Reviews
Vocal Processing Plug-ins [Mac/PC] Antares have updated their Avox vocal processing bundle and, alongside further tools for character manipulation, automated harmony generation is now included.
Mic Preamp The ISA preamp range has graced professional recording facilities the world over — but this classy single-channel model is within reach of the home and project studio.
DSP Monitoring System Genelec have earned a reputation for good-sounding small monitor speakers, but can their DSP system make them sound even better?
Sample Library Heavyocity's Evolve is packed full of all kinds of high-quality sonic weirdness and looks set to become a popular tool for anyone involved in soundtrack work.
New releases on test Another crop of sound libraries get the SOS 'CSI' treatment:
• Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition Plus
• Sample Magic Nu Rave
• Big Fish Audio Straight Outta NYC
• Zero-G Street Beatz NYC Hip Hop
Multi-band Dynamics Plug-in [PC] For maximum loudness with a minimum of fuss, IL's Maximus may be just the ticket — and it does subtlety as well.
Synthesizer Workstation Is there still a place for the workstation in the computer dominated studio of 2008? Korg certainly think so, and they're making a compelling case with their brand-new, touchscreen-equipped M50, offering much of the power of the acclaimed M3 for around half the price. Our world exclusive review digs deeper...
Analogue Mixers Can mixers this small really provide all the preamps and monitor control facilities you need?
Firewire Audio & MIDI Interface Cut-price Firestudio action for those users on tight budgets!
Sample Library [Mac/PC] The latest in the EastWest Play series offers deluxe representations of four classic instruments. Is this 'grand design' the answer to our virtual piano prayers?
Guitar Technology Three product reviews this month: Roger Linn Adrenalinn III, Axon PU100 and Emerson Williams Bluestone Pro.
Stereo Compressor-Limiter This may look like a standard compressor, but there's plenty beneath the surface to get excited about.
Compact Modular RF Condenser Microphone Sennheiser have taken advantage of new technology to produce a smaller, lower-cost modular version of their modern classic MKH range of microphones.
Firewire Audio Interface & Monitor Controller TC Electronic keep the price of their newest audio interface low by cutting down the I/O count, but not the quality.
Synthesizer Module Yamaha's Motif range has proved to be both popular and enduring — so is the latest incarnation, the Rack XS, your cue to join the Motif party?
Competition
Deadline: 2008-10-31 This month, thanks to our friends at Vir2 in California, we're giving away a stack of sample-based software instruments worth over £1000.
Sound Advice
Korg M50, PLASA show and more... SOS author Paul Nagle shares his opinions on Korg's latest synth workstation, the M50, and we report from PLASA, with a special interview with DPA microphones' founder Morten Stove. Also, the Sound On Sound editorial team give their monthly run down of news, as well as imparting invaluable studio advice and tech tips.
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Paul White's Leader If digital cameras can automate more and more functions to make it easier for the layperson to obtain quality results, then why not apply the same thinking to recording gear?
Sounding Off: Tony Platt Are some record companies using the 'credit crunch' to delay or avoid paying their bills, or is there more too it?
Readers' Music Reviewed Sponsored by breed-media.co.uk
Jason Perry & McFly No ordinary 'boy band', McFly have taken complete artistic control over their output, from recording to retail.
Ne-Yo: 'Closer' Some mix engineers work entirely 'in the box', while others treat Pro Tools as little more than a tape recorder. Kevin 'KD' Davis employs the best of both worlds, as his work on Ne-Yo's recent hit 'Closer' shows.
Dean McCarthy The SOS 'dreamboys' (aka Paul & Hugh) paid a visit to Dean McCarthy, the lucky winner of the Dream Studio prize from this year's London International Music Show, to install and integrate all the new gear into his studio. Read all about it...
Tales from studios that changed musical history In the summer of 1965, a new recording studio opened its doors in London's soon-to-be hip district of Chelsea. For a decade to come, this bijou ex-dairy would produce some of the finest British recordings of the era.
Technique
Pro Tools Notes & Techniques The addition of comprehensive support for right-clicking in recent versions of Pro Tools has revolutionised the user experience. We explain how to get the best from the new functionality.
Cubase Notes & Techniques Kick drums and bass instruments underpin most contemporary popular music, and it sometimes pays to tweak performances so they work better together.
Sonar Notes & Techniques Sonar includes many effects that are useful for bass guitars, and also offers bass-friendly features that help speed up the recording process.
Digital Performer Notes & Techniques Digital Performer has retained the same basic look and feel from its introduction right up to version 5.13 — but no more. The new DP6 looks almost like a different application, and conforms much more to OS X standards, so this month we bring you the first-look guide to what's new.
PC Notes Where to now for Gigastudio users, following the news that Tascam have discontinued the software's development? PC Notes makes some suggestions.
HEAR FOR YOURSELF For our newsstand magazine buyers who do not have access to the subscribers-only eSub version of Mix Rescue, here are the URLs for the Audio files that accompany October 2008's instalment of MIX RESCUE.
Musical Arrangement Advice We show you that if you put enough effort into the musical arrangement and get the editing out of the way at the start, the mix itself isn't that difficult!
Sound Workshop Nintendo's ultra-affordable Wii Remote controller can sense movement in every direction, and even knows at what angle you're holding it. Its potential as a music controller is unlimited, and you don't even need a Wii console to use it!
Sound Workshop With modern DAWs, you can breathe life into the masterpieces you recorded long ago on outdated formats. We offer some advice on making the transfer.
Apple Notes Knowing where OS X stores important files, such as plug-ins and musically-related drivers, can often be vital when dealing with a misbehaving Mac. This month we go on an expedition through the domains of the OS X filing system...
Ableton Live Notes & Techniques Clip Envelopes offer a powerful alternative to standard track-based automation, and have many creative and practical applications, so let's see what they can do...
Logic Notes & Techniques Logic 8's 'Takes' functionality makes comping together several different passes of the same part quick and easy. We show you how to do it.
Music Business
TV Music From The Inside Renowned TV composer Paul Farrer begins a new series of despatches from the front line by asking: what sort of person do you have to be to succeed in the cut-throat world of music for the media?
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Gear Reviews
