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September 2009 In This Issue

To open articles, click title links

Reviews

eSub 2CAudio Aether

Reverb Plug-in [Mac/ PC]

Many pro engineers still turn to expensive hardware for the best algorithmic reverbs. Can 2CAudio’s Aether plug-in tear them away from their racks?

eSub A-Designs Pacifica

Two-channel Microphone Preamplifier

Thumbnail for article: A-Designs Pacifica

Striking a useful balance between the transparent and the characterful, this high-quality, US-made preamp design brings versatility to the studio and some colour to the rack...

eSub AAS Strum Electric GS1

Virtual Guitar Instrument

Thumbnail for article: AAS Strum Electric GS1

Applied Acoustic Systems put their physical modelling skills to the test once again, with an electric follow-up to Strum Acoustic GS1.

eSub Akai APC40

MIDI Controller For Ableton Live

Akai and Ableton have collaborated on the APC40, to bring tightly integrated, hands-on hardware control to Live.

eSub Arturia Minimoog V2

Software Synthesizer

Minimoog V2 adds features that the original Moog hardware didn’t possess. Have Arturia improved on a classic?

eSub AudioEase Cabinet

Convolution plug-in

We check out the 'lite' version of AudioEase's Speakerphone convolution plug-in.

eSub Bela D Media Sampled Landscape

Kontakt 2/3

eSub Cakewalk V-Studio 100

Computer Recording System

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Control surface, audio interface, digital mixer, solid-state recorder: the V-Studio 100 does it all, but is it a jack of all trades and master of none? Let’s find out...

eSub Chameleon Labs TS1

Small-diaphragm Valve Microphone

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Small mics and tubes aren’t always the best of friends, but this little newcomer proves that they can be.

eSub JoeMeek Floor Q

Compressor Pedal

We check out this traditional JoeMeek compressor in pedal format, for use with guitars, basses and other instruments.

eSub Lauten Horizon

Valve Microphone

This valve mic offers bags of character, and a quality of result comparable with mics that cost much more.

eSub M-Audio Studiophile DSM1

DSP Reference Monitors

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Built-in DSP extends the flexibility and usefulness of these capable speakers.

eSub Manikin Electronic Memotron

Digital Keyboard

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Have you ever longed for the sound and style of a Mellotron without the impracticality, unreliability and team of men required to move it? If so, you need yearn no more — thanks to the Memotron...

Plug-in Folder

Software Reviews

• Image Line Ogun
• Image Line Gross Beat
• VirSyn FDelay

eSub Project SAM Orchestral Brass Classic

Kontakt 2 Player

eSub PSP SQuad

Plug-in EQ Bundle [Mac/PC]

If your DAW’s built-in EQ doesn’t quite have the analogue flavour you’re after, PSP’s new plug-in collection might be just the ticket.

Toontrack The Metal Foundry

Superior Drummer 2 Expansion

eSub XLN Audio Modern Jazz Sticks & Brushes

Addictive Drums ADpaks

eSub Zoom R16

Digital Multitracker, Audio Interface & Controller

Have computers made digital multitrackers obsolete? Zoom don’t think so.

Competition

WIN Modartt Pianoteq bundles worth 340 GBP

Deadline: 2009-09-30

Prize kindly donated by Modartt www.pianoteq.com

Sound Advice

Q. Can you advise on recording acoustic guitar in stereo?

Q. How can I expand my Firewire connectivity?

Q. How many guitar layers should I use?

Q. What is the best way to reduce bleed on a drum recording?

People + Opinion

Learning Live Lessons

Leader

Playback

Readers’ Music Reviewed

Sponsored by breed-media.co.uk

eSub Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: John Fields & Paul David Hager

Jonas Brothers

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John Fields and Paul David Hager have a very modern working relationship — and with the Jonas Brothers, they’ve delivered a string of old-fashioned hits.

Sounding Off: Tribute Bands

Gordon Reid

The sincerest form of flattery?

Technique

eSub Apple Notes

Mac News & Tips

While music software interfaces still lag behind hardware in the tweakability stakes, there’s a lot we can do to improve that situation with Mac OS’s built-in features.

eSub Classic Compressors

Choosing The Right Compressor For The Job

Now that we have digital models and dynamic convolution technology, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to classic compressor flavours. But whether hardware or software, which is right for which job?

eSub Classic Tracks | The Kinks ‘You Really Got Me’

Producer & Engineer: Shel Talmy

Thumbnail for article: Classic Tracks | The Kinks ‘You Really Got Me’

There are very few records whose influence can be so strongly felt after 45 years as the Kinks’ ‘You Really Got Me’. At the controls was Shel Talmy, who tells us the story of a song that changed pop music.

eSub Compression Made Easy

Demystifying Compressor Controls & Parameters

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Getting precisely the results you want from compressors can often be the key to a tight, modern-sounding mix. We explain what the controls are designed to achieve and how they relate to what you hear.

Compression Made Easy | Audio Files

Audio Examples From Demystifying Compressor Controls & Parameters

It can be difficult reading about compression without hearing what it does. Here are a number of audio files to accompany this article, with a detailed explanation of what they demonstrate.

eSub Cubase: Electric Guitar Effects Chains

Cubase Notes & Techniques

No guitar effects in Cubase? Actually, there are more options than you can count...

eSub Logic: Working With The Transform Window

Logic Notes & Techniques

Complex tasks of all kinds can be done quickly and easily with Logic’s Transform window.

eSub Mix Rescue

Arrangement advice

This month’s mission proves that to get the best from a song you need to pay as much attention to arrangement as to mix technique.

Mix Rescue 0909 | Audio Files

Audio Examples From Mix Rescue September 2009

Links to the before and after mixes.

eSub PC Notes

PC Music News, Tips & Advice

eSub Pro Tools: Missing Files

Pro Tools Notes & Techniques

What to do when Pro Tools reports that files have gone missing? Find out in this month’s invaluable assortment of tips and tricks.

eSub Running Reason And Ableton Live Together

Reason Notes / Ableton Live Notes

Reason and Ableton Live work well together — we offer some tips on running the two programs in parallel.

eSub Rupert Flindt: Recording Elbow Live At Abbey Road

Sound Advice

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Rock bands, choirs and symphony orchestras each pose their own challenges to the engineer. Put them all in the same room, and things get really messy...

eSub Sonar: Making A Virtual Drum Room

Sonar Notes & Techniques

Sampled drums lacking realism? Synthesize stereo room mics to add authentic ambience with Sonar’s built-in effects.

eSub Using Time Formats In Digital Performer

Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

Digital Performer’s time-display and grid features are the key to several cool techniques, including instant glitch effects.

eSub VST DIY

Creating Your Own Audio Plug-ins

There are lots of reasons why you might want to write your own VST plug-ins. The learning curve can be steep, but there are development environments out there that can help. We take you through the options.

Music Business

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

Will your music become immortal, or simply indigestible? It’s all about context.