BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE MAY, 2010 by David Johnson

INSIDE

EMAIL: info@bigfunmagazine.com - 253-473-1866

MAY, 2010

20 THE MIX 6

Variety Entertainment

EVENT SPOTLIGHT Inside / Out Jazz Awards

JAZZ PROFILE What’s New? Alma Villegas

ABOUT THE BIZ Darrius Willrich

SOUND ADVICE 26

FESTIVALS 10

West Coast Gospel Fest

18 12

7th Annual Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival ART

The River Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing

Happy Days Casino gives back. David Keys Interviews Paul Manuel

BLUES / ROCK David Keys interviews young guitarist Nolan Garrett

Audio mastering tips from Richard Nichols of Circle of Sound Studio

CASINOS Star machine rocks PJ Pockets

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE

PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - DAVID JOHNSON Accounting / Editorial Traffic: Rose Murphy Proofreaders: Ce’Lene Sakellis, Larry Warfield - Photography: Sean Cummings, WalterAtkins, Richard Baker Advertising Sales: info@bigfunmagazine.com 253-473-1866 - David Johnson and Gary Grape

EMAIL: info@bigfunmagazine.com - 253-473-1866 BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE is published 12 times a year. The views expressed in BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE are those of their respective contrib utors and are not necessari ly those of i ts publisher, editors, or s taff. All ima ges in adver tisements and advertorials /special pro motions are s upplied by t he advertiser . Advertiser guarantee th ey have the legal right to publish all images supplied to BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE. Copyright 2010 BIGFUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE.

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

THE MIX Variety Entertainment DANCE

JAZZ

ROCK / POP Phantoms May 8 Hard Rock Café Seattle, WA

BLUES

Latin Dance Night

Sonny Rollins

Featuring

May 10 The Paramount Theatre Seattle, WA

Orchestra Zarabanda with DJ Prajunkid Becka Hueth of Seattle Latin Dance. May 11 Teatro ZinZanni - Seattle, WA

Sonando May 20 Tula’s Seattle, WA

COMEDY Steve Hofstetter

Bonefest 2010

May 17 Hard Rock Café Seattle, WA

Susan Pascal Quartet May 29 Tula’s Seattle, WA

Dat Phan May 27-29 Parlor Live Bellevue, WA

W/ Fred Wesley May 9 The Triple Door - Seattle, WA

The Michal Miller Band May 14 Stonegate Tacoma, WA

FUNK / R&B / GROOVE SMOOTH JAZZ

JAZZ BlueStreet Jazz Voices May 2 Jazz Vespers Seattle First Baptist Church Seattle, WA

Bob James & Earl Klugh

Butch Harrison & Good Company May 8 Bake’s Place Issaquah, WA 6

May 20 - 23 Jazz Alley - Seattle, WA

STANTON MOORE TRIO

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

May 15 Tractor Ballard, WA

CONTACT BIG FUN info@bigfunmagazine.com

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

LUCID Presents

The Inside/Out Jazz Awards Celebrate Seattle’s Jazz Community

ucid Jazz Lounge is proud to present the first Inside/Out Jazz Awards at Benaroya Hall on Monday, May 31, 2010. The concept for the I/O Awards sprang from the same idea as Lucid - that the Seattle jazz community needs to build itself from the inside out. For more than a year, this is what Lucid has tried to accomplish, and now they are ready to bring the concept to the masses.

The I/O Awards will, of course, include awards given to various members of our community. Some will be standard awards you’d see at other events 8

(Outstanding Instrumentals, Outstanding Album, etc.) and some will be more personalized. The event will also include numerous performances from Seattle jazz musicians, including a reprise of Evan Flory-Barnes’ Earshot Award winning “Acknowledgment of a Celebration”, Clarence Acox, Andy Clausen, Reservoir Cats, Miles Davis Tribute, The Teaching and more. 100 % of the proceeds from this event will go to Strength Through Unity, a Non-Profit organization established by Lucid’s owner, David Pierre-Louis, to aid with rebuilding his native Haiti.

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

STU’s mission is to rebuild the spirit of Haitians by providing immediate aid and assistance and by creating meaningful ways in which to empower Haitians for sustainable lifestyles. This event promises to be the biggest ever to celebrate the Seattle jazz community. The whole concept of Inside/Out is to grow the community and help us all as individuals and as a group. If you’d like to speak with the organizers for more information, contact J&J Music at (206) 250-5457 or jandj@jandjmusic.com.

