Win AEA R84 SLE ribbon mic

Deadline: 2010-12-11

This year, Audio Engineering Associates are celebrating their 25th year in the ribbon microphone market and are kindly giving away one R84 Silver Limited Edition (SLE) model, worth 1225 US dollars, to the lucky winner of this SOS competition.

Win Quested S7R Monitors

Deadline: 2010-12-11

To celebrate their first quarter of a century in business, Quested are kindly giving the winner of this SOS competition a pair of S7R nearfields, worth £1450.

25 Products That Changed Recording

Milestones

Every once in a while a key product is developed that transforms music. To mark our 25th anniversary, we list the most influential products to emerge during SOS’s lifetime.

Arturia Brass 2.0

Modelled Brass Instrument

The new version of Arturia’s Brass instrument attempts to create realistic-sounding trombones, trumpets and saxophones, so just how successful is it?

Audio-Technica AT4050 ST

Stereo Condenser Microphone

There's more to this variation on Audio-Technica's flagship microphone than the simple addition of a second capsule...

Avid HD Omni

Audio Interface & Monitor Controller For Pro Tools HD

Avid’s new interface might look like the baby of the HD range, but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye...

Big Fish Audio | Impressions: Jazz Construction Kits

Sample Library

John Walden examines the new collection of 62 construction kits from BFA.

Bolder Sounds | Crystal Glasses Volume 2 for Kontakt 3+, EXS24

Sample Library

Martin Walker examines the 49 Kontakt instruments of Crystal Glasses Vol 2.

Burl B2 Bombers

A-D & D-A Converters

Should digital converters always be ultra-transparent? Burl think they should offer a little more character...

Burl B2 Bombers

Test Measurements

Cytomic The Glue

Dynamics Processor [Mac & PC]

Cytomic have gone to great lengths to mimic the sound of the famous SSL bus compressor, with its unique ability to ‘glue’ things together. How does their plug-in compare with established offerings from Waves and UA?

Cytomic The Glue | Media

Dynamics Processor [Mac & PC]

These audio files accompany the Cytomic The Glue review that featured in SOS November 2010.

DAV DI & Re-amp

DI & Re-amping Box

Isn't it refreshing when a manufacturer cuts out the frills and just delivers something that's robust and quietly gets on with the job, leaving you free to focus on more important things? Matt Houghton investigates the latest offering from DAV Electronics.

EastWest The Dark Side

Sample Library

Distortion, filth, grime and grit abound in EastWest’s new library. Rubber gloves at the ready, we go in search of splendour in the dirt.

Lexicon LXP Native Reverb

Reverb Plug-in Suite

Lexicon’s flagship PCM Native Reverb bundle is highly desirable, but also costly. The cut-down LXP Native Reverb offers a more affordable, yet still powerful, alternative.

Manikin Electronic Memotron Rack

Mellotron Sound Module

If you want Mellotron sounds in a rackmountable unit, there’s only one option: introducing the Memotron Rack...

Miroslav Vitous String Ensembles

Sample Library

The Vitous brand has a great reputation in the world of orchestral samples. Does this brand-new library live up to it?

Mode Machines Xoxbox

Analogue Synthesizer

Everybody, as Fatboy Slim so wisely notes, needs a 303. However, with originals becoming ever more scarce and expensive, the dream of universal 303 ownership was starting to look unlikely — until now...

Olympus LS5

Handheld Stereo Recorder

Sam Inglis reviews the latest pocket-size stereo recorder from Olympus.

Palmer Pocket Amp

Amp-simulator Pedal

Chris Korff checks out a product designed to eliminate the need for an amp or mic when jamming on electric guitars.

Peavey Studio Pro M2

Condenser Microphone

Paul White explores the capabilities of the understated-yet-powerful Studio Pro M2.

Roland TD20KX / TD20SX

Electronic Drum Kit

The TD20KX (known as the TD20SX in the States) is Roland’s flagship electronic drum kit — but how does it measure up against other big hitters?

Roland V-Piano Evolution

Modelled Piano

Roland’s deluxe V-Piano has evolved, courtesy of a free software update...

Schoeps VSR5

Microphone Preamp

Schoeps make some of the most revered mics on the planet, so when they release a commercial version of the mic preamp they use for testing, you have to take it seriously...

Schoeps VSR5 Mic Preamp

Test Measurements

The following charts, made using an Audio Precision Analyser, accompany our review of the Schoeps VSR5 microphone preamplifier.

Slate Digital FGX

Mastering Processor [Mac & PC]

The idea that loud digital masters can retain real dynamics seems like a contradiction in terms, but it’s exactly what Slate Digital are claiming for their new mastering plug-in.

Sonokinetic | Tigris & Euphrates: Voices Of The Ottoman Empire

Sample Library

Simon Langford explores the Middle Eastern vocal library from Sonokinetic.

Soundcraft Notepad 124FX

Analogue Mixer

Is there a place for small analogue mixers in the project studio these days? Actually, we think there is...

Thermionic Culture Little Bustard

Valve Summing Mixer

Join us, as we take Thermionic’s new bird for a test flight...

