Reviews
Analogue Solutions Vostok Analogue Pin-matrix Synth Pin-matrix synths, like EMS's legendary VCS3 and Synthi A(KS), are fairly scarce these days, but Analogue Solutions' Vostok revisits the concept in more affordable form. Is it a vintage-inspired classic, or is it just history?
BIAS Peak 3.1 Audio Editor For Mac BIAS Peak for the Mac is no longer just a well-specified stereo editor: it's also a powerful sound design tool and effects routing package.
Coda Finale 2003 Notation Editing And Publishing Package Coda's Finale is one of the best-established notation editing packages for Mac OS and Windows, and has just undergone a thorough overhaul for 2003...
Pinnacle Cinewave; Linux Lindows Cutting Edge wonders whether G4 clock speeds and hot computers are connected, and speculates on a possible way forward for the Mac OS.
Digital Systems Pentium 4 PC Digital Systems' PCs are claimed to offer low acoustic noise and excellent performance with music applications, without breaking the bank.
Edirol SD80 Sound Module The latest Studio Canvas module from Edirol aims to expand the sound palette available to those who need GM and GS compatibility.
Focusrite Platinum Voicemaster Pro Recording Channel The Platinum Voicemaster Pro updates the original Voicemaster concept, adding new features as well as design improvements.
Glyph Companion FireWire Hard Drive As well as matching the looks of Digidesign's M Box, Glyph's new desktop FireWire hard drive incorporates some innovative features designed to increase reliability and reduce acoustic noise.
Korg D1200 Digital Recording Studio Having upgraded their D16 to the D1600, Korg have now revamped the 12-track D12 to the D1200. So where does Korg's latest offering stand in the competitive digital multitracker marketplace?
Modelled Analogue Synthesizer & Vocoder Korg's Electribe grooveboxes presented their analogue-modelling technology in an affordable, dance-friendly format and were a smash success. Now, using the MS2000 virtual analogue synth as a starting point, they're hoping for similar budget triumph with the fun-sized Microkorg...
Lexicon MPX550 Dual-channel Effects Processor Lexicon update their MPX500 with more editing parameters, extra mastering processes, and more user patches.
Modelling Guitar Preamp & Effects Processor This new version of Line 6's ground-breaking Pod guitar processor combines improved amp modelling with a host of high-quality effects plundered from the company's range of rack processors.
MAM MLM62 Rackmount Mixer This compact mixer could be a godsend if you've got more sound modules and effects units than soundcard inputs.
Virtual Analogue Synth For Pro Tools TDM & HD McDSP's Synthesizer One plug-in for Pro Tools goes beyond basic analogue synth emulation, providing some sophisticated wavetable synthesis features and an impressive degree of MIDI controllability.
Waldorf D-coder Waldorf D-coder. Formats: Mac/PC Powercore
Camel Audio SuperCamelPhat Camel Audio SuperCamelPhat
Formats: Mac & PC VST
Izotope Ozone v2 Izotope Ozone v2 Format: PC DirectX
Miniature Nearfield Monitor Introducing the world's smallest transmission-line speaker.
Primacoustic London Systems Acoustic Treatment Kits Integrated kit solutions to room-acoustic problems in the project studio.
Uberschall Da Nu Hiphop Era Score = 4 Audio
Zero-G Creative Essentials Score = 5 Reason Refill
Bardstown Audio Classic Accordions Score = 4 Giga/EXS24
Samson C01 Condenser Microphone Samson seek a share of the budget microphone market with their highly competitive new large-diaphragm condenser.
Software Technology VAZ 2010 Software Synth For PC The latest version of the popular VAZ software synth combines the simplicity and low cost of a preset design with some advanced options from the full-fat VAZ Modular.
Sonic Foundry Acid Pro v4 Audio & MIDI Loop Sequencer For Windows With the addition in version 4 of surround sound mixing, ASIO and VST Instrument support and an expanding MIDI functionality, Sonic Foundry are attempting to move Acid beyond its original role in loop-based music creation.
