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December 2012 Magazine Contents

Reviews

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    AAS Chromaphone.

    AAS Chromaphone

    Virtual Percussion Synthesizer

    Tired of standard percussion sounds? Chromaphone lets you create your own.

    Reviews
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    ACS T1

    In-ear Monitors

    You can’t buy these in-ear monitors in shops, as each pair is custom-made — but if you need outstanding comfort and noise rejection, the extra time and money might just be worth it!

    Reviews
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    Apogee MiC

    Microphone For iOS & Mac OSX

    Apogee's MiC offers a quality preamp and converter significantly better than those built-in to iOS devices and Mac sound cards.

    Reviews
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    App Works

    Making Music On The Move

    We test Yonac Magellan synthesizer app and the PPG WaveGenerator synth app.

    Reviews
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    Arturia Wurlitzer V virtual instrument.

    Arturia Wurlitzer V

    Virtual Electric Piano

    The Wurlitzer electric piano has proved a tough nut to crack in software. Can Arturia rise to the challenge?

    Reviews
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    Audio-Technica AT5040

    Large-capsule Capacitor Microphone

    Rather than rely on established designs, Audio-Technica have used some genuinely innovative thinking to come up with this unusual, multi-diaphragm vocal mic. How does it perform?

    Reviews
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    Audix VX5 & VX10

    Handheld Capacitor Microphones

    Looking to improve the sound of your live vocals? One of these premium mics from US company Audix might be just the ticket.

    Reviews
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    Big Fish Audio | Rock Cinema

    Sample Library

    Multi-format

    Reviews
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    Bryant Unlimited T-piece adaptor.

    Bryant Unlimited T-piece

    Universal XLR Connector

    The Bryant boffins have come up with a totally unique XLR connector which could be a huge time saver in the studio or live.

    Reviews
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    Chandler Little Devil 500-series preamp.

    Chandler Little Devil Preamp

    500-series Mic, Line & Instrument Preamplifier

    Chandler's Little Devil preamp takes the warmth and mangling side of things to another level.

    Reviews
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    Column PA Systems

    Spotlight

    Thinking of investing in a compact PA? Then you might want to consider a mini line-array system! Here’s a selection of current options, with links to SOS reviews where available.

    Reviews
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    Crookwood M1

    Mastering Console

    Designed to meet very specialised needs, mastering consoles can be scarily expensive. Crookwood’s modular system offers faultless sound quality at a surprisingly affordable price.

    Reviews
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    Equator Audio D5

    Active Nearfield Monitors

    In the D5, Equator have employed the same innovative technology they use in their premium models — but at a remarkably low price.

    Reviews
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    Flatkeys P!NG & S!NG

    Testers & Signal Generators

    Useful affordable testers built into an XLR plug.

    Reviews
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    Impact Soundworks Resonance: Emotional Mallets.

    Impact Soundworks | Resonance: Emotional Mallets

    Sample Library

    Sometimes you yearn for new sounds that haven't been heard before. Resonance: Emotional Mallets most definitely falls into this category, starting life as 14 unique instruments constructed from materials including glass, metal, stone and wood.

    Reviews
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    Izotope Alloy 2

    Processing Plug-in For Mac & PC

    Izotope have improved the formula of their ‘do everything’ mixing plug-in. Is this new Alloy platinum sterling, or pinchbeck?

    Reviews
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    Keith McMillen QuNeo

    USB MIDI Controller

    Keith McMillen’s idiosyncratic controllers go from strength to strength — and in this case do so with a spectacular blaze of colour...

    Reviews
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    Kush Audio Gain Train

    Monitor Control System

    A good monitor controller is invaluable — but ‘good’ doesn’t have to mean complicated...

    Reviews
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    LD Systems Mon 101A

    Active Stage Monitor

    This compact ‘wedge’ speaker uses a coaxial driver to deliver broad stage coverage and a sound that cuts through.

