5 solid strategies to legitimately Increase Spotify StreamsStreams are an important marker on any musician’s career these days, and therefore it’s important to get them as high as you can. Here are 5 tips to help you. Continue reading
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Fitzmaurice Relies on Amphion Atmos SetupAward-winning Irish mixer, engineer and producer Steve Fitzmaurice couldn’t have foreseen that his sessions with Dublin-based rock band, The Frames, in the mid-1990s would eventually lead to him buying a pair of Amphion reference monitors. Now, over twenty years into his career, Fitzmaurice is inspired by Apple Music’s launch of Spatial Audio, in mid-2021, he has since expanded his stereo monitor setup with additional speakers from Finnish manufacturer Amphion to enable him to also mix in Dolby Atmos.

Born in Dublin, Fitzmaurice knew by his early teens that he wanted to work in the record industry. But there were few studio job opportunities in Ireland, so after finishing school he went to London and started knocking on the doors of some of the city’s best known recording facilities. His early career began on the nightshift answering the phones at producer Trevor Horn’s Sarm West Studios. It wasn’t long before he was assisting on sessions with Horn and longtime Sarm West producer, engineer and mixer Julian Mendelsohn. After five years at Sarm, Fitzmaurice moved to New York and got a job at the Hit Factory and after a year went freelance.

Freelancer with new primary speakers

Over the years Fitzmaurice, who is based at Pierce Entertainment’s London studios, has worked with a long list of artists including Seal, Tina Turner, Tasmin Archer, Jodeci, Ian Brown, U2, Depeche Mode, Hikaru Utada, Sam Smith and many others. He has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards, winning five for projects with Sam Smith, Seal and U2, also working on various Oscar, Golden Globe and Brit Award-winning productions.

It was David Odlum, guitarist with The Frames, who first brought Amphion monitors to Fitzmaurice’s attention. Now Odlum is also a successful producer and engineer, currently musical director for Sam Smith, with whom Fitzmaurice has worked since their debut album in 2013. “During lockdown we did a live stream from Abbey Road Studios for Sam,” Fitzmaurice recalls. “I was mixing, and Dave was going on about the Amphions, so I got a pair of One18s to try,” as an alternative to his usual monitors. “At first I found myself using them occasionally and then more and more.”

Fitzmaurice was happy with the results but still unsure, he says, so Odlum suggested that he try Amphion’s Two18 speakers. “I kept them for two or three weeks and the same thing happened — I was using my other monitors less and less. I ended up buying a pair of Two18s, and now they’re my primary speakers.”

Full view of the 7.1.4 Atmos Setup in Fitzmaurice's studio

Dynamic clarity with subtle details

Fitzmaurice has a simple philosophy when it comes to mixing. “I like clarity, low-end and dynamics. I don't really like clutter. My most used piece of equipment is probably the mute button! ​ These days, it’s a constant battle to make loud competitive records — we're in a world where you have to EQ and compress everything — but I try and keep some sense of clarity, bottom end and dynamics while also trying to keep everything as natural as I can.”

His Amphion monitors have certainly helped him achieve those goals. “I think that they’re pretty natural sounding, with clarity in the mid-range, especially, and the top end. But they’re not bland and boring. When you turn them up for clients, they’ve still got a bit of vibe.” His previous speakers worked best when they were loud, he says. “But with the Amphions I definitely mix quieter because they don’t change tonally when I turn them down.”

Fitzmaurice has worked with some of the best singers in the business and has earned a reputation for the sound of the vocals on his projects. There, too, the Amphion monitors are proving their worth. “The Amphions are very good for subtle details, smaller changes in volume and dynamics are easy to hear. ​ Because of this clarity I found them great for balancing vocals.”

Changing monitors is always challenging, but with three years of working with the Amphions behind him, he reports, “Mixes seem to be translating to every other system quite well, which obviously was my main concern, so I'm totally sold. And now I've got an Atmos system which is all Amphion speakers.” The new 7.1.4 setup in Fitzmaurice's room at Pierce Entertainment is comprised of three Amphion Two18 monitors combined with the BaseTwo25 bass extension system, four One18s for the surrounds ​ and four One15 speakers positioned overhead.

Cohesion with immersive mixes

One reason to dive into immersive mixing was that Apple Music’s default playback is the Spatial Audio mix of a song, if it exists, Fitzmaurice says. Having heard other people’s Atmos mixes of his stereo mixes, he says, “I started wanting to do it myself, being a bit of a control freak! Somebody asked me if there was a steep learning curve to mixing in Atmos, but I haven’t really found this as I am simply trying to convey the same feeling of the stereo mix in the immersive world.”

