jan 2018
studioexpresso eZine
Since 2000 


NIK WEST added to NAMM speakers at ALL ABOUT THAT BASS 

It's a New Year!  Grammy & NAMM are competing for East and West coasts VIPs. Where will you be? The countdown begins now!
Express yourselves more than ever. Images, words and sounds count. Music makes lasting impressions and changes lives. Grammy events are in the spotlight. We bring you iconic images of rock from LA and discover new talents along the way. Meet an A&R man who was just promoted. Come visit us at NAMM in Anaheim and meet the groove masters who light up studios and stages. 

Thanks for our 2 4,000 + readers and community of studios, composers, arrangers who create music that lives and moves.  Congrats to all of you who have renewed and enjoying work, industry networking and more.. Renew today. Thank you!
  
In This Issue
Renew Today...for 2018!
Rock Gods in LA
Groove Masters in Anaheim
Enter to WIN FREE Gear at TAG Booth 15906
Atlantic Promotes A&R
Spotlight: Grammy Events
 
Renew Today!

Studio Spotlights
Producer Profiles
eZine archive
 


 


Ernie Ball Music Man Jacob Reese Thornton Recording A Debut 
With Mentors Bob Kulick and Bobby Ferrari 

Iconic photographer Robert M Knight with young musicians celebrating release of his new book: Rock Gods Vol II on January 18 at Mr Musichead Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Fifteen-year-old songwriter Jacob Reese Thornton (above middle and right) is a guitar prodigy based out of South Florida, from a town not particularly known for Guitar-based rock'n roll. Jacob may change this soon.  We met up with him in Los Angeles at Mr Musichead Gallery where Jacob was listed to play a few sets for the reception celebrating photographer Robert M Knight's book: Rock Gods Vol II.
The buzz in the room said Thornton displays good technique and ease and maturity in performing live.  Jacob first picked up the guitar at age 9, and has hardly put it down since. Now thanks to a number of outstanding musical mentors, Jacob quickly has developed a reputation as a gifted up and coming young artist. "I'm lucky to have found mentors like Robert M. Knight, Bob Kulick and Bobby Ferrari. Robert is a tireless supporter of young guitarists.  It's such a privilege to work with Robert and Bobby.  I learned so much from both of them, including working on my rhythm guitar dynamics," says Thornton who will be releasing his debut EP. "We are excited about the EP comprised of five original songs: Bombs Away, Ditch This Town, Raised on Sunshine, Different Times, and Stone Fox," says Thornton.  The songs were cut in Las Vegas at Vegas View Studios and The Studio at the Palms.    Todd Kerns from Slash's band provided back up vocals on 3 tracks. Jeremy Spencer is on drums, and Bobby is on bass. "It was little intimidating at first to have one of the greatest session guitar players in the world watching every note. But, he encouraged me and insisted that I play all the rhythm and lead guitars, which I'm super proud of," adds Thornton who wrote the songs between 2015-2016.
Jacob's influences include: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elmore James, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Chuck Berry, Dire Straits, Neil Young, Foo Fighters, Cheap Trick, Joan Jett, the Ramones, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, the Allman Brothers Band, the Clash and Miles Davis.  In 2016, Jacob was inducted into the Brotherhood the Guitar, a prestigious organization of approximately 100 young players from around the world that is sponsored by The Guitar Center and Ernie Ball, and which was established by legendary rock photographer Robert M. Knight, whose remarkable career was documented in the film "Rock Prophecies." Jacob is also featured in the next generation section of Robert's latest book, "Rock Gods Vol. II - 50 Years of Rock Photography."
As for Jacob Thornton, he is feeling a little out of step with the mainstream. "It's as though I belong to a different time and place. Most kids my age are into sugary pop, hip hop and music that is made by computers.  I'd love to help change that," says Jacob Thornton who has traded licks onstage with blues legend Buddy Guy, and his performance videos have received more than 2 million collective views on social media. When asked what he likes in school. He quickly says Sciences. Well, between music and sciences, you can be sure there's more to come from this young man.

 
 
For more information on   ATC Monitors contact  Brad Lunde 702-365-5155 or visit   www.transaudiogroup.com  
    

 
Headroom Meets Musical Sound  DAKING MIC PRE II AT NAMM 2018, January 24-27 
 
TransAudio Group, U.S. distributor of super high-end professional recording equipment introduces legendary drummer and engineer Geoff Daking newest creation at NAMM 2018 on January 24-27. The new Daking Mic Pre II combines two Mic-Pre-One units in a single rack space form for low price of $1099 MAP.
Like the Mic Pre One, the Mic Pre EQ, and the Mic Pre IV, the Daking Mic Pre II circuitry is based on a classic console design of the 80s with some upgrades: Variable High Pass Filters on each channel and Jensen input Transformer and ClassA amplification is featured. Add extreme high headroom (+24), and a single-sided 48V power supply.
Geoff Daking brings honest and high-end analog signal processing equipment to users at an unbeatable price. Users will appreciate Daking Mic Pre II for is tremendous headroom, musical sound and special high-pass filter.  It has a continuously-variable cutoff between 10Hz and 200Hz, drops at 12dB per octave and seems to have a magical ability to clean up the muck while making what remains sound even better. It is extremely helpful to DAW users who inadvertently record sub sonics that muddy up tracks and mixes.   
 
