October 2013 Magazine Contents

Mic technology has come a long way since AKG launched the original C1000S. Does the latest version offer enough improvements to keep up with the competition?

Apps for your Tablet: Waldorf Nave synth, Pocket Audio Tools and Grain Science's granular synth.

By stripping this mixer down to the bare bones of preamp, EQ and stereo summing, Geoff Tanner shows us that less really can be more when it comes to quality vintage-style consoles.

With its bundled Pro Tools Express software, Avid's new interface could be just the thing for anyone getting started with music production.

In his latest eBook, Samplecraze's Eddie Bazil explores the concept of 'Beat Construction' — which he is at pains to point out means drum beats, rather than full productions.

When it comes to D-A conversion, this company is called Benchmark for a reason. How have they raised the standard this time?

Available as a downloadable product, in WAV, Apple Loop and Kontakt versions.

The French company behind many of the software plug-ins for the Creamware DSP platform have branched out into analogue guitar pedals and produced something quite different!

To really put this system through its paces, we set it up as the main system at an outdoor festival playing to thousands of people.

A hybrid recording interface can give you the practical benefits of a stand-alone recorder with the flexibility of a computer and audio interface. Here's our round-up of current options.

It's not always practical to solve room problems with acoustic treatment. Enter IK's updated monitor correction system...

Korg's single-handed analogue revival continues unabated with the release of the Volca range of super-affordable grooveboxes.

Tobias Lindell's latest range aims to deliver pro-quality outboard processing at a price that's within reach of the home studio masses.

Considering that these are boutique, hand-built pedals from Poland, the cost is very reasonable.

The HV37 makes Millennia's highly regarded solid-state preamp design available in a more affordable format. Does it cut any corners?

Moog are best known for their synths, but could all their analogue expertise also make for a delicious delay?

The Native Instruments Abbey Road Drummer series must be close to completion. Previously we have had Vintage, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and Modern Drummer, and now NI have slipped 50s Drummer into the decade-sized gap.

What do you get when you cross Klein + Hummel's pedigree in speaker design with Neumann's decades of industry experience? A very good monitor indeed...

Novation's new controller keyboard has bright lights, friendly buttons and a newt-like orange underbelly. Splendid.

Have Presonus got what it takes to break into the already crowded market for affordable monitors?

With over 370 pages, author Mike Major's book is crammed with advice, practical tips and useful pictures and diagrams.

The latest addition to RME's OctaMic range of multi-channel preamps is designed to interface with digital recording systems of all stripes.

Sample Magic's ingenious plug-in makes A/Bing fast, fair and simple.

Sonokinetic's classical range of virtual instruments includes everything from symphonic orchestras to individual instruments like the electro mechanical piano.

The new Si Expression range aims to combine the flexibility of digital mixing with 'analogue' ease of use. Is it time you made the switch?

The biggest name in studio consoles have announced their first mixer designed exclusively for the stage. We took a trip to SSL's factory in Oxford to see what the fuss was about...

Ueberschall's Elastik-based library series now runs to dozens of titles and Bass Saxophone is one of the latest additions and features 140 samples.

The Apollo 16 is an audio interface designed to bring UA's Powered Plug-in processing into the heart of a larger studio setup.

Another slice of Abbey Road history is now available in your plug-in folder, thanks to Waves.

Fruit continues to fall from Yamaha's Motif tree and the latest and cheapest example is the MX range...

A new program makes it possible to use your favourite 32-bit plug-ins in any 64-bit DAW.

Make modern electronic beats with Logic's Drummer.

Freed from the limitations of working within a web browser, the new iLok License Manager also offers a much improved user interface.

When the Clash entered the studio for the first time they were determined not to sacrifice their punk principles, and the fates — not to mention a sympathetic engineer and a negligent record company — were on their side...

Track grouping is one of Live's most powerful tools for managing your tracks in both Session and Arrangement view.

Use Sonar X2's bundled tools to master your mix.

Shut Down, Sleep or Hibernate — which is the most efficient for the PC musician?

Join us as we explore the unexpected creative possibilities of Reason 7's effects.

The sound designer may use many of the same basic skills and tools as the recording musician, but the role requires you to think rather differently...

Cubase's StepDesigner offers a surprising amount of creative potential.

A simple song and an outrageous video turned Robin Thicke from a star to a superstar — with the aid of master mixer Tony Maserati.

I'm trying to get a nice spacious rock drum sound. But while my live room — or 'dining room' as my wife calls it! —...

Would impedance balanced and electronic balanced audio provide exactly the same noise reduction as regular symmetrical...

I'm a classically trained pianist who, on occasion, plays keyboard on stage. Though I am told that the latency in a...

Why are some DI boxes so damned expensive? Aren't they all just pretty much a transformer in a box? And what if any...

Many classically trained musicians have ended up playing rock. Ólafur Arnalds' career has gone in the opposite direction...

This month we comment on music from, Noatak, The Villeins, inFictions, AiO, Spiritual Wardrobe, Ollo, The Chaps, Freddy Frogs and Jens Steinmeyer

What's in a name? A lot, according to some groundbreaking new research...

This month, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Kansas City Choral and the Classic Mix - Motorhead's Ace Of Spades.

Paul White discusses the importance of visionary engineering teams coming up with the next big thing.

We all like adding new technology to our studios, but progress comes at a cost.

What can the airline and supermarket industries teach studios about setting their prices?

The most lavish recording facility ever built is not in London, New York or LA, but a remote part of South Africa. We trace the extraordinary story of BOP Studios.