May 2001 In This Issue
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Reviews Audio CD-Burning Software Martin Walker evaluates a program that bridges the gap between the limitations of typical bundled CD-writing packages and fully fledged audio editors. Truth Active Monitors Paul White evaluates a new active monitor designed to deliver professional studio accuracy at a home-studio price. Tube Channel Strip Dbx's new input channel combines tube processing with their renowned Type IV digital conversion. Paul White turns up the volume. Universal MIDI Editor/Librarian Paul White looks beneath the surface of Sound Diver 3 to discover an immensely powerful and flexible patch editor and librarian system. 64-voice World Sound Module Emu's multi-coloured assault on the sound module market continues with the Planet Earth, which houses a brand new set of ethnic and world sounds. Confirmed tree-hugger and Emu preset basher Paul Farrer takes time out from boiling a mixed-lentil casserole to check it out... Multi-pattern Tube Microphone Paul White tests Joemeek's multi-pattern contender for the valve mic heavyweight title. Digital Recording Studio Korg have seriously upgraded their original D16, adding a 'double O' for good measure. John Walden is both shaken and stirred... Music Workstation Korg's new music workstation combines the synthesis, multi-effects and sequencing capabilities of the Triton with a new performance-based interactive music generation system — one that goes way beyond traditional arpeggiators and auto-accompaniment sections for sophistication and versatility. Simon Trask is SOS's KARMA policeman... 64-voice Synthesizer Roland's new entry-level performance synth is a full-length yet lightweight synth-action keyboard with ready-to-go sounds derived from recent JV and XV expansion boards. Nick Magnus investigates the RS9's family tree. P/V Pitch-to-voltage Synth (Retro) The SPV355, launched in the late '70s, was intended to allow the pitch of instruments such as guitars and saxophones to control analogue synth sounds — which it does with varying degrees of success. Fortunately, it has other tricks up its sleeve, as Chris Carter explains. MIDI Interface Musicians using Mac and PC sequencers often complain about loose MIDI timing. Martin Walker checks out an interface from Steinberg which should solve this problem — at least for users of their sequencing software... USB Digital Recording Interface Tascam's versatile US428 combines the duties of audio interface, preamp, MIDI interface and MIDI fader surface at an attractive price, and has generated a lot of interest from musicians. Derek Johnson & Debbie Poyser test it with the Mac, while John Walden reports on the PC situation. | People + Opinion BRENDAN PERRY & QUIVVY STUDIO: Church Music Interview | Artist/Producer More and more musicians are trying to escape the sterile confines of modern commercial studios in favour of their own creative environments. Brendan Perry's highly individual recording space is uniquely suited to his eclectic style, as John Walden reports. Special Feature Musikmesse has been Europe's primary music trade show for many years, and is one of the most important occasions in the SOS calendar, as the instruments and gear announced there tend to form the basis for many of the reviews we print over the following 12 months. This year's Messe was perhaps not the busiest, but plenty of new products were still released. FX Music Control — Locating & Servicing Vintage Synths Feature | Tips & Tricks Many 'classic' analogue synths are getting on for 30 years old now, yet they are still highly sought after. Hugh Robjohns reports on a company that specialises in finding and fixing vintage electronic instruments. JOHN LECKIE: Producing Baaba Maal Interview | Producer Producer and engineer John Leckie is renowned for his work with English pop legends such as John Lennon, The Stone Roses and Radiohead. Recently, however, he left behind the comforts of Abbey Road to record one of Africa's best-known singers on location in Senegal. Sam Inglis finds out more. Microsoft's Plans For Windows XP Cutting Edge Dave Shapton exposes Microsoft's plans for Windows XP copy protection, and explains why he thinks digital mixers are on the way to becoming all-purpose control surfaces. PAUL NAGLE: Virtual Analogue Synths — Inspiring The Same Affection As Analogue Counterpart? Sounding Off Can a virtual analogue synth inspire the same affection as its genuine analogue counterpart? Paul Nagle thinks not... Readerzone They say small is beautiful, and nowhere is that idea better illustrated than in the tiny attic studio belonging to Rose Rylands, recent graduate of the BA Creative Music Technology degree course at University College Scarborough. TIM HAWES & PETE KIRTLEY: Writing & Recording Hear'Say's 'Pure & Simple' Interview | Producer The world is full of manufactured pop bands, but the innovation of the TV show Popstars is to turn the manufacturing process itself into entertainment. Sam Inglis talks to the producers behind the resulting smash hit single. Technique Advanced Gating Techniques, Part 2 Tips & Tricks Gates are far more than just problem solvers for reducing spill and noise. They can be used to add punch to drum sounds, put rhythmic interest into sustained parts or even as mixing automation, as Paul White explains. Additional material by Mike Senior. Creating Multiple-Booting PC Environments Tips & Tricks Wouldn't it be nice to have two PCs — one for office or games use and the other optimised for music? As Martin Walker explains, multiple booting may allow you to achieve the same effect without splashing out on a new computer... Atari Notes If you're an Atari owner who would also like to work with other computers, you may not have to lose access to your favourite Atari applications. Derek Johnson offers some platform-crossing suggestions. Frankfurt Launches For Apple Musicians Apple Notes Paul Wiffen has a sleep problem, sees the mLAN light, and rounds up the best of the Frankfurt launches for Apple musicians. Frequently Asked Questions Some questions we get asked are just too general to receive a specific reply. Mike Senior shows you how to come up with some answers of your own. How To Fix Vocal Tuning; Logic Upgrade; EXS24 Logic Notes This month we look at how to fix vocal tuning and timing, as well as showing how the recent Logic v4.7 upgrade improves working with Emagic's EXS24 virtual sampler. Interactive Phrase Synth; Merging MIDI Parts; Steinberg LM4 Cubase Technique This month's Cubase Technique introduces more features of the Interactive Phrase Synth, offers some handy hints on merging MIDI Parts, and provides some words of bitter experience on creating your own instruments in Steinberg's LM4 drum machine. Playback Readers' Music Reviewed Sarah Stone * Mark Taylor * Swivel * Pangloss * Elfin * Durutti * Jynx * Andrew Green * Shiver * Jimsey Performer Notes This month Robin Bigwood concludes his look at MOTU's RAM-based recorder POLAR, and explains how to get software instruments working with Digital Performer via FreeMIDI and OMS. Q & A Q. Is it possible to update my portable HD recorder? Practical Phrase Sampling For Modern Music Production, Part 2 Tips & Tricks In part 2 of this series, Oli Bell offers advice on choosing a sampler for modern styles, finding and using samples from the Internet, and deciding which sample CDs to buy. PC Notes Martin Walker muses on whether there is really any such thing as a bad soundcard, and extends some helpful advice on how to make sure you get the right one for your needs. Synth Secrets, Part 25: Synthesizing Brass Instruments Tips & Tricks Gordon Reid builds on the acoustic theory of wind and brass instruments he introduced last month, and explains how to produce a convincing analogue trumpet sound. Tonos.com: Musicians Collaborating Online Net Notes With music professionals at the helm and software from Emagic, Tonos.com is another way for musicians to collaborate online. Mark Wherry makes some connections. Music Business Big George's Guide To Commercial Success: Pitching For A Job Feature | Tips & Tricks Big George is pitch perfect from the media song sheet this month. |
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