Reason 7 – Product Presentation
Last week we had a visit from Ryan Harlin – hes the guy behind Propellerheads Music Making Month and also puts together the ongoing video content for Propellerheads. He showed us around the new features in the just released Reason 7, including (finally) the introduction of MIDI, some neat mixer functions – Spectrum EQ, bussing and parallel processing, plus the new audio processing module – Audiomatic.
Arturia Minibrute vs Korg MS-20 Mini | Part 1: Oscillator Face-off
It’s a budget monophonic synthesizer smackdown: How does the new Korg MS-20 Mini compare against the Arturia Minibrute? A veiny arm takes you through the oscillators of these beasts to see just how similar / different they are.
Sample Logic Thunder Springs review
Checking out the brand new thunder tube and spring drum inspired library from Sample Logic. This is a new cinematic/sound design instrument that has tons of ambience, arps, percussion, transitions, and more. Requires the full version of Kontakt to use it.
Sonic TALK 317- Mac Pronytail
This week we can’t avoid talking of the new Mac Pro preview from WWDC and iTunes Radio, then a quick look at Buzz Aldrin and Thomas Dolby, Zynaptiq UNFILTER and a new software for identifying tunes in three notes.
Composer Robert Duncan – Pensado’s Place #118
Two-time Emmy-award-nominated TV and Film composer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Unit, Butterfly on a Wheel and Into the Blue 2: The Reef) Robert Duncan joins Dave and Herb on the 118th episode of Pensado’s Place!
Keyboard Shortcuts You Need To Know – Into The Lair #78
Simple yet effective keyboard shortcuts are the secret time saver for all great engineers! Learn how to add these shortcuts to your repertoire and save time while working!
SonicTalk 316 – Wack and Woo
Rich Hilton from Chic and Nile Rodger’s studio and I discuss Audio Damage Mangleverb, Harmann Neuron VST, Beatles Hey Jude and the change in studio usage, Bob Paquette’s mic museum on The Tube Test podcast leads to a genera, discussion about mics and recording. Whack and Woo is Richs tips on recording toms – but thats in the audio version.
The Music of Star Trek Into Darkness
| Movie Studio | Sound Studio | Director | Original Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount Studios | Skywalker Sound | J.J. Abrams | Michael Giacchino |
In this exclusive SoundWorks Collection profile we talk with the Music Conductor and Orchestrator Tim Simonec on the 20th Century Fox Newman Scoring stage for Director J.J. Abram’s new film Star Trek Into Darkness.
Synopsis
For years, Tim Simonec has been one of the busiest orchestrators in Hollywood. He has orchestrated and conducted over 70 feature films and 25 television series. He has also composed the music for the feature film A Rumor of Angels and Anne Frank: The Whole Story, which won an Emmy for best mini-series.
He has worked with Graeme Revell since 1991 as his orchestrator and conductor.Some of their films together are Pineapple Express, Daredevil, The Negotiator, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. In 1996, he began working with composer Chris Tyng. Their projects together included kazaam, The Associate, and the TV series Futurama. Since 1997, Tim has been working with Michael Giacchino as his conductor and orchestrator/arranger. Over the years their projects have included video games such as Medal of Honor, Call of Duty; TV series, Alias, LOST, Fringe; and films, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, The Family Stone, Mission Impossible 3, Star Trek, UP, and most recently, Super 8, Cars 2, MI4: Ghost Protocol, and John Carter. For his arrangement of the end-titles of UP, Tim was nominated for a Grammy.
Tim was born and raised in Chicago…making him, to this day, a die-hard Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks fan. He began playing the organ and piano at age 8, and became the church organist at the ripe old age of 12! Despite his teen years at the keyboards, he chose to study theology in college. And while his intent was to become a minister, his love of music was a constant in his life. He arranged music for orchestra during college, and after graduation, Tim was hired to write a theme for a local television program. The moment he heard studio musicians play his composition, he realized his passion and career would be music.
Although Tim decided to pursue a career in film composition, ironically, he did so by writing the scores for 40 religious films. While recording music for a religious documentary in London in 1979, recording engineer Eric Tomlinson (Star Wars, Superman) was impressed with Tim’s composition and encouraged him to make the move to Los Angeles. Soon after arriving in LA, Tim was hired to compose music for Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Family Ties.