    Reviews
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    Lindos Minisonic Mic Kit

    Stereo Mic & Preamp Set

    Lindos, known for their test and measurement equipment, have started making products for musicians and engineers. We put their versatile new stereo mic/preamplifier kit to the test.

    Reviews
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    Book: Logic Pro For Recording Engineers.

    Logic Pro for Recording Engineers & Producers

    Book & DVD

    Logic Pro For Recording Engineers & Producers is written for the benefit of those who may not yet be familiar with Logic Pro, but who already know through experience of other products what a modern DAW can be expected to do.

    Reviews
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    Lynx LT-HD

    Pro Tools Interface Card For Lynx Aurora

    The latest firmware update for Lynx's LT-HD card enables their highly regarded Aurora 16 and Aurora 8 A-D/D-A converters to emulate Avid's HD I/O converters

    Reviews
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    MakeMusic Finale 2012

    Score Editing Software For Mac OS & Windows

    MakeMusic’s Finale score-writing software has been helping composers and publishers for a quarter of a century. What does its 2012 incarnation bring?

    Reviews
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    MOTU Track 16

    USB & Firewire Interface For Mac & PC

    MOTU have brought their expertise to bear on a new desktop audio interface, the Track 16.

    Reviews
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    Plug-in Folder

    December selection

    Rhythmic Robot, Loopscape, Universal Audio, MXR Flanger/Doubler, Waves NS1

    Reviews
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    Preamp Post-mortem

    SOS/Realpiano Preamp Comparison: Results & Analysis

    When we compared eight mic preamps with very different designs and price tags, we found it hard to tell them apart. Could SOS readers do better?

    Reviews
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    Radial Workhorse Cube

    500-series Rack

    Having reinvented the 500-series rack with their Workhorse, Radial are now offering a smaller, more portable version...

    Reviews
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    Roland TD30K electronic drum kit.

    Roland TD30K

    Electronic Drum Kit

    Roland have updated their celebrated electronic drum kits with an improved brain and their patented Supernatural Sound technology.

    Reviews
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    Samson Graphite 49 keyboard.

    Samson Graphite 49

    USB Controller Keyboard

    The Graphite is Samson’s first foray into the world of keyboards — and it’s an impressive debut.

    Reviews
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    The Recording Secrets Behind 50 Great Albums book.

    The Recording Secrets Behind 50 Great Albums

    Book Review

    The interview-style text is divided into 30 chapters, each comprising a mini interview-format documentary on the making of a classic album. Edited by Kylee Swenson Gordon, a well-known US music journalist.

    Reviews
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    Thermionic Culture Solo Vulture.

    Thermionic Culture Solo Vulture

    Valve Distortion Processor

    When it comes to valve distortion, few want it more than guitarists— and few know more about it than Thermionic Culture...

    Reviews
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    Ueberschall | Twang

    Sample Library

    Elastik-based library

    Reviews
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    Zero-G | Glenn Morrison: Late Nights, Early Beginnings

    Sample Library

    Multi-format 'mood'-themed collection

    Reviews

Techniques

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    Apple Notes

    Audio editor roundup.

    This month we take a stroll throught the Mac audio editor market and pick up a few bargains along the way.

    Techniques
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    Classic Tracks: Frank Sinatra ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’

    Producer: Voyle Gilmore • Engineer: John Palladino

    In 1956, Frank Sinatra revived his flagging career with an album that would define the swing sound and go on to become one of the most highly regarded in history. John Palladino, now in his 92nd year, was at the controls...

    Techniques
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    Coming Out

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    Get to grips with Logic’s handling of external MIDI synths.

    Techniques
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    Comp Together

    Samplitude Tips & Techniques

    Samplitude Pro X has several powerful tools for compiling the perfect performance from multiple takes.

    Techniques
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    Comp Together | Media

    Samplitude Tips & Techniques

    Video tutorials to accompany the article.

    Techniques
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    Deconstructivism

    Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

    We show you how to disassemble tracks for creative reworking in Live.

