Trent + Beats

[DigitalChaos]

https://www.facebook.com/treznor/posts/3343982178391

Some of you may have read that I have begun working withBeats By Dre (https://www.facebook.com/beatsbydre). For the past year I have indeed been involved with Dre, Jimmy Iovine, Luke Wood, and the rest of the team on a number of very interesting projects that will start to emerge next year. I have been wanting to experiment and focus my energy and creativity in some different directions, and Beats has afforded me that very opportunity. The process has been challenging and fascinating and as much as I'd like to tell you about the things we've dreamed up... I just can't.
Not yet...
(I can tell you it's probably not what you're expecting!)


Rob Sheridan is also involved:
https://www.facebook.com/robsheridan/posts/512079265469364

Something interesting/unexpected I've been involved in with Trent for the past year. Can't give any details beyond what he said...


http://i.imgur.com/FoI3I.jpg

[baudolino]

Come again?

edit: makes me sad, deep inside, somehow....

[sheepdean]

Why would it make you sad that the greatest Rap producer and one of the greatest rappers of all time is working with Trent again? Is it because you think Timbaland is better?

[plusminus]

Finally! Strobe Light is going to come out!

[sheepdean]

And before the bitching, https://twitter.com/sheepdean/status/258232927282929664

[baudolino]

i have to admit that i am not that into rap . I do like onra and some songs from FL for example but slurred gangster lyrics never excited me.
I am well aware that Trent always wanted to "do" a "hiphop" album. but it never happened (besides the saul williams collab) and i actually thought because of good reasons. please prove me wrong....

and that product placement/involment shit doesn't make me feel better

[jrdsctt]

Every time something begins to become clear he has to go ahead and dangle some mysterious blurry new thing in our faces. DAMMIT TRENT!

[GoodSoldier333]

Not gonna lie; I laughed at first. Only because whatever this is, it's probably the last thing i would've expected to read about today. But I'm sure he knows perfectly well whatever the fuck he's doing. Exciting as always.

[DigitalChaos]

Sheridan is also involved:
https://www.facebook.com/robsheridan/posts/512079265469364

Something interesting/unexpected I've been involved in with Trent for the past year. Can't give any details beyond what he said...

[jrdsctt]

It should also be noted that he said "a number of projects".

[jessamineny]

If they were smart, they'd get TR to help them develop a remix.nin.com component (but on a global scale, obviously) into their new MOG digital music service acquisition.

[icklekitty]

Well I thought Even Deeper was great, and I like a lot of Dr Dre's work, so I'm guessing it's going to be worth investigating. I remember when the Beats laptops etc. came out and thinking "that would be cool if there was a Nine Inch Nails version!".

[adrenalinejunkie]

I decided to read the Facebook comments about this. Never Again.

[DigitalChaos]

It should also be noted that he said "a number of projects".
different color styles of the headphones!

[DigitalChaos]

it's not headphones
Trent is just having fun screwing with everyone because everyone automatically thinks it's headphones despite the "(I can tell you it's probably not what you're expecting!)"

[DigitalChaos]

Someone needs to put the Strobe Light glasses on Trent and stick Sheridan's head on someone.

http://i.imgur.com/FoI3I.jpg

[Dinki Di]

Maybe it is some sort of consumer software/hardware extension that allows you to remix with multi-tracks on the go?

[Dethbryte]

T. Rizzle on Detox? I can only dream.

[hobochic]

Finally! Strobe Light is going to come out!

Hey, don't tease me. Some of us actually want Strobe Light to become reality. Somewhere in Fringe's alternative universe there's a multi-platinum Strobe Light record right next to Bleedthrough platinum.

[dominik]

I bet they made some music. Fuck, that would be SO awesome.

[ImTheWiseJanitor]

I echo the statements that this is definitely the last thing I was expecting to come from Trent next. But like others have also said, I definitely trust that he knows what he's doing, and I'm super pumped for it.

10/10 - Would buy Beats by Reznor headphones

[somewhat_]

This has to be tied in with The Fragile re-issue, correct? To me it would be strange if the re-issue isn't one of the projects to come out of this considering Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine (Interscope) are involved. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wave Goodbye footage comes out of this as well (although I have no idea what they would have in mind with that). Thoughts?

