Hippies and classic rockers can load up on some of their favorite flashbacks with Wolfgang's Vault Presidents' day/Valentine's Day sale on all rock memorabilia. Posters, picts, and even coffee mugs of Grateful Dead, The Who, Zeppelin, and San Fran artists are all tossed in there from the golden days of Bill Graham Presents archives. Free shipping on orders over $50. Just enter coupon code CUPID at check out. Wolfgang's Vault
Batteries.com is so amped that they redesigned their site that they are knocking 20% off the price of everything until February 20th. Just enter coupon code NEWSITE09 at check out. If you're low on expendables for your studio or production sound rig, this may be the opportunity you're looking for. Otherwise, you can drag your rear to Costco in freezing weather like everybody else stocking up on toilet paper with their screaming kids. Go to Batteries.com
For the President's Day weekend, BSW is offering a 10% discount off any web order when you enter coupon code PRESIDENT. Tack on the Free shipping on any order over $99, you can get a pretty good deal on their b-stock, rebates, or other discounts. Go to BSW
Get a glass of Scotch, and undo your bow tie, and swagger around the bedroom in your heart boxers with this collection of love Songs from Dean Martin. Buy @ Amazon
MixCity is offering their KueIt sampling software for only $99. Basically, KueIt allows you to hold over 200 samples for instant access. This is cool software for DJs, theater sound designers, radio producers, or any group that likes to have a ton of samples on hand, but doesn't want to suck up key assigns on your synth. Buy @ KueIt
Here's an example how it works from this years NAMM:
Amazon has decided to help you get your freak on this Valentines weekend with selections from their Top 100 Romantic Albums of All Time
So here's the looooove selections:
- Marvin Gaye's Let's Get it On - Do you really need an explanation of why this is #1?
- Nat King Cole's Sings for Two in Love - Probably one of the smoothest voices ever. This is definitely your dinner music.
- Barry White's Barry White Sings For Someone You Love - There's some dance songs in here, but plenty of dirty beats to make your playlist for desert.
- Portishead's Dummy - Enough 'vinyl' effects to make a DJ blush, this album with "Sour Times" is apparently on here for those of you spending tomorrow with the Internet and a bottle of...OK, I won't go there.
- Aretha Franklin's I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (With Bonus Tracks) - Even without a giant gray bow on her head, the true Queen of Soul is your cocktail music to get him/her in a happy mood before dinner.
Amazon has the best deal on the great sounding and affordable M-Audio Studiophile AV 40's with free shipping. Check out the cnet review. Even the lowest price we found brought he price over $140 with shipping. Buy @ Amazon
Quickie specs:
Front End Audio has joined the review craze and is bribing you to save 10% off your next purchase by writing a review. Here's how it works:
"Once you have left the review just send an email to info@frontendaudio.com with the subject line "Product Review" and tell us what product you reviewed and your name. Once we have evaluated and approved the review we will email you back with your 10% checkout code."
Of course, to maximize that 10% hot the b-stock clearance items.
Get your Rockmore on with Moog. This is by by far the cheapest price we found on the Moog Etherwave. The added bonus is the free Synth Legends t-shirt. It's actually pretty nice (I got one a while back). The $30 mail in rebate expires 2/28/08. There are other places offering the rebate, but this was the least expensive base price plus the free nifty t-shirt made it the winner. Buy @ audioMIDI
Follow up album to that "Delilah" song. Released in September of '08. This review by A.V. club sums it up nicely: if you haven't charted yet, don't do it with a ballad if you're a punk band. Why yes... here is the option to Buy @ Amazon.
Yeah, it's only $5 cheaper that what everybody else is selling it for, but $5 is $5 in this economy. This is the new TASCAM portable recorder. It's more affordable and slimmer than the DR100. One of the key difference is that it doesn't have the super packed features of 4 mics and XLR inputs with phantom power.
