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August 2016 Magazine Contents

SOS (UK Edition) August 2016

Reviews: Moog Minimoog Model D, Gizmotron 2.0, Bastl Instruments MicroGranny, MOTU 1248, Modstep, Dave Smith Instruments OB6, Fluid Audio FPX7, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9.
Features: Inside Track: Mike Posner & Seeb, John Parish.
Techniques: Session Notes, Mix Rescue.

Reviews

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    Accurate Sound Reproduction Using DSP

    Book Review

    This Kindle e-book is designed to help the reader develop unique custom digital filters that correct the frequency and timing responses of the reader’s loudspeakers within their specific listening environment.

    Reviews
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    AIR Creative FX Collection Plus

    Effects & Processing Plug-ins

    Once available only to Pro Tools users, AIR’s comprehensive plug-in bundle is now open to all — and has been augmented by some intriguing additions.

    Reviews
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    Allen & Heath ZED-6FX

    Compact Analogue Mixer

    This handy little mixer exhibits all the qualities you’d expect from Allen & Heath, in a highly affordable and portable format.

    Reviews
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    ALM/Busy Circuits Tangle Quartet

    Eurorack VCA & Mixer

    This compact module will serve as four linear VCAs or as a four-input mixer — for audio or control signals.

    Reviews
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    API 535-LA

    Line Amplifier

    API invented the 500-series modular format and we check out their latest addition, the 535-LA line amplifier.

    Reviews
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    Aston Spirit

    Multi-pattern Capacitor Microphone

    UK company Aston made waves with their British-made Origin mic, and now they’re back with a classy multi-pattern model.

    Reviews
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    Bastl Instruments MicroGranny 2

    8-bit Sampler

    The MicroGranny 2 is a miniature granular sampler, and you won’t have to sell any of your elderly relations to get one.

    Reviews
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    Cinematique Instruments Marble

    Kontakt Instrument

    Marble is a seamless blend of synthetic and acoustic sources. Its 63 instruments are split into Harmonic, Percussive and Textures, and each patch consists of two components taken from them.

    Reviews
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    Crudebyte iSymphonic Orchestra

    Orchestral Instrument For iOS

    Crudebyte’s iSymphonic Orchestra is an ambitious attempt to pack a full orchestral sample library into an iOS device.

    Reviews
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    Dave Smith Instruments OB6

    Polyphonic Synthesizer

    The OB6 is the product of a collaboration between two of the most respected names in synthesizer design, and it doesn’t disappoint...

    Reviews
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    Digihertz DAE418

    Digital Speaker Management System

    If you’re looking for a no-frills, all-in-one speaker processor, this digital device ticks all the boxes at a very agreeable price.

    Reviews
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    Dreadbox Drips Drum Module

    Eurorack Drum Synthesizer

    Drips is a complete analogue drum voice that can be tweaked to produce kicks, snares, hi-hats and so on as well as Kraftwerk-style zaps and thwaps.

    Reviews
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    Fluid FPX7 monitors.

    Fluid Audio FPX7

    Nearfield Monitors

    Fluid Audio’s decision to use a ribbon tweeter in a dual-concentric speaker is an unusual one. We find out how it works in practice.

    Reviews
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    Gizmotron 2.0

    Electro-mechanical Guitar Bow

    The curious Gizmo polyphonic guitar sustainer is reborn. Can this new version succeed where the original failed?

    Reviews
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    Golden Age Project Comp-3A

    Optical Compressor

    The Swedish manufacturers resurrect a long-gone studio classic.

    Reviews
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    iZotope Moebius Filter.

    iZotope Möbius Filter

    Formats: Mac & PC VST, RTAS & AAX; Mac AU

    This inexpensive and conceptually simple plug-in, compatible with all iZotope’s usual Mac/PC formats, applies the principles of the Shepard Tone to filtering.

    Reviews
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    McDSP 6050

    Modular Channel Strip Plug-in

    With almost 30 separate processing modules available, McDSP’s 6050 promises to be the “ultimate channel strip”. Is it?

    Reviews
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    Modstep

    Sequencer App For iOS

    Modstep is an ambitious iOS sequencer for MIDI synths, whether they’re physical hardware or other apps on your iPad...

    Reviews
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    Moodscaper By Rob Jackson

    Generative Music App For iOS

    Moodscape’s Autoplay button is a wonderful introduction to its charms. With a single touch, it generates a musical artwork that’s different every time...

    Reviews
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    Moog Minimoog Model D

    Analogue Synthesizer

    Soon, for the first time in 35 years, you will be a able to walk into a shop and buy a brand-new Minimoog. But will it be as good as the original? Find out in our exclusive review.

    Reviews
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    MOTU 1248

    Thunderbolt, USB & AVB Audio Interface

    The 1248 offers a lot of interface for the money, not to mention MOTU’s take on networked audio.

