SOUND ON SOUND: 27+ Years as the Trusted Independent, Global Voice of Music Recording Production and Technology

In this mini-podcast, Hugh Robjohns interviews Steven Slate about the new Raven multi-touch DAW controller, which has been causing quite a stir in music production circles. For a full review of the Slate Raven, pick up the May edition of Sound On Sound from your local newsagent, download the iPad version or purchase a web subscription.

In this edition of the SOS Podcast, Hugh tells us about the gear he’s been reviewing for upcoming issues, including PMC’s twotwo speakers, the Dangerous Music Source monitor controller and the Antelope Orion 32 USB/MADI interface. Paul also gives us a heads-up on his forthcoming reviews for the SOS, including the Ocean Way Studios plug-in for UAD and a Blackstar guitar amplifier. In Q and A this month, our experts discuss whether you can live without outboard gear, why you might need a monitor controller, and give an in-depth answer to the perennial question, "How do I get a 'produced' vocal sound?"

After a winter break the podcast is back. Hugh talks about how he's been spending his time looking at various speakers, mic preamps and the Slate Audio Raven multi-touch control surface. Paul talks about some of the gear he's been looking at over the past month, including a new Waves Plug-In and some Prodipe co-axial monitors. In this months Q and A, Paul and Hugh give some in-depth answers to readers questions. "Is it better to record a guitar valve amp via a DI box?" and "Where is it appropriate to use an Omni-directional mic?".

After a winter break the SOS podcast is back. Hugh talks about how he's been spending his time looking at various speakers, mic preamps and the Slate Audio Raven multi-touch control surface. Paul talks about some of the gear he's been looking at over the past month, including a new Waves Plug-In and some Prodipe co-axial monitors. In this months Q and A section, Paul and Hugh give some in-depth answers to readers questions. "Is it better to record a guitar valve amp via a DI box?" and "Where is it appropriate to use an Omni-directional mic?".

Editor In Chief Paul White wonders whether low-cost Apps are distorting the true value of software and what the future holds for professionals users. Reader questions answered this month: * Why are we so concerned about phase on our tracks? * When is my mix properly balanced? * What is the best way to make a speech recording from an acoustically imperfect room?

Editor In Chief Paul White and Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns discuss the pros and cons of using physical hardware control surfaces for your DAW, and tell us some of the highlights from the August issue of Sound On Sound. Reader questions answered this month: * Why do people use Ribbon mics despite them being fragile, expensive and lacking in high-end? * Is it necessary to invest in a heavy-duty mains cable or are the standard moulded cables good enough?

With news from Musikmesse, Editor In Chief Paul White and Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns discuss highlights from the May issue of Sound On Sound, and introduce the new SOS custom cable for beating ground loops. Reader questions answered this month: * Is there any audible difference between a typical audio interface and a high-quality converter? * Does vinyl really sound better than CD? * What do smaller line-arry PA speakers have that big box types don't?

In this month's podcast, Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns and Editor In Chief Paul White pay a visit to previous Mix Rescuee Kate Ockendon (October 2010) to test out various mics to help her find the right one for her voice. In Tech Talk this month, Paul and Hugh continue the microphone theme with a discussion of why female vocalists get artefacts on their vocal recordings. There's also a run-down of the highlights from the April issue of the magazine. Reader questions answered this month include: * Do I need a big guitar amp to create a big guitar sound that sounds impressive in the studio? * What's the difference between algorithmic and convolution reverb, and how do I know which to use? * What's the difference between a condenser and a capacitor mic?

In the post-NAMM show podcast, Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns and Editor In Chief Paul White give the low-down on the inspirational products they saw at Anaheim. There's also an announcement about the SOS iPad App, and discussion of highlights from the March issue of the magazine. In Tech Talk, the pair deliberate on the pros and cons of the recent trend of manufacturers designing hardware for use with the iPad. Reader questions answered this month include: * Why does automatic pitch correction make vocals sound unnatural and even more out of tune? * What's the difference between absorption and diffusion, and how do I use them?

Paul White & Hugh Robjohns keep things short and sweet in this month's podcast, which runs alongside the February issue of the magazine, before they set off for NAMM. With issue highlights and discussion of what they've been up to over the festive break, they've also got time for a few reader questions: * Can intermittent contacts cause deterioration in sound quality? * What's the difference between using a compressor or level automation when keeping vocals level? * My guitar is intermittently picking up TV sound - is this down to my neighbour's hearing aid?

Paul White flies solo for our Christmas podcast, which runs alongside the January 2012 issue of the magazine. We hear about what music projects some of the SOS staff are busy with over the holidays. In Tech Talk, Paul reveals ways to make bass guitar cut through in your mix and answers questions submitted via our Facebook page: * What are the best monitors under 200 Pounds? * What's the best Plug-in for creativity? * How do you get rid of ground loop hum in the monitors?

Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns and Editor In Chief Paul White discuss highlights from the December issue of the magazine, with this month's Studio SOS recipient Olivia Broadfield. Features Editor Sam Inglis gives the low-down on two new plug-in formats: ARA and Avid's ARX. Reader questions this month: * Will iOS apps kill modern synth manufacture? * Which music-editing programs for beginners are available cheaply or free on a PC? * What is clock jitter and why does it matter? * Should I buy a Mac or PC to make my music?

A later podcast than normal that runs alongside the November issue of the magazine, as Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns and Editor In Chief Paul White return from the AES show with updates from the show including Avid Pro Tools 10, and news from companies including Waves, Lynx Technology, Radial and Cloud Mics. Hugh also interviews James Young from Sonic Distribution about the new Egg speakers from Andy Munro, as well as talking to Andy himself. Reader questions answered this month (via Twitter): * Is guitar fret buzz a creative decision? * What's the best way to keep in time with a backing track when playing live?

Editor In Chief Paul White and Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns discuss the latest industry news from Blue Microphones, JoeCo and Universal Audio, introduce highlights from the October issue of the magazine and discuss acoustic problems in Tech Talk. Features Editor Sam Inglis reveals the subtle effect of the Slate VCC plug-in, whilst Reviews Editor Matt Houghton explains that music theory doesn't have to be scary! Reader questions this month: * Do I need a DI box for recording keyboards? * How do digital microphones work? * Can I use a figure-of-8 mic to capture ambience at the back of the room whilst miking the source using a close-cardioid mic?

With highlights from the September issue of the magazine, Editor In Chief Paul White and Technical Editor Hugh Robjohns discuss the latest industry news from Neumann, Electroharmonix and Kontakt. Reader questions this month: * How do I 'dry up' a live-sounding acoustic drumkit recording? * Why can't I use an XLR to jack cable to connect microphones to mixer line inputs? * Can I turn monitoring speakers on their sides or upside down to make room for other desk gear?