Chris Barker

Most of the good stuff we netted yesterday, but plenty more action

Well, day 1 of NAMM '07 got off to the usual start with the marching

Here's an interesting competition that could win you some free studio time. "On March 1st 2008 Red Bull energy drink launches ‘Red Bull Can Make Music’, a creativity contest that challenges students to make and build a unique piece of music using only a Red Bull can at redbullcanmakemusic.com until June 1st 2008." "Supported and judged by music heavyweights and Red Bull Music Academy Alumni DJ Zinc, Zed Bias and Tony Nwachukwu entries will be scored on creative concept: individuality and ingenuity and conceptual execution: composition and construction." "The creator of the winning track will get to spend a day in the studio with a judge of their choice. In addition the top entrants will be invited to London for an exclusive showcase party where the winner will be announced by the judges." We're thinking a version of 'The Can Can' played in the style of Krautrockers Can using reCycle? Any other suggestions? If anyone can win this competition FM readers, um... can!!

So yeah, people make hit records using GarageBand loops, obviously... Check out the WAV file below to hear a slowed down version of one of Apple's GarageBand loops. Is it just us or does it sound exactly like the drum loop from Rihanna's huge hit Umbrella? Check out the YouTube link and the WAV download to compare and let us know what you think. WAV file here or alternatively find 'Vintage Funk Kit 03' and slow it to around 88bpm if you're a GarageBand user.

Daniel Griffiths - Editor "It's really boring but I really want a dedicated desktop studio machine so I don't have to use my laptop as a jack of all trades. I guess the Mac Pro would be the one, but then they're a bit over £1000 aren't they? So maybe I'll fill up the MacBook with Arturia's V-Collection and maybe hook up the Virus Snow...?" Chris Barker - Reviews & Features Editor "I'm torn between spending it wisely on the stuff I need such as studio furniture, cables, and a new computer monitor with blowing the wad on stuff that makes noises. I'd probably get a Roland JP8080 from eBay for around £350, a Novation Remote Zero and hopefully squeeze the budget enough to have change for a Yamaha Tenori-on!" Declan McGlynn - Production Assistant "Oh man, I'd get loads of stuff. Definately a Yamaha TX7, a DrumTraks, something that sounds like a Jupiter 8 and that Russian keytar (Formanta MINI above*) from eBay! That's probably more than £1000 though... Will Seelig - DVD Editor "Ah, easy! I'd love a Rhodes, ideally the newly re-released one as they are bloody amazing. But, as it's a bit over the £1000 budget I'll happily settle for an mkII or something from eBay."

Forums all over the net have been alight with the links to our DVD footage, so we thought we'd collate them all up here in their rightful FM home! Check out next month's issue to see Steve Mac touring us around his Brighton studio, plus the following month we'll be in the studio with House Music superstar Ian Carey! Phew, and we ain't slowing down anytime soon! Let us know who else you'd like to see in these videos in the comments box! Hybrid Coburn Stonebridge Freemasons Steve Angello D.Ramirez

We're about to head over to Finland to check out some of the musical delights at the awesomeIlosaarirock in Joensuu. If you're going also, then drop us an email at futuremusic@futurenet.co.uk. So far we're cuing up interviews with Common, Mogwai, Venetian Snares and Ozric Tentacles! See you on the other side!

So, the lovely bass playing bear from Focusrite/Novation just popped in to our office and brought us some Ableton Beer!!! This celebrates Focusrite/Novation's new distrobution of the popular DAW software. Nice!

Alan Parsons, Tom Oberheim, Dave Smith, Jordan Rudess, George Duke and Craig Anderton to met at NAMM 2013 to discuss the past, present and future of MIDI

Four different modes allow for exceptional DAW control. Simple integration with Reason, Cubase and more DAWs coming soon.