Compressors

When it comes to compressors, the Fairchild 670 is one of the most highly coveted modules ever made. With only 500-1000 ever made, original vintage units are extremely hard to come by, and often carry a hefty price tag. Thankfully, in recent years, companies like UnderTone Audio and Heritage Audio have come to the rescue with authentic and affordable recreations of the classic Fairchild design. Continue reading →

That "end of the year" feeling is in the air, and as we edge closer to 2023, we're taking a look back on all things pro audio in 2022. This year gave us lots of new technology and innovations, but when it comes down to it, our list of best-selling outboard gear features many tried and true mic pres, EQs, and...

Just over a year ago at the 2019 NAMM Show, plug-in purveyors McDSP announced they would be releasing a new 19-inch rackmount processing box. Dubbed the APB-16, McDSP's innovation gives users digital control via plug-ins over analog processing that is actually happening inside the physical unit itself. Integrating the McDSP APB-16 into your rig is as simple as connecting via Thunderbolt to your computer. From there, you can process up to 16 mono (or eight stereo channels), and if that's not enough, you can daisy chain five APB-16s together for a grand total of 80 channels. Working with the processors is extremely easy, as you're able to save pre-sets and recall session settings in mere seconds. Continue reading →

If you’re looking to add some new colors to your sonic pallet this year, but are curious to see what your fellow engineer and producer brethren are opting for, this blog's for you. Today, we're unveiling our top ten list of the best selling outboard gear of 2019. From preamps to EQs to compressors and more, we’ve got everything you need to upgrade your studio for the new year. Continue reading below to discover both the classics and the new kids on the block that made our list. Continue reading →

Compressors are one of the keys to dialing in a professional-sounding drum mix. Whether you’re going for an aggressive, punchy sound or a tight, controlled performance, compressors help you shape transients and control dynamics to achieve the perfect sound.Some compressors excel at certain tasks while others struggle, so it's important to select the right one for the job. When mixing drums, many engineers reach for fast-acting compressors with program-dependent release times and just a touch of saturation. While there are many quality options out there, here are six compressors for dialing in unforgettable drum mixes. Continue reading →

Compressors and limiters are some of the most important and versatile tools that any audio engineer can use. Virtually every modern recording uses compression somewhere in the chain of tracking, mixing, and mastering. This ubiquity makes them valuable but also creates confusion when considering the many choices in the marketplace. To help straighten that out, we’ll discuss the main types of compressors and the terminology that explains their usage. The purpose of a compressor is to even out the audio signal in order to tame loud transients and bring up lower amplitude material. Compressors were born out of necessity to fill that very straightforward role, to protect radio transmitters from overly hot signals, and to keep recordings in a narrower dynamic range that was easier to reproduce on tape or record. Continue reading →