Computer / Software

Your PC can be a hugely powerful tool — but if it's not set up properly, the number of hoops you have to jump through before you actually get to do any recording can be intimidating. Martin Walker explains how to smooth the path.

Martin Walker finds out what's new in Windows Millennium edition and explores the latest version of Native Instruments' Pro-five VST Instrument, renamed the Pro52.

Paul White cruises down memory lane in style, with the bargain-priced M-Tron Mellotron soundalike VST Instrument plug-in.

Bucking the trend for elaborate 'virtual studio' graphic interfaces and bloated feature sets, Making Waves is designed to allow you to get into making music quickly and straightforwardly, on even a modestly specified PC. John Walden puts it through its paces.

Nicholas Rowland tries out the new features in MOTU's ever-evolving flagship Macintosh sequencing package.

Paul White boldy goes where no man has been B4!

Nemesys' Gigasampler proved that a fast PC could compete with the latest hardware samplers, and provided some features they simply couldn't match — such as sampled instruments many gigabytes in size. Now the company has updated the range to include two new products. Martin Walker asks if rackmount samplers have finally met their Nemesys...

There was quite a buzz about mLAN at the recent American AES audio trade show. Paul Wiffen reports on the latest developments.

This month Martin Walker improves his aural skills and reports on progress with Cubase 5.0.

Part 1 of a 2-part Net Notes in which Dave Shapton explores the theory and the practice of broadcasting your audio and video on the Internet.

Derek Johnson gets into the groove with an 'emailware' rhythm-creation program and goes analogue with an updated step-sequencer...

This month Vic Lennard looks at the practical implications of DirectConnect and possible problems when using the wrong system updaters...

Software and hardware developments have made the 'studio in your PC' concept increasingly attractive, but many prospective users are put off by concerns about sound quality, timing, and the difficulty of adapting existing sample libraries. Many of these issues need no longer cause difficulty, however, as Martin Walker explains...

The recent G3, G4 and iMac computers are fast and attractive to musicians, but they present various dilemmas when it comes to connecting your MIDI and audio interfaces. In part 1 of this short series, Paul Wiffen looks at the various ways to get MIDI data flowing reliably in the absence of ADB and serial ports.

Soundcard and computer technology has advanced to the stage where even modestly specified PC systems can make recordings of incredible clarity — and DSP algorithms now allow us to add in the warmth that is characteristic of analogue recordings. Martin Walker explores the options.

The Atari goes back to the future with the help of the Electron SidStation, and Derek Johnson finds out why it's hip to be square...

When it comes to MIDI files on the 'net you have two options: either trawl through the myriad of illegal pirate sites or deal with a professional. Paul Farrer separates the pros from the cons.

This month Martin Walker seeks out the suppliers of products aimed at reducing noise from your PC.

Proofing music with MP3 and SoundJam MP Plus is on the agenda for Vic Lennard this month...

Paul White concludes this short series by considering a more sophisticated desktop studio incorprating an external digital mixer.

Paul White evaluates the latest Logic Audio update and discovers that as well as a host of new features, Windows users also get a brand-new audio engine.