[baudolino]

This has to be tied in with The Fragile re-issue, correct? To me it would be strange if the re-issue isn't one of the projects to come out of this considering Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine (Interscope) are involved. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wave Goodbye footage comes out of this as well (although I have no idea what they would have in mind with that). Thoughts?


thoughts?!: may your words become reality!

[simonn]

And before the bitching, https://twitter.com/sheepdean/status/258232927282929664

I take your tweet, and I raise you......a more recent tweet (??) https://twitter.com/simonenicholas/status/258092947344601088

[DigitalChaos]

I take your tweet, and I raise you......a more recent tweet (??) https://twitter.com/simonenicholas/status/258092947344601088
If it were The Fragile... why did Trent list the President & COO of Beats as one of the 3 names? I don't see where Luke Wood is going to be involved with it unless there is some sort of audio hardware being coupled into a deluxe package or something.

hrmm... I guess I could see that actually.

[sheepdean]

T. Rizzle on Detox? I can only dream.Atticus was rumoured to be on Detox a few rumours ago, if that's true then Trent might've come too - but come on, Trent is a master of instrumentals, and The Planets is Dre's upcoming instrumental album...

[Kid Charlemagne]

Still N.I.N.

[jrdsctt]

Wasn't Detox announced in 2001? I though people gave up hope of ever hearing that.

[simonn]

If it were The Fragile... why did Trent list the President & COO of Beats as one of the 3 names? I don't see where Luke Wood is going to be involved with it unless there is some sort of audio hardware being coupled into a deluxe package or something.

hrmm... I guess I could see that actually.

Don't think it is re The Fragile in all honesty...just pointing out I guessed/speculated some involvement with Dre before Trent announced it on that Social Network.

[screwdriver]

I take your tweet, and I raise you......a more recent tweet (??) https://twitter.com/simonenicholas/status/258092947344601088

well, that settles it. I've decided that I will be incredibly disappointed if the Fragile 30th anniversary edition (soon) doesn't include a Dr Dre mix of the entire album.

[sheepdean]

Wasn't Detox announced in 2001? I though people gave up hope of ever hearing that.
Last we heard about it was 2011 though, it's endlessly unfinished

[Frozen Beach]

I'm glad it's not headphones. Dre Beats suck and are cheaply made.

[dominik]

Atticus was rumoured to be on Detox a few rumours ago, if that's true then Trent might've come too - but come on, Trent is a master of instrumentals, and The Planets is Dre's upcoming instrumental album...

Dre has an upcoming instrumental album? :) When is the release date?

[sheepdean]

Dre has an upcoming instrumental album? :) When is the release date?
Lol, Dre is worse than Trent with putting things off. 2013 was the last I head, he wants the whole thing mixed in surround and shit - now, it sounds like it will be epic, but Detox has taken over a decade, so I'm expecting The Planets to come out about 2035

[dominik]

Lol, Dre is worse than Trent with putting things off. 2013 was the last I head, he wants the whole thing mixed in surround and shit - now, it sounds like it will be epic, but Detox has taken over a decade, so I'm expecting The Planets to come out about 2035

Ah that's a pity, because I really like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GV2h-sUzq4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GV2h-sUzq4)

[Vertigo]

Lol, Dre is worse than Trent with putting things off. 2013 was the last I head, he wants the whole thing mixed in surround and shit - now, it sounds like it will be epic, but Detox has taken over a decade, so I'm expecting The Planets to come out about 2035

His perfectionism might be less crippling without lyrics involved. I'd be even more pumped for an instrumental album than Detox actually, a lot of the music on 2001 is downright beautiful in my opinion.

[WorzelG]

If Trent is actually working with Jimmy Iovine now, how did the relationship with Interscope get so bad when Iovine was the head of it?

[butter_hole]

Why would it make you sad that the greatest Rap producer and one of the greatest rappers of all time is working with Trent again? Is it because you think Timbaland is better?
he's working with dre, not madlib. or dilla.

[Leviathant]

If Trent is actually working with Jimmy Iovine now, how did the relationship with Interscope get so bad when Iovine was the head of it?

