July 2015 Magazine Contents

Loaded with more of everything, iMPC Pro offers 64 tracks, a built-in piano roll editor, superior effects implementation and a choice of friendly sample-fixing tools.

Is this humble 500-series processor the start of a great modular system?

Library of radio–friendly rock instruments!

The ADR F760X-R Compex compressor/expander was a favourite dynamics processor during the 70s and 80s.

The choice of materials for acoustic treatment is paramount. We find out what different types of absorber can and can’t achieve.

This classically styled mic incorporates Cloud’s own preamp design to negate some of the pitfalls traditionally associated with ribbon microphones.

Our benchmark tests show you which CPUs offer the best audio performance, whether you’re on a budget or money’s no object.

Is this Dbx’s most user–friendly feedback suppressor to date?

It’s not easy to create an analogue multi–band compressor that competes on quality and price, but Drawmer show us it can be done.

Nine years after its original launch, Eiosis have rebooted their Air EQ plug-in with some unique new features.

IK Multimedia’s iRig Pads brings portable control to your computer or iOS device.

Akai iMPC Pro iOS sampling workstation and the Klevgrand Enkl Synth App. 

Mackie’s mixers have earned a reputation for offering excellent value for money. We check out their most affordable range to date.

While an overdrive pedal might not seem like an obvious studio accessory I’ve often found that using an analogue overdrive pedal before a software modelling amp/speaker produces more musical results.

Nearly 30 years after production of the original U47 FET ceased, Neumann have revived this iconic large-diaphragm capacitor mic.

It is often desirable to mute a microphone easily and this unit might be just what you're looking for!

PreSonus have expanded their AudioBox range with two compact interfaces that will work with your Mac, PC or iOS device.

Whilst PSP’s basic design remains the same, with a graphic display of the overall EQ curve and controls for up to five parametric EQ bands. Almost every aspect has been enhanced in some way or another.

A combination power soak, DI box, speaker simulator and phase alignment tool, Radial’s Headload has a role in almost any guitar rig.

Roland’s JDXi crams an awful lot of synth into a very small box.

These audio files accompany the Sample Shop reviews in the July 2015 issue of SOS

With The Hammersmith, a conventionally played acoustic grand piano, Soniccouture have released one of their most mainstream and potentially important libraries yet.

This useful piece of software can help you streamline your projects and preserve precious system resources.

Spitfire Audio’s BML range packages a full orchestral library into 20 individual modules.

For such a simple-looking box, decked out with one knob, two buttons and no display beyond a single LED, the TC-Helicon Ditto Mic Looper is a very sophisticated piece of kit.

TSOP’s first product is a Kontakt instrument called B11X, which was created by sampling every key and sound generator of a rare Polish synthesizer made in the 1980s.

Acoustic guitar modelling Plug-in.

You get two for the price of one with this review, with two closely related sample libraries from Ueberschall.

A Waves plug-in based on the original hardware Dbx 160 designed by engineer David Blackmer in the early 1970s.

Two heavy hitters in the world of digital audio have come up with an intriguing new synthesis of hardware and software.

Serum’s slick interface belies an extremely flexible wavetable synthesizer.

Take control with Logic 10.1’s new mix tools: VCA faders, region automation, and Relative and Trim modes.

Hailed as the first British acid house single, A Guy Called Gerald’s sublime ‘Voodoo Ray’ has since become a classic in its own right.

When screen space is at a premium, it’s time to customise Digital Performer’s user interface.

Before you deliver your Pro Tools project to a collaborator, it’s vital to make sure it has everything they’ll need!

The right reverb treatment can turn almost any sound into source material for filter mayhem in Studio One.

Audio files to accompany the Studio One article.

In the making of Alabama Shakes’ Sound & Color, producer Blake Mills and engineer Shawn Everett had almost unheard–of licence to experiment — and took full advantage.

This page contains a directory of all media pages that hold the associated media for July 2015.

What are the pros and cons of the different types of microphone, and when would you want to use them?

Our engineer picks up where last month’s Session Notes recording feature left off, with details of how he approached the mixing side of things on this ambitious project...

Audio files to accompany the article.

We look at advanced mixing techniques in Reason.

Take some of the work out of your workflow, with Cubase 8 Pro’s Plug-in Manager.

We show you how to analyse a song using Live’s built-in tools.

A simple, catchy tune with a funky rhythm may be all you need to create a highly commercial horn hook — but harmony is also an essential ingredient in brass arrangements.

How to polish your vocal recordings in Sonar.

I can’t find good explanations about the ‘Playback Resample Mode’ options available in Cockos Reaper, specifically the difference between the Good (64pt Sinc) and Better (192pt Sinc — Slow) modes.

My band tracked some songs at a local studio using their Pro Tools rig and I want to mix the tracks at home in Reaper.

I’m seeking some guidance on why I’m unable to record from my guitar amp straight to my audio interface.

I’ve read that I can get a good hip–hop kick or snare sound by ‘clipping’ it. But when I try this, it sounds horrible. What am I doing wrong?

Recording and producing your own music is always a challenge — especially if, like Faith No More, your previous albums have been done by the best in the business!

Oasis’s 1996 gig at Knebworth marked the end of an era for point–source PA. We asked the people who made it happen what has changed since.

How do you write music for a TV show you haven’t seen yet? It helps if you can draw on years of experience composing for video games...

When a whole composition can be pieced together in a matter of minutes using tempo-sync’ed samples and a bunch of exciting effects and drum loops, it makes learning to play an instrument seem like a endless trudge...

Guitar synthesizers have been around since the mid-1970s but have never really captured the imaginations of the majority of guitar players.

Built in the '50s as the broadcast headquarters for the GDR’s state radio, this complex is home to some of the world's most breathtaking recording studios. Watch our video tour...

It’s always vital to give the client what they want. Even if what they want makes no sense.

Hollywood looks like it may be on shaky ground, but it’s not all bad news for audio post houses.

In over 30 years in business, Miloco has developed from a small independent studio to a venture that is operating worldwide.