Free plug-ins from Audio Damage

Audio Damage have three free plug-ins available for you, in AU and both Mac & PC VST formats: The Rough Rider compressor, the Pulse Modulator tremolo and the FuzzPlus distortion - and as with all Rough Rider plug-ins, they're not the most subtle of effects!

The Rough Rider is a very warm compressor, suitable for creating pumping effects on rhythmic tracks.

Pulse Modulator is a tremolo pedal with a difference - it uses three simultaneous LFOs to modulate the VCA (which you can offset to get very cool beating effects), and follows everything up with a distortion stage.

FuzzPlus is a classic fuzz distortion effect, and does exactly what it says on the tin...

"Free plug-ins from Audio Damage" > read the full post

Spotify on your iPhone?

Maybe. It depends on whether Apple accepts the submission of a software developed by Spotify which would allow paying users to listen to Spotify through their iPhone.
(update: they rejected it. But keep reading, for an idea of how things might be, some day in the future...)
The most exciting bit is that this application would go beyond the limitations of the network's internet speed. How? Read on...

For the first time Spotify users could store music in their device's memory cache – in other words, you could have a physical copy of the tracks in your iPhone (it would be impossible to download them to a computer, and they would only stay for the time it takes you to enjoy them for a journey on the underground, since when you play new tracks the cache would probably be re-written).

Even with these limitations this would potentially give half-a-decent reason for users to start buying Spotify's premium service, something which so far has happened rarely. (see the alternative method suggested in this old newlsetter).

But perhaps more importantly, this is also a test of how Apple is going to treat a potential conflict of interests, considering that now Spotify would provide a real alternative to buying music on iTunes.
So will it get approved?

Read more about it here (includes a video demo of Spotify's iPhone App)

"Spotify on your iPhone?" > read the full post

Mmmm, nice - free Jazz mode synth

Harmony box is a free (AU, and both Mac & PC VST formats) synth with a difference..... enter your key and mode (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian etc.) and Mike & Dave's synth will automatically add the appropriate diatonic chords to any note played, each note with adjustable level Download it here.

"Mmmm, nice - free Jazz mode synth" > read the full post

Bagpipes plug-in

Universal Piper are releasing their Highland Bagpipes plugin for Mac and PC (in stand-alone, VST and AU formats). Not sure if the world really needs this, but if it's your cup of tea, check it out here (or if your French is not up to spec, try here (Google translation)).

"Bagpipes plug-in" > read the full post

What's really happening inside your synth....

Is a small army of robots, plugging wires into themselves....At least according to this video....
A very cool, quite strange animation from Bam Studio Films.



"What's really happening inside your synth...." > read the full post

Apogee GiO released

I have to admit, when I first saw pictures of this, I didn't realize it was a foot controller - I thought it was a fairly pointless MIDI controller with strange coloured buttons! (admittedly, they were close-up pics, so there was no sense of scale....)

The Apogee GiO is far cooler than that. It's a guitar MIDI interface and pedal board designed for use with Mainstage 2 and Logic 9.

"Apogee GiO released" > read the full post

FREE entry at CENTRO, Deep house and more

Our friend Jonny Miller has tipped us off to an exciting DJ night coming up...

Jonny will be in residence with underground dance label Shack Music (check this link for details) at Centro, formerly "The End", from Thursday 30th July in central London. The night promises a forward thinking mix of deep house, broken beat and, I quote, " a healthy dose of Detroit soul". Free before 10.30pm so see you there!

"FREE entry at CENTRO, Deep house and more" > read the full post

New course books for Logic Pro 9

Here it is.
This is the un-inspired cover of the next Logic Pro 9 and Logic Express 9, still by David Nahmani. The book will be available to buy...

...well, no one knows apparently, but we would make an educate guess for mid-September.
No details about the advanced book yet: will it be called 'Logic Pro 9: Beyond The Basics'? Only time will tell.

The good news for the super experienced user who can pick up new features in the blink of an eye is that now it will be possible to take the advanced exam (level 2) without having to attend the class. For more info and details check LSS' Logic 9 FAQ page.

"New course books for Logic Pro 9" > read the full post

Drumcore for free!

Submersible Music have released a free version of their Drumcore database browser/sample library/beat generator plugin......

It's significantly cut down from the full version but still pretty impressive: To quote...