In addition to the features mentioned above, the Daking Mic Pre II has 70dB of gain, switchable polarity, a twenty segment combo VU and peak hold LED meter, a 20db pad with constant reflected impedance, switchable phantom power, direct 1/4 inch instrument inputs on the front panel, and balanced XLR and 1/4 inch outputs.
 
Units will begin shipping in February 2018. $1099 MAP. 

 

Meet Drawmer's New Baby: MPA-90

Ivor Drawmer and his handpicked team of engineers unveiled the new Drawmer MPA-90 two-channel class D power amplifier. Its small dual monoblock design, with tabletop or rack mountable footprint, houses guts capable of delivering 90W per channel (into 4 Ohms) or 180W bridged - all with no annoying fan. Like Drawmer's MC2.1 Monitor Controller, the new MPA-90 treats audio signals with integrity: its output is lusciously transparent, revealing the beauty (and the faults!) of whatever is run through it. Also, like all Drawmer's products, the MPA-90 is built in England to last a lifetime, priced fairly at $695.

"The new Drawmer MPA-90 is the perfect partner to small passive loudspeakers like the Auratone® 5Cs or other small passives" says Brad Lunde, founder and president of TransAudio Group, Drawmer's longtime US distributor.
"Many Class D amps out there are just raw Class D modules, but the MPA-90 has a Drawmer designed and built custom front end to improve its sound. The MPA-90 sounds excellent and with the bridging feature, provides a future upgrade path. The MPA-90 is really the perfect complement to the Drawmer MC1.1 or MC2.1 Preamplifiers in matching housing, but it works great with any preamp."
Switching the Drawmer MPA-90 from stereo to mono bridged is easily accomplished with the flick of a switch and use of the mono loudspeaker jack. Its inputs are either balanced XLR or unbalanced phono to cover the two universes of gear, pro versus semi-pro/consumer that may feed it. It features thermal, overload, and power-up/power-down protection and front-panel standby, fault, and clip indicator LEDs. Its rugged steel chassis and brushed aluminum cover speaks to the Drawmer MPA-90's design integrity and longevity.
The MPA-90 is now available for shipping.  PRICE: $695.00 MAP


  
Enter to WIN A Compressor @ NAMM  Trans Audio Booth 15906

Stop by TransAudio Group's booth 15906 at NAMM 2018 to enter for your chance to win a FREE Bettermaker C502V compressor!
Like all of Bettermaker's trailblazing hardware, the C502V combines the sublime beauty of a pure 100% analog signal path with the convenience of instant parameter recall, automation, and A/B comparisons via a free multi-format digital plug-in controller. The Bettermaker C502V uses a 500-series form factor and operates in stereo, dual mono, or M/S. It has three different compressor  modes  that give it three significantly different sonic flavors (two classics and a Bettermaker original), along with all of the control parameters you would expect on a compressor.
 
How to Enter:  
Stop by Trans Audio Booth #15906 @ NAMM and ask for the entry form. Then attend the prize drawing on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

The Bettermaker C502V will be awarded to the winner on the spot, and that winner could very well be you! Good luck!  
 
TransAudio Group, Bettermaker's U.S. distributor, introduced the path breaking Bettermaker C502V at the AES's 139th Convention earlier this year in New York City. Like the rest of Bettermaker's catalog - which in just a few short years has earned numerous TEC, Resolution, and Prosound award nominations and wins, the C502V combines a boutique analog signal path (newsworthy in its own right) with intuitive, musical controls and complete parameter recall and automation from a linked DAW-based plug-in - high-end analog sound paired with a superior digital workflow. The C502V is the first compressor from Bettermaker, although with three distinct VCA flavors in one 500-series chassis, it could just as easily be described as the first three compressors from Bettermaker! Stereo, dual mono, or M/S modes, as well as USB or analog side-chain with adjustable high-pass filtering and "look ahead" functionality expand the C502V's universe of possibilities.




