My site, Ask A Sound Guy, was recently awarded with 50 invites to this site Mixcloud.com. What is it you ask? Here’s what I wrote about the site:
Whereas Soundcloud is meant for record labels and producers to upload their tracks, get critiques, and otherwise comment on and explore other people’s work, Mixcloud is another weapon the Internet is using to decimate traditional FM radio.
A pretty new site from what I can tell, the site is aimed at long-format music and non-music shows: longer DJ mixes, podcasts, and other stuff. People have been uploading DJ mixes on Soundcloud since it started, but Mixcloud makes sure you know that they prefer the longer audio stuff.
I’ve yet to put anything up (will be throwing my May mix up there), but there seems to be quite a bit of content already. People are active, commenting, socializing, doing all the stuff you’d expect them to do on a site like this.
While I still prefer something like Pandora for sheer background noise, if you’re actively seeking out new music and great mixes, this is the spot.
So what’re you waiting for? Click here and get your invite!
You can now have your very own Ex’Radio web badge! Display it with pride wherever the interweb leads you! Just right-click on this image to copy the link or save the image! Then put it wherever you please!
Musikmesse is a pro light, sound, and otherwise A/V tech show in Frankfurt, Germany. It’s held annualy like AES, but is considerably smaller mainly catering to the European market. This does not mean, however, that the reveals and products shown are not worth paying attention to. I’ve spent the last few days cycling through press releases and writing articles about the best tech to come out this year, so here’s a quick rundown of the best you’ll see.
- Alesis AM3 USB Microphone: A very cool looking handheld mic that’ll plug right into your computer and allow you to record almost instantly. While most USB mics are still tabeltop, Alesis has decided to make this slick handheld mic.
- Cakewalk Round-up: Cakewalk introduced several pieces of hardware that can be setup in to make a complete stuido for your Sonar-based studio. They also showed off a Control|24-style console for Sonar and a series of new portable audio/MIDI interfaces.
- Mackie HD Loudspeakers: It’s exactly what you expect. Mackie announces a line of two-new HD speakers meant for live sound applications. For specs, read the article.
- Numark Round-up: Numark launched two new rackmountable CD players fo mobile DJs/installs.
- PreSonus Studio One: A new addition to the DAW market. Studio One is meant to be aimed at new/newer recording guys/producers. Everything’s in one window and it comes with an entire Project window for mastering purposes.
- Rane SL3 Interface: A new addition to Rane’s Serato Scratch Live interface line.
- RME Fireface 400: New USB 2.0 interface from RME.
- SPL Round-up: SPL announced a bunch of new hardware: a chasis for their 500 series modules that holds both SPL’s modules as well as four API 500 series modules; a new channel strip; a new headphone amp; a new hardware guitar amp/speaker sim. They also announced a new plug-in pack.
- Stanton SCS.3m: Where the SCS.3d is supposed to be a completely touch-sensative MIDI replacement for CDJs, the SCS.3m is the replacement for the hardware mixer. Check out the article for some videos.
And last, but not least, my favorite reveal of Musikmesse 2009: the SSL X-Desk. It’s semi-affordable ($4,000 is a lot of money) and one of the best ways to get the SSL sound in your house/apartment.
Be sure to check out the coverage and count on us doing more of the same when AES Europe rolls around in May.
Hi. My name’s Ben Versluis. I’m an Expression College graduate and one of the first people to spend hours and hours fine-tuning Ex’Radio who currently resides in Illinois and is a not-making-much-money kind of blogger/freelance audio engineer. I write for a website called AskASoundGuy.com, so if you’re into audio and music, check it out. I’ll be posting on this site from time to time.
The biggest conversation regarding audio editing and music production is usually the tools of the trade talk.
“What program should I get?”
“What kind of mic should I use on a kick?”
“What monitors should I use for mastering?”
All very relevant questions when talking about audio and music. But the biggest question is always about the platform. Should I buy a Pro Tools setup? Should I buy Live 8? What should I be doing?
I was once, and in some ways still are, a novice. I remember being confused as to what program was best for what and even more confused as to where I should be putting my money when it came to gear. To hopefully answer some questions, I wrote an article that hopefully helps some people with this problem.
Feel free to stop by the site and comment, submit your personal music projects, and send us an email if you have a question!
Since Ex’ Radio is an internet radio station, I felt it appropriate to point-out that the first internet car radio was showcased at CES this past January.
Blaupunkt Internet Car Radio
It’s looking as if the beleaguered radio industry is finding new wings. Let us know what you think.
Welcome to the Official Ex’ Radio student powered blog! Here you’ll be able to catch all of the inside scoop from “The Fishbowl”!
& MOKSHA – One Direction 
