Videos

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 livestreaming 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 →

There's something very satisfying about throwing a hulking ribbon microphone up in the studio to capture vocals, drums or room sounds. Maybe it's because engineers have been doing it since the ribbon mic was first invented in the 1920s by Drs. Walter H. Schottky and Erwin Gerlach. It's a piece of the past that we can still relive today. One of the more sizeable ribbon microphone designs from recording history is the Melodium 42B. The microphone was originally built by Charles Bouteleau and Emlie Furn in Paris in the early 1940s with an initial production run that lasted into the late 1960s. The 42B featured four monster Alnico magnets and delivered a smooth, warm sound. Continue reading →

In the first installment of Exploration: LUNA, the team at Trace Horse Recording Studio tracked a song by singer/songwriter Carl Anderson using Universal Audio's LUNA Recording System. The video showcases the smooth integration between LUNA and Apollo interfaces, while also offering an A/B comparison of UAD emulations and the analog gear the plug-ins are based on. Exploration: LUNA is now back for Part 2 and this time we're talking all about the mix. Trace Horse house engineer Scottie Prudhoe is mixing Carl's track "I'll Wait" and offering you an in-depth overview of the UAD plug-ins he's using in his process. You'll also get a firsthand look at how the LUNA Recording System's built-in summing and integrated multi-track tape can be used to your advantage. Continue reading →

Based in Denmark, GOLY’s Gustav Grinderslev has contributed some of the most eye-catching pieces to hit the mastering market in quite a while. Both the GOLY Stereo Dynamic Shelving EQ ($4443.06) and PG Porter Grinder Mastering EQ ($4236.69) offer a unique take on equalizer design that will have mastering engineers salivating. We recently sat down with Gustav and talked about design philosophy, the inspiration behind his current pieces, and more. Before we get to the interview, you're going to want to check out our new demo of both GOLY units below. Continue reading →