Editors:
Mary (ISDN queen) Mazurek
and
Kathy (Splice Girl) Dunaj

Volume 16 Number 10
October, 2001

EARS meets at The Chicago Recording Company

232 E. Ohio, Chicago
(312) 822-9333
Tuesday October 30, 7:30 pm

EARS returns to The Chicago Recording Company, 232 E. Ohio this Tuesday 10/30 at the usual 7:30pm. Exit Lake shore drive at Grand and turn right to get to Ohio OR turn left off the Ontario termination of I-290 a.k.a."The Ike". Allow time for parking tho the CTA's closest exit is the subway at State & Grand, a quarter mile west. If you get lost or lonesome, they're phone is 312-822-9333. It's a multi-room facility so look for signs within. Thanx to a tip from Danny Leake, we'll see a private version of the next day's new product introduction from Kurzweil. NOT a keyboard, it's a surround mix processor called the KSP8 hosted by their Mike Martin.

Speaking of "surround", Gary Kendall of the Northwestern "Skool of Muzik" hosted an interesting 5.1 Surround Music Mixing seminar presented by Mike Sokol last Thursday, October 18th, from 7-10 pm at Lutkin Recital Hall on the Northwestern University campus in tea-totallin' Evanston, Illinois. A thanx for the "heads up" to Benj Kanters: EARS charter member, Columbia College honcho, Amazing Grace acoustic-mixing wizard, Northwestern Grad and classmate of this month's host Hank Neuberger.

Since we're doin' announcements, congrats to our own plucky Ears supporter and Digidesign master ProFool, Jeff Komar, who got his now fiancé, Michelle to say yes. Time to clean up your SCSI bus, buddy!

On a less happy note, let's offer a supportive EARS cheer to veteran guitarist, producer, engineer and Rax Trax studio owner Rick Barnes. He's hosted multiple meetings and has always been there for EARS. His 24-year-old daughter suffered a stroke. Let's all wish her a speedy recovery and his family well!
'Nuff said! -Gary Khan-

EARS Recaps/ Appreciation File

For our August meeting, we spent a warm summer night at Sparrow Sound Design in safe, but pricey Lakeview. Tho Mary & I walked, I called us to "disorder" about 8pm as those who chose not to exit the CTA station about a block away, hunted for parking. Attendees introduced themselves and discussed the long cool musical, early "project" studio and record (CD?) label history of our esteemed hosts Joanie Pallatto and Bradley Parker-Sparrow. Then, before gobbling delicious eats, we ogled their beautiful, vintage, mostly "valve", mic collection and acoustic design inspired by Bill Bradley, who, like our own Danny Leake, was a staff engineer at Chicago's legendary Universal Recording. I remember peering out my uncle's apt. "kiddy corner" from the Cornelia & Southport intersection, some 20 years ago and recognizing the charactristic floated and mass wall construction of this serious installation! To save space here, check out www.chicagosound.com for details on SSD's gear (including my old 1176) and legacy. Thanx also to Diana and returning SSD vet, Hillary for their able assistance with this relaxed, warm meeting. It fit well with the atmosphere of the room and seems far removed from the vibe and economic times we now live in following the heinous, cowardly NYC crime less than 2 weeks afterward! [Thanks >Joanie and Sparrow for hosting the meeting.] For more information about SSD call 773-281-8510.
-GK-

September's meeting was held at Don Griffin's acoustically superior Danford Lane Studios in the beautiful suburb of Palatine. Prez Gary Khan started the meeting off by asking that we bow our heads in remembrance of the 9/11 devastation. After regaining our composure, we then had our usual introductions, meeting some new faces. Gary then announced that after serving two consecutive terms as President, he would be stepping down. The floor was then open for nominations. Harry Brotman and Hudson Fair nominated David Moss for President. As of October 23, 2001 Gary Khan has nominated Mike Castronovo for President and I, Kathy Dunaj second that. A big EARS cheer to Don for the fabulous food spread and taking time out of his busy schedule to host September's meeting. For more information about Danford Lane Studios call 847-991-6630.
-KD-

Here's some information on the evening from Hugh Daly.

Dear EARS Members,
Many thanks to all of you for showing up for last month's EARS meeting and allowing me the opportunity to present Mackie Digital Systems' d8b Digital mixer and HDR 24/96 hard disk recorder. Special thanks to Don Griffin of Danford Lane Studios for letting me use his equipment and Gary Khan for being persistent, I had a lot of fun being there so hopefully you all got something out of it too. Without going into too much detail I'd like to quickly recap the major features and I encourage anyone who wants more specific details to give me a call at 773-230-4426.

The d8b Digital Mixer specs out as a 56 input/72 channel mixer but ideally it operates in a 24 track environment, with 24 analog tracking inputs and 24 tape returns which can be either analog or any flavor of digital you desire. All 48 of these inputs have separate EQ, compressor and Gate and all functions and settings are fully automatable and recallable, is that a real word? Both the d8b and the HDR 24/96 operate as standalone pieces which have their own on board dedicated CPU so they are typically much more stable than systems operating on either a Mac or PC platform.

