How To Survive Live

This month, we address the practicalities of working in a less than ideal live venue.

Keyboard Mixer/Cassette Recorder

Stage Monitoring

A practical look at on-stage monitoring for small and awkward gigs.

The Master Section

This month we scrutinise the master section of a typical multitrack mixing console and ponder the meaning of PFL, talkback and that small grey button that goes "neep neep".

Drawmer 1960 Dual Valve Compressor

Valves and chips combine to produce a compressor that is flexible, flattering and very friendly. But then it's built in Yorkshire, so it should be.

Drums and Percussion

Nowhere is the correct use of reverb more important than in the treatment of drum and percussion sounds. We reveal all — and we tell you a bit about reverb too.

Marshall JMP1 Valve MIDI Guitar Preamp

MIDI, metal mayhem and the Marshall logo add up to an impressive package. We find out whether it justifies its price tag.

Digital Multi-Effects Unit

Digital 8-Track Recorder

Analogue tape, digital tape or hard disk? All have strengths and weaknesses, some of which are more obvious than others; this comprehensive overview unscrews the inscrutable.

What's to know? You just wipe the rust off the strings, plug it into the desk and bob's your uncle. Don't you? Er... not quite.

Insert Points & Aux Sends

Last minute bargains: Guided tour around typical multitrack desk, stopping at all notable features. Bed, breakfast and evening meal not provided.

Groove Tubes MD1 & MD2 Tube Microphones

They're Groovy, they're Tubey, they're born in the USA and they glow in the dark. Bring a little warmth into your life.

To All RM Readers

Shure Beta Green

Rumour has it that the BG prefix on this complete new range from Shure stands for Bloody Good. Our reviewer thinks so.

If you're swamped in hiss, then you may need this — the full SP on gates and their uses. But listen carefully: I may be asking questions.

Two of the industry's brightest names cast their minds back and reminisce to RM about the birth of the PA system.

Wilmslow Audio SPL1 Near-Field Monitor Kit

DIY-type nightmare, mates. Will it fall apart the first time you put a vase full of daffs on it? No way — this item is positively kit-tabulous!

Lexicon Alex Digital Effects Processor

LA Audio 4X4 Compressor

If your vocalist is up and down like a fiddler's elbow, this classy compressor might be just what the engineer ordered...