Sorry for the Hiatus/ Download Music for Free

•October 14, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Dear readers,

Sorry for the 2 and 1/2 month Hiatus. I was emotionally out to lunch- my mommy passed away on July 28th, 2010. Since that time, I’ve been largely unavailable to do anything but work, drink, smoke, party and act a fool in order to try to forget about the pain. I did manage to make some music though, and I also made a soundcloud.com account so people could download my electro, house and ambient music for free, and listen to it anytime if they wanted to (without a million ads running).

Here is the link to my soundcloud account, www.soundcloud.com/starr-ackerman

This is a pic of my mom when she was my age….I really miss talking to her. She was the funniest person I knew.

Ciao for now!

Starr Ackerman

FREE MP3 Downloads here.

Posted in electro, Starr Ackerman's Music

Dave Matthews Band Interview from Mets Citifield- Ny1 News Tech Report on AmpliTube iRig!

•July 26, 2010 • 4 Comments

I had to set up a date between NY1 News Team- Tech Reporter Adam Balkin and Dave Matthews Band- Stefan Lessard, bassist, and Erik Porter, bass tech. Public and Artist Relations can be a pretty fun job….The point of the date was to show the evolution of how AmpliTube software has made it from the stage to the iPhone/iPad, AmpliTube iRig, and how crazy good the sounds still are for professional practice, play or music production. We all met up at Mets Stadium in Corona, NY- Citifield and completed the interview. It was pretty rad, and here is the article and video that Adam shot for the NY1 News spot (which aired on like 13 stations!- 11 million viewers).

(Citifield is huge when you are looking from the stage to all the seated fans…and 40,000 screaming Dave Matthews Band fans surely make a nice setting for a news video. In the video, you get to see Stefan from DMB playing through AmpliTube iRig, and Erik Porter explaining the system they have on stage for all of Stefan’s bass setup with Ampeg SVX/ AmpliTube software.

Here is a direct link to the video of Stefan and Erik from Dave Matthews Band on guitar and bass software, AmpliTube for Mac/PC, and AmpliTube iRig (AmpliTube for iPhone and iPad)

From NY1 News:

If you’ve ever wondered how bassist Stefan Lessard of The Dave Matthews Band creates his unique sound on stage, you may be surprised to find out it’s all thanks to some high tech gadgets. NY1’s Adam Balkin filed the following report.

I think it’s fair to say most of us will never come anywhere close to playing the bass as well as Stefan Lessard of The Dave Matthews Band. You can, however, come close to replicating his sound using something you may have in your pocket. Back to how that’s possible in a minute. First, a quick explanation of the high tech way Lessard gets that sound, pretty much any sound he wants, while live on stage.

“We play so many different styles of music and there are so many different elements inside the songs that change. One minute it might be kinda jazzy and the next it’s all out rock. I kinda need a real versatile system,” says Lessard.

DMB Bassist Creates High Tech Tunes

A few years ago, he would have needed a row of effects pedals and different types of amps to get each particular sound. Today though, his bass is routed through a Mac mini computer that runs software called AmpliTube XGear. Developers at IK Multimedia say it serves up just about any guitar or bass effect ever conceived, played virtually through just about any style of amp or cabinet, which, when combined, offer more than 20,000 different sounds.

“So on stage I don’t have to go over to my mouse and keyboard and try to change the sounds. I can just go to my pedal board, it has all these buttons A,B,C,D and I know that C is the sound I want for this section of the song,” says Lessard.

And to answer one of the first questions people usually have when they hear about the system — how does one trust a live show to a desktop computer? Lessard’s bass and violin tech Erik Porter says only once in two years has there ever been a system crash.

“We have a UPS backup battery to keep the computers running in case the power does go down we have we have two computers running at all times so if a computer were to go down we switch to a backup computer and it’s all pretty easy to make that switch it’d take about 30 seconds,” explains Porter.

Now here’s where it gets exciting for anyone who’s ever stepped anywhere near a guitar or bass. Much of what Stefan is doing on stage, you can also do by plugging your guitar or bass into your iPhone.

AmpliTube’s iRig is a guitar to iPhone adaptor and then an app that offers as many as 11 effects, five amps, five cabinets and even two microphone simulations.

“I was surprised the first time I plugged it in. I didn’t know what to expect out of it. ANd it sounded just like my stage sound,” says Lessard.