All was moving along well until March of 1984. After experiencing debilitating numbness in his hands and a painful, stiff neck, Tim was diagnosed with a tumor on his cervical spinal cord. The operation to remove the tumor resulted in Tim becoming a quadriplegic. He was told he would never walk again. After thousands of prayers, the support and love of the woman who became his wife, and great determination, Tim learned to walk again. In medical terms, he is that rare phenomenon, a walking quadriplegic. He also regained partial use of his hands and is able to conduct orchestras.
Tim’s days at the keyboard were over but he knew he could compose, hopefully with the newest technology…the Apple computer! In 1986, he returned to pursue his passion and career in film music, which he continues to this day. [SoundWorks]
Sound Credits
| Ben Burtt | Sound Designer |
| Ronni Brown | Foley Artist |
| Danny Caccavo | Digital Editorial Support |
| Tom Caton | Boom Operator: Splinter Unit |
| Dustin Cawood | Sound Effects Editor |
| Mark DeSimone | Adr Mixer |
| Peter J. Devlin | Production Sound Mixer |
| Sean England | Foley Artist |
| Will Files | Sound Designer |
| Will Files | Sound Re Recording Mixer |
| Ryan J. Frias | Digital Editorial Support |
| Pascal Garneau | Sound Effects Editor |
| Greg Junovich | Adr Mixer |
| Vedat Kiyici | Adr Mixer |
| Kyle D. Krajewski | Adr Recordist |
| Stuart McCowan | Adr Editor |
| Michael Miller | Adr Mixer |
| Andy Nelson | Sound Re Recording Mixer |
| Dan Randall | Foley Recordist |
| Brody Ratsoy | Adr Engineer |
| David Raymond | Boom Operator |
| Ric Schnupp | Adr Recordist |
| Clint Smith | Foley Recordist |
| Scott Solan | Utility Sound |
| Mike Tehrani | Adr Recordist |
| Paul Tirone | Adr Recordist |
| Bonnie Wild | Digital Editorial Support |
| David Wyman | Additional Sound Mixer |
Master Low End on Stereo Bass Tracks – Into The Lair #77
Dave Pensado shows you how you can get the best sounding low end from stereo bass tracks!
Get GIANT Synth Bass Tracks In Your Mixes – Into The Lair #76
Mix Engineer Dave Pensado shows you how to get giant synth bass sounds when mixing your tracks.
Producer and Engineer Al Schmitt – Pensado’s Place #117
22-time GRAMMY winning Engineer and Producer Al Schmitt joins Dave and Herb on the 117th episode of Pensado’s Place!
sonic TALK 315 – Finger Dirt
First we discuss running OS X on HP laptops, then deconstructed tracks with Point Blank London, what do you listen to for reference, the new Daft Punk album and finish on the article by Ed Eagan on whether we we pay enough for gear?
Biolabs: Light Space library for Camel Audio Alchemy review
Today I’m checking out a new ambient library for Camel Audio’s Alchemy called Biolabs: Light Space. It works with Alchemy as well as the free Alchemy Player.
Stereo Hi-Pass/Lo-Pass Filter Technique – Into The Lair #75
Dave Pensado shows one of his favorite stereo filtering effects using hi-pass and low-pass filters on the 75th Into The Lair!
TouchOSC Now Available For Android & Updated For iOS
Hexler has release a new version of TouchOSC, a customizable multi-touch music controller app, and it’s now available for both iOS and Android.
