The RPM Direct
Newsletter
Thursday May 29, 2003
|
please get to know our
advertisers: |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Boston Skyline Studios recently announced the completion of its million-dollar renovation and its grand opening as New England's newest, and most advanced, recording studio. Boston Skyline Studios has been established to bring new levels of acoustics, equipment, expertise and customer service to artists in New England, across the country and around the world. Its world-class facility has been designed and built to serve the entire music industry, not just the New England market. Acoustics designed by Andy Munro of Munro Associates, Ltd. of London, England, coupled with Munro-designed Dynaudio M4 monitors, creates the finest acoustic facility in the region. Boston Skyline Studios becomes one of less than 100 professional recording studios worldwide, equipped with Dynaudio M4 monitors. Boston Skyline Studios is also equipped with a Model 4064 G+56-channel SSL console, the only large-format, 56-channel console in New England. "What these guys are doing is great. Building a world-class studio in Boston is just what the local music scene needs," said Johnny A, a veteran Boston-area musician and former guitarist for Peter Wolf of the J. Giels Band. Johnny A recently recorded his new album at Boston Skyline Studios and is the first artist to utilize BSS' new, state-of-the-art control rooms to mix that album. "No longer do bands and artists need to go to New York, Nashville or LA to find the highest quality equipment, acoustics and expertise. It's now conveniently located in Boston. The studios' Back Bay location makes Boston Skyline Studios an easy place to work. Boston provides all of the amenities of a world-class city, like an international airport, and provides a host of recreational activities when it's time for a band to rest and recharge," said Pete Peloquin, cofounder and chief engineer at Boston Skyline Studios. Founders, Pete Peloquin and Todd Harris created Boston Skyline Studios' as a sanctuary for musicians. The studios and state-of-the-art control rooms are spacious and comfortable. The studios' lounges include TVs, VCRs, DVD-players and video games and comfortable seating allowing artists to rest, eat and relax in comfort. Private offices, with computers, faxes and wireless Internet access allows bands, managers and producers to conduct business while at the studio. Agreements with hotels, restaurants, limousine and delivery services allow artists to arrange lodging, transportation and studio time with a single phone call. For additional information please visit the company website at www.BostonSkylineStudios.com or call Contact: Rob Strayton The Strayton Group, Inc. 508.655.6965 or 617-451-7717. ^BACK UP^
Free Mix time on Threshold Sound + Vision's Acclaimed Neve 8078
Threshold Sound + Vision like their new Neve 8078 Mix Room so much that they are giving away ten free days to qualified producer/engineers* to celebrate. Some may call them crazy, and they probably are, but Threshold is so proud of their new room that they want to share it with clients as quickly as possible. That is why for the next thirty days in celebration of their first anniversary at the West LA location, they're giving away 10 free days (8 hours each) to 10 lucky engineers/ producers (one day per person) in the Neve 8078 Mix Room. This is the 8078 that everybody loved which used to be at Sony Music Studios in Santa Monica. It's the same board on which much of Elton John's "Songs from the West Coast", Pink's "M!ssundaztood" and NAS's "Stillmatic" were recorded and mixed. Geoff Tanner of Aurora Audio, an acclaimed Neve consultant, proclaimed that this board was the finest 8078 in the world. *A qualified producer/engineer is one who has a credit on an independent or major release within the last year. Take this opportunity now before it's too late to get a day of free mixing time on this fine gem of a console. For more information, call Lee Ann Paynter at (310) 571-0500 ^BACK UP^
Marcussen Mastering Masters A String Of #1 Albums
