API: SV 14 EQ
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
As an owner of an API 1608 console [Tape Op #81] loaded with a bunch of API 550As, 550bs, and 560s [#26], I’m pretty familiar with API’s EQs in general, and I think they sound great. My...
Gear Reviews
by John Baccigaluppi
Vintage FX (book): Matthias Fuchs, author
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...
Carpenter Studio Gear: Wood Studio Racks
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
When I was in the process of rebuilding our studio’s B-room last year, I began rethinking some of the racks we were currently using. I wanted to get something sturdier that would also fit the...
Elite Obsolete Electronics: Refurbished Vintage iPod
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
My last iPod died about three years ago when the hard drive failed. Since then, I've lost my iPhone and iPad music library of MP3s during various upgrades when trying to keep them compatible with my...
Modosc Designs: ID700 Vintage Digital Synthesizer iOS App
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
We’re truly living in the golden age of digital synthesis. I’ve said this before, but I’m bored with skeuomorphic, digital recreations of vintage analog synthesizers such as the...
AdamStrange: QasarBeach CMI IIz Fairlight CMI IIx desktop re-creation
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
These days it’s hard to put in perspective how revolutionary the Fairlight CMI (Computer Music Instrument) was as a musical instrument when it was introduced in the early 1980s. A brief history...
Arturia: Vocoder V, MicroFreak Vocoder, & MicroFreak V3 Update
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
I’ve written about vocoders in previous issues of Tape Op, so I won’t go into a lot of theory here, but check this review for more of the basic operational theory of vocoding. Arturia...
Sensel: Morph Controller
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
In the category of alternate controllers, the Sensel Morph is one of the best I’ve seen to date. By alternate, I mean as an alternative to your ASCII keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and piano-style...
IPR: Sennheiser MD 421 Mic Clip
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
Frustrated because your stock Sennheiser MD 421 clip broke and you’re finding out that a replacement for the poorly designed original clip will cost you more than several gourmet pizzas to go?...
The MicLock: Sennheiser MD 421 Clip Lock
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
This is an ingenious and very useful $25 accessory for anybody who owns Sennheiser MD 421 microphones and is perpetually frustrated at the poorly-designed mic clip/mount, the one that results in the...
Baby Audio: Spaced Out Effects Plug-In
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
The golden age of plug-ins is happening right now. Initially, most audio plug-ins aped existing analog gear such as EQs, compressors, and existing effects units like plate reverbs and tape delays. I...
Chameleon Labs: 7603 & 7603-XMod mic pre/EQ
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
I’ve always been a big fan of Chameleon Labs’ gear. They were one of the first companies to bring classic audio designs into the realm of affordability. I’ve owned a pair of their...