A Must Read by Bob Lefsetz

"The blackest despair that can take hold of any society is the fear that living honestly is futile." Italian journalist Corrado Alvaro, quoted in the Sydney Australian Via "The Week" This is what bothers people. The belief that the game is rigged, that if they play by the rules they just can't win. And winning doesn't mean a private jet and an island vacation but the ability to put food on the table under your own roof after doing a hard day's work. It's not that we believe rich people should cough up all their dough, but how is it that hedge fund management fees are taxed at capital gains rates when they're guaranteed? Oh yeah, they own Congress, that's what money buys you. Same deal with the copyright police. Mickey Mouse is about to go into the public domain so Michael Eisner sics Disney lobbyists on D.C. and suddenly the term is extended. Huh? So if you want to use Mickey to add a little brightness to your business, you can't. It's not how much is too much but the fact that we can't get ours. Now the younger generation is different. They believe in honesty and transparency. Try convincing an educated young 'un he should be screwed by the record company. It's almost impossible to do. That's why those who want to succeed on their music instead of the trappings want nothing to do with the Big Four. Shouldn't the music be enough? The banks blew up the country and were rescued by the government. Constituents purchased overpriced houses run up in value by the financial shenanigans and now that they're underwater there's no relief. And if you think you can make it from the bottom to the top, you're dreaming. You need that Ivy League education, you need to know the right people, people you've got no chance of ever encountering. As for living on your public employee salary...you're the problem with America, don't you know? Not Goldman Sachs, but you... Just like homeowners created the mortgage problem. This is not a left or right issue. The gap between rich and poor has demoralized a vast swath of our country. Hell, I feel it myself. I went to school with these people. But no matter how hard I try I can never make the money they do. As for those so rich in the music business... I can get a good concert ticket, I know people. But the average person cannot. That's what's keeping StubHub in business, the ability to get a good seat. You might have to overpay, but at least you've got a chance. Logging into Ticketmaster you don't. And it's not a Ticketmaster problem. It's an artist greed problem. The artists could solve this problem but they don't want to. They want to live the life of the bankers too. Everybody's trying to climb a greased pole, pushing those below them down. Yet we still can't get to the top. This issue spontaneously combusted. Just like the Arab spring. It's not like the connivers on Wall Street only started today, like we just found out, their misdeeds have been in plain sight for three years. But finally, people have had too much. I've had too much. Have you?

Artic Keys iPad Synth

One Red Dog Media's "Arctic Keys is a virtual analog synthesizer. With a classic dual-oscillator subtractive synthesis design that gives you the sound creation flexibility we all know and love. With an easy to use user interface that just wants to be tweaked. The result is a truly professional instrument with an audio quality that rivals that of hardware synthesizers."

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Synthesis: analog modelling
• Polyphony: up to 4 voices
• Oscillators: 2 per voice, alias free, saw, triangle and square with pulse width, hard sync, ring mod, noise generator
• Filter: 1 multi-mode resonating filter with 4 filter types
• Envelopes: filter and amp ADSR envelopes
• Modulation: 2 LFOs with multiple wave shapes, sample and hold, 3 routable destinations per LFO, independently sync-able
• Effects: master effect processors: 3-band EQ, Distortion, Chorus, Stereo Delay
• Arpeggiator: classic arpeggiator with octave shift, MIDI-sync-able
• Sequencer: 16 x 4 gated step sequencer with multiple modulation destinations, MIDI-sync-able
• Keyboard: glissando, scroll, multi-touch poly pitch bend and aftertouch


FEATURES:

• KORG Wireless-Sync Start Technology (WIST)
• Sonoma AudioCopy
• MIDI Learn
• Live phrase recorder with audio and MIDI export
• File and patch sharing via iTunes File Sharing, e-mail and Wi-Fi
• Supports external MIDI in and out via CoreMIDI Networking and USB with the Camera Connection Kit
• Audio background operation
• Virtual MIDI Ports
• Open Music App Collaboration compliant


$4.99 on the App Store.

Pensado's Place: #39 - GRAMMY producer/engineer Joe Chiccarelli

"In the 39th episode of Pensado's Place, Dave and Herb are joined by 8-time GRAMMY award winning producer/engineer Joe Chiccarelli! Joe has produced albums by Stan Ridgway, Oingo Boingo, Sandra Bernhard, My Morning Jacket, Counting Crows, The Shins, Manchester Orchestra, Minus the Bear, Big Talk, Elton John, Rufus Wainright, U2, Beck, Etta James, Tori Amos and many, many more."

