Novation: 61SL MkIII Keyboard Controller
reviewed by Dana Gumbiner
This is a future-proof controller that’s really more of a studio “director” or “headmaster-in-charge of all things bleepy-bloopy” – not your grandad’s MIDI...
Gear Reviews
The means contribute to the end. Usually.
DIY Recording Equipment: OLA5 500 Series Compressor
reviewed by Scott Evans
I've followed DIYRE since reviewing their Colour 500 Series analog saturation platform kit [Tape Op #107], and they've been busy. They've released three or four new kits since 2015: a Colour mkII with...
RME: Fireface UFX+ Interface & ARC-USB Remote
reviewed by John Bologni
The original Fireface UFX has been the centerpiece of my mixing studio and mobile recording rig for nearly eight years. The unique feature that sold me on the original UFX was its built-in DURec...
Eventide: EuroDDL Eurorack Delay
reviewed by Chris Koltay
As an engineer in my mid-40s, Eventide is one of those iconic companies I grew up with. First seeing gear ads in magazines and studio shots, and then hearing stories about Brian Eno [Tape Op #85] or...
PreSonus: Studio 1824 USB Interface
reviewed by Dana Gumbiner
Here's a 24-bit, 192 kHz audio interface that's a ridiculous bargain at this price point. The Studio 1824 has plenty of analog and digital I/O, plus an 18x8 DSP mixer with low-latency monitor mixing....
FLEA Microphones: SUPERFET 47 & 48 Microphones
reviewed by Eli Crews
Yes, I'm with you. Do we really need more Neumann U 47 and U 48 clones in the market? Apparently the Slovakian company FLEA Microphones thinks so, and has produced a pair of solid-state mics that they...
Triad-Orbit: Starbird SB-1 Mic Stand
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
We unfortunately live in an age where many of the tools we use are poorly made, disposable, and destined or even designed to end up in a landfill. As a studio owner and working engineer, I enjoy the...
Vanguard Audio Labs: V4 Condenser Microphone
reviewed by Tony Vincent
I was first introduced to Vanguard Audio several years ago by an industry veteran who would periodically tell me about "a microphone that was still in development..." and that "...I would not only be...
Locomotive Audio: Weight Tank Compressor
reviewed by Kevin Friedrichsen
Variable-mu compressors are renowned for their soft, gooey compression. A few of the heavyweights that come to mind are the Fairchild 660, RCA BA6A, and Gates Sta-Level. All of these come with a hefty...
Antelope Audio: Edge Duo Modeling Microphone
reviewed by Will Severin
A single microphone that allows you to digitally emulate famously expensive mics of yesteryear and today at a fraction of the cost? It reminds me of the advent of guitar amp modeling, and how far that...
Humanscale: Freedom Saddle Stool
reviewed by Scott Evans
I've had one of these chairs forever. Its design is simple; a triangular cushion, a pneumatic cylinder to adjust height, and a 5-wheel base – no arms. No back. There are tons of saddle chairs on...
Drawmer: 1978 Compressor
reviewed by Justin Mantooth
I've been considering a new hardware compressor for my drum bus, and the Drawmer 1978 compressor has recently intrigued me. It's a stereo FET compression design with many extra creative features...