Blue Microphones Spark Review - The Mic that Sparks Interest
Written testThe American manufacturer Blue Microphones — famous for its emblematic Bottle — decided several years ago to extend its products range by offering more accessible microphones with the same reliable m…
How to Manage the Low End - Tips for Mixing the Low End
LearningBesides vocal mixing - I would say the most common question I read about on the internet is how to manage the low end. The kick and bass, or whatever else might be occupying that area, is the weight …
IK Multimedia T-RackS Black 76 & T-RackS White 2A and N… - From 1176 to LA2A
Written testThe (almost) simultaneous launch of the 1176 and LA2A software versions by IK Multimedia and Native Instruments is a good opportunity to make a quick comparison. Let’s go!
DI Boxes Comparative Review - Seven DIs on the Spot
LearningIn the studio and on stage, DI boxes are indispensable to match impedances, make re-amping or avoid noises. However, it's not easy to choose a DI box from the multiple options available. So, when Fre…
Synthogy Ivory II Upright Pianos Mini-Review - Uprighteous
Written testAfter Grand Pianos, it's the turn of the Upright Pianos bank to be ported to Synthogy's new audio engine. Let's give it a try.
Korg Kronos Mini-Review - Giant Step!
Written testPresented at the NAMM 2011 and already available since this summer, the Kronos represents a new step in the workstation market — a cruel world where every product becomes immediately obsolete as soon…
Some Basic Editing Processes - Editing: The Unsung Hero
LearningMy last article was on arrangement. This one is about editing. These two articles really both need to be read and absorbed to illustrate a greater point...
Mackie MR8 mk2 Review - Wanna Dance MR.?...
Written testThree years ago, we reviewed the Mackie MR8 — the affordable version of the famous HR824 — and we were quite taken by them... The launch of an mk2 version is the perfect opportunity for us to see and…
SR LP Origin Burst Plaintop & Luxe Flamed Tobacco Burst… - A SRious Guitar
Written testIt can't be easy to manufacture a guitar series based on the mythic Gibson Les Paul, considering that there are zillions of copies, some of them very good, and also because there will always be puris…
Apogee Duet 2 Review - The Duet at its Apogee?
Written testAbout four years ago, Apogee launched a digital audio FireWire interface called Duet that offered two analog ins and outs. In the meantime, competitors have brought out some very interesting products…
The ten that can make a big difference to your sound - The Top 10 Effects Pedal Targets
LearningA lot of guitar multieffects have a footpedal that can be assigned to various parameters. Volume and wa are no-brainer pedal assignments, but there are a whole lot of other parameters that are well-s…
Fender 60th Anniversary Precision Bass Limited Edition … - Ultrasexy, 60-year Old Lady
Written testWe don't turn 60 everyday, and we don't always have the opportunity to celebrate the advent of our species to this planet: the "Homo Sapiens Bassistus-Electricus." Although Leo Fender was not the inv…
In The Round On Current Tour - U2 360°: Redefining Stadium Sound
LearningGrand, colossal, gargantuan… Mammoth, immense, monumental… Promethean, towering, or just plain walloping huge - get out the thesaurus for more adjectives to adequately describe the size and scope of …
Harmonic and Structural Arrangement of Songs - Arrangement 101
LearningBefore getting into the meaning of arrangement, I want to take a moment to stress the importance of arrangement. Arrangement ultimately bridges the gap between the composition and the mix. Give that …
Surviving Technological Changes - Tech Gear Roulette
LearningLive by these 7 rules if you want your budget to survive technological changes.
Interview with Ned Douglas - Super Heavy Sound Made in L.A.
Interview / PodcastLast may, we heard that Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Mick Jagger had teamed up to form SuperHeavy, an international "superband" also formed with Joss Stone, Damian Marley and AR Rahman (film compos…
All About Dynamics Processing - Mysteries of Dynamics Processing Revealed
LearningA dynamic processor is something that outputs a signal, where the level of the outgoing signal is based on the level of the incoming signal. In other words, a loud signal coming in will come out diff…
World Class Mix Engineer Answers Some Questions - Exclusive Interview with Dave Pensado
LearningDave pensado is a man who requires minimal introduction. He’s a world class mix engineer who’s worked on countless hit records. He’s also a teacher & mentor to an entire generation of successful mix …
Fender Super-Sonic 100 Review - Fender TwinMan
Written testWe reviewed the Fender Super-Sonic 22 combo in September 2010, and it seduced us with its numerous positive features. A few months later, the American manufacturer decided to complete its range and l…
Composite Vocal Tracks, Compression, and Reverb - Vocals Processing Tips: Part 2
LearningHard disk recording techniques have affected every aspect of recording, including vocals. Although overdubbing vocals has been a common technique for years, today's programs let you do multiple track…
AVID Mbox Pro 3 Review - The New Mbox
Written testAVID, formerly Digidesign, took advantage of last year's re-branding to present the third generation of its digital audio budget interfaces: the Mbox series. Today, we'll give the Mbox Pro a try, the…
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 Review - The Tractor is Back
Written testHaving reviewed the Traktor Kontrol S4 at the end of 2010, I got an email from Native Instruments in early April offering me a free upgrade for Traktor Pro 2. The differences between both S4 and PRO …
From the Basic to the Esoteric, Here Are Proven Ways to… - Vocals Processing Tips: Part 1
LearningIt was late at night, at a live-in-concert recording session in Germany. As several thousand fans waited anxiously, the vocalist walked onstage, and picked up a set of headphones. I saw him plug them…
Moog Music Slim Phatty Review - Analog Technology Democratized
Written testFive years after having introduced the Little Phatty, Moog decided to launch the compact synth in module version. Did the Slim Phatty succeed in making the famous Moog sound available to anyone?
Here's How to Fix those Pesky Timing Problems - Quantizing Guitar Parts with DAW Software
LearningEver play the perfect solo or riff except that one note was just a little bit early, or a little bit late? If you never have, then stop reading this article immediately, move to Los Angeles, New York…
