Win SSL X-Desk worth 1926 GBP

Deadline: 2010-11-11

When we reviewed the X-Desk back in August last year (you can read the full review at www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug09/articles/sslxdesk.htm), we praised it for the flexibility of its routing, its extensive feature set (especially for a console of its diminutive size) and its superlative audio quality. Now you can win one !

API 527

'Lunchbox' Compressor-Limiter

Could API's latest 500-series module be an essential purchase for Lunchbox users?

Blue Encore 300

Handheld Condenser Microphone

Designed as a hand-held live vocal mic, this mic has a cardioid pickup pattern, and seems very robustly engineered.

Cartec EQP1A

Mono Valve Equaliser

British 'boutique' outboard manufacturers seem to be rather thin on the ground these days, but if this Pultec clone is anything to go by, newcomers Cartec look set to make a big impression.

DPA PPC4000

Phantom Power Checker

ESI Rekord M

Portable Stereo Recorder

Faderfox MIDI Controllers

DJ3 DL3 DX3 FX3 FT3

The Faderfox controllers are bijou and boutique, and there’s five of them to choose from.

Fishman Aura Spectrum

Acoustic Imaging DI Pedal

How do you make a piezo-miked acoustic guitar sound like a ‘real’ miked acoustic? Fishman have improved on their already impressive answer to that question...

JamHub

Personal Monitor System

For low-volume rehearsals and jam sessions, most options to date have been quite limited, particularly for creating separate monitor mixes. The JamHub range aims to make the whole process that little bit easier and more immediate.

Magix Samplitude Pro 11

Digital Audio Workstation Software For Windows

With the latest version of their unique ‘object oriented’ DAW, Magix are targeting both mastering and recording engineers.

Prodipe TT1

Dynamic Microphone

Prodipe say they wanted to offer a high-quality, live-sound, cardioid-pattern dynamic mic at a very affordable price.

Propellerhead Reason 5

Audio Production Software For Mac & PC

The latest version of Reason incorporates new arrangement tools and two powerful new instruments, and even lets you record samples. Meanwhile, sister application Record continues to develop too...

Scan 3XS Performance

Laptop Computer

Scan’s new laptop is as powerful as many desktop computers and aims to eliminate the unreliability so often characteristic of off-the-peg machines.

Soniccouture Novachord

Sample Library

5*

Sontronics Saturn

Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone

Sontronics mics usually sound as distinctive as they look - and this one looks more distinctive than most!

Sontronics Saturn | Media

Condenser Microphone

These audio files accompany the Sontronics Saturn review that featured in SOS October 2010.

Steinberg Nuendo 5

Digital Audio Workstation Software For Mac & PC

With Steinberg continuing to focus on features for audio post-production, is Nuendo still a relevant option for those working strictly in music?

Tannoy Reveal 601A

Studio Nearfield Reference Monitors

Building to a price inevitably entails compromises. The art is in choosing the right ones...

Toontrack Beatstation

Sampling Software Instrument

Toontrack’s new sampling software instrument is simple to use, but also far deeper than it initially appears to be...

Toontrack EZX Electronic

EZ Drummer/Superior Drummer Expansion

USB Acoustic Toy Museum

UVI Workstation

Sample library

Vermona Mono Lancet

Analogue Synthesizer

The peculiarly named Mono Lancet is an analogue synth of the old school, boasting two oscillators, a filter with a debilitating debt to Moog, and knobs galore!

VSL Vienna Choir

Sample Library

The Viennese maestros celebrate 10 years of sample creation with a foray into the world of vocals.

XILS Lab PolyKB

Software Synthesizer

Anyone with a passing interest in synthesizers, especially of the unfinished, unobtainable and commercially disastrous variety, knows of the RSF Polykobol II. Few have ever played one — but now there’s PolyKB...

Zero-G Disco Gold

Sample Library

4*

Jon Burton: Mixing & Recording The Prodigy Live

Interview | Engineer

As the Prodigy's chief live sound engineer, Jon Burton gets to unleash untold kilowatts of bass power on an unsuspecting world. He has also made multitrack recordings of every show on their 26-month world tour.

Justin Paterson: What's the difference between education and training?

