welcome

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Interface companies at war!

MiniFuse versus Volt versus Revelator! “Contenders ready?”

2 New Guitar Packs!

It’s a guitar special this issue so we’ve gone axe-mad with our free samples! Get these acoustic, electric and effected samples on the DVD or at filesilo.co.uk !

2 Classic Guitar packs

Time to break into the Mighty Vault for two classic packs with a guitar theme for this guitar sample special. Let’s go rusty and leftfield…

Loopmasters 302 samples

01 Singomakers Modern Tech House 02 Blind Audio

Next issue

Well, it’s issue 303. What else were we going to do?!

BATAVIA COLLECTIVE

If the words ‘jazz fusion’ fill your hearts and minds with dread, think again. Batavia Collective are a trio of musicians from Jakarta who have already been touted as one of this year’s bands to watch as their blend of jazz and electronics breaks such new ground. But it might not have turned out that way. “At first this was just a side project but then the universe revealed something else…”

SHANE CODD

Many of us dream of taking our music beyond our bedroom setups at home, but few have done it so dramatically – and quickly – as Irish producer Shane Codd. After finding himself on a dead-end college course, he started dabbling with music, uploaded some early productions to Soundcloud and just a few months later found himself with millions of streams and a top 10 hit across Europe. Lucky beggar…

THE BEST IPADS FOR MUSIC PRODUCERS

Apple’s newest iPads are the company’s most powerful and compact yet, but which is the best iPad for music production? Over the following pages, we’ll look at all the iPads in Apple’s range including the latest iPad Pros and the brand new iPad mini to reveal which of these mobile wonders can best replicate your desktop studio or give you a completely new mobile music production option…

What to look for when choosing an iPad for music

To the casual observer, all of Apple’s iPads

So what is the best iPad for musicians: mini or maxi?

Apple’s newest iPads have completely shaken things up

Create your iPad studio

We’ve just revealed which iPad(s) to buy for music production. Now it’s time to show you how to assemble your mobile studio, with choice hardware options for audio recording and playback, other hardware for playing and control, plus plenty of amazing apps to get your creative juices flowing…

Your hardware iPad studio

If you want your iPad to interact with the outside world, here are 10 of the best interfaces, mics and MIDI controllers…

18 top iPad apps

The best DAWs, synths, beats and effects

GET A GREAT GUITAR SOUND

Welcome to our new series aimed at guitarists wanting to explore the many software options out there, or complete non-guitarists wanting to create a perfect tone… without learning to play or even use a guitar!

Create a great guitar sound! Part 1 - real instrument or virtual?

We’ll see the numerous methods for processing and placing guitar sounds in a mix later in this series. But this first instalment is for those who don’t have access to (or the ability to play) a real guitar, but still want those sparkling textures. The solution: software sample libraries and virtual players. Some even boldly argue that software guitar is a more practical route to rich, majestic guitar melodies…

Guitar interfaces

Translate those twangers into bangers

Best guitar emulators

Ain’t nothing like the real thing… or is there?

KURTIS MANTRONIK

When Kurtis el Khaleel moved to NYC aged 14, he walked into a life-long love affair. The man arguably responsible for a ton of modern pop staples tells us why he was an early exponent of all things digital

Mixing vocal stems

Finding the balance with multiple vocal stems can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you find your way to the perfect mix

Zebra CM: Riser

Perfect for builds and rising crescendos, the riser effect provides the synth equivalent of a cymbal roll, but on steroids!

Synthesising a kick drum from scratch

Learn how to design an analogue-inspired punchy kick drum… fast!

COMPRESSION

Above all effects, compression can make a great (or subtle) impact at every level of the production process, from recording to mastering. Here’s our complete guide…

The basics: manual compression

Sometimes the simplest approach is best

The knowledge: compression techniques

Compressor controls explained

Pro tips: complex compression

Because every setting affects the way the others sound

Software versus hardware

Software DAW compressors are very capable, but hardware and third-party compressors offer the real deal

Pro technique: parallel compression

Run compressed and clean signals side by side

Advanced techniques

Take it to the next level, just like the pros

Finishing touches: 5 top tips

Our guide to compression is nearly done. But before you master, try these techniques on your track

Fusion Vintage Drive and Fusion Stereo Image £139 PC MAC

Plugins modelled on SSL’s ultra-desirable consoles and analogue circuits are ever popular. What if they were made by the designers themselves?

Absolute 5 £429 PC MAC

The latest edition of Steinberg’s über-collection adds new plugins, instruments and expansions, but is it absolute hero, or absolute zero?

Reason 12 £399

It reshaped the music software landscape 20 years ago, but is the latest version worth a try for those unfamiliar with its rack-based workflow?

Impromptu Electric Guitars £45.95

Away from the world of guitars that rock, Zero-G take us to a more ambient and cinematic place, albeit on the spur of the moment!

Emulation II+ €199

Sampling in the 80s was an expensive business, but if you couldn’t afford it then, you surely can now! We grab a floppy and load up…

Steinberg Dorico for iPad Free - £Sub

The ability to plot notes on the move could be a gamechanger for many performers. Can the iPad with Dorico really score…?

Soundware round-up

Sample Tools by Cr2 Eats Everything Vol.2 £24.99

FATHOM CM 2

Our free plugin this issue is a major update to one of Computer Music’s most favourite and flexible synths…