April 2024

Welcome new and returning readers! Meet a Bulgarian producer who explores space, and an American artist in Paris goes on film. 

Visit father-and-son studio owners in the heart of NoHo and enter global collaboration in real time made easy. We've got releases, label promotions and networking dates for your calendar. We remain grateful to you, our valued creators, contributors and supporters.

Grab an espresso and enjoy this month's serving!

Bulgarian techno producer and DJ KiNK aka Strahil Velchev (right) is highly celebrated for his dynamic, spontaneous live performances during which he commands an army of analog synthesizers and controllers in real time. KiNK's repetitive loops and hypnotic dance music coupled with light and sound draws rave, art, and science fans alike.

KiNK has increased his touring schedule, and released well-received singles and EPs on labels like Undertones, Ovum Recordings, Sharivari Records, to name a few.

The Rave throwback Piano Power on Running Back demonstrates his vibe. His releases feature vocals by regular collaborator Rachel Row.

His collaboration with Christopher Bauder, a media artist working in the fields of light installation, produced the exhibit (right) for NOOR Riyadh Festival, Saudi Arabia in 2022.

Bauer's art explores shape of the "axion," a hypothetical elementary particle.

Scientists believe if axions exist, they might be a component of cold dark matter. The theory inspired a collaboration between composer KiNK and light artist, Bauder to explore the ultimate horizon: Outer Space! The result was an exhibit nicknamed Cobra in the Desert for Axion Whitevoid. Cosmologists today believe only a fraction of our universe is made up of stars, planets, and living organisms. The other 95% of the universe is dark matter and dark energy.

Having originally set out to create a space to mix their own sound, father and son, Steve and Shaun Fabos (right) decided to open a high-quality recording studio in North Hollywood for other passionate artists to express themselves.

Constantly evolving since its doors opened in 2016, FAB Factory Studios has managed to offer an environment tailored to inspire across multiple facets of creativity.  Dolby ATMOS Reference room is capable of mixing music and post-production at the highest level, for nearly every ATMOS Nearfield format including 9.1.4, 7.1.4, 5.1. Studio manager, Arshia took us through the Spanish-style courtyard which offers yet another relaxing and beautiful area to unwind. The studio caters for musicians, post production producers, pod casters, voice-over artists, and sound engineers. "You'd be surrounded by art and spaces that have been put together to inspire your creativity and to keep you comfortable," says Shaun Fabos. Read more here

Source Connects at East West!

Session Featuring Drummer Jake Reed in Studio One Surrounded by ATCs

Top: East West Studio 1 with drummer Jake Reed;

Right: Grammy-winner producers Brent Fischer and Dave Reitzas. 

photos: by the C

These days everyone is looking to record and collaborate with global artists. You're working with a dream guitar player in New York and star drummer in LA. Let's connect! Like-minded producers and engineers gather, when the topic of long-distance collaboration is presented.

A demonstration session for audio VIPS was hosted by Source-Connect featuring drummer Jake Reed (Katy Perry, Peanuts, and Bill Holman) on April 18 at East West Studio One. Reed who has a DMA from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, set up his drums to play in studio One's Iso booth. Guitar tracks came in from New York, and got assembled in real time. Among attendees (right) were Grammy-winners and producers Dave Reitzas (Josh Groban, Barbra Streisand) and Brent Fischer (D'Angelo, Elvis Costello, Usher).

Guests invited by manager Candace Stewart heard through ATC SCM25 Pro Mk2 monitors in East West's legendary Studio One control room and you could watch the software at work, projected on the big screen, in the main room.

It's not news that Source Connect has replaced ISDN as the studio standard for connecting studios and remote talent. Collaborating in real time with creatives has become much easier. But, watching the process, and hearing input from users was most helpful. It's free to try it for yourself here

l-r Above: Reception and Demo for Source-Connect at East West Studio One with VIP guests and mgr Candace Stewart.

