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IN-DEPTH REVIEWSl
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Behringer Deepmind 12
ROOSEVELT
BREAKS DOWN
WAIT UP
Arturia MiniLab 2, Korg Volca Kick and more!
Issue 316
Making the future since 1992
T h e u lt i m at e g u i d e to
ATMOSPHERE AMBIENCE Sculpt masterful sonic backdrops and mind-blowing atmospheres! Plus: Create amazing evolving instruments with our ambient synth masterclass
Thievery Corporation The studio secrets of the DC Downtempo icons
Moiré
The enigmatic London producer talks No Future
Clap! Clap!
Percussion, polyrhythms and producing Paul Simon
Delay Round-Up
Five top software delays on the FM test bench
Bitwig Studio 2
Get the full FM verdict on this killer DAW update
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FM | WELCOME
Editor Si Truss, simon.truss@futurenet.com Reviews Editor/Online Content Manager Simon Arblaster, simon.arblaster@futurenet.com Art Editor Phil Cheesbrough, philip.cheesbrough@futurenet.com BIG THANKS TO… Catherine Hood, Jono Buchanan, Dan ‘JD73’ Goldman, Hamish Mackintosh, Danny Turner, Tom Jones, Tim Cant, Roy Spencer, Ben Wilson, Philip Wise, Stuart Bruce, Bruce Aisher, John Shore, Joseph Branston, Joby Sessions, Mark Gyver, Oli Bell, Robbie Stamp, Adam Lee ADVERTISING For Ad enquiries please contact: Leon Stephens, leon.stephens@futurenet.com MARKETING Group Marketing Manager: Laura Driffield Marketing Manager: Kristianne Stanton PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Production Controller: Fran Twentyman Production Manager: Mark Constance Printed in the UK by: William Gibbons & Sons Ltd on behalf of Future Distributed in the UK by: Marketforce (UK), 2nd Floor, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU CIRCULATION Trade Marketing Manager: Michelle Brock Tel: + 44 (0)207 429 3683 SUBSCRIPTIONS UK reader order line & enquiries: 0844 848 2852 Overseas reader order line & enquiries: +44 (0)1604 251045 Online enquiries: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Email: futuremusic@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk LICENSING Senior Licensing & Syndication Manager: Matt Ellis matt.ellis@futurenet.com Tel: +44 (0)1225 442244 MANAGEMENT Managing Director, Magazines Division: Aaron Asadi Editorial Director, Film, Music & Technology: Paul Newman Group Editor-In-Chief: Daniel Griffiths Group Art Director: Graham Dalzell
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Atmospheric pressure
When working creatively in the studio, our natural impulse is to focus on the biggest, most prominent sounds. But while hooks, leads and beats are obviously important, a huge amount of any production’s character comes from those elements you don’t instantly notice – the ghost notes, the evolving textures, the sense of space. That’s what we’re focusing on in this issue’s two-part cover feature. First up, on page 24, we’ll show you how to add space and texture to your tracks with our massive backdrops and atmospheres masterclass. Then, in this issue’s Producer’s Guide on page 45, we’re breaking down some classic ambient, evolving synth sounds which are guaranteed to add texture to even the most static track. Whether you want to go ‘full Eno’ and create your own Ambient masterpiece, or add some extra texture to your latest main room banger, we’ll help you finesse those atmospheric details. Don’t forget to download this issue’s video, audio and tutorial files for even more to get your teeth into. Grab them from http://vault.futuremusic.co.uk We hope you enjoy the issue!
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5
Contents | This Issue
FM | CONTENTS
36
IN THE STUDIO WITH: Thievery Corporation Over 20 years since they started, Thievery Corporation are still going strong making their sumptuous blend of Worldbeat and Downtempoflavoured Dub. We chat to Eric Hilton about new album, The Temple Of I & I
6
This Issue | Contents
80 92
88 94
58
INTERVIEW: Moiré We meet up with the London-based producer to chat about his new LP No Future
reviews
66
In-depth tests of all the latest gear INCLUDES AUDIOl
72 Behringer DeepMind 12 76 Bitwig Studio 2.0 80 Arturia MiniLab MkII
TECHNIQUE
INCLUDES AUDIOl
Essential production advice and ideas
84 Korg Volca Kick 88 Round-Up: Delay Plug-Ins 90 Waldorf DVCA1 92 Head-To-Head: Compact Digital Mixers 94 Soulsby Oscitron 96 Audio-Technica ATH-E70 98 Sounds & Samples
24
72
INCLUDES VIDEOl
REVIEW: Behringer DeepMind 12 After all the teasers, the much-anticipated Behringer synth is here. How does it shape up?
