Use coupon code JAN09 to save an extra 10% off any order purchased through the Internets until midnight tomorrow.

BSW

Sure, I could have been been content greedy and broke this up into two different posts, but this Motown double punch would knock the beads right off Stevie Wonder's head.

First, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Motown Records is offering the amazing box set The Complete Motown #1's over 10 CDs including a 100 page booklet. The packaging alone trumps pretty much anything Rhino ever put out and if you're not into collecting the Motown era box sets and just want the biggest hits, this your chance to save literally hundreds of Benjamins out of Berry Gordy's pants.

Second, Motown is providing regular podcasts looking back with Motown producers and performers. So far, as expected, the first (and only so far) podcast is of Smokey Robinson who seems to attend every single Motown event except anywhere the Funk Brothers may be.

Here's a great interview with Seattle's Fleet Foxes with three songs recorded live by Steve Lillywhite. The show includes interviews with the band and Steve Lillywhite himself.

If you're really into harmony singing, acoustic guitars, and roomy ambiances, this band is for you. Lead singer Robin Pecknold's voice is probably the greatest thing to grace popular music since Amy Winehouse's (let's hope she gets better so she and Mark Ronson gives us more music).

NPR

Next lowest price was $398.

Eventide gets into the stomp box biz with this great sounding piece of gear. Check out demo 1 or demo 2 of the ModFactor box courtesy of ToneFactor.com.

Quickie specs via audioMIDI's site:

• 10 Stereo or Mono Modulation effects:
  • - Phaser
  • - Flanger
  • - Chorus
  • - PolyMod
  • - TremoloPan
  • - Undulator
  • - Vibrato
  • - Q-Wah
  • - ModFilter
  • - RingMod
• Studio quality sound
• Instant Program change
• Real-time control with 10 knobs, MIDI or expression pedal
• Tap Tempo and MIDI Clock Sync
• 27 User Presets, unlimited through MIDI
• True Analog Bypass
• Rugged cast metal construction
• Metal footswitches for instant Preset access
• Mono or Stereo operation
• Guitar or Line Level Inputs and Outputs

The next lowest price we found on this guitar is $599. Beautiful, comfortable, with lots of sustain for sweet feedback solos if you like playing to your amp.

Quickie specs:

• Free shipping
• Mahogany body
• Quilted maple top
• 5-piece thru neck with Prestige finishing
• Gibraltar III bridge
• String thru body
• Graduated string post heights

It's said that Sid Vicious invented the snarl that was ripped off by Billy Idol and on. Amazon

For you production sound folks, here is a great deal on the Rode 10' Mini Boom Pole. It's lightweight (aluminum) and extends to 10'. While not the sweet graphite models, always good to have a spare or a good start for beginners to buff up those shoulder muscles.

Quickie specs:

• Lightweight aluminium construction
• New ultra smooth extension and retraction system
• Easy to use locking mechanism
• Precision balanced
• Extends from 0.84m (33") to 3m (10')

This promo is available both online and in stores this weekend only. It seems there are differences between the online exclusions and the in-store exclusions (listed in the fine print of the link). Of course they have some crazy two hour window for crazy prices, call or walk in to get them etc etc.

Guitar Center's Red Carpet Sale

The RIAA possibility planted the best idea ever into the heads of the people that hate them by thinking an upcoming file sharing trial will be edited against them if it is to be webcast. TG Daily reports:


"They are nervous that re-runs of the trial will be subject to editing and manipulation by individuals skilled with such technology...The RIAA feels the defendant could potentially present the video in a way which damages the RIAA and promotes the defendant."


Last time I checked, there was a hot looking librarian type of lady on stenograph to validate the accuracy of these things. And she reads back what is said, and then gives me a slow, exaggerated wink. Also, why can't they just bring in their own dang video tape? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the RIAA: suing the elderly, dead people, and your cat since 1998.

The next lowest price we found on this maple top guitar from Gibson was $899, so save ~$50 or more depending on where you shop.

Quickie specs:

• Cherry burst color
• Free shipping
  
• Carved maple top with faded finish, mahogany back and neck
  
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Tune-o-matic/stopbar
• Chrome hardware
• 490R Alnico magnet humbucker
• 498T Alnico magnet humbucker
• 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch controls
• Black speed knobs
• Tulip tuners

Since we're a sound and gear blog, we only really care about Sound Editing and Mixing Oscars. despite what Mike Myer's has to say about the Sound Department. Oh yes, I carry that grudge like a cross. In return, sweet sweet Karma struck hard with the Love Guru.

