Hey Hey!
EARS meets this year for our annual Jeff Hamilton Memorial Holiday Party at Lucia's Gourmet Italian Cuisine, 1825 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL. Join us the night before New Years Eve and we'll do a (not so) dry run/dress rehearsal/warm up for the following night. This is all on EARS and it's Members Only. We don't do this often, but this one's strictly for dues paying members. That being said, bring your $25.00 and you'll have a meal worth double that and still have a ticket to next year's BBQ, a vote in the next election, and the pleasure of belonging to the coolest club around. We'll need an RSVP, please, including your entree order by Midnight on Sunday, the 28th.
Entree options are:
Chicken Parmesan,
Tilapia with cut vegetables,
Veal Piccata, or
Vegetarian.
(If we only get a very few vegetarian requests, they're going to simply take orders, but if a lot request this option, the restaurant wants to know in advance to come up with a suitable option.) We're going to have a very nice spread, multi-course, with nice deserts, in our own private room in the back, and I'm told this is a nice place with great food. Look it up. They get great reviews. Parking, I believe, is on the street and shouldn't be a problem on a Tuesday night. It's also close to the Damen Blue Line stop. (It's actually just a couple of blocks from Gravity, where we met last month.) Again, it's important that we have Entree orders in advance, so RSVP by Sunday night. If you're not quite up to date on your dues, just bring 'em to the party. In fact, if you're not already a member, now's as good a time as any to join! Special thanks to our V.P., Michael Kolar for finding Lucia's and setting it up. -KJH
Recap/Appreciation File
EARS meeting at Gravity Studios, 11/25/08
For this month's meeting, we found ourselves back at Gravity Studios in Wicker Park for the first time since July 2005. In that time, owner / operator Doug McBride has managed to get himself some new items of interest, chief among them, his Neve 5088 console. It features 16 channels tracking (and 32 at mixdown), 4 stereo effects returns, 4 group masters with group inserts that he uses as a line-in at mixdown, 8 busses and 8 auxes. He has 24 channels of automation that doesn't use another computer, but rather writes to ProTools aux channels so that the resolution stays the same and bit depth is maximized. That is to say, none of the automation is written directly to the audio regions as you would typically see in any other HUI, but is written to aux tracks that serve no other purpose but to act as mirrors for the fader moves Doug writes at his mix position. The console has 12 channels with 5-band parametric EQ and 4 with pre's and 3-band EQ (high, low and sweepable mids). The 5088 also features stereo compressors, a tape simulator and a "Silk" button which basically emulates a heftier, vintage Neve sound. The upper portion of the console where all of this goodness resides is known as the Penthouse and has its own Astron PSU.
Doug also has a new pair of monitors in his main control room: Barefoot MicroMain 27's. They feature a tweeter in the middle of the side facing the sweet spot, with two midrange speakers - one above and one below this tweeter - and two low frequency woofers, one on the left and one on the right side of the enclosure. Doug says that with his new setup, he's able to zoom-in more on individual instruments and make better mix decisions.
Gravity's control room 'A' also boasts another heavy-duty piece of new gear: a Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor. Talk about bells and whistles, the thing has 3 switchable transformers: nickel, steel and iron. An insertable filter helps to reduce pumping in bass-heavy program material. There is also a bypass switch which allows you to just send the signal through the switchable output transformers, not the actual compression circuit, among other things. Doug uses it about 80% of the time on his 2 mixes.
What follows is a recap of the beginning of the meeting, in which EARS had some housekeeping issues to attend to, including the annual election (all times P.M. CST):
8:20 - vote, bylaws business
8:24 - Kerry J. Haps re-elected president of EARS; Hudson Fair suggests bringing back the "Where's the Beef?" segment of the EARdrum to examine such things as corporate price-fixing / calling folks out on bad business practices. Harry Brotman gives the example of purchasing an Audix mic at a music store and being assured of the company being American, based in Oregon, only the box was made in China. Brotman brings up the idea of making editor-in-chief a separate, volunteer post to get it away from the executive branch. Discussion ensues of partiality / impartiality and objectivity vs. subjectivity in measuring products, services and business practices. The word aegis is brought up twice consecutively by Fair. A discussion of whether contribution to the EARdrum should be legislated when there is a solicitation in each EARdrum for volunteers. Fair posits that that is not leadership, and the reins need to be grabbed and the onus put on someone. Greg Graper proposes everyone submit something useful to the EARdrum for Haps and other members of the executive branch to decide upon by the January meeting.
