Share the Beat: Lab Gift Certificates











'Tis the season of giving and Lab Gift Certificates are now available!
Please call our studio 802-863-8500 for more information.

Holiday Photo Shoot

Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Lab hosted a holiday photo shoot during last Saturday's Open Lab to feature its enthusiasm, commitment, and ingenuity within the team; and to share a smile for the holiday season. It was a great opportunity for newcomers to meet and talk with other Lab students about their progress and experience, and learn how this place fosters confidence and creativity among its own. To express its sincerest thanks, The Lab is creating holiday cards with photos from the shoot. More photos can be seen here. (Photos by John Erickson and Anna Harriss)

The LAB's Holiday Newsletter December

DJ A-Dog Presents

This week DJ instructor, Andy Williams, better known as DJ A-Dog, sat down with students at The Lab and shared insight into his experiences as an artist. He answered questions and gave a demonstration on the two turntables using Serato. Click here to see more photos from the event!

November's Monthly Newsletter!

The LAB Gets Propellerheads Reason 5

Propellerheads has just released its newest version of Reason that includes the new Kong Drum Designer and Sampling Module Dr. Octo Rex. The Lab looks forward to incorporating Reason 5 into its curriculum! For more information on Reason 5 and Record 1.5 click here.

Behind the Beats - Statik Selektah

Statik Selektah dropped by The Lab last Wednesday, October 13 for a Behind the Beat session. About 50 people stopped in to hear Nastee interview Statik, who gave us an inside look into what life is like as a world-famous producer and DJ. After the interview, Statik demonstrated some skills on the tables, and shared with us a private look into his upcoming album. If you weren't there, you missed out - - but look for the videos soon!

Special thanks to Broke in Burlington, Burlington College, and Burlington Records. Also thanks to Statik Selektah, Dan Green, DJ Nastee and everyone who stopped by!

October's Monthly Newsletter

The LAB Presents Behind The Beat With Statik Selektah

This event is an educational seminar with a world famous hip hop dj/ producer. This is a free event welcome to all ages! Come and see how an individual from NH made it to NYC and the big time!!!! Event starts at 6pm and will be at the LAB Studio located on 19 Church St. #1.

Hip Hop DJ/Producer Statik Selektah Speaks @ THE LAB

The Lab is in works with setting up an event with Statik Selektah a native of New Hampshire who will be hosting an hour long seminar at The Lab. In which Statik will discuss his inspirations and his journey that led him to be at the top of the hip hop game. Stay tuned for event details........ Event will be in October!

WRUV 90.1 Host 2nd Annual Record Swap at Speaking Volumes Antique and Record Store

Saturday Sept. 18th from 9am to 9pm WRUV 90.1 will be hosting their 2nd annual record swap at Speaking Volumes Antique and Record Store on Pine St. in Burlington, VT. (Behind Myers Bagels) All music lovers and record collectors alike should not miss this rare opportunity to pick up some new vinyl for your collection! The LAB will have a table at this event with some of its own record collection for sale. Come and kick it with the LAB Crew from 9am to 3pm.

The LAB Goes To UVM!

Come join us on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 from 10am to 3pm as the LAB team heads to the campus of The University of Vermont and partakes in this years UVM ACTIVITIES FEST! There will be live DJ's, food, games, and give-aways as we hang out will local businesses, clubs, organizations and over 4,000 students.

SNOOP AND SWIZZY

Snoop Dogg will be releasing a sequel to his debut album Doggystyle...Doggystyle 2 The Doggumentary will be fully produced by Swizz Beats. get more info here.

ADVANCED PRODUCTION COURSE: THE MPC

MPC BEAT Classes CLASS ONE: Overview and Introduction Start with getting familiar on the MPC. What each button does, different modes and features. A rough overview of how the MPC works from setup to playing a beat. Also some history of beat machines in the hip hop world. Homework: Find a song/record to sample. CLASS TWO: SAMPLING This class covers the art of sampling with the MPC. From finding a sample, to looping, to sampling techniques and audio levels. We go inside the MPC's programs to arrange and assign samples. Also sample chopping and truncating. Homework: Listen to some classic breakbeats ie: substitution, impeach the president, god make me funky CLASS THREE: SEQUENCING After you learn about sample and how they work we get into sequencing and tempos. From short one bar sequences to eight bar song modes, we explore how to sequence and develop song structure. Homework: Instructor gives you the names of samples that make up a hip hop classic and students find the samples and reconstruct the classic using the MPC. CLASS FOUR: MIXING AND EFFECTS When you have a lot of samples going on at once you'll need to balance the sounds. Within the MPC you can adjust the volumes of samples. You can also use some cool effects like reverb, flange and echo. Mixing techniques and advanced sequencing will be discussed. Homework: Bring in one of your favorite hip hop records/songs so we can dissect it. CLASS FIVE: SPECIAL FEATURES The MPC effects sound in ways that are unique to the machine itself. We go thru the final stages of beat making, exploring filters, milti mode and q-link. Now we are ready to make some beats! Homework: Make your own beat using these techniques. CLASS SIX: THE FINALE The students become teachers as they play and explain the beats they made. We will have an open discussion about each students beat with questions and critiques. Homework: Pic your favorite producer with explanation of why. CLASS SEVEN AND EIGHT: THINKING OUT SIDE THE BOX! Students will get a rare chance to go out on the town with a digging legend and hit up the local record stores. Once done digging students will get a chance to see a vary rare record collection and a couple other very cool things! 8 Week Program: $ 319 TOTAL TUITION COST (PROGRAM STARTS 1st Week of Oct.)

SEPTEMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER! College Issue

Do You Have What It Takes to Make A Hit Record!

The uPlaya Artist Deal helps democratize the music industry by first providing you, the independent artist, instant feedback on your song including the potential that your music has for commercial success, and then providing you with exposure and the tools you need to further promote your songs. For a direct link to uplaya's website click here.

SKRAAAATCH!!

The Lab offers an introduction to Turntablism class aside from music production. The class introduces the students to the history and culture behind djing and also the basic principles of music like bpm's and 4-step counts. We have a wide selection of records for you to mix also to create projects of you own! Inquire within the lab on church street!

Two-Hand Band

Hip hop production is the creation of hip hop music. Though the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music, it's most commonly used to refer to the instrumental, non-lyrical aspects of hip hop. This means that hip hop producers are the instrumentalists involved in a work. Modern hip hop production uses samplers, sequencers, drum machines, synthesizers, turntables, and live instrumentation. A hip hop instrumental is commonly referred to as a beat, and hip hop producers are commonly referred to as beat makers. However, in the studio, a hip hop producer also functions as a traditional record producer, being the person who is ultimately responsible for the final sound of a recording. Many producers use sampling and Marley Marl also popularized a minimal style of using one or two sampled loops in the late 80s. The Akai MPC60 came out in 1988, capable of 12 seconds of sampling time.

Behind The Beat w/ DJ PREMIER

The Lab is in the works with setting up the next Behind the Beat with DJ Premier this winter! Stay tuned for news and exact dates of when and where this event will be held. Click here to visit Dj Premier's Blog!

BACK TO SCHOOL SALE!!!

END OF SUMMER BBQ PARTY AT NORTH BEACH

In The Loop Newsletter for August 2010

Advanced Music Production Student Calvin Elmore Releases His Debut Album

Advanced Production student Calvin Elmore better known as Capital-C has been in the music program at the Lab for just over 2 years. Bedtime stories is Calvin's debut album ranging from Original tracks, remixed tracks, and instrumentals. Click here and listen to Capital-C's Bedtime Stories. Mind you this cat is only 16 years old!!!!! Get em son...............

Could It Be.......... DETOX!

After a half dozen years of anticipation, it looks like Dr. Dre and Jay-Z will be releasing the first single off of DETOX this week!!! For more information click here.

-Dblock

Jkale

Jkale is a local producer/dj out of Essex and he has recently come out with his new album Words from the Woods. Jkale has found a unique sound with a fusion of dub/hip hop/electronic music. He has started doing shows around the Burlington Area, recently doing a live set on WRUV 90.1 with drummer Stick and Learic from The Aztext. Check out his songs with Learic at his myspace along with his Alejandro remix and other songs from Words from the Woods.

-Calvin

Somethin' else: Vinyl Record Clocks - RE_VINYL

Vinyl Clock designs. check out more HERE

WCAX News Interview Circa 2008

DJ Mana at Hip Hop Camp

DJ Mana will be giving a FREE presentation this Wednesday July 21st 2pm. The event will be held at our studio and open to the public. DJ's and inspiring Turntablists, you wont want to miss this!
-ZJ

Producer Of The Month: Rob Larow aka Bobby Bass

On Thursday July 22nd at the Hip Hop Camp, Rob Larow aka Bobby Bass will be giving a lecturer live from his home studio in NYC. Rob, who co-founded Orange Factory Music in Vermont, moved to NYC and went on to work with artists such as Jay Sean, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Seal, Usher, Birdman, Blue Cantrell, The Back Street Boys, Alanis Morisette, Annie Lennox, Fabolous, Janet Jackson, Shakira and Lil Jon.

Lab Instructor Malik Butler selected for Boston Beat Battle

Malik Butler aka Dan Freeman was selected out of 6,000 producers to showcase his beats to 2 x Grammy award winning producer Rockwilder, Skid and other music industry affiliates. The Beat Battle takes place in Boston on July 20 and the 21st. If interested in purchasing tickets ($20) you can contact Malik Butler on facebook or for more information email us at thelab123@gmail.com Congrats Malik and good luck!

