Computer / Software

With more and more software synths appearing for both Mac and PC, it takes something a little special to make people sit up and take notice. Martin Walker looks at a product that should do just that.

Need a new soundcard for your PC? Searching for that classic analogue synth, or planning to offload yours? Nicholas Rowland explains the ins and outs of buying and selling online via auction.

With so many models on the market, choosing a CD writer can be tricky. Martin Walker helps you narrow things down, and also harvests a few grains of sound

The Free Internet access now being offered by so many companies and the ability of inexpensive net software mean that your Atari computer could be the cheapest way to get on line. Derek Johnson checks out a new German web-access package and also rounds up some drum machine and synth emulators for the ST and Falcon.

Martin Russ explores his new G3 Mac a little further, and looks at the music prospects for Apple's new iBook.

Having explained the factors that come into play in designing the structure, content and appearance of a web site, Mike Simmons turns to the part that will be most important to many SOS readers: putting sound on your site.

Now that software versions of synths, processors and samplers are available for less than their hardware equivalents, many musicians are being tempted to dispense with their studio hardware and run everything inside their PCs. Martin Walker examines the feasibility of putting all your chips in one basket...

TDM plug‑in for Pro Tools

Reviewed: Mac version

Lexicon's hardware reverb units...

TDM plug‑in for Pro Tools

Reviewed: Mac version

The Aphex Aural Exciter has become...

PC DirectX only

Not all professional‑quality plug‑ins are developed by large commercial...

The latest PC version of Steinberg's popular sequencing package incorporates a number of significant new features, including the long-awaited VST 2 and ASIO 2. Martin Walker checks them out.

An inexpensive program from MPEG software veterans Xing makes MP3 ripping and encoding quick and easy. But does it produce worthwhile results? Simon Trask has a ripping time with Audio Catalyst...

This month Martin Walker explores a number of interesting new releases, improves the ergonomics of his desktop, and prepares downloadable demos for the SOS web site.

Explore life's ups and downs with MIDI arpeggiators and step sequencers for your Atari, expanded your horizons with a multi-port MIDI cable, and find out about TOS's French connection. Derek Johnson presents a readers' digest. Electronic Cow MIDI Arpeggiator; Phonic MIDI Arpeggiator; Petri Sinisalo Real Arp

John Walden introduces the email discussion list — one of the most valuable resources for information, advice and opinion.

Martin Russ joins the Blue & Whites and examines the goal of all-software music creation. Steinberg Rewire; MOTU Digtital Performer v2.6.

Many musicians are still debating whether to upgrade to Windows '98. Martin Walker reports back on a year of using Microsoft's latest operating system for consumers.

Many pepople seem frustrated with the 'free' software that is bundled with CD-R drives, so this month Martin Walker looks at a new low-cost CD-burning package, as well as reading a few meters.

Paul White examines how a simple computer-based studio can be hooked up with a mixer to provide zero-latency monitoring during recording.

Mike Simmons continues his introduction to web design for musicians with a more detailed look at the most important HTML tags, and explains how, when and in what form to use graphics on your site.

You don't necessarily need the most powerful and up-to-date PC to create sophisticated MIDI and audio compositions. Martin Walker looks a little more deeply into what can be squeezed out of a complete range of machines, from modest to monster.