LSS Newsletter Issue #03 - March 2007

OK – this is the bit where we usually add some fluffy niceties, but to be honest we’ve got enough to tell you about as it is this month so we’re just going to dive straight in. Comments, criticisms and questions to the usual email address…

New Courses

After much demand, we’ve introduced an evening format to our popular Music Production Level 1 certificate. The course is aimed at anyone looking to make music from home, developing basic production skills including synthesis, sampling, and sequencing on multiple platforms like Reason and Logic.
Taking place over two evenings a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) for 14 weeks, it’s one of the most comprehensive courses of its kind. The first course kicks off in May (the exact date will be published on the website in a few days), and places are limited to six students. Contact info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk for booking details.

For those of you that didn't attend last month's Mix Masterclass, we started our lecture by playing two mixes of the same track: one was made in a professional studio using equipment worth a few hundreds thousand pounds (we won't make names but you can imagine, all the usual suspects), the other mix was done in Logic using a humble iMac and a few plugins (usual suspects again). To everyone's surprise you couldn't tell the difference, and in the end most of the more experienced engineers actually thought the Logic mix was the expensive one.

Because of the success of the single-day Masterclass we have decided to run this as a longer evening course, to give the chance to a limited number of students to learn how to achieve these results through a complete hands-on approach. The course will run over 12 weeks and take place on Mondays between 6.45 to 9.45pm. Places are limited to five students and allotted on a first-come-first-served basis. For more info on booking, please contact info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk.

News

Getting a foot in the door of the music industry isn’t easy, and one of the first obstacles you’re likely to come up against is money – or lack of it. Fortunately, the BBC is on hand with its Fame Academy Bursary to help out. With awards of up to £20,000, it’s well worth a look. If you’re aged between 16 and 30 and have a passion for music, go to the official site here.

If you fancy whiling away a few hours in Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed. Produce the wining remix of Real World artists Joi, and you’ll get an exclusive day’s studio time in the world-famous ‘Big Room’ on the equally big 72-channel SSL 9000 XL K series console. You’ll also have a Real World engineer on hand throughout your session to point you in the right direction. Sound good? Head to www.realworldremixed.com to download the parts and get to work. All entries must be received by 25 April.

Noticeboard

Wanted: Live Sound Assistant
Live sound person needed for gigging London based rock band, Trail.

Two opportunities exist:
1. Paid (but temporary) work for someone with over two years proven live-sound experience.
2. Unpaid work experience for the right person to effectively become a member of the band. This would suit someone who really likes our sound and feels the songs have as much market potential as our existing investors do.

Please go to www.sellaband.com/trailmusic

To apply please email any MP3's (preferably live gig recordings but studio mixes are also accepted if you don’t have these) to: trailmusic@googlemail.com or call Charlie on 07866 425 606.

‘Sounds and Silents’, Birds Eye View Film Festival 2007– 8-14 March
This six-day festival showcases work from some of the best female filmmakers around the world, and includes a feature of specially commissioned soundtracks set to silent surrealist films from the early 20th century. Go to www.birds-eye-view.co.uk for more info.

Keyboardist Roger O’Donnell, Apple Store Regent Street – 20 March, 7pm
The latest instalment in Apple’s Made on a Mac showcase series sees The Cure keyboardist Roger O’Donnell creating visuals and loops on-the-fly using Final Cut and Logic while performing songs from his new album The Truth in Me.

Guitarists and the Mac, Apple Store Regent Street – 24 March, 2pm
If you’re wondering how to get you guitar and computer talking, head down to the Apple Store Regent Street for hands-on demos with GarageBand, Logic Express, and a host of the latest third-party hardware and software technology. Want a virtual orchestra? No problem…

Tim Arnold Showcase, The Union Chapel Islington – 30 March, 12.30pm
Tim Arnold and the Waits will be performing their unique blend of rock and classical at a special record company album showcase in Islington’s Union Chapel, 12.30pm on 30 March. Admission is free, and you can check out some of Tim’s work at myspace.com/timarnold.

Each month, we’ll bring you the best the web has to offer as far as the music industry goes – along with some irrelevant cyber tit-bits that brought a smile to our faces…

Reactable
No, this isn't your usual YouTube dross, it's actually one of the coolest things we've seen in ages. The official definition is a 'multi-user electro-acoustic music instrument with a tabletop tangible user interface', but that sounds far too boring. Check it out and you'll see what we mean…

AudioMastermind
As the name suggests, this is a pretty comprehensive collection of audio links relating to everything from licensing to sample libraries. Bookmark it now.

Ricci Adam's Music Theory
For those of you who thought quavers were just a make of crisps, this is as good a place as any to start teaching yourself a bit of music theory.

Remix mag
If you're bored at work, head to this online magazine filled with news, interviews and tips about electronic and urban music production.