AKG C3000

Large-diaphragm Capacitor Microphone

Paul White checks out AKG's elegant newcomer and finds that it combines styling with an ability to deliver the goods.

AKG H30; Aiwa XD-S1100; P&G 8000 Series

Widgets

Paul White explores the versatility of the AKG H30 elastic microphone suspension, Derek Johnson examines one of the more affordable recorders, the Aiwa XD-S1100, and there's an investigation of the latest offering from Penny & Giles, the Rolls Royce of fader manufacturers.

Alesis Monitor One

Studio Monitors

Alesis are one of the acknowledged leaders in affordable digital recording equipment, but can they compete in the crowded world of studio monitoring? Paul White finds out.

Allen & Heath GS3V

Automated Mixer

Paul White discovers that this deceptively small console conceals a sophisticated VCA automation system that can be used independently or in conjunction with external MIDI devices.

ART FXR & FXR Elite

Digital Effects

If you're looking for instant gratification in the effects department, ART have something that'll do nicely — as Paul White finds out.

Big Noise MaxPak V2

PC Software

Steven Helstrip checks out a four-program PC package which aims to cover all the MIDI production bases.

Dance Industrial 2: David Frangioni & Rich Mendelson

Sample Library

5*

Digital Audio Labs cardD

PC Hard Disk Recorder

Wanna record professional quality audio on your PC's hard disk? Brian Heywood investigates the temptingly low cost route offered by Digital Audio Labs' plug-in cardD system.

EMS VCS3

Analogue Synthesizer (Retro)

Synthesist Ian Boddy steps back in time to report on the classic British sound machine, regularly found haunting the electronic music departments of many a university, and a recent addition to the author's own sonic armoury.

Ian Boddy: Ambient Vol. 2

Sample Library

5*

MOTU Digital Performer

Mac Sequencing & Digital Recording Environment

Mike Collins takes an in-depth look at Digital Performer Version 1.4/Performer Version 4.2 and the Digital Waveboard, which adds hard disk audio recording to Performer's powerful sequencer.

Studio Electronics SE1

Analogue MIDI Monosynth

In an age of ever-growing polyphony, Studio Electronics, best known for their vintage synth rebuilds, have returned to first principles — to create the first analogue monosynth for almost a decade. Minimoog owner Nick Magnus finds out how this MIDI-equipped modern classic measures up to its vintage forbears.

Tascam PE40

Parametric EQ

A parametric EQ might seem like a bit of a peripheral purchase, but with its flexibility and fine control, it has a host of creative and corrective applications in the studio. Tascam's 4-channel PE40 scores for value, but how does it perform? Paul White finds out.

Jonathan More (Coldcut): Philosophy

Interview | Band

After a period of record company hassles, Coldcut are back with a new album, a new singer and a new style. Wilf Smarties explores Philosophy with Jonathan More.

Necroscope: Surviving Live

Interview | Band

Nigel Humberstone accompanies aspiring band Necroscope to one of their gigs, to find out how they cope when taking technology onto the stage with no roadies or technical support.

Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert: The Other Two and You

Interview | Band

The oft-neglected other half of New Order bounce back into the limelight with a joint album of particular charm. Nigel Humberstone tracks down Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris to talk about their working methods, their home studio, and their contribution to the growing EC gear mountain.

Tony Platt: Production Lines

Opinion | Music Production

Most major record companies are now involved in manufacturing hardware as well as signing bands and this, says producer Tony Platt, is causing a huge conflict of interest. Can these two diametrically opposed aims be reconciled?

Toyah Wilcox: Leap

Interview | Artist

Toyah's first pop album for several years, Leap, was recorded not in an expensive commercial studio, but in the type of home recording environment with which many SOS readers will be intimately familiar, as Paul White discovers.

Will Mowat: Soul Music

Interview | Artist

Will Mowat's career to date looks like a musician's dream come true. A routine programming assignment turned into full membership of Soul II Soul; now he's working with Godfather of Soul James Brown and producing a new album for rising African star Angelique Kidjo. Richard Buskin talks to Will about his approach.

Atari & CD-ROM

Atari Notes

Martin Russ looks at one aspect of computing that may provide a new outlet for your Atari music-making: CD-ROM.

Aural Hygiene: How To Keep Noise At Bay, Part 2

Tips & Techniques

This month, Gordon Reid turns his attention to multi-band digital noise removal systems.
• Read Part 1 (December 1993) NOT ON SITE

Buying Used Gear

Tips & Techniques

Paul White offers a few tips to help you avoid pitfalls when buying second-hand equipment.

Creating Analogue Sounds On Digital Synths, Part 1

Tips & Techniques

Make your digital synth put on an analogue hat. Does the current passion for analogue mean you have to put your digital synth back in its box and track down an analogue instrument? Not if Nick Magnus has anything to do with it!
• Read Part 2 (February 1994)
• Read Part 3 (March 1994)
• Read Part 4 (April 1994)

Kawai K1

Sequencing Clinic

Though now discontinued, the K1 and its modular cousins enjoy continuing popularity on the second hand market. Setting this synth up for multitimbral sequencer use is straightforward — when you know how. Mike Simmons tells you.

Macro Systems Toccata 16-bit Sampling System

Amiga Notes

Paul Austin looks at a sound and vision system which brings true multimedia closer than ever before: Toccata.

PC Retrospective 1993

PC Notes

Brian Heywood looks back over the past year of PC music activity.

Power Vocoding

Boss SE50 & SE70

There's more to vocoders than 'Mister Blue Sky' — and with the vocoders available on some current multi-effects processors, creative vocoding is now available to almost anyone. Paul White lets you in on some unusual applications...

Shift and Conquer; Compress and Sustain; Simple Midi Switch

Sound Bites

Paul White examines 3 different tips & tricks to help with vocals, guitars, and MIDI production.

What's In Store For 1994?

Apple Notes

Kendall Wrightson signs off as your Mac correspondent with a look at what's in store for '94.

Yamaha QY10

Sequencing Clinic

Craig Anderton's QY10 goes everywhere with him — and he's developed loads of useful short-cuts to help QY10 owners make even better use of this brilliant musical notepad.