9:08 - Motion to reinstate "Where's the Beef?" tabled by Fair. Motion carries. Per Fair, "Whoever wants to write something can." Further discussion.
9:23 - Graper announces that he's been placed in charge of Jimi Hendrix Foundation Project to have giant brick guitar built, similar to both Chicago baseball clubs' Legacy Bricks program. $80 sponsors a 4x8 inch brick.
9:30 - Doug McBride begins the meeting with a story about how he recently had a chance to speak to college engineering students about sound and played them different sourced recordings. Most of the students imprinted a sort of, 'okay...that's what ADAT sounds like' and so forth. All of them responded positively to an all-analog recording before they were even told what it was they were listening to.
By final count, aegis was used a grand total of four times this evening. This could be some sort of record, and we are looking into the matter with Guinness. A tremendous thank you to Doug McBride for his never-ending hospitality and especially for his patience as we hammered out some business that sorely needed taking care of. He and his staff have been great to EARS for many years now and we're proud to count him as a friend.
-Chris Cwiak, Secretary
Not really EARS...
We've received a few disappointed comments about the AES meeting I mentioned last month. I do understand the frustration of hearing about an interesting event after the fact, but if you really want to know about AES's doings, we suggest you subscribe to the local chapter's newsletter. You can do so by simply emailing chicago.aes@gmail.com with "Mailing List" in the subject line. AES has a lot of great things going on here in Chicago. I also serve on the planning committee and while it has a little different focus than us in EARS, it's always exceptionally interesting. Next month they'll be meeting at the Briar Street Theater, home of Blue Man Group. It's worth seeing. EARS met there a few years back and it was really nice to get a closer look at the underpinnings of such a production. But do sign up for the AES mailing list, you never know what you might be missing!
Next Month
Stay tuned for details and keep that last Tuesday open! - KJH
In Memoriam
Producer/Engineer Joey Donatello passed away unexpectedly on Thanksgiving Day at 43 years old. He was currently working for Rosehip Studios in Chicago. The doctors say that a blood clot that formed from minor surgery the week before went to his lungs and he stopped breathing. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday and he had just cooked a spectacular meal for his family as usual and spent the evening relaxing with his kids. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Donatello Children's 529 Plan in care of South Park Church, 1330 Courtland Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068. -KJH
Where's the Beef? (Indeed!) (Back by popular demand?)
Since I've been involved with EARS I've heard tell, repeatedly, of the glory days of this fine institution with particular emphasis on the EARdrum and a little column called, "Where's the Beef?". Legend has it that our newsletter, at the peak of it's influence, had some serious impact on our industry. I've been told that it even went so far as to result in the creation of Grammys for Engineering and Mastering. Well, let's have a little taste of that again, shall we? As noted in the recap of last month's meeting, there was much ado about reinstating this column and a specific request was made, voted on, and agreed upon to submit ideas for articles before our January meeting. You can do so by simply emailing us. But indeed, where IS the beef? While I wonder about that title's timelessness in general, it's never been more relevant than now. The real issue here is content. We can collect all the ideas for articles that our membership can imagine and if no one writes anything, we've achieved nothing but a list. We have a platform here. The EARdrum is read (or at least received) by more than just our members here in Chicago. Chicago itself sometimes goes unmentioned in some of the more notable magazines. Mix, EQ, Electronic Musician will go on and on about New York, L.A., and Nashville, and Chicago is hardly mentioned. This month's Mix is an exception, with Doug McBride's Gravity and Bob Weston and Jason Ward's Chicago Mastering Service getting some well deserved press. We all know there's a lot going on here. We know our rich history (a major bit of which is featured in the new film, Cadillac Records, btw) and we have major players right here in EARS' membership. Surely among our heavy hitters and more veteran engineers we've got not only some great stories but the talent to write 'em down. I've spoken softly, but a big stick is not my style, nor should it be. As President of this fine group and editor of this little newsletter, my real job is simply to remind YOU that only you can prevent an EARdrum that's reduced to one man's blog. It's been wisely observed that this EARdrum has, of late, been far too personal. I could write articles myself, but that would only be a poor substitute for the contributions I'm waiting on from you. Send me some material, some content, to add some real substance to this little publication and later when we've really got something going there'll be room for me to do more than M.C. this party. Until then, it is what it is, what it is. Content, people! And again I say Content! As I've said repeatedly for years now, this is YOUR EARS and this is YOUR EARdrum. I simply present it in the best light I possibly can. -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, 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