Monthly Newsletter: July 2010

Click on image to enlarge

Discussion on sampling & copyright lawsuits

"An interesting discussion for anyone involved in the creation of sample based music"
-ZJ

DJ Of The Month: Mana

In the lab with : DJ MANA from Derived Thread/SHOT BY JFK on Vimeo.

PL Label

Pretty Lights has launched there own label. The label introduced their first artist besides pretty lights, Michal Menert. His debut album Dreaming of a Bigger Life was released May 18, 2010. He keeps his fresh own style with a pretty lights feel along with it. He has helped co-produce many of pretty lights albums and now has his own.

-Calvin

New Blog Coming Soon

Yup, the New Lab Blog thats being designed by JF is coming soon...
I havent been this excited since the xmas my momma bought be Terminator 2 on VHS.
-ZJ

Local Skate Premiere Tonight

I mentioned the release a while back and now the time has finally come. The Symptoms Collective presents "Good things come to those who skate" tonight at Talent Skate Park
8pm. Dont miss this
-ZJ

Super Mario Beatbox

Beat box version of the Super Mario by Japanese beatboxer Hikakin. Crazy
-ZJ

Edison (monome)

I've seen people play around with samples and instruments while they have other loops playing but to play them all at once with intricate drums is taking it to a new level. Edison does his shows with his lunchbox monome along with other various midi controllers and Ableton Live.

Find out more about Edison HERE

- Calvin

Like Cool: Mixtape Watch

From one of my favorite blogs (like cool) comes the Mixtape Watch. Fresh
-ZJ

Lab Monthly Newsletter: June

A lot of exciting events happening make sure to check them out!

TKFV vs Burton Snowboards

TKFV vs. Burton US OPEN 2010 from Two Kids From Vermont on Vimeo.

TKFV at it again. This time making a special appearance at the Burton Snowboard US Open. Stay tuned for more episodes
-ZJ

ps looking for guest bloggers! Anyone who wants to share on topics all music related!
hit me up at thelab123@gmail.com

Something Else: USB Mixtape

Let's face it, mix CDs never replaced the mixtape (cassette) as a meaningful gift. Something about the mixtape symbolized real effort. Personalizing the cassette sticker and the tracklisting was almost as important as the music itself.-Turntablelab
Dope!
-ZJ

Go Go Gadget: Dicer DJ Controller by Novation

Producer Of The Month: Justin Blaze

Who would like to see a beat battle between Just Blaze and the Alchemist in Vermont?
Metronome, yes please.

DJ Of The Month: Clinton Sparks

Clinton Sparks has been in the game for a minute. Im not a huge fan of New York radio DJ's that tag every single song-but Sparks always seems to deliver quality-working exclusively with Hip hop, rock, pop and electro artists. He always has his own remixes, production and even juggle routines to showcase.
Get Familiar
-ZJ

Vermont's first Hip Hop Camp

Stay tuned for more info....

The Lab meets JAZZLAB

"JAZZLAB seeks to harness the creative energy abundant downtown during the Discover Jazz Festival and give it the space it needs to evolve into a multi-dynamic piece of art itself. The JazzLab serves as a meeting place for artists, media and community members alike to define this kenetic body of work"

Learn more about the seminar by visiting the facebook event page
HERE

Jay Z--Skull Candy--Aviator

Roc Nation and Jay Z team up with Skull Candy headphones.
Bounce
-ZJ

Reason 5 and Record 1.5

Propellerhead's Reason 5 and Record 1.5 just got announced. Learn more
HERE
-ZJ

Hip Hop Idol tonight

Think you got what it takes to be an emcee? Club Metronome is hosting a Hip Hop Karaoke contest tonight!
Step yo game up.
-ZJ

Sound Survivor Music

Good friend L Burners launched a website called Sound Survivor. The site contains different DJ's from and around the Vermont area with uploaded mixes-soul, funk, reggae, hip hop and more. Dope!
-ZJ

Rob Swift Club Metronome May 20th 2010

Fellow Lab friends DJ D Cutz and D Kid got a chance to open for DJ Rob Swift last Thursday May 20th. Check out the photos courteous of BVT Photos

The Timbaland Tour Bus

One day I think the Lab tour bus will look like this.
Go timbo slice
-ZJ

DJ Tech Tools: Control Record Needle Shootout

Testing 1, 2 testing.....
MORE

HKU on Dan Freeman

The HKU aka Hard Knock University just did a nice write up on Lab instructor Malik Butler (producer name Dan Freeman)
CHECK IT OUT