I suspect that when Vivendi/Universal bought Interscope, Jimmy's sway in the company waned.

[konstantin]

bet they'll be rebooting Hot Topic!

[somewhat_]

Mashable:
(http://mashable.com/2012/10/16/trent-reznor-beats-by-dre-projects/)
"Reznor made his announcement on Facebook on the same day Beats Electronics unveiled three new Beats by Dre products in New York City. Near the end of Tuesday’s press event, Iovine teased the partnership with Reznor, showing an image of Reznor on two screens. Reznor had no connection to these new products, and the Beats Electronics PR team is sending us more details about Reznor’s partnership shortly:"



Billboard: (http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/retail/beats-by-dre-press-conference-announces-1007981572.story#iKcTJqsEtcdEZPpJ.99)

"Trent Reznor has signed on with the company in a consulting role"

[bobbie solo]

he's working with dre, not madlib. or dilla.

Dre's a fantastic producer, but the amount of work done by the people under him that he took credit for is staggering. Scott Storch is the most well known. This kind of thing was most prevalent on Dre's work after The Chronic.

Also, I would throw Rza & The Neptunes in there as superior producers to Dre.

[FernandoDante]

(I can tell you it's probably not what you're expecting!)
That's pretty much a given for "NOT HEADPHONES", right?

By the way, has anyone ever tried those Beats headphones? I hear they're expensive as fuck, but too heavy on the bass. And there's a Justin Bieber one. That's all I know.

[Presideo]

That's pretty much a given for "NOT HEADPHONES", right?

By the way, has anyone ever tried those Beats headphones? I hear they're expensive as fuck, but too heavy on the bass. And there's a Justin Bieber one. That's all I know.
They're overpriced for what they are - sound quality isn't anything great, and just passes as studio-quality (though that might even be debatable.) The company basically makes a mediocre product and uses celebrity endorsement from mainstream artists and sports stars to shove it down our throats.

I remember seeing a quote by Reznor saying that he was impressed by Beats marketing-wise. Surprising that he would align himself with a company like this (I doubt he uses their products himself), but I guess you gotta pay the bills.

[ItsJustDave]

That's pretty much a given for "NOT HEADPHONES", right?

By the way, has anyone ever tried those Beats headphones? I hear they're expensive as fuck, but too heavy on the bass. And there's a Justin Bieber one. That's all I know.

I overheard a guy at work talking about his Beats headphones. He's on his third pair. They've each broken and he's gotten em replaced under warranty. When he talked to a sales guy about the problems he's had, he was told they're not for listening to music all the time. On that note, I turned up the volume on my $10 skull candy buds and got back to work.

[DigitalChaos]

Trent + Beats = Teats.
What kind of teats? That depends on demand. What sort of teats would you want?


This thread is now about teats.
Teats: http://i.imgur.com/u3ytU.jpg

[FernandoDante]

Trent + Beats = Teats What kind of teats? That depends on demand. What sort of teats would you want?


This thread is now about teats.
Teats: http://i.imgur.com/u3ytU.jpg
Insert that image into the post, make this thread prettier.

[DigitalChaos]

I originally did! Someone PM'd me and asked me to remove the IMG tags :)

[sick among the pure]

Trent Reznor ‏@trent_reznor (https://twitter.com/trent_reznor) BTW, today's Beats news is completely unrelated to yesterday's studio news. Nobody (that I saw) guessed it right.

I wonder if he's seeing what's posted here, too, or just saying "guesses on twitter have been wrong". You lurking again, Trent?

[sheepdean]

Trent Reznor ‏@trent_reznor (https://twitter.com/trent_reznor) BTW, today's Beats news is completely unrelated to yesterday's studio news. Nobody (that I saw) guessed it right.

