Supersonic Wide-Range Omnidirectional Mic Goes to 100kHz

Renowned recording engineer/producer Bruce Botnick recorded the orchestral score of Tom Cruise’s “Jack Reacher” with five Sanken CO-100K microphones. As the music score mixer, he worked with a 100-piece orchestra performing the music of composer Joe Kraemer at Sony’s Barbara Streisand scoring stage.

With a 20Hz ~ 100kHz range, the Sanken CO-100K omni-directional condenser microphone is the world’s first 100kHz microphone designed specifically for professional recording. Botnick utilized a Decca Tree arrangement with three CO-100Ks and two additional Sanken mics for the Surround.

“The clarity and the musicality of these Sanken mics is astounding,” commented Botnick. “You don’t need an equalizer to enhance the high end. No need to boost the 5K, or grab the 16K on a shelf and turn it up. It’s not that they are brighter, it’s just that they extend your frequency range and give more sonic reach and clarity.”

Botnick is well known for his work with The Doors as both their engineer and then producer of their final album with Jim Morrison. Botnick also worked on The Rolling Stones’ “Let It Bleed,” and produced Eddie Money’s first two albums. Botnick had a long-running association with film composer Jerry Goldsmith as his scoring mixer. Botnick first met Goldsmith on 1979′s Star Trek: The Motion Picture and they worked together on most of Goldsmith’s film projects – numbering over 100 – from the 1980s through to Goldsmith’s death in 2004.

“The music recorded for ‘Jack Reacher’ with these Sankens worked especially well with the dialogue,” Botnick continued. “The clarity and musicality of the 100k’s gave Joe Kraemer’s score great transparency, which allowed the music to emotionally enhance the film to its fullest.”

“Jack Reacher” depicts a city thrown into chaos following a shooting that leaves five dead. What at first seems like a simple case to solve becomes complicated when the accused requests that Jack Reacher be put on the case.

Sanken’s CO-100K features very fast transients with an extremely smooth response curve, resulting in great clarity and unprecedented transparency. With the ability to capture sounds in the ultra-high frequency range, the microphone also produces very rich results in the low and mid-range of the audible frequency range.

“Jack Reacher” is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Learn more about Sanken at distributor http://www.plus24.net or phone 323.845.1171

X Factor Finalist In Session at Bernie Grundman Mastering

Pop star and X Factor finalist ViNO ALaN has mastered his new single “My Summer” at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The artist was joined by his co-writer/co-producer Will Champlin, recording engineer Adam Berg, and mastering engineer Paul Grundman.

A musical prodigy at the age of seven in his hometown of St. Louis, ViNO ALaN was proficient as a child on drums, piano, saxophone, harmonica and numerous other instruments. After arriving in Los Angeles in 2004, he met Bob Marlette, a producer and fellow musician who helped guide his career and encouraged him to audition for The X Factor reality show, where he found a new audience and attracted world wide legions of Twitter and social media followers.

Mentored by renowned producer LA Reid, ViNO ALaN remains on the musical forefront with his distinctive voice and innovative songwriting, clearly heard in his new single, “My Summer,” from the debut album, “Painting Sunshine.”

“My Summer” is currently available for preview and download at:
http://www.vinoalan.com

Worldwide release on iTunes and popular digital outlets is May, 21, 2013.

For more information about Bernie Grundman Mastering,
visit: http://www.bgmastering.com

Bill Putnam, Jr. and Fab Dupont Introduce Flagship Audio Interface

Universal Audio’s flagship 24-bit / 192 kHz audio interface Apollo 16 made its West Coast premiere at VKLA, Vintage King Audio’s new Los Angeles product showroom and studios. On hand for an in-depth look at the Apollo 16 were UA Founder and CEO, Bill Putnam, Jr. and producer/engineer and educator Fabrice “Fab” Dupont.

