March 2026

Marching on with music that spreads joy, peace and love. Oscar is in town and music wins. We meet up with a TV/Film composer and visit two studios in playback sessions. We hear a secret agent and explore more headroom, deeper bass, and learn how to optimize your room. We listen to songs that tell story of an artist's plea and why he lied to you. Register to attend a music gathering this week, a gala in May and join us on the green in June.

We've got news of label signings and more...Grab an espresso & enjoy this month's serving.

A Soul Journey To The Oscars

Ludwig Goransson Takes An Oscar for Best Original Score For Sinners

L-R: Sinners Director Ryan Coogler, Composer Ludwig Göransson, Autumn Durald Arkapaw and Michael B. Jordan Oscar winners 2026

SINNERS was nominated in nearly every eligible category, breaking the all-time record with 16 Oscar nominations. Produced by Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Ryan Coogler, the film won four Academy Awards -- Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Michael B. Jordan), Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Best Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw), and Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson).

Ludwig Goransson (left) won his third Oscar for Best Original Score for Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026.

Goransson and director Coogler's friendship began at USC film school and the collaboration has produced seven, if you count their student short films along with Sinners and Black Panther. Sinners features legendary bluesman Buddy Guy and, on the soundtrack, banjo evangelist Rhiannon Giddens and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. A live performance from Sinners took over the Oscars stage on Sunday March 15 as Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq performed I Lied to You (nominated for Best Original song) with appearances from Misty Copeland, Brittany Howard, and Shaboozey. The moment celebrated the legacy and evolution of Black music and earned a standing ovation.

Listen to samples from the soundtrack from Sony Classical here

Playback Session For Producers at Village Studios' Moroccan Room l-r: Producers Brent Fischer, Janice Lunde of Trans Audio Group, Claris Dodge of studioexpresso, studio designer Jay Kauffman, Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group, Producers and mixers Matt Forger, Yuheng Yan, Stephen Earest of Trans Audio Group Nashville, Peter Selesnick of Venice Audio, and producer/mixer Ralph Sutton. photo: studioexpresso

TransAudio Group hosted a playback session at Village Studios' Moroccan Room on March 13 featuring two high powered, sub-centric ATC systems with the new ATC SCS120 Pro subwoofers.

The longtime U.S. ATC distributor launched the new ATC SCS120 Pro, a powerful new 15-inch active subwoofer designed to deliver outstanding low-frequency performance for modern professional studios, at NAMM earlier this year, with a preview playback held at East West Studios.

Guests from production community attended and enjoyed hearing tracks from diverse genres on the new line of speakers. SonoruS Holographic Imaging (SHI) Tapes were played on the ATR10 mkII Analog Tape Player. Studio designer Jay Kaufman of Kaufman and Associates, Producers Ralph Sutton (Stevie Wonder, Spike Lee, Lionel Richie), Matt Forger (Michael Jackson, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola),

Clark Germain (U2, Sting, Herbie Hancock, David Benoit), Jeff Weber (Jackson Browne, Michael McDonald, Chick Corea, Etta James), Composers Yuheng Yan (Superman, Disney’s Monsters at Work, and Netflix’s Lift), and Brent Fischer (D'Angelo, Prince, The Roots) were among special guests.

"The subs are designed to partner with ATC’s mid-field and main monitor systems, the new model builds on the SCS70 Pro with more headroom, deeper bass, and performance suited for stereo, surround, and immersive formats including Dolby Atmos," says Brad Lunde, President of Trans Audio Group.

Below: NAMM preview of the new ATC speaker subs on January 16, 2026 at East West Studios

ATC speaker subs playback with SonoruS Tapes and Analog Tape Player at East West Studios on January 16. Trans Audio Group's pre-NAMM preview for select production community and guests. Below Brad Lunde with guests, and host Candace Stewart of East West and Claris Dodge of studioexpresso. Photos: studioexpresso

The SCS120 Pro uses ATC’s newly developed 15-inch carbon-paper composite driver, hand-built in the UK. The driver combines a short-coil/long-gap motor system with optimized airflow for low distortion, extended response below 20Hz, and improved cooling. The subs achieve deep, accurate bass through high-quality drive-unit engineering and a slightly larger cabinet – without relying on heavy electronic processing – resulting in better phase response and clearer integration with monitors.

The subwoofer is powered by ATC’s hand-built 300W Class AB amplifier, featuring balanced inputs and output for pass through, analogue 4th-order Linkwitz-Riley low-pass filtering (including an 80Hz option and bypass), adjustable phase and polarity, and precise level control. A footswitch-operated mute circuit allows multiple subs to be muted together.

The SCS120 Pro pairs naturally with ATC SCM100/110/150A Pro monitors, and multiple units can be used for larger rooms or with main monitors like the SCM200/300A Pro. The increased dynamic capability makes it particularly suitable for immersive audio and post-production environments with demanding LFE content. ATC recommends using the Dolby Audio Room Design Tool (DARDT) for Atmos room system design. Noted Brad Lunde, president and founder of TransAudio Group, “Rarely do you find a company that values creativity, musicality, and performance with precision engineering."