96 90
Atmosphere & Ambience Add texture and depth
45
INCLUDES VIDEOl
Producer’s Guide Creating Ambient synth sounds
66
INCLUDES VIDEOl
Modular Monthly Expressive drums with Entity from SSF 7
Contents The Vault | This YourIssue Bonus Content
FM | online vault
On the FM Vault vault.futuremusic.co.uk Future Music has outgrown its covermount DVD! We wanted to bring you more samples, sounds and high-quality video than ever before, so we’re putting it up online for you to download. Simply head to the FM ‘Vault’ at the link above, login/ register, then hit ‘add a magazine’ to register this issue and get all the video, audio and samples.
Sample Packs
Exclusive new sounds with every issue groove criminals present…
Destroyed Synths
512
classic synth hits and loops, each crushed, overdriven and distorted out of all recognition for quality grittiness!
VIDEO & AUDIO
Hear the gear first with our demos On VIDEO
Audio demos
> Atmosphere & Ambience > Modular Monthly: SSF Entity > The Track: Roosevelt
> Behringer DeepMind 12 > Korg Volca Kick
cyclick samples present…
Funk Keys
279
Funk-stuffed loops and lines that capture the synth, organ and key sounds of classic ’70s hits.
PLUS
ACCESS THE FM SAMPLE ARCHIVE!
Download the ‘Sample Archive’ packs and get over 8GB of loops, hits and instruments from our back catalogue of high-quality and royalty-free samples. From vintage synths and beats to esoteric sounds and FX – think of it as our best of. All the samples you need to create great music!
8
52 INCLUDES VIDEOl
THE TRACK: Roosevelt, Wait Up. Marius Lauber talks us through the creation of his ’70s-influenced album opener
This Issue | Contents
24
FEATURE: Atmosphere & Ambience Learn how to add texture and depth to your tracks with our backdrops and atmospheres masterclass
68
INTERVIEW: Clap! Clap! We catch up with the inventive producer and talk about his unique sound, the new album and working with Paul Simon
15 14 14 16
features
Expert tips, techniques and tutorials 16 Classic Album: Machinedrum, Now You Know 22 Album Reviews 24 Feature: Atmosphere & Ambience
36
14
In The Studio With: Thievery Corporation
45 Producer’s Guide 58 Interview: Moiré 66 Modular Monthly 68 Interview: Clap! Clap!
FILTER
Find us online at www.futuremusic.co.uk
Watch our videos www.youtube.com/ futuremusicmagazine
All the latest gear from around the world 12 Maschine 2.6 14 Spitfire LCO Strings
Follow us on Twitter @futuremusicmag
14 Synth Tech E370
100 Advice
15 Talking Shop: London Modular Alliance
104 Gear Guide
20 Subscribe to FM
Join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ futuremusicmagazine 9
Contents | This Issue
BONUS samples
See this month’s selection of free demos at vault.futuremusic.co.uk
01 02 03 04
05 06 https://splice.com 01
07
08
www.loopmasters.com 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08
Loopmasters Presents Vibe Series: Soul Allnighter Loopmasters Pres String Rhapsody UNDRGRND Basement Jams Famous Audio Presents Experimental DnB Loopmasters Pres Organic Electronics Volume 2 Loopmasters Pres Riya: Vocal Acapellas Samplestate Pres Techno Tools Organic Loops Pres Bill King: Funk & Soul Keys
10
Splice Sounds Neon FSTVL
01
Filter | The Future Of Music
FM | FILTER
highlights… 14 Spitfire LCO Strings
12
14 Synth Tech E370
15 Talking Shop:London Modular Alliance
16 Classic Album: Machinedrum, Now You Know