SSL X-Desk Review - SSL X-Desk: Art for All?
Written test2009 was a year of changes and Solid State Logic got it perfectly. More than ever, the British manufacturer wanted to perpetuate its leading position in the professional analog mixer market launching…
Mackie Onyx 820i Review - Pro-Tools inside a Mackie?
Written testIt's been a while since the first Onyx mixers with the FireWire option first came out, and now Mackie carries on with the Onyx 820i, which comes with Pro Tools M-Powered 8. Hmm...so what does M-Audio…
EQ and Compression Techniques Pt.2: Drums - EQ and Compression Techniques Pt.2: Drums
LearningDespite the preponderance of exceptional drum samples and loops on the market, for certain genres of music (notably country and rock) there is no substitute for a great session drummer playing on a w…
Recording Bass - In the Studio with Michael Wagener Pt.4 - Bass
LearningWe've already dealt with drums and guitar, now it's time for the bass...
Recording Electric Guitar - In the Studio with Michael Wagener Pt.3 - Electric Guitar
LearningAfter having detailed how he records drums, Michael Wagener tackled guitars in this episode.
Recording Drums Part 2 - In the Studio with Michael Wagener - Part 2
LearningAfter explaining how he mics up drums, Michael Wagener now talks more about ribbon microphones, which he considers much less understood than their condenser or dynamic counterparts.
Recording Drums Part I/2 - In the Studio with Michael Wagener
LearningRecording is an art and often a matter of experience, and so what better way of gaining some understanding of what's involved than by listening to the prestigious American engineer Michael Wagener ta…
Mixing Guitar and Vocals - EQ and Compression Techniques for Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
LearningAs an engineer/producer, one of my biggest early challenges was getting my mixes to sound as polished and balanced as the mixes of songs on my favorite albums. Living in Nashville, I knew the problem…
Acoustics - Making a Studio Pt.3
LearningSound is a wave, much like the ripples on a still body of water when a rock is dropped into it. The larger the wave, the lower the tone. Lower tones, known as bass frequencies, travel in wide long w…
Electricity - Making a Studio Pt.2
LearningNothing will work without electricity unless you're jamming at the local drum circles down on the beach. Electrical installation studio power is often overlooked. Studios will setup a “clean feed”…
Studio Considerations - Making a Studio Pt.1
LearningThe magic of the recording studio has often mystified even the most seasoned professionals. With all the knobs, switches and buttons on various gear and large format consoles, no wonder confusion set…
Introduction - Using a Mixer: Rehearsals
LearningBefore you’re ready for arenas and stadiums, where you’d no doubt call on the services of an experienced sound technician, you need to rehearse. And as long as you’re rehearsing you might as well do …
M-Audio BX8a Deluxe: The Test - Deluxe with a plain price
Written testAfter having updated its entire range of audio interfaces, M-Audio now looks to update its monitors, especially in the wake of their excellent high-level EXS66 monitors. These updates have had great …
Line 6's Backtrack+Mic: The Test - Backtrack To Inspiration
Written testUnfortunately, we often realize too late that we should have recorded what we just played. How many times have you wished that you could go back in time and hit the record button right before inspira…
Audient's Mico: The Test - The Mico Dual Preamp
Written testWhen a brand as serious as Audient comes out with a dual mic preamp with tube simulation circuitry, variable phase adjustment and digital outputs for around $1100, one thinks that this type of produc…
