SOUND ON SOUND
Four new Sample Disc collections get the aural treatment from the SOS reviewers: A Fistful Of Drummers 5* • Black Grand 4* • Sounds Of The 70s 4* • Percussive Adventures 5*
Following on from their Model 2380 surround monitoring controller, SPL have now designed a stereo version with built-in talkback facilities.
This unusual effects pedal combines a bank of eight band-pass filters with an analogue-style control sequencer.
The latest instrument plug-in from IK Multimedia and Sonic Reality packages eight Gigabytes of samples, mostly from a huge range of classic synths, in IK's Sampletank front end.
Yamaha's CS80 was one of the finest analogue polysynths of all time. How close have Arturia come to modelling its classic sound in software? We put the software up against the hardware to find out...
This range of valve processors offers a variety of character sounds for the more adventurous home recordist.
Thanks to the new MD3 package, Powercore users now have access to high-end mastering tools from TC's System 6000 processor.
No-one can doubt Fatar's long-established record for making quality MIDI controller keyboards, but that market has become highly competitive over the past couple of years. Can the VMK188 hold its own against all the budget alternatives?
Mackie's first foray into the market for desktop USB devices is a well specified 24-bit/96kHz stereo interface with built-in DSP effects.
Although it may look very similar to their existing Baby Bottle, this new mic from BLUE turns out to be a different beast entirely.
If you pined for the innovative Neuron in 2003, but couldn't afford the £3500 price tag, check out Neuron VS; it packs most of the original synth engine into a £500 software instrument and throws in a distinctive hardware controller.
Despite its modern-looking packaging, this new unit offers a classic sound.
Synthogy's Ivory goes where no virtual piano has gone before, sampling three full-size grand pianos to form a detailed library more than 30GB in size — and all-in-one £189 plug-in!
This new infinite-baffle 2.1 monitoring system incorporates some unusual technology, including cabinets cast from aluminium-zinc alloy. But do these innovations translate into a cutting-edge sound?
Two of Zoom's budget studio effects processors have been re-released with a few modernisations. Are they still relevant in today's market?
Although Numark's new CD deck is squarely aimed at live DJs, its intriguing feature set gives it the potential for serious studio use, and at a comparatively affordable price.
If you want to get your hands on the latest VST Instruments and Plug-in effects, but don't fancy having a PC in your studio, Muse Research's Receptor could be the answer.
FL Studio has always been popular with those seeking a cost-effective, easy-to-use alternative to the 'big name' sequencers. The latest version adds a new drum sequencing tool, high-quality time-stretching and video support.