San Diego, CA - January 2008… Carvin, the name musicians the world over look to for fine guitars, basses, signal processing equipment, PA systems, and related musical electronics, is pleased to announce its new XD88 Loudspeaker Management System. A crucial tool in any live sound reinforcement environment, the XD88 offers a wealth of equalization, limiting, delay, and related signal processing functions designed to maximize the performance of any loudspeaker system. With a large, backlit, variable contrast LCD display for easy reading, the new XD88 is an 8-channel, 2RU rackmount processor that is ideal in monitor applications–enabling each performer to have their monitor speaker optimally placed and EQ‘d so as to maximize their ability to hear clearly without feedback issues, high-end harshness, or “muddied” low frequency performance. more

Engineer Robert Carranza Records New Album in LA and Hawaii



Pictured in LA (L-R) are engineer/mixer Robert Carranza and Jack Johnson, with the new U47 large diaphragm tube mic from Telefunken | USA. Photo by David Goggin.

Los Angeles, CA, January, 2008 - Jack Johnson has completed his new album, “Sleep Through The Static,” with longtime engineer/mixer Robert Carranza, who is a Grammy-nominee this year as Best Engineer, Non-Classical, for his work with Ozomotli. Johnson‘s album was recorded at his new facility in LA and at his studio in Hawaii, utilizing the U47 and Ela M 251 historic mic recreations from Telefunken | USA.

“Jack‘s voice has kind of a velvet sound,” remarks Carranza, “and I have always been searching for just the right mic for him. We had already started recording the new album, but the minute we tried out the new U47 we decided to go back and re-record all of Jack‘s vocals. All of a sudden, there was something different, almost magical. I hate to use that word, but this mic made such a huge difference on the record.”

Jack Johnson, born and raised on the north shore of Oahu, was a champion surfer before he entered college to study filmmaking. While studying at the University of California at Santa Barbara he produced a surf documentary called Thicker Than Water, with two friends, Chris and Emmett Malloy. It not only featured his talents as a cinematographer, but also included his abilities as a singer/songwriter.

“When I put a mic up and sit between the speakers,” continues Robert Carranza, “and I hear the vocal coming at me from above the speakers, and from the back and from the sides and the bottom - it is very rare. This mic has almost a binaural sound, and it made a big difference in the texture of the album. This is the sound I have been looking for.”

Eight years ago, a four-song Jack Johnson demo caught the attention of producer J.P. Plunier, who had worked with one of Johnson‘s heroes, Ben Harper. Plunier produced Johnson‘s 2001 debut album, Brushfire Fairytales, and also played lap steel guitar on the record. Johnson‘s second album, On and On, came out in 2003, followed by In Between Dreams in 2005. In 2006, he released the soundtrack to the animated film Curious George, which went to #1 on Billboard‘s Top 200 and Rock Album charts. Sleep Through The Static, featuring Merlo Podlewski on bass, Adam Topol on drums, and Zach Gill on keyboards, is scheduled for release February, 2008.

“The U47 that Telefunken sent me was a demo, but we loved it,” adds Carranza. “I told them I wanted that mic and wasn‘t giving it back. And we also bought a new Ela M 251. I first tried it on acoustic guitar, put it up and got a perfect guitar sound. No EQ, no compression, and it really sang. You can‘t beat that.”

For information about Telefunken | USA visit www.telefunkenusa.com

or call 860.882.5919

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN, JANUARY 30, 2008 — Auralex Acoustics, Inc. is making beautiful music at the Duke Ellington School of Arts. The industry leader in innovative sound control solutions is doing its part in helping the inner-city public arts school transform a storage space into a fully functional recording studio by contributing its state-of-the-art acoustical treatment products.

Duke Ellington School of Arts, the only Washington, D.C. public high school that provides professional arts training and college preparation, recently began construction on a new recording studio in its facility, which will include a Live Room and a Control room. Through the efforts of Duke Ellington‘s Instrumental Parents Group (who initiated the project), led by Jim Shahin, and substantial funding from the Grammy Foundation as well as donations from several manufacturers, the creation of this studio is currently under way. Students, faculty and administration are making a personal impact on the project by continually volunteering their time.

“Without good recording space and equipment, a student‘s talent gets lost in the mix, which has been putting Ellington students at a competitive disadvantage when applying for scholarships and college admission,” said Shahin. “Once I was elected president of the Instrumental Parents Group, I made this studio our top priority. I am thrilled with the generosity of manufacturers such as Auralex Acoustics, who are enabling us to make this happen.”

The install, facilitated by Washington Pro, is expected to be complete this semester. Auralex Acoustics is one of several manufacturers that have provided materials at a significantly discounted price. The company has contributed substantial products to both rooms, including (15) Elite C24 absorptive panels, (5) Elite C44 ProPanels, and (16) Q‘Fusor diffusors for the Live Room, and (8) Elite CT45 corner traps, (12) Elite C24 absorptive panels, (3) C44 ProPanels, (8) pArtScience SpaceArray diffusors, (18) Q‘Fusor diffusors and (3) boxes of SonoFiber Class A absorptive panels for the Control room.

The main purpose of the studio is to record the students - mostly instrumental and vocal music students; but also literary media and technical theater students–which is about two thirds of Ellington‘s student body. Many students must submit audition tapes as part of the college admissions process as well as for scholarship applications - the students of Duke Ellington will soon have a professional space to create these materials. The studio can also provide a means of recording performances from the theatre as well as enable parents and students to obtain copies of these performances for their own libraries and memories.

“The creation of this studio will not just transform a room into a recording studio,” said Rory Pollens, Ellington‘s Head of School. “It will help transform the lives of our students, enabling them to become better musicians and artists.”

About Auralex Acoustics, Inc.

Located in Indianapolis, Auralex Acoustics was founded in 1977 with a mission to provide top-performing acoustical treatment products at the best value. Since then, thousands of satisfied Auralex customers have experienced improved acoustics, expert advice and exceptional customer service. Auralex products enjoy widespread use among prominent artists, producers, engineers, corporations, celebrities and government agencies.

Auralex Acoustics has become the industry leader in innovative sound control solutions and continues to enjoy rapid growth through an international network of authorized dealers. Visit the Auralex web page at www.auralex.com. Auralex can be reached via email at auralexinfo@auralex.com or by calling 1.800.959.3343.