But what you do get is a solid high quality portable recorder for recording ideas, jams, and sound effects in your back pack using the 1/8th inch (3.5 mm) input if your normal rig is too cumbersome to take everywhere. As the old the photography maxim goes: the best camera is the one you have with you. Same goes for recording sound. If your worried about what mics to stick in this, Sony's and AKG 1/8" (3.5 mm) mics have always worked well for me. Buy @ Amazon
Quickie Specs:
• Portable digital recorder
• Built-in stereo electret condenser microphone
• Records to SD or SD-HC card media
• 1GB SD card included
• USB 2.0 jack for transferring files
• 3.5mm stereo mic input
• 3.5mm stereo line input and output
• Switchable low cut filter, analog limiter and Auto Gain setting on input
• Writes WAV files at 44.1 or 48kHz, 16 or 24-bit
• MP3 file recording from 32kbps to 320 kbps
• Variable-speed Audition function slows down music without changing the pitch
• Powered by two AA batteries (included) or optional PS-P520 power adapter
• Dimensions: 2.2" W x 5.3" H x 1.1" H
• Weight: 4.4 oz (with batteries)
AKG WMS450 D5 wireless microphone system w/ free headphones and mic cable $529 @ Musicians Buy
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Most are selling this for $629 with the $100 rebate making the final price $529. However, Musician's Buy isn't offering the rebate, but just selling it for $529 plus FREE Yamaha RH2C Full Sized Headphones and Whirlwind 20' cable (yes, the irony of the free cable on the wireless system isn't lost on us, but you gotta connect the receiver the board somehow, right?) Buy @ Musician's Buy
Quickie Features:
- Leading-edge vocal performance with incredible economy of operation
- The widest frequency response and highest dynamic range
- Up to 8 hours of operation on a single AA battery
- The handheld transmitter has a slim, tapered chassis
- Rack-mounting hardware is included that allows one or two systems to be mounted in a single space
- Included: stand clamp for microphone, battery, rack-mount hardware and rugged carrying case
The guys with the flashy hem lets and killer synth beats put this album a while ago. While hard core fans are disappointed (what greatest hits platter isn't, right?) with the album, it's good for people like you and I who just want some of the cool synth effects on tracks like "One More Time" and the masterful sampling and editing of "Harder Better Faster Stronger". Buy @ Amazon
The late Alan R. Splet is considered to be one of the greatest film sound designers who ever recorded and cut tape. His name is included with the Big Three innovators of sound design, the other two being Ben Burtt and Walter Murch. He did the sound for most of David Lynch's 80's and 90's work, most famously Eraserhead and The Elephant Man. I really could go on forever about Splet and his wife Ann's work (she never really got the credit she deserved) because it truly is some of the most beautiful sound I have ever had the pleasure of hearing in a film.
Anyway, some wonderful person on Last FM Radio has made an entire station based off the works of Splet and Lynch and mixed in other ambient recordings and pieces with it. If you're familiar with Splet's style, you'll know that "ambient" means dark, gorgeous tones and spacious atmospheres. Some of the music wanes electronic (more like "Gothic", which is only one of the fan bases that enjoy Spletian sounds), but is worth checking out. This is great stuff to listen to in the dark or play under conference calls when it's your turn to report.
David Lynch & Alan R. Splet Radio @ Last FM
Here's a great clip of Andrew Bird on Letterman rocking and whistling "Fitz and the Dizzyspells" from his new album Noble Beast (Buy @ Amazon | Spin review). Whistling this well (purity of tone, no throat noise, etc) takes a lot of practice. The only other songs that come to mind that have whistling as an important part of the song is G N' R's "Patience" and Peter, Bjorn & John's "Young Folks".
American Music Supply is giving away a DigiTech RP1000 Multi-effects Guitar Pedal this month. Value ~$500. Enter @ American Musical Supply
Quickie Specs:
- 14 switches, six knobs, and an expression pedal
- Inputs for your MP3 player plus USB audio streaming for recording
- Effect switching system offers control over external & internal stompboxes and effects
- Exclusive Pedalboard Mode provides on/off and real-time control to any five RP1000 effects or parameters
- Amp/Cabinet Bypass defeats internal amplifiers and cabinets in all presets
- Built-in Phrase Looper
- Built-in expression pedal controls the RP1000's Whammy, wahs, volume, and other parameters
- Built-in chromatic Tuner
- 40 Tone and 40 Effects Libraries
- 200 presets (100 factory, 100 user)
- Over 160 effects including stompboxes, choruses, delays, amps and cabinets
- Up to 5 seconds of delay time
- 24-bit 44.1kHz sample rate
- Independent 1/4" Left and Right Outputs
- Independent XLR Left and Right Outputs with ground lift
- Amp / Mixer switch optimizes 1/4" outputs for amp or direct to mixer connections
- Stereo 1/8" headphone output
- Stereo 1/8" CD/MP3 Input
- Downloadable X-Edit Librarian Software
- 2 x 2 USB audio streaming
- Power supply
Allen Heath is arguably one of the best sounding small format, affordable mixers out there. The PA-12 is designed specifically for live events with a PA system. Easy set up and a quick learning curve for worship, clubs, and other live events. Even though this PA-12 mixer is B-stock, it comes with a full manufacturer warranty and 45 day return period from Music123. Next lowest price was $699. Buy @ Music123
Quickie Specs:
- 8 mono channels with mic XLR and line TRS inputs
- Line input overrides the XLR input
- 2 stereo channel inputs
- Individual +48V phantom power switches are provided
- Line input goes to second stage for better matching and performance
- Switched 100Hz high pass filter
- 4 band EQ
- 4 aux channels
- Mute with LED
- PFL button with LED that functions as peak indicator
- 16-program digital FX processor provides reverbs, delays, chorus and others
Best price on a brand new RE20. Other prices start at over $400. Great all around, large dynamic cardioid mic, with high SPLs, for drums, vocals, pretty much anything. I've heard of people recording train by's with these and of course, if you have ever seen the inside of a radio station, this is what's in every booth. Buy @ PSSL
Quickie specs:
- Element- Dynamic
- Polar Pattern- Cardioid
- Impedance, Low-Z balanced- 150 Ohms
- Connector Type- 3-pin XLR
- Open Circuit Voltage- 1.5 mV/Pascal
- Case Material- Steel
Lily Allen goes the pop route on her latest It's Not me, It's You. Review of the album from Guardian UK. Buy @ Amazon
Kill off the plosives and spittle with this affordable pop filter from CAD. Free shipping makes this the best price going. There are cheaper, but the shipping takes it over $20. Buy @ Amazon
Amazon has the best price on this @ $25.99 + Free shipping.