This is a fully working version of the DrumCore 3 AU/VSTi/RTAS plug-in. The way it differs from full DrumCore is:

DRUMKITS

FREE only includes two (2) kits vs. DrumCore which has over 100. Kits include a great rock/pop kit and a subwoofer-thumpin' hip-hop kit and a sprinkling of Latin Percussion sounds.

GROOVES

FREE only includes the Basic Beats "Rock Pop 101" GrooveSet (as both audio loops and MIDI) plus the Urban GT "HipHop Classics (1-4)" and Song Beats GrooveSets (as MIDI files) vs. the thousands of grooves in standard DrumCore.

DRUMCORE TOOLKIT

DrumCore includes the standalone application "DrumCore Toolkit" which let users add their own audio loops and drum samples to DrumCore. FREE only includes the DrumCore plug-in.

Download it from here (1.2GB)

"Drumcore for free!" > read the full post

Logic 9 and G5 compatibility

So it looks like our long serving Studio 2 G5 will need to be upgraded. Farewell, for you have served us well.....Logic 9 doesn't support pre-Intel processors........

Minimum specs are:

Mac computer with an Intel processor1GB of RAM (2GB or more highly recommended)

Display with 1280-by-800 or higher resolution

Mac OS X v10.5.7 or later

QuickTime 7.6 or laterDVD drive for installation

PCI Express, ExpressCard/34, USB, or FireWire-based audio interface recommended.

No real surprise here - Apple already announced that Snow Leopard will drop Power PC support, and we expected Logic to follow soon after.Not great news for some of us, but at least we can look forward to that special unboxing of a new Mac day ahead.

"Logic 9 and G5 compatibility" > read the full post

The Best Bands of All Time - Number 9

THE DOORS! read on...





Before you shower me with hate mail and death threats I will ask you to put the leather trousered vision of pops biggest buffoon out of your mind and spare a thought for poor frizzy haired guitarist Robby Krieger. Its a little known fact but Robby wrote all The Doors hit songs, not the long boring freakouts about fucking your mother, they were 100% Jimbo, but the really varied funky ones that come on the juke box and you go "Oh it's The Doors? Cool!". Its the varity of styles they seemed to comfortably inhabit that I like, considering most US bands in the 60s outside of Zappa ran all the way from blues to ermmm blues with maybe some flower patterned strides thrown in, The Doors produced sleazy lounge (Light My Fire, Touch Me), funky soul (Soul Kitchen, Peacefrog), moronic garage (Hello I Love You), heavy metal (Five To One), Flamenco (Spanish Caravan) and really rocking blues (Road House Blues, LA Woman). Peacefrog is officially the funkiest song by a white group and it invented the baggy beat aka Happy Monday and The Stones Roses.

Not many bands could sound equally good ripping off both John Lee Hooker and The Seeds but it fits The Doors just fine, also few bands could appeal to both the beard stroking mystics (Strange Days) and teenage girls with braces and pigtails (Hello I Love You). One final thought, without Jim's bottomless baritone there would be no Ian Curtis, Nick Cave or Iggy Pop!




"The Best Bands of All Time - Number 9" > read the full post

The Worst Bands of All Time - Number 9

Jeez Cream suck....Clapton has always left me cold but in Cream he really took the biscuit (custard creams?)... read on




For a band that droned on about being the "Cream" of blooze musicians there has rarely been such a ham fisted plodding bunch of louts. They made Godzilla crushing Tokyo sound like a whisper from your lovers lips such was their "finesse", you only need to compare them with The Jimi Hendrix Experience to see how unrhythmic and awkward they were. Check out the hundreds of colourful trills n fills in Jimi's playing compared to Clapton's droopy barchords and while virtualy every Jimi solo is routed through endless different pedles and pick ups often swapping mid solo, Clapton stolidly stuck to one sound: that of a kazoo being sexualy molested.

Cream invented heavy metal, endless guitar solos, technical expertise over feeling, white men wearing afro's and white musicians stealing songs from black guys and doing them really badly..

Thanks guys!

Saying that I do like the tune "Strange Brew" especially with this videos groovy intro...

