This content is brought to you by Audiocourses dot com
Digidesign and M-Audio provide recording resources for special benefit DVD
When singer/songwriter Jackson Browne joined forces with music teacher and Urban Entertainment Institute founder Fred Martin, the collaboration culminated in a unique album entitled Some Bridges, released by Concord Records in the fall of 2006. The album fuses gospel with secular pop, blues, jazz, soul, and rock, and features performances by Browne and Martin (who both co-produced the album) and Martin's specially selected group of gospel-singing protégés, the Levite Camp. Browne wrote six of the 10 tracks.
Not only did the project bring together the convergence of secular and gospel music, but also the convergence of recording technologies and methodologies from both Digidesign and M-Audio. In support of the album—and to help generate revenue for the Levite Camp and Martin's Urban Entertainment Institute, an after-school music education program (see below)—Browne, Martin, and the Levite Camp staged a live performance at the Love and Unity Church in Compton, CA, which was recorded for an upcoming benefit DVD. Digidesign and M-Audio handled all aspects of the live show and DVD production simultaneously, including recording live signals directly into a multitrack audio session using the Digidesign® VENUE integrated with a Pro Tools® system in sync with a five-camera video shoot.
"The DVD taping we did was off the hook," exclaims Martin. "The audience left saying it was the best concert they had ever attended, and that it was the best we have ever sounded for a live show. The VENUE board is a monster, and [sound mixer] Robert Scovill is in a class by himself. It will be hard for me to do another production without using VENUE."
Scovill, who is also Digidesign's live sound market manager, praises the group's performance and the collaboration between all parties. "The opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the level of talent displayed by Jackson, Fred, and the Levite Camp—especially in a setting like Love and Unity Church—is a dream come true for a mixer. This is a very unique project and stands to open many doors musically and spiritually. It was also a wonderful showcase for Digidesign and M-Audio technology. It felt as if all the incredible efforts of the musicians and technicians fused together to create a very powerful and moving event for the audience. I couldn't be prouder to have been asked to be a part of it."
"M-Audio is honored to have been able to support the Urban Entertainment Institute by participating in this event," declares Kevin Walt, marketing manager at M-Audio. "Our company's mission has always been to empower more individuals to make music. We are extremely gratified that we are not only enabling the youth to be creative, but we are also changing their lives by helping them to sculpt better futures. We strongly believe in Fred Martin's organization and this DVD project."
Founded in 2002 by Martin, the Urban Entertainment Institute is an after-school program that teaches young people the history of music, and professionally trains them in vocal, theatrical, and musical performance. Students also learn the technical aspects of the entertainment business and run the merchandising and marketing parts of the organization under the guidance of industry professionals and advisors. M-Audio has worked with the Urban Entertainment Institute for over two years providing gear, including its FireWire 410 audio/MIDI interface, Pro Tools M-Powered™ software, Black Box amp modeling/recording interface, Luna microphone, ProKeys 88 stage piano, Trigger Finger MIDI drum control surface, and ProSessions sound libraries.
For more information about Jackson Browne, Fred Martin and the Levite Camp, or the Urban Entertainment Institute, visit these websites:
• Jackson Browne: www.jacksonbrowne.com
• Fred Martin and the Levite Camp: www.myspace.com/fredmartinandthelevitecamp
• Urban Entertainment Institute: www.urbanentertainmentinstitute.org
