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Jim Marshall |
High on Technology
Music, Sound, and Recording Stuff
Monday, June 23, 2025
REVIEW: Jim Marshall’s JCM2000 TSL100: The Misunderstood Masterpiece of Tube Tone
Saturday, June 21, 2025
REVIEW SONICAKE LEVITATE: Bargain Digital Delay/Echo and Reverb in a guitar pedal
Friday, June 20, 2025
REVIEW MXR X100 ROCKMAN REISSUE, IN A GUITAR PEDAL: Does it Rock?
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
REVIEW AUDIOSCAPE OPTO COMPRESSOR: A hand-built, modern tribute to the LA-2A
For vintage gear enthusiasts, the Teletronix LA-2A optical limiter remains a studio legend, and its magic lies in a quirky component: the electroluminescent panel inside the T4 optical attenuator. This glowing heart of the LA-2A isn’t your typical light bulb—it’s a retro luminescent panel that pulses with the audio signal’s intensity. As the input signal surges, the panel lights up, casting its glow on a cadmium-sulfide photocell, which adjusts resistance to smoothly tame the signal’s gain. This interplay delivers the LA-2A’s iconic warm, musical compression, beloved on vocals and beyond. It’s a shining example of 1960s tech still stealing the show in modern mixes and it’s so important that AudioScape MAKES THEIR OWN!
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
TRIBUTE TO RUPERT NEVE: Father of the modern mixing console
Rupert Neve and the Rise of Neve Electronics: A Sonic Revolution (1961–1975)
In the annals of audio engineering, few names resonate as profoundly as Rupert Neve. A visionary British-American engineer, Neve’s innovations in analog recording equipment transformed the music industry, setting standards that remain revered decades later. From humble beginnings in his garage to building a global enterprise, Neve’s journey with Neve Electronics from 1961 to its sale in 1975 is a story of ingenuity, perseverance, and an unrelenting pursuit of sonic excellence.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
REVIEW EURORACK PATCH-CABLE ADAPTOR: 1/8th to 1/4", unlocks effects pedals
RIP BRIAN WILSON: Creator of The Beach Boys
A musical innovator has left us, Brian Wilson has passed away. The leader of "The Beach Boys" and a recording innovator -- there is no other way to describe him -- he and his brothers delivered a unique spirit and sound. My earliest recollection of the group was around 1964 when my older brother's band was rehearsing in the basement, they were attempting to do Beach Boys tunes and intermittently playing the records for reference.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
RIP BEYERDYNAMIC SOLD! Classic German Microphone Company cashes out
I have had a longterm, ongoing affair with Beyer microphone and headphone products, from the old handheld ribbon vocal mic designs to the classic M88, and even a wild fling with an MC740 back in 1987-88, all the way to their ultra-comfortable headphones. It is with a deep and profound feeling of sadness that I'm reporting that BeyerDynamic, has been sold to a Chinese holding company for 122-million Euros. With so much history and I.P. this sale price seems mighty low.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
REVIEW BEHRINGER TORO SYNTHESIZER: The Beast of Bass Returns
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Requires 70 HP Eurorack mounting space |
REVIEW BEHRINGER SOLINA STRING ENSEMBLE: Classic String Machine Rebirth
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Requires 70 HP Eurorack mounting space |
Monday, June 9, 2025
REVIEW BEHRINGER PRO-1 SYNTHESIZER: Desktop, Eurorack and Rack-mount Marvel?
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Requires 70 HP Eurorack mounting space |
Sunday, June 8, 2025
REVIEW BEHRINGER PRO-800 SYNTHESIZER: A Modern Music Making Powerhouse
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Requires 80 HP Eurorack mounting space |
Thursday, June 5, 2025
REVIEW ARTURIA KEYSTEP 32 KEYBOARD MIDI SOFTWARE CONTROLLER: It's little but is it good?
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
REVIEW LITTLE LABS MONOTOR HEADPHONE AMP: The Audio Grail, Sound Purity, for a price
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
REVIEW DIYRE PR502: DIY 2-Slot 500-Series Chassis
Monday, June 2, 2025
HOW DO YOU FIND ELECTRONIC NOISE IN STUDIO? Listen to it
Tone Generator Kit
Got hum or noise in your studio and need to track it down? You can listen for it with an inexpensive tool, which is currently under $30 on Amazon, that low price gets this valuable tool into our fun category of Bargain Studio Hacks. Not only can it point you to high output sources of induced noise, it can also be invaluable for tracing wires and cables. An almost identical version of this kit cost over $200 back in the 90’s but now cheap, functional equivalent, clones, are invading the world. What is this tool? Is it good?
Saturday, May 31, 2025
REVIEW FREDENSTEIN ARTISTIC COMP SE: Inexpensive 500-Series Compressor
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Bargain Priced Fredenstein Artistic Comp SE in Bento 2 Rack |
Friday, May 30, 2025
REVIEW FREDENSTEIN ARTISTIC MIC PREAMP SE 500-SERIES: Bargain or Nightmare?
