Christopher Kennedy Alpiar

I always try and work with 48k/24b. But if the files you got to work with are 44.1/16, there is no point to upsampling. Upsampling does not add anything good to the audio, keep in mind what it means. Analog audio, as we know, is a pure wave, and it can be realized visually as that wave. Digital audio is recording points along that wave and using an algorithm to dither between those points to re-create a wave. Down-sampling is useful to create smaller files, but we lose quality because we are using less points along the wave to store data to recreate it later. Without having the original analog signal as analog or having a hi rez file, there is no way to recover the lost points when downsampling. Therefore upsampling is a useless task that will just add points to the wave based on the computer guesstimation and will not add quality or recover lost quality. The only reason ever to upsample, is if you have a chance to mix the lower grade audio with higher grade, or if you are recording material on top of it. So for instance I get some tracks at 16b 44.1k and I am going to overdub some tracks to later mix with them. I know I can record at a higher resolution and I should do so (at least MY tracks will have the higher original rez). So then I would upsample the 16b 44.1k to what I am going to record at, and do my overdubs at the new, higher rez. Hope that helps

I agree if you want to be compatible, then you need Pro Tools, and an Mbox is fine, although if you can afford the extra cost, the digi003 is really good value as well. But sounds like he has Logic, and since, while most studios have protools, every system handles wav and aif files so you arent totally at a loss working in logic. But logic is more for composers to write and mix and master music. But if you really want to stick with logic and just need some hardware I would recommend some of the MOTU products, excellent sound and features/value. I use several motu 2408 MKIII's in my studio, which is perfect for my needs but they have a smaller interface like the 828 which is still quite happening

the part that you screw the mic capsules into IS the K6, the capsules are other names, whether you put on the lavs or shotguns or whatever. Just to be clear there is no 'base power supply module' as they are powered by AA batteries. But the portion I *think* you are referring to, well that is the k6

FYI for mixing and mastering (and a little tracking if you have some source of I/O, there is a really inexpensive Pro Tools nowadays, M-Box micro, which is a USB dongle type of hardware great for mixing PT sessions on a portable system: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Mbox2Micro/ with the hardware and pro tools LE its around $250. In my mind that is worth 10x the value of soundtrack pro

Pretty much all the major DAWs work on an equal level, tho Pro Tools is definitely still the most prevalent found in more studios than any other, but all of these do great with 5.1 mixing and encoding: Logic Cubase Digital Performer Sonar Soundforge probably most of the lesser programs like reason and garage band and acid output in 5.1 as well but I would stick with one of the more professional programs

I can tell you Art Blakey estate is run by his eldest daughter Evelyn Blakey. She lives in NYC. I dont have a current number for her but she has been living in the same apt in Alphabet City since before Art passed. If you find her give her my name, I played with her a few times and hung out at her place in 95-96

I hate to be the cynic, but is it possibly a well done blue screen?? :-)

I dont think many places rent analog tape machines any more. I would probably contact recording studios in your area. I know Refraze Recording Studio in Dayton OH has several 24 track analog machines, really nice ones that they keep in shape. Keep in mind that analog machines must be kept up on and calibrated regularly and just finding the tape to calibrate them is a crazy search. Good luck with it

Major upgrades in my studio in January! Now I am using a Mac Pro quad core with 9 gigs ram and 2 farm computers for gigastudio. So my sonic pallette is growing exponentially as a result. Come check out the cue "Flying" on this page: http://www.alpiar.com/demos.aspx to hear the beginning of a richer era of possibility for me. I also added to my extensive sample library EastWest EWQLSO, Symphonic Choirs, RA and Bosendorfer and Kontakt 3 onto my GigaStudio 3 setup with the Vienna Symphonic Library. Here is a complete list of my sample libraries now: http://www.alpiar.com/studio.aspx?cat=samplib see my studio here: http://www.alpiar.com/studio.aspx And while I am working on a few projects right now, I will have some time for new projects by mid May if any of you guys or gals have some score composition needs. I am pushing hard to build my reel so I would love to work with some talented folks.

OK I have played with is some more... the main negative is all the sounds are wet already, so there is no way to mix them in with other sounds, you have to take other sounds and mix them to your EW libraries. This is a pretty severe limitation IMO. I will probably stick with my VSL libraries mostly and add in EQSOL rarely only

Were it me, I would just use my mouth and some digital effects :) Sounds like a fun time

I got the xp expansion for the gold symphonic orchestra. As well as the symph choirs with wordbuilder, RA and the bosendorfer this week. So far I have not had a lot of time to play with it yet as I am in the middle of 2 projects and I am going to dig in this next weekend. But the little bit I heard sounds pretty nice! No it is not the VSL, which I have the VSL full pro edition (pre Vienna Instruments) as well as the EmulatorX orchestral libraries. But with every library and sound module out there, there are strong and weak points to each. Having extra sounds to work with is a great luxury, and I think my purchase of the East West libraries is a solid one that will get many miles of use from :) I will report more as I play with the EW stuff next week

Hey all! My schedule is opening up in about a month for some more shorts/features. If anyone is needing score music, please keep me in mind! :) Thanks!

I think its hugely varied from company to company, from era to era, there is no single answer for this, tho maybe someone that has worked in post at paramount in the 70s could give you a definitive answer

wow that sounds cool Hal! I am going to have to make a trip to see that. They couldnt restore with a better engineer thats for sure :) I love they are restoring Benograph (spelling) as well...