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

FESTIVALS

West Coast Gospel Fest Over 12 Artists Celebrating Gospel at Tacoma’s Rialto Theater

medley of gospel artists from around the U.S. will take stage as the Broadway Center presents West Coast Gospel Fest on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rialto Theater. The event is presented in partnership with Mr. Frank Walton, 2007 Inductee Broadcasters Hall of Fame and 2009 Gospel Announcer of the Year, Gospel Music Workshop of America.

The West Coast Gospel Fest will feature a variety of new and upcoming gospel artists from around the country, in addition to well-known gospel music veterans. Participants represent all corners of the nation and include more than twelve individuals and groups lending their talents to create a unique evening that blends several styles - and generations - of Gospel music. The performers include: Moses Tyson Jr. - the Gospel King of the Hammond B3 organ Ami Rushes (Los Angeles) - music from her forthcoming CD produced by Kurt Carr Angela “Missy” Billups (New York) east coast New York style gospel Terri McConnell (Oklahoma) - Ebony Magazine named McConnell one of the new and hottest in black music Shirley Bell (Chicago) - backup for gospel greats such as Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Soul Stirrers, The Five Blind Boys, Wanda Nero Butler and Rev. John Morris, just to name a few.

Eric Carrington (Houston, Texas) debuting his latest offering for the youth and young at heart Jimmy Hill (Jacksonville, Florida) - a renowned artist who has created classic songs, virtuoso guitar instrumentals and/ or powerful statements of music and ministry

Terri McConnel

Chuck Anderson (Houston, Texas) is an anointed saxophonist, composer and band-leader, his recent CD is titled Walk With Me. Gail Fly (New Orleans, Louisiana) awarded the 2009 Rhythm of Gospel Awards “Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year” Bishop Sam Williams - producer and host of the number one Gospel and Inspirational show in New York City “Joy in the Morning”, on 107.5 WBLS. Williams was inducted into the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1999.

Eric Carrington

Elizabethtown Community Choir thirty-three members that demonstrate a rich diversity in age, denominations, socio-economic and musical backgrounds The evening will be hosted by Frank Walton and local radio personalities David Bowman, Eddie Jones, Monica Lewis, Tyrell Floyd of the Seattle Area Gospel Announcer Guild. Tickets to West Coast Gospel Fest are on sale now for $16 and $26. Call 253.591.5894 to order or purchase online at www.broadwaycenter.org. Gail Fly

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

FESTIVALS

7TH ANNUAL

TACOMA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL Hot Jazz and Cool Blues in Downtown Tacoma

The 7th Annual Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival is happening on Saturday, May 29, 2010 in downtown Tacoma. Presented in association with the South Sound Blues Association and the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, this day-long festival will have bands and combos performing at Freighthouse Square and the Harmon Pub and Brewery with an after party to be held at the Stonegate Tavern. “Our goal from the very beginning has been to put on a fantastic artistic event that exposes people toAmerica’s earliest indigenous musical forms, jazz and blues,” said festival founder Rich Wetzel. The Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival has become a fixture on the local entertainment scene, drawing thousands of visitors each year to enjoy up and coming local talent as well as national acts. This year’s lineup is no exception, with the following bands scheduled to play:

plethora of quality performers in our area, the mission of the Jazz Festival is to raise awareness for its outreach program aimed at local school music programs. By providing funding for school instruments and hosting music clinics, “We can inspire dreams, and enrich the lives of not only the kids who go on to teach and play, but also those that view music as part of a well rounded educational and life experience,” said Rich Wetzel.