The SCS120 Pro is available now. For more details visit here

Oscar Sounds At Skywalker

F1 I Sinners I One Battle After Another

A Filmmaker Forum for One Battle After Another took place at Skywalker Sound with Moderator Jennifer Coronado, director Paul Thomas Anderson, Chase Infiniti (Willa), sound designer and re-recording mixer Chris Scarabosio, re-recording mixer Tony Villaflor, picture editor Andy Jurgensen. Credit: Skywalker Sound.

Skywalker Sound had a lot to celebrate in March.

F1 The Movie won the Academy Award for Best Sound. Congratulations to Skywalker Sound’s Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, and Al Nelson, as well as production sound mixer Gareth John. 
The film was honored for its immersive sonic, which was created in collaboration with the Formula 1 media center for, in part, using authentic sound from 2023-24 Grand Prix sessions.

Later last year Skywalker hosted a Filmmaker Forum for Lucasfilm employees with cast and crew from One Battle After Another. The artistic achievement of sound in One Battle After Another was recognized with an Oscar nomination for Scarabosio, Villaflor, and García at the 98th Academy Awards. One Battle After Another was the major winner at the 98th Academy Awards (2026), taking home six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. The film, which earned 13 nominations, was honored for its top-tier wins. “I think on maybe the second day of the mix,” Scarabosio laughs, “Paul said something to the effect of ‘I think we can all agree that this movie needs to be loud as hell.’”

The panel was moderated by Jennifer Coronado and featured Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Actor Chase Infiniti, Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer/Re-recording Mixer Christopher Scarabosio, Re-recording Mixer Tony Villaflor, and Picture Editor Andy Jurgensen.

The film Sinners also featured extensive sound work from Skywalker Sound, with key team members including supervising sound editor Benjamin A. Burtt and re-recording mixer Steve Boeddeker. The film's sound was a collaboration between Skywalker Sound and Warner Bros. Ludwig Goransson won his third Oscar for Best Original Score for Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026.

"I tune the "Hee Haw" out of my pedal steel... It's more space ship than tractor."

--Kyle Maclan

We Spies is the new creative force from Kyle MacIan and Simon Willey (Gilmour, Knopfler, Marr) — two accomplished multi-instrumentalists who have spent years shaping some of the music industry’s most coveted records behind the scenes. The new album Devil is Due was released on February 28 at Evergreen Enterprise Experience (EEE) studios. The album features ten cinematic and atmospheric tracks imbued with multi-layers--a blend of nostalgic British sounds meet hard driving rock in Tick Tick Boom, the macabre in Strands of Disbelief and the avant-garde electronic textures in Diver, Devil Is Due and

I Can't Feel. The sound, much like a magical meditation, showcases the musicianship of Maclan with his collaborators Colin Good (Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, The Ink Spots) on piano, Zac Ware (The Proclaimers) on steel guitar, Clive Deamer (Radiohead, Robert Plant, Jeff Beck) on drums. String arrangements are by Genevieve Vincent (darkDark, Audrey's Children, Fantasy Island).

After building careers contributing to major artists and landmark projects, co-producers Maclan and Wiley are now channeling that experience into something entirely their own.

studioexpresso attended We Spies Devil Is Due Release event on February 28 at Evergreen Enterprise Experience (EEE). Enjoy this interview with Kyle Maclan about his inspiration, collaborators and how the project came together.

SE: For your new album We Spies: The Devil Is Due, you say that it started with you playing all the instruments (a la Prince). Talk about the instrumentation and how it all started and morphed?

KM: Initially I did plan to write, play, record, and mix the entire album by myself and many of the songs on the album were expansions upon these sort of high fidelity "demos" I had recorded. The title track, The Devil is Due, was a complete recording and I couldn't think of anything more to add or remove but while mixing I wasn't able to get the mix to be what I wanted for the song. I've been a life-long fan of Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music and many years back became acquainted with Simon (Willey), Bryan's recording and mixing engineer from the Olympia album onward. I reached out to Simon to see if he would be able to help. He was on tour with Zucchero at the time and when they hit Beverly Hills, we got together. Simon agreed to mix the whole album. I sent him my TDID Pro Tools session with all of the instruments (guitar, bass, keys, drums, etc). He sent back a mix in which he added a wurli part as well as an omnichord under the guitar lead. The song immediately sounded exactly how I wanted. The mix was high-def, the wurli hits underpinned the sort of devilish feel of the groove and the omnichord turned my guitar lead into a Welcome To The Machine, Gilmour thing. I knew then that We Spies was two people!

SE: The playback at EEE on February 28 on the big speakers created a cinematic experience. Who would you credit for achieving the multi-layered sound?

KM: I've always recorded in a multi-layered style. I like chords and ambiences that are created by multiple instruments playing single note lines but meeting in unison moments to create the songs progression. Simon records that way too. On the song Diver his initial note to me was "...so many guitars...", haha.

