Oct 31, 2006 2:06 PM

The National Recorder Label (National Recorder LLC): A record label specifically created to help develop new artists who have finished their records at RadioStar. Distributed nationally by Universal through Fontana, with the first album slated for release in mid-May by the band Skies of America.

The Weed Palace Theater: The Weed Palace will be re-opened as a live venue within the next year. The theater will feature a restaurant, concessions, gift shop and balcony bar. The new concession counter has already been completed and the balcony is currently under construction. The theater was originally built as a Vaudevillian show-house in 1912, and RadioStar will update the large stage with computerized lighting and a modern sound system, as well as restore the outside tower marquis with the name "W-E-E-D" in neon down the front of the building.

The Black Swag Clothing Company: With several clothing lines already in production, including vintage audio-themed prints and Weed souvenir shirts. Every band that works at RadioStar leaves with one of these custom-printed shirts.

Custom Guitar Pedals: Prototype designs for a line of custom pedals have already been made, with beta testing of the electronics ongoing during studio sessions in RadioStar. The pedal line is expected to be ready for commercial release in 2007. Also planned is a series of custom guitar designs and rackmounted audio gear.

National Cinematic: A video production company, filming and editing EPKs (electronic press kits) and full soundstage music videos. Equipment includes Canon XL1 cameras, Avid and Final Cut Pro editing systems, as well as a vast array of professional and effect lighting systems. Plans are underway for National Cinematic's first full-length movie production, with all soundtrack music recorded in-house at RadioStar.

The National Academy of Entertainment Technology: NAE-Tech is a trade school featuring studies in audio recording, music business, live sound re-enforcement and video production with specialized instruction in rock music production, running your own independent label and high-tech music marketing. Slated to accept its first students for a certificate program in the fall of 2006.

National Roadshow: A touring company designed to provide impressive custom-designed touring rigs for developing artists on tight budgets. Working directly with the National Recorder label, the Roadshow will provide its 54-foot traveling monster rig for the summer 2006 tours planned to support the label's new releases.

More Rare, Vintage and Weird Gear From RadioStar

Fairchild 670 Stereo Tube Compressor
The real thing, a miracle on a mix. Gives everything a warm, finished feel. Tends to dull the mix slightly, which can sometimes actually be a good thing. Oh, so analog!

The "Army Man" Western Electric RA121 Compressor
Found this in a garage in Oakland, Calif. Guts hanging out, yeah, it's a hazard to have around, but put a guitar signal through this and it bites like a rabid dog! I'm sure there's something very broken about this compressor, but we are afraid to fix whatever the problem is because there's nothing that sounds like it. Someday we may dissect the damn thing to find out why it sounds the way it does so we can design a box to emulate it. Nicknamed the "Army Man" because of the little plastic man that was so brazenly glued inside it during the System of a Down sessions.