WIN: Remote SL Controllers from Novation

Deadline: 2007-05-01

Coinciding with the launch of Automap Universal, we have not one, not two, but six great prizes from Novation's Remote SL range to give away. First prize is the five-octave Remote 61SL, the largest in the SL range, while second and third prize winners will receive a Remote 37SL and a Remote 25SL respectively. Three lucky runners-up will each win a Remote Zero SL, which has no keys, X-Y touchpad or modulation joystick, but features the same brain as the rest of the SL range.

AEA R92 & TRP

Studio Ribbon Microphone & Preamp

This classy ribbon mic doesn't just look great — AEA's thoughtful design means that it also offers great results.

Algorithmix PEQ Red & Blue

EQ Plug-ins For Windows

Mastering engineers are notoriously fussy about EQ, and until now, plug-in manufacturers have struggled to compete with the best hardware designs. Can Algorithmix's Red and Blue change hearts and minds?

Avantone Mixcubes

Secondary Reference Monitors

Do your mixes translate well to radio or consumer audio systems? If not, the Mixcubes might be just what you need...

Coleman SR5.1 MkII

Surround Sound Monitor Controller

If you're in the market for a good-quality, no-frills surround monitor controller, this may be just what you're looking for.

Focal Twin 6

Studio Monitor Speakers

If you like the bright sound of beryllium tweeters, these active monitors might make for a pleasant departure from the usual suspects.

Guitar Technology

Gear Reviews, Tips and Techniques

• Phil Jones Bass Buddy - Bass Guitar Recording DI Box
• Little Labs STD - Instrument Cable Extender

Korg Legacy Analogue

Software Synth For Korg OASYS

Korg bring the MS20 and the Polysix to the OASYS and introduce a major OS update.

Milab DC196

Capacitor Microphone

There's no law to say that microphone diaphragms must be circular, and in fact a rectangular diaphragm such as the one inside this Swedish mic can offer some unique and useful characteristics.

MOTU 8Pre

Firewire Audio Interface [Mac/PC]

We take an in-depth look at MOTU's most affordable Firewire audio interface yet.

Outsim Synth Maker

Modular Synth & DSP Programming Environment For Windows

If you've ever fancied creating your own VST plug-in synths and effects, Outsim's slick development tool might just have made the process that bit easier.

Roland SH201

Analogue Modelling Synthesizer

The SH201 - a versatile new modelling synth from Roland or a cash-in on past glories? Let's find out...

Rupert Neve Designs Portico

Duo Mic Preamp & 5-band Equaliser

We take our first look at the excellent new Portico range by Rupert Neve Designs - and they don't disappoint.

Sample CDs On Test

Sample Libraries

Three more recently released libraries get installed and tested to oblivion!
• Muse • Chris Hein Guitars • Sample Lab Luscious Grooves: The Dark Side

Speck X Sum

Analogue Summing Mixer

Boasting 16 channels, a transparent sound and bags of headroom, there's more to this innocent-looking creature than meets the eye.

TF Pro M16

16-channel Mic Preamp

With 16 mic preamps and a built-in mixer, the M16 certainly delivers on quantity. Can it deliver on quality too?

Ueberschall Liquid Instruments The Voice

Virtual Vocal Instrument [Mac/PC]

The latest offerings in Ueberschall's Liquid Instruments series focus on vocals, aiming to provide you with a flexible band of personal backing vocalists via a front-end based on Celemony's Melodyne.

Crosstalk

Your correspondence

Another batch of our readers' views get aired...

Playback

Readers' Music Reviewed

Another group of masochists offer their self-recordings up for scrutiny by the SOS editorial team. Read it and weep?

Sounding Off: Where Will You Learn?

Mike Newbon

This month, studio engineer Mike Newbon gets on his soapbox...

The Walkmen: Recreating Pussy Cats

Workshop

You've got four weeks left until your studio closes. How to make best use of that time? The Walkmen's answer was to recreate their favourite album, note for note, in all its drunken and shambolic glory.

