Check out this video interview of LVM of Nasty Beatmakerz. He discusses how he’s used IK products like Miroslav Philharmonik (an orchestral virtual instrument) and AmpliTube (for guitar and bass) and others on tracks by artists like Lil Wayne and Ludacris!
LVM is an incredible guitar player, and loved the idea of Soldano amps/effects in the new AmpliTube coming soon…
I attended the Macworld 2011 show in San Fransisco, California USA this past week. It was my first time there, and because it is open to the public, the IK Multimedia booth was SLAMMED with Maclovers and tech geeks/press from all over the world. I really had no idea it was going to be such a popular show, and honestly, it seemed like the iRig Mic, GrooveMaker Cool & Dre for iPhone/iPad, AmpliTube Fender for iPhone/iPad and the iRig plug adapter were really the “Best in Show” products, even if we didn’t win any awards there (and we had several people tell us so, and we sold out of all our products on the show floor). Macworld was slammed with press, and everyone that touched our iOS products said “Wow! This is amazing”, then pulled out their credit cards with no delay.
Macworld was pretty cool, and a great place to go get the newest Apple products. I recommend going next year… but because I was constantly talking to press and customers for the 3 days, I never got a chance to even go to any other booths to buy anything! lol…
Starr Ackerman, being interviewed by local San Fransisco Tech news station at Macworld 2011
I made some new friends this year at the NAMM 2011 show, and got to hook up with some old ones too! I was delighted to meet up and chill with Sarah Crisman, starlet of MTV UK’s “Wrap up” and super songwriter, programmer, music and video producer – Jae Deal. Here is a video interview of them from the NAMM 2011 show floor, where they tell me more about what they are doing creatively, and their experiences with IK Multimedia‘s new iRig Mic and the VocaLive app for iPhone/iPod touch and iPad.
Check out this video interview from NAMM 2011, featuring CJ Pierce, guitarist for the metal/alternative rock band – Drowning Pool. He talks to me about using AmpliTube 3 software for Mac/PC, writing new music on the tour bus with AmpliTube iRig for iPhone, and jams a little using the new, unreleased, AmpliTube “Orange” amp model.
Thanks CJ! You rock…literally! (and we didn’t need a video to prove it, but I have one right here…lol).
Here’s the official video for Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” (Let the bodies hit the floor):
A scan of the USA Today feature on iRig Mic, front page of the MONEY section (and MY NAME is there...lol)
On Monday, January 17th, 2010, USA Today (national United States newspaper) featured a story on making music with your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad- and the iRig Mic (first handheld condenser microphone for the iPhone) was front and center. Jefferson Graham, USA Today’s “Talking Tech” editor, and musician, called me on the first day of the NAMM show to ask me if I would be there, and to set up an appointment to come and check out the best new products for making music with iDevices. Of course, I was completely thrilled to hear that he would be coming to visit, and showed him how to use the iRig Mic with VocaLive, an app for vocalists, and our new AmpliTube Fender, guitar and bass software for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad at the Winter NAMM 2011 show.
Here is the pic from the front page of the Money Section on USA Today, with IK Multimedia CEO, Enrico Iori.
Quoted directly from the printed USATODAY.com article: iTrump, MusicReader apps help musicians stay on track
Some highlights from the show:
•iRig microphone. Shipping in late February, the $59.99 iRig from IK Multimedia turns the iPad into a recording device for singers. Plug the microphone directly into the iPad, open up IK’s VocaLive app, and singers can lay down audio tracks, complete with effects such as reverb, delay and chorus. It’s also aimed at karaoke, podcasters who want to create their shows on the iPad, and radio DJs. With more than 125 million iPod Touches, iPhones and iPads in use, “That’s a whole lot of people who would be interested in our products,” says Starr Ackerman, director of public and artist relations for IK Multimedia, which makes music apps for Apple devices. “There’s a whole untapped market out there.”
Here is the video (I’m in it..lol).
The cool part of my job? Meeting really cool rock stars and talking to them about music production- and it doesn’t hurt when I’m also a major FAN of the band…so I was especially stoked to interview Fuel‘s lead singer and guitarist, Brett Scallions at the Winter 2011 NAMM Show about using IK Multimedia products. From our short time together, (I also met up with Brett at the ArtistRelations.com Gear Preview two days prior to the show) I learned that:
1. Brett is a music producer, plays several instruments- including bass, guitar and of course, he’s a great singer.
2. Brett is friends with the guitar player from Anthrax (who he introduced me to at the show!) and likes using IK’s AmpliTube software to record guitars and bass.
3. Brett would prefer NOT breaking any bones this season while snowboarding…lol. I’m looking forward to seeing Brett on the Fuel tour this year, and hearing songs from his new music production project.
Here is the video interview with Brett Scallions on IK’s YouTube, thanks a lot Brett! You Rock!!! (Literally)
Fuel Band info from Wikipedia: “They are well known for their hit songs “Shimmer” from Sunburn, “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)“, “Bad Day” from Something Like Human, and “Falls on Me” from Natural Selection.”
Here is a video I found on YouTube for a live version of Fuel’s “Shimmer”.
So now if you have an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, you are just $60 away from becoming a great singer, or at the very least, an interesting sounding radio podcaster: all you need is iRig Mic and a VocaLive FREE app! Check out this video demo for iRig Mic and the VocaLive app that I was honored to do with CJ Pierce, guitarist for the popular rock back “Drowning Pool” (you know- they had an uber-popular hit with the chorus “When the bodies hit the floor!”). In the video demo, CJ and I check out the more fun features of singing into the iRig Mic from IK Multimedia, and using the pitch correction, morphing and choir effects from the VocaLive app for iPhone/iPod Touch, and iPad (to be released sometime soon in February 2011 from iTunes). The video is shot from the Winter NAMM 2011 show floor in Anaheim, California, USA from the IK Multimedia Booth.
