Reviews
Active Stereo Monitors & Subwoofer If you need a monitor system that can double up for more general multimedia listening, the Exo 2.1 could be just what you're looking for...
Assignable DAW Control Surface Euphonix's EuCon control protocol first saw the light of day in their high-end digital mixers. Now it has the potential to revolutionise the world of the project studio.
Delay & Looping Effects Pedal This classy stomp box is much more than a guitar effect, and it is equally impressive on stage and in the studio.
Sample Libraries For Mac & PC EastWest/Quantum Leap launch their new 64-bit 'Play' sample engine with two sound libraries spanning nearly 50 years of rock.
Four-channel Convolution Preamp The manufacturers proudly claim that this is "the most flexible four-channel preamp in history." And it's no idle marketing boast...
USB Controller [Mac/PC] If you want hands-on control over your DAW, without the expense or inconvenient size of a multi-channel controller, the Frontier Design Alphatrack could be just what you're looking for...
Blackstar HT series Tube Pedals Blackstar HT series Tube Pedals and brief news of Waves iGTR.
Room Correction System Could this be the holy grail of studio acoustics — a room correction system that actually works?
Batch Processing Utility [Mac OSX] Need to convert files en masse into different formats or sample rates, or apply the same plug-in settings to hundreds of files at once? Minnetonka have developed a utility that could take the legwork out of the job.
Hardware Controller & Software Host For Instruments & Effects The latest incarnation of NI's Kore system introduces an updated controller, redesigned and streamlined software and a generous library of built-in sounds. So is Kore all you need to get the most out of your software instruments and effects?
USB Audio & MIDI Interface Novation's Nio offers a slightly unusual perspective and a generous collection of effects and processors, but does it have what it takes to stand out from the audio interface crowd?
Sample Shop • Big Fish Audio Suite Grooves
• Zero-G Ambiosis
• Bollywood Grooves
• M-Audio ProSessions 24 Electro Patterns Vol 1
Valve Microphones SE have updated their Gemini and multi-pattern Z5600a mics with extra facilities and better technical specs. Are they worthy contenders for space in your mic locker?
Valve Mastering Compressor The classy Phoenix rises again — but this time it has been tweaked for the mastering fraternity.
DSP System & Processing Plug-ins [Mac/PC] New plug-ins continue to emerge from Universal Audio HQ at a scary rate, and their DSP-based effects and processors are now available to laptop users for the first time.
Channel Strip Plug-in [Mac/Windows] Unique Recording Software have modelled a vast array of vintage compressors and EQs and presented the results in a single plug-in.
Software Synthesizer For Mac & PC Way Out Ware have recreated the classic ARP Axxe in software, added a step sequencer and virtual drum machine and given it a ridiculously low price-tag.
Competition
Sound Advice
| People + Opinion
Electronic Music Pioneer Few individuals have influenced the development of electronic music as much as Karlheinz Stockhausen, who died last December. We look back at his life and celebrate his many achievements.
Readers' Music Reviewed More of your tunes get critiqued by the editorial team. Sponsored by breed-media.co.uk
Mike Senior Surround? Who's even hearing stereo?!
Recording Join With Us The Feeling stormed the charts with a debut album recorded in a shed. For their follow-up, they relocated to a country mansion, but elected to stick with the DIY approach.
Technique
New Mac Pro and MacBook Air As weeks go, the first couple in January were pretty good for new Mac hardware, with Apple introducing updated Mac Pros and Xserves, along with a new stunningly thin MacBook. We dissect the potential of Apple's new offerings with a musician-shaped scalpel.
PC Notes Are you stuck on the PC upgrade bandwagon? This month, PC Notes discusses whether it might be possible to step off it, as computer power finally starts to catch up with the needs and aspirations of musicians.
Producer: Jean Beauvoir • Engineer: Fernando Kral Undisputed kings of the three-chord thrash and arguably responsible for punk rock, it took over 10 years and the theme song to a Stephen King film to secure serious US chart success for the Ramones...
Logic Notes & Techniques You're given a Logic project with a less than impressive drum recording, and you need to make it sparkle. Do you book another recording session, get down to some serious editing, or replace the whole lot with samples? Delay your decision until you've read this article...
Ableton Live Notes & Techniques New in Live 7, Drum Racks takes the Instrument Rack concept in a percussive direction. Read on to see what it can do for you and your drums...
Pro Tools Notes & Techniques Small and affordable it may be, but Digidesign's Command 8 is also a surprisingly versatile and powerful tool for controlling Pro Tools.
...And In A Hurry! Whether you're recording real players or using samples, our in-depth guide is your key to polished and authentic-sounding strings.
Digital Performer Notes & Techniques There's more useful stuff than you can shake a stick at this month, including advice on input monitoring, ways to get around latency issues, and news of CD-burning and audio networking applications to make your life easier.
Introduction To Production Music: Part 2 Last month, we explained how the business of production music works. But if you want to get into it, you'll need to learn how to make stings, cut-downs and the other elements of a usable library track.
Cubase Notes & Techniques Crafting the perfect mix is a difficult task, but often all you need is a bit of organisation to make things quicker, easier and more rewarding.
Steven Separovich This month we explore a mix in which distortion, reverb and modulation effects provide powerful alternatives to EQ.
Take a listen... Here are links to the audio files from March 2008's MIX RESCUE article, for those readers who buy the magazine from the newsagent and don't wish to type in all those long URLs.
The SOS Guide To Copyright Law On Sampling Using someone else's recording in your music without permission can lead to disaster. We explain the ins and outs of copyright law, and guide you through the process of clearing your samples.
The Foo Fighters: 'The Pretender' Iconic rockers The Foo Fighters had a worldwide smash with their record-breaking track 'The Pretender'. Rich Costey was the man behind the mix faders.
Troubleshooting Your Studio Problems This month we tackle problems that were causing a bass-heavy mix and use coat-hangers to produce better vocal recordings!
Sonar Notes & Techniques When is a soft synth not just a soft synth? When it's also an effects processor...
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Gear Reviews