OK, it's not a dehumidifier in the sense we are all used to: the mini-fridge little thing that we set to go off in our studios or storage areas when we're sleeping in. No, this little sucker is basically renewable silicon desiccant (moisture absorber). What's great about it is when the beads absorb the moisture, they actually change color as they get damp so you know when to dry it out. You simply plug it into an available wall socket to "recharge" it. It's 8" x 2.5" x 5.5" so it's small enough to stick in a shelf or a gear bag to keep things dry. A must have for gear bags on location or large storage boxes with sensitive gear. Buy @ Amazon
Abe's of Maine has the "add to cart" price of $669 plus free shipping for the much revered Blue Dragonfly. Next lowest price new is $719. This mic won the 2001 TEC Award and an Electronic Musician's 2001 Editor's Choice award. Most uses for this mic are drum overheads, other recommendations are for brass instruments, natural sounding vox, and, of course, electric guitars. Buy @ Abe's of Maine
Quickie Specs:
- Type of Transducer: Pressure gradient
- Directional Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20,000 Hz
- Rated source impedance: 50 ohms
- Sensitivity: 20mV/Pa
- Signal to noise ratio: 69db (related to 1 PA at 1khz) Max. Sound Pressure Level for 0.5% THD: 132db
- Power Requirements: 48 volt phantom (DIN 45596, IEC8 15)
- Shock mount included
Last night I had Twittered an off comment about Auto-Tune because I was having a hard time with vocals, and would rather spend this evening recording piano parts and working on other arrangements than redoing some vox.
So, like a man who whispers to his empty pockets, "I'd do anything to be rich", I felt the temptation of Auto-Tune. Well, now that Time magazine has put out a three page article on Auto-Tune, I'm not sure if I want to be as cliche as T-Pain (AutoTune abuser), Diddy, Kanye, or Price. Yes, Prince:
"When Kanye West was looking for an effect to match some heartbroken lyrics, he flew T-Pain to Hawaii to see how many ways they could tweak Auto-Tune. Diddy gave a percentage of his upcoming album's profits to T-Pain in exchange for some lessons. Even Prince is rumored to be experimenting with Auto-Tune on his new record."
So Auto-Tune 2000's versions Talk Box/Vocoder in Pop music, which is the equivalent of the "Pan Flute" keyboard setting on a New Age record. Spiffy. At least we'll know what SkyNet's voice will sound like when it takes over.
Until February 15th, 2009, when you buy a Cascade Fat Head II large diaphragm ribbon mic, you also get a a Cascade tech bag, their premium pop filter, and the Cascade Inspector II Cable Tester FREE. This is in addition to the what the mic comes with: Suspension shock mount, micro-fiber cleaning cloth, micro-fiber bag, thick pouch, Price: $225. Buy @ Cascade Microphones.
Quickie specs:
After bashing on the Grammys, what better way to follow up than posting Grammy Award winner Duffy with her Deluxe EP featuring the smash hit single "Mercy". Buy @ Amazon
Why, yes - yes they did. However, I have to say the album Raising Sand was pretty good. But being a bigger Radiohead fan, it would have nice to see them get a big award besides "Best Alt Album" and another "Best Packaging" award. Simply put, the safe acts won again. Even Natalie Cole won a Grammy for ANOTHER cover album called Still Unforgettable.
According to Tom Derby's blog, there is a secret society of old, pony-tailed men and corporate executives who are more in the business of selling the Grammy's (NARAS) than actually rewarding new forms of music or artists taking daring risks.
I gotta agree. NARAS awards the accessible, status-quo music that radio stations love to play (and get paid for) and can easy sell more musician's similar to the Grammy Award winners. (Who wants to hear Radiohead or Lil' Wayne win best Album and then actually have to listen for the message and question why they were even nominated or "don't get it?") Truth is, and Tom Derby points this out too, they toss in more daring, urban acts to get people to a) watch the show for the performances b) seem like they aren't a bunch of old guys who will give Steely Dan an award if they put out an album of burping and farting.
While a little off topic and to wrap this up: many in the music industry and general public like to blame the lack of talent and Auto-Tune for the degradation of quality music. I would also like to point an additional finger not at technology, but our aging rock stars and musician's. How may more times (da-da--dada-dah-duh-da-duh-da) are we going to see duets albums and "collaborations" of musician's covering their own songs or another "Great American Songbook"? While Kraus and Plants Raising Sand is a great album with a different take, it's still pretty much a cover album (Plant only has one writing credit for Please Read the Letter" along with Jimmy Page, Michale Lee, and Charlie Jones)...and it is safe, heartland approved, and will sell 1,000,000 more copies while Lil' Wayne considers how to make a cover album of folk covers.
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