



A modern take on the vintage Neve preamp sound.

Controller keyboards are fitting ever more control facilities into progressively smaller units costing less and less. Is the semi-weighted Axiom 25 M-Audio's best deal yet?

The radio microphone marketplace is becoming a busy place these days, but it's always interesting to look at a new system that aims to provide good-quality performance while being very straightforward to set up and operate.

What could be more tempting than a sweet-sounding virtual analogue synth? How about that same synth bundled with a bunch of high-quality plug-ins targeted at music production?

With even the cheapest soundcards now offering 24-bit, 192kHz recording, is it still worth investing in high-end converters? Lynx certainly think so...

• Can a Power Soak really give you 'loud tone' without volume? • ESI Pro Jam Mate UG1 USB electric guitar • Hughes & Kettner Switchblade • Guitar pedal news... •

If you're still using pre-MIDI synths, the chances are you'll already be using a Kenton converter to interface them with your more modern MIDI gear. We check out this upgrade to the faithful Pro Solo...

East West and Quantum Leap's Symphonic Orchestra was one of the largest orchestral libraries ever released, at 19 DVDs for the full edition. However, it still wasn't enough for some people — so East West have released this 18-disc expander set...

This compact desk benefits from built-in effects, sturdy construction and low noise. Does it measure up to the Mackie name?

When is an iMac not an iMac, but still an iMac? When it's a new model featuring an Intel processor. We test Apple's first Intel-based Mac and see what the future holds for Mac musicians and audio engineers.

Given its more than respectable range of facilities and 24-bit/96kHz operation, the low price of this feedback processor seems far too good to be true. We find out whether it is...

How many times have you wished you had a magic wireless link from your desk to the stage? At some venues it can be a real problem trying to find a route for speaker cables that does not cross public access areas or look unsightly, but now the Liberty system could provide the answer...

Take Blue Chip's advanced Axon MIDI guitar system, bundle it with new editing software and a Terratec soundcard, and you have the Axon AX100. We strum its sounds and test its triggering...

This innovative new plug-in allows Pro Tools users to record each other over the Internet, in real time.

These two multi-pattern valve (tube) mics are contrasted with each other in terms of both sound and design cosmetics.

Zero G Nostalgia: Kompakt Instrument • Big Fish Audio Soul City: Multi-format • Zero G Vocal Forge: Intakt Instrument

General MIDI synths are rarely glamorous, but there's no reason why they should not sound as good as more professional alternatives — that, at least, is the thinking behind NI's Bandstand soft synth.

PSP's latest plug-in covers the spectrum from vintage tape-echo emulation to serious weirdness.

This sleek rackmount Compact Flash-based recorder makes an ideal recording 'scratch pad', and files can also be imported into your DAW when things get more serious.