We recently caught up with Eddie Wisztreich for the latest activity at one of Hollywood, CA's hottest mastering studios. After ending 2002 mastering the #1 Album in the country - "Up!" by Shania Twain, which also started 2003 as the #1 Album in the country, Stephen Marcussen just mastered the current top 5 and previously #1 Album - "Thankful" by Kelly Clarkson. More #1's mastered by Marcussen Mastering: "What It Is To Burn" by Finch (5 Weeks at #1 on the Heatseekers List) "Unwell" by matchbox twenty - #1 Adult Contemporary Single. Other notable albums recently mastered at Marcussen Mastering include: "Day I Forgot" by Pete Yorn and "Escapology" by Robbie Williams. Louie Teran's recent mastering of the Hard and Heavy Rock Acts include: the most current albums by Strapping Young Lad and the upcoming Lamb of God CD. Also, Mexican hard rock act Resorte produced by Jason Roberts and independent hard rock act Sour produced by Greg Fiddleman. Not to forget two other acts Kaos and Osmium both coming out of a recording studio from the Bay Area you should become familiar with - Sharkbite Studios. Marcussen is the newest cutting edge CD/DVD/SACD mastering facility in Hollywood, California. Check them out online and for more information contact Eddie Wisztreich at Marcussen Mastering (323) 463-5300 ^BACK UP^
Checking In With Mike's Artist Management For A Roster Update
We recently checked in with Diana Ohodnicki for the recent activity from MAM producer clients. Updates include: Nick Raskulinecz recently produced Rufio, whose CD will be in stores June 2003. Dusty Wakeman recently completed Vade Mecum, Blackfire and Minibar. Minibar's album is coming out on Foodchain Records in June. Dusty's talent can be heard on the airwaves, from Dwight Yoakam's, "If There Was A Way" Lp, (Platinum Sales) - to FEEL, which currently is 34+ on Hot AC, 24+ on AAA. Sean Slade and Paul are producing Hey Mercedes at their Camp Street Studio formerly Fort Apache Studio. One would think that after producing STUN, Tarbox, Elly K, and Joe Jackson (the latter is currently 14 on the AAA Charts) that a little time off is needed. One would think, but not these two. Jim Dickinson played Memphis in May festival recently and as to be expected he 'blue' the crowd away. Ronnie Hawkins of Dinosaur said it best, " Shazam! It's Captain Memphis! Jim Dickinson is Mr. Blues Rocky Roll. He's a living legend. He'll take you places and show you things kings and queens ain't even read about." Warne Livesey produced Matthew Good's album 'Avalanche' which debuted in Canada at No. 2. The single "In A World Called Catastrophe" is climbing on all charts and is still enjoying extensive airplay. Joe Hardy produced/engineered yet another ZZ Top CD (forthcoming). Although Joe has produced six of ZZ Tops albums (from 1985-present) he's not limited in his genre. Joe is currently working with Chris Knight forthcoming release and is doing the finishing touches on David St. Romain. Jeremy duBois is currently working on Brodie's upcoming album. He has produced The Agency "Rock to the Apocalypse" and "Engines" albums. Like many of our producers, Jeremy has many artists come back for seconds. For more information about these and other clients on the roster, contact Diana Ohodnicki, Mike's Artist Management, PO Box 35880 Tucson, AZ 85740 520-628-8655 office ^BACK UP^
Vocal Producer Jan Smith Gaining Nods For Work With Top Artists
Esteemed vocal coach/producer Jan Smith is usually content to allow her clients to bask in the glory of television appearances, Grammy awards, and platinum records; however, this Atlanta native, known affectionately as "Mama Jan," deserves a little bit of the spotlight herself. Over the years, Smith has become a hidden star in the music community thanks to her ability to form a bridge between vocalists, producers, and record labels. While many voice coaches have classical, operatic, or Broadway training, Jan Smith is an accomplished rock/blues singer with a staunch background in classical music and the southern gospel roots she grew up with. All that and a lifetime of performing, recording, and producing place Smith in a unique position in today's music industry. Jan Smith Studios, her vocal coaching and artist development facility, has grown from a humble one-room studio to the 4,500 square foot build-out that includes four fellow vocal instructors, a guitar instructor, one choreographer/dance instructor, and a state-of-the-art digital recording and production facility. Established artists such as Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Will Turpin (Collective Soul), Chilli (TLC), and aspiring singers alike frequent the