Maningrey


"The Worst Bands of All Time - Number 9" > read the full post

Logic Pro 9 - Flex Time, Update and Price news

Yes, it's out and we are looking forward getting our update (hopefully we will be able to download it from Apple, what with being an Authorised Training Centre and all that). Rumor has it that upgrading will be just about £150, which is good news particularly since the new price has rocketed up to about £400 (bastards!)
The upgrade price is only for Logic 8 registered users, which means that if you are using a certain volume license you found from a torrent or some other 'warez' site, you will have to seriously consider forking out the money. From what we have seen it's really worth it: the list of new features is too long to list here, Flex time is obviously one of the most noticeable features, but we are hearing Drum replacer, but stop reading this and go to the official Logic Studio 9 page.


"Logic Pro 9 - Flex Time, Update and Price news" > read the full post

Logic 9 Release Announced

Yes, Apple have finally announced Logic 9 is on the way (4 to 6 weeks for UK delivery).As we predicted, the Garageband guitar amp emulation has made its way over to Logic, and the audio editing has been updated....

Space Designer now has 450 "Warped" effects, and music notation has been given an overhall.Can't tell much about any new synths and instruments yet, while Apple's servers are hit by the entire Audio industry racing to see for themselves, but rest assured, we'll be looking at the new features in detail very soon.

"Logic 9 Release Announced" > read the full post

Dual screen laptop anyone?

Can't quite decide if this is is very cool, or absolutely hideous. Dual screen and a built-in Wacom tablet. For some reason it reminds me of Jermaine's camera phone in Flight of the Conchords...

Here's a vid of the beast in action.

"Dual screen laptop anyone?" > read the full post

Pirate Metal and more...

To celebrate my copy of Swashbuckle's Back to the Noose album arriving in the post, I thought we'd have a look at some of the oddest musical crossovers that the metal world has to offer...

Pirate Metal:

My current favorite, the term was first used by Alestorm, who describe themselves as "True Scottish Pirate Metal" (but sound more like the Dropkick Murphys)

In a similar vein, you'll find Blackguard, but the current admirals of pirate metal are the mighty Swashbuckle...

Folk Metal:

This genre's been around for a while, but as we're looking at the oddest side of music, I bring you FINNTROLL!

Singing in Swedish, because "it just sounds damn trollish", Finntroll combine black metal, death metal, folk metal and a form of finnish polka called "humppa". Well, somebody has to...

Viking Metal:

There are a surprising number of these bands around, and Bathory are considered to be the true founders

.
But you can't talk about Viking Metal without mentioning Enslaved...

Goblin metal:

Yes. Seriously. (Well, maybe not that seriously...)

Here's Nekrogoblikon....

Honestly, I think that's enough for now. Please let me know if I've missed anything out.

OK, one more then...

Ninja Metal:

Nuff sed.

"Pirate Metal and more..." > read the full post

Pro Tools Massive Pack 8 released

Digidesign have released their new Massive Pack 8 (£780) and Massive Pack Pro 8 (£2115) plug-in bundles for Pro Tools HD....

Each comes with a set of 11 plug-ins:

• Abbey Road/Chandler Limited TG Mastering Pack — Emulates EMI TG12410 console EQ and filter

• Brainworx bx_boom! — Enhances kick drum sounds through attenuation and boost

• Brainworx bx_control — Offers quality listening controls, with M/S matrix and stereo width control

• Brainworx bx_hybrid — Provides world-class mixing and mastering EQ

• McDSP FutzBox — Offers a collection of creative EQ, distortion, and filter effects

• Softube FET Compressor — Emulates the most famous solid-state compressor

• Sonnox Inflator — Produces louder mixes with warmth and character

• SPL EQ Rangers Vol. 1 — Provides three distinct EQ plug-ins for complete sonic control

• SPL Transient Designer — Versatile mixing tool shapes dynamic response

• TC Electronic VSS3 Stereo Source Reverb — Ported from the legendary System 6000

• URS N4 Series — 6-band parametric EQ re-creates that vintage British sound

and you choose 12 more from the following:

• Classic Compressors Bundle — Offers emulations of five renown compressors/limiters

• Cosmonaut Voice™ — Unique vocal processor creates special effects

• DINR™ — Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction helps silence noise

• Eleven™ — Produces hyper-realistic tones of the world’s most coveted vintage guitar amps

• Impact® — Provides console-style mix bus compression

• JOEMEEK Bundle — Includes emulations of the VC5 Meequalizer and SC2 Compressor

• Moogerfooger® Bundle — Four audio effects and vintage synths re-create the Moog sound

