>> from the editor...

Have you made your plans to attend this year's AES? Early reports indicate that attendance is way up from years past - it looks like the pro community is coming together en masse to find out as well as ask: What's Next? Go see what your peers have to say and check out the very latest pro audio gear and products from hundreds of audio manufacturers and other companies. From A-list producer/engineer panels to product demos to after show mix and mingle parties, this year's AES is the place to be to make some connections. If you have industry related press, news, announcements or something else to contribute, send your news here. -- J.G.

>> Platinum Producers and Engineers Explore the Future at AES

The AES Platinum Producers and Engineers Series has become a staple of the convention and increasingly popular since it’s introduction at AES-NY 1999, when it featured a tribute to Legendary Producer Phil Ramone. Not to be missed this year, the Platinum Producers Panel (Oct. 11th 12:30 – 2pm) moderated by Grammy winning Producer and President of A&M Records, Ron Fair (Vanessa Carlton, Black Eyed Peas, Mya) will explore record production as we know it today. Panelists will include Tony Brown (Senior Partner Universal South, Producer – Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, George Strait), Jack Joseph Puig, (John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Rolling Stones), Cory Rooney (50 Cent, Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez) and Mark Ronson (Sean Paul, Macy Gray, Nikka Costa).

Also of interest is the Platinum Engineers Panel with Bobby Owsinski as moderator Oct. 12th 12:30 – 2pm. Owsinski (surround sound mix engineer, author of several recording books) has lined up a host of Grammy-winning and nominated engineers/producers uniquely qualified to express their feelings on "Music Production In the 21st Century: Moving Forward or Backward?" including Mick Guzauski (Eric Clapton, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey), Angela Piva (Naughty By Nature, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah), Nathaniel Kunkel (James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Sting), and Jack Joseph Puig will take a provocative look at how current production/engineering techniques have changed in recent years both for the better and the worse.

And not to be missed on Monday Oct. 13th 12:30 – 2pm is Road Warriors - Live Sound, moderated by Clive Young (Young has been the news and live sound editor of Pro Sound News for nearly a decade). This freewheeling panel of touring professionals will cover the latest trends, techniques and tools that shape modern sound reinforcement. The all-star panel will careen through subject matter ranging from gear to gossip, in what promises to be an entertaining and educational 90 minutes--with the engineers on the business side of the microphone, saying something besides "testing" and "check" for a change! The panel includes Jeff Priepot, who is the band monitor engineer on the upcoming Shania Twain tour; Monty Lee Wilkes, who is currently FOH engineer for Lisa Marie Presley and Britney Spears; Steve LaCerra, who is the FOH engineer for Blue Oyster Cult and Mark Newman a touring engineer who has handled FOH duties for The Wallflowers, Blondie and Neil Finn. He's also mixed the likes of Lucinda Williams, Old 97s, Michael Penn, Double Trouble (Stevie Ray Vaughan's backing rhythm section), the Black Crowes and Jimmy Vaughan, among many others.

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Capitalizing on his 30-year experience as chief engineer at top studios nationwide, last year Bruce Maddocks launched Cups 'N Strings, a comprehensive Santa Monica recording studio-- featuring surround mixing, mastering, post-production, and restoration/archiving. Maddocks' new facility is located in the Media Ventures entertainment complex, creative center of Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. Combining the best of state-of-the-art digital technology with vintage analog equipment, Cups 'N Strings offers a precision listening environment and the equipment for today's high performance audio delivery. Maddocks recently hired a second engineer, Nathan Peterson, and has taken additional space to accommodate auxiliary machines for an increase in transfer work. Among the many archival transfer and restoration projects completed since the studio opened, most notable was the delicate baking of Steely Dan's 30+ year old multitrack tapes for Gaucho. Working with the original engineer Elliot Scheiner, Maddocks then transferred the material to the Nuendo digital system for re-release in high-resolution Surround Sound.

