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September 2006 Magazine Contents

Reviews

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    Alesis DM5

    Electronic Drum Kit

    Now that electronic drums have finally become respectable, there seems to be a trend towards producing more easily affordable MIDI kits. This offering from Alesis is based around the well-regarded DM5 module, yet is still surprisingly inexpensive.

    Reviews
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    Allen & Heath Xone 3D

    DJ Mixer

    Is an all-in-one mixer, MIDI controller and audio interface the perfect solution for digital DJs and live laptop artists?

    Reviews
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    Apple Macbook Pro

    Laptop Computer

    Apple's first Intel-based laptop was introduced earlier this year. Is this the portable Mac musicians and audio engineers have been waiting for?

    Reviews
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    Arturia Prophet V

    Software Synthesizer

    Arturia emulate both the classic Prophet 5 and the lesser-known Prophet VS synthesizers in their latest software instrument.

    Reviews
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    Digidesign Pro Tools 7.2

    Exclusive PREVIEW

    Digidesign unveil a suite of powerful new mixing and automation features with this major HD release of the Pro Tools software, and throw in a surprising number of other goodies at the same time.

    Reviews
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    Focusrite Liquid Mix

    Firewire Dynamic Convolution Processor

    Following on from last month's sneak preview, here's the full SOS hands-on test: If you're looking for characterful compression and EQ to warm up your computer-based mixes, Focusrite's Liquid Mix might just be the answer.

    Reviews
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    Line 6 Low Down LD150

    Modelling Bass Amplifier

     Line 6 have extended their reach into the bass amplifier market with the Low Down series, the smallest and most portable of which is the LD150.

    Reviews
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    Line 6 Variax Workbench

    Editing Software For Variax Guitars

    The revolutionary Variax modelling guitar is already a uniquely versatile instrument, but now Line 6 have added an extra dimension with the ability to customise almost every aspect of its operation.

    Reviews
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    M-Audio EX66

    Active Monitors

    With their latest monitor design, M-Audio are aiming higher than ever before. We put the EX66 to the test...

    Reviews
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    MOTU Digital Performer 5

    DAW For Mac OS X

    Mark Of The Unicorn's flagship recording package combines individual design with a heavyweight feature set. Could Digital Performer be the sequencer for you?

    Reviews
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    Music Lab Real Guitar 2L & Steinberg Virtual Guitarist 2

    Virtual Instruments

    There have been some famous twin-guitar line-ups in rock history and, even if you can't strum a note, you can now have the virtual equivalent — both of these software instruments will play on time and in tune, and won't want a solo in every song! But are they both equally good?

    Reviews
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    PC Audio Labs Athlon Dual-core PC

    Music Computer

    AMD's dual-core Athlon CPUs are proving popular with those seeking the ultimate in desktop PC performance for their money, and this machine from PC Audio Labs shows why.

    Reviews
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    Sample Libraries

    Latest Sound Libraries On Test

    • Soniccouture Abstrakt: Konkrete • Tekniks Drumm EAR • AMG Kick-ass Brass • Bela D Media Lyrical Distortion: Volumes 1 & 2

    Reviews
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    Serato Pitch 'n Time Pro

    Pitch & Time Correction Plug-in For Pro Tools

    Serato's Pitch 'n Time has carved out a reputation as one of the best time-stretching and pitch-shifting plug-ins out there, with special features including 'morphing' time-stretch and the ability to recreate varispeed effects.

    Reviews
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    Sontronics Omega

    Valve Capacitor Microphone

    We examine a handsome Chinese-made valve mic with retro style to spare. But how does it sound?

    Reviews
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    Tascam DM3200

    Digital Mixer

    Tascam's new 48-channel digital console is an imposing sight, full of features and attractively priced. We get to grips with it...

    Reviews
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    TL Labs TL Drum Rehab

    Drum Replacement Plug-in For Pro Tools

    Beefing up real drums with samples is routine practice these days, but the standard tool is looking pretty dated. Can TL Labs' new plug-in help us do it better?