A lively presentation included an interview with Putnam by Dupont, with anecdotes such as boyhood memories of Bill Putnam, Sr. teaching his son how to build radios and other electronic gear on Sunday mornings. In a simultaneous live Internet broadcast, UA was profiled and the new Apollo 16 was put through its paces in multiple session file breakdowns and even a live bass performance by rocker Laena Geronimo.

“This was one of the best events we’ve ever hosted,” commented Vintage King’s Director of Partner Marketing & PR, Shevy Shovlin. “Everything from the presentation to the attendance was incredible. Universal Audio’s Apollo 16 is sure to be a great success.”

Apollo 16 is Universal Audio’s new 24-bit / 192 kHz audio interface, delivering world-class conversion with 16 x 16 analog I/O – twice the analog connectivity of the original Apollo model. An uncompromising FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready interface combines superior sound with powerful onboard UAD-2 QUAD processing. Recording engineers can track audio in real time through classic UAD analog emulation plug-ins, on both Mac and Windows 7.

Building upon decades of UA’s analog design heritage, the flagship Apollo 16 offers extremely high-resolution conversion – with the lowest THD and highest dynamic range in its class. While Apollo’s “natural” sound is open and transparent, it can quickly deliver a range of classic analog tones from Ampex, Lexicon, Neve, and more with onboard UAD-2 plug-in processing. Apollo offers compatibility with Intel’s breakthrough Thunderbolt technology, as found on the newest iMacs, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs.

Founded in 1958 by M.T. “Bill” Putnam Sr., the Universal Audio name and company have been synonymous with innovative recording products for more than 50 years. A favorite engineer of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and more, the late Bill Putnam Sr. was a passionate innovator who is widely regarding as the father of modern recording – with many of his legendary studio and equipment designs still in use today.

Specifically, Putnam was the inventor of the modern recording console, the multi-band audio equalizer, and the vocal booth, and he was the first engineer to use artificial reverberation in commercial recording. Universal Audio Inc. was re-founded in 1999 by Bill’s sons, James Putnam and Bill Putnam Jr., with two main goals: to faithfully reproduce classic analog recording equipment in the tradition of their father; and to design new digital recording tools with the sound and spirit of vintage analog technology.

Fabrice Dupont, better known as Fab Dupont, is a Canadian Mixing Engineer, Record Producer, and Educator. As an engineer and producer, Dupont uses a hybrid of both analog and digital technology to create records for artists such as Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Bebel Gilberto, and Freshlyground. Fab is owner of Flux Studios in New York City as well as co-owner of Puremix.net, an educational website for production and recording techniques.

To set up a demo of the new Universal Audio Apollo 16, visit:
http://vintageking.com/vkla

ABOUT VINTAGE KING AUDIO
Vintage King Audio is a leader in professional audio sales, studio consulting, and comprehensive gear servicing. No matter the scope of a client’s needs or goals – from selecting a new microphone to designing a studio from the ground up – Vintage King distinguishes itself with standard-setting customer service, which begins with the company’s knowledgeable, industry-experienced staff. For more information, visit: http://www.vintageking.com/about-us

Creative Workspaces Feature Designs by Pilchner and Van Haaff

Hit record producer/engineer Tony Maserati (Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Jason Mraz) is teaming up with LA’s hip Bedrock.LA studios in an ambitious strategic partnership with the Standard Oil Investment Group. Bedrock.LA is well-established as the rehearsal center for local and touring musicians throughout the creative Echo Park/Silverlake music community. Maserati, looking for expanded facilities for his Mirrorball Entertainment production group, is relocating to the new Bedrock.LA music center designed for the creative community of LA songwriters, producers and composers.

Multiple Grammy-winner Maserati explained, “I’ve looked all over LA for a place to take my team to the next level — the potential for this project is like no other. The aim is to pioneer a new music environment, a center for production, technology and media, creating a synergistic powerhouse.”

