Win Audio-Technica AT4050 Urushi Microphone Worth $2,459

Deadline: 2012-05-11

Enter this month's competition for your chance to win this fabulous special edition of the AT4050 — Urushi — a hand-painted, urushi-lacquered microphone described by Paul White in its original form as a mic with “excellent technical performance” and “first-rate build quality".

Win DPA ST2006A Stereo Mic Kit Worth £1,482

Deadline: 2012-05-11

For this month's competition, DPA are kindly presenting the winner with a ST2006A stereo mic kit, comprising two DPA 2006A small-diaphragm condenser microphones with omnidirectional polar patterns.

App Works

Making Music On The Move

JG Harding takes a look at the Notion Music Progression Tab Editor for iPad, whilst Mike Watkinson examines the Camel Audio Alchemy Synth Mobile for iOS.

Audio-Technica ATM250DE

Kick Drum Microphone

This ‘two-in-one’ kick-drum mic aims to offer all the benefits of multi-miking techniques, but without the risk of phase problems.

Audix CX112B & CX212B

Condenser Microphones

The high-frequency lift on these mics from Audix might not suit everything, but for some styles of music, it could be just the ticket...

Audix CX112B & CX212B | Media

Condenser Microphones

These audio files accompany the Audix CX112B & CX212B review that featured in SOS April 2012.

Avid HDX

DSP Cards

The move from HD to HDX marks a leap into the unknown for high-end Pro Tools users. What exactly does Avid’s new DSP platform offer?

Big Fish Audio | Pop Rocks!

Sample Library

Digital Audio Workstations

Spotlight

At the heart of most modern studios is a computer running a Digital Audio Workstation, or DAW. The choice of DAWs available has increased significantly over the last few years, but if you’re new to the field it’s still hard to know which one will suit you best. Here’s a selection of the most popular packages, to help you decide.

Eventide Omnipressor & 2016SR

Native Plug-ins

Eventide are among the last of the big-name hardware manufacturers to offer their wares as native plug-ins. Has it been worth the wait?

FXpansion BFD Eco

Virtual Drum Instrument

The streamlined BFD Eco promises top-notch acoustic drum sounds at a budget price.

GForce ImpOSCar 2

Software Synthesizer

GForce’s acclaimed OSCar emulator gets a major update — and a deluxe control surface, in the shape of the Touch Digital IMP2C.

Heavyocity Damage

Sample Library

Big bangs, shattering impacts, unabated racket, sonic mayhem, deliberate destruction... Pass the earplugs, it’s Heavyocity’s new library!

Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Analogue Profiling Digital Guitar Amp

This new approach to guitar-amp simulation from the creator of the Access Virus synth promises to let you accurately capture the sound of all your favourite tube amps...

Line 6 DT25

Hybrid Guitar Amplifier

Paul White checks out the Line 6 amp that was designed in collaboration with US amp designer Reinhold Bogner.

Magix Samplitude Pro X

Digital Audio Workstation Software

Can its new look and feel, 64-bit code base and killer feature-set help Magix's heavyweight DAW muscle its way to a bigger market share?

Neumann KH120A & KH810

Active Monitors

Mic veterans Neumann turn their attention to the other end of the signal chain, with a miniature speaker that packs a big punch.

QSC K10 & KSub

Active Loudspeaker & Subwoofer

QSC’s K-Series speakers look serious enough, but can their sound wow the crowd?

Roger Schult W2377

Mastering EQ System For API Lunchbox

Employing a whopping three Lunchbox modules per channel, this EQ system may not come cheap — but it boasts some impressive features.

Sound Skulptor MP573 'Lunchbox'

Microphone Preamplifier

Hugh Robjohns tests out this redesigned version of the MP73 module from the 1U rack system (reviewed in SOS in September 2008).

Ueberschall | Jazz Colours

Sample Library

4*

Ueberschall | Urban Ballads

Sample Library

3.5*

Vermona Perfourmer 2

Analogue Synthesizer

Vermona have beefed up their four-voice synth and the result is an analogue monster with the emphasis firmly on performance.

Wharfedale PMX710

Mixer & PA Amplifier.

Wharfedale’s latest portable mixer-amp offers a compact solution for smaller venues.

