Table of contents for 09/2025 in Beat English

Neumann U87, Sony C8000, Royer R-121 – many microphones have established themselves as studio classics. But the originals are expensive. Virtual microphone modeling systems (VMMS) offer an affordable, portable alternative with a selection of legendary microphones – purely software-based and ideally latency-free. A VMMS is a plug-in that recreates the sound character and behavior of famous microphones. To do this, the developers analyze the originals and transfer parameters such as frequency response and distortion into the software. Tube microphone preamps are also modeled. Some systems also allow for polar pattern changes or morphing between models – even after recording. Boring microphone For the best possible results, it‘s usually best to use a microphone from the manufacturer that matches your needs. Unlike studio microphones with their own coloration, VMMS microphones are…

Hambühren, a municipality in Lower Saxony, is located about seven kilometres from the city of Celle. With a population of just 10,000 souls, not even the local administration considers the place a tourist destination. Nevertheless, at the end of the 1970s, several American musicians associated with the band Earthstar bought a ticket to Germany, bypassed the country‘s major urban centres – some of them even hitchhiking the last few kilometres of their journey – and spent several months in this deserted place. They weren‘t the only ones venturing across the Atlantic. Already two years earlier, David Bowie and Iggy Pop had travelled via Paris to Berlin, where Bowie recorded his famous Low – Lodger – Heroes trilogy with producer Tony Visconti. At the same time, Brian Eno, after having experienced…

The Serge Modular is not just a synthesizer. It is a work of art and a cult object, a legend and a constant source of inspiration. Unofficial user manuals have been written about it, books have been dedicated to it – and yet it remains, as Winston Churchill once said of Russia, ‘a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Serge Tcherepnin simply wanted to build an inexpensive, powerful alternative to the dominant Buchlas and Moogs. While the latter were highly specialised, Serge systems were lean and flexible, essentially anticipating the ideal of all bedroom producers since the 1980s. Nevertheless, the Serge never became suitable for the masses. Even though 1980s FM synths sounded only half as good and had to make do with a fraction of the Serge‘s…

This package consists of eight sample-based bass instruments, which are also available individually: Here, classic models such as the Jazz and Precision Bass meet the characterful Upright Bass and modern specialists like the six-string Yamaha TRBJP2 (Ample Bass TR6). The Ample Bass Acoustic, the emulation of the noble four-string Fodera YinYang, or the aggressive five-string Ray5 (Ample Metal Ray5) are all equally expressive. Those who indulge in the complete bass collection also save significantly compared to individual purchases: The complete package costs only $576 US Dollars instead of $982. Expressive Engine The engine is based on the proven technology of the Ample Guitar series, offering numerous detail improvements and cleverly integrated songwriting tools. The GUI responds quickly, can be zoomed seamlessly, and is clearly structured. Each instrument impresses with meticulous…

This interface is connected via USB-C 3.1, which also provides power. Alternatively, you can use the second USB-C port with a power bank or power adapter when running the interface in standalone mode. The two MIDI ports are bidirectional, meaning they can each be used as an input or output. The electronics automatically detect what is needed based on the connected device, making it effortless to use. Not only can you use the classic IN/OUT combination, but you can also control two sound generators via separate outputs or record two MIDI controllers via separate inputs. Additionally, there is a third MIDI device available as both an input and an output. This port is used for communication between the Amber i4 hardware and the Amber i4 control software. Therefore, the editor…

With the hybrid MiniFreak synthesizer, Arturia presented us with the successful continuation of the Freak series in mid-2022, with numerous advantages over the popular MicroFreak: True polyphony, a second oscillator, built-in effects, additional controls, and a normal keyboard were the most important new features. The flexible oscillator models, combined with the modulation matrix and the sequencer featuring parameter recording, provide independent sound with a lot of movement. The filter gives it the analog touch, and its entire operation is intuitively solved. The icing on the cake is the free MiniFreak V plugin for direct exchange with your DAW. However, the MiniFreak initially lacked the Wavetable and Vocoder algorithms compared to the MicroFreak. FW 2.0: Wavetables and Unison With the first major update to 2.0, the MiniFreak also received the Wavetable…

Test: Korg miniKORG 700Sm The miniKORG 700 FS, introduced in 2021, was a spectacular revival of the legendary miniKORG 700S analog synthesizer from the 1970s, expanded with additional features like an arpeggiator, spring reverb, and aftertouch. The new miniKORG 700Sm retains all the features of the miniKORG 700FS, while its size has been reduced to approximately 86% of the original. Interview: Tangerine Dream Tangerine Dream are among the pioneers of electronic music and, alongside Kraftwerk, are one of the most influential German formations in this field. We are pleased to present an interview in the next issue with keyboard wizard Thorsten Quaeschning about the band‘s current inner workings, production techniques, and synthesizers. Test: Teenage Engineering OP-XY Genial mobile groovebox or overpriced hipster tool? Hardly any other music production tool has…