Located a block from the legendary Park Plaza hotel, the 50,000 square foot building owned by The Standard Oil Investment Group already includes fashion designers, filmmakers, software developers and equipment manufacturers. Focused on modern music production studios, the building will combine the modular multi-purpose studio designs of Martin Pilchner (Pilchner-Schoustal) with the innovative vision of designer Vincent Van Haaff. The new venture will house the first campus of acoustically accurate and identical Pilchner rooms within a large multi-floor facility for music production, as well as a variety of site-specific designs by van Haaff.

“Bedrock.LA is a thriving creative hub for developing and established artists,” remarked Marc Bohbot, CEO of Standard Oil. “It means a great deal to for us to develop this ambitious real estate development with Bedrock and Tony.”

KamranV, co-founder of Bedrock’s thriving creative hub, added, “Teams lead by folks like Tony and his Mirrorball Entertainment partners reflect a new workflow in music. This new space is made for the innovators who are re-shaping the music industry.”

At its core, the facility operates around a future-thinking philosophy towards music making. “My colleagues and I have watched the evolution of the music industry over the years,” says Maserati. “This is a really exciting time for music, and we are focused on the latest momentum in music production and delivery to the market.”

Learn more about Bedrock.LA: http://Bedrock.LA
Learn more about Tony Maserati: http://mirrorballentertainment.com/
Learn more about Standard Oil Investments: http://www.thestandardoil.com/

Contact: http://Bedrock.LA/contact

Jon Ginoli Reads “Deflowered” with Engineer Willie Samuels

Pansy Division founder Jon Ginoli has recorded the Audible.com version of his memoir “Deflowered — My Life in the Pansy Division.” Formed in 1991, the band was the prototypical SF gay punk band and has shared the rock stage with such acts as Rancid, The Vandals, Jimmy Eat World, Supergrass, and Green Day.

“It was great coming to Studio Trilogy to record the audio book version of my memoir,” remarked Jon Ginoli. “It was especially nice because my engineer was Willie Samuels, who recorded Pansy Division’s most recent album a few years back. We had a fun time in the studio, hooray! There may be 5 million people in the Bay Area, but it’s nice how paths can unexpectedly converge.”

Pansy Division’s sound was heavily influenced by 1960s pop and 1970s punk rock, most notably bands such as the Ramones, the Buzzcocks and early Beatles: short, catchy pop punk numbers with humorous, in-your-face lyrics that dealt with various aspects of both gay life and life in general.

In 2008, the band was the subject of a documentary film entitled “Pansy Division: Life in a Gay Rock Band,” directed by Michael Carmona. The film has been touring internationally, playing at various LGBT film festivals, and is now available as a DVD.

ABOUT STUDIO TRILOGY
Located in the creative heart of San Francisco, Studio Trilogy offers producers, artists and engineers a World Class recording environment. The 8800 square foot facility houses three state-of-the-art control rooms, four integrated isolation booths, San Francisco’s most versatile large tracking rooms, and an experienced staff.

Designed by John Storyk , Studio Trilogy features Northern California’s only 80-channel SSL 9000K mix console with Ultimation. The tracking suite is outfitted with a 32-channel API 1608 and the post-production suite features a Digidesign ICON D-Control. Included is a prize collection of microphones, plus a full complement of vintage and modern instruments. An onsite 1200 sq.ft. luxury apartment with media lounge and chef’s kitchen is also available.

Learn more at: http://www.studiotrilogy.com

“Producers and Composers Sessions” Featuring New twotwo Speakers

For the fourth year in a row, every day during the ASCAP 2013 “We Create Music Expo”, The Professional Monitor Company (PMC) & Vintage King Audio entertained and educated the ASCAP audience with a star roster of music producers, songwriters, composers and engineers. Industry leaders in pop, rock, indie, urban, hip-hop and metal music shared their knowledge and experience with indepth Q&As.