• Pultec Bundle — Includes emulations of three Pultec analog EQs

• Reel Tape™ Suite — Offers a set of three analog tape emulation and effects plug-ins

• Slightly Rude Compressor™ — Custom compressor helps un-digitize sounds

• TL Drum Rehab™ — Drum sound replacement and enhancement tool optimizes drum tracks

• TL EveryPhase™ — Produces classic analog phaser sounds and effects

• TL Space™ TDM — Delivers the ultimate convolution reverb for music and post

• Tel-Ray® Variable Delay — Provides unique, space-age echo and delay effects

• Voce® Bundle — Includes effects emulations of the rotating speaker and B-3 organ vibrato

• X-Form® — Natural-sounding time- and pitch-stretching tool

The only difference between the two, is that the Pro version comes with an HD/Accel card.

"Pro Tools Massive Pack 8 released" > read the full post

8 Bit Weezer

Are you a Weezer fan? Do you like 80's computer games? Then do we have the ideal product for you...Well, Pterodacttyl Squad have created an 8 bit compilation album of Weezer classics. Their version of Hash Pipe just has to be heard to be belived.... .

"8 Bit Weezer" > read the full post

The Best Bands of All Time - Number 10

I have started the count down for rock histories worst acts now I will do the same for the best. In at number 10: The MC5! (see the video below...)



The greatest rock acts in history have usually been the funniest, the cut off point between greatness and the dumper being how seriously they take their stupidity or how committed they are to it. The MC5 were in the latter category and HOW! Once again the none more rocking vid says it all but some things I like in it are:

The opening yell at an audience who look less like "Motherfuckers" than bank clerks on day release. The most bespectacled and center parted audience imaginable.

Rob Tyners massive honky 'fro!

Wayne Kramer waggling his velvet clad arse in some poor straights face during his solo.

All the kneeling back and "really feeling it MANNNN" soloing.

The genteel stage invader, my god revolution was all so innocent back in the day...

maningrey

"The Best Bands of All Time - Number 10" > read the full post

Buzz Aldrin Raps

To celebrate the 40th anniversary today of the first men landing on the moon, we bring you Buzz Aldrin rapping with Snoop...

Making of Buzz Aldrin's Rocket Experience w/ Snoop Dogg and Talib Kweli from Buzz Aldrin

"Buzz Aldrin Raps" > read the full post

Waldorf Largo 30 day demo now available!

We mentioned the Waldorf Largo on it's release a little while ago, but there's now a 30 day demo available...
If you've not seen the Largo before, it's a software synth (a first for Waldorf) that incorporates the best bits from the Blofeld and Q hardware models. It comes in VST 2.4 and AU flavors, but there's no RTAS version yet. There are no limitations to the demo. Just fill in the form here, and the nice people at Waldorf will e-mail you a serial number.

"Waldorf Largo 30 day demo now available!" > read the full post

Kontakt 3.5 Released

Native Intruments continue to roll out compatibility with Pro Tools 8, with Kontakt 3.5.....

This update also includes true multi-processor support, MIDI learn capability, more efficient use of RAM, and a funky new Library Management system. Good news is, it's a free update to all registered users.

"Kontakt 3.5 Released" > read the full post

Akai mini MIDI controllers

Think your Korg Nanopad is too big and unwieldy? Then check out the new AKAI controllers....

The LPD8 is a drum trigger pad with 8 rotary controllers, and the LPK25 is a 25 key controller keyboard. If the build quality is up there with the APC40, these are looking like a tasty alternative to Korg!

"Akai mini MIDI controllers" > read the full post

Plug-in Delay Compensation in Pro Tools LE

One of the advantages of a Pro Tools HD system, is the ability to turn on plugin delay compensation. With LE, you have to do everything manually: Command-click on the Audio Volume Indicator, and use a Time Adjuster insert.....

The Mellowmuse Auto Time Adjuster measures latency by performing a "ping" - (a short pulse) on all paths with the plugin inserted, and automatically adds the appropriate delay.

An advantage this has even over an HD system, is that the ATA works on hardware inserts too. At $49, it won't break the bank either. Check out their website for video of the ATA in action.

"Plug-in Delay Compensation in Pro Tools LE" > read the full post

The studio build continues

This ridiculously heavy pile of bricks has now become a studio.....Stage one is nearly complete. We have the outer shell of the studio in place, and as I type, the doors will be finished.

