Tape Op Magazine - Issue #168 - issue-168

Chris Tabron

Interviews

Michael Andrews

Interviews

Vanessa Parr

Interviews

Chris Coady

Interviews

Charlie Peacock

Interviews

Shigeto is Zach Saginaw

Interviews

MORE FROM THIS ISSUE

AUGUST 4, 2025 INTERVIEWS

Paul Malinowski

Paul Malinowski: Massive Sounds

BY TODD ZIMMER, RYAN HEISE

Paul Malinowski is a cornerstone of the Kansas City, Missouri rock scene. His production beginnings from the 1990s and 2000s, plus his presence in the close-knit late-'80s scene, helped spawn the now-iconic KC sound. Paul is an engineer, producer, and musician who was a founding member of Season to Risk. He took up the bass helm in the legendary band Shiner from 1997 to 2003 and, after a decade plus hiatus, the band returned with the critically acclaimed Schadenfreude album in 2020, which he recorded and co-produced. Paul is the co-owner, along with Chad Meise, of Massive Sound Studios, founded in 2008. Besides Shiner, his discography includes Vast Robot Armies, Riddle of Steel, Emmaline Twist, RxGhost, Open Hand, The Life and Times, and Last Giant amongst many. Paul recently remixed Shiner’s first release, Splay, initially recorded by Bob Weston [Tape Op #18, #86] at Steve Albini’s [#10, #87] home-based studio in 1994.

AUGUST 4, 2025 INTERVIEWS

The Ting Tings

The Ting Tings: They Started Something

BY ALAÏA FONK , LARRY CRANE

Jules De Martino and Katie White are The Ting Tings. Their debut record, We Started Nothing, featured the hit song, “That's Not My Name,” one you may have heard in Apple iPod ads and many films over the last several decades. Home is their fifth and newest album, produced, recorded, and mixed by Jules in their own studio spaces. A multi-instrumentalist, his enthusiasm for getting the sounds he wants is infectious, and we had a fun chat!

AUGUST 4, 2025 INTERVIEWS

Felipe Castañeda

Felipe Castañeda: Out on the Ranch

BY ALAN ESPARZA, GEOFF STANFIELD

Originally from Mexico City, Felipe Castañeda is the senior house engineer at Sonic Ranch [Tape Op #94]. Felipe is currently working with two critically acclaimed indie artists at Sonic Ranch studios – Blackwater Holylight, Rachel Eckroth, Portugal. The Man, Strawberry Guy, and a Grammy-winning album (Revealer) from Madison Cunningham.

COLUMNS

GEAR REVIEWS

Gear Reviews

Articulate transient plug-in

by Articulate transient plug-in | reviewed by Larry Crane

When I try to teach what compression is and how to use it, I'll always use the "shape of a waveform through time" as a way to explain what compression can do. In the synthesizer world, this is referred to as the "envelope," which includes four stages of modulation: Attack, decay, sustain, and...

Gear Reviews

C414 XLS microphone

by C414 XLS microphone | reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

The ubiquitous AKG C414 mic has been manufactured in various forms since 1971. I’ve reviewed the modern day C414 XLII [Tape Op #154] and given it high marks, so when the opportunity to check out its sibling microphone, the C414 XLS, came up, I jumped at the chance. Both of these large diaphragm...

Gear Reviews

Clean Boost Pedal

by Clean Boost Pedal | reviewed by Stefan Konstantopoulos

With an extensive background as the lead tech for a pro audio retailer and the service manager for a console manufacturer, Alex “Skip” Welti founded Creation Audio Labs in 2003. He began working as a mobile tech for studios around Nashville, repairing everything from consoles to guitar amps in his...

Gear Reviews

Connect 4/12

by Connect 4/12 | reviewed by Dana Gumbiner

The Bitwig Connect 4/12 is a versatile desktop audio USB-C interface that provides four inputs and twelve outputs, along with CV (control voltage) I/O and MIDI capabilities. It also sports some cool monitor and DAW control features, not to mention a special Bitwig Mode that sets it apart when used...

Gear Reviews

DRC plug-in

by DRC plug-in | reviewed by Garrett Haines

The PSPaudioware DRC dynamic range controller is one of the most noteworthy plug-ins I have seen in a long time. Using the dbx 118 Dynamic Range Enhancer as a foundation, the DRC is neither a clone nor an emulation. Enhanced controls offer users deeper adjustments than the original, however, the...

