SOUND ON SOUND
The highlights of Digital Performer's latest incarnation include advanced comping tools, new plug-ins — and a revolutionary alternative to track and instrument freezing.
Despite the huge advances in software reverbs in recent years, the best ones are still found on dedicated hardware units. There are very few manufacturers in this market, and we've been on tenterhooks since we heard that Lexicon were developing a new flagship hardware reverb that could be used within a DAW. So should your studio find a place for it?
Digidesign's latest virtual instrument is a multitimbral monster devoted to chewing up loops, beats and phrases and spitting them out as finished tracks.
We look at a new plug-in, as well as guide you through the pros and cons of active pickups, and suggest some products that might appeal if you are upgrading.
A decent mic collection should include small-diaphragm condensers for their transparent, uncoloured sound. Does the updated Pulsar deserve a place in yours?
• Stillwell Audio BadBussMojo • Abbey Road Brilliance Pack • Cableguys Filtershaper
These monitors may look like their more expensive siblings, but do they also share the family sound?
This substantial tube mic comes with a generous array of accessories at a good price — but does it sound as impressive as it looks?
The MF107 Freqbox does what Moogerfooger pedals do best — offers lashings of good old-fashioned Moog weirdness.
If you want to use both a high-quality analogue mixer and a DAW control surface, you'll probably want to put them both in the same place. Well, now you can — and you get a multi-channel audio interface to boot.
If you like the convenience of software bass but want a highly realistic sound, Chris Hein's lovingly sampled bass instrument could be just the ticket...
Can mixers this small really provide all the preamps and monitor control facilities you need?
Yamaha's Motif range has proved to be both popular and enduring — so is the latest incarnation, the Rack XS, your cue to join the Motif party?
Is there still a place for the workstation in the computer dominated studio of 2008? Korg certainly think so, and they're making a compelling case with their brand-new, touchscreen-equipped M50, offering much of the power of the acclaimed M3 for around half the price. Our world exclusive review digs deeper...
Sennheiser have taken advantage of new technology to produce a smaller, lower-cost modular version of their modern classic MKH range of microphones.
For maximum loudness with a minimum of fuss, IL's Maximus may be just the ticket — and it does subtlety as well.
Genelec have earned a reputation for good-sounding small monitor speakers, but can their DSP system make them sound even better?
The latest in the EastWest Play series offers deluxe representations of four classic instruments. Is this 'grand design' the answer to our virtual piano prayers?
This may look like a standard compressor, but there's plenty beneath the surface to get excited about.
Another crop of sound libraries get the SOS 'CSI' treatment:• Vienna Symphonic Library Special Edition Plus• Sample Magic Nu Rave• Big Fish Audio Straight Outta NYC• Zero-G Street Beatz NYC Hip Hop