At first, I thought I had gone too far but later realized that he dug it. I don't want to speak for him but I imagine he's quite used to multi-layered tracks given the many people, especially guitarists, he's recorded over the years (Gilmour, Knopfler, Marr, Rodgers, etc) and many of them on the same track.

SE: Who created the album cover image and what was the inspiration?

KM: I did the cover art for the album, although the vinyl will have a collage of photos from the recording session in the Gatefold, which my daughter, who is studying art at university, put together. The name of the album came to me straight away and I wanted to have a cover that depicted something religious and sexual with some Easter eggs thrown in! I grew up in my parents art gallery and being surrounded by art and artists I've always loved what they can do, but I'm not a visual artist of any skill. I have always loved the Hipgnosis' album covers though, and wanted to take a shot at paying homage.

SE: This is your second album, released on Band Camp. How are you promoting the albums?

KM: The first album The Arecibo Message is an ambient record. I recorded that album with Tom Owen, an incredibly talented pianist and generative artist out of Miami. At the time, he and I worked together in LA. We were both deep into generative music and I was lamenting how I hadn't yet recorded an album of my own. He said, "let's do it this weekend" and we did. We recorded and mixed the album in four days. It's what I call an organic-generative album. We didn't make any decisions before hitting record. All of the keys, tempo, instruments, etc were decided in the moment through whispers and hand gestures. We would just let the spirit overtake us and record for around 20 minutes per song. Later I trimmed each song into an intro-middle-end feel and that's what we put on the album. Musically it's sort of a concept record, which is how we came up with the name of the album. At the same time we came up with the name of the band. I was working on a remix of the Interpol song Slow Hands. We kept suggesting band names and they were either awful or already taken, then I said, "what about We Spies?" Voila!

All of our music is available on the streaming platforms as well as Bandcamp, although The Devil Is Due won't be on streaming until April. We are at the early days of promoting the album through our site wespies.com as well as building our following on instagram @we_spies. We are the definition of independent and grass-roots. I need to learn to get comfortable promoting, I'm too shy for that kind of work, haha.

SE: Is this a "studio only" album or are there plans to play live?

KM: We will be taking the album live. We're in rehearsals as we speak. As you mentioned the album is pretty cinematic so to accompany the music I've been designing videos for the backdrop, lighting for the stage, as well as toying with the idea of projection mapping. I want people to have a full experience when they see our shows, no matter how small the venue.

SE: Like a secret agent (We Spies), you have an alternative career in the game industry - can you talk about it?

KM: I've been very fortunate to compose for video games for 30+ years (under a different name). Before I moved to Los Angeles from Europe, the plan was to either play in a band or write scores for movies.

I played around LA but movies never came knocking. I've always loved video games, and and helped developed the sound. When I started, they sounded like bleeps and bloops. I just kept going from project to project never thinking of it as a career. In 2004 my friend Ian Stocker got me involved with the Sims franchise (sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide) and that cemented my focus but also is the reason why We Spies came along much later than intended.

SE: What's your musical background - your main or favorite instrument(s), and collaborators on this album?

KM: I was your typical kid.

My divorced parents got me involved in piano and violin lessons. My Dad wouldn't let me quit violin. I played violin, viola, and "cello" (my violin through an octave pedal) on the song I'll Take Care of Myself. A little later one of my older brothers introduced me to Jean Luc Ponty. I fell in love with the strange sounds he was making.

My Dad had an incredible wood shop and he figured out how to mount a pickup on this secondary, cheap violin I had. He filled the cavity with epoxy and sawdust and ran a lead down my shoulder to this old Gorilla amp. I used any money I could get from chores or work at the gallery to buy guitar pedals. I've been chasing space sounds ever since. Eventually I got a guitar from a friend and taught myself two-finger chords and scales by looking at my violin neck in a mirror and matching what I was playing to the guitar neck. Piano came back into my life a couple times but never stuck. During Covid I was determined to focus on my Fender Rhodes. I literally placed it with an amp in the middle of a walking path in my place. Anytime I felt like writing or playing I could either sit at the Rhodes which was up and running or go to the studio and dig a guitar out of a case, setup an amp, and lose the muse, haha. I'm definitely no pianist though. On the song Midnight Sun I'm playing piano at the beginning and Colin Good (Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, The Ink Spots) is playing piano at the end. I asked Colin, during the Bath sessions, to please replace my piano parts. He's always a gentleman and said, "I could play the parts and they would be technically more accurate, but it would lose the charm of your playing". I'm sure he was gently suggesting that I need more practice, haha.

Once you learn a couple instruments you gain the confidence to try others; bass, drums, synths, etc. My favorite instrument to play is the pedal steel. I tune the "Hee Haw" out of my pedal steel though. It's more space ship than tractor. During the Bath sessions Zac Ware (The Proclaimers) played pedal steel and did a fabulous job. I'm probably pickier about the sound of a pedal steel than any instrument on the album and he was so cool about detuning and playing in funny ways. I played on Midnight Sun and a smattering of layers on other songs but listen to Zac on But It's So Cold that was him on steel, top to bottom.