 
Trans Audio Group 
  


MASTERS OF GROOVE   

ALL THAT BASS is presented by studioexrpesso & Trans Audio Group @ NAMM

Saturday Jan 27, 3-4 pm   Hilton, Anaheim
Author, educator, musician Carol Kaye has earned the No.1 call spot as free-lance studio bassist with over 10,000 sessions under her belt and she has an AFM Local 47 certificate from city of LA/Hollywood to prove.
In 1963 when a bassist didn't show up for a record date at Capitol Records, Carole picked up the Fender bass (as it was called then) and the rest is history. She worked under the direction of many greats: Michel LeGrand,  Elmer Bernstein, Lalo Schifrin, John Williams, Alfred & Lionel Newman.  She has worked with Dr John, Brian Wilson, Merv Griffin, Lou Rawls, to name a few.  She's in the chase scene with a Quincy Jones score (lots of bass), in a bedroom scene with sentimental trombone solos of David Grusin score, or in a car-truck duel ("Dual", Spielberg's 1st film).
You can hear her bassline in Mission Impossible and MASH too!
More than half the studios where she worked have closed today. But, Ms Kaye has paved the way for the next generation of women players like Meshell Ndegeocello and Esperanza Spalding who continue to grace both studio and stage today.

This Saturday, studioexpresso has the pleasure of bringing to NAMM three such women who have earned respect of their peers and fans alike. 

Rhonda Smith 's uncanny emotive communication ability through her instrument has made her a highly sought after musician and artist. A gifted vocalist and singer/songwriter, Rhonda is one of music's greatest treasures today. As an innovative musician and visionary, she has sparked several genres of music (jazz/funk/rock) and she has electrified the stage with acts to include Jeff Beck and Prince. Ms Smith is member of all-girl super group, C.O.E.D. and her own band, Rhonda Smith and Karma Deuce.  
Noted music journalist Alex Henderson (Billboard) sums Nik West's incredible talent up saying "Nik West is one 21st Century artist who isn't lacking in the chops department. She is a young electric bassist who clearly knows her way around her instrument and plays like she has been inspired by the funky likes of Larry Graham, Louis Johnson (of Brothers Johnson fame) and Marcus Miller.

 
Jenny Mason and her best friend are two Texas moms who chose to pursue their 'Crazy' dream and start a band three years ago! Meet Jenny Mason, the bass player from the all-female rock band, THE Mrs who have come together to play and remind all moms that they're enough! But, Jenny's passion doesn't stop there. Mason is on the board for The Center for Childhood Protection, and is also a member of the National Charity League, an organization that encourages mothers and daughters to volunteer together to help places like food banks and pet shelters. THE Mrs vidoe for "The Magic Mirror" has over 5 million views and THE Mrs is promoting their new album, "Blink of An Eye."  
Joining the ladies are two male groove masters.
 
Leland Sklar  is a staple in the music scene with many hours under his belt in recording studios and stages around the world. His bass playing can be heard on over 2,000 albums for music icons to include: Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Hall & Oates, Jackson Browne, David Bowie, Ray Charles, B.B. King, The Doors, Aaron Neville, Lyle Lovett. 



Multi-instrumentalist producer
Brent Fischer (bass, vibes, keys, drums) moves easily between Jazz, Pop or Symphonic works. His arranging credits appear on albums for pop royalty: Usher, Al Jarreau, Michael Jackson, Sheila E, Elvis Costello & The Roots, D'Angelo (won 2016 Grammy® Record of The Year for the artist's song: "Really Love"). Brent Fischer directs the Clare Fischer ensembles and produced the last seven Clare Fischer albums, including the Grammy-nominated "Continuum" and the 2013 Grammy-winning ¡Ritmo! (Best Latin Jazz Album). Brent is the Director of the Clare Fischer Groups (big band, organ quintet, trio, latin jazz group).  Neal Pogue also will join the panel and bring his studio perspective on recording and mixing the bass.

"I'm really excited to bring this diverse and star-studded panel to TEC Tracks with my co-moderator, Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group," says Claris Sayadian Dodge. 

Good bass players do so much more... they are multi-instrumentalists with skills to include: singing, arranging, producing, orchestrating and composing.
What's your favorite bassline?  "Under Pressure" by David Bowie/Queen or "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson or "When Doves Cry (Purple Rain) by Prince. Then there's the timeless classics: "My Generation" by The Who (John Entwistle, bass), "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen (John Deacon, bass), or "Money" by Pink Floyd (Roger Waters, bass). My all-time favorite is still Sir Paul McCartney's "Come Together."
  
