Soundcraft and UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd are pleased to announce the Soundcraft Si Compact series has been selected in leading trade magazine Audio Media’s ‘Gear of the Year 2011′

“The Soundcraft mixing console range oozes quality and the Si Compact is no exception. Soundcraft has incorporated influences from Studer, Lexicon and several more of the Harman companies and produced a flexible, easy-to-use, solid piece of kit for the professional masses.”

The Si Compact packs powerful digital mixing facilities along with Lexicon effects into a small footprint console.

For more information please visit:
http://www.soundcraft.com/products/product.aspx?pid=180

In the following weeks Nord will be adding a bunch of classic sounds from some legendary synthesizers to the Nord Sample Library.
First out is the classic Oberheim OB-8, a 2 oscillator analogue polyphonic synth released in 1983. Only 3000 were made but it made its way to many popular songs including Prince’s 1999. Other famous OB-8 users include Depeche Mode, The Police, Trent Reznor (NIN), Thompson Twins, Rush, Simple Minds, KLF, Van Halen, Stevie Nicks and Future Sound of London.
Listen to sound demos in the player below and download the actual sounds here: http://bit.ly/nord-synth
Oberheim OB-8 by nordkeyboards
The Nord Sample Library is compatible with the Nord Stage 2, Nord Electro 3 and the Nord Wave.
Related links

• Nord Keyboards UK Facebook Page

In the first of a new video tutorial series entitled “Reason Sound Design”, Propellerhead Software’s product specialist Mattias Häggström Gerdt shows you how to great a gated delay combinator in Reason based on the patch “Echodile” from the Reason Factory Soundbank.

http://youtu.be/IqxBd1GJKPo

Reason’s modular rack and its Combinator device really does open up enormous creative possibilities for patch creation and sound design. This new Sound Design video series will show useful patches then break them down to show how Reason’s instrument and effect devices can be routed and combined. Once you’ve checked out the videos and got some patch ideas of your own you can submit your own patches to Propellerheads and in the following video they will take a look at some of the best. More information on this in the video itself!

Related links

• www.facebook.com/propellerheaduk
• www.propellerheads.se/reason

C3 carries out installation at popular Brighton venue

Popular independently-owned Brighton venue, The Haunt, has upgraded its technical infrastructure, transforming it into a dedicated live venue.

The technical team has opted for the versatility of a Soundcraft Vi1 digital console, purchased from dealers Crystal Pro Audio and installed by locally-based installation and hire company, C3 Productions. The Vi1, as with all Harman Professional brands, is distributed in the UK and ROI by Sound Technology Ltd.

Situated opposite Brighton Pier, the the converted cinema, with mezzanine and balcony, which operated mostly recently as the Kuku Club, wanted to extend its scope from pure playback facilities to a genuine 350-capacity circuit venue.

Run by John Crawley and John Castrillon, the experienced C3 Productions were one of several companies approached and their Operations Manager, George Ridal, confirmed that there had been no infrastructure previously. “It was purely used by DJs,” he said.

“We have a lot of experience with Soundcraft and wanted to offer the venue something superior to other mid-range, small format digital desks, with the Lexicon FX built in. It also needed to be a product aimed at visiting engineers and be something they would recognise.” Although The Haunt’s new management was offered a choice of various desk brands, C3 made it clear where their recommendation lay.

At the same time the venue also invested in expertise, with technical manager Andy Goodwin arriving at the club working alongside live manager, Ade Dovey, while the installation was overseen by The Haunt’s new general manager, Rory Knapp.

“Increasingly Soundcraft Vi desks are appearing on technical riders, so it made perfect sense,” said Goodwin. “I have shown a lot of engineers over it, and everyone loves it.”

At the same time the venue has two excellent house engineers in the female partnership of Zoe Martin and Vicky Elston. Both have worked extensively on the Soundcraft Vi platform while on tour — the former with Esben and the Witch, the latter with Exit Ten. And both tours have exposed them to many of the venues’ in-house Soundcraft Vi desks.

Zoe Martin agreed that the Vi1 was the logical choice. “Because I do a lot of touring, and have worked on the bigger Vi desks, I got into it straight away.

“If you look at the surface you can see what’s going on without having to scroll through pages and pages — you can see exactly what’s in front of you. It has great functionality — and if you want to use external FX it’s easy to patch in and easy to save and upload a file. It makes such a difference when engineers turn up here and see it’s a Soundcraft desk installed.”

George Ridal is equally delighted with the overall sonic quality, generated by both the console and the new house PA system. “With a balcony above the main floor, we wanted to make sure the spec was top quality, with a clear distribution of sound. This is core to everything we do, and you can certainly hear that quality on the Vi1, which also looks cool.”

As a result, The Haunt will now be able to operate a full live programme during its seven nights a week operation.

Related links:

• Soundcraft Vi1
• The Haunt
• Sound Technology Ltd
• Crystal Pro Audio

EBS Bass Amplification artist Victor Bailey is joining drummer Poogie Bell for a special “GET UR POCKET STR8″ groove workshop/masterclass at London’s prestigious Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho on Saturday 5th November 2011.

Poogie Bell and Victor Bailey are considered one of the world’s best rhythm units. In the intimate environment of the prestigious Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho join them for their “GET UR POCKET STR8″ workshop/masterclass where they’ll show you how to find the pocket and keep in it!

This is a unique event that allows musicians of all levels to see two of the world’s most acclaimed session musicians close up, to ask them questions, and to learn the secrets of their groove.

Poogie Bell has played and record with the world’s best bass players including Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten and of course Victor Bailey – with artists such as David Bowie and Eryka Badu.

Victor Bailey has played with the world’s best drummers including Billy Cobham, Omar Hakim, Lenny White and of course Poogie Bell – from Weather Report to Madonna to Lady Gaga.

“GET UR POCKET STR8″ starts at 1:30pm on Saturday 5th November at Pizza Express Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, London, W1D 3RW. Tickets cost £24 including pizza buffet.

For more information and bookings please email mail@bolygomusic.com or call 07876 287546.

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