PMM remixes/remasters first two Leger de Main discs.

Local record label Progressive Music Management (PMM) has taken on the ambitious project of remixing and mastering the first two Leger de Main releases: "The Concept of Our Reality" and "Second First Impression".

Leger de Main features Chris Rodler (guitars/keyboards/bass), Brett Rodler (drums) and Melissa Rodler (vocals). The 1st and 2nd LDM discs were originally released in 1995 and 1997 respectively, and have been successful for the PMM label as far away as Japan and Germany.

For the new reissue release Chris Rodler chose Art Of The Groove for all of the audio and graphics work. Chris wanted a double CD package with bonus tracks and redesigned graphics which reflected the spirit of the original releases. With Art Of The Groove based in Nashville, TN Chris worked with audio engineer John Trevethan and graphic designer Brenda Trevethan to establish a way of getting the job done remotely. The internet proved to be very useful in making audio and image files instantly available to Chris for decision making.

High resolution MP3 files were posted on the web for Chris to listen to. He would then make tweaks and suggestions via email, so the actual working process was very efficient. Audio restoration, editing, mixing and mastering was done on Art Of The Groove's ProTools TDM system running Logic Audio software as a front end.

For more information visit the PMM website at:

www.pmm-music.net



Blue Fire Recording with new drummer.

Bluefire has begun recording material with their new drummer L.B.Rockman . The band has been in L.B.'s studio laying down drum tracks for Blue Fire's new full length CD. It will feature 14 songs with the band's own original and unique sound. Anthony Makusi from Digital Renegade Studios was gracious enough to bring his recording equipment to track the drums on location at L.B.'s studio.
Black Rose Diary recording new album at Silvertone Studio

Josh

Jeff

Zac

John

Black Rose Diary has been working at Silvertone studio recording their follow up release to last year's "Burned Bridges and Broken Hearts".

The band has been tracking and overdubbing with Silvertone's John Johnston at the controls. According to John the new album has an intense and spontaneous character, due to the band having the opportunity to play the material live over the past several months. In fact, Black Rose Diary was so prepared that they tracked all of the songs for the new release in just three days.

Johnston has recently added Steinberg's Nuendo software to Silvertone's impressive list of gear. Nuendo is running on a dedicated audio computer which interfaces digitally with the Roland VS2480 digital recorder. The new software allows Silvertone to offer sophisticated editing capabilities and enhanced audio manipulation via an assortment of high-end audio plug-ins.

With overdubs for the album recently completed the tracks will be sent to Art Of The Groove studio in Nashville where John Trevethan will complete the mixing and mastering phases of the record.

Look for the new Black Rose Diary release later in the year and check the band's website for updates. www.blackrosediary.com



Digital Renegade Recording

Bluefire was at  Digital Renegade Studios in Edinboro finishing up 5 new songs for their upcoming CD. Josh was in the sound room laying down vocal tracks while owner Anthony Makusi was recording on Pro Tools. Watching was bass player Gus Ward. Drummer Josh Reynolds had already finished the drum tracks and was at home relaxing.

New Studio Opens in Erie

Owner Justin Couse recently opened Backwards Recording Studios in Erie.

The studio has the capability to record 24 tracks simultaneously onto hard disk and will soon be adding automation to the list of mixdown tools. The studio consists of three main rooms that are visible from one another.


Visit www.backwardsrecording.com for more information.

Silvertone Studio

Local rockers the Midnight Jacks are currently recording their first full-length realease at Silvertone Studio. Pictured above are Bob, Steve and Jeff from the band.

Studio owner John Johnston has recently upgraded Silvertone which is now located in a larger, more isolated space. Johnston has also added a new computer system running Steinberg's Nuendo audio software. The system allows transferring multiple audio tracks from the Roland VS machine to Nuendo and back again, completely in the digital domain.

Halo Effect from Buffalo (think Radiohead meets Sheryl Crow) were in to record a three song EP. Silvertone's John Johnston engineered the session. L - R in the photo are Chris, Jason and Jeremy with Johnston at the Roland VS-2480 24 track, 24-bit digital recorder.