    Techniques
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    Gracious Saving

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    You can back up a Pro Tools session like any other file, but will it still be readable in 10 years’ time? Here’s how to make sure.

    Techniques
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    Group Therapy

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    Discover Sonar X2’s Quick Groups and Auto-Zoom updates — and become more efficient.

    Techniques
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    Lock Tight Super Groove

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    If you want to overdub programmed parts to a performance that varies in tempo, Cubase has all the tools you need.

    Techniques
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    Master Class

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    Reason is becoming a much more rounded DAW, and one of the main areas to benefit is mastering.

    Techniques
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    Mix Rescue: Children Of No-One | Media

    Audio files

    Audio files to accompany the article.

    Techniques
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    The full Logic arrange page of this month's Mix Rescue project.

    Mix Rescue: Classic Rock Production

    Children Of No-One

    This month, our engineer remixes a Pink Floyd-inspired track, and in the process shows that there’s still a place for old-school rock production techniques!

    Techniques
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    Music Technology & Special Needs: Part 1

    Assist & Adapt

    Pioneering work in assistive technology is transforming the lives of people who are unable to play conventional musical instruments.

    Techniques
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    PC Notes

    Windows 8

    With the Windows 8 release date fast approaching, we look at real-world performance results from beta users.

    Techniques
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    Peter Cobbin & Kirsty Whalley

    Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: 2012 London Olympics

    Underpinning the biggest spectacle of 2012 London Olympic Games was probably the largest multitrack recording ever made. Just how do you mix a thousand-track project?

    Techniques
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    Pitch Craft

    Studio One Tips & Techniques

    Want to fake a 12-string guitar in Studio One, or create the perfect octave-divider effect? Keep reading…

    Techniques
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    Pitch Doctor

    Reaper Tips & Techniques

    Reaper’s pitch tools can be creative — or corrective.

    Techniques
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    Selwyn Jazz in action.

    Session Notes: Selwyn Jazz Part 1

    Tracking A Big Band On Location

    This month, we record a jazz big band on location, tracing the project from the planning stages through to delivering edited multitracks to the mix engineer.

    Techniques
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    Session Notes: Selwyn Jazz Part 1 | Media

    Audio Files

    Audio file to accompany the article.

    Techniques

Sound Advice

People

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    David Kosten

    Producing Bat For Lashes & Everything Everything

    David Kosten is one of the UK’s most sonically adventurous producers, but insists that the song is king — no matter how twisted the recording.

    People
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    Mike Stevens

    Musical Director For The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert

    Mike Stevens has worked with some of the world’s biggest pop acts at countless high-profile live events, including the Queen’s recent Diamond Jubilee concert.

    People
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    Playback: Gish artwork.

    Playback

    Reader's music reviewed.

    This month's artitsts: Gish, Michael Egan, Rough Citizen, Give Her The Gun, Crumbs For Comfort, Laetoli Steps, Zeni Danussi and Mike King.

    People
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    Sounding Off: David Glasper

    The computer is no more than a passing fad.

    The computer is no more than a passing fad.

    People
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    Paul White - Editor In Chief

    Spot The Difference

    Leader

    Paul White's thoughts on what the difference is these days between project studio and professional studios.

    People
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    The Mix Review

    Commercial Productions Analysed

    This month: Newton Faulkner, Paloma Faith, Nicki Minaj, Coldplay and Rita Ora.

    People

Music Business

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    Notes From The Deadline

    TV Music From The Inside

    A modern media composer’s repertoire needs to encompass everything from fugues to farmyard noises.

    Music Business
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    Off The Record

    Music & Recording Industry News

    With the future of AM radio in the US hanging in the balance, we take a look at what effect it has had on the music industry over the decades.

    Music Business
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    Sear Sound, New York

    Studio File

    Inside the recording studio where the likes of David Bowie, Lou Reed and Steely Dan made their albums.

    Music Business
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