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Serj Tankian Vocal Effects

systemofadown — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:02:53 GMT

TC-Helicon teams up with System of a Down singer to release presets for their vocal processors 21-Aug-12

Earlier this year, TC-Helicon launched its 'Featured Artist of the Month' program, releasing free custom presets for its best-selling vocal processors and effects units made by some of the most exciting singers performing today.

For the month of August and following the worldwide release of his third solo album 'Harakiri', TC-Helicon has teamed up with versatile vocalist Serj Tankian, known for his ground-breaking work with System of a Down, to present eleven exclusive presets off the new album. The presets are free to download for all users of either VoiceLive 2, VoiceLive Rack, VoiceLive Touch, VoiceLive Play or VoiceLive Play GTX. Here's what TC has to say in their own words...

Historically, metal singers are known for pushing the envelope, and Serj Tankian is no exception. Joining the likes of Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), Serj prefers TC-Helicon's VoiceLive Rack for his live vocals and in the studio. And when he is not using it for vocals, he runs flutes and other instruments through it for recording his upcoming side project 'Jazz-Iz-Christ'.

TC-Helicon is proud to present Serj Tankian as its Featured Vocal Artist for August. As a singer, poet, songwriter, activist, and composer, Serj Tankian has proven to be a creative powerhouse making this preset package all the more essential for singers, metal or not, looking to sound their best.

Furthermore, TC-Helicon will be celebrating Serj for an entire month on its Facebook page by giving away, among other things, a signed VoiceLive Rack unit and a pile of swag.

Pricing and Availability:
Free

More information:

TC-Helicon

Serj Tankian Releases Own Beat-Sequencing iPad App POSTED: July 23, 2:50 PM ET | By Kory Grow Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/cul

systemofadown — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:02:08 GMT

Serj Tankian

Robert Sebree

Over the past decade and a half, System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian has consistently defied the norms of writing and recording hard rock. Whether adding syncopated call-and-response vocals to metal songs like System's hit "Chop Suey!" or recording an entire solo album with a symphony, the singer and multi-instrumentalist has worked outside the box.

When it came to composing his latest solo record, Harakiri – which was released last week – Tankian took to crafting tunes with an unlikely instrument: his iPad. Using programs designed by savageApps like iAmBeatBox, he sequenced loops and built the frameworks of tracks like the frenetic, hip-hop-leaning "Ching Chime" and polemical dance-rock track "Reality TV."

"It's almost like writing electronic music with rock elements, and using that as a way of designing a song," Tankian tells Rolling Stone. "It's a different way of approaching music than you would by grabbing a guitar or jumping on the piano. It makes things quick." He was so excited about the experience that about four months ago, he offered to collaborate with savageApps on his own tablet and smartphone program, dubbed I Am Serj, which came out last week.

The I Am Serj app allows iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch users to drag "gems" onto different places on a grid, which determines the loop that will play. The ones that come with the initial download are all savageApps-created samples that Tankian used while writing Harakiri, but the app also offers pay-per-download packages of instrumental samples from the singer's first two solo albums, Elect the Dead and the symphonic Imperfect Harmonies, as well as vocal tracks from Harakiri. After composing a sequence with the gems and mixing it to their satisfaction, users are then able to create ringtones of the music. They also have the option of recording mixes in real-time and exporting them to Facebook and SoundCloud.

What appeals most to Tankian about the program, though, is that users don't have to be professional musicians to use it. "It's designed for anybody," he explains. "People could make their own remix record using this app in a day, but most of what people will create will be their own original music. There are so many variations of bass, strings, pianos and guitars, it's quite interesting. There's even an oud [a lute-like Middle Eastern instrument] and some ethnic instruments on there that we used on the record. There are a billion possible combinations."

