September 2007 Magazine Contents

Akai combine MPC-style pads with more traditional sliders and rotary encoders in their cost-effective new desktop USB MIDI controller box. Is it destined to be a hit?

Apogee's Symphony system aims to bring professional hardware to users who want to work with native digital audio workstations on a Mac, whether they're in the studio with a Mac Pro or on the road with a Macbook Pro.

Apple's 17-inch Macbook Pro has both attracted and put off potential purchasers because of its size. But, with a new higher-resolution display and the latest mobile technology, is it now a must for those seeking the best in laptop performance?

Simple, functional and attractively priced. What more do you need from a monitor controller?

Fender have married Roland's VG technology with the timeless design of the Stratocaster. The result is a cutting-edge classic.

• Line 6 Pocket POD• Setting up Stratocaster and similar Floating Tremolos

Korg's new synth may be small, but there's much more to it than meets the eye...

The HR-series monitors have been hugely popular, but Mackie have still managed to find room for improvement.

Maggot Software's clever utility allows Pro Tools users to select a Region and instantly swap the audio it contains with another take.

Peluso set out to replicate the classic performance and style of Neumann's legendary U47. Could the result be even better than the real thing?

Phonic's well-established Helix range has made the jump to Firewire: we look at the 12-channel version, which is capable of sending 10 channels of audio at 24-bit/96kHz to your DAW.

This flexible little mic gives much better results than its modest price suggests.

• SoniccoutureAbstrakt Breaks• Zero G Degrees Of Abstract • Sample Magic Transmission-X• Propellerhead Abbey Road Keyboards

The latest version of Sibelius Softwares notation package brings instrument plug-ins from the sequencing world into the realm of score-writing.

With their EQ and dynamics plug-ins, Sonalksis aim to harness the flexibility of digital to the sound quality of high-end analogue gear.

Real-time recording to CD, DVD or HD — and DSD too? Tascam's newly upgraded DVRA1000 now seems to have it all...

DP's native Sound Designer II audio format can carry region information within files. That fact may not sound especially significant — but with the help of our guide you can use it to help you compile and burn CDs quickly and easily.

In mid-1984 Madonna arrived at New York City's Power Station studios with Nile Rodgers to record the album that would make her an international superstar - using cutting-edge 12-bit technology.

Whether you're looking into performing with Live on stage, or laying down fast arrangements in the studio, the place to start is the mixer's cue-mixing and crossfading features.

If you've time enough to install it all, the extra software bundled with new Pro Tools systems has a lot to offer — particularly if you have the Pro version of Digidesign's Ignition Pack 2.

This month we deal with thorny phase-cancellation problems, overhaul musical arrangements and get creative with effects, as we rise to the Mix Rescue challenge.

Here are links to the audio files from September 2007's MIX RESCUE article, for those readers who buy the magazine from the newsagent and don't wish to type in all the long URLs.

Will you notice a big improvement in software performance if you switch to a multi-core processor? And will performance suffer if you switch to Windows Vista? Find the answers to these and many other questions in this month's PC Notes...

Widgets are everywhere, from the new iPhone to Macs running OS X Tiger. But while the iPhone is picky about the Widgets it will run, your Mac is open to a world of musically-related Widget curiosities...

Producer and engineer Mark Endert not only mixed the lead single from Maroon 5s second album: he also co-produced it and programmed many of the parts.

In this episode, the SOS crew sort out monitoring problems and offer some practical mastering tips to another reader.

It's 70 years since the idea of digital audio sampling was first patented - so it's high time we laid to rest the myths and false perceptions that surround it.

Cubase is packed with as much functionality as Doctor Who's TARDIS for bending the laws of time, and while the basics are easy, it pays to explore a little deeper.

Making the most of your virtual instruments in Logic can involve some complex Environment trickery, but the results are rewarding.

Not only are these applications easier to use than commercial packages that can be confusingly feature heavy, they're also extremely easy on the wallet...

I have been trying to upgrade my Roland VS1680 hard-disk multitracker, as it has no CD burner. I have seen the Korg D3200...

I recently bought a patchbay from an auction of old gear cleared from BBC Pebble Mill. In the back of the patchbay, there...

I have a few tracks that I'd like to put on-line, but I'm having trouble getting the bass to sit forward enough in the mix...

I'm in a band and we want to start recording our live gigs and rehearsals to multitrack, but we don't know which way to go...

The crack team of Paul White and Hugh Robjohns have travelled the world solving readers' problems. Here, they down the Hob...

Chart-topping indie-rockers Athlete could have had their pick of the worlds producers and engineers to work on their third album. Instead, they chose to build a studio and do things their own way.

In an age dominated by software and samples, Jerry Boys has found the perfect niche for his old-school engineering skills: as the first-call specialist in recording world music.

More of your submissions get the once-over by the SOS editorial staff.

Our august Editor-In-Chief Paul White gets on his soapbox about UK government noise control legislation due to become law in 2008...

My songwriter hates my producer and hates my engineer...

The world of music retail is changing fast, with digital distribution bringing new opportunities for independent record labels. Our in-depth guide to starting, running and developing your own business will help you get up to speed.