 
 
Vintage Reborn
Telefunken Diamond Series 
 

The studio standards : C12, 251, and U47 are on the wish list of every engineer.  
Now with Telefunken Diamond series the vintage sound is reborn.    TransAudio Group and Telefunken are organizing dealer showroom shootouts .  Dealers who participate can use their choice of support gear and any comparable vintage microphone models they'd like to put up against the new Telefunken Elektroakustik C12, ELA M 251 and U47 mics.
"Genuine shootouts are the only way we can think of to sidestep the hype that's out there about mics and get to what actually matters: Sound Quality," says Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group.
Sweetwater recently held shootouts between the vintage AKG C12 and the new Telefunken C12 (click to listen); between the vintage Telefunken ELA M 251 and the new Telefunken ELA M 251 (click to listen); and between the vintage Neumann U47 and the new Telefunken U47 (click to listen). 
Interested dealers should contact TransAudio Group directly at 702-365-5155. 
 


Trans Audio Group's Brad Lunde talks about ATC inventor Billy Woodman (left) during # GearFest 2017 Listen to the interview with Sweetwater's Lynn Fuston about ATC monitoring systems  here 
 




A Whole Lotta Mastering System 
Bettermaker Mastering Limiter Shipping Now! 

TransAudio Group, U.S. distributor of high-end professional audio recording equipment, is shipping the Bettermaker Mastering Limiter.  
 
 
"You cannot look at the Bettermaker Mastering Limiter as just one tool," explains Brad Lunde, founder and president of TransAudio Group. "It is a whole mastering system that replaces more than a few plug-ins and analog devices: limiter, clipper, saturator, M/S matrix, and a very sophisticated metering device. Its bright touchscreen display is pleasant to look at and frees up the computer screen. "Bettermaker's plug-in control is great. Not only can users recall and automate settings, but they can easily A/B settings from the plug-in to make smart decisions. You can also store and save presets right from the front panel or within Pro Tools or other DAW's," says Lunde. 
U.S. PRICING: $3495.00 List * $2995.00 M
     
 ATCs At World's Best Studios

 You can hear ATCs at some of the world's best studios: East West, the Village, and Blackbird Studios. 
TransAudio Group's Subwoofer Pros Studio Subs complemented the ATC SCM25As.   TransAudio Group will combine the SCM12 Pro with ATC's all new P1 Pro 150W/channel rackmount amplifier in a bundle that breaks previous price barriers for ATC. The SCM12/P1 Pro monitor/amp package will carry a bundle MAP price of US $4350. If purchased separately, the SCM12 Pro is $1,990/pair MAP, and the P1 Pro amp is $3,490 MAP.
For more information on  ATCs  
contact  Brad Lunde at www.transaudiogroup.com  or call  702-365-5155.
ATC SCM25As in stock today at your favorite Pro Audio Dealer. Follow the link:

Trans Audio Group at NAMM 2017, Anaheim unveiling the new Drawmer MC3.1 and the newest and smallest member of the ATC family: the SCM12 Pro, among other cool studio toys. 
 
Alex Jacobsen of Auratone  Auratone 5C Sound Cubes 
The TEC-nominated Auratone Super Sound Cube reference monitor is a legend in the recording, broadcasting, and motion picture industries for its unfailing ability to represent mixes as they will so often appear in the "real world" - on small-format, zero-crossover loudspeakers.     
 
For more information on Aurotones visit  www.transaudiogroup.com  or call  Brad Lunde at 702-365-5155.   
 

Bettermaker, the Poland-based maker of high-end analog equalizers with plug-in control and recall, earned two nominations: one for the Bettermaker EQ502P 500 series module and one for the
Bettermaker EQ232P MKII rack-mount.

 
Drawmer's 1978 Tone Shaping Compressor, which incorporates different analog character circuitry and variable saturation, and Tube-Tech HLT 2A, which pairs high and low shelving with an innovative "tilt" midrange filter, earned nominations as well. Finally, ATC earned a nomination for the ATC SCM45A, three-way compact near-field monitor with unparalleled midrange fidelity. The winners will be determined by online voting via Mix, Pro Sound News, Pro Audio Review, and Electronic Musician and via professional audio and sound production organizations. 


"All of these nominations go to inventor-owned companies, the kind of companies where innovation is king. The sound quality of Bettermaker's equalizers would have earned TEC nominations by itself, but the fact that their fully-analog circuitry can be recalled and automated via a plug-in interface has obvious advantages in a modern workflow. The Drawmer 1978 and the Tube-Tech HLT 2A prove that traditional compressor and equalizer topologies are not the only way to inspire fantastic mixes. Taking a different tack, ATC's SCM45A gives engineers a beefier three-way ATC nearfield with fidelity that ensures mixes will translate outside of the studio. Obviously, we encourage folks to cast their votes for these innovative tools!" adds Lunde.
  
