Tracksheets: An Avatar Studios Newsletter

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AVATAR TRACKSHEETS
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Avatar Studios Newsletter
     Summer 2002 Issue

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Visit us at http://www.AvatarStudios.net
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IN THIS ISSUE

1. Welcome
2. TEC Award Nominations
3. New Gear / Instruments
4. Tracking to DSD
5. Creative Community News
6. "Hall of Fame" Photo
7. Session News
8. Quick Mentions
9. Book a Session / Book a Session / Feedback
10. About Avatar Studios
11. Subscribe / Unsubscribe

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1. WELCOME

Welcome to the very first issue of Avatar Studio's electronic
newsletter called AVATAR TRACKSHEETS.  Our intent is to keep you up
to date on what is happening at our studios and let you know of any
new service offerings that you might be interested in.  Please
provide us with any feedback on what you would like to see in the
newsletter.  Thank your for supporting Avatar and enjoy the issue!!


2. TEC AWARD NOMINATION

Avatar Studios has been nominated for a 2002 TEC Award for
Outstanding Creative Achievement in the Record Production / Album
category for being the studio where Diana Krall's The Look of Love
was recorded.  The album was engineered and mixed by Al Schmitt who
already won a Grammy (his 11th) for Best Engineered Album,
Non-Classical category for the same title earlier this year.
The Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards is the foremost program
recognizing the achievements of audio professionals.  Presented
annually by the Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the TEC
Awards celebrates the individuals, companies and technological
innovations behind the sound of recordings, films, TV shows and
concert performances.  The 18th Annual TEC Awards will be held on
Monday, October 7, 2002,
at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles.

3. NEW GEAR / INSTRUMENTS

=> New Pro Tools HD system now available!
Avatar has a new Pro Tools HD rig available for rent in sessions.
Check out the specs at
http://www.AvatarStudios.net/gear/protools.html.

=> Steinway B Piano now available!!
We now have a Steinway B piano, alongside our Yamaha C7, available
for sessions in Studio A and Studio C.  Be sure to ask Tino if you
are interested in using either of these two top-of-the-line pianos.


4. TRACKING TO DSD

=> Avatar Studios now offers you the option of digitally recording to
2-track DSD or 8-track DSD at the same time you are tracking to tape.
By doing this, you have the option to be able to release your
recording in SACD format in the future.  DSD, or Direct Stream
Digital, is a new and improved method of converting music into the
digital domain, sampling at 2.8224 MHz.  This results in a frequency
response from 0 Hz to beyond 100 kHz, and a dynamic range greater
than 120 dB.  It may just save you a lot of time and give you more
marketing options in the future.  Contact
mailto:Tino@AvatarStudios.net?subject=dsd_from_newsletter.


5. CREATIVE COMMUNITY NEWS

=> Full Force joins forces with Avatar
Avatar is the new base of operations in Manhattan for Forceful
Enterprises, the production company of versatile artists, actors, and
producers known as Full Force.  Full Force occupies several rooms on
the 2nd floor and will utilize the space for song-writing,
pre-production, overdubs, and other production related work.  We can
feel their vibrant energy in the building already!

=> Homecoming for Roy Hendrickson
Power Station alumnus, Roy Hendrickson, has moved into a room on the
4th floor as his new home for his mixing sessions.  Stop by and say
hello.  Welcome back, Roy!  Read about Roy's return at
http://www.prosoundnews.com/stories/2002/june/0620.3.shtml.


6. "HALL OF FAME" PHOTO

=> We have a tradition at our studio of taking photos of our guests
on the last day of their visit for our "Hall of Fame" photo gallery.
We take these photos as reminders and memories of the magic and
special moments we experience with talented people from newcomers to
legendary artists who grace our rooms.  In this issue, we have two
photos.  Recently, Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, and Richard Davis were in
Studio A tracking to DSD for producer Yasohachi "88" Ito for his own
label Eighty-Eight's.  Check out photos of Elvin and Hank Jones at
http://www.AvatarStudios.net/aboutus/gallery.html.


7. SESSION NEWS

=> ELVIS COSTELLO and producer/engineer Kevin Killen recently
recorded a song to be used in a Japanese television series.  Ross
Peterson and Anthony Ruotolo assisted.

=> Engineer / mixer Axel Niehaus was recently in doing remixes for
Columbia artist AMERIE with producer Rich Harrison.

=> Lava artists PORCUPINE TREE have camped out in Studio B with
engineer Paul Northfield and producer Steven Wilson, doing overdubs
after tracking in Studio A.  Brian Montgomery assisted.

=> Producer Gregg Wattenberg has been working with Sony Canada artist
CHANTAL KREVIAZUK cutting tracks for her latest record.  Engineering
duties were shared by Brian Scheuble and Avatar's own Ross Peterson,
assisted by Ricardo Fernandez.  Gregg also produced tracks that will
be used on the "Stuart Little 2" soundtrack with CHANTAL KREVIAZUK
and MANDY MOORE.

