August 2013 Magazine Contents

Arturia have pared down their hybrid drum controller. It's cheaper and more compact — but does the Spark spirit remain?

When you're working with bass drums, it pays to use a mic dedicated to the task. Here's our selection of current models, with links to the SOS review where available.

If you're willing to pay for the best, CEDAR Audio's suite of plug-in processors could give you results that justify the investment.

Whatever you look for in an equaliser, you'll find it in DMG Audio's astonishingly comprehensive Equilibrium.

The Doepfer Dark Time looks and behaves like an analogue sequencer, but its digital heart means there's more to it than meets the eye.

The latest additions to Fostex's TH range of headphones are two models that are targeted at professional studio applications.

Can energy-efficient, environmentally friendly monitors really offer professional quality? Genelec certainly think so...

We explore the IK Multimedia iRig HD & Amplitude 3 Guitar Interface & Software for iOS

Kurzweil's latest workstation introduces enhancements — but doesn't mess with that Kurzweil sound.

There's more to these speakers than meets the eye, thanks to some cunning DSP and unique networking capability.

Massey's latest plug-in provides an affordable and effective way of beefing up your Pro Tools drum recordings with samples.

The MA301 FET claims to offer classic German sound at a Chinese price. Does it deliver?

Can this innocent-looking 1U rack really improve the performance of any speaker system?

Test & Measurement Result graphs to accompany the article.

Compression is an often under-rated weapon in the electric guitarist's arsenal.

The celebrated SID chip enjoys a virtual outing, courtesy of Precious Sound's lovingly sampled software instrument.

PreSonus's new valve channel strip boasts professional features and a price tag to match!

The Roland Studio Capture offers a very generous amount of analogue I/O and an unusually high level of digital control.

A collection of over 1800 interface noises for sound designers.

Always moving with the times, Steinberg's Wavelab now includes comprehensive loudness metering, along with new plug-ins and an improved interface.

The uniquely complex, spacious swirl of a real, mechanical Leslie rotary-speaker cabinet sound in a pedal!

To record the New York Studios Vol 3 drum samples, Toontrack returned to the world-class Avatar Studios (formerly The Power Station).

The majority of Ueberschall's Elastik-based libraries come in an easy-to-use construction kit format: lots of loops organised...

Universal Sampling are a small virtual instrument and sample library company who have created four products so far and now Euphoria takes them to a different level.

Three grand pianos jostle for supremacy in VI Labs' deep-sampled, secrecy-shrouded True Keys Pianos package.

The Worldwide Developers Conference always brings exciting announcements. We take a look at the headline grabbers...

The standout track from the Beastie Boys' smash hit Ill Communication album nearly didn't make it onto the record at all — and when it did, it was the eight-track ADAT mix that made the final cut.

Get your brain outside some crafty cuts with Reason 7's hot new slicing tools.

Restoration software such as Izotope's RX2 can breathe new life into damaged audio — with the right moves from the user!

Audio files to accompany the article.

If you've never used Logic for drum replacement before, it's time you learned the basics...

Under the guidance of Rick Rubin, Black Sabbath returned to their roots. Mixed by Andrew Scheps, the resulting album topped charts worldwide.

Cubase 7 includes the Voxengo CurveEQ plug-in, which matches the frequency responses of different sounds.

There's something for everyone in Max For Live, as we'll see while we explore the best devices MFL has to offer.

This month's mixing challenge was to retain the energy and excitement of a live recording, while adding a healthy dose of vintage character.

Audio files to accompany the article.

For anyone dismayed by the spec of the new Mac Pro, there's now a dedicated range of Pro Tools PCs.

Those Windows 8 users who are longing for the return of their Start button may not be too impressed by the forthcoming 8.1 update.

In this month's Session Notes column, we focus on a recent overdubbing session, which demonstrated the benefits of the multi-miking approach particularly well.

Audio files to accompany the article.

Create new and unusual effects with Sonar X2's Breverb Plug-in.

A recent Reaper update gave users something they'd been clamouring for: Stretch Markers.

The BBC's flagship music programme is broadcast around the world. We go behind the scenes to discover the secrets of its complex sound production.

On a recent visit to Leeds School Of Music, SOS author Jon Burton decided to hold a quick Q&A session.

Is there a good technique for treating plosives on a vocal track? I've found lots of advice on de-essing, but nothing on this...

What, if any, difference is there between clipping and limiting? Is a soft clipper just a limiter with very fast attack and...

I'm undecided about whether to choose a Roland V-Piano or a Clavia Nord, because Roland use physical modelling technology in...

Tired of trying to make money, Caro Emerald's production team chose to make music they loved. The result was a worldwide hit album...

Some years ago, I wrote a leader aimed at anyone thinking of taking a music technology course with a view to getting some kind of industry job at the end of it.

This month we feature 300ft Gorilla, The New Infection and The o8o8 Project.

Running the keyboard rig for one of the UK's biggest bands is always going to be nerve-wracking — especially when it's all centred on a laptop computer...

When it comes down to being paid for your creativity, how much is enough?

This month Mike listens hard to Ellie Goulding, Pink, Sam And The Womp, Katy Perry and the all time classic 'Hotel California' by the Eagles.

Candy Bomber opened its doors in 2007, shortly before the last aeroplane departed from Berlin's historic — and now closed — Tempelhof airport.

What's more humiliating than working for nothing? Jumping through hoops to work for nothing...

Banks are getting increasingly involved in the music industry. Should we be afraid?