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Benchmark Launches Web Video Series
4/21/2010
NEW WEB VIDEO SERIES TAKES RECORDING BACK TO FUNDAMENTALS
Engineers and Musicians Challenged To Produce a ‘Release-Quality’ Single In One Session
Syracuse, NY. April 21, 2010 – The world of music production has expanded and settled into the bedrooms and basements of anybody with a computer and time to experiment. Auto-tuning, time-alignment, and sound-replacement have begun to obsolete skill, instinct, and wisdom – traits developed from the mixture of knowledge and experience. More so, this new work flow threatens to obsolete the magic of spontaneity. A new video series launched by Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. will reprise the old work flow to demonstrate its effect on record production.
The web series (i.e., internet television series) is called “Masters From Their Day.” Each episode documents an attempt to produce a “release-quality” single in one day, and each session will be executed by a different set of collaborators (engineer, studio, and artist). “These videos will allow the viewer to experience the creative momentum that can be achieved when you gather talented musicians, experienced engineers, and technically proficient studios and equipment,” says Benchmark’s Elias Gwinn, producer of the series.
The name of the series is a double-entendre, alluding to the mastered track from the day-long session and to the studio ‘masters’ who pioneered the craft. The fact that an equipment manufacturer is spear-heading this project completes the full-circle, as many of the revered engineers from the seminal days of music production invented, designed, and built their own recording equipment. According to Gwinn, “This project is in part homage to the brilliant engineers and artists in the 50’s and early 60’s who made innumerable classic records in single-day sessions. The engineers were able to master their craft because they understood both the art AND the science involved. This video-series recalls such intimacy of craft and the possibilities it affords.”
The first episode was produced on March 1, 2010, at Kaufman Astoria Studios. The featured band was Rubblebucket, and the featured engineers were Joe Castellon and Alex Lipsen. All of the mixed tracks from this series will be mastered by three-time Grammy-award winning mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen. The series airs on the “Masters From Their Day” website (www.MastersFromTheirDay.com), and the mastered track from each session will be available as a free download.
Castellon, the Executive Creative Director at Kaufman Astoria’s Music & Sound Studios, has a qualified vantage point on the subject. “Throughout the course of my career, I have watched the music business change from one-day recording sessions to multiple days with editing and laptop mixing. It’s refreshing to see a project that is emphasizing the pure talent in the musician and the studio and I’m happy to be part of it.”
About Benchmark Media Systems
Benchmark is a privately-held manufacturer of precision audio electronics. Benchmark has provided leading-edge performance to recording studios, broadcasters, sound reinforcement contractors, and hi-fi enthusiasts since 1985. Information about Benchmark can be found at: http://www.BenchmarkMedia.com
About Gavin Lurssen
Gavin Lurssen is the owner and chief engineer at Lurssen Mastering in Hollywood, CA. Gavin recently won his third Grammy for mastering “Raising Sand,” with Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, which won “Album of the Year” at this year’s Grammy’s. Gavin has routinely worked on albums that were either nominated for or have won Grammy awards, as well as numerous albums that made their way onto the Billboard Charts (many reaching #1). Recently, Gavin put the finishing touches on Pixar’s animated feature “Up” and on the theme song from “Crazy Heart”. In 2002, the first year mastering engineers were included in the "Album Of the Year" category at The Grammys, Gavin was honored in the category for his work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack. Information about Gavin Lurssen can be found at: http://www.lurssenmastering.com
About Kaufman Astoria Studios
Kaufman Astoria Studios, founded in 1920, is one of the largest film and television production centers on the east coast. KAS features six studios including a 26,040 square-foot stage, KAS Music & Sound and K/A/S Lighting all under one roof. KAS offers the expertise, equipment and environment to create first-class productions. The studio has hosted numerous productions such as this year's Showtime hit "Nurse Jackie," “The Taking of Pelham 123,” and upcoming movies “The Smurfs” and “Eat Pray Love”. Long-time children's favorite "Sesame Street" has called KAS home since 1992. Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the studio is set to open its newest stage, the 18,000 square-foot Stage K, in early 2010. For the latest news follow KAS on Twitter @KaufmanAstoria or visit the websites www.kaufmanastoria.com and www.kasmusic.com
About Rubblebucket
Rubblebucket won the 2009 Boston Music Award for Live Act of the Year and was featured in the December 2009 issue of Relix Magazine's "On The Verge: 5 Artists You Should Know." Additionally they were chosen by SPIN Magazine as a "Must-hear artist from the 2009 CMJs." Information about Rubblebucket can be found at: http://www.rubblebucket.com
Back Engineers and Musicians Challenged To Produce a ‘Release-Quality’ Single In One Session
Syracuse, NY. April 21, 2010 – The world of music production has expanded and settled into the bedrooms and basements of anybody with a computer and time to experiment. Auto-tuning, time-alignment, and sound-replacement have begun to obsolete skill, instinct, and wisdom – traits developed from the mixture of knowledge and experience. More so, this new work flow threatens to obsolete the magic of spontaneity. A new video series launched by Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. will reprise the old work flow to demonstrate its effect on record production.
