June 2003 In This Issue
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Expandable 64-voice Sample-based Synths Alesis' QS6.2 and QS8.2 may induce a feeling of déjà vu — they look remarkably similar to 1995's QS6 and QS8. But eight years on, surely the spec has been significantly upgraded to reflect the passage of time...? Two-channel Preamp & A-D Converter This compact unit from Apogee offers high-end preamplification and conversion, along with a clutch of useful processing, monitoring and output facilities. Modular Software Synth (Mac/PC) The latest version of this powerful modular software synth adds Mac support at last, includes many new modules, uses less CPU power than previous versions and has a much simplified user interface. What's not to like? Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone BLUE's flagship solid-state microphone combines their trademark distinctive styling with exceptional sonics. Pattern-based Music Production Software for Windows At first sight, Cakewalk's new virtual studio suite might seem like a Reason clone — but it's actually a highly individual product, which offers a new and unique approach to creating music from patterns, sequences and loops. Open-ended DSP Platform Creamware's SCOPE Fusion Platform is a powerful and flexible PC and Mac-based music-production system that's often overlooked by computer-based musicians. We take a detailed look at the system and investigate what you might be missing. Portable Control Surface For DAWs JL Cooper's miniature controller packs 155 controls into a box the size of a book. Modelling Guitar Not content with modelling guitar amps, Line 6 have now turned their attention to the guitars themselves. Digital Audio Workstation For Windows The latest version of Magix's popular recording software adds support for native audio standards including ASIO and VST, as well as some tasty new features such as full plug-in delay compensation. Digital Line Mixer A unique problem-solver from Roland combines line mixing, sample rate conversion and a USB audio interface in a single rack space. Electronic V-Drum Kit Electronic drum kits have a bad reputation; straight away you think of nasty, pinging syndrums and unrealistic samples. But they've come a long way since the days when hexagonal red-rimmed drum pads ruled the roost, as we find out... Guitar Recording Cabinet Now you can have gain without the pain, courtesy of a sealed speaker box designed for recording electric guitars. Mic Preamp & Effects Processor TC-Helicon's new rack unit aims to provide you with every conceivable vocal recording tool, including EQ, compression, pitch-correction, double-tracking, intelligent harmony generation and effects. Analogue Performance Monosynth Ever since production of the original Minimoog ended in 1981, there have been regular attempts to create a product that would capture the hearts of keyboard players and synth fanatics everywhere in the same way. At last, the man behind the Mini has brought us the Voyager — an updated version of the original Minimoog for the 21st century. How does it compare to the original, how does it sound, and how does it play? Read this specially extended 10-page review and find out. | People + Opinion Composing For The Life Of Mammals BBC Bristol's natural history series 'The Life Of Mammals' was a high-profile production, with stunning visuals that demanded an equally impressive soundtrack. The Music Producers Guild scrutinise more readers demos Under scrutiny this month by the Music Producers Guild panellists are: Jazz Dentist; Pig; Alex Moody; Qhixldekx Chris Gehringer of Sterling Sound Mastering Engineer As one of the senior engineers at New York's famous Sterling Sound, Chris Gehringer has mastered some of the biggest hip-hop and R&B hits of recent years. Russell Emanuel & Dolph Taylor Production music's shoddy image means that many composers and producers ignore it, despite its commercial potential. Extreme Music are a London-based company who are trying to change the perception of library music. Jazz Keyboardist Joe Zawinul is perhaps the best-known and most influential keyboardist in jazz. He pioneered the use of electric keyboards and synths with Weather Report, and at 70 he's still at the peak of his powers. Studio Building For Education: Steve Gurevitz Sounding Off Music technology is being taught more widely than ever before. But who's teaching the teachers, and who's building their studios? Technique Sonar Notes Can't get rid of clicks when comping takes? You need to learn how to crossfade, and here's how... plus plenty of other Sonar-related tips. More readers' demo recordings assessed Blue Dog Yawning = Top Demo. Final Cut Pro; VST To Audio Units Apple Notes This month saw the first signs of Emagic's technology being used in Final Cut Pro. We also take a look at a utility that allows OS X-compatible VST plug-ins to be converted into Audio Units. Cutting Edge This month we look at the idea of understanding technology in terms of layers and abstractions, and how this makes it possible for a protocol like MIDI to be communicated via USB, Firewire and even Bluetooth. Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques Navigating complex arrangements can often be frustrating, but by taking advantage of Cubase's Marker Track, you can easily define a structure to simplify the process. Logic Notes Meta Messages are some of the most powerful and arcane features in Logic. But what are they, and why are they so useful? Mixer Snapshots & Automation Data Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques More automation tips this month, including how to create and use mixer 'snapshots', a few special editing hints, and an in-depth look at how Pro Tools handles automation data. OS X Version At last, Digital Performer for OS X is a reality. But does it offer any real advantages over the previous version, and more importantly, what compromises are 'cutting-edge' users going to have to make? Practical Bowed-string Synthesis (continued) Synth Secrets After putting all our bowed-string synthesis theory into practice on a Korg 700 last month, we found that the result was only acceptable as a string sound with a lot of wishful thinking. Can we improve on it? Your questions answered by the SOS crew What advantages are there to variable input impedance? How can I extract loops from audio sample CDs? Can I use the True Tape option in Cubase to prevent clipping? Should I use S/PDIF or AES for long cable runs? Can you have too much low-frequency absorption? What's the best way to use the multiple filters on my soft synth? Using Your Sequencer's Reverb Processors Reverb is vital for most types of modern music production, so it's no surprise to find that many sequencers provide a variety of reverb plug-ins. But what do all those different parameters do? Silent PCs; Generic ASIO Driver PC Notes When Björk sang "it's oh so quiet", she probably wasn't referring to her PC — however, this month we survey the current options in the world of computer silencing, report on the release of a generic ASIO driver for WDM-compatible audio devices, and enjoy Rightmark's Audio Analyser 5. |
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