June 2006 In This Issue
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Competition WIN 5 copies of ARTURIA Brass software instruments worth £1000 Deadline: 2006-07-31 Arturia's latest addition to their virtual instrument line-up is Brass, a software instrument for the modelling of — you've guessed it — brass. The plug-in is the combination of serious research into brass instruments at IRCAM, France's unique music and acoustics research facility, and Arturia's quest to bring the wonders of brass to the computer-based masses. This month, Arbiter, Arturia's UK distributor, have kindly agreed to give away full copies of Brass, worth £200 each, to five lucky Sound On Sound readers. Reviews Computer
Analogue Mixer
Digidesign Hybrid & Music Production Toolkit Analogue-style Synth & Plug-in Bundle For Pro Tools What could be more tempting than a sweet-sounding virtual analogue synth? How about that same synth bundled with a bunch of high-quality plug-ins targeted at music production? East West Symphonic Orchestra Pro XP Orchestral Expansion Library [Mac OS X/Win XP]
Gear Reviews, Tips and Techniques • Can a Power Soak really give you 'loud tone' without volume? MIDI-CV Converter
A-D/D-A Converter & Interface [Mac OS X/Windows] With even the cheapest soundcards now offering 24-bit, 192kHz recording, is it still worth investing in high-end converters? Lynx certainly think so... Semi-weighted USB MIDI Controller Keyboard Controller keyboards are fitting ever more control facilities into progressively smaller units costing less and less. Is the Axiom 25 M-Audio's best deal yet? Latest releases • Sony Sound Series: Trance NRG2 USB Condenser Microphone If you want the simplest possible computer recording setup, it doesn't come much more straightforward than this: a mic that plugs straight into your Mac or PC's USB ports. Condenser Microphones These two new SE models may come in at an entry-level price, but they are both highly capable capacitor mics, each with a distinctly different sound character. SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Stand-mounted Acoustic Absorber
Hardware MIDI Sequencer If you thought the days of hardware sequencing were past, think again — Sequentix's P3 is a tremendously flexible MIDI sequencer whose power is concealed beneath a cool retro exterior. We step to it... PC Audio Editing & Mastering Suite
DSP Card & Plug-in for Yamaha Mixers & Multitrackers Waves are tempting owners of Yamaha digital hardware with an updated DSP board and a new selection of additional plug-in processors. Active Monitors
Workstation Synth
Software Sampler Building on their modular software instruments, Yellow Tools' Independence is a combined software sampler and workstation synth. But it faces a lot of competition. What makes it stand out from the rest? Live Sound Feedback Destroyer Pro
Wireless audio system for PA How many times have you wished you had a magic wireless link from your desk to the stage? At some venues it can be a real problem trying to find a route for speaker cables that does not cross public access areas or look unsightly, but now the Liberty system could provide the answer... Passive PA speakers
UHF wireless microphone system The radio microphone marketplace is becoming a busy place these days, but it's always interesting to look at a new system that aims to provide good-quality performance while being very straightforward to set up and operate. Headphone Delay A dedicated headphone delay might seem like a bit of a luxury, but it could make life a lot more pleasant for the working engineer. 16-channel live sound mixer
Active PA speakers Although Renkus-Heinz is a well-known name in high-end PA components, it's not one often seen on the stages of more modest gig venues — but that may be set to change with the arrival of the new CF/CFX series. Using modelling guitar preamps on stage Sound Workshop Guitar preamps that use digital modelling technology have found their way into vast numbers of studios. But do they have a useful place on stage, and what do you need to know if you want to use one live? What is Class-D amplification? The benefits explained If you're under the impression that Class-D amplifiers are just 'three letters worse' than Class-A ones, think again: Class-D technology is making an increasing impact on the live sound world by offering more power with less weight than ever before. We find out how and why... | People + Opinion Paul White's Leader Will the day come when we will see our synths and processors as external rackmount gear? Record Producer
Roger Nichols: Across The Board The Current State Of Affairs This month, Roger tackles some questions from his bulging virtual postbag... Technique Addressing Latency Problems In Pro Tools LE Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques One of the best features of TDM-based Pro Tools systems is the negligible latency, or input-to-output delay, while recording. So what is the best way to deal with this problem if you have only an LE system? Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques When Cubase VST became Cubase SX, one of the big improvements was a better automation system for audio-based tracks and channels. This month, we show you how to make the most of this newer system. CLASSIC TRACKS: 'Our House' by Madness Producers: Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley Producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley helped to make Madness one of the most successful British bands of the '80s. Find out how they worked their magic on this 1982 classic pop track... Effective Mixdown With MOTU's Digital Performer Digital Performer Notes & Techniques Your next project might be a four-track demo or a 100-track surround mix for cinema. Either way, at some stage you're going to have to mix it — but with DP on your side, that doesn't need to be a headache. Making A Living From Music For Picture: Part 7 How To Cope With Revisions What happens when the Director whose work you're scoring isn't satisfied, or demands changes due to events beyond your control? We find out, and also look at writing music for film trailers. Mix Rescue: Ambient Dance Track + Audio Files An ambient dance track gets the Mix Rescue treatment this time, as SOS reader Mark Edwards finds out that less is definitely more. Preparing a performance with Ableton Live Ableton Live Notes & Techniques They say one step in planning saves two in execution — and that certainly applies to doing a performance with Ableton Live sequencer... Preserve Presets When Upgrading PC Notes This action-packed PC Notes gives advice on preserving your lovingly crafted presets when you upgrade audio software, offers ideas on keeping your dongles safe and brings you the usual haul of handy hints and tips. Reason Notes & Techniques Whether you need electronic beats or realistic acoustic drums, Reason is one of the quickest and easiest tools around for creating varied drum tracks. Apple Notes News of Apple allowing Mac users to run Windows on their Macs might sound like an April Fool — but it turned out to be anything but a hoax. This month we investigate the possibilities of running Windows on an Intel-based Mac and discuss why you might want to. Small Form Factor (SFF) PCs For Music PC Musician The Small Form Factor (SFF) PC is a useful halfway house between the flexible but bulky desktop PC and the very portable but expensive and not easily upgradeable laptop. But how well does the SFF PC fit the bill for musicians? We find out. Paul 'Spyder' Fitzpatrick This month the team travel to Wales to mix vocals, acoustic guitars, and a troublesome hurdy-gurdy! Logic Notes & Techniques Markers have always been available in Logic, but the new Global Tracks feature (introduced in version 7) makes them much easier to use and manipulate than in earlier versions. Using Off-Line DSP features of Sonar Sonar Notes & Techniques If you never venture into Sonar's off-line DSP section, now could be the time to check it out, following Cakewalk's v5 revamp of these useful functions. Vocal Recording & Production Masterclass Techniques & Tips Everyone knows how much a classy vocal sound can add to any recording, but achieving this in the studio can seem something of a black art, so this month we demystify the recording, processing, and mixing techniques required to produce professional results. Sound Advice
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