Softube Summit Audio TLA-100A $229 and 50% off their plugins

I love the sound of the Summit TLA-100A and have used it for tracking and mixing. Dialing in just the right amount of compression is easy as 1-2-3.  Now Softube has released the plugin version of the TLA-100 with some additional features. Can't wait to try it on the mix I'm doing today. They're also still doing their 50% off sale on the rest of their plugins. From Softube's website: The Summit Audio TLA-100A is the"set-and-forget" compressor, with a program-dependent nature that works with the signal to provide optimal performance without constant tweaking. Its ease-of-use and warm, rich sound is why it is still, after more than a quarter of a century, regarded as an industry standard for mixing, tracking and live usage. Both tube and solid state technologies are combined in this innovative design which has made the TLA-100A a tried-and-true choice for vocals, in addition to bass, drums and guitar. While being true to the simplicity of the original, additional features have been added to the plug-in that bring the TLA-100A capabilities up-to-date with modern production techniques. The plug-in features: Parallel Compression, Saturation Control and Low Cut Filtering, expanding the possibilities of this classic workhorse, while maintaining the sound characteristics expected from this venerable compressor. In Short The first and only Summit Audio plug-in Easy to use Built-in parallel compression and detector filtering Each and every component carefully modeled. Modeled output distortion, easily controlled with the Saturation knob. Extremely analog behavior of frequencies, phase, distortion, attack, release, etc. Controls Vintage Section The original controls for the original sound. Attack/Release Time Two 3-way switches for setting the times. Meter Set the VU to show either output volume or gain reduction. GainOutput volume control. VU MeterModeled VU meter with realistic ballistics. Gain ReductionSets the amount of soft knee gain reduction. Sidechain Selects between internal and external sidechain. Modern Section Modern features that give you even more tone-shaping abilities. Low Cut A super-smooth 6 dB/oct low cut filter. Low Cut SelectChoose between detector or input filtering.   Saturation An easy way to control the original output distortion without compensating for volume changes. Parallel Compression You really love this feature, right?

Fans Worldwide Mourn Passing of Steve Jobs

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

I was at the studio last night when I received a text informing me of Steve Jobs death. I immediately stopped mixing and Googled it. I was devastated to find the news of Mr. Jobs passing was true. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, co-workers and fans. I've been an Apple product user since the 80's and he has literally changed the way the world uses technology to work and play.


Here's an excerpt from a Bloomberg article on the worldwide reaction to his death:

"Apple Inc. (AAPL) fans worldwide mourned the death of co-founder Steve Jobs, paying tribute to the man who changed the way they listen to music, use their mobile phones and play on their computers.

At Apple’s headquarters -- located at 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California -- flags flew at half-staff and bagpipes sounded to the tune of “Amazing Grace” as people placed flowers around a white iPad with a picture of Jobs, who died yesterday at 56, after a battle with cancer. Mourners flocked to Apple stores from New York to Hong Kong, while a crowd gathered in San Francisco’s Mission Dolores Park for an iPhone-lit vigil." 

“Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs,” Obama said in a statement. “Steve was among the greatest of American innovators -- brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”

Teary-eyed mourners left flowers in front of Jobs’s modest home at the corner of Waverly Street and Santa Rita Avenue in Palo Alto,California. Neighborhood children drew hearts with markers and left them on the ground for others to leave messages. Policemen stood watch, barricading the street.

“Here’s a guy who’s a billionaire and lives in a regular neighborhood, not behind a gated estate with all the security guards,” said Bruce Gee, a former Apple employee who drove up to the house from his home a couple miles away. “On Halloween, people go trick or treating there like everyone else.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Rare and out of stock, Original Death by Audio "ROBOT" pedal - $350

http://www.sonicscoop.com/opportunities/for_sale/instruments/148_rare_and_out_of_stock__original_death_by_audio__robot__pedal__graham_ave_

Apple introduces iOS 5, New iPods and iPhone 4S

iPod Nano

Engadget has a live blog of the Apple Conference where they announced the new iPhone 4S. It will be available October 14th for AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. iOS 5 and iCloud will be available October 12th.
The voice activated intelligent assistant called "Siri" is a major development for the iOS platform.
See the live feed complete with a multitude of pictures here.

Here's a comparison Engadget did of the iPhone 4 and 4S:

iPhone 4S

iPhone 4

Price (on contract)	$199 16GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB	$99 8GB
Processor	Dual-core Apple A5	Apple A4
Display	3.5-inch IPS 960 x 640	3.5-inch IPS 960 x 640
Primary camera	8 megapixel AF with flash and f/2.4 aperture	5 megapixel AF with flash
Secondary camera	VGA at 30fps	VGA
Video recording	1080p at 30fps, optional iMovie	720p at 30fps, optional iMovie
Cellular	Hybrid GSM / CDMA "World Phone", Bluetooth 4.0	Quadband GSM, pentaband HSPA
WiFi	802.11b/g/n	802.11b/g/n
Orientation sensing	Accelerometer, digital compass, gyroscope	Accelerometer, compass, gyroscope
FaceTime video calling	Yes	Yes
SIM standard	Micro SIM	Micro SIM
Battery life	Up to 8 hours talk time on 3G 14 hours talk time on 2G Up to 6 hours data on 3G Up to 9 hours data on WiFi Up to 40 hours audio Up to 10 hours video	Up to 7 hours talk time on 3G, 14 hours on 2G Up to 10 hours data on WiFi Up to 40 hours audio Up to 10 hours video
Weight	140 grams / 4.9 oz	137 grams / 4.8 oz.
Dimensions	115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm	115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3mm