These permutations are still inspiring Tankian, who has been creating his own mixes using the app. "I'm kind of getting off on the electro aspect of it," he says, adding that he's planning on posting "my own little new song" to his Facebook when he completes it. In the meantime, he's also been thinking about how the app could be used in a live setting, since he'll be embarking on a solo tour with his group the FCC in September after a short run with System of a Down in August. "The FCC guys were like, 'Hey we should just bring the iPad onstage and start a song using one of the loops and the band will join in,'" Tankian says. "We may or may not do that, but there are definitely live applications to it. DJs can go crazy with it, too, since it has beat-matching capabilities. You can change the tempo of the app and mix things on the fly."

Because I Am Serj offers so many capabilities, Tankian says that his musician friends, including composers, have been enthusiastic about it. He hopes to develop similar apps for them in the future. But until then, he's happy with the feedback he's been getting from non-musicians. "I tried it out on my friend's kids," he says. "They're nine years old. I pulled out my iPad and opened up the app. They were going off with it. It's awesome. Anyone can use it."

SERJ TANKIAN UNVEILS THE ‘I AM SERJ’ APP

systemofadown — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 22:00:49 GMT

Warner Bros. Music

It’s no surprise that heavy metal and hard rock artists have embraced the world of apps, and the latest to do so is System of a Down’s frontman Serj Tankian. The singer is offering his new app aptly called ‘I Am Serj’ available for free for a week.

Tankian teamed up with the creators of popular beat making app IAmBeatBox to put it out his own app "I Am Serj” which is available for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. In a press release Tankian reveals: "iAmBeatBox and all the Savage I Am apps have created an innovative way to sketch out music using beats and samples on the iPad.”

Tankian goes on to say that the app even helped with the process of creating his third solo disc ‘Harikiri.’ "I used the programs to sketch out 3 of the songs from ’Harakiri’ and am excited about launching my own app with them titled, I Am Serj, utilizing the music from ‘Harakiri,’ my new solo record,” explained the singer.

The ‘I Am Serj’ app gives fans the ability to rework, remix and create their own music utilizing the new songs that appear on ‘Harakiri.’

The app is available for free from Aug. 17 through Aug. 24.

Watch the ‘I Am Serj’ Video Demonstration

NEXT: SERJ TANKIAN DISCUSSES SYSTEM OF A DOWN RETURN

SERJ TANKIAN TALKS SYSTEM OF A DOWN’S RETURN AND SUMMER TOUR WITH DEFTONES

systemofadown — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:58:43 GMT

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com

System of a Down kicked off a brief North American summer tour with Deftones last night (Aug. 2) in Camden, N.J. We recently caught up with System singer Serj Tankian to discuss his new solo album ‘Harakiri,’ but we were also able to squeeze in a few questions about System of a Down. Check out our quick Q&A with Tankian concerning the latest on System of a Down below:

What has the chemistry been like since reuniting after the lengthy hiatus?

We’ve had a f—in’ blast playing all of these shows. I think we’ve played better because of it, there was new excitement in playing together and all of the shows have been really great. Everyone’s told us that we sound better than we did in 2006 when we left off so I think it’s great, we’re having a great time doing it – we got two weeks on the East Coast in August that we’re gonna do with Deftones and it’s gonna be exciting and Deftones are great, they’re friends of our obviously. It’s going to be a fun tour.

Can you talk more about your relationship with Deftones?

Gosh, I think we met the guys from Deftones years back when there was a cross between Ozzfest – there’s one city in Minnesota, probably Minneapolis, where every year when Ozzfest was going on every year, the Warped Tour and Ozzfest would have one day where it would be Warped Ozzfest. Both tours would meet at one giant venue and so both tours would co-exist at that thing and I think that’s where we met Deftones if I’m not mistaken and became friends years ago. I’ve kept in touch and done a song on their record and they’re good friends — love their music, appreciate their music and so excited about touring with them.

One of the big questions from our Loudwire readers is: When is the next System of a Down album coming?

