Computer / Software

USB is at the heart of most PC‑based studios. But what do you do when it goes wrong?

On paper, Linux has many advantages over macOS and Windows. How easy is it to get started, and how far will it take you?

What benefits have the latest crop of CPUs brought for audio users — and what might the coming year have in store for us?

I gather Windows 10 doesn’t support FireWire after a certain update, and I have some legacy devices that I’d like to be able to use. Are there any risks in updating?

Melodyne can do far more than fix dodgy vocals. It’s also a source of inspirational guitar effects...

The idea of paying to ‘own’ software has always been problematic. What exactly is it that you possess?

Intel’s latest CPUs promise big performance gains. But can they topple AMD in our audio benchmarks?

Apple recently announced a transition in the Mac’s hardware architecture that promises to be the most significant in the product’s history. But how will this affect musicians and audio engineers?

The free and open-source Jamulus app lets you play along with other musicians over the Internet in real time. We guide you through it.

AMD's third-generation Ryzen chips have reignited the CPU arms race with Intel — but which is best for a music-production PC?

In this exclusive SOS Video Feature, we talk to jungle producer Pete Cannon about how and why he’s still using Akais, Ataris and Amigas.

I'm looking for advice as to what I should be considering as my next move, to give me the 'oomph' for creating music that uses the best sample libraries for orchestra...

With self-isolation likely to continue for some time, we talk you through using the world's leading conference‑call service for remote music performance.

Plug‑in models of classic hardware can sound great if you feed them the right level. But what level is right?

Like many SOS readers, Paul Baggott's studio centred around the original 'cheesegrater' Mac Pro tower but in 2020 he could hold off no longer and needed to upgrade. In our 'web-only' feature, we thought you'd enjoy reading the trials-and-tribulations tale of Paul's journey and his real-world experiences as this producer bites the bullet and buys a new 2019 Mac Pro.

How do you know which audio interfaces will work with which studio computers? We cut through the connector confusion!

Already dominant elsewhere, audio-over-IP is poised to take over the studio world. We explain how it works — and why there are so many protocols!

I’ve recently bought an iMac and would be grateful for any advice on how to set up the hard drives for music...

Is it possible to transfer everything from your existing Windows music computer to a new machine, or should you start afresh?

I’m currently looking into a new music PC build and wondered which Windows operating system you’d recommend.

A mastering engineer told me that, when playing back source files from his laptop into a high-quality USB-connected D-A, the...