For more information on  Auratones, Bettermaker EQ232P MKII , Drawmer's 1978 Tone Shaping Compressor, Tube-Tech HLT 2A  and   ATC SCM45A  For the latest info on Tube-Tech contact  Brad Lunde at www.transaudiogroup.com   or call  702-365-5155.


Trans Audio Group  
tag crew
l-r: Richard, Todd, Janis and Brad at Trans Audio Group    
 
 
For the latest info contact   
Brad Lunde at  702-365-5155 [email protected]
www.transaudiogroup.com  
TransAudio Group, founded by industry  veteran Brad Lunde, has quickly become the premier US importer/distributor and/or US sales and marketing representative for high-end audio. Success hinges on TransAudio providing dealers and end users with a higher standard of product expertise and support far beyond the norm. TAG product line includes A-Designs (USA),  ATC Loudspeakers (UK),
Questions- pricing, availability and dealer locations please email [email protected]
   

 
studioexpresso & Trans Audio Group Present
All About That Bass 
 
feat  
BRENT FISCHER (Clare Fischer Big Band, Elvis Costello & The Roots)   
NEAL POGUE
(Outkast, Andre 3000)   
JENNY MASON
  (THE Mrs) 
LELAND SKLAR
(James Taylor, Phil Collins) 
RHONDA SMITH
(Jeff Beck, Prince)
&

NIK WEST (Glee, American Idol, Dave Stewart)
Sat Jan 27, 3-4pm  
(prior to TEC Awards) 
at TECTracks, NAMM 2018
Open to all NAMM attendees 

California Ballroom A (Level 2)
 
 
Hilton Hotel (adjacent to Anaheim convention center)
   
please visit for updates: studioexpresso Events
 
You know I'm all about that bass!
The title of this session may be inspired by Meghan Trainor song ( ALL ABOUT THAT BASS), but our star studded panelists will explore the sound of bass on albums and the role of session players in the studio. How they make some of the most loved songs of our time stand out with a unique and catchy sound that's more than just the bass line! 
   
 

    
 

    


Pete Ganbarg Promoted to President of A&R for Atlantic Records


Pete Ganbarg
has been promoted to the newly created position of President of A&R for
Since joining Atlantic, Ganbarg has signed or worked closely with such artists as Twenty One Pilots, Halestorm, Jason Mraz, Skillet, Christina Perri, Theory of a Deadman and many others. He has also been instrumental in the company's success in the Broadway arena, including signing and A&R'ing the "Hamilton"  Broadway cast recording. He is a Grammy nominee this year as a producer of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen, and recently signed the show's original lead, Ben Platt, to an Atlantic solo deal. Ganbarg also co-produced "The Greatest Showman" soundtrack, which features the 2018 Golden Globe winning song, "This Is Me."
Prior to joining Atlantic, Ganbarg headed the A&R consulting firm Pure Tone Music.  He began his A&R career in 1989 at SBK Records and in 1997 joined Clive Davis at Arista Records, where A&R'ed Santana's multi-platinum and Grammy-winning "Supernatural" album.


  Ms Horn's Social Call Earns A Grammy NOM
 
Indeed, the idea of the birth of a new conscious generation of people is very relevant and timely. Her inspiration for the album came from social issues that exist in the world today: Education, racism, xenophobia, poverty, fear, food, the environment, brutality.... as she sings  in "People Make The World Go Around," penned by Thomas Bell-Linda Creed.  Ms Horn brings musical maturity, skill and charm beyond her years in "The Peacocks" by Jimmy Rowles-Norma Winstone and in "Medley: Afro Blue/Eye See You/ Wade In The Water," by Afro Blue (Mongo Santamaria-Oscar Brown Jr)." This was from a review in studioexpresso April of 2017.  We're delighted that she's nominated for a Grammy and wish her all the best.
A Social Call is produced by Chris Dunn and Jazzmeia Horn.  The album was mixed by Seth Presant at The Village Studios, Los Angeles.
A Social Call is nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album GRAMMY, #1 at Radio
The Texas-Born singer is confirmed for performance at GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony on January 28. Congrats Ms Horn and all nominees
 
 
 