>> Media Blitz Launches to Aid in Marketing Audio Engineers and Producers

Nicole Cochran and Lisa Roy have announced a joint venture, Media Blitz 2003, between their two companies Nic Of Time Communications and Studio A Consulting that will provide quality marketing services for engineers and producers at economical fees. "Engineers and producers have a sincere desire and need to publicize themselves however, it doesn’t make financial sense for them to pay the same rates publicists charge for artists," Cochran said from the Nashville office. "We want to change all that. Our goal is not only to do a fast, effective media push for our clients but also to provide them with tools that will allow them and/or their management to further market them after the program is completed.” Participants receive a portfolio upon completion of the six-month program that includes a professionally written biography, an updated discography, a quote sheet (with positive quotes from clients), a photo and copies of all the clippings from the media exposure during the program. "Over the past 15 years Nicole and Lisa have always stood beside me and promoted my work with great success and a smile," states two-time Grammy winning engineer David Reitzas. Clients are asked to submit their session activity each month and Media Blitz representatives distribute that information to a variety of media outlets. The goal is to garner as many mentions in these publications as possible for each client. "The time is right for a program like this. The people that succeed in this business are the ones that treat their careers like a business. Part of being successful is marketing yourself, letting people know about your successes!" said Cochran. Recent research conducted by Cochran and Roy revealed that although it’s natural to desire larger feature articles, a more effective way of raising a person’s profile in the media is with a consistent saturation in larger quantities of smaller mentions in a variety of industry publications. That theory is at the heart of the Media Blitz concept. To find out more about Media Blitz and/or sign up visit their web site at www.mediablitz2003.com or call 615-254-6955.

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>> Sanctuary To Acquire Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment

Sanctuary recently announced that it has agreed to acquire Music World Entertainment from Mathew Knowles. MWE is responsible for the management of multi-million selling artists including Destiny's Child, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Solange Knowles, Blaque, and comedian Ricky Smiley. In addition to the acquisition, Mathew Knowles will be named President of Sanctuary's new Urban division, reporting to Sanctuary Group Inc. CEO Merck Mercuriadis, and will continue managing his roster of artists. He will enter into an initial five year employment with Sanctuary, which can be extended for a further five years at Sanctuary's option. Strategically, the deal also involves setting up a joint venture record label through Sanctuary Records Group/BMG Distribution to develop Urban and Gospel acts, along with music publishing, as well as the creation of an Urban tour agency in the US. Merck Mercuriadis, CEO, Sanctuary Group Inc. added: "Sanctuary is the market leader in every aspect of the Rock business including management, records, agency, and merchandising and we believe that, in partnership with Mathew, our expertise and infrastructure can have a significant impact on the Urban world. Our intention is to create a strong creative and business environment for the most important artists and managers in the Urban community to prosper and build an Urban division, with Mathew as President, inclusive of management, label, publishing, merchandise and agency that mirrors our successful Rock model." Sanctuary's continued strategy of bringing in experienced and successful artist managers as part of a worldwide creative team is proving increasingly important in the global music industry. Sanctuary has great strength in the management of acts in the Rock music genre and the addition of artists from the areas of Urban/R&B, rap/hip-hop and Gospel will broaden the roster and create many other synergystic opportunities within the Group, including merchandising, where Sanctuary already has a substantial business.

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>> Checking In With The UK's This Much Talent

We recently caught up with Tor Wadwa for some of the latest from one of the UK's most diverse producer management companies. Longtime client Jim Abbiss has credits the include Bjork, Fluke, Massive Attack, Money Mark, All Saints and Goldfrapp. Jim has recently produced singles Heron mixed tracks for Zak De La Rocher and is currently producing Ambulance for US based label TVT. Adrian Bushby's engineering and mixing credits include U2, Fluke, Spice Girls, Placebo, Headswim, Olive, Gabrielle, The Corrs, 5ive, Asian Dub Foundation, Shack and Doves. He recently mixed Feeder's hit album 'comfort in Sound' (including the singles), and recorded and mixed Flick with Gil Norton. Still with Gil he has just finishes Span and is currently working on Dashboard Confessional. Richie Fermie just finished programming the forthcoming album from Super Star and forthcoming singles from Joseph Arthur/Ian Brodie, Richie is currently working on his own recently signed project 2Heads, and writing with various artists. Tom Elmhirst has mixed various singles for Frou Frou, Virgin Souls with Cameron McVey, and singles My Vitriol, , Leeroy (Prodigy) and Tom Jones. He most recently mixed Goldfrapp's new album "Black Cherry. Tristin Norwell's remixes include Ben & Jason, Cast, Embrace and The Weatherman. Currently Tristin is co-writing and producing a project with Nick Green and Johnny Dollar and will shortly go to the US to mix and album for Emmy-Lou Harris. The rest of the TMT roster inclues: Tommy D, Joe Dworniak, Pascal Gabriel, Neil McLellan, Hannah Robinson, Paul Statham, Damian Taylor. For more information contact Sandy Dworniak or Tor Wadwa Tel: 020 8354 2900 Fax: 020 8354 2095.

