ROLI launches BLOCKS, an affordable LEGO-like music creation system for everyone, at Apple Stores around the world

London (November 1, 2016) - ROLI, the music technology innovator, today launches BLOCKS, the most accessible and scalable music creation system ever made.

  

ROLI BLOCKS is a modular music studio that opens up the world of music-making to everyone. Each individual Block offers unique capabilities that let people create music in simple but far-reaching ways. The Blocks connect together to create customizable kits that suit any budget, skill level, and musical style. With a click of magnetic connectors, music-makers can now build their instruments as they go.

 

The Lightpad Block

 

Renowned artists including Grimes, Steve Aoki, and RZA are already making music on BLOCKS and creating signature soundpacks for BLOCKS musicians. Grimes - a composer, producer, and global superstar whose sound is redefining pop music - said, "ROLI BLOCKS will democratize music production. It's so intuitive and versatile. I'm always on the go, and BLOCKS is the most powerful mobile production tool I've ever used."

 

Three Blocks launch today. The Lightpad Block features a tactile, glowing surface that lets people shape music through presses, glides, and other natural gestures. The Live Block and Loop Block have controls that make it even easier to perform and produce in real time. BLOCKS is powered by NOISE, a free music app for iPhone and iPad that is now available at the App Store. NOISE connects to BLOCKS wirelessly over Bluetooth, becoming the system's sound engine as well as a standalone app.

 

Roland Lamb, founder and CEO of ROLI, and inventor of BLOCKS, said, "Many areas of life have been transformed by the digital. Music, though, remains a universal language that everyone understands, but only a few can speak. BLOCKS will change that, and enable people around the world to experience the joy of music-making for the first time."

 

The Lightpad Block, Live Block, and Loop Block are exclusively available at ROLI.com, Apple.com, and Apple Stores around the world. With a Lightpad Block retailing at $179 (£169.95) and the Live Block and Loop Block at $79 (£69.95), BLOCKS is extraordinarily affordable as well as powerful.

 

ROLI celebrates today with an event at the Steel Yard in London. Roland Lamb's keynote address and the world's first BLOCKS performance will be live-streamed on ROLI's Facebook page at 1800 GMT on November 1.

 

The launch caps an important year for ROLI, which has emerged as a leader in music technology innovation. The award-winning Seaboard RISE, a reinvention of the piano that has redefined the expressive capability of electronic instruments, has been adopted by a range of artists from Stevie Wonder to Meghan Trainor. ROLI acquired FXpansion, a London-based maker of audio software and virtual instruments, in September 2016.

 

Visit ROLI.com and watch BLOCKS films to see and hear how this modular music studio will give everyone a musical voice.

 

Make music anywhere with BLOCKS

 

 

The Lightpad Block connected to the Loop Block

Now shipping: IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor - high-end sound without the high-end price

iLoud Micro Monitor - the ultra-compact reference studio monitors that give musicians, producers and engineers ultra-accurate linear frequency response, best-in-class bass and the smallest footprint making them ideal for mixing and mastering everywhere

October 27, 2016 - IK Multimedia is pleased to announce that iLoud® Micro Monitor, the smallest active studio reference monitoring system in the world, is now available and shipping worldwide. With an ultra-linear frequency response, best-in-class bass (down to 55Hz @ -3db), the smallest footprint and incredibly detailed sound, iLoud Micro Monitor is the perfect reference monitoring system for tight studio spaces that delivers high-end sound without the high-end price.

With iLoud Micro Monitor, musicians, producers, video editors and sound designers now have a way to critically listen to their music and audio no matter where they're working - in a bedroom studio space, hotel room, tour bus, a larger studio as a second set of monitors, or just streaming music and listening at home.

Powerful detailed sound
iLoud Micro Monitor delivers amazingly detailed, clear and accurate audio in a compact, efficient and portable enclosure. They are able to do this in conjunction with the DSP-controlled frequency response, ultra-accurate and time aligned crossover and smart design - the drivers are powered by four ultra-efficient class D power amplifiers that push out a combined 50W RMS of power. Each speaker sports a 3/4" silk dome tweeter, a 3" custom composite material performance woofer and a large flaring front-firing bass reflex port. iLoud Micro Monitor's sound is characterized by pleasing high frequencies, an exceptionally "open" detailed midrange and a solid, controlled low end.