    Reviews
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    PandaMIDI Future Impact I

    Bass Guitar Processor & MIDI Synthesizer Pedal

    Designed by PandaMIDI in Hungary and inspired by the long-discontinued Akai Deep Impact, this unit adds a useful range of extra features.

    Reviews
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    Pop Audio Pop Filter Studio Edition

    Pop Filter

    The pop filter is one of those humble yet essential devices that you normally don’t pay too much attention to — which seems strange, really, when you consider that it’s the first thing in your vocal recording chain.

    Reviews
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    PSI Audio AVAA C20

    Active Bass Trap

    Operating rather like a subwoofer in reverse, this crafty device controls low frequencies but takes up far less space than conventional bass traps.

    Reviews
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    PSP StompDelay plug-in.

    PSP StompDelay

    Formats: Mac & PC VST, RTAS & AAX; Mac AU

    Designed to produce a wide range of mono or stereo delay-based effects, StompDelay's inbuilt multi-waveform modulation allows it to double as a flanger, chorus, tape echo or extreme effects generator.

    Reviews
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    Rebel Technology Phoreo

    Eurorack Clock, Gate & Trigger Processor

    Rebel Technology’s Phoreo [Rendering its name in Greek will break the SOS publishing software — Ed] is a clock,...

    Reviews
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    Solomon Mics LoFreq

    Kick Drum Microphone

    This mic offers an elegant means of getting that ‘reverse speaker’ kick drum sound without you having to butcher your NS10s!

    Reviews
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    Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9

    Audio Editing Software [Mac OS/Windows]

    A reinvention of Wavelab’s user interface aims to make its powerful feature set easier to use.

    Reviews
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    Tascam US20x20

    USB 3 Audio Interface

    It’s an audio interface. It’s a digital mixer. It’s an eight-way microphone preamp... but how well does the US20x20 perform in use?

    Reviews
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    TC Electronic HyperGravity

    Multi-band Compressor Pedal

    TC’s HyperGravity compressor pedal is unapologetically digital and is based on the algorithms developed for TC’s high-end System 6000 platform.

    Reviews
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    Thermionic Culture Swift

    2-Channel Valve Equaliser

    Combining characteristics from various classic equalisers, including the designer’s originals, the Swift isn’t quite like anything else.

    Reviews
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    Toontrack EZ Keys Studio Grand

    Multi-format

    Based upon a sampled Steinway B-211, the addition of an impressive library of MIDI performances makes creating that perfect piano track as easy as possible.

    Reviews
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    Vienna Symphonic Library

    Vienna Solo Voices & Whistler, Dimension Brass II & Clarinet Bb 2

    Early last year the Viennese company supplemented their Choir with a much-requested library of solo voices, which we examine here along with other VSL releases.

    Reviews
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    Wes Audio Dione

    VCA Compressor With DAW Plug-in Control

    In the quest for ever more elegant ways to integrate analogue gear with DAW software, Polish manufacturers Wes Audio are leading the pack...

    Reviews
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    Zähl Audio EQ1

    500-series Stereo EQ

    Zähl Audio’s consoles have long been cherished by professionals, and this unit should bring their sound to a wider audience.

    Reviews

Techniques

Sound Advice

People

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    Paul White

    A Different Drum

    Leader

    Is it time to burn a few musical bridges, experiment with a more Eno-esque approach, and turn off the click track?

    People
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    John Parish

    Producing PJ Harvey

    PJ Harvey’s long-term co-producer John Parish is uncompromising in his willingness to experiment — even with the world watching!

    People
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    Peter Zinovieff: Synth Pioneer

    Video Feature

    Peter Zinovieff has been described as Britain’s Bob Moog. A renowned composer from the mid ‘60s to the present day, he was also one of the founders of EMS who produced seminal synthesizers such as the VCS3 and the Synthi AKS, as used by Brian Eno, Pink Floyd and the Chemical Brothers.

    People
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    Sounding Off: The Home Studio Conundrum

    Pete Dowsett

    There are two commodities that, if we don’t get in check, will massively affect the quality of recorded music: space and skills.

    People
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    The Mix Review: August 2016

    Commercial Productions Analysed

    More analysis of tracks from: Drake • The Steeldrivers • Fifth Harmony • Classic Mix: Prince & The New Power Generation ‘Sexy MF’ (1992)

    People

Music Business

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    Boulevard Recording, Los Angeles

    Studio File

    Perhaps the only classic Hollywood recording studio of this type that is still open today, Boulevard began as Continental Recorders around 1966. It changed name to Producer’s Workshop, before going on to create musical history in the 1970s.

    Music Business
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    Notes From The Deadline

    TV Music From The Inside

    Persistence is a virtue every composer needs, but you can take it too far.

    Music Business
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    Off The Record: Live Music Producers

    Music & Recording Industry News

    As recording live shows gets cheaper and easier, the line between live-sound engineer and producer blurs.

    Music Business
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