Perform your basslines live Bloom Bass Impulse Lite Forget boring basslines: Bloom Bass Impulse Lite puts an end to static bass sounds – and brings groove to the low-end of your tracks! The software highlight from our friends at Excite Audio and Plugin Boutique delivers modern bass sounds that can be shaped and modulated in real-time. Whether you‘re producing Techno, Dubstep, Future Bass, Drum & Bass, or Acid House – this compact instrument ensures an irresistible groove. Download: see page 9 | Info: ujam.com win | mac All serial numbers safely accessible: The Beat Serial Center To ensure that none of your serial numbers are lost in future (e.g. in the event of a reinstallation, Outlook crash or disk crash), you can now manage them conveniently online. The advantages are…

Real recordings breathe life into any production – especially if your track has so far consisted solely of samples, virtual sound generators, or loops. Vocals, guitar, bass, percussion, or drums: All of these can infuse your music with a depth and energy that‘s difficult to replicate using purely digital means. But before you even click „Record,“ there‘s the all-important question: Which microphone suits your needs, sound, space, and budget? And what really matters when it comes to equipment, beyond marketing promises and specifications? In this special, we‘ll take you by the hand and provide orientation – with a well-founded, practical overview from A to Z. You‘ll not only gain the necessary know-how to better understand technical terms like polar pattern, frequency response, and sound pressure, but also practical tips on…

1 Starting with impact First, we want to build an aggressive Reese bassline for a retro breaks track. Drag a beat of your choice onto an audio track in your DAW or simply take the Funface Break, which we extracted from the plugin Bloom Drum Breaks [1]. Then, load Bloom Bass Impulse Lite as an instrument in your DAW and select the preset COM Bassline Tools. 2 Sample Keys First, play through the different phrases with the white keys. These trigger different bass samples and loops synchronized to the host tempo, such as pulsing sequences and wobbles. Whether you play the bassline by hand or program it is your choice. And if it can be even more lively: The Modifier Keys are waiting. 3 Performing variations The black keys from C#2 change tempo…

It was indeed long overdue that someone dared to come up with a modern, open sampler concept. Audiomodern, known for clever tools such as Playbeat and Loopmix, now offers Soundbox, a flexible, MPE-capable sampler for Windows, macOS and even the iPad. This not only serves as a library player, but also invites you to creatively build your own instruments. The two free expansions: Spectra (with ambient sounds) and Mechania (with electronic synth textures) are ideal for exploring the plug-in. The paid expansions: Voxmotive, Kromium, Cosmo and Morphia also impress with expressive and inspiring sounds with a cinematic flair. Favorites tagging and an Undo/Redo function make browsing a pleasant experience. Four Wins! At the heart of Soundbox is the four-layer engine: samples can be loaded independently in each layer and adjusted…

We live in exciting times when it comes to music and AI. How does artificial intelligence help musicians and producers in their everyday work? Which tools will fundamentally change the way we work and produce? From auto mixers and voice swappers to ready-made Mastering tools and online DAWs with melody generators, there is a lot going on in the audio sector right now. AI music generators have made a huge leap forward in terms of quality this year. And Waves Illugen is right at the forefront. What is Waves Illugen? Waves is a heavyweight in the world of music production. The company was one of the first to make a name for itself with emulations of studio legends like the 1176 and the API 2500. The company also dedicates itself…

The Reloop Keypad Pro features 25 velocity-sensitive keys, 16 drum pads with aftertouch and RGB lighting, and eight full-featured channel strips with faders, endless encoders, two potentiometers, and three function buttons. The drum pads can also be used for control and program change commands to activate effects or plugins. Arpeggiator, Chord, and Scale functions make playing easier; thanks to Bluetooth MIDI, it can all be done wirelessly. Some special features There are a few things that set the Keypad Pro apart from other controllers. First, there‘s the unusual combination of keyboard, pad, and DAW/Mixer controller—normally, you‘d need several controllers to get this range of functions. This also explains the Keypad Pro‘s rather unusual, almost square dimensions for a keyboard. This explains the Keypad Pro‘s rather unusual, almost square dimensions for…

