April 2003 In This Issue
To open articles, click title links
Reviews Patchable Analogue Monosynth This quirky rack synth not only offers that genuine analogue sound, but comes with built-in MIDI interfacing and a very useful degree of patchability, for exciting sound-design potential. Input Module Not only does the API 7600 offer the heritage sound of the company's renowned Legacy consoles in a stand-alone rack unit, but multiple units can also be used to build a complete small mixer for audiophile recording. Creative Labs Audigy 2 Platinum EX PC Soundcard As ever, Creative Labs' latest PC soundcard promises a lot of features for £200. But does it deliver the kind of performance that musicians need? Linux; Lindows; Sun Star Office; Edirol Audio Capture While Linux might not be ready to run your entire studio just yet, it could provide an ideal solution for a cheap additional computer to handle your everyday computing tasks, keeping the music computer safely isolated. Dan Dean Solo Instruments: Brass, Woodwinds, Strings Sample Library • Solo Brass * Score = 4 Digitalfishphones Fish Fillets Plug-in Folder Digitalfishphones Fish Fillets: PC VST, Mac OS 9 & OS X VST Time-coherent Reference Monitors Earthworks are already world-renowned for the fidelity of their microphones and preamps, and now their studio monitors are setting a new benchmark for reference quality. USB & MIDI Controller Keyboard Edirol's latest desktop music product is a controller keyboard that can also be used to control your sequencer's on-screen mixer. MIDI + Audio Sequencer For Mac OS 9 & OS X Even after their buyout by Apple, Emagic kept the Windows version of Logic 5 up to date, but now, with the upgrade to Logic 6, they've left PC users behind. Will its new features persuade anyone to switch computer platform? Sample-based Vintage Keyboard Module 10 years on from the Vintage Keys module, Emu are looking to repeat its success, this time with 128-note polyphony, 32 MIDI channels and 32MB of sample ROM. But is it a fine Vintage, or past its best? Groove Tubes GT55, GT57, GT66 & GT67 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphones Groove Tubes' versatile new mics offer a range of facilities to suit every budget. Real-time Audio Editor For Mac OS This popular shareware sample editor has grown up into a serious audio manipulation tool... Sub-harmonic Generator/Enhancer A combined sub-harmonic synthesizer and high-frequency psychoacoustic enhancer for live and studio use. Professional Sound Projects PSP84 Plug-in Folder Professional Sound Projects PSP84: Mac VST, PC VST & Direct X. MIDI + Audio Sequencer For Windows A new, affordable MIDI + Audio sequencer from Raw Material Software might be ideal for the financially challenged recording musician. MIDI + Audio Sequencer For Windows A new, affordable MIDI + Audio sequencer from Raw Material Software might be ideal for the financially challenged recording musician. Sample-based Virtual Bass Module Trilogy is big on bass — its supplied library has 3GB of sounds! Is it sweet and low, or does it plumb new depths? We find out... Reverb Processor TC's flagship reverb processor, based on the System 6000 hardware, combines 16 channels of world-beating processing with flexible and lightning-fast operation. | People + Opinion
More readers demos evaluated... Jasid = Top Demo Neil Davidge: Recording 100th Window A new Massive Attack album is always an event, and this year's 100th Window was perhaps the most eagerly anticipated yet. Like its predecessor Mezzanine, it was co-produced and co-written by Neil Davidge. The Crow Road Sheryl Crow's rise to the top has seen her use - and lose - the talents of a lot of people behind the glass, from world-famous producers to unknown songwriters. Sounding Off: by Jyoti Mishra The argument over what's considered to be real music goes on and on (and on and on)... Technique Cinema Displays; Xserve; Latest Version Of Mac OS X Apple Notes This month there's news of all the new Apple hardware and the latest version of Mac OS X, which finally offers support for the networking of MIDI and audio over Firewire, plus details of how to create a true OS 9 partition on a dual-boot Mac. MachFive; OS X; Track Groups As expected, MOTU showed Digital Performer for OS X for the first time at the recent NAMM show in California. But they also had some surprises up their sleeve... What You Need To Know The most dramatic overhaul of the Mac OS ever was ignored by most musicians until recently — and rightly, as established music applications and standards no longer run under it. But lately, there have been more and more reasons for musicians to leave OS 9 behind. If you're considering making the switch, read on... Mastering Your Tracks In Logic Logic Notes This month's workshop shows you how to go about mastering your tracks in Logic, and there are also some useful tricks for faster audio and MIDI editing. Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques This month we take a few moments to look at what lies ahead for Pro Tools in 2003, including important decisions on the Apple platform. Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques One of the many innovations to be inherited by Cubase SX/SL from Nuendo is the Project Browser, and this month we investigate some of its potential uses. Readers' Questions given the definitive Answer treatment What exactly is a modular synth? How slow is a slow release? How can I wire my 32:8:2 analogue desk to a 16-track recorder? How can I compensate for a lack of phase-reversal and EQ bypass controls on my mixer? Why do some bass notes have more 'punch' than others? Is there a problem with inputs on the Roland VS2480? Should I buy a DI box or a channel strip? Should EQ or compression be applied first? What is the advantage of recording with a higher resolution, as opposed to a higher sampling rate? Can I run V-Producer via OMS? Using Your Sequencer's Gates & Expanders Following on from our discussion of compression and limiting last month, let's look at how you can use the related processes of gating and expansion within your sequencer. Hardware Controlled Automation; Arturia Storm; Cwenc MP3 Here's some advice on getting the best out of Sonar's automation using a hardware controller, and some pointers for working with Arturia Storm as a virtual instrument. Plus, there's the free Cwenc MP3 encoder to check out, as well as another great selection of bite-sized sequencing tricks. Improving Windows Performance For Music Whatever version of Windows you're running, the chances are you can streamline it with a few simple tweaks. Dave Wraight Dave Wraight had been having trouble with his mixes, despite twice upgrading his speaker system, so the SOS team set about diagnosing and treating his monitoring problems. Synthesizing Bowed Strings: the Violin family Synth Secrets Following our success at synthesizing the sound of analogue string machines, we hone our techniques with a view to recreating the sound of the real thing... Yamaha Open Plug-in Technology (OPT); MIDI Interfaces; SF2 Library PC Notes This month we look at why MIDI interfaces aren't always to blame for your MIDI timing problems, and report on the latest news regarding Yamaha's Open Plug-in Technology. |
All Issues
Home |
Search |
News |
Current Issue |
Digital Editions |
Articles |
Forum |
Subscribe |
Shop |
Readers Ads
Advertise |
Information |
Links |
Privacy Policy |
Support
Sound On Sound : Est. 1985