Zero-G | Beats From The East

Sample Library

3*

Zoom R8

Multitrack Recorder, Sampler & Audio Interface

Zoom have created another portable recorder that’s overflowing with features and functionality. Can it be all things to all people?

Akira Kiteshi: From Dubstep To Disney

Interview | Artist

Tommy Forrest is discovering mainstream success — without compromising the hardcore sample-mangling that has made Akira Kiteshi an underground hit.

Charlie Peacock & Richie Biggs: Producing The Civil Wars' Barton Hollow

Interview | Producer

The Civil Wars chose to avoid the usual studio trickery for their debut album, and have reaped great success as a result.

DAW To DAW

Leader

Paul White's leader.

Jez Wells: When Is An Engineer Not An Engineer?

Sounding Off

Playback

Readers' Music Reviewed

The Hillmen * Little Black Holes * Primary Slave * Mine * Charlie Birnie * The Tempus * Pearl Handled Revolver

Robopop: Producing Lana Del Rey's 'Videogames'

Inside Track | Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

Lana Del Rey has topped charts worldwide with her signature retro sound — and it all started with a demo that became a viral hit.

Active Controller Technology (ACT)

Cakewalk Sonar Tips & Techniques

Dust off that hardware controller and make it your best friend in the studio, with this simple way of using Sonar's Active Controller Technology.

Control Room

Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

Manage multiple monitor mixes with Cubase’s Control Room.

Digital Performer In Windows?

MOTU Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

It's a moment we thought would never happen: DP meets Windows...

Echo

Propellerhead Reason Tips & Techniques

Straight and vintage delays, ADT, psychedelia, glitch... Is there anything Reason's Echo device can't do?

Future-proofing Using Backups

Apple Logic Tips & Techniques

Simply saving your project in Logic doesn't mean it's safe from harm. To future-proof your masterpieces, get to know your backup options.

Loops Utility; iTunes Match

Apple Notes

This month we wonder at Apple’s lasting appeal, show you how to regain the Apple Loops utility, and eat our words...

M/S Mastery

Cockos Reaper Tips & Techniques

Learn some Mid/Sides tricks in Reaper to open up your options at mastering time.

M/S Mastery | Media

Cockos Reaper Tips & Techniques

These audio files accompany the Reaper Notes article that featured in SOS April 2012.

Mix Rescue: Jokers, Jacks & Kings

Mixing & Recording Advice

This month, our mix engineer develops a reader's track and shows that the difference between an average mix and a good one is less about the quality of the gear than about what you do with it!

Mix Rescue: Jokers, Jacks & Kings | Media

Mixing & Recording Advice

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

Round Trip Latency (RTL), J-Scope Oscilloscope

PC Notes

Checking real-world latency just got easier, with a new tool from DAW Bench...

Soft Cell 'Tainted Love'

Classic Tracks

Soft Cell's cover of 'Tainted Love' not only catapulted the duo to stardom in the UK, but also went on to spend a record-breaking 43 weeks on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Step Sequencing

Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

Setting up an old-fashioned step sequencer in Ableton Live is easy.

The Mix Review | April 2012

Analysing Commercial Productions

• Lana Del Rey 'Videogames'
• Tinchy Stryder 'Off The Record'
• Emeli Sandé 'Heaven'
• One Direction 'What Makes You Beautiful'

What Data Compression Does To Your Music

Feature

Can you hear the difference between an MP3 and a WAV file? We explain how lossy audio data compression works, and how to spot the tell-tale signs it leaves behind.

What Data Compression Does To Your Music | Media

Feature

These audio files accompany the Compression article that featured in SOS April 2012.

Line 6 Stagescape & Stagesource

Modular Live Sound System

Marcus Ryle of Line 6 talks to SOS about a radical new approach to live sound.

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

When it comes to telling composers what to do, job titles are no barrier to meddling.

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. **
Internships are a long-established means of breaking into the recording industry — but where is the line between learning and being exploited?

Studio File: Avatar, New York

Inside The World's Pro Studios

In this new regular feature 'Studio File', we open the doors on some of the world's most interesting professional studios with photographer Hannes Bieger. This month's studio is Avatar in New York.

Q. Can I use my aux send/return loop, or do I need insert points?

Q. Can you recommend a low-cost heavy-duty mic stand?

Q. How important are microphone self-noise and SPL figures?

Q. Should I EQ my drum recordings?

Q. Which budget tube preamp should I buy?