I wonder if he's seeing what's posted here, too, or just saying "guesses on twitter have been wrong". You lurking again, Trent?
I still think it's Peter Hook

[FernandoDante]

I hope I don't get crucified for this, but here's a few words that Trent said about Jimmy Iovine in 2009:


And I have had Jimmy Iovine, the president of that label, come up to me on every record from With Teeth onwards saying I should do some sort of urban thing — it was Timbaland for a while, then it was Pharrell for a while — because ‘that’s how you sell records.’ The idea seemed so preposterous and insulting.

http://www.twentyfourbit.com/2009/08/trent-reznor-calls-out-jimmy-iovine-tells-cornell-its/



He was also depressed by the pressure from the label’s head, Jimmy Iovine, to make his records more “urban.” As Reznor saw it, “This is simply, How do we smooth off all the rough edges and make you just like what’s selling now?” Iovine commissioned a number of hip-hop remixes of Nine Inch Nails songs, all of which Reznor rejected, and Reznor soon ended the relationship. “You know what, Jimmy? Fuck you. Take that beat and shove it up Timbaland’s ass.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2009/09/14/090914crmu_music_frerejones?currentPage=2


And then this, in 2011:


Perhaps that's what precipitated a recent lunch meeting between Reznor and Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine where the two "swapped war stories." Says Reznor: "Jimmy is a friend. We get along better when we're not working one under the other, not that I can remember it ever being a personal animosity. There was frustration when I was on the label because I believed it didn't serve the customer right and couldn't move as fast as I liked and I felt like, I'm not at the right place anymore. But I think he’s pioneering and what he’s done with [headphones] Beats [by Dre] is incredible."

http://www.metalsucks.net/2011/12/16/trent-reznor-doesnt-know-where-his-grammys-are/

[trollmanen]

I still think it's Peter Hook

Gary Numan just moved to LA, but I'm guessing people would have guessed that one.

Regardless with how much sway Jimmy Iovine has now that Universal calls the shots, I imagine that this will only help the chances of The Fragile box set seeing the light of day if TR's working with them in any capacity, particularly working with them on a project that actually makes money. Interscope will have to sign off on it since they own the rights, so if he's working with Iovine, that can only be a good sign.

[eyenigma]

Prediction: With electronics and both artists big on sampling and "beats" - I'd anticipate some kind of digital sampling or beat machine that can interface with desktop tools. Think, an affordable (professional level) sampling and beat machine 'for the rest of us.'

Fun stuff (Trent talks about working with Dre):
7m45s in since I can't link to the time in the embed.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N3t0Vu_i2k&feature=player_detailpage#t=451s

[icklekitty]

Trent + Beats = Teats.


Treats.














(10 characters)

[MAD]

Writing like this makes writing in less than 10 characters cooler.

/offtopic

[fillow]

Trent + Beats = Teats.
What kind of teats? That depends on demand. What sort of teats would you want?


This thread is now about teats.
Teats: http://i.imgur.com/u3ytU.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABVAwrk_XoM

[shagg_187]

Atticus was rumoured to be on Detox a few rumours ago, if that's true then Trent might've come too - but come on, Trent is a master of instrumentals, and The Planets is Dre's upcoming instrumental album...

I love the way you think!

[witte]

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii130/nine_inch_nerd/NIN collection/881b5149.jpg

Jimmy Iovine (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/trent-reznor-partners-beats-by-379457)
Trent broke with 'interscope records'.
And now this relationship....
Maybe NIN will return back to them?

[snaapz]

I was wanting to figure out what this beats by Dre is, I know it’s more than just marketing $300 headphones, $200 pill shaped speakers and computer/auto audio equipment into a market already flooded with audio equipment that offers “the best sound experience ever”.

Turns out that this company is doing well in the market. This job description found on beats careers is interesting.

[start]
15 Aug 2012
Digital Producer, Santa Monica, CA, US (http://tbe.taleo.net/NA1/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=BEATSBYDRE&cws=1&rid=42)

Looking for driven Digital Producer with a relentless work ethic, digital knowledge and project management skills to lead marketing programs, product experiences and content production. You’re passionate about new forms of storytelling and emerging media. You understand digital trends like cross-platform narrative, social media, experiential marketing and mobile applications. You know how to create, produce, blog and build.
[end]

I find the word storytelling very exciting. I remember a certain track from Quake that I really liked, if I wanted to hear it I would have to battle my way through 7 levels to get to it. Likewise, after much digging and head scratching I finally found myself at http://www.hollywoodinmemoriam.org/ while listening to “In this twilight” for the first time. I still remember that moment of discovery.

