Win HK Audio Elements PA System Worth £2,000 GBP

Deadline: 2011-09-22

Thanks to JHS, we're giving away an Elements stereo sstem to one lucky SOS reader this month. The prize consists of two EF45 system bases, two EA600 600W power amps, two EP1 connection poles and two E435 'mid and high' cabinets, all worth just over £2,000.

Win Telefunken ELA M260 Stereo Set Worth $2,895 USD

Deadline: 2011-10-11

This month, thanks to Telefunken Electroakustik, we're delighted to be able to offer an ELA M260 Stereo Set as our competition prize. Released at this year's Summer NAMM, the set comprises two M260s each with interchangeable capsules, elastic shockmount, custom dual power supply, two 25-foot mic cables and a locking leather-bound flight case.

Apogee Symphony I/O

Audio Interface For Mac

Apogee claim that their new interface is the result of 25 years of research into digital audio — so we have high expectations for it. Find out whether the Symphony lives up to them.

App Works

Making Music On The Move

This month, Jules Harding, Hugh Robjohns and Mike Watkinson check out iConnectivity iConnect MIDI Interface for iOS, ElectroDroid Electronics Reference Guide for Android by Demetrio Iero, and Akai Synthstation 25 keyboard and app for iPhone and iPod Touch.

ART TPatch

Patchbay

Paul White investigates this passive, eight-point balanced patchbay.

Arturia Spark

Drum Machine

French synth experts Arturia get their groove on with a hybrid software/hardware drum machine. Zut alors!

Best Service | Ethno World 5

Sample Library

4*

Blue Sky Sat 6.5 EXR

Active Nearfield Monitors

Blue Sky have earned a strong reputation for their sealed-cabinet speakers, but in their latest model they’ve opted for a ported design. How do the newcomers compare with their infinite‑baffle cousins?

Flea 47

Valve Condenser Microphone

The Neumann U47 is one of the most revered of all studio mics, and while there are plenty of ‘clones’ available, Flea have gone the extra mile in their quest for authenticity.

Flea 47 | Audio

Valve Condenser Microphone

These audio files accompany the Flea 47 review that appeared in SOS September 2011.

Flux Alchemist

Multi-band Dynamics Plug-in

Whether you’re rescuing an over-compressed mix or extracting maximum punch from a drum track, Flux’s innovative multi-band dynamics tool could be just what you need.

Flux Alchemist | Media

Multi-band Dynamics Plug-in

These audio files accompany the Flux Alchemist review that appeared in SOS September 2011.

FXpansion Geist

Sampling Drum Machine Software

Put down your bells, books and candles — this a ghost you do want in your machine...

Grimm Audio CC1

Master Clock

Hugh Robjohns checks out a wooden-faced master clock made by Dutch engineers Grimm Audio.

Hear Technologies Hear Back

Artist Monitor System

Have you ever wished that artists could control their own monitor mixes? With this system they can, whether on stage or in the studio.

Heavyocity | Evolve Mutations Bundle

Sample Library

5*

INA GRM Tools 3

Sound Design Plug-ins

The long-awaited version 3 of the GRM Tools suite introduces three new plug-ins, the likes of which have not been seen or heard before!

Karma K-Micro Silver Bullet

Omnidirectional Microphones

Paul White investigates a pair of mics that can extend your recording options considerably without depleting your bank account!

Kinman Impersonator 54

Noiseless Guitar Pickups

At last, the quest to recreate the classic single-coil tone — but without the noise — appears to be over.

Kush Audio Clariphonic

Parallel High-frequency Equaliser

Kush have established a reputation for unique-sounding gear that features idiosyncratic controls, and their Clariphonic is no exception...

Mackie SRM150

Portable Active PA System

If you’re in need of some extremely portable amplification or monitoring, Mackie’s tiny SRM150 might just save the day.

Neve 4081

Four-channel Microphone Preamplifier

Neve believe that there’s scope to bring classic designs up to date — and that’s exactly what they’ve done here, taking their revered 1081 mic preamplifier as the starting point.

Orchestral Tools | Orchestral String Runs

Sample Library

A capacious new European library takes the strain out of programming orchestral string runs.

Radial Workhorse

Modular Processing & Summing System

With API’s 500-series 'Lunchbox' format becoming ever more popular, it was almost inevitable that someone would try to improve on the standard...

Sony MDR7550

Dynamic In-ear Monitors

Sony’s top-of-the-range dynamic in-ear monitors have a kind voice, with all the volume and extension you’ll need for stage use and on-the-move mixing.

Studiospares Ultimate Cable Tester

Studio Accessory

Hugh Robjohns gets to grips with a cable tester from Studiospares that offers great value for money.

Telefunken CU29 Copperhead

Large‑diaphragm Valve Condenser Microphone

Telefunken Elektroakustic’s latest mic is their most affordable large-diaphragm condenser yet. Is its sound worthy of the Telefunken name?

Ueberschall | Ambient Lines

Sample Library

4*

Ueberschall | Deep House

Sample Library

5*

Ultrasone Pro 750

Studio Headphones

Do these closed‑back cans from German company Ultrasone have what it takes to compete with established studio models?

