Under the Reviews section of the search engine, you will find our vast archive of SOS Product Reviews (hands-on tests) and Previews dating back to January 1994. To help you make a buying decision, you can further refine your searches using the following REVIEW Subjects/Topics:
Accessory includes difficult-to-categorise stuff like DI boxes, mains leads, cable testers, and so on.
Keyboard includes all instruments with a keyboard (synths, Mellotrons, home keyboards, organs) except where they are more accurately described as a 'Keyboard Workstation'.
Keyboard Workstation includes instruments like the Korg Trinity, Kurzweil K2000 etc
that combine keyboard synths with onboard sequencers, sampling and such-like.
MIDI Controller includes MIDI guitars, wind controllers, fader-style control surfaces (like Steinberg's Houston) but not keyboards or complete electronic drum systems like the VDrum.
Processor includes hardware-based Voice Channels, EQs, Compressors, Gates, Enhancers, other dynamics processors, De-essers, noise reduction suystems etc.
Recorder: Multitrack includes all stand-alone multitrack systems ie. ADATs, Minidisc/Hard disk/Zip/Cassette multitrackers and reel-to-reel recorders. Systems that depend on computers, like Pro Tools or Soundscape, are found in the 'Computer Recording System' category.
Recorder: Stereo includes digital portables, DATs, MiniDisc, CD-R, CD-RW, optical and analogue 2-track recorders.
Sampler hardware varieties only; see 'Software' for soft samplers.
Sample Shop this is the umbrella title for the magazine section where we generally review Sample CD/DVDs, Refills etc.
Sampling Workstation includes device's where the emphasis is on sampling rather than sequencing.
Sequencing Workstation includes hardware devices like the MC505 that have sequencers plus sundry synths, controllers, effects but no keyboard.
Sound Module includes all non-keyboard hardware devices (except PC soundcards) the principal function of which is to produce sound, whether by synthesis or sample playback. Modular Synths have their own category.
Software includes all computer software that is sold on its own, ie. sequencers, sound editing packages, plug-ins, audio-to-MIDI conversion, loop editing software, music scoring programs, soft synths/samplers, etc.
Sound/Song Library includes any product (MIDI Files, cartridges, voice cards, soundbank disks) that provides new sounds/patches for an instrument.
Gear Reviews
