May 2010 Magazine Contents

This versatile compact synth takes the essence of its close cousin, the Alesis Micron, and adds a twist...

In the film world, orchestral strings reign supreme. Has the latest movie-oriented string library got what it takes to spill your popcorn?

The follow-up to the revolutionary Eigenharp Alpha is designed to make the essence of the Eigenharp experience more accessible and affordable. How well does it succeed?

If you dream of controlling your analogue synths from within your DAW software, it may be that your audio interface will let you do just that — with a little help from this plug-in suite.

Graphtech's ResoMax NVS Bridge is available in a range of sizes to fit the majority of Gibson SG and Les Paul guitars (as well...

Does the pro audio market need another digital audio workstation program? Harrison Consoles and Ardour believe the answer is yes...

4*

Kentons USB Solo puts your computer directly in touch with your analogue synths.

M-Audios Oxygen 49 offers competitively priced control over your DAW.

With improved Firewire routing and Pro Tools compatibility, this new Onyx design offers much more than a few tweaks...

Mokafix Audio's Efflam Le Bivic is a man with a mission, and that mission is to create plug‑in versions of a huge range of...

Native Instruments guitar amp simulation software has sprouted a bunch of new amps and effects, along with more realistic cabinet and miking options, and is easier to use than ever before.

This mic aims to bring us the sound of a vintage Telefunken — which is a brave choice, since Telefunken are reissuing it themselves! How close have Peluso come to getting it right?

• Angular Momentum KickLab XXL • Softube Trident A-Range • SPL MicroPlugs

Dont be fooled by its small size: the Firestudio Mobile packs a lot of interface into a diminutive case.

What happens when an orchestra mutates into a cinematic virtual instrument? Our men in white coats investigate.

I reviewed Sample Magic's Sunset Sessions back in SOS November 2007 and found it to be a good (if slightly patchy) source of...

India may be a growing force in most industries these days, but few Indian pro-audio companies have made it into Western markets. Can Sonodynes speakers change all that?

Sonys Vegas Pro is one of the most capable non-linear editors — but the cut-down Vegas Movie Studio offers many of its facilities at a more wallet-friendly price.

If you want a high-quality analogue EQ, youll probably own several preamps already — so why pay for unnecessary gain stages? Find out whether you should make an active decision to acquire this passive EQ...

Canon up ante for DSLR videographersImprovements in the frame

Canon's camera division have been very busy recently, releasing a...

Vir2 Instruments is a division of Big Fish Audio, the US company whose excellent Prosonus series helped kick‑start orchestral...

5*

The arena of video production can seem daunting, but most audio engineers will find their skills transfer quite easily. In this introductory article, we cover the basic process of making a video from start to finish.

Everyone loves an arpeggiator, and building one in Logic is not only easier than you might think, but also helps you hone your Environment skills...

It took a while for Bob Dylan to hit his stride on his seventh studio album, but once he did there was no stopping him. Producer Bob Johnston recalls the difficult birth of Blonde On Blonde.

Ah, the 80s... Fluorescent socks, marble-wash jeans, and naff-sounding synth pads! You might not want to resurrect the first two, but subtle use of pads can improve even the most contemporary-sounding mix.

These files accompany the Cubase Technique Filter Sweeps workshop for SOS May 2010 (/...

Filter sweeps and rhythmic filter effects are a key element in dance music — and theyre easy to create with Cubase 5s bundled plug-ins...

These files accompany the Cubase Technique Filter Sweeps workshop for SOS May 2010 (...

Whats best: hardware or software? Analogue or digital? Most studio tools have their strengths, but how best do you combine hardware and software in a modern project studio?

High-capacity drives now not only make it possible to carry entire multitrack audio projects in your back pocket, they also allow installation of some audio applications, theoretically offering a totally portable studio solution.

Last month we discussed what the launch of the much-vaunted iPad means for musicians — but just how hard is it to create your very own iPad and iPhone apps? We look at an interesting approach...

These audio files accompany the Mix Rescue article for May 2010 (www....

We mix a track twice in the search for the right feel, apply EQ techniques for clarity and sheen, and complete the picture with stereo width enhancement.

MaxMSP neednt be as scary as you might think, as we demonstrate with some basic Max For Live programming.

We show you how familiar devices can be manipulated to create stereo effects in Reason and Record.

In Contra, Vampire Weekend have made one of the more unlikely US hit albums of recent years. Guitarist Rostam Batmanglij and engineer Justin Gerrish explain how they wowed American audiences with African influences.

AudioSnap always had potential, but never quite fulfilled its promise. However, those of you now taking a second look will like what they see.

Having tackled his room acoustics, David Balen found himself plagued by a confusion of excess hardware. Our job was to get him back on track.

The point of Pro Tools' option to unlink the timeline and edit selections isn't obvious, but there are situations in which it can be a lifesaver.

New to the world of video production and unsure what gear to buy? Our guide to the five best options in three software and hardware categories will get you started in the right direction...

I'm not new to technology or recording but, having started recording other people in my home setup, I have come across what I ...

I have a Fender Hotrod Deluxe guitar amp that I love the sound of when gigging, but it's far too loud for recording at home. I...

I've been examining some songs with a stereo vectorscope recently and most of them end up with something similar to this shape...

I'm interested in getting a good grounding in electronics for microphone, amp, speaker and processor design. Are there any...

I'm trying to build a session from loops using Elastic Audio in Pro Tools. I've been referring to the technique article in SOS...

Dave Stewarts career has spanned several generations of music technology (from National Health band in the 1970s to hits with partner Barbara Gaskin. For his latest project, he faced the challenge of bringing his old multitracks and MIDI sequences into the computer age.

The Hotlines

The Hotlines

I can't stop thinking I'm listening to Green Day. Green Day if...

Legendary songwriter and Kinks frontman Ray Davies got his first taste of recording in 1964, and hes never looked back.

Education, education, education...

From humble beginnings in provincial Norway, the Stargate team have gone on to become one of Americas leading hit factories. Songwriter and producer Mikkel Eriksen explains how their hard work and talent brought success.

Editor-in-Chief Paul White explains why this MAY 2010 edition kicks off our brand new monthly VIDEO MEDIA section of SOS magazine. We've expanded the mag in size and added 16 pages of Video articles, all aimed at the recording musician wanting to delve into video-related work.

Its wonderful to be able to give something back to young people who are eager to learn about life in the studio. If only they were better prepared to receive it.