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Issue #32
by L. Swift and Jeff McQ
The Pensado Vintage King Gear Expo 2014 is happening in Nashville, TN on September 27. The Recording Connection will be there. And we want to see YOU!
This is the second year that Vintage King and our good friends at Pensado’s Place have put on this expo, which showcases the hottest new audio and musical gear for you to check out! Come try the gear, mix and mingle with lots of music industry pros and music celebrities, and win prizes! (Of course, our good friends Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick of Pensado’s Place will be there, too!)
At the Recording Connection booth at the Expo, you’ll have the chance to meet our Consultant, Brian Kraft, and talk to some of our top music production mentors like Sean Giovanni (The Wallflowers, Tim McGraw) and Ryan Hewitt (Lady Gaga), and take pictures with the team.
We’ll also have FREE dog tag flash drives at the booth to give away — you just have to sign up HERE to reserve yours. (NOTE: This is separate from Expo registration; visit the Expo website for ticket info.)
Come on out Saturday, September 27 to the Pensado Vintage King Gear Expo 2014 in Nashville, stop by the Recording Connection booth to meet Brian Kraft and our mentors, and pick up your free dog tag flash drive!
Pensado’s Place/Vintage King Gear Expo 2014
Since completing his Recording Connection apprenticeship at Daddy’s House in NYC, Widens Dorsainville (who also goes by “Pkolo”) has continued to gain lots of great industry experience. Not only is he continuing his pursuit of audio engineering as a career, but he also hosts his own YouTube channel, on which he interviews and features hip-hop artists like Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes and Big Sean on a regular basis! Widens has also had the opportunity to display his audio engineering skills as a reality show contestant on Live @ Tainted Blue!
Check out some of Pkolo’s clips below! Way to go, Widens!
Our “New Best Friend” contest for August gave hints about a new supporter of the Recording, Radio and Film Connection, a high-profile production company that has worked with famed directors like Sophia Copolla and Terrance Malick, with film credits that include The King’s Speech and Side Effects. Did you guess the correct answer?
The answer is: FilmNation Entertainment!
FilmNation is a major player in the film industry whose titles have grossed over $1 Billion worldwide. Current releases include A Most Wanted Man (starring the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman) and Magic In the Moonlight (Woody Allen’s latest film). We are thrilled to have such a company endorsing and supporting the way we break people into the business!
RRF’S OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM CONTEST is still in process, but you only have a few more days to enter! We are looking for exciting and interesting candid photos of our RRF apprentices in the studio—working with gear, working with artists, etc.! Enter to win with our OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM CONTEST!
Here’s the low-down:
The contest is open to student apprentices in all disciplines (Recording, Radio or Film). To enter, post your photo on Instagram with the appropriate hashtag:
#recordingconnection
Rick Rooney – Planet Dallas (Dallas, TX)
Rick Rooney, owner and chief engineer for Planet Dallas in Dallas, TX, has a resume spanning over four decades, including such clients as Diana Ross, Iggy Pop, Reba, Tony Bennett, B.B. King, The Smithereens, Michelle Shocked, Clay Aiken, Stevie Nicks and many others. His current studio, Planet Dallas, has been around since 1984. Suffice it to say Rick is one of the Recording Connection’s most noteworthy mentors.
Rick checked in with the Recording Connection recently to let us know what some of his recent graduates are up to:
Ayaz Ismail “began recording in various studios in Dallas, and upon leaving my course is now recording and mixing all of his own projects,” says Rick. Ayaz is currently in L.A. meeting with film producers who are looking for new music. Ayaz writes and produces his own music, which is in regular rotation in India.
John Polizzi, another of Rick’s graduates, has stayed on with Planet Dallas as a producer and engineer. “He currently heads our music for hire department,” says Rick. “He engineers most of the student projects we bring in, for understanding mic placement, and the art of ‘just play it right.'” John is also a drum programmer, bassist and guitarist, and is currently working on producing and recording his own solo project.
John Mitchell “is a virtuoso guitarist unlike any I’ve seen,” says Rick. John is is currently recording and producing for his band I AM THE ENEMY.
John Marlin is currently doing live audio on tour with The Bart Crowe Band. “We get him in on our projects when he’s off the tour bus,” says Rick.
Mark Randall has remained at Planet Dallas to continue his education with the Recording Connection Masters Program, and carries a lot of ongoing responsibilities as the studio. “His duties include session direction, set up, mic placement, recording and producing those he is working with,” Rick says. “He has become a leading force with Planet Dallas, with complete control of sessions and mastering.”
The secret to our students’ successes under Rick Rooney’s mentorship is that not only does he work to integrate their talents into the rhythm of the studio, he focuses on mentoring them as people. “We lead students to the light,” he says. “Some find it harder to see than others, but I strive to excite them about their inner heart and souls, which is the reason they sought me out in the beginning.”
Recording Connection graduate Jason Scattaregia is preparing to bring some friends in to record and engineer a project at his former mentor’s studio, Audible Images in Pittsburgh, PA. He’s also landed some gigs engineering live shows at a noted local venue/studio, Mr. Smalls, and is hoping to make this a full-time gig.
Film Connection graduate Faruk Begovic recently landed a job at Above the Line AV in Signal Hill/Long Beach, California! Above the Line specializes in providing audio/visual services for meetings, exhibitions and high-profile events like movie premieres and celebrity parties. Congratulations, Faruk!
Recording Connection apprentice Vinny Roman is halfway through program and loving it so far! “Right now, my mentor and I are currently just working on some new techniques being used in Ableton. I’m just getting into Pro Tools so I’m excited to see what that has to offer.”
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