Obviously the ceiling would be a little trickier to build with concrete, so it's made up of several layers of plasterboard, rock wool and chipboard.

We're still waiting for the studio/live room window glass, but this gave us the chance to have a closer look at the separating wall:

As well as the concrete block, there is an air gap and a layer of rock wool, followed by plasterboard, which is decoupled with vibration absorbing resiliant bars. We'll be putting three layers of glass, so separation should be more than adequate.So, only the internal acoustic treatment, wiring, painting, electrics and lighting to go. Not to mention the second studio build......

"The studio build continues" > read the full post

More Studio Construction (Miloco)

We are not the only ones busy with sound-proofing rockwool and double layer plasterboard.
Look at the massive refurbishment going on at Miloco's Engine Room.
And that's not all...
The studio known as the Pool is being completely redone as well.
And if all this talk of construction work is making you feel a bit stressed, the building work is all finished at the Black Rock where a new gorgeous swimming pool has been added. Maybe one day we'll have one too.


"More Studio Construction (Miloco)" > read the full post

Microsoft Windows 95 on Apple iPhone

Kind of reminiscent of the worst experiments done by mad scientist swapping brains and all that, some guys in Russia have managed to boot Windows 95 on the iPhone 3G.
And why would anyone work countless hours to achieve that? "nothing good on tv" would be my guess.
They hope that the faster 3GS will be able to boot Windows XP.

If you think this is a joke, watch the video...





"Microsoft Windows 95 on Apple iPhone" > read the full post

Get Loaded in the park

Bank Holiday Sunday 30th of August in Clapham Common, just a convenient five minutes walk from LSS South Campus, it's time for another 'GetLoaded in the park'!



Live acts from the likes of Orbital, Roni Size, Royksopp, Carl Craig's Innerzone Orchestra (no, I don't know either), Booka Shade, Laurent Garnier, Peaches, and for the dubstep fans among you Benga and Skream!

DJ sets from Felix Da Housecat, Pendulum, KraftyKuts, Rob da Bank, Junior Sanchez and a lot of others whom I have never heard of but who knows, maybe they're good.

Here is a nice video, the flyer, the full line-up and the link to get tickets before they run out...




SOUTH WEST FOUR
Saturday 29 August:

KISS / MINISTRY OF SOUND STAGE
Sasha & John Digweed (B2B UK Festival Exclusive)
David Guetta
Eric Prydz
Mark Knight
Scarlett Etienne
Special Guests: Sander Kleinenberg, James Zabiela

THE END PRESENTS `SHAKE IT':
Richie Hawtin
Dubfire
Steve Lawler
Timo Maas
Layo & Bushwacka!
Nicole Moudaber

THE GALLERY STAGE:
Armin van Buuren
Above & Beyond
Markus Schulz
Tall Paul
16 Bit Lolitas
Special Guest: BT

GLOBAL UNDERGROUND STAGE:
Danny Howells
Nic Fanciulli
Nick Warren
James Lavelle
Jim Rivers
Anil Chawla
Special Guest: Darren Emerson



GET LOADED IN THE PARK
Sunday 30 August:

GET LOADED MAIN STAGE:
Orbital
Carl Craig Presents Innerzone Orchestra
Roni Size Reprazent (UK Festival Exclusive)
Freeland
Sneaky Sound System
Telepathe
Goldfish
Rob Da Bank
Krafty Kuts
Tom Middleton

XFM STAGE:
Röyksopp
Pendulum DJ Set
Booka Shade
Special Guest TBA
Esser
Trip
Mpho
Marina & The Diamonds
John Kennedy
Eddy Temple Morris

CLASH STAGE:
Laurent Garnier (live)
Peaches
Miss Kittin & The Hacker
Magnetic Man feat Skream & Benga
Chase & Status
Blame feat. Selah
We Are Enfant Terrible
Devils Gun
Live Tech Rebelz
Fish Don't Dance Djs

TIME OUT / DIM MAK STAGE:
Felix Da Housecat
Crookers
MSTRKRFT
The Count & Sinden
The Bloody Beetroots
Steve Aoki
Junior Sanchez


Buy tickets online for 'Get Loaded in the park' from TicketMaster




"Get Loaded in the park" > read the full post

Setting up the C24

New project studio in Whitechapel, London...
The studio is based around a Mac Pro and a Digidesign C24, and should be fully up and running within the month. Equipped with Pro Tools, Logic and Reason, and available for hire at favourable rates. More details coming soon (but feel free to contact LSS if you can't wait).


