The Top Free Software Compressors - The 10 Best Freeware Compressor Plug-ins
LearningNot satisfied with the standard compressor included in your sequencer? Here you have 10 must-have plug-ins for Mac or PC that should make you happy at zero cost...
ADAM F5 Review - ADAM Low Priced
Written testOver the last years, ADAM has become a house name in the studio monitor market. The brand itself has become the symbol of ribbon tweeters. Originally focused on the highest market segment, the manufa…
Setting Up Studio Monitors - Tips on How to Set Up Studio Monitors
LearningSo, your studio monitors are in place, now you just have to connect and adjust them. Here are some tips to help you out.
Acoustic Drumhead Setting - Getting it Right - How to Tune a Drum Kit
LearningTuning a drum kit is in itself an art, which many drummers don't really master. It's no wonder then that many professional drummers rely on specialists for the task, especially for recording sessions…
How to choose a bass amp - Bass amp buyer's guide
LearningI read somewhere that Leo Fender’s genius was in his business choices. He was one of the first to understand that the success of an electronic instrument depended on the quality of its amplification.…
How to record an acoustic guitar - Mic placement for acoustic guitar recording
LearningWithout pretending to publish the definitive guide to guitar recording, here are a few tips on how to record an acoustic guitar with an electrostatic microphone.
Amplifiers: what are classes A/B/AB/D - Explanation of class A, class B, class AB and class D amps
LearningThe basic function of an amplifier is to increase a low intensity signal capture. It can be a direct source such as a microphone, a musical instrument, or a signal corrected by an intermediary preamp…
TC-Helicon Harmony Singer test - Pocket Harmonies
Written testBest Value awardMore than half of the guitarists in this world sing. Based on this survey, TC-Helicon designed the Harmony Singer, a compact pedal with reverb and 2 voice harmonies based on guitar chords. This isn’t…
Moog Sub Phatty Test - For whom the Moog tolls
Written testFirst showcased at the NAMM show in the beginning of this year, the Sub Phatty places a maximum number of commands in the hands of its user while, at the same time, reducing the overall footprint. A …
Remedies for Vocal Problems - Healing Laryngitis, Dysphonia and Aphonia
LearningYou're leaving tomorrow for a world tour or you’re beginning your studio session for the double album, “The Return of Abbey Road” , and of course, you wake up with a sore throat and a voice sounding …
Native Instruments Battery 4 review - Battery 4
Written testWith version 4 of its “drum sampler” included in both editions of Komplete 9 and available separately, what does Native Instruments propose to do ? Answers below.
Steinberg UR22 review - UR so small
Written testSteinberg introduced the UR series a little over a year ago with the UR28M and the UR824. They’re back with an entry level unit priced at under $200 with two D-pre preamps included. Verdict?
Steinberg Cubasis iPad App Review - iCubasis Lite
Written testEven at its relatively young age, the iPad has already placed itself at the head of an extensive audio software library, running sequencers that are far more than simple toys. The latest arrival in …
How to make a Press Book / Press Kit - Recommendations for promoting your music
LearningYou’ve recorded your album; you’re ready to get it out to the public. The best way to do this is to contact the newspapers, magazines and blogs specializing in your type of music until one of them be…
How to position studio monitors - Tips to get the best studio monitor placement
LearningHere are a few recommendations for optimizing the placement (and therefore, the sound) of your home studio monitors.
Top 8 reference dynamic microphones - The best dynamic microphones
LearningHere is a selection of 8 dynamic mics for recording drums, guitars, voice and any other instrument.
TC Electronic Ditto Pro Review - Did You Say Ditto.... Ditto..... Ditto ?
Written testFor a while now, TC Electronic has been delving into its first love by bringing us new guitar pedals at a frenetic pace. Along the lines of the Toneprint series, comes a small (very small) loop effe…
Native Instruments Monark Pro Review - The King Talks
Written testBest Product awardIn the domain of analogue synthesizer emulation, the race for fidelity continues. The biggest breakthroughs have not necessarily originated from the top editors. One of them, Monark, is reacting with…
Orange OR15 Review - With a Strong Fruit Flavor
Written testBest Value awardEvery day that goes by it is more obvious that the famous Orange Tiny Terror turned the guitar amplification market upside down. It started a trend (a very positive one, if you ask me) for affordable…
Making Music on the iPad - The iPad for Musicians: Present State
Written testConsidered a bulky iPhone by its detractors when it was first presented, the iPad has been revolutionizing the market of mobile computing ever since — and our DAWs as a consequence. A good enough rea…
Apogee Quartet Audio Interface Review - 2 Duet = 1 Quartet?
Written testA little more than one year ago, we reviewed the Duet 2, the second generation of Apogee's mobile USB audio interface with two mic inputs. With the Quartet, the Californian engineers have produced th…
Get Loud Masters Without Overcompressing - How to get "hot" masters without losing dynamics
LearningI was driving along one of those Floridian roads that goes between the coasts, and is flatter than the Spice Girls without auto-tuning . . . in other words, a perfect place to crank up my car's CD pl…
There are varying factors in play, depending on the typ… - DI Boxes For Guitars: Acoustic And Electric
LearningWhen amplifying an acoustic guitar, the use of a microphone can lead to concerns about feedback as well as being able to adequately amplify the instrument. With electric guitars, there are also conc…
Fix Vocal Pitch Without Nasty Correction Artifacts - Transparent Vocal Pitch Correction
LearningThe critics are right: pitch correction can suck all the life out of vocals. I proved this to myself accidentally when working on some background vocals.
Are Amp Sims for You? Before Deciding, Check Out These … - Amp Simulators: Tips You Need to Know
LearningGuitar amp simulators are controversial. Some say they don’t sound or feel like real tube amps. Others say sims deliver sounds you can’t get any other way. Guess what? They’re both right.