The web series (i.e., internet television series) is called “Masters From Their Day.” Each episode documents an attempt to produce a “release-quality” single in one day, and each session will be executed by a different set of collaborators (engineer, studio, and artist). “These videos will allow the viewer to experience the creative momentum that can be achieved when you gather talented musicians, experienced engineers, and technically proficient studios and equipment,” says Benchmark’s Elias Gwinn, producer of the series.
The name of the series is a double-entendre, alluding to the mastered track from the day-long session and to the studio ‘masters’ who pioneered the craft. The fact that an equipment manufacturer is spear-heading this project completes the full-circle, as many of the revered engineers from the seminal days of music production invented, designed, and built their own recording equipment. According to Gwinn, “This project is in part homage to the brilliant engineers and artists in the 50’s and early 60’s who made innumerable classic records in single-day sessions. The engineers were able to master their craft because they understood both the art AND the science involved. This video-series recalls such intimacy of craft and the possibilities it affords.”
The first episode was produced on March 1, 2010, at Kaufman Astoria Studios. The featured band was Rubblebucket, and the featured engineers were Joe Castellon and Alex Lipsen. All of the mixed tracks from this series will be mastered by three-time Grammy-award winning mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen. The series airs on the “Masters From Their Day” website (www.MastersFromTheirDay.com), and the mastered track from each session will be available as a free download.
Castellon, the Executive Creative Director at Kaufman Astoria’s Music & Sound Studios, has a qualified vantage point on the subject. “Throughout the course of my career, I have watched the music business change from one-day recording sessions to multiple days with editing and laptop mixing. It’s refreshing to see a project that is emphasizing the pure talent in the musician and the studio and I’m happy to be part of it.”
About Benchmark Media Systems
Benchmark is a privately-held manufacturer of precision audio electronics. Benchmark has provided leading-edge performance to recording studios, broadcasters, sound reinforcement contractors, and hi-fi enthusiasts since 1985. Information about Benchmark can be found at: http://www.BenchmarkMedia.com
About Gavin Lurssen
Gavin Lurssen is the owner and chief engineer at Lurssen Mastering in Hollywood, CA. Gavin recently won his third Grammy for mastering “Raising Sand,” with Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, which won “Album of the Year” at this year’s Grammy’s. Gavin has routinely worked on albums that were either nominated for or have won Grammy awards, as well as numerous albums that made their way onto the Billboard Charts (many reaching #1). Recently, Gavin put the finishing touches on Pixar’s animated feature “Up” and on the theme song from “Crazy Heart”. In 2002, the first year mastering engineers were included in the "Album Of the Year" category at The Grammys, Gavin was honored in the category for his work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack. Information about Gavin Lurssen can be found at: http://www.lurssenmastering.com
About Kaufman Astoria Studios
Kaufman Astoria Studios, founded in 1920, is one of the largest film and television production centers on the east coast. KAS features six studios including a 26,040 square-foot stage, KAS Music & Sound and K/A/S Lighting all under one roof. KAS offers the expertise, equipment and environment to create first-class productions. The studio has hosted numerous productions such as this year's Showtime hit "Nurse Jackie," “The Taking of Pelham 123,” and upcoming movies “The Smurfs” and “Eat Pray Love”. Long-time children's favorite "Sesame Street" has called KAS home since 1992. Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the studio is set to open its newest stage, the 18,000 square-foot Stage K, in early 2010. For the latest news follow KAS on Twitter @KaufmanAstoria or visit the websites www.kaufmanastoria.com and www.kasmusic.com
About Rubblebucket
Rubblebucket won the 2009 Boston Music Award for Live Act of the Year and was featured in the December 2009 issue of Relix Magazine's "On The Verge: 5 Artists You Should Know." Additionally they were chosen by SPIN Magazine as a "Must-hear artist from the 2009 CMJs." Information about Rubblebucket can be found at: http://www.rubblebucket.com
