Burbank, CA… Royer Labs ribbon microphones are widely recognized for their strengths in the recording studio side of the business and they are also finding their way onto more and more equipment rosters with touring acts. Such is the case with the rock band Matchbox Twenty and their FOH (front of house) Sound Engineer Jim Ebdon. For their current Exile in America tour, which includes engagements at the Nokia Theatre in Dallas, Madison Square Garden in New York City, Broomfield Events Center in Denver, and Staples Center in Los Angeles, the band is using Royer R-121 ribbon microphones extensively. more

WSDG Creates ‘Invisible‘ Wall Between Live & Control Rooms

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL: The wall separating musicians from producers and engineers was rendered virtually invisible for the innovative Diante do Trono Studio. Renato Cipriano, head of the Walters-Storyk Design Group Brazilian office www.wsdg.com, reports that a clear sight line between the live and control rooms was a critical design goal for the new complex.

Diante do Trono www.diantedotrono.com.br is the internationally recognized,50-member gospel band of Batista da Lagoinha, one of Brazil‘s largest worship ministries. In addition to attracting huge crowds to stadium-level venues around the world, the group has recorded 25 albums and sold over 3 million CDs since their formation in 1997.

When the decision was made to build a recording studio, WSDG (which maintains an office in Belo Horizonte) was commissioned to develop all of the architectural and acoustic aspects of the new facility, including structural, electrical and HVAC.

The ground floor of the complex is comprised of a 600 sq. ft. live room (with ceiling level windows facing the tropical sky), a 350 sq. ft. 5.1 Control Room with two spacious Iso booths, and an expansive equipment room. Studio B on the 2nd floor features a 600 sq. ft. Live Room /Control Room /Edit Room tracking facility and a video edit suite for music video projects. Studio amenities include office space, an interior lounge an outdoor lounge with a barbeque pit.

To accommodate diverse recording applications, WSDG architect/acousticians John Storyk and Renato Cipriano developed variable acoustic panels, including motorized units installed at the ceiling which can be operated remotely from the Control Room. This flexibility enables the engineer to tune the room acoustics to an infinite range of musical styles. The room also features eclectic surface treatments created with bricks from recycled materials.

The studio‘s most striking design element is the expansive forward-looking panoramic glass wall separating the Live and Control rooms. The three main Genelec 1032 5.1 surround speakers are housed in the glass via a baffled configuration. Positioned over the equipment rack, they establish a uniquely unobstructed view between the rooms. Tuned for ideal surround angles and measurements, the installation meets all ITU standards; providing an extraordinary sound imaging field and extended low end response for the mixing engineer.

Studio engineer André Espindola reports that Diante Do Trono is equipped with the latest Pro Tools HD3 system a Digidesign Control 24 console which may soon be upgraded to a new Neve Genesys, and numerous outboard processors, including Manley and TC Electronics, and an ample selection of vintage microphones and other outboard gear.

“The challenge of floating the main monitors within a panoramic front viewing glass wall in an acoustically acceptable configuration has been a long-time design goal,” WSDG principal John Storyk remarked. “In 2004 I was a member of the acoustic team for Jazz At Lincoln Center. The 500 seat Allen Room performance venue there features a 50‘ high by 90‘ long glass wall overlooking NY‘s Central Park directly behind the stage. The experience we gained from that project was extremely beneficial in helping us realize Diante Do Trono. This gospel band moves and inspires people around the world. We are proud to have played a role in creating their dream studio.”

“The challenge of accurately placing a control room main monitor system at ear level within a panoramic front viewing glass wall has been a long-time design goal or our company,” WSDG principal John Storyk remarked. “In 2004, we were member of the acoustic team for Jazz At Lincoln Center. The 500 seat Allen Room performance venue there features a 50‘ high by 90‘ long glass wall overlooking NY‘s Central Park directly behind the stage. The experience we gained from that project, along with many other control room installation measurements we‘ve done during the past 10 years all contributed to our successful realization for Diante Do Trono. This gospel band moves and inspires people around the world. Renato and the entire WSDG design team are proud to have played a role in creating their dream studio.”

HOLLYWOOD — EASTWEST is celebrating 20 years as one of the industry‘s leading soundware developer and distributors and is offering its users the opportunity to purchase select virtual instruments at greatly reduced rates.

From March 24 through April 30 users visiting the EASTWEST website www.soundsonline.com will be able to automatically purchase one product and receive a collection of equal or lesser value for free - no promotional code necessary. There is also no limit on the amount of virtual instruments that can be purchased where a user receives one free. Virtual instruments eligible for this discount are some of the most popular the company has to offer. They include:

FAB FOUR: A faithfully executed, incredibly accurate comprehensive collection of the same kind of musical instruments and recording equipment the Beatles used to record their music.

GYPSY: A virtual instrument of intimate European sounds with unprecedented detail.

MINISTRY OF ROCK: A huge virtual instrument of rock drums, basses and guitars that provides a true all-in-one solution for rock productions.

