Steinberg Cubase Essential
Need the features of a world-class music-production package but not the expense? Hollin Jones gets down to the Essentials...

Digidesign Pro Tools 7.4
The latest version of Pro Tools brings the flexibility recording musicians have yearned for. Mark Cousins tries it out...

MOTU MachFive 2
MOTU has upped the ante with its updated Universal Sampler, MachFive 2. Keith Gemmell breaks the sound barrier...

Steinberg Cubase 4.1
The latest updates to Cubase have been packed with new features, so is 4.1 any different? Hollin Jones digs deep...

Cakewalk Sonar 7
The latest revision of Cakewalk’s flagship sequencer is here, but will it sink or swim? Hollin Jones dives deep with the much-anticipated Sonar 7...

Ableton Live 7
With new features geared towards studio tasks, is version 7 of Ableton’s traditionally performance-centric Live moving into new territory? Jon Margulies finds out...

Steinberg WaveLab Essential 6

Native Instruments Kontakt 3
Bursting at the seams with sound content and sporting an improved user interface, Native Instruments’ Kontakt is in its third revision. Mark Cousins makes contact...

Apple Logic Studio
The next incarnation of Apple’s DAW has been eagerly awaited – and a significant drop in price will doubtless broaden its appeal. Mark Cousins gets logical...

Propellerhead Reason 4
Propellerhead’s flagship sequencer has had a major upgrade, but will the latest version give you Reason to be cheerful? Hollin Jones finds out...

Sony Sound Forge 9
Audio editing is one of the most fundamental aspects of producing music, so how does Sony Sound Forge 9 stack up against the competition? Hollin Jones smelts sound...

Steinberg Sequel
If you want to get into computer-based music but don’t have the time to get to grips with a full-blown DAW, Sequel might be the answer. Hollin Jones asks the questions...

Akai MPC500
We’d all like to be able to produce music on the move, but can it be done without a laptop? AKAI thinks so, as Hollin Jones finds out when he road tests the MPC500...

Image-Line FL Studio 7
The product of more than nine years of development, is FL Studio 7 set to become the most flexible virtual-music studio tool in the industry? JoE Silva stays in the loop...

Cakewalk Sonar 6 Producer Edition
The latest version of Cakewalk’s flagship production software promises to open up new depths of musical possibility, but will it sink or swim? Hollin Jones dives into Sonar 6...

Native Instruments Absynth 4
Designing sound can be a tricky business, but Native Instruments’ Absynth aims to make it easier. Hollin Jones finds out what the latest version has to offer.

Steinberg Cubase 4
The world’s favourite sequencer gets a major overhaul and a raft of new features, but what else lies within? Hollin Jones uncovers the secrets of Cubase 4...

Ableton Live 6
Now firmly established as the tool of choice for performing computer musicians, Live 6 looks set to move into DAW territory. Ken Hikaru finds out what’s new...

Cakewalk Kinetic 2
Cakewalk’s all-in-one production tool has undergone a re-fit. JoE Silva finds out what’s changed under the hood.

Mark Of The Unicorn Digital Performer 5
MOTU’s award-winning software sequencer has undergone a major upgrade and now boasts half a dozen new virtual instruments. Keith Gemmell inspects his six-pack...

Sony ACID Pro 6
ACID, the original loop-based arrangement tool, has been overhauled, gaining audio and MIDI recording capabilities. Mark Cousins takes a trip with ACID Pro 6...

Native Instruments Kore
Will Native Instruments’ new universal sound platform change the way you work with software instruments and effects? Mike Hillier digs in to find out...

Image Line Software FL Studio 6
Image-Line’s latest version of its popular FL Studio package offers devotees more than ever as it continues to encroach on the big DAWs’ domain. JoE Silva finds out what’s new.

Digidesign Pro Tools 7 LE
Pro Tools, the original DAW par excellence, appears in its seventh incarnation. Mark Cousins finds out what the latest version has to offer.

Fervent Software Studio To Go!
Ready for a new concept in software studios? Hollin Jones explores a potential revolution in portable music-making...

Cakewalk Sonar 5 Producer Edition
Cakewalk’s latest version of its popular sequencer takes music production up to the heady heights of 64-bit processing. Hollin Jones checks out Sonar 5.

Steinberg Studio Case II
Can Steinberg’s updated music-production collection be all things to all men? Mike Hillier is on the case.

Ableton Live 5
The all-in-one production and performance phenomenon reaches the fab Five. Markkus Rovito takes a break from warping to tell you all about it.

Mackie Tracktion 2
Mackie’s youthful single-screen music-production suite gets a second coming. Simon Gershon is on hand to welcome its arrival.

Digidesign Pro Tools M-Powered
Pro Tools is the professionals’ first choice when it comes to DAW software, but you used to need Digidesign hardware to run it. That’s now changed, as George Shilling discovers.

