Nov/Dec 2022

Welcome to issue #152 of Tape Op.

 
Intro / TOC #152

Over the last 15 years, my studio career has leaned more and more towards the mixing process. I'm still involved in producing many tracking and overdubbing sessions, but even long before the pandemic I began receiving mixing jobs – many remote and unattended – and I fully embraced the work. As the "10,000 hours" came and went, the mixing of a song became easier and far more intuitive – something I was almost surprised by, but certainly made a lot of sense. However, just like tracking and producing, once a majority of the mixing process became quicker and less difficult, I started to explore avenues in which I could do an even better job. As I scribbled this thought down as one of my End Rant ideas a year ago, I began looking for ways that my mixing could have even more emotional impact on the listener. It was something I was quickly reminded of when my pal, John Plymale, submitted the writing that became this issue's End Rant. I always want to leave my clients – whether they be the artist, producer, engineer, or record label – happy with the final mix, but I am also constantly thinking about the listener's possible reactions as well. I want fans to get emotionally involved and excited about a song, hopefully in the same way so much music has moved me over the years.

— Larry Crane, editor & Founder

In This Issue See more →

Metric

by Roman Sokal

For over 20 years, the Toronto, Canada-based intellectual alternative pop/rock group Metric have been perking up listener’s ears with daring and blissfully created music. Fronted by...

Gaelynn Lea Tressler

by Ian Brennan

Gaelynn Lea is one of the most original musicians and songwriters working today. She also happens, by chance, to be a wheelchair user. Incredibly prolific, she has released three solo albums, as well...

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Columns See more →

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Gear Reviews See more →

Wet Reverberator Plug-In

by Neunaber Audio  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines

Neunaber Audio (pronounced “new neighbor”) is an Orange County, California, company best known for its effects pedals. However, it’s no ordinary pedal boutique. Founder Brian...

DOPAMINE Enhancer Plug-In

by Overloud Audio  |  reviewed by Dave Hidek

Overloud Audio Tools’ DOPAMINE is a recreation of the renown Dolby 361 A-Type noise reduction module, and the slightly lesser known, but still well-loved TEAC AN-180 (which utilized Dolby B-Type...

DIY

Chassis Kits

by analogvibes  |  reviewed by Brad Allen Williams

DIY recording gear isn’t always easy or cost-effective. Electronics chops are one thing, but few people have the means to do metal fabrication, powder coating, and silk screening. One-off custom...

Mark Howard, author

by Recording Icons, Creative Spaces (book)  |  reviewed by Roman Sokal

Having recorded some of the planet’s top musical artists, such as U2, R.E.M., Daniel Lanois [Tape Op #37, #127], Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, and Lucinda Williams, engineer/producer Mark...

Matthias Fuchs, author

by Vintage FX (book)  |  reviewed by John Baccigaluppi

There have been several beautifully designed and written coffee table books published in the last few years that focus on music gear, including guitar pedals, modular synthesizers, microphones, and...

5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor

by Rupert Neve Designs  |  reviewed by Anthony Gravino

Over the past two decades, Rupert Neve Designs has been known in the recording community as a company that creates and builds a wide variety of high-quality pro audio equipment found in studios...

KNS8402 Headphones

by KRK Systems  |  reviewed by Scott McChane

The makers of the pro audio market’s most popular entry-level studio monitors, KRK, have entered round two of the headphone game with their new closed-back KNS6402 and 8402 models. Over 15 years...

M908 Monitor Controller

by Grace Design  |  reviewed by Don Gunn

Grace Design has been making some of the most respected preamps and monitor controllers for nearly 30 years (and since has branched out into acoustic instrument preamps and processors). Their latest...

4055 Kick Drum Mic

by DPA Microphones  |  reviewed by Scott Evans, Henning Svoren

Denmark’s DPA Microphones have a decades-long history of manufacturing precision, accurate condenser microphones. My first DPA encounter was in Denmark, recording Copenhagen’s excellent...

BiG Stereo Image Processor

by SPL  |  reviewed by Don Gunn

SPL is back with a new 500 Series module called BiG, cleverly sub-titled “Stereo Image Bigger Maker” (yes, really!). Given that it is a stereo unit, the BiG takes up two slots in a 500...

Volt 476P Interface

by Universal Audio  |  reviewed by Dana Gumbiner

The Volt 476P, Universal Audio’s latest in their line of low-cost-yet-high-quality USB-C audio interfaces, is the flagship of the Volt fleet. It has the same essential features as its little...

BOOM USB-C Interface

by Apogee Digital  |  reviewed by Scott McChane

“Thank you for choosing Apogee! For complete set up instructions and software downloads...” You’re welcome, but I’ll skip all that, plug the USB-C cable in, open Pro Tools, and...

Solo6 ST6 Active Monitors

by Focal  |  reviewed by Dan Knobler

Reviewing speakers is a funny game. As engineers, perhaps we pick up on how to evaluate monitors in a new listening environment and how to work within the limitations of those conditions – but...

THE BUS+ Bus Compressor

by Solid State Logic  |  reviewed by Garrett Haines, Chris Short

There is an entire market segment devoted to bus compression. While there are some unique designs in circulation, the concept and function is usually based upon the compressor module found on large...

Reamp Station Re-Amper/DI

by Radial Engineering  |  reviewed by Gus Berry

As of this summer, I have been mixing fully in the box and loving it. Part of my new mix setup, however, does include two Radial Reamp Station boxes. This allows me to send audio to my guitar pedals...

NTH-100 Headphones

by RØDE  |  reviewed by Tom Fine

Long a well-reputed maker of microphones, Australian company RØDE has jumped into the crowded, but red-hot headphones market with both feet. The NTH-100 'phones are closed-back and designed for...

NDH 30 Headphones

by Neumann  |  reviewed by Tom Fine

Back in 2019, I reviewed Neumann's first foray into headphones, the closed-back NDH 20 [Tape Op #132]. At that time, its parent company Sennheiser was still in the consumer headphone business. Now...

 

Tape Op is a bi-monthly magazine devoted to the art of record making.

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