>> Send Us Your News, Your Press, Your Audio For Review

If you have recording industry related press, producer/engineer news, studio sessions news, announcements, producer client updates, pro audio product news, music for review or something else to contribute, send it to News@rpmdirect.com.

>> Hollywood, CA's Sage and Sound Under New Management

Hollywood recording studio Sage and Sound Recording is pleased to announce that it is under new management. Owners Marc and Steffan Fantini completed the construction of the studios new “A” room earlier this year, and felt that the facility needed the day-to-day oversight of an experienced general manager. They have enlisted the services of recording industry veteran Michelle Moore, who has worked in the administration and management of several Hollywood studios over the past 15 years. “I guess the timing was right.” says Steffan. “We made a handful of calls asking for some referrals for the position, and one name kept coming up. Marc and I met with her, and knew immediately that this was a good match.” Moore elaborates, “This facility is just an unbelievable opportunity for me to do what I do best. The API room is a great sounding tracking room with a long successful history, so it pretty much books itself. Studio A, however, is a brand-new room. The vintage Neve 8048 and awesome selection of gear has just blown away the Engineers and Producers that have worked here. Add the mic collection and it’s just brilliant.” Sage’s Studio A was designed by the legendary George Augspurger. The interior was completed by world renowned designer Katrina Anthony and is very unique. It's modeled after one of the most beautiful hotels in Italy, including an incredible ceiling fresco and stunning finishes throughout. The tracking room has been called the best sounding drum room in the city by Ross Garfield, owner of Drum Doctors, as well as a regular stop for drummers such as Vinnie Colauita, Matt Chamberlin & Gregg Bisonnette who have all recorded there. The vibe is great, as the Fantinis spared no expense in making their new place elegant and warm. Michelle’s background includes a two year recording program at Trebas Institute of Recording Arts in the late 1980’s, after which she worked her way up the ranks from runner to assistant engineer. “My first administrative type job at a studio was at O’henry in about 1992. I worked with Martie Mahoberac and Alia Fahlborg [Nettwerk Management] and I learned a ton from them. I also found out that I could get a weekly paycheck and only had to put in 60 hours a week instead of the 80 I was used to. I changed my title and never looked back!” For more information contact the studio at 323.469.1527, or visit their website at www.sageandsoundrecording.com

^ back up ^

>> GPS | Global Positioning Services: Client Update

John Alagia recently completed producing and mixing the new Evermore album for Warner Music/Sire. Next up for John are tracks with Bethany Dillon (EMI), Jackie Green (Verve) and the new Mandy Moore record for the EMI/The Firm JV label venture. Rick Beato's recent projects include producing the I Nine album for J Records. Rick is currently working in his Stone Mountain, GA studio with Wind-Up band Atomship, writing and producing their next album. GPS is very pleased to welcome producer, engineer, mixer Billy Bush to the roster. Billy recently relocated to Los Angeles after spending the better part of a decade working alongside Butch Vig at his Smart Studios in Madison, WI. Billy's engineering and mixing credits include Garbage, Beck, Korn, The Offspring, and Alanis Morrisette among others. Billy is currently wrapping up production and mix on Eric Avery's (Jane's Addiction) new solo album. Next up, he will record and mix the Against Me! record with Butch Vig. GPS is pleased to welcome Chris Estes to the roster. Chris is a Nashville-based songwriter, producer and musician. His writing and production credits include Keri Kimmel, Billy Mann, Tyler Dean, Jump 5, and Nathan Barlowe among others. Bob Ezrin recently produced the Army of Anyone album. The band features Richard Patrick (Filter) and Robert and Dean Dileo (Stone Temple Pilots). The record will be released on the Firm/EMI joint venture label and the first single is already topping the rock charts. Noah Georgeson recently finished mixing Constance Verluca's forthcoming album for Warner Music France. Noah's recent credits include producing and mixing the Mason Jennings album "Boneclouds" for Glacial Pace/Epic. Noah's additional credits include producing and mixing the Devendra Banhart album "Cripple Crow" (XL) and Joanna Newsom's album "Milk-eyed Mender" (Drag City). Page Hamilton is currently on a break from touring in support of Helmet's new release on Warcon Records. Next up for Page will be producing a record for the band Classic Case for Fearless Records. Earlier this year, Ethan Johns produced, recorded and mixed the follow-up Ray Lamontagne album (RCA) at Allaire in Shokan, NY. He followed that up by producing the third Kings of Leon album (RCA), recorded and mixed at Black Bird Recording in Nashville, TN. Ethan is currently down under and just produced and mixed a track with Augie March (SonyBMG Australia) before heading to Auckland, New Zealand to begin production on the forthcoming Neil Finn album (EMI). Jacquire King recently produced, recorded and mixed The Colour (EMI CMG) in Nashville. Jacquire just completed producing and mixing 5 new tracks for The Features, who are recently unsigned. Next up for Jacquire is producing, engineering and mixing an album for 67 Special (Warner Music Australia). Nathaniel Kunkel has had a busy spring and summer tracking the Casino record (Polydor) with producer Nick Raskulinecz, recording and mixing the new Diana Ross album for producer Peter Asher and doing various film score mix work for major features including 16 Blocks and Poseidon. Adam Lasus is the producer, engineer and mixer of the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah record which continues it's massive DIY success as the record makes its way across Europe. Adam has recently been developing local LA band Oliver Future, producing and mixing several tracks. Next up, Adam will produce and mix an album for Lado/Epitaph band Robocop Kraus. Patrick Leonard recently completed production on the Brendan James album for Capitol. The record was recorded and mixed at Glenwood Place studios in Burbank, CA. Pat has also recently been in the studio with Natasha Bedingfield, co-writing and producing new songs. Brian Scheuble recorded and mixed the Brendan James album (Capitol) with Pat Leonard. Brian's other recent work includes recording and mixing the Trevor Hall album (Geffen) with John Alagia, tracking the New Found Glory album (Geffen) with Thom Panunzio. Charlie Sexton recently returned from Toronto, Canada where he produced an album with Peter Elkas for Maple Music/Universal. For more information contact: Jim Phelan or Jerimaya Grabher at GPS | Global Positioning Services (PH) 310 656 1340 Info@globalpositioningservices.net

