You're Invited to the V-Studio 20 Webinar

VS20 Box ShotDon’t miss this exclusive event. Join us tonight at 7:00 pm (ET) for a virtual presentation on the V-Studio 20 to learn more about the brand new recording solution for guitar players and singer-songwriters. Since 3 out of 4 Cakewalk employees play guitar, we built the V-Studio 20 from the ground up (in conjuction with Roland and Boss) to create a better way for guitarists to capture their ideas and record them directly to the computer.

Cakewalk’s Zac Kenney will host the 30 minute webinar, featuring special guest appearances by Charlie O’Neal and Craig Rawding of The Delta Generators who will show off their new single and some of the amazing sounds in the V-Studio 20. Stay tuned for a Live Q&A after the presentation.

All attendees of the webinar will receive a free V-Studio 20 ebook by Craig Anderton, a 3-month subscription to Guitar Player, plus other special offers on the night of the webinar.

Shoot on over to the V-Studio 20 Webinar page on Cakewalk.com to register!

Elliott & The Untouchables Serve Up Southern 'Stew'

This South Carolina blues band, Elliot and The Untouchables, spice up their vintage blues sound with the release of their latest album, Voodoo Stew (BluePoint Records).

Elliott New (vocals, guitar), Mike ‘Naz’ Nazarenko (harmonica), J.T. Anderson (bass), Sonny “D” Dickey (saxophone) and Jim Heidenreich (drums) showcase their blues fusion sound around the world, performing at various music festivals and opening for music legends such as Van Morrison at the Rhythm & Blues Festival in Ireland.

Their latest album features 12 original songs, recorded and produced in SONAR, and covers a variety of blues styles from jumpin’ swing to the gritty ‘Mississippi swamp’ blues. To incorporate the traditional bluesy sound with the new, Elliot started experimenting and building his own diddley bow, cigar-box guitars which the band uses in 4 tracks on the new CD.

Listed among the Top 5 Best Self-Produced CDs by the International Blues Challenge and Top 100 U.S. Blues Releases by Real Blues Magazine, ‘Voodoo Stew’ is the band’s 5th top-selling release under the BluePoint label. Suggested tracks include: Voodoo Stew (title track), Blues Came Callin’, A Girl Like You, and Toss n’ Turn.

To hear clips from the new album visit Elliot & The Untouchables official website

First Impressions of V-Studio 700: Danny Klein

Just a few weeks ago, Cakewalk’s Zac Kenney met up with Boston-based bassist Danny Klein at Guitar Center-Boston to pick up his SONAR V-Studio 700. A Cakewalk pro-user since the Pro Audio days, Danny was looking for a new controller to use in his SONAR-outfitted studio. After many years producing his music with the Roland JP-1000 and then with an Alesis Mixer, Klein started to seek other alternatives. Since it’s a controller dedicated to SONAR and would speed up his workflow without the aid of a mouse, Danny knew he just had to get the SONAR V-Studio 700!

“I use SONAR V-Studio 700 because of the quality of the system (and the quality and reliability of Cakewalk / Roland products), the many features at a reasonable price, the ease of setting up and using the system and the seamless integration with my SONAR 8 Producer, making this system all I need to make professional recordings in my home studio.”

Danny Klein grew up in New Jersey and came to Massachusetts to study at Worcester Polytechnical Institute in the 1960’s. While attending WPI, he befriended J. Geils and Magic Dick, who taught Klein how to play a washtub bass. The trio formed the ‘J Geils Blues Band’. Eventually they hooked up with ex-Hallucinations percussionist Stephen Jo Bladd and his vocalist, Peter Wolf, as well as keyboardist / songwriter Seth Justman… thus setting the stage for 17 successful years touring as the ‘J. Geils Band’ from Boston.

The group recorded 17 albums and toured with the Rolling Stones, releasing such hits as ‘Centerfold’ and ‘Freeze Frame’. In February 2009, J. Geils Band reunited for the grand opening of the House of Blues-Boston and played two sold out shows at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit. Currently, the band is leaving the door open to new opportunities, hoping to play together again, soon.

In 1994, Danny founded the blues band ‘Stone Crazy’ (produced by J. Geils). The group released its first 14-track, self-entitled album in 2005 and performed its ‘bluesy grooves’ at select clubs throughout New England.

Danny’s latest project, ‘Danny Klein’s Full House Band,’ is a group of Boston’s well known and most talented musicians who come together to celebrate the music of the J.Geils band. Danny Klein’s Full House Band performs at many charitable events throughout the Boston area.

We congratulate Danny on all of his accomplishments and hope he enjoys working in studio with the new SONAR V-Studio 700!

Musicians Behind "Guilty'' (project demo in SONAR 8) Release New Album

On Purpose, the sizzling 4th album from Unified Tribe (nominee for ‘Best Live Band’, American Black Music Awards) and leader / front man Magic Mendez (winner, ‘Best Neo Soul Performer- Male’, American Black Music Awards) is a soulful R&B explosion. The new release showcases exquisitely-produced tracks recorded in SONAR.

The group’s new single, ‘Guilty,’ is the featured track in SONAR 8’s project demo. ‘Back and Forth’ (Funktional Family album) and ‘Do You Wanna Come’ (On Purpose album – Rap version) were also featured in past SONAR versions.

Mendez describes the group’s latest album, as “a rhythmic power play that delivers major musical mojo.”

“Its songs fuse jazz, blues, pop and soul, and range from sultry slow jams to blazing dance tracks. Def melodies, rich harmonies and themes from challenges to enchantment make ‘On Purpose’ a musical and emotional joyride that bridges genres and generations.”

The album was recorded at Magic Muzik Studios in Las Vegas, mixed by Rick Camp at Reeltyme Productions — Rick is also the live sound engineer for Chris Brown —  and mastered by Ron McMaster at Capital Records in Los Angeles.

Unified Tribe (www.unifiedtribe.net) was nominated in 2007 for “Best Live Band” and is described by Richard Searling, DJ of Smooth Radio 100.4FM UK: “Getting a one class album together is one thing, making a second to take the breath away is rare, but to succeed with a third awesome soul set is just unheard of these days… but check this, Unified Tribe have the hat-trick, blessed with the gritty aura of a Will Downing or David Porter take… it’s most definitely hip and heavy, its the real deal… right on now, Unified Tribe, keepin the faith alive in 2009.”

Unified Tribe represents R&B, heart and soul – and they do it “On Purpose.”