One big advantage of an Atmos mix is being able to spread the tracks out spatially, he continues. “You don't have to fit all this information into two speakers, and make tracks bright and aggressive. In fact, I’m often taking a little top end off my stereo stems, as they don't need it any more to cut through.”

But having heard Dolby Atmos mixes where some of the elements are too spread out, the song loses its power as a result, Fitzmaurice says. He is careful to keep his immersive mixes cohesive. “Primarily, the vocal and the drums are more in the front. Sometimes, with live drums that I've recorded, I might pull the room mics away from the main drum kit. I've mixed a few electronic things in Atmos, and there you've got a bit more freedom to play around. But I'm not a fan of stuff flying around and making myself feel seasick. Occasionally I’ll have something moving around slowly but it's more about placement.”

With the record labels, streamers and broadcasters all clamoring for immersive music mixes, the investment in an all-Amphion immersive speaker system is paying off. “Nearly every time I’m commissioned to do a stereo mix, as long as there's a budget, they want an Atmos mix as well.”

Fitzmaurice mixed eight tracks for the stereo version of Sam Smith’s current album, Gloria, released in January 2023 (Serban Ghenea mixed another three and David Odlum and Kevin “KD” Davis mixed one each). “All the songs that I mixed in stereo I mixed in Atmos as well,” he says. “There’s one song, “Perfect”, where I prefer the end section on the Atmos version because it feels like there’s much more space.”

He also recorded and mixed Smith’s live orchestral performance at Abbey Road Studios in Dolby Atmos. “It was Sam, a 16-piece choir and a 20-piece string section. I laid the studio out in a horseshoe and when I was mixing in Atmos I laid it out exactly like that. I had room mics as well and I put those exactly as they were in the room in the Atmos mix. You perceive it as if you are Sam, standing in the middle, so it envelops you. It sounds amazing in Atmos.”

About Amphion​Amphion Loudspeakers Ltd. was established in 1998. We design and build loudspeakers that are characterized by honest and accurate sound reproduction. Precise driver integration ensures world-class imaging and phase coherency. Controlled dispersion technology helps achieve more stable results in a variety of room acoustics. All products are handmade in Finland (and the Amphion amplifiers are assembled in Finland) to ensure enduring listening quality.

Spotify is raising its price in the US and 52 other markets. How much money will that make the music industry?Whether you take a punchy or conservative view, Spotify is about to make a load more money
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Utopia axes 5% of staff as company shuts down R&D operations in the UK and FinlandA spokesperson told MBW that, 'Utopia is currently streamlining its organization to increase efficiency'.
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Free Touring for Musicians Berklee course launches on CourseraLearn the basics of successful touring with a new free course created by Hypebot Editor and longtime booking agent Bruce Houghton for Berklee and Coursera. This short four-lesson Berklee Coursera. Continue reading
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A Beginner’s Guide to Threads for MusiciansThreads is growing in popularity by the day, so now is the time to get familiar and involved with Meta and Instagram’s social media platform. by CRISTINA CANO from DIY Musician. Continue reading
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Warner Music, TikTok cut deal that all artists should be interested inWarner Music Group and TikTok have teamed up to ensure that musicians get the compensation they deserve for having their music used on the app. Here are the details… by. Continue reading
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Getting It Done: Last week in D.I.Y & Indie MusicThis week, our tips and advice for the independent, do-it-yourselfers out there covered how to legally release a cover song, how to utilize your analytics, and more… 5 Questions to. Continue reading
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REWIND: The new music industry’s week in reviewA busy week by any definition, the music industry was no exception, with TikTok Music getting ready for the US, the stock market meets the music industry, and more… Vinyl. Continue reading
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Spotify to raise U.S Subscription priceSpotify will finally follow its major streaming music competitors and raise its U.S. premium subscription price from $9.99 to $10,99. The major record labels have been calling on Spotify to. Continue reading
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Grammy Museum Announces Summer ProgrammingPhoto by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

UPCOMING GRAMMY MUSEUM IN-PERSON PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

7:30 p.m.

A Conversation With Taj Mahal

Four-time GRAMMY-winner Taj Mahal will discuss the making of his album Savoy.

Thursday, July 27, 2023

7:30 p.m.

Spotlight: Ibrahim Maalouf with Special Guest Angélique Kidjo

The GRAMMY-nominated artist & trumpeter will discuss his latest projects and collaborations, followed by a performance. 

Friday, July 28, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Summer Spotlight Series with GALE

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to attend an exclusive performance with Latin Pop's new It Girl, GALE… By invitation only! Sign up at LaMusica.com for your chance to win a ticket for you and a guest to be part of this unique experience with GALE on Friday, July 28!

