The definitive guide for building and using a computer centered project studio.
UPDATES & CORRECTIONS
On this page you will find my latest posts, including information about new products, updates on products covered in my book, and any editorial or technical corrections that come to my attention. If you have anything to add, please fell free to drop me an email (I’ll try my best to get back to you in a timely manner, but sometimes I get swamped—if you don’t hear from me after a couple of weeks, and it’s really important, just email me again).
BOOK REVIEWS & UPCOMING APPEARANCES
You can catch Erik "Hawk" Hawkins playing live electronic dance music with his cohort, Max "Maxwellhouse" Smerling, most Thursdays at Club Sugar in Santa Monica. Hawk & Maxwellhouse hit the stage around 9:30 PM and play for about an hour. Gear included in their stage setup include: two Tascam X-9 DJ mixers, an Apple Titanium running Propellerheads' Reason, Korg's Triton, and TC Electronics' Finalizer and Fireworx. Sugar is located at 814 Broadway in Santa Monica, the cross street is Lincoln. (10/3/2002)
"Studio-in-a-Box is one of the best books available for learning how to buy, assemble, and effectively use a virtual studio."
Electronic Musician Magazine, September 2002
(Read the complete review at emusician.com)
"If you're ready for the virtual studio, check out Studio-in-a-Box from veteran producer and audio journalist Erik Hawkins. He tells you how to get your desktop studio up and running, from choosing a computer and peripherals to optimizing and troubleshooting your system."
Mix Magazine, February 2002
(Read the complete review at mixonline.com)
COMPUTER SYSTEMS & PERIPHERALS
Athlon Processors Get the Job Done
For the longest time, Pentium processors where the only safe bet for running audio applications, especially digital audio sequencer software. I’m happy to report that there seems to be another choice now, Athlon processors by AMD. My initial tests with the 1.67 GHz rated and higher Athlon machines have yielded impressive results. I’ve tested Steinberg’s Cubase VST and SX, Universal Audio’s Powered PlugIns bundle with the UAD-1 DSP card, and Tascam’s US224 USB audio interface/controller. So far, everything has worked without any major hitches (just some audio buffer tweaking with the US224). If you’re in the market for a PC to run your audio applications, try out the Athlon processors in AMD computers. (9/17/2002)
Logic Dictates
Logic Audio Version 5.x by Emagic rocks! The new automation features and soft synths are way cool. See my review in the November issue of Mix magazine. (09/02/2002)
Audio Chaos with Kantos
Antares new Kantos plug-in is a great way of adding organic textures to your electronic music compositions. It can generate sounds that make you say, "That sure sounds like a real instrument." Keep your eyes peeled for my comprehensive Kantos field test in an upcoming Mix magazine. (10/03/2002)
New TDM Software Synth
McDSP is shipping a fresh new TDM synth called, Synthesizer One. It is Pro Tools HD compatible. Look for my review in Mix magazine soon. (09/02/2002)
MOTU's 896 rocks--my field test for this unit will appear in Mix magazine very soon. (10/03/2002)
Digidesign's new MIDI interface addresses timing issues inherent in MIDI communications--more on this subject soon. (10/03/2002)
Affordable Digidesign Control Surface
Digidesign has announced the Digi002, a full featured control surface for Pro Tools LE. Retail is set at $2,495 and the company says that the unit should be shipping before the end of this year. (09/02/2002)
Mackie Daddy Control
Mackie Designs, the makers of HUI, announce a whole new line of nifty control surfaces. The new Mackie Control surfaces will work with a variety of digital audio sequencers, including, Motu's Digital Performer and Steinberg's Cubase SX and Nuendo (Cakewalk’s Sonar is reportedly coming soon). The Mackie Control units have an open design code allowing digital audio sequencer manufacturers to adopt the surface for their applications. (09/17/2002)
Logic Control Versus Mackie Control
The Logic Control surface, which is manufactured by Mackie and looks identical to the Mackie Control product line, is a proprietary interface that only works with Logic Audio. According to Mackie, Logic Control was a joint development with Emagic and contains a different chipset than the Mackie Control units (that is, the units are not interchangeable). (09/17/2002)
Nothing under this section yet. Check back soon. (10/03/2002)
Ilio's Groove Controled drums are an incredible composing tool--more soon. (10/03/2002)
Another Branch of the Apple Tree
Emagic recently reported that the company has been acquired by Apple. This move is rather frightening for Emagic users, especially considering the announcement that as of September 30, 2002, all of Emagic's Window products will be discontinued. Read Steve Oppenheimer's (the editor in chief of Electronic Musician) "First Take" column in the September issue of the magazine for a more in depth discussion of the potential ramifications for Logic Audio. (09/02/2002)
Hot New Rag
ArtistPro, the publishers of such cool books like, "Studio-in-a-Box," launch their own magazine this month. Industry pros are giving the first issue the thumbs up, and best of all, it's free (if you're on the company's mailing list--you can sign up at their web site). (09/02/2002)
pg. 255
Under the definition for Channel Strip, the last sentence should read, "Some channel strips also have built-in dynamics control (such as compression and gating)."
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