September 2000 In This Issue
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Reviews Digital Personal Studio Competition in the world of 16-track recording workstations is hotting up, and Akai's new DPS16 looks to be a prime contender, with its impressive user interface and 24-bit/96kHz capabilities. Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser take it for a spin. Channel In A Box Hugh Robjohns tests this fully-featured, dual path channel strip, with circuitry designed by the legendary Mr Rupert Neve. Large Diaphragm Valve Condenser Microphone The flagship of the CAD range, the VX2 is a massive, dual-capsule, dual-valve condenser mic, with all the virtues associated with large-diaphragm tube mics. Hugh Robjohns drools... Digital Audio & MIDI Soundcard A new PCI soundcard and breakout box system from Ego Sys combines analogue and digital audio, MIDI, and a host of synchronisation and driver options, and all without breaking the bank. Martin Walker wonders if this might be all you ever need... Virtual Sampler Emagic's virtual sampler provides Logic Audio users with a practical alternative to hardware-based sampling. Paul White puts it to the test. 8-bit Sampling Keyboard, Part 2 (Retro) Paul Wiffen continues his homage to the first 'musical' sampling keyboard, which brought sampling out of the dark ages of simple trigger playback and into the realm of filters, envelopes and performance controls which we take for granted on all modern samplers. The Emulator II was, as he explains, also responsible for other major innovations like on-board hard drives and CD-ROM libraries... FMR RNC1773 'Really Nice' Compressor Compressor Paul White tries out a small, but highly effective stereo compressor with some unique features. Mastering Processor Paul White tries a new analogue mastering processor that combines expansion, compression, EQ, width control and limiting in a single device. Custom-built PCs Millennium Music are one of several UK companies who specialise in building PC systems to musicians' individual requirements. Martin Walker test-drives their service... Compressor Paul White tries out a two channel compressor with tube 'warming' and optional digital I/O. Analogue Modelling Synth Legend has it that Sir Alec Guiness's character in Star Wars was named after Oberheim's original OB1 synthesizer; and, like that character, the OB-series has now overcome death to reappear in virtual form. Gordon Reid finds the new OB12 more powerful than he could possibly have imagined - at the price, at least... Mains Power Conditioners Do you want to hear how good your audio equipment can really sound? Martin Walker investigates a product that may significantly improve the sound of your studio. Multitrack Recording & Sequencing Software PC users have had to wait almost two years for many of the improvements which graced version 4 of Steinberg's popular sequencing package on the Mac platform. Now, however, they've leapfrogged straight to version 5, a major upgrade which incorporates all of those improvements and more. Martin Walker finds out if the wait was worthwhile. Modular Virtual Synthesis Software TC have come up with a new twist on the analogue synth emulation theme by providing modular oscillator, filter and envelope blocks that can be combined with VST effects. Paul White tries a few variations. Wavetable Synth VST Instrument Waldorf have emulated the original PPG Wave digital synthesizer in software for use as a VST Instrument. Paul White tries out the virtual Wave. Recording Workstation Yamaha's AW4416 recording workstation, which debued at the NAMM show earlier this year, has been the subject of more reader inquiries at the SOS office than any other product in living memory. In this exclusive preview, Hugh Robjohns gets his hands on a prototype to find out what we have to look forward to... | People + Opinion An Introduction To mLAN, Part 2 Exploration Last month, Paul Wiffen explained how he heard about mLAN — a new data-transfer protocol which will allow us to send audio, MIDI, and even video down one FireWire connector. This month, he finds out from Yoshi Sawada of Yamaha's mLAN development team how the system is likely to work in practice. DAVE FRIDMANN: Producing Flaming Lips & Mercury Rev Interview | Producer Those who bemoan the lack of invention and experimentation in today's rock music must make an exception for Mercury Rev and the Flaming Lips, two of America's finest and most successful 'alternative' outfits. Their shared producer and engineer Dave Fridmann tells Sam Inglis about their unique approaches to recording. E, WALLY GAGEL & JIM LANG (EELS): Recording Daisies Of The Galaxy Interview | Band After poor sales of an album that dealt with death, Mr E and