Housed in 1920s Medinah Temple, the historic landmark studios, for almost six decades, The Village has recorded hundreds of legendary Grammy Award-winning albums and Academy Award-winning movie soundtracks. One of the studio's Grammy-winning, staff engineers, Alex Williams, used ATC 25s on the Jon Batiste We Are sessions, as well as the award-winning Odessa sessions. He also worked with Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Regina Spektor, Perry Farrell and many more. Noted Williams, “The quality of ATC’s design and construction is apparent upon opening the box. From recording to mixing, the ATCs perform flawlessly on rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, or orchestral. I know what I’m hearing is what I’m getting. I’m thrilled that The Village is outfitting three studios with the new ATC SCM25A Pro Mk2s.”

“Having The Village purchase three pairs of the ATC SCM25A Pro Mk2s for their main studios is an incredible validation of this product’s excellence. I can rant and rave about the unique performance of these monitors but in reality, this purchase by a studio of this caliber says it all. It’s amazing,” Concludes Brad Lunde, president and founder of TransAudio Group.

Jeff Greenberg, the current owner and CEO (top right with Snoop Dogg)

You could say jazz has a long shelf life. West Coast Jazz music comes alive in Catch The Groove - Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967 with the special edition that hit the shelves in late, 2023.

The first previously unreleased Cal Tjader tapes in almost 20 years on a 180-gram vinyl, this edition is transferred from the original tapes, reels, and mastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman. Tjader comes alongside quintets, pianists Clare Fischer, Lonnie Hewitt, and Al Zulaica, plus a stellar lineup of bassists, drummers, and percussionists.

The liner notes offer reflections from producer Feldman and composer/arranger and Grammy-winning producer Brent Fischer (son of Dr Clare Fischer), plus insights from DJ and music journalist Greg Casseus. Interviews with musical luminaries like Poncho Sánchez, Eddie Palmieri, Joe Locke, Gary Burton, Carl Burnett, and a heartfelt statement from Tjader's son and daughter Rob and Liz Tjader.

"I've had the good fortune of working with Charlie Puzzo, Jr., son of Penthouse founder, Charlie Puzzo, Sr., and the original recording engineer and radio host Jim Wilke, to produce this joyful collection of music for release," said producer Feldman.

The beautiful booklet features never-before-seen photos by Ray Avery and Fred Seligo.

A limited edition with only 2500 copies was issued on a 3-LP collector's delux package. The CD version was also available via producer Zev Feldman's Resonance/Jazz Detective label. Jazz Detective and Deep Digs are out of stock!

We found a few copies available at $100 at Elemental Music!

Watch an interview footage of this band here performing the favorite jazz standard, Morning by Clare Fischer.

Tyler Hubbard is singing and going Strong with 21 #1 singles on country radio, countless awards, and sold-out tours. Hubbard has already had a remarkable career as a songwriter and as one half of multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line. Hubbard’s debut solo album, aptly titled Tyler Hubbard, was released in January 2023 and has amassed more than 1 billion streams to date. It featured Hubbard’s hit debut solo single “5 Foot 9,” which hit #1 at Country Radio, was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA and has 548M global streams. It also featured Hubbard’s second #1 single, “Dancin’ In The Country,” which already has more than 380M global streams, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and marked his second #1 at Country Radio. 

Hubbard has made several television appearances as a solo artist, most recently at NBC’s TODAY Show, and also on the CMT Music Awards, Good Morning America and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Hubbard’s new radio single “Back Then Right Now” is out now, and it is the first of Hubbard’s album Strong, available on April 12 via EMI Nashville. The Georgia native is set to headline CMC Rocks in Australia this Spring, and he’ll support Kane Brown on his In The Air Tour throughout early 2024.