L - R: Jen, Derek, Gus, Josh and Darren

TMJ Recording

Modern Luv Child and Blue Fire were collaborating on a new song at TMJ Recording recently.


Norwegian Wood Recording now offers in-house duplication/printing & packaging.

The studio, established in 2000, is nestled along a winding creek in Harborcreek Township. Owned and operated by Mike & Marie Miller, the studio specializes in digital audio production & editing. Available formats are ADAT, CD-R, Cassette, 1/4" analog tape, .wav files & .mp3 files.

Norwegian Wood has 32 tracks available & a full compliment of editing tools at the studio to help your project sound the best it can be. Studio time is available by the hour, or by the day. Block rates are also available.

See www.nwrstudio.com for more information.

Digital Acoustic had a total blast recording international acoustic artist Tim O'Brien at the Academy Theater, Meadville, PA on Saturday, April 5th. He was accompanied by Irish acoustic guitarist John Doyle. They kicked butt. This weeks location recordings include Allegheny College Civic Symphony at the Academy Theater, as well as Edinboro University's Jazz & Wind Ensembles (at Diebold Performing Arts Center) on April 24th. April 25th is the WXCS low power FM fund raiser at the Academy Theater featuring the RoadApples www.roadapples.us with openers storyteller Josh Searle-White and magician Jim Fitch. The show will be recorded digitally both audio and video. April 26th has DA at EUP for the Chorale concert at newly renovated Memorial Auditorium and at Allegheny College at Shafer Auditorium for AC Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony. Recent location recordings included a recital showcasing the compositions of Ciro Scotto (faculty at Eastman School of Music) and a fabulous performance by the Choirs of Allegheny College under the direction of Ward Jamison...if you don't here from us for a while, we're probably making records... Singer/songwriter Frank Bercik of the RoadApples is pictured below in the Digital Acoustic mixing/mastering room..

Digital Acoustic offers CD duplication packages and small run fulfillment packages for musicians that include artwork, jewel cases, shrink wrap & fast turnarounds. See www.acousticdrive.com for more information.

L - R: Zack, Jon, Jeff and Josh

Art Of The Groove

Black Rose Diary was in the studio mixing and mastering their new album entitled "Burned Bridges and Broken Hearts", which will be released on April 25th. The CD features eleven tracks, one of which is acoustic and a departure from the usual hard-rocking style of the band.

Black Rose Diary has been working on their release for several weeks, first tracking and overdubbing at Silvertone Studio with John Johnston and then mxing and mastering with John Trevethan at Art Of The Groove.

In support of the new album Black Rose Diary will be hosting a CD release party at the Hangout on April 25th. Click on the link above to hear "Devil Town", at track from the new album.

Things have been busy at Norwegian Wood Recording. Tracking is finishing up & mixing is about to begin on the "Just Hold On" project for "Eleazar" from Bread Of Heaven Tabernacle. The punk band "Time Out" is due in on the weekend to start work on a six song demo.

See www.nwrstudio.com for more information.



Mike Ohm kicks back at Art Of The Groove

Mike Ohm was in the studio mastering his first solo release: "Things Are Not What They Seem".

Ohm is one of the area's most sought after guitarists, having been a major force in groups such as Potato Battery, JD & the Sons Of Rhythm and Ambitious Noise. Additionally Mike is an in-demand session musician who has appeared on many of the area's finest releases.

Things Are Not What They Seem is an album of guitar duets, with Mike playing both parts... Ohm accompanying Ohm.

Things Are Not What They Seem is available in the PlayErie Online CD Shop.


Zomo at Amnot Recording

Zomo has been in recording their debut CD, which is about 50% completed, at Amnot Recording Studios in Girard.

The release is being produced by Zomo and Atom Watt, with Watt handling the engineering duties. For more information on Amnot Recording Studios call (814) 774-0151.

L - R: Josh and Jon of Black Rose Diary

Silvertone Studio

Black Rose Diary has started recording their new release at John Johnston's Silvertone Studio. Johnston has completed basic tracking with the band and is now in the process of finishing guitar and vocal overdubs.

