Reviews
Analogue Tape Recorder Simulator Some say that nothing does analogue tape like analogue tape does, but AnaMod think they’re wrong — and are doing a pretty good job of proving it!
Vocal Recording Channel & USB Audio Interface This budget recording strip is certainly a jack of all trades, delivering a huge feature set for the price — but does it offer quality as well as quantity?
Audio Editing Software For Mac OS X Audiofile Engineering’s elegant package offers impressive editing features at an affordable price.
Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone Audix’s acclaimed range of microphones is designed and built entirely at home in the USA — and it’s an approach that seems to be paying off...
WAV/REX/Apple Loops/Stylus RMX
Dynamic Equaliser Plug-ins [Mac/PC] The dynamic equaliser can be a secret weapon for fixing faults at the mixing or even the mastering stage, and Brainworx’ innovative plug-in implementation offers novel M/S features.
Kontakt 2 Player/GigaStudio 3
MIDI Guitar Kontakt Script
Software Synth [Mac/PC] Future Audio Workshop’s debut soft synth offers versatile modulation possibilities, via an interface designed to be highly intuitive.
Fender Amp Modelling Plug-in
Mastering Plug-in [Mac/PC] Izotope’s comprehensive suite of mastering tools continues to develop and mature, yet still offers excellent value for money.
Synthesizer & Vocoder The hugely popular Microkorg — the world’s best-selling synth for the past few years, according to its makers — has gained what Korg describe as a ‘big brother’. Will it repeat the success of its sibling?
Virtual Groovebox [Mac/PC] MOTU’s BPM takes some obvious cues from Akai’s MPC range — but can a groovebox work in software?
Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone When you’re on a budget, you’ll need one mic to perform a range of duties — and this one seems to punch above its weight.
Studio Monitors & Subwoofer Samson’s new low-cost nearfields can produce a big sound, but do they measure up for serious mixing? We find out.
Sample Library ‘Complete Classical Collection’ is quite a claim. Can orchestral sampling pioneer Peter Siedlaczek’s latest library make good on it?
Bass Amp Modelling Plug-in
UVI Workstation & MachFive2
Software Sampler [Mac/PC] This suite of sampling, effects and live performance software, with a bundled 65GB library, is feature-rich but also up against heavy competition. Can it make its mark?
Competition
Deadline: 2009-07-31 This month we have five Modelling Collection bundles, each worth £375, to give away. They comprise the latest editions of Tassman, Lounge Lizard, Ultra Analog, String Studio, Strum Acoustic and Strum Electric, to form an astonishingly useful sonic arsenal. They work on Mac and PC with VST, Audio Units and RTAS-format hosts, so if you have a computer in your studio, why not enter? www.applied-acoustics.com
Sound Advice
| People + Opinion
Dan Austin & Jez Williams Doves have overcome writer’s block, the perils of democracy and a silly studio name to produce an early contender for album of the year.
Leader In this screen-driven world, it's easy to forget that we have ears with which to make quality judgements...
Readers’ Music Reviewed More readers' tracks get the Juke Box Jury treatment from the SOS crew. Sponsored by breed-media.co.uk
Black Eyed Peas For their fifth album, The END, Black Eyed Peas main man will.i.am took the band — and their long-serving mixer Dylan Dresdow — in a new direction, with stunning success.
People Making Waves With Music Technology • Duncan Miller & Tom Rodwell: Nightmares On Wax?
• Jon Hopkins: Electronica Without MIDI
Jez Coad & Simple Minds Thirty years after their debut, Simple Minds returned to their roots as a live band and relit the old fires to record their most impressive album in years.
Conor O'Brien Will the recession have music going for a song?
Technique
Ableton Live Notes & Techniques Warping has changed entirely in Live 8. We show you how to get the most out of the new system.
News, tips and advice News, tips and advice for Mac-based musicians.
Producer: Tony Clarke • Engineer: Derek Varnals Thunderous reverbs, haunting vocals and Mellotron galore: we tell the story of recording the Moody Blues’ symphonic rock masterpiece, ‘Nights In White Satin’.
Cubase Notes & Techniques With even a basic hardware MIDI controller, Quick Controls make writing automation in Cubase much more convenient.
Downloadable Files Download a ZIP file of the Track Presets that accompany July 2009's Cubase Notes workshop on Quick Controls automation.
Logic Notes & Techniques Part 1: Use Logic’s EQ and SubBass plug-ins to give some mastering polish to your mixes.
Sparse Arrangements We didn’t have to fight through competing walls of sound in this month’s Mix Rescue, but a sparse arrangement offers challenges of its own...
Hear For Yourself This page provides links to MP3 and WAV files that accompany July 2009's Mix Rescue article.
Digital Performer Notes & Techniques Comping multitrack audio needn’t be a headache with new features in Digital Performer 6.
On-line Session Services Compared If your music deserves the best musicians, the Internet provides the means to find them. We test the three leading on-line session services.
Will Gigasampler make a comeback? The ‘Giga’ sampling platform may be coming back from the dead, with the news that developer Gary Garritan has acquired it from Tascam. PC Notes reports.
Pro Tools Notes & Techniques We continue our newcomer’s guide to Pro Tools with a selection of techniques that every user should know.
On-line Session Services Compared If your music deserves the best musicians, the Internet provides the means to find them. We test the three leading on-line session services.
Sonar Notes & Techniques If you’re interested in M/S (Mid/Side) recording or stereo image tweaks, Sonar’s Channel Tools could be your best friend.
Recording on a tight budget We show Tom Hennessey that as long as you have good ideas and a good ear, you can put together decent recordings and mixes on the smallest of budgets.
Music Business
TV Music From The Inside Pitching for work is frustrating, time-consuming and, unless you’re very lucky, unpaid. But at least the best demo (usually) wins.
Getting Creative We continue our insider’s guide to remixing with some practical tips on the creative decisions that will underpin your remix.
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Gear Reviews