Atlanta studio. A former Behavioral Specialist with a degree in psychology, Smith is an expert at coaxing greatness from the often volatile personalities of artists without compromising their artistic identities. Producers value her technical skill in the studio and her knowledge of the human voice, and use her ability to translate their ideas and concepts to vocalists. With a mother's pride she recounts the night of the 2000 Grammy Awards where her star student Rob Thomas performed "Smooth," his internationally famous hit duet with Carlos Santana, and took home the Grammy for the song. "I, of course, was already attending the Grammy show as a Trustee, but had the added pleasure of going back stage to work with Rob on his vocal warm-up before he walked out on stage that night to sing on international television with Carlos Santana. And then to see him win the Grammy that night was most rewarding!" Although most don't realize it, millions of people have been listening to Jan Smith for years. Fore more information contact: Rhonda Baraka 770-973-8770
Nashville's East Iris Studios Installs New Pro Tools HD System
Nashville's East Iris Studios recently announced the acquisition of a new, 32 in, 64 out, fully loaded Pro Tools HD system to compliment Studio A's 80-input SSL 9000 J-series console and Studio B's SSL40-input E-series desk. The new system is in addition to East Iris's existing, upgraded Pro Tools Mix Plus system which features Apogee AD 8000 conversion, and which can be locked to the new HD system to provide a total of 128 outputs. Considered to be one of Nashville's premiere recording and mixing facilities since its opening in 1998, the TEC Award nominated East Iris is known for its comfortable environment and large collection of both vintage and new equipment. The Pro Tools HD system is one of a series of recent upgrades at East Iris which have included the remodelling and enlarging of Studio B, and the acquisition of additional outboard equipment by AMS, Lang, Pultec and t.c. electronic along with JFL custom tube compressors. "We have been encouraged by the positive reception our newly redesigned Studio B has received," comments East Iris owner Gary Belz. "Because of that, and because of the upswing in business among our clients for hard disk recording, we have decided to make the investment instate of the art Pro Tools HD technology to accompany our enhanced Mix Plus system." Recent projects in at East Iris have included Rounder's Julianna Hatfield mixing with producer/engineer David Leonard and assistant engineer Sang Park; Universal South's Matthew West mixing with Leonard engineering, Kenny Greenberg producing, and assistant Park, and RCA's Josh Bennett with producer Ken Coomer, engineer Charlie Brocco also with Parkas assistant. For more informationcontact: Mike Paragone 615-777-9080 or visit www.eastiristudios.com ^BACK UP^
RPM Direct partners with Sonicbids For Online Submissions
RPM Direct has partnered with Sonicbids to enable unsigned artists and bands to submit their music online for Volume 3 in the RPM Direct Presents: Unsigned compilation CD series. Using Sonicbids' innovative EPK system, an artist can submit their material with just the click of a button eliminating the need for bulky press kits and postage costs. New members who join Sonicbids to submit online for RPM Direct Presents: Unsigned will receive a special discount and a six-month membership. "Sonicbids offers a perfect solution for us to receive online submissions," says RPM Direct's President Jerimaya Grabher. "Rather than dealing with thousands of incoming MP3s or links pointing to songs online, the Sonicbids EPK offers a uniform, professional and easy to navigate solution that makes our review process much smoother and less time consuming." RPM Direct's Unsigned CD series gives bands, artists and the producers behind their recordings the chance to have their music put directly in the hands of a targeted list of 3,000 top music industry executives. The CD is also heavily promoted in this very RPM Direct Newsletter (cir. 12,000), to select radio and through other recording industry media outlets. RPM Direct also offers a contest for entrants who can win CD replication packages, trade magazine subscriptions and more. Final artist choices appear on an RPM Direct branded CD that is distributed directly to a targeted list of 3,000 of the world's top creative executives in A&R, music publishing, film & tv music as well as record producers, artist managers, music attorneys, radio programmers and others. For more details about the RPM Direct Presents: Unsigned compilation series, please visit:
