PIE is an innovative ICT-based educational product created by me, evolving from six years of dedicated research and development. It contains on CD, specialised curriculum modules, assessment packages and National Occupational Standard (NOS). These will facilitate creation of a new cadre of Caribbean entrepreneurs, committed to Playing the Global Music Industry.

The NOS encompasses forty-four units covering Audio Engineering, Marketing, Finance, Management, Music Literacy, as well as Creative and Technical Writing. The primary objective of PIE is to build a sustainable music industry beginning in the classroom. The initiative will eventually enable graduates to compete in the international marketplace with cultural products that meet minimum acceptable international standards.

The (acoustic) Steelpan and (electronic) Percussive Harmonic Instrument (P.H.I.) will be the main instruments for Music Literacy tuition. Long-term success of PIE also depends on establishing standardised high-end recording and mastering suites in appropriate schools. This will be based on a benchmark, defined by Soundreaction. Visit www.panadigm.com for details on P.H.I.

The PIE Audio Engineering portfolio is subdivided into:
• Recording
• Mastering (stereo and multi-channel)
• Stereo playback in situ
• Stereo playback in the home environment
• Multi-channel playback for home theatre systems

Most of the hardware for the first three areas above has already been commissioned from Meyer, Danish Pro Audio and Weiss. For the others, Sanch will acquire systems that will be our music industry’s reference for ten to fifteen years. This equipment will be cutting edge, software upgradeable, reliable and supplied by well-entrenched manufacturers.

Multi-channel playback requires a surround-sound processor and amplifier. Suitable products from Class é Audio will drive PSB flagship Platinum loudspeakers. For high-resolution stereo reproduction, electronics from Simaudio will interface with a pair of Altair loudspeakers from Andy Payor’s Rockport Technologies . Cables, interconnects and line conditioners will be provided by Audience and vibration isolation byHarmonic Resolution Systems .

Long before meeting Andy at TWBAS, I auditioned his turntables, equipped with air-bearing tonearms at international Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) in the mid eighties. The meticulous attention paid to isolating record grooves from extraneous vibration immediately sketched his character. I will visit his facilities in Maine, next week. We have lots to discuss.

Simeon L. Sandiford
Executive Producer of The Rainmakers