Is this about people not listening to your music in a quality that satisfies you or in a manner that you accept... or is this about the experience? Will we see a new trend on how to experiencing music? Will we be involved?

On the other hand, fuck them all. Rappers have proven themselves to want one thing and one thing only. Money. I’m not going to fall into this marketing trap. This headphone/speaker war is just another perfume, t-shirt, shoe endorsement, stick your face here load of shit trying to be won by many different rappers who take pride in proclaiming their criminal ways. My $40 Sony headphones work just fine. Don’t tell me for one fucking second that I don’t appreciate quality.

Don’t let that last paragraph scare you, it’s only a concern. I am excited to see what everyone’s involvement is about. Sounds like the headphones were phase one of a large project. What are the next phases?

[BRoswell]

On the other hand, fuck them all. Rappers have proven themselves to want one thing and one thing only. Money.

Face, meet palm.

[GoodSoldier333]

On the other hand, fuck them all. Rappers have proven themselves to want one thing and one thing only. Money.

And dat azz.

[loophole]

If it's headphones he's working on, I hope it's some sort of gaming type headphones / earbuds. Otherwise I'm just excited to see what emerges.

[snaapz]

I see 2 quotes on the one negative part I wrote, please know that it only "on the other hand" comment. I don't need to post one of many examples to back up that claim... it was directed more towards 50 Cent.

[Sallos]

http://i.imgur.com/FoI3I.jpg

Is it just me or trent looks skinnier? And younger...

[nufan]

http://i.imgur.com/FoI3I.jpg

Is it just me or trent looks skinnier? And younger...

That isn't a recent photo (the chap in the back gives it away). I imagine it was taken in 1999.

[Toadflax]

Just in case no one else has yet:

Beats by Tre.

[sheepdean]

That isn't a recent photo (the chap in the back gives it away). I imagine it was taken in 1999.
It was taken in late 1998 iirc, during the recording of Even Deeper.

[Virtua Afro DJ]

I have a feeling it will be some kind of recording software/hardware.

[bobbie solo]

I'd say Dre's fucking FUBU shirt gives it away more than anything.

[wizfan]

Last year, Iovine and Dre were discussing a new music distribution platform with Apple that would provide 24-bit lossless music via iTunes. Trent is a sucker for 24-bit releases, so... this may be it.

EDIT: Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/02/22/24.bit.music/index.html

2nd edit: Also, the article does mention Trent...

[DigitalChaos]

HTDA release next month to pilot the first 24bit iTunes release? That'd be cool.


well... except for the fact that I can't tell the difference in all of the high quality stuff. I don't know if it is due to years of playing drums without ear protection (especially incredibly loud marching snare) or just never being exposed to it in a way that allows me to discern the difference. a v0 VBR encoded MP3 is about as far as my hearing goes. 16bit vs 24bit... Yea I don't think I've ever been able to tell. I don't even notice v0 VBR vs FLAC. Anyone care to open my eyes?

[wizfan]

It is extremely difficult to hear the difference, especially with today's heavily compressed rock music. Usually, a v0 or 320 MP3 will sound almost identical to a FLAC using everyday equipment like earbuds, headphones, computer speakers, regular music systems. Same thing mostly happens with 16 and 24bit. You will probably need some very expensive equipment to hear the difference between 16 and 24bit. Most of the times, I just notice a greater depth in the dynamic range, but that's really subtle. And that's all there is: little details. And focusing too much to them may ruin your experience altogether. I use 24bits when I make my own music just because I want the files to be as accurate as possible.

This topic has had a topic of its own (http://www.echoingthesound.org/community/threads/1046-24-96-what-equipment-tracks-ears-do-you-need), so I believe we will discuss it even further once TR and co. bring out the big news.

[snaapz]

That would be cool but it doesn't take a year to do that. (Form an agreement with Apple & transfer an album from DAT (or what ever) to FLAC or some other/new format)

"For the past year I have indeed been involved with..." ? - From TR's FB


I'm wondering if they were working with other artists; and not on music.

