BreakOut West Announces “Home Edition” for 2020
The Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers
Wing has released a list of potential safety
measures and considerations for recording studios
as they reopen amidst the pandemic. Titled
Considerations for Recording Studios as They Reopen,
the document is not meant to supersede
local guidelines, but instead complement them
with specific suggested protocols as informed
by numerous studio owners, engineers, and
others who are striving to keep the music community
safe while getting back to work.
To access document, go to
www.grammy.com/technical-guidelines.
BreakOut West is moving online for 2020. The festival and conference was set to take
place this fall in Winnipeg, MB, but in response to the ongoing circumstances surrounding
COVID-19, it will instead be a virtual event.
Now running from Sept. 25 th through Oct. 9 th ,
BreakOut West: Home Edition will provide artists
and industry with keynotes and panel discussions,
mentorship meetings, networking mixers,
wellness moments, and new music discovery.
Based on artist and industry consultations,
the event will emphasize networking and
professional development. Industry Sessions will
bring professionals together to discuss timely
topics for today’s music industry, from selfmanagement
strategies to international market
deep dives to the future of music. These will include breakout rooms where attendees
can engage in the conversation. Meanwhile, Network Mixers and Mentorship Conversations
will give artists the opportunity to connect with industry professionals in both
casual online group settings and private one-on-one meetings. BreakOut West: Home
Edition will also include regular community wellness sessions, including group yoga, the
BreakOut West run club, and meditation.
A juried selection of artists will be highlighted for industry delegates coming from
every possible time zone, showcasing their work, videos, and music leading up to and
during the online event.
For more information, go to www.breakoutwest.ca.
During the pandemic, have you:
…learned to play a new
instrument?
10% Yes
90% No
STUCK
AT HOME
SURVEY
… spent more time than usual
practicing your instrument(s)?
29% Yes, practiced significantly
more
23% Yes, practiced somewhat
more
27% Practiced about the same
amount
6% No, practiced somewhat less
15% No, practiced significantly
less
Canadian Musician surveyed musicians to find out how they’ve been using their time
at home during the pandemic shutdowns. Here are the results…
… improved your home recording
and mixing skills?
25% Yes, significantly
36% Yes, somewhat
39% No
… purchased any gear or software
to improve your home recording
set-up?
12% Yes, a lot
39% Yes, a little
49% No
… fixed up any old instruments/
gear at home?
8% Yes, a lot
39% Yes, a little
53% No
SPEAKING OUT
During the time spent
at home because of the
pandemic, what new
gear/software/online
service/etc. have you
found most exciting
and/or useful and why?
“Used the time to get very
deep into the functionality
of the DAW I use, upgraded
some of the related
software, measurably
improved my keys playing.”
“New 4K Zoom video camera
has helped with online
collaborations.”
“Enrolled in ‘Produce Like
a Boss,’ a course for singer/
songwriter recording/production.
It’s really good.”
“Cubase 10.5 Pro. Upgraded
from Cubase Elements
at a significant (Covid)
discount.”
“Delved into some of the
courses offered by Berklee
online.”
“Canadian Musician
Podcast - great insight. All
musicians should be listening
to more podcasts,
studying marketing, social
media and promotion, optimizing
their online presence.
Have been doing
a lot of writing, listening,
writing, researching, and
learning.”
[Ed. Note: We swear we
didn’t submit this ourselves,
so thank you to this listener
in Hamilton!]
CANADIAN MUSICIAN 17