his Eels returned with a beautiful-sounding, poignant, and often funny record about life, recorded mainly in the basement of E's house. Matt Bell talks to E and his collaborators about how the album was made. RAMON ZENKER: Recording Fragma's 'Toca's Miracle' Interview | Producer Most record producers would greet the discovery that their work has been bootlegged with dismay. For German dance producer Ramon Zenker, however, it proved to be the key to a smash hit. Sam Inglis finds out more... Recreating The Ballet Mechanique In The Digital Age, Part 2 Exploration Last month, Paul D Lehrman described how he became involved in a project to create a performable edition of George Antheil's prophetic but never performed, Ballet Mechanique, in its original version with 16 synchronised player pianos and a human ensemble. With the process of sequencing the 1240-measure work complete, he was now faced with the task of preparing the first ever live performance of the piece... Manufacturers ave exploited their customers' tolerances by Steve Watts Steve Watts argues that software manufacturers have exploited their customers' tolerances for shoddy, bug-laden products for long enough. THE SERIOUS HAT BAND: Anger The Burns Readerzone SOS pops in on another regular reader to check out their home studio. Windows Media Player Version 7; IBM Microdrive Cutting Edge This month Dave Shapton compares his vision of the future for digital music with that of Microsoft... Technique Net Notes Business advice for those aspiring to a career in music does not always come cheap. John Walden trawls the 'net to see if he can find a free lunch. Buying The Equipment You Really Need, Part 2 Feature | Tips & Tricks Last month, Paul White looked at the vocal recording chain to identify areas in which spending more money would produce better results. This month it's the turn of outboard effects and monitoring. Career; CD-R Backups; Mastering; Reducing Fan Noise; Minidisc Copying; Recording Vocals Q & A Q. How do I find the industry career for me? PC Notes The root of PC problems can often be found in incorrect or incomplete software installations. Martin Walker shows you how to avoid pitfalls when upgrading and adding to your existing applications. Electronic Cow Programs As Shareware Atari Notes Derek Johnson reviews a new MIDI output expander and ruminates on the release of a herd of Electronic Cow programs as shareware. Playback Readers' Music Reviewed LA Reprieved * Jasper Fish And The Alice Band * Steve Adams * Paulo Lucchi * Tim Carter * Promenade * Monotype * Vaccine * Henrik Spoov Tips & Tricks Some of the most common problems encountered when working in a home studio arise from having to record in the same room as your recording equipment. However, good-quality recordings are still perfectly possible in such conditions. Hugh Robjohns advises on how to obtain the best results. Setting Up A Desktop Studio, Part 2 Tips & Tricks Continuing his series on setting up a recording environment based around a Mac or PC computer, Paul White goes through the hardware and software options for recording audio alongside your MIDI tracks. Synth Secrets, Part 17: From Sample & Hold To Sample-rate Converters (2) Tips & Tricks Sample and hold modules, as Gordon Reid explained last month, convert a continuously varying signal into a stepped series of fixed pitches. And this, as we shall see, is the basis of what we know as 'digital audio'... Understanding & Using Directional Microphones Exploration Many of us do the vast majority of our recordings using mics with a cardioid polar pattern, but alternative patterns can give radically different — and sometimes much better — results. Hugh Robjohns explains the differences between these designs and the applications to which they're suited. Using Your PC Soundcard To Improve Sound Quality In Your Studio Tips & Tricks In order to get the most out of your audio equipment, you need to be able to line it up correctly. Most PC users, however, may already have all the necessary tools and, as Martin Walker explains, they are easy to use when you know how. Music Business Big Georges Guide To Commercial Success: Plan Of Action Feature | Tips & Tricks Watch out — this month's column sees Big George in fighting mood... Making Sense Of Music Contracts Feature | Tips & Tricks Even the most robust musician can be turned into quivering jelly at the prospect of having to sign a legal document — yet it's impossible to make much progress in the music business without signing contracts. Robin Morley guides fellow musicians through the contractual maze of management, publishing and recording deals, in an attempt to make things a little clearer... |
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