January 1994 Magazine Contents

Derek Johnson examines one of the more affordable recorders, the Aiwa XD-S1100.

Paul White checks out AKG's elegant newcomer and finds that it combines styling with an ability to deliver the goods.

Paul White explores the versatility of the AKG H30 elastic microphone suspension.

Alesis are one of the acknowledged leaders in affordable digital recording equipment, but can they compete in the crowded world of studio monitoring?

This deceptively small console conceals a sophisticated VCA automation system that can be used independently or in conjunction with external MIDI devices.

If you're looking for instant gratification in the effects department, ART have something that'll do nicely — as Paul White finds out.

Steven Helstrip checks out a four-program PC package which aims to cover all the MIDI production bases.

Wanna record professional quality audio on your PC's hard disk? Brian Heywood investigates the temptingly low cost route offered by Digital Audio Labs' plug-in cardD system.

Synthesist Ian Boddy steps back in time to report on the classic British sound machine, regularly found haunting the electronic music departments of many a university, and a recent addition to the author's own sonic armoury.

Mike Collins takes an in-depth look at Digital Performer Version 1.4/Performer Version 4.2 and the Digital Waveboard, which adds hard disk audio recording to Performer's powerful sequencer.

An investigation of the latest offering from Penny & Giles, the Rolls Royce of fader manufacturers.

In an age of ever‑growing polyphony, Studio Electronics, best known for their vintage synth rebuilds, have returned to first principles — to create the first analogue monosynth for almost a decade. So how does this MIDI‑equipped modern classic measure up to its vintage forbears?

In an age of ever-growing polyphony, Studio Electronics, best known for their vintage synth rebuilds, have returned to first principles — to create the first analogue monosynth for almost a decade. Minimoog owner Nick Magnus finds out how this MIDI-equipped modern classic measures up to its vintage forbears.

A parametric EQ might seem like a bit of a peripheral purchase, but with its flexibility and fine control, it has a host of creative and corrective applications in the studio. Tascam's 4-channel PE40 scores for value, but how does it perform? Paul White finds out.

Martin Russ looks at one aspect of computing that may provide a new outlet for your Atari music-making: CD-ROM.

Gordon Reid turns his attention to multi-band digital noise removal systems.

Paul White offers a few tips to help you avoid pitfalls when buying second-hand equipment.

Paul White examines 3 different tips & tricks to help with vocals, guitars, and MIDI production.

Make your digital synth put on an analogue hat. Does the current passion for analogue mean you have to put your digital synth back in its box and track down an analogue instrument? Not if Nick Magnus has anything to do with it!

Though now discontinued, the K1 and its modular cousins enjoy continuing popularity on the second hand market. Setting this synth up for multitimbral sequencer use is straightforward — when you know how.

Paul Austin looks at a sound and vision system which brings true multimedia closer than ever before: Toccata.

Brian Heywood looks back over the past year of PC music activity.

Paul White examines 3 different tips & tricks to help with vocals, guitars, and MIDI production.

There's more to vocoders than 'Mister Blue Sky' — and with the vocoders available on some current multi-effects processors, creative vocoding is now available to almost anyone.

Even in the simplest MIDI system, there is often a need to switch between one MIDI source and another. For example, when...

Kendall Wrightson signs off as your Mac correspondent with a look at what's in store for '94.

Craig Anderton's QY10 goes everywhere with him — and he's developed loads of useful short-cuts to help QY10 owners make even better use of this brilliant musical notepad.

After a period of record company hassles, Coldcut are back with a new album, a new singer and a new style. Wilf Smarties explores Philosophy with Jonathan More.

Nigel Humberstone accompanies aspiring band Necroscope to one of their gigs, to find out how they cope when taking technology onto the stage with no roadies or technical support.

The oft-neglected other half of New Order bounce back into the limelight with a joint album of particular charm. Nigel Humberstone tracks down Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris to talk about their working methods, their home studio, and their contribution to the growing EC gear mountain.

Most major record companies are now involved in manufacturing hardware as well as signing bands and this, says producer Tony Platt, is causing a huge conflict of interest. Can these two diametrically opposed aims be reconciled?

Toyah's first pop album for several years, Leap, was recorded not in an expensive commercial studio, but in the type of home recording environment with which many SOS readers will be intimately familiar, as Paul White discovers.

Will Mowat's career to date looks like a musician's dream come true. A routine programming assignment turned into full membership of Soul II Soul; now he's working with Godfather of Soul James Brown and producing a new album for rising African star Angelique Kidjo. Richard Buskin talks to Will about his approach.