February 1996 Magazine Contents

We try out Akai's first synth in absolutely ages — and discover a monster in sheep's clothing.

Paul White checks out the successor to his beloved D4 and ends up casting sidelong glances at his cheque book.

How does Audio Technica's AT4050 multi-pattern studio mic compare with their hugely popular AT4033 cardioid mic?

Capital Mamba make bespoke equipment covers and soft cases, which means that no matter how obscure your keyboard instrument,...

There have been Leslie simulators before, but none to exploit the sympathetic warmth of valves.

Paul White tries to pigeonhole Digitech's new effects unit — but quickly discovers that it can mean different things to different users.

Digitech have trimmed back both price and features for the latest addition to the TSR effects family. But does the newcomer offer enough bang per buck?

The Song Builder series of MIDI files currently comprises at least seven volumes of patterns, riffs and phrases in...

This time the sun really has got to Julian Colbeck, Keyfax Software supremo and recent emigré to California;...

Paul White puts Mackie's new 1202 VLZ next to his original 1202 and discovers more changes than you might expect.

Can a low-cost processor really clean up noisy recordings effectively? Paul White finds out.

Michael Anthony takes us back to the mid-eighties, when MIDI was in pre-school playgroup, and manufacturers built synths that couldn't decide if they were analogue, digital, or both...

Have Fostex really stolen Roland's thunder with their digital multitrack? Mystic Paul White thinks Roland might have a trick up their sleeve.

Users of KAT's drumKAT or trapKAT may be interested to learn that a couple of new accessories are available, the simplest...

Paul White gets out and about with the Tascam DAP1 and discovers the joys of collecting sounds outside the studio.

The all-digital, computer-based recording studio is no longer a distant future possibility. Thanks to digidesign's TAM buss, many of the processing capabilities of a traditional studio setup are now available as computer software plug-ins. In the first of this two-part feature, Mike Collins takes us through some of the available options.

A monosynth that doesn't cost monopoly money? Paul Nagle thinks Waldorf's new Pulse offers the most fun you can have with your presets off...

Paul White experiences the delights of this all-digital, automated mixing environment where unwieldy cable harnesses and tiered patchbays are the thing of the past.

Ofir Gal reports back from a show in London which proves, once again, that there's life in Atari computers yet — even if Atari themselves don't agree!

When it comes to cabling, it pays to have the right connections. Paul White makes the introductions.

You might think that EQ is simply a tone control, but as Paul White explains, it's really a powerful mind-manipulating tool inextricably linked to the survival of the species!

Most of the time, inspiration doesn't so much strike as go on strike — so what can be done to coax it back to work? Paul White proffers a few suggestions.

Brian Heywood considers what 1996 will bring the PC-based musician, and decides it will be the year of the DAM...

Paul White continues his introduction to sampling with a look at some of the extras, accessories and peripherals that you might need in order to get the most out of your new purchase.

Blue Ribbon's SuperJAM has been around for quite a while, but many musicians still don't realise just how useful this program is. Paul Overaa provides a guided tour of the current version...

Martin Russ considers some ways of realising sound synthesis on your Mac using system or third-party software, and concludes his look at the PCI buss.

Behind every musical milestone there's a pioneering engineer. In the first of an occasional series, Richard Buskin looks at classic recordings from a technical angle. This month, former Van Morrison engineer Elliot Scheiner talks about the 1970s sessions which produced the 'Domino' effect...

'I once believed in Jesus, now I can't believe in rock' n' roll." ex-Virgin Prune Gavin Friday may have his cross to bear, but this gadfly of the Irish rock scene isn't one to let the grass grow under his feet...

Having resolved the nebulous role of the record producer in Part 1, this month David Mellor addresses the practical matter of pre-production.

The Godfather of German electronic music, Klaus Schulze favoured an all-digital approach to recording the '80s. The last few years, however, have seen a radical revision of his former philosophy. Paul Tingen meets the man for whom old working habits die hard...

Time was when synths weren't all weedy presets and wheyfaced copies of real instruments. Regular SOS contributor Paul Nagle is living off his memories...

In his time, Ron Berry has been a synth-player and a freelance designer — but it's as an electronics hobbyist that he cut his teeth. Jonathan Miller meets the man who keeps the DIY ethic alive.