SOUND ON SOUND
Dave Stewart is an English keyboardist, composer, producer and author who started his career as a band member in the early 1970s. Since 1981 he has made 'pop music for grown-ups' with singer Barbara Gaskin, releasing seven albums on the duo's own Broken Records label and performing live in Japan, USA and the UK. He has also written TV & film music and created string and choir arrangements for various artists.
Dave is the author of two music books: The Musician's Guide To Reading & Writing Music (Backbeat 1992) and Inside The Music (Backbeat 1999). He has written for Sound On Sound (while resting between engagements) longer than any of us care to remember.
Rating: **** 4/5 Stars. The brainchild of Spitfire's Paul Thomson, Kepler Orchestra was inspired by the idea of contrasting rhythmic subdivisions that move in and out of sync like orbiting planets.
A large strings collection from Eastern Europe heralds a breath of fresh air.
Emerging from the mists of time comes the rejuvenated Fantom, Roland's new flagship workstation synthesizer. Available in three models: Fantom 6 (61 keys), Fantom 7 (76 keys) and the 88-key Fantom 8.
Spitfire Audio join forces with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the celebrated Maida Vale Studios. Is this the best of British?
The US drum maestros take a decisive step into the world of orchestral percussion.
Rating: ***** 4/5 Stars. While you wouldn't buy this Pianet T instrument to boast about its facilities, you might be tempted by its unique and rather charming sound.
A new library sees the Berlin orchestral sample maestros enter the Fourth Dimension.
Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars. The iconic timbre of this vintage keyboard is impeccably captured in this 500MB Kontakt sample library.
Audio Modeling's SWAM range delivers a complete suite of virtual solo woodwinds and strings.
Rating: **** 4/5 Stars. British Drama Toolkit consists of eight solo string and woodwind instruments separately recorded from two mic positions in a purpose-built dry stage at Spitfire's HQ.