"Setting up the C24" > read the full post

Techno Heads in Islington

Support another LSS student playing quality electronic music: her name is Feronia (although we know her with another name) and this is Feronia's MySpace.

Event: Infected Frequency
Time: Thursday 16 July, Start Time: 20:30 PM
Location: OQO - Bar & Lounch, 4-6 Islington Green, London, N1 2XA, UK

See you there every Thursday, and if you fancy spinning some records yourself, don't forget the Sequence Bar in Essex Road where every Wednesday it's 'open decks'!

"Techno Heads in Islington" > read the full post

Binaural recordings

Found a blog site run by an old friend of mine recently, where he uploads binaural recordings he makes round London. If you've not tried these before, you'll need to listen to them on headphones for the effect to work.If this kind of thing interests you, try out Holophonic sounds. To the pedant, they're not strictly speaking binaural, but the result is pretty much the same...Here's an example to get you started.


"Binaural recordings" > read the full post

Short Courses on Live Sound

Ever wanted to get in to Live music? Or do you play in a band and want to understand what the sound engineer is doing, and why you keep getting feedback on stage? Keep reading and see what you can learn with a course on Live Sound...



Check this Live Audio Engineering course, the next one is due to start in September and there are only six places.


"Short Courses on Live Sound" > read the full post

Henry Rollins vs the Techno Viking

Nothing more to add I'm afraid....

"Henry Rollins vs the Techno Viking" > read the full post

Breverb AudioMIDI.com review

So, can you get a pro reverb for £3? According to AudioMIDI.com, you can.

Overloud Breverb AudioMIDI edition is a cut-down version of the Breverb reverb plugin, offering two algorithms: room and plate, as well a 2 band parametric EQ section.I was tempted by this mostly for my Pro Tools rig - I've been pretty happy with Space Designer in Logic - especially since I added the free Acousticas impulses. Though Pro Tools 8 improved upon the D-Verb plugin by throwing in the AIR reverbs, I've been looking out for something better that wouldn't empty my bank account too much. Enter the Overloud Breverb AudioMIDI edition....

Ordering and paying for the plugin was fairly straightforward (keep in mind that they don't accept PayPal for payments from outside the US, and here in the UK, we're not eligible for the discount full version upgrade). There's some confusion on the product overview page worth mentioning though - the Mac system requirements don't list RTAS format. Trust me though, it comes in AU, VST and RTAS flavours.Once that's out of the way, you'll be e-mailed your order confirmation, but you won't be able to download the plugin or serial number until they process your order. This is supposed to take 1 or 2 business days, but I made my order in the morning, and received everything by late afternoon (though I found the e-mail in my junk filter - according to the forums at Gearslutz, I'm not the only one this happened to).Install went without a hitch, so now to make some noise....
First impressions are good, and flicking through the presets reveals that even this 'lite' version is a very versatile reverb - though you can't use the Pro Tools Plugin Setting select controls, you have to use the Breverb interface. This works, but it's not as easy as scrolling through with the arrow keys.The more you play with the plugin, the more you notice that it's the cut down version. Several of the edit tabs are greyed out, and there are dozens of unused automation parameters. Breverb is not a convolution reverb. Although these can give astonishingly accurate recreations of "real" reverb, you are somewhat limited within the impulse responses. The Overloud approach is to give you the flexibility to mold the reverb to your needs. It's quite refreshing to come back to a reverb plugin where each parameter is immediately obvious to what it does.
Now to where it counts. How does it sound? Simple answer: pretty damn good actually. Against the D-Verb, it sounds fatter, without the slight fizzyness (though I'm quite a fan of this on a snare drum). It's simply a nice, very usable effect. For around the price of a coffee at the local organic deli, it's a bit of a no-brainer. Would I pay £260 for the full version? Maybe not at the moment, but ask me again when my wallet is a little fuller.
Next up, the PSP Nitro deal.....

"Breverb AudioMIDI.com review" > read the full post

PSP Nitro Deal

After AudioMIDI.com gave us the Breverb deal (review coming soon!), they're now offering PSP Nitro for only $10! A fairly decent discount from $139. I've ordered mine already.

