SOUND ON SOUND
Paul White experiments with mind expansion '90s style, and discovers no harmful side effects!
Although much loved by musicians, Boss's SE50 and SE70 effects processors have now been discontinued, and the new SX700 is designed to replace them. Rob Brady decides whether the SX can follow in the footsteps of its forefathers, or whether it is destined forever to walk in their shadow.
The latest in Akai's line of standalone hard disk recorders, which also includes 8- and 16-track models, sticks with the 4-track format of its predecessor, the DR4d, but adds 250 'virtual' tracks to increase the flexibility it can offer. David Mellor checks out this low-cost entry into the world of disk recording.
Emu's Launch Pad provides a hardware control surface for the Orbit sound module, but can also be used with other MIDI gear. Paul Nagle finds out whether it's destined to become a springboard for many a successful mission.
The radical keyboard design of the prophet T8, thought by some to provide the best feel and response of any synth yet made, had a heavy cost for manufacturers Sequential, delaying the T8's launch by two years and stunting potential sales. Robert Alexander reflects on a synth which was ahead of its time.
At under £500 — less than an eighth of the original price of its VL1 predecessor — Yamaha's VL70m constitutes a brave attempt to bring physical modelling synthesis within the reach of all musicians. Martin Russ joyfully welcomes this monophonic modelling module...
After finally discovering this little mixer almost lost amongst its own packaging, Paul White puts it to work.
Though it costs no more than last year's TSR24S, Digitech's latest top-line studio processor offers twice the power, an improved user interface, and a digital connections option. Derek Johnson leaps into action.
Panasonic's latest pro studio DAT is priced to compete with Tascam's established DA30 MkII. Paul White gives his professional opinion on how it measures up.
Tannoy's latest nearfields offer an updated version of their famous dual-concentric technology, while still retaining that distinctive Tannoy sound. Paul White test drives them.
The Joe Meek Pro Channel is priced within reach of almost every studio owner, yet it delivers the same kind of sounds as its bigger brothers. Paul White is introduced to the baby of the Joe Meek range.
With a front panel resembling a butchered Moog Source, and plug-in filters that claim to give you the sound of various vintage brands inside one instrument, the ATC1 is bound to excite interest. Paul Nagle changes his tune.
ART have followed up their single-channel Tube MP valve mic preamp by developing two more tube designs for both the project studio owner and the audio professional. Paul White huddles round to warm his signals...
Modern synths are undeniably powerful, but for many users that power remains locked in by non-intuitive digital parameter access editing. Paul White and Paul Nagle check out a pair of knob-equipped hardware programmers that could reveal hidden depths for Microwave and Matrix 1000 owners.
Effects units continue to drop in price while offering more and more features. Digitech's new Studio Twin costs less than £250, but still offers a dual effects mode and MIDI patch control. Paul White is agog.
On its release in the mid-'80s this characterful synth was overlooked by many in favour of its better-known brother, the Jupiter 8, yet it still has much to offer. Stephen Bennett does a spot of space exploration...
Martin Russ sidles up to an innocent-looking phone-box, receives his instructions, and sets to work decoding Yamaha's affordable new Virtual Acoustic synth. This preview will self-destruct in five seconds...
With the advent of digital portastudios, manufacturers are busily revamping their analogue machines and packaging them full of more features. Andy Davies checks out Tascam's latest cherry...
Building on their US reputation, Audix mics are now available in the UK. Paul White takes a listen.
One of the Mac world's sequencing front-runners, Vision has been ported to the PC, where it faces some stiff competition from the established packages. Paul Nagle goes all visionary...