L-R Above: Engineer/mixer Al Schmitt, Producer Philippe Rault, engineer Ken Allardyce, John Carter, John Philip Shenale around Willy De Ville (seated front) April 1992, Ocean Way Studio B (during the Rodney King trial riots)! Below: Documentary Poster: Heaven Stood Still The Incarnations of Willy DeVIlle. Photos: Courtesy of Phillip Rault

Willy DeVille never cracked into the big time in North America. His multi-genre sound and eclectic interests made it hard for record companies to market him. His heroin addiction, came close to destroying both him and his career, until pancreatic cancer took his life at the age of 58. He wrote songs in the spirit of gritty urban romanticism a la Tom Waits. His sound mixed teen pop, rural blues, French cabaret and New Orleans rhythm and blues. As leader of Mink DeVille (1974-1986), his New York band, he was considered a rebel. In France DeVille took his band in a new direction and recorded an entirely original album called Le Chat Bleu. A star was born in Paris. Producer Phillip Rault reminds me of a session at Ocean Way Studios with Ken Allardyce (above) in studio B, assisting Al Schmit. Rault produced three of DeVill's Albums: Backstreets of Desire, Willy De Ville Live at The Bottom Line (NYC), The Olympia (Paris) and Big Easy Fantasy for the French label FNAC Music Records (the largest chain of record stores in that country, like Tower Records in the U.S. or The Virgin Stores in the U.K.).

Now one of the most original American singer/ songwriter of the last 50 years comes to life in Heaven Stood Still, a documentary directed and co-produced by Larry Locke and De Ville’s former sax player, Crispin Cioe, featuring Willy DeVille, Chris Frantz, Ben E. King, Jack Nitzsche, Hal Willner, John Philip Shenale and Peter Wolf. Locke collaborated with Willy’s widow, Nina De Ville (née Nina Lagerwall), to obtain all the music clearances for the film.

Rault of Bastille Productions, listed as associate producer, encouraged DeVille to come to LA and team up him with John Philip Shenale, an arranger who had worked with The Beach Boys and Tori Amos. Rault chose New York’s The Bottom Line and Paris’s Olympia Theatre as the two venues that would best capture DeVille’s magic in a live album: Backstreets Of Desire*.

Mark Knopfler produced the soundtrack for the film The Princess Bride, which included DeVille’s Oscar-nominated song, Storybook Love (performed on the 1987 Oscars telecast).

The Los Angeles film screening took place at the Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills on April 13. To tell the story, Locke assembled archival clips of DeVille's three-decade career, supported by testimony of his musical friends. Watch the trailer here

Below: L-r: Producer Phillip Rault, Willy de Ville's then wife Lisa De Ville, Yves Bigot, the head of FNAC Music Records, giving the artist two Gold Records, Paris, 1993

*"On the Backstreets of Desire album we had one hit all over Europe, Hey Joe, which I produced in Los Angeles with the Mariachi band “Los Camperos de Nati Cano.” Willy wanted to do a “rock” approach on that tune but, as so many such versions existed already (The Byrds, Love, Jimi Hendrix et…), I convinced him to come and listen to the mariachi band that was the backbone of the Mexican restaurant “La Fonda” near Mac Arthur Park, on Wilshire & Carondelet. That particular orchestra had already worked with Peter Asher on the Linda Ronstadt Spanish albums, Canciones de Mi Padres and Mas Canciones. Willy had always had a predilection for the Salsa, Puerto Rican and Mexican music," adds producer Phillip Rault.

"A week later we recorded Hey Joe at Track Records in North Hollywood with Al Schmitt re-mixing the track (and the whole album Backstreets of Desire) in Studio B at Ocean Way. It became a huge hit in France, Germany, Holland, Spain in the summer of 1992. Willy’s biggest record of his catalogue. Rhino Records also released also the album in America," adds Rault.

Starstruck Entertainment, the parent company of Starstruck Studios was founded in 1988 by Narvel Blackstock. Located on Music Row, Starstruck Studios is considered one of the top iconic Nashville recording facilities, and recently chose an ATC 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos configuration and paired it with their SSL System TS-500 console for their Dolby Atmos room.

"ATC 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos system is cited as the speaker system of choice for the growing number of multichannel immersive sound studios.

Manufactured and designed in the UK to the highest engineering standards, it was only natural ATC could develop this solid niche," says Brad Lunde of Trans Audio Group.