Achievement in Sound Editing

• The Dark Knight - Richard King
• Iron Man - Christopher Boyes, Frank E. Eulner
• Slumdog Millionaire - Tom Sayers
• WALL-E - Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood
• Wanted - Wylie Stateman

Achievement in Sound Mixing

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten
• The Dark Knight - Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, Ed Novick
• Slumdog Millionaire - Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty
• WALL-E - Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt
• Wanted - Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt

You can get $50 off the TC Electronics Desktop Konnekt 6 for a grand total of $209.97 at Sweetwater including Free Shipping. To get the $50, you have to submit a mail in rebate.

The Konneckt 6 is an ultra-compact FireWire audio interface with a single pre-amp and outputting to monitors. It's not for multi-tracking as much as recording ideas or your laptop.

The quickie specs:

• Mic preamp with 48v phantom power
  
• High-resolution meter
  
• M40 Studio Reverb powered by AlgoFlex™
  
• Direct monitor control with input/DAW control
  
• Headphone out with separate level control and separate source
  
• Input configuration: mic + instr/instr+instr/stereo line
  
• True Hi-Z guitar inputs known from TC's high-end guitar processors
  
• Balanced stereo outputs
  
• TC NEAR™ compatible: works with all other Konnekt products
  
• VST/AU compatible
• Low-latency drivers for Mac and PC, WDM, ASIO and CoreAudio
  
• Cubase LE included
  
• 24-bit/192 kHz sampling rate

STP/Velvet Revolver front man's latest solo effort. 3.5 starts out of 5 at Rolling Stone. Amazon

The New York Times had what was probably one of the most in depth interviews I have ever read on a producer. Beyond the fact that it's a massive 10 pages long (far beyond any recording mag I have veer seen), it covers not just recording technique but his history and the current status of the music industry from a producer's point of view. A must read.

New York Times

Get 15% off musical equipment accessories at Woodwind & Brasswind when you enter coupon code JANACC at check out. Items include band camp type accessories, cases, reeds, and pretty much all the little things to keep your instrument going.

Woodwind & Brasswind

These First Aid kits are actually pretty cool to just have handy as a desperation back up if your guitar goes nasty in the van or keep in the house from the studio. Better yet, stock up for neat-o gifts next year.

While they main difference between the two is the types of strings included, here are the basic features:

• Electronic chromatic tuner
• Care and repair DVD
• Musical terms book
• Instrument cable
• Guitar strings (steel wire wrapped)
• Lightweight capo
• Picks
• Cleaning cloth
• Metal case

Here is a great two part series on on-set etiquette from Rick Patton of Trew Audio. It covers how a responsible sound technician on a movie set should behave from an equipment and personality point of view.

Set Etiquette and the Chain of Command - Part I
Set Etiquette and the Chain of Command - Part 2

As someone who spent a some time as a boom op and mixer, I have to say these articles are dead on and, even if you're seasoned, you may not realize that some of the things you are doing are bad form. Also, these articles are good just for the sound people, but what other staff should expect from your audio team and would be worth printing out and handing to any guy or gal that maybe joining your sound department just as the Open Letter from Your Sound Department which made its rounds some years back (which Glen Trew help co author with Randy Thom, John Coffey, Jeff Wexler and other film sound heavy weights).

All are required reading.

Amazing, consistent album from one of Motown's Greatest. Amazon

Free yourself up to run amuck and gyrate with wild abandon! When you purchase a one of the AKG wireless mics below (prices after rebate), you can receive $100 cash back via mail in rebate until March 31, 2009. Gigasonic

AKG WMS 450 Guitar Set - $399.00
AKG WMS 450 Headworn Set - $499.00
AKG WMS 450 Presenter Set - $449.00
AKG WMS 450 Vocal Set C 5 - $529.00
AKG WMS 450 Vocal Set D 5 - $429.00

The next lo weest price we found on this great little mixer by Soundcraft is ~$386 and going up to ~$410 from BSW's direct competitors. Compact and legendary Soundcraft quality, this lil' fella is perfect for quickie recording or monitoring set ups. BSW


Quickie Specs:

• 8+2 channel
• 24 bit Lexicon digital effects processor w/ 32 FX settings
• Tap Tempo and FX setting store function
• 1 FX send on each channel
• 1 configurable auxiliary bus
• XLR-type and 1/4" metal jack connector sockets
• RCA phono stereo playback inputs and record outputs
• 3-band EQ with a swept mid on mono inputs
• 3-band EQ on stereo inputs
• TRS insert sockets and inserts on all mono inputs
• 10-segment LED output metering
• Headphone output

From now till January 31st, 2009, when you buy one IK Multimedia product you can get a second one FREE! This offer can save you up to $500 but is limited to what you actually purchase by the category set by IK Multimedia's rebate form.

Sweetwater

Alanis Morissette's "Flavors Of Entanglement" $1.99 @ Amazon today! Techno, soul, alt - albums is all over the place. http://is.gd/gspR