Computer / Software

Last year saw the proliferation of reliable, fully-featured MIDI + Audio sequencers for the IBM-compatible PC — packages which were previously the preserve of the Apple Macintosh platform. Janet Harniman-Cook takes a look at the three top PC programs in the field to see how their facilities compare.

How do Steinberg's DSP software plug-ins for their WaveLab software, now at version 1.5, compare with the industry heavyweights? Paul White unearths his nastiest recordings to find out.

Paul White tries Emagic's new audio file compression utility while balancing the implications of time and space.

There's never been a better time to burn your own CDs at home, as the price of CD writers and the necessary mastering software continues to fall. Now the Red Roaster bundle is bringing the homemade CD dream within the reach of Pentium PC owners. Janet Harniman-Cook experiences burning desires...

Paul D. Lehrman discovers things he never knew about his recordings...

The DSP-FX is the world's first 32-bit floating point digital effects processing system with a visual interface. It also comes on a standard ISA card for installation in a desktop PC. Dominic Hawken plugs 'n' plays.

Paul White plugs his very real guitar into a virtual amp and gets down to playing some unimaginable music.

Software-based noise removal systems are one way of restoring defective recordings, such as vocal takes ruined by mains hum, or crackly recordings from vinyl — but such systems can be very expensive. The relatively low-cost DART Pro seeks to change all that. Panicos Georghiades and Gabriel Jacobs clean up all round.

This month, MacOS evangelist Martin Russ reports back from the recent optimistic Apple Expo show, and dishes out some more tips on file management.

If you have to decide what to delete on your PC before installing a new program, it's time to consider a bigger disk drive. In the first of this two-part series, Martin Walker explains why size isn't all you have to consider when making your choice...

Brian Heywood studio tests PC scoring/sequencing package Musicator, which has just gone audio, as well as handing out a few PC Notes Awards for '96...

You probably don't realise how noisy your computer studio is until you turn everything off and enjoy the silence. Paul D. Lehrman explains how you can arrange your setup to reduce noise and restore peace to your working environment.

Derek Johnson plugs a Swiss TOS-based computer, reveals plans for more Atari shows, and sets the record straight on Atari hard drives...

The first software release from AudioWorks offers hope to MIDI musicians with limited keyboard skills. Sound2MIDI lets PC users record note-perfect sequences, using only a soundcard and a microphone. Dominic Hawken tests the system.

Paul White explores the budget side of sequencing with Evolution's inexpensive keyboard and PC sequencing software bundle.

Rather than trying to be a jack of all trades, SAW Plus has made itself a master of one — providing a dedicated multitrack recording and editing environment for digital audio on the PC. Janet Harniman-Cook came, saw, and wrote this review...

Brian Heywood concludes his look at PC soundcards by considering some of the issues involved in using them to record and play back digital audio.

Derek Johnson brings you more news from the platform that wouldn't die... the ST.

AARRGGH! Just as you were about to save your computer crashes, destroying the only record of your latest musical opus. What should be your next step? Before you douse your PC in aviation fuel and set it ablaze, calm down, and hearken unto the soothing advice of Crashmeister Janet Harniman-Cook...

Many people have trouble adding new software cards to a PC. If your slots are full to overflowing, and every card is fighting for its own resources, you will almost certainly encounter problems. Fortunately, Martin Walker is here to lead you through the minefield.

Astonished by the speed of software development, Martin Russ wonders where it's all leading... MOTU Digital Performer.