Contents

!5100 TOP SOFTWARE TIPS FROM THE PROS

REVIEWS

064 Yellow Tools Independence Packed with features and sound content,can this German company’s new software sampler bring down the competition?

067 M-Audio ProjectMix I/O Hands-on mix control meets multi-channel audio recording – an invaluable addition to any home studio setup.

070 Steinberg Hypersonic 2 Updated version of the virtual workstation, now equipped with more than 800 patches.

073 Yamaha EMX512SC Turbocharged powered mixer with onboard effects for small-venue, gigging bands.

074 Zero-G Vocal Forge Construction-kit vocals for the talent-challenged crooner.

076 Sontronics STC-1 Small-capsule condenser with interchangeable top.

079 Line 6 TonePort UX2 Heritageladen multi-functional modelling processor for guitarists.

083 Korg D3200 All-in-one personal recording solution complete with eyebrow-raising features.

086 Bias Inc Peak Pro XT 5 Comprehensive audio-editing, mastering and CD-preparation tool.

088 M-Audio Microtrack 24/96 Portable recording solution for musicians on the move.

091 Mini Reviews How To Build Your Own Effect Pedals – A Step By Step Guide,Blazin RNB & Hip Hop Collection, JamLab, ClassicalBoomBox,Indian Traditions

4 February 2006 MusicTech MAGAZINE

)9LINE 6 TONEPORT UX2

)9LINE 6 TONEPORT UX2

)+YAMAHA EMX512SC

)+YAMAHA EMX512SC WIN! ONE OF THREE PAIRS OF SAMSON RUBICON MONITORS – SEE PAGE 89

BIAS INC PEAK PRO XT 5 86BIAS INC PEAK PRO XT 5

6"M-AUDIO PROJECTMIX I/O 6"M-AUDIO PROJECTMIX I/O

3*MODERN MASTERING – PART 2

4"CHOOSING AND USING A REEL-TO-REEL RECORDER

64YELLOW TOOLS INDEPENDENCE

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JANUARY 2006 CONTENTS

FEATURES

025 Top 100 Music Software Tips Improving your knowledge of the software you use will leave you more time to concentrate on the most important aspect of making music – that of composing and laying down tracks.Our resident experts offer 100 tips to get you working faster in Logic,Cubase,Live,Reason and Sonar. 036 Ten Minute Master No73: Sound Absorbers Mixing in an acoustically challengedenvironment will have a seriously detrimental influence on the quality of your finished product,but what causes a poor acoustic environment and what can you do to improve it? Grant Bridgeman explains the fundamentals of acoustics. 039 Modern Mastering Part 2: Working at a Professional Level Once you understand what the aims of the mastering engineer are,you are ready to progress to the next level and apply some of the techniques and ideas to your own recordings.Mark Cousins shows you how. 044 Reason 3.0 Workshop Hollin Jones explores the creative possibilities of Reason’s built-in synths,demonstrating how they can be used to create interesting and unique sounds. 047 Get Reel The relentless march of technology may have relegated the once fundamental reel-to-reel tape recorder to the studio cupboard,but now they are available for a fraction of their original cost and can still perform a perfectly adequate job. Huw Price discusses the ups and downs of buying, maintaining and using the reel thing. 052 Ten Minute Master No74: Additive Synthesis Additive synthesis might initially appear to be an overwhelmingly complex subject,but it can yield results that make mastering it well worth the effort.Mark Cousins explains what it is and how you can exploit it. 054 Sonar 5 Workshop A poor vocalist won’t do anything to enhance your track,but tools do exists to help tweak them into tune and time.Brian Smithers shows you how to transform a poor vocal take into what the uninitiated might believe to be a pro performance. 057 Questions and Answers

006 On your MTMcoverdisc 011 News The latest developments in the world of music technology. 022 Rack ’em up New products coming soon to a music store near you. 062Subscribe to Music Tech MagazineGet the next 12 issues of MTMfor the price of 9! 095 Write for reply Your views,comments and suggestions. 097 Next month Next time in MTM. 098 Back Track Vic Chesnutt,Elberton Fair

MusicTech MAGAZINE February 2006 5