Radias delayed ?!?

This is funny! Check this info from moogulator ...

Waves SSL EQ's compared to hardware (german)

German magazin "Keys" compared the EQ's of Waves SSL software and the SSL XLogic E Signature Channel. The results are interesting (MP3 file download). The soundfile is in german ... but basicly the sounds are sorted like: clean, hardware, software and mixed. The last part is about the G Series Compressor. Since they did not have hardware to compare it with, it's only the software compressor you can hear. (Thx Dan!)

Introducing Usine...

Usine is a universal audio software especially designed for live or studio utilisation. Usine is made by musicians and audio engineers to respond to their specific problems in a lot of domains like live sampling, effect processing or sound design. Usine is a real musical instrument, flexible and powerful if you like to transform, resample the sound on stage (not only push the play button of your sequencer!), improvise and create unusual effect. Usine is an patch oriented sound software where you can add plug-ins and connect them without restriction. The main purpose of this program is to provide a real time analysis of an input signal and then react with, and modify plug-in parameters to produce the sound.

Read more about Usine ...

Tarantino To Direct Hendrix Movie?

Quentin Tarantino will direct a forthcoming biopic about Jimi Hendrix, according to reports.

Not in Our Names !

Canadian Music Creators Coalition (CMCC) starts a new voice:

We are a growing coalition of Canadian music creators who share the common goal of having our voices heard about the laws and policies that affect our livelihoods. We are the people who actually create Canadian music. Without us, there would be no music for copyright laws to protect.

Until now, a group of multinational record labels has done most of the talking about what Canadian artists need out of copyright. Record companies and music publishers are not our enemies, but let’s be clear: lobbyists for major labels are looking out for their shareholders, and seldom speak for Canadian artists. Legislative proposals that would facilitate lawsuits against our fans or increase the labels’ control over the enjoyment of music are made not in our names, but on behalf of the labels’ foreign parent companies.

1. Suing Our Fans is Destructive and Hypocritical
Artists do not want to sue music fans. The labels have been suing our fans against our will, and laws enabling these suits cannot be justified in our names. We oppose any copyright reforms that would make it easier for record companies to do this. The government should repeal provisions of the Copyright Act that allow labels to unfairly punish fans who share music for non-commercial purposes with statutory damages of $500 to $20,000 per song.

2. Digital Locks are Risky and Counterproductive
Artists do not support using digital locks to increase the labels’ control over the distribution, use and enjoyment of music or laws that prohibit circumvention of such technological measures. The government should not blindly implement decade-old treaties designed to give control to major labels and take choices away from artists and consumers. Laws should protect artists and consumers, not restrictive technologies. Consumers should be able to transfer the music they buy to other formats under a right of fair use, without having to pay twice.

3. Cultural Policy Should Support Actual Canadian Artists
The vast majority of new Canadian music is not promoted by major labels, which focus mostly on foreign artists. The government should use other policy tools to support actual Canadian artists and a thriving musical and cultural scene. The government should make a long-term commitment to grow support mechanisms like the Canada Music Fund and FACTOR, invest in music training and education, create limited tax shelters for copyright royalties, protect artists from inequalities in bargaining power and make collecting societies more transparent.

A New Voice: Policy Paper (PDF) - CMCC Website

World's smallest tube amp in action

Here is a nice video from Z.VEX EFFECTS showing the world's smallest tube amp in action. (I did not see it in action before.) This handmade amp (about €499) is voiced to deliver classic rock tone, with a very high level of crunch available if it's wanted. Just crank the volume knob around to the level of distortion you desire, from a very quiet (one tenth watt) clean mode to a micro-Marshall blast when cranked up. It does a great job of emulating big amps at very reasonable volumes, which makes it exceptionally nice for recording.

Sound that makes you go WTF

Well, i really like strange gear. But after all it should sound somehow good. Don't get me wrong: i do believe that the "The Ultimate Tube Synthesizer" S-1000 Wretch Machine from Metasonix is doing something very unique. But watching this video presentation from Eric Barber made me laugh a bit! ;-) Shouldn't he know how to make his stuff sound better?

Battle of the Selftuning-Guitares

i just saw this 2 movies (Movie 1 and Movie 2) about Tronical. Tronical is a new selftuning kit for electric guitares that will not "harm" your guitare like the stuff from Transperformance (here is an article and some pics about transperformance). Beside that Tronical will be way cheaper too! I allready wrote them a mail and asked if the kit will work on my old Heritage h-170 model ... ;-)



Info about Tronical:

Tronical’s PowerTune TM is a modular system that can be retro-fitted to virtually any available guitar make or model, without the need for destructive rebuilding or re-working. The guitar can also be returned to its original state at any time, if needed.

Tronical´s PowerTune System consists of three modular main components.