Here’s what’s new in version 1.9:
- Support for iPhone5
- Support for custom layout sizes
- Support for more MIDI message types (All controls now support Control Change, Note, Program Change, Poly Pressure, Channel Pressure and Pitch Bend messages)
- Added XY control MIDI mapping mode (Placing 2 or 3 fingers on the control will send only x or y messages)
- New iPhone5 layout: Automat5
- Fixed handling of UTF-8 encoded strings in both application and editor
- Fixed naming issues with virtual CoreMIDI connections (iOS)
- Removed support for MIDIMobilizer Mk I (Please use a CoreMIDI compatible accessory, i.e. MIDIMobilizer Mk II, instead)
Here’s what they have to say about the new Android support:
After much testing, hacking and cursing we?re rather confident this version will play nicely with most devices and existing layouts out there, and fully support the feature set offered by its iOS brother and the TouchOSC Editor/Bridge applications (minus some Apple specific features like CoreMIDI, that sadly have no Android equivalent). The definitive plan is to keep both versions as close to identical as possible from this point on.
As the attempt to fund the development (and the metric ton of testing devices) using a donation model was plainly unsuccessful, and the common response seemed to be “I’ll donate when it’s finished”, the app is being released as a new, paid application on the Google Play store and we?ll try to keep pricing (just as much as the feature set) identical across platforms. That being said, both versions will be reduced in price for a couple of days to celebrate, to say thank you for the continued support over the years and to apologize for the long wait!
Note: If you own an older iOS device, see the Hexler site prior to upgrading.
TouchOSC is available in the App Store and Google Play. [Synthtopia]
Sample Logic Cyclone synth library review
Checking out the new synth library from Sample Logic called Cyclone, it’s a library that combines samples, synthesis, and a new custom interface into one powerful instrument.
Producer, House DJ Morgan Page – Pensado’s Place #116
Producer and American progressive house and electro house DJ Morgan Page joins Dave and Herb on the 116th episode of Pensado’s Place!
How To Create Reverb Effects from Delays – Into The Lair #74
Tired of the same old reverbs? Dave Pensado shows you a cool trick to create interesting reverb effects with the help of some delay plug-ins and creative panning.
Keith McMillen Instruments’ QuNexus Controller Now Shipping
Keith McMillen Instruments has just announced that they have begun shipping their QuNexus Smart Sensor Keyboard Controller to customers around the world.
The QuNexus features KMI’s Smart Sensor technology which transmits pressure, tilt, polyphonic aftertouch, and velocity. QuNexus also supports CV, MIDI, USB, and OSC, for maximum flexibility.
“QuNexus is the most important evolution in keyboards since the Erard Escapement was introduced to pianos in 1821,” said KMI founder, Keith McMillen. “QuNexus gives keyboardists forms of expression that were only available to string and horn players. Although playful in appearance, it performs and feels like a serious instrument.”
QuNexus Details:
- 25 Smart Sensor keys detect velocity, pressure, and tilt
- Polyphonic pitch bend and aftertouch
- 2 CV/Gate inputs; Gate and 3 CV Outputs (16-bit)
- Pitch bend pad
- Octave up/down buttons provide a 7 octave range
- USB powered, receives power directly from iOS device or Mac/PC
- Class compliant for iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows and Linux, no drivers required
- Portable: 3.3″ (84 mm) x 12.8″ (325 mm) x 0.43″ (11 mm), 0.76 lb (345 g)
QuNexus has a suggested retail price of $149.00 US. Learn more about QuNexus at the KMI website.
Read Synthtopia’s recent Keith McMillen interview to learn more about the QuNexus and McMillen’s approach to instrument design. [Synthtopia]
Vocal Delay Effect Tricks and Tips – Into The Lair #73
Dave Pensado teaches you some new tricks to try to get great vintage analog delay effects for your tracks!
DJTONYTOUCH Countdown To “Return Of The 50 MC’s” (Ep.1)
DJ Tony Touch is giving us free history lessons before his new project drops on July 9th. He has officially announced that he is dropping a different webisode every day for 50 DAYS straight leading up the album entitled, “PieceMaker 3: 50 MC’s Reunion“. Get comfortable and watch over 20 years of content and footage that has never seen the light of day until now. The first episode jumps off with none other than the great Busta Rhymes. Check it out. [AlLindstrom]
macPro Video Maschine Virtuosity finger drumming course review
Today I’m doing a review on the finger drumming course by Jeremy Ellis put out by macPro Video called “Maschine Virtuosity”. One thing I must say is that even though he is using Maschine, this course will help anyone that wants to learn finger drumming on any type of controller or sampler.
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