Thursday, May 29, 2025
REVIEW AUDIOSCAPE EQP-A, VINTAGE PULTEC-STYLE VACUUM TUBE EQUALIZER
REVIEW MIDAS L10 500-SERIES 10-SLOT CHASSIS: Is it noisy?
Sunday, May 25, 2025
REVIEW BEHRINGER RX1602 LINE MIXER: Versatile Analog and Utility Mixer
Thursday, May 22, 2025
REVIEW SPACE SAVING RIGHT ANGLE XLR ADAPTOR - Bargain Studio Hack
REVIEW RADIAL KNURLED KNOB THUMB SCREW REPLACEMENT FOR 500-SERIES 4-40 x 3/8"
Saturday, May 17, 2025
IS YOUR SHURE SM7B MICROPHONE A FAKE? : Studios, Artists and Podcasters Beware!
Friday, May 16, 2025
REVIEW WHAT'S THE BEST PODCAST MICROPHONE: Shure SM7B, MV7X, EV RE20, Warm Audio WA-44
BEHRINGER VS SSL DAW SHOWDOWN: U-Phoria UMC1820 vs SSL 2+, same price
Podcasters, content creators and recording musicians all need reliable good sounding DAW interfaces, so we’re pitting Behringer — known for their extreme low prices — against SSL, a pricey brand known for their large, expensive, mixing consoles. Both of them use surface-mount construction, both of them have design engineers in the UK, and both products are entirely made in China. Is one noticeably better than the other?
Saturday, May 10, 2025
REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA-84 MICROPHONE: Specialized Small Diaphragm, Now in Omni
WHAT IS MICROPHONE OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: Why does it matter?
In the world of audio engineering, microphone output impedance might not grab headlines like frequency response or polar patterns, but it’s a critical factor that shapes how a microphone performs in the real world. This often-overlooked specification—measured in ohms (Ω)—determines how effectively a mic’s signal travels to a preamp or mixer, influencing noise, signal strength, and overall sound quality. Whether you’re tracking vocals in a studio or reinforcing sound on a festival stage, understanding why impedance matters can mean the difference between a clean recording and a frustrating mess.
IS THE 500-SERIES PLATFORM DYING?
Friday, May 9, 2025
REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA12-500 MKII: A Punchy, Vibey 500-Series Preamp with API Roots
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Wednesday, May 7, 2025
REVIEW BEHRINGER 73 500 SERIES MICROPHONE PREAMP: It's real, it's here, lets go inside!
Sunday, May 4, 2025
REVIEW FREDENSTEIN BENTO 2: Powered Rack 1RU 500-Series with Caveats for Neve 1073LB
Saturday, May 3, 2025
THE ORIGIN OF API AUDIO AND THE 500 SERIES FORMAT
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Modern 10- Slot API 500-series rack, click to enlarge |
Sunday, April 27, 2025
REVIEW SHURE SM33 RIBBON MICROPHONE: A Ribbon Mic by Shure?
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Friday, April 25, 2025
REVIEW SHURE 55SH SERIES II VOCAL MICROPHONE: A Sonic Titan of Sound
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Friday, April 18, 2025
REVIEW AKG C414 LDC MICROPHONE: The Legacy and Evolution
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My first two C414B-ULS, Click to enlarge |
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA-CX12 LDC TUBE MICROPHONE: Modern Tribute to classic AKG C12
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REVIEW SHURE SM-7B MICROPHONE: A Legacy of Great Sound
Monday, April 14, 2025
REVIEW MXL 2001 LDC MICROPHONE: A Budget Contender with Neumann Roots
The MXL 2001 holds a special place in the world of audio recording as one of the first affordable large-diaphragm condenser (LDC) microphones to challenge the dominance of high-end models. Introduced by Marshall Electronics under its MXL brand, the 2001 brought professional-grade features to home studios and project spaces, offering a compelling blend of quality and value. With its cardioid polar pattern, transformer-coupled output, and a physical design that echoes the form of legendary Neumann models, the MXL 2001 remains a noteworthy option for vocalists, instrumentalists, and podcasters. Let’s dive into its design, specifications, and origins to understand why this microphone continues to resonate with budget-conscious creators.
Sunday, April 13, 2025
REVIEW ELECTRO-VOICE RE20 MICROPHONE: A Timeless Icon in Audio Excellence
Friday, April 11, 2025
REVIEW SENNHEISER MD 421 MICROPHONE: The Mythic Workhorse of Sound
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Sennheiser MD 421 Microphone and mount |
In the pantheon of microphones, the Sennheiser MD 421 holds a near-mythic status. It’s an icon, a staple in studios and stages worldwide, revered for its ability to capture the soul of drums, guitars, and beyond. With its distinctive clip-on mount—both a studio blessing and a live sound liability—the MD 421 ranges from essential to legendary, depending on who’s wielding it. Compact, durable, affordable, and gifted with a tone that elevates any source, the MD 421 has carved out a legacy that few can rival. Let’s explore its history, technical prowess, and enduring appeal, while unpacking why Sennheiser remains a titan despite fierce competition.
