welcome

See page 87 to find out how to download this issue’s exclusive content

Kilohearts update ecosystem to v2

NEW RELEASES • COMMENT • INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS

App watch

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

Next issue

It’s time to get dirty

Get with the programmers

JMG Audio have provided us with a superb update to Hyperspace CM this issue, so it’s time to catch up with the company’s Jason Gibbins…

Orchestral Tools’ big string things

Berlin-based Orchestral Tools have announced a new set

Ins & outs

UNCOMPRESSED TO IMPRESS? We’ve had noodly rock supergroups

GET GREAT VOCALS

(WITHOUT BEING A GREAT VOCALIST)

How to make a bad vocal good

vocals

Vocal microphones

vocals

Pitch correction software

vocals

Processing your vocal

vocals

Sing sang sung

vocals

Vocal mixing plugins

vocals

Mixing your vocals

Though you can correct the pitch, tuning and vibrato of your voice in software, as well as contort it into all manner of extraordinary sonic shapes and characters, it’s all for naught if you can’t actually hear your vocal in the mix

Choirmaster

While lead vocals and supplemental vocal chops and

Best interfaces for vocal mics

Universal Audio Apollo Twin Mk II Mac/PC From

Vocal booths and accessories

Aston Halo £205 A portable vocal isolation booth

JMG AUDIO HYPERSPACE CM2

Are you a reverb lover with control freak tendencies? You’ll love this newly updated CM Suite plugin

ULTIMATE VOCALS

Ultimate vocal samples

FOLEY FACTORY

FOLEY FACTORY For the first of our classic

TOP-LOOP GROOVES

Our second classic pack is a treasure trove

Jimi Jules

If you haven’t yet heard Jimi Jules’ irreverent dance music, his latest album should serve as a fitting introduction to his extraordinary sound. Packed with personality, + is an eclectic collection that brings to mind the synth-laced extroversion of artists like DJ Koze and Modeselektor, serving up productions with a wink, a nudge and a wry smile

Bass ALTERNATIV ES

Bass doesn’t have to be… well, bass! Pretty much any sound can be pressed into low-end service, as we’re about to demonstrate

Aphex modulation pad

Pads can do far more than fill out chords. This month we create a set of Aphex Twin-inspired modulating pads

Wobble bass

In this tutorial you’ll learn how to create a wobble bass from scratch using the ES2 synth

DIGITAL AUDIO

The Pro Producer’s Guide To

Toontrack EZdrummer 3 €165

As night follows day, so does this much anticipated update from Toontrack, but does the magic follow the number? We find out!

Tracktion Waveform Pro 12

With multiple new features, now could be a good time to try this impressive and competitively priced DAW

Baby Audio Crystalline $99

Baby Audio are on a roll with their releases, but can they crystallise their reputation with their latest algorithmic reverb? The answer’s crystal clear

Spitfire Heirloom £199

Get your hankie ready as Spitfire’s latest toolkit promises quick-fire access to devastatingly affecting instrumental flavours. But are Heirloom’s emotion-tickling samples worth your money?

ListenHub £59

Monitor controllers that mimic the capabilities of a console’s master section are increasingly popular. But in software? Listen up…

Best vocal processing plugins

It’s our vocals special, so if you want that Auto-Tune effect, or need to make a bad vocal great, then these vocal processing plugins will help turn bad singing into perfect vocals, whatever music you make

Antares Autotune Pro £288

TYPE: Automatic tuning plugin | KEY FEATURES: Real-time

Celemony Melodyne 5 €99 - €699

TYPE: Automatic tuning plugin | PRICING: Melodyne 5

Oeksound Soothe 2 €199/£169

TYPE: Dynamic EQ/resonance suppressor for removing harsh frequencies

Synchro Arts VocAlign Ultra £285

TYPE: Pitch and timing alignment software | KEY

FabFilter Pro-Q 3 £134

TYPE: EQ plugin with up to 24 bands

Computer Music choice

If you have tuning issues or want that

iZotope Nectar 3 Plus $129 - $249

TYPE: Full vocal editing suite of modules |

Waves Vocal Bender £110

TYPE: Vocal processor plugin | KEY FEATURES: Real-time

Soundtoys Little Alter Boy $99

TYPE: Vocal pitch and format editor | KEY

HOWIEB DROPS SOME TRIP HOP

Loopmasters Howie B Drops Some Trip Hop £24.95