February 1998 In This Issue
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Reviews 14:4:2 Mixer There is an element of magic in any audio design, but the Allen & Heath MixWizard series may have more than most. Martin Walker uncovers its dark secrets and listens carefully as it fades to an inky silence... Compressor/De-esser Does the DPR422 have the right combination of price and performance to break BSS into the project studio market, or is it an Opal-less cause? Paul White finds out. Virtual Analogue Modular Synthesizer (Preview) If you'd love a modular synth, but couldn't possibly afford a real one, it's possible that virtual salvation is at hand. Paul Nagle investigates. Multitrack Recording System This tasty new system finds simultaneous 16-track recording a piece of cake, and throws CD burning and a host of other features into the pot too. Janet Harniman Cook pulls up a chair and tucks in... Digital Recording & Editing Environment Pro Tools has made a leap to 24-bit, but does the increased theoretical quality really translate to a better sound, and it is worth the extra money? Mike Collins finds out. MIDI Analogue Sequencer The original MAQ 16/3 analogue-style step sequencer, developed with the help of Kraftwerk's Florian Schneider, was released almost five years ago, but Doepfer clearly believe in shelf-life and have continued to update this unique instrument. Chris Carter steps ahead. Ambience Multi-effect Processor This good-looking unit hides more than just reverb beneath its shiny exterior. Derek Johnson appreciates the ambience... Expanded Access Synth Module Korg's new module makes the synthesis technology of their flagship Trinity workstation range more affordable — but at what cost? Simon Trask accesses the TR-Rack... Metalithic Systems Digital Wings Audio PC Recording System Multi-channel PC soundcards are arriving in droves, but this one is rather different, and incorporates a potential 128 tracks, using unique hardware technology. Martin Walker channels his efforts. Performance Remixing Software Every so often, a fun piece of software proves far more capable than its low price would suggest. Martin Walker spins his virtual deck and gets funky... Capacitor Microphone Paul White triesout Neumann's versatile TLM50 omni-pattern mic, a model that combines transparency with a subtle high-end lift. Red Sound Systems Voyager 1 Beat Xtractor DJ Accessory It's a small curiously-shaped shiny chrome box with just six buttons and no LCD screen, and it claims to be the future of DJ-ing. Intrigued? Paul Farrer goes on a voyage of discovery... Analogue Polysynths (Retro) Roland's Jupiter family yielded one of two shining examples of what an analogue polysynth should be. Gordon Reid planet rocks... Dual DAT Deck Derek Johnson finds Tascam's dual DAT deck, the first ever, is at least twice the fun... | People + Opinion AS ONE (KIRK DEGIORGIO): Adidas Ads, Folklore & Blue Note Jazz Interview | Artist Kirk Degeorgio, aka As One: head of the cult techno label Op ART, producer of the recent Planetary Folklore LP on Mowax, co-composer of the notorious Adidas 'Prince Naseem in America' ad, and proud owner of a huge collection of Blue Note jazz LPs. Phew! Christopher Holder discovers that Ipswich is nearer the centre of the universe than he thought. CHRISTOPHER HOLDER: Danger In The Studio Sounding Off Your cosy home studio can be more like a death-trap, as Christopher Holder warns... DAVE ROSSUM: Inside Creative Labs Interview | Manufacturer Creative Labs' Chief Scientist, Dave Rossum, looks into his crystal ball to predict the future of soundcards. Paul White listens in. Interview | Artist David Byrne must surely be one of the most individual and iconoclastic musicians of the late 20th century and, six years after leaving Talking Heads, he's still fusing different musical styles and forging new musical alliances. Sue Sillitoe does at least some of the talking... Interview | Artist Writer and electronic musician Paul Nagle successfully combines a day job with live performance and regular CD releases. Paul White zooms up the M6 and comes in for a landing at his well-stocked studio. Technique
Capacitor Microphones Explained Exploration Paul White looks at the workings of capacitor mics and discusses their advantages for studio recording. Effective Drum Programming, Part 1 Tips & Techniques If you're after a great rhythm section, these days it's very easy to whip up a great groove from a MIDI file disk. But an inside Knowledge of how and why drum patterns work can help make you a better musician and get your rhythm section really working. Nicholas Rowland — well he got rhythm... Equipping A Home Studio, Part 2 Tips & Techniques David Mellor looks at the roles of computers in the modern studio. Making Arrangements — A Rough Guide To Song Construction & Arrangement, Part 3 Tips & Techniques This month, some of the people who actually get their hands dirty with arranging — often for the household names in popular music — pass on their thoughts, hints and tips. PC Soundcard Buyer's Guide, Part 1: Stereo Cards Feature | Tips & Tricks If you're thinking of buying a PC soundcard speciffically for HD recording, you'll find the market awash with models old and new. Martin Walker provides an overview of what's currently available. Playback Readers' Music Reviewed Jonathan Willis & Chris Shaw * Andrew Forrest * Steve Crooks * Mother Of Invention * Leon * Lordyk * Oliko * Robin Field * Mantis * Peter Michael Rosenburg * Martin Copeman Practical Studio Soundproofing, Part 1 Tips & Techniques Waking up the neighbours with the latest turbo folk masterpiece is a major concern for many project studio owners. Paul White explains that monitoring with headphones and moving house are not the only solutions... Synth School, Part 6: Building On PCM — The Next Generations Tips & Techniques The ball of S&S synthesis had been thrown, and most of the big names in synthesis caught it and ran with it, scoring some notable goals in the process. Paul Wiffen continues his chronicle of modern synthesis with a look at the state of play from the late '80s to the present day. Using An Optically Connected Multi-channel Digital Setup Feature | Tips & Tricks The spread of the ADAT 8-channel optical digital interface to studio equipment of all kinds has raised the prospect of a revolution in multitrack digital recording. Self-confessed digital evangelist (amd Korg UK product specialist) Paul Wiffen explains how the optical digital interface and several fibreglass cables made keyboard session player Wix Wickens' life easier at last year's prestigious Songs and Visions concert at Wembley. Where To Use Processors & Why, Part 5 Tips & Techniques Delay, originally called echo, is one of the oldest artificial effects, yet it can still be one of the most impressive — if used with care. Paul White explains the potential problems and how to avoid them. |
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