Win A Full Studio Setup From Samson & Zoom Worth $4,000

Deadline: 2012-02-11

Samson & Zoom are giving away a complete studio bundle, comprising Zoom R24 multitrack recorder, Samson C01 large-diaphragm condenser, Samson 7kit seven-piece drum mic set, Zoom H2N portable recorder, Zoom Q3HD audio/HD video recorder, Samson Meteor Mic desktop mic, Samson MS200 monitor stands, CM40 chromatic tuner/metronome, PS01 pop filter, MB1 boom mic stand, 2 x BL3 ultra-light mic stands, MD5 desktop mic stand, SP01 spider shockmount, 4 x Tourtek mic cables, 4 x instrument cables. Phew!

Win PreSonus Studio One 2.0 Worth £299

Deadline: 2012-02-11

For this month's Sound On Sound competition, PreSonus' UK distributors, Source, are kindly giving away four copies of Studio One 2.0 - worth £299 each! For a chance of being one of the lucky winners, all you have to do is fill out the form answering all the questions (including the tie breaker).

Acustica Nebula Pro 3.5

Dynamic Convolution Plug‑in For Mac & PC

Dynamic convolution can be used to ‘sample’ any piece of audio gear. Have Acustica succeeded in giving this advanced technology a friendly face?

AEA KU4

Supercardioid Ribbon Microphone

This lovely mic from AEA is based on a classic RCA design from the ‘40s. It certainly looks the part, but is it worth the asking price?

App Works

Making Music On The Move

Mike Watkinson takes a look at the IK Multimedia iRig MIDI interface for iOS whilst JG Harding examines the Fostex HPP1 portable DAC & headphone amplifier for iOS.

ArturiaAnalog Experience

The Laboratory

The latest addition to Arturia’s Analog Experience series takes their hybrid software/hardware synth concept even further.

Best Service Klanghaus

Sample Library

A German artist’s unique instrument designs forge a new sound world.

Bettermaker EQ230P

Stereo Analogue Equaliser

With an all-analogue signal path and total recall courtesy of digital control, this EQ promises a lot. Does it deliver?

Bettermaker EQ230P | Media

Stereo Analogue Equaliser

These media files accompany the Bettermaker EQ230P reviewed that featured in SOS January 2012.

Big Fish Audio | Big Bad Horns

Sample Library

4*

Blackstar HT1R

Valve Guitar Amplifier

Can a 1W tube amp really deliver a recordable tone? Blackstar think it can...

Coleman Audio QS8

Master Monitor Controller

Monitor controllers aren’t just glorified volume knobs, as this latest offering from Coleman shows...

Electro Harmonix Ravish

Sitar Emulation Stomp-box Effect

Paul White checks out this stomp-box effect from Electro Harmonix.

Hand‑held Recorders

Spotlight

If you’re in the market for a portable recorder, there are plenty to choose from, with a variety of different features and at a wide range of prices. Before you buy, consider what you want to do. Some models allow you to use your own microphones, while some restrict you to their built‑in ones. A few are even capable of surround recording, and can record multiple discrete channels, like a compact multitracker. These are just a few of the models that are currently available, with links to the SOS review where available.

JZ MicrophonesVintage 11

Large‑diaphragm Condenser Microphone

The other mics in JZ’s Vintage range are based on classic designs of the past — but they hope this one will become a classic in its own right...

Kinman P90HX

Noiseless Guitar Pickups

Paul White puts these guitar pickups from Kinman through their paces.

Loudspeaker Orchestras

Non‑Standard Multi‑Loudspeaker Diffusion Systems

Many musicians spend their lives trying to cram hundreds of tracks into just two speakers — but performing with an NSML system presents exactly the opposite challenge!

Magneto Audio Labs VariOhm

Microphone Impedance Converter

If you’re searching for the perfect match of mic and preamp, this useful gadget could help you achieve it...

NI Kontakt 5

Software Sampler

Native Instruments’ flagship soft sampler continues to improve with age. We look at what’s new in version 5.

PhonakAudéo PFE232

Dual-driver In‑ear Monitor

Boasting two custom drivers, are Phonak’s new universal IEMs the best monitoring solution for mixing on the move?

PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2

Digital Mixer & Firewire Interface

The StudioLive range of mixer interfaces now includes a compact 16-channel model.We find out how well it performs on the road.

Propellerhead Balance

USB Audio Interface

We examine the Swedish soft-synth specialists’ first foray into the world of hardware: the Balance.

PSP NobleQ

EQ Plug‑in

PSP’s latest equaliser seeks to combine analogue smoothness with digital precision.

SE Electronics Munro Egg 150

Monitoring System

SE Electronics have enlisted the help of renowned acoustician Andy Munro to design these striking studio monitors. Does their unique approach to speaker design pay off in the real world?

Soniccouture | Broken Wurli

Sample Library

5*

Sony MDR 7520

Studio Headphones

Sony’s MDR range of closed‑back cans has been popular in studios for years, and now includes a new flagship model.

Soundhack Pvoc Kit

Effects Plug‑ins For Mac & PC

Soundhack’s powerful algorithms can provide high‑quality pitch‑shifting — or sonic mayhem!

Steinberg Sequel 3

Loop‑based Music Production Software For Mac & PC

Steinberg’s Sequel is one of many simple but intuitive loop‑based music programs. What’s new in version 3 — the sequel to the sequel to Sequel?

Teenage Engineering OP1

Portable Synthesizer

The toy‑like exterior of Teenage Engineering’s OP1 belies the versatile synth, sequencer, sampler and recorder hidden within. We retreat to our bedroom and put it though its paces...