* PowerHead-Locking Tuners - Contained in standard-size housing, these Servo pegs consist of a servo motor and high-performance gears, along with intelligent servo electronics. Tuning stability is further guaranteed by the quality, high-grade lock mechanics.

* Tune Control Bridge and TuneCore-Controller - The link between the Piezo-equipped bridge and the tuning analysis represents the core (or Commando Centre) of the complete PowerTune™ System. From here, the current tuning of the guitar is monitored and the actions of the Servo-tuners are controlled. Through the use of highly integrated electronics, the TuneCore Controller can be accommodated within a space that would otherwise prove limiting.

* TuneControl-MultiKnob - Multi-functional pot, with unique control button. Available in various finishes and styles to complement the design of different guitar models. The Volume knob in the “pull” position becomes a raster potentiometer that offers tunings for the different strings. Built into the pot are active electronic multi-coloured LEDs which, in conjunction with the optical lens, offer superb control over all settings and tunings – even on the darkest stage! The “Enter” button lets action to be confirmed quickly by simply hitting OK.

The guitar’s condition remains untouched. No drilling, cutting or other “constructional” changes needed. No changes to the sound, weight, performance or appearance of the guitar.

Tronical’s PowerTune System is available in stores worldwide from June 2006. Pricing is to be announced.

Disco D CNN video

Producer David Shayman aka "Disco D" on CNN. Some nice shots of his studio insite. Watch the video here.

New audiophile USB cable ??

Can this be true? Can a USB cable really improve the audio quality of a daw? Here is what the Kimber website says:

Kimber have developed and launched two cables, designed to improve the performance of devices linked to your computer like our RAVE 1 USB amp and Pro-Hifi link.

The new cables, B-Bus™ and Mini-Bus™, use large copper conductors – the largest possible under USB specifications, and the signal conductors are plated with an unusually thick (6.1%) silver plating to enhance conductivity and signal support. The ferrite noise reduction beads help the cable to preserve the delicate data stream, even at longer lengths.

When a USB cable is used to link a device such as an external soundcard to your computer, it becomes a digital audio interconnect. Lossless or uncompressed music files can sound even better if you upgrade this critical link – and Kimber’s USB cables should be the first choice.

Mr. Methane farts the Blue Donau

Well, i am very happy that i did NOT do this stinking recording ... ;-) Poor guy mixing this session with Mr. Methane.

Secret Aphex Twin FM Competition

That's cool: Aphex Twin enters (and wins!) Future Music's remix competition. Click picture to read full article (Thx Dan).

Great Gear Porn at APE Studios

This studio got some real gear pron to offer:





Dan from APE Studios says: "The white console is a 1969 custom made Neumann console, commission-built for Teldec classical recording company in Germany. Its a beautifull open console with yards of headroom and great EQ! The blue console is a Helios, wicked british made console and as there were only two blue consoles made we're pretty positive it belonged to the Who but was also used by Jimmy Page to record parts of Stairway to Heaven. It sounds pure rock and roll! The two consoles are summed together so we can pick and choose when tracking and mixing. We have a really unique sound going on!"

Check out www.apestudios.com for more pics.

The Listening Sessions

If you want to know how great gear sounds - check out "The Listening Sessions". Info: Started in 2002, TLS has become the largest independent project for testing, comparisons and reviews in the audio-recording industry (Forum). Now in 2006, TLS has recorded and evaluated in the range approaching 200 microphones and 100 microphone preamplifiers. TLS is contacted regularly by major pro audio manufacturers for input on product development.

Shocking Kensington Laptop Insecurity

Everytime i bring my laptop on stage for a live gig, i make sure to use a Kensington lock. So when leaving stage for a while i only take out the dongles and feel secure. Well, after seeing this video, i have to think about a new security concept ... i could not believe it's so easy!

Beatles set to join online music revolution

The Beatles are preparing to sell their songs online after years of refusing to take part in the Internet music boom, according to testimony given by the head of their record company.

He said that the company was digitally remastering the entire Beatles catalog, which would pave the way for selling the songs online. Full story here.
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SSL Duende For Your DAW

This sounds nice: Here is a thread at gearslutz about Duende - a new 19" rackunit. Duende from SSL is a powerful DSP platform designed to serve up genuine, SSL console-grade audio processing within your audio workstation.

Yngwie Malmsteen doing the Heavy E Phrygian

Yngwie Malmsteen doing what he does best - high speed sweep picking and full on shredding.

Microsoft Readies 'Monaco' Competitor to Apple's GarageBand

Microsoft is still pushing full-steam-ahead with a music-making program, code-named "Monaco," according to Microsoft partners who requested anonymity. Monaco would be very similar to Apple's GarageBand application, but would be optimized to take advantage of Windows Vista and the Aero user interface. Full story on MicroSoft-Watch.
(Edit: Did not see this news on Matrixsynth - This guy is way too quick for me again ;-) )