Dangerous Music: S&M
reviewed by Mike Caffrey
In a world where 1073 is not only a model number, but also the number of clones said model has inspired, the Dangerous Music S&M is a standout for its originality. While Chris Muth (the S&M's...
Gear Reviews
Signal Processors
Ridge Farm Industries: Gas Cooker mic preamp & DI
reviewed by Allen Farmelo
The Gas Cooker is a dual-channel, all-valve mic preamp and DI from Ridge Farm Industries in England (formerly of Ridge Farm Studios, the rather famous and beautiful countryside residential studio, now...
Blue: Snowball USB mic
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, Caitlin Gutenberger
For all of you audiophiles out there, let me begin this brief review with a disclaimer: I am not, nor will I ever, be a recording engineer. But, as Tape Op's Copy Editor, John seemed to think I would...
Waves: Tune & DeBreath plug-ins
reviewed by Andy Hong
Tune is a pitch-correction plug-in that's so easy to use, even a non-musician can get "perfect" takes. Why the quotes around perfect? Because I find that most pitch correction schemes kill the life of...
Seventh Circle Audio: A12, C84, J99, N72 preamp modules, CH01 chassis, PS03 power supply
reviewed by Andy Hong
In his review of the J99 and C84 preamps from Seventh Circle Audio, Chuck Hanning touches on the design and assembly of SCA's preamp kits. The first time I met SCA founder Tim Ryan at TapeOpCon a few...
Seventh Circle Audio: J99 preamp kit, C84 preamp kit
reviewed by Chuck Hanning
I have a confession to make. David Royer got me started on something. After performing his tube upgrade to the MXL 2001 mic (Tape Op #25), I became thoroughly hooked on all things DIY. Later, I...
Sonic Impact: Class T Amp
reviewed by Steve Silverstein
I first heard about Class-T amplifiers not from recording engineers or audiophiles, but from friends seeking my vaguely "professional" wisdom. I could not offer any advice, as I hadn't even heard of...
Schoeps: MK 41 supercardioid capsule, CMC 5 amplifier
reviewed by Eanna Cunnane
Schoeps is a family-owned German company that's been producing top-quality mics with a minimum of fuss for over 50 years. They make a huge variety of small- diaphragm capsules and transformerless...
Alesis: Akira effects processor
reviewed by Inverse Room
A couple years ago, internet retailers were blowing out Alesis's ModFX effects boxes at absurdly low prices. The ModFX were flimsy DSP desktop units with goofy names and lousy switches, but a few of...
Eventide: H7600 Ultra-Harmonizer
reviewed by Adam Kagan
Remember the first time you used an Eventide H3000? In 1988, that was the hottest effects processor out there! In 2006, the H3000 is considered "vintage" by my favorite repair shop in Los Angeles, but...
Mackie: Onyx 2480 console
reviewed by Bryan Cord, Nick McCarthy, Mike Reed, Ramsey Tantawi
Earlier this year, we at WMBR Radio discussed replacing our trusty Soundcraft Spirit 328 digital mixing console. After many years of regular use, it was starting to show its age. Plus, we decided our...
Safe Sound Audio: P1 Audio Processor
reviewed by Andy Hong
The P1 is an all-analog mic preamp, instrument DI, expander, compressor, limiter, and headphone-monitor mixer in a 1/2-rack chassis meant for desktop use with a DAW. It was designed and is...