Converse - Rubber Tracks Studio - Time Lapse Video

[Jules]

[Syncamorea]

Awesome video, beautiful job!

Where did you get the crew? They looked like hard-working studio ninjas!

[crying1986]

Great video. The place looks beautiful.

[Jules]

CONVERSE LAUNCHES ORIGINAL SHORT-FILM SERIES ON Converse

Series Feature Converse Rubber Tracks Performances, Interviews and
Advice from Visiting Artists and Producers

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (January 12, 2012) – Today, Converse Inc. launches an online series of original short-films featuring a dynamic pool of musicians each filmed at Converse Rubber Tracks, a new recording studio in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY that allows musicians to record at no cost. Each film series explores a different element of the recording studio experience and together the short-films will give artists the means to expose their music to a much larger audience via Converse.

“We are extremely excited to share the recording experience within Converse Rubber Tracks to a larger audience,” said Jed Lewis, Converse Music Marketing Director. “Each and every musician that walks thru the studio doors experiences something special. As a brand we want to continue to support the artistic community that has embraced us and made Converse the brand that we are by sharing their stories and original work.”

Converse Rubber Tracks is providing a new platform for musicians to overcome one of the biggest hurdles in their career — affording studio time. The new original short-film series will give music fans around the world an insider’s view of the recording experience. The original series include:

Oh Hello – Converse sits down with artists in the recording studio at Converse Rubber Tracks and learn about their sound, personal inspirations and stories behind the music. The series includes a short film featuring up-and-coming punk rock band Avenue X with special guest drummer Marky Ramone.

Track of the Week – Each week, a track recorded by a Converse Rubber Tracks artist will be selected as the Track of the Week. To accompany the free stream of their track, the artist will discuss details about their original track in a short-film including behind-the-scenes studio footage. This week’s Track of the Week features Beijing indie-rock band Hedgehog.

The Geek Out – Recording in a studio requires a team of educated musicians and studio professionals. This series takes an in-depth look at the technical element of recording in a studio by sitting down with one of the studio’s engineers and dissecting a specific element of the studio. New to The Geek Out series is a short-film featuring Converse Rubber Tracks engineer Alex McKenzie's mic set-up for a bombastic sound.

Ready Set – Get an exclusive peek of musicians at the studio recording a live-session from the space. This month’s Ready Set series features recording artist Elizaveta.

Rubber Meets the Road – A unique multi-episode series in which viewers will see into the life of a touring band on their way to record new music at Converse Rubber Tracks. The series will feature a tour of each band’s hometown and the different experiences they encounter on the road to the studio – from living in a van on the road to the shows they perform en route to Brooklyn, NY. The Rubber Meets the Road series kicks off with Chicago based experimental rock band YAWN.

Sounds of Brooklyn – Take a tour thru the borough of Brooklyn led by musicians who reside in one of its many neighborhoods. Each musician will explore remote locations, interview the neighborhood’s unique characters and capture a one-of-a-kind sound on tape.

(continued)

Gear Hunt – Head out with the Converse Rubber Tracks gear hunters on their search for obscure equipment. Hear them talk about their favorite find, how they came across it and embark on the mission with them as they scour old studios, garage sales and junk shops in search of that perfect, rare find.

About Converse Rubber Tracks

Converse Rubber Tracks is a state-of-the-art recording studio that is located in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. The 5,200 square-foot, full-service recording space aims to support emerging artists by providing them access to a top-level recording studio at no cost. Artists and bands of all genres and ages from around the world are encouraged to apply and, upon acceptance, may reserve time in the studio to work alongside a team of experienced engineers. Fully equipped with the best instruments and equipment supplied by Converse Rubber Tracks partner Guitar Center, artists will spend time creating their work and in the end retain all the rights to their music. Through Converse Rubber Tracks, Converse is giving back to the creative community that has embraced the brand throughout its over 100 year history. Converse Rubber Tracks provides a platform for artists to unleash their creative spirit that will change the world.

Visit Converse to receive more information about Converse Rubber Tracks studio and details on the registration process.