Lessard, by the way, is not a paid endorser. The app itself costs anywhere from $0 to $20 depending on how many features and effects you want. The adaptor itself is another $40.

Author- Adam Balkin-NY1News

Starr Ackerman Artist/ Public Relations

Posted in Apple, Events, guitar recording, How to- Music Production Videos, iPad music apps, iPhone 4, Live performance with audio software, Music Production Techniques and Articles, Video Interview, Videos
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Video Jam session with AmpliTube iRig on CNN Money/Fortune

•July 19, 2010 • 2 Comments

CNN Money / Fortune Features AmpliTube iRig on Video
Video interview with Enrico Iori, CEO of IK, and Paul Riario, editor of Guitar World Magazine

IK Multimedia AmpliTube iRig on CNN

In this video interview showcasing the technology, sounds and masterminds of the exploding new market for mobile music applications and peripherals for guitarists, CNN Money/ Fortune features one of the catalysts –  AmpliTube iRig, AmpliTube iRig is the first complete solution for musicians to access guitar and bass effects from their mobile devices;  the combination of AmpliTube for iPhone/iPad apps and the iRig interface plug adapter.

Check out this video to learn more about what the music industry holds for the exciting future of computer and mobile music platforms with insightful commentary from IK Multimedia’s CEO, Enrico Iori. Watch Paul Riario, technical editor for Guitar World Magazine, play through the iRig and listen to the sounds  of the amazing amps and effects from AmpliTube’s mobile app software.

Learn more about AmpliTube iRig.

Watch the video interview of AmpliTube iRig, Enrico Iori and Paul Riario on CNN Money/ Fortune.

Courtesy of Starr Ackerman Public Relations/Artist Relations

Posted in Apple, iPad music apps, iPhone apps for music, Live performance with audio software, Music Products I Use and Love, Uncategorized, Video Interview, Videos
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My Favorite Song: Muse’s “Undisclosed Desires”

•June 25, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Matt Bellamy and “Muse” are just an incredible band. The lyrics and music production on mostly all of their songs are just siiiiick. My favorites usually fuse electro with rock, and “Undisclosed Desires” is nothing short of amazing… here is the video~

Posted in electro, Live performance with audio software, My favorite music, Videos
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Starr Ackerman Interview with Claudio Sanchez from “Coheed and Cambria”: Checking out a preview of AmpliTube iRig for iPhone!

•June 25, 2010 • 1 Comment

Sometimes my job is really really cool, and I get to go to shows and meet some rad musicians. This time, it was more than that, I got to show Claudio Sanchez, lead singer and guitarist for the alternative rock band “Coheed and Cambria“, a preview of IK’s new AmpliTube iRig. We shot this video interview backstage after their show in Central Park, New York City, USA on May 26, 2010, and Claudio said “AmpliTube iRig is Awesome!” (not to mention, the show before that was pretty awesome as well!)

Check out the video interview:

Learn more about plugging your guitar or bass into your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch with AmpliTube apps and the iRig plug interface adapter.

Posted in Apple, guitar recording, How to- Music Production Videos, iPad music apps, iPhone 4, iPhone apps for music, Live performance with audio software, Music Production Techniques and Articles, Video Interview
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USA Today on iPhone 4: “AmpliTube’s electrifying new app” and the iRig

•June 25, 2010 • 2 Comments

AmpliTube for iPhone and the iRig connector is getting major media attention, recently from USA Today’s Jeff Graham – a video showing how to use it with your guitar or bass. He shows it with the new iPhone 4!


USA TODAY’s Jefferson Graham, with Stratocaster in hand, reviews IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube app, which enables him to power up the guitar with the iPhone 4. On the Talking Tech video show.

Here are some quotes from his experience using the AmpliTube for iPhone and iPad apps, and plugging his guitar into his iPhone to rock out:

“Of the most amazing wonders of recent times, surely this has to be one of them. Now there’s an app that let’s you plug an electric guitar into the iPhone, and proceed to rock out.”

“IK Multimedia’s $19.99 AmpliTube does just that — but you’ll need the $39.99 iRig accessory to really make it happen. With one end of the rig, you take your guitar cord, the same one you would use for your amp, and plug it into the guitar and the iRig. Then you take a speaker cord, or headphone, if you prefer, for amplified sound.”

“From there, you get a multitude of different sounds (the usual mix — fuzz, chorus, delay, even wah-wah) and it actually sounds like you’re going through an amp. There’s less power of course, and if you really want to wail, you’ll need some heavy duty speakers.”