SE: But it's so Cold is the shortest (under 2 minutes) track on the album and my favorite. Who was the arranger and/or musicians on this track?

KM: Genevieve Vincent (darkDark, Audrey's Children, Fantasy Island) wrote the string arrangement. I wanted a quartet to gave the song a This Mortal Coil feel reminiscent of their cover of My Father. Genevieve pulled in Olivier Soudin, Marta Sofia Honer, and Ro Rowan. When I wrote that song, I was building my previous studio. The live room was unfinished and freezing at 2am when I sat at the piano. It reminded me of the winter, ice sheets that form and float on the lake in Canada where I spent part of every year while growing up. I've loved Genevieve's music for quite some time and her being Canadian, I knew she would be the perfect person to translate the beauty of a Canadian winter into strings.

SE: Besides Pro Tools, what other software do you use for composing, tracking/mixing?

KM: I recorded But It's So Cold and Harmony on an iPhone, 15 or 16 years ago. I used iZotope RX to clean up those recordings. I used MTron for the Mellotron moments on the album. Other than that, I think, everything is outboard unless Simon used something.

SE: First concert you attended?

KM: The first concert I went to with just friends was The Clash, I think REM was the opener.

SE: Do you have a production studio of your own and where else did you track or mix?

KM: We recorded the album at three different studios. My little studio in LA, Simon's studio in Bath UK, and also Chris Merrich Hughes' (Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Tears for Fears, Adam and the Ants) studio, Ashley Manor, near Bath where we recorded Clive Deamer (Radiohead, Robert Plant, Jeff Beck, Portishead, Ron Size) on drums. Pro Tool was a constant at all three studios and how we passed sessions around. At my studio I record through a console to tape and then into Pro Tools. At the beginning of the recording sessions I was recording through my Otari Concept Elite console but I later moved to a small beach house and setup my 1973 Teac Model 10 console due to the limited space. When I had a bigger studio, I had a room dedicated to equipment no newer than 1973. I used most of that equipment on the album and I love the difference it made.

SE: Do you have an accompanying video for any of the songs on this album?

Kyle: We haven't done any long-form videos for the songs yet. There are a couple short "advert" videos for "The Devil Is Due" and "I Can't Feel" on Bandcamp.

The album is available on streaming platforms and on Bandcamp

Song: A Plea

Artist: Flea
Album: Honora

Video Director: Clara Balzary

A Plea from Flea (Michael Peter Balzary) with accompanying music video is in studioexpresso's video spotlight this month here. His new jazz project, Honora, is the debut solo album from the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, releasing on March 27, 2026, on Nonesuch Records. The album produced by Josh Johnson features Flea on trumpet and bass, supported by a jazz ensemble including Josh Johnson, Jeff Parker, Anna Butterss, and Deantoni Parks, with vocals from Thom Yorke and Nick Cave. Flea composed and arranged the music, and plays trumpet and bass throughout. The music video is directed by Flea's daughter Clara Balzary. The album was named after a beloved family member and the cover features a photo of Flea's mother-in-law Shahin Badiyan (Bahai) in Iran in the late 1960s.The album will be promoted by a short tour in May 2026, including at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles on on May 16.

Song: I Lied to You
Film: Sinners

Performer: Raphael Saadiq

Camera: David “Odiwams” Wright

I Lied To You is in studioexpresso video spotlight this month here. The song is the first blues song that was up for Best Original Song at the Oscars this year (Golden won). In the video release late last year, Raphael Saadiq performs the song he wrote with Ludwig Göransson, performing from the roadside at Lo Gas in Baker, CA.

Saadiq has played a pivotal role in the neo-soul movement, working with artists like D’Angelo on his landmark album “Voodoo,” Mary J. Blige, Joss Stone, & Solange, particularly on her critically acclaimed album “A Seat at the Table.” He co-founded the influential R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! in the late 80s with his brother Dwayne Wiggins & cousin Timothy Christian Riley.

Film director Ryan Coogler brought Saadiq to the studio for his feature, Sinners to musically add a modern-day blues journeyman's expression.

Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson collaborated on the song transports viewers to Africa and back to Saadiq's roots in America (Born Charles Ray Wiggins, Oakland, California. His mother from Monroe, Louisiana and Dad is from Texas). Miles Caton and Saadiq performed their Best Original Song-nominated number I Lied to You live at the 2026 Academy Awards.

East West's legendary Studio One (Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones) is booked for variety of sessions from single voice to 70-piece symphonic orchestra. Brent Fischer Orchestra recorded in one with a 56-piece ensemble.

Spanning over 61,000 cubic feet with a vibrant sound, the iconic studio comes complete with a spacious isolation booth and a beautiful Bechstein D-280 Concert Grand Piano. The control room features an 80-channel Neve 8078 Console, the largest in the world (originally commissioned for Michael Jackson's best-selling album, Thriller). Each room at East West is equipped with a DB Technologies db4496 A/D-D/A Converter and ATC SCM25 Pro Mk2 house monitors along with NS10/ProAc speakers and are set up with Pro tools HD.