Winter NAMM 2011 Video demo: Starr Ackerman (that’s me) and CJ Pierce, guitarist for alternative/heavy rock band “Drowning Pool”.
Why is this cool for musicians? Because it’s the first professional microphone and app for vocals available for recording on your iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad!
The iRig Mic is the first hand-held condenser microphone for the iPhone, iPod touch and the iPad (for vocalists, radio personnel, songwriters, musicians and podcasters). The iRig Mic will work with ANY app that will accept an audio input, so if you are trying to record video interviews with your iPhone or iPod Touch, you can record professional sounding audio just by plugging the iRig Mic into your device! You can also use the iRig Mic for karaoke apps, other recording apps, and basically- like I said before- any app that will accept an audio input. For more info on the iRig Mic, please click here to visit the IK Multimedia website.
I showed the iRig Mic to CJ Pierce in the video with VocaLive, an app geared for vocalists, music production, audio post production and radio/podcasters) that will be available soon to download a free app, or a paid app from iTunes. The VocaLive app has a three rig vocal chain (a popular vocal chain that vocalists use live on stage would be “Reverb, Delay and Chorus”). There is also a 4-track recorder in VocaLive that looks like an old school cassette tape deck, so you may overdub vocals, write or reference songs or perform live on stage and record it! VocaLive also has an “import song” feature that will allow you to sing over backing tracks from your iPod or iTunes library, and also has voice-canceling features for karaoke. to learn more about the many features and availability of VocaLive, please click here to visit the IK Multimedia website.
Thanks for watching the video on vocalist music production from Starr Ackerman’s Music Production Blog!
The 8-track recording feature in AmpliTube 2 for iPad turns your iPad into a DAW (digital audio workstation). iPad musicians may now record their ideas utilizing 8 tracks with master and send FX features. Its definitely a cheap and easy alternative to building a computer music studio…
AmpliTube 2 for iPad from IK Multimedia
The 8-track recorder inside AmpliTube 2 for iPad allows you to record your band, or produce complete multi-track songs and compositions directly in AmpliTube without any additional software. This additional add-on, or “in-app purchase” is $14.99, and gives musicians the ability to import audio directly into each track. The “bounce” feature lets you bounce all tracks down to one, allowing you to free up more track space to record additional material, giving you unlimited recording ability!
AmpliTube for iPad is available in 2 versions: AmpliTube Full and AmpliTube FREE.
How do you get your audio signal into your iPad to record guitar or vocals? AmpliTube iRig plug adapter for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, click here to check it out.
8-TRACK Recorder inside AmpliTube 2 for iPad
Yes, the holiday time is the season to give gifts, and the Gorillaz gave a reeeaaallly nice gift to all of their fan club members by allowing them to download the new album for free. They also announced that the album “The Fall,” is now available to listen to online on the band’s site, for anyone who signs up for their mailing list.
Gorillaz iPad album 2010, "The Fall"
But wait, there’s more, the band also recorded and composed the whole album using an iPad and apps to make music, and guess which guitar app they used? Of course, it was AmpliTube for iPad and the iRig plug adapter, among 19 other apps named here:
“Speak It! / SoundyThingie / Mugician / Solo Synth / Synth / Funk Box / Gliss / AmpliTube / Xenon / iElectribe / BS-16i / M3000 HD / Cleartune / iOrgel HD / Olsynth / StudioMiniXI / BassLine / Harmonizer / Dub Siren Pro / Moog Filtatron”
What a nice advertisement for building a computer-based studio to make music, or an iPad music studio. Special thanks to the Gorillaz for being an innovative and techie band!
Speak It!
SoundyThingie
Mugician
Solo Synth [No App Store Link Available]
Synth
Funkbox
Gliss
AmpliTube
Xenon
Korg iElectribe
BS-16i
Mellotronics M3000 HD
Cleartune
iOrgel HD
Olsynth
StudioMini XL
BassLine
Harmonizer
Dub Siren Pro
Moog Filatron [No App Store Link Available]
Give to the homeless, and you may just have launched what could be the start of a winning career for the next Michael Jackson, or “insert your favorite artist name here”. ‘Tis the season to be charitable, so why not support the homeless arts community and do your part to give back!?!?
Click here to give to the Charity, Hollywood-Arts.org!
From their website: Hollywood Arts is a one-of-a-kind arts academy for homeless and at risk young people ages 13-25. Since we first opened our doors in early 2007, more than 600 students have taken the opportunity to learn valuable life skills and develop a positive sense of self through classes in music, acting, fashion, dance, visual arts and more. Classes emphasize hands-on learning, mentor relationships, teamwork and technical skills, and are offered at no cost to the student. Using the arts as a vehicle, many of our classes lead to work-based mentorships, internships, and entry-level work opportunities.
But more than just a bunch of classrooms, teachers and students, Hollywood Arts has become a vital part of the community, serving as a safe haven, a melting pot for all the disenfranchised youth of all races, ethnicities and sexual orientation who have nowhere else to turn. Even though we are an arts based organization, our students come to us for housing referrals, medical services and other emergency services, not to mention the support and respect of our staff, volunteers and each other.
Click here to give to the Charity, Hollywood-Arts.org!
Starr Ackerman’s Music Production Blog is proud to have sponsored this fundraiser for Hollywood-Arts.org.
Yes, that's me.
Starr Ackerman's Music Production Blog & PR/AR 