Demo Video

If you're an audio enthusiast or a professional sound engineer, then you probably know about Cranborne Audio—the UK-based audio equipment manufacturer known for their exceptional audio interfaces and preamps. But their latest release, the Carnaby 500, takes things to a whole new level. 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. There's been lots of hype about all six releases, but the most fervor surrounds the T12 and T25. The T12 is a dual mic preamp with a tube-based circuit featuring 12AT7WC and 12BH7 tubes, in addition to proprietary API input transformers and custom transformers on the output stage. The T25 is a dual channel FET feedback-style comp/limiter with a Class-A tube output stage that packs a custom API transformer and the same dual-triode vacuum tubes as the T12. 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 →

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 sizable 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 →

Solid State Logic has had plenty of new releases in the past few years, most notably the Fusion and SiX. These two best-selling products have garnered lots of customer feedback and SSL has heard you loud and clear. The storied pro audio brand has taken some of the essential elements of the analog processing box and desktop mixer to create two new 500 Series modules. We're excited to introduce you to the SiX CH Channel Strip ($499) and UltraViolet EQ ($1299). As its name implies, the SiX CH Channel Strip takes inspiration from the SiX and brings one of the desktop mixer's channel strips straight to your 500 Series rack. The module includes the SiX's microphone preamp, two-band low and high EQ and a single-knob compressor. The SiX CH offers a clean, ultra-low noise SuperAnalogue mic pre with your standard phase, phantom, high pass filter switches and Mic/Line options. The EQ offers an In/Out button, a knob for HF and LF and a button for each band that allows you to choose between shelving and bell curves. Continue reading →

Earlier this year, Rupert Neve Designs gave its line of summing mixers a significant boost. Two of the brand's classics, the 5059 Satellite and 5060 Centerpiece, were given the Shelford Blue color treatment and the new 5057 Orbit was added to the summing family.  With the addition of the 5057 Orbit, it's easier than ever for studios to achieve Rupert's classic console sound, no matter their size or budget constraints. So how do these summing mixer options from Rupert Neve Designs differ? We'll get way more in-depth in our new demo video below, but for starters, here's an overview of what each piece offers up to recording and mix facilities. Continue reading →

In a short period of time, Julian Traverse has made a name for himself around the world with the brilliant Traverse Analogue 652 dual-channel mic preamp. Traverse Analogue's reputation is staked on boutique-level craftsmanship and the 652's tube-based circuitry, which lights up any source passing through it with plenty of rich harmonic content. We recently sat down to talk with Julian about the company, his journey into pro audio, his mentors, and more. Watch our demo of the Traverse Analogue 652 below and continue on after to read our full Behind The Gear conversation. Continue reading →

Since bursting onto the pro audio scene in 2018, Cranborne Audio has firmly entrenched itself with a bevy of fantastic releases. One of its most notable products is the Camden 500. This microphone preamp has quickly joined the ranks of the Neve 1073LB and Rupert Neve Designs 511 as one of the best-selling 500 Series modules at Vintage King. The reason for the success of the Cranborne Audio Camden 500 is no secret. The module offers the polar extremes of the mic preamp world by giving engineers both extremely clean sounds and vintage warmth. When designing the module, Cranborne Audio elected to go transformerless, which guarantees an extremely transparent and linear sound. The Camden 500 preamp has low-noise and low-distortion performance for a stunning level of clarity. Continue reading →