^ back up ^

>> Barry Gibb Chooses SSL AWS 900 Analogue Workstation System

Months after a Solid State Logic AWS 900 Analogue Workstation System proved indispensable in the creation of Barbra Streisand's hit album Guilty Pleasures, legendary musician and producer Barry Gibb has purchased an AWS 900 from GC Pro in Miami for his personal studio. Last year, Gibb and engineer/producer John Merchant rented an AWS 900 from Los Angeles-based Advanced Audio in order to record Streisand's vocal overdubs at the artist's Southern California home. Later, when mix sessions on another console proved problematic, the same AWS 900 was shipped to Miami for the successful mix of Guilty Pleasures. Now, Merchant explains, Gibb has chosen to own what has quickly become SSL's most popular console ever. "Barry's new studio is in Miami," Merchant explains, "but he is heading to Nashville for the summer. After the experience of working on Barbra's record, where we took the exact console that we used in Malibu and flew it to Miami to mix, we thought it would be cool to have the capacity to drop the AWS 900+ in a flight case and, within 24 hours, have it anywhere we want it. That was no small consideration." Gibb and Merchant are among the growing list of top producers and engineers who recognize the dual benefits of the console's SuperAnalogue™ signal path coupled with a comprehensive DAW controller. For more information visist www.solid-state-logic.com

^ back up ^

>> Threshold Surrounded By Wolves

Threshold recently hosted both mixing and mastering sessions for a new Los Lobos DVD. Shot live at House Of Blues LA and captured on HD Cam and in surround @ 24/96. It features a complete live performance of Los Lobos’ groundbreaking 1992 release “Kiko”. Mixing duties were handled by Mark Johnson and Andy Smith with the mastering falling to Stephen Marsh, Threshold’s Director Of Mastering. The project was produced by Larry Shapiro and will be available on HD-DVD and as a soundtrack CD through Disney. In other Lobos news, look for a new studio album also master by Marsh @ Threshold titled “The Town and The City”, in stores September 12th. The new album was produced by the band and mixed by their frequent contributor Tchad Blake, with additional mixing by Robert Carranza. Australia’s Wolfmother recently rocked out live in the new Studio at The Palms in Las Vegas. Veteran Ed Cherney was at the helm for the recording and mixing and Threshold’s Stephen Marsh mastering the audio for delivery to Apple. The 6 song set, recorded as part of Apple’s “iTunes Essentials” series is available for download at the iTunes music store and also features live video from the performance. reshold Mastering is located at 2260 Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. 90064. Tel: 310.571.0500. Fax: 310.571.0505. Internet: www.thresholdsound.com Contact: Stephen Marsh at smarsh@thresholdsound.com

