July 1994 Magazine Contents

Sample rate converters are hardly the stuff that dreams are made of, but if you're an ADAT owner, the AI-1 digital interface opens up a whole new bag of possibilities, as Paul White discovers.

This month the SOS team checks out an Analogic hard drive.

By simplifying the control set up of the Model 106, Aphex have squeezed four channels of compression into a 1U rackmount — making it easier to use without apparently sacrificing functionality. David Mellor's got a ticket to ride...

Given the scarcity and high prices of Roland's seriously trendy TB303 Bassline, the field has been wide open for enterprising manufacturers to fill the demand for a cheap and funky bass synth. Novation's BassStation is but the first of three contenders.

Oktava have created a storm in the microphone marketplace with the MK219. Now they hope to follow up their initial success with the MK012, designed for both studio and broadcast use.

Everyone is looking for that elusive extra dimension to their mix, and Roland's latest unit claims to deliver it right out of the box. Dave Lockwood assesses dimensional expansion for himself.

On the face of it, Soundcraft's new Rac Pac is just another compact mixer, but look beneath the surface and you'll find an unususally versatile desk which can double as a miniture recording console or PA mixer.

Waldorf's dream machine is finally off the drawing board and in the real world, and looks sure to set synth players' hearts beating a little faster.

This month the SOS team checks out the game-cum-documentary of Xplora.

Is 'physical modelling' set to become the buzz-phrase of '90s synthesis? Martin Russ exclusively tests out Yamaha's innovative new synth and reveals all...

Paul White checks out the latest incarnation of the Zoom 9002, which includes updated circuitry, digital noise reduction, a built-in tuner and a metronome.

David Mellor takes the mystery out of hard disk recording and CD pre-mastering, with an explanation of how to get up and running with a Mac and three popular software packages.

Paul Austin auditions the ultimate in Amiga sequencing — Bars&Pipes Professional 2.5.

Computer-literate musicians are well placed to take advantage of multimedia technology. You know all about the sound — now what about the visuals? Panicos Georghiades and Gabriel Jacobs give an introduction to desktop video on the PC.

24 tracks? Pah! How about a whopping 24 notes? Steve Howell concludes his series on the modular system of yore by taking a look at the somewhat capacitorially-challenged analogue sequencer...

Brian Heywood brings you the latest PC news, and tells you how to get on the 'information superhighway' — free of charge! But first, the news...

For the benefit of those adding a MIDI sequencer to their multitrack tape facilities, Paul White explains the various synchronisation options.

Sampled piano aficionados know the particular problems involved in constructing a good loop of this essential instrument. Craig Anderton passes on a personal solution.

Martin Russ brings you the latest Apple news, and shows you how to double your RAM — without severe silicon surgery...

This month, Vic Lennard investigates the true cost of 'going digital'...

Most of us can set up a suitable vocal reverb treatment, but what's the best way to deal with all those synthesized and sampled instruments? Paul White offers a few suggestions.

Love it or loathe it, the analogue cassette looks set to be the primary medium for the distribution of recorded music for the foreseeable future, and we have to make the best of it. Paul White shows you how...

Andre Jacquemin is best known for his production work on all the Monty Python albums, but he is also a rock music producer, a composer and an expert at putting sound to picture. Here he reflects on the advances of technology which have allowed him to streamline his working environment, and the support that is necessary to maintain it.

Paul White talks to Malcolm Toft, the man behind the legendary Trident range of recording consoles, who now has his own company, MTA, which looks set to continue the tradition of analogue excellence.

With a track record that includes hit albums for the Smiths and current chart success with both Blur and the Cranberries, producer Stephen Street is making himself quite a name for his honest and straightforward production approach.

Take some Cajun banjo, an Italian opera singer, and a dash of Robert Fripp. Mix these diverse elements liberally with electronic dance music, and serve as the third album from the Grid, Evolver. Nigel Humberstone talks to the hi-tech duo on the making of this album, and their forthcoming classical project.