Gear Reviews

FREQ 500 Series 4-band EQ

by FREQ 500 Series 4-band EQ | reviewed by Andy Hong

Each year, more examples of vintage-inspired EQs, compressors, preamps, and mics are made available. Big-name brands, as well as boutique manufacturers, seem to think we all have an endless appetite for clones of classic gear. Consequently, contemporary designs of bread-and-butter products are...

Gear Reviews

Gear (Book)

by Gear (Book) | reviewed by Larry Crane

Full disclosure: I was interviewed for this book and appear in the text a bit, plus Tape Op is mentioned. However, despite my own involvement, I found this book to be an important read. As a founding concept of Tape Op, I've long held that people who mostly fixate on recording equipment are missing...

Gear Reviews

Harmonic Content (magazine)

by Harmonic Content (magazine) | reviewed by Larry Crane

Subtitled a zine about sound, this mag includes a wide array of people and thoughts and features an arty screen-printed cover. Within its 21 pages, the first issue has an interview with Tape Op pal Matt Boudreau of Working Class Audio, an article with Kirsten Izer and Randy Belculfine discussing...

Gear Reviews

LPZ-2 line to mic level adaptor

by LPZ-2 line to mic level adaptor | reviewed by Stefan Konstantopoulos

For those of us constantly striving to maximize the potential of a hybrid workflow, the LPZ-2 from Avedis Audio can make the job a little easier. It offers two levels of stereo padding to convert balanced line level signal to microphone preamp input level, prevents nonlinear source/load impedance...

Gear Reviews

Motor Synth MkII

by Motor Synth MkII | reviewed by Dana Gumbiner

The Motor Synth MkII from Gamechanger Audio is, by some margin, the most original synthesizer design I've seen (and heard!) in some time. It's a desktop unit that generates audio waveforms via its eight variable-speed internal drone motors – that's "drone" as in UAS/UAV/quadcopter. As its eight...

Gear Reviews

P-24 stereo tube mic

by P-24 stereo tube mic | reviewed by Sonny DiPerri

I’ve been a long-time enthusiast/user of the AKG C 24 stereo mic, so it was a treat to review the new P-24 from Peluso Microphone Lab. I have been a fan of Peluso for years, and several mics in their line have been on a lot of albums that I have produced, including the P-12 [Tape Op #72], P-87, and...

Gear Reviews

ReStem drum de-mixer app/plug-in

by ReStem drum de-mixer app/plug-in | reviewed by Larry Crane

Anyone who mixes for hire knows the scenario: A client sends a song to be mixed without individual drum tracks (snare, kick, etc.) that are instead embedded in a single track. I'll send an email, "Hey, can I get the actual tracks for the drums so I can really mix your song?" They then email back an...

Gear Reviews

Space Blender Reverb plug-in

by Space Blender Reverb plug-in | reviewed by Larry Crane

I love effects that take a sound, morph and modulate it, creating whole new textures. Valhalla's Shimmer [Tape Op #111] plug-in has been a favorite of mine for creating Brian Eno [#85] soundscapes out of almost anything. I'm always on the lookout for any tools that feature various ways to drench...

Gear Reviews

Space Replicator plug-in

by Space Replicator plug-in | reviewed by Adam Kagan

LEWITT, the respected Austrian manufacturer known for its microphones and audio interfaces, has released its first plug-in: Space Replicator. Designed for headphone use, Space Replicator lets users experience how their audio would sound when played through speakers in various virtual environments....

Gear Reviews

Symphony Studio 2x12 interface

by Symphony Studio 2x12 interface | reviewed by Adam Kagan

Apogee has long provided a range of audio professionals with tailored interface choices, from the portable Duet [Tape Op #150] and Symphony Desktop [#142] to the flagship Symphony I/O Mk II [#140]. Their latest addition, the Symphony Studio series, smartly fills the gap with single rack space...

Gear Reviews

The Oven analog processor & plug-in

by The Oven analog processor & plug-in | reviewed by Joe Finocchio

On some level, everyone is susceptible to the dreaded panacea syndrome when it comes to adding tools to their workflow. “If I only had this one piece of gear, all my problems would be solved!” The Oven “Mojo Box” analog processor by Hendyamps and its plug-in counterpart by Brainworx (distributed by...

Gear Reviews

Vintage 11 Condenser Mic

by Vintage 11 Condenser Mic | reviewed by Geoff Stanfield

The Vintage 11 is a large diaphragm FET condenser microphone and is part of JZ Microphone’s “Vintage” series that includes the Vintage 67 [Tape Op #133] and Vintage 12 [#147]. The Vintage 11 has discrete Class-A electronics, JZ’s Gold Drop™ capsule technology, and is hand-built in Latvia. Its flat,...