Ethnic 2

Sample Library

4*

Funk Bass

Sample Library

3*

Korg Oasys

Open Architecture Synthesis (Preview)

Amidst the parched sands of the NAMM show, Paul White found welcome relief at Korg's Oasys of advanced musical technology, where the latest efforts of the company's US R&D team were unveiled.

Langevin CR3A

Capacitor Microphone

A new bargain capacitor mic threatens to stop the drain of hard currency into the coffers of ailing ex-Eastern Bloc states. Paul White checks out the American-made CR3A.

Lexicon Reflex

Dynamic MIDI Effects Processor

The flood of quality effects units from Lexicon continues unabated. The Reflex takes the familiar Alex format, enhances its front panel editing, adds Lexicon's new Lexi II chip for improved sound quality, and tops it all off with comprehensive MIDI control facilities. Nick Magnus gets dynamic...

Mackie LM3204

Stereo Line Mixer

Paul white gets his hands on Mackie's long-awaited 3204 line mixer and discovers that it has hidden potential.

Peavey Valvex

Stereo Tube Mixer

Paul White tries out Peavey's new rackmount mixer to find out if the tubes really make a difference...

Philip Rees TS1

MIDI Tape Sync Unit

Philip Rees are known for their distinctive red and black MIDI Thru and Merge boxes, which have found homes in many MIDI studios. Now they've turned their attention to tape sync, with the TS1. Derek Johnson checks it out.

Roland MS1

Digital Sampler

The would-be samplist now has a wide range of samplers to choose from in the medium to high price ranges, but the sub-£800 zone has been looking decidedly bare — until now. Derek Johnson checks out the sampler that plugs the gap...

Roland SH09

Analogue Monosynth (Retro)

Paul Ward looks back through time to 1980, and considers the hidden strengths of one of Roland's more overlooked monosynths: the SH09.

Roland VG8

V-Guitar System (Preview)

Paul White brings back from NAMM exclusive news from Roland's new secret weapon in the physical modelling wars.

Spirit Absolute 2

Nearfield Monitors

Soundcraft have added nearfield monitors to their product range in a continued bid for world domination. Paul White subjects them to the rigours of studio life.

Tascam 488 MkII

8-track Portastudio

Shirley Gray checks out the upgraded version of Tascam's popular 8-track Portastudio.

Turtle Beach Quad

4-Track Digital Recording Software

Quad is a 4-track 'Portastudio'-style digital recording system for the PC. Could it replace your cassette-based multitrack? Panicos Georghiades and Gabriel Jacobs find out...

Vindaloops

Sample Library

4.5*

Widgets

Metrasound SY22; Sound Recording Advice

Paul White looks at a RAM program card from Metrasound for use in a Yamaha SY35, whilst Derek Johnson looks at a book from John Borwick exploring Sound Recording Practice.

Yamaha VL7

Virtual Acoustic Synthesizer

Yamaha's Virtual Acoustic technology has begun the march toward affordability with the release of the VL7, at a little more than half the cost of the flagship VL1. Is this a DX7 for the '90s? David Crombie finds out.

Ambient Techno: Peter Namlook, Mixmaster Morris, Scanner & David Toop

Interview | Artist

In the '70s there was Eno's ambient music. in the late '80s, there came the Techno sound of Detroit. Over the past two years, there has been talk of 'Ambient Techno'. But what is it? Mark Prendergast explains, and speaks to four influential creators of Ambient Techno about how they produce their music.

Chris & Cosey: 2 Unlimited

Interview | Band

For over 10 years, Chris and Cosey have been treading their own idiosyncratic musical path, changing with the times but still maintaining their individual and influential style, and continue to find a worldwide audience. Derek Johnson visited them in their personal Studio.

Digidesign Past & Present

Interview With The President: Peter Gotcher Of Digidesign

Digidesign hardware now forms the backbone of most Macintosh-based hard disk recording systems, but where did the company come from, where is it going, and what changes can we expect to see after their recent merger with Avid? Paul white gets the answers directly from Peter Gotcher, President of Digidesign.

Pete Brown: Production Lines

Interview | Music Production

Pete Brown describes himself as an old-fashioned producer who prefers to let his engineers handle the technical side while he concentrates on the music and lyrics. Over the last 30 years he has also been a first-rate musician and songwriter — he wrote many of Cream's original lyrics, including 'Sunshine of Your Love', recently credited with one million plays. Here he talks about production from the perspective of a veteran Jack Of All Trades.

The Beatles Live At The Beeb: Raiders Of The Lost Archive

Interview | Producer/Engineer

Down in the BBC vaults, we were told, they had stumbled upon a golden tape containing long lost recordings of The Beatles' radio performances. Richard Buskin spoke to the BBC Radio producer Kevin Howlett and Abbey Road Studios engineer Peter Mew to discover the truth behind the hype.

Tim Simenon: Bomb The Bass

Interview | Artist

Since riding to fame on the crest of the late '80s DJ sampling wave, Tim Simenon has re-cast himself in a variety of moulds, not least those of producer and record label boss. Paul Tingen caught up with him to talk about his latest album and his brilliant career...

Buying A New Computer

Atari Notes

Looking to buy a replacement Atari computer? Vic Lennard gives some pointers...

Buying A PC For Music, Part 2

Tips & Techniques

Paul Nagle looks at adding MIDI and sounds to your PC setup.
• Read Part 1 (February 1995)

Cubase Logical Edit Explained, Part 1

Exploration

Though Logical Edit is potentially one of Cubase's most useful features, it's also one of the most feared and misunderstood. In this three-part series, Simon Millward aims to explain it...
• Read Part 2 (April 1995)
• Read Part 3 (May 1995)

EQ: How & When To Use It

Tips & Techniques

Equalisation is one of the most powerful tools in your sonic toolkit and can be your greatest enemy or your greatest ally in the battle for the perfect sound. David Mellor gives advice on how and when best to use it.

Evolving Role Of The PC; Steinberg Wave Player

PC Notes

This month, Brian Heywood takes a look at the evolving role of the PC, and considers the parts CD-ROMs and the Internet have to play in the future of music shopping...

How To Patch Effects & Processors

Tips & Techniques

The roles of the various signal processors and effects used in audio production are pretty well understood by most musicians, but it's not always obvious where they should be patched into the signal chain to give the best results. Paul White explains.

Oregon Research's Gamesmith

Amiga Notes

Paul Overaa's recent experiments seemed to have dropped a bit of a bombshell on the Amiga's tracker-based musical community. To find out what's happened, and pick up on all the other important Amiga-related news, just keep reading...

Planning Your First Home Studio, Part 1

Primer

Want to set up a home studio but don't know where to start? In the first part of a new series, Paul White guides you through the creation and setting up of a basic home recording system.
• Read Part 2 (April 1995)
• Read Part 3 (May 1995)
• Read Part 4 (June 1995)
• Read Part 5 (July 1995)

Theatre Sequencer

Apple Notes

Martin Russ brings you the latest Apple news and tips... Theatre Sequencer.

Brian Jackson: EMI Music, Part 2

People & Politics In The Music Business

Songwriter David Bibbey continues his talk with Brian Jackson of EMI music US and steels himself for Brian's opinions on his demo...
• Read Part 1 (February 1995)