[steve crittall]

Great vid.
So good to see a big company giving something back and helping the young grow.
So much more inspiring than another stinking Nike Town!
Converse, you make me proud to be still wearing your shoes at the age of 53

[memphisindie]

Nice studio.
I wonder how many studios around them will be put out of business.
It's illegal to give away a service for free that has an established market in America.
I hope they have some provision as to how they get their clients and who they may be so that they don't upset the delicate balance there.
I'm all for free love and all that... as soon as ConEd, ATT, grocers, and the Land Lord/bank stop charging. I smell one helluva lawsuit coming.
Still, it's a beautiful looking studio.

[exploded]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

It's illegal to give away a service for free that has an established market in America.

Umm. That's not true. At all.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by exploded

Umm. That's not true. At all.

Open up a free grocery store and see what happens, open up a free bar and see how fast ATF shuts you down. Open a free restaurant, a free anything, see what happens.
It is.
I think I'll have to look into the legality of this studio now and I'll report back if you're right, which you very well could be.

I know that if I owned a studio and my customers disappeared because someone was giving away time, I'd definitely do something very effective about that. Don't know what it would be but I know it would start with a conversation or discovery session.

[exploded]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

Open up a free grocery store and see what happens, open up a free bar and see how fast ATF shuts you down. Open a free restaurant, a free anything, see what happens.
It is.
I think I'll have to look into the legality of this studio now and I'll report back if you're right, which you very well could be.

I know that if I owned a studio and my customers disappeared because someone was giving away time, I'd definitely do something very effective about that. Don't know what it would be but I know it would start with a conversation or discovery session.

Wow...okay, um. Because something isn't a sustainable business, that doesn't make it illegal. A free grocery store would be a food bank, my friend.
Google has built their entire empire (except search) off of offering free products that compete directly with paid products. Look at open source software.

Corporations give away products all the time as promotions. That's what this is. It's basically a promotional giveaway for Converse.

[Jesser]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

Nice studio.
It's illegal to give away a service for free that has an established market in America.

LOL

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by exploded

Wow...okay, um. Because something isn't a sustainable business, that doesn't make it illegal. A free grocery store would be a food bank, my friend.
Google has built their entire empire (except search) off of offering free products that compete directly with paid products. Look at open source software.

Corporations give away products all the time as promotions. That's what this is. It's basically a promotional giveaway for Converse.

NOT ON THAT SCALE in any market. You don't get a full size box of cheerios in the mail, you get a tiny single serving box.

CONTEXT!

I never said "because a business isn't sustainable", I said it's illegal to set up a business that gives away for free what is an established market in any area in America, and it is.
You can say whatever you want on that but, I've been in business before and that was the law then, I have no reason to believe it has changed. It is illegal.

There is a foodbank in Memphis and it is NOT a free grocery store. It's a store that takes donations and sells them to the poor at discounts. They are not restricted by normal laws for selling food that is still, "in date" (old stuff).
Still want to use that comparison?
Was the equipment donated o the studio?
Is it outdated and thus no threat to the common market?
If not, it's a nuisance.

Converse is in the tennis shoe market, when they start giving all their tennis shoes away, I'll see that as a fair analogy, but, they may be displacing workers in another industry who's families depend on their local income for self edification only.
I used to make a good living doing sessions in NYC in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and I charged for them. It put the groceries in the fridge and paid the bills etc.
If someone had come around trying to cut my throat "just to look cool" by pandering to my clients I would have a conversation with them. If it took on the proportions that building this beautiful behemoth could, that's when I call for help.
You can poke at me all you want for saying it, says more about you than me. I think that's one reason why people hate record people, some are spineless. Some of them would just go along to get along and wreck anyone in their way even if they were being stupid and callous to their own community in a very predictably detrimental fashion.
Hate me for worrying that some shoe company may not care about destroying a local industry just to look cool to the kids so they buy their shoes, IF that's what's up. I don't know if that's what's up but no one has said anything to the contrary. I like their shoes. If that is what's up my son will burn his "Chucks" in effigy and I'll record it and put it on youtube in hidef.goof I hope they open a school up, more a music school with a studio in it.THAT would be cool. A school that teaches funkmetal blues.

[exploded]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

NOT ON THAT SCALE in any market. You don't get a full size box of cheerios in the mail, you get a tiny single serving box.

CONTEXT!

I never said "because a business isn't sustainable", I said it's illegal to set up a business that gives away for free what is an established market in any area in America, and it is.
You can say whatever you want on that but, I've been in business before and that was the law then, I have no reason to believe it has changed. It is illegal.

