Pro Tools 9

Looking forward to the arrival of PT 9. A little nervous about the install but I'll be posting about it.

New video series on Epiphone.com

I've been a pretty lax blogger, but it's time to get serious about this site. I'm going to keep it light for this return, though, and post a link to my latest video for Epiphone.com, covering guitar sounds with a Les Paul Ultra II and Guitar Rig software. Check it out here!

Read my Review of the KRK ERGO in Electronic Musician

I was impressed with the ERGO, a nifty room correction system for home studios. I'm looking forward to checking out JBL's Control One and comparing them.

New Version of Logic Studio has arrived

I'll be installing it later this week. Look for a rundown of the latest features soon.

Logic Studio 9

I'm anxious to get my hands on the new version of Logic. The last version of Logic Pro had some nice enhancements, though I did feel like I was caught in between the traditional Logic approach and its new features. Some of the legacy features, especially in the Arrange window, seemed obsolete. (That said, longtime users all have their favorites, and you have to respect Apple for not taking away something that may be central to a veteran "Logician's" work routine.)

Anyway, I'm intrigued by the Varispeed feature. The question for pros is: is it a help? I can see arguments on both sides, but I won't form my own opinion until I take it for a spin. Stay tuned.

The New Edition of The Desktop Studio is now available!

The revised and updated edition of The Desktop Studio is out and I have to say I'm pretty excited about it. Like the first version, which came out back in 2003, it takes a overview of computer-based recording tools. The idea is to help new and intermediate users understand the main concepts of modern music creation and production (increasingly, this is one process).

In addition to getting as up-to-date-as possible with a book, this new edition includes expert tips from producers, artists, and business people, including Jack Freudenheim, from the critically acclaimed and cutting edge group 46 Bliss; award winning composer, producer and engineer Rich Tozzoli, and more.

And what about the changes that have happened since the book was published? That's what this blog is for. After a test run last spring, we're now ready to get posting with new mini reviews and techniques for a range of software and hardware.

So check us out, and write to me: let me know what you want to see. If you have something you'd like to share, send it along!

Peace, and may all your bytes be healthy.
Emile Menasché

Electronic Musician: Superior Drummer Review

Here's a link to my Electronic Musician review of Superior Drummer, which is one of the most comprehensive sampled drum packages on the market. Prior to receiving the product, I witnessed an interesting demonstration at BiCoastal Music in Ossining, NY, with Nir—who manned the kit when the samples were created—triggering the samples with an electronic kit.