Presenters included multi Award-winning producers/engineers Tony Maserati & Outfit 27 (Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jason Mraz) , Deezle (Lil’Wayne, Outkast, DMX), movie score composer Geoff Zanelli (The Lone Ranger, Pacific, Into the West) , songwriters/producers KoOol Kojak (Nicky Minaj,Ke$ha, One Direction) and Scott Spock (Rihanna, Timbaland, David Bowie), mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum (as Sepultura, Yngwie, Malmsteen) and special guests. In addition to scheduled sessions, there were ongoing demonstrations of the new PMC twotwo(tm) near field monitors, presented by Vintage King.

From PMC, the producer of true reference loudspeaker monitors, the all-new twotwo series combines PMC’s world-class design pedigree with sophisticated digital signal processing and active amplification to create a range of stunningly accurate, versatile, and compact two-way reference grade monitors.

The range comprises of three models – the twotwo.5, twotwo.6 and twotwo.8, all designed and built in Britain using state-of-the-art technologies and components. The result is an unrivalled level of clarity, transparency and accuracy for professional compact monitors. twotwo series models all share the same core design and features – the model number refers only to the approximate size (in inches) of the bass driver, with larger numbers denoting increasing cabinet volume, greater bass extension and higher SPL capabilities.

To set up a demo of the PMC twotwo Series please visit:
http://vintageking.com/vkla

ABOUT VINTAGE KING AUDIO
Vintage King Audio is a leader in professional audio sales, studio consulting, and comprehensive gear servicing. No matter the scope of a client’s needs or goals – from selecting a new microphone to designing a studio from the ground up – Vintage King distinguishes itself with standard-setting customer service, which begins with the company’s knowledgeable, industry-experienced staff. For more information, visit: http://www.vintageking.com/about-us.

San Francisco Rockers Cut Rootsy New Album

San Francisco’s Coo Coo Birds have cut their new album, “Mexican Cowboys,” at Ardent Studios in Memphis with recording engineer Adam Hill. Known for their colorful rock ‘n’ roll attitude and an era-spanning sound drawing from garage, psychedelic, and 50_s rock, the Birds came to Tennessee to record with Hill, known for his work with The White Stripes and others at the venerable studio.

“Chuck Gonzales had run into Adam,” explained fellow Coo Coo, Ryan Zweng. “We love his rootsy, raw sound and coming to Memphis brought us to the heart of Americana music. Elvis, Johnny Cash, and one of our favorite groups, Big Star came from Ardent. It was great hanging out with their former drummer Jody Stephens, who is the general manager at Ardent.”

Previous recordings by the Birds include “Don’t Bring Your Boyfriends” and “Psychedelic Warriors.” The new album was funded by the band with a Kickstarter campaign while touring and playing festivals like SXSW.

“This new album has a more robust drum sound and is definitely tighter all around,” continued Ryan Zweng. “Our earlier work had more of a garage band sound — this is a more cleaned up approach, but still has a lot of guts and is a good progression for us. We have a strong beat and an attitude in the lyrics and a playing style that speaks to the audience in a freeing way. We’re a little controversial but definitely uplifting, not self-loathing like a lot of the music these days.”

The band tours together with a posse of 12 Bohemian rock and rollers and partied at Ardent when the work was done. “We brought a keg into the atrium,” added Zweng, “and our ladies fixed up some sandwiches for everyone at the studio. What a great atmosphere here at Ardent, and they treated us great, like ragged royalty.”

See the Coo Coo birds at Ardent in this YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1az6pjo5xI

For information about Ardent Studios, visit:
http://www.ardentstudios.com

Prism Sound’s popular Mic to Monitor educational tour is back with new dates and new venues confirmed to 2013.

Targeted primarily at music production students, hobbyists and professionals, Mic to Monitor aims to dispel the many myths surrounding the recording process. Each seminar will feature presentations from recording professionals who will answer audience questions on recording techniques. There will also be the opportunity to demo equipment and win recording equipment from Prism Sound and SADiE – and from PMC and DPA Microphones, which are supporting the tour.

