DAWs

Cubase SX's MIDI Device Manager provides a way of choosing patches and banks on your external MIDI hardware by name rather than by number. We look at how to create your own MIDI Patch Name Scripts to make this possible.

As a creative, stable and above all fun way of combining audio loops in real time, Ableton's Live has proved an ideal counterpart to Rewire-compatible applications such as Cubase. With version 4 offering a wealth of new features, including MIDI sequencing, could Live now replace traditional sequencers altogether?

Layering hardware sound modules to create new sounds is a simple matter, but things are not nearly as easy when you are working with virtual instruments in Logic. Here are a few useful workarounds...

Digidesign's Samplecell products once had a huge army of users, many of whom still have well-loved sample libraries stranded in this format. We look at the options available to continue using these sample patches in Pro Tools.

We explore an advanced technique for creating 'instant' tracks using Propellerhead's Reason software.

We bring you yet more Sonar stratagems, including further adventures in envelope copying, some handy track tricks, and advice on using Arturia's Storm with Sonar.

It's just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right. With your hands on your hips, you bring your knees in tight. But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane. Let's do the time-warp again?

Find out how to use the I/O plug-in within an Output Audio object, and also learn how Logic's improved plug-in delay compensation allows some powerful new mixing techniques.

We feature a bumper crop of handy tips in this month's guide to all that's good in Pro Tools...

A new Refill is reviewed and ways around some common Reason problems are offered.

This month, fun things to make and do with Lexicon's Pantheon reverb, plus how linking clips can make your life easier...

The Key Editor is a seemingly straightforward MIDI editor, yet under its surface lie a number of features that can really speed up your editing tasks. We explain, as well as reporting on the new version 2.2 Cubase update.

The Aux object might seem a little arcane, but it's the key to a variety of useful Environment workarounds.

PT version 6.4 comes with some surprising and long-awaited new features.

SOS's 2003 Reader Survey told us that you want our help in getting the best from this popular package — and we're happy to oblige with a new monthly column.

We explain how to transfer projects between DAWs that speak OMF, and look at some clever envelope tricks.

We conclude our look at DP's Consoles, and suggests some ways of 'future-proofing' your Projects against the relentless flow of application and plug-in updates.

If you get that sync'ing feeling when using Cubase in conjunction with external hardware devices, you may need to know more about its synchronisation options. We explain what's what.

Learn how to set up Logic's Environment so that you can jam with other musicians in real time on a single system.

A common occasion for grief in Pro Tools is when moving projects from one system to another. Here are some tips to help you keep your hair.

We investigate a new DXi option that makes vocal manipulation as easy as editing MIDI data. Plus the usual haul of Sonar power tips...