Tales of Zale Episode 1 is complete and due for official release on YouTube tomorrow, BUT as a project member I have permission to exhibit it a day early! So on behalf on Hikarian Animations, I present Tales of Zale Episode 1 today for your early enjoyment. Hope you all like it and be sure to check out all the credits and links in the YouTube descriptions. 

On another note, you'll probably notice this update is much earlier than usual, which is because I'm away this weekend (so no Saturday update this week :C). I also just looked at my calender, and for the next 3 weekends I'm somewhere doing something too with some busy stuff going on in the weeks too, so it looks like there's gonna be some early/late/no updates for a few weeks. I'll still aim to get updates out when I can, hopefully once a week, though apologies if there aren't any, or they're not as detailed as usual. Should be back to normal by March I think.

Anyways, until the next one (which I don't know when it'll be...) take care and I hope you enjoy Tales of Zale Episode 1. Be sure to check out Hikarian's YouTube channel for more awesome animations!

It's a been a busy week in the studio getting Episode 01 of Tales of Zale finished, but as of a few minutes ago, it's almost there! I've just sent off a Master test audio to Hikarian for review which should give a few days for tweaks and adjustments before the January 29th release date. Mark next Thursday in your calenders peeps. This is gonna be awesome!

In contrast to the usual Jabun Audio news, I thought I'd take this week to reflect on some other things which have been happening in the musical world. As many of the music tech nuts out there know, Thursday marked the beginning of NAMM 2015, the worlds biggest music tech convention (on until Sunday), and although I wasn't able to go in person (one day....), I've been following the news eagerly on social media. This year has been insane with some awesome and unexpected releases. 

Not that I ever doubted them, but Korg once again undoubtedly prove they rule the synth market! After bringing analog to a new generation with the affordable Monotron series a few years back (of which I was awarded 3rd place in the USA for the Monomania Sound Design Contest 2012), following up with the more advanced and flexible Volca series, and last year, after hearing audiences pray for it, releasing the Volca Sample, I had no doubt that Korg REALLY listen to their customers and are keen to bring Analog back for all price ranges. Following the release of MS-20 mini (which is very much in my sights!) and the build-it-yourself full size MS-20 Kit, I was wondering what they could offer this year. We all knew the Arp Odyssey reissue was coming (which looks and sounds sweet), but I don't think anyone foresaw the MS-20m Module Kit or SQ-1 sequencer! 


On top of providing the MS-20 sound engine with both filter variations, the Module featured the addition of all the common modifications people wanted on the original MS-20, FM, Osc Sync and PWM, converted connections for integration with other CV standards, all in a build it yourself kit (including an SQ-1 sequencer)! Mega cool! The SQ-1 takes the feel of a classic analog sequencer module and compresses it into an affordable and modern compatible 2 x 8 step battery powered sequencer! Really cool! What's next from Korg? An MS-50 mini? A Polysix Mini? (PLEEEEEEASE). You guy's are definitely taking a bite of my next paycheck!

Kinda cool, though WAAAAAY out of my price range, if you have >$10,000 to spare for a synth, Moog have reissued some classic modular systems, which look and sound amazing, buuuut you have to go to the factory to pick them up. The firmware updates on the more affordable Sub 37 are awesome though! "Holy modulation destinations Batman!"

On a sadder note, last weekend saw the loss of a fantastic Russian vocalist and one of my heroes/inspirations: Origa (sadly from lung cancer at only age  44). She had a beautiful and unique voice and provided vocals to many Anime songs including the openings to the Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex series, working closely with one of my composing heroes Yoko Kanno. Below I'd like to embed a YouTube video for "Inner Universe" my favorite of the songs she sang. The world is short of one amazing musician, but heaven has gained a new member for the ethereal choir. Rest in peace, Origa. From myself and on behalf of countless people around the world, we'll miss you and wish you the best of luck where ever you are now. 

Finally, I may not be able to post an update next weekend, as I'll be away for a Uni reunion. The next update will hopefully feature Episode 1 of Tales of Zale which will either come (if I have time) this coming Thursday or later the following week. Until next time, take care everyone.