Tonehammer | Ambius Vol. 1: Transmissions for Kontakt 3/4

Sample Library

This is the first in a new series of libraries for Tonehammer, relying on field and instrument recordings instead of synthesizers.

25 Years Of SOS

Leader

Paul White offers his take on why SOS is as relevant today as it was back in 1985.

Back To The Future: First Issue Of SOS

SOS 25 Years

SOS has been forward-thinking for 25 years, so it's time we had a look back at the early days...

Happy Birthday Sound On Sound!

Milestones

Some of the friends we've made over the years share their congratulations on our 25th birthday!

In the News: SOS Issue One | November 1985

The Shape Of Things To Come

CD technology? Eight-note polyphony? Things were getting pretty exciting back in 1985.

Labrinth: Producing Tinie Tempah

Interview | Music Production

The man behind the biggest UK single of the year — 'Pass Out' by Tinie Tempah — is 21-year-old musical prodigy and maverick Labrinth.

Oval (aka Markus Popp): Recording Oh And O

Electronica Production

One of electronica’s most adventurous spirits, Markus Popp has returned with an album that sounds surprisingly... musical. But is everything as it seems?

Playback

Readers' Music Reviewed

The Penny Sweets * Lovethyself * Bleak Angel * Wave Constructed * Graveyard Dirt * Pins And Needles * Jesus In India * Samsara * Death Of The Elephant * Tony Alderman

25 Productions That Made History

Milestones

Revolutions in music technology have always gone hand in hand with changes in the way records sound. To mark SOUND ON SOUND's 25th anniversary, we list the most influential productions to emerge during the magazine’s lifetime.

64-bit Computing: Should Musicians Move To A 64-bit OS?

Exploration

In theory, 64-bit operating systems allow us to use as much RAM as our software demands. So should we all be using them?

Craig Silvey: Mixing Arcade Fire 'The Suburbs'

Inside Track | Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

Despite self-imposed limitations, the multitrack sessions for Arcade Fire's latest album grew to epic proportions. Craig Silvey nevertheless mixed it on a vintage desk with no automation.

Dubstep Secrets

Apple Logic Tips & Techniques

Create a dubstep bass sound using the ES2 synthesizer and Logic's effects.

Dubstep Secrets | Media

Apple Logic Tips & Techniques

These channel strips accompany the Logic Technique column that featured in SOS November 2010.

Increasing Capacity

PC Notes

If your hard drives are overflowing, what’s the best way to add extra capacity? PC Notes investigates...

Level Meters

Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

Knowing how to interpret and act on Cubase's level meters can help you to make better mixes.

Live DJ'ing

Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

DJs can really get clever with Ableton Live. We explain how.

Making Monitor Mixes

Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

Like any hardware mixer, Pro Tools' Mixer can be used to give the musicians on your session exactly what they want...

Mix Rescue: Clarity Of Sound

Mixing & Recording Advice

With a bit of hard work to counter unwanted masking effects and muddiness, everything becomes clear...

Mix Rescue: Sound Clarity | Media

Mixing & Recording Advice

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

Music Streaming

Apple Notes

Do recent updates to Apple’s musical armoury hint at a move toward the music-streaming subscription model?

Processing Stereo Audio Files

Tips & Techniques

Just how does 'stereo' work? And how can you manipulate a stereo audio signal to your mix's advantage?

Snapshot Effects Automation

Cakewalk Sonar Tips & Techniques

Snap it up! Transform your music with snapshot effects automation.

Studio SOS

Your Studio Problems Solved

There are more home studio widows out there than we usually like to admit, so when one sent out an SOS of her own, we just had to help, if only to assuage our sense of guilt!

Takes & Items

Cockos Reaper Tips & Techniques

We show you how to emulate Reason's Dr OctoRex loop player with Reaper's Takes and Items.

Talking Heads 'Road To Nowhere'

Classic Tracks

As the first issue of SOS hit the shops in October 1985, Talking Heads were already climbing towards their highest UK chart position. The song was 'Road To Nowhere'. Engineer Eric Thorngren tells the story of its recording.
• Producer: Talking Heads
• Engineer: Eric Thorngren

Time & Tempo Flexibility

Propellerhead Reason Tips & Techniques

We bring you up to speed on tempo flexibility and Reason 5's new transport bar.

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

It’s lovely to be appreciated — up to a point...

Adobe CS5 Production Premium

Audio Visual Production Software

Adobe’s latest Creative Suite comes in a variety of flavours, including the video-focused Production Premium package. We take a look at its most important components for video production.

DFocus V3

Follow-focus system

This useful tool can help you achieve professional results on an amateur budget.

Filming Gear: Five 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.

Hosting & Promoting Video Online

A Simple Guide

Whether you’ve shot a live music video with a mobile phone or a slick promo with a DSLR camera, hosting it on the Internet is a great way to show it to the world.

Q. Can I use a Mac Mini for music?

Q. How do I record drums in a church?

Q. What are the best freeware plug-ins?

Q. What is that Jimi Hendrix effect?

Q. Where can I get raw files to practise my mixing?