TOWER OF THANKS
Thank you very, very much for the wonderful article on Tower of Power [“Soul Survivors”] that appeared in your May/June 2002 issue. Please cover this excellent and deserving group of musicians again in the near future!
Daniel Jimenez (aka Funky White Blood)
Miami, Florida
CD STORY
My name is Oscar Camacho and I live in Dallas, Texas. I read your article on Dream Theater [“Six Degrees of Preparation,” March/April 2002], and I would like to thank you for publishing this article. I have been a fan of Dream Theater for about a year now. A friend of mine told me about them and after listening to them I was hooked. They are so full of incredible musical talent it's not even funny!
My brother and I had been waiting for their fall release of Live Scenes from New York, but because of 9/11 we were unable to get it for about two months. We went to a record shop where they sell new and used CDs, and we found the CD with the original cover — the one that was recalled. We were so amazed that someone would sell that CD back, not only because the cover is a collectible item but because Dream Theater is so awesome.
Anyway, the article is great, it gives us an insight into how it is that they are able to create such incredible music. You guys deserve an award for this!
Oscar Camacho Jr.
via the Internet
MASTERING MISSIVE
Great magazine, folks! I just wanted to point out a few things with regard to “The Finishing Touch” [May/June 2002]. The inset column called “What Mastering Can (and Can't) Do” says: “Mastering can't fix or erase wrong notes.” Actually, it can, in some cases, using masking techniques.
The article also says that “mastering can't move instruments around in the stereo spectrum.” It can do that, as well; I do it all of the time, using M-S techniques and Stereo Imager's ala Waves S-1. It can also take a mono mix and make it sound stereo.
And finally, there was the statement, “Mastering can't make Billy Crystal sound like Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland.” No, but if so desired, it can make him sound like Alvin of the Chipmunks or HAL 9000 on power down, also using M-S to isolate the vocal to a third track, pitch-shift algorithms to alter the voice, and mixed back in with the main content.
I enjoy the magazine, so please keep up the good work.
Ronny Morris
Digitak Mastering
via the Internet
Ronny — Thank you very much for setting the record straight on those points. Clearly, our “can and can't do” list oversimplified several issues and didn't allow for some of the technical possibilities. — Mike Levine
SMACKED IN THE HEAD BY RADIO
With regard to your editorial [“What's Going on Around Here?”, May/June 2002], I thought it would be worth pointing out that the reason that CD sales are down is because radio playlists are crap. Who makes these things up?
Living in Minneapolis, I wouldn't know new music if it smacked me upside the head. If I hear something on the radio and I like it, I go purchase the CD. But I have to say, I'm sick to death of John Mellencamp and the Eagles and all the rest of the old rock crud that completely dominates the airwaves up here. There are some very stupid people in charge of the major labels.
Sorry about the rant but it's like kicking a dead horse: they don't listen!
Bill Carson
via the Internet