Invest in Good Speaker Stands. Why? While looks can be deceiving, you must have seen concrete blocks and other DIY configurations used in some project studios. Speaker stands may not be on top of your purchasing list, but this 19-minute video by Colt Capperrune @ColtCapperrune may change your mind. $20 block stands are compared with professional stands ranging from $140 Gators to $1,200 Sound Anchor stands. Can you guess which one performs the best? check it out here Adjust-ability is also important for Speakers. For optimum sound quality the speaker’s acoustical axis should be at approximately ear level for the most consistent and best sound.

Sound Anchor adjustable monitor stands allow you to adjust the position of the monitors (height, angle and tilt) so you can place the monitors where they need to be for the highest quality sound.

Sound Anchors and Redmount products are designed and manufactured in Palm Bay, Florida U.S.A. using American parts and skilled American labor. click here for Sound Anchor dealers in USA

ATC models:

SCM25As

SCM45As,

SCM50ASLs

SCM100ASLs

"ATC monitors are something you have to experience to really grasp how different they are from everything else. Lets just say that you can hear details you’ve never heard before, leading you to faster, more accurate decisions in your creative process," says Brad Lunde, President of Trans Audio Group

ABOUT TRANSAUDIO GROUP

TransAudio Group, founded by industry veteran Brad Lunde, has quickly become the premier U.S. importer/distributor and/or U.S. sales and marketing representative for high-end audio. Success hinges on TransAudio providing dealers and end users with a higher standard of product expertise and support far beyond the norm.

ATC SCM 25a pro mk2 has been upgraded with ATC’s hand made proprietary SH25-76S Dual Suspension Tweeter, extending the high-frequency response with a reduction in distortion. " Like the original SCM25A, the new upgraded Mk2 is a compact 3-way high-performance active studio monitor loudspeaker, based around the hand made proprietary ATC 3”/75mm soft mid-dome driver and 6.5”/164mm bass driver loaded in a 25-litre vented cabinet," adds Brad Lunde, President of Trans Audio Group. The monitor’s combination of exceptional mid-range clarity, high-output, extended bass response and modest size make it ideal for nearfield monitoring across a wide range of critical applications. ATC of England is the insider’s studio monitor, demanded by the very top level of the music recording community. ATC designs and manufactures nearly all their proprietary components, drivers, and electronics in-house to the absolute highest quality standards. The best of the best rely on ATC monitoring as their main solution for tracking, mixing and mastering. Models range from $5,000 to $50,000 per pair and all share a very similar sound. For larger rooms and midfield, applications check out the SEM45 with dual 6.5-inch drivers and the fantastic SEM150 with a 15-inch woofer and 350 Watts of power. Choose the size that works for your space. More info here

TransAudio Group, U.S. distributer of the finest professional recording equipment in the world, is pleased to announce the new ATC SCS70 Pro, a compact, ultra-high performance subwoofer using ATC’s first, in-house-designed and built sub driver.

Designed by Billy Woodman and his team of engineers, this new 12-inch sub driver delivers the kind of honest and detailed low-frequency information that professionals have come to expect from ATC.  “Subwoofers can be a source of distortion, making the mixing or mastering process a guessing game. Now an ATC system, complete with the one or two SCS70 subs, can deliver full bandwidth audio for any genre, enabling superior translation on any system it gets played on, from ear buds to home hi-fi to clubs and everything in-between. Other subwoofers rely on EQ and poorly implemented ports, transmission lines or passive radiators to boost low end and make their subs sound impressive," says Brad Lunde

USA List Price: $5,490.00 USA MAP: $4,990.00

Next AES Los Angeles meeting and workshop

features Bruce Millet of Desk Doctor . He will share his experience and expertise in console development and present new trends in digital and analog console design at the storied One on One Studios in Burbank.

AES LA's meetings take place last Tuesday of each month. Past topics were on hybrid and immersive audio in pro tools. These meetings and workshops are in-person and on zoom.

studioexpresso met up with mixer/engineer Lenise Bent, AES member and board of governor advisor, who says: "These meets provide members and non-members alike with education and networking opportunities."

Tue April 30, 7pm



One on One Recording Studio

5253 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA

Online Broadcast at: AES Facebook

sign up here at Eventbrite to attend in-person!

