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February 2019 Magazine Contents

SOS (US Edition) February 2019

Reviews: Steinberg Cubase 10 (cover), Korg Volca Modular, Softube Modular, Audient iD44, EastWest Voices Of Soul, Graham Audio Swisstone LS3, Headrush Gigboard, Make Noise René, Nektar Pacer, Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900, Pulse Techniques EQP-1A, Spitfire Audio Eric Whitacre Choir, Tascam Model 24, UAD 9.7 and more.

Techniques + People: Inside Track: Andrea Bocelli 'Fall On You', Tatsuya Takahashi: Synth Designer, Dave Cobb: Producer+Engineer, Mix Rescue: Piano+Vocals, Piano Recording: Part 2 [video] plus DAW workshops.

Reviews

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    2HP Vowel

    Eurorack Module

    Vowel is a digital oscillator module with all the gubbins you might need in order to get vowel sounds with just a trio of controls.

    Reviews
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    Accusonus ERA Voice Leveler

    Formats: Mac & PC VST & AAX; Mac AU

    Voice Leveler aims to even out dynamic variations in the recorded voice, but it is not a conventional compressor...

    Reviews
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    AJH Synth Finaliser R-EQ

    Eurorack Module

    Looking for pre-mixer sweetening? Finaliser R‑EQ offers three-band parametic EQ, a two-way aural enhancer that works on the top and bottom end of the audio, and basic DSP effects like reverb and delay.

    Reviews
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    Audient iD44

    USB 2.0 Audio Interface

    The iD44 is a versatile USB 2.0 desktop interface 
with Audient's trademark 
audio quality.

    Reviews
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    Audio-Technica 3000 Series

    Wireless Microphone System

    Digital wireless systems are all the rage these days, but good old UHF still has some unique advantages.

    Reviews
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    DMSD 50 Pro

    Nearfield Monitor Decouplers

    Speaker decouplers aim to isolate speakers from the surface on which they sit. This newer, more affordbale DMSD 50 Pro design has been optimised for speakers weighing up to 12kg (ie. most nearfield monitors).

    Reviews
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    EastWest Voices Of Soul

    Sample Library

    Great vocalists are in short supply, but EastWest might have the answer...

    Reviews
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    ESI M8U eX

    MIDI Interface

    This class-compliant device works with Windows (7, 8.1 and 10) and Mac OS systems (both 32-bit and 64-bit) without the need for drivers. When not connected to a computer, the M8U eX also works as a standalone MIDI thru or merge box.

    Reviews
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    Gamechanger Audio Plasma

    Discharge Tube Distortion Pedal

    The Plasma Pedal is a very different take on the distortion pedal, and it would be very easy to mistake its description as...

    Reviews
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    Get Good Drums Modern & Massive

    Kontakt Instrument

    **** 4/5 stars. This Matt Halpern signature pack sample library is designed for productions ranging from rock through to thrash metal...

    Reviews
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    Graham Audio Swisstone LS3

    Passive Monitors

    In the LS3, Graham Audio have sought to recreate a classic BBC monitor but without the 'classic' price tag.

    Reviews
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    Gramotech Audio Babylon EQ

    Formats: Mac & PC VST; Mac AU

    Billed as a comprehensive graphic equaliser for the cost of a few beers, Gramotech's Babylon might better be described as a very flexible multiband EQ.

    Reviews
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    Headrush Gigboard

    Amp Simulator & Effects Processor

    The Gigboard crams the processing power of Headrush's flagship Pedalboard into a compact and easy to use format.

    Reviews
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    Heavyocity Novo Synthetic Strings

    Sample Library

    **** 4/5 stars. Synthetic Strings focuses not on string synthesizers per se, but on synthetic textures inspired by synthesizers and string machines.

    Reviews
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    IGS Audio S-Type 500 VU

    VCA Bus Compressor

    We put this versatile homage to the classic British bus compressor through its paces.

    Reviews
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    Korg Volca Modular

    Semi-modular Synthesizer

    Korg bring West Coast modular synthesis to the masses with their most ambitious Volca yet.

    Reviews
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    Kush GoldPlate

    Formats: Mac & PC VST & AAX; Mac AU

    This plate reverb emulation combines Relab's algorithmic reverberation tail technology with Kush's expertise in harmonic shaping and compression.

    Reviews
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    Make Noise René

    Eurorack Module

    Make Noise proudly promote the René as "the world's only 3D Cartesian Music Sequencer". I had no idea either, but it's been...

    Reviews
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    Nektar Pacer

    MIDI Foot Controller

    We put Nektar's ambitious foot controller through its, er, paces.

    Reviews
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    Oscillot Perspective

    Formats: Mac & PC VST & AAX; Mac AU

    Oscillot recognise that many small studios don't have the space or resources to host multiple monitor systems, so they've created a virtual alternative to physical speaker switching.

    Reviews
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    Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900

    Semi-modular Synthesizer

    Pittsburgh's desktop semi-modular has its eye set firmly on the experimental.

    Reviews
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    Pulse Techniques EQP-1A

    Analogue Passive Equaliser

    Is this, as the manufacturers claim, the most authentic recreation of the venerable PulTec EQP‑1A?

    Reviews
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    QSC CP Series

    Active PA Speakers

    The CP Series speakers represent QSC's first attempt at an 'entry level' range. We put them to the test!

