July 1, 2007

Features

Inside Track: Mixing Guitar

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Kevin Becka

The words and go hand in hand. Along with a well-conceived and -played part, a well-crafted mix draws the listener in and sells the tune, whether it’s…

Front and Center

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Robert Hanson

One of the most crucial aspects of nearly any live performance is the lead singer. Seeking musical perfection, other bandmembers spend thousands on their…

Pushing the Limits of Native Processing

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Tony Nunes

Computers effortlessly handle most of the the basic demands in our lives without breaking a sweat. Yet when it comes to DSP-intensive audio apps, native…

The Unfamiliar P.A.

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Steve La Cerra

The scariest P.A. is the one you’ve never met before. Traveling with production is a very comfortable place: You always know what type of gear you’ll…

12th Annual Mix L.A. Open

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

The 12th Annual Mix L.A. Open was a rousing success as approximately 120 of the best and brightest in the audio industry played 18 holes in perfect weather…

Technology

Tools of the Trade

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

CORSAIR FLASH SURVIVOR If you thought that Flash drives were wimpy, think again. The Corsair USB 2 Flash Survivor (www.corsair.com) is water-resistant…

Field Test: Lectrosonics Venue Hybrid Wireless Receiver

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Steve La Cerra

Today’s pro wireless audio systems face tremendous demands. Along with interference sources such as radio and television increased RF traffic from consumer…

Field Test: Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 i/o Interface

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Jason Scott Alexander

The Focusrite Saffire 2-channel desktop I/O unit that was released in 2006 set the stage for a larger version with more muscle. It didn’t take the company…

Field Test: Klein + Hummel 0 110 D Studio Monitor

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Joe Hannigan

Klein + Hummel’s 0 110 D active monitors are a next-generation digital successor to the company’s 0 110 analog model. The new monitors sport analog inputs…

Field Test: Mojave MA-100 Tube Microphone

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Kevin Becka

Mojave Audio, which produces a line of condenser mics from David Royer, has released its second effort. A little brother to the large-diaphragm MA-200,…

Field Test: zplane vielklang Auto-Harmonization Plug-In

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Jim Aikin

For smaller studios and jingle producers on tight deadlines, getting a herd of backup vocalists together for a session can be a hassle. New German software…

Snapshot Product Reviews

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By George Petersen

AUDIX VX5 Handheld Vocal Mic Some 20 years after debuting the OM-1, its first professional vocal mic, Audix offers its latest entry, the VX5 handheld…

Power Tools: Roland VS-2480 Workstation

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Eric Mauriello

When I first ventured into the realm of recording and production, I began with the Roland VS-880EX, which I still use for live recordings. Eventually,…

Sound for Picture

Transforming Blockbuster Sound

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Blair Jackson

When it comes to mixing sound for blockbusters, the indisputable kings of Hollywood are Kevin O’Connell and Greg Russell. Their track record is staggering:…

Live Mix

All Access: The Decemberists

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Photos and Text by Steve Jennings

Indie faves The Decemberists have culled a loyal following, adding more radio play and sold-out concerts with the release of their third album, The Crane…

Regina Spektor

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Photos and Text by Steve Jennings

Regina Spektor’s solo tour (before heading out with her band this fall) kept the audience enthralled with her vocal and piano-playing prowess. Mix checked…

News

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

For Guillemots’ recent UK tour, Concert Sound supplied six XTA DP226s using AudioCore via a WISER wireless network, which took care of system control…

FixIt: Raphael “Raf” Alkins

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Monitor and FOH engineer Raphael Alkins has more than 25 years’ experience under his belt, with credits including The Grammys, Billboard Awards, MTV Video…

On the Road: Katie Malua

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Katie Melua Singer/songwriter Katie Melua is currently out on a summer European festival tour (including a performance at Live Earth in Hamburg) in support…

Now Playing: Skillet, Rush, John Butler Trio

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

Skillet FOH Engineer/Board: Jason Plahutnik/Yamaha PM5D Monitor Engineer/Board: Sean Geyer/Yamaha PM5D P.A./Amps: Electro-Voice X-Line Monitors: Westone…