There is a foodbank in Memphis and it is NOT a free grocery store. It's a store that takes donations and sells them to the poor at discounts. They are not restricted by normal laws for selling food that is still, "in date" (old stuff).
Still want to use that comparison?
Was the equipment donated o the studio?
Is it outdated and thus no threat to the common market?
If not, it's a nuisance.

Converse is in the tennis shoe market, when they start giving all their tennis shoes away, I'll see that as a fair analogy, but, they may be displacing workers in another industry who's families depend on their local income for self edification only.
I used to make a good living doing sessions in NYC in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and I charged for them. It put the groceries in the fridge and paid the bills etc.
If someone had come around trying to cut my throat "just to look cool" by pandering to my clients I would have a conversation with them. If it took on the proportions that building this beautiful behemoth could, that's when I call for help.
You can poke at me all you want for saying it, says more about you than me. I think that's one reason why people hate record people, some are spineless. Some of them would just go along to get along and wreck anyone in their way even if they were being stupid and callous to their own community in a very predictably detrimental fashion.
Hate me for worrying that some shoe company may not care about destroying a local industry just to look cool to the kids so they buy their shoes, IF that's what's up. I don't know if that's what's up but no one has said anything to the contrary. I like their shoes. If that is what's up my son will burn his "Chucks" in effigy and I'll record it and put it on youtube in hidef.goof I hope they open a school up, more a music school with a studio in it.THAT would be cool. A school that teaches funkmetal blues.

Look at it this way...the Converse studio is employing at least one full time engineer, and probably two or three. In this economy, engineers will take full-time jobs however they can get them. Who cares who owns the studio or who pays the hourly rates? It doesn't really matter if it's the band, the label, or a multinational corporation. Engineers are getting paid. Bands are getting recordings. That's all that matters.

Also, I'm not poking fun at you for any reason at all. I'm just trying to correct a factual error on your part. It's nothing more than that.

Lastly, If you can show ANY proof that it's illegal to "illegal to set up a business that gives away for free what is an established market in any area in America", I will concede that you're right. I don't think that you will find it, though.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by exploded

Look at it this way...the Converse studio is employing at least one full time engineer, and probably two or three. In this economy, engineers will take full-time jobs however they can get them. Who cares who owns the studio or who pays the hourly rates? It doesn't really matter if it's the band, the label, or a multinational corporation. Engineers are getting paid. Bands are getting recordings. That's all that matters.

Also, I'm not poking fun at you for any reason at all. I'm just trying to correct a factual error on your part. It's nothing more than that.

Lastly, If you can show ANY proof that it's illegal to "illegal to set up a business that gives away for free what is an established market in any area in America", I will concede that you're right. I don't think that you will find it, though.

So they oughta just be happy for whatever they get? Is that right? Wow, that's what passes as industry support. Disappointing. ha!

No, it's not all that matters "IF" they give time away and destroy other businesses, that is EXACTLY like what Walmart does, come in and drive every other store out of business on price alone. AND PAY THEIR WORKERS SLAVE WAGES... even hook up employees with welfare and food stamps IN THE STORE. Oh my!
You think this place might set a precedent like that for engineers wages in Brooklyn? I hope not.
Ya know, Really, I hope they're doing the right thing, because I will be back in spring, permanently, and if they aren't, I will be sure to give that the appropriate amount of attention from the appropriate people. I don't think Brooklyn would put up with that for long, but, maybe things have changed since I was there last.
I'm still hoping they make it a school.
I look at it like this, NYC and the boroughs thereof, are THE best place to learn recording from all angles, as a musician and as an engineer, you learn best practices there like nowhere else. This place would be a great place to continue teaching them. Maybe they could pull at risk kids from other states for sessions.

[Le Lab]

Guys, stop arguing and fighting about FREE..It ain't:

Please read the words Upon Acceptance:

The 5,200 square-foot, full-service recording space aims to support emerging artists by providing them access to a top-level recording studio at no cost. Artists and bands of all genres and ages from around the world are encouraged to apply and, upon acceptance, may reserve time in the studio to work alongside a team of experienced engineers.
I do the same with my production company (or any label...) If the band is great AND they give up a % of their rights....THEN its FREE studio time.

