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Future Music

Editor-In-Chief Si Truss, simon.truss@futurenet.com Reviews Editor, Music

Thinking outside the box

Whether it’s better to work in- or out-of-the-box

Apple releases Logic Pro for iPad

>At last, Apple has released the long-rumoured Logic

Super Gemini is a multitimbral, binaural beast

>We’ve not been shy about our love of

Reason’s Objekt promises a new world of sounds

>Reason Studios has taken the wraps off Objekt,

Roland’s S-1 Tweak: like a polyphonic SH-101

>Roland has added another synth to its Aira

Erica Synths’ Steampipe is a physical modelling polysynth

>Erica Synths is offering something a bit different

PWM’s Mantis: a Wasp-style synth with OSCar-like filter

>We’re guessing that, for PWM, the launch of

Make Noise's Spectraphon offers power and complexity

>Make Noise’s Spectraphon is another collaboration between the

Arturia’s MicroFreak synth gets a Stellar update

>Already pretty striking, Arturia’s MicroFreak synth now has

Oberheim’s OB-X8 desktop module is smaller and cheaper

>The headline says it all, really. Oberheim has

Elektron turns up the Heat with a new +FX model

>Released in 2016, Elektron’s Analog Heat offered eight

AJH Synth’s MiniMod Keyz looks like a Minimoog for the Eurorack generation

>AJH Synth has come up with the nifty

The microKorg anniversary model is Crystal clear

>20 years ago, Korg’s microKorg helped to kickstart

Fila Brazillia Maim That Tune

Pork Recordings, 1995

Track by track with Steve Cobby and David ‘Man’ McSherry

Dave Yang & Steve Yin De-Swish T’ Swish

patten, Mirage FM

555-5555

ON OUR PLAYLIST

ALBUM K-Lone, Swells Wisdom Teeth Cape Cira, the

Anthony Naples, orbs

ANS Recordings

Overmono Good Lies

XL

LOSE THE LAPTOP

Computers are brilliant creative tools, but there can be real freedom found in stepping away from the screen. This issue, let’s explore the hows and whys of creating a production setup that puts less emphasis on a traditional DAW…

Going DAW-less: 4 approaches

Choosing to ditch the laptop is a big decision, but even once you’ve committed, there’s another choice to make: how? There’s no single set laptop alternative for making electronic music. There are a variety of gear options out there that can, to varying degrees, replace the functionality of a DAW. Let’s survey a few of the best options, each of which could offer a route into a new, self-contained setup, or be used as part of a mix ‘n’ match approach

9 quick tips for hardware creativity

Stepping away from a DAW screen can mean significantly shaking up your workflow. Whether you’re trying to minimise your DAW’s role or ditching it completely, you can maximise your creativity with these tips and ideas…

Modulation effects

Warble your way to smooth signals and push things into experimental territory with our guide to phasers, chorus and flangers

Deeper parameters in modulation effects

> There’s usually a bit more to a

All-in-one plugin solutions

>You’ll still find phasing, chorusing and flanging available

Roland SH-4d

Leo Maymind digs into a part-melodic, part-rhythmic desktop synth that defies categorisation

The SH-4d’s sequencer, one pattern at a time

There’s a lot to love about the sequencer within the alreadypowerful SH-4d

MIXING THINGS UP A BIT

The SH-4d’s mixer mode is incredibly useful, as

4 QUICK TIPS FOR MORE 4D FUN

MINDING YOUR PS AND EQS >If you’re working

Recording knob motion

The SH-4d can record automation by capturing knob movements and then playing them back with your pattern. Here’s how...

Ryuichi Sakamoto

As the world says goodbye to one of the father figures of electronic music (and beyond), we explore his rich legacy

Yellow Magic Orchestra, Behind The Mask (1979)

One of YMO’s most recognisable tunes, Behind The

Ryuichi Sakamoto, Riot in Lagos (1980)

Riot in Lagos is a seminal track in

Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bibo No Aozora (1996)

We can’t help but shed a little tear

Ryuichi Sakamoto, andata (2017)

andata perfectly captures the essence of the style

MATHEW HERBERT

Matthew Herbert chats to Danny Turner about his extraordinary new album, The Horse, which uses skeletal bones as source material

Nabihah Iqbal

The Ninja Tune artist on how a run of setbacks helped her shake up her workflow for the creation of excellent new album Dreamer

BRIGHT & FINDLAY

Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay teams up with James Alexander Bright to create a love letter to ’70s rock. Danny Turner finds out more

BRAIDS

Montreal art-rockers Braids reach a pinnacle with fifth album, Euphoric Recall. Danny Turner learned more about their back-to-basics approach

JFDR

Matt Mullen discovers how Jófríður Ákadóttir has extended her creative vision further than ever before on her third album as JFDR

What was the process behind writing and recording the tracks on Dreamer?

“I work on Ableton. With each track, it

Ableton Push from $999

Ableton’s controller goes fully MPE and throws off the shackles of Live itself. Si Truss sees how far he can Push it…

Akai MPC X SE £2,050

Akai’s flagship MPC gets a refresh, but it’s about more than just the retro grey paint job, says Martin Delaney

ALM Busy Circuits Pam’s Pro Workout £269

Will the pro version of this popular multi-tasking module make Rob Redman break a sweat?

Adam Audio A8H £1,360 each

If you like slightly bigger monitors, a 3-way design may be for you. Jon Musgrave checks out Adam Audio’s latest offering

Caelum Audio Choric £49

The British developer aims to put a new spin on a classic effect. Si Truss skips to the chorus

Røde NT1 5th Generation £265

This long established mic has had a significant upgrade. Jon Musgrave sees what’s new

Arturia Rev LX-24 99€

The French brand adds a digital classic to its reverb line. Si Truss flexes the Lex

UVI Percussion Factory 149€

>UVI are back again with another sample-based Soundbank.

Sample Magic – Jazz Hop 3 From $7.99/month

>The latest journey into jazzy hip-hop happenings from

Splice Originals – Draco From $7.99/month

>Fire-breathing drill and trap loops and one-shots for

Raw Cutz – Dark Roast £29.95

>Coffee breaks and caffeinated keys from the always

Samplestate – Code Red Techno £29.95

>Alarm-bell beats, packaged here in terms normally reserved

Audiotent – Pure Snares £21

>The world of clap samples enters the realm

Monitor placement

There’s a lot more to effective monitoring than simply buying the best products you can afford and plugging them all together. Setup plays a huge part in ensuring you get the most out of your equipment and environment

Quick effects tips: Part 2

Get more out of your productions with our series of quick-and-dirty effects tips

STANDALONE MUSIC MAKERS

Ableton Push From $999 Full Review: FM397 |

HARDWARE GROOVEBOXES

Roland SH-4d £549 Full Review: FM394 | Roland