Silvertone features a Roland VS-2480 24-track hard disk recording system as well as Event 20/20 powered nearfiled monitors.



Telefonics mixing new song

John Johnston of Telefonics was in Art Of The Groove studio mixing a new song entitled "Recovery Stage Part II".

The piece is one of the larger and more complex arrangements that Johnston has produced. Recovery Stage features dual vocals from Gina Rullo and Matt Thompson, a horn section, massed background vocals, and intricate layering of several guitars, keyboard and Theremin.

John Johnston recorded the tune at his Silvertone studio and then chose to bring it to Art of The Groove for mixing and mastering. Recovery Stage Part II will be featured on the upcoming PlayErie.com compilation CD featuring 18 local artists in a wide variety of styles.


Waterside's Jay Ahlbrandt, Dan Ahlbrandt & Tim Hull

Waterside at TMJRecordings

Waterside are currently recording an album at TMJRecordings. The band features Jay Ahlbrandt on lead vocals and guitar, Tim Hull on bass and backing vocals and Dan Ahlbrandt on drums and backing vocals.

TMJRecordings is an Erie based recording studio. It has been in business since the summer of 2001, and has completed work on a number of demo and album projects. The studio's goal is to bring high quality recordings to young up coming bands.

Art Of The Groove upgrades ProTools system

The upgrade will allow for 48 tracks of hard disk audio (along with unlimited virtual tracks). An additional 24 channels of sample playback is available via Digidesign's Samplecell TDM cards. The system includes 16 physical I/Os while TDM processing is handled by six Digidesign DSP Farm cards.

With the upgrade Art Of The Groove will have the capability to work on larger and more complex projects. The company will also continue to specialize in mixing, mastering, digital editing, vocal tuning, drum triggering and a host of related services offered in the Protools environment.

For more info visit www.ArtOfTheGroove.com



Silvertone Studio

Jocelyn Porter Project is laying down some tracks at John Johnston's Silvertone Studio. The music is a pure blend of acoustic guitar & vocals in the mad singer / songwriter style. Jocelyn Porter project is Christine Volk.


L - R: Derek Tomporowski, Gus Ward and Josh Karickhoff

Blue Fire working on EP

Blue Fire is currently working on a three song EP with producer Preston Lindey. The band was at Art Of The Groove studio cutting vocal tracks with engineer John Trevethan, who expects to have the EP mixed and mastering within a few days.

Blue Fire will be appearing at Poe's Cafe Saturday, December 7th from 8pm - 10pm. For more info about the band visit their website at www.bluefireband.com.


Black Rose Diary guitarists / vocalists Jeff and Josh

Black Rose Diary at Art Of The Groove

Black Rose Diary was in remixing "Deep Down In The Depths Of Hell" which will appear on the upcoming PlayErie.com Compilation CD. The band will be playing an all ages show at the Hangout this Saturday, December 7th.

Art Of The Groove features a 32 channel ProTools TDM system and Soundcraft DC 2000 console with moving fader automation and computer control.


Engineer / producer Randy Hetherington

Midtown Recording Studios

Randy Hetherington was in the studio mixing a live release for the Dave Stevens Big Band, recorded at Penn State Behrend college. The CD will be released at the Eriesistable American Spirit Benefit Concert at the Warner Theatre on September 11th.

Midtown also recently installed a Sony DMX100 48 channel digital mixing console with moving fader automation.



(L - R) Joe Salorino, Rick DiBello, Rob Vance

Twang Recording Studios (TRS)

Rick DiBello has been in recording tracks with Rob Vance (bass) and Joe Salorino (drums) for his soon to be performed rock opera, "Sammy".

See the Artist News page for Sammy show times and more information.


Cycling Troll Recording:

Current artists include "Three 4 One", a Christian vocal trio working on their second release; and the "400 LB. Gorillas" have begun tracking tunes for their first project.

See www.cyclingtroll.com for more information.