Videos

Solid State Logic has just released its most advanced bus processor ever: THE BUS+ ($2899). Much more than a simple bus compressor for pumping up your mixes, this digitally controlled analog processor includes a host of features from SSL’s most popular bus compressor modules like mid/side mode, dynamic EQ, harmonic distortion and wet/dry mix. Whether you’re building an analog mastering chain or just love the SSL sound on your drum mixes, this unit is the perfect centerpiece for your racks. We had the chance to put the SSL BUS+ bus compressor to the test. Watch our demo below to learn about the key features of this versatile new bus compressor and hear how it sounds on the mix bus and drum bus. Continue reading →

Universal Audio are known for their innovative audio interfaces and cutting-edge analog-modeled plug-ins. But today, UA is introducing their very first mic; the SD-1 Standard Dynamic Microphone ($299)! Tailor-made for close-micing vocals and instruments, SD-1’s simple dynamic design naturally rejects unwanted background noise for focused, detailed recordings. Additionally, the internal shock mount and built-in windscreen help reduce plosives and handling noise for crystal-clear sound. Continue reading →

Big news! The Solid State Logic BiG SiX ($2999.99), a compact studio-grade mixer and interface, has just been announced. Both the SiX ($1799.99) and BiG Six combine features from the legendary large-format SSL consoles with full USB integration, but the new BiG SiX console introduces a number of highly-requested features, including more channels, A/D and D/A converters, additional compressor flavors and updated EQ curves. Before we get into a full breakdown of the Solid State Logic BiG SiX, we were fortunate enough to get our hands on the desktop mixer ahead of launch. Vintage King paired our in-house engineer Bryan Reilly with the Detroit-based Century Babes for an epic recording and mixing session with the BiG SiX. Watch below to get a unique look at how the desktop mixer can be used in your studio. Continue reading →

Universal Audio has just announced the new Volt recording interface series featuring classic analog tone shaping capabilities. The UA Volt lineup combines pristine audio quality with versatile effects in a compact package that's perfect for recording music, podcasts and live streaming anywhere you want. There are five interfaces in the Universal Audio Volt series;  the Volt 1 ($139), Volt 2 ($189), Volt 176 ($249), Volt 276 ($299) and Volt 476 ($369). Before we break down each release, watch our new video featuring an overview of the line and a walkthrough of a song completely tracked with a UA Volt interface and its companion software. Continue reading →

In early August, API introduced API Select, a series of six releases that combined technology purchased by the storied brand over the years with homegrown innovations. The API Select lineup includes the T12 Tube 2-Channel Mic Preamplifier, T25 2-Channel Tube Compressor, SR22 Dual-Channel Compressor, SR24 Dual Channel Equalizer, TranZformer GTR Pedal and TranZformer CMP Pedal. Continue reading →

If you're looking to solve a problem in the studio or on stage, it's highly likely that Radial Engineering already has an answer for you. Since 1996, the British Columbia-based company has been crafting practical and road-ready direct boxes, splitters and audio interfacing devices. Radial's latest release is a perfect example of these guiding principles. The HDI Direct Box delivers studio-grade recordings anywhere with any instrument. The contents of the DI box may house complex circuity (including a Jensen transformer), but the outside controls are easy to use. In terms of knobs, we're talking about Level, Color and Presence controls that allow you to go from pristine and clean to more amplifier-like distortion and saturation. Continue reading →

Matt Stager of Stager Microphones has spent nearly a decade creating ribbon mics that simultaneously reflect on the past while looking to the future. From his home base in Nashville, Tennessee, Matt builds each microphone by hand, including the SR-1A, SR-2N, Stereo SR-2N, SR-3 and his latest creation, the SR-5. The SR-5 is Stager's take on a passive directional ribbon microphone, one that is loaded with Matt's high-performance proprietary toroidal transformer. This is the same handbuilt transformer utilized in the brand's other microphones. The SR-5 employs a hypercardioid polar pattern and was specifically designed for guitar and vocals, but the ribbon mic makes a perfect pairing on a number of other sound sources. Continue reading →

Earlier this year, H2 Audio brought new life to the Helios name with fantastic 500 Series reproductions of the classic console brand's mic pre and EQ. H2 Audio is now taking the Helios love to the next level with its latest release, the 0011 Mic Pre and 3-Band EQ ($1999). This painstaking recreation of the original channel module will inspire those who love the sound of classic Helios records like Are You Experienced?, Exile on Main Street, Led Zeppelin I and countless others. Al Sutton and Tim Mead of H2 Audio have worked tirelessly to stay true to Dick Swettenham's original design work and perfect the 0011 down to its smallest detail. Continue reading →

Tegeler Audio's analog outboard gear has certainly become a favorite around these parts. For those that love the brand's opto compressor portion of the VTRC Vari Tube Recording Channel, you'll be excited to know that the circuit is now available in the 500 Series format. That's right, meet the Tegeler Audio Vocal Leveler ($712)! Dialing in compression with the Vocal Leveler is extremely easy as the compressor features a simple two-knob design. We have a Gain Reduction knob (Max Gain Reduction: - 12 dB) and an Output knob (Maximum Output Level: 21 dBu). There are also two three-way flip switches. The left switch is used for engaging the module with an In, Bypass and Link option for stereo use of two Vocal Levelers. The right switch controls the compressor's attack and release time with three options; Fast, Auto and Slow. Continue reading →

Vintage King is known for being a leader in vintage analog recording gear, but sometimes an instrument so special comes along that we just have to take notice. Such is the case with this 1964 Gibson Firebird III, previously owned by influential Motown session musician Eddie "Chank" Willis. Born in Grenada, Mississippi in 1936, Eddie learned to play guitar in the styles of Chet Atkins, Albert King and Wes Montgomery. After finishing school, he moved to Detroit to become part of the city’s bustling music scene. He kept busy with local gigs and session work until Motown founder Berry Gordy came calling and made him a member of the record label’s house band in 1959. Continue reading →