June 2004 In This Issue
To open articles, click title links
Competition WIN Rode K2 Tube Mic or NT2000 Multi-pattern Capacitor Mic Deadline: 2004-07-30 This month HHB Communications, Rode's UK distributor, have kindly agreed to give away two Rode microphones to Sound On Sound readers. First prize is a Rode K2 multi-pattern tube microphone with an RRP of £570. Second prize is Rode's NT2000 multi-pattern capacitor mic (RRP £450). Reviews 8-channel Preamp & A-D/D-A Converter Eight channels of high-spec mic preamplification, A-D/D-A conversion, and ADAT lightpipe I/O, all at a remarkable price. Is it too good to be true? Valve Compressor This new dual-channel compressor combines valve circuitry with an opto-compressor design. But does it deliver the best or the worst of both worlds? East West/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Orchestral Sample Library It's another multi-DVD orchestral library! Does it merit a thunderous introductory timp roll or a feeble tap on a vibraslap? Find out... 1820M • 1820 • 1212M PC Soundcard & Software Sampler Emu's new range of soundcards offers an unprecedented level of flexibility, DSP power and sound quality for the price — with the added bonus of a very impressive software sampler. Assignable USB MIDI Controller Keyboard Evolution's new class-compliant MIDI keyboards are a cinch to use with computer-based sequencers. But do they perform as well as their spec suggests? Korg Legacy Collection (Part 1) Virtual Instrument/Hardware Controller Now that Korg's Legacy Collection is properly complete, we follow up last month's preview with the first instalment of our three-part review. This month, we focus on the Korg Wavestation plug-in... Sample Looping Instrument: Mac & PC NI have taken the technology behind Kontakt, and used it to build a sampler that's all about loops. Latest Plug-ins reviewed We test and report on another crop of highly insertable software Plug-ins: OS X Sample & Instrument Manager For EXS24 Multi-gigabyte sample libraries offer unprecedented realism and lots of potential for confusion. Redmatica's neat OS X utility allows Emagic EXS24 users to tame their unruly sample collections. Digital Multitracker This new recording workstation is the most affordable and portable of the VS series, but it still lets you record, mix, and master all in the one box. Dual-valve Capacitor Microphone This impressive new mic from SE Electronics uses two valves instead of the usual one. But does it actually make any sonic difference? Tannoy Ellipse 10 IDP & TS212 IDP Digital Loudspeaker System Tannoy's latest-generation Ellipse technology has been combined with DSP processing from TC Electronic, creating a versatile and powerful high-resolution monitoring system. | People + Opinion Music Producers Guild recording assessments More constructive comments from MPG (Music Producers Guild) members on SOS readers' submitted recordings. Kid 606, Cex & The Tigerbeat6 Label Tiger Tales There's some amazing music being made in bedrooms these days. And bringing it to the wider public is the job of the Tigerbeat6 label, whose stars include label founder Kid 606 and Rjyan Kidwell, aka Cex. Loneliness and the Long-distance Programmer Sounding Off Paul Wiffen reflects on the evolving role of the programmer and the lonely life of the modern studio musician. Tore Johansson Cardigans producer Tore Johansson was thrown into unfamiliar musical territory when asked to produce the debut album by Scottish guitar band Franz Ferdinand, but the result was a commercial and artistic triumph. Thermionic Culture Valve Designs Vic Keary SOS talks to a British designer who thinks audio in the 21st century is still best served by tube. Technique What software you need and how best to do it! Beat-slicing can radically expand the creative potential in your loop library — you can match tempos and key signatures, rearrange loop events, and delve into inspirational sound design. SOS looks at all the leading beat-slicing software and shows you how to get the best from this powerful technique within your sequencer. CLASSIC TRACKS: 'Wuthering Heights' Artist: Kate Bush; Producer: Andrew Powell; Engineer: Jon Kelly Kate Bush's 1978 smash hit debut single was also the first major project Jon Kelly had recorded. It proved to be a dream start for both artist and engineer, and a perfect illustration of the benefits of working with talented session musicians. Creative Synthesis with Yamaha XG XG Masterclass: Part 3 In this final instalment of our series of XG programming tips, we take a look at how the advanced modulation parameters can bring your layered sounds to life. Readers' Recordings Assessed Listen to the tracks while you read what the Doctor thought of another batch of lucky SOS readers' demos. How do they affect your music? Many of the articles in SOS, not to mention the specifications for audio hardware and software, use the terms fixed point numbers, floating point numbers and decibels. But what do terms like this actually mean? And what are the consequences for our music? PC Musician Increasing numbers of musicians want to gig with their computers — but home PCs are fragile and laptops may not always be powerful or adaptable enough. So what are your alternatives, and what measures can you take to protect the centrepiece of your live set? Hyperthreading & Spring-cleaning PC Notes This month, we find out whether Hyperthreading is hyper-helpful to the musician and discover some new freeware. First, though, it's time to spring-clean that Windows Registry... More Creative Synthesis with Delays Synth Secrets In the penultimate instalment of this long-running series, we delve deeper into what can be achieved with just a few delays and some creative routing... Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques A common occasion for grief in Pro Tools is when moving projects from one system to another. Here are some tips to help you keep your hair. Apple Notes Apple had some interesting announcements to make at this year's US National Association of Broadcasters show, including improvements to the eMac and portable line-up. Real-time Jam Sessions in Logic Logic Notes Learn how to set up Logic's Environment so that you can jam with other musicians in real time on a single system. Recording A Live Choral Performance From miking to mixdown The story of a multi-miked location recording session, from pre-concert setup to post-recording, software-controlled mixdown. Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques If you get that sync'ing feeling when using Cubase in conjunction with external hardware devices, you may need to know more about its synchronisation options. This month's column explains what's what. Using your MIDI Synth to control Plug-ins Digital Performer Notes Fancy turning your knob-laden MIDI synth into a control surface for tweaking plug-in synths? DP's Consoles make this kind of application possible. Sonar Notes This month we investigate a new DXi option that makes vocal manipulation as easy as editing MIDI data. Plus the usual haul of Sonar power tips... Sound Advice
|
All Issues
Home |
Search |
News |
Current Issue |
Tablet Mag |
Articles |
Forum |
Subscribe |
Shop |
Readers Ads
Advertise |
Information |
Digital Editions |
Privacy Policy |
Support
Sound On Sound : Est. 1985