I’m going to start this review describing an exemplary unboxing experience, which speaks to Audio-Technica’s all-encompassing attention to detail. All three models of the company’s R-Series open-back headphones are packaged in precisely-assembled cardboard boxes. The ATH-R30x and ATH-R50x models...
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SPL: Phonitor 3 DAC headphone amp & monitor controller
REVIEWED BY Tony Vincent
A couple of years ago, I moved my studio, SoundShop370, from Manhattan to South Nashville. Since then, I’ve been refining my setup, making sure every piece of gear I use is intentional, functional, high-quality, and built for long-term reliability. Headphones have always played a role in my...
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Ear Trumpet Labs: Wanda high SPL condenser mic
REVIEWED BY Larry Crane
With its clean, streamlined all-brass construction, Ear Trumpet Labs' Wanda seems to be the first of their unique microphone line that has no plumbing or bike parts in sight. A 26 mm diaphragm phantom-powered condenser mic, Wanda measures under 4-inches long by 2-inches in diameter – with a...
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AMS Neve: 88C VCA dual compressor/limiter
REVIEWED BY Daniel Ryan Morse
VCA compressors are generally fast. Almost any other observation about them would depend on which one you’re talking about. Some are fairly transparent while nonetheless adding excitement to sources. Others – I’m thinking primarily of the API 2500 bus compressor [Tape Op #52] and the dbx 160 – are...
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Stager Microphones: SR-5 hypercardioid ribbon mic
REVIEWED BY Stefan Konstantopoulos
In the shadow of the iconic RCA 44 series ribbon mics produced in the ‘30s is the relatively esoteric RCA BK-5A [Tape Op #65]. It was designed as a directional ribbon mic for higher SPL sources on film sets but gradually found favor with music recording engineers. Some vintage BK-5As are still in...
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API: ASM164 Analog Summing Mixer
REVIEWED BY Kurt Kurasaki
Automated Processes, Incorporated, popularly known as API, has a rich history spanning over half a century. Since their first consoles were installed in 1967, API has developed new technologies, established important pro audio standards, and contributed to the production of many great records....
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Base 4 Stands: modular microphone stands
REVIEWED BY John Baccigaluppi
Mic stands are one of the parts of owning a studio that is not cool or fun. You need them, but they are often abused and constantly need repair. Cheap stands never last, and expensive stands are, well, expensive – and who wants to spend money on something that just gets abused? It's more...
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Soyuz Microphones: The Launcher Deluxe stereo in-line preamp
REVIEWED BY Stefan Konstantopoulos
My first experience with Soyuz products in 2021 was brief but memorable. I still recall the smooth, rich sound of the 017 FET condenser and its distinctive aesthetic heirloom-quality construction. When I heard about The Launcher Deluxe, I wondered if it could offer the classy vintage vibe and...
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Audeze: LCD-S20 closed-back headphones
REVIEWED BY Geoff Stanfield
I have been a big fan of Audeze headphones for years and have enjoyed auditioning and reviewing almost everything in their line. Their open-back LCD-X [Tape Op #119] and MM-500 headphones are used daily in my studio for mixing, and I recommend them to anyone looking for an accurate playback...
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Pulsar Modular: P821 MDN Tape plug-in
REVIEWED BY Garrett Haines
Pulsar Modular's P821 MDN Tape is a remarkable sounding approximation of the Stephens 821B tape machine. Let me be clear; this is not another they-got-the-rights-to-sell-a-tape-machine-so-they-did-a-pretty-GUI-on-top-of-a-cookbook-EQ-with-variable-delay-some-hiss-plus-distortion-plug-in. This...
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AEA: 1029 VCA compressor
REVIEWED BY Scott McDowell
I was delightfully surprised when I happened upon the new 1029 Stereo VCA Compressor from AEA. Isn’t the company best known for its great collection of ribbon mics? AEA’s incredible mics are a 21st century studio standard. My partners and I have eight of their ribbons living in our mic closet right...
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Ohma World: ribbon & condenser mics
REVIEWED BY Chris Koltay
One of my favorite things about doing this work are the relationships we establish. I first met Charlene Gibbs, Sammy Rothman, and Nathan Bowers in 2014, while taking a tour of AEA microphones. I knew Wes Dooley [Tape Op #97] already, and had a great relationship with AEA, but after meeting these...
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KSD Studio Monitors: A200mk2 monitors
REVIEWED BY Jeremy Wurst
Over the course of a few months, a friend of mine had been gently prodding me, asking me if I’d take an honest listen to some new high end studio monitors from Germany. I’m always hesitant to write loudspeaker reviews, especially for expensive gear. As the dollar amount goes up, so do my...
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iamReverb Audio: iamReverb plug-in
REVIEWED BY Larry Crane
When my band recorded our first album (Vomit Launch’s Not Even Pretty) in 1986, our producer, Greg Freeman [Tape Op #1], had a Yamaha SPX90 reverb unit. There were no other reverb processors in his studio at the time, and we loved reverb. If you listen, especially to the original vinyl release,...
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Drawmer: MQ-1 and MQ-2 Equalisers
REVIEWED BY Garrett Haines
One afternoon at a TapeOpCon, I was debating equalizers with Rupert Neve [Tape Op #26, #87] when hotel staff endeavored to move four loads of folding tables in a single trip. Basically, a seven-foot Jenga on wheels. Upon taking the corner too fast, the whole thing went caddywompus faster than...
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TASCAM: Model 2400 Analog Console, Mixer, & Interface
REVIEWED BY Tim Pratt
In writing this review, I realized it's been over 30 years since I was introduced to my first TASCAM product: The Porta One Ministudio. That little 4-track cassette recorder planted the seeds for countless multitrack creations. It wasn't long after exploring and outgrowing the...
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Malcolm Toft: PUNISHR 500 Series Saturator
REVIEWED BY Brian Tarquin
Malcolm Toft [Tape Op #26, #165] began his career as a recording engineer at the legendary Trident Studios in London in 1968, then went on to found Trident Audio Developments, creating the initial Trident A Range consoles and many others to follow. After leaving Trident in 1988, Malcolm founded...
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Harrison: 32Classic MS Mix Strip
REVIEWED BY Daniel Ryan Morse
Harrison consoles are beloved by many engineers, and after I had the opportunity to work with four of the new Harrison 32Classic MS Mix Strips, I understand why. While the Harrisons are not as colorful as offerings by some of the other notable consoles in recording history, they definitely have a...
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Pye Audio: PX2 Transformer Interface
REVIEWED BY Stefan Konstantopoulos
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