Gear Reviews

I believe we’ve all been overlooking Hazelrigg Industries for quite some time as a purveyor of excellent audio equipment. I recently had the opportunity to demo the Hazelrigg Industries VNE compressor, and having favorably reviewed the Hazelrigg VDI [Tape Op#138] in the past, I jumped at the chance...

Applied Research and Technology (ART) has set the “bang for the buck” bar with equitable pricing and affordable innovation in professional audio products for nearly 40 years. Whether you’re starting out as a self-recording artist or putting together your first studio on a budget, when cash is lean,...

John McBride [Tape Op#97], owner of Blackbird Studio in Nashville, woke up from a nightmare one night thinking his studio had burned to the ground. Although his studio contains countless pieces of priceless gear, his first thought was, “is the Neve in Studio A, okay?” Fortunately, it was only a nightmare,...

I've been haunted by the EMS Synthi AKS3 since watching footage of Roxy Music on the Old Grey Whistle Test (British TV show) where Brian Eno [Tape Op#85] created a bubbling bed of exotic alien noise using this portable, modular synthesizer during their 1972 performance of "Ladytron" (look...

The allure of a classic microphone design is powerful, and the emotional tug of a modern clone, that closely resembles its forerunner is undeniable – probably more valuable than many of us would like to admit. On top of that, it can be hard to tell between manufacturers whose aim seems to be “Let’s...

FabFilter has a reputation for taking common effects plug-ins, such as compression and EQ, then elevating them to new, mind-blowing levels of utility and complexity. I’m used to thinking, “I didn’t know I needed that!” when watching their overview videos. With Timeless 3, FabFilter has done it again,...

Focusrite continues to grow its professional line of studio products by introducing the RedNet R1 desktop remote source selector and monitor controller for their Red range of interfaces. Building off my previous review of the Red 8Line interface [Tape Op#143], the RedNet R1 provides for a flexible,...

Let me start by saying that I am a firm believer in “real drums,” and I’ve spent countless hours tracking and mixing them. The main thing I’ve learned is that everything matters. I can get good sounds in my little project studio near home, but for anything with a budget I’m heading to the best room...

The Boss GT-1000CORE is mainly marketed as a new cornerstone for a guitarist's effects pedalboard, but its compact form-factor and advanced functionality make it an exceptional desktop recording and production interface. Connecting it via your modern guitar amp's effect send/return by using...

This new box from Radial has saved my bacon. I’ve become a bit of an effects pedal hoarder, with a desktop pedalboard rig that has grown to an unwieldy size and become somewhat of a staple for me in sound design and mixing. Most of these pedals run through a 6-channel loop switcher, allowing me to control...

Recently, I reviewed Earthworks Audio's USB broadcast mic ICON [Tape Op#142] and stated in so many words that it looked and sounded incredible while being easy to use. Since my initial review, I've used it almost exclusively for interviews and voice-overs. Not long ago, Brendan Connors reviewed...

It wasn’t until a few years ago, that I finally built my own mixing template for mixing in the box with Pro Tools. I based it on workflows I’d built up in the analog realm, with the goal of reducing repetitive tasks I’d come across while setting up mixes. When this book came along, I wondered how it...

A problem I find with many plug-ins is either a lack or overabundance of controls. I’m either one parameter short of accomplishing a goal, or I tweak functions just because they are available rather than needed. The greatest strength of Mia Laboratories 409 Opto Compressor plug-in is in its ease of...

Dachman Audio is a New York-based company that began by importing and selecting mic capsules for upgrading, replacing, and DIY, and has now added additional premium capsules using American-made 6-micron gold-sputtered mylar. Dachman’s premier product, the DA 87i DIY Kit, is based on the highly-revered,...