RECORDING MAGAZINE JANUARY www.twitter.com/recordingmag REVIEWS 26 Apogee Electronics GiO. A guitar interface for your Mac it really doesn’t get any simpler than this. Also: a quick look at new features in Apple GarageBand ’09. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY FEATURES 8 2009 AES Convention Report. Lots of new products from the show floor in New York. REPORT BY MIKE METLAY 20 28 Reviewed & Revisited: Apple Logic Pro 9. New features and new content highlight the latest version of this well-liked DAW.REVIEW BY BOB EMMET The Hybrid Guitar Recording Method—A Modern Way of Tracking Serious Tones, Part 2. In our November 2009 issue we introduced the principles behind this method of combining real guitar amps with cabinet emulation plug-ins, and talked about amp and load hardware. Now it’s the software’s turn to shine. BY FERNANDO CURIEL Reviewed & Revisited: Phonic Helix Board 24 Universal. A full-on analog console and computer interface that speaks FireWire and USB 2.0. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY Recording’s Guitar Column. The preamp you choose has a tremendous effect on your recorded guitar tone—just ask Zakk Wylde, Neal Schon, and James Ryan. We did. BY BRIAN TARQUIN Zoom G9.2tt. A guitar multieffects processor with tons of realtime control and two real tubes. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY Once Over—Reviews in Brief. Furman Classic Series Power Conditioners; Empress Tremolo Plug-in; Keith McMillen BattO-Meter; Peavey MSDI; ThinkGeek Electronic Guitar Shirt; Dark Side Of The Tune Queen’s English. REVIEWS BY MIKE METLAY, PAUL VNUK JR., AND FERNANDO CURIEL REGULARS 2 6 36 64 Fade In. Talkback. Readers’ Tapes. BY MARTY PETERS 52 Line 6 POD X3 Live. Heavy-duty digital modeling and extensive interfacing in this guitar effects pedalboard. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY AND FERNANDO CURIEL Fade Out. Hype: An Engineer’s Perspective. GUEST EDITORIAL BY SCOTT DORSEY M-Audio Axiom Pro 49. An intelligent USB keyboard controller that helps you make tough setup decisions. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY Advertiser Index. INTERVIEWS 16 Steve Vai. The world-famous guitarist is also a recording geek, and shares his thoughts in this in-depth interview. INTERVIEW BY FERNANDO CURIEL COVER DESIGN BY SCOTT SIMMONDShttp://www.twitter.com/recordingmag