SOUND ON SOUND
Mike Barnes rounds up a new wave of software and hardware support for the Emu EIIIX, which once again makes Emu samplers a serious alternative at the higher end of the sampler marketplace.
The S760 sampler represented excellent value for money on its release back in February this year. Now it looks even more impressive, with the arrival of the OP760/1 expansion board and the v.2.12 system software. Paul Wiffen checks them out.
Dynacord products have a quiet reputation for quality amongst those in the know, but are often overlooked in a market dominated by the big guns in effects. Nick Magnus thinks the DRP5, offering high-quality reverb at an affordable price, might be about to change all that...
Behind the conventional facade of Yamaha's latest drum machine hides a section of sophisticated features — like 'human feel' groove quantisation, bass sounds and built-in digital effects. Paul Ward gets into the groove.
Paul White takes the necessary Steppes to check out this innocuous looking mic and discovers a competent all-rounder.
The MPC3000's dedicated sequencing and drum sampling control surface aims to tempt high-level musicians away from their computers with its luxurious hardware approach. David Mellor puts in a hard day's night and gives it the thumbs up.
The Korg PolySix gave Roland's Juno 6 (and Later the Juno 60) some stiff competition back in the early eighties, and is enjoying a revival of popularity today. Nick Magnus takes a retrospective look at this analogue favourite, and gives some advice on purchasing one today.
After last month's test-drive of Yamaha's top-of-the-range-QY300 music sequencer, Martin Russ now takes its baby sibling, the QY8, for a spin around the block.
To get the most out of your pre-MIDI synths, you need to bring them into the MIDI age. Kenton's long-awaited Pro 4 provides a host of interfacing possibilities and is capable of controlling up to an astounding 10 different devices simultaneously. Derek Johnson connects up.
Derek Johnson checks out the new flagship of the Sound Canvas range.
Though still a small name in the crowded UK mixer market, Phonic are gaining a reputation for building affordable desks with lots of features. Shirley Gray test-drives their latest console, a four-buss model with studio and live applications.
The X2 console forms the centrepiece of an Alesis studio that is becoming increasingly up-market and professional. Paul White checks out the new desk and finds that, despite its apparently high cost, it really does have a lot to offer to the more demanding user.
Convincingly reproducing the effects of rotating horns and speakers in software inside a 1U rackmounting box is a challenge to the designer. Bringing it in under £300 is an achievement. Gordon Reid examines the latest incarnation of a keyboard effect that's come full circle...
76-note master keyboards at under £500 are relatively thin on the ground. Derek Johnson takes a look at the Korean-made contender for your cash.
Designed according to a 'secret recipe', Behringer's new budget stereo image enhancer is set to widen everyone's recording horizons (and their stereo images). Does it deliver the goods? Paul White finds out.
It's not only the distinctive looks of the legendary Oberheim synth that the designers of OBMx have borrowed; they've also incorporated its legendary sound quality into a '90s MIDI synth made in the true analogue mould. Dave Crombie wonders if it's too good to be true...
The Walkstation grows up! After causing a stir with their 'pocket-sized' QY10 and QY20, Yamaha have produced the 'Big Brother' of the range, the QY300. Martin Russ discovers to his delight that it's not just the size that's increased...
Paul White rearranges his control room yet again, this time to test Waldorf's nearfield monitors plus the optional, and enigmatically named, Blue Boost.
Marantz's first cassette multitracker made quite a stir on its launch last year, with its eye-catching retro styling and round VU meters — and it sounded good too. Derek Johnson takes a look at its lower-cost brother and finds it shares much of the same appeal.