SOUND ON SOUND
With new MIDI sequencing functionality among many other features, Pro Tools v7 is intended to be the ultimate audio and MIDI workstation. Will this release keep Digidesign on top?
We conclude our look at synth pioneer Don Buchla's extraordinary new 200e modular synth.
This intriguing new unit from Drawmer lets you split a stereo signal into three bands and then process each band with a different piece of outboard.
This new set of Chinese-built mics offers good-quality vocal and instrument recording on a budget.
Since its launch in 2000, NI's B4 has been the software instrument of choice for those who want realistic tonewheel organ sounds from their computer. But NI are clearly convinced it can be better...
These two new valve units offer unusually powerful processing for professional studio use.
M-Audio are perhaps better known for their studio and computer-based peripherals, but they now have a microphone range, to which has been added a stage-specific model. We put the Aries through its paces.
Aimed at professionals, the Multi Z PIP combines premium DI box, mixer, and re-amping device in a single small unit.
AER's Acousticube has been at the pinnacle of acoustic instrument amps since 1992. Does the latest revision live up to the legacy?
Despite their diminutive size, these new nearfield monitors still share the Genelec family sound.
Italian company RCF have a good pedigree. They helped design and manufacture for Mackie when the latter first entered the live sound market. We check out RCF's own entry in the portable powered PA stakes.
We check out the latest sample libraries on the block: True Strike 1 • Flatpack 2 • Drumdrops In Dub Volume 1.
The PA market isn't short of powered 'plastic' cabinets at the moment, but not many use the coaxial speaker design approach — which is what sets apart this Italian-made model.
There are dedicated (and expensive) control surfaces for Logic, Pro Tools and Cubase... so why not an affordable one for Apple's semi-free entry-level application Garage Band? M-Audio must have thought exactly the same thing...
This new mixer caters for those who found TL Audio's M3 too small, and the flagship VTC too big. But is the M4 just right?
Firewire and USB 2 interfaces have their advantages, but if you need serious channel counts at high sample rates, the PCI card still rules, and ESI's heavyweight recording system caters for a huge range of input and output formats at up to 192kHz.
The Virus TI promises to bridge the divide between hardware and software instruments, and create a world of Total Integration, while still offering the classic Virus sound. Is it a hard reality, or have Access gone totally soft?
Like many of Sony Oxford's plug-ins, their new limiter takes a familiar concept and applies a novel twist.
The new version 5 sees Cakewalk's Sonar becoming a more complete production package than ever, with the addition of new synths, a convolution reverb, 64-bit support and Roland's celebrated Variphrase vocal processing technology.
