April 2020 Magazine Contents

The ZenBook Pro Duo UX581GV has more screens and power than you can shake a stick at. Is it the perfect portable music machine?

Electric Pro has been designed with electric guitar in mind — but it isn't, as you might expect, an amp modeller. Rather, it focuses on the studio-processing and effects side of things.

If you're seeking a performance-friendly effects processor with a top-notch signal path, this might be just what the doctor ordered...

Following on from their outstanding debut microphones, Austrian Audio turn their attention to the headphone market.

The S1 brings Avid's EUCON control within reach of mere mortals.

The Kompas is a delightfully odd three-coordinate probabilistic pattern navigator.

Rating: **** 4/5 Stars. For this virtual oud, musician Bassam Ayoub recorded and produced his own performances at his studio in Weisbaden, Germany.

Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars. Powered by their multi-layered engine featuring sequencers, modulators and effects, Sonuscore give you Elysion, the 'hybrid twin' that does for synthetic sounds what The Orchestra does for the orchestra.

With its impressively fast tracking system and analogue synth-like sounds, this is a guitar synth with which guitarists can finally feel at ease.

This dedicated 64-step sequencer can be run stand-alone or within a host that supports MIDI-based AUv3 plug-ins, such as Audiobus or AUM.

Could this be the ultimate analogue 'vibe box'?

If you crave the sound of super-slick backing singers, is EastWest's Hollywood Backup Singers a viable alternative to paying regular session fees?

The 1973 version two Big Muff Pi — with a ram's head printed on the casework — was used on so many classic records that EHX have decided to bring it back.

The Erica Synths Pico System, and in fact the whole Pico range of modules, represents good value for money in a small package...

They say they don't make 'em like they used to, but in the case of this Italian boutique filterbank, they do!

We put Mackie's portable and affordable column PA system to the test.

Mission Engineering's VM-Pro buffered volume pedal, widely considered one of the best available, just got better!

Much more than just an expanded Grandmother, the Matriarch has all the makings of a classic Moog synth.

The Motas‑6 brings together the worlds of analogue and digital for a unique take on the classic three-oscillator, analogue monosynth.

Long a favourite amongst film and TV composers, Digital Performer now embraces loop-based production and live performance.

Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars. Straylight is designed with media/film composers in mind and, by combining a granular synthesis engine with sample playback, Straylight specialises in soundscapes, transitions and ambient tones...

Major updates to Novation's third generation of Launchpads improve both form and function.

This plug-in sounds pleasingly 'organic' and adds some useful functionality compared with the Binson Echorecs on which it's based.

The baby of Quested's established V series provides quality monitoring even for those with limited space.

RME's distinguished do-it-all desktop interface just got even better.

Fully loaded with shell, kick and overhead mics plus mounting hardware, sE's smart V Pack Arena has everything you need to make quality drum kit recordings.

If you've ever dreamed of having an SSL in your studio, that dream just became surprisingly achievable...

A tutorial book on making step sequencers with Cycling '74's Max graphical programming environment.

These gadgets offer more than the ability to patch your guitar or bass into a mic preamp!

Bassynth is all about big and meaty bass sounds. Its 11GB sample library comprises over 800 multi-samples of 'real' instruments such as brass, winds and bass guitar, plus synthetic sounds.

We look at two Max For Live devices that bring your step sequencing to life.

Much vaunted as a fusion of indie and dance music, Happy Mondays' joyous version of 'Step On' is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you want to inject some motion and mystery into your pad sounds, why not fire up Padshop Pro and enter the matrix?

Check out these audio examples which accompany this issue's Cubase Workshop.

So, how do you get a guitar to generate MIDI?

Working with ace mixer Tony Maserati taught producer Sir Nolan that hit-making is as much about what you take away as what you add...

Virtual drums and guitar processors are certainly capable of delivering great sounds — but they don't always behave as you'd expect when it comes to mixdown.

Folder Tracks are set to change the lives of every Pro Tools user. Here's why...

The unassuming SampleOne XT is actually one of Studio One's secret weapons.

In our latest in-depth video feature, producer Oak Felder takes us inside his studio — and his Logic session — to show exactly...

My monitors sounded inconsistent to me, so I've been adjusting their frequency response by ear using a 31-band EQ on my PC. I've done a lot of tweaks, and they now sound phenomenal, but I want to be sure I'm doing the tweaks correctly.

I've seen some pictures where the mic is hanging upside down. Is there a good reason for this? Or is it better to put it the 'right' way up?

Mixing can be a mentally taxing pursuit, but these simple strategies will help you maintain your focus and get the best results.

When Bombay Bicycle Club chose to work with prolific producer John Congleton, both band and producer found themselves having to adapt...

Pooch's career has seen him mix front-of-house for artists as diverse as Iron Maiden and Justin Bieber. But just how different are mixing for pop and metal?

To help you brush up on your listening skills, we examine the production of some recent hits from Meduza, Roddy Ricch, Jorja Smith, Eminem and a classic mix of Harry Belafonte from the first LP ever to sell a million copies.

On occasions I think the modular synth concept is a bit bonkers. It takes ages to set up a sound with little chance of being able to repeat it... Surely programmable synths were invented to get around that shortcoming?

Steve gave me his time that day, he was good-humoured and made it fun. He showed me how synthesizers work and how to create sounds... it was magical.