  Jazz + Physics  

Stephon Alexander is not your typical physicist. Born in Trinidad and raised in the Bronx, he developed twin passions for jazz and physics at an early age. As a graduate student, he played the saxophone in jazz clubs and mastered Einstein's equations. For one, Alex sees similarity in John Coltrane's seminal Giant Steps album (1960), with its trademark " sheets of sound," and considers it the " sonic equivalent to Einstein's bending of the space-time fabric."  You could say "harmony and resonance are universal phenomena that can be used to explain the dynamics of the early universe," he ha been quoted to say.
In his book: The Jazz Of Physics he likens the Universe to a scientific " music of the spheres." Consider this: There are about 30 numbers (called fundamental constants) that define the masses of elementary particles and the strength of the four fundamental forces ( Gravitational, Electromagnetic, Strong and Weak Nuclear). They have well-defined values, but change just a few of those numbers-even a little-and the universe would be a very different, far less complex and interesting place. And physicists don't really know why those numbers have the values that they do. "I came up with this idea that the universe is like an improvisational system. There's a cyclic universe --i.e., the universe regularly undergoes repeating "cycles" of big bangs and big crunches. In that scenario, the coupling constants of nature are improvised, the same way that a jazz soloist like Coltrane improvises, always pushing the boundaries," says Alexander, Professor at Dartmouth College of Natural Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, focusing on theoretical cosmology, quantum gravity and particle physics. Listen to his TedTalk here 


 
 

YES to pushing the boundaries of progress and improvising.
It's been said that it's all about being in the right time and right place. I would add, knowing what to do when you're in that fortunate position makes the difference.
Make it a good year, despite the distractions.
See you at NAMM this weekend.    Music lives and moves!

Claris Sayadian-Dodge, Founder I Editor studioexpresso

Visit exotic studio destinations at  studioexpresso home page
Help fans find you easily and contact us to update your profile  with your social networking links (sample: Kenny Aronoff).
Simply send an email to c [email protected] or
call 818.990.3031 and tell us your artist story and say "I want to RENEW!"
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
 
   
studioexpresso & TransAudio Group
@ NAMM 2018

All About That Bass
January 27, 3-4 pm

Speakers: Rhonda Smith (Jeff Beck, Prince) just added
Visit studioexpresso Events or NAMM


FREE GEAR @ NAMM
Sign up at TransAudio Group's booth #15906  Enter to win a FREE Bettermaker C502V compressor!








Jacob Reese Thornton with Bob Kulick and Bobby Ferrari.





Jacob Reese Thornton entertaining VIPs at the reception for legendary photographer Robert M Knight
at Mr. Musichead Gallery, Los Angeles on January 18, 2018 , release of Knight's New book: Rock Gods Vol. II - 50 Years of Rock Photography  
 

Rock Gods Vol. II - 50 Years of Rock Photography by Robert M Knight
Exhibit at Mr Musichead Gallery
Through Feb 3, 2018

 
In 1968, a young Robert M Knight arrived in Seattle with a camera and a single roll of film to shoot local legend Jimi Hendrix. The iconic images Knight produced immortalized Hendrix and propelled Knight's career. 
On January 18, Press and friends of Knight were invited to celebrate the release of his latest book: Robert's latest book, "Rock Gods Vol. II - 50 Years of Rock Photography at    Mr Musichead Gallery, Los Angeles, CA


ROCK GODS Vol. II  gives you a glimpse into Knight's rich visual universe, replete with visions of guitar gods, and their monumental performances frozen in time.  Indeed, his remarkable photographs define generations of rock stars from the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to Run DMC and Green Day.
Robert Knight's "Guitar Legends" archive sports 250,000 images and includes: Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton to modern songsmiths like John Mayer, Slash, and Sick Puppies. 
Robert and partner Maryanne Bilham have an exhibition of Rock Stars on the exteriors of the more than 220 Guitar Centers around America, one of the largest outdoor gallery shows of original photographic art. 
Knight is the founder of " Brotherhood of The Guitar" a web site that is devoted to the showcasing the next generation of young guitar players. Knight was the subject of the award winning feature length documentary Rock Prophecies, which has won many film festival awards and is on high rotation on PBS.   "I get paid to see," says Knight.

Robert M Knight with producer Brent Fischer at Mr Musichead Gallery on January 18

The exhibition will be on display at Mr Musichead Gallery through Saturday, February 3rd. Don't miss it!
Mr Musichead Gallery
7420 W Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90046.  (323) 876-0042




Congrats to All TEC Award Nomminees!
including
ATC
SCM12 Pro
*
ATC 
P2 Pro Dual Mono Power Amp
*
Bettermaker
Mastering Limiter



 
Trans Audio Group booth at Summer NAMM

A Designs HAMMER 2, an easy-to-use amplifier for both main mixing and tracking.
Bettermaker's Award-Winning 502V 500 Series boutique analog compressor
Daking's Famous Line of Compressors and Mic Pre's
Drawm er's MC1.1

Monitor Preamp and the new 1978 Stereo FET Compressor.
And the Auratone Reference Monitors ever present at every studio!   



  

 

GRAMMY®  News + Spotlight


The Recording Academy™'s GRAMMY Recordings® and RCA Records announce the release of the 2018 GRAMMY® Nominees album-which is now available in stores and via all digital retailers. 
The 24th installment of the best-selling series features 21 GRAMMY-nominated artists and hit songs from the world's biggest superstars and hottest emerging talent, including Album Of The Year nominees Childish Gambino, JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, and Bruno Mars; and Song Of The Year nominees Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, and Julia Michaels, among others.