[Laughs] It’s a good question and the answer is the same – we haven’t made plans of recording the new record as of yet. When we do everyone will know. We haven’t really discussed another record as of now with any of the guys really, it’s something that when it’s the right time we’ll do it. Right now I’m busy with my own stuff and that’s gonna take me a bit but when it’s the right time everyone will know. I don’t even want to say there’s [a new System of a Down album] coming because we haven’t really talked about it. I just assume when it’s the right time, it’ll materialize like everything else in the universe.

System of a Down’s current tour with Deftones runs through an Aug. 15 stop in Chicago. Check out our lengthier interview with Serj Tankian about his new solo album by clicking the button below:

SERJ TANKIAN TALKS NEW SOLO ALBUM 'HARAKIRI'

Serj Tankian Talks System of a Down, Says Band Is “Tighter Than Ever”

systemofadown — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:57:59 GMT

93X reports last week, System of a Down kicked off their two-week string of North American dates with Deftones. Frontman Serj Tankian says that touring with SOAD is a welcome break from working on his many solo projects. "I call it summer vacation because there’s so much going on with my other work and then you come to the System camp and it’s like relaxing,” Tankian said. "We just have shows to play, hang out, make jokes. We barely do soundchecks and we just go in and play awesome and we’re tighter than ever and the audience is happy and so it’s been really fun.” Tankian added that fans need to see the band now while they can because he’s unsure if they will be scheduling any tour dates next year. "As far as touring, we get offers here and there,” explains the singer. "We haven’t really looked at next year as of now; so I’m not exactly sure what’s going to happen with System of a Down next year, but if we get offers we’ll look at them.” The singer also noted that at the moment, he has no plans to record a new album with SOAD anytime soon. "We haven’t really talked about doing anything new with System, we’ve just been enjoying the no pressure, have fun kind of touring that we’ve been doing together and everyone’s working on their stuff,” reveals Tankian. "I know [guitarist] Daron [Malakian]’s got another [Scars on Broadway] record that he’s gonna put out and so in time I think we’ll get to [a new SOAD album] but for now I think we’re just doing our own thing.”

Harakiri, Serj Tankian

systemofadown — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:55:30 GMT

With Green Day planning on three releases over the next year, Serj Tankian has upped the ante with four planned solo releases.

Along with "Harakiri," Serj plans a jazz album ("Jazz-Iz Christ"), one orchestral ("Orca"), and one electro-western ("Fuktronic"). "Harakiri" is a bit of a continuation of Serj's past solo works as well as his unique vocal syncopations reminiscent of his System Of A Down days.

There are a few lighter, even symphonic moments on the disc. His lyrics remain very political, but there's a bit of poetry behind the music. I wouldn't call "Harakiri" a major release for the year, but it does deserve a bit of attention especially if you like to stray a bit from the mainstream.

— Tim, Rockin’ 101, 101.7 FM. On air 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, noon-2 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday

SYSTEM OF A DOWN Frontman Interviewed On DC101 Radio Station (Audio) - Aug. 7, 2012

systemofadown — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:50:53 GMT

Mike Jones of the Washington D.C. radio station DC101 recently conducted an interview with SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian. You can now listen to the chat below.

Tankian has a message for SYSTEM OF A DOWN fans waiting for a new album: don't hold your breath. In an interview with Loudwire, Tankianexplained, "We haven't made plans of recording the new record as of yet. When we do, everyone will know. We haven't really discussed another record as of now with any of the guys, really. It's something that, when it's the right time, we'll do it. Right now I'm busy with my own stuff and that's gonna take me a bit, but when it's the right time, everyone will know. I don't even want to say there's [a new SYSTEM album] coming because we haven't really talked about it."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN last released new music in 2005 on the"Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" albums, going on hiatus the following year.

The band reunited in 2011 for touring purposes and launched a new run with DEFTONES last Thursday (August 2) in Philadelphia. The two acts pull into Washington D.C. on Tuesday (August 7).

Although rumors have circulated for years about animosity within the band, drummer John Dolmayan told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the members of SYSTEM are still friends. "I think a part of it is people like drama, you know. They look for it, and they want drama involved, they want SYSTEM to have problems. There's a lot of haters out there, let's face it, and as much as the fans really want the band to get together just so that they can see and enjoy the music again, there's also just as many people that would like to see us not getting along and, you know, no hope of reuniting."

