March 2012 Magazine Contents

Apogee's Duet 2 puts the company’s famed A-D/D-A conversion into a box that’s attractive in terms of both styling and price...

Mike Watkinson reviews One Red Dog's Arctic Keys, a subtractive synth for iPad, whilst Hugh Robjohns puts TigApp's Audio Audit, an audio test app for iPhone and iPod Touch, to the test.

Arturia have broken away from their soft-synth roots with the MiniBrute, a 100 percent analogue monosynth. We put it to the test in our world-exclusive review.

Audio-Technica’s latest ‘pencil’ mic is designed to provide a high-frequency boost. Could this help lift sources out of a busy mix?

With Pro Tools now catering for such a wide range of users, can the latest version provide both value and satisfaction for everyone?

BAE's latest take on the classic Neve 1073 preamp design is presented in a sturdy, portable format. But does it deliver the familiar Neve sound?

Test plots to accompany the article.

Forest Kingdom is another tour de force from developer Eduardo Tarilonte, once again featuring a generous 7GB of sample content, memorable artwork and wonderful presentation.

If BFA could make a TV ad for this sample collection, they would probably have it narrated by the late movie trailer maestro Don LaFontaine, saying something like, "In a world of laid-back percussion, Epic Drums II changed everything, forever!”

Although the main title of this sample collection from Big Fish Audio only mentions pop and soul, the content also covers R&B guitar styles...

Blue’s new Reactor is certainly eye-catching, but does it sound as good as it looks?

Hugh Robjohns scrutinises this phantom power supply from Canford Audio.

An 88-note hammer-action stage piano as affordable as this seems far too good to be true. Is there a catch?

West Coast samplists Cinesamples stay ethical with their major new orchestral brass library.

The latest version of Max might not look revolutionary, but its familiar appearance conceals some big changes.

Paul White takes a look at this solid-state 5W guitar-amp head with enough gain to create blues or rock overdrive effects.

Since Event changed ownership in 2006, their popular 20/20 BAS monitor has been completely redesigned, and relaunched at a very attractive price.

Despite the 'real versus sampled' debate continued by Mellotron purists, G-Force's M-Tron Pro VST plug-in has earned a justified reputation as an authentic and effective recreation of that famous tape-replay keyboard.

Following the review of the HK Audio Elements in August 2011, Paul has been putting the PA system through its paces for the past 6 months in order to give an 'extended test' review.

It takes a lot these days to set a boutique mic preamp apart from the crowd. Does Ingram’s flagship design have what it takes?

Does this luxuriously specified audio PC justify its premium price tag?

Izotope’s do-everything mastering suite expands again, with a new Advanced version offering even more user control.

Self-contained keyboard synths have an immediacy that is seldom matched by synth modules or software instruments. There's a great variety of them available at the moment, but how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s a selection of the models we've looked at over the last couple of years, with links to the SOS reviews, to help you decide.

We take a look at this microphone accessory that promises "No more pops!!!".

If you’ve always thought in-ear stage monitoring was out of your league, maybe it’s time to think again...

Soundcraft’s compact desk is designed to offer digital power and versatility combined with an operator-friendly ‘analogue feel’.

The M15 active speaker promises Turbosound’s trademark warm sound, while the M18 subwoofer is designed to add some extra low-end level.

Zoom’s latest recorder ups the ante on the features front — even including M/S recording — but remains very affordable.

The story of Don McLean's 'American Pie' goes from cryptic beginnings to massive chart success, and an eventual position as a perennial US radio favourite.

Just how do you make a mix sound loud without squeezing the life out of the music? Find out in our in-depth guide...

This bonus content accompanies the Crafting Loud Mixes article.

Our intrepid columnist gets down and dirty with iTunes Match, confirming that it may indeed change the way people consume music.

Build your own loop recorder in Reaper and test the limits of your creativity.

Programmed classical and film music demands convincing use of sample-based instruments. But how do you achieve this? Our engineer explains, as he takes on this month’s remix...

Audio files to accompany the article.

If you’ve ever wanted to tighten the timing of multitrack drums in Cubase, look no further...

Drake’s atmospheric, brooding sound has revitalised hip-hop, selling millions in the process. The man behind that sound is Noah '40' Shebib.

Previously a hard-wired channel strip, ProChannel is now an 'open' plug-in host offering unprecedented effects order flexibility — which can make a huge difference to your sound...

Reason 6 and Live make a great double act, and now it’s even easier to Rewire them together...

We're reading between the lines in Logic this month, with a look at editing using the snap and nudge facilities.

Reason 6's fabulous new device, The Echo, makes the creation of sophisticated delay-based effects child's play.

As the PC world embraces Thunderbolt technology on new devices and peripherals, AMD weigh in with budget-priced competition...

I have a vintage Neumann U87 mic, a GAP Pre73 preamp and also a Zoom H4N recorder (massive contrast, I know). If I want to,...

I realise that there are advantages to monitoring on a single 'middly'-sounding small speaker (such as an Avantone MixCube)...

I have been making music for years now, and although I have a set of Genelec 8040s that I use during the day (when I'm home),...

With the festival season fast approaching, The Prodigy's live sound-man, Jon Burton, talks to some of those involved about the unique demands of running open-air shows.

A combination of hard work, business acumen and old-fashioned musicality have brought JR Rotem huge success as a hip-hop and R&B songwriter and producer.

Over the past few years, we have seen computer software achieve what had previously been considered to be impossible.

The meteoric rise of Michael Kiwanuka has been founded on strong songs, great singing and Paul Butler’s unique production style.

Breton * Ove Engen * RJ Thompson * Burning Wire

SOS Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns ponders whether 'boutique' actually means 'better'.

• Lady Antebellum 'We Owned The Night' • Cher Lloyd 'With Ur Love' • Snow Patrol 'Called Out In The Dark'

If you make music for a living, now’s the time to unite with others to protect your rights.

The rewards for studios that offer film-sound services can be substantial, but do they risk alienating clients who just want to record music?