SOUND ON SOUND
We check out the latest sample libraries on the block: Reason Drum Kits • Beats Working In Cuba • The Giovani Edition
Lexicon's latest hardware reverb is designed to be as easy to control from your computer as a plug-in.
These new speakers from M&K let you switch between reflex and infinite-baffle designs on a whim.
Virtual band members are now a regular feature in SOS reviews, but how about a virtual drummer that actually will jam with you? Rayzoon claim Jamstix is able to do just that...
This monitor controller sets new standards for operational flexibility and sonic fidelity.
Kawai's last few digital pianos have been finely wrought things of beauty: solidly built keyboards with an amazingly realistic playing action and beautifully sampled piano timbres. But their latest claims to surpass all of those. Can it possibly be true?
Ableton Live is one of the software success stories of the last few years, with devoted users in fields as diverse as DJing, remixing, theatre sound and music production. Version 5 addresses requests from all these areas, whilst retaining the program's renowned ease of use.
Ever fancied arranging 'Oops, I Did It Again' for a full choir? Well now you can, courtesy of Symphonic Choirs, the latest virtual-instrument sample library from East West and Quantum Leap.
With Sonar Home Studio, Cakewalk have made the core features of their flagship sequencing application available at a bargain price.
Yamaha breathe new life into their AW range with USB connectivity, loop sampling, and an onboard pitch-correction processor.
Viewed by many musicians as the modern standard in computer-based score-writing software, Sibelius has an impressive pedigree and reputation. Following the success of three releases on the Mac and Windows platform, can it maintain its simple user interface as the powerful feature-set continues to expand?
This new small-diaphragm mic provides a good upgrade path for home studios currently working with just dynamic models.
The price of MIDI keyboard controllers has tumbled over the past few years, and Ion clearly feel it's time the same thing happened to MIDI drum kits. Their IED01 costs £299 and includes five pads, two pedals, and the stand!
Hollow Sun's vintage keyboard sounds go against all the current sample-library trends, being supplied on CD-ROM rather than on dedicated hard drives, and weighing in at Megabytes in size, not Gigabytes. But how do they sound...?
Hardware control surfaces promise to make working with a software DAW more intuitive and 'hands on'. Tascam's new offering has more knobs and faders than most, but also keeps things deliberately simple. Is it an essential accessory, or an expensive gadget?
Basement Arts Frantic, Cakewalk Z3TA+, and Progress Software Soup get the install treatment.
We check out the latest sample libraries on the block: Spatial Awareness, Ghetto Electro, Housematic, Cycles Volume 4: Momentary Incursions.
This new set of high-resolution drum mics is also versatile enough for many general recording tasks.
Part 2: We conclude our review of Roland's fabulous new rackmount synth, and look at the built-in VC1 and VC2 cards, which respectively convert the V-Synth XT into a fully functioning D50 and a powerful vocal-processing synth.
