Win Fishman Solo SA220 PA System Worth £1,349

Deadline: 2012-04-22

The Solo SA220 offers two channels of mic or line input with switchable phantom power, and is up for grabs in this month's competition!

Apogee Duet 2

Audio Interface

Apogee's Duet 2 puts the company’s famed A-D/D-A conversion into a box that’s attractive in terms of both styling and price...

App Works

Making Music On The Move

Mike Watkinson reviews One Red Dog's Arctic Keys, a subtractive synth for iPad, whilst Hugh Robjohns puts TigApp's Audio Audit, an audio test app for iPhone and iPod Touch, to the test.

Arturia MiniBrute

Analogue Monosynth

Arturia have broken away from their soft-synth roots with the MiniBrute, a 100 percent analogue monosynth. We put it to the test in our world-exclusive review.

Audio-Technica AT2031

Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Audio-Technica’s latest ‘pencil’ mic is designed to provide a high-frequency boost. Could this help lift sources out of a busy mix?

Avid Pro Tools 10

Digital Audio Workstation Software

With Pro Tools now catering for such a wide range of users, can the latest version provide both value and satisfaction for everyone?

BAE 1073 DMP

Microphone Preamplifier

BAE's latest take on the classic Neve 1073 preamp design is presented in a sturdy, portable format. But does it deliver the familiar Neve sound?

BAE 1073 DMP | Media

Microphone Preamplifier

These media files accompany the BAE 1073 DMP review that appeared in SOS March 2012.

Best Service | Forest Kingdom

Sample Library

5*

Big Fish Audio | Epic Drums II

Sample Library

4*

Big Fish Audio | Pop n' Soul Guitars

Sample Library

4*

Blue Reactor

Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone

Blue’s new Reactor is certainly eye-catching, but does it sound as good as it looks?

Canford Audio

Phantom Power Supply

Hugh Robjohns scrutinises this phantom power supply from Canford Audio.

Casio Privia PX3

Stage Piano

An 88-note hammer-action stage piano as affordable as this seems far too good to be true. Is there a catch?

Cinesamples CineBrass

Sample Library

West Coast samplists Cinesamples stay ethical with their major new orchestral brass library.

Cycling 74 Max 6

Modular Audio Processing Environment

The latest version of Max might not look revolutionary, but its familiar appearance conceals some big changes.

Diago Little Smasher

Guitar Amplifier

Paul White takes a look at this solid-state 5W guitar-amp head with enough gain to create blues or rock overdrive effects.

Event 20/20 BAS

Active Monitors

Since Event changed ownership in 2006, their popular 20/20 BAS monitor has been completely redesigned, and relaunched at a very attractive price.

G-Force Software | The Streetly Tapes Vol. 1

Sample Library

5*

HK Audio Elements

PA System

Following the review of the HK Audio Elements in August 2011, Paul has been putting the PA system through its paces for the past 6 months in order to give an 'extended test' review.

Ingram Engineering MPA685

Dual-channel Microphone Preamplifier

It takes a lot these days to set a boutique mic preamp apart from the crowd. Does Ingram’s flagship design have what it takes?

Inta Audio i7 Ultimate Music PC

Studio Computer

Does this luxuriously specified audio PC justify its premium price tag?

Izotope Ozone 5 Advanced

Mastering Software

Izotope’s do-everything mastering suite expands again, with a new Advanced version offering even more user control.

Keyboard Synthesizers

Spotlight

Self-contained keyboard synths have an immediacy that is seldom matched by synth modules or software instruments. There's a great variety of them available at the moment, but how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s a selection of the models we've looked at over the last couple of years, with links to the SOS reviews, to help you decide.

Popper Blocker

Live Microphone Accessory

J G Harding takes a look at this microphone accessory that promises "No more pops!!!" (sic).

Prodipe IEM3

In-ear Monitors

If you’ve always thought in-ear stage monitoring was out of your league, maybe it’s time to think again...

Soundcraft Si Compact 24

Digital Mixing Desk

Soundcraft’s compact desk is designed to offer digital power and versatility combined with an operator-friendly ‘analogue feel’.

Turbosound Milan M15 & M18

Active PA Speakers & Subwoofer

The M15 active speaker promises Turbosound’s trademark warm sound, while the M18 subwoofer is designed to add some extra low-end level.

