January 2002 Magazine Contents

**** Score = 4/5 stars. Vinyl Frontier 2 focuses on urban breakbeat styles such as hip-hop and drum and bass.

Apogee have an enviable reputation for their state-of-the-art digital converters, but their new Trak 2 also includes sophisticated mic preamplification.

Boss' latest multi-effects processor for guitarists gets the SOS review treatment...

Ever found yourself really needing a particular sample CD-ROM, only to find that it's not available for your sampler? Or perhaps you want to back up your sample programs in proprietary CD formats? Chicken Systems' PC utility Translator may be able to help.

***** Score = 5/5. This is the first Dan Dean library to feature up to eight velocity layers for the smoothest ever transitions of timbre from soft to loud...

Swedish manufacturer Elektron claim that their SPS1 rhythm synth is the most sophisticated drum machine ever built, with a stunning specification that includes no less than four different types of percussion synthesis.

Korg have dominated the top-end workstation market for several years with their Triton range, but apart from the rack version, there have been no lower-priced spin-offs. The Triton Le keyboard changes that, offering many of the Triton's powerful features at a more affordable price.

The unique C-Loops from Red Sound Systems can automatically detect the tempo of incoming audio, sample it and chop it to length ready for re‑triggering, as well as automatically timestretching all its on‑board loops to match any new tempo it receives.

Samson's latest dynamics processors deliver quality sound and features that belie their affordable price tag.

Sonic Foundry were the pioneers of loop-based PC sequencing with the initial release of Acid. More than three years on it's more popular than ever, and the latest version includes MIDI and video support among other new features.

The price war in the budget condenser mic market gets even more fierce with the launch of this range of large-diaphragm models.

**** Score = 4/5 stars. Geneticz is a collection of processed loops and sounds programmed by Digital Davy, a Dutch DJ and techno/gabba producer.

Although all-valve mixers can really warm up sounds prior to digital recording, they're usually too large and expensive for the project studio. However, TL Audio's hybrid M3 now brings valve mixing within the reach of the home musician.

The new AG Stomp physically models a miked-up acoustic guitar sound using the DI signal from an acoustic guitar piezo pickup, and also offers a variety of useful effects processors.

Yamaha's AW2816 audio workstation appears to offer much of the functionality of the acclaimed AW4416, but at an even lower price point.

***** Score = 5/5 stars. Return serves up 76 tracks of live beats ranging from 57 to 169bpm (though one loop pogos in at 194bpm).

The MRS1044 is Zoom's first serious 'studio in a box', offering 10-track hard disk recording and editing with integrated drum machine and bass sounds. Does it have what it takes to succeed in this increasingly competitive area of the market?

On October 25th 2001 Apple released their first non-Mac device for many years, the iPod. Apple Notes spots a vital clue which makes the iPod rather useful to the recording musician, whatever the general consumer makes of it...

Hands-on advice to help you improve the fundamentals of your mixing technique.

Most SOS readers spend a lot of time considering what equipment to buy, and learning how it works. But it's also important to consider the ergonomics of your studio if you're to avoid the possibility of painful, and surprisingly common, strain injuries.

Our series turns to the practicalities of setting up your own surround-capable recording system, and we talk to two radically different surround studios to see how they've coped — one at project- and one at pro-studio level.

Ever wanted to synthesize unpitched membranophones? No? Well, you might if you knew that bass and snare drums are of this percussion type. We show you how...

All tangled up when it comes to audio leads? Here are the answers to the most common queries on the subject from SOS readers.

Which synth should I buy? How do you create a reverb algorithm? Am I better off with a soundcard designed specifically for musicians? Is hit dance track's tempo variation deliberate? Is all RAM the same? What's the best thing to do when my old gear begins to wear out? Can I ensure that my CDs will play on all hi-fi systems? How can I stop my music annoying my neighbour? What is a stereo signal?

Among his many credits as an engineer, producer, programmer and artist, Jon Astley is perhaps best known for his award-winning work remastering classic albums from the likes of The Who, Abba and George Harrison.

Another 'through the keyhole' glimpse into one more SOS reader's studio.

There's an array of powerful music‑making software tools out there, but because they're considered 'hard' they don't get the same publicity as the latest toys available at your local music shop.

Super Furry Animals' recent album Rings Around The World is one of the first to be released in a custom-mixed 5.1 surround version for DVD as well as on stereo CD. Keyboard player Cian Ciárán explains how and why they embarked on this groundbreaking project.

The current extent of software piracy poses a serious threat to the economical stability of the software companies on whom we rely...

In his last-ever Doing The Business, Big George burns all his boats with some radical ideas about what should be done with the British music industry... and receives a reply from the Dept. of Culture.