ST Audio DSP24 Media 7.1 PC Audio & MIDI Interface ST Audio's new recording interface provides multi-channel, multi-client audio I/O, as well as MIDI In and Out and full 24-bit/96kHz capability, for a highly affordable £230.
| People + Opinion
Business End Slacklander: Vol 1&2 Sean Booth: Footsy The Ghosts: Vibrations The High Tea Company
Film Composer Composition runs in David Newman's family, and he's become one of Hollywood's most sought-after writers of music for film.
Demo Doctor King Bathmat; Touch Base. Quickies: Keir Doherty, Chnage, 21st Sentry, Charlie's Horse, Wilberforce.
Saving Graces Saving Graces
Ernst Nathorst-Boos of Propellerhead Software Propellerhead, makers of the unique Reason software studio, have come from nowhere to award-winning developer status in just eight years. We catch up with one of the key men behind this small but influential Swedish company.
Stephin Merritt, Chris Ewen & Claudia Gonson: Future Bible Heroes With the cult triple album 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt established himself as one of the most remarkable songwriters around. The Future Bible Heroes' new album sees his trademark lyrical cleverness paired with Chris Ewen's distinctive, organic electronica.
Many Of Us Still Remain To Be Convinced About Surround Sound The combined might of the record industry is currently behind the attempt to persuade us that surround is the next big thing - but many of us still remain to be convinced...
Alan Pittaway This month SOS helps Alan Pittaway improve his drum kit recordings, and also helps him get his two Roland multitrackers working together.
Technique
OS X news from the AES; Titanium Powerbook More OS X news from the AES convention, plus what you can really do with a fast Apple portable - now even faster - if you put your mind to it.
Getting Better Performance From Your CD Drives Cheap, writable optical media have revolutionised the way PC users store audio and back up their data. However, setting up your CD-R/W drives and persuading them to work at their best can be more complicated than it seems...
Keyboard shortcuts; Key Commands While using keyboard shortcuts in a sequencer is nothing new, this month we explain how Cubase SX/SL takes the idea further, and look at Hans Zimmer's unique solution for accessing Key Commands in Cubase.
Cue Monitoring Techniques One of the secrets of overdubbing is setting up good cue monitoring for the performer. There are, however, a number of different approaches and it is important to choose the most appropriate for the task at hand.
Setting up Logic to replace a tape-based system This month's workshop shows you how to get Logic to fill the shoes of a multitrack tape machine. Plus a handy way to display multiple automation passes side by side, and the usual bucketload of tricks, tips and workarounds.
Unlimited Undo With DP's new unlimited Undo facility, you really can go back in time and change history...
Pro Tools 6.0 at Digiworld This month Pro Tools Notes reports from the recent Digiworld show in London, offering the first chance to see Pro Tools 6.0, and what Mac OS X can do for you.
Can I use my drum pads to trigger drum machine sounds? * Are red indicators in audio software significant? * What is 'zero level'? * Can you advise me on vocal recording and microphones? * Why have my faders stopped working? * Does normalising have any ad Can I use my drum pads to trigger drum machine sounds? * Are red indicators in audio software significant? * What is 'zero level'? * Can you advise me on vocal recording and microphones? * Why have my faders stopped working? * Does normalising have any adverse effects on audio? * Can I obtain better orchestral sounds on a budget?
Version 2.1 Update This month, there's news of another update to Sonar, plus tips on using its built-in tuner, changing the order in which track parameters appear, processing Groove Clips without having them revert to audio, getting more from the VSC soft synth and customising Sonar's appearance.
Synthesizing Acoustic Pianos On The Roland JX10 When trying to copy a real piano with an analogue synth, if one patch doesn't quite do it, two just might...
Workshop No home studio is immune from issues of impedance, yet the subject can seem very confusing. In this workshop we explain what the recording musician needs to know about impedance, and show you how to avoid lifeless guitar sounds, digital glitches, and fried amps!
PC Notes This month, we transform the humble and inexpensive games joystick into a simple but effective MIDI controller, and find a word processor that will have minimum impact on the clean music partition of your PC.
Masterclass The Microwave synths are complex beasts, so here are some hands-on tips to help you get the creative results you're after, without spending all your time programming.
Music Business
Running Your Own Record Label: Part 5 The earlier parts of this series explained how to set up your label. Now it's time to start looking at ways to get your recorded work out and on sale to the public.
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Gear Reviews