Cograts to all 2018 Grammy Nominees

Recording Academy, Los Angeles Chapter celebrates the 60th Grammy Award Nominees 
L-R: Jeff Greenberg of Village Studios, National Trustees, Mindi Abair and Chapter Governor, Rafa Sardina with wife, Tamara.  
 
*******
   
P&E Wing Awards Keys & Beatz 
 
The Recording Academy
Producers & Engineers Wing ® will honor GRAMMY ® Award winners Alicia Keys and Kasseem Dean, aka "Swizz Beatz," at their annual GRAMMY Week celebration on Thursday, Jan. 25,  2018, at  Rockefeller Center's iconic Rainbow Room in New York City.  
 
 
HAMMOND HANG
at
250 W Duarte Rd. Suite B Monrovia, CA 91016
 
The Sound . The S oul . The One 
  the Hammond SK2 organ
   
  

  Hammond and Leslie products in Southern California contact
CKC
800.717.KEYS

Hammond gear, gig bags and more... 

Serving Pro Artists in the studio or on stage  
Call Nelson at 909-599-7899 to
schedule your visit and ask for     
artist pricing available only at  
Church Keyboard Center 
 
Tavis Smiley interview with 'The Ambassador of Soul" and Hammond artist Ellis Hall for PBS  Mr Hall performed two songs and spoke about the depth of his musical career
Watch it here


   
 BEST NEW ARTIST NOMINEES

Alessia Cara, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels, and SZA are officially the 60th GRAMMY nominees for Best New Artist
jayz
  Jay-Z is this year's leading GRAMMY nominee with eight nominations. This is the third time the rapper has been the year's leading nominee (or at least tied for the lead). He tied for the lead for 2003 with Beyoncé, OutKast and Pharrell William
He held the lead outright for 2013.  
 
 
60th Annual GRAMMY Awards
Aired Jan. 28, 2018
 
 
Eight-time GRAMMY winner Rihanna will perform alongside previously GRAMMY-nominated artists DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards®
Rihanna is currently nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance for "LOYALTY." with Kendrick Lamar.
Making his return to the GRAMMY stage, two-time GRAMMY winner Chris Stapleton has three nominations this year: Best Country Solo Performance ("Either Way"), Best Country Song ("Broken Halos"), and Best Country Album (From A Room: Volume 1).
Just added to the lineup are 2018 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and 13-time GRAMMY® winner Emmylou Harris with two-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Chris Stapleton; vocalist Zuleyka Rivera, who will perform with previously announced performers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee; and 16-time GRAMMY winner Sting. In addition, musician Jon Batiste will perform with GRAMMY winner Gary Clark Jr. in a special tribute to Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. Previously announced GRAMMY performers include Brothers Osborne, Alessia Cara, Cardi B, Childish Gambino, Eric Church, Miley Cyrus, Daddy Yankee, DJ Khaled, Luis Fonsi, Elton John, Kesha,  Lady Gaga,  Little Big Town, Logic, Patti LuPone, Bruno Mars, Maren Morris, P!nk, Ben Platt,  Sam Smith, SZA,  and U2.

Live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, the show is hosted by award-winning television personality and performer James Corden, the
60th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
 
The 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for the Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Ben Winston is a producer, Chantel Sausedo is the talent producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.


"This year's Special Merit Awards recipients are a prestigious group of diverse and influential creators who have crafted or contributed to some of the most distinctive recordings in music history," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy.  Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Hal Blaine (above), Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan, the Meters, Queen, and Tina Turner. Bill Graham, Seymour Stein, and John Williams are Trustees Award honorees; and Tony Agnello and Richard Factor are the Technical GRAMMY® Award recipients. A special award presentation ceremony and concert celebrating the honorees will be held in summer 2018.   
   
What it takes to survive a session with horns, winds and strings! From "Recording Unhinged" by Sylvia Massy. See if you can find Danny Elfman,   Al Schmitt, Hans Zimmer, Susan Rogers and Leslie Ann Jones
 
     
GRAMMY® Charity Auction On eBay  
In celebration of the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards® the auction will offer more than 100 exclusive items on eBay for Charity, a platform that has raised nearly $810 million for charities around the world. The GRAMMY® Charity Online Auction Campaign will offer exclusive items for sale from GRAMMY winners, including Beyoncé, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Ozzy Osbourne, Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), Ed Sheeran, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, and Keith Urban, GRAMMY nominees HAIM, Halsey, Logic, Katy Perry, and platinum recording artists Andy Grammer, Troye Sivan, Harry Styles, as well as many more. Shoppers can bid on platinum-level tickets to the 61st GRAMMY Awards telecast in Los Angeles in 2019; tickets and meet-and-greet passes with GRAMMY winner Sam Smith and platinum recording artist Niall Horan; and a private guitar lesson with legendary Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine. Presented in partnership with eBay for Charity and Matchfire, all proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum and MusiCares. 
WHEN:
The GRAMMY® Charity Online Auctions will launch on eBay for Charity on Monday, Jan. 22  through Friday, Feb. 9, 2018. 

