london school of sound
LSS Newsletter #18 - December 2008

yep, Christmas

And before you even start contemplating the idea that there isn't enough Christmas music and that you should release your own collection of festive songs (just the other we heard a dubstep Christmas track!) check this collection, including such titles as 'a Very Reggae Christmas', 'Cajun Christmas', 'a Mexican Christmas', 'Christmas Rhapsodies for Young Lovers', 'a New Age Christmas, 'O Santa Where Art Thou', and many many many other unforgettable classics.



And the winner is...

Congratulations to Mr. Adam Goodfellow for winning the Ableton Live competition that we hosted in collaboration with Digital Village and Focusrite/Novation (Ableton's UK Distributor).

Live Suite

Adam wins a copy of Ableton Live Suite, which includes the full version of Live 7 and every instrument ever created by Ableton, and a place on our next Ableton Live course.

For everyone else, there is more software+training to win. To enter those competitions follow these links:

 

Reason Premium Competition (deadline 19th of January)

Logic Studio Competition (deadline 16th of February)


We need your help. Please?

That's right, you could do us a big favour, just answering a few questions. What kind of questions? Why?

  • First, we want your opinion on some changes we could be making, regarding course times.

  • Second, a bit of marketing research, as we try to figure out how to compete against people that have much more money than we do to invest in advertising.

  • Last, another kind of market research. We'd like to go to software and equipment manufacturers and show them that it's a good idea to offer discounts to our students, because the chain effect of using and learning equipment during a course will translate in many more sales than what is immediately measurable. Well, that's the theory. So we'd like to find from you which equipment you have bought during and after your course, as a direct consequence of using it or talking to other students or teachers, and also whether you have been influencing other people in choosing what to buy.

Answer a few questions
for a chance to win:

  • 1 Novation V-Station software synth
  • 1 Korg Nano Pad midi controller
  • 10 LSS mugs
  • 5 LSS usb memory sticks (2Gb)

The deadline to enter the prize draw is th 10th of January,
but your answers, suggestions and any other comment
are welcome at all times.

The winners' names will be published on the next newsletter (which means that by entering this prize draw you agree that your name might be published here).

 

 

 


So here are the questions:

Most will only make sense for LSS students and ex-students, but we appreciate everyone's contribution (and everyone is entered in the prize draw).

You can copy the following text, put in in an email with subject 'XMAS' and reply below each question. Or whatever works for you. Thanks.

 

Section one

1) Would you prefer (or would you have preferred when you were on a course) two or three short lectures per week instead of one lecture per week that lasts six hours?

2) Would you prefer (or would you have preferred when you were on a course) instead one single lecture of three hours per week even if it means that the length of the course will be double?

3) Would it be (or would it have been) better for you to have lectures running just in the morning or just in the afternoon, or did you feel that starting at 12 is fine?

 

Section two – Please be as detailed as possible

4) What made you choose LSS (or what would make you choose LSS)?

5) Did you consider other schools or alternative options?

6) Did you find other schools better in any respect? (equipment, industry connections, printed brochure, free laptop....)

7) Was there anything in particular that made you decide against a certain school?

8) Which schools did you visit before making your decision?

9) Can you suggest any areas where LSS could have done better?

10) In which way the course at LSS has been useful to you?

11) Can we use some of the answers you gave in this section for our advertisement? (anonymous quote, we will not publish your name)

 

Section three - Please be as detailed as possible: 'equipment' means software, computers, speakers, instruments etc.

12) Which equipment have you bought immediately before and during your course at LSS? How much have you spent, roughly?

13) How much of this equipment was something that you didn't know before taking your course?

14) Which equipment have you bought and how much have you spent roughly, since leaving the school?

15) In which way your experience at LSS plays a part in what you buy today?

16) Have you changed your opinions (for better or for worse) about certain software or equipment after trying it at school?

17) Have you helped others in choosing what to buy? Could you make an estimate of how much money has been spent based on your advice?

18) Can we use your answers (without using your name!) in our communication to parts of the music industry?

Privacy Matters

As you should expect we are NOT going to pass personal details to anyone. For the questions about your spending you can choose to reply anonymously by filling the info request form online with some made-up contact details and entering your answers in the info request text-field. You will still need to send some answer by email though, if you want to take part in the prize draw that we have come up with to reward your efforts.

 

"I never win anything anyway"

No you don't, with that attitude.

If you think that entering prize-draws is a waste of time, let's be real: how many, among the selected few that read this newsletter, will actually bother to reply? Ah! Humane nature! The prize might be modest but the chances are high indeed.

Don't waste another minute, before you forget!

 


Christmas presents that won't brake the bank

A few ideas which we are sure your mother will appreciate

 

VOX AmplugVOX amp simulator, available in three model: Classic Rock, Metal, and AC30.

You have to try it to believe it. Less than £25.

 

StylophoneA real Stylophone, it doesn't get more retro than this. Admittedly you will get sick of it in a nanosecond, but imagine how cool it would be to perform a Stylophone-solo with the London Symphony Orchestra. The Stylophone costs £13, the LSO might be a little more expensive.

 

AKG 150A true condenser microphone, from AKG, for less than £50. We probably don't want to know how this can even be possible, but there you are. And never mind what your family and friend say, one can never have too many microphones.

 


"Best Leftfield Pop Album Of The Year" on BLEEP.COM for LSS lecturer

ToobWhen not teaching our Ableton Live 101 and 201 short courses, Jake Williams is one half of breakbeat duo Toob and they have just released a new single from the critically acclaimed album 'push me, pull you'. Visit their website to find more about Toob, download free DJ mixes and remixes and to get details of their next DJ sets on the 27th and 31st (the latter with the likes of Squarepusher, Radioactiveman, Heartbreak live, Jim Masters, and others). http://www.toob.org.uk/


 

If you have questions or comments email info@londonschoolofsound.co.uk

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