VOICES OF PASSION: An assortment of ethereal, passionate, flowing, mysterious, wailing and whispering alto and soprano voices of female vocalists from Wales, Syria, India, Bulgaria and America.

COLOSSUS: A massive 32 Gigabyte virtual instrument that covers all of the basic musical genres. Some of the sounds offered here include drums, guitars, pianos/electric pianos, organs, brass, orchestral, choirs, keyboards/mallet instruments, ethnic instruments, New Age ensembles, stormdrones, synth basses, synth leads, and synth pads.

SYMPHONIC CHOIRS: With Symphonic Choirs users can control the words, language and key of a world-class symphonic choir from their keyboard controller. In addition, this is the first 24-bit choir virtual instrument to include three simultaneous stereo mic setups (close, stage and hall), so users can mix any combination of mic positions.

QUANTUM LEAP RA: One of the largest and most detailed virtual instrument of ethnic instruments from six areas of the world: Africa, Americas and Australia; Europe, Far East, Middle East and the Turkish Empire; and India. Every instrument and ensemble was sampled extensively so that the character of each instrument is preserved.

PLATINUM ORCHESTRA BUNDLE (EW/QL Symphonic Orchestra Platinum and Platinum PRO XP) and GOLD ORCHESTRA BUNDLE (EW/QL Symphonic Orchestra Gold and Gold PRO XP): Recorded in a 125 million dollar concert hall by Grammy winning classical recording engineer Prof. Keith O. Johnson, these virtual instruments eclipse all others with the highest level of fidelity and realism. Beyond the orchestra’s phenomenal recording quality is its ability to breathe life into the virtual world, creating a real space and filling it with sound.

PLATINUM PRO XP and GOLD PRO XP: Platinum PRO XP and Gold PRO XP double the size of the original award-winning Symphonic Orchestra Platinum and Gold versions.

SILVER ORCHESTRA: The most cost-effective, high-quality virtual orchestra. The collection includes all sections of the orchestra plus solo instruments, organs, choirs, and an incredible Steinway Grand piano.

STORMDRUM: A massive 6 Gigabyte collection of loops and multi-samples from three world-class percussionists. The content is classic film score stuff: big fat booming drums, smaller ethnic hand percussion, enough metallic hits to make a steelworker feel at home, and a range of acoustic kits.

PERCUSSIVE ADVENTURES 2: The sequel to the multi-award winning Percussive Adventures. Designed for film, TV, game and music composers, Percussive Adventures 2 goes further than PA1 with lengthy and evolving rhythmic terrains. All samples are edited into loop segments, alternate mixes and completely isolated layers.

HARDCORE BASS XP: The only Electric Bass virtual instrument that delivers (with the included XPansion) an authentic set of electric basses suitable for most genres, from Jazz to Hip Hop, R&B to Pop, Dance to Hard Rock. Included in the collection are seven different highly sought-after electric basses at different pick-up and amp settings with over 6 Gigabytes of multisamples.

ADRENALINE: Adrenaline is a distinctive cross section of all current musical styles with only one common theme - the ability to inject vital energy into anything it touches. It features pumping raw multi-track construction kits of dark, heavy, violent moments injected with raging melodies.

STORMBREAKZ: Features two of the six loop categories included in Stormdrum - Big Beats (mid tempo with a bad attitude) and Fastbreaks (fast, furious and frequently wicked). It also includes loops from the Film Tech category of Stormdrum and multi-sampled electronic drum kits and tech hits, created by processing live drum sounds.

PERCUSSIVE ADVENTURES 2 LE: A collection of all the loops featured in Percussive Adventures 2.

EASTWEST/PMI Bösendorfer 290: A pristine piano library that finally captures all of the beauty of this piano. Up to 16 velocity layers, true release samples, true repedalling and two different microphone positions (close and ambient) for ultimate ambience control.

“Throughout our 20 years developing the latest in sampling technology, one element of EASTWEST‘s virtual instrument has remained consistent — our sonic quality,” says EASTWEST Founder Doug Rogers. “With this unique opportunity, our customers will be able to use and enjoy the high quality virtual instruments and samples we have been providing for the past two decades at an unmatched cost.”

Las Vegas, NV, April 3, 2008 - RF Central, a leading provider of digital microwave technology, is rolling out its new RFX-PRX-II portable handheld COFDM monitor/receiver at NAB 2008 (Booths C3007 and C6622). Ideal for a wide range of applications including ENG confidence monitoring and security surveillance, this lightweight palm-size receiver (available in 2 GHz and 5.8 GHz) is packaged in a compact housing that spans just 6.3 x 4.7 x 1.5 inches. To ensure durability, the system is fully ruggedized using an ABS plastic shell. more

OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 2008: Sennheiser is introducing its new MKH 800 Twin microphone at the 2008 NAB Show™. Based upon Sennheiser‘s legendary MKH 800, the MKH 800 Twin multiplies recordists‘ abilities by offering polar pattern switching after the recording session.