“But the fact is you can use the iPhone (or iPod Touch or iPad) as one cool little practice amp. IK offers a basic app for free (to just power up the guitar) along with a $2.99 version that has a few sounds. The full $19.99 baby has 5 amp sounds and 11 stompbox effects.”

Watch the video from USA TODAY for AmpliTube for iPhone and AmpliTube iRig.

Check out the full article and video on AmpliTube iRig from USA TODAY.

Learn more about plugging your guitar or bass into your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch with AmpliTube apps and the iRig plug interface adapter.

Posted in Apple, guitar recording, How to- Music Production Videos, iPad music apps, iPhone 4, Live performance with audio software, Music Production Techniques and Articles, Music Products I Use and Love, Videos
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Rapper, Music Producer or Really Smart Website Coder? I think all 3…

•May 28, 2010 • 1 Comment

This dude made a cool home music video (and it looks like it’s been filmed in an office- just for fun I think). It’s called “Design Coding“. It’s about properly creating and coding your website so you can have more search traffic (SEO- search engine optimization) and better navigation. Here is the video, but also- here are the lyrics after the video. “The Poetic Prophet (AKA The SEO Rapper)”. I thought it was an interesting use of music production to teach people the right way to blog!

lyrics:

Your site design is the first thing people see, it should be reflective of you and the industry
easy to look at with a nice navigation
when you can’t find what you want it causes frustration
a clear Call to Action to increase the temptation
use appealing graphics, they create motivation
if you have animation
use with moderation
cause search engines can’t index the information
display the logos of all your associations
highlight your contact info that’s an obligation
create a clean design you can use some decoration
but to try to prevent any client hesitation
every page that they click should provide and explanation
should be easy to understand like having a conversation
when you design the style go ahead and use your imagination
but make sure you use correct color combinations
do some investigation, look at other organizations
but don’t duplicate or you might face a litigation
design done, congratulations but it’s time to start construction
follow these instructions when you move into production
your photoshop functions then slice that design
do your layout with divs make sure that it’s aligned
please don’t use tables even though they work fine
when it come to indexing they give searches a hard time
make it easy for the spiders to crawl what you provide
remove font type, font color and font size
no background colors, keep your coding real neat,
tag your look and feel on a separate style sheet
better results with xml and css
now you making progress, a lil closer to success
describe your doctype so the browser can relate
make sure you do it great or it won’t validate
check in all browsers, I do it directly
gotta make sure that it renders correctly
some use IE, some others use Flock
some use AOL, I use Firefox
title everything including links and images
don’t use italics, use emphasis
don’t use bold, please use strong
if you use bold that’s old and wrong
when you use CSS, you page will load quicker
client satisfied like they eating on a snicker
they stuck on your page like you made it with a sticker
and then they convert now that’s the real kicker
make you a lil richer, your site a lil slicker
design and code right man I hope you get the picture
what I’m telling you is true man it should be a scripture
if it’s built right you’ll be the pick of the litter
everyone will want to follow you like twitter
competition will get bitter and you’ll shine like glitter
if you trying to grow your company will get bigger

Posted in How to- Music Production Videos, Videos
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Rock Stars: Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5 and Drowning Pool Quotes on AmpliTube iRig- Rock Out on your iPhone and your Guitar!

•May 10, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Software and input/output for guitarists/bassists

AmpliTube iRig interface and software from IK Multimedia

Initial reactions are proving AmpliTube iRig is a definitive innovation, changing the way people experience amps and effects, anytime and everywhere.

Check out these quotes from the authority on tech media:

“iRig and AmpliTube for iPhone look like an amazing way to have just about any guitar sound I want with me at all times. I can’t wait to check it out!”

Bryan Chaffin, editor for “MacObserver”

“No doubt you have a hit on your hands…to be able to sit on the couch, jack your guitar into an iPhone, and play a Strat with the sounds and effects you use normally would be VERY appealing.”

Charles Lawton, editor for “Wired Magazine”

“If iRig sounds half as cool as it looks, it’s a winner!”

George Petersen, editor for “Mix Magazine”

“…this is way more advanced than any guitar app that we’ve previously seen on the iPhone.  What’s more impressive is that you can get free, LE and Full versions (ranging from free to $20.)” and “Looks amazing… it’s very exciting.”