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>> DJ Logic Relies On Korg Onstage And In The Studio

Legendary Bronx-born turntablist DJ Logic rocks the house with Korg's innovative and state-of-the-art products. DJ Logic has gained widespread recognition as a proponent of soulful and spontaneous grooves, leading the hip-hop revolution with his distinct style and an infusion of unexpected elements. His body of work includes successful ventures with a wide range of high-profile artists, such as Ice T’s Body Count, The Psychedelic Furs, and noted jazz trio Medeski Martin and Wood. DJ Logic's current Korg favorites include the KP-2 Kaoss Pad, along with the 76-key Triton Studio. He expounds, "I used the Kaoss on my last two Project Logic albums, and a recent project, the Yohimbe Brothers album. I carry it everywhere I go, even in the studio. I just use it like it was another instrument. When I go out spinning in clubs, it’s a wonderful tool for me to work with" For more information on DJ Logic, visit www.djlogic.com.

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There are only 4 weeks left to submit your music for Volume 3 in the RPM Direct Presents: Unsigned compilation CD series. We want to hear your unsigned artists/bands! If your music is selected it will go on an exclusive CD distributed directly to 2,000 hit making music industry professionals from around the world. Plus, all music submitted for Volume 3 will also count as an entry into RPM Direct's "Submit To Win" contest. Prizes include a CD replication package from Crest National; a 1 year subscription to RPM Direct's leading online producer/engineer and recording studio directories; 15 subscriptions to Mix and Remix Magazines, 10 copies of RPM Direct's 2004 print Producer/Engineer Directory. Click here for more information or send email to Submissions@rpmdirect.com

>> Thom Russo Takes Home 3 Latin Grammy Awards

Congratulations to Producer/Engineer/Mixer Thom Russo who won 3 Latin Grammy Awards at this year's ceremonies last week in Miami. Thom took home statues for his work engineering and mixing the album "Un Dia Norma" from Latin superstar Juanes. Thom also took home awards last year for his engineering and mixing work on Juanes' previous album "Fijate Bien" Thom's other credits include Audioslave, System of a Down, La Ley, I.K.V., Kinky and Macy Gray. For more information on Thom Russo or other Nettwerk Producer Management clients contact Aaron Wilhelm at 310 855 0668.

One of organic Hip-Hop's founding fathers, The Pharcyde, have taken up a residency of sorts at Threshold Sound + Vision in West Los Angeles. They are currently mixing their upcoming release with engineer Claude Achille and assistant Jason Powell in Threshold's Neve room. The album, tentatively titled "Humbolt Beginnings", is also being mastered by Threshold's chief mastering engineer Stephen Marsh. In addition, Marsh recently mastered "The Peacock Series: Vol. 1", a remix and B-side compilation featuring The Pharcyde, Soul Unit and The PitchHitters. Epic Records artists Incubus also stopped into Threshold to master their newest release "Live at Lollapalooza 2003" with Marsh. The album was recorded on tour and will be available via the internet only. Threshold is also pleased to announce the addition of Jeff King to it's mastering staff. King, formerly of Paramount Mastering in Hollywood, joins Threshold's mastering staff and will hold the position of Mastering Engineer. Jeff's technical ability, creative talent and outstanding client skills made him the perfect compliment to Threshold's existing staff of Chief Mastering Engineer Stephen Marsh and Senior Mastering Engineer Carlton Batts. For more information contact (310) 571-0500. www.thresholdsound.com

>> NRG Heads For The Future - Studio Upgrades to Pro Tools 6

NRG announced recently that the entire studio has successfully upgraded to Pro Tools 6. 0 and is operating on the Mac OSX platform. Chief Technician Wade Norton said, "despite initial doubts about the compatibility with our SAN network we've worked out all the kinks and now the whole network is running great". In other technical news, NRG's secure FTP server is now up and running. NRG is able to upload mixes to this secure site for download by approved users. Within this secure site NRG is able to assign listening rights to users and monitor all traffic. NRG hopes that this will save clients money on shipping costs as well as offer a secure alternative to MP3's and multiple CD copies. In other studio news, Melissa Etheridge just spent three months locked out in NRG's Studio B tracking her forthcoming album working with producer Ross Hogarth. Etheridge returned to NRG after completing some previous work on her DVD "Live…and Alone", which came out last year. Hogarth most recently produced, engineered and mixed "Dragonfly"(RCA) for Ziggy Marley and "Grade 8"(Lava) for Grade 8. Jay Baumgardner has just finished mixing the forthcoming Sevendust album. This is their 4th album. They are currently on tour with Element Eighty and Presence. Of the new album Baumgardner said, "it was great to mix such a strong rock record. I really tried to capture the energy of the band." Sevendust's first single "Enemy"is already making waves at rock radio, charting high on both the Active and Modern rock charts. For booking or other information please contact Kelly Garver at NRG Recording Services at (818) 760-7841.

