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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
I was delightfully surprised when I happened upon the new 1029Stereo 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...
I remember working with Greg Freeman [Tape Op#1] on a record, and he mentioned recording in a studio in L.A. that featured a console with a built-in cocaine mirror and rooms down the hall for shagging groupies or such. When your band’s making a record for $15 an hour, this not only sounds...
I must admit that when I first heard about Memorandum, I imagined it being either another impractically-complicated distraction or a source of amusement while awaiting mix approvals from remote clients. When I looked into it further, I appreciated its conceptual focus enough to explore its...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...