"PSP Nitro Deal" > read the full post

Dancing lessons - Shake a leg with JB

Here are some fancy moves for you techno bods to try out when in the club listening to your minimal bobbins:





And some Prince and Jacko too:



Please note:

- I will not be held responsible for any groin strain incurred.

- London School of Sound does not provide dancing lessons...yet...



"Dancing lessons - Shake a leg with JB" > read the full post

Classic Synths

All this talk of Brian Eno and some of the classic synth links on the blog made me look up some stuff on vintage synths and I found this crazyness.



If any students are having trouble with Logic, imagine making music on this momma!

maningrey



"Classic Synths" > read the full post

Walnut drum machine

Take several pieces of paper, some walnuts, and a webcam. Download the free software, and start programming!
And no, it's not April 1st.....


"Walnut drum machine" > read the full post

Remix the Muppets

Counterfieter's last post reminded me of something....

We've been setting remix and mashup exercises on our music production course for a while now, but it still didn't prepare us for this: the Muppet Mashup. From the classic opening theme, to the stuck-in-your-head 1-2-3-4-5 pinball song, but each with a different twist. Kind of cool, kind of awful, but definitely worth a listen....

"Remix the Muppets" > read the full post

The Worst Bands of All Time - Number 10

As part of a new and informative series from Maningrey I bring you the worst bands of all time, starting off at number 10: Led Zeppelin.

I could write a long boring dissertation but I decided to let the music do the talking by including a clip of each of the fingered bands most memorably good/bad songs. These are the tracks that I personally love but can also admit are terrible. I have provided a check list of idiotic things to look out for.

Led Zeppelin: The Ocean

1) Robert Plant dressed in his aunt's curtains and wig. I presume that is his post gig butty in his trews?
2) Jimmy Pages' tiny heroin baked eyes, like little blocks of cole in a snow man, checking out Row Z for after show jail bate. I love his little swagger across stage where he just stops like he has forgotten that the stage ends.
3) John Bonham looking like a long distance trucker.
4) John Paul Jones looking like a fairy tale page boy from the court of King Arthur about to be sent on a quest.

Still a rocking good track that invents funk metal, for which we should be eternally angry.

Maningrey


"The Worst Bands of All Time - Number 10" > read the full post

Sesame Street Rocks!

I dug up these classic clips on Youtube of Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder, both on Sesame Street home of Count Von Count and the in no way gay co-habiting couple Bert and Ernie. I always saw the Count as probably digging The Birthday Party and B&E easing back to Paul Simon, but no! It was all electro funk round this commendably educational kids program.

The Herbie clip is cute but Stevie totally rocks the...ermmm street! Check out the kids going bananas on the stair well. When I was in short shorts watching kids TV the best musical guests they had were Howard Jones or Blancmange..





Maningrey


"Sesame Street Rocks!" > read the full post

Brian Eno on the Moon (at the Science Museum)

There is an exciting event being organised by the Science Museum and Sound and Music. This will be, according to the press release, "a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the premiere of a new live arrangement of Brian Eno's 1983 album ‘Apollo’. The performance by amplified ensemble Icebreaker, with BJ Cole on pedal steel guitar, will be accompanied by original footage of the Moon landings by director Al Reinert."

The concert will take place on the 21st and 22nd July at the Science Museum IMAX cinema and ‘Making the Modern World’ gallery. Full details here.

"Brian Eno on the Moon (at the Science Museum)" > read the full post

Studio 2 walls are done

The walls are done and the doors and roof should be up in a couple of days. We have a stream on flickr where you can see more pictures, and many more will be added as we go.
The address is www.flickr.com/photo/musicproduction (there will be more than just bricks and dust on this account)

"Studio 2 walls are done" > read the full post

Google OS

So Google have announced they'll be releasing their own operating system. Initially targeted at netbooks, but it should eventually roll its way onto your home computer. Will be all recording and mixing on Google?


"Google OS" > read the full post

VLC player 1.0.0 out!

Pretty much everyone we know has been using VLC player for years - amazing to realize it's only now in version 1.0.0!

If you're not familiar with VLC, it's a (free) media player that plays pretty much any format you throw at it. Pretty much essential on your Mac or PC.

What are you waiting for? - go download it!

"VLC player 1.0.0 out!" > read the full post

Overloud Reverb for 5 Dollars ??