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Under The Welcome Mat: Rolling Up The Welcome Mat Short Film Screening & Conversation With Kelsea Ballerini

Join us for a very special, exclusive screening of Kelsea's brand new short film surrounding her latest album, followed by an intimate conversation. 

Friday, August 4, 2023

7:00 p.m.

Spotlight: Stephen Sanchez

Stephen Sanchez will join us on the Rooftop to discuss his rising career, breakout song “Until I Found You,” and latest music, followed by a performance.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

7:30 p.m.

A Conversation With Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins Moderated by Allison Hagendorf

Front man Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins will discuss his career, recent music, creative process and more

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

7:30 p.m.

Spotlight: Nanna

Nanna Hilmarsdóttir from the band Of Monsters and Men will discuss her first new solo album and perform.

Thursday, August 10, 2023

7:30 p.m.

Spotlight: Ambré

GRAMMY award-winning self-taught musician, producer, and writer Ambré will discuss her new project, who's loving you?, and perform. 

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

7:30 p.m.

Spotlight: Reneé Rapp

The incredible rising star will discuss her career launch, new music, and perform.

For more information and ticket links to programs, click here: grammymuseum.org/visit/public-programs

Spotify to finally raise flagship Premium price in the US next week, reports Wall Street JournalMore price rises coming in multiple global territories from Daniel Ek's company, says WSJ
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PRS Announces Special John McLaughlin GuitarPRS Guitars has announced a Limited-Edition Private Stock John McLaughlin Signature model. Only 200 of these instruments will be made in 2023.

The PRS Private Stock John McLaughlin is a classic instrument that has been meticulously spec’d by Paul Reed Smith to honor John McLaughlin. All of the woods were specially chosen by Smith for their tone, figure, and weight. The specs are fairly straightforward: maple top, mahogany back, hormigo neck (a tone wood used on marimbas for sound-producing tines) with an African blackwood fretboard, 22 frets, 25” scale length, Pattern neck, PRS’s patented Gen III tremolo, and PRS Phase III tuners.

Some of the more particular details on this model are in the finish, pickups, and electronics. The guitar is finished in high-gloss nitro with an unfinished neck with clear grain filler for a smooth, natural playing feel. The TCI pickups feature American Alnico and are paired with volume and tone controls with a 3-way toggle pickup switch and two mini-toggle EQ switches. The mini-toggles act as tuned high-pass filters when engaged (in the up position), removing shelved low-end and allowing the high frequencies through for more clarity and musical highs.

“Playing music is a way of being. Playing an instrument requires you to move out of the normal level of consciousness. If you’re thinking, you’re not playing. If you’re playing, you’re not thinking. If you have problems with your instrument, you’re not going to move out of the thinking zone and into your own world. This is why I love my guitar. For me, it’s perfect.” – John McLaughlin

“Being John’s guitar maker is an honor I fought decades for, and to now be able to give him a signature model is a special moment for me and hopefully the industry,” said Paul Reed Smith. “These guitars were designed to both feel like magic when you pick them up but also disappear in your hands so you can just focus on playing. John is capable of playing at extraordinary speed and with this instrument, you hear every note. Finding that balance as a guitar maker and coaxing every bit of sound out of the guitar was the key.”

Paul Reed Smith and Paul Miles have signed each Private Stock John McLaughlin model on the back of the headstock. As an added detail, John McLaughlin has autographed the backplate of each instrument.

For complete specifications and a video from John McLaughlin, please visit www.prsguitars.com.

About PRS Guitars:

PRS Guitars is a leading manufacturer of high-quality instruments in Stevensville, Maryland and has provided some of the world’s most renowned musicians with instruments since 1985. The PRS team of highly skilled craftspeople design and build a wide variety of musical instruments and gear for worldwide distribution, including electric, acoustic, and bass guitars as well as boutique-style guitar amplifiers and effects pedals. The PRS SE Series complements the Maryland-made PRS line by offering highly approachable and more affordable electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. Carlos Santana, Mark Tremonti, John Mayer, Jimmy Herring, Myles Kennedy, Zach Myers, Mark Holcomb, Tim Pierce, Orianthi, David Grissom, Mark Lettieri, and Rhonda Smith are among the artists currently playing PRS instruments and/or amplifiers.

PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com

From TikTok and Warner’s licensing deal to Jungkook’s global streaming success… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThis week's biggest stories...
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Musician Jackie Venson calls out predatory behavior by venues, promotersBy many measures, independent musician Jackie Venson is having a great year. But shifts in booking, venue, and merch policies are threatening the one source of income she and most. Continue reading
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