Music Tech Magazine - Issue 53

Roland's new V-Synth GT is put through its paces in our exclusive review. Plus, the benefits and drawbacks of analogue summing mixing, how to write authentic dub tracks, and an in-depth look at a studio staple - the preamp.

Publish date: 19 July 2007

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Issue 53 of Music Tech Magazine is out now in newsagents throughout the UK.

In the issue…

Roland V-Synth GT - Exclusive Review!
Roland’s V-Synth re-wrote the book on innovative sound creation, so can the company’s new V-Synth GT live up to the family name? We bring you an exclusive review.

Reason 4 Preview
Propellerhead Software has announced the latest version of its ever-popular soft studio, and these RPG-8 and Thor sound files plus a video of ReGroove in action will give you a taste of what to expect.

Mixing It With Analogue Summing
Moving out of the digital domain when it comes to the final mix is an increasingly common practice. Mark Cousins explores the benefits and drawbacks of analogue summing.

Dub Essentials
Nothing says summer like heavy, laid-back dub sounds. Hollin Jones explains the essentials of building and producing dub, and shows you some tricks of the trade…

Preamp Technology
There’s a great deal of myth and mystery surrounding microphone preamps, as well as the ongoing debate about valves versus transistors. Huw Price gets technical…

Ten Minute Masters
Harmonics and Pitch: Harmonics, overtones and pitch are fundamental terms in synthesis, but what exactly do they mean? Grant Bridgeman explores a partially daunting subject…
Sound to Picture: Despite their apparent differences, the skills and techniques required for sound-to-picture work are much the same as for music production. Mark Cousins gets filmic…

This Month’s Workshops
Cubase 4
Cubase can look daunting at first sight, but it has plenty of workflow shortcuts that make it more manageable. Hollin Jones explains all…
Logic Pro 7
Confused about how to integrate multi-instruments such as BFD or Logic’s EXS24 into your projects? Mark Cousins clears the air…
Sonar 6
Sonar 6 includes several new functions designed to improve your productivity. Brian Smithers shows you how to take advantage of them.
Reason 3.0
REX loops are a great tool for producing music in Reason, but there’s more to the Dr.Rex player than meets the eye. Hollin Jones explains all…

Reviews
Among the latest hardware and software releases we check out this month are M-Audio’s Pulsar II, the new Abbey Roads Keyboards ReFill from Propellerhead, the latest version of Sony’s Sound Forge audio recording and editing suite, plus much more…

FREE Audio-Technica T44 headphones worth £29.99 when you subscribe online

ON THE DVD

QuickSilver

When it was unveiled at the NAMM Show back in 1996, Yamaha’s QS300 caused something of a stir, being the first all-in-one XG-compatible professional synthesizer, tone generator and sequencer. But it came to be noted more for its sounds rather than the technological leap it represented, offering sound designers as well as musicians ample opportunity to expand their creative potential.
In recognition of this unique and ground-breaking synth, we’ve compiled a 1GB collection of samples based on the QS300. Presented in .WAV, NN-XT and Kontakt formats, the sounds push the boundaries of the original synth’s capabilities, offering an unlimited number of layers – elements, in QS-speak – each with its own envelope, filters and pan control.

Classical Collection
Fresh from the exacting bods at Westgate Studios comes this exemplary collection of flutes, oboes, clarinets and French horns, recorded using Royer R-122, Neumann TLM 193 and AKG C-414 mics. Designed for use within GigaStudio 3 and Kontakt 2, the samples include not only sustained and staccato notes, but also the transitional sounds that are a by-product of interval jumps naturally heard in performance.

Acoustic Drums
Distinguished by their uncompromising stance on quality and accuracy, this collection of acoustic drum samples captures the unique qualities of an acoustic kit played by a top session drummer. Among the individual kit pieces captured are kicks, snares and toms, alongside crash cymbals, hi-hats and gongs.

All the latest demos…
Spacehead Systems MixUp, Sibelius 5, Sony Sound Forge 9, Musicrow Drum Queen, db audioware Quantum FX, Wave Arts Master Restoration Suite and much more…

Recent issues...

	Issue 62 Find out how to go beyond your synth’s presets and program your own unique sounds, explore the sometimes wacky world of sound design for film, and learn how to create authentic acid dub. Plus: five software Workshops and the latest reviews.			Issue 61 The lowdown on achieving better, more clearly defined mixes, up-to-the-minute advice on promoting your music, and how to bring a retro vibe to your productions. Kontakt 3, Ableton Live 7, Reason 4, Cubase 4 Workshops. Plus: all the latest reviews.
	Issue 60 Creative uses for distortion, spicing up your live laptop sets, making your own hip hop samples and Ten Minute Masters on contact mics and middle-and-side recording. Logic Pro 8, Cubase 4.1, Ableton Live 7 and Pro Tools 7 Workshops.			Issue 59 Professional mastering tricks and tips, how to re-create classic guitar tones, and what to look for if you’re planning to study for a music technology qualification. Reason 4, Logic Pro 8, Cubase 4.1 and Ableton Live 7 Workshops.
	Issue 58 Find out how you can spice up your mix with the creative application of effects such as ring modulation and vocoding. How to successfully record a singer-songwriter, and a remixer’s guide to vocal production. Plus: Ableton Live 7 - FULL REVIEW!			Issue 57 How a new breed of producers are using their laptops, the low-down on remixing drums, and pro tips for revitalising your samples. Reason 4, Ableton Live 6, Logic Pro 8, Sonar 6 and Cubase 4 Workshops.
	Issue 56 Choosing and using virtual instruments, User's Guide to Reason 4, and how to bring a lacklustre mix to life. Ableton Live 6, Pro Tools 7, Cubase 4 and ACID Pro 6 Workshops. Plus: Logic Studio and Yamaha's Tenori-on reviewed.			Issue 55 The latest version of Reason exclusively reviewed. How to create convincing brass arrangements using samples, remixing electro bass, and the potential pitfalls of moving your soft studio explained. Plus: five software Workshops.