Earlier this year the d8b software was upgraded for the third time and over 100 new features were added for no extra cost. Most of the new features were culled from an end user wish list that has been in development since the last software revision but the major difference that 3.0 software brings is the ability to work with 3rd party plugins. Currently Mackie is offering plugins from Drawmer, Antares, TC Electronics and George Massenburg Labs as well as several unique packages from a software company called Accuma Labs which was started by a d8b end user. Mackie is in discussion with other potential plugin partners so we can expect more cool plugins in the future.

The HDR 24/96 is a full featured 24 track (192 Virtual track) hard disk recording and editing system. It uses the same I/O cards as the d8b so either analog or digital sources are completely compatible with the HDR. An internal 20 Gig IDE hard drive allows for over 90 minutes of full 24 track recording at 48kHz. You can also record directly to the removable drive or use this drive backup and archiving . Files can also be backed up to any external drive through the ethernet port which comes as standard. The HDR 24/96 uses the .wav file format so files recorded on the HDR 24/96 can be easily imported into other digital audio editing or sequencing programs. Every HDR 24/96 has it's on IP address and can be set up as an FTP server so files can be accessed from a central server and/or transferred over the web. Like the d8b the HDR 24/96 is it's own CPU so just hook up a standard keyboard, monitor & mouse for full blown non-destructive wave form editing at no extra cost.

For those of you who either don't feel the need for an editing package or just don't have the budget right now the new MDR 24/96 offers all the features of the HDR 24/96 without the editing capability.

As I mentioned the d8b and HDR 24/96 are stand alone pieces so they can easily be incorporated into any existing system but the two pieces work seamlessly together to create an exceptionally powerful system to rival the most complete DAW packages.

To get a more in depth hands on look at any of the Mackie Digital Systems products we do offer a "Phone & Loan" trial program where you can demo the equipment in your own studio for an extended period of time, usually about a week to ten days. Call Hugh Daly at (773)230-4426 for details.

Thanks again for your attention, keep on rocking in the free world, Hugh Daly

Upcoming Presidential Election

Mark your calenders and be sure to attend November's meeting to cast your vote for a new EARS President! Nominations will be accepted up until at November's meeting. All dues paying members are eligible to vote, so if you are lagging in dues, cough up and make your vote count! Nominees so far are David Moss and Mike Castronovo.
-KD-

Reasons For Presidential Consideration
by David Moss, The Crib

I was flattered to have been nominated to the presidency of EARS by that austere tandem of erstwhile presidents: the two H's - Harry n' Hudson. This is a position to which, I must add, I did not pretend. So be it - I will not pretend. Forthwith, my top reasons:

"Why I Should Not Be President of EARS."

• I'm not a professional engineer.
• My studio only has eight foot ceilings.
• I don't crossfade.
• I like Celine Dion.
• My pool table is my most expensive piece of equipment. (just ask Harry)
• Next most expensive is my Italian red leather couch. (just ask Harry)!
• I'm on bodybuilding steroids.
• I'm craven and superficial.
• "I believe in America!" (Bonoserra, Bonoserra).

Top reasons Why I Might Be A Good President of EARS:

• I'll pick a good location for the Christmas party.
• I talk a good game.
• I'm not a professional engineer - (I might hire YOU to freelance).
• I'll let you sit on my couch and shoot pool at "Crib" get togethers.
• I'll pick a good location for the Grammy party.
• I'll play/program-drums/percussion on sessions for 50% off to EARS members.
• I disdain no-talents.

Also:
et's brainstorm on making Chicago a "destination" for recording. Let's spend our time and money more on "application" than esoterica. Let's coordinate with relevant "powers that be" to REALize benefits for all and make EARS a little bitmore of a "power to be" reckoned with than it has been up until now.
Strength & Honor -DM-

Reasons For Presidential Consideration
by Mike Castronovo, Studio B Digital Recording

My credentials are:

• Current member of EARS (membership goes back appx 10-12 years.)
• Studio owner/engineer for 20 years.
• Winner of 9 RAMI (Rockford Area Musical Industry) Awards.
  4-Best Studio, & 5-Best Engineer
• Good communication skills, & good sense of humor.

My goals would be:

• To assist the other officers as needed...
• To encourage outreach for new membership
  (and former members not seen as of late)
• To diversify meeting (encourage 2 topics per meeting 1 lecture, 1 > dialogue)
• To encourage and arrange regular dues payments for members.
• Whatever else is needed to help the organization grow.

Who have you been working with lately? We want to know! If you have any ideas for stories, wish to contribute an article, want to include any upcoming events, or have a tech tip, please contact:

Mary at pegasusrecording@ameritech.net. Or write to:
Peagasus Recording P.O Box 578903, Chicago, IL 60657.

Kathy can be reached at SVI, or
kathy@soundvideoimpressions.com.