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Friday, December 27, 2024

OUR TOP 20 RECORDING, SOUND AND GEAR REVIEWS FOR 2024

FIRST EVER H.o.T. TOP 20

These are the most popular, most read articles and reviews, ranked according to their total number of views in 2024 on High on Technology. Let the surprises begin:

#1.  NEVE 1073SPX COMPARED TO WARM AUDIO WA-73EQ REVIEW

This article has pretty consistently been number one since it went live. A direct comparison of the current Neve 1073SPX to the lower priced Warm Audio clone. Did Warm Audio nail it or does the old champ still stand?

#2.  LESLIE 147, THE MAGIC ROTATING SPEAKER SYSTEM

This was my first Leslie special feature, it is consistently in the top 10 from month to month. 

#3.  REVIEW WARM AUDIO EQP-WA vs KLARK TEKNIK EQP-KT, PULTEC-STYLE TUBE EQ SHOOTOUT

This article about the least expensive EQP-style equalizers has also been consistently in the top 10 from month to month. This year we added a pair of AudioScape EQP to the stable so watch for that comparison coming in 2025.

#4.  MARSHALL 1-WATT AMPLIFIER REVIEW, WHAT IS THE DSL1 MARSHALL?

Anything "Marshall" does well, especially the lower priced models. This one's a "two-fer" you get two reviews in one, I bought the head and combo models for this review. These little 1-watt marvels have gone up a lot in price since this article was published but the tone remains the same, these little beasts ROCK!

#5.  REVIEW MARSHALL 20 WATT ORIGIN HEAD AND COMBO AMPLIFIER

People just can't get. enough information about Marshall amplifiers. This one is another "Two-fer", I bought both the combo and head for the review. I've owned over 50 Marshall heads including several from the 1960's. The Origin models capture the essence of Marshall tone and put it in a reliable modern package. Apparently I'm not the only one digging these. 

#6.  REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA-47 AND WA-47JR MICROPHONE

The Warm Audio 47-style microphones helped put the company on everyone's list of either great or hate. Personally I think it's a lot of microphone for not that much money. No wonder Bryce was able to build such an awesome Warm Audio Studio with two SSL equipped rooms. The WA-47 has proven itself to be a winner in spite of all the negativity it receives on forums. 

#7. REVIEW WARM AUDIO BUS COMP VS SSL BUS+

Warm Audio stands up to the biggest brands and products, even those that cost over 3x as much. The Bus Comp delivers the classic sound plus it has those two big output transformers you can switch in for extra beef and ground loop protection. The inexpensive Warm Audio model sent the much more pricey model by SSL back to where it came from. Classic controls and those big CineMag output transformers are all you need. 

#8.  REVIEW MARSHALL MG15R GUITAR AMPLIFIER

One of the lowest priced Marshall combos continuously gets lots of eyeballs looking at it over. Is it because it's Solid State? Is it because it's inexpensive? Or is it because it's just a great sounding little combo amp?

#9.  DIY BUILD THE STEREO MASTERING PRECISION BALANCED-LINE VARIABLE ATTENUATOR

This is the most popular DIY article, people want to know how to attenuate a balanced line in a precise manner. This is also the output circuit used in CAPI preamps and select Warm Audio products. I bought the custom pots from CAPI Gear. Are you ready to do some drilling and soldering?

#10.  REVIEW ARTURIA SOFTWARE V COLLECTION, VIRTUAL SYNTHESIZER, ARE THEY GOOD?

Software synthesizers are a very popular topic and this one is consistently up there in the Top 10. I love real analog hardware synthesizers for their rich, evolving tones (see my latest Eurorack project here). Software synths have a place too, my favorite feature is that the presets you use gets stored in your DAW file, no need for handwritten notes or track sheets, it's all still there when you open the file in a few years. But do they sound right? Read it and find out.

#11.  REVIEW PRESONUS ERIS 3.5 POWERED STUDIO MONITORS, ARE THEY GOOD?