=> Elliot Scheiner and Tommy LiPuma recently in with DIANA KRALL
recording a track for MCA Nashville's Patsy Kline Tribute record.
Assisted by Aya Takemura.  Also in for the tribute album was MICHELLE
BRANCH with producer Greg Wells to record Patsy Kline's "Strange".
Brian Montgomery assisted.

=> Producer Bob Belden and engineer Jim Anderson recently remixed
some unreleased WEATHER REPORT LIVE material for Sony's Legacy
Records.  Anthony Ruotolo assisted.

=> Engineer/producer Jeffrey Lesser recently in with Sony Classical
artist MARY FAHL, cutting tracks direct to Jan Folkson's Pro Tools
rig.  The tracks were later mixed in Folkson's Studio E.  Anthony
Ruotolo assisted.

=> Producer Swizz Beatz was in working on the "Survivalist" project
for Fo' Life Records.  Engineering is Avatar's own Anthony Ruotolo.

=> Full Force Productions currently housed in Avatar's second floor
brought in Motown recording artist JENE for overdubs and mixing with
engineer Josh Wilbur, assisted by Peter Doris.  Full Force also
brought in Universal recording artist DANI STEVENS for mixing with
engineer Josh Wilbur, assisted by Brian Montgomery.

=> Pianist / keyboardist / arranger extraordinaire PHILIPPE SAISSE
recently began a new album with producer Sushi Kosugi and Roy
Hendrickson.  The record will be mixed in Roy's own Studio R on the
fourth floor penthouse.  Anthony Ruotolo assisted.

=> Beyond Music artist BLONDIE recently recorded some final tracks
for her upcoming album.  Engineer Danny Bernini and producer Jeff
Bova were assisted by Ross Peterson.


8. QUICK MENTIONS

=> Avatar Web Site Facelift
Avatar's Web site has completed a facelift.  In addition to the new
look, it has been redesigned for quicker access to needed
information.  A new Affiliated Engineer section under Creative
Community features information such as discographies of engineers
that frequently work at Avatar.  Check out the site at
http://www.AvatarStudios.net.

=> New Artist-Friendly Program
Avatar has done a lot of work to help unsigned artists / bands make
great sounding demos and recordings.  Contact Tino for further
details at
mailto:Tino@AvatarStudios.net?subject=new_artist_friendly_from_newsletter.

=> Studio A for Showcases & Live Performances
In the past, our Studio A has been used as a venue for showcases and
video production because of its atmosphere and size.  The studio has
also been used to air live performances via broadcast.  If you have
special needs like these, be sure to contact us for room availability.

=> Take a virtual tour of Studio A
You can now take a 360° tour of Studio A from the Studio A Web page.
You will need to install the latest QuickTime plug-in.  Check it out
at http://www.AvatarStudios.net/rooms/studio_a.html.


9. BOOK A SESSION / CONTACT US / FEEDBACK

=> To book a session, call Tino at (212) 765-7500 or email him at
mailto:Tino@AvatarStudios.net?subject=book_from_newsletter.

=>We welcome any feedback you might have regarding our newsletter or
the services that we offer.  For feedback:
mailto:clientservices@AvatarStudios.net?subject=feedback_from_newsletter.



10. ABOUT AVATAR STUDIOS

Avatar Studios, formerly known as Power Station, is a
33,000-square-foot multi-room facility on Manhattan's west side
dedicated to providing the highest possible quality audio recording
services to the recording industry. The studio houses four premier
recording rooms containing Neve 8068, two SSL 9000Js and a Neve VRP.
The four rooms are equipped with four ISDN lines per room and a
remote recording session can be set up at a moment's notice.  AVATAR
also has a Pro Tools editing suite available.

History: http://www.AvatarStudios.net/aboutus/history.html
Clients: http://www.AvatarStudios.net/aboutus
Gear: http://www.AvatarStudios.net/gear


11. SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE

We respect your privacy.  We will not give out your e-mail address.
If you wish not to receive this newsletter, please follow the
instructions below to unsubscribe.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit the Tracksheets subscription page
at http://AvatarStudios.net/news/newsletter.html

Or by email as follows:

=> To Subscribe, send an email to:
     mailto:tracksheets-request@lists.AvatarStudios.net?subject=subscribe

=> To Unsubscribe, send an email to:
     mailto:tracksheets-request@lists.AvatarStudios.net?subject=unsubscribe


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This newsletter is published by Avatar Studios
http://www.AvatarStudios.net
Copyright © 2002 Avatar Entertainment Corporation, all rights reserved.


Your Sound
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above all