    Reviews
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    Rare Signals Transatlantic Plate Reverb

    Formats: Mac & PC VST & AAX; Mac AU

    Rare Signals are new players in the plug-in market, and Transatlantic Plate Reverb is their first product.

    Reviews
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    sE Electronics DM1 Dynamite

    In‑line Mic Preamplifier

    We put sE's claims of truly transparent gain to the test...

    Reviews
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    Softube Modular

    Virtual Modular Synth

    If you're Eurorack curious but short on space or cash — or simply allergic to 3.5mm patch cables — Softube's Modular might be for you.

    Reviews
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    Spitfire Audio Eric Whitacre Choir

    Sample Library

    A chance meeting with a leading choral composer sparked a major new Spitfire library.

    Reviews
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    Steinberg Cubase 10

    Music Production Software

    Cubase celebrates a milestone birthday with an update that makes almost every aspect of the program slicker and easier to use.

    Reviews
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    Tascam Model 24

    Mixer, Multitrack Recorder 
& USB Audio Interface

    Offering both retro analogue simplicity and modern digital recording facilities, can this device be master of all trades?

    Reviews
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    Toontrack Drums Of Destruction EZX

    ***** 5/5 stars. Produced by Grammy-winning engineer Josh Wilbur and Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler, this is a collection of hard-hitting drums that sound big in every sense of the word.

    Reviews
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    Universal Audio UAD 9.7

    Powered Plug-in Suite

    Universal Audio take another step — or five — towards recreating every piece of classic audio hardware ever made!

    Reviews
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    Unorthodox Audio Superfly Drums

    Kontakt Instrument / Sample Library

    **** 4/5 stars. Unorthodox Audio are a fledgling sample library company, set up by composers Richard Norris and Mike Gunn with the aim of trying to "capture something wonderfully peculiar within each virtual instrument".

    Reviews

Techniques

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    Ableton Live Step Sequencers

    Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

    Max For Live has a rich assortment of step sequencers. We look at some of the best.

    Techniques
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    Cakewalk: Mastering A Seamless Album

    Cakewalk/Sonar Tips & Techniques

    Cakewalk has all the tools you need to put together a seamless DJ‑style album.

    Techniques
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    Inside Track: Andrea Bocelli 'Fall On You'

    Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Justin Cortelyou & Bob Ezrin

    Searching for a crossover hit, the team behind classical tenor Andrea Bocelli turned to one of the all-time great rock producers.

    Techniques
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    Making Tracks In Pro Tools

    Avid Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    There are many ways to set up Pro Tools tracks, and not all of them are created equal!

    Techniques
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    Media Content | February 2019

    Hear For Yourself

    Listing of all SOS February 2019 articles that hold associated media files for audio examples.

    Techniques
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    Mix Rescue: Michaela Betts & Alessia McDermott

    Our Experts Transform Your Track

    Our engineer applies his mixing chops to put a professional sheen on an unrepeatable vocal-and-piano performance.

    Techniques
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    Mix Rescue: Michaela Betts & Alessia McDermott | Audio

    Hear For Yourself

    Here are the audio files that accompany February 2019's Mix Rescue article.

    Techniques
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    Multi-lane Editing In Reason

    Propellerhead Reason Tips & Techniques

    Multi‑lane editing is the secret to working with MIDI notes and drum layers in context within Reason.

    Techniques
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    Recording Piano: Part 2

    Piano Recording & Mixing Techniques At GSI Studios [Video Feature]

    In Part 2 of our Video Feature, Josh Giunta from GSI Studios moves on to the recording and mixing processes, exploring the fine art of microphone positioning, dealing with phase, and mixing techniques.

    Techniques
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    Using DP's Guitar Amp Plug-ins

    MOTU Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    From shred to salsa, Digital Performer's amp modelling tools can cater for any guitar style.

    Techniques

Sound Advice

People

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    Dave Cobb

    Producer & Engineer

    Dave Cobb's approach to recording is simple — but as artists like Chris Stapleton, Rival Sons and Jason Isbell have found, it's very effective.

    People
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    Paul White in his studio, 2017.

    Outside Influence

    Leader

    Musical creativity can be inspired by many different things, but our Editor In Chief finds that picking up an instrument he wouldn't normally play can stimulate new ideas...

    People
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    Tatsuya Takahashi: Synth Designer

    Making Synthesis Engaging, Immediate And Affordable

    Former Chief Engineer at Korg, Tatsuya Takahashi is the man who brought analogue synthesis back into the mainstream.

    People
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    The Mix Review

    Commercial Productions Analysed

    We examine the production of some recent hit records to help you brush up your listening skills.

    People
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    Why I Love... Headphones

    Drew Alexander

    "It's a harrowing journey trying to turn a cube-shaped room in an apartment building into a listening room suitable for mixing a quality record."

    People

Music Business

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    La Siesta del Fauno, Buenos Aires

    Studio File

    La Siesta del Fauno's founder, Ernesto Romeo, has curated a haven for creativity in Argentina that is specialised in the intricacies of analogue and digital synthesis...

    Music Business
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    SOS Awards Trophy

    SOS Awards - All Winners 2019

    Chosen by the readers of Sound On Sound

    This year’s SOS Awards once again place their emphasis on innovation and contemporary design. Check out the winners!

    Music Business
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    SOS Awards Trophy

    SOS Awards - Highly Commended 2019

    Chosen by the readers of Sound On Sound

    Read on to discover all the very worthy close contenders in each category who have been awarded our Highly Commended accolade.

    Music Business
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