Monthly Archives: January 2011

SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS~MarcH ISsue of The SouRce TRON-INSPIRED

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Mr. Sean “Diddy” Combs covers the February/March issue of The Source Magazine. In the Tron-inspired covered issue, Diddy discusses his drive to win, his Dirty Money “pelvic” music as well as his definition of “Black Power.” The mega-mogul also talked about the challenge and responsibility of being one of the most influential African-Americans in America as well as his thoughts on President Obama:

[MUSIC SWAG & LIFE]

~TB

GADGET REPORT~AleSis Studio dOck for IPAD

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Connect all of your audio gear to the entire world of apps for iPad.

The StudioDock is the first device that enables anyone with an iPad to create, produce, and perform music with virtually any pro audio gear or instruments. The StudioDock is a universal docking station specifically designed for the iPad, and it gives musicians, recording engineers, and music producers the connectivity they need to create and perform with iPad. Connect all your pro audio gear to virtually any app in the App Store with the StudioDock.

FLEXIBLE FUNCTIONALITY
Songwriters, music producers and performers of all kinds will find that the StudioDock connects the iPad’s powerful processor, touch-screen interface and extensive library of apps to their collection of microphones, instruments, professional speaker and PA systems, MIDI controllers, sound modules, video projectors and much more.

With the StudioDock and an iPad, musicians and producers can record, perform, craft and create music in virtually any situation or location. Built to accommodate all current app-development standards including Core MIDI, the StudioDock is a universal device that bridges your choice of music-creation apps, instruments, and devices.

COMPLETE CONNECTIVITY
The StudioDock provides microphone and instrument users with two combination XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, each with its own gain control and switchable phantom power for condenser microphones. Guitarists and bassists will appreciate the StudioDock’s guitar-direct switch, enabling them to play, perform and record right into amplifier- and effects-modeling apps. Bands can connect outputs from their mixer and easily record their performances and rehearsals or use the StudioDock as a metronome or loop-playback device. Producers can use the StudioDock’s MIDI jacks to sequence external keyboards, samplers, drum machines and synthesizers, or perform using the StudioDock as the sound module and their favorite MIDI-compliant keyboard, drum pad or other controller. An assignable 1/4-inch footswitch input enables remote control of any app-defined function such as stop/start or record. Users can also connect the StudioDock to their Mac or PC using the USB port to send MIDI back and forth for creative, new applications of the iPad and computer used in tandem.

Users can connect the StudioDock’s stereo pair of 1/4-inch main outputs to studio monitors for critical listening, or to PA systems for use in performance settings. They can monitor on headphones, and independently control the levels of the two outputs, each on its own knob. Recording musicians will appreciate the StudioDock’s direct-monitor switch, which enables them to toggle between the incoming and playback signal on their headphones. Rounding out the StudioDock’s output section is a composite video connector, enabling users to employ the StudioDock as a source for video projection behind bands on stage, or for connection to most televisions and computer monitors.

RUGGED RELIABILITY
The StudioDock was built for the real world. Whether you’re keeping it in the safety of the studio or taking it out for recording or performance use in the club or on tour, the StudioDock will not only deliver the connectivity you need for audio applications, but it also serves as a rugged, protective case for the iPad. The StudioDock completely houses the iPad on the bottom and three side surfaces. It also encases the iPad’s screen in a protective bezel on three of its four edges, further shielding the mobile computing device from the potential for damage in punishing environments.

The applications of the iPad for music creation, production, and performance are limited only by your creativity. As an imaginative, cutting-edge music maker, the StudioDock empowers you to seamlessly connect the world of pro audio gear and instruments to the iPad and the massive collection of apps.

[MUSIC SWAG & LIFE] making music the future

~TB

MUSIC BIZ~CHRIS HICKS EVP DEF JAM “INTERVIEW”

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When did you know that you wanted to work in the music business?
My parents started to really expose me to music when I was a toddler. Deciphering early James Brown and Stevie Wonder records is how I learned to read. I had a “jones” for it early. By my late teens, I knew it was what I wanted to do; I just needed to figure out how. College led me into promoting, where I almost lost everything. Atlanta was simultaneously building a thriving music scene that I ultimately settled into as a manager, production company and publisher.

