SOUND ON SOUND
The latest incarnation of a well-established scoring package holds few surprises, but plenty of power for the asking price.
This is a reissue of Groove Tubes' first large-diaphragm condenser, but with solid-state electronics replacing the valve to offer a more affordable package.
Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs:Luscious Grooves 5* MULTI-FORMAT; Electro Magnetic Pulse 4* AUDIO+WAV+REX; SAM Solo Sessions 4* MULTI-FORMAT; Saophones 1 5* GIGASTUDIO/EXS24 MKII.
This high-end stereo compressor boasts three different flavours of optical compression.
The price of compact MIDI controller keyboards has come tumbling down in the past few years, but weighted-action full-length keyboards have remained relatively expensive —until now. We investigate the 88-note keyboard that runs off USB power...
In this ever-changing world of virtual analogues, modelled instruments, and software emulations, it's a pleasant surprise to find that some companies are making synths the old-fashioned way. But is nostalgia really what it used to be?
M Audio's half-rack interface provides a comprehensive selection of analogue and digital I/O at a competitive price.
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...