Right: Grammy-winner producers Brent Fischer and Dave Reitzas in studio one control room during a VIP event hosted by Source Connect

Below: Evergreen studios Hall of Fame. photos: by the C

Top Left: Jeff Greenberg, owner and CEO with Snoop Dogg at The Village

Housed in 1920s Medinah Temple, the historic landmark studios, for almost six decades, The Village has recorded hundreds of legendary Grammy Award-winning albums and Academy Award-winning movie soundtracks. One of the studio's Grammy-winning, staff engineers, Alex Williams, used ATC 25s on the Jon Batiste We Are sessions, as well as the award-winning Odessa sessions. He also worked with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Regina Spektor, Perry Farrell and many more. Noted Williams, “The quality of ATC’s design and construction is apparent upon opening the box. From recording to mixing, the ATCs perform flawlessly on rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, or orchestral. I know what I’m hearing is what I’m getting. I’m thrilled that The Village is outfitting three studios with the new ATC SCM25A Pro Mk2s.”

“Choosing ATC SCM25A Pro Mk2s for Village's main studios is an incredible validation of this product’s excellence,” says Brad Lunde, president and founder of TransAudio Group.

Left: Mastering engineer Natalie Bibby at Air with ATCs

In 2018 the studios started by Beatles producing genius George Martin added a full-range of speaker monitoring system with two ATC P2 PRO Dual Mono Power Amplifier additions.

Invest in Good Speaker Stands. Why? While looks can be deceiving, you must have seen concrete blocks and other DIY configurations used in some project studios. Watch this 19-minute video by Colt Capperrune @ColtCapperrune where he compares $20 block stands with professional stands ranging from $140 Gators to $1,200 Sound Anchor stands. Can you guess which one performs the best? check it out here

Sound Anchor adjustable monitor stands allow you to adjust the position of the monitors (height, angle and tilt) so you can place the monitors where they need to be for the highest quality sound.

Sound Anchors and Redmount products are designed and manufactured in Palm Bay, Florida U.S.A. using American parts and skilled American labor. click here for Sound Anchor dealers in USA

Starstruck Entertainment, the parent company of Starstruck Studios was founded in 1988 by Narvel Blackstock. Located on Music Row, Starstruck Studios is considered one of the top iconic Nashville recording facilities, and recently chose an ATC 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration and paired it with their SSL System TS-500 console for their Dolby Atmos room.

"ATC 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system is cited as the speaker system of choice for the growing number of multichannel immersive sound studios.

Manufactured and designed in the UK to the highest engineering standards, it was only natural ATC could develop this solid niche," says Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group.

ATC models:

SCM25As

SCM45As,

SCM50ASLs

SCM100ASLs

"ATC monitors are something you have to experience," says Brad Lunde, President of Trans Audio Group

"Like the original SCM25A, the new upgraded Mk2 is a compact 3-way high-performance active studio monitor loudspeaker, based around the hand made proprietary ATC 3”/75mm soft mid-dome driver and 6.5”/164mm bass driver loaded in a 25-litre vented cabinet," says Brad Lunde, President of Trans Audio Group. Models range from $5,000 to $50,000 per pair and all share a very similar sound. For larger rooms and midfield, applications check out the SEM45 with dual 6.5-inch drivers and the fantastic SEM150 with a 15-inch woofer and 350 Watts of power. More info here

MUSIC PRO '26

March 27-29, 2026

Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA

Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament

Monday, June 29th, 2026

Santa Clarita, CA

Register today here or click on the green graphic below!

The 2026 Recording Industry Golf + Poker Tournament (RIGT) media sponsor, studioexpresso returns to Sand Canyon Country Club on Monday morning, June 29.

Join us on the green for uber fun under the sun. We will be serving Espresso Martinis to players and their supporters!

Register today and enjoy a super chill Cali day with music and audio community.

For more events visit our calendar

Above: studioexpresso and Trans Audio Group presented "Atmos-ize Your Music" at NAMM on Thursday January 23, 2025. Below: Speakers for the session: l-r: Cam O'Bi, Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group, Ryan Ulyate, Eva Reistad, Brent Fischer, Harry Weinger of UMG, and Claris Sayadian Dodge of studioexpresso.

studioexpresso and Trans Audio Group have featured many producers, and musicians over the past ten years of TEC Track's history at NAMM

