April 2004 In This Issue
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Competition WIN Lexicon Omega recording interface Deadline: 2004-05-30 3 lucky people have the chance to compete to each win one of the enticing Omega 24-bit recording Interfaces from Lexicon. Reviews Audio Editor For Windows If the established pro applications are out of your price league, then this highly affordable stereo editor might prove a genuine alternative. Multi-pattern Capacitor Mic This entry-level, large-diaphragm mic has enough facilities to grow with your needs, and comes complete with case and suspension shockmount. Resynthesizing Additive Soft Synth Resynthesis promises to combine the realism of a sampler with the flexibility of a synth. A great idea, but no-one has really made it work — until now... PCMCIA Audio Interface For PC/Mac Laptops Echo's original Indigo was perfect for those who wanted to add a high-quality audio output to their laptop without taking up more space. The new IO version adds a stereo input and multi-client drivers, increasing its appeal even more. Multiple-Synthesis Keyboard & Sequencer Elektron maintain their reputation for producing unusual, innovative instruments with the bizarrely shaped Monomachine; it features six types of synthesis engine, a versatile sequencer, and effects. Is it refreshingly original, or a step too far? Active Studio Monitors Event up their game once again with their best ever design for project-studio monitoring. But have they come far enough to continue to face off the competition? Kirk Hunter Orchestral Brass Ensembles 10-DVD Gigastudio Sample Library Retailing at a paltry nine pounds per Gigabyte, this huge orchestral brass library from the USA appears to offer a big-screen experience at a Blockbusters price. Is there a catch? Sample Library • Atsiã * Score = 5 Modelling Bass Guitar Preamp This updated Line 6 unit combines improved amp modelling, compression, enhanced EQ, and a sizeable repertoire of modelled stomp-box effects. Amp Simulator & Effects (Pro Tools) If you want to trust your guitar sound to a plug-in rather than a real box of valves, there are already plenty of options — but McDSP's Chrome Tone is a little out of the ordinary. Valve Recording Channel Mindprint have overhauled the electronics in their popular valve recording channel, and have also added extra facilities and an optional USB recording and monitoring interface. Laptop Music PC Although Centrino laptops have advantages in terms of weight and battery life, standard Pentium 4 CPUs still offer the ultimate in performance, and Nu Systems's desktop replacement machine is a processing heavyweight. PSP, Soundhack, Universal Audio This month PSP Easyverb; Soundhack Spectral Shapers and Universal Audio's 1176LN/SE & LA2A plug-ins are tested. S•Amp, S•Monitor, S•Mix, S•Direct & S•Convert Problem Solvers Samson 'S' Series Samson's compact 'S'-series boxes solve a variety of studio problems without getting in the way. Mic & Instrument Preamp Not only does this little preamp give pure class-leading performance, but it also offers clever dynamics processing on board and an optional built-in A-D converter. Useful Accessories Ergonomic Computer Mouse from Designer Appliances Quill Powercore Audio Restoration Plug-ins Algorithms that remove artifacts such as clicks, scratches and broadband noise from digital audio require as much processing power as possible. TC's new suite of restoration tools harnesses both the host computer's CPU and the DSP of their Powercore system. Mac & PC Multi-channel Audio Interface The Phase 88 is the successor to Terratec's popular eight-in/eight-out EWS 88MT PCI soundcard with breakout box. | People + Opinion Recording Electronica In producing their complex, abstract electronica, Autechre have taken the idea of the studio as an instrument to new extremes... Readers' Recordings Another group of Music Producers Guild members proffer their constructive comments on the recordings of more SOS readers... Leader Editor-in-Chief Paul White suggests that non-conformity and individualism might be one recipe for longterm musical success. Recording Metallica's St. Anger Bob Rock Bob Rock has been responsible for some of the biggest rock and metal albums of the last 20 years, including nearly all of Metallica's output since 1991. Last year's St. Anger saw band and producer reinventing the genre with a savage, thrash-oriented sound that has divided fans and critics. Recreating New Order's 'Blue Monday' Live Roger Lyons In 1983, New Order sold over three million copies of their 12-inch single 'Blue Monday' and it has remained a classic. SOS spoke to producer, musician and New Order fan Roger Lyons, to find out how he helped the band bring the track back to life. Ethan Winer An expert in acoustic treatment argues that a proper recording studio is much more than a collection of great gear. Technique Logic Notes This month we continue our advice on working to picture in Logic with tips on how to work around your visual hit points. Apple Notes We take a look at the newest member of Apple's iLife suite and discover that youthful looks, adolescent attitude and long hair are not required to join this GarageBand. Digital Performer Notes The plug-in and inter-application software world grows ever richer for DP users, and a set of new features for the program is announced at the NAMM show mdash; including, at last, a 'beat-slicing' function. Artist: The Rolling Stones; Engineer: Chris Kimsey In 1981, 'Start Me Up' became one of the Rolling Stones' biggest hit singles. Yet it was actually a reject from a previous session, and only saw the light of day because its infamous co-writers had fallen out... Creative Synthesis With Yamaha XG XG Masterclass: Part 1 There are lots of XG-format synthesizers in home studios, but their General MIDI heritage discourages many owners from using them. However, there's life in your XG module yet if you're willing to explore its hidden depths. Reader Recordings Analysed Another batch of lucky SOS readers' demos wait nervously for the Doctor's prognosis. What is the verdict? Listen while you read on... DSP-assisted Audio Effects & Latency PC Musician Extra DSP assistance to help your PC's processor cope with effects treatments used to be the province of the pro. Now there's a wide range of DSP-equipped cards to fit all budgets — but many people don't realise the latency issues that might be involved in using some of them. From Analogue To Digital Effects Synth Secrets When synthesizing sounds, the effects you place after your synth's output are often as important as the synth itself (just think of last month's Leslie). As we near the end of Synth Secrets, we consider how a digital effects processor works. Using Apple Laptops For Music It's been possible to make music on Apple laptops for many years now, but creating a working mobile system is harder than it looks. Fortunately, one SOS contributor has years of experience to pass on... Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques As more musicians and audio engineers begin to explore the potential of surround sound in project studios, we take a look at Cubase SX 2's revised multi-channel architecture, which gives it advanced surround capabilities. Plug-ins; Rewire; Gated Effects; Bouncing Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques Public service time in Pro Tools Notes this month as we respond to user queries on recording via plug-ins and Rewire, creating gated effects, and bouncing. Solutions to Reader Problems What kind of Headphones? How do I get rid of Pops and Clicks from my Soundcard? How do I remove an uneven Bass Response. Can I get more Polyphony from Roland D-series synths? Where should I locate my Subwoofer? Cutting Edge At a time when audio quality is supposedly getting better, compressed formats are dominating consumer digital devices and services. Cutting Edge takes issue with the trend away from full-resolution playback. Tonewheel Organ Implementations Compared The tonewheel organ is back in vogue, aided by various recent 'virtual' renditions of the real thing, and Hammond's release of the New B3. But how faithful does the software sound? We look at two contenders... Sonar Notes The latest Sonar update optimises the software for multi-processor PCs, as well as adding new operational features. Read on to find out what they'll mean to you, and explore another crop of tips and techniques. Chris Brockis Chris Brockis had been having trouble mixing in his attic home studio, so he enlisted the help of the trusty SOS team. |
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