Interviews
Khruangbin
by Geoff Stanfield
This interview originally ran as a podcast in December of 2022. Since that time the band has released a new album, A La Sala. Texas trio Khruangbin have paired with Malian guitarist Vieux Farka...
Interviews
Russ Titelman: "There was no school for this."
by Gus Berry
Few people in the music industry have been involved in as many influential records as Russ Titelman. As a teenager, he was making music and running around with the likes of Gerry Goffin, Carole King,...
Interviews
Lance Skiiiwalker: I Love the Sounds
by Larry Crane
Born Lance Howard, Lance Skiiiwalker was "discovered" by Kendrick Lamar and signed to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) a number of years back. Lance's first full release, Introverted Intuition, and his...
Interviews
Steve Evetts: Remain Human
by Sam Retzer
Belleville, New Jersey, is a deceptively quiet enclave up the river from Newark. A beautiful mural here, a grungy secondhand shop there – it’s a collision of worlds. A bit like the...
Interviews
Alynda Segarra: Hurray for the Riff Raff
by Meredith Hobbs Coons
Now based in New Orleans but raised in the Bronx, Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff has crisscrossed the continental United States countless times since the age of 17 – they even...
Interviews
Bruce Brubaker: Eno Piano: Music for Studios
by Larry Crane
Pianist Bruce Brubaker straddles a world where the edge of classical music intersects with experimental, electronica, and a lot of newer music. His numerous albums include interpretations of works...
Interviews
Brittany Davis: Here to Make a Difference
by Lisa Machac
As a blind artist, Brittany Davis’ music transcends traditional boundaries, weaving together a rich tapestry of genres and emotions in their debut solo album, Image Issues. From overcoming...
Interviews
Dan Reeder: Building Everything He Needs
by Matt Ross-Spang
Primarily known as a visual artist, Dan Reeder – born in Louisiana but residing in Nuremberg, Germany for four decades – is the epitome of a Tape Op interview subject. He builds his own...
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Point of Memory
by Dan Timlin
Point of Memory's Void Pusher is self-described “acoustic computer music” from ambient’s nonconformer Jason Crumer, with help from frequent collaborator Tim Gick. Jason seems driven...
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End Rant
First Impressions
by Larry Crane
For 25 years, I have owned and run a commercial business, Jackpot! Recording Studio, in Portland, Oregon. During this time, I have developed a set of particular ideas of how to present my studio...
Gear Geeking
Gear Geeking w/ Andy...
by Andy Hong
I've suffered through half a dozen home and studio moves over the past eight years. The moves have been challenging, to say the least, and two sources of frustration have been ISPs and wireless LANs....
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Gear Reviews See more →
Hi-Lo Filters 500 Series Filter
by Trident Audio Developments | reviewed by Brian Tarquin
Before delving into this review we should first clarify what is an EQ and what is a filter. EQ refers to tonal equalization with cuts or boosts of amplitude across the frequency spectrum. The most...
LiNTEC Analog EQ
by Lindell Audio | reviewed by Mike Kosacek
I've found both the Lindell Audio LiN76 [Tape Op #153] and LiN2A [#156] compressors to be extremely useful in my studio, so I jumped at the chance to check out the new, one channel LiNTEC Vintage...
Catapult Rack TX & RX Cat 5 Analog Snake
by Radial Engineering | reviewed by Eli Crews
Cat 5, aka Ethernet cable, has been a powerful way to pass digital audio around your studio or live venue for quite a while now. The various formats (Dante, AVB, and many other proprietary protocols)...
011 FET SDC Mic
by Soyuz | reviewed by Scott McChane
Ever since reading Thom Monahan's informative and gushing review of the Soyuz SU-017 tube mic [Tape Op #117], I've been curious about the company's products. JB and Robert Cheek's writeup of the...
Nuance Select Monitor Controller
by Radial Engineering | reviewed by Scott McChane
The Nuance Select is Radial Engineering's new desktop stereo monitor controller from the bench of their lead designer, W.C. “Hutch” Hutchison (formerly of Manley Labs and Rupert Neve...
Digital Distribution Platform
by DistroKid | reviewed by Geoff Stanfield
Gone are the days when a handful of record company executives controlled the means of mass distribution to the general public. Recording tools are now offered at entry-level prices, and there is more...
NOVA Speaker/Room Optimization System
by Trinnov Audio | reviewed by Garrett Haines
We need to talk about the elephant in the room: the room itself. Many of us work in acoustically compromised spaces. From the card table in the corner for a remote session to the spare bedroom...
Theata 8 ch DI & Summing
by Phoenix Audio | reviewed by John Botch, Cochrane McMillan
At Panoramic House, more and more sessions primarily take place in our fairly large control room. It seems that the studio paradigm has shifted a bit from the days of large studio spaces and smaller...
RipX DAW PRO
by Hit'n'Mix | reviewed by Geoffrey Knecht
There has been so much talk about AI and its uses, but I haven't come across many products that are practically useful within the scope of my daily work. There are many fun products out there for...
SlatFusor PL Diffusor
by GIK Acoustics | reviewed by Geoff Stanfield
I've been a long-time user of GIK Acoustic's studio acoustic treatments, employing their 244 FlexRange [Tape Op #113] and Tri-Trap corner [#113] bass traps in my many studios over the years. They...
4099 CORE Loud SPL Mic w/ Cello Clip
by DPA Microphones | reviewed by Yi-Mei Templeman
It can be particularly challenging to capture the full nuance and resonance of the cello in recordings. For someone who plays an instrument designed for un-mic'd classical music, I spend a lot of time...
Atoms Virtual Instrument
by Baby Audio | reviewed by Dana Gumbiner
The Baby Audio Atoms Physical Modeling Synthesizer plug-in is a wild virtual instrument created in collaboration between Baby Audio (plug-in developers in Pasadena, California) and Silvin Willemsen, a...
K371-BT Headphones
by AKG | reviewed by Geoff Stanfield
I always have a need for good headphones, and I am fortunate enough to own several different types from various manufacturers. Like reference monitors, they each have a different sonic profile, and...
Verve Analog Machines Plug-In
by Universal Audio | reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, Larry Crane, Dana Gumbiner, Adam Kagan, Daniel Ryan Morse
Universal Audio recently released a saturation and coloration UAD Native plug-in named Verve Analog Machines. Verve is a bit of a departure and something new for UA, as none of these machines are...
Part 2: Human-Related
by Non-Recording Gear Studio Essentials | reviewed by Larry Crane, Geoff Stanfield
Previously, we discussed instrument-related essentials that every studio should have on hand. With "Part 2," we're looking at items that keep the humans in your studio more comfortable, creative, and...
RAY Condenser Mic
by LEWITT | reviewed by Daniel Ryan Morse
LEWITT is one of the most innovative and thoughtful microphone designers right now. In a sea of manufacturers churning out knock-off mics, they stand out for releasing fresh, exciting designs. I...