Curt Bisquera (Sarah McLachlan, Elton John), Kenny Aronoff (Smashing Pumpkins, John Mellencamp, Sting), Greg Penny (Elton John, KD Lang), Cam 'Obi (J Cole, Chance the Rapper), Niko Bolas (Neil Young, LeAnn Rimes), Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hedrix, Kiss), Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, Faith No More), Cheche Alara (Christina Aguilera), Kim Bullard (Elton John, Kelly Clarkson), Cristina Abaroa (Celine Dion, Enrique Iglasias), Brady Leffler (Hot Chelle Rae, Justin Beieber), Al Schmitt (Diana Krall, Paul McCartney), Alex Acuna (LA Phil, Beck), Teddy Campbell (American idol, The Tonight Show w Leno), Ellis Hall (Ray Charles, Tower of Power), Jacob Armen (Prince), Peter Asher (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt), Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Melody Gardot), Manny Marroquin (Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys), Dave Schiffman (Adele, Limp Bizkit), Gregg Field (Sinatra, Pharell), Sylvia Massy (Tool, Johnny Cash), CJ Vanston (Toto, spinal Tap), Dame Gail Dorsey (David Bowie, Gwen Stefani), Jenny Mason (The Mrs), Neal Pogue (Outkast, Andre 3000), Eva Reistad (Dune 1,2, Alien, Sherlock Holmes), Leland Sklar (Phil Collins, James Taylor), Moogie Canazio (Sergio Mendes, Sarah Vaughan), Rafa Sardina (Lady Gaga, John Legend), Daniel Seeff (KJazz, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz), James Torme, Zev Feldman of Resonance Records (Sarah Vaughan, Bill Evans, Nat King Cole), John Wooler of Mood Media (Flying Lotus, Elton John, Miles Davis), David Benoit, Harry Weinger (Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra), Matt Wong, Ryan Ulyate (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Ian Charbonneau (Mana, Neil Young, Jake Owen), Steve Genewick (Spinal Tap, Martina McBride, Michael Buble) David Reitzas (Weeknd, Madonna, Luis Miguel), and Grammy^®-winning Brent Fischer (Usher, Elvis Costello, Symphonic Prince).

Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 Convenient, easy-to-use plug-in control and instant recall.

“From Grammy-award winners, to top international recording artists, home and free-standing recording studios, the original Mastering Limiter is that piece of go-to gear that adds that particular dynamic edge and significant touch towards the end of the recording process.

The Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 has faster release time, a lowered noise floor and the same 100% analog signal path with the ease of digital plug-in control and recall. This one is a superstar product,” adds Brad Lunde, president, and founder of TransAudio Group

Watch Vlog review by DJ, Producer, Jon Sine of the new Bettermaker Mastering 2.0 here

The Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 is priced at $3,500 in USA and is now available for shipping.

Above at 2025 NAMM Bettermaker Booth 10302 in Hall A, is the legendary Stevie Wonder checking out the game-changing accessibility of the new Bettermaker VSPE which allows for seamless control of Bettermaker hardware and plugins using voice commands, using its cutting-edge open source AI technology (created in partnership with The MIDI Association’s Music Accessibility Standard Special Interest Group MASSIG as well as real-time speech feedback for accurate parameter adjustments.

"The Daking Mic Pre 4T, nominated for a TEC Award 2023, will elevate any recording offering unique solutions to common problems," say Brad Lunde (click top left image for a video presentation by Brad Lunde). The “low-distortion” Jensen input and output transformers offer more linear low-end performance under super dynamic conditions. Daking’s own variable high-pass filter dials out the low-frequency mud that can be subsonic and will decrease available headroom. Built in the USA, Daking uses only high-end parts like Jensen input and output transformers in a high-end design using all-discrete transistor Class A circuitry. Unusually high 24dB of headroom and easy to read twenty segment meters make proper gain staging easy and forgiving under a wider array of conditions.

Auratone Celebrates its 50th anniversary, Auratone and its US distributor, TransAudio Group, introduced the first-ever Active 5C, nominated for TEC Awards at NAMM 2023.

A careful R&D process has been implemented to maintain the original characteristics of the 5C, utilizing the same amplifier design from the NAMM TEC Award winning A2-30 amplifier.

“We were happy to get boutique Polish manufacturer Bettermaker together with Alex Jacobsen, owner, and grandson of founder Jack Wilson, for the perfectly matched A2-30 amplifier. Now, the two companies have collaborated to get a mono amplifier that contains the guts and soul of the A2-30 into each chassis for the active version,” says Brad Lunde, founder, and president of TransAudio Group.

The Auratone Active 5C is now shipping • MAP: $749/pair

Like the other 5C variants, the Auratone ACTIVE 5C is made in the USA.



Trans Audio Group -- The Recording Studio Equipment Experts. Call to order from their trusted brands:

A-Designs (USA), ATC Loudspeakers (UK), Auratone, Bettermaker, Daking Audio, Drawmer, Hakan, Latch Lake, Mojave Audio, Mutec, Pete's Place Audio, Sabra-Som, Subwoofer Pros, and Tube-Tech 

Questions- pricing, availability and dealer locations please email sales@transaudiogroup.com

Inspired by the legendary ‘Motown EQ’ sound, Drawmer created two new 500 series EQs. Each unit offers 7-band proportional Q equalizers with EQ curves akin to the renowned ones used in the illustrious Detroit studios of the 1960s. These 100% analog units feature sevens bell curves, each having a variable cut/boost of ±10dB and set at the beautifully musical frequencies of the original.

