Recorders

The eight-track digital recorder has become a standard building block at virtually every level of the recording industry, and a wide range of tape and hard disk-based devices is available. Now Yamaha have extended the choice with a machine built around a 640Mb magneto-optical drive. Hugh Robjohns takes it for a spin...

Boss have released a new guitarist-friendly digital eight-track, which includes not only recording, mixing and effects processing, but also guitar tuner, phrase trainer and basic drum machine. Paul White investigates...

More than just another stand-alone box that burns CD‑Rs, the Alesis MasterLink also includes a large hard drive to store audio and built-in CD mastering tools — in theory, all you need to create CD‑R masters without ever booting up a computer.

Hugh Robjohns investigates a rugged new Minidisc recorder with a host of facilities for professional location recording.

Korg's longstanding OASYS synthesis project has finally come to commercial fruition. The original plan, to produce a traditional stand-alone synthesizer, has given way to a computer-based synthesis and mixing environment running on a multi-DSP PCI card. Simon Trask takes refuge with the OASYS PCI...

With new 16-track portable digital multitracker, Korg have packed a lot of features into a surprisingly small case.

For the launch of their new range of 24-bit/96kHz-capable PCI recording systems, established gadget manufacturers Midiman are going under the name M Audio. Martin Walker takes a look at the flagship product in their new line.

Digidesign have forged a formidable reputation in the pro arena for their Pro Tools digital audio workstations. With the new Digi 001 system, they're hoping to capture a substantial slice of the project-studio market too. Debbie Poyser and Derek Johnson provide an exclusive hands on review.

Paul White discovers a sensibly priced CD recorder capable of handling any type of recording sessions without throwing a tantrum.

We get our hands on Fostex's latest affordable digital recorder — and the company's first ever stand‑alone digital mixer.

The launch of yet another 8-in/8-out PCI soundcard might seem little cause for raised eyebrows, but Terratec have a few surprises up their sleeves with the EWS88 MT. Martin Walker prepares to be amazed.

Time moves quickly in the world of digital recording and since SOS's last sampler roundup in September 1997, a host of new models have been introduced, from 'quick-and-dirty' phrase recorders to top-of-the-range sampling workstations. Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser steer you through the pre-purchase decisions, and provide a guide to all the currently available models.

Project Hammerfall is an unusual name for a soundcard — but then RME's new card is somewhat out of the ordinary. Martin Walker enters a world of sample-accurate sync and minimal latency.

Fostex pioneered the project-studio multitrack with reel-to-reels like the R8 and, more recently have also been quick of the mark in introducing digital recorders. Derek Johnson reviews the latest addition to the latter range.

The increased headroom and dynamic range afforded by 24-bit recording can be a boon, but until now its cost has put it out of reach of many. However, this looks set to change with the latest cross-platform release from Gadget Labs. Martin Walker looks and listens to the Wave/8:24 on his PC.

A new system from Alesis offers ADAT users the best aspects of both tape and hard disk, allowing them to copy material from an ADAT to a computer for editing, then fly it back to tape with single-sample accuracy. Paul White puts it to the test.

Emagic's new baby is a bargain cross-platform hardware and software bundle which includes a useful new CD-mastering package for Mac users. Paul White finds out whether they've delivered the goods.

Tascam's CD-RW5000 is one of the more cost-effective CD recorders around that can make use of the cheaper 'pro' blank discs — and the company have also released a useful box that can duplicate both audio CDs and CD-ROMs. Paul White checks them over.

With almost 20 self-contained digital multitrackers on the market, either new or second-hand, it can be hard to decide which one is for you. Debbie Poyser & Derek Johnson discuss the options and round up the available models.

HHB's new CD-R appears to offer all the features we've always wanted in an affordable standalone CD recorder. Hugh Robjohns finds out if it delivers.

Digidesign's latest Pro Tools MIX card offers even more power than last year's PT24, providing higher plug-in performance and improved mixing and processing capabilities — and there's a new software version with some useful enhancements. Mike Collins weighs up the pros and cons.