TK Audio BC1 MkII

Stereo Compressor-Limiter

The concept behind TK’s BC1 is simple: take a classic bus-compressor design and improve on it.

Toontrack | Number One Hits EZX

Sample Library

5*

Turbosound Milan Mi0

Active Loudspeaker

The Turbosound Milan Mi0 enters a competitive market. Can this little newcomer stand out from the crowd?

UAD Ampex ATR102

Tape Simulation Plug-in For UAD2

Having already given us a virtual studio multitrack tape recorder, the boffins at Universal Audio turn their attention to mastering machines.

Ueberschall | Indie Rock

Sample Library

5*

World’s Smallest PC WS645F

Fanless PC

It’s not the cheapest PC around and it’s not the most powerful, but this machine might just help you make better recordings.

Yamaha MOX6

Synthesizer Workstation

Yamaha’s MOX range offers unusually tight integration with your DAW. Is this the way forward for synthesizer workstations?

Zaor Stand Monitor 30.002/C

Speaker Stands

Hugh Robjohns checks out this new speaker stand from Zaor.

Drew Bang: Is the customer really always right?

Sounding Off

Jake Gosling: Producing Ed Sheeran's +

Interview | Producer

Ed Sheeran’s phenomenal success depended on hard work, a few lucky breaks, and the talents of long‑term co‑writer and producer Jake Gosling.

Mandy Parnell: Mastering Björk's Biophilia

Interview | Engineer

The mastering engineer's role is changing as artists explore new formats. And as Björk and Mandy Parnell discovered, what works for the iPad might not work on CD...

Playback

Readers' Music Reviewed

Lapplander * Syd Arthur * Audnoyz * Lelio Padovani * Pocket Satellite * Xavier & Ophelia

Randy Staub: Recording Evanenscence's 'What You Want'

Inside Track | Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

The multitracks for Evanescence’s third album were so big that they required two maxed-out Pro Tools rigs to play back!

Randy Staub: Recording Evanenscence's 'What You Want' | Media

Inside Track | Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

These media files accompany the Inside Track article that appeared in SOS January 2012.

Shaped By Technology

Leader

Paul White's leader.

2012 For PC Users

PC Notes

With expected component shortages and the consequent rise in hard‑drive prices, what can the PC musician expect from 2012?

Editing Using The Keyboard

Avid Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

Save time and protect yourself from RSI by learning to edit audio in Pro Tools from the QWERTY keyboard.

Grain Delay

Ableton Live Notes

We demonstrate that there’s more to Live’s Grain Delay than bizarre effects.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

Mastering keyboard shortcuts makes Cubase easier to use and is good for your health!

MachFive 3

Digital Performer Notes

Get up and running with MOTU’s MachFive 3, an ideal software sampler partner for Digital Performer.

Mix Rescue: Ivy League Sound & Nesia Beatz

Mixing & Recording Advice

We aim for more punch, depth and clarity in a quirky urban track.

Mix Rescue: Ivy League Sound & Nesia Beatz | Media

Mixing & Recording Advice

These audio files accompany the Mix Rescue article that featured in SOS January 2012.

Noise Reduction Tools & Techniques | Audio

Tips & Tricks

These media files accompany the Noise Reduction article that appeared in SOS January 2012.

Noise‑reduction Tools & Techniques

Tips & Tricks

If hisses, clicks, thumps or hums wreck a great take, don’t panic: do something about it!

Petula Clark 'Downtown'

Classic Tracks

The single ‘Downtown’ gave Petula Clark a worldwide hit and rejuvenated her career. Presiding over the session was engineer Ray Prickett, who tells us how it happened...

Phase Switching

Sonar Notes

Have some phase‑switching fun in Sonar X1!

Reason 6 New Features

Reason Notes

We continue our exploration of the new features and functions in Reason 6.

ReaVerb, Part 2

Reaper Notes

Record your own impulse responses with Reaper’s ReaVerb.
• Read Part 1

Studio SOS

Your Studio Problems Solved

Optimising vocal recordings and tackling some troublesome mixes are on the agenda this month, as the SOS team travel to Paul Shepherd’s studio in Nottingham.

The Cloud

Apple Notes

It should be a stress-free ascent, but our Apple guru finds himself confronted with all kinds of complications when moving to the Cloud...

The Mix Review | January 2012

Analysing Commercial Productions

• Rizzle Kicks 'Down With The Trumpets'
• Foo Fighters 'Rope'
• Christina Perri 'Jar Of Hearts'
• Nicki Minaj 'Super Bass'

Vinyl Effect

Logic Notes

Take it slow with Logic Pro, as you get to grips with this vinyl effect...

Vinyl Effect | Audio

Logic Notes

These audio files accompany the Logic Notes column that appeared in SOS January 2012.

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

We all have musical skeletons in our closets, but at least media composers don’t have to wheel them out every night at Wembley Arena.

Off The Record (US Edition Only)

Music & Recording Industry News

** This article was originally printed in the US Edition of Sound On Sound only, but is available online to all subscribers. **
Economic uncertainty and the rise of digital distribution have taken their toll on many major studios, but there is still a future for them.

Q. Can you help me with MP3 file conversion?

Q. Could I use Cubase System Link to slave my VST plug-ins?

Q. Do mixes benefit from low-pass filtering at mixdown?

Q. How can I create a 'fake' M/S setup that is mono compatible?

Q. Is the quality of S/PDIF connections on soundcards variable?