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/iphone-4s-vs-iphone-4-the-tale-of-the-tape/

The Schmidlin Fed+ All Tube Audio Compressor

The Schmidlin Fed+ All Tube Audio Compressor is inspired by the Federal AM-864/U 
compressor-limiter but with added features for today's market. I like that it can be used as a
tube pre when used with a high output microphone:

"Note that this unit can be used as a tube pre utilizing the 22dB gain (by maximizing the
Threshold and minimizing the Ratio). This requires an efficient mic and a strong signal for best effect, so a ribbon mic with a violin (for example) would not be sufficient. If the unit is hit really
hard, some compression does kick in"

Audio clips in mp3 and Wav format comparing the Fed+ on different sources are available on their website.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Build Quality:
- British input transformer
- USA power and output transformer
- Paper-in-oil (glass sealed) signal and side chain capacitors
- Carbon-film resistors
- 3 1/2" Analog meter
- Solid state rectification with additional power supply smoothing
- All aluminum powder-coated chassis
- Balance Adjust for calibrating the 6BD6 tubes (when re-tubing)

Sonic Specifications:
- 600 ohms in and out, balanced
- Available Gain Reduction: 25dB
- Gain Reduction Threshold: +10dBm to -30 dBm
- Total System Gain: 22 dB gain above unity
- Frequency Response: +/- .25 dB 20-20,000 Hz
- Noise: -70dB or better referenced to gain reduction threshold
- Maximum input: 24 dBm
- Maximum output: 20 dBm

$1499 at http://theschmidlin.com/ 

Waves October Super Specials

For a limited time only, when you purchase a selected $199 Waves plugin, we’ll give you a $200 voucher toward your next purchase.

Vouchers valid within 14 days of purchase toward 25% off single plugins / 50% off bundles. Offers valid from October 1st through October 31st, 2011 only.

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Pensado's Place: #38 - Peter Reardon, Founder of Shadow Hills Industries

In the 38th episode of Pensado's Place, Peter Reardon of Shadow Hills Industries joins Dave and Herb to talk about his incredible career as well as his work creating some of the best pro-audio gear in the world with Shadow Hills Industries. This week's ITL consists of Nicki Minaj's engineer Ariel Chobaz joining Dave via Skype to talk about the plug-ins and their settings he used on her worldwide hit single "Super Bass". You don't want to miss this episode!

JBL MSC1 Monitor System Controller with Room Mode Correction

 JBL's MSC1 is a Monitor System Controller with their RMC Room Mode Correction technology that works with any speaker. Its list of features and small size makes it an excellent choice for a desktop or mobile studio.

"As the “hub” of your system, the MSC1 controls the monitoring of three stereo input sources such as a computer workstation, mixing console, electronic musical instrument, CD or personal MP3 player. The MSC1's primary speaker “A” outputs include a level control, monitor EQ and RMC Room Mode Correction to tune the monitors to the room. Selecting the “B” outputs assigns the volume control and input routing to a second set of speakers. Subwoofer controls let you add a sub to the “A” speaker system, with a dedicated level control, and a choice of bass management crossover settings. The MSC1 headphone output and independent level control let you send a headphone feed to a performer or monitor using headphones in the control room."

"The MSC1 includes JBL’s acclaimed RMC Room Mode Correction technology that measures your room and tackles low frequency problems caused by room modes and boundary conditions. The MSC1 comes with everything needed to calibrate your system including a Calibration Mic, MSC1 Control Center Software*, and accessory cables. Calibration is simply carried out using the supplied microphone, MSC1 Control Center Software and your computer. Before measuring your room, Control Center meticulously measures the signal path of your audio system to set the stage for an accurate speaker calibration. Control Center Software guides you through every step. Once your system has been measured, re-calibration of your speakers is fast and easy and can be done at any time. After RMC calibration, the MSC1 works as a stand-alone controller and connection to a computer is not required."

"In addition to managing RMC Calibration, the MSC1 Control Center Software provides fine-control of monitor EQ, speaker alignment delay, subwoofer balance, and bass-management crossover settings. Control Center Software is included with the MSC1. Control Center is compatible with XP and Vista 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. Macintosh software now available."

