SOUND ON SOUND
Cakewalk's Pro Audio range is one of the most widely used sequencers in the PC world, but their latest package has a new name and a new image, as well as lots of new features. Martin Walker tries out Sonar.
MOTU's good-sounding, competitively priced audio hardware has won them a lot of friends in the project-studio and professional arenas. The latest addition to their range is a 12-channel interface that offers 96kHz, 24-bit recording. Robin Bigwood tests the 1296.
Originally planned as a limited edition, the 37-note Virus Indigo virtual analogue keyboard synth surprised even its makers - demand ran so high that it became a separate product. Gordon Reid considers the newest strain of this retro Virus, and the latest v4 OS software revision.
A large-diaphragm Audio Technica condenser mic, with shockmount, for less than £200? Paul White rubs his eyes and believes his ears.
Paul White looks beneath the surface of Sound Diver 3 to discover an immensely powerful and flexible patch editor and librarian system.
Yamaha claim, via their European web site, that over 45 million people now have access to XG sounds. This is not surprising as...
The SPV355, launched in the late '70s, was intended to allow the pitch of instruments such as guitars and saxophones to control analogue synth sounds — which it does with varying degrees of success. Fortunately, it has other tricks up its sleeve, as Chris Carter explains.
Korg have seriously upgraded their original D16, adding a 'double O' for good measure. John Walden is both shaken and stirred...
Martin Walker evaluates a program that bridges the gap between the limitations of typical bundled CD-writing packages and fully fledged audio editors.
Although the binaural recording technique drifts in and out of fashion, it is nonetheless useful...
Emu's multi-coloured assault on the sound module market continues with the Planet Earth, which houses a brand new set of ethnic and world sounds. Confirmed tree-hugger and Emu preset basher Paul Farrer takes time out from boiling a mixed-lentil casserole to check it out...
Musicians using Mac and PC sequencers often complain about loose MIDI timing. Martin Walker checks out an interface from Steinberg which should solve this problem — at least for users of their sequencing software...
Korg's new music workstation combines the synthesis, multi-effects and sequencing capabilities of the Triton with a new performance-based interactive music generation system — one that goes way beyond traditional arpeggiators and auto-accompaniment sections for sophistication and versatility. Simon Trask is SOS's KARMA policeman...
Paul White evaluates a new active monitor designed to deliver professional studio accuracy at a home-studio price.
Roland's new entry-level performance synth is a full-length yet lightweight synth-action keyboard with ready-to-go sounds derived from recent JV and XV expansion boards. Nick Magnus investigates the RS9's family tree.
Paul White tests Joemeek's multi-pattern contender for the valve mic heavyweight title.
Tascam's versatile US428 combines the duties of audio interface, preamp, MIDI interface and MIDI fader surface at an attractive price, and has generated a lot of interest from musicians. Derek Johnson & Debbie Poyser test it with the Mac, while John Walden reports on the PC situation.
With its on-the-fly tempo-matching for sample loops, Acid put a new spin on an old way of making music on the PC. Now, at last, there's a similar Mac program. Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser try out Bitheadz' Phrazer.
Many musicians with computer-based studios don't need lots of inputs and outputs, but that doesn't mean they're happy to put up with poor audio quality and design compromises of consumer soundcards. However a new type of affordable, high-quality soundcard is now emerging to meet this need. Martin Walker puts two or the leading candidates to the test.