    Reviews
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    Universal Audio Solo 110 & 610

    Microphone Preamps

    The Solo 110 and Solo 610 are a pair of high-quality, no-frills preamps — one solid-state, the other valve.

    Reviews

Techniques

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    Audio Processing With Image Units

    Apple Notes

    As the Mac world looks forward to news of what's in store for the next major version of Mac OS X, we take a look back on an interesting technology, introduced in the last major version, whose audio-processing potential has so far been overlooked.

    Techniques
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    Classic Tracks: Derek & The Dominos 'Layla'

    Producers: Tom Dowd • Derek & The Dominos

    Inspired by a Persian classical poet and a certain Mrs Harrison, 'Layla' went on to become Eric Clapton's most enduring hit.

    Techniques
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    Complete Production In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

    Last month, we looked at how to build a DAW-like audio mixer in Live's Session view. This time, we'll turn our attention to MIDI channel strips, navigation, and tracking in the Arrangement view.

    Techniques
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    Cubase: Detailed Audio Editing

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    Cubase SX supplies us with a comprehensive set of editing tools, but the manner in which they can be used varies enormously — and also depends upon the task at hand...

    Techniques
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    Mix Rescue: Remixing A Jazz Session

    Volcano

    A top-notch jazz session is given a touch of class at mixdown.

    Techniques
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    New Intel Processors On The Way...

    PC Notes

    New Intel desktop processors promising lots of power but significantly lower operating temperatures, plus 64-bit compatibility — an ideal combination for computer-based musicians — are about to arrive. If you're on the verge of upgrading your PC, read this first...

    Techniques
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    Patch & Sample Management With DP's Bundled Instruments

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    DP5's new virtual instruments have all the facilities you need for creating large and well-organised libraries of patches and samples, easily accessible and portable between projects and computers - as long as you know where to look.

    Techniques
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    PC Musician: XP Tweaks For Music

    The Audio Tweaks That Work - And The Ones That Don't!

    Windows XP works better for audio than any other Windows OS so far, but musicians still seek those ultimate go-faster tricks, so this month we bring you a guide to those that are worth doing and those that are worth avoiding.

    Techniques
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    Programming Sonar 5's Pentagon I Soft Synth

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    The Pentagon I soft synth bundled with Sonar 5 is a powerhouse that even offers vocoding facilities. If you've overlooked it so far, remedy the situation with our tips, tricks and programming guide.

    Techniques
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    Remixing Techniques In Logic

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    Everything you need to know to create precise and original remixes using this premier MIDI+Audio sequencer!

    Techniques
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    Studio SOS: Recording Drums & Guitars

    Jon Marsh

    Recording drums and guitars is the task in this month's studio troubleshooting visit.

    Techniques
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    Using Mixer Automation In Reason

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    Mixer automation lets you create more dynamic mixes, but also provides a fast alternative to arranging all your tracks in the sequencer. We offer a simple guide to making the most of it.

    Techniques
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    Working Methods

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    We've had a good look at some of the tools available for mastering in Pro Tools. So what are the best ways to use these tools?

    Techniques

Sound Advice

People

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    Crosstalk

    Readers' Writes

    More of your feedback and a letter from Bryan Adams about August's "Classic Tracks" feature...

    People
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    Jim Abbiss

    Producing Kasabian & Arctic Monkeys

    Jim Abbiss decided to go back to basics and make records the way he wanted to make them. The result? The fastest-selling debut album in history...

    People
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    Roger Nichols: Across The Board

    Balanced Power Supply

    Troubled with ground loops and mains hum? The answer is to switch to a balanced power supply.

    People
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    Sounding Off: Musical Values

    Christopher Budd

    Has the computer changed our musical values?

    People
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    Stephen Duffy

    Writing & Producing With Robbie Williams

    Despite his best efforts, Stephen Duffy's solo work never quite made him a superstar — but it did get him one of the best co-writing gigs around.

    People
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    When Rights Are Wrongs

    Paul White's Leader

    The National Consumer Council believe the rules about what music can and cannot be copied by the public need radical overhaul. Editor In Chief Paul White throws his personal view into the hat too...

    People
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