Soundware round-up

welcome

I can’t say I ever thought Computer Music

It’s the n-n-n-n 1980s!

Even more of a nostalgia-fest is coming your way next issue…

App watch

We report on the latest developments in phone and tablet music making

Get with the programmers

Steinberg’s SpectraLayers gets reviewed on p70. Time to talk to its main developer, Robin Lobel…

COMPUTER music 10 years back

Our monthly shake-of-thehead at our younger selves’ feature choices…

Ins & outs

THE REESE SOUND Shout-out to breakfast cereal manufacturer

Freeware corner: how do you fancy a free violin?

Ever wanted “to add a touch of strings

15 (ish) questions with… PAUL OAKENFOLD

It’s fitting that in issue 300 we feature such an influential artist and DJ like Paul Oakenfold. He brought dance music to the UK – and indeed the world – in the late 80s, defined and redefined genres within it over the next four decades, and almost became the definition of ‘superstar DJ’. Then there’s the remixes, game soundtracks, movies and so much more…

MAKE A TRACK NOW!

We have a great issue 300 giveaway in the form of a special edition of Tracktion’s mighty Waveform Free with $80 worth of extras! Here’s how to claim your goodies and make a track with this fabulous free DAW!

Tracktion Waveform

Let’s take a tour of the main interface of Tracktion Waveform Free

COMPUTER MUSIC:THE PAST VS THE FUTURE

As we sit here in our studios of the early 2020s, we find ourselves surrounded by technology that, only a few decades prior, would be totally unthinkable. As computer power has increased, so too has the creative potential of the music we can make in our home studios. But how did we get here, into this sci-fi world of AI, algorithms and endless plugins? It’s time for us to take stock of the road travelled so far, and ponder where future developments might lead home musicmakers as the 21st century continues apace

Square one – the late 1990s

When we first launched our debut issue in 1998, the average musicmaking process was considerably different to now. Let’s look at what those home musicians of yesteryear had at their disposal…

How has making a track changed?

The difference between building a track from scratch now compared to the late 90s is huge. Where once a roomful of tactile hardware was needed to fashion sounds, now you can lock down a release-ready track on a smartphone. Let’s detail the major differences

Future-proof?

If the last 22 years are anything to go by, then the next few decades should see a raft of revolutionary new technologies, providing us the ability to master what was once thought impossible

Gear of our life

There’s no better way to tell the story of the growth of music technology since our birth than to reveal a year-by-year product that marked a significant moment. Which is what we’re about to do!

THE MASTER PRODUCERS

Over 300 issues we’ve spoken to a huge number of producers for our insightful Producer Masterclass series, where artists open up and give us hands-on advice on specific tracks they have worked on. Over the next eight pages we’ve selected some of the biggest names and, more importantly, the best advice from 300 issues of these masterclasses. Read on to discover everything: from micro beat management to processing every kind of vocal, from bass-end brilliance to shaping the perfect kick…

Issue 300 sample spectacular

We have a special DVD full of samples from our entire 300 issue history for you this month. Here’s a rundown of some of the collections you’ll find on it (or download from filesilo.co.uk )

things from 300 issues!

Now it’s getting interesting, as we track down the six worst developments in ’s 300-issue history. Oh, go on then…

QRTR

With a cinematic approach to the construction of her otherworldly productions, Brooklyn-based QRTR – aka Meagan Rodriguez – has garnered rising acclaim for the ethereal pulse of debut LP Drenched, and for her euphoric DJ sets

#06 From Vintage Brass to Euro

Pads come in all shapes and colours, and can easily be created within the subtractive synth architecture. Here’s how to do just that, for free!

#02 Humanising your drum sound

Drum machines and quantisation are great studio tools, but can quickly lead to stale, robotic beats. Put the soul back into your drums!

#13 Randomising arpeggios

Design a signature synth arpeggio with a VA synth

Best Service Forest Kingdom 3 £190/$259

Sample library overlord Eduardo Tarilonte takes us by the hand and leads us down into a meticulously-crafted leafy kingdom of aural amazement

Steinberg SpectraLayers Pro 8 £257

SpectraLayers’ beefed-up, AI-infused processing tames frequencies with such rigour, we fear it may one day seek to destroy humanity

Slate and Ash Landforms £349

In the eternal search for new and interesting new sounds, Slate and Ash promise a sojourn to undiscovered countries. Is it a trip worth taking?

Smooth Operator $69

Baby Audio

SynthMaster 2 iOS £10

KV 331 iOS

Products from 300 issues!

Are we serious? Narrowing down the best six (non DAW) releases from 300 issues of ? Well, we gave it a go…

Caelum Audio Beef £30

Need an effect to beef up your sounds? This value plugin – that does what it says on the tin – could be just what you’re after

Soundware round-up

Sample Market Originals: Cuartero £30 For their Originals