Audio > Features

With an exotic OLED display, baby-simple controls, good sound, and an attractive price, the Marantz PMD620 aims to stand out in the crowded world of portable digital audio recorders. How well does it perform? Mark Nelson frails a gourd banjo to find out.

tags: audio recording, hardware, mp3 player, review

Audio > Features

To celebrate his 200th blog entry, O'Reilly Digital Audio Editor David Battino shares the sounds behind the stories. Hear how a bad pianist inspired the first computer music program, the surprising benefits of high-resolution distortion, and sneaky uses of voice recorders.

tags: computer music, digital music, podcast, synthesizers

Audio > Features

Jochen Wolters scours the world's biggest musical instrument trade show and finds magical software, exotic synths, handheld recorders, and exceptional performers.

tags: music technology, hardware, digital music, event

Audio > Features

Last year, O'Reilly Digital Media's David Battino got an amazing gig: the chance to compose and record the theme music for Intel's internal podcast on Open Source developments. With some slick music software and the freedom to explore endless musical ideas, he wandered into several hilarious dead ends before remembering some great advice and finding his voice.

tags: podcast, audio recording, audio production, audio editing

Audio > Features

To hear the future of audio, listen to video games. Interactive Audio expert Kurt Heiden did just that at the Game Developers Conference. He brings you what the experts at GDC 2008 had to say about the state of audio in games, and then dives into some of the technology advancements that are changing the interactive audio landscape.

tags: computer music, conference, games

Audio > Features

Part of the joy of playing electronic musical instruments is exploring the unique banks of sounds inside. This month, we speak again with Francis Preve, a Top 10 remixer who also works as the principal sound designer for Ableton and a consulting sound designer for Korg. Hear how he creates the sounds behind the hits.

tags: ableton, audio production, korg, synthesizers

Audio > Features

We're back from NAMM 2008 with even more intriguing new gadgets and gear. Once again, the throbbing halls of America's biggest musical instrument trade show introduced a torrent of high-tech goodness. From a $99 Steinway to a truly killer guitar, from audible notation to singing keys, here's what you'll be playing this year.

tags: audio production, event, industry, music

Audio > Features

America's biggest musical instrument show debuted more high-tech wonders than ever this year. O'Reilly Digital Media prowled NAMM's five massive, noisy halls to bring back these high-tech hits.

tags: audio production, event, industry, music

Audio > Features

Sony's newest digital audio recorder boasts many of the exotic features of the flagship PCM-D1 for a third of the price. Once again, guitarist Mark Nelson renews his quest for the perfect handheld recorder — and it looks like the sixth time may be the charm.

tags: audio recording, mp3, review, sony

Audio > Features

Francis Preve produced six Billboard Top 10 remixes last year alone, but he graciously found time to share his insights and techniques. Hear the Preve magic in before-and-after musical examples and learn how he turned a shockingly small pile of gear into a production powerhouse.

tags: audio mixing, audio production, audio recording, podcast