Tankian told Loudwire that SYSTEM's recent tours have been a "blast," adding, "I think we've played better because of it. There was new excitement in playing together and all of the shows have been really great. Everyone's told us that we sound better than we did in 2006 when we left off, so I think it's great."

Tankian's third solo album, "Harakiri", debuted at No. 29 on theBillboard album chart last month, selling 12,000 copies in its first week of release.

Известный голливудский аниматор создает комиксы об армянской истории

systemofadown — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:51:39 GMT

Комиксы об истории Аварайрской битвы стали пользоваться большой популярностью среди любителей этого жанра в США. Идея придумать комиксы, посвященные первой межконфессиональной войне, принадлежит американцу армянского происхождения Роджеру Купеляну. Отметим, что Купелян является аниматором и графиком, одним из самых известных специалистов Голливуда по графическим эффектам. Начиная с 1996 года, он работал практически со всеми создателями американских блокбастеров. С его участием были сняты такие знаменитые фильмы как «Пираты Карибского моря», «Властелин колец», «Константин», «Люди Икс» и «Терминатор. Да придёт спаситель». Несмотря на свою занятость, Роджер согласился ответить на вопросы корреспондента Новости Армении – NEWS.am и рассказал о своем новом детище – комиксах об армянской истории.

- Работаете ли Вы в данный момент над каким-либо проектом в кино или же занимаетесь только проектом «К востоку от Византии»?

- Я работаю и над другими проектами, но отложил их на время, так как основным стимулом для меня является ускорить проект «К востоку от Византии». Однако многие забывают, что я все еще занят в Голливуде, в индустрии визуальных эффектов. Я ведь должен оплачивать счета.

- Как вам пришла в голову идея создания проекта «К востоку от Византии»? Когда именно вы запустили проект и есть ли у вас другие идеи, как можно представить историю Армении с помощью комиксов?

- История Вардана Мамиконяна и мифология армянской войны всегда играла особую роль в моем воспитании. Вы можете поблагодарить за это моих родителей. Как только появились инструменты для воплощения идеи в жизнь, у меня родился образ комиксов. Комиксы должны были стать основой для телевизионного или же кинематографического проектов.

Наша основная цель – как минимум, передать захватывающий опыт нашим молодым читателям. Следующей целью было выйти за рамки армянского мира, чтобы история была оценена на международной арене (вот почему я упростил подход и старался обращать больше внимания на визуальные эффекты). Моя цель – заново открыть мифологию для современной эпохи, чтобы из нее можно было бы черпать силу.

- Вы недавно сотрудничали с Сержем Танкяном, занимались иллюстрацией одного из его сборников стихов. Планируете ли Вы совместные проекты с Танкяном или же другими знаменитостями армянского происхождения?

- Серж Танкян и я обсуждаем и другие проекты, но мы оба очень заняты большим количеством презентаций новых проектов. Кто знает, у нас всегда есть идеи. Мы оба входим в состав консультативного совета центра TUMO. Что касается других армянских знаменитостей, я уверен, будущее покажет.

Отметим, что комиксы Роджера Купеляна об армянской истории пользуются большим успехом в США и, что немаловажно, основными их фанатами являются американцы неармянского происхождения.

Новости Армении – NEWS.am

No, System of a Down Did Not Make a Zelda Song. But This Guy Did.

systemofadown — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:47:02 GMT

Let's give a man his dues! For over a decade now, there's been a kinda-famous song about Zelda on the internet that many people believe was written and performed by System of a Down.

It wasn't.

The song, simply called "Zelda", was actually written (and sung) by a man named Joe Pleiman. It was released in 1998 on an album called Rabbit Joint, by the band of the same name. Neither of which had anything to do with System of a Down.