FISCHER JAZZ @ LACMA

5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Sat June 29, 5-8 pm

FREE-to-Public!

Latin Sounds at LACMA features world-renowned artists performing everything from Indigenous music to the latest sounds from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, and Los Angeles. Fischer West Coast sounds return to LACMA by popular demand on Saturday June 29, 5-8 pm with band leader, Grammy®-winning producer, arranger, and multi instrumentalist, Brent Fischer.

studioexpresso community is invited to 2024 Salsa picante Reunion & celebration!

studioexpresso and Trans Audio Group have featured many producers, and musicians over the past ten years of TEC Track's history at NAMM

Curt Bisquera (Sarah McLachlan, Elton John), Kenny Aronoff (Smashing Pumpkins, John Mellencamp, Sting), Greg Penny (Elton John, KD Lang), Rafa Sardina (Lady Gaga, John Legend), Niko Bolas (Neil Young, LeAnn Rimes), Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hedrix, Kiss), Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, Faith No More), Cheche Alara (Christina Aguilera), Kim Bullard (Elton John, Kelly Clarkson), Cristina Abaroa (Celine Dion, Enrique Iglasias), Brady Leffler (Hot Chelle Rae, Justin Beieber), Al Schmitt (Diana Krall, Paul McCartney), Alex Acuna (LA Phil, Beck), Teddy Campbell (American idol, The Tonight Show w Leno), Ellis Hall (Ray Charles, Tower of Power), Jacob Armen (Prince), Peter Asher (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt), Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Melody Gardot), Manny Marroquin (Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys), Dave Schiffman (Adele, Limp Bizkit), Gregg Field (Sinatra, Pharell), Sylvia Massy (Tool, Johnny Cash), CJ Vanston (Toto, spinal Tap), Dame Gail Dorsey (David Bowie, Gwen Stefani), Jenny Mason (The Mrs), Neal Pogue (Outkast, Andre 3000), Leland Sklar (Phil Collins, James Taylor), Moogie Canazio (Sergio Mendes, Sarah Vaughan), Daniel Seeff (KJazz, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz), James Torme, Zev Feldman of Resonance Records (Sarah Vaughan, Bill Evans, Nat King Cole), John Wooler of Mood Media (Flying Lotus, Elton John, Miles Davis), David Benoit, Matt Wong, Ryan Ulyate (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Ian Charbonneau (Mana, Neil Young, Jake Owen) and Grammy^®-winning Brent Fischer (Usher, Elvis Costello, Symphonic Prince).

The new Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer replicates that proven formula to bring the deeply-loved sound of the classic passive EQs to modern high-end workflows. Bettermaker makes recalling settings easy and reliable with unlimited memory via the associated DAW plug-in.

“The 100% analog signal path of the new Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer has all the heft and ethereal air of the vintage passive EQs that are so loved by engineers,” says Brad Lunde, founder and president of TransAudio Group, the U.S. distributor of all Bettermaker signal processors.

The Bettermaker Stereo Passive Equalizer is now available and shipping – and is priced at USA MAP $1999

The Bettermaker® Stereo Passive Equalizer (SPE) nominated @ TEC Award 2023

For those who seek outstanding EQ quality with the convenience of fast and precise recall and automation. The SPE offers a 100% analog signal path of legendary passive filters. All this with mastering grade sound and patented recall with the speed of a native plugin.

– 100% analog audio signal path

– USB connectivity with MAC/PC

– all parameters are digitally controlled by DAW (with dedicated plugin)

– stereo passive equalizer with extended hi-boost section (air bands: 20 and 28 kHz)

– adjustable output level (+/- 8dB)

Watch here 14-minute review - open your new box of a Bettermaker Stereo Passive EQ and hear its performance in the studio!

Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 Convenient, easy-to-use plug-in control and instant recall.

Marek Walaszek, Bettermaker’s inventor and founder, took the solid foundation of the original Mastering Limiter and made key improvements. “From Grammy-award winners, to top international recording artists, home and free-standing recording studios, the original Mastering Limiter is that piece of go-to gear that adds that particular dynamic edge and significant touch towards the end of the recording process.

The Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 has faster release time, a lowered noise floor and the same 100% analog signal path with the ease of digital plug-in control and recall. This one is a superstar product,” adds Brad Lunde, president, and founder of TransAudio Group

Watch Vlog review by DJ, Producer, Jon Sine of the new Bettermaker Mastering 2.0 here

The Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 is priced at $3,500 in USA and is now available for shipping.

"The Daking Mic Pre 4T, nominated for a TEC Award 2023, will elevate any recording offering unique solutions to common problems," say Brad Lunde (click top left image for a video presentation by Brad Lunde). The “low-distortion” Jensen input and output transformers offer more linear low-end performance under super dynamic conditions. Daking’s own variable high-pass filter dials out the low-frequency mud that can be subsonic and will decrease available headroom. Built in the USA, Daking uses only high-end parts like Jensen input and output transformers in a high-end design using all-discrete transistor Class A circuitry. Unusually high 24dB of headroom and easy to read twenty segment meters make proper gain staging easy and forgiving under a wider array of conditions.

Auratone Celebrates its 50th anniversary, Auratone and its US distributor, TransAudio Group, introduced the first-ever Active 5C, nominated for TEC Awards at NAMM 2023.

A careful R&D process has been implemented to maintain the original characteristics of the 5C, utilizing the same amplifier design from the NAMM TEC Award winning A2-30 amplifier.

“We were happy to get boutique Polish manufacturer Bettermaker together with Alex Jacobsen, owner, and grandson of founder Jack Wilson, for the perfectly matched A2-30 amplifier. Now, the two companies have collaborated to get a mono amplifier that contains the guts and soul of the A2-30 into each chassis for the active version,” says Brad Lunde, founder, and president of TransAudio Group.

The Auratone Active 5C is now shipping • MAP: $749/pair

Like the other 5C variants, the Auratone ACTIVE 5C is made in the USA.



Trans Audio Group -- The Recording Studio Equipment Experts. Call to order from their trusted brands:

A-Designs (USA), ATC Loudspeakers (UK), Auratone, Bettermaker, Daking Audio, Drawmer, Hakan, Latch Lake, Mojave Audio, Mutec, Pete's Place Audio, Sabra-Som, Subwoofer Pros, and Tube-Tech 

Questions- pricing, availability and dealer locations please email sales@transaudiogroup.com

There are lot of factors that affect how much money your streams are worth in royalties. Trouble is no one knows, how accurate the streaming count is on multiple platforms

Audoo has raised over $22 million since its launch in 2018. The company now includes CISAC president Björn Ulvaeus, Paul McCartney’s MPL Ventures, Edinv and others as investors. Audoo recently partnered with UK-based music rights management organizations PRS for Music and PPL to enhance the distribution of music royalties to more than 300,000 rights holders. Elton John and partner David Furnish invested $5 million. "Working as a musician can be seen as all glitz and glamour but for the vast majority of artists, especially new and emerging acts, this isn’t the case," said Elton John. "Right now, artists are not being paid accurately for their plays because the data simply doesn’t exist. People have given up on their dreams and we’ve lost talent and future stars because of this disparity. That’s why we’ve invested in Audoo and their world-class technology and data, to help create a more transparent system for everyone, and ultimately to keep the music alive," added John.

"Being able to draw on the support of artists in our mission to revolutionize the royalty space has been key to Audoo’s success. We are proud to welcome more icons to aid the next stage of our journey. With Elton and David’s strategic investment, we continue to champion and deliver a fairer and more transparent music industry for creatives to benefit for generations to come. We look forward to welcoming more international partners, licensees and creators to join us on this industry-changing journey," said Audoo founder and CEO Ryan Edwards.

How does it work? It is a small plug-in device ready to fit into a standard electrical socket, which securely monitors the music that premises (such as a bar, gym or shop) are playing, according to Edwards. Audoo aims to "revolutionize" the distribution of public performance royalties through the installation of smart listening devices, or Audio Meters, in venues and businesses. These devices automatically recognize music that's played in public, notifying collection societies and ensuring that artists and rights holders are compensated fairly.

