LSS Newsletter Issue #05 - May 2007

LSS News

Last month we promised you news on our Foundation and Diploma Certificates was imminent, so not wanting to disappoint we’ve made sure all the information you need is now available on the website.

Kicking off in September, existing and former LSS students should take a look at our new advanced modules to polish their skills, including:

• Structure, Form and Creativity
• Sound Engineering
• Sound Design and Synthesis
• Advanced Studio Techniques
• Advanced Mixing (evening course)

Remember, it’s always possible to mix and match so if you’ve seen something you like get in touch and we might be able to run it as a stand-alone course.

For full details on the new range of courses check out the website or email info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk.

It’s probably the most important part of any musician or producer's setup, so it’s a good idea to treat your hard drive with a bit of respect. But what happens if your drive suffers a terminal crash and loses all your work – or worse, someone helps themselves to your laptop after you’ve had one too many in the local pub? Check out the new article in our Resources section of the website for a few hints…

Competitions

Aside from being one of the best-value music shops around, Fopp has shown its generous side once more by announcing an award for unsigned bands. In conjunction with The PRS Foundation for New Music and Clear Sound & Vision, the award offers the winning band the chance to get their work recorded, mixed and mastered at a professional studio free of charge, with the final album distributed at all Fopp stores. Apply now at www.fopp.co.uk.  

Slightly off-topic, but since it involves a few of our favourite labels we thought it was worth a mention anyway! If your talents stretch to include film as well as music, the BBC Film Network are looking for aspiring videomakers to make original films inspired by new tracks from the likes of Warp Records, Ninja Tune and Domino. The winner gets to work with Warp Films and will receive up to £5,000 to make their film, which will be premiered at the BBC Electric Proms in October. You’ll have to be quick, though – entries have to be in by 1 June. Go to www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent for full details.

Noticeboard

Music on the Mac with the Roland Synthesizer – Apple Store Regent St. 29 May, 7pm
How-to session focusing on recording, editing and mixing your music. Luke Edwards from Roland UK will be on hand to demonstrate the SH-201 synthesizer, and of course there will be plenty of plugs for the good old Apple Mac.  

Guy Pratt: My bass and other animals – Millfield Theatre, 1 June 8pm
Having played bass for the likes of Pink Floyd, Madonna and Roxy Music, Guy Pratt has some tales to tell – quite literally. You can hear a few of them on Guy’s UK tour to celebrate the launch of his acclaimed book My Bass and Other Animals at the Millfield Theatre London, 1 June.  In the words of David Gilmour ‘Bass players are ten a penny but a good wit is hard to find, so we hired him.’ Go to www.guypratt.com for more tour dates.

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…

Traktor Scratch
Native Instruments has finally launched the pro version of its popular digital DJing solution, Traktor, but will it rival the mighty Serrato? Check out the credentials of Traktor Scratch and make up your own mind.

Get your bootleg on
Great forum for those needing a bit of publicity for their tunes. Post links to your own website or blog and spread the word – you can even get advice from other forum members along the way.

Global Grooving
If you need to kill some time, this scratching game from Global Groove should keep you occupied (well, for five minutes at least). It’s also a whole lot easier than the real thing…

The real House of Blues!
Showing impressive dedication to the cause, this couple from Georgia USA have actually built a house in the shape of an acoustic guitar. Check out the aerial shot here.