May 2013 In This Issue

To open articles, click title links

Competition

Win! Big Fish Audio Instruments and Samples

Deadline: 2013-06-10

Thumbnail for article: Win! Big Fish Audio Instruments and Samples Fantastic Chance to Win! Big Fish Audio Instruments and Samples worth £2239 in May's Competition.

Reviews

WSAllen & Heath ICE 16

Digital Multitrack Recorder & Audio Interface

Thumbnail for article: Allen & Heath ICE 16When it comes to recording a live show, most recording rigs are either bulky or expensive — or both. The ICE 16, on the other hand, is neither...

App Works

Making Music On The Move

This month: Arturia iMini, Rode iXY, Ultimate Support HyperPad and Drum Loops HD.

WSATC SCM25A

Three-way Active Monitors

Thumbnail for article: ATC SCM25AThese compact speakers from venerable UK manufacturers ATC aren’t cheap — but does the quality on offer justify the asking price?

Audio Kitchen The Big Trees

Pedal Valve Amp & Processor

Bereich 03 Audio LC-HC

Analogue High & Low Pass Filters

500 Series rack format.

Big Fish Audio | Ambient Skyline 2

Sample Library

Multi-format

WSCerwin-Vega P1500X & P1800SX

Active PA Speakers

Offering built-in mixing facilities and DSP functionality, there’s more to these self-powered speakers than meets the eye.

WSClavia Nord Electro 4

Performance Keyboards

Clavia’s updated Electro range prove that if you need top-quality staple keyboard sounds, playability and simplicity, Nords still lead.

WSDynacord PowerMate 1600-3

Powered Mixer

Thumbnail for article: Dynacord PowerMate 1600-3It’s not the cheapest mixer in its class, but with its built-in effects, graphic EQ and quality engineering, the PowerMate offers real value.

WSElektron Analog Four

Analogue Synthesizer

Thumbnail for article: Elektron Analog FourNot a company to do things by half, Elektron have combined their first analogue synth with an incredibly versatile sequencer.

FXpansion | Zildjian Digital Vault

Sample Library

Expansion Library For BFD2 & BFD Eco

WSIK Multimedia T-Racks CS Grand

Processor Suite For Mac OS & Windows

Thumbnail for article: IK Multimedia T-Racks CS GrandIK’s flagship suite of plug-in processors continues to grow, with the addition of a channel strip and several handy multi-band modules.

WSJDK Audio 8MX2

Preamplifier/Mixer

Thumbnail for article: JDK Audio 8MX2Adding a mixer to an eight-channel preamp may not sound revolutionary, but if it all fits in a 1U rack case it could be very useful indeed!

WSKorg MS20 Mini

Analogue Synthesizer

Thumbnail for article: Korg MS20 MiniFor the best part of 20 years, musicians have been asking certain Japanese manufacturers for recreations of their classic synths, and finally one of them has been brave enough to do it. How does Korg’s reborn MS20 compare to its illustrious ancestor?

WSLewitt LCT940

Hybrid Valve/Solid-State Microphone

Thumbnail for article: Lewitt LCT940With the ability to blend between valve and solid-state circuitry, Lewitt’s LCT940 is a genuinely innovative and versatile microphone.

Playback

Reader's music reviewed

This month we feature: Vadim Mikhailov, Mr Smith, Jeff Lowe, Rough Twist, Kristy Gallacher, Wilderspin and SuperCool-Guy.

WSRadial Gold Digger & Cherry Picker

Mic & Preamp Selectors

Radial’s latest pair of problem-solvers let you compare multiple mics using a single preamp, or switch a single mic between several preamps.

WSRMS Audioworks RMS12

Valve Microphone

How close have this boutique company come to recreating the sound of a vintage AKG C12?

RMS Audioworks RMS12 Valve Microphone

Audio Files

Audio files to accompany this month's article.

WSScarbee Rickenbacker Bass

Virtual Bass Instrument

Thumbnail for article: Scarbee Rickenbacker BassThe ‘Ricky’ bass sound graces many a classic track. Have Scarbee nailed its distinctive qualities?

WSSlate Raven MTX

Multi-touch DAW Controller

Thumbnail for article: Slate Raven MTXFew product launches have attracted as much attention as Slate’s touchscreen controller. Is the Raven the future of DAW control — or an oversized iPad?

WSSonic Farm Creamer

Dual-channel Valve Preamplifier

Thumbnail for article: Sonic Farm CreamerWith user-configurable valve stages, the option of transformer-coupling and more besides, Sonic Farm’s preamp provides a broad palette of tonal options.

WSSynchro Arts Revoice Pro

Vocal Matching Software For Mac OS

The makers of VocAlign have built on its capabilities, creating software that can not only match the timing of vocal parts, but their pitch and level too.

TellyTone TV405

Valve Guitar Amp

Retro-style amp cabinet

Three-way Active Monitors

Spotlight

Three-way monitors have traditionally lived at the top end of the market, but there’s now a good choice of models on offer in the sub-£2000$3000 category. Here’s a selection of recent options, with links to the SOS reviews where available.

ToneSearch

Hex-pickup Breakout Box

Designed to work with the Roland GK-series pickup.

WSVSL Vienna Dimension Strings

Orchestral Sample Library

Thumbnail for article: VSL Vienna Dimension StringsA massive string ensembles library with individual player control is the latest development in VSL’s product line.