Big Bands Jazz Stage @ The Rainier Room, Freighthouse Square 12 noon – 7:30pm Johnny Lewis Big Band 1:00 - 2:00 PM Roadside Attraction 2:30 - 3:30 PM Mukilteo’s Outrageous Jazz Orchestra 4:00 5:00 PM Rich Wetzel’s Groovin Higher Jazz Orchestra 5:30 - 7:30 PM Blues Stage @ The Harmon Pub & Brewery 12:30 – 6pm (presented with The South Sound BluesAssociation) The Crossroads Band 12:30 - 1:30 PM Little Bill and the Bluenotes 2:00 - 3:00 PM Maia Santell and House Blend 3:30 - 4:30 PM Nick Vigarino 5:00 - 6:00 PM Jazz Festival After Party @ The Stonegate Restaurant and Bar 8:30 pm In addition to exposing the community to the

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

The Jazz Festival is free to the public, with free parking at the Tacoma Dome parking Garage across from Freighthouse Square. Patrons can hop on the Tacoma Link to catch bands at either of the two main venues. There is a $5 cover for the after party, beginning at 8:30 pm at the Stonegate. For more information, please contact: Rich Wetzel - Festival Director Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival (253) 227-0335, emeraldse@aol.com www.tacomajazzandblues.org

Maia Santell & House Blend

Nick Vigarino

Rich Wetzel’s Groovin Higher Orchestra

Little Bill

Crossroads Band BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

ART

The River Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing ones is co-owner of and head body piercer at The River Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing. He began piercing in 1988 and has worked at way too many places to list here. We will just say that he has been around doing it in a serious way for quite a while. He opened The River Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing a little more than a year ago and has attracted a large base of repeat customers who love the shop. Most of the people that get their work done at The River go there because of Bonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; history in the industry, and because the staff and operation are top notch. All of the artists are either skilled painters or graphic artists who can produce any custom design or provide you with one of their own unique concepts. Here are a few pics of work done by staff artists.

Bones

By Malissa Bourgault

Stop by on Sunday, May 23rd between noon and 6pm to meet world famous tattoo artist The Enigma, and get one of his blue puzzle signature tattoos. See ad on page 14.

By Adam Rabb 14

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE â&#x20AC;˘ MAY, 2010

By Matt Steward

By Malissa Bourgault

By Rich McGowen

By Adam Rabb

JAZZ PROFILE

About The Biz By Darrius Willrich

Alma Villegas Vocalist - Seattle, WA PERFORMANCE CAREER We have a full schedule of summer festival performances. We are thrilled

new CD with members of my quintet at the UW’s Ethnic Cultural Center. We are very excited to introduce selections with additional instrumentation including violin, tres (Cuban guitar) and trumpet. More information on the event available on my website www.almavillegas.com CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Thankfully, all the people in my life are doing very well. I have a dear friend who will be graduating from law school this summer and everyone else is doing better economically this year.

to be back at Jazz in the Valley in Ellensburg, WA on July 30th & 31st and from September 24-26, we will be participating in Mexico, One Country Every Nation in celebration of Mexico’s 200th anniversary of its independence in Leon, Guanajuato. www.allnationsfestival.com RECORDING CAREER On June 6, 2010, I will be releasing my 16

STATE OF THE BIZ Luckily, the economy has picked up a bit and I and my musician colleagues are seeing more opportunities to perform this year. My hope would be that things continue to get better and revenue will increase for us all. Many musicians struggle to make a living out of music alone. My boyfriend and bass player, Steve Okimoto is a member of the Dudley Manlove Quartet, a band that has traditionally done very well professionally. Even they experienced hard times in 2009 but things have definitely picked up this summer. PERSONAL LIFE I began a new job this January for an education advocacy organization called Stand for Children. We are working hard mobilizing parents and educators to hold local and state decision-makers accountable for funding public

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

If you plan to make money as a performing artist in today’s music industry, the one thing you must do is create a plan for every facet of your business and don’t be afraid to enlist the help of others. It will be necessary to have consultants, advisors and mentors. Use them as well as your own judgement. Be following a plan that you can track the success and/or nonsuccess of so you can make adjustment to your plan and continue on the path to success. Without a plan you will not know whether you are on the path or off. If you should keep doing what you are doing or if it is time to reassess. Do not be afraid to take calculated risks. Learn how to calculate risks.

education. It is a difficult task but one that is very much needed. Our public education system is not doing well and too many kids are dropping out or graduating without being college ready. It’s time for all of us to make this a priority. After all, kids are the future of our country. FAMILY LIFE Not much there. But my cat, Boochie is very spoiled. QUEST FOR PERSONAL GROWTH Last year, I became a member of the Sokka Gakai International Buddhist organization. Chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo every day has helped me remain focused on my goals and gives me the personal strength and resolve to get through the difficult times. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Mark your Calendars! Release of Alma y Azucar our second CD filled with new music and additional instrumentation including tres, violin and trumpet. Sunday, June 6th Ethnic Cultural Center/Theatre 3931 Brooklyn Ave. NE (206) 543-4635 3pm-5pm www.almavillegas.com

You may reach Alma at: mail@almavillegas.com

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

BLUES / ROCK

Nolan Garrett Guitarist & Vocalist - Tacoma, WA INTERVIEWED BY DAVID KEYS What categories did you win?

