Dante Fumo

Although digital technology has evolved rapidly since the invention of transistors and integrated circuits in the mid-20th century, digital sound recording took quite a bit longer to develop. Capturing the complexities of sound waves requires encoding thousands of samples per second—each with enough bits of data to recreate the dynamic range accurately—and it took decades to develop systems with enough quality to rival good old magnetic tape.  Continue reading →

The music industry’s adoption of Dolby Atmos and immersive audio in general has renewed interest in Ambisonic recording, but only a few microphone brands have ventured to bring a premium Ambisonic mic to market. The latest company to do so is Soyuz, with the new Soyuz 013 Ambisonic FET condenser microphone. Our previous blog covered the mic’s features and specs, proprietary plug-ins, and even a few audio samples; but today we’re digging a little deeper with a full demo recorded and mixed by Bryan Reilly. Continue reading →

Harrison Audio may not get as much buzz as some of the other classic console brands, but they’ve been a major player in the industry for about half a century. By developing innovative technologies, adapting to industry changes, and diversifying the brand's product line; Dave Harrison and company have established themselves as a top choice for music and post-production studios while maintaining a presence in the live and broadcast sectors and even breaking into the software market with the brand's Mixbus DAW and plug-ins. Continue reading →

In the late 1960s, Saul Walker and Lou Lindauer co-founded Automated Processes, Inc.—better known as API—to improve on the early modular console concepts pioneered in the 1950s. The brand soon developed a series of distinctive consoles built around its own interchangeable modules, including the now-abundant 500 Series processors. The flexibility of these modular desks appealed to studio owners keen to keep up with the rapidly evolving studio technology of the time, and the crisp, in-your-face sound of API preamps and EQs proved perfectly suited to pop and rock music. Continue reading →

The Mystery Magicians M808A is a two-channel, Class-A tube preamp that offers tons of vintage vibe and a surprising amount of flexibility. Providing ample gain for microphone and DI sources, two saturation modes for different harmonic flavors, versatile high- and low-pass filters, and a built-in effects loop, the M808A can bring out the best in any track—from clean and bold DI guitars to slightly saturated vocals or crunchy, distorted drums. Continue reading →

The Eventide Omnipressor is like no other dynamics processor you’ve ever seen. Incorporating compression, expansion, and even negative compression (yep, that’s a thing), this clever device gives you a massive range of dynamic control. The extensive controls make it possible to dial in smooth or pumping compression and limiting, gentle dynamic expansion, tight noise gating, and a variety of strange envelope effects.  Continue reading →

Established in the early 1990s by producer and engineer Jay Baumgardner, NRG Recording Studios has been the birthplace of legendary albums by Linkin Park, Hootie & the Blowfish, No Doubt, and other major acts of the era. But that’s only part of the story—NRG’s three studios, each with their own striking visual aesthetic and sound, have served dozens of A-list artists, hosted in-studio performances, and attracted a growing pop and hip-hop clientele. Continue reading →

One of the few brands beloved by audio professionals and audiophiles alike, Antelope Audio has a 20-year history of delivering highly accurate and transparent digital audio converters, interfaces, and master clock systems. In recent years, Antelope expanded its offerings to include an even greater range of interfaces, as well as studio monitors, modeling microphones, a mastering-grade monitor controller, and more. Simply put, Antelope Audio is an excellent choice if you’re considering building an immersive audio system. The Orion and Galaxy interfaces offer a ton of I/O and flexibility, the Atlas i8 monitors deliver stunning accuracy and imaging, and the MRC controller makes it easy to manage complex immersive monitor systems up to 9.2.6. Continue reading →

Philadelphia native Jim Salamone is an accomplished producer, engineer, session drummer, and the owner of Cambridge Sound Studios, a two-room studio in downtown Philly that’s always buzzing with activity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Salamone and his wife spent three years remodeling a more than one-hundred-year-old barn, converting the lower level into a pub-inspired rec room and the upper level into a boutique one-room studio. Continue reading →

Acme Audio’s MTEQ-1 recreates the custom equalizers built exclusively for Motown’s Hitsville U.S.A. studio by Chief Engineer Mike McLean. This legendary seven-band inductor-based EQ can be heard on countless soul and pop hits throughout the 1960s, but only 48 units were ever made, making it one of the most widely heard but rarest pieces of hardware in music history. Continue reading →