Issue No. 120

Acoustics

Komodo W Bass Trap 2.0, Eiger Tunable Bass Trap, Fixart Tube Mounting Rails

by Artnovion  |  reviewed by Andy Hong

When the music-recording market made a shift towards project studios and converted spaces, many of us had to suffer through years of crappy sounding rooms. I have countless memories of working in...

Accessories

Cable Management Sleeve

by JOTO  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

The landlord of our new studio location really likes organized racks and cables. His control room looks like a server farm installed by IBM. Cables are loomed, labeled, and cut to length. No excess...

Computers, Software

DiskMaker X macOS Boot Disk Creator

by Guillaume Gète  |  reviewed by Scott McChane

In my opinion, macOS 10.8.5 running Pro Tools 10.x is stable and “rock solid.” Some of us put off inevitability to maintain productivity, but eventually “progress” (be it for...

Microphones

AT8470 Quiet-Flex Mic Clips, AT8456a Quiet-Flex Mic Clips, AT8471 Isolation Mic Clip

by Audio-Technica  |  reviewed by Andy Hong

While organizing my mic cabinets recently, I decided to replace some of the crappy plastic mic clips that I’ve collected over the years. Some of the cheap clips I bought separately, some came...

Effects

guitaRF Reflexion Filter

by SE Electronics  |  reviewed by Andy Hong

When SE Electronics invented the trademarked Reflexion Filter [Tape Op #56] in 2006, I recall many engineers in our industry thinking it was a groundbreaking product, while others were skeptical....

Accessories

Model F511 USB Fan

by Opolar  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

Opolar sells a variety of fans. The F511 is a 9’’ diameter, three-blade desktop model with two speeds and a built-in stand. It can be useful in remote-recording situations or anywhere you...

Effects, Plug-Ins

bx_subfilter Plug-in

by Brainworx  |  reviewed by Scott McChane

Four knobs, a three-position switch, and no bull! bx_subfilter is touted as a simple but effective tool for tightening up bass frequencies, and it is 100% free for all Plugin Alliance members....

Accessories, Microphones

AT8459 Swivel Mount for Mic Clips

by Audio-Technica  |  reviewed by Andy Hong

The AT8459 is a product that encourages you to say, “How did I ever live without it?” It’s a compact, double-socket arm with mic threads on the ball ends. After you screw on a mic...

Accessories, Computers

USB Detector Power Meter

by Yueqing Towon (OEM)  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

USB products are everywhere. macOS-based mastering engineers have been dealing with external disc burners for many years, ever since Apple decided internal units were passé. And it seems...

Accessories, Headphones

The Anchor Under-desk Headphone Hanger

by ElevationLab  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

Elevation Lab is an industrial design firm based in Portland, OR, that can’t decide whether its name includes a space or not. It makes the kinds of products that we wish were included with the...

Headphone Amps

Spectra Mobile Headphone Amp/DAC

by NextDrive  |  reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

In my recent review of the Audeze Deckard headphone amp/DAC [Tape Op #119], I emphasized the value of high-quality monitoring systems for laptops, iPhones, and other portable devices. An enhanced...

Headphones

T40RPmk3 Headphones, T50RPmk3 Headphones

by Fostex  |  reviewed by Pete Weiss

Having worked (and played) in various recording studios since the mid-’80s, I’ve seen (and worn) my share of Fostex headphones. Along with AKG K240 and Sony MDR series models, Fostex cans...

Monitoring

Kii THREE Active Monitors, Kii CONTROL Monitor Controller

by Kii Audio  |  reviewed by Andy Hong

This powered monitor incorporates the most impressive speaker technology I have ever experienced. It’s a real game changer. The Kii THREE’s dispersion pattern is cardioid, even at the...

Interfaces

Red Range

by Focusrite  |  reviewed by Andy Hong, Neil Mclellan

The Red Range is Focusrite’s latest series of audio interfaces, currently comprised of the Red 4Pre and Red 8Pre. The former has four built-in Red Evolution preamps, and a total I/O...