Hey Hey!
EARS meets this month at the new home of our own Jimmy Johnson's planet10studios. A year ago at their previous Barrington location, we saw the amazing things he'd done with that very small space and I'm really looking forward to seeing what he's done now with this legendary Chicago area room which, as he's careful to note, is once again very available to outside producers and engineers. Wood everywhere, a granite wall (no climbing!), and this just in... their very own and much anticipated classic Neve console. Basically, it's on the intersection of Rt.53 and Northwest Highway (3 miles North of 90) in the lower level of the 10 story Harris Bank Building (west of 53). There's plenty of parking. It's an access controlled building after 6:00 PM, so go to the North entrance, scroll thru the list to find 'planet10, dial the 3 digit number and follow the signs. The door will be watched until 8:30 PM. You might also recall from last time that Jimmy knows how to put out a nice spread, so look forward to some good food and drink too. Actually, it would help him a lot to know who's coming, so please RSVP directly by email by Sunday night or don't expect to eat/drink. The place is abuzz with new gear, new vibe, and new endorsements so who knows what they're going to be showing off! -KJH
Recap/Appreciation File
Though we had to cancel at the eleventh hour, I'd still like to thank Matt Newport and crew for their willingness to host a meeting, wish him and his family well, and note that there was a lot of understanding, well wishes, and "hope(s) we can reschedule" in the various emails I received about the cancellation. Matt and Black Lion Audio are doing amazing and interesting work and we're just hoping to get another shot at a night in their HQ. Thanks also to Kolar, Roth and Cwiak for helping me get the word out to our membership at the last moment. If you're just on the mailing list, not an actual dues paying member, and were inconvenienced by the cancellation, I'm sorry but hope you understand that we can't possibly call everyone and have to draw the line at members.-KJH
November
Stay tuned for details and keep that last Tuesday, the 25th, penciled for EARS! - KJH
Suggestions Welcome!
There are endless good reasons to band together here as EARS. It can be whatever we want it to be. If you have any ideas for the EARdrum, our website, or future meetings, please email me. We still have a lot of great meeting plans lining up for the year, some website plans, and a lot of good fresh energy and hopes for a more vibrant, participatory EARS, so of course we're very interested in your input on everything EARS. Please! :) - KJH
Archives
Our Archives are again up to date. Check out the website for that and more EARS info. Also, I'd like to complete our files with the pre-2001 EARdrums. By my calculations we're missing the first 16 years! (Now minus that first one.) I know Timothy Powell has a year or so on his Metro-Mobile website but that still leaves a lot missing. If you happen to have your old paper copies or files you could get to me, I would love to get them online for posterity. Let me know. - KJH
Recap/Appreciation catch up
I'll just point this out once more. Please note that the EARdrum archive has been once again brought up to date. One thing that I'd hate to see missed is the Recap/Appreciation Files pertaining to our meetings at Stereophonic and Phase Recording. Please click on those links, scroll down, and check 'em out. - KJH
A note about our Website
I've noticed that it doesn't automatically update in some web browsers. If you're looking for something (such as the latest EARdrum) and it looks like old info, try reloading the page. -KJH
Election
Ah, EARS politics. Is there something else going on in the world that might be distracting from the oh so important EARS election? According to the Bylaws, nominations for president of EARS are to be held at the September meeting, but of course we had to cancel last month's meeting so we're going to have to go with the spirit of the law instead of the letter. In communicating about the cancellation we talked to just about every member and many very kindly expressed their support. I think our V.P. Michael Kolar was technically and officially first to formally nominate me and former President and EARdrum editor Gary Khan was quick to second it. As far as we know, there isn't anyone new throwing their hat in, so it's looking like the current team will roll right on into next year. In many ways, it still feels like we’ve only just begun and we still have high hopes for the future, so of course I’d be happy to have the chance to continue for another year, hoping to realize more of our dreams for EARS. :) -KJH
In Memorium
Chicago engineer Tim Butler passed away on September 29 and our city lost a legendarily great purveyor of our craft. Here's a very nicely done tribute to him from his family at CRC. -KJH
Dues!
Thanks to all who support EARS through paying their dues. Just as a reminder, they're due yearly by the October meeting and this is a prerequisite for voting and joining us for the Holiday Party and BBQ in August (and occasionally things like the Grammy Party), but they're always welcome. Dues checks (or cash, but no credit cards) for $25.00 can be made out to EARS and given to any of our officers or sent to the following address:
Engineering and Recording Society of Chicago, C/O Eric Roth, Treasurer, PO Box 98, Highland Park, IL 60035-0098 - KJH
A (few) (more) word(s) from the Prez...
or “Because it's there!”
I guess it's good news/bad news time again. I won't be able to be at this months meeting. This will be the first time in three and a half years that I've missed one! As EARS meets at planet10studios next Tuesday I should be (weather permitting) just coming back below the tree line, hopefully having summited my first 14er in Colorado. That's how my lovely wife Jenya and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary. Having gotten married at Red Rocks on a beautiful cliff ("This is not a rebel song. This is Wedding Bloody Wedding") we're going back to enjoy some nature and wildlife and a much needed breath of fresh air before a board meeting later in the week for Jenya's ministry to Russian Orphans.
The only thing I'll miss nearly as much as the meeting at Jimmy's place is the Detholz! Jukebox of the Dead party at the Empty Bottle on Halloween. If you're not familiar, the Detholz! are one of the best things going in the Chicago music scene. I've known 'em since they started out (I mixed their first or second show) and I can tell you they never disappoint. Each Halloween for as long as I can remember they've done a "Jukebox of the Dead" show where they take our dearest, favorite songs and turn them completely on their ear. They're releasing their second full length album of covers "Jukebox of the Dead II : You: The Power of You" and I can't wait to hear it. The first "Jukebox of the Dead" featured Celebration, Life after Love, Dancing on the Ceiling, Sussudio, Hot 4 Teacher, Like a Virgin, Sultans of Swing and Rock the Casbah. I mean... come on.
On another note, former EARS V.P. Mike Castronovo of Studio B Digital Recording would like to lease or lease to own his 2000 sq ft facility in Rockford. Drop him an email if you're interested.
Have a great time without me at planet10studios. I'm hoping Kolar will rise to the occasion and dress up in a President Kerry J Haps Halloween costume and go ahead and give a speech for me. If he does, though, I'm trusting Jimmy to record it for me and hoping someone brings a camera.
See ya next month and don't forget to vote!
At your service,
Kerry J Haps
