No input mixing is a boutique synthesis technique used by sound designers usually armed with only a mixer and some cables. It offers an exploratory approach focused on the creative control of noise and feedback. If interested in new frontiers of sonic exploration, this is a sound design area worthy of your notice. Mobile synth […]
Review: PolyKB III Offers Synthheads a Top-Shelf Analog Synth Plugin
September 17, 2023 by
XILS-Lab deserves its reputation as one of the best software synth makers in the industry. They remain a favorite of TabMuse, as evidenced by our previous reviews of XILS 4, PolyM, KaoX, and XILS 505. The XILS team’s analog synth plugin, PolyKB III, provides another winner, with a top-shelf emulation of the legendary RSF PolyKobol […]
Church of Hed: The Father Road – Recording Notes (Side 4)
June 28, 2023 by
Here’s Side 4 of the studio production notes for the 2022 Church of Hed album, The Father Road. On this installment, we dive into the recording of this Lincoln Highway aural travelogue from the mountains of Western Pennsylvania to its ending at Times Square and sea beyond. The prologue of this series analyzes our studio […]
Church of Hed: The Father Road – Recording Notes (Side 3)
May 21, 2023 by
Side 3 of the studio production notes for the 2022 Church of Hed album, The Father Road, covers the recording of this aural travelogue from Western Illinois to the Appalachian range. Check out the prologue, where we analyze our studio setup, recording approach, and the hardware and software used on the album. The prologue also […]
Church of Hed: The Father Road – Recording Notes (Side 2)
April 4, 2023 by
Here’s Side 2 of the studio production notes for the 2022 Church of Hed album, The Father Road, an aural travelogue tracing the Lincoln Highway from San Francisco to New York City. Check out the prologue, where we cover the studio setup, our recording philosophy, as well as the hardware and software gear used for […]
Church of Hed: The Father Road – Recording Notes (Side 1)
March 2, 2023 by
Welcome to Side 1 of the studio production notes for the 2022 Church of Hed album, The Father Road. Check out the prologue, where we cover the studio setup, our recording philosophy, as well as the hardware and software gear used on the album. The prologue also includes background information on the entire Rivers of […]
Church of Hed: The Father Road – Recording Notes (Prologue)
January 10, 2023 by
This series of articles covers the recording of Church of Hed’s 2022 release, The Father Road. Consider it to a type of diary, but one with a backwards point of view. Most of the studio activity remains fresh in my mind, hopefully making it easier to glean meaningful insights on the techniques and tools we […]
Review: XILS-Lab KaoX Merges FM and Analog Synthesis With Chaos
December 2, 2021 by
The sonic masters at XILS-Lab recently crafted another unique software synth, this time combining FM and analog synthesis. Somewhat modeled after the Yamaha GS-1, the predecessor to the DX7, KaoX also leverages virtual analog and chaotic oscillators to greatly expand its sonic depth. Its range of sounds is stunning, taking FM synthesis to an entirely […]
Review: AAS has a Modular Synth Winner With Multiphonics CV-1
August 20, 2021 by
The software realm boasts multiple modular synth apps and plugins for both the iOS and desktop platforms. We previously covered miRack and Audulus on iOS; I experimented with other plugins for the desktop as well. The Moog Modular (Arturia version) and Model 15 definitely stand out on PC and mobile respectively. When I heard Applied […]
Review: MDrummer by MeldaProduction is a Preeminent Drum Plugin
March 9, 2021 by
The Czech company, MeldaProduction, continues to garner praise among musicians and producers for their excellent plugin line. It’s a collection of instruments and effects including both paid plugins as well as many free options. We recently enjoyed the opportunity to review their MDrummer, a drumming environment with excellent sound quality and cool functionality. It was […]
