BCK Lite Show

MIDI-to-light Controller

This compact unit allows you to add MIDI-controlled lights to your performance for less than the cost of a modest sound module. Paul White checks it out.

Climax Collection 7: Bass

Sample Library

3*

DBX 120XP

Sub-Harmonic Synthesizer

Such was the outcry when dbx discontinued their original 'Boom Box' they were forced to introduce a new model. Paul White finds out whether it really plumbs new depths.

GEM S2R

Rackmounting Synth Module

GEM have upgraded, expanded and enhanced their S2 keyboard synth and crammed it into a 3U module. Devoted S2 owner Mike Simmons discovers what he might be missing out on...

JBL 4410A; Keynote Music Data Bank; Alice DA-PAK

Widgets

Paul White investigates the latest studio monitor from JBL, Derek Johnson examines the Keynote Music Data Bank, and the dual distribution preamp from Alice is on test.

Mo' Funky Elements

Sample Library

5*

MOTU MIDI Express

PC MIDI Interface

PC users get a look in on the sophisticated MIDI add-on market with a multi-port, sync-generating unit from Mark of the Unicorn. Steven Helstrip catches the MIDI Express.

Peavey DPM C8

Master Keyboard

With its highly-polished finish and beautifully weighted piano-style keyboard, Peavey's master controller certainly looks the business. But does it do the business? Derek Johnson finds out.

Polestar Magnetics XL1+

Sample Library

5*

Roland Audio Producer

RAP-10 PC Sound Card & ATW-10 Software

Roland's eagerly awaited multimedia Windows sound package competes head on with the Sound Blaster Pro and Turtle Beach sound cards well known to PC musicians. Brian Heywood finds out how the newcomer measures up.

Roland JV90 & JV50

Expandable Synthesizers

Roland were one of the stars of the recent NAMM show, launching a jaw-dropping array of new products, including three new 'Expandable' keyboards in the JV line. David Crombie looks at two of them.

SCI Pro1

Analogue Monosynth (Retro)

SCI's Pro 1 is one of the classiest little monosynths on the second-hand market, as Paul Ward explains.

Yamaha TG300

General MIDI Tone Generator

A new shape? A large LCD? Martin Russ finds out what Yamaha are up to with their latest expander, which aims to give GM compatibility ans a whole lot more...

Mike Pickering: Can Producers Also Be Artists?

Opinion | Music Production (Production Lines)

Does a band need a record producer? And can the producer also be part of the band? Mike Pickering — one third of M People, the deConstruction act that really came into its own in 1993 — is both a producer and an artist. He sees no conflict in his dual role, but he does feel that the role of producer is changing — here he explains how...

NAMM '94 Report

Conference

Paul White returns stirred but unshaken from the NAMM '94 exhibition with a brief overview of the products that most caught his attention.

Richard H Kirk: Cabaret Voltaire Electronica

Interview | Band

Considered by some to be a guru of the new dance, mixing driving beats with ecletic found sounds, Cabaret Voltaire's Richard H. Kirk remains an influential voice. Mark J. Prendergast tracks him down.

Robbie Adams: Recording U2's Achtung Baby & Zooropa

Interview | Engineer

Young Irish engineer Robbie Adams played an important part in the recording of U2's popular and critically-acclaimed albums Achtung Baby and Zooropa. Here he gives Paul Tingen a fascinating insight into the exciting and unorthodox recording methods they used.

Tom Oberheim: Marion Systems

Interview | Manufacturer

Paul White was invited to Tom Oberheim's Los Angeles hotel suite for a preview of the Marion Systems MSR2 modular synthesizer.

100 Issues Of Sound On Sound

Special Feature

As SOS enters its second century, we look back over the past 100 great issues and chart the changing face of hi-tech music.

Analogue Versus Digital Tape

Tips & Techniques

Changing from analogue to digital multitrack brings many benefits and one or two pitfalls. Craig Anderton offers some hints and tips to help you get the best from digital recording.

Creating Analogue Sounds On Digital Synths, Part 3

Tips & Techniques

Nick Magnus puts on his Indiana Jones hat and treks even deeper into the heart of your digital synth. This month's Holy Grail is analogue brass.
• Read Part 1 (January 1994)
• Read Part 2 (February 1994)
• Read Part 4 (April 1994)

Fatar's CMS61

PC Notes

Brian Heywood delivers another concoction of music-related PC news including Fatar's CMS61.

Hypercolourcard

Apple Notes

Martin Russ delivers another bulletin from another Mac music world. Hypercolourcard!

Open Or Closed Headphones

Exploration

Paul White looks at the differences between open and closed headphones and explains why neither type is a substitute for a loudspeaker monitoring system.

Pragmatic Acoustics

Tips & Techniques

Few of us are in a position to fit our houses with false walls, suspended ceilings and floating floors — so how can we create a reliable monitoring environment? Paul White explains that it's not as daunting as it seems.

Quick Draw; Warp9

Atari Notes

Vic Lennard Investigates the need for speed...

Soldering Made Easy

Tips & Techniques

Learning to solder is easy, inexpensive and can save both money and frustration. Paul White makes it as painless as possible — just as long as you pick up the soldering iron by the right end!

Sound Synthesis, Part 2

Primer

Lost in a jungle of synth acronyms? This month, Paul White unravels the mysteries of ADSRs, VCAs and VCFs.
• Read Part 1

Tape Machine Care

Tips & Techniques

Modern tape recorders, both cassette and open-reel, are capable of giving years of service — but they can also deteriorate very quickly if not cared for. Paul White explains the essentials of cleaning and demagnetising.

Toccata 16-bit Sampler

Amiga Notes

Paul Austin finally puts the long-awaited Toccata 16-bit sampler to the test.