^ back up ^

>> Music Row Democrats Back With New Music Their Own Blog

Just in time for the upcoming midterm elections, MUSIC ROW DEMOCRATS (MRD) have returned to the political arena with a new campaign, new music, and the launch of two new websites. The political organization was formed in 2004 by Nashville music industry leaders to counter the stereotype of country music as a Republican stronghold. “We wanted to make sure that whenever Nashville music was brought up in a political discussion, all voices in our community were part of the conversation,” says producer/songwriter and MRD co-founder, Don Cook. nce the 2004 election, MRD have been laying low and regrouping their efforts. “We really shot out of a cannon in 2004,” says co-founder and artist manager Bob Titley. “We hadn’t expected to accomplish so much, so fast. After the 2004 presidential election, we all needed to take some time off to really plot out MRD’s future direction.” The result is a collection of new music and a focus on the use of the internet for political organization. “I attended YearlyKos,” adds Titley, “the first national convention for the political blogging community. I believe the internet is in the early stages of transforming the political world in the same way it has transformed the world of the music business. So we have launched two new websites, a revamp of our home site, musicrowdemocrats.com, and a new community blog, mrdtalk.com.” Musicrowdemocrats.com now offers streaming music by some of Nashville’s top songwriters and artists - including Nanci Griffith, Raul Malo and The Mavericks, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Bobby Braddock, Tim O’Brien, Darrell Scott and others. “Over the last couple of years it became apparent to us that some of the world’s finest songwriters were putting their politics down in the studio, but had no outlet for it,” says Titley. “So we are providing a platform for that unique political voice.” Collectively, these artists have won multiple Grammy and CMA Awards, enjoyed over 20 #1 hits, and more than 50 Top 10 hits. This collection of songs is available for download to anyone donating $20 or more to the MRD PAC. The songs can be heard streaming, at no charge, on musicrowdemocrats.com. he Music Row Democrats’ core mission remains the same: To spread the message that Democrats are the true party of hard-working Americans. And with the organization’s vast experience producing music for those same working Americans, MRD is positioned to spread that message like no other group. For more information visit www.musicrowdemocrats.com

^ back up ^

>> AES POSTS PRELIMINARY 121ST CONVENTION EVENTS CALENDAR

With final arrangements being polished for the Audio Engineering Society 121st Convention, (Moscone Center - Oct. 5-8), the AES has posted a Detailed Preliminary Calendar of Events at www.aes.org . Designed to aid attendees in pre-planning their visits for optimum efficiency (and enjoyment) the Calendar is available as an easy-to-navigate, full-color schedule with drop-down boxes of essential information. “As with all AES Conventions, the goal of the Committee has been to create an extremely comprehensive and contemporary program,” said AES Executive Director Roger Furness. “With a full complement of Workshops, Papers, Tutorials, Technical Tours, Platinum, Broadcast, Live Sound, Student, Historical and Special Events, the 121st Convention will epitomize our mandate to continually raise the standards for quality and relevance.” Committee Chair John Strawn adds, “A quick perusal of the Preliminary Calendar will illustrate the diversity of our events and presenters. We’ve developed one of the best programs in AES history. There may be some additional fine-tuning, but attendees can certainly start using the Calendar to plan their AES schedules now. Visitors should also use the www.aes.org site to book hotel reservations at reduced rates.” To preview the AES 121st Convention Preliminary Calendar and to book hotel accommodations please visit www.aes.org and click on ‘121st Convention.’

^ back up ^

>> The Dimes Bag Producer Steve Christensen at SugarHill

SugarHill Studios’s Senior Staff Engineer Steve Christensen recently completed tracking, mixing and producing 6 songs for popular Houston indie/rock band The Dimes. Well known for his mixing skills, Steve Christensen has an impressive repertoire including Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Cash Money Records, Music World/Sanctuary Urban Records, Ann Margaret, Southern Backtones, Arthur Yoria, Tody Castillo, John Evans and Houston Grand Opera. The Dimes were tracked to 2” tape at SugarHill’s Studio A and mixed in Protools through a Neotek Elite console in the same studio. Heavily influenced by The Pixies, The Beatles, The Arcade Fire and The Velvet Underground; The Dimes have created a formidable fan base by playing at Houston venues such as Super Happy Fun Land, and opening for SOUNDteam, Tapes ‘n Tapes and The Deathray Davies. They were also anointed “MP3 Of The Month” in December 2005 on college radio station Music For Listeners (Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas). The Dimes have also been a favorite on Houston Pacifica’s KPFT 90.1FM’s RadioACTIVE indie rock show with DJ Rhonda Garner. Christensen opted for a raw production: “Almost all of the songs were built on takes done during our sound check. We didn’t edit the drums, and we didn’t tune the vocals. The band’s greatest strength is their unrefined energy. With most bands, that would be an apology, but the Dimes are truly gifted in their ability to turn sophisticated songwriting into a furiously huge sound.” The Dimes completed tracking and mixing with Steve Christensen in the period of 3 weeks during the month of July 2006 and have just released the self-titled EP on August 8th of this year. “We had a great time recording at SugarHill” mentioned guitarist Cley Miller “Steve was awesome to work with and the vibe at SugarHill is great. We were very happy with our recordings and would love to go back and do it again.” For more information check out The Dimes, visit http://www.myspace.com/dimes.