rpmdirect.com or for more information, contact RPM Direct Submissions Team
^BACK UP^
NYC's SOS Management Clients Complete Another Busy Month
We recently caught up with Mira Tabasinske for the latest on what the the engineers at SOS Management have been up to. Specific highlights include: Cortez Farris: Dr. John , tracking at Sound On Sound for Shanachie; Atlantic recording artists Governor, tracking at Sound On Sound; True Life tracking at Sound On Sound for Dreamworks; Richard Furch handled the sound mixing for Christina Aguilera MTV Live, mixed at Stratosphere Sound; he also mixed Andrew WK at Sound On Sound and tracked 24 K MADD at Streetlight; Steve Hardy worked on Ma Rainey's Black Bottom for Stage Works at Sound On Sound; tracking for Kenji Ozawa for Toshiba/EMI at Sound On Sound; Chach recently worked on mixes for Drag-On for Virgin at Powerhouse as well as mixes for Infared-N-Cross for Def Jam at Powerhouse. SOS Management is a division of Sound On Sound Recording. For more information on SOS Management, please call Mira Tabasinske at 212-757-5300. Visit the web site at sosmanagement.net. ^BACK UP^
Mackie HR626 Studio Monitors Help Clarify "The Matrix" Trilogy
Mackie Designs Inc. recently announced that their new HR626 Studio Monitors were chosen to help produce the soundtrack for The Matrix Reloaded, the second installment in the Matrix trilogy. The Mackie speakers are now a permanent fixture at Danetracks Inc., the West Hollywood sound editorial facility that was hired by the Wachowski Brothers and Joel Silver to complete sound editorial and design on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. Dane Davis, who founded Danetracks in 1986, has served as Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer for an average of four films a year with The Matrix films, 8 Mile, Treasure Planet, Thir13en Ghosts, Red Planet, and Boogie Nights among his 80+ feature film credits. By incorporating the Mackie speakers into his facility, Davis believes that he is able to achieve the level of clarity necessary to mix the complicated and layered soundtracks of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. "While sounding even and good to me, I trust the Mackies to tell me a truth that gets revealed on the final mix stage," commented Davis. "The worst thing for me is to hear details and harmonics in my own sound design studio environment that completely disappear when they project from the big theater speakers and have other layers superimposed onto them. I have yet to be surprised by harmonics or textures of my sounds on the dubbing stage that I did not hear previously in my studio from the Mackies. They are a great 'preview' speaker to work through." Eric Lindemann, Sound Effects Designer at Danetracks, also played a key role in the current Matrix film. Lindemann, who's credits include The Matrix, The Green Mile, and Red Planet among many others, is currently working with Dane on Matrix Revolutions. Lindemann, too, is impressed with the new Mackie monitors. "This is one of the most challenging projects of my career, and the accuracy of the new 626s has played a major role in translating my work to the big screen," Lindemann noted about his work on The Matrix Reloaded. "I designed a large part of the effects including the guns, graphic displays and titles. I'm using five 626s in a classic equidistant 5.1 channel surround orientation with the Mackie HRS150 handling the LFE channel, and they sounded very accurate and did not over-emphasize any one part of the mix." For more information please contact: Mackie Designs Inc., 16220 Wood-Red Road N.E. Woodinville, WA 98072, Phone: (425) 487-4333 www.mackie.com. ^BACK UP^
Producer Howard Benson Scores 2 Top 5 LPs With Cold and P.O.D. Producer Howard Benson has scored big with 2 albums in the Top 5! COLD's "Year of the Spider" debuts at #3 scanning 101,462 and P.O.D.'s "Sleeping Awake" which is the lead single on "The Matrix Reloaded" soundtrack is at #5 with 96,089 scanned. Howard just completed the highly anticipated follow up albums for Hoobastank and Adema as well as albums for Blindside and AM Radio which he also signed to Elektra Records. He also just completed producing a track for Sierra Swan (Atlantic) featuring Scooter of COLD. Howard is currently producing the new P.O.D. Album, the follow up to their multi-platinum Grammy nominated album "Satellite." For more information on Howard Benson or other Nettwerk Producer Management clients please visit contact Alia Fahlborg at (310) 855 0668. ^BACK UP^