The MKH 800 Twin can be thought of as a multi-pattern microphone without the pattern switches. So how does it generate the various patterns? The MKH 800 Twin is equipped with both front and back capsule outputs. In a standard multi-pattern mic like its legendary predecessor, the MKH 800, the pattern of the mic is derived by adding and subtracting the back capsule. Thanks to the MKH 800 Twin‘s dual outputs, recordists can simply plug both of these capsules into a DAW or recorder and create the pattern desired during mix-down.

“The MKH 800 Twin will become a new classic thanks to its incredible versatility, even after a recording session is complete,” said Dawn Birr, product manager professional systems for Sennheiser. “Whether you find you need a tighter or wider pattern for a few seconds or for several minutes in a certain part of the recording, the MKH 800 Twin makes it happen.”

The MKH 800 Twin is ideal for film scoring, symphonic recording, broadcasting, 5.1 surround, and studio and field recording. Sennheiser‘s renowned transparency and accuracy, incredibly low self-noise and humidity-resistant construction makes the MKH 800 Twin a powerhouse in any application, while its wide frequency response spans 50kHz. The MKH 800 Twin also features a symmetrical capsule design with extremely low distortion.

The MKH 800 Twin will be available in April 2008.

MSRP: $3,356

SENNHEISER

Sennheiser is a world-leading manufacturer of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is now a global brand represented in sixty countries around the world through long-term distribution partners and subsidiaries in France, UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Russia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico and the USA. Sennheiser’s technology is produced in manufacturing plants in Germany, Ireland and the United States of America. Their pioneering excellence in technology has rewarded the company with numerous awards and accolades including an Emmy, a Grammy and the technical Oscar.

The Sennheiser Group is proud to be affiliated with Georg Neumann (world leading studio microphones), Klein and Hummel (studio monitors) and the joint venture Sennheiser Communications that brings their award-winning technology to headsets for PCs, offices and call centers.

For more information, please visit www.sennheiserusa.com

PLEASE COME BY AND SEE US AT NAB 2008 LAS VEGAS, BOOTH #N8207

McNally Smith College of Music is supporting the rock-stars of tomorrow by sponsoring the second annual High School Rocks Battle of the Bands on Sunday, April 20th, 2008. As part of its involvement with the competition, McNally Smith is sending a crew of its leading instructors along with five of its students to record the entire concert through use of Digidesign ProTools, which will result in a compilation CD that will feature one song performed by each band. A group of McNally Smith College of Music students will also participate in the event and will be among those featured on the compilation CD as they take to the stage and perform under the mixing of Eddie Mapp, FOH engineer for the popular rock group Evanescence. more

Los Angeles, CA (April 3, 2008) - Transom Capital Group announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Blue Microphones, a leading provider of high-end microphones for the professional audio and consumer markets. Since its inception in 1995, Blue has grown to become a top brand in the industry through its unmatched sonic quality and a unique design aesthetic. Skipper Wise and Martins Saulespurens, the founders of Blue, will retain an ownership interest in the Company and continue building the world‘s best microphones following the closing of the transaction.

Russ Roenick, Managing Director at Transom Capital, said that executives from Transom Capital and Blue have already been working together to develop a strategic plan for the Company and that Blue will be moving quickly to execute against key opportunities in the coming months.

“This transaction presents an excellent opportunity to work with the team at Blue to achieve the next stage of growth for the Company,” Mr. Roenick said. “Blue has the top brand in the space and relationships with major retailers and artists based on its history of design, innovation, and great products. The Company has several extremely compelling growth opportunities.”

“We chose Transom as our acquisition partner because they provide the operational expertise that will allow us to create value while continuing to focus on what we do best - making microphones with the best look and sound in the world,” said Skipper Wise, President and Co-founder of Blue. “From our first meeting they demonstrated that they really understand our business and were willing to roll-up their sleeves to help us grow the Company.

Ken Firtel, Managing Director at Transom Capital, said that the Blue transaction was an excellent example of Transom Capital‘s business model in practice.

“Blue is a Southern California, middle market company that can benefit from our ability to partner with management teams and improve operational efficiency through hands-on involvement with the company,” Mr. Firtel said. “Transom Capital will be getting operationally involved with Blue to add value at all levels of the organization and enable the company to achieve its potential.”

Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Transom Capital

Transom Capital Group is a Los Angeles private equity firm focusing on investments in the consumer, industrial, and media spaces. Transom‘s value creation model is differentiated from other firms based on its high level of operational involvement with its portfolio companies. For more information, please visit www.transomcap.com.

About Blue Microphones

Blue Microphones is a leading manufacturer of high-end microphones for the professional audio and consumer markets. Blue has an award-winning line of studio microphones and accessories and is recognized as one of the top brands in the industry. Recently, Blue has launched a new line of products targeted at the consumer mass market, including a USB-connected microphone called the Snowball and a smaller, portable version called the Snowflake. For more information, please visit www.bluemic.com.

CA Guitars, a premier builder of carbon fiber acoustic guitars, is going mobile with the introduction of its new Cargo model; a travel-sized extra-small-body acoustic guitar. Like all of the models in the CA catalogue, the Cargo will be outfitted with Elixir® Strings, pioneer of long-life strings. more