The MQ-1 offers a single channel Mono 7-band EQ, with the highly regarded ‘CRUSH’ feature present on the Drawmer 1971 Dual 4-Band Parametric Equalizer rack unit. When you activate the crush circuit, get ready for some pleasing harmonic saturation and that classic analog warmth that adds a ton of character to any signal passing through the unit. CRUSH fattens up the bass, adds presence to the mids, and brings a delightful shimmer to the top end. The harder you drive the EQ the more crush you’ll get! The MQ-1 is a single-slot 500 series module. The MQ-2 offers the same EQ curves, but in full stereo, and is far more than an equalizer. It also incorporates a program-dependent, single-knob compressor that adapts its envelope to the characteristics of the signal. The order of the EQ and Compressor in the signal path can be swapped according to your requirements. The MQ-2 also has the same integrated ‘CRUSH’ feature that warms up your mix with harmonic saturation, and additionally includes comprehensive metering. The MQ-2 is a 2-slot 500 series module.

Visit Drawmer at TransAudio Group for more details.

Pricing: MQ-1 $349.00 • MQ-2 $539.00

The new Drawmer 1971 4-band parametric EQ, available in the U.S. from TransAudio Group.

Trans Audio Group introduces Drawmer 1971 4-Band Parametric EQ. This new edition to the Drawmer 70s series of FET-based gear offers two channels of fully featured 4-band parametric EQ and a new CRUSH button with the ability to deliver a myriad of unique musical applications on each bandwidth.

Noted Brad Lunde, president and founder of TransAudio Group, “Widely popular, the Drawmer 70’s series has received many industry awards, and this new EQ is sure to follow. The features embodied in the 1971, plus the amazing new CRUSH button, allow for fine-tuned tactile tone sculpting. CRUSH is a dramatic tool. Engineers and producers will love the diverse and subtle creative options. Drawmer gear is designed and handmade by Drawmer in the UK – no small feat for a pro audio manufacturer.”

Now Available. Price: $1799.00 Details here

Concord Records officially opened its new office at 9171 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, located in the Wilshire & Palm Building in the city’s iconic “golden triangle” in February of this year.

Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated artist, songwriter, and producer Adrian Quesada. The global publishing deal covers upcoming projects and Quesada’s catalog, including his work as one half of the seven-time Grammy Award-nominated psychedelic soul band Black Pumas which he co-founded. In 2023, Black Pumas released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Chronicles of a Diamond, scoring another Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Song. During the same year, Quesada won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for his work with Diamante Eléctrico. Quesada states: “Excited is an understatement to describe how I feel about joining the Concord publishing team. From my first talks and interactions with Jeremy and Pablo I could tell that they are as passionate as I am about putting good music into the world.”

This past year, Quesada released a sequel to the acclaimed Boleros Psicodélicos. Boleros Psicodélicos II is a deeply personal and profound communal album featuring artists like Cuco, fellow Concord artists, iLe and Dayme Arocena, Angélica Garcia, Ed Maverick, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Monsieur Periné, Gepe, and more who combine original music with re imagined renditions of classic Latin ballads. He has found success in film and TV, working on numerous projects, including the A24 film Sing Sing, which secured him a 2025 Academy Award nomination for Best Original for co-writing and producing “Like a Bird” with singer-songwriter Abraham Alexander.

Additionally, Quesada runs Electric Deluxe Recorders in Austin, Texas, the studio where Black Pumas and numerous others have recorded.

Jeremy Yohai, SVP A&R and Pablo Ahogado, VP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in a joint statement: “Adrian is exactly the type of writer we aspire to work with. He’s talented and successful across multiple genres, always willing to take risks to keep creating great art. We’re thrilled to be a part of his team.”

Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the icon, Michael Jackson, portrays the King of Pop in the new film releasing on April 24 from Sony Music. watch the trailer here

Sony Music announced the upcoming release of Michael: Songs from the Motion Picture, the official companion album to the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic Michael. The album is available for pre-order beginning today and will be released on April 24, the same day the film arrives in theaters from Lionsgate and Universal Pictures.

Michael: Songs From the Motion Picture highlights 13 songs showcased in the film, spanning from The Jackson 5 to The Jacksons to Michael’s chart-topping solo success with “Off The Wall” and “Thriller.”

The collection includes smash hits like “Billie Jean,” "Beat It," "Bad," "Workin' Day and Night," "Wanna Be Startin' Somthin'," "Thriller," "Ben (live), "I'll Be There," "Never Can Say Goodbye," Medley: "I Want You Back/ABC/The Love you Save (Live)," “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” “Human Nature” and "Who's Lovin' You."

The soundtrack will be released on all formats on April 24th. The 2-LP will include several color variants, including various exclusive options.

In theaters April 24, Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of The Jackson 5, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in his feature film debut as his uncle, Michael Jackson. The film also stars Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, with Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by three-time Oscar® nominee John Logan, the film is produced by Graham King, p.g.a., John Branca, and John McClain.

Michael will be distributed domestically by Lionsgate, and by Universal in international markets outside of Japan, where it will be distributed by Kino Films in association with Lionsgate. Click here for more details

South Korean superstar TAEMIN @ taemin_bpm, known as "Idols' Idol," has sold millions of albums worldwide, and is one of the influential artists in K-pop. He's member of the iconic group SHINee, and SuperM, SM entertainment's global project group.