Zoom H2N

Portable Recorder

Zoom’s latest recorder ups the ante on the features front — even including M/S recording — but remains very affordable.

Hugh Robjohns: When Boutique's Not So Chic

Sounding Off

SOS Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns ponders whether 'boutique' actually means 'better'.

Jon Burton (The Prodigy): Outdoor Sounds — Engineering Sound For Festival Events

Interview | Engineer

With the festival season fast approaching, The Prodigy's live sound-man, Jon Burton, talks to some of those involved about the unique demands of running open-air shows.

JR Rotem

Interview | Songwriter & Producer

A combination of hard work, business acumen and old-fashioned musicality have brought JR Rotem huge success as a hip-hop and R&B songwriter and producer.

Miracles Take A Little Longer

Leader

Paul White's leader.

Noah '40' Shebib: Recording Drake's 'Headlines'

Inside Track | Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

Drake’s atmospheric, brooding sound has revitalised hip-hop, selling millions in the process. The man behind that sound is Noah '40' Shebib.

Paul Butler & Michael Kiwanuka: Recording Home Again

Interview | Producer

The meteoric rise of Michael Kiwanuka has been founded on strong songs, great singing and Paul Butler’s unique production style.

Playback

Readers' Music Reviewed

Breton * Ove Engen * RJ Thompson * Burning Wire

Crafting Loud Mixes That Sound Great

Tips & Techniques

Just how do you make a mix sound loud without squeezing the life out of the music? Find out in our in-depth guide...

Crafting Loud Mixes That Sound Great | Media

Tips & Techniques

This bonus content accompanies the Crafting Loud Mixes article that appeared in SOS March 2012.

Don McLean 'American Pie'

Classic Tracks

The story of Don McLean's 'American Pie' goes from cryptic beginnings to massive chart success, and an eventual position as a perennial US radio favourite.

iTunes Match

Apple Notes

Our intrepid columnist gets down and dirty with iTunes Match, confirming that it may indeed change the way people consume music.

Loop Recorder

Cockos Reaper Tips & Techniques

Build your own loop recorder in Reaper and test the limits of your creativity.

Mix Rescue: Kayle Clements

Mixing & Recording Advice

Programmed classical and film music demands convincing use of sample-based instruments. But how do you achieve this? Our engineer explains, as he takes on this month’s remix...

Mix Rescue: Kayle Clements | Media

Mixing & Recording Advice

These audio files accompany the Mix Rescue article that featured in SOS March 2012.

Multitracking Drums

Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

If you’ve ever wanted to tighten the timing of multitrack drums in Cubase, look no further...

ProChannel Flexibility

Cakewalk Sonar Tips & Techniques

Previously a hard-wired channel strip, ProChannel is now an 'open' plug-in host offering unprecedented effects order flexibility — which can make a huge difference to your sound...

Rewiring Live

Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

Reason 6 and Live make a great double act, and now it’s even easier to Rewire them together...

Snap & Nudge Editing

Apple Logic Tips & Techniques

We're reading between the lines in Logic this month, with a look at editing using the snap and nudge facilities.

The Echo

Propellerhead Reason Tips & Techniques

Reason 6's fabulous new device, The Echo, makes the creation of sophisticated delay-based effects child's play.

The Mix Review | March 2012

Analysing Commercial Productions

• Lady Antebellum 'We Owned The Night'
• Cher Lloyd 'With Ur Love'
• Snow Patrol 'Called Out In The Dark'

Thunderbolt Technology Vs AMD Products

PC Notes

As the PC world embraces Thunderbolt technology on new devices and peripherals, AMD weigh in with budget-priced competition...

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

If you make music for a living, now’s the time to unite with others to protect your rights.

Off The Record (US Edition Only)

Music & Recording Industry News

** This article was originally printed in the US Edition of Sound On Sound only, but is available online to all subscribers. **
The rewards for studios that offer film-sound services can be substantial, but do they risk alienating clients who just want to record music?

Q. Can I use two completely different mics in an M/S array?

Q. Does it make sense for me to mix with a mono 'grot box'?

Q. How can I make using headphones less fatiguing?