What I Really Really Want

Paul White's Leader

Editor In Chief Paul White ruminates over a few pet gripes...

All You Wanted to Know About Subwoofers

...But Couldn't Find On The Internet! ***

If you want to get your low-frequency monitoring right, a subwoofer can be your best friend — or your worst enemy! Learn how to optimise your setup...

Audio Networking With Digital Performer

Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

Last month, we looked at OS X's Network MIDI capabilities, and how they get along with DP. This time, we go even further, into the brave new world that is network audio and remote access. Prepare to give your network connection a workout...

Better Bass: The Complete Guide To Recording, Mixing & Monitoring The Low End

Sound Workshop

CLASSIC TRACKS: The Ronettes 'Be My Baby'

Producer: Phil Spector • Engineer: Larry Levine

Phil Spector was one of the first producers to realise that a recording studio could be an instrument in itself - and the sound he created over 40 years ago has influenced popular music ever since.

Exploring PC Spectral Multi-band Plug-ins

PC Musician

There are now quite a few plug-ins on the market that have the ability to split audio into hundreds or thousands of bands and treat them separately, paving the way for a variety of weird and wonderful effects. Are you brave enough to enter the frequency zone?

Mix Rescue

Generals & Majors

Drum-recording problems and an inappropriate choice of vocal mic threatened to hamstring this month's hard rock track by New York rock band Generals & Majors.

Mix Rescue: Audio Files

Audio Files for newsstand readers

To save newsstand buyers of the magazine from keyiong in long URLs by hand, here are the links to the various MP3 files that accompany the APRIL 2007 instalment of Mix Rescue. NOTE: the online article itself is available for the first 8 months only to paid subscribers, but the audio files are accessible to everyone.

Multi-band Compression

Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

Dynamics processing plays an important part in almost all modern music production. We look at some practical examples using Cubase 4's built-in dynamics plug-ins.

OS X Quartz; Quartz Composer

Apple Notes

While Mac users continue to wait in anticipation for new Mac hardware and software, we take a look a really neat application you might not realise you even own, which lets you create your own MIDI- and audio-based visual performances.

Rewiring Live In Pro Tools

Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

Rewiring Live through Pro Tools can open up a world of new possibilities for both applications.

Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Jason Goldstein

Beyoncé's 'Déjà Vu' and 'Irreplaceable'

Beyoncé's second solo album, B'Day, has yielded two of the biggest singles of the year. Jason Goldstein shows us how he put together hit mixes for 'Déjà Vu' and 'Irreplaceable'.

Software Re-install, Vista For Musicians

PC Notes

If you ever have to re-install all your software after a PC upgrade, there are tricks that can save you a lot of time, and also help you to be more organised in the future. PC Notes rounds them up, as well as keeping you up to date on Vista compatibility for musicians.

Step Sequencing In Logic

Logic Notes & Techniques

Step sequencing is often regarded as a pastime of '80s revivalists, but it can be used effectively in Logic to produce creative results in all kinds of music.

Studio SOS

Duncan Drury

This month, the SOS team visit a student's studio to help him overcome a few teething troubles...

Using Session Drummer 2 In Sonar 6

Sonar Notes & Techniques

Sonar's Session Drummer has evolved from a MIDI plug-in to a sophisticated tone module that also includes pattern playback capabilities. We take a look beneath the surface.

What's New In Pro Tools 7.3

Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

In this month's column, we give you the low-down on the wealth of new features coming your way in the version 7.3 updates to Pro Tools TDM and LE.

Recording Contracts Explained

Our guide to contract terms, written by an entertainment lawyer

A recording contract might seem like the Holy Grail, but record labels are not charity concerns and their contracts are not set up with your interests in mind. Our guide to contract terms, written by an entertainment lawyer, explains what it all means and what the implications are for the artist.

Q. Do I need a bright vocal sound, and how do I achieve it?

Q. Do RAM voltages make a difference?

Q. What accessories do I need with my Vocal Microphone?

Q. Which order for mix processors?

Q. Why do people stand Monitors upside down?