Table of contents for 09/2024 in Beat English

Reverb & delay in perfection Tone2 UltraSpace Tone2 UltraSpace combines a flexible reverb effect and an equally versatile multitap delay, complemented by gating and ducking options. The plug-in masters dense, epic reverb effects and realistic room simulations as well as rolling echoes, ducking delays, gated reverbs and even chorus and flanger-like effects. Have fun experimenting. Download: see page 9 | Info: tone2.com win | mac All serial numbers safely accessible: The Beat Serial Center To ensure that none of your serial numbers are lost in the future (for instance, in the event of a new installation, Outlook crash or disk crash), you can now conveniently manage them online. The advantages are obvious: The editorial team can send you targeted software updates, you have access to all serials at any time…

1 Position the microphone correctly The position of the microphone has a big influence on the quality of your recording. It‘s not just about which microphone you use, but also how you use it. You should always keep the sound you want in mind and try to achieve this before recording by choosing a suitable microphone and the right positioning. Every singer, every instrument is different and just because something worked once doesn‘t mean it will work for the next song. It is therefore important to think about the sound of the song before recording and, for example, to think about how the vocals should sound in the context of the other instruments. There is no right or wrong here, but with a little know-how you can easily create a…

Beat / How has your perspective on Future Garage changed as you have now moved to the Black Forest and left the big city behind? Emika / I have met many people now who love Burial and don’t live in a big city. Even when I lived in Berlin, his music always felt to me to be more about solitude - the distance to a city. It’s abstraction. I hope I have added and contributed something new to this and re-inspired people‘s love for this mood of music. Beat / What drew you into Future Garage originally? Emika / When I first fell in love with Burial - everything about this project, the logo, his privacy, the sound - I remember thinking; wow, imagine if this were songs, a singer,…

1 Pimp your plucks! You won‘t attract anyone to the floor with dry chords from a pluck sound. It‘s a completely different story when the right effects come into play! Select an appropriate sound for the synth of your choice or import the Pluck Chords file from the issue data to an audio track in your DAW. Then, load Tone2 UltraSpace as an Insert effect. 2 Ping-Pong delay Switch to one of the free user memory locations in the browser. We want to add a combination of reverb and ping-pong delay to our pluck sound. Set the global Mix control to around 28% and keep the parallel routing. Then, adjust the Reverb parameters for a dense but not too long reverb effect as shown. 3 Set taps Now the Delay comes into play,…

ARC stands for Acoustic Room Correction. To do this, the room is first measured with the help of your studio monitors, a microphone and the appropriate software and a correction of the frequency response and phase is calculated from this. As with the old version, this sound correction can be integrated into your DAW using a plug-in; however, you have to make sure that the plug-in is switched off when exporting the audio file or when listening via headphones, as the frequency correction should not be included in the recording and should not affect the headphone sound. If possible, the plug-in should, therefore, only run on a separate monitor channel of your DAW. Another disadvantage of this software solution is that the plugin only influences the output signal of the…

In addition to classic Oberheim elements such as the SEM multimode filter, TEO-5 has some special features such as Through-Zero FM and flexible digital components. While analog oscillators and filters provide vintage sounds, the extensive modulation matrix in conjunction with two digital effects and a polyphonic step sequencer also enables complex and modern sounds. Modern design The relatively low price by Oberheim standards was probably also made possible by the fact that this was a secondary utilization. Both the housing and the digital innards such as envelope, LFO, VCA and effects/overdrive were taken from the Take 5, so they did not have to be newly developed and manufactured. Externally, the TEO-5, like the Take 5, does not necessarily look like a classic analog synthesizer, but rather like a modern virtual…

Portable monitors are rarely used as the main screen in the office, but are intended to supplement the internal MacBook display when on the move. The disadvantage: they usually draw their power from the battery of the connected laptop. So what could be more obvious than using E-Ink technology for an external screen? This „electronic paper“, which is particularly well known in e-book readers such as the Amazon Kindle, does not require a constant power supply and, therefore, saves the battery. An E-Ink display only requires energy when it displays new content. The display of the electrophoretic ink is also similar to that of real paper, which is why E-Ink screens are considered to be particularly easy on the eyes and have a constant viewing angle even in direct sunlight.…

The world of microphones is fascinating and diverse - and high-quality microphones are indispensable for anyone who wants to get the best out of their voice, instrument or podcasts. But with the multitude of microphone types, technical specifications and practical application tips, getting started can be overwhelming. In our comprehensive buying guide, we shed some light on the subject and accompany you on the way to your perfect recording. Dynamic or condenser? The first big decision Choosing the right microphone often starts with the basic question: dynamic or condenser microphone? This decision has a significant impact on the sound quality and the area of application of the microphone. Dynamic microphones are known for their robustness and their ability to handle high volumes. They are ideal for live performances and recording…