Who is your music teacher?

Our band won the band category, and I won

My music teacher is Daniel Harris. He is the

the solo and audience choice categories.

best finger style guitarist I have ever seen, and he is also very good at teaching rock and

What were the prizes?

blues. He always wants to help me be the

How old are you?

The prizes for the band performance were

best I can be!

I’m 12 years old.

$350 in Ted Brown Music Gift Cards and 8

chose to play the guitar because my mom said I needed to try something new.”

“I

hours recording studio time. The prize for the

You are also quite a fine singer. Do you

What styles of music do you play?

solo performance was $150 in Ted Brown

take singing lessons?

I play classic rock and dirty blues.

Gift Cards and 8 hours recording studio time.

I just started a month ago with my parent’s

The prize for the audience choice category

friend, Doug Johnson. He has helped me open

You are a very accomplished musician for

was a $50 gift certificate at Musician’s

up my voice and range.

your age. When did you start playing?

Exchange.

I started taking lessons in second grade, because playing sports just wasn’t my thing. So my mom said “why don’t you try playing an instrument? Maybe the guitar would work for you.” So I started taking lessons at Ted Brown Music with Daniel Harris, and we just clicked from the start. I have loved playing guitar ever since.

What are your favorite songs at this time? What was the first thing that came to your mind when you heard your name called as

I like playing “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” with my band, and I like playing “Classical

the winner?

Gas” by Mason Williams on my acoustic. My

I was surprised because my band had only been practicing together for three weeks, so it

favorite song is “Heaven Beside You” by Alice in Chains.

was unexpected. My solo performance win was surprising because there were a lot of

Tell us about your band.

really great musicians there.

My band is a trio. Matthew Harding plays

You recently won a competition for young musicians in Tacoma. Tell us about

bass, Matt Schwab plays drums and I play I hear you will also be performing at the Paramount. How did you get such a

guitar and sing. We are all twelve years old and friends. Matthew has been taking bass

prestigious booking?

lessons for about a year, and is doing very

means Puget Sound Music For Youth

The first time I ever played at Happy Days Casino, Debbie Miles saw me while I was

well. Matt has been playing drums for three years and is also doing well.

Association. I think it’s a really great

playing one of her favorite songs, and she

organization because it allows kids like me to

wanted her husband Mike Miles, the technical director for the Paramount, to come

Do you plan to have a career as a professional musician?

lets us play on the stage, which is a real privilege. I became involved when Paul

and watch me. He came, and loved the type of

I would love to have a career as a

music I was playing, and asked if my band

professional musician. I know it takes a lot of

Manuel, the president of the association, ran

and I would play at his birthday party on the

hard work and dedication, but I am willing to

into a friend of someone that works with my

stage of The Paramount. And of course, I said

put in a 150 percent effort all of the time to

mom. He was putting up posters at a school

I would be honored.

achieve my dream!! You may reach Nolan by contacting his

“Do you know Nolan Garrett?” and he said yes! And he asked her “Do you know where I

How many hours do you practice each

mother at:

day?

marcigarr@net-venture.com or

could find him?” And it went from there.

I practice from 2 to 10 hours a day.

marcigarr@comcast.net

organization that sponsored the event and how you became involved. The organization is called PSMFYA, which

show what we can do on an instrument and

for the competition and my mom’s friend said

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

CASINOS

Star Machine Rocks PJ Pockets So you’ve heard all the hype, but for those who have never witnessed live band Karaoke, it is nothing like what you might think.

you were capable of. Your voice bounding through the club echoes with inspiration. This is Star Machine. This is a moment

Hit Connections Entertainment, with Virginia Ashby, developed Star Machine in 2009 and has perfected the conditions that accommodate and encourage performers with both comfort and excellence. This environment is designed to inspire the performer who in turn, delivers an inspiring performance. Set up with the best musicians, sound crews and equipment, in the hottest clubs, and the convenience of lyrics scrolling on a nearby monitor.

