SOUND ON SOUND
Studio management software, Cubase mixer maps, sounds and editor/librarian programs for a range of older synths are all up for grabs as an Atari developer posts his previously commercial work for free on the Internet. Derek Johnson tells you what's available and keeps an eye on the Atari news scene.
The complete virtual studio comes a step closer with sophisticated software sampling. Derek Johnson & Debbie Poyser look at a cross-platform program that aims to take sampling out of the rack and onto the desktop.
The SU700, Yamaha's entry into the 'groove sampler' stakes, is derived from their A3000 studio sampler and inherits some of its sibling's most impressive features — including adventurous effects and imaginative sample-manipulation facilities — while adding quite a few tricks of its own. Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser go loopy.
Less than £60 buys an Atari sample editor that's up there with new Mac and PC audio tools in terms of sound-manipulation potential. Derek Johnson puts his samples through the Squash It! mangle.
Ataris can now be picked up at very reasonable prices and, with the addition of some cost-effective software, make useful live sequencing devices. Derek Johnson highlights this and other uses for your ST, and discusses some fast new TOS-compatible machines from Europe.
Yamaha's fine tradition of free product-support software continues with a Mac editor for their unique FS1R synth.
Seven years ago, teacher, musician and engineer Howard Turner transformed himself into The Studio Wizard and placed an ad offering his services as studio trouble shooter and consultant. It worked like a charm...
Music on the Internet has brought into sharp focus the changes that will need to be made to a global law to ensure the safety of music copyright. Debbie Poyser and Derek Johnson assess the possible impact of new technology.
As studios became more and more virtual, musicians begin to miss having real knobs and faders to play with — hence the success of Peavey's original PC1600 MIDI hardware fader box. Six years on, it has just been replaced with a new version.
Ensoniq were as the forefront of workstation and sampling technology in the '80s, but their recent synth offerings have not kept up with the fashion for controller-festooned techno boxes. The Fizmo, however, updates their take on wavetable synthesis with extensive real-time control.