^ back up ^

The Texas Chapter and the Producers & Engineers Wing of The Recording Academy jointly hosted Here, There And Everywhere: A Conversation With Beatles' Engineer Geoff Emerick at the landmark Austin City Limits in July. This GRAMMY Professional Development Event delved behind the scenes into the creative and technical processes of this remarkable engineer that led to some of the greatest music of the last 40 years. Bassist and music educator Chuck Rainey moderated the event with the legendary recording engineer whose credits inclue the Beatles' Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour and Abbey Road, as well as top-selling albums for America, Supertramp, Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello, among others. For more information visit Grammy.com

^ back up ^

>> Odds On Has It - Soup To Nuts

Jak Paris returned to Odds On Recording to take advantage of its new studio, equipped with an SSL XL 9000K Series SuperAnalogue console. While working at the new facility, Paris recorded a duet remake of Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain with Scarlett Pomers of the hit show, Reba. Paris, whose cover release of The Chain is currently No. 34 on the FMQB’s Adult Contemporary Top 40 music chart, has become a repeat Odds On Recording client. “The priceless value of using Odds On Recording is that it can fulfill all of your needs under one roof – whether it be studio recording, mastering, CD replication and even the artwork for album and single covers,” stated Paris. “Instead of wasting time searching for specialized vendors, Odds On Recording saves me time by conveniently and efficiently servicing all of my needs from one location.” Odds On is a 100% full-service recording and CD/DVD replication company in Las Vegas. Odds On offers its clients a state-of-the-art recording environment and a cutting-edge facility for audio recording, mastering, CD and DVD replication, video editing, MIDI production, as well as custom packaging, web design and graphics services. Tom Parham has worked with a wide range of well-known artists and shows including Sublime, Ice-T, Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Nick Carter, OPM, TQ, Le Reve, Avenue Q, The Platters and many more. In addition, Parham’s corporate clients have included Disney, Mattel, Microsoft, Intel, Philips, eBay, Betty Crocker and Tony Robbins. For more information contact Tom Parham at Odds On Recording 14 Sunset Way Henderson, NV 89014 P: 702-318-6001 Web: www.OddsOnRecording.com.

^ back up ^

>> DaCapo Music Brings New Studio To Nashville Market

Nashville based producer/engineer Jonell Polansky has expanded her production company DaCapo Music to include a full-service, state of the art commercial recording facility. “I wanted to reconfigure my studio to be competitive with the finest rooms in Nashville,” she says of the studio featuring a vintage Trident series 80B console with the most sought after EQ’s. The studio is equipped with Nuendo and a selection of analog outboard reverbs, delays, mic pres. Brands include Eventide, Neumann, Lexicon, Roland, and Avalon. Many engineers have commented on DaCapo’s excellent mic collection. Polansky, an accomplished producer and engineer that has been actively working in the Music Row community for more than 13 years is thrilled with the virtues of her new creative place. “The space is quiet, private and provides a hybrid recording environment consisting of great analog and digital gear.” Polansky has long been regarded as an expert in producing and engineering vocals for artists of every caliber. “Singing in the studio is difficult regardless of talent. We all know that it is different than performing on a stage but there are only a few producers that really take the time to teach singers to excel in this environment. I am one of them. I enjoy working with artists and producers with their artists on this art,” she said. Polansky often works in tandem with renowned vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams teaching vocalists to master the studio environment. “Younger artists are being developed and signed to recording contracts now. It is a natural progression of their talent and career to learn to sing in the studio properly.” Polansky continues. “Someone must really take the time to listen to the artist, obliterate any fears and build vocal confidence. There is a lot of trial and error involved and in today’s age of hurry up and record….that time is often not given.” For more information about DaCapo Music or Polansky’s vocal training visit them online at www.dacapomusic.com

