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June 2023 Magazine Contents

SOS (US Edition) June 2023

REVIEWS: Apple M2 MacBook Pro & Mac mini • Neumann KH120 II monitors • Erica Synths Perkons HD-01 drum machine • Tascam Portacapture X6 recorder • IK Multimedia Tonex Pedal • Black Lion Audio Auteur DT mic pre/DI • RME Digiface AES audio interface • Voyage Audio Spatial Mic Dante • Universal Audio Galaxy ’74, Del-Verb & Max pedals • Sonicware SmplTrek sampling groovebox • Tierra Audio New Twenties mic • Malcolm Toft Punishr distortion/EQ • Chandler RS660 valve compressor • Audio-Technica ATS99 mic • Extinct Audio BM9A active ribbon mic • Xaoc Devices Sofia Eurorack • Sony MDR-MV1 headphones — and lots more!

Techniques + People: Running A Commercial Studio [front cover] • Inside Track: Depeche Mode 'Memento Mori' • Vocal Mixing: Lessons From Eurovision • Mastering Spatial Audio: Michael Romanowski • Setting Up Affordable TRS Jack Patchbays • Using Transient Processors • How I Got That Sound: Tom Lord-Alge • Talkback: Mikko Gordon • DAW workshops: Cubase, Digital Performer, Studio One, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Reaper — and more!

Reviews

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    Apple M2 MacBook Pro & Mac mini: Part 1

    Personal Computers

    We begin an in‑depth, two‑part examination of Apple’s M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, and the new MacBook Pro and Mac mini computers that house them.

    Reviews
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    Audio-Technica ATS99

    Audio-Technica ATS99

    Dynamic Microphone

    If you want to add a little weight to your live vocal sound, A‑T’s new handheld dynamic mic could be just the ticket.

    Reviews
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    Black Lion Audio Auteur DT

    Microphone Preamplifier & DI

    There’s more to this desktop preamp than turning up your mic!

    Reviews
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    Chandler RS660

    Valve Compressor

    Can’t decide if you’d rather blow your vari‑mu budget on a Fairchild or an RS124? Chandler’s RS660 puts a little of both in one box...

    Reviews
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    Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro

    Eurorack Module

    Cosmix Pro is an eight‑channel Eurorack mixer offering a broad range of routing possibilities, with generous amounts of visual clarity and several functions usually reserved for much larger mixers.

    Reviews
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    Custom Studio Desks CSD202

    Studio Furniture

    Could a CSD desk form the heart of your studio?

    Reviews
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    Erica Synths Perkons HD-01

    Drum Machine

    Perkons is the Latvian name for the Baltic god of thunder, a fitting name for a thunderous drum machine.

    Reviews
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    Extinct Audio BM9A

    Active Ribbon Microphone

    Extinct Audio bring some fresh activity to their popular ribbon design!

    Reviews
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    IK Multimedia Tonex Pedal

    Amp Profiling Pedal

    The Tonex Pedal makes IK’s powerful amp‑capture technology available in a standalone hardware unit.

    Reviews
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    Inlet Audio Clarinet Drama Textures

    Kontakt Instrument

    Rating: 4.5/5 Stars. The instrument allows users to pick any two clarinet textures from a library of 15 available textures, blending and shaping them with onboard tools.

    Reviews
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    Malcolm Toft Punishr

    500-series Distortion & EQ

    Controllable carnage is the name of the game, but the Punishr can do warmth and subtlety too!

    Reviews
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    Malcolm Toft Punishr | Audio Examples

    Hear For Yourself

    These audio examples accompany the SOS June 2023 review of the Punishr analogue harmonic distortion 500-series module by Malcolm Toft.

    Reviews
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    Neumann KH120 II

    Active Monitors

    Neumann continue to set new standards in compact nearfield monitoring.

    Reviews
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    Orchestral Tools Salu

    Sample Library

    Orchestral Tools get up close and personal with some intimate soundscapes.

    Reviews
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    RME Digiface AES

    USB Audio Interface

    Originally developed for a German broadcaster, the Digiface AES is now available to everyone.

    Reviews
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    Sampleson Sandstorm

    Plug-in Instrument

    Rating: **** 4/5 Stars. Sandstorm provides an easy‑to‑use platform for creating evolving soundscapes and sonic textures.

    Reviews
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    Sonicware SmplTrek

    Sampling Groovebox

    Sonicware’s SmplTrek packs an ambitious sampler, sequencer and recorder into a single portable box.

    Reviews
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    Sony MDR-MV1

    Open-backed Headphones

    Sony’s first open‑backed headphones offer an intriguing alternative to the established classics in the field.

    Reviews
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    Spitfire Audio Abbey Road Orchestra: High Percussion

    Plug-in Instrument

    Rating: **** 4/5 Stars. The second instalment in Spitfire’s new modular series is a direct continuation of the first.

    Reviews
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    Tascam Portacapture X6

    Portable Multitrack Recorder

    The Portacapture X6 makes Tascam’s touchscreen approach to mobile recording more portable and affordable than ever.

    Reviews
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    Tascam Portacapture X6 | Audio Examples

    Hear For Yourself

    SOS June 2023

    Chris Timson

    These files accompany my...

    Reviews
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    Tierra Audio New Twenties

    Cardioid Capacitor Microphone

    This handmade mic offers vibe in abundance.

    Reviews
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    Tierra Audio New Twenties | Audio Examples

    Hear For Yourself

    Here you'll find a range of audio files comparing the New Twenties microphone to my AKG C414, that accompany my review in SOS June 2023.

    Reviews
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    Universal Audio Galaxy ’74, Del-Verb & Max

    Tape Echo, Reverb/Delay & Preamp/Compressor Pedals

    The latest additions to Universal Audio’s UAFX digital stompbox range offer faithful recreations of classic studio tape delays, reverbs, compressors — and even a vintage microphone preamp.

    Reviews
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    Void & Vista Strands

    Kontakt Instrument

    Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars. If you have a passion for composing for film/TV contexts, or for more experimental song‑based production, then Void & Vista Strands may be worth auditioning.

    Reviews
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    Voyage Audio Spatial Mic Dante

    Ambisonic Microphone

    Has the addition of Dante allowed Voyage Audio’s Ambisonic mic to realise its full potential?

    Reviews
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    Xaoc Devices Sofia

    Eurorack Module

    Sofia is an oscillator that synthesizes vocal‑like formants without filtering, achieved by superimposing decaying sinusoidal tones onto each individual cycle of a fundamental base waveform.

    Reviews

Techniques

Sound Advice

People

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    Award Winning

    Leader

    The MIDI protocol celebrates its 40th birthday this year, with SOS as official media partners for this year's MIDI Innovation Awards.

    People
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    DJ Dahi: Producing 'Gravity'

    SOS FEATURE VIDEO

    Dahi talks about his production process, and breaks down his influential production of 'Gravity' for Brent Faiyaz featuring Tyler, the Creator.

    People
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    Talkback: Mikko Gordon

    Engineer & Producer

    Born in the UK, engineer and producer Mikko Gordon grew up in Helsinki before returning to study at Goldsmiths, University of London. Since then he has formed a close working relationship with Radiohead super‑producer Nigel Godrich...

    People
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    Modular system with loads of messy cables and modules!

    Why I Love... Rearranging My Modular

    Robin Vincent

    There’s a running gag in modular circles about how someone has just completed their system. But in a few days, maybe a week, other modules will start popping up out of drawers and things will change.

    People

Music Business

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    Running A Commercial Studio

    A Creative Business

    Many of us dream of setting up a recording studio. But where do you start — and what’s it really like to run one as a commercial business today?

    Music Business
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