SOUND ON SOUND
These new active nearfields from Wharfedale offer a polished sound for studio owners on a budget.
If your computer could sing, what would it sound like? With the Cantor software synth from Virsyn, you can find out...
Surround-capable reverbs don't usually come with a price tag of £100. However, nobody seems to have told Voxengo. So just how good is their Pristine Space PC VST plug-in?
After releasing their Remote 25 MIDI controller keyboard, Novation released the Remote Audio 25, rapidly following it with the Remote Audio 25 Xtreme. Now, the X-Station has replaced both of these. Can we disentangle it from its convoluted beginnings?
This system can record in mono, stereo, or any current or future surround format — using just one mic.
The Vetta II amp range embodies the most sophisticated implementation of Line 6's guitar amp modelling technology to date. It delivers more amp models than the original Vetta, offers more user control of the sounds, and it also features an optional digital interface for use with the Variax Digital Modelling Guitar. Second opinion by former Be Bop Deluxe guitarist Bill Nelson.
Roland's original Fantom workstation wasn't really much competition for Korg's Triton, so it was no shock to see it revamped last year as the hugely improved Fantom S. But surprisingly, Roland have done it again. What's new this time around?
For all those Pro Tools users who pine for the sound of analogue EQ, URS have recreated the equalisers from three classic mixing desks.
This innovative rectangular-capsule design aims to combine the desirable attributes of small- and large-diaphragm sounds.
Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs: PCP-80 Electric Grand 5* • Solo Strings 5* • Tool Shed Percussion 5* • Woodwind Collection Expanded Edition 4*
Sampled tonewheel organ sounds have been around for many years, but more recently we have seen the arrival of modelled virtual tonewheel organs. Can a sample-based Hammond emulation still cut it?
These acoustic panels not only offer sonic improvements over simple acoustic-foam treatments, but are also very easy to install.
No, we haven't got that the wrong way around... it really is a CV-to-MIDI converter. But why would you want such a thing? Read on...
Extending the modelling approach they pioneered with the original Variax electric, Line 6 have now taken a shot at reproducing the sounds of different miked acoustic guitars. Almost completely immune to feedback, the Variax Acoustic will clearly be a hit in some live applications, but does it sound good enough to record?
If you are looking for effects and instruments to give your mixes a sideways slant, Cycling '74 might have just the thing...
This stylish eight-channel preamp and converter offers front-panel instrument inputs and M&S stereo decoding.
The new baby in Behringer's Truth monitor range offers great value for money and sleek good looks, but how good do they sound?
As a creative, stable and above all fun way of combining audio loops in real time, Ableton's Live has proved an ideal counterpart to Rewire-compatible applications such as Cubase. With version 4 offering a wealth of new features, including MIDI sequencing, could Live now replace traditional sequencers altogether?
Edirol's first foray into Firewire audio is a compact 10-in, 10-out device with microphone preamps, S/PDIF and MIDI.