Computer / Software

There's nothing more irritating than having a perfect take ruined by unexpected audio glitches. Martin Walker investigates the possible causes and suggests ways to improve matters through system software settings.

Derek Johnson visits the Atari Computing Convention, and finds that there's life in the old dog yet... Sound Pool Native DSP Mastering Suite; Atari Computing Convention.

After the general guidelines on the approach and attitude you should adopt to a computer based audio system last month, Paul Wiffen gets down to the nitty-gritty of spec'ing your system and setting it up for minimum hassle and maximum results.

A new utility from Musitek claims to turn printed dots and lines into something non-score reading musicians can get to grips with. Janet Harniman-Cook gives it the once-over.

Imagine a sampler with almost unlimited memory that doesn't cost a fortune, and runs on a PC using a standard soundcard. Martin Walker installs Gigasampler, and prepares to be amazed.

Acoustic design is usually a combination of guesswork, intuition and very hard maths. Paul White tries delegating it to his PC instead.

Martin Walker explores the pros and cons of different soundcard drivers, fixes a problem with his IRQs, and still finds time to read a couple of books as well.

Electronic Cow programs are moovin' on up, and French company Softjee have got UK distribution for their range of software. Derek Johnson checks out the Atari action.

As it was, as it is, and as it may be. Martin Russ looks ahead to where musical Macs may be going.

Paul Nagle takes the helm this month in our new regular feature on music and recording resources on the internet, highlighting sites devoted to synthesizers old and new, and finding an essential download for owners of the Roland VS880.

Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser explore a well -specified virtual monosynth from newcomers Koblo.

What's the best way to set up you PC's hard drive for digital audio recording? Useful statistics can be hard to come by, so Martin Walker runs his own tests.

Paul Wiffen has been introducing people to digital audio on computers in one form or another for 10 years now, but sees people falling into the same old traps time and time again. In the first part of a short series he explains the importance of making the right decisions before you buy a new system.

Loop-based sequencing can involve heavy-duty time-stretching and pitch-shifting, but Sonic Foundry aim to change this with Acid, which allows you to mix multiple sample loops while changing their pitch and tempo in real time. Martin Walker applies the Acid test.

Unlike the vintage equipment it emulates, Rebirth is getting more sophisticated all the time. Derek Johnson & Debbie Poyser catch up with the latest version.

In a market already awash with software plug-ins, it takes something special to stand out. Martin Walker investigates a filter that is poles apart.

Waves are rightly renowned for their full price plug-in suites for both Mac and PC, but can they achieve the same reputation at the entry level end of the market? Martin Walker wonders just how easy it is.

Paul White revisits his old analogue synthesis days via Bitheadz's Retro AS1 — but can a computer screen ever be as friendly as all those knobs and faders?

Since Microsoft released Windows 98 at the beginning of June, some PC musicians have held back to see how stable it is, while others have taken their chances. Martin Walker crosses his fingers and jumps the latest hurdles form Bill Gates.

Atari users with CD-ROM drives can take advantage of a new disc crammed with MIDI and audio bits and pieces, for just £25. Derek Johnson gives it a spin.

The iMac has been shrouded in mystery since its announcement by Apple — and some of the puzzles just won't go away, even now the first machines have shipped. Martin Russ investigates.