So how'd this modern internet fallacy come to be? Over ten years ago, the song was uploaded to Napster, in the wild days before the service was shut down and went straight. And it was uploaded simply as "SOAD - The Legend of Zelda", or "SOAD - Zelda". Given this was the early 2000's, many people assumed this meant it was performed by System of a Down, particularly given the similarities between Pleiman's vocals and those of System's Serj Tankian.

The track, which is damn catchy, thus snowballed, and from millions of people System of a Down were given credit for a song they had no part in. Poor Joe. At least he can see the funny side of it, writing on his own website that the 1998 album featured "the song 'Zelda' as unintentionally made famous by System of a Down".

Fugitive Studios seeks role in Armenia entertainment industry

systemofadown — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:39:33 GMT

Fugitive Studios and Deem Communications helped organize Serj Tankian's concert in Yerevan last August.

Serj Tankian to perform in first-ever Yerevan appearance

Placido Domingo in Yerevan concert, joined by Paros Chamber Choir

YEREVAN - U.S. based Fugitive Studios Entertainment and Deem Communications in Armenia on January 13 signed a long-term partnership agreement to cultivate the entertainment industry in Armenia.

Since 2006, Deem Communications has earned a reputation as a producer of quality entertainment events such as concerts, performances and festivals. Fugitive Studios Entertainment seeks to invest in the entertainment sector that will attract international celebrities and artists to perform in Armenia.

In recent years more companies have endeavored introducing international artists such as Joe Cocker, Placido Domingo and Lara Fabian to the public in Armenia. The market is clearly demonstrating a need for such events.

According to Raffi Niziblian, the Founding Director of Deem Communications, the market is ripe for this fruition both in Armenia and in the neighboring countries. "Armenia is at its infancy in the field of entertainment. I am excited about this opportunity. We hope that this partnership will help establish Armenia as a regional entertainment mecca. I look forward to collaborating with such an innovative company as Fugitive Studios." said Niziblian.

In 2010 and 2011 Deem Communications collaborated with Fugitive Studios Entertainment to produce two highly anticipated concerts with Serj Tankian of System of a Down in Armenia. The concerts were supported by the Prime Minister of Armenia and were financially backed by local sponsors seeking to associate their brands with these high profile events.

Award winning visual effects artist and Artistic Director of Fugitive Studios Entertainment, Roger Kupelian said: "We are proud to be investing in a company with a proven record in the entertainment and media industry, a sector that we have wanted to develop in Armenia for some time now".

In addition to film credits that include Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the new Men in Black 3, Roger Kupelian is currently working to bring the Vartan Mamikonyan epic and East of Byzantium to the silver screen and has recently published a graphic novel entitled War Gods.

Besides the development of a middle class segment that possesses the disposable income to attend international performances and concerts, a new trend among the younger audience has been developing as well. This new generation with a more global appeal will be more receptive and demanding of the entertainment industry. The industry will gradually become more competitive and will ultimately be regulated and more established. With the intention to incorporate best practices of entertainment business, Fugitive Studios Entertainment and Deem Communications are anticipating to be the frontrunners and unfold a number of groundbreaking international projects for the enjoyment of the Armenian public in 2012.

Established in 2006, Fugitive Studios Entertainment was created by Roger Kupelian and his partners as a way to bring East of Byzantium and similar independent projects to quality widespread release, in a variety of media. Having honed its expertise by also producing quality visual effects and development work for mainstream entertainment, as well as a series of music videos for System of A Down?s frontman, Serj Tankian, Fugitive Studios Entertainment is now focusing on bringing the series of Kupelian?s graphic novels to a wider audience. More on http://www.fugitivestudios.com.

As a comprehensive creative agency Deem Communications practices innovative communications methodologies of international stature by delivering quality marketing, advertising, media, PR, design and event management services for those who value time and money. Since its inception in 2006, Deem Communications has worked with wide range of local and international organizations to enhance their corporate communication. Over the years, the Agency has presented international cutting edge projects, world-famous artists and music bands to the Armenian public. More on http://www.deemcommunications.com.

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