welcome

It’s tempting, given that this is issue 299

A double whammy from UVI

It’s been a slow news period but luckily UVI have saved the day…

App watch

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

Get with the programmers

Not one but three programmers! A maximum turnout from our giveaway stars, Minimal Audio…

Ins & outs

THE RHODES GOES ON The sound of the

Hardware vs software – what won?

In issue 298 of Computer Music we asked if you could tell the difference between hardware and software synths. You answered in your droves – here are the results!

Next issue It’s THE BIG one… ISSUE 300!

ON SALE WEDNESDAY 8 SEPT Free special cm300

ISHMAEL ENSEMBLE

Ishmael Ensemble is a collective of Bristolian musicians, throwing elements of that city’s rich and varied history into a melting pot of styles and fusions. ‘Experimental jazz’ is one label, only the results are much better than that sounds, and have already drawn praise from the national press and landed the band two BBC sessions…

BUILD YOUR OWN STUDIO

It’s time to turn your music space aspirations into a true, living reality as we show you how to convert any space in your home into a fully-functioning recording suite…

15 questions with… BOMBA ESTÉREO

As one of the biggest bands in South America, Bomba Estéreo have notched up more views on YouTube than most bands can dream of and have built up a huge audience with five acclaimed album releases and half a dozen Grammy nominations. The band’s founder Simon Mejía shares his refreshing production ethos: “Don’t let your brain lead you…”

HOW TO BUILD A HOME STUDIO

We show you how to turn your humble abode into a recording studio, complete with control room

ROOM ACOUSTICS IN DEPTH

We’ve just looked at some DIY acoustic solutions. Now some simpler and more ‘pro’ routes to turn your abode into a studio

THE BEDROOM PRODUCER’S GUIDE TO RECORDING VOCALS

Armed with only a mic, a computer and a DIY ethic, we’ll show you how to record pro-sounding vocal tracks even in the most modest of environments

#14 Voice leading basics

Take your lead from the orchestral world and add smoothness and complexity to your songwriting

#05 Create a perky synth patch

Let’s explore one of the most identifiable synth sounds from recent years, residing in pop hits, electro classics and televised soundtracks

#01 Vocal EQ guide

Are your vocals cutting through with enough clarity and power? Time to welcome Ashley Thorpe to with some expert vocal advice

Back to BASICS

You don’t need the latest and greatest plugins to get a polished-sounding mix. We show you how to get the most from standard EQ and dynamics processors

SANDUNES AGAINST THE TIDE

With live performances that ‘reveal an appetite for integrating the worlds of studio and stage’, Sandunes was on something of a roll pre-pandemic, having made a mark at many high profile festivals including Blue Dot, WOMAD, Roskilde and more. However she’s used the enforced time and studio world to come up with her best EP yet, and continue an upward momentum that has brought her sound to the attention of everyone from Ableton to Warp, Bonobo to Red Bull…

Tracktion Waveform Pro 11.5 $259

Could this latest update tempt you to try or even buy this excellent DAW?

Arturia FX Collection 2 €399

Finding the right effects bundle can massively boost your creativity. But is this updated collection really made up of effects you’ll actually use?

Orchestral Tools Tom Holkenborg’s Percussion €299

Hot on the heels of a salvo of stunning soundtracks, the master of highintensity scoring opens up more ingredients of his sonic arsenal

XILS-lab KaoX €179

FM synthesis is associated with certain typical sounds, but maybe this new synth can expand that palette. Will you order some Kaox?

Cinematic Pads - EZ Keys Expansion pack £129 PC MAC

With sound design running through its core, Toontrack’s latest visit to the flicks brings complex pads to a DAW near you!

Audio Imperia Solo $299 PC MAC

With many orchestral libraries offering music en masse, Audio Imperia distill things to a singularity, going for virtuoso with Solo

Soundware round-up

Singomakers Back To The Funk £29.95 The Singomakers

CM/the 6 best … Guitar products

Want to bring a realistic guitar sound to your productions? Look no further than these recently reviewed axemeisters

RIFT FILTER LITE CM

Minimal Audio are brand new developers of both plugins and sound packs, and we have both to give you, for free this issue!

New funk samples!

We set our sampling gurus a funk task this issue and they have two all-new packs for your funktastic delight on the DVD or download at filesilo.co.uk

4 funk ‘n’ disco packs!

We’ve gone deep into the mighty Vault this month to grab three classic funk packs and one disco one to maintain the happy dance summer vibes…

Loopmasters cm299 samples

01 LM LCY -Bionic Autonomy IDM 02 Organic Loops