Issue No. 107

Dynamics

Model 14B tube compressor

by Locomotive Audio  |  reviewed by Jesse Lauter

The AES Convention is one of the more entertaining and overwhelming events in our little universe of audio. I flew out to Los Angeles for the conference this past October and walked the convention...

EQs, Mic Preamps, Pedals

Colour Box preamp/EQ pedal

by JHS Pedals  |  reviewed by Chris Koltay

The use of effect pedals at the mixing board is by no means a new thing. I remember studio owners thinking I was crazy in the '90s when I patched in a SansAmp Bass Driver DI or BOSS DM-2 Delay pedal...

Dynamics

Tweaker side-chain shaping compressor

by Kush Audio  |  reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

There's gear that does its job in technically proficient and sometimes even colorful ways. In the capable hands of skilled producers and engineers, the gear brings to life the instruments and sounds...

Mic Preamps

CA-286 mic preamp

by Coil Audio  |  reviewed by Brad Williams

21st century perspective reveals that, in many ways, the advancement of recording technology has been chronologically non-linear. Rather than a tidy progression from primitive-to-sophisticated, we...

500 Series, DIY, Signal Processors

Colour 500-series analog saturation platform

by DIY Recording Equipment  |  reviewed by Scott Evans

We roam the frigid, soulless digital landscape, searching in vain for the analog mojo that was once ours. We buy expensive A/D converters, we compress everything, we emulate tape, and sometimes, we...

Recorders

SONAR Platinum

by Cakewalk  |  reviewed by Alan Tubbs

The new SONAR that replaces SONAR X3 will be the last one ever — no more numbered editions according to Cakewalk. But that doesn't mean that this is the last release you'll ever need....

Dynamics

Splice MKII FET compressor

by Serpent Audio  |  reviewed by Dave Cerminara

The Splice MKII is an 1176-style FET compressor in a 2RU-height rackmount chassis. The original Splice, which is no longer available, was a 500-series module. The roomier faceplate of the MKII...

Monitoring

BM6 mkIII active monitor, BM9S II subwoofer

by Dynaudio Professional  |  reviewed by Eli Crews

I've been using a pair of Dynaudio Professional BM6 mkIII monitors for about four months now in my home mixing setup, and I took to them more quickly and confidently than I ever have to any...

Converters, Mic Preamps

ISA 828 8-channel mic preamp

by Focusrite  |  reviewed by Dana Gumbiner

Sometimes you need a hammer. Sometimes you need a Leatherman. Then again, maybe you need eight hammers with a folding torque-wrench attachment plus bottle openers on each. Um. What I'm trying to say...

Media

Electronics Concepts, Labs, & Projects

by Alden Hackmann  |  reviewed by Scott McChane

Just nod your head and pretend like you know what they're talking about. "Of course it's the op amp, not the power supply!" But you really have no idea what they're talking about, do you? If you're...

Signal Processors

H9 Harmonizer

by Eventide  |  reviewed by Andy Hong

At first glance, the H9 Harmonizer can be easily mistaken for a fancy guitar pedal adorned with pretty LEDs. Upon further study, it becomes clear that the H9 is so much more than a stompbox. It's hard...

Media

Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers

by Dennis DeSantis (Ableton)  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

In releasing this hardbound book, the folks at Ableton have continued to highlight their company and product as "the DAW that's different." It's hard to imagine any of the other major players in the...

Reverbs, Signal Processors

Tank Driver 500-series spring reverb interface

by Radial Engineering  |  reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

Prolific inventor Laurens Hammond was granted a patent for the spring reverb in 1939, and in the decades that followed, Hammond incorporated this novel artificial reverberation device in the organs...

Amplifiers, Tools

VT1000 vacuum tube tester

by Orange Amplification  |  reviewed by Steve Silverstein

Several pieces of gear in my studio experienced vacuum tube failures. After I found myself spending money for maintenance and parts, I realized that I would benefit from learning more about tubes and...