Reviews
Sampling Workstation Akai have updated the classic sampling sequencer concept last embodied in the MPC2000XL, but have they managed to preserve the magic formula that made the series a success?
Dual Logic-gated Compressor The latest dynamics processor from Aphex combines a sophisticated gate with an easy-to-use compressor and forces them to work as a team.
Software Synthesizer If you're after convincing analogue-style sounds but you don't want to delve into complex programming, Arturia's Analog Factory may be just the thing.
Modelled Analogue Synth In the latest addition to their successful ASB range, Creamware take on ARP's legendary Odyssey.
VCO-2RM • MMF-1 • ADSR-VC2 • VCA-2P Part 2: We continue our exploration of Wowa Cwjeman's new range of exclusive analogue synth modules.
Expandable Monitoring Controller This modular monitor controller system offers an easy upgrade path from stereo to surround capability, and transparent audio quality to boot.
Guitar Tube Preamplifier If you are looking for an authentic tube-amp guitar sound from a DI recording system, then maybe the Dark Blue's all-tube preamp and speaker simulation is just what you need.
USB 2.0 Audio Interface [Mac & PC] Emu's first USB 2.0 interface, and their first to offer Mac OS X compatibility, dispenses with DSP effects and complex software front-ends, majoring instead on hands-on controls and practical studio features. Have they hit on a winning formula?
Active Nearfield Monitors Surely you can't get a good bass response from small monitors... or can you?
Gear Reviews, Tips and Techniques • Kinman No-solder Harness & Pickup Set
• Haynes Fender Stratocaster Manual
Studio Microphones SOS puts LD's new tube and capacitor mics to the test.
DAW Software For Windows Over the last few years, Magix's Sequoia and Samplitude have quietly been establishing a name for themselves in the mastering and recording communities, and the new version 9 of Samplitude looks set to win more friends.
Pro Tools Plug-ins McDSP's compression and EQ designs offer a huge amount of control with the potential for accurate emulation of vintage devices. Throw in a tape-modelling suite and a powerful multi-band compressor, and you have the Classic Pack.
Physically Modelled Virtual Piano Can an 8 Megabyte plug-in really compete with the new generation of multi-Gigabyte sampled grand pianos?
Synthesizer & Audio Interface Synthesizer, USB audio interface, MIDI controller — Novation's Xiosynth does it all, and at a very reasonable price...
Latest Plug-ins tested Another batch of hot plug-ins get installed and tested.
Mini Reviews • VSL Saxophones, Elements & Vienna Konzerthaus Organ
• Scarbee Imperial Drums XL
• BFD Platinum Samples: Andy Johns Classic Drums
All-Valve Mixing Console Worried that your digital recordings sound a bit sterile? Maybe the Tubetracker can warm things up a bit...
Competition
Deadline: 2007-02-28 Prize kindly donated by M-Audio USA +1 626 633 9050
www.m-audio.com
Sound Advice
| People + Opinion
Paul White's Leader Editor In Chief Paul White praises a return to musical reality and wonders how 2007's new gear releases will satisfy us.
Ballet Mécanique At The National Gallery, Washington George Antheil's Ballet Mécanique is all but impossible for human musicians to play. So for his latest presentation of it, Paul D. Lehrman built an orchestra of robots...
Vintage Techniques For New Music Will Holland is one of the most prolific producers in the UK's alternative dance scene, and rather than sampling old records, he prefers to track down the musicians who made them.
Dom Melville I don't care what the weatherman says...
Technique
News & Updates We take the opportunity of a New Year issue to look back at the 12 months that saw Apple's transition to Intel processors, and to welcome in the new Core 2 Duo-based Macbook Pros and Xeon-based Xserves.
Digital Performer Notes & Techniques You'll soon be wondering how you ever managed without the audio editing tricks and shortcuts offered by this month's essential DP workshop.
Pro Tools Notes & Techniques The trend among plug-in designers is to integrate commonly used processes such as EQ and compression into a single plug-in. It saves on insert slots, but do channel strips offer any other benefits, and which ones stand out from the crowd?
Producer & Engineer: Les Paul Les Paul made some of the most innovative records of the 20th Century, but he had to invent multitrack tape recording first...
PC Notes Direct X plug-in support has been dropped from Steinberg's Cubase 4 sequencing software — so what do you do if you have projects that use such plug-ins and you want to upgrade to the latest Cubase? PC Musician offers some solutions, as well as rounding up the latest PC news and information.
A DIY Guide To Unusual Audio Effects Some of the best signature sounds have been developed through experimentation with mechanical devices. We offer some inspiration...
Remixing 'Liar' by Adrian Bannister Rescuing and reinforcing a weak-sounding cello are amongst this month's remedies...
Successful Mixing Without Loudspeakers Mixing on 'cans' is often frowned upon, but if you know what you're doing, you can get good results with only occasional checks on your monitor speakers.
Workshop Ever thought about releasing your own album or single? We explain the ins and outs of producing a small batch of CDs.
David Pensado Mix engineers have a huge role to play in modern record production; but what does it take to turn a collection of raw tracks into a chart-topping single? In a major new SOS series, specialist mixers will be showing us exactly how they use the tricks of their trade.
Sonar Notes & Techniques Sonar 6's new 'channel strip' offers multiple routings that enable techniques such as parallel compression, frequency-conscious dynamics control and side-chaining.
PC Musician If you're after bigger-sounding tracks, read on, as we discover plug-ins that manipulate stereo information to play tricks with your mix...
Digital Detectives Sorting digital gremlins and rogue reflections is all in a day's work for the Studio SOS team...
Ableton Live Notes & Techniques We look at how the new Instrument and Effects Racks in Live 6 stretch the creative possibilities for combining and controlling multiple devices and plug-ins.
Cubase Notes & Techniques Track Presets might not add anything to the sonic possibilities offered within Cubase 4 but Steinberg have been very keen to blow this particular marketing trumpet. So just what can Track Presets do for you?
Part 2 This month we discuss in-depth features in Waveburner and look at some of the included plug-ins that can be used to polish up a mastering project.
Music Business
Sacred Cows This month, Big George takes a swipe at a few sacred cows in the name of fair play.
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Gear Reviews