[eversonpoe]

HTDA release next month to pilot the first 24bit iTunes release? That'd be cool.


well... except for the fact that I can't tell the difference in all of the high quality stuff. I don't know if it is due to years of playing drums without ear protection (especially incredibly loud marching snare) or just never being exposed to it in a way that allows me to discern the difference. a v0 VBR encoded MP3 is about as far as my hearing goes. 16bit vs 24bit... Yea I don't think I've ever been able to tell. I don't even notice v0 VBR vs FLAC. Anyone care to open my eyes?

the bit depth actually deals more with dynamic range than with what most people would call "sound quality" (i.e. frequency range) so with most modern music (which has so much compression on it it's ridiculous) you can't really tell.

if you want to hear a real difference, check out an original CD release of "discipline" (or any of the pre-80s albums) by King Crimson, and compare it with Steven Wilson's corresponding remaster.

[sore_and_crucified]

I have a feeling it will be some kind of recording software/hardware.

This is exactly what I was thinking- most likely software similar to the TPain effect.

[wizfan]

This is exactly what I was thinking- most likely software similar to the TPain effect.

If I could, I'd facepalm you so hard my eyes would be sore.

[Leviathant]

Given Dre's comment of "'It's one thing to steal the music, it's another thing to destroy it" and given the way Trent and his studio buddies paid attention to some nitpicking on the hydrogenaudio forums (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=63086) and re-released the FLAC version of The Slip to accommodate them, as well as Trent's "It's not what you think" suggestions about the partnership, I'm leaning toward this being something about some fidelity thing. Pure conjecture, but maybe they're going to do "beats certified" digital download release, a la THX certified.

[Sallos]

It was taken in late 1998 iirc, during the recording of Even Deeper.

i knew that...

[sore_and_crucified]

Maybe I was a little mis understood earlier. I have an old Keyboard magazine from the like 2000s... I remember Trent talking about how he would love to get his own 'suite' of plug in's out there for pro audio. Especially now with the whole film score thing taking off, I'm hearing more and more people striving for the Trent sound!

I just can't imagine Trent putting his name to some headphones or an audio format. I can't see what else we need in between .mp3 and .flac, especially with his passion for vinyl, am I missing something here?

[snaapz]

Plugin pack would be awesome!

I'm thinking it might be a phone/tablet app which would contain...

Full track listing
Music Videos
Album Art
Band Shots
Lyrics
Message Boards (?)
Live maps showing where in the world that song is being played (Like NIN did kind of)
Games/Interactive
Allow the app to block all calls/messages/mute
Bonus material
Live interaction during concerts (video/interaction/images)


I mean, how the hell does an APP get leaked... it’s not easy to pirate/torrent apps. People aren’t keen on hacking/jail breaking their phones or tablets. If the audio is packaged as binaries then it will be difficult to extract or copy.

Also, being endorsed by beats by dr. dre… the app could contain specific equalizing instructions for a superior sound when used with the beats headphones.

If you do format or lose your phone or tablet you will always be able to return to Google Play or iTunes to reinstall it.

Releasing an album as an app has a lot of added value. The experience & ability to tell stories in a new way is priceless. I would spend $10 - $15 on an app like this. Plus the band can gather some reporting data!

But why associate with beats? Because they have the dev team? Isn't it fun playing the guessing game?

To break even on a $200,000 app development HTDA would need to sell at least 32,000 apps @ $10; which including Apples 30% cut in sales. Doesn't leave much room for revenue for video recording/editing and the time spend recording & paying for mastering & engineering etc....

[screwdriver]

Maybe I was a little mis understood earlier. I have an old Keyboard magazine from the like 2000s... I remember Trent talking about how he would love to get his own 'suite' of plug in's out there for pro audio. Especially now with the whole film score thing taking off, I'm hearing more and more people striving for the Trent sound!

I just can't imagine Trent putting his name to some headphones or an audio format. I can't see what else we need in between .mp3 and .flac, especially with his passion for vinyl, am I missing something here?

the "trent sound" isn't really something that could be replicated with a plugin, though; it just consists of sampling a lot of playing stuff and manipulating it. he doesn't really use much raw synthesis that isn't subsequently resampled. I suppose he could come out with a sampling plug in but that just doesn't seem... right

[Freshcat]

Like a real fanboy, whatever it is I am BUSTING!
Hoping its new music related though..