Issue No. 103

Plug-Ins, Signal Processors

Izotope's BreakTweaker plug-in: Find Full Songs Inside a Single Rhythm Sequencer

by iZotope  |  reviewed by Brandon Miller

BreakTweaker is a fantastic new rhythm/drum-sequencing plug-in from iZotope and Grammy-nominated musician, producer, and all-around genius Brian Transeau (better known as BT). Their previous...

Accessories, Instruments, Interfaces

Roland's GK-KIT-GT3 Divided Pickup Kit: Guitar Synthesis for the Nerd-Conscious

by Roland  |  reviewed by John Hong

Somehow, a strap-on keyboard can pass as dorky/cool, especially with the rise of "nerdcore." But IMHO, a synth guitar is just... well... dorky, and always will be. Just check YouTube for shredders...

Mobile Apps, Virtual Instruments

The VCS3 Synthesizer App for iOS: More Fun Than ACTUAL Analog Synths..??

by apeSoft  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

I've tried a lot of different iOS software synthesizers, but this app is probably the most enjoyable and best sounding soft synth I've used to date — on an iPad or a computer — and it has...

Media

The Synthesizer (Oxford University Press)

by Mark Vail  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

In 2005, Matt Warshaw, a well-known surf journalist who had written for just about every surfing publication that exists, published The Encyclopedia of Surfing, which became the definitive reference...

Dynamics, Effects, Signal Processors

SP1 2UBE tube processor

by SBS Designs  |  reviewed by Brandon Miller

With the resurgent interest in analog gear, there are tons of new boxes on the market. Most have a straightforward purpose, but there are still some that don't fall into the "normal" categories of...

Monitoring

SRP 600 2-way active monitor

by Sonodyne  |  reviewed by Dave Hidek

The Sonodyne SRP series is a no-nonsense entry into the sub-$1000 monitor scene, with five different models ranging from 3'' to 8'' in woofer size. Touting an ultra-wide sweet spot with custom...

Monitoring

Q10 active coaxial monitor

by Equator Audio  |  reviewed by Steve Silverstein

When I moved my mix setup out of my living room and into a large shared studio space, I sensed that it would be helpful to have a larger pair of midfields for monitoring. Unfortunately, most of the...

500 Series, Interfaces, Mic Preamps

440 mic preamp & pedal interface (500-series)

by Meris  |  reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

My head is spinning these days with all of the available options for the 500-series format. As a kid, Baskin-Robbins and their 31 flavors seemed overwhelming. Generally, I stuck with what I knew was...

Mobile Apps, Software

Audulus synthesis & processing app

by Subatomic Software  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

I've been a bit stymied on how to start this review off, so I'll run all three of my potential intros by you: 1. To the guy who got upset by my review of I Dream Of Wires, in which I said all the...

Monitoring

SC205 2-way monitor, TS107 subwoofer

by EVE AUDIO  |  reviewed by Eli Crews

As someone who has been using ADAM monitors fairly religiously for the past seven years or so, I became quite interested when I heard that the former CEO of ADAM Audio had started a new speaker...

Amplifiers, Microphones

Ehrlund EAP Acoustic Pickup System

by EhrlundMicrophones  |  reviewed by Mike Jasper

When I record acoustic guitars, I use a mic. A real one. Mainly mono, but sometimes stereo — especially if it's a one-voice, one-guitar recording — but definitely a mic; no pickup...

Microphones

Miktek CV4 mic modification

by MicRehab  |  reviewed by Adam Monk

How do you get a $10,000 sounding mic without bankrupting your studio? Send it to Shannon Rhoades at MicRehab, that's how. Specifically, I'm talking about the Miktek CV4. To be fair, the stock mic is...

Effects, Plug-Ins

R2 Stereo reverb plug-in

by Exponential Audio  |  reviewed by Dave Hidek

I've been on a mission over the last seven or eight years to find a reverb plug-in that fills the void left by not being able to place a microphone, say, 5-20 ft away from a source. I've used just...

Dynamics

Dangerous Compressor

by Dangerous Music  |  reviewed by Greg Calbi, Eli Crews, Garrett Haines

Andy Hong: When the Dangerous Compressor was first announced, I knew that it would be something special, like all of its sibling products in the Dangerous Music line — despite its seemingly...

Direct Boxes

363 tube DI

by Tonecraft Audio  |  reviewed by Roy Silverstein

The 363 is the first product from San Diego-based Tonecraft Audio, but owner Jon Erickson is no newcomer to the studio equipment scene. Most notably, he spent some time at A-Designs Audio and was...

Dynamics, Effects, EQs

Minifooger analog effects pedals

by Moog  |  reviewed by Scott Evans, Andy Hong

Moog Music has been making big, sophisticated pedals — Moogerfoogers — since 1997. They're amazing pedals with lots of synth-inspired modulation features, but they're pretty expensive and...

Amplifiers

TruTone Head

by Graefe Designs  |  reviewed by Dave Cerminara, Garrett Haines

We've all seen photos of studios that own a wall of guitar tube heads. Certainly, having a dozen or more amps to choose from might be ideal, but the total cost can be prohibitive for a studio owner....

Effects, Plug-Ins, Software

THC Distortion Stompbox plug-in

by Massey Plugins  |  reviewed by Dave Hidek

The Massey THC (Total Harmonic Corruption) plug- in is a no-nonsense analog-modeled distortion "stompbox." THC has the same familiar controls — drive, filter (tone), and level — that you'd...

Interfaces, Mic Preamps

UH-7000 mic preamp & USB interface

by TASCAM  |  reviewed by Alan Tubbs

Instead of offering eight or more inputs loaded with mic preamps in a never-ending quest for bang-for-buck, some companies are designing two-channel units that put the emphasis on quality rather than...

Monitoring

Rokit 5 G3 active monitor

by KRK  |  reviewed by Eli Crews

Anyone who has read my previous reviews may know that two years ago, I left the comfort of my trusted Oakland studio to start mixing primarily in my apartment in Brooklyn. I started working right away...

Control Surfaces, Monitoring

Avocet 2 monitor controller

by Crane Song  |  reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

Confidence. Transparency. I like my monitor controllers like I like my politicians. I want confidence that I am hearing what is and what is not there. Confidence that the choices I am making in terms...