Universal Audio UAD2 Satellite

Firewire DSP Effects Processor For Mac OS

It’s hard not to be tempted by Universal Audio’s mouth-watering range of plug‑ins, but not every Mac has a spare PCI or ExpressCard slot. Now all you need is a free Firewire port...

JBL Eon 515XT

Portable Active PA Speaker

The Eon range of portable powered speakers evolves further, with new styling, improved output, and more besides.

Jon Burton (Prodigy) Compares Studio Live Engineering

Feature

Prodigy live engineer Jon Burton talks to some of the world’s top sound engineers about the similarities and differences between tour and studio work.

David Glasper: Learning Lessons From Rock Biographies

Sounding Off

This column could save your life. And $7.99.

Joe Leach: Grand Designs At Glastonbury

Studio Built Of Straw

This year’s Glastonbury Festival boasted a recording studio built of straw — complete with 24‑track tape and grand piano. SOS followed Joe Leach’s project all the way from blue-sky thinking to muddy reality.

Nicolas Godin & Jean-Benoît Dunckel (AIR): Building Atlas Studio

Interview | Band

French pop music was once as uncool as you could get, but over the last 15 years, AIR’s distinctive, retro-tinged electronica has conquered the world.

Paul White: The Only Constant Is Change

Leader

Our Editor In Chief shares his thoughts on technology advances in the world of music.

Playback

Readers’ Music Reviewed

Phat Flavour Crew * Res-Q * Darren Lock * Amphibic

Studio SOS

Your Studio Problems Solved

Our tireless Editor In Chief tackles some studio acoustics problems while on holiday in Turkey, with a budget of precisely nothing!

Tom Elmhirst: Recording Adele 'Rolling In The Deep'

Inside Track | Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

Adele’s second album, 21, has broken sales records all around the globe. Mixer Tom Elmhirst and producer Paul Epworth explain how they created its multi‑platinum lead single, ‘Rolling In The Deep’.

Tom Elmhirst: Recording Adele 'Rolling In The Deep' | Media

Inside Track: Secrets Of The Mix Engineers

These media files accompany the Inside Track article that appeared in SOS September 2011.

'Dynamic Range' & The Loudness War

Feature

We all know music is getting louder. But is it less dynamic? Our ground-breaking research proves beyond any doubt that the answer is no — and that popular beliefs about the 'loudness war' need a radical rethink.

Cloud Service Backup

Avid Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

The ‘cloud’ is great for backing up Pro Tools projects — if you know what to upload. We look at a service that can do it automatically.

Final Cut Pro X

Apple Notes

Does Apple’s controversial product strategy for the new Final Cut Pro X give any hints as to their plans for the next major Logic version?

Internet Connection For Music PCs?

PC Notes

Is it time to let the Internet into your studio? PC Notes thinks it might be...

John Cougar: 'Jack & Diane'

Classic Tracks

But for the timely intervention of Mick Ronson, John Cougar’s celebrated portrait of small-town American life might never have existed at all, let alone topped the Billboard Hot 100.

Liven Up Your Drum Loops, Part 1

Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

If you want to breathe new life into your drum loop library, Cubase has the tools. You just need the know-how!
• Read Part 2
• Read Part 3

Mix Mistakes

Feature

We explore some of the most common causes of mix failure we’ve tackled in our monthly Mix Rescue column. Banish these demons and you’re most of the way to a devilishly good mix! Here are ten reasons why your mixes don’t work — and what you can do about it!

Mix Mistakes | Media

Feature

This reading list accompanies the Mix Mistakes article that featured in SOS September 2011.

Mix Tips For Kick & Bass

Feature

What better place to start building your mix than the kick-drum and bass parts? Get them to work well together and you’re on your way to a good mix...

Mixer Magic

Reaper Notes

Avoid information overload with these advanced techniques for using Reaper’s mixer.

Reason 6

Reason Notes

Reason 6 is probably the biggest update in the program’s history. We give you the lowdown...

Stretch Drum Loops Smoothly

Sonar X1

Use Sonar X1 to slow down your drum loops drastically — and retain fidelity!

The Mix Review | September 2011

Analysing Commercial Productions

• Dev Featuring The Cataracs 'Bass Down Low'
• Wretch 32 'Traktor'
• Aloe Blacc 'I Need A Dollar'

Vector Objective

Apple Logic Tips & Techniques

From wave sequencing to gated pads and basses — it can all be done with Logic’s ES2 synth!

Vector Objective | Media

Apple Logic Tips & Techniques

These audio files accompany the Logic Techniques column that featured in SOS September 2011.

Versatile Vocoding

Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

There’s more to Live’s Vocoder than meets the ear: it can generate all manner of unexpected effects.

Notes From The Deadline

TV Music From The Inside

You’ve got to be good to get ahead in this game. And not just at mending cookers.

Off The Record (US Edition Only)

Music & Recording Industry News

** This article was originally printed in the US Edition of Sound On Sound only, but is available online to all subscribers. **
Despite economic uncertainty, Nashville continues to thrive in the music industry. What’s the secret of its success?

Q. How can I use a figure‑of‑eight mic with the mid/side miking setup?

Q. How do I record a double bass alongside other instruments?

Q. Should I use a boundary mic when playing piano live?

Q. What are auxes, sends and returns?

Q. What is side‑chaining, and what do you use it for?

Q. What’s the best program for time‑stretching?