Treelady Mastering Client in Performing Songwriter Magazine

Treelady Mastering Client Matt Woods was recently called out by Performing Songwriter Magazine as having one of the 12 best DIY CDs of the year. Even though the project was recorded at home, it was mixed at Shed 55 in Knoxville, TN, and mastered at Treelady Studios. In her "Top 12 DIY Picks" Editor Lee Zimmerman had the following praise for Woods:

"It’s only a matter of time before singer-songwriter Matt Woods finds wider recognition. His second album offers the immediacy and accessibility that major labels generally latch onto. On songs like “My Way,” “Flight to California” and “Lonely Ones,” Woods wades through one emotional tempest after another, garnering powerful, affecting performances that resonate even on first hearing.

Woods matches his commanding vocals with an ace backing band in Plan A. Together they provide the riveting, rock-solid arrangements these tunes call for—whether turning up the heat for a searing rocker or adding just the right touch of nuance to one of Woods’ searing, sad-eyed ballads. It’s that balance between frenzy and finesse that gives these rugged, restless narratives an unequivocal sense of determination and purpose."

Treelady Owner One of 36 Chosen for Global Study

Dave Viney, a post-graduate student from London College of Music, has published research on the effects of over-compressed music in a report called ‘The Obsession With Compression’. Dr. Viney was looking into the correlation between compression (the dynamics-processing type) and commercial success in popular music, which has been widely discussed in recent months and years in the music press and the wider media.

To conduct his research, he’s polled a select group consisting of 36 producers and engineers from around the world, including Treelady Studios' Chief Mastering Engineer, Garrett Haines. Dr. Viney analyzed music sales records, and made detailed measurements of the loudness of commercial material using a meter provided by DK Technologies.

"When I received the request from Maureen Droney, the President of the Grammy Foundation's Producer & Engineering Wing, I was honored and excited about the project," said Haines. "In mastering circles we often talk about the ill effects of over compression, but until now there has been limited quantitative research on the subject." Haines is no stranger to statistical research. His master's thesis written at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College combined econometrics, census data, and geographical information systems to analyze the concentration of municipal governments in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.

Meanwhile, in London, Dr. Viney is using his 77-page post-doctorate paper as a catalysts for discussion on over-compression, such as the reaction to the release of Metallica’s Death Magnetic album in 2008, and goes on to display the research in graphical form; there are over 300 charts.

Louder is NOT better

Summarizing the report, Dr. Viney comments, “there is no evidence of any significant correlation between actual loudness (and thus overall compression) and commercial success. Furthermore, assessments suggest that less-compressed material is more pleasant-sounding”. He concludes, “the obsession with compression tends to limit commercial success!”.

Having completed this report, Viney is hoping to establish himself as a part-time researcher for the music business. He can be contacted at dave-viney [AT] btconnect.com.

Treelady Mastering Client Charts in Rolling Stone

Audio Eagle recording artist and Treelady Mastering client Houseguest made national headlines in the January 8, 2009 print issue of Rolling Stone Magazine in the Chart Section. A top-favorite at Akron, OH Square Records, the new CD, 'Welcome, all that's Difficult.' was number 2 behind the new Deerhunter CD.  The album was recorded and mixed by Ben Vehorn at Tangerine Sound Studios in Akron. Congrats to Houseguest, and make sure to check out our favorite track 'Carla' by purchasing their new release or visiting Houseguest's MYSPACE page.

rollingstone08jan2009

Treelady Sponsors Hard Rock Challenge 2009

Treelady Studios is proud to return as a sponsor of the WXDX Winter Rock Challenge. Held at Pittsburgh's Hard Rock Café twenty of the region's best bands will compete for thousands of dollars in prizes, including a grand prize from Treelady Studios. The award includes a full 3 song EP package that covers recording, mixing, editing, and mastering. For more details check out www.wxdx.com