Recorders

Digidesign have forged a formidable reputation in the pro arena for their Pro Tools digital audio workstations. With the new Digi 001 system, they're hoping to capture a substantial slice of the project-studio market too. Debbie Poyser and Derek Johnson provide an exclusive hands on review.

Paul White discovers a sensibly priced CD recorder capable of handling any type of recording sessions without throwing a tantrum.

We get our hands on Fostex's latest affordable digital recorder — and the company's first ever stand‑alone digital mixer.

The launch of yet another 8-in/8-out PCI soundcard might seem little cause for raised eyebrows, but Terratec have a few surprises up their sleeves with the EWS88 MT. Martin Walker prepares to be amazed.

Time moves quickly in the world of digital recording and since SOS's last sampler roundup in September 1997, a host of new models have been introduced, from 'quick-and-dirty' phrase recorders to top-of-the-range sampling workstations. Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser steer you through the pre-purchase decisions, and provide a guide to all the currently available models.

Project Hammerfall is an unusual name for a soundcard — but then RME's new card is somewhat out of the ordinary. Martin Walker enters a world of sample-accurate sync and minimal latency.

Fostex pioneered the project-studio multitrack with reel-to-reels like the R8 and, more recently have also been quick of the mark in introducing digital recorders. Derek Johnson reviews the latest addition to the latter range.

The increased headroom and dynamic range afforded by 24-bit recording can be a boon, but until now its cost has put it out of reach of many. However, this looks set to change with the latest cross-platform release from Gadget Labs. Martin Walker looks and listens to the Wave/8:24 on his PC.

A new system from Alesis offers ADAT users the best aspects of both tape and hard disk, allowing them to copy material from an ADAT to a computer for editing, then fly it back to tape with single-sample accuracy. Paul White puts it to the test.

Emagic's new baby is a bargain cross-platform hardware and software bundle which includes a useful new CD-mastering package for Mac users. Paul White finds out whether they've delivered the goods.

Tascam's CD-RW5000 is one of the more cost-effective CD recorders around that can make use of the cheaper 'pro' blank discs — and the company have also released a useful box that can duplicate both audio CDs and CD-ROMs. Paul White checks them over.

With almost 20 self-contained digital multitrackers on the market, either new or second-hand, it can be hard to decide which one is for you. Debbie Poyser & Derek Johnson discuss the options and round up the available models.

HHB's new CD-R appears to offer all the features we've always wanted in an affordable standalone CD recorder. Hugh Robjohns finds out if it delivers.

Digidesign's latest Pro Tools MIX card offers even more power than last year's PT24, providing higher plug-in performance and improved mixing and processing capabilities — and there's a new software version with some useful enhancements. Mike Collins weighs up the pros and cons.

In a departure from their normal approach, Soundscape have developed a system that works inside your PC rather than outside it. Martin Walker takes a closer look at the Mixtreme environment.

Portable digital multitrackers are getting even more sophisticated — and ever more affordable. Hugh Robjohns checks out Yamaha's latest MiniDisk 4-track.

Having tested the waters with the low-cost CDR630, Marantz are now set to challenge professional compact disc recorders higher up the ladder. Paul White takes the new CDR640 for a spin.

A 24‑bit, high‑resolution version of the DAT format allows users of 24‑bit workstations to transfer their mixes using readily available, cheap media.

Interested in combining hard disk recording with other analogue and digital recording formats? Paul White connects with a versatile recording interface that offers a host of interconnection options and also claims one of the lowest latency figures in the business.

With an excellent audio specification and lots of inputs and outputs, Event's Layla looks an ideal candidate for many small computer-based recording studios. Martin Walker gets plugged in.

Designed as a replacement for high-end tape-based multitracks, Otari's original RADAR 24-track random access recorder/editor captured a sizeable chunk of the pro market. We take a look at its successor, RADAR II, which offers a host of enhancements including 24-bit audio.