Jabun

The Nubits animation is out! Feel free to check it out below :D For those who don't know about NuBits, NuBits are the world's first stable digital currency, with 1 NuBit holding it's value at 1 US Dollar. You can visit nubits.com to download a free NuBits wallet and learn more, and check out the NuBits Facebook, Twitter and Reddit for the latest news. This animated video was created by the awesome Anthony G Houde (who I've still yet to add to the partner's board), with the voice talents of Sheila M Gagne. I was on sound design and audio engineering for this one as usual. Hope you all enjoy it!

Originally the plan was to start work on a 30 second cut of the video straight after this video's release, though that's been put on hold for the moment to let this one sink in and see how well it's received (good so far according to the comments and Reddit). More news on further NuBits projects when/if they come around.

In other news, The Dinosaur Alphabet (also created by Anthony) has surpassed 3 MILLION VIEWS on YouTube! Amazing :D Anthony's currently working on a 2nd Ptery Tales animation which I've been seeing a lot of the behind the scenes progress on. I'm set to mix this one and possible some other stuff, but we'll see. No ETA yet, but updates will be shared when they come. 

Finally, with less than 2 weeks left until its release, Tales of Zale Episode 1 is coming on very nicely and has been the main focus of this week. Still waiting for some of the audio material, but I've had plenty to get on with in the mean time. I'm really excited to get this animation out to the world! It's gonna be awesome!

That's it for this week. Next week => more Tales of Zale mixing, and probably not much else. With the January 29th deadline fast approaching, I gotta get stuff done! Ciao for niao peeps!

It's certainly been an interesting week with video releases after my trip away, and the NuBits  animation isn't even out yet! I got back on Wednesday night with the Tales of Zale trailer due for mixing/mastering by the next morning which was a swift throwback into audio work after a relaxing week. The trailer was released the following afternoon and Tales of Zale Episode 1 has a release date set for January 29th! Working on the main episode mix at the moment, I have to say, it's looking spectacular! If you haven't seen if yet please check out the trailer below and show Hikarian Animations your support:

And from the other side of Europe, Vlad from World Beyond has created an awesome animated introduction video for the World Beyond Project. I only helped check the translation for the lyrics, but this was waaay too awesome not to share. Welcome to Our World!

Current news on progress, Tales of Zale will be the focus of this month due to the set release date and is currently going well. APOTHEOSIS has unfortunately been put on the back burner for the moment, though I'll resume work on that once the urgent animation work is done. The NuBits Animation should be released soon, and then I'll be working on a quick 30 second edit. Work has also been started on a new Ptery Tales Animation by Fun Station 4 Kidz. The voices are all recorded and animation has started. No release date set for that yet, but we shall keep you updated on progress. 

It's set to be a busy 2015, and I've still some of my own audio work to do! Look forward to some more fun times to come! Until next week, keep your ears to the earth and wait for the coming rumble. Take care folks and thanks again for all the support.

Happy New Year Folks! Hope you had a good time whatever you were doing and are able to keep up your resolutions. As is tradition, I spent it with friends, pizza and banoffee pie! It was splendid :D

First update of the year: "Ringman" by David Klein II (Featuring "Piggyback Ride" by myself) has just been released for Android! There's a Free Ad-enabled version + a $0.99 Ad-Free version. You can also download it for free on PC from the Ringman Webpage so feel free to check it out and show David your support!

Moving on to current projects, the NuBits video was finished yesterday and is just awaiting upload and subtitles. Should be up within the week hopefully. I'll also be involved in making a shorter 30-second cut of the video (Original length : approx 3 minutes) within the month (I think). Shouldn't take too long.

That's it for this week. I'm away for a well needed holiday for a few days starting tomorrow (hence the early update), so not much will be going on this week. I imagine next week's update will be sharing the NuBits video and any unexpected developments to happen while I'm away. 

Take care everyone, and again: Happy New Years! Hope your 2015 outshines your 2014 and is awesome for every one of you. Until next Saturday!