SONIC TALK - Inside Music Technology

Topics this week include, the recent Summer NAMM show in Austin TX, the demise of analog tape and associated plug-ins aiming to recapture it's glorious past, Ken Macbeth's band of synthesists and celebs, iTunes reach the 3 billion downloads and much more.

This week talk ranges from the iPhone and what it means, to the Roadbag - a device for those caught short, what are we all using to record the podcast, the FM3 Buddha Box, Stevie Wonder drum solo and finally - how to ruin a mix or how to approach one.

Topics for discussion range from The Weather (of course), Dave goes sailing with a bunch of sound engineers, to Morphine - a new additive synthesis plug-in, FireWire is history?, Prince and his latest CD giveaway and what it means for music distribution, Rolling Stones to leave the band, A concept piece from Godfried Willem-Raes leaves us pondering - but is it art?

This week we discuss Marks new laptop and the lost plugins, Broken Drum Machine, how come there aren't many women in the studio or in technical roles? Let your keyring open the door and keep you germ free, Nick enjoys Punkdisco and the Whilte Stripes, Mark finds a man on a jet-powered shopping bike.

Dave Spiers, PJ Tracy, John Musgrave, Mark Tinley and Nick Batt discuss: This weeks topics include: the Top 10 Star Wars sound effects and how to make them generally, Mark edits Timbaland's multitrack sessions, Lara Crofts motorbike, what you can find on an old multi-track tape, talking paper, build your own Edison player, Roger Linn on the BBC, mythical tales from on the road.

Mark Tinley, Dave Spiers, Noneric, PJ Tracy. This week discussion ranges from Marks new binaural mics, new multitouch screens from Microsoft and C-Base, a pixelated Stratocaster, Roland System 100 on Youtube, EMI and Youtube cut a deal, iTunes up bit rate and custom built PC's from Rain et al sparks the usual Mac/PC debate.

Mark Tinley, Rich Hilton, PJ Tracy, Dave Spiers and Nick Batt: Much of this weeks show is spent in reminiscence mode, with a healthy chunk devoted to the most underrated synths, Reason 4 beta, the science of quantize, Steinbergs Virtual band plug-ins, $10k to spend on music gear and Nick embarrasses himself with Shannon.

Rich Hilton, Mark Tinley, Jon Musgrave, Dave Spiers and Nick Batt discuss: This weeks chat ranges from what it's like being in Chic, to a duet with the Fields of Nephilim and Justin Timberlake. Moving on to Mac migration, the Sony PSP game Traxxpad - a music creation title, a concise video on the pitfalls of audio maximization, techno glasses for all, pop band for sale with a $25k reward, the quaint British Rockschool, and UK ISP blocking AllofMP3.com

Mark Tinley, Dave Spiers, PJ Tracy, Noneric and Nick Batt discuss: Air Guitar, childhood musical aspirations, wrestling, miming live, Pete Townsends Lifehouse-method musical portraits, the KvR Developer Challenge and many other things in between.

Richard Hilton, Mark Tinley, Dave Spiers, John Musgrave and Nick Batt hook up to talk about: Credit Card MIDI control, the Berrtill plug-in modeled on circuit bent toys, wiggly worms make sound, IK Multimedias Hendrix Collection and other emulations, studio tomfoolery and Peter Gabriels We7 music download launch which brings us into a wider discussion on the relationship between advertising and music.