The BBC reports that it has re-opened its legendary Radiophonic Workshop, since shuttering it in 1998: The original workshop was known for its pioneering use of electronic sounds. Founded in 1958, it was best-known for creating the eerie swoosh of the Doctor Who theme tune, but its compositions were also used in numerous radio dramas, The Goon Show and The Hitch-Hiker's Guide … [Read more...]
Pro Tools 10 at AES
I watched the Avid at AES 2011 streaming press conference so you don't have to. The AES presentation took a few minutes at the beginning to give an overview of where Avid and Pro Tools are today, in particular going over the products that Avid released in 2010, in particular: The new M-Boxes, The HD Native hardware and interfaces, And the opening-up of Pro Tools to … [Read more...]
Final Cut Pro X for Audio Roundup
Apple's new version of its dominating middle-end picture editorial system was released on the 21st of this month, and professonal reaction has been negative, even withering, due to a lack of seemingly obvious features and a new workflow and timeline semantic that strikes pros as very different and new, or decidedly iMovie-ish. Final Cut Pro finds a lot of use in features and … [Read more...]
Norio Ohga, “Father of the CD,” dead at 81
Just a brief note of sound design-y import: MSNBC reports that Norio Ohga, president of Sony in the 80s and early 90s and (nominally) "Father of the Compact Disc" has died of multiple organ failure. He was 81. Ohga is generally cited as being the primary industry champion for the Compact Disc-Digital Audio system, the "Red Book" CD or just plain "audio CD" to you and me. It's … [Read more...]
On GRM Tools 3, Part 1
A friend recently asked me what three plug-ins I would take with me on to the proverbial "desert island." Assuming I also packed a Macbook, a copy of Logic and an iLok updater, I told him my three plug-ins would be: Serato Pitch 'n Time TL|Space The GRM Tools I recently picked up the complete GRM Tools version 3 "Evolution" bundle, and here's my experience, along with … [Read more...]