Total DSP control
iLoud Micro Monitor provides a flat and linear speaker response in any listening environment thanks to its on-board 56-bit digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP handles the frequency and phase response of the monitors and also manages the dynamic range so that the drivers are always under control. The DSP also acts as a digital crossover allowing for invisibly smooth transitions between the drivers themselves. This DSP can be adjusted to suit different listening environments thanks to three EQ switches: One for treble, one for bass and a DESKTOP toggle that lets users optimize iLoud Micro Monitor for use in either a free field or desktop setup. iLoud Micro Monitor can be positioned on a desktop at two angles of inclination with their dual-position isolation bases, or in free-field positioning on standard microphone stands thanks to their integrated threaded mic stand mounts (UNC 3/8"-16 thread).

The "Super-nearfield" monitoring system
iLoud Micro Monitor is designed so that the sweet spot is at the ideal location when users are creating, producing, mixing or listening to music. And because the sweet spot is closer to the speakers, users are able to monitor the audio without the unwanted effect of room reflections that can color the sound, thus presenting the most accurate sound in a small space.

Input options iLoud Micro Monitor accepts both RCA (cable included) and 1/8" wired connections and can also be paired for Bluetooth streaming with all Bluetooth audio streaming-enabled devices. The bottom line iLoud Micro Monitor delivers stunningly accurate and detailed sound for mixing in any space - from cramped bedrooms to large studios - without the compromises in sonic quality normally associated with small and budget monitors. Simply put, iLoud Micro Monitor's sound is so good that it's nearly inconceivable for a speaker system of this size and at this price point.

Pricing and availability
iLoud Micro Monitor is now available and shipping from music and electronics retailers worldwide, and from the IK online store for only $/€299.99 per pair (excluding taxes).

For more information, please visit www.iloudmm.com

Aerosmith’s Co-Founding Member & Lead Guitarist Joe Perry to Receive Les Paul Award at 32nd Annual NAMM TEC Awards

 

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer to Perform at Ceremony Also Honoring

Band’s Famed Producer, Jack Douglas, Saturday, January 21

Carlsbad, Calif. (October 27, 2016) – As part of its 32^nd Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (NAMM TEC Awards), The NAMM Foundation has announced that rocker Joe Perry will receive the prestigious Les Paul Award. The annual award is given on behalf of the Les Paul Foundation and honors individuals that have set the highest standards of excellence in the creative application of recording technology  in the spirit of the famed audio pioneer, inventor and musician, Les Paul. The award will be presented at a January 21^st ceremony being held in Anaheim, CA as part of The 2017 NAMM Show. Perry, who was included in Rolling Stone’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” is also scheduled to perform live before an audience of pro audio and sound production inventors, musicians and industry friends.

"Anytime my name is mentioned in the same sentence as Les Paul, it’s a huge honor,” says Perry. “Getting an award bearing his name is the icing on the cake."

A long-standing co-founding member of a group whose music repertoire spans four decades, Perry’s versatile musicianship and influence has helped pave the way

for a long list of accolades that reach beyond the band’s more than 150 million albums sold. In the role of principal songwriter, lead guitarist, and as producer for multiple tracks featured on several notable Aerosmith albums, Perry’s talent has helped contribute to the super group’s four Grammy® Awards, (one of which includes Perry’s guitar-based instrumental “Boogie Man”); six Billboard Music Awards; twelve MTV Video Awards; and two People’s Choice Awards, to name a few.

"Joe Perry was a friend of Les Paul's and is undoubtedly one of the most innovative and talented musicians of our time,” says Michael K. Braunstein, Executive Director, Les Paul Foundation. “His ability to push boundaries of the electric guitar with his signature sound and deft playing ability embodies the true spirit of what Les Paul and the award given in his name stands for. The Les Paul Award has been presented at the NAMM TEC Awards to remarkably-distinguished and accomplished individuals from the music industry, including such luminaries as Sir Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townsend, Slash and last year's recipient, Don Was. The Les Paul Foundation could not be more thrilled to be adding Joe Perry to this amazing list."

Hollywood also became a part of Perry’s musical resume when his familiar riffs were heard on the band’s hit song “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (from the soundtrack to “Armageddon”), which received an Oscar® nomination for Best Song. Among many other TV and film projects, Perry also composed the theme song for the “Spiderman” animated TV series and provided the instrumental music for “This Thing of Ours,” starring James Caan. Watch for news related to his upcoming sixth solo album and learn more about Joe Perry here.

 

Along with Perry, famed Aerosmith engineer and producer Jack Douglas, will be inducted into the NAMM TEC Hall of Fame, which was created nearly thirty years ago to honor pioneers of audio technology, as well as the music industry’s most accomplished producers and audio technicians. Douglas is associated with many of the band’s most iconic releases and affectionately dubbed "the sixth member" of Aerosmith for having contributed lyrics to several tracks released from the band. He also engineered and produced many multi-platinum Aerosmith albums including Toys in the Attic and Rocks, both of which ranked among Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” Douglas rose to prominence when the Record Plant Studio opened its doors and eventually engineered John Lennon’s Imagine and the Who’s Who’s Next EP.

The NAMM TEC Awards celebrate the pro audio community by recognizing the individuals, companies and technical innovations behind today’s sound recordings, live sound, films, television, and video games.

Outstanding Technical Achievement and Outstanding Creative Achievement nominees were announced earlier for the Saturday, January 21 event. Tickets can be purchased on site or in advance here for $50 (General Admission) or $175 (VIP). The show will be hosted by comedian Sinbad and will be available via a live event web stream during The NAMM Show.

Native Instruments releases free TRAKTOR PRO 2.11.0 update

Berlin, October 12, 2016 – Native Instruments yesterday released TRAKTOR PRO 2.11.0, a free update that brings new features, more third-party hardware support, and fixes. After the stability updates in TRAKTOR PRO 2.10.3, this release adds new tools for creativity.

TRAKTOR PRO 2.11.0 now features Ableton Link integration, making syncing TRAKTOR with other supported audio apps much easier. Whether it’s an iOS app, a desktop DAW like Ableton or other Link-enabled DJ software such as TRAKTOR or Serato DJ, users will be able to keep everything in time, either on a single computer, or multi-user over WiFI or an Ethernet cable.

TRAKTOR also introduces a new Step Sequencer for Remix Decks, which allows users DJs to create rhythms on-the-fly across 4 rows of one-shot samples. Multiple TRAKTOR decks can be used for the Step Sequencer. Users can change samples and add effects/swing/filters to enhance your DJ sets. The Step Sequencer works out-of-the-box and on-screen with the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 and D2, and as a user MIDI mapping for the TRAKTOR KONTROL F1. All Step Sequencer functions are also MIDI-mappable.

Pioneer DJ CDJ-2000NXS2 multi-players now have HID support. View track information on the CDJ screen, use the built-in audio interface, and access all the important TRAKTOR PRO 2 deck features from your controls. The DJM-900NXS2 club mixer is now TRAKTOR SCRATCH Certified (TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 software and timecode required). The mixer’s dual audio interfaces facilitates seamless changeovers.

Allen & Heath’s newly-released XONE:PX5 4+1 channel club mixer also has TRAKTOR SCRATCH Certification.

Included with the free update are five bonus Remix Sets for use with the Step Sequencer. The custom-tailored audio content delivers classic drum machine sounds and percussion samples to add texture to DJ mixes.

TRAKTOR PRO 2.11.0 is available as a free update via the Native Instruments Service Center for existing users.

Additional information on TRAKTOR is available at:
www.native-instruments.com/traktor

Astro Raph releases Wolf Pack EP

Astro Raph's "Wolf Pack EP" is released!

Austin Powers Alan Parsons’ Recording Project

Santa Cruz, Calif. Dateline October 24th 2016: Legendary engineer, producer, artist, and educator Alan Parsons continues his Master Class Training Sessions at Orb Studios in Austin, November 15^th with powerful local rock singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Casey McPherson as the recording artist.