Stuart Williams, and other editorial from “Total Guitar” – Europe’s Best-Selling Guitar Magazine

Check out these quotes from A-List rock stars:

“This is awesome! I was just talking to somebody about how this was the next step in music production and then the next day I got the announcement for iRig. I can’t wait to check it out!”

Stefan Lessard, bass player for “Dave Matthews Band“

“I am pretty excited to use AmpliTube iRig and play guitar through my iPhone, and it will work with my other apps too!”

James Valentine, guitarist for “Maroon 5“

“I am an iPhone Freak and this is really cool. Technology for guitarists is starting with mobile recording, and AmpliTube iRig is dead on target!”

CJ Pierce- guitarist for “Drowning Pool“

“Wow! That is amazing. It would be a perfect thing for me on tour. Cass too would love this for bass. We are always playing backstage before we go on stage and when we are travelling on tour. Sooooooo cool!”

Ace,  guitarist for “Skunk Anansie“
Learn more about AmpliTube iRig for playing guitar and bass on your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad.
Check out the video trailer!

Posted in guitar recording, How to- Music Production Videos, iPad music apps, iPhone apps for music, Videos
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Rana June Rocks with GrooveMaker on her iPad DJ Decks!

•April 21, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Gizmodo.com reveals the new “iPad DJ” in video:

Rana June Sobhany is riding the new wave of technology, using two iPads for DJ decks with a mixer for live play. Working on her new live music project. called “Destroy the Silence“, she puts together some great beats with no laptop or synth needed—this gal’s an iPad DJ. What’s she using? GrooveMaker House and GrooveMaker Hip-Hop! Check out the video on Gizmodo.com!

Here are quotes from her website:

“The inspiration for ‘Destroy the Silence’ came from my research the night before the launch of the iPad as I scoured the App Store for the coolest iPad apps available pre-launch. I kept finding these amazing apps and for some reason, I decided to download them, even before I even had the iPad!”

“So here I was, $200 later (that’s a lot of apps, by the way), with a ton of cool iPad apps I couldn’t use, and I realized that most of them were music creation apps. Fortunately, the IK Multimedia apps, the GrooveMaker series, were also available on the iPhone, so I spent about 4 hours of my time in line waiting for the iPad to go on sale doing beat-matching with these apps. I was instantly hooked. I checked out the screenshots of the apps I’d downloaded and it seemed that they made the process of live music sequencing pretty easy. I purchased my iPad and got to work that day.”

I caught up with Rana June Sobhany after her Gizmodo iPad video debut, and she told IK:

“I really just wanted to be able to make music live, using apps for DJing. The sounds and functions in GrooveMaker for iPad made it possible to do that so easily.  The multi-touch surface controls were really intuitive! I’m so glad IK spent time making this stuff work for DJs to use on the stage! I can’t wait to use the rest of the GrooveMaker series when they are available for the iPad. I own all of them (the different GrooveMaker versions) for the iPhone.”

Posted in How to- Music Production Videos, iPad music apps, iPhone apps for music, Live performance with audio software, Music Production Techniques and Articles, Music Products I Use and Love, Video Interview, Videos
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Music I made- Compromise Paradise and an article from “The Fresh Page” on that release

•March 15, 2010 • Leave a Comment

Excerpt from : http://www.thefreshpage.com/blog/housemusicnews/digital-lifestyle

“Live Electro House Performers: Starr Ackerman, Devine and DJ Rolan Live It isn’t easy being an indie electro producer, but somehow, these musicians defy gravity by producing, recording, mastering, distributing and marketing all their own music.”

Listen to Compromise Paradise –Click here.

“Starr Ackerman, (producer/vocalist), Devine (producer) and DJ Rolan Live (DJ/producer) do it all in the first of a series of releases from the 2nd Movement Record label. Fusing female vocals with funk electro-house grooves, single releases: Scream (Devine Vs. Starr Ackerman), Compromise Paradise (Starr Ackerman and DJ Rolan LIVE as Digital Lifestyle), Automatic Bass (Starr Ackerman and DJ Rolan LIVE as Digital Lifestyle) exemplify the flavor of South Beach electro. digital Lifestyle rocked the hottest dancefloors of South Florida as the first LIVE electro-house PAs (played venues such as: Crobar, Nocturnal, Voodoo, Bang Music Festival, Ultra Music Festival, Seminole Hard Rock and more)”.

Posted in Starr Ackerman's Music
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