Sounding Off

Mike Strange Jr: Eminem Recovery

Inside Track | Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

Eminem's Recovery has been one of the biggest hit albums of the year, spawning two number one singles — all recorded and mixed by Eminem's long-term engineer, Mike Strange.

Playback

Readers' Music Reviewed

Trousseaux * Dizraeli * marky:boyofdestiny * Eileen Daly & The Courtesans

Respect The Computer!

Leader

Paul White's October issue Leader

Silver Apples: Early Electronica

Interview | Band

Silver Apples jammed with Jimi Hendrix, counted John Lennon as a fan, and produced extraordinary electronic music — with nothing but a drum kit and a pile of electrical junk.

A Logical Reason

CPU Throttling

PC Notes

There seems to be a nasty bout of CPU throttling going around. But don't despair: we may have a cure...

Creating A Step Sequencer | How To Create Scripts In NI Kontakt, Part 4

Primer

In the final part of this short series, we investigate a more advanced use of scripting to create a simple step sequencer.
• Read Part 1
• Read Part 2
• Read Part 3

EQing With Multi-band Compressor

Cakewalk Sonar Tips & Techniques

When is a multi-band compressor not a compressor? When it's an equaliser!

Follow Actions

Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

We explore a cunning workaround to enhance Ableton Live's already powerful 'Follow Actions' feature.

Improving Audio MIDI Setup

MOTU Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

Digital Performer version 7.1 has been out for a while, but we're still feeling the love for some of its new features...

Mix Rescue: Kate Ockenden

Mixing & Recording Advice

In a wallet-friendly departure this month, we rescue a reader's track with nothing more than careful use of Logic Pro's built-in plug-ins...

Mix Rescue: Kate Ockenden | Media

Mixing & Recording Advice

These audio files accompany the Mix Rescue article that featured in SOS October 2010.

Parameter Modulation

Cockos Reaper Tips & Techniques

Use parameter modulation to create clearer mixes.

Parameter Modulation | Media

Cockos Reaper Tips & Techniques

These project files accompany the Reaper Technique column that featured in SOS October 2010.

Project Templates

Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

Creating your own project templates is one of those useful housekeeping jobs you can do when you’re in a less creative mood.

Resolving Hard Drive Problems

Avid Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

Does Pro Tools sometimes take an unwarranted dislike to one of your hard drives? Here's how to deal with it, and how to let non-admin users join the Pro Tools party.

Studio SOS

Your Studio Problems Solved

The SOS team are confronted by a confusion of speakers this month, and opt for a cost-effective DIY approach to sorting out Tony Rigg's studio acoustics.

The Green Studio

Alternative & Recycled Studio Acoustic Materials

Traditional acoustic materials from mineral and synthetic sources are subject to environmental concerns and possible health issues. Now there are affordable, ‘green’ alternatives, but how suitable are they for the home studio?

Updated Mac Pro Finally Here!

Apple Notes

We've had some goodies from Apple recently, but now it gets serious: the updated Mac Pro is finally here!

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

You might think that being a TV composer is a life of parties, beautiful women, fame, glory and dongles, but the reality is rather different. This unique chronological study plots the lifespan of a typical project.

5 Best Buys

The Gear To Get You Filming Fast

New to the world of video production and unsure what gear to buy? Our guide to the five best options in three categories will get you started.

AB Soft Neat Video

Noise-reduction plug-in

Going Steady

Stabilising Handheld Camerawork

Handheld shots can look great, but too much camera shake can give the viewer a headache! We take a look at three budget rigs for keeping shots steady, and find out whether electronic image stabilisation can help.

LCDVF

Viewfinder for DSLR

Magic Bullet Colorista 2

Colour Correction Plug-in

With so many different bundled and third-party colour correction plug-ins available, do Colorista 2’s new features offer anything special?

Rotolight Interview Kit

LED Lighting Kit

Rotolight enter the competitive LED lighting market with a compact, battery-powered offering and plenty of accessories.

Rycote Universal Camera Kit

Shotgun mic mount for video

Video Copilot Optical Flares

After Effects plug-in

Q. How should I mount a pair of AKG C414s?

Q. How should I record an upright piano?

Q. What pocket recorder should I buy to record my music?

Q. What's the right type of Rockwool?

Q. Where's the best place to mount a large monitor screen?