Photos Above: l-r: The Recording Industry Golf honorary chair, Gavin Lurssen of Lurssen mastering (co-chair CJ Vanston) with Ivanna Manley. He won the Al & Ed Sprit Award.Below: DJ L3XI raising a studioexpresso cheer at hole 7, and Tina Morris, Paula Salvatore, Ian Charbonneau and Claris Dodge

Since 2015 Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament™ has served as the gathering place for LA recording industry. This year the honorary chairs Gavin Lurrson and CJ Vanston made sure everyone who attended was a winner! Participants had a good time, playing, sipping studioexpresso Martinis, and enjoyed the Traveling Tequila Cart sponsored by The Village Studios. This year again, no takers of the $10k hole in one prize (sponsored by organizer Karen Dunn), but, it was nice to meet Dj L3XI who stopped for a photo Opportunity and refreshments at studioexpresso hole lucky 7 where The Recording Project was serving Bloody Mary a la Charbonneau!

The spirit of giving back, support, and fun was well and alive on the green and in the poker lounge. Mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen received Al & Ed Award in memory of the tournament founders and industry legends, Al Schmitt and Ed Cherney.

The Recording Industry Golf & Poker Tournament took place at Sand Canyon Country Club, Santa Clarita on April 15. Until next year, keep up your game recording industry!

UMG Nashville has tapped publishing veteran Jake Gear as VP of A&R. Gear brings over 10 years of experience as a publisher, producer and writer manager to his new role.

The Iowa native graduated from Nashville’s Belmont University before beginning his career in the Music & Licensing department at CMT. He went on to hold publishing posts at Magic Mustang Music, Sea Gayle Music and BMG. Gear then launched creative publishing venture Hang Your Hat Music in 2020 with Concord and hitmaker Hillary Lindsey. He has also acted as writer manager for Lindsey, and produced albums for Flatland Cavalry, Ben Chapman, Harper O’Neill and Hailey Whitters.

Throughout his career, he has celebrated hit records with artists including Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen and Little Big Town, among others.

“Jake brings an unparalleled passion for nurturing artists, writers, and producers within the vibrant Nashville community,” says Chelsea Blythe, EVP of A&R, UMG Nashville. “With his keen ear to the ground and unwavering dedication, I’m excited for the creativity he brings to the department, and I know he’ll be a huge asset to our roster.” Gear can be reached at Jake.Gear@umusic.com.

TransAudio Group, the U.S. distributor of world-class audio recording gear, announces the

Drawmer 1977 – the company’s most versatile channel strip to date.

“For over 45 years, Drawmer has been on the forefront of creating and manufacturing beautiful sounding analog gear,” noted Brad Lunde, president, and founder of TransAudio Group. “With the Drawmer 1977, they combined the richness of analog sound with the functionally needed in today’s recording environments. The concept is legendary. The implementation is difficult. Yet somehow Ivor Drawmer and his team made it happen with the creation of the 1977 Channel Strip. I’m excited to bring this product to market. It’s going to meet the almost eternal quest to bring more of that ‘70s analog sound to today’s recordings.”

The Drawmer 1977 is priced at $1749 and is now available.

On July 26, Paris 2024 will offer an Opening Ceremony that is certain to join the most memorable moments in Olympic history.

The most streamed female Francophone artist, Aya Nakamura has become target in France's culture wars ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Should she sing songs of Edit Piaf?

The French President Macron doesn't see why not. The 28-year-old, as well as being Malian, is a French citizen, and a multiple-platinum-selling pop star who was brought up in the Parisian suburbs. Merci!

Meet Aya and decide if she has your vote!

Until next month,



To global collaborations, making history, and playing the game of life with art, and music. Stay creative and tell us about your new release, event, or reach out for music production support.

Stay well and in touch, until next month,

Music Lives and Moves!



Claris Sayadian-Dodge, founder/editor

claris@studioexpresso.com

Top: At Sand Canyon Country Club with l-r: Ian Charbonneau, Gavin Lurssen team, and yours truly.