The Austin master class is the lastest of similar events held at Abbey Road, London, The Village in Los Angeles, Studio At The Palms in Las Vegas and Ocean Way in Nashville, where attendees pick up tips, tricks and insights into recording by actually getting to make a record with the multi-platinum producer and engineer.

Artist Casey McPherson came to prominence fronting the prog rock supergroup Flying Colors, alongside Steve Morse, Mike Portnoy and Dave LaRue. McPherson also runs his own alternative rock band Alpha Rev, whose debut album produced by GrammyWinner David Kahne achieved chart success in 2011.

The Austin masterclass looks at a range of classic rock instrumentation and techniques with guitars (Zak Loy and Wes Ardis), bass (Robin Mordecai),  Hammond, Rhodes and vocals but also ventures into less traveled waters at the hands of drummer and master percussionist Tabber Miller who’ll also be employing Wavedrum and several tribal percussion instruments.  The session will also feature violin from Brian Batch.

Attendees will be part of the whole day’s work from micing the live tracking session to instrumental overdubs, vocal recording, processing, to an initial mix that will be provided to attendees at the end.

In late-breaking news, Alan is now offering the chance for attendees also going to his concert at the Paramount Theater in Austin on November 17^th to come to the soundcheck and hear a brief talk from himself and Alan Parsons Live Project F.O.H. engineer, Ross Pallone.

Full details of the Master Class Training Sessions and contest are at www.artandscienceofsound.com/mcts/austin

"It’s About Time!” TEDxWomen Presents TEDxCanonDriveWomen Hits Beverly Hills, CA

 

Saban Theater - Beverly Hills, CA - In celebration of inspiring female creators and influential change-makers across the globe, TEDxWomen is pleased to announce TEDxCanonDriveWomen: “It’s About Time” - a one day event taking place in Beverly Hills Saturday October 29th 8:30am - 6:30pm.  The conference will feature profound female leaders who will transcend a broad spectrum of relevant topics and share their experiences to spark deep discussions. TEDxCanonDriveWomen is just one piece of the exciting International TEDx event series that will encompass 270 cities across the world each year.

Covering themes such as Healing with Alternative Medicine, Technology,Equality, Social Justice, Women as Industry Leaders, and more, the 2016 Beverly Hills installment of the worldwide TEDx series will host an incredible panel of distinguished speakers. Experts in their respective fields, the curated group of groundbreaking women set to appear at the conference will fully engage guests to form a collective of trust and knowledge while enlightening those gathered in attendance.

Alongside a few expected surprise honorary guests, the panelists set to appear at TEDxCanonDriveWomen: It’s About Timewill include Academy Award winning Producer Cathy Schulman, Editor + Academy and Emmy Nominee Maryann Brandon, Actress, Writer, and Producer Yareli Arizmendi, Beverly Hills Chief of Police Sandra Spagnoli, Creative Activist Katy Eldon, Professor of Medicine at UCLA Bevra Hahn, Two-Time Emmy nominee Branda Strong, Author and Business Woman Mallika Chopra, Esq, MBA, MS - Whistleblower Attorney Natalie Khawam, Actress and Director Joely Fisher, Intel’s Senior Director of Design Strategy Anjali Shastri, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, and Comedian + Social Media Influencer Nicole Arbour.

TEDWomen brings together a global community of women and men interested in exploring how change begins: with innovative thinkers who catalyze ideas toward action.  Over the past few years TEDWomen and TEDxWomen have launched some powerful ideas into the world, inciting a global conversation from San Francisco to São Paulo to Seoul — celebrating movers and makers; designers and doers; local problem-solvers and global leaders.

Want to join the conversation? Check out this It’s About Time video to hear what a few of the featured speakers and people around the world think it's time for!  Post your own video on Twitter using the hashtag #itsabouttimetedxwomen or by clicking the “+” button in the video player to upload directly.  Don't forget to share the video on social media and inspire others to join by voting, uploading clips, and passing it on. ​Share YOUR “It's About Time” story!

For more information about TEDxCanonDriveWomen, visit TEDxWomen website. To attend the event on October 29th in Beverly Hills, click here to purchase tickets

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