So yeah, people make hit records using GarageBand loops, obviously...

Check out the WAV file below to hear a slowed down version of one of Apple's GarageBand loops. Is it just us or does it sound exactly like the drum loop from Rihanna's huge hit Umbrella? Check out the YouTube link and the WAV download to compare and let us know what you think.



WAV file here or alternatively find 'Vintage Funk Kit 03' and slow it to around 88bpm if you're a GarageBand user.

$14,999 well spent

Looks like I'm going to have to see another opportunity to buy a CS-80 slip by. One day... Do you think this will go at that price? I know they're heavily sought after, but $15k (aprox. £7,500)? Good luck explaining that to your other half...

If you're seriously considering, or know someone who might consider buying this, please let us know! I'd like to get to know them...

At the NAMM show in America recently we were taken aback by Spectrasonics new Omnisphere softsynth. If you thought their Atmosphere was incredible, be prepared to be taken to a whole new level of (frankly bizarre) sonic possibility. Key to its power is...

Daniel Griffiths - Editor



"It's really boring but I really want a dedicated desktop studio machine so I don't have to use my laptop as a jack of all trades. I guess the Mac Pro would be the one, but then they're a bit over £1000 aren't they? So maybe I'll fill up the MacBook with Arturia's V-Collection and maybe hook up the Virus Snow...?"

Chris Barker - Reviews & Features Editor



"I'm torn between spending it wisely on the stuff I need such as studio furniture, cables, and a new computer monitor with blowing the wad on stuff that makes noises. I'd probably get a Roland JP8080 from eBay for around £350, a Novation Remote Zero and hopefully squeeze the budget enough to have change for a Yamaha Tenori-on!"

Declan McGlynn - Production Assistant



"Oh man, I'd get loads of stuff. Definately a Yamaha TX7, a DrumTraks, something that sounds like a Jupiter 8 and that Russian keytar (Formanta MINI above*) from eBay! That's probably more than £1000 though...

Will Seelig - DVD Editor



"Ah, easy! I'd love a Rhodes, ideally the newly re-released one as they are bloody amazing. But, as it's a bit over the £1000 budget I'll happily settle for an mkII or something from eBay."

Forums all over the net have been alight with the links to our DVD footage, so we thought we'd collate them all up here in their rightful FM home!

Check out next month's issue to see Steve Mac touring us around his Brighton studio, plus the following month we'll be in the studio with House Music superstar Ian Carey! Phew, and we ain't slowing down anytime soon! Let us know who else you'd like to see in these videos in the comments box!



Hybrid



Coburn



Stonebridge





Freemasons





Steve Angello



D.Ramirez

Anyone else think that low 'Synthesizer Patellllll' sounds pretty awesome?

We've just shipped our latest issue to the printers (in shops on the 15th Feb 2008) and thought we'd take a few moments to catch up with you blogwise. It's been a while since we last blogged as there's been plenty of technical behind the scenes changes...

RZA talking to Kotorimag about how he invested in the technology used in Final Scratch and Serato but was muscled out of the idea. Pretty interesting, but if you have an idea like that, patent it! Still, he seems to be telling the truth, because he doesn't blink at all...

With it seemingly being update season, Ableton have added to the already hefty list of DAW updates with the release of Live 7. Although there has been no confirmed release date (except Q4 of this year) the Beta release today has given some heavily anticipated insight into the 7's features, including:

- The regular audio engine update (64-bit mix summing, POW-r dithering and optimised sample rate conversion)

- Finally side-chaining, not only in compression, but for Auto Filter and Gate too!



- A new Spectrum analyser



- Warped and unwarped video rendering



- Subtle sexy updates to GUI, it's the little things...



- New instruments including Drum Rack - A combination of Impulse and Instrument Rack making it much easier to edit individual hits without complex routing



- Other new instruments include: Tension, Electric, Analog, Sessions Drums, Orchestral Strings, Brass, Woodwinds and Percussions and Essential Instruments Vol 2.

If you buy Live 6 anytime between now and 1st Jan 2008, you can upgrade to Live 7 for free (which implies we won't be seeing an official release for at least a couple of months). Anyone else, it'll cost €419 for the download version and €499 for the boxed version (which includes the Essential Instruments Vol 2 package).



Keep your eyes on Future Music for a more in depth report and review coming soon...

With it being really bloody difficult to get your hands on some of the new kit flying around at the minute, without actually buying it, Korg are heading out on a nationwide tour, showcasing all their newest products, including the M3, the R3, the Zero mixers, the M3 Recorders and some older gear including the Radius, MicroX, X50 and the KP3.

There'll be a 75-minute demonstration followed by a Q&A session so if you're interested in getting the lowdown on Korgs new additions, and maybe even get some hands-on action with them, check out the dates and times below...

30/09 Sounds of Frome - The Cheese & Grain Frome – 11.00am-5pm Tel: 01373 462083

09/10 Sound Control, Sheffield East- 7.30pm Tel 0114 264 0000

12/10 Digital Village, Clapham - 10am-6pm Contact: www.dv247.com NEW STORE OPENING

23/10 Sound Control, Leeds, City 7.30pm Tel: 0113 242 6601 - STORE RE-LAUNCH

24/10 Bonners, Eastbourne 7.30pm Tel: 01323 639335

26/10 PMT, Birmingham ALL DAY WORKSHOP 11am-5pm Tel: 0121 359 5056

27/10 PMT, Birmingham 12.00 & 4pm Tel: 0121 359 5056

8/11 Dolphin, Music, Gateshead Tel: 0121 359 5056

7pm 10/11 Dawsons, Reading 2pm Tel: 0118 958 1320 15/11

Dawsons, Liverpool 2pm Tel: 0151 709 1455 20/11

Sound Control, Hull 7.30pm Tel 01482 497 350 22/11

Sound Control. Birmingham 7.30pm Tel 0121 248 5868 23/11

Sound Control. Birmingham ALL DAY WORKSHOP 10.30AM-3.30pm Tel 0121 248 5868 27/11

Sound Control, Bristol 7.30pm Tel (0117) 934 9955

28/11 Sound Control, Stockton 7.30pm Tel 0164 267 1222

29/11 Sound Control, Glasgow City 7.30pm Tel: 0141 204 0322

30/11 Sound Control, Glasgow, City – ALL DAY WORKSHOP

10.30am-3.30pm 04/12 Sound Control, Southampton 7.30pm Tel: 02380 829 189



Korg UK