House of Blues Opens in Dallas

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

The sound system for the new Dallas House of Blues features Electro-Voice XLC DVX line arrays, Electro-Voice P and CP Series amplifiers, Midas mixing…

Tour Profile: Bjork

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By David Weiss

Bjrk’s tour in support of her new album, Volta, is a highly advanced achievement of sound and vision immersion that leaves the packed house of jaded New…

Tour Profile: Joss Stone

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Sarah Jones

Joss Stone is touring in support of her third album, Introducing Joss Stone, which she has described as finally communicating who I am as an artist. And…

Tour Profile: Stevie Nicks

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Candace Horgan

It is, as front-of-house engineer Dave Morgan says, One of the most unique instruments: Everybody knows it’s Stevie Nicks singing as soon as you hear…

New Sound Reinforcement Products

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

KV2 AUDIO VHD SYSTEM The full VHD system from KV2 (dist. by American Music & Sound, www.AmericanMusicAndSound.com) is now available. The flagship VHD…

Recording Notes

Michael Brecker

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Blair Jackson

When saxophone great Michael Brecker died of leukemia at the age of 57 this past January, the music world lost one of its most versatile, prolific and…

Avril Lavigne

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Heather Johnson

Among the in-crowd of young, female pop singers that includes Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and later, Jessica’s sibling Ashlee…

Classic Tracks: The Ventures’ “Walk Don’t Run”

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Gary Eskow

Buckle up, because this month we’re taking the Wayback Machine out for a real spin all the way back to 1960. JFK became president that year, proclaiming,…

Coast to Coast

L.A. Grapevine

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Bud Scoppa

One of L.A.’s most respected producers, engineers and mixers and one of the busiest Jim Scott has built his rep off of crisp, live-off-the-floor sounds…

Nashville Skyline

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Rick Clark

Since the mid-’90s, Jim DeMain has been the go-to mastering guy in Nashville for many artists and bands. His extensive credits include Michael McDonald,…

New York Metro

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By David Weiss

Actors aren’t the only ones whose dreams are ensnared in New York City’s renowned theater scene. There’s also a distinctive phalanx of audio enthusiasts…

Randy Kohrs’ Slack-Key Studio

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Barbara Schultz

Randy Kohrs (www.myspace.com/slackkeystudio) has played guitar and other string instruments with many of Nashville’s finest (including Dolly Parton, Randy…

Professor of Soul

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Compiled by Barbara Schultz

Guitarist/producer Jerry Stucker submitted this photo taken during mixing sessions for a new CD by artist Professor RJ Ross and The University of Soul…

Alamo Sessions

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Compiled by Barbara Schultz

George Coyne’s Parrot Tracks studio has provided a combo of analog and digital recording services since 1980. Coyne recently took his gear to the historic…

Hubbard in the Zone

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Compiled by Barbara Schultz

Roots artist Ray Wylie Hubbard’s bluesy Snake Farm album, recorded in Mike Morgan’s Zone Studios, features some big names by Americana standards. The…

Track Sheet

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, Compiled by Barbara Schultz

NORTHEAST Neil Dorfsman mixed the Rolling Stones’ upcoming live DVD release in Avatar Studios’ (NYC) Studio G with producer Joshua Zeman and assistant…

Project Studio

Maurice Gainen Productions

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Matt Gallagher

It’s safe to say that most coffee drinkers are familiar with Starbucks’ ever-expanding catalog of Hear Music CDs. Many of these releases are thematic…

Tech’s Files

Summer D.I.Y. Fun

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Eddie Ciletti

In July, nothing beats the radiant glow of vacuum tubes and that reminder to discharge the power supply before poking around! This month, I’ve got three…

AudioNext

Plunging Into the Vortex

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Alexander Brandon

Surround sound. If you’re into next-gen audio, then you need to get hip to multichannel audio. Forty percent of game consoles are hooked to surround systems,…

From the Editor

Live Sound—New Style

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By George Petersen, Executive Editor

It’s often been said that live sound is slow to change one of the most conservative industries around. This is partly true in the sense that SR pros are…

Feedback

Letters to Mix

Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM

IT’S ABOUT TIME God bless you and your staff for the article on hearing loss. I used to love to record, getting the sound just right, then I got the T’…