The excitement of performing on the biggest stages in the Northwest in front of screaming fans has an amazing effect on people. There is a kind of magic that happens when you get to be the star of your own live band. It allows you to become something you don’t always get to be. The stage comes alive with the rolling lights, live bass, drums, guitar and even back-up vocals. The music is mixed perfectly and pumped out at concert levels. Your very own music video is projected on the two enormous screens on either side of the stage while the crowd cheers you on and floods the dance floor. You feel enveloped in the warmth of red and blue lights and embraced by luminous plumes of fog. The intensity swells, your excitement rising with the music. Any lingering jitters disappear as you take in the thrill of a lifetime. You lose yourself in the music and sing like never before, drawing forth a performance beyond anything you thought

over 300 songs and counting. In fact, they add new songs every week from the “Singer’s Request List”. This means they learn YOUR favorite songs instead of expecting you to learn theirs.

Experience Star Machine for yourself. Get lost in the music, carried away by the crowds and delighted with the discovery of the Star within you. Star Machine appears Wednesdays at Muckleshoot Casino 8:30pm, Thursdays at PJ Pockets -9:30pm, and at events throughout the Northwest. Star Machine specializes in private parties and events. www.hitconnetionsentertainment.com/ starmachine.cfm www.myspace.com/StarMachineKaraoke you won’t soon forget. The band’s members were “cherry picked” from top performing bands in the Northwest and has already taken the lead over previous bands, raising the bar with well

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

Hit Connections Entertainment (206)372-6424 Booking@HitConnectionsEntertainment.com

CASINOS

Happy Days Casino Gives Back “Young people are the future of the Arts, and particularly in music. Music gives our young

Paul Manuel Interviewed By David Keys

people something to focus on, and it provides an avenue for them to exercise their creativity.” Tell us a bit about your program for young musicians. How did it start? I am a blues and rock flute player and my stage name is Mariano Silver. I met a musician named Randy Oxford in 2006 at a mutual friend’s party and we played together. He said I needed to come down to Jazzbones and be a part of his jam session and it was there that I got my first experience performing with young musicians. Dominique Stone, Randy’s bassist, had already been working with young musicians and he’s the 22

one who encourage me to work with kids. So in 2008 I started putting together ideas for how we work with young musicians, and with Randy support we entered in the Daffodil Parade. In 2009 we took first place in our division. We had 5 young musicians and 14 swing dancers, 12 of them were under 22 years of age. After the parade we decided to form a non-profit organization with the State of Washington and we created the Puget Sound Music for Youth Association. We had about twenty kids that comprised 3 groups and went on to do 13 shows at the Puyallup Fair in September, 2009 with two of the groups. The PSMFYA is an avenue for young musician to meet each other and further their knowledge of music through practice and competition and by working together as a team. You recently held a competition for young performers. What was involved? We had a Kids Got Talent show and competition in April of this year that was held at Happy Days Casino in Lakewood. I approached the owners of Happy Days after the Puyallup Fair and we started Kids Jam in November, 2009. The jam grew to 20 to 30 kids coming in and playing music, and we would go for four to five hours at a time. Having the competition is part of what the PSMFYA is all about. The owners of Happy Days Casino are great. They really stepped up to the

May’s Special: Prime Rib

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

plate and made the whole competition a big success. Who participated in the competition? We had five bands compete. The Nolan Garrett Trio played classic rock and blues, Society’s Voice played grunge metal, Traveler played classic rock, Edge of Explosion played classic rock and R&B and What Happened played jazz fusion. We had six Solo acts; Nolan Garrett played guitar with sang, Zach Rowell, played guitar, Johnny Epps played guitar, Little Lisa sang Olivia sang and Alex Richmond played guitar. Who were the winners and what did they receive? The Nolan Garrett Trio took first place and Society Voice took second place in the band category. Nolan Garrett took a first place and Alex Richmond took a second Continued on page 22