Steinberg Nuendo 3
Steinberg’s pro-level post-production package gets another makeover. Simon Gershon explores some of the new tools and features lurking under Nuendo’s hood.

MOTU Digital Perormer 4.5
MOTU’s Digital Performer gets yet another makeover, but will the updated US favourite win the European song contest? Bob Dormon tracks the changes.

Apple Garageband 2
Apple’s fabulously easy-to-use GarageBand continues to mature, but does that mean complex new features and a new interface? Mike Hillier explores the learning curve.

Propellerhead Software Reason 3.0
The long-awaited new version of Propellerhead’s revered sequencer is here. Hollin Jones gets intimate with Reason 3.0...

Apple Logic Express 7
Logic Express 7 has many of the features found in Logic Pro 7 – and it’s significantly cheaper, too. Mark Cousins grapples with a new definition of the word ‘lite’.

Image Line Software FL Studio 5 XXL
Version 5 of this stalwart sequencer boasts a wealth of new features and a new GUI. Alistair Lindsay finds out what’s beneath its skin...

Sony Acid Pro 5
Can Sony’s latest version of Acid Pro cut the mustard, or will it cause acid indigestion? Alistair Lindsay dives in.

Apple Logic Pro 7
With over 100 improvements, Logic Pro 7 takes a big step into its next generation. Mark Cousins investigates whether seven will be Apple’s lucky number...

Cakewalk Sonar 4 Producer Edition
Cakewalk extends the appeal of Sonar with a fourth version that includes some exciting new features. Pete Crisp lifts the lid on the Producer Edition.

Steinberg Cubase SX3
Steinberg’s flagship sequencer gets a makeover and a host of new features. Hollin Jones prepares to be amazed....

Ableton Live 4
Ableton adds MIDI sequencing and a host of new features to its premier sequencing package as Live gets a significant update. Martin Delany gets stuck in...

Cakewalk Kinetic
Cakewalk’s new groove sequencer is heavy on electronic sounds. Hollin Jones gets moving…

Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro 3
Guitar Tracks Pro takes a step up with some help from its big brother, Sonar. ‘Axe hero’ Pete Crisp discovers an easier way of making music…

Steinberg Cubase System|4
Steinberg joins the fray and puts out its own audio interface, bundled with flagship sequencer Cubase. Hollin Jones finds out how the System works…

Adobe Audition 1.5
Cool Edit Pro is no more, but the package has been rescued and re-branded by Adobe. Hollin Jones finds out if it he can pass the Audition…

Emagic Logic Pro
Emagic’s Logic Pro integrates the full Logic suite into one package for the first time. Hollin Jones finds out what you get for your money…

Apple GarageBand
This package from Apple transforms your Mac into an easy-to-use recording studio. Keith Gemmell asks whether this marks the end of complex sequencing packages.

Ableton Live 3
Ableton Live has generated a lot of excitement among both musicians and DJs, but will version 3 extend its user base even further? Bob Dormon finds out…

Steinberg Cubase SX 2.0
Cubase SX 2.0 looks sexier than ever and boasts over 100 new features – but haven’t we seen some of them before? Keith Gemmell falls in love, again…

Dorling Kindersley The Hit Kit
Emagic and a big-name producer have joined forces. Dan Goldstein determines the implications...

Cakewalk Sonar 3 Producer
Cakewalk’s flagship soft studio takes on a new name, new look and a fair few new toys. Pete Crisp takes his turn at the helm.

Apple Final Cut Pro 4
Version 4 of Apple’s flagship video editing application includes a suite of tools offering a real treat for audiophiles. Bob Dormon makes the connections...

Making Waves Audio Making Waves Studio 4.8
Some people believe that Making Waves is one of the most accessible sequencer packages available – particularly for beginners. Daniel Duffell is beginning to agree…

Steinberg Nuendo 2.0
Steinberg’s Nuendo has a new front end owed, in part, to cross-pollination with Cubase SX. Bob Dormon checks the hive to see if Nuendo 2.0 is still the queen bee…

Propellerhead Software Reason 2.5
Propellerhead has managed to stuff six new devices into this latest version of its flagship sequencer. Pete Crisp spends some time on a virtual rack...

MOTU Digital Performer 4
Mark of the Unicorn’s professional, Mac-only sequencer comes of age with OSX. Bob Dormon takes version four to the floor...

Sibelius G7
Guitarists have traditionally been a little slow when it comes to reading and writing music. Mark Jenkins discovers how G7 can help even up the score…

Cakewalk Project5
Cakewalk jumps head first into the all-in-one softsynth studio fray with their new offering, Project5. What does it bring to the party, and how does it fare against the competition? Ben Gerrold takes a look…