Mic to Monitor 2013 begins on April 23rd at Pulse College, Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin. During May and June it will visit the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol; Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge; SAE, Glasgow; Alchemea College, London; LIPA, Liverpool; Futureworks, Manchester and City University, Birmingham.

Acclaimed mastering engineer Aidan Foley (Foo Fighters, Van Morrison, U2) will speak at the first session in Dublin, where he will reveal the tricks and techniques he used on the hugely successful Dead Can Dance album, Anastasis – a European No.1 hit that achieved over 250,000 in sales last year. Aidan will discuss his approach to the Vinyl, CD and other digital releases during the project and the challenges he had to overcome in and out of the studio.

Other confirmed speakers include Simon Little (Jessie Jay, Quantic), Jake Gosling, (Ed Sheeran, Paloma Faith, One Direction) and Award-winning mastering engineer Many Parnell, whose recent projects include Bjork, Feist and Frightened Rabbit.

Graham Boswell, Prism Sound’s Sales Director, says: “As a company, Prism Sound is dedicated to providing training initiatives to the producers and engineers of tomorrow. Music recording students need the opportunity to learn skills that are applicable to the industries in which they will ultimately work. They also need to know about the equipment they will regularly come into contact with. These seminars are all taking place at educational establishments that offer courses in music recording and broadcast engineering because we recognise that this is where the producers and engineers of the future are currently getting their grounding. The aim is to give them – and any industry professional who wants to brush up on their skills – the chance to discuss new techniques, demo cutting-edge equipment and software and learn first-hand from the experiences of our guest speakers.”

Full details of dates, venues and guest speakers will be posted on the Prism Sound website. Anyone wishing to attend Mic to Monitor can do so by registering their interest online at www.prismsound.com.

-ends-
About Prism Sound
Founded in 1987, Prism Sound manufacture high-quality professional digital audio equipment for the International broadcast, film, music production, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors. The range now includes SADiE digital audio workstations and location recorders. Prism Sound also manufactures audio test and measurement products such as the DSA-1 and the dScope Series III audio analyzer.

For more information please visit www.prismsound.com

New Studio Features VK Build Out With 96-Channel SSL 9000J Console

Vintage King Audio and the International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT) teamed up for the NAB Show unveiling of Vegas View Recording, a new 2,500-square-foot recording and mixing studio within its campus. VK Sales Rep Jason Cropper worked closely with famed Robert “Bobby” Ferrari, designer & IADT Vegas Studio Manager to help build out the studio, which includes a refurbished 96-channel SSL 9000J Console. Vegas View Recording is Las Vegas’ newest recording and mixing studio, overlooking the Las Vegas Valley and the glittering Las Vegas Strip.

“Vegas View is an ultra-modern, multipurpose creative center and the perfect showcase for Vintage King’s integration of legacy and state-of-the-art products,” remarked VK’s Jason Cropper. “Of special note is the fine work that Bobby Ferrari and Ed Evans did onsite, re-commissioning the previously-owned SSL.” Ferrari served as designer of Vegas View, alongside systems designer Ed Evans, and Carl Yancher, acoustics and architecture.

“I’ve worked with Jason Cropper and Vintage King for years,” commented Bobby Ferrari. “VK is the go-source when you need just about any gear. They’re fast, accurate, and always there when you need them.”

“It is very fortuitous that we were able to stage this event during NAB,” added Chris Bolitho, VK’s post-production director. “This is one of the year’s biggest gatherings of leaders in the video, audio, film and broadcast industries.”

The International Academy of Design & Technology Las Vegas (IADT), offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in a variety of design and technology disciplines. The industry-standard recording studio is first and foremost a teaching studio for IADT students. Vegas View Recording at IADT is also available for hourly and daily lease by professionals and others seeking use of a high quality studio operated by seasoned professionals.

