XM Satellite Radio Acquires Effanel Music

[Remoteness]

DC-Based XM Satellite Radio Acquires Effanel Music

Washington, DC -- Looking to build its portfolio of live content, XM
Satellite Radio, the DC-based provider of satellite radio services with more than 3.2 million subscribers, said on Tuesday that it has acquired New York-based Effanel Music, a producer of live music recordings.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Launched in 1980,
Effanel has delivered live broadcasts and recordings for major
television networks, record labels and artists. Clients have included The Grammys, the MTV Video Music Awards, U2 and Madonna. Hugh Panero, the president and CEO of XM, said that the acquisition is a strategic fit since "live content plays such a central role" in XM's programming. "With Effanel, XM now has a built-in mobile recording and broadcast division," Panero said.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050118/dctu029_1.html

[Waylon]

I dont know weather to laugh or cry.

probablly cry.

[Bob Olhsson]

Isn't that truck built around a Neve Capricorn?

A return of live music broadcasts is one of the best things that could possibly happen to music. XM has one channel devoted entirely to live performances so it makes perfect sense that they would be looking for a truck of their own. I'd love to see people sending them feeds from all over the country.

[Remoteness]

Steve, you probably should do both.

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Bob, their L7 (square control room) dual expando trailer has the Neve Capricorn. They have at least two other smaller trucks. One based around a baby Neve and another based around two DM2000s. IMO, it would make sense to build a few more vehicles to handle the load across the country. Time will tell...

I believe this was the best thing that could happen to both parties. It's a win win situation all around.

The return to live music broadcasts is indeed one of the best things that could happen to music, especially if high quality production is their main goal.

I welcome the return to live music broadcasts with open arms as long as it sounds better than some of the live awards shows I've heard in the past. There's no reason why this cannot happen on a daily basis. This is the big time -- there shouldn't be any "hit or miss" going on around here. Nowadays you have total reset and total recall; you have some of the best crew personnel around; Sonic integrity should be second to none on these production ventures.

IMO, it can be great if you really want it to be great. I have no doubt this will be a wonderful success.

[Bob Olhsson]

Where many live awards shows went to hell was artists started demanding that the person who had mixed their record be behind the board. Unfortunately about all mixing a live broadcast and making a record have in common is the gear. (The same is true of FOH mixers which is a third, completely different discipline.) There are only a handful of people around who have lots of experience doing both.

XM is going to put heat on other broadcasters to do live shows.

One twist to this is that CheapChannel owns a small interest in XM and they've been making rumblings about selling of concert DVDs over the past few weeks.

EVERYBODY wants to get into the record bizness...

[Waylon]

Hey, interesting side point... maybe they will be too busy to do the Grammys next year! I think that should there be a diffrent crew doing live audio for the awards show, the person that decided to fire those responsible for last years fiasco should GET a grammy....


"Best Preventive-Audio Action"

[Remoteness]

Anyway you look at it -- this can be wonderful for the listening public and a great opening for more live remotes for everyone everywhere...

Live music is back and here to stay! Like what Bob originally said, "A return of live music broadcasts is one of the best things that could possibly happen to music..."

Amen to that!

[Bob Olhsson]

Something I think a lot of people have missed is the fact that the "home studio revolution" has only raised the bar between professional and amateur music. This is why I think the future is in "real" performed music. There's little point in assembling overdubs into something that isn't any better than the kid next door can do with an Acid loop.

[Waylon]

Agreed!

its funny, but the Ashlee Simpson fiasco may have done us all more good than we realize, the general populous is dangerously close to realizing that "LIVE music is where its at.."

I sure hope so.