Advantages of dynamic microphones · Robustness and durability: Dynamic microphones are known for their robust construction. They can withstand the harsh conditions on stage, including shock, humidity and high volume levels. · Feedback resistance: Microphones of this type are less susceptible to feedback, which is particularly advantageous in noisy stage environments. · High volumes: Dynamic microphones can handle very high sound pressure levels without distortion. This makes them ideal for loud vocal performances and instruments such as guitar amps or drums. · Easy to use: They do not require an external power supply (phantom power), which simplifies setup and use. · Versatility: They are great for a variety of applications, including vocal recordings, miking guitar amps, drums, and other instruments. Podcasts and live streams can also be easily recorded. OUR…

1 When it comes to microphones, I have three mics that I actually always try out with each artist. The Sony C 800G, the Telefunken Ela M 251 and the Audio-Technica AT4060. In addition, the Tube Tech PM 1A is in my analog chain as a pre amp and the CM 1A as a compressor-although I set the compression very moderate. 2 At the beginning of my chain is the Slate Virtual Mix Rack. Here I add a desk emulation if necessary and do a suitable low cut. For surgical procedures, the FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is my scalpel. It works really well for me and, by the way, is perfect for filtering out unwanted resonances. 3 For vocal recordings, you have to be flexible. If I need a fast compressor…

Beat / Your debut is now ten years old and a lot has happened in the time since then. How do you feel about the album in retrospect?  Janus / I’m very proud of it. I feel like it has stood the test of time. We didn’t follow any trends when we were making that album, which I feel is one of the reasons it still feels current today. Some of the production I would probably do a bit differently now, but you’d say that about anything you made a decade ago. Beat / The first album was produced in a very short time. This time it took ten years. Why? Janus / The simple reason is that life happened. We both have our solo careers and do a lot…

Even though the trend with Arturia effects is more towards self-developed effects, there is also an emulation of classic vintage hardware with Exciter-104: the Aphex Aural Exciter C2-104, which was found in many studio racks, especially in the 90s. An Exciter boosts the high frequencies and creates new overtones. This creates more transparency and three-dimensionality. The C2 version can also boost the lower frequencies („Big Bottom“). Exciter-104 takes over the parameters of the hardware, with the visualization making it easier to find the right settings. A practical feature is the WetOnly button, which only lets you hear the audio signal added by the Exciter when activated. This is because an Exciter can easily deceive the ear and tempt you to overdo it with the effect. The Arturia version captures the…

Horizon Leads is your gateway to a new, undiscovered sonic dimension in Film Music. Imagine synthetic sounds mixed with the style of professional Hollywood scores. With Horizon Leads, you get meticulously sampled cinematic Synth Leads that sound like acoustic instruments and pimp your compositions. Let Horizon Leads take you into a universe where synthesizer sounds meet the aesthetics of classic Hollywood soundtracks. What‘s inside? Horizon Leads brings you lots of impulses, textures and arpeggios in 150 animated themes, supported by the well-known Sonuscore Ensemble Engine. You also have access to 80 freely playable synthesizer instruments, so there are no limits to your creativity. Horizon Leads‘ lead sound presets immerse you in a world of expressive melodies. Each preset collection is designed to add emotion and character to your compositions. From…

Four tracks. This is reminiscent of the tape recorders of yesteryear, when we tried to record our first musical steps with a 4-track cassette recorder. And the principle is not all that dissimilar, except that, here, an SD card is used instead of a tape and the four tracks can be combined on one bounce track. So you can, theoretically, record tracks for all eternity. And in high 32-bit floating resolution with 48 Khz and with numerous internal effects. Fast and mobile The R4 is aimed at those who want to record their ideas as quickly as possible. And starting up the DAW with all the trimmings simply takes longer than recording with a device that is ready to use within a few seconds. Rather than „either or“, the answer…

This is the module that all vocoder fanatics have been waiting for: the AnalogFX VXC-2220 10-Band Analog Vocoder. It is based on the classic design of the rare rackmount piece, the Synton Syntovox 222 Analog Vocoder. The vocoded sounds that can be achieved with the VXC-2220 have a pristine quality and a vintage warmth. It is wonderful to experience the sonic joy of analog vocoding in real-time. This is a fantastic module by AnalogFX and notably, it is the first of its kind from a boutique manufacturer for the Eurorack synthesizer format. The VCX-2220 has an elegant design and an ease and simplicity to the layout that allow it to become a catalyst for creativity right from the start. It has a mic input right on the front of the…