This little pair of powered monitors provides a good reference in a compact size for an outstanding low price. I bought a pair of Auratones back in 1979 (along with a lot of other people who wanted to hear what Quincy Jones was advertising). I was never a fan of the midrange-only tone (yes it did sound like an old TV set). This little pair of speakers by Presonus is 2-way, self powered and delivers full-range, flat frequency response. I wish I could have bought these back in 1979. 

#12.  REVIEW AUDIOSCAPE V-COMP+ 6386 DELUXE EDITION, WHAT IS GATES STA-LEVEL?

Handmade in small batches right here in Daytona, Florida. AudioScape burst onto the scene in the last couple of years and has not let up. This boutique manufacturer began back around 2016 in a pottery studio (next door to the owners residence) and has taken the forum circuit by storm. The tube compressors being reviewed utilize the latest version of the JJ 6386 remote cut off tube to provide classic variable mu dynamics for 1/3 the current market price. No wonder they're so popular. It made it to #12 even though the review did not come out until November of 2024 (Hint: engineers love the Sonic Truth, great service and factory direct pricing).

#13.  PULLING TUBES AND HOT RODDING BUGERA INFINIUM 1960 GUITAR AMP

This article gets a lot of hits from Europe where the Bugera brand really sells well. This model is now discontinued and the price for used has jumped up above what they sold for new. This article explains how to lower the power by pulling out a couple of tubes and replacing the remaining pair with a lower power set. Also shows how to set the impedance switch correctly. BTW these instructions came directly from Bugera and Behringer (the parent company) technical support, we're not making this stuff up ;-)

#14.  REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA-MPX TUBE PREAMPLIFIER, IS IT GOOD?

Warm Audio continues their winning streak with another innovative and low priced vacuum tube preamplifier. Hint: We liked it......


Not a kit and not bad, this bargain instrument review always manages to stay in the Top 20 since it first hit the internet. I just checked and today, in 2024, Monoprice.com still sells a similar model for $109 plus around $20 for shipping to my home in Florida (opposite side of the country). If what they are delivering is anything like the quality I received it is still a bargain.


The Hum Debugger is a weird one, it does get rid of hum along with other parts of your tone. In spite of the drawbacks this box continues to draw A LOT of interest.

#17.  REVIEW WHAT IS LINE 6 VARIAX STANDARD ELECTRIC GUITAR BY YAMAHA

The Variax may be gone now that Yamaha bought Line6 but people still want to know about it. I owned several and still have two of them, I love the acoustic guitar preset. Most of the weird and wacky electronic guitars like "The AutoTune Guitar" and the "Variax" have gone away but inquiring minds still want to know about them.

#18. REVVING UP THE LESLIE 147 WITH COMBO PREAMP AND NEW TUBES

My love for the old vacuum tube powered Leslie speaker systems is shared by many. This is proven out by two separate articles about Leslies making it into the Top 20 list. After building my own Leslie switching system I decided to return to using a stock combo preamp. My vintage 147 is well over 50 years old and it's still spinning out golden tones no stomp box can touch. 


I've found Joyo pedals offer a lot of tone and great value. This rechargeable pedalboard power supply is what I'd use if I was playing out live. No extension cord and no ground loops along with over 5-hours of runtime make this a unique product. A super low price is also NICE!


It's no secret, I've had A LOT of fun exploring dirt cheap pedals sold by Amazon. I was unfamiliar with the EX brand until it got pushed to me in a search. Loop switchers are always of interest and this one was dirt cheap. I bought one and it turned out to be really great, especially for the price. I love bargains that I don't have to build and this turned out to be a great one. Check it out if you want to switch effects IN and OUT of your tone chain. 

EPILOGUE

Out of hundreds of thousands of views these are the Top 20 for 2024. What will be on the list in 2025? Only time will tell but I'd bet a few of this year's winners will return again next year (here's looking at you Neve 1073, Marshall Amps, Warm Audio processing and all the remaining vintage Leslie speakers that refuse to die). 

Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!

©December, 2024 by Mark King.

It's not ok to copy or quote without written permission, get it here.


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