September 2022 Magazine Contents

MiniMod makers AJH Synth have developed and realised two new modules, Tap Tempo VC‑LFO and Dual RVG Random Voltage Event Generator.

Amazingly, Audeze have shrunk their proven planar magnetic driver technology to fit into a conventional earbud format. How do they sound in practice?

Spanning over 300 pages this book condenses an entire career of experience and knowledge into a really practical guide, focusing on exactly what a newcomer to the industry needs to know and do.

Blackstar aim to take the weight out of valve amplification, without compromising on tone.

We put DPA’s new kick mic to work on a series of major festival headline shows.

Focusrite’s Vocaster Two puts everything you need to podcast in one very well designed box.

Golden Age’s new Premier series of Neve‑inspired devices get even closer to the real thing.

Rating: ***** 4.5/5 Stars. The Cuatro is a South American derivation of the Spanish guitar, but rather smaller in size and with only four strings. It’s not a million miles away from the ukulele or mandolin.

Hifiman’s mission to democratise premium headphone technology continues.

With granular processing, pitch manipulation, reverb, modulation and a looper, this isn’t just a tool for guitarists.

Modo Bass 2 builds on the success of the original, adding more and better basses.

The second plug‑in in KIT’s Blackbird range aims to bring a little Motown magic to your DAW.

Fosfat makes it easy to reinforce your drums with sculpted noise or sine waves.

Looking for a powered sub to go with your monitors? KRK’s S10.4 160W Class‑D powered unit might fit the bill...

Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars. Given the ‘cinematic sound engine’ tag line, there are no prizes for guessing that media composers are the primary target for this instrument.

Quasar is the first Eurorack module to tackle 3D audio by using a combination of panning, level, frequency content, phase‑shifting and reverberation to fool the listener into thinking sounds are moving around your head in a three‑dimensional space.

The 88M packs the sound of a Neve console preamp into a compact audio interface.

Novation’s first attempt at an 88‑note controller keyboard seems to get everything right.

PreSonus’ new desktop mic gives you a broadcast‑ready sound out of the box.

PSI’s two‑way monitors are more expensive than many three‑way models. Do they justify their cost?

Designed with Cubase users in mind, the Mobi One promises a boutique MIDI controller experience at a reasonable price.

Could this natty iPhone app help you structure your songs and make better demos?

Softube take on Roland’s classic SH-101.

Sit/stand desks are becoming the norm in many work environments, and with these motorised speaker stands, your monitors needn’t be left behind!

Rating: **** 4/5 Stars. Spitfire's inexpensive instrument is described as “Explosive Afro‑percussion meets dub and free jazz”.

Techivation have quietly been building an impressive range of plug‑ins which tend to tackle everyday mixing techniques...

Here we have the book versions published in 1998 and 2003, reissued to meet a demand that has never evaporated...

Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars. Delta Blues comes in 10 loop‑based construction kits (nearly 6GB of sample data), combining acoustic guitar, resonator guitar, electric bass and drum loops.

The glory days of the stereo microphone are long gone — or are they?

The keyboard version of the desktop version of the Quantum, is the Iridium Keyboard even better than the original synth?

Wave Alchemy’s TRIAZ could be all the percussion software you’ll ever need.

Soul II Soul’s ‘Back To Life’ was a hit record with a sound all of its own.

Colin Cartmell’s decades‑long tonequest has led him to create some of the best guitar cabinet IRs out there — so we asked him for advice on how to roll your own.

We’re used to playing and sequencing synth parts in our productions, but why not sing them as well?

Four‑time Grammy Award‑winning producer, engineer and mixer Chris Shaw has worked with some of the biggest and most...

If you’re struggling to get everything in your mixes coming across loud and clear, read on.

The ear‑catching tempo changes of LF System’s hit ‘Afraid To Feel’ provided a unique challenge for mix engineer Scott Rosser.

Logic’s Mixer Modes help you navigate even the most complex projects.

Can a legendary engineer create immersive audio mixes without giving up his beloved SSL console? Of course he can!

The latest iteration of VariAudio includes all the tools you need to get vocals in shape for mixing.

These audio files accompany September 2022's Cubase workshop.

Getting the most from aux sends requires you to understand how they work!

A new Rack Extension could be all the vocoder you’ll ever need.

Mark Mynett, talks us through prepping for and recording a bass session, including ways to generate multiple layered tracks for use in your final mix.

Mark Mynett, Sound Engineer and Senior Lecturer in Music Technology and Production, talks us through the setup and recording of live drums.

Included with Studio One Professional, Melodyne Essential has (almost) all the time‑ and pitch‑correction power you’ll ever need!

I recently rewired my studio and patched a compressor and an effects unit into my mixer’s master inserts. Both processors were set to work with +4dB signals but the levels from the processors seemed low, so I switched them to their ‑10dB positions and the levels seem healthier. Have I done the right thing?

I noticed in your review of the Lewitt LCT 1040 microphone that it has a switchable 120Hz 6dB/octave high‑pass filter, for countering the proximity effect. If my mic doesn’t have this feature, can I just set up the same thing in my DAW channel EQ?

Grammy Award-winning engineer Bob Clearmountain details his unique approach to mixing music in Dolby Atmos using an analogue desk.

Aimo Scampa designs modules under the moniker of Manifold Research Centre, with an approach that’s as off‑the‑wall as it is fascinatingly clever...

A tribute to the life and works of composer and synth pioneer Peter Zinovieff by James Gardner, featuring interviews with family, co-workers and collaborators.

Are manufacturers becoming more willing to pursue original design concepts?

Malena Zavala pauses her cross‑cultural synth‑guitar pop career to answer SOS's nine core production questions...

Sometimes you need to free yourself from the reign of the click track and headphones...

The capacitor microphone is an incredible feat of precision engineering. We go behind the scenes in Vienna to find out what makes it possible.

McDSP founder Colin McDowell chats to Sam Inglis about his career at the cutting edge of plug-in development.

Spotify At Mateo isn't your average recording studio. Designed to support the Spotify Singles programme and provide facilities for podcasters, it's an epic build that is stuffed to the gills with the best vintage and modern gear.