You can never have too many options for creating distortion effects. Toby Pitman crushes, crumples, squeezes and mangles sounds using McDSP's Futzbox plug-in.
With hundreds of great music making apps for iOS, including those by Propellerhead, IK Multimedia & Moog the bar is set pretty high. So with all this action how is iKaossilator standing up?
Cubase, one of the most widely used cross-platform DAWs, recently received a rather tasty update. Now at 6.5, there are new synths, effects and features which Hollin Jones explores in this review.
The biggest instrument release of the year so far has been from the clever people at iZotope. Ozone and RX have been lauded for their mixing & restoration abilities. So, how does Iris fare as a synth?
If you rest your iPad on your lap or lean over it lying flat upon a desk, the new iKlip Studio stand is designed for you. It's a sturdy, adjustable desktop stand compatible with all 3 iPad models.
Mixing bass can be a struggle, especially when slapping a standard compressor on the track doesn't even things out. Darren Burgos tests out BassRider as an alternative to manually riding faders.
Mo Volans got hands on with IK Multimedia's DJ Rig app for iPhone and iPad and was hugely impressed with the innovative features, effects and possibilities.
Hollin Jones explores the finer points of the Alesis StudioDock and how it can be used as a MIDI bridge between an iPad and a Mac running your favorite DAW.
Toontrack have until now been a company synonymous with great drum libraries. Their new innovative product EZKeys sees them showing a more melodic side with a sampled piano. Toby Pitman tests it out.
The GarageBand update for iOS brought a new jamming feature. But before its release Korg's WIST opened the doorway to cross-device and app collaboration. Mike Watkinson shares his thoughts.
Max for Live was a revolutionary step forward and made the Max environment open and accessible for Ableton Live users. Gary Hiebner take a deep look at an add-on pack that brings CSound to the party.
When Dave Smith & Roger Linn collaborate on an analog drum machine you can expect something special. Rory Dow, synth master, gets hands on and discovers Tempest is more than just a drum machine!
Got 2 minutes to spare to create some music (that actually sounds good!)? Got an iPhone or an iPad? Figure by Propellerhead is for you. Mike Watkinson is bowled over by just how excellent it is.
Sneak Peek for Guitarists! Phoenix Digital Audio Teknologies & macProVideo.com have created Phoenix Pro, a DSP plugin to "raise any performanc from the ashes". Toby Pitman tests this amazing plugin.
If you want to record the sound from an app on your Mac you could use Logic and Soundflower'¦ or you could choose a more elegant approach. Mike Watkinson tests out Piezo by Rogue Amoeba.
Loopseque for iPad is a popular app for music exploration and composition in many contexts. Adam Goldberg reviews this app from a unique position as a musician and teacher for Special Needs.
There are music creation apps aplenty available for iPhone and iPad, so when AudioTools released their audio measurement tools for iOS, Mike Watkinson was on hand to investigate.
Despite the point release, this updated version of GarageBand for iPad & iPhone packs some intriguing new features. Mike Watkinson explores Smart Strings, MIDI editing and more.
Using Reaktor? Downloaded the free Skanner ensemble yet? If not, Toby Pitman explains, with sound examples, why this should be the next file to land in your Downloads folder.
STOP! Before you go plugin shopping, specifically for compressor plugins, take a look at this loving review by Gary Hiebner on Compassion by DMG Audio.
You don't have to mortgage your home to buy good metering tool these days. Mike Watkinson rounds up some freebies and economical plug-ins that every producer needs in the studio.