Reviews
Five-band Parametric EQ Five bands of parametric EQ plus useful high-pass and low-pass filters, all for a bargain price.
Sample Shop Score = 4; Formats: Audio/REX/Refill/Akai
Dedicated QWERTY keyboard Make the most of Emagic Logic's keyboard shortcuts with this dedicated QWERTY keyboard.
Audio & MIDI Recording Software The major audio and MIDI recording applications are slowly migrating to Mac OS X, and the latest to arrive is Digidesign's Pro Tools. The upgrade also introduces powerful new project management features, Groove Template functionality and a more powerful LE version.
Sample Shop Score = 5; Format: Audio + Wave/Giga
Four-channel Mic Preamp Focusrite's new preamp offers variable input impedance and an optional multi-channel A-D converter board.
Performance Keyboard GEM have made all kinds of keyboards, from organs to home keyboards to synth workstations. Their latest incorporates physical-modelling technology, samples of famous instruments, effects, and plenty of real-time control options to form a 320-note polyphonic monster.
Sample Shop Score = 4; Soundfont/Multi-format
Multi-channel Signal Processor Kurzweil bring flexible multi-channel effects hardware within the reach of many more home studio owners.
Patchable Analogue Modular Synth System Belgian company Lassence are seeking to gain recognition as a small modular synth manufacturer with their new patchable µVentury II system. But there's plenty of competition in the homegrown analogue market these days. Does the µVentury II have what it takes?
Multi-platform Moving-fader Controller Moving-fader controllers for computer-based studios are big news at present, and Radikal's SAC 2.2 can be used with a wide range of software sequencers and instruments. Jack of all trades, or master of none? We find out...
Cutting Edge While hard drives have become the de facto data storage medium in the studio, tape is often still used for outside work, occasionally alongside a hard disk system as backup. This month, we look at the reliability of hard drives and investigate some innovative video-related products from Sony, which could soon be commonplace in the audio world.
Variphrase Synthesizer The V-Synth is a classic case of the whole being more than the sum of its parts. None of its impressive features are new — they've all been seen on previous Roland products — but nevertheless, it's the best new synth in years. We explain why...
Digital Studio Workstation Roland offer a downsized version of their flagship VS2480, providing all of the most important facilities at a much lower price point.
Valve Microphone A nine-pattern valve mic at a surprisingly low price.
Red Book CD-burning Application For Windows It's been some time since Sonic Foundry's powerful and easy-to-use CD-burning application was updated, but the new version 5 promises wider compatibility and many new features.
Digital Surround Monitor Controller A professional surround monitoring controller for a variety of speaker configurations up to 7.1
Sample Shop Score = 4; Format: Audio
Eight-channel Preamps & Audio Interfaces For PC Terratec's new professional division are looking to make a splash with their rackmounting multi-channel A-D/D-A converters, which feature SPL-designed mic amps and close integration with their EWS 88MT soundcard.
Vienna Symphonic Library Orchestral Cube & Performance Set First Editions The Vienna Symphonic Library is more than just a sample library — it's a tool that aims to help you create true-sounding orchestral performances of your own music. But are we talking Berlin Philharmonic or Portsmouth Symphonia?
Powered Monitors Yamaha's newest powered monitors deliver a solid and detailed performance, even at high playback levels.
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More SOS readers tracks get the MPG treatment Mana Erg; Jazzman; Coy
Pieces Of Silver Heavy rockers Nickelback have enjoyed amazing success with their multi-platinum album Silver Side Up. Frontman Chad Kroeger is not only their main songwriter, but also plays an active role in production and looks after an expanding business empire.
Readers demos reviewed Ariel Lerner = Top Demo.
Delta 400
Subtronix; Amnesia Valley; Lazarus Clamp; DD.
It's Not Over Until The Fat Computer Sings Paul White pontificates...
Catching Up Engineer Richard Chappell has been at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios for over 15 years — and he's spent seven of them working on Gabriel's latest solo album.
Dave Stevens' home studio This month the SOS team visit reader Dave Stevens' home studio to sort out a chesty vocal sound, investigate a mystery digital buzz, and hand out some mastering tips.
The Big Production Production music will never be glamorous, but it can be very lucrative. As head of music production at one of the UK's largest libraries, Tim Geraghty is in the perfect position to offer advice to SOS readers with an eye on this market.
Sounding Off In the calculating world of the hitmakers, the science of pop conquers all. So why doesn't it all add up to great records?
Technique
Apple Notes Apple's new 12-inch Powerbook seems perfect for musicians who are unable to afford a Titanium, but need something more powerful than an iBook. However, with the 800MHz G3 iBook now available at a new low price, is the extra cost of a Powerbook justified in terms of its performance?
Pro Tools Notes This month we begin a two-part tutorial explaining Pro Tools' powerful facilities for automating your mix.
Logic Notes There are various places in a Logic-based studio where processing delays occur, and these can really mess with the groove of your tracks, so this month we show you how to keep everything properly lined up. Also, there's the usual sackful of user tips and a clever way for v5 users to mimic one of the most useful features in v6.
Performer Notes A closer look at Digital Performer for OS X (which shall henceforth be known as DP4), and MachFive, plus the latest MAS plug-in releases.
PC Notes Installing more memory in your computer is a seemingly easy task, yet there can be so many issues to bear in mind that are often overlooked.
PC Musician As studio computers get faster, they grow noisier. Is it possible to build a machine that\'s not just quieter than a standard PC, but completely inaudible?
Cubase Notes The Logical Editor window is a powerful way to process MIDI data in Cubase, although it can often appear daunting to new users. What's more, it provides excuses for writers to dust off their Mr Spock quotes.
Studio Installation Workshop It's little use spending money on fancy mics, processors and plug-ins if your speakers are badly placed and your room's frequency response has more peaks than the Himalayas! So this month we'll be looking at practical ways to improve your recording and listening environments.
Using Your Sequencer's Equalisers There are many choices to make when equalising within your sequencer. Which type of EQ is best? How should you set up the different bands? Which controls do you need? This month, we provide the answers.
Sonar Notes This month we explore Sonar's new ASIO support, explain the advantages of recording dry while monitoring with effects, and shed some light on the knotty topic of dithering.
Synth Secrets Having looked at the mechanics of how a bowed string instrument generates its sound last month, it's time to put these principles into practice, using nothing more complex than a miniKorg 700 monophonic synth...
mLAN & Yamaha's 01X Music Production Studio With the recent announcement of Yamaha's keenly priced 01X Music Production Studio, it looks as though mLAN, the Firewire-based protocol for multi-channel digital audio and MIDI, might be about to come of age. We take an early look at the new system.
Hitting The Slot Which PCI slots you use for your expansion cards can make the difference between a music computer that runs flawlessly and one plagued by clicks, pops, crackles and interference.
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Gear Reviews