Zapzorn | Elements

Kontakt 5 Player

People + Opinion

Sounding Off

Working for yourself

How can you build something from nothing when no one tells you anything?

WSThe Ribbon Guy

Wes Dooley & Audio Engineering Associates

When RCA abandoned ribbon mics, Wes Dooley of AEA believed they still had a place in the modern studio — so he set about making his own.

Use It Or Lose It

Leader

Paul White considers his annual studio clean-up!

Technique

WSApple Notes

See everything that's going on.

Discover the advanced features of Mission Control and get your desktop in order.

WSBright Idea

Cubase Tips & Techniques

Try out some ’80s-style high-frequency enhancement by recreating the famous ‘Dolby A’ trick with Cubase’s bundled plug-ins.

Bright Idea | Media

Cubase Tips & Techniques

Audio files to accompany the article.

WSCrafty Comping

Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

Live offers all the tools you need for quick and convenient comping: you just need to know where to look.

WSGo Loopy

Studio One Tips & Techniques

Explore and learn to use Studio One 2’s Audioloop and Musicloop formats.

WSMarque Of Distinction

Logic Tips & Techniques

Get to grips with the marquee tool’s endless possibilities, and you could soon be a Logic power user.

WSMissing Links

Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

When Pro Tools loses track of the media files used in a session, you need to turn detective...

WSMix Rescue

Singer-songwriter Cristina Vane

Putting in the effort at the front end of the production process can save countless hours when it comes to mixdown — as this month’s remix demonstrates.

Mix Rescue | Media

Audio Files

Audio to accompany the Cristina Vane article.

PC Notes

Windows 8

Windows 8 sales are still disappointing, but at least third-party developers are continuing to improve our user experience.

WSPower Plugs

Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

DP still has its full share of virtual guitar amps and pedals, reverb and chorus plug-ins — but version 8 also introduced some quality problem-solvers.

WSPrep School

Sonar Tips & Techniques

Optimise your vocal tracks in Sonar X2 before you start mixing.

WSPrepare to DI!

Using DI Boxes On Stage

DI boxes are essential pieces of stage equipment, but to get the most out of them, it helps to know what they do — and how they do it...

WSPulp ‘Common People’

Classic Tracks

Thumbnail for article: Pulp ‘Common People’Pulp’s infectiously catchy commentary on the joys of class tourism helped propel the group to fame after nearly two decades of obscurity. Engineer David Nicholas tells us how ‘Common People’ was recorded.

WSSeven Wonders

Reason Tips & Techniques

The landmark Reason v7 is about to arrive. What will it do for you?

WSSpectral Correction

Samplitude Tips & Techniques

Among Samplitude Pro X’s unique features is spectral editing in the main project window. Here’s how it works.

Spectral Correction | Media

Media File

Video tutorial to accompany this month's article.

WSStornoway

Jonathan Ouin, Oli Steadman & George Shilling: Recording Tales From Terra Firma

Thumbnail for article: StornowayMany bands record their own albums these days, but few achieve as much with as little gear as Stornoway.

WSTake Harp

Capturing Perfect Harmonica Recordings

The harmonica, or blues harp, appears on tracks in many genres. Despite its apparently simple construction, it’s an amazingly expressive instrument — and there are almost as many ways to record it as there are to play it.

Take Harp | Media

Capturing Perfect Harmonica Recordings

Audio files to accompany the article.

WSThe Les Misérables Sound Team, Part 2

Inside Track: Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

Not only did the Les Misérables crew have to capture live singing on a film set: they then had to figure out how to overdub orchestral arrangements to it!

The Mix Review

Commercial Productions Analysed

This month's productions: Angel, Simple Plan featuring Sean Paul, Lawson and classic mix AC/DC's Back In Black from 1980.

Music Business

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

The people who are paying us don’t always notice when we drop the ball — but it’s a matter of pride.

Off The Record

Music & Recording Industry News

Home studios make it easier for musicians and engineers to work on their own — but is that always a good thing?

WSStudio File

Rockfield Studios, Wales

Thumbnail for article: Studio FileOne of the longest establashed studios in the UK.

Sound Advice

All Issues

2013

January

February

March

April

May

June

2012

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2011

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2010

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2009

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2008

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2007

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2006

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2005

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2004

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2003

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2002

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2001

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2000

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1999

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1998

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1997

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1996

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1995

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1994

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1993

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1992

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1991

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1990

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1989

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1988

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1987

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1986

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1985

November

December

 

Home | Search | News | Current Issue | Tablet Mag | Articles | Forum | Subscribe | Shop | Readers Ads

Advertise | Information | Digital Editions | Privacy Policy | Support

 Issue Selector
WIN Great Prizes in SOS Competitions!
WIN Great Prizes in SOS Competitions!
 

Email: Contact SOS

Telephone: +44 (0)1954 789888

Fax: +44 (0)1954 789895

Registered Office: Media House, Trafalgar Way, Bar Hill, Cambridge, CB23 8SQ, United Kingdom.

Sound On Sound Ltd is registered in England and Wales.

Company number: 3015516 VAT number: GB 638 5307 26

         

All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2013. All rights reserved.
The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers. Great care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this article but neither Sound On Sound Limited nor the publishers can be held responsible for its contents. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers.

Web site designed & maintained by PB Associates | SOS | Relative Media