Computer / Software

Imagine a sampler with almost unlimited memory that doesn't cost a fortune, and runs on a PC using a standard soundcard. Martin Walker installs Gigasampler, and prepares to be amazed.

Acoustic design is usually a combination of guesswork, intuition and very hard maths. Paul White tries delegating it to his PC instead.

Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser explore a well -specified virtual monosynth from newcomers Koblo.

Loop-based sequencing can involve heavy-duty time-stretching and pitch-shifting, but Sonic Foundry aim to change this with Acid, which allows you to mix multiple sample loops while changing their pitch and tempo in real time. Martin Walker applies the Acid test.

Unlike the vintage equipment it emulates, Rebirth is getting more sophisticated all the time. Derek Johnson & Debbie Poyser catch up with the latest version.

In a market already awash with software plug-ins, it takes something special to stand out. Martin Walker investigates a filter that is poles apart.

Waves are rightly renowned for their full price plug-in suites for both Mac and PC, but can they achieve the same reputation at the entry level end of the market? Martin Walker wonders just how easy it is.

Paul White revisits his old analogue synthesis days via Bitheadz's Retro AS1 — but can a computer screen ever be as friendly as all those knobs and faders?

If you have ever been faced with an error message that prevented you loading in an entire track of WAV audio, you will be extremely interested in Wave Safe. Martin Walker explores a world of corruption.

Studio Vision has been offering digital audio recording for an amazing eight years, making Opcode a pioneer in this field. Martin Russ sets out to discover whether successor Studio Vision Pro is still keeping up with the times, and finds it visibly improved...

The upgrade of Cubase to version 4.0 sees the software comprehensively overhauled — and it's available in an optional 24-bit version for the first time. Martin Walker temporarily changes platform for the next stage of the Cubase journey.

Emagic have slicked up the popular Logic sequencer line with a few coats of metalic paint and some sparkly new features to match. Paul White goes Platinum with the top of the range.

PC owners who fancy a full modular synth for less than £200 need look no further. Martin Walker connects more virtual modules than you can shake a patchchord at.

Janet Harniman-Cook goes great guns with the latest version of Twelve Tone's popular MIDI + Audio recording software for PC owners.

TC Works transfer more of their expertise to DirectX PC software with a set of interfaces that let you squash, tone up, and space out your audio with a mouse. Martin Walker gets clicking.

Arboretum's latest Hyperprism suite of effects and processors offer no less than 29 modules, at an average price of less than £10 each. Janet Harniman-Cook gets plugged in.

SoundBlaster cards no longer need to rely on a complete set of GM sounds crammed into 1Mb of ROM now that SoundFonts allow up to 28Mb of RAM expansion. Martin Walker feels the quality of Time Signature's new collection.

Never ones for resting on their laurels, Steinberg have added a host of enhancements and additions to Wavelab. Martin Walker tries looping the loop, and analyses his WAV file collection.

If you fancy recording up to 64 audio tracks from the comfort of a familiar PC wave editor interface, Syntrillium Software's feature-packed Cool Edit Pro could be just the ticket. Martin Walker warms to the latest release of this popular package.

If you feel that the average sequencer makes you take off your musician's head and put on your computer programmer's head, take a look at FreeStyle. Derek Johnson is not a number, he's a free man...

If all the ivories do when you tickle them is laugh, you might be interested in an alternative method of getting MIDI information into a sequencer. Martin Walker wails, blows and plucks in the interests of non-keyboard players everywhere.