The studio includes a vocal booth, a 1,200-square-foot live recording room and industry current control room. The control room is equipped with an SSL-9080J console for mixing and recording on a large format analog desk. The studio features a 48IO Pro Tools HD system with a Waves Mercury Bundle, along with a complement of outboard gear ranging from Neve 1073 Mic Pres, Summit Audio Pres, Eq’s, and Compressors, Bricasti Reverb, JCF Latté Convertors, and Dynaudio M3 Main Monitors with Lab Grupen Amps.

The acoustical design of the new facility is a modern take on the classic designs created by legendary designer Bill Putnam, dubbed by his peers as the father of modern recording. Traditional acoustic treatments, such as hard tile flooring, acoustical ceiling materials on the walls and acoustic absorbers near the floor for a deep low-end transmission, combine with modern technology in the control room to create a “new” version of a classic sound environment.

“We’re thrilled to offer everyone – from the famous to the independent artist or group — these new professional-quality services and recording facilities. Vegas View Recording has been designed as a top quality studio to record and experience working with professionals and students in a comfortable environment. We are confident it will be a hit with recording artists, engineers, students and everyone who loves recording music,” said Ferrari, Studio Manager at IADT Las Vegas.

“This will be a good place in Nevada to learn the true art of modern recording techniques,” Ferrari added. “IADT students will experience what real sessions are like in a truly professional environment, learning the minutiae involved in operating and managing a facility of industry standards.”

Ferrari has a long and successful track record in Las Vegas of developing and operating recording studios. In 1998, he oversaw the remodel and technical install of Lee Pepper Sound; advised and chief engineered Studio Vegas (now The Killers’ Battleborn Studios); performed gear upgrades for Digital Insight Recording; and co-designed, managed, and installed the TEC Award-nominated Odds On Records & Studios, featured on the Cover of MIX Magazine in November 2009.

Vegas View Recording is located on the campus of International Academy of Design & Technology, Las Vegas, 2495 Village View Drive, Henderson, NV. IADT-Las Vegas is just minutes from McCarran International Airport off Interstate 215, just west of Green Valley Parkway, overlooking the Las Vegas valley.

For more information or a tour of Vegas View Recording contact Bobby Ferrari at 702-596-3219.

ABOUT VINTAGE KING AUDIO
Vintage King Audio is a leader in professional audio sales, studio consulting, and comprehensive gear servicing. No matter the scope of a client’s needs or goals – from selecting a new microphone to designing a studio from the ground up – Vintage King distinguishes itself with standard-setting customer service, which begins with the company’s knowledgeable, industry-experienced staff. For more information, visit: http://www.vintageking.com/about-us.

Classic SSL ‘Audio Glue’ Now Available to a Wider Audience

FRANKFURT – Solid State Logic, the world’s leading manufacturer of creative tools for audio professionals, is proud to announce the release of the SSL Stereo Bus Compressor for 500 format modular racks at Musikmesse 2013 (Hall 5.1, Stand B.73).

Often imitated but never equalled, the centre section compressor from the 1980’s G-Series analogue console is an audio production legend. It is a simple unit with a simple purpose; it makes complete mixes sound bigger, with more power, punch and drive. It brings cohesion and strength to your mix without compromising clarity. To this day it remains a key element of the SSL sound and has been featured on countless classic recordings. The availability of the Stereo Bus Compressor in a module for the 500 format makes this essential audio production tool available to users of the popular API 500 format modular rack platform.

The SSL console sound has been available in 12 different modules for SSL’s own modular X-Rack system for many years. The system enjoys a large and enthusiastic customer base (more than 15,000 modules sold) that reap the benefits of the very high-quality power supply and on board TotalRecall™ offered by SSL’s X-Rack. The release of the Stereo Bus Compressor Module for the 500 Series modular rack platform makes another small slice of the SSL sound available to a wider user base.

Available now from SSL Resellers worldwide.
Prices: £1329, $2299, 1679€ + VAT or Sales Tax

Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.