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>> Mackie Designs Inc. Announces New Corporate Name - Loud Technologies Inc.

Mackie Designs Inc. recently announced a change the company's corporate designation from Mackie Designs Inc. to Loud Technologies Inc. This change is intended to eliminate confusion between "Mackie" the company, and "Mackie" the brand. The change will also clarify positioning for each of the individual brands under the new Loud Technologies Inc. umbrella. Jamie Engen, CEO at Loud Technologies Inc. commented, "As the company has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate the corporate entity 'Mackie Designs Inc.' from the brand 'Mackie'. This change will enable us to more clearly communicate within the financial and business communities while at the same time, allow all of the brands under the new corporate designation, Loud Technologies, to strengthen their own unique identities and market positions." Currently there are seven brands in the Loud Technologies portfolio: Mackie, the primary music industry retail brand; TAPCO, the entry-level retail brand; EAW, the high-end sound reinforcement and professional touring brand; RCF, the ommercial/industrial sound brand; RCF Precision, the OEM loudspeaker components brand; SIA Software, the sound system measurement software brand; and Acuma Labs, the brand of embedded software solutions for professional audio. Loud Technologies Inc. will continue to be headquartered in Woodinville, Wash. at the current Mackie Designs Inc. headquarters. For more information please contact: Loud Technologies Inc. 16220 Wood-Red Road N.E., Woodinville, WA 98072. Phone: (425) 487-4333 or visit www.mackie.com.

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>> LA-based ROCAsound Music Has a Full Slate of High Profile Projects This Fall

NBC's Primetime action-drama series "Boomtown" has taken over ROCAsound. Sebastian Arocha-Morton is producing and arranging the music for the show's current season alongside veteran film composers Snuffy Walden (Emmy winner for The West Wing) and Bennett Salvay (Jeepers Creepers I & II). The powerhouse trio has created a soundscape that reflects LA's cultural diversity. In other ROCAsound news: Eliko Crespo recorded 3 tracks, including two cuts for the upcoming feature Havana Nights (Dirty Dancing II) Miramax film soundtrack. EMI Latin's DJ Cano (of Kumbia Kings fame) is co-writing with Sebastian for his upcoming solo album due 2004. Warner Music's Lena (Alejandro Sanz’s protégée) will work with Sebastian for her debut album, and the ROCAsound remixes of The Dandy Warhols' "The last High" (Capitol) will be released this fall. Programmer/engineer Andreas Allen (Outside, Santana, The Latin Project) is opening up studio C at ROCAsound as our second production suite catering to the dance markets. This will be the third Ethernet hub at ROCAsound featuring an extensive Vinyl collection, Technics Turntables, Pro tools and Vintage tube gear. Most cutting edge tracks and productions will supervised under Andy's mastery. For information on ROCAsound & Sebastian Arocha-Morton, please contact manager: Miguel Govea Jr. or visit www.rocasound.com.

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>> A Few Brief Recording Session Updates...New York, Atlanta, Burbank

Producer Gregg Wattenberg tracking new material for Columbia Records' Five For Fighting with engineer John Agnello. Ross Petersen assisted. J Records and AOL Music recently taped "Sessions@AOL" with Alicia Keys. The live performance will air in October. The multitrack recording was engineered by Greg Thompson, Brian Montgomery and Anthony Ruotolo.For more information contact Tino Passante at Avatar Entertainment Corp. Tel: (212) 765-7500 or visit www.avatarstudios.net

Hot produducer, Pharrell Williams (Neptunes) popped in to track a new cut with Arista Records artist, Usher. Andrew Coleman engineered, assisted by Dred. Williams also took a minute in the A ProTools suite to track vocals with Famlayon a single for Sony recording artist, 'Lil Flip'. T. Cash engineered. Island Def Jam artist, 112, were using both Stonehenge and ZAC A tracking new beats and bumps to enhance upcoming live dates to support their latest release, Hot and Wet. Stevie J. produced the sessions. For more information contact Jim Zumpano at (404) 603-8040 or visit www.zacrecording.com

Ocean Studios just completed the most ambitious upgrades to the studio since the installation of our custom vintage 80 series NEVE console. Dreamworks group Jimmy Eat World is spending 2 months here with Producer/Engineer Mark Trombino and assistant engineer Jason Cupp recording the much anticipated followup to the platinum album Bleed American. For more info go to www.oceanstudiosburbank.com.

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