FEATURES:

• Master Volume Control
• A/B Speaker Select
• A/B/C input Source Select
• Subwoofer Output with Level Control and 
• Selectable Cross Over Frequencies
• Adjustable Low Frequency and 
• High Frequency Speaker EQ
• Headphone Output with Volume Control
• Monitor Mute Control
• RMC On/Bypass Control
• Adjustable input gain with Signal Present and Clip indicator
• Can be used with any studio monitor system

SPECIFICATIONS:

• S/N, Dynamic Range : 110 dB typical A-weighted 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Frequency Response : +0/-O.5 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• THD+N : < 0.04% A/D/A, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• A/D, DA Converters : 24 Bit
• Internal Processing : 48 Bit, 48 kHz
• Maximum Input Level : +24 dBU 6.5mm (1/4" TRS Inputs), +4 dBu phono (RCA Inputs)
• Maximum Output Before Clipping : +17 dBu
• Power Requirements : 12 VDC, 0.5A
• Dimensions W x D x H : 198 x 165 x 83 mm (7.8 x 6.5 x 3.25 in)
• Inputs A, B / C : 4 Balanced 1/4" TRS, 2 Unbalanced RCA
• Outputs A, B and Subwoofer : 5 Balanced 1/4" TRS
• Headphone : Stereo 1/4"
• RMC Mic IN / OUT : 1/8" TRS
• Computer Interface : USB 2.0
• LF EQ Frequency : 20 Hz to 1.1 kHz Shelf 32 options
• LF EQ Gain : +/- 3 dB in .25 dB increments
• HF EQ Frequency : 2.5 kHz to 17 kHz Shelf 28 options
• HF EQ Gain : +/- 3 dB in .25 dB increments
• Level : +/- 10 dB from nominal in .5 dB increments
• Selectable Crossover Frequencies : 60 Hz, 80 Hz, 120 Hz
• Polarity : 0 degrees / 180 degrees 

$299 at Dale Pro Audio

AEX Labs AX-1 Nearfield Monitor Series

AX-1 

AX-1.1

Michael Joseph of AEX Labs recently sent me some literature about their line of speakers. They have an interesting design and impressive specs. Look forward to trying them out  soon.

AX-1       8" 2 way nearfield monitor

AX-1a     6" 2 way nearfield monitor

AX-1.1    Dual 8" 2 way nearfield monitor

The AX-1 "The Axe" is small in size yet huge sounding, and will provide 100 DB of world class sound with an amazing ability to finesse and astound at the same time. The AX-1 is a 2-way, bi-amp, active monitor, built and designed to be completely accurate and flat. The AX-1 will reproduce audio with extraordinary realism and clarity.

 

Features 

• HF-1 Ribbon Driver
• MB-6/8 Midbass Driver
• CCAS Bi-Amplified Control System*
• Large, Precise Soundstage and Imaging 
• Low Fatigue At Higher Output Levels
• USB Interface To ANY Computer*
• Speakon A/C Cable*
• WBT Binding Posts 

        *Active Model

Specifications

	AX-1a	AX-1	AX-1.1
HF Driver	HF-1	HF-1	HF-1
LF Driver	MB-6	MB-8	2- MB-8
Sensitivity (1w/1m)	100db	100db	100db
Frequency Response	100-40khz	70-40khz	50-40khz
Impedance (LF/HF Passive)	8/8 ohm	8/8 ohm	4/8 ohm
Power Handling (LF/HF Passive)	200w/150w	300w/150w	600w/150w
CCAS Output  (LF/HF)	350w/175w	350w/175w	500w/175w
Recommended Crossover Freq.	700-800hz	700-800hz	700-800hz
Dimensions (W x H x D)	17"x12"x9"	22"x12"x12"	27"x12"x12"
Dimensions (W x H x D (with CCAS)	19"x12"x9"	22"x12"x12"	27"x12"x12"
Weight (Passive/Active)	30/45 lbs.	35/50 lbs.	40/55 lbs

AEX also has midfield (AX-2 series) and Mains (AX-5, 8 & 25.5/28.5 series).

Make sure to check out their new flagship model the AX-8.4.2 which was originally designed for John Powell's 8000 sq.ft. L.A. facility.

"This model includes the LF18 Bass Driver, our flagship low frequency driver, capable of handling over 2,000 watts. The AX-8.4.2 also contains 4 MB6 midbass drivers, (one on each side of 2 stacked HF1 high frequency drivers (allowing for an asymmetrical configuration). The total power handling capabilities of this monitor is an incredible 3,150 watts per channel. The AX-8.4.2 effortlessly provides remarkable world class sound (for cinema, multichannel, etc.) at high output levels with no fatigue. This model is a tri-amplified, active, full range monitor. Built and designed to be completely accurate and flat, the AX-8.4.2 will reproduce audio with extraordinary realism and clarity."

For more info visit http://www.aexlabs.com/