   


Five-time GRAMMY® winner and 2000 MusiCares®' Person of the Year honoree Elton John, who recently announced his Yellow Brick Road Farewell Tour, will be presenting "Elton John: I'm Still Standing-A GRAMMY Salute."
The live concert taping will be held Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, at 8 p.m. ET at The Theater At Madison Square Garden in New York.
Miley Cyrus,  Kesha, Miranda Lambert, John Legend,  Little Big Town, Chris Martin,    Maren Morris, Sam Smith, and Keith Urban among many stars to pay tribute to Elton, who will also take the stage.  
The special will be broadcast later in 2018 on the
CBS Television Network


Rebecca Pollack Winner of  20th Annual Grammy Entertainment Law Initiative®      


 
Rebecca Pollack Winner of  20th Annual Grammy Entertainment Law Initiative®     
The Entertainment Law Initiative will be held on Friday January 26 at New World Stages at Worldwide Plaza is the nation's preeminent gathering for entertainment attorneys, and it provides a forum for the industry to honor its own practitioners, hear from legal thought leaders, and support promising law students interested in entertainment law. This year marks the 20th annual Entertainment Law Initiative® Event & Scholarship Presentation and the winner and runner up of its Writing Competition are:
Winner: Rebecca Pollack
"Innovation Or Exploitation: Is It Time To  Update The DMCA Safe Harbors?"
Lewis & Clark Law School Portland, Ore.
Runner-Up: Megan Abner
"Effects Of The FCC's 'Internet Freedom'
On The Music Industry And Potential Collaborative Solutions" Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law  Yeshiva University  New York, NY   
Limited tickets remain and can be purchased at www.grammy.com/eli-tickets.

 




"Much of the power of our Freedom Movement in the United States has come from this music. It has strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail. It has calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down. 
And now, Jazz is exported to the world...

Everybody has the Blues. Everybody longs for meaning. Everybody needs to love and be loved. Everybody needs to clap hands and be happy. Everybody longs for faith. In music, especially this broad category called Jazz, there is a stepping stone towards all of these."
  King
--Dr Marthin Luther King on importance
of jazz 


Latin Grammy Carlos Vives
Scholarship Accepting Applicants
 
 
A Latin Music Student with Financial Hardship Will Receive a Four Year Scholarship, worth up to $200,000 USD Towards a Bachelor's Degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston

The  Carlos Vives Scholarship presented by the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation was created in an effort to support music education and the Latin music genres, and will be awarded to a student who is exceptionally gifted and needs financial assistance to continue their education. The applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, which is comprised of diverse music professionals with extensive industry experience. "It is an honor for us, that with the help of Carlos Vives we can support the new generation of musicians through a scholarship that will allow them to receive an education of the highest quality at Berklee College of Music," said Manolo Díaz, Sr. Vice President of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.
Applications, guidelines, and for the latest news please visit the official website of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation at  LatinGRAMMYCulturalFoundation.com.  As part of the process, students must complete two audition videos, submit two letters of recommendation and answer two essay questions. The materials can be submitted in English, Spanish or Portuguese.  The deadline to apply is April 10, 2018, by 11:59 p.m. ET (United States time). After reviewing the guidelines that can be found at our website, submit any questions to  [email protected]
 

Grammy Music Educator

A total of 10 music teachers from 10 cities across 8 states have been announced as finalists for the Music Educator Award™ presented by the Recording Academy™ and the GRAMMY Museum®. Initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states. The 2018 honoree will be flown to New York City, the host city of the GRAMMY Awards®, and will be recognized during GRAMMY Week in January 2018. The recipient will also attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony and a range of GRAMMY Museum events. In addition, the recipient will receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants.

Nominations and applications for the 2019 Music Educator Award are now open via www.grammymusicteacher.com
 

2870 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
 

Sign Up  

 

4 monthly eZines here!
 
studioexpresso offers some of the world's trusted names in music
Over 100 platinum producers  with wealth of credits and resources + studios
Thank you for choosing us as your artist development partner. 

 

Easy to Join studioexpresso professional community  
How to become a member or for press inquiries, write to  claris@studioexpresso.com