There's nothing free (even with Google - who resells your data, or Shoe Companies - who gets the rights for commercials or pop songs)

Have a great (free) week-end

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Le Lab

Guys, stop arguing and fighting about FREE..It ain't:

Please read the words Upon Acceptance:

The 5,200 square-foot, full-service recording space aims to support emerging artists by providing them access to a top-level recording studio at no cost. Artists and bands of all genres and ages from around the world are encouraged to apply and, upon acceptance, may reserve time in the studio to work alongside a team of experienced engineers.
I do the same with my production company (or any label...) If the band is great AND they give up a % of their rights....THEN its FREE studio time.

There's nothing free (even with Google - who resells your data, or Shoe Companies - who gets the rights for commercials or pop songs)

Have a great (free) week-end

Whereas I agree that if there's no price YOU ARE the product, they have given no info about money changing hands and did mention "NO COST".
That's what scares me.

Converse records could be very cool though if they play fair(-ish, nobody plays fair). Crap, I'd like to work there if it's done right. I'd sell all my stuff.

[solo-bration]

Anyone know anything about the style of diffusion they're using on the ceilings? Wondering how effective they may be and what kind of material (wood?) they're made from?

I posted this question in the general acoustics forum, but it sunk responseless instantly. At least here, I suppose it's relevant.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by solo-bration

Anyone know anything about the style of diffusion they're using on the ceilings? Wondering how effective they may be and what kind of material (wood?) they're made from?

I posted this question in the general acoustics forum, but it sunk responseless instantly. At least here, I suppose it's relevant.

Looks like planks of plywood to me.
Could be just the right thing for that location.

[solo-bration]

I think you're being sarcastic, but not really sure. I'm looking for inexpensive ways to make my live room more lively sounding, so it caught my attention.

[Demor]

I think they are indeed just plywood reflectors. Just a way to spread the sound out into the intire room.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by solo-bration

I think you're being sarcastic, but not really sure. I'm looking for inexpensive ways to make my live room more lively sounding, so it caught my attention.

I try to never be sarcastic.
There's nothing wrong with using plywood.
Look at the wall behind the drums, looks like absorption and plywood alternating patterns.
You can go to the Armstrong website and see what clouds they make for ceilings.

[solo-bration]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

I try to never be sarcastic.
There's nothing wrong with using plywood.
Look at the wall behind the drums, looks like absorption and plywood alternating patterns. You can go to the Armstrong website and see what clouds they make for ceilings.

Oh sorry I couldn't tell what with all the negativity in this thread

The issue in my live room is I think I've gone overboard with absorption (mostly 4" clouds) covering 80% of the ceilings and 4" traps straddling each corner (they were added to kill the flutter echoes and slapback I was initially getting, which worked)... But now I'm trying to find ways to liven it back up to get more of a reflection 'splash'. Looking into inexpensive ways to add diffusion. Was thinking that simply adding uneven reflective surface (like the converse ceiling panels) could help. Also looking into building some Poly diffusors.

[memphisindie]

It happens, yeah, plywood will work just fine for that. You can cut it in 1/2 or 1/4's and make each piece uneven, pyramids, curves, just uneven, it's all good and all works. just don't create any parallel surfaces or the flutters return.

[solo-bration]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

It happens, yeah, plywood will work just fine for that. You can cut it in 1/2 or 1/4's and make each piece uneven, pyramids, curves, just uneven, it's all good and all works. just don't create any parallel surfaces or the flutters return.

Thanks for the responses. Is there much of a thickness factor? I'm sure scientifically there must be. But reflection-wise would 1/4" plywood act much differently than 3/4"?

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by solo-bration

Thanks for the responses. Is there much of a thickness factor? I'm sure scientifically there must be. But reflection-wise would 1/4" plywood act much differently than 3/4"?

Yes it would. All that is worked out in ratings for materials in STC ratings. You can find them by googling them, or go to the forum for that here and find out from a pro.
But yes they would be different and predictably so by the numbers.

[bgrotto]

Nice sounding room. I mixed some tunes recorded there last year and the tracks sounded good.

Regarding the loss of business, I had similar concerns, as a number of my clients and a few friends' bands were given studio time last year at SXSW. But as it turned out, my fears were unfounded. In one case, the band was unhappy with the mixes and booked time with me to rework them. In another, the band brought a local engineer to NYC to do the production and tracking. Those tracks were then brought back to Boston to mix at a local studio.

In these cases the Converse studio actually landed a couple gigs for us locals.