I. Microphone types and how they work There are different types of microphones, each of which is suitable for different purposes. An overview. Dynamic microphones Dynamic or moving-coil microphones are robust and suitable for loud sound sources. They are very popular on live stages, as they are (usually) not harmed if they take a knock. They work with a moving coil that moves in a magnetic field when sound hits a diaphragm. This movement induces an electrical voltage in the coil. They don‘t require phantom power and are often used in the studio with guitar amplifiers and drums (snare drum, kick drum, toms) because they are insensitive to loud signals. The sound is usually less refined, as bass and treble are less well reproduced than with condenser microphones, but they…

Beat / Hi Jakob, let‘s get started: Why did you set up and arrange your studio this way? Jakob / I had long felt the need to work with my hands again and experience music in a physical way—to “touch” music, so to speak. Many of my role models rely on analog technology, and I have always admired the attention to detail that goes into this way of working. Analog devices offer a warm, organic sound aesthetic that I often cannot achieve in the same quality or depth with digital technology. I wanted to use this analog world to give my sound a new dimension. A decisive reason for building my studio was the ability to use the special strengths of analog technology. Analog compressors enable natural and musical dynamic…

12 MAG ISSUES STARTING AT 71,90 EURO / YEAR ACCESS TO OVER 100 ISSUES IN THE ARCHIVE GET OVER 1,2 TB OF INSTRUMENTS & SOUNDS PLUS GIFT OF YOUR CHOICE! Want it? Get your subscription here: www.plugins-samples.com CHOOSE YOUR GIFT Find your favorite subscription gift at www.plugins-samples.com AMPLE SOUND AMPLE BASS TR6* Feel the groove! Ample Bass TR6 brings the versatile sound of the sixstring electric bass Yamaha TRBJP2 (John Patitucci Signature Edition) straight to your DAW. With 14 playing techniques, poly-legato, a Riffer engine, a tab player and a rack of high-quality effects, you can craft vibrant bass lines in minutes—giving every track a solid low-end foundation. www.amplesound.net Gift ID: F1609 no additional costs UVI PX V8* UVI‘s PX V8 captures the remarkable sonic power of the eight-voice analogue…

Previously, you could purchase individual Beatmakers as a bundle, but you still had to load them into your DAW individually. Since Beatmakers can be used across genres, this was unnecessarily time-consuming and even limiting. With Beatmaker 3, there is now one global plug-in where you can manage all your Beatmakers together. New joint browser In the new browser, you have access to all installed Beatmakers. Presets can be previewed or loaded directly with a click. You can sort by various tags. You set the mood (relaxed, aggressive, etc.), choose genres matching your track like RnB/Hip Hop, Electro, or DeepHouse, and the desired tempo range, and Beatmaker 3 shows you all presets fitting these conditions. You can also limit the search to individual Beatmakers. Kits and effects Once you‘ve found a…

1 Chords with feeling The foundation of every beat is the chords. In this expansion pack, you will find thousands of progressions – many of them emotionally labeled. Browse the MIDI Kit and drag a suitable chord progression into your project. Specifically search for a mood, such as “Dramatic” or “Hopeful,” and build your vibe upon it. Timbaland beats thrive on targeted emotions. 2 Browsing sounds Now select the right sound for your chords. Choose a Pad (“PD”) or Synth (“SY”), depending on the desired texture. For this workshop, we used 037: PD Pads In Space, a wide, full pad sound that defines the basic character of the beat. Turn the Release under Amp Envelope back to about 30% to keep the sound dynamic. 3 Top melody Let‘s create the distinctive feature of…

Only a few months after the release of the polyphonic flagship Muse and Moog‘s acquisition by InMusic, the next Moog synthesizer is already available, also at a price quite affordable by Moog standards. For significantly under 1,000 Euro, you get a fully equipped analog mono-synth with two oscillators with wavefolder option and sub-oscillator, multimode filter, and a sequencer with modern features like parameter lock and probability, as well as full MIDI control and storability. Compact and mobile The sleek black case is significantly more compact and lighter than other newer Moog mono-synths such as the Sub 37 or Subsequent 25. It lacks the large and deep metal case with an angled control surface, as well as the wooden sides. Although Messenger doesn‘t look as impressive and vintage as those models,…

The DDJ-GRV6 presents itself in the classic AlphaTheta style: robust, modern and functional all at the same time. The low weight of under five kilos makes this controller particularly attractive for Mobile DJs. At first glance, the layout of the controls is familiar, with two scratch-friendly jog wheels (206 mm) as decks and the centered mixer. The large jog wheels respond precisely to every touch and convey a pleasantly direct feel. The faders have a pleasant resistance, neither too tight nor too loose. And don‘t forget, the DDJ-GRV6 can be used as an audio interface. The integrated interface ensures clear, distortion-free sound that remains impressive, even at high volumes and with complex effects. DJs who work a lot with different sound modulations can rely on the precise audio output Connections…