LSS Newsletter Issue #09 - September 2007

LSS News

It’s the calm before the storm at LSS right now, as we prepare for September’s intake of diploma students to arrive. As ever, though, there’s still plenty going on so have a read and keep checking the website for more updates.

Whether you want to create a digital DJ set, work on a remix or create unique tracks on the fly, Ableton Live is happy to step into the breach. It’s the only solution that caters for every stage of the musical process, and it’s also incredibly fun to learn so there really is no excuse not to at least think about adding it to your production arsenal. And if you need a little boost to get the most from Live, our three-day course should give you all you need to keep both you and your audience entertained for hours. The next course runs on 13, 14 and 15 October, and you can find full details here.

We still have one spare place on our advanced mixing course, The Art & Science of Mixing; it's an evening class starting on Monday 1 October, so if you’re keen to learn the secrets of a good mix from a professional engineer and work on your tracks at the same time check out the course details at MP321: The Art and Science of Mixing. For info on booking contact info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk or call 020 7354 7337.

Demand for this September’s Music Production courses was extremely high, so if you’re thinking about signing up for the next intake we’d advise you to get in early. The Music Production 101 Essentials Certificate is due to start on 21 February and we have already started enrolment. To arrange a studio visit or enquire about registering, please contact info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk.

Full-time students starting later this month will be the first to appreciate our new practice room kitted out with iMacs, midi keyboards and a full range of production software to hone their skills on. Refurbishing is still in progress, but we’ll be posting pictures of the new setup on the website soon.

After whipping Logic users up into a frenzy of expectation by it’s lack of willingness to provide any details whatsoever on the long-awaited upgrade, Apple has slipped the new Logic Studio onto its website by the dead of night with not so much as a whisper announcing its arrival. LSS will of course be the first UK centre offering Apple Certified Training Courses on the new version, so keep checking the website for more details soon. In the meantime, get a sneak peak of what the new version’s all about by going to www.apple.com/logicstudio

The new version of the uber-popular software from Propellerheads is ready and will be in the shops in a matter of days. We have been playing with the beta version for a couple of months now and we can confirm it's more fun than it has ever been. The sequencer has been much improved, so there is no need to go on a different software to do your MIDI programming, and the new pattern-sequencer and synth are mind-blowing. Obviously we will have it installed on our machines and included in the Music Production course immediately, and you can expect week-end intensive courses in October or November (details to be announced on the website).

Bits and pieces

Digital DJs can find out all about the new software Torq, learning how to beatmatch, scratch and load effects under the expert guidance of DJ J-me. Head down to London's Apple Store on Regent Street, 24 September at 4pm for a taste of the action.

Don’t forget to book your tickets for this year’s Music Live event at the NEC Birmingham. There’ll be plenty of live acts, seminars, and even an Education Day for music students to attend sponsored by the likes of Apple. Tickets cost from £15, and you can get more details by going to the Music Live site.

This site will keep you happy for hours, with plenty of intelligently written articles, profiles and forums. Best of all, there’s a host of free samples, tracks and loops if you’re in need of inspiration. Go to www.analogik.com.

If you have a gig you want to promote, equipment for sale, or maybe you’re looking for collaborators, drop us a line at info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk and we’ll do our best to include your details in our newsletter.