October 2004 Magazine Contents

This dual-channel unit has hybrid solid-state/tube circuitry, variable input impedance, instrument-specific presets, and a flexible digital output.

This high-end stereo compressor boasts three different flavours of optical compression.

Gary Garritan takes on the orchestral behemoths with a small but perfectly formed library packed with extra features.

This is a reissue of Groove Tubes' first large-diaphragm condenser, but with solid-state electronics replacing the valve to offer a more affordable package.

Despite its small size, this new system leads the field when it comes to nearfield monitoring accuracy.

Reviews/appraisals of the latest sample CDs:Luscious Grooves 5* MULTI-FORMAT; Electro Magnetic Pulse 4* AUDIO+WAV+REX; SAM Solo Sessions 4* MULTI-FORMAT; Saophones 1 5* GIGASTUDIO/EXS24 MKII.

M Audio's half-rack interface provides a comprehensive selection of analogue and digital I/O at a competitive price.

The price of compact MIDI controller keyboards has come tumbling down in the past few years, but weighted-action full-length keyboards have remained relatively expensive —until now. We investigate the 88-note keyboard that runs off USB power...

Mackie combine a completely redesigned 16:2 mixer with a multi-channel Firewire audio interface. What more could you want?

The latest incarnation of a well-established scoring package holds few surprises, but plenty of power for the asking price.

This high-quality passive monitor controller can cater for five stereo input sources and three pairs of speakers, with built-in cue monitoring and talkback functions.

There are now plenty of convolution reverbs around, but Prosoniq's Rayverb offers something a little different. So just what is 'inverse raytracing' anyway?

In this ever-changing world of virtual analogues, modelled instruments, and software emulations, it's a pleasant surprise to find that some companies are making synths the old-fashioned way. But is nostalgia really what it used to be?

If your computer could sing, what would it sound like? With the Cantor software synth from Virsyn, you can find out...

These new active nearfields from Wharfedale offer a polished sound for studio owners on a budget.

Although the Ion is already well-respected for its sound quality, its synthesis architecture is also surprisingly flexible. We show you how to get the best from this little beast in your studio.

Binaural recordings can sound amazing on headphones, but do not work very well on conventional stereo speakers. Can they be adapted more successfully for surround systems?

With 'Heroes', David Bowie pulled off the rare feat of having a major hit with a highly experimental piece of art-rock, which featured among other highlights live synth treatments from Brian Eno, pitched feedback from guitarist Robert Fripp, and a lead vocal with level-triggered ambience.

This month we provide an exclusive preview of the new version of Cubase — SX 3 — and offer advice on how to get the most out of Cubase's Range Selection tool.

Think your own music is good? Listen to these tracks from SOS readers and see if you agree with the good Doctor's prognosis...

We explain how to use the handy Scrub tool, how to customise your track view, and detail the procedure for setting up remote control of Sonar effects parameters.

We investigate an obscure PC parameter that may be responsible for some otherwise 'incurable' soundcard stuttering problems.

The Jack low-latency sound server has been ported to OS X from Linux. We discuss its background and implications.

Learn how to combine dynamics processing with delay and reverb to breathe life into your mixes.

While Pro Tools is widely known for its dominance in the field of computer-based audio recording, little is made of the fact that it also features fully fledged MIDI sequencing facilities.

Shareware might be cheap, but it can also make you very cheerful. We round up some of the best of the current PC music shareware scene.

Mackie's Tracktion sequencer makes an ideal budget Rewire host for adding audio recording and plug-in capabilities to your Reason setup, as we explain...

The SOS team ride to the rescue of a budding media composer who is having trouble with his mixes.

If I left my Neumann TLM103 mic out on its stand when not in use for long periods of time, would its performance be affected, by dust in particular?

I am recording using a spaced-pair miking setup and I want to apply light compression to the signal. Where in the signal chain should I insert the compressor (pre- or post-fade), and will I have to buy a dedicated stereo compressor to do the job properly?

I've just bought Tascam Gigastudio, and in the manual it says 'Note: Nemesys recommends ISA or PCI-based MIDI interfaces, as they are faster than USB or Parallel Port interfaces'. If software manufacturers think USB is so unsuitable, then why do hardware manufacturers make them? Are there any multiple I/O PCI interfaces around any more?

I bought a Boss guitar effects processor the other day and noticed that the guitar sounds a lot better through it than it does just straight into my mixer. Also, could the sound from my mic be similarly improved by getting a stand-alone voice channel for it, rather than just putting it through the mixer?

I am familiar with white noise, but I\'ve also seen mention of pink, red and even blue noise in your pages. What are these other kinds of noise, how are they produced and what are they used for?Derek Amesbury

Is it best to use table-top stands, floor stands or wall brackets to mount my speakers? I have Mackie HR624s, which are not ported, so does it matter if they're positioned close to the wall? SOS Forum Post

I am looking at buying a matched pair of SE Electronics SE1 mics for drum miking. Would the SE1s be suitable for 'over and under' miking of the snare? If not, could you offer any alternatives for this kind of configuration?

I use Cubase SX 2 and find the Freeze function for VST Instrument tracks very useful. I was disappointed to note that it can take six or seven minutes to freeze a VST track. Why is this, when it only takes one to two minutes to export an entire composition as a WAV file?

Editor In Chief Paul White bemoans the ephemeral nature of modern software instruments and wonders what will be the Stradivarius of our time in 300 years...

Hear the tracks while you read constructive comments from MPG (Music Producers Guild) members who assess the latest batch of SOS readers' submitted recordings.

Replies to more of your emails, letters and faxes.

Walk inside Philip Taysom's studio and you will find classic synths in abundance, all connected and all ready to play...

Paul Bower explains why the CV may be more important than you think — even in the music business...

Some of the legendary names in engineering and production didn't just make great records — they also invented equipment and techniques we take for granted today.

Nowadays, plenty of hit albums are recorded in bedroom studios — but Liam Howlett of the Prodigy has gone one better, by recording his latest in bed.

The Beach Boys' SMiLE album was to have been the pinnacle of Brian Wilson's groundbreaking recording and production achievements — but it was never completed. This year, in an extraordinary tale of emotional drama, tape-vault archaeology and recording technology, Brian finished it, debuted it live, and then re-recorded it in the studio. SOS brings you the full story...