ART: VLA 500 Optical Compressor
reviewed by Adam Kagan
Since around 2002, those in the know have held secret appreciation and employed covert application of the ART Pro VLA and Pro VLA II compressors. These 2RU-height, tube-based, optical...
Gear Reviews
by Adam Kagan
Soundizers: StereoMonoizer software
reviewed by Adam Kagan
One of my biggest frustrations as a mixer is importing audio files from a client and finding 160 stereo audio tracks have been created in my DAW. Most of the time, I'll figure out that the bulk of the...
Sonarworks: Reference 3 speaker & headphone calibration software
reviewed by Adam Kagan
It goes without saying that our studio monitors, be they speakers or headphones, influence the sound of our productions more than any other processor, instrument, or device. Recently, the technologies...
Pheonix Audio: N90-DRC/500 compressor/gate
reviewed by Adam Kagan
I am a fan of the 500-series format, but each time I see a new module enter the fray of over 200 different modules, I have to wonder what makes this one special. Phoenix Audio produces high quality,...
AEA: N22 ribbon mic
reviewed by Adam Kagan
When I think of AEA, I think of vintage-styled, classic ribbon mics. The AEA R-series harks back to RCA ribbon mics in both looks and tonal qualities, while AEA's modern manufacturing approach...
Ashman Acoustics: SOM50 SuperOmni condenser mic
reviewed by Adam Kagan
In a world of modern mics which are all beginning to look and sound alike, the SOM50 mic stands out from the pack both visually and sonically. Ashman Acoustics, a Seattle based company, is headed by...
Classic Audio Products of Illinois: Heider FD312 500-series mic/line preamp
reviewed by Adam Kagan
So there are two companies called API? Sort of. The original API, or Automated Processes, Inc., started manufacturing modular mixing consoles in 1969 and moved on to develop the 2520 op-amp,...
LightDims: LED covers
reviewed by Adam Kagan
Over the past year or two, I have had many pieces of both professional audio gear and consumer electronics that employ exceedingly bright LED lights. In the studio, these lights can be especially...
Earthworks: 521 ZDT 500-series mic preamp
reviewed by Adam Kagan
Earthworks, while best known for its catalog of super- accurate microphones, also produces a line of microphone preamps based on the philosophy of extremely-low distortion and fast-responding...
Western Dynamo: 19-09 Optical Compressor
reviewed by Adam Kagan
Western Dynamo is a relatively new manufacturer, based in Austin, Texas. Started by J. Morris, an experienced studio tech and recording engineer, Western Dynamo aims to produce audio products using...
Rockruepel: comp.two compressor
reviewed by Adam Kagan
The Rockruepel comp.two, designed and hand-built by Oliver Gregor in Germany, is the successor to the comp.one [Tape Op #86], released in 2011. The comp.one received excellent reviews, and surprised...
Chandler Limited: GAV19T guitar amp
reviewed by Adam Kagan
Wade Goeke of Chandler Limited has built his business on the solid foundations of vintage audio circuits with modern enhancements in both manufacturing and audio character. Chandler mic preamps and...