What was your first industry job?
I was hired as VP of Urban A&R of Warner/Chappell by Rick Shoemaker in June 2004. I had a successful venture (Noontime) with Warner at the time. Warner was at a crossroads with regards to their involvement in urban music, and I wanted to learn the business from a cooperate perspective. We struck a deal that allowed me to come into the company as well maintain the venture. He gave me autonomy to create a plan that ultimately reestablished Warner in urban music. Shani Gonzales, who started out as my assistant, and I were the urban music department at Warner. During my four years running Warner Urban, we signed The-Dream, Danja, T.I., Lil Wayne and Bryan Cox, among several others, and charted over 100 Top 10 records. And I was fortunate to have tremendous support. Richard Blackstone was a great boss, Dave Johnson was a great boss and Kevin Liles, who worked in corporate, was always supportive, especially during the Timbaland catalog acquisition.

If you knew then what you know now, would you have done anything differently, and what would you say to others coming up now?
LEARN THE BUSINESS!!!! Looking back at it, the initial joint venture deal I structured with Warner was probably the worst deal I have EVER done. My ignorance could have resulted in never actually controlling or owning the assets I worked so hard to build. My success at the company gave me an opportunty to later right that mistake, but it could have easily had a different result.

Was there one artist or experience that inspired you to follow this path?
There are many. Puff, L.A., Lyor, Mary J, Jay-Z, Jimmy, Azoff, Benny Medina… I could go on. While they all have different styles, different skill sets, they all have one common denominator. They don’t play “not to lose”; they play to “win.” They don’t follow a rulebook. They have already created the vision in their head and are simply relentless in pursuing it. If that doesn’t motivate someone…nothing will.

What motto or mantra do you live by, and what do you tell your artists when you start working with them?
The are two that I swear by. One, this is a marathon, not a sprint. The same people you see on the way up, you see on the way down. Be humble and be considerate. Two, set goals. This is an industry that can easily distract you with fame and money. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Set and meet your goals, and everything else will follow.

What’s next for urban music?
I think what’s next for music period is that the color lines are going away. Working with Justin [Bieber] is a perfect example of that. He was a 14-year-old kid from Stratford who would have been stereotyped as pure pop. Yet his albums are a blend of melodic and rhythmic R&B that affords him the ability to touch a melting pot of consumers who can appreciate what he offers musically.

Last question: black licorice or red?
Red!!!

[MUSIC SWAG & LIFE]

~TB

Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking leave of absence

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For the second time in two years, Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking leave of absence from the company because of a medical condition, according to a letter Jobs sent to Apple employees.
“At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company,” Jobs says in the letter.
Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer, will take control of the company in Jobs’ absence. Jobs says he has “great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.”
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“I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.”
Jobs’ health has been in the news since 2003, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He underwent surgery, tried alternative medicines and returned to work soon after the episode.
Speculation about Jobs’ health returned in 2008, when Jobs appeared at press conferences having lost considerable weight. In January 2009, Jobs provided an explanation, saying a “hormone imbalance” had caused the weight loss.
On January 14, he announced a leave of absence, which lasted 6 months.
During that time, Jobs had a liver transplant. He returned to work at Apple, which is headquartered in Cupertino, California, in June 2009.
What we know about Steve Jobs’ medical journey
Although Jobs’ January 2009 announcement said that he would return to Apple at the end of June of that year, his letter Monday did not specify how long he expects to be on leave.
Jobs had been expected to appear this week with News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch to introduce the Daily, a digital-only news publication for Apple’s iPad tablet device, until the event was postponed last week.
The tech luminary is revered by Apple fans as a design-minded leader.
His health has triggered all sorts of questions in the tech sector, such as whether Apple will be able to produce innovative products without him, and how his health will affect Apple’s stock.
Apple, the world’s largest tech company and maker of the popular iPhone and iPad, is set to release an earnings report on Tuesday.
Analysts predict the company will report financial results that are almost certain to shatter its past records, driven by more than $24 billion in sales during the last quarter.

[MUSIC SWAG & LIFE]

~TB