August 2005 Magazine Contents

String Studio uses Applied Acoustics' physical modelling expertise to (in theory) generate the sound of any string instrument. Good or bad vibrations? We find out...

Apogee's new master clock includes their latest clock-regeneration technology, which can synchronise to even very poor-quality clock sources.

Buying the Express version of Apple's Logic will save you a cool £500 over the full-blown Pro edition — and you'll still get a mighty powerful sequencer...

ART Cleanbox II Hum Eliminator • Book Review: The Guide To MIDI Orchestration.

Anarchy Rhythms is a novel VST plug-in/stand-alone application, whose author accurately describes it as "a hybrid between an effect and a drum machine".

We test another customised keyboard aimed at Cubase users.

The price of controller keyboards has fallen sharply over the past few years, but whoever thought that we would see an 88-note weighted-action keyboard with aftertouch for under £500? Enter CME's UF8...

If you are on a tight budget, ESI's new PCI audio and MIDI interface gives you more ins and outs for less money. But how does it stack up sound-wise against its pricier competitors?

Forget completely flexible software synthesis — what everyone wants, it seems, is emulations of 35-year-old monophonic analogue synths! We check out the latest modelled Minimoog, and see how it compares to the original hardware.

M-Audio have been producing impressive, inexpensive controller keyboards for some time, and have recently moved seriously into Firewire interfacing. The new Ozonic seeks to combine both capabilities in one product — and all for less money than you'd think...

Tracktion's designers have given the program a thorough overhaul and added some significant new features. But have they succeeded in retaining its freshness and ease of use?

Not content with acting as a high-spec control surface and Firewire audio interface for your studio computer, this new high resolution console seems determined to outshine it with its slick touchscreen graphical interface and onboard VST plug-in hosting.

This two-in, eight-out interface is the first audio product from British Firewire specialists Miglia Technology.

Three new large-diaphragm mics from MXL include a model which attempts to recreate the sound of valves using solid-state technology.

Xpress Keyboards features cut-down versions of NI's B4 tonewheel organ emulation, Pro 53 Prophet 5 emulation and FM7 DX-alike.

The Fantom X is Roland's best-ever workstation, but it has suffered from one or two annoying omissions, such as the ability to import Roland's own sample format. We explore the Fantom Xr rack module and ask if the v2 OS and editing software provide the solutions?

This new card narrows the gap between Roland's VS-series machines and computer recording systems by allowing the use of third-party plug-ins within the multitracker environment. We test the card, its bundled plug-ins, and the first of the brand-name offerings from Universal Audio.

Under review: Toontrack DFH Custome Vintage, Zero-G Analogue Sequencer Loops, Drumdrops Drops In The Bronx Vol. 1,  Loopmasters Origin Raw Power.

Tannoy's new Precision monitors bring their celebrated dual-concentric driver and Supertweeter technology to the project studio market.

In the red corner, weighing in at 0.8kg, is the latest addition to the TFPro range of outboard — a dual mic preamp with integrated dynamics processing.

Although there are plenty of formal text books on the subject of writing and arranging for an orchestra, Paul Gilreath's 700-page book is not only very accessible, but also more likely to appeal to the average SOS reader.

If you want your mixes to go to 11, Waves' new mastering limiter might be the weapon you need.

German company Yellow Tools started off as sample library developers, but like many others, they've moved into the world of virtual instruments with the lovingly crafted MVI range. We check out all three...

This month more about 64-bit computing and details of a Mackie control-surface update for Sonar users — and we offer handy tips on taming mute tools and MIDI notes.

Disco was an American phenomenon, but its greatest hits were recorded in France by an English band who were trying to play R&B...

We line up three of the most popular audio restoration packages available for Pro Tools. Which gives the most natural results, which is easiest to use, and how do you get the best from them?

We investigate the major and minor new features on offer in Cubase SX/SL 3.1.

More news and ideas from the DP scene — as well as some good old-fashioned rumour-mongering...

On the menu: Tiger tussles with Reload, Propellerhead's Akai sample-management software, the excellent free Electromechanical Refill gets an update, and quick tips.

We take a look at some of the stability problems still lurking in v7.1 under Tiger, and also reveal a couple of extra plug-ins tucked away in the new OS upgrade.

The Pentium M processor has various desirable qualities, not least its very low power requirement, which leads to a reduced need for cooling and a quieter life for musicians. However, it has always been confined to use in laptops, with corresponding limitations — until recently.

Apple users are used to transitions, having moved from 68k-based Macs to Power PC processors, and the classic Mac OS 9 to Mac OS X. Now it's time for the third and most shocking transition of all: the move to Macs with Intel processors.

When is an EQ not just an EQ? When it's the Sonar v4 Producer Edition Sonitus EQ and you use it for some of the amazing processing tricks we're about to explain!

This month's Digital Performer workshop aims to help you get into the groove more effectively, through the use of the program's sophisticated quantisation facilities.

Find out how to record a great electric guitar sound into Logic, and which of the plug-ins have the most impact at the mixdown stage...

Recording acoustic keyboard instruments in a home environment can be pretty demanding, but with a little care you can still get professional results.

You've recorded a real drummer, but the drum sound just doesn't cut it. Is there anything you can do to rescue things?

Networking computers is now more straightforward than it used to be, there's a good choice of connection protocols, and Macs can get in on the act alongside PCs. The benefits for musicians can be considerable, as we discover...

The intrepid SOS crew answer a call for help from a drummer whose studio requires a monitoring and acoustics makeover...

Most modern musicians use samples, even if only in Sample & Synthesis-based keyboards or virtual instruments. But sampling itself has become something of a lost art. In the first part of a short series on rediscovering this skill, we look back at how the technique and the technology developed.

The Malström device can certainly be used as a conventional synth, but behind its slightly bizarre green front panel lies a powerful graintable sound engine begging to be exploited to the full. We show you how...

News of a new hardware DSP system from Waves; a mini-review of a keyboard sticker set for Pro Tools from Editor's Keys; the latest information on compatibility with Mac OS 10.4, and plug-in news.

I would like to know how much benefit can be gained by isolating my speakers and other gear from their supports — so-...

I use MIDI-sequenced sound modules for backing, so I am considering the option of sync'ing my sequencer with my AW4416 and running the modules in time with the recorded material. Or is it more sensible for me to record the module outputs to the hard drive?

I have just got hold of a CAD M9 valve mic and the background noise level seems high compared to my other condensers...

Could you explain the subtle differences between all the different variants of Dolby — A, B, C, HX and SR?

Business End enables you to have your demo reviewed by a panel of producers, songwriters, musicians and managers.

Replies from the editorial team to more of your valued feedback.

Jeff Wayne's classic musical adaptation of H.G Wells' novel The War Of The Worlds was a technical tour de force and an enduring commercial success. 27 years after its release, it has undergone a complete rework for 5.1 surround using Pro Tools.

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, the UK/EU edition of SOS August 2005 comes with a free cover-mounted SOS DVD, featuring over 2.5 hours of SOS-created video tutorials and demos. Find out why it has taken SOS 20 years to find its 'voice'...

Australian manufacturers Rode started off making their mics with imported Far Eastern components, but as SOS's Editor In Chief found out on a visit to Sydney, these days their products are entirely conjured up in the land down under...

In music for TV, the solution is to not be a problem.