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

Happy Days Casino place in the solo category. The Nolan Garrett Trio won eight hours of recording studio time with Good Records Music studio and a $350.00 gift certificate from Ted Brown Music. Nolan also won eight hours of recording studio time with Good Records Music studio and a $150.00 in certificate from Ted Brown Music as his solo prize. Alex Richmond second place prize was four hours of recording studio time. We also had the audience pick who they thought was the best and that was Nolan Garrett. He won a $50.00 gift certificate from Musician’s Exchange. We also had a drawing for four $25.00 gift cards from Musician’s Exchange. Do you host any other events on a regular basis? We host a Kids Jam on the second Saturday of the month, but might add more Saturdays. We will be at the Taste of Tacoma as well as the Puyallup Fair this fall. One of our Sponsors is Morphs BBQ and he is building us a stage that will seat over a 100 people at the Fair.And we hope to play the Community in School stage again at the Fair. What are your long range goals for the organization? We hope to continue to grow. We will; hold our next competition in August, and we would like to get more musicians to participate. It would be great to have three to four bands in each genre category. The categories are: blues, rock, metal, jazz, reggae and country. Tell us a bit more about Happy Days Casino. A good thing about Happy Days Casino is they also have real good food and live music three nights a week. They have live blues and rock, and a real popular Asian night with a good DJ, and dancing. They also have a large stage with a professional sound system and a big dance floor. Plus, they don’t skimp on their drinks. It’s a good safe place to go when you want to have some fun. Happy Days Casino is also doing a good job reaching out to the community in a variety of ways. They held a benefit for Carol Parsons on April 10. And they recently hosted a giant motorcycle club showcase/ convention that drew hundreds of riders and vendors of all kinds to their parking lot and side street. It was a real positive and fun afternoon with live music, food and tons of people. Happy Days has many more events planned, so people should check in with them often to see what’s on the horizon. How can parents get in touch with you to get their children involved in your organization? My website is www.marianosilver.com. Click on Puget Sound Music for Youth Association and you’ll get contact and other information. My email is thekindcompany@yahoo.com Happy Days Casino: 11521 Bridgeport Way SW, Lakewood, WA. 253-722-2022. www.happydayscasino.net. 24

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

SOUND ADVICE

Moderation In All Things Audio Mastering By Richard Nichols Circle Of Sound Studio - Olympia, WA astering requires careful listening of the music to gain an understanding of the main focal point. It may be a horn line, the vocals, or a driving rhythm guitar part, but regardless it needs to be

products are quite good but still require an understanding of how they work and the effect they have on the finished sound. Most of the included presets are intended as a starting point and were not designed to be

near-field monitors. Most near-fields don’t have the required bandwidth and low frequency response to properly judge low and subsonic problems. Over compensating by turning up the bass is not

identified and that becomes the basis or starting point. We must remember that everything we change has a direct effect on everything else. For example, by reducing 90 to 100 Hz to fix a problem with the bass, we may inadvertently create a problem with the lower register in the piano. It’s a trade off that sometimes isn’t worth it. We must remember that not all problems can be fixed in the mastering process and just because something’s available doesn’t mandate its use.

used as shipped. Compression when used properly helps to add punch and volume to lower and mid level passages. Improper settings though (e.g., lower threshold, too high a ratio) brings things up to a constant level and can accentuate sounds better left back in the mix. If all you require is a higher sound level, consider limiting instead. Used properly, limiting can give you several more dB without effecting the balance and tonal quality of the music.

the remedy. This just causes boominess in the low end and muddies the mids. It also translates poorly in most listening environments outside of your own room. When it comes to mastering remember, it is not a one size fits all, and …moderation in all things.

With the advent of entry level, lower priced home recording equipment, it’s easier for more people to be involved in the music making process. A lot of the new DSP 26

A person also has to remember that the wider frequency response of loudspeakers coupled with the subsonic frequencies of properly adjusted sub woofers are more accurate and translate much better than

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

Consider allowing someone with the equipment, understanding, and experience to master for you. It can be a great benefit to you and your masterpiece. Richard is the owner of Circle of Sound in Olympia, WA where he provides Mastering, Digital Recording, and CD Duplication services. Contact: www.circleofsound.net

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010

Smokin’ Hot

SAX!

BIG FUN ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & LEISURE GUIDE • MAY, 2010