Issue No. 28

Software, Virtual Instruments

Reason Virtual Instrument/Sequencer

by Propellerhead  |  reviewed by AJ Wilhelm

This is an amazing piece of gear, I mean, uh, software. Welcome to Reason, the latest release by Propellerhead, the company that pioneered the virtual instrument/sampler scene with Rebirth and...

Effects

CS-9, BC-10

by IBANEZ  |  reviewed by Steve Silverstein

Once upon a time, notable bands like Wire and the Cure used chorus as a creative effect. By the mid-'80s, so many bands had so brutalized the effect that engineers and musicians everywhere shuddered...

Direct Boxes, Dynamics, EQs, Mic Preamps

6Q British Channel

by Joemeek  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

We track a lot of bands in my studio that end up taking their rhythm tracks home and finishing overdubs and mixing in their home PC based studio. After using our mic and preamp collection, my clients...

Effects, Software

Altiverb Sampling Reverb

by Audio Ease  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, Eric Broyhill, Henry Robinett

This is one very amazing, albeit very specialized, piece of software. It will only run on a Macintosh G4 (using the Mac's Altivec co-processor) and only with Digital Performer (Although a VST and RTAS...

Accessories, Wiring

2x24M microphone cables, Matrix Reference XLR audio cables, Silver Coax S/PDIF cables MC2 digital cables

by Cardas Audio  |  reviewed by Brian Lucey

Cables are huge in overall tone color for both digital and analog recording. When I was in the midst of putting together this studio three years ago, I had a conversation with a respected gear head...

Direct Boxes

U5 Active Direct Box

by Avalon Designs  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

I don't know if it's just my awareness of them or what, but it seems like there are more active direct boxes available now than there ever were. I first stumbled across the Avalon U5 last year while...

Monitoring

Kosmos Sub Harmonic Generator

by Peavey  |  reviewed by Oz Fritz

This unit rocks! Kosmos puts out the bass - bass with attitude, an attitude that translates as tight, punchy, low end in extreme abundance. It even has what I would call an "exciter" function. Peavey...

Converters, Dynamics, Interfaces, Mic Preamps

Digimax mic preamp/limiter with digital output

by PreSonus  |  reviewed by Ed Pettersen

The PreSonus Digimax is an ingenious device. I purchased it initially as an interface with my Pro Tools LE rig at home to provide eight more 24-bit clean converter channels rather than rely on the...

Accessories, Wiring

M-series Microphone Cables, G-series Guitar Cables

by Zaolla  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

I've never been one of those audiophile types who felt like I needed all my cables to be super expensive one gauge 2" thick cables that cost $35 a foot. But when I had the opportunity to try some of...

Microphones

MXL 603S Microphone

by MXL Microphones  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

In my continuing quest to find a microphone that emulates a KM-84 for less money, when I was given the opportunity to check these mics out, I quickly said, "Yes". This is a straight-ahead small...

EQs, Software

Nuendo version 1.5.2

by Steinberg  |  reviewed by Mike Reavill

A few months ago I was in the market for better DAW multitrack software. I had previously been using Cakewalk Pro, which was lacking in a few areas to me. I already knew Pro Tools was out of the...

Dynamics

LTD-2 Compressor

by Chandler Limited  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

Chandler is making a buzz for themselves as the small company that builds Neve-based mic pres and compressors. The LTD-2 is a Class A, single channel compressor based on the Neve 2254 (and similar to...

Dynamics

Radius 3 “Fat Man” Stereo Tube Compressor

by HHB  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

The "Fat Man" compressor features stereo 1/4" balanced inputs and outputs, 15 presets and manual operation, an affordable price ($460 list) and is housed in an unusual 1/2 rack width, wedge-shaped...

Microphones

KA-04, KR-2W, KR-1D, KR-2C, KR-1F, KR-3H, KR-25A, KR-33A, KP-6M, TT-3M, BS-3D

by THE Audio  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

Taylor Johnson, of The Sound Room, has been importing Russian mics like the Oktava brand for years, and now he steps out with his own line of microphones. Partially built in Argentina, these mics are...

Dynamics, EQs, Mic Preamps

737 Tube Mic Pre/Compressor/EQ

by Avalon  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

At first I had a hard time getting a feel for this unit because I had expectations for it that ended up being false. Before I got it, I had the idea I was gonna use it for snare drum. But after using...

Direct Boxes, Mic Preamps

TD-100 Instrument Preamp and Tube Direct Box

by Summit  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

I'm beginning to realize how different DI boxes can be. Beyond simply transferring a 1/4" mono instrument pickup or device output signal into a usable balanced line-level signal, elements like EQ,...

Mic Preamps

MP-2NV 2 channel mic pre

by Great River  |  reviewed by Larry Crane

This is another fine product in the "Mercenary Edition" line, meaning that it's endorsed, used by and has passed the test of Fletcher and crew at Mercenary Audio. It's two channels of solid state...