^ back up ^

>> Polyphonic HMI Awarded Crucial US Patent

Polyphonic HMI announced that U.S. Patent 7,081,579 B2 (Method and System for Music Recommendation) was awarded to the Company on July 25th, 2006. The patented software uses a series of complex artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze up to 70 different sonic characteristics in a musical composition, and is then able to sort any collection of digital music based on any combination of similar characteristics. The characteristics analyzed are those which produce the strongest reaction in terms of human perception, such as melody, tempo, rhythm and range, and how these change over time. This approach enables the creation of "constellations" of music with similar characteristics, even from different genres and styles, enabling fast yet highly individualized music discovery, based on a "music taste test." This is a key driver for further growth in online music sales. The award of this patent reinforces the many accolades of the technology that began in 2003 with the New York Times(a). The software technologies covered by this patent are infinitely scaleable and completely automated to enable music retailers, online stores, mobile carriers, broadcasters and music providers of any kind to create uniquely innovative music recommendation and discovery experiences for each consumer. In many respects they are superior next generation technologies, compared to the more traditional "collaborative filtering" approaches in use today. The technologies also enable extremely accurate predictions of the commercial relevance and corresponding market success of potential new releases for artists, record labels, publishers and producers. In this area, the patent covers the technology method and system underlying the Polyphonic HMI product marketed as Hit Song Science (HSS) which compares new digital music files with historical commercially successful songs, to provide an early indication of market potential. In addition the technologies are able to deliver catalogue optimization and instant playlisting tools not previously available to the music industry. Also announced was the launch of Music Intelligence Solutions (www.musintelligence.com) a new Group comprising Polyphonic HMI (Spain) and Music Intelligence Solutions (U.S.), with a mission to become the leading global provider of artificial intelligence software for music recommendation and discovery, market potential prediction, and automated music programming. The Company's new suite of software applications based on the patent will be launched in the fall. Music Intelligence Solutions is headquartered in San Francisco, USA.

^ back up ^

>> Bits & Pieces...

The 10th Annual Durango Songwriter's Expo will take place October 5-7 for the first time in Park City, Utah (Sundance) at the beautiful Canyons Resort. The Expo is one of the nation's premier singer/songwriter events and is a combination of workshops, listening sessions, panels, showcases, open mics, and concludes with a hit songwriter's concert on Saturday, Oct. 7. www.Durangosong.com

Jerry Harrison, producer and founding member of Talking Heads, joins Advanced Alternative Media. Jerry's body of work includes celebrated records for No Doubt, Violent Femmes, Live, O.A.R., Talking Heads, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. For more information contact Advanced Alternative Media, Inc. info@aaminc.com Phone: 212-924-2929

The one and only lead singer of the original Shangri-las, Mary Weiss, recently signed with Norton Records and is currently recording at Coyote Recording Studios. Mary is working on her new album with Reigning Sound as the back line, with guest organist David Amels (bomb factory). Billy Miller (Norton records) and Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound and Detroit Cobras) are collaborating on Production, with Michael Caiati engineering and Andrew Gearhart assisting.

BK Entertainment are proud to announce the addition of Producer Writer Gavin Brown and Producer, Mixer, Engineer Ulrich Wild to the roster. Gavin is best know for his work with platinum artists Three Days Grace, whom he developed, co-wrote, and produced. Their current single "Animal I Have Become", which Gavinco-wrote, is currently #1 at Modern and Active Rock. An EMI Music writer, Gavin also developed and produced Canada's multi-platinum Billy Talent - which won the Album Of The Year Juno Award on their debut LP. Gavin is currently developing a new band named The Midway State. For more information contact Bennett Kaufman or Jenny Price at 818 728 8200

Long time artist manager Mike Gormley, President of the management firm L.A. Personal Development, where he oversees the careers of such clients as Lisbeth Scott, Ronny Cox and new "buzz" artist Quincy Coleman has announced a new course to be offered by UCLA this fall. Entitled, "The Insider's Guide to Music Management", the course will cover, among other things, what music managers do, why they are important, and how to avoid management pitfalls. The course begins Wednesday, Oct. 11 and will continue each Wednesday thereafter for a total of six classes. To sign up you need to contact UCLA Extensions and request information on The Insider's Guide to Music Management. The registration number is S4446B. Mike is presently on the Board of Music Manager's Forum and L.A.WoMen In Music and is past president of the Conference of Personal Managers. He is also on the Management/Legal Advisory Committee for AFTRA. www.uclaextension.edu

^ back up ^