Thanks to Matt Foster for this one.

AudioMidi is an online store for... well you can guess what they sell right?
They offer a special edition of the acclaimed Overloud reverb plugin (normally 370 US Dollars) for 4.99 US Dollars. Here is the link if you can't be botehred to read more.
So how much of a cut-down version is that then? Well not much. In fact you get less choice of parameters but the sound is exactly the same! And if you are thinking that spending 370 dollars on a reverb is stupid (you cheap bastard), you should at least get this one and compare the sound with the standard plugins you get with your Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools etc...

From the AudioMidi page:

Overloud Breverb audioMIDI Edition (Reverberation Plug-in)

Overloud BREVERB audioMIDI EDITION offers two fully-functioning versions of BREVERB's high-quality reverb algorithims at an unbelievably low price! The audioMIDI EDITION is just a taste of the full BREVERB plug-in and includes fully-functioning versions of the Room and Plate algorithims. Only the selection of parameters is limited, but the algorithms are 100% the same. Once you hear the incredible sonic detail offered by Overloud BREVERB audioMIDI EDITION we hope you'll upgrade* to the full version of BREVERB.

- Sports the same high quality as the most expensive hardware outboards
- Features an advanced and hardware-like GUI
- Much more flexible than a convolution reverb
- Able to recreate the same reverb sound of countless hits
- Check out the page for the full version of BREVERB for comparison.

* Important: AudioMidi offers a discounted upgrade price for the full version but this offer is only valid for US customers. The rest of the world will have to beg for a discount directly from Overloud.


"Overloud Reverb for 5 Dollars ??" > read the full post

Guitar Rig Free!

Native Instruments are offering Guitar Rig Go, a free, cut down version of Guitar Rig 3. It comes with the Marshall "Lead 800" emulation, the Skreamer distortion and Delay Man plugins.
It can also switch to the full Guitar Rig 3 demo mode, if you're tempted by the full thing.

Not convinced by plug-ins? Try the AC30 test.


"Guitar Rig Free!" > read the full post

Ear Protection Tips

Those attending a Music Production Course at LSS are sooner or later reminded about the risk of developing tinnitus and the importance of looking after our ears.

To offer something more than generic advice we have found a couple of products that are definitely worth trying...
The first is a specially designed pair of earplugs which are more comfortable to wear than most cheap foam ones and – unlike the cheap foam ones – reduce the volume without affecting the sound quality; in other words what you hear is exactly what you would hear without earplugs, same balance between high and low frequencies, only quieter. You can buy them online for about a tenner and they can be reused many times.
The second will help when you need to get rid of excess ear wax. Some people are more likely than others to have this problem without apparent causes, and normally older people is more affected, but I found that ear wax increases with the amount of time you spend in noisy environment, so it's something that affects many DJs and musicians. If you do get excess ear wax blocking your ear canal do not, I repeat DO NOT, try to use cotton ear buds: these can only worsen the problem and could permanently damage your ear drum. Before anything else you should try to dissolve the wax using a specialised product and gently rinsing with a dedicated ear-syringe (both available at your local chemist/pharmacy). I would recommend trying to remove a little bit of wax at a time, rinsing with warm water and leaving the product to work for a few minutes every time, before going to get treatment by a doctor; in my experience doctors tend to have little time or patience and take a brute force approach with the syringe which will probably work but which might also damage your ear in other ways. Doctors reading this will disagree, I know.

"Ear Protection Tips" > read the full post

Home Studio: Nice!

Having moved to Miami to work at Setai Recording in South Beach, ex-student Jose Carlos Reyes felt it was about time to put together a little home studio to develop his own projects and offer quality mixing for those that don't have the budget of Chris Cornell or Wyclef Jean (incidentally two of the clients at Setai Recording).

Now, if I was ever to marry, I guess I could use the following pictures as my wedding list...


We go from the obvious with the choice of SSL desk, Adam Monitors, George Massenburg eq (also known as 'the best eq in the world')...

...to the ridiculous with the Atomic Digital Clock generator (you can-not buy anything more accurate than this, period), and the possibly helpful (Furman power conditioner, keeping your voltage stable in case the power supply of your equipment wasn't enough).

Jose will be happy to mix tracks sent over internet, if you want a quote email or call London School of Sound and we'll put you in touch.


"Home Studio: Nice!" > read the full post