Canadian Music Trade - February / March 2021 | Page 46

Endorser Update

PHOTO : DAN BUSLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Though only 22-years-old , Tyler Morris has spent over a decade in the music business , both as a performing and recording artist , as well as an engineering entrepreneur . In 2020 he released his fourth studio album , Living in the Shadows , which reached number three on the iTunes and Billboard Blues charts and featured recordings with blues legends like Ronnie Earl , Joe Louis Walker , and Mike Zito . On all his guitars on the road and in the studio , he is now using SonoTone Fusion strings .
In addition to the strings ’ tonal quality , increased resonance , and sustain , Morris says their durability is key . Because of his playing style , he says he often broke G , B , and E strings . “ Since I started using SonoTone , though , I still haven ’ t broken a string . And I would say that even a year or two later . And , I would say the resonance of my two-or-so-year-old Sono- Tone strings is better than any other brand new out of the package !” he attests . “ Plus , SonoTone strings feel worn-in as soon as you put them on , and the volume is noticeably louder and brings out the acoustic resonance of the wood . I have guitars I ’ ve retired from the road that still have the old SonoTone strings on them that I pick up once a week .”
To achieve the greatest sonic detail on her latest release , December ’ s Pentacle , electronic composer and sound alchemist Lisa Bella Donna relied on Solid State Logic ’ s SiX small-format mixer and an SSL 2 + interface , along with a bevy of Moog synthesizers and analog tape machines . She says every aspect of this recording was tailored to her SSL set up , with no other outboard gear used on this except for a few plug-ins . It was all tracked , mixed , and mastered through the SiX and SSL 2 +.
“ I was simultaneously recording two channels into Logic Pro at 24-bit 96kHz and two channels into a Fostex 20 analog tape machine , which I would also feed into the DAW ,” Bella Donna explains . “ Each time I recorded a pass , I would go both analog and digital from the SSL 2 +. Then in the mix phase , I would bring the analog reels in and just line up the audio . I ’ ve been doing it this way for years .”
Yamaha Drums has announced the signing of New York-based drummer , arranger , composer , and educator John Sturino to its roster . Sturino is known as a dynamic and versatile performer on multiple instruments , having performed the music of Frank Zappa with Zappa alumnus Arthur Barrow and touring internationally with the One O ’ Clock Lab Band . He is also on the faculty at the Stanford Jazz Workshop and is a fellow at the University of North Texas .
Sturino ’ s Yamaha gear of choice includes the Maple Custom Absolute drums , Absolute Hybrid Maple drums , Recording Custom snare drums , Crosstown hardware , and FP-9 pedals . “ I know that if I walk into any rehearsal room or club greeted with a Yamaha set , it will stand up to whatever demands the music may pose on that given day ,” says Sturino . “ To be able to share the values of my musicianship with the instruments I play is a gift , and I ’ m truly honoured to be joining the Yamaha family into a lineage in which I have so much respect for .”
Sheptone has welcomed multi-platinum guitarist , producer , and songwriter Mike Krompass to its roster of endorsers . Born in Toronto and now residing in the U . K . by way of Los Angeles and Nashville , Krompass ’ journey began as a member of Nelly Furtado ’ s touring band . His credits include Steven Tyler , Smash Mouth , Theory of a Deadman , Meghan Trainor , David Archuleta , Jordan Knight , and Natasha Bedingfield , just to name a few . He has shared the stage with the likes of Elton John , U2 , Destiny ’ s Child , Cheap Trick , Boyz II Men , Bruno Mars , and others .
While working on new music during lockdown , he ’ s been using his Iconic 62S vintage custom guitar with a set of Sheptone ’ s Premium Nickel Wound strings .
46 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE