Focal Releases “Mixed on Focal” Playlist #5
New HD Audio 21-track streaming playlist includes music from thirteen mix engineers using Focal Pro monitors
Focal Naim America, a leading North American importer and distributor of premium consumer and professional electronics brands, has released the fifth high-resolution audio playlist for “Mixed on Focal.” The program highlights the true sound of music as the artist, mix engineer, producer, and record label meant the songs to be heard. Each of the five playlists features a wide range of music genres from rock and R&B to electronic dance music, pop, country—and even instrumental synthesizer music—and are available to Focal HI-FI and Pro Audio dealers, as well as the Press Corps and current and prospective customers. Whether it be in a HI-FI dealer demonstration, a Pro Audio dealer demonstration, or listening in a home or pro recording studio using Focal speakers, the music will sound as the artist intended since each song was mixed on Focal.
Fates Warning Members Create New Group “A-Z” and Record Album Using Only Lauten Audio Microphones
New Album “A-Z” featuring vocalist Ray Alder and drummer Mark Zonder Available Now!
Photo: Mark Zonder
The new self-titled album from “A-Z” reunites former Fates Warning drummer Mark Zonder and Fates Warning lead vocalist Ray Alder during Covid lockdowns from across the world, and adds Steve Vai bassist Philip Bynoe, Prog Metal guitarist Joop Wolters, and keyboard synthesist Vivien Lalu.
Tracked entirely with Lauten Audio microphones, the new album was captured remotely, with each member recording in their respective home studios.
Lead vocalist Ray Alder has strong feelings for the Lauten Audio LA-320 after choosing it for his personal studio in Spain. “I love that it can be warm and crisp at the same time. It keeps the true vocal sound, is a very well-built microphone, and it sounds great. I’m very happy with it.”
Read More »For Your Grammy® Consideration: “Walking on Moonlight”
Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
https://www.recordingacademy.com/
“Walking on Moonlight”
The Arroyo Collective
The Arroyo Collective is a group of old and new friends who like to play and record music. The title ‘Six Ways Up’ refers to the six players Hal Coy, Scott Thunes, Matt Eakle, George Shaw, Johnnie Bamont, and Paul J. de Benedictis who each kept their spirits high through music during the recent pandemic. George Shaw is featured playing muted trumpet on the vibey “Walking On Moonlight,” We hope this music lifts you up too.
“Six Ways Up” New 3-song EP set for May 11, 2022 Release to Streaming
Mnemonic Records is set to release a New 3-song EP by The Arroyo Collective, “Six Ways Up” on May 11, 2022. The initial release will be to all Streaming Services, such as Apple Music, TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music HD, Spotify and dozens of others. May 11 Streaming update:
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
TIDAL
AMAZON MUSIC HD
SoundCloud Playlist
Musicians Rely on CEntrance to Live Stream During Quarantine
From LA to Dubai, artists around the world use MixerFace to reach their fans
As the music world stopped touring, musicians started streaming, and CEntrance, makers of the portable audio interface called MixerFace, found itself helping artists all over the globe to stream online. A great match for major online streaming platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, MixerFace upgrades the sound quality of smartphones and tablets based on iOS and Android. Using either built-in XY microphones or full-on home studio setups, MixerFace connects artists to their fans, with stunning audio quality.
When Quincy Jones called guitarist Jake Morelli (Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, The Roots) for a 3-month R&B gig in Dubai, Morelli (IG – @JMotone) couldn’t have anticipated getting stuck there in the middle of the residency. The club got closed and air traffic disappeared, so Morelli couldn’t return home to his family. Fortunately, he had the MixerFace with him and has been recording, communicating, and live streaming with it every day. “While quarantined in Dubai,” said Morelli, “I worked on several online collaborations—because an artist must create art, even under the most challenging circumstances. I’ve done projects remotely with drummer Daru Jones, eclectic UK artist Ivy Channel, bass pioneer Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and vocalist Rogelio Douglas Jr.” “I really cannot say enough great things about this little device” adds Morelli, “except that my guitar and bass have never sounded better! There is some serious mojo going on here. And if you plug in the CEntrance Pivot Mics, the exquisite detail that is picked up from vocals, or an entire band are simply astounding.”
See YouTube video of one collaboration: https://tinyurl.com/Jake-Morelli
Adam Young of “Owl City”
Adam Young of “Owl City” Mixes on Focal Monitors
New chart-topping artist chooses Focal Twin6 Be monitors on breakout album ‘Ocean Eyes’
Adam Young of "Owl City" with Focal Twin 6
With a growing fan-base and a world tour that continues throughout 2010, Adam Young, the creative force behind the band “Owl City,” is taking off. His first independent release in 2008, ‘Maybe I’m Dreaming,’ received much praise and made Young into a phenomenon, with over 16 million profile views and over 80 million plays on MySpace, all stemming from posting a few songs from the year before.
That’s led to Owl City’s newest CD – ‘Ocean Eyes’ – released in 2009 by Universal Republic Records. The album has sold over 1 million copies in the U.S. alone, while the first single “Fireflies” hit #1 in 23 countries. During the making of the ‘Ocean Eyes’ album Young discovered Focal Twin6 Be monitors, then got himself a pair. “I absolutely love the Focals. I had mixed with other brands over the years, but it was always a bit deceiving. Other monitors seemed somewhat overly polished, bass heavy and even ‘clubby.’ The Focal Twin 6s are so transparent, but still easy to listen to and work with: they really help my mixes translate to anything I play them back on,” states Young.
Read More »Guitarist and Composer Steve Ouimette
Guitar Hero’ Steve Ouimette Shreds Riffs with FOCAL Monitors
Possibly the Most Heard and ‘Studied’ Guitarist Today Creates Blistering Guitar Solos for “Guitar Hero” Video Game
Guitarist and composer Steve Ouimette
At last count Guitar Hero games sold over $800-million around the world in the various flavors up to the latest “Guitar Hero: World Tour.” And when players try to match many of the game’s blistering guitar solos note-for-note, they are actually copying true life ‘guitar hero’ Steve Ouimette who crafts each solo in his Scottsdale, Arizona recording studio. Recently Ouimette upgraded his studio with FOCAL Twin6 Be monitors, and loves the new sound he gets when recording, monitoring, and mixing.
“I needed self powered monitors and wanted a set that didn’t require a subwoofer, a monitor that had a natural top to bottom, but no hyped frequencies. Mercenary Audio suggested I try out the FOCAL Twin6 Be monitors to see if I liked them. They said they’d take them back if they didn’t suit my needs, but it’s been over a year they’re never getting them back!” said Ouimette with a laugh.
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