Mix magazine reviews the Tascam GigaStudio 3 software sampler. “GigaStudio 3 addresses previous versions’ shortcomings while adding some great new features” such as the GigaPulse convolution reverb. This feature adds a lot of processor overhead, but “even with Giga 2, you could get a lot of mileage out of a single computer loaded with 1.5 to 2 GB of RAM. … Giga 3’s memory access has improved considerably.” A good thing too, because the convolution impulse processor is used extensively: “for example, the new GigaPiano 2 uses impulses instead of piano samples to create the pedal-down and release/staccato resonance effects.” (more…)

Studio Reviews gave a top rating to the Tranzport wireless DAW remote controller — in fact, they gave it their 2005 Product of the Year award. They applaud everything about it — the functionality, responsiveness, build quality, even the customer support on the website forums. They love the way it simplifies everything about the recording process: “All the main controls needed to operate a DAW are at your fingertips, and the kicker is that you can walk around and work with the remote anywhere within about a 10-meter range. Even a simple task like listening back to tracks can now be done from sitting in the back of the room on the studio couch, instead of having to run up and tap on the computer keyboard.” (more…)

How portable can you get? A full-size three-octave keyboard that fits in your pocket. The iSmart “Soft USB MIDI Keyboard Controller” from Taiwanese manufacturer Ta Horng is flexible enough to roll up into a tube, and weighs less than a kilogram. It connects to a computer with USB, which also supplies power. (more…)

Computer Music reviews Cubase SL 3, the “lite” version of Steinberg’s sequencer and music production package. The standout new feature is the Audio Warp, which they say enables powerful timestretching and pitch shifting capabilities. Just like Acid. And it now supports the Acid file format. Interesting. (more…)

The August issue of Computer Music reviews the TranzPort, the wireless DAW controller from the Frontier Design Group. They give a good review, starting right at the beginning: “It’s an attractive piece of kit and looks worth the asking price.” They note that it’s a sturdy device, too. (more…)

PC Plus reviews Nuendo 3, Steinberg’s high-end music media production application. I was never really clear on the difference between Nuendo and Cubase, but now I know the main difference: price. Nuendo is very expensive. In fact, it’s out of the Laptop Studio league. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to find out what all that extra cash buys you. (more…)

VideoSystems review Acid Pro 5: “if you are looking for some cool new features that will make you think about using the program in new ways, then Acid Pro 5 dishes up some interesting surprises.” One such surprise is Groove Mapping, which looks to be their favourite new feature. With Groove Mapping, you can alter the “feel” of a track, rather than just the pitch or tempo. It works by automatically making tiny adjustments to the tempo all the way through a track or song, based on another track. So you can create a straight 4/4 song, and quickly use Groove Mapping to give it “the live sway of jazz or the immediate kerbump of hip hop”. Very nice. (more…)

Remix magazine reviews Cakewalk Project5 Version 2. They say, “this latest incarnation of Project5 is designed to be a complete recording, composition and performance platform that will work right out of the box with essentially infinite expansion possibilities.” The review runs through the features of this program and says that Project5 is excellent: it’s intuitive and easy to use, yet it’s very powerful and sounds great. (more…)

PC Plus reviews Propellerhead Reason 3 and rate it as an excellent 87%. “Still the king of the softsynths, this is a package to be reckoned with.” They note the new Combinator, which allows instruments to be combined into, well, a combination. They also mention the new mastering tools and the improved hardware controller support. They have some issues with the sequencer (who doesn’t?) and the sound quality, as well at the unique “rack” interface, but they don’t consider them to be showstoppers. Reliability is still very good. (more…)

Do I really need to explain why I’m writing about this? The Big Knob is a controller from Mackie that features, well, a big knob. It looks more geared to the pro user that to people like me, but I want one anyway just so I can invite people over to my house to see my Big Knob. Oh, the hilarity. (more…)