Issue No. 113

Consoles/Summing

32cs channel strip

by Harrison Consoles  |  reviewed by Kirt Shearer

I remember the first time I saw a Harrison 3232 console when I was a young engineer visiting Southern California. At that point, I didn't have much experience on a large-format analog console. That...

Dynamics

Stretch 500-series dynamics processor

by Standard Audio  |  reviewed by Eli Crews

Standard Audio caught my attention around six years ago when I reviewed the amazing Level-Or [Tape Op #78]. With the Stretch, Standard again took the DNA of some hard-to- come-by vintage gear and...

Media

Audio Mastering: Essential Practices (book)

by Jonathan Wyner  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

When it comes to mastering, people often ask, "What goes on?" While many have a general idea, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the process. While I heartily recommend Bob Katz's Mastering...

Accessories, Wiring

Vari-Cap instrument cable

by UnderToneAudio  |  reviewed by Dana Gumbiner

It's almost annoying. This is the second UnderToneAudio product I've had my hands (and ears) on, and the second to become immediately indispensable to my recording setup. However, to be honest, I...

Acoustics

Tri-Trap corner & 244 FlexRange bass traps

by GIK Acoustics  |  reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

I recently moved to a new location to have a dedicated mix space. I came across a spot that was so beautifully Seattle in its setting that I wanted to — no, had to — make it work. The room...

Microphones

MBNM 440 & MBNM 410 small-diaphragm condenser mics

by MBHO  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

MBHO might not be a household name, but you've probably used their gear. Based in Germany, the company has had a hand in products for broadcast and studio for decades. Audio engineers will recognize...

Tools

X1-R & V1 robotic mic mounts

by DynaMount  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

A year ago, I stumbled across a Kickstarter campaign to build a robotic mic mount. I'd always wanted something like this, where I could remotely move a mic from the control room while actively...

Tools

Drum ring damper

by DrumClip  |  reviewed by Scott McChane

DrumClips came to me by way of a professional session drummer I'd worked with recently. During our session together, I walked into the live room with a roll of gaffer's tape — an all too...

Direct Boxes

RNDI active transformer DI

by RupertNeveDesigns  |  reviewed by Dave Hidek

The RNDI is an active, transformer-equipped, direct interface. It not only provides the best-sounding DI signal I've ever heard, but it can also handle line-level signals, as well as the speaker-level...

EQs

EQ4M 6-band stereo EQ

by Mäag Audio  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

When F. Reid Shippen reviewed the 500-series Mäag EQ4 [Tape Op #88], he gave the six-band EQ high marks while pondering, "I also have to wonder if the EQ4 might not be a really cool mastering...

Microphones, Signal Processors

The Mod Squad handles for SM57 & SM58

by Crimson Audio Transformers  |  reviewed by Dave Cerminara

I was first introduced to Crimson Audio Transformers through their useful Mogaine ribbon mic pre-preamp [Tape Op #110]. I later tried one of their modded SM57 mics while I was working back at Treelady...

Monitoring

ATH-M50x & ATH-M70x headphones

by Audio-Technica  |  reviewed by Andy Hong

Everything I wrote about the sound of the original ATH-M50 headphone model [Tape Op #63] still rings true for its replacement, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor closed-back headphone....

Dynamics

BG-2 tube compressor

by Highland Dynamics  |  reviewed by Brad Allen Williams

When it comes to checking out new recording equipment, we all bring expectation biases. Some really want to believe that the latest truly is the greatest, while others are skeptical of the new and...

Direct Boxes

N-8 8-channel active DI

by Phoenix Audio  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

Some gear in my studio falls more under the category of "problem solver" and less in the "glamorous" camp. The N-8 is a 1RU-height, rackmount, eight-channel version of the stereo Phoenix Audio Nice...

Converters

Sparrow ADC mkII , Sparrow DAC

by Black Lion Audio  |  reviewed by Tom Fine

Black Lion Audio, based in Chicago, started out as a "hot-rodding shop," modifying equipment by other manufacturers to improve the sound quality. After gaining traction in the upgrade business, the...

Microphones, Ribbon Mics

R-122 MKII active ribbon mic

by Royer  |  reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

If there is one brand of ribbon mic you see in almost every well-stocked mic locker, it is Royer. Royer Labs introduced its first product, the R-121 passive ribbon mic [Tape Op #19], in 1998, and a...

Interfaces

Apollo 16 Thunderbolt 2 audio interface

by Universal Audio  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

The revised Universal Audio Apollo series of interfaces are selling so well that we had a hard time getting a review unit. We were impressed with the price and performance of the original Apollo...

Plug-Ins, Signal Processors

Oxford Envolution plug-in

by Sonnox / UAD  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, Andy Hong, Scott McChane

Scott, John, and I have all become quick fans of Sonnox's latest plug-in, Oxford Envolution, so all three of us decided to contribute to this review. Sonnox publishes Native (AAX, AU, and VST) and HDX...