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
Another note about our Website, and our Logo
I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that it's time for a bit of updating. We think EARS deserves a bit of a makeover and can't help but wonder who among us might actually double as a professional designer but with the necessary sensitivity to our audio world. Drop us a note if you'd like to consider helping us out with a new look for the website, logo, etc. -KJH
Election
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss." Well, It's Haps, Kolar, Cwiak and Roth again. EARS had it's election, sticking as close as possible to the bylaws despite a cancelled meeting the month of nominations. No one was quite ready to take these reins and thus we've got one more year to do our best to both entertain you each month with a unique and interesting meeting and slowly lead us forward as an organization. There's much to do. Watch for some coming changes! -KJH
Grammys!
All right. Fess up. I know some among us have nominations that I'd like to brag about. If I don't hear from you, I'm going to have to consider Tia Carerra the closest thing to a Chicago area colleague with a nomination, strictly based on her Wayne's World connection. :) Seriously. Let us know so we can make sure all of EARS is rooting for you. -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 “All I want for Christmas is a matched pair of front teeth!”
I'll keep this short and sweet as there's still presents to wrap and eggnog to drink!
Here we are again at the end of a great year. Deaf Dog, VMR, WXRT, Twisted Spoke (for a drink), Stereophonic, Phase, El Vice Presidente's Bachelor Pad, planet10studios, and Gravity. Not too bad. A lot of hot gear, a lot of cool people, and a lot of good music. Our membership is way up. Our momentum is good. Our prospects for next year are excellent. There's much to be proud of and much yet to reach for. I couldn't do it without Kolar, Cwiak, and Roth. Thanks guys. And we couldn't do it without you all. Thanks to all who care enough to join up or even just show up to a meeting when they can. You make it fun, educational, challenging, all the important things we're looking for in EARS.
Speaking of good music, and we should always be speaking of good music... Here again, just like last year, is my holiday music recommendation for you... A little gift, you can consider it, if you're not already familiar. Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite, off the Three Suites Disc. Man oh man does this stuff swing. Sir Duke and his right hand man, Billy Strayhorn really outdid themselves on this one, if you ask me. I listen to it all year, but more so around the holidays to make up for the barrage of... barking dogs. Next year I'll have a new one for you. I promise, because I'm mixing it now and it's going to be wonderful.
So Hey! Happy Christmahanahkwanzakus, and C Novum Godum, everyone. Whatever you celebrate, be it Christmas with me, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Festivus (also with me), and of course, New Years Eve, celebrate it safe. And whether it's Santa, Hanukkah Harry, (forgive me for not knowing enough about Kwanzaa to joke about it), or the Festivus Pole that visits your home, may you be surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones, and peace, health, and happiness. What the heck, we'll throw in prosperity and good music too.
And Santa, if you're reading this, I know I've been a little naughty at times, and I asked for this all last year, but I still want a matched pair of U47s (with NOS VF 14s), a matched pair of U67s (with NOS EF86s), a matched pair of Ela-M 251s, a matched pair of C12s, a matched pair of 44s, a matched pair of 77s, a Binaural Head, a Focusrite console (I'd settle for one of those new Neves like Doug), a pair of great big ATCs, a medium pair of B&Ws and Focal Twin6 Bes , a set of four John Hardy Jensen Twin Servo knobs (2 small, 2 large, for a project I'm building - he won't sell 'em!), a pair of... whatever I'm forgetting... and a puppy.
Ok... The clock just struck 12. What day is this? "Why... It's Christmas day, sir!" Good. I still have time!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night,
Kerry J Haps
