Signal Processors

In Part 1, we saw how manufacturers realised that putting DSP effects on synths made for great sales. Subsequently, they twigged that it was also a good idea to let us take them off again (selectively), and route and adjust them ourselves.

Bob Moog's analogue filter in a pedal certainly has the vintage look — but does it capture that vintage Moog sound? Paul White does the stomp and finds out.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a new guitar-oriented effects unit from Lexicon. But will it inspire our mild-mannered reported John Walden to turn his Clark Kent chords into guitar (super)heroics?

TL Audio have gained an enviable reputation for high-quality processors. Hugh Robjohns takes a look at the latest addition to their Classic range.

Can this intriguing little box really emulate the recorded sound of many of the world's greatest guitar amplifiers?

Taking the essence of the highly regarded Finalizer Plus, TC Electronic have repackaged their multi-band compressor in a new easy-to-use format. Hugh Robjohns puts it through its paces.

Digitech's Quad 4, like its predecessor, can treat up to four signals independently, parcelling out its processing power according to your requirements. Could this be the only multi-effects unit you need? Hugh Robjohns finds out...

We get down to some serious equalising with SPL's most Qurious product to date.

Sony's new mid-priced multi-effects unit boasts four-channel operation, 200 preset effects algorithms, comprehensive user programming capability, and great sound quality to boot. Hugh Robjohns spins that dial...

Paul White bypasses his mixer and goes directly to tape with Drawmer's new mic/line/instrument input channel.

Paul White conjures up a nostalgic tape effect using an MIDI + Audio sequencer.

Paul White meets the latest version of Alesis' Quadraverb concept, and finds it respendent with 20-bit I/O, improved digital and analogue interfacing, and a proper internal PSU.

It's small, beautifully formed, shows a fondness for purple and claims to be an 'Artist'. John Walden finds out whether Digitech's new guitar preamp/effects processor sounds fit for a Prince.

All recording setups incorporate effects devices of one sort or another, but it's easy to end up using them only in the same predictable ways. Roger Jackson introduces some more imaginative ways to freshen up your productions.

Eventide, the undisputed masters of digital pitch-shifting, have launched a limited-edition version of their industry standard DSP4000. Is it just window dressing, or does it have anything genuinely new to offer? Hugh Robjohns finds out.

SPL are remowned for producing highly specialised audio processing tools, and their latest product is no exception. Paul White attempts to unravel the mysteries of the Transient Designer dynamics processor.

Paul White tries out something that he wishes had been available back in his intensive gigging days — a box that automatically puts your vocals in tune in real time!

Can you get a wall of sound from something the size of a brick? John Walden plugs in his guitar, inserts his earplugs and finds out.

Sitting in Digitech's Studio range between the S100 and the Quad 4, the new S200 combines the functions of the former withthe ergonomics of the flatter. Hugh Robjohns checks it out.

Paul White encounters a budget recording preamp with a colourful pedigree.

Does the new 266 compressor from dbx really excel?