Opening on April 1, 2026, the new display at the Grammy^® Museum comes just days before TAEMN

makes his Coachella debut as the first male solo K-pop artist to perform at the festival. It also marks the first display at the museum dedicated to a solo K-pop artist. “I’m truly honored to have my stage outfits displayed at the Grammy Museum,” said TAEMIN. “Each performance is a story I share with my fans, and these outfits and artifacts hold memories of those moments on stage. I hope visitors can feel the passion and love for music that has guided my journey.”

“TAEMIN is a truly influential artist whose impact extends far beyond the stage,” said Kelsey Goelz, Grammy Museum curator. “His distinctive performances, innovative style and artistic vision have helped shape the global rise of K-pop. We’re honored to showcase these iconic stage outfits and artifacts that celebrate his artistry and cultural impact.”

April 1- May 25. 4th Floor Gallery 800 W Olympic Blvd A-245 Los Angeles, CA90015
For more information, visit GrammyMuseum.org

The Grammy Museum^® will honor multi-Grammy^® Award-winning singer, songwriter and pianist Norah Jones with the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award at the Recording Academy^® and Grammy Museum’s Grammy Hall Of Fame^® Gala on May 8, 2026, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

The evening will also honor the 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted recordings, which were announced in February. Warner Records will be recognized as the 2026 label honoree for its enduring contributions to recorded music and its role in championing artists across generations.

With a career defined by timeless songwriting, unmistakable musicianship and a singular voice that has resonated across jazz, pop, soul, and country, Nora Jones has built a body of work that is both intimate and influential. “I’m so honored to receive the Ray Charles Architect of Sound Award,” said Jones. “Ray Charles was my musical hero, and he changed the way so many of us hear and feel music. To be recognized in connection with his legacy, and as part of a night that also celebrates such important recorded works, is special for me."

“Norah Jones represents the kind of artistry that leaves a lasting imprint on music and culture. Her work reflects a deep musicality, emotional honesty and a spirit of exploration that echoes the legacy of Ray Charles himself. We are honored to celebrate Norah, this year’s Grammy Hall Of Fame recordings and Warner Records as part of an evening dedicated to the enduring impact of great music,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.

Jones will take the stage for a special performance during the evening, which will also feature one-of-a-kind musical moments from a lineup of artists to be announced soon.

Returning as host is esteemed journalist Anthony Mason. The show will be produced by former Grammy Awards^® Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich, alongside Ron Basile, Chantel Sausedo, Lindsay Saunders Carl, and Lynne Sheridan, with musical direction by Grammy and Latin Grammy^® Award-winning composer, producer and conductor Cheche Alara.

The 2026 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted recordings include 14 titles that span nearly a century of recorded music and range from 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me to Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 to Radiohead’s OK Computer. Others include recordings by Alice Coltrane, Bertha “Chippie” Hill, Ella Jenkins, Eric B. & Rakim, Funkadelic, Heart, Lucinda Williams, Nick Drake, The Rouse Brothers, Selena, and The Soul Stirrers. The full list of past inducted recordings can be seen here.

The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and performances.

Tables and individual seats are now available for purchase here. For sponsorship opportunities, reach out to halloffame@grammymuseum.org.

Gibson Artist Spotlight celebrates, promotes, and supports a handpicked group of talented artists who demonstrate exceptional innovation and artistry in their craft. In March they featured Charlotte Sands , a boundary-pushing pop-rock force from Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Her breakthrough came with the viral hit “Dress,” which spent more than 15 weeks (about 3 and a half months) on the Top 40 radio charts in 2022, earning her a Breakthrough Artist nomination and a win at London’s Heavy Music Awards.

Since then, Sands has toured relentlessly—sharing stages with My Chemical Romance, 5 Seconds of Summer, and other globally recognized acts—while headlining sold-out shows across three continents and performing over 150 concerts in 2023 alone. Her debut album, Can We Start Over?, captures her personal and artistic evolution, pairing introspective lyrics with the explosive intensity of her live performance. “It’s the truest reflection of where I am in my life right now,” she says.

Photographer and film maker Clara Balzary @clarazara was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. While she works both at home and abroad, her work retains the sunny optimistic ease of life in California.

Her clients include Nike, Apple, Gucci, Adidas, and Mercedes-Benz. Balzary’s work as a filmmaker continues to grow, Her short film, Lou, featuring Joaquin Phoenix, premiered in competition at the Toronto International Film Festival.

She has made a reputation for exploring the majesty hidden in everyday banality.

I believe music can change the world.

Love, Joy and Peace. That's how I want the world to feel.

---Michael Jackson

Until next month,

Express where you are in your music. Tell us about your new release, upcoming event, or reach out for music production services.

Until next month, Joy, Peace, Love, & Music


Music Lives and Moves!

Claris Sayadian-Dodge, founder/publisher

claris@studioexpresso.com

Right: With producer Simon Wiley of We Spies at EEE studios album release event of Devil is Due on February 28.