September 1998 In This Issue
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Reviews 20-bit Professional Digital Recorder The ADAT format is more often the choise of personal studios than professional facilities — but the new M20 is set to change all that. Hugh Robjohns takes the 20-bit ADAT for a spin. Miniature Microphone Though they're usually not specifically designed for recording, miniature mics can be real problem solvers in certain situations. Paul White checks out a small wonder from Beyer. MIDI + Audio Recording Software Janet Harniman Cook goes great guns with the latest version of Twelve Tone's popular MIDI + Audio recording software for PC owners. Ring Modulator If you're after sonic strangeness, ring modulation is a good place to start. Paul White finds out whether the ColOSCIL sounds as big as its name. DAW Software If the best things in life are free, then perhaps Pro Tools 3.4 is one of them — Digidesign are now giving away this version of their Mac audio recording and editing software. Mike Collins looks a gift horse in the mouth. Music Workstation Korg have upgraded their well-established Trinity range of sample-based workstation synths with a new board offering the sonic capabilities of a Z1 polysynth. Simon Trask discovers if polyphony and additional physical models add new Z1ng to the Trinity concept. Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology Workstation It's certainly borrowed (for the purposes of this review), and it's unquestionably blue, but is it old or new? Paul Ward checks out Kurzweil's makeover of the legendary K2000 workstation to see whether it's a blushing bride or mutton dressed as lamb... Source Switcher Paul White switches on to a box which provides a dash of extra source for the smaller mixing desk. Digital Effects Processors As Lexicon introduce new processors to replace the acclaimed PCM80 and PCM90, Paul White takes a look at how these classic units have been further improved to create the PCM81 and 91. Compact Disc Recorder These days there are several ways of going about recording your own CDs. Paul White gives this new Marantz professional stand-alone model a spin and discovers a few advantages over using a computer and CD-ROM drive. Native Instruments Generator 1.5 Software Synth PC owners who fancy a full modular synth for less than £200 need look no further. Martin Walker connects more virtual modules than you can shake a patchchord at. Analogue Synthesizers (Retro) Simon Lowther introduces the clan of classic American anaalogue synths, the Oberheim OBs. Cross-platform MIDI Interface 128 MIDI channels would have seemed like complete overkill ten years ago, but today's multitimbral voice modules can use them up at an alarming rate. Martin Russ checks out an eight-port patchbay/interface from Opcode. Philip Rees Little 2M, 5M & 9M MIDI Mergers Paul White plugs and plays with the latest products from MIDI widgeteers Philip Rees, a range of non-nonsense MIDI mergers. Product Roundup Canford Quick Check Test Disc; 32MIDIworks MIDI Interface; MIT Ripcord Guitar Lead; Keyfax Software Twiddly Bits Programmer's Toolkit; Focal Press Digital Audio CD; BBE DI-10 DI Box With Speaker Simulator. Professional DJ Mixer This DJ mixer boasts powerful effects and BPM-driven MIDI control software. Wearing the Trousers, Paul Farrer finds out more... Sound Canvas GM/GS Module One of two General MIDI modules are simply a cut above the rest, and Roland's high-end Sound Canvases fit right into this category. Paul White retires to the studio with the latest in the line and dips into a seemingly limitless palette of sound... PCI Soundcard If you want more of everything digital, why not try 24-bit recording at a 96kHz sample rate? Martin Walker is floored as his dynamics increase in leaps and bounds. Soundcard As the popularity of the ADAT optical 8-channel digital interface has grown, so PCI soundcards have appeared to transfer audio into this format and out of computers. Previous cards have included one optical connector, but Sonorus's STUDI/O has two, permitting 16-channel operation. Martin Walker makes light work of his optical cables. 2-channel Valve Compressor Paul White finds the best of both valve and solid state worlds in TL Audio's latest compressor. Pro Sampler & Upgrade Kit When Yamaha Launched the A3000 a year ago their approach won quite a few fans, and now they're demonstrating their renewed commitment to sampling with a comprehensive upgrade. Chris Carter's movin' on up... Sampling Keyboard If you thought home keyboards were all about cheesy organ presets and bossanova backbeats the chances are you are just like Paul Farrer, but as he takes the wraps of Yamaha's new baby and rotates his baseball cap by 180 degrees he is astonished to find that he was completely and utterly wrong... | People + Opinion BOB REARDON (LEXICON): Spatial Awareness Interview | Manufacturer The head of the design team behind the Lexicon Studio talks to Paul White about the Lexicon sound and the benefits of the Studio approach — and offers some practical tips on optimising PCs for audio recording. MARIUS DE VRIES: Launching A Massive Attack On Madonna Interview | Programmer/Musician Are programmers musicians? Marius de Vries certainly thinks so, and he's better qualified than most to air an opinion. Paul Tingen meets the man who's lent his talents to everyone from Madonna to Massive Attack. RUPERT COOK: Setting Your Computer Up For Glitch-free Music Sounding Off Rupert Cook tells the Luddites among us to stop complaining and defragment our hard drives. Technique All About Digital Audio, Part 5 Exploration Following on from last month's look at digital tape recording formats, Hugh Robjohns turns the spotlight on the techniques and technology of disk-based recording. Choosing A Recording Setup, Part 3 Tips & Techniques What do you need to put together to create your own studio? Paul White investigates practical options for a core system based on preferred methods of creating music. Creative Sequencer Tips, Part 2 Tips & Techniques Controller freak Nicholas Rowland wiggles his magic mod wheel and transforms your sequenced sounds into something just a little more spellbinding... Demystifying Yamaha's XG Soundcards Exploration Nick Howes of Yamaha's European Music Software Division shows you how to get the best out of XG soundcards. Identifying & Solving MIDI Problems Tips & Tricks If your MIDI data refuses to emerge properly from the end of the cable, why not try these handy tips. Martin Walker helps you thru your Ins and Outs. PC Notes This month, after a bit of clock-watching, Martin Walker looks at a utility which should keep your PC running for longer; Norton Utilities. Optimising PC Digital Audio Quality In Software Tips & Tricks There is now a bewildering array of audio options inside most PC audio recording packages, and if you understand the reasoning behind them you can get a bit (or even a few bits) more quality out of your hard drive audio. Martin Walker explains. Playback Readers' Music Reviewed The Nexus Effect * SCRT * Royce * Universe * Fabrice Retkowsky * Squarewave * Tim Wilson * RM2 * Dahya Mistry * Perfect Circle * Paul Klein Practical Acoustic Treatment, Part 3 Tips & Techniques Paul White looks at how you can calculate how much studio acoustic treatment you really need. Synth School, Part 11: Modelling Strings & Wind Instruments Tips & Techniques In the penultimate part of his series on synthesizer technology, Paul Wiffen turns his attention to the problem of emulating acoustic instruments in which the sound is produced by a string or reed, and amplified and modified by the body of the instrument. Atari Notes Derek Johnson unearths a simple but fun Atari tracker and sound chip synth, and explains how your ST can help you train your ears... Sound Advice
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Sound On Sound : Est. 1985