1 The Sony C 800G is a classic for vocal recordings. But it is also suitable for Rap vocals. The microphone has its own character, which is demonstrated by a high presence and crispy highs. At the same time, the tube gives you a warm sound in the lower frequency range. Thus, this mic is also perfect for Rap vocals. 2 In combination with the Neve 1073, the Sony C 800G sounds even better. Artists like Mariah Carey and Drake rely on this combination for recordings. But this chain can also be heard on countless other productions. The Neve delivers a warmth and distortion all its own. These characteristics are a great starting point for Rap vocals. 3 Let‘s move on to plug-ins from my digital vocal chain that I…

It was the biggest topic in the music industry for months, perhaps even the entire year: Apple‘s list of the 100 best albums of all time. The IT giant had done everything in its power to stage the announcement as a solemn and dignified event. However, with a few exceptions, the general feeling about the results was one of disappointment, disenchantment and doom, with feedback consisting mainly of bitter comments and angry reviews. The Apple Top 100 is neither a first nor an isolated case. Rather, it looks as if these kinds of lists are virtually predestined to trigger a particularly emotional reaction in music fans. Why is that? There has been a veritable list mania for years Well into the 80s and 90s, overviews of the best albums and…

Before the release of the well-known MS Monosynth series, Keio Electronic Laboratories released the Polyphonic Series of analog synthesizers under the brand name KORG. The largest and most expensive was the PS-3300, a legendary instrument that was produced between 1977 and 1981. With only around 50 units produced, it is considered one of the rarest analog synthesizers ever. The PS-3300 was not only expensive, but also extremely powerful and revolutionary for its time and was used by artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, Kraftwerk and Aphex Twin. If you like hardware, you can put an official replica of KORG in your studio from the end of 2024. Unique synth giant The virtual version, the PS-3300, faithfully reproduces the original, including its layout. Like its role model, it offers three independent…

Ipersonally heard about resynthesis for the first time in 1987 when the Techno Axcel was launched. Later, Axel Hartmann also adopted this technology for the Neuron. Unfortunately, neither hardware synthesizer was a great success; and this technology has also been rather neglected in virtual synthesizers, even though Steinberg, for example, uses a comparable approach with the Spectral Oscillator in Padshop and Halion. Audio import, but no Sampler With Resynthesis, an audio file is analyzed and can then be played like an Oscillator. To do this, you can simply drag and drop an audio file (Wav, AIF, MP3 etc.) into one of the two Oscillators (here called IRIS), whereby longer loops are also processed. Unlike a classic sampler, however, the playback does not sound true to the original, but a new…

Moog presented Spectravox 5 years ago as a strictly limited kit at the Moogfest 2019, and it is now freely available in stores as a fully assembled model. Compared to the previous DIY version, the faders for mixing the 10 filters have been replaced by small controls and the space thus freed up has been used for 20 additional patch sockets, which sensibly expand the possibilities of Spectravox. Spectravox is completely analog, so all parameters are directly accessible and the settings you see are also what you hear. The consequence of this is that you cannot save sounds and settings. For desktop or Eurorack The Spectravox technology is housed in the same desktop housing as Mother-32, DFAM and Subharminicon. The wooden side panels not only look great, but also serve…

Brave new world of work: Since the lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, many companies have been giving their employees the choice of coming to the office or setting up their computers in the comfort of their own home or in a café. The latest trend: Working from a vacation location for a few weeks or even months during a „workation“ and, therefore, combining the beautiful with the useful - after all, your MacBook and a stable internet connection are often all you need to be productive. Or fixed: Once you‘ve gotten used to an external monitor in your office or home office as a supplement to your MacBook display, you‘ll soon want to enjoy this luxury on the go. Of course, you probably won‘t want to lug your 32-inch…

Test: Arturia AstroLab With AstroLab, Arturia wants to bring its own V-Collection to the stage. Designed as a stage keyboard, you have direct access to 34 instruments –DAWless, without a computer. From pianos to vintage synthesisers and samplers to modern digital synthesis. Split/layer sounds, arpeggiator, sequencer/looper and the integrated looper complete the performance keyboard, while over 1,300 presets with appropriately assigned macro controls ensure immediate playing fun. Interview: Galliano With albums like „The Plot Thickens“ and „A Joyful Noise Unto The Creator,“ the British Acid Jazz band Galliano became a legend. Now the Londoners are back and are announcing their first album in 27 years. We‘ll talk to them about „Halfway Somewhere“ and, of course, examine the mix of Jazz, Funk, Hip-Hop and Soul from a studio technical perspective. Test:…