Computer / Software

Computers have a habit of attracting more than their fair share of unwanted files. Martin Walker shows you how to clear away the cobwebs, and streamline your PC at the same time.

With impressive improvements in power, speed and flexibility, Digidesign's software upgrade for their flagship digital audio production system keeps them ahead of the pack. Paul D. Lehrman wonders where the catch is...

The Native Power Pack from DSP software specialists Waves gathers together several plug-ins previously only available for Mac-based TDM systems, and makes them available at a Knock-down price, instantly widening the appeal of software based processing. Janet Harniman-Cook plugs in.

Using SoundFonts with your AWE32 or AWE64 soundcard makes them totally open-ended — if you want a new sound for MIDI use you just sample one. Martin Walker guides you through the wonders of personalised SoundFont creation.

This month Martin Russ looks at technical support, operating system updates and shareware.

Derek Johnson gathers together more Atari-related news, products and tips.

This month's hot topic is processors — lots of them! Martin Walker goes into OverDrive.

MOTU software specialist and UK distributor Simon Stock passes on some useful info for users of Performer, Digital Performer, Composer's MOSAIC and Freestyle.

The release of this tracker is welcome news for Amiga users, but it's also a glimpse of things to come on the PC platform. Amiga expert Paul Overaa puts the package through its paces.

Paul White Checks over Waves' multi-process plug-in for Digidesign TDM systems, Macromedia Deck II and Adobe Premiere.

Martin Russ takes stock of price drops, take-over rumours, and in some cases, the end of the line.

Derek Johnson keeps the Atari flag flying with tidings of some hardware add-ons for both Falcon and ST, plus a neat freeware package that turns your Atari into a guitar tuner...

Even the best-regulated computer can suddenly turn nasty. Martin Walker guides you through the ways to recover when you're faced with a blank screen and a frozen mouse.

Dennis Miller concludes his short series on computer-based synthesizers by looking at some hybrid software/hardware synthesis systems, and introducing the powerful software synth language CSound.

Niels Larsen, Steinberg's Sales and Marketing manager, lets you in on some crafty ways of using Cubase.

Taking over the PC Notes hot seat, Martin Walker looks at the future of the PC audio, and exposes a few problem areas for soundcards.

After another panicky start to the year for the MacOS, Martin Russ asks what happens next.

In the first part of this occasional series for users of popular software packages, we take a look at what you need to do to get up and running using Logic's Environment page, and provide an introduction to the Multi-instrument Object.

PC utility programs are either invaluable workmates, or end up languishing in a corner of your disk drive, rarely used. In a quest to sort out the most useful items for musicians, Martin Walker subjects his PC to the ultimate test.

These days, many businesses plan to replace their computers every two years. Although bi-annual upgrades don't come easy on your wallet, in the fast-changing world of the PC-based musician, upgrades are eventually inevitable. Martin Walker advises you on how to negotiate the troubled path to DSP processing paradise..

Designing sounds on a computer can give you virtually all the knobs and sliders you'd want, but there's the potential to go far beyond hardware synthesis too. Dennis Miller begins a two-part tour of what's available.