Music Tech Magazine - Issue 102
Find out what's new in the latest version of Reason, get to grips with scoring for strings, and go in deep with our ultimate guide to filtering. PLUS: Logic, Ableton Live and Absynth workshops, up-to-the-minute news and the latest reviews.
Publish date: 16 August 2011
Issue 102 of Music Tech Magazine is out now in newsagents throughout the UK.
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In the issue…
Features
Reason 6 Preview
Propellerhead has taken everyone by surprise with the release of a new version of Reason – but examine it more closely and you’ll see that it shares some DNA with its closest relative… Hollin Jones looks under the hood.
Scoring for Strings
Modern string libraries have ushered in astonishing levels of realism for computer-based orchestration. Mark Cousins unlocks the secrets of the virtual string section.
Ultimate Guide to Filtering
There are a variety of different filter types, so it’s important to understand what each one does and when to use it. Liam O’Mullane walks you through each kind, explains their general application, and shows you how they can be used as creative effects.
Studio Icons: Atari 520ST
Now at the heart of practically every studio setup, the first computers assigned to the task of music-making were humble indeed, as Mike Willox recalls.
The MTM Interview: Guy Massey
With ten years at Abbey Road Studios and MPG Recording Engineer of the Year 2011 under his belt, Guy Massey has an enviable career. MTM learns more… PLUS: David Newman explains how he goes about scoring for film, and John 00 Fleming answers our questions on the Joof sound.
Ten Minute Master
Choosing the Right Mic
If you’re looking for a new microphone or simply need to know which type is best-suited to a particular task, help is at hand. Grant Bridgeman has the lowdown.
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This Month’s Workshops
25 Tips For… Workflow & Productivity
Keeping the creative juices flowing during a session is much easier if you’re properly set up and ready to go. Liam O’Mullane explains how he keeps it happening in the studio…
Tools for a Live Performance
Live is simple to use, but due to its open format you have to plan ahead just how you intend to use it. We explore some performance options…
Sampler Instruments in Logic Pro
Creating your own sampler instruments can be an enjoyable and creatively rewarding experience. Mark Cousins gets in on the action.
Patch Design and Creative Effects in Absynth 5
The ease with which you can create evolving, organic textures in Absynth makes it a sound-designer’s favourite tool. Hollin Jones explains all.
Reviews
New kit coming under the expert eyes of Music Tech’s reviewers include the Nord Stage 2 HA76, Korg Kronos, Eventide Space, Josephson C715, Apogee Duet, UA The Rock, Monkey Banana Turbo 5, HEA Poetic Guitars, NI Vintage Compressors and more…
ON THE DVD - 4GB of Content!
Dance FX (900MB)
No matter what style of music you’re writing, it’s vitally important to emphasise your arrangement with subtle – and not so subtle – use of FX, so the listener is led from section to section of your track. To help you on your way, we’ve got a massive collection of 390 all-new synth effects to spice up your productions. All of the sounds came from manually manipulating the filters and oscillators on a Roland SH-101, then feeding them through various effects in Logic (including several plug-ins from the SoundToys suite). The result is a high-quality collection of complex-sounding sweeps, lasers and hits in 16-bit and 24-bit WAV format.
Robotic Vocals & Effects (200MB)
From vocoders to ring modulators, pitch and formant shifters, there are many ways in which you can create robotic-sounding voices by manipulating a vocal recording. The good people at Equinox Sounds have put together a collection of 40 robot vocal samples using a number of techniques. You’ll also find 60 mechanical whooshes, bleeps, clunks and drones to add a machine-like vibe to your tracks. Most samples are 16-bit WAVs, others are 32-bit.
Prime Loops Taster Pack (190MB)
The prolific team at Prime Loops has put together a tasty selection of cutting-edge samples taken from seven of the company’s latest releases. First up, there’s deep future garage synths and beats with the Dubstep Illusions pack (reviewed in this month’s Mini Reviews). You’ll also find heavily processed sweeps and impacts with Black SFX, big hip hop stabs and beats with Urban Hype, Urban Dance Freakz, and Dirty South Wars 2, deep ambiences with Phatmospheres, plus a selection of meaty beats from the Platinum Dubstep pack.
Logic Production Tips
Point Blank Online offers a range of four-week, internet-based courses covering production techniques in different dance music genres and focusing on Logic and Ableton Live. After the massive success of the Ableton Dubstep course, Point Blank now offers a Logic version, with particular focus on building classic dubstep sounds using Logic’s built-in synths and effects. We’ve got seven videos packed with pro production tips including Flex-Time and Sculpture percussion tricks, adding foley sounds to your beats, creating bass sounds using the EFM synth and more. Download the files from the disc to view all seven videos in hi-res.
Music Tech Focus
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Plus - Check out all these other great issues of Music Tech Focus:
Ableton Live 8 Ableton Live 8 Deutsch Native Instruments Mastering Mastering Deutsch Logic Pro 8 Guitar Tech Propellerhead Reason Cubase Pro Tools Ableton Live 7 Music Tech Masterclass
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