Benchmark: HPA4 Headphone/Line Amplifier
reviewed by Tom Fine
When the folks at Benchmark suggested a review of their HPA4 for Tape Op, my first reaction was, “Isn’t this aimed more at the audiophile market?” Benchmark’s Rory Rall replied...
Gear Reviews
The means contribute to the end. Usually.
Austrian Audio: OC818 Studio Set Microphone
reviewed by Mike Jasper
Recently, I was looking for something completely different in a microphone with $1200 of stimulus money burning a hole in my pocket. So, when I discovered the Austrian Audio OC818 – a...
Brainworx: Mäag Audio MAGNUM-K Plug-In
reviewed by Gus Berry
Before I dive into a ton of information, let me start by saying I may have found my new “desert island” plug-in. In a matter of one week, this plug-in has made my mixes better and...
Moog: Werkstatt-01 & CV Expander Analog Synth Kit
reviewed by Jeff Elbel
Werkstatt-01 is a compact, patchable analog monophonic synthesizer based on classic Moog circuits. The company is producing this DIY project kit as a perfect gift for your favorite synth-pop geek,...
Arturia: KeyStep Pro Controller & Sequencer
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
A few years ago I reviewed Arturia’s Beatstep Pro [Tape Op #111] and was really impressed by the functionality of that unit. Their new MIDI/CV sequencer/controller KeyStep Pro takes things up...
Waldorf: Iridium Synthesizer & Processor
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
Let’s get this out right up front: Waldorf’s Iridium is a deep, complex instrument and processor with tons of new technology under the hood, both in terms of its synthesis engine and its...
Newfangled Audio: Generate Polyphonic Synthesizer Plug-In
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
In the world of both hardware and software synthesizers, there is a lot of focus on classic instruments like the Minimoog and their time-tested analog subtractive synthesis method. That's all fine and...
Arturia: KeyStep Pro Controller & Sequencer
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
A few years ago I reviewed Arturia’s Beatstep Pro [Tape Op #111] and was really impressed by the functionality of that unit. Their new MIDI/CV sequencer/controller KeyStep Pro takes things...
Kush: SILIKA Compressor Plug-In
reviewed by Gus Berry
Kush has been consistently developing plug-ins that have major vibe with analog character for years now. Even their partner company, California's Sly-Fi Digital, has made some of the go-to plug-ins...
Make Noise: 0-CTRL Controller
reviewed by Dana Gumbiner
This thing is beautifully bat-shit crazy. The 0-CTRL is a patchable step sequencer and touch-sensitive tabletop control surface designed tobe used primarily with Eurorack-standard modular gear (or...
THD Labs: Tangerine Automation Interface
reviewed by Brad Allen Williams
Veteran engineers occasionally wax nostalgic about mixing as a "community" act. Until the DAW's rise to prominence, it wasn't unusual to have half a dozen people engaged in a game of Twister above a...
Filepass, LLC: Filepass File Sharing Utility
reviewed by Ben Bernstein
If you mix records for a living and are spending too much time digging through texts, Facebook Messenger posts, and bottomless email threads from various band members looking for mix notes, then...