REVIEW SHURE SM-57 MICROPHONE: The indestructible Icon of Sound
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SM-57, THE KING! |
In the world of microphones, few names carry the weight of the Shure SM-57. It’s a paradox: a humble workhorse revered as royalty, a tool that’s both at the bottom of the gear bag and the top of the industry’s must-have list. Compact, reliable, affordable, and blessed with a tone that flatters nearly everything it captures, the SM-57 has earned its place as a cornerstone of live sound and recording. Let’s dive into its storied history, technical brilliance, and enduring legacy, while addressing its sibling, the SM-58, and why Shure remains unmatched despite a sea of imitators.
Thursday, April 10, 2025
REVIEW SHURE SM-58 MICROPHONE: The Undisputed Champion of Live Sound
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
REVIEW BEYERDYNAMIC M 88 DYNAMIC MICROPHONE: A Timeless Workhorse in Audio Engineering
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Since its debut in 1962, the Beyerdynamic M88 has carved out a legendary status in the world of professional audio. Born in the workshops of Heilbronn, Germany, this dynamic moving-coil microphone was initially designed for recording speech, but its versatility and robust performance quickly made it a favorite across a wide range of applications. From vocals to kick drums, the M88 has been a trusted tool for engineers and artists alike, blending technical precision with a distinctive sonic character that continues to resonate more than six decades later.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
VINTAGE MICROPHONE CHARM: Exploring Frequency Response and the Allure of "Warmth"
REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA-44 VINTAGE STYLE RIBBON MICROPHONE
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A look inside the amazing Warm Audio WA-44 |
Warm Audio has once again delivered a piece of gear that punches well above its weight class with the WA-44, a ribbon microphone that pays homage to the legendary RCA ribbon mics of yesteryear. You might be able to do better if you spend a whole lot more. Let's see why this studio weapon is so sweet!
Thursday, April 3, 2025
REVEIW BEHRINGER SYNCUSSION SYNTH, MODERN SOUND FOR BEATS AND EURORACK
Behringer Syncussion Review: A Modern Twist on a Vintage Classic
Behringer’s Syncussion is a fascinating piece of gear that draws its inspiration from the past while carving out its own niche in the modern music production landscape. The original spark for this machine comes from the Pearl SY-1 Syncussion, a rare and quirky electronic drum synthesizer from the late 1970s that became a cult favorite for its unique, punchy tones. Behringer has taken that vintage spirit and reimagined it with contemporary flair, delivering a compact, affordable unit that bridges the gap between retro vibes and today’s modular workflows. Does it deliver value and performance? Lets unpack this:Tuesday, March 25, 2025
REMEMBERING ROGER NICHOLS, A TRIBUTE TO THE ORIGINAL GEAR SLUT
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Friday, March 21, 2025
UNVEILED: HOME RECORDING SECRETS THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW FOR PRO SOUND
HOW TO GET KILLER GUITAR TONE WITH IMPULSE RESPONSES, EQ AND EMULATION
Every guitarist knows the struggle: you want that jaw-dropping tone—think Clapton’s creamy Strat or Hetfield’s razor-sharp riffage—but your wallet’s not ready for a vintage amp or a studio full of mics. What if you could nail pro-level guitar tone from your bedroom with just a laptop, some plugins, and a few smart tweaks? Enter impulse responses (IRs), EQ, and emulation—the holy trinity of modern tone crafting. In this guide, we’ll break down how these tools work, why they’re game-changers, and how to use them to get killer guitar tone without selling your soul to the gear gods.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A PERSONAL RECORDING STUDIO AT HOME
For artists—whether singers, musicians, or songwriters—having a personal recording studio at home can be a game-changer. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about taking control of your creative process and shaping your sound on your terms. Here are five compelling advantages to setting up your own space and why it’s worth the effort
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
EXPENSIVE VS BOUTIQUE VS BUDGET PRICED: NAVIGATING THE AUDIO GEAR LANDSCAPE
How much do you have to spend? |
The recording studio world is a gear lover’s playground, but it’s also a financial minefield. At the budget end, brands like Warm Audio, PreSonus, and Behringer—along with its extended family of Midas, Klark Teknik, and TC Electronic—promise pro-level performance without the pro-level price. At the top, icons like Neve, Manley, and Apogee set the gold standard for sonic excellence. Somewhere in between, mid-tier giants like Universal Audio and boutique upstarts like AudioScape carve out their own niches. Can lower-priced gear truly rival the elite? How do mid-tier and boutique options fit in? And where should you splurge in your personal studio? Let’s unpack it all, including whether your DAW choice affects the sound.