbucks world-wide chain now includes more than 7,600 cafes and executives foresee it growing to more than 25,000. Palo Alto, California-based HP supplied about 70 of its Tablet PCs, workstations and CD publishing and printing systems, along with its trademark printers at the music cafe. HP also designed the user interface and the software. The store uses HP's data storage gear and HP ProLiant servers store the more than 10,000 available albums and 100,000 song titles. "We have done it in a way that a person will walk out of Starbucks with something that feels like they bought it at a store," Swapp said. "It's allowing your typical Uncle Bob to start getting into this digital mobile lifestyle." www.starbucks.com

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>> Recording Session Notes and Other Updates...

Tchad blake is currently producing a new album by Phish. He has produced the new Gomez album for Hut and co-produced and mixed the hit Travis album "12 Memories". Tchad will be available in April. For more information call Paul Brown or Claire Alliott for showreels and availability. Paul Brown Management t: +44 (0) 208 994 8887 f: +44 (0) 208 994 2221 www.pbmanagement.co.uk

Right Track Recording's two new production suites, which were brought on line early this year, are each equipped with a Sky System One 5.1 surround monitoring system from Blue Sky. The acclaimed Blue Sky systems provide these highly flexible and cost-effective new studio suites with top-tier surround monitoring capability at an affordable price. The true value of Blue Sky monitoring was immediately appreciated, as renowned engineer/producer Tony Visconti set to work on one of the first projects to use the new production suites and the Blue Sky 5.1 systems: the multi-channel remixes of David Bowie's classic 1974 concert at the Tower in Philadelphia. For more information on Blue Sky International, contact Sue Adamson, Group One Ltd., tel: (516) 249-1399; email: info@abluesky.com; Web: www.abluesky.com

Sting recently spent three days in Chicago Recording Co. Studio 4 overdubbing and mixing with producer Mark "Kipper" Eldridge and engineer Nate Kunkel; Azuolas Sinkevicius assisted on the session. Buddy Guy was in playing on a Sly Stone tribute song featuring John Mayer and Steve Jordan. Jordan produced and Pat Thrall handled engineering and Pro Tools duties. Creepy D began recording basic tracks for their new album with engineers Mat Lejeune and Mike Pierce. For more information contact Mathieu Lejeune

Composer Alan Menken mastered the "Home on the Range" soundtrack album for Walt Disney Feature Animation at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The film debuts in April with the voices of Roseanne Barr, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and the singers Tim McGraw, Bonnie Raitt, and k.d. lang. In on the session were Earl Ghaffari, music editor; Frank Wolf, scoring mixer; Alan Menken; Pat Sullivan, mastering engineer; and Andrew Page, Disney manager of music production.

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