Mon, 27 February 2006
 Mike opens the show with an interesting web site detailing the huge collection of music memorabilia contained in the recent sale of the estate of Bill Graham:
Mike's old band, Mt. Rushmore, is featured in the site here:
The Stupid Knob: The Electronic Frontier Foundation and ARS Technica reports on a latest statement (and possible filing?) by the RIAA that basically says it's illegal to rip your own CDs to your own iPod (or other portable player). They went even further and stated that it's illegal to make a backup copy of CDs you own.Here's one of the most interesting parts of the RIAA's take on this (emphasis ours): "Myriad online downloading services are available and offer varying types of digital rights management alternatives. For example, the Apple FairPlay technology allows users to make a limited number of copies for personal use. Presumably, consumers concerned with the ability to make back up copies would choose to purchase music from a service that allowed such copying.Thanks for nothing!  This week we Interview Mike Lenke, trumpet player extraordinaire. Mike has performed and recorded with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, B.B. King and Ray Charles. Mike shares highlights from his career thus far as well as his experiences and insights on recording horns in the studio. After some cajoling by Big Al, he even gives up some tips on realistically emulating horns with a sampler. Mike will be making another appearance on an upcoming show as he is also part of the Cabo Project. Answer To Last Week's Trivia Question: Q: Who played keyboards on Stevie Nicks' song Stand Back under the alias Alexander Nevermind? A: Prince! This week we received correct answers from four listeners! Congratulations and props to Mike Schettler from Shortler Studios, Grae Smart, Corrinne Haskins and Jimmy James Page! This Week's Trivia Question: Q: What was the first number one record in history to be created, start to finish, completely within a hard disk system? (No outboard gear, outboard consoles, etc.) Double Bonus Points Question: Q: Who was the multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning mixer/engineer that was responsible for this historic mix? See you next week! Tags: music recording studio riaa grammy stevie nicks ray charles alexander nevermind mt rushmore |
Sun, 19 February 2006
Mike opens the show with a fantastic resource located here: In this unique and comprehensive music production web site, you may watch over 100 leading record producers talking on camera about their work and take 80 exclusive behind the scenes video tours around some of the world's top recording studios. The Stupid Knob: Mike shares a short story demonstrating one of the most unique iPod accessories we've every heard of. Kids, don't try this at home!  Spotlight:PSN correspondent and 5-time Emmy winner John Davidson is back for Part #2 of the series The Tech And Art Of Surround Mixing. This week John discusses the proper method for calibrating your listening space. Gear Review: Big Al reviews Trilogy, a virtual bass instrument from Eric Persing at Spectrasonics.
If you're not a bass player, you always run across the need to lay down a quality bass track, often with some kind of sampler.  Trilogy is a Virtual Bass Module plug-in, 3 gigabyte core library with a powerful, yet easy to use interface and synth engine for manipulating the sounds. Windows and Mac, VST, AU and RTAS.
Several audio examples are presented demonstrating the True Staccato feature that is the power behind the stunning realism of this plugin. Big Al's Review Recommendation: It's the best in class and is going to be hard to beat any time soon, short of hiring a real session bassist. He gives Spectrasonics Trilogy 5 out of 5 VU meters!  Answer To Last Week's Trivia Question: Q: In 1968, Iron Butterfly released the classic 17-minute long In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is actually a corrupted version of the song's original name. What was it?  A: In The Garden Of EdenThis week we received two correct answers from listeners! Congratulations and props to Grae Smart and Ronnie Marler, host of the Virtual Song Cast Podcast. Extra background facts:
This Week's Trivia Question: Q: Who played keyboards on Stevie Nicks' song Stand Back under the alias Alexander Nevermind? E-mail us your answer! See you next week! Tags: music recording studio emmy spectrasonics eric persing plugins iron butterfly bass guitar stevie nicks surround sound |
Tue, 14 February 2006
Mike opens the show with a great online resource located at:  Viewer Mail:Lane Sumner contacted us to share one of killer tips on getting good guitar tone in the studio. It involves recording direct using a Line 6 Pod while having a live amp in the room at the same time. The kicker is that there's no mic on the amp, or any other connection for that matter! This is indeed a KILLER TIP! Celebrity Interview: This week's interview is with Mike Bolan himself. This is Part #2 of the Cabo Project, which follows the life of a song from its composition through its final mastering. Revenge Of The Mariachis! This week, mariachi-style trumpets are added by world-class horn player Mike Lenke. He's a true recording professional and unsung hero of the music biz. He started his career in the military and then later toured with Ringling Brothers Circus, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson. For three and a half years he was also an integral part of the very last Ray Charles tour. Here's a link to download the entire song with all of the trumpet parts: Download Christmas In Cabo with trumpets Feature Story:This is the first feature of our new PSN Correspondent and 5-time Emmy winner, Mr. John Davidson. This is Part #1 in his series, The Tech And Art Of Surround Mixing. This week John details the appropriate hardware setup for monitoring surround sound both in the studio and as a home user. Answer To Last Week's Trivia Question: Q: Who was the famous keyboard player (who had his own 1983 top forty hit at #23) brought in to enhance Foreigner's sound on the very popular Foreigner 4 album? A: Thomas Dolby Q: Double Bonus Points Question: What was his own top forty hit? A: She Blinded Me With Science This Week's Trivia Question: Q: In 1968, Iron Butterfly released the classic 17-minute long In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is actually a corrupted version of the song's original name. What was it? E-mail us your answer! See you next week! Tags: music recording studio emmy guitar trumpet plugins iron butterfly cabo thomas dolby surround sound |
Wed, 8 February 2006
Mike opens this week's show with details on the upcoming ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO. Click here for more details.
Gear Review:  Al points out that Paul McCartney will be performing live for the first time on the Grammy Awards. Next, an update on Mac Intel compatibility, including the new Logic 7.2 and M-AUDIO. Here's the link that was mentioned for further information:The Stupid Knob: A consumer sues Apple Computer for his hearing loss due to listening to his iPod too loud. Our Motto: "Why The Music Business Sucks" is considered along with a quote from Hunter S. Thompson to back us up.  Spotlight:Getting & Recording Great Guitar Tone - Part #2
Al's secret weapon for acoustic and clean electric guitar: The BBE 386 Acoustic Preamp. Now discontinued, it lives on through the magic of ebay, usually for under $200.00. Here's the links regarding this great little product and the BBE process itself: Gear Review #2 Native Instruments New Guitar Rig 2  Mike reviews this very exciting new plugin. Here's the link (download the free demo!):Answer To Last Week's Trivia Question: Q: What was the first #1 hit to have a playing time of more than four minutes? A: House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals - 1964 An interesting side note... The Animals did not write "The House of the Rising Sun." (If you look at the really small print on their 1966 album, The Best of the Animals, you'll find that it was only arranged by them.) According to Alan Lomax in his book Our Singing Country (1941), the melody of "The House of the Rising Run" is a traditional English ballad and the lyrics were written by Georgia Turner and Bert Martin (both from Kentucky). It was first recorded in the 1920s by black bluesman Texas Alexander and later covered by Leadbelly, Charlie Byrd, Roy Acuff, Woody Guthrie, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Tracy Chapman and Bob Dylan...just to name a few. This Week's Trivia Question: Q: Who was the famous keyboard player (who had his own 1983 top forty hit at #23) brought in to enhance Foreigner's sound on the very popular Foreigner 4 album? Double Bonus Points Question: What was this keyboard player's 1983 top forty hit? E-mail us your answers! See you next week! Tags: music recording studio bbe guitar plugins paul mccartney native instruments apple logic intel mac |
Where does Big Al go when he needs to look sharp? |
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