Chicago Recording Company Has Been Busier Than Ever
Billy Corgan and Zwan dropped in Chicago Recording Company to mix some b-sides, with engineer Ron Lowe, for their second single. This is their first time back to the studio since finishing their debut album for Reprise, "Mary Star Of The Sea", last november. The CRC staff for the Zwan album were Engineers, Manny Sanchez, Mat Lejeune, and Ron Lowe with Assistant Engineers Azuolas Sinkevicius, Mark Twitchell and Jarod Kluemper. Chris Sabold spent a day overdubbing orchestra tracks for two up coming albums from platinum recording artist Manheim Steamroller. Chip Davis was in producing the session alongside arranger Arnie Roth. Chris Steinmetz has been mixing an album for R&B artists Quarter Key and recoding an album with Jeff Ezrin for his band Pleasing Betty. Manny Sanchez has been recording albums with bands Oucho Sparks and Down Town Tripper Mind. Dennis Tousana shared engineering duties on Jazz singer Kurt Elling's upcoming release. Mat Lejeune engineered a T.V. pilot for Bill Kurtis Productions staring The Ramsey Lewis trio and featuring singing legend Nancy Wilson. Chris Shepard's mobile recording service has been busy recording 20th anniversary shows at the Metro for bands from The Flaming Lips to Zwan to Guided By Voices to Sleater Kinney. For more info on CRC's mobile recording services go here. Contact studio manager Chris Shepard for more information at 312 822 9333 or visit chicagorecording.com ^BACK U P^
Brief Producer/Engineer Updates and Announcements
Andrew Scheps Just finished engineering and Pro Tools on Alien Ant Farm's new record (produced by Robert and Dean DeLeo of STP); Mixed "Famous Among the Barns" for Ben Taylor; Engineered some overdubs for The Mars Volta; Engineering and programming on Jewel's new record. In the time between produced, recorded and mixed two albums for the new group Pedestrian (www.pedestrianmusic.org). A rock trio featuring Joel Shearer (Alanis Morissette, Super 8). Past credits include Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Audioslave, and The Rolling Stones. Contact info: andrew@punkerpad.com
DJ Premier just finished the Gang Starr album
with Guru. It is due for release on Virgin Records on June 24.
Rob "Reef" Tewlow's latest song is "What
Up Gangsta" on 50 Cent's album Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. For more
information contact Sarah Honda at
Empire Artist Management (212) 343-9383
Missing Out? Check Out The New RPM Direct Newsletter Archive Feel like you're missing out on what we do? Then visit the RPM Direct Newsletter Archive to catch up on reading you may have missed. If you'd like to browse our producer and recording studio directories but you aren't a subscriber, contact contact Jerimaya Grabher to request a password for access. ^BACK TO TOP^
Nick Addison
Tony Alvarez
Greg Archilla
Rod Argent
Mark Arnell
Chris Arvan
Rob “Fonksta” Bacon
Andy Baker
Charlie Brocco
Warren Bruleigh
Ronnie Champagne
Phil Chill
Tracy Chisholm
Tony Alvarez
Greg Archilla
Rod Argent
Mark Arnell
Chris Arvan
Rob “Fonksta” Bacon
Andy Baker
Charlie Brocco
Warren Bruleigh
Ronnie Champagne
Phil Chill
Tracy Chisholm
Rob Christiansen
Warren Croyle
Jamie
Cullum
Lee De Carlo
Anjali Dutt
Guy Eckstine
Phil Ek
Jim
Goodwin
John Gosling
Kelly Gray
Roger Greenawalt
Tom
Grimley
Ray Hedges
David Hemming
Dave Hillis
Stephen
Hilton
Alain Johannes
Bob St. John
Paul Kimble
John
Lee
Paul Logus
Ken Lomas
Eric "E" Miller
Richard T.
Norris
John Pace
Randy Pekich
Tim Russell
Micajah Ryan
Shad Scott
Dave Swanson
Paul Taylor
Eric "E.T." Thorngren
Haig V. (Vartzbedian)
Peter Van Hooke
Marc Waterman
Andrew Williams
Sam Williams
Aaron Zigman
Please send press releases and other interesting news items to News@rpmdirect.com
RPM Direct,
Inc. PO BOX 3328 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 USA
Not A Subscriber? Send RPM DIRECT An Email To Subscribe To This Newsletter
)2000-2003 RPM Direct Inc. All Rights Reserved.