Accessories / Gadgets

The GM, XG and GS sound specs are frequently derided for imposing boring uniformity on the synth universe — but in fact they contain many unusual sounds. Dave Stewart, a man who knows a gopi-yantra from gankogwe, sheds light on some of the lesser-known instruments in the General MIDID set, and provides some useful playing tips.

I have been studying Windows 2000, with great interest, as I have been evaluating the pros and cons of an upgrade. Do you...

The original Hughes...

Three new books have been produced by Berklee Press, the publishing arm of the respected Berklee College of Music in the USA,...

The affordability and compactness of Minidisc, DCC and smaller DAT recorders makes gathering location sounds a lot easier than...

Recording bass is ostensibly a simple affair, but often what sounds great in isolation lacks any power to penetrate a mix. The...

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.

Confused by word clock? When is it best to normalise a signal? Are optical cables a con? Paul White answers these and other questions we're most often asked about digital audio.

We've all lusted after the shiny new gear that appears month after month in the pages of Sound On Sound — but how do you know what will make a real difference to your recordings and what will be an expensive luxury? Paul White picks out the areas where money will be well spent, and the products that will take your sound up a gear.

Metering is a critical element of any audio recording system, and the modular nature of DK Audio's extensive range of high-quality units makes it possible to purchase a system that exactly meets your requirements. Hugh Robjohns is impressed...

This hour‑long video was produced by Dave Goodman, the man behind Helpful Music, in a bid to demystify the complexities...

Audio Recording For Profit is a real 'insider' guide to the business of making money from sound recording. The author...

In these days of sampling, DSP and physical modelling, you might think that building your own electronic instruments would be a daunting prospect. According to Reed Ghazala, however, it's a piece of cake — you don't even need to know how they work. Sam Inglis finds out more.

I have a reasonably modest home recording studio incorporating an Akai DPS12 hard‑disk multitracker with onboard...

If you want to get started with audio recording on your computer, but don't fancy opening up your PC to install an internal soundcard, the new USB Audio Canvas from Roland subsidiary Edirol may provide a welcome alternative. John Walden takes the UA100 for a test Drive.

The technical standards of any professional, semi-pro, or hobbyist recording studio rely on accurate calibration. Hugh Robjohns tries out Terrasonde's funky DSP-based handheld audio test and measurement set.

Yamaha's DB50XG daughterboard demonstrated to the world that a PC soundcard could offer high-spec synthesis capabilities. Its latest descendents offer a digitally emulated Prophet V synth and a high-quality Piano. Martin Walker tries them out.