REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA-44 VINTAGE STYLE RIBBON MICROPHONE

UPDATED: Warm Audio's big ribbon mic has been here for over a year and it still impresses. From its massive weight and size to the rich sound, it is a favorite every time it gets used on vocals. Definitely a favorite modern piece of gear LOL. Below is the original article as it was when published, enjoy!

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, then again, maybe not! Let's see why this studio weapon is so sweet!

OPINION - DO YOU NEED BUS COMPRESSION? How Much Processing Do You Really Need?

I'm sure it's hard for some people to believe but once upon a time engineers did not use stereo bus compressors... shocking, I know. Neil Young famously went off about compression and how it ruined great sound. A simple recording trick makes bus compression unnecessary, especially in our 32-bit digital world of perfectly flat response recording with 120 dB+ dynamic range.

VIRTUAL STUDIO TOUR IS HERE - You asked for it, we delivered!

 

THE END OF THAT - THAT Corporation That Is

THAT Corporation, the heirs to the Blackmer VCA dynasty have announced they're shutting down their legacy chips like VCA, Balanced-In, Balanced-Out and several other parts that just don't sell enough to justify continuing production. The production technologies on older, smaller, wafer sizes is just too costly to maintain so they're pulling the plug. 

OPINION - AVOID THE HIVE MIND - Learn to use your own ears

SKEPTIC GUY

Hopefully if you go to an audio forum you're looking for information about something you want to buy, thinking about buying or trying to learn. If you read audio forums then it is only a matter of time until you meet the "Hive Mind". Just like bees buzzing around a hive, there are popular themes that kindle rampant hatred of certain brands, manufacturer's and even specific pieces of gear. Look away!

WHAT IS FLAT FREQUENCY RESPONSE: The Key to Accurate Audio

In the world of audio engineering and consumer electronics, terms like "frequency response" get thrown around a lot, especially when discussing headphones, speakers, or microphones. But what exactly does a "flat frequency response" mean, and why should you care? Whether you're a music producer fine-tuning tracks in the studio or an everyday listener streaming podcasts on your commute, grasping this concept can help you make better decisions about your gear. In this article, we'll break it down step by step, exploring its technical foundations and real-world implications.

VINTAGE MICROPHONE CHARM: Exploring Frequency Response and the Allure of "Warmth"

When it comes to recording, the term "vintage" carries a certain mystique. Vintage microphones, often prized for their "warm" or "smooth" sound, have a reputation that modern budget clones struggle to replicate. A key factor in this sonic character lies in their frequency response—particularly how they handle high frequencies. While modern condenser microphones boast extended ranges reaching up to 20kHz or beyond, vintage models frequently exhibit a "rolled off" high-end that many listeners perceive as more pleasing, natural, or simply "better." This article dives into the interplay between microphone frequency response, the human voice, and the engineering choices that shape our perception of sound quality.

DaVinci RESOLVE: The Free (and Insanely Powerful) Video Editor That Stole the Show from Final Cut Pro

Click to enlarge

If you create and edit video on a Mac in 2026, there’s a good chance DaVinci Resolve is already on your shortlist—or it should be. What started as a high-end color correction tool has become the world’s most complete all-in-one post-production suite: editing, color grading, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production in a single app. And the best part? The free version is genuinely usable for professional work. 

REVIEW TREEDIX USB CABLE TESTER III

Previously High on Technology has written about USB-C cables and the various permutations of the connectors, conductors and wires. Now we’re going to look at a USB cable tester capable of analyzing what is going on inside your cable. This product integrates the basic function testing of data cables, internal cable construction testing, internal resistance testing, and Type-C eMarker reading. How many conductors are wired to the plethora of connection-contacts? Power handling, data handling and more can all be tested but it requires more than a DIY battery and LED combination. There are at least two Treedix models I found, in this review we’ll be looking at the more expensive model which has a tiny CPU for doing the heavy lifting. Ready for some surprises?

REVEIW EQP-KT UPGRADED WITH FULLY TESTED MULLARD MODERN PRODUCTION TUBES

Does swapping tubes really make a difference? 

Is it worth extra $$ to buy fancy tested tubes?

Inside the EQP-KT, click to enlarge

We have an ongoing long term vacuum tube comparison going on in the High on Technology lab and some exciting early results are rolling in. Fully tested, graded and matched sets of 12AX7 and 12AU7 were installed in a pair of EQP-KT equalizers, replacing the stock Chinese “Bugera Selected” tubes (don’t you just love tube marketing). The results were shocking and impressive.

REVIEW BLACKMAGIC DESIGN DaVINCI RESOLVE SPEED EDITOR

RIP SONY BVW BETACAM DECK

This review is for a compact little keyboard accessory from Blackmagic Design. Back in the 1990’s we used expensive Sony BetaCam tape decks (because digital video had not arrived yet). These big heavy professional tape decks (thinking about the BVW75) cost around $40-50k each and they had this wheel on the front which allowed you to shuttle/scroll tape back and forth (critical functions when editing video). The video folks at Blackmagic Design have now brought that shuttle-wheel into the modern video editing suite in the form of the “DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor” and to sweeten the deal they’ve included two seats of their premium editing software (reviewed here on H.o.T.) which normally sells for $300 (free with the Speed Editor). Does the Speed Editor live up to its name? Does it make things go faster?

PLUGIN REVIEW OPINION: Plugins are over-priced digital candy

If you've been in the music production game for more than a minute, you've probably felt it: that nagging sense that plugin prices are completely detached from reality. We're talking $100, $200, even $300+ for what is essentially a few clever lines of code running on your computer. Today I'm calling it like I see it — plugins are wildly overpriced, and the industry has turned them into status-symbol candy for gear sluts to flex on forums and Instagram.

REVIEW: Tubes for Microphones, Preamps and Guitar Amps

12AX7A Super-Star of Guitar Amps

Are you curious about what tubes are, when they were invented, why they sound different and how they work? If the sound coming out of different tubes makes such a BIG difference, how come no music is marketed as “using it” or “game changing”? Let’s unpack the mystery around 9-pin miniature vacuum tubes used in guitar amps, tube-EQ, microphones and mic preamps.

REVIEW PULTEC® STYLE EQP SHOWDOWN - AudioScape vs Klark Teknik vs Warm Audio

L. Stereo Pair AudioScape EQP, R. Klark Teknik and Warm Audio EQP

Stereo pairs of all three of these Pultec-style EQs are sitting right here in the High on Technology studio. I currently have a pair of brand-new Klark Teknik EQP-KTs next to me with fresh sets of Tube Depot premium-sorted Mullard 12AX7s and 12AU7s going through a 24-hour burn-in before we start serious listening. Tube rolling is fully underway across all three pairs of EQ, the AudioScape pair, the Warm Audio pair, and the two KT units. Lets dig in and compare features and sound.

NO ROBOTS ALLOWED - a new music video by High on Technology Studios

 The song and the story of how we made it is on Mark King Radio. Here is a direct link to the "NO ROBOTS ALLOWED" video.

Click to enlarge

REVIEW ART VOICE CHANNEL -Tube Mic Preamp with Digital Connectivity

The ART Voice Channel is a two-rackspace channel-strip that combines a Class-A tube microphone preamp, dynamics processing (compressor, de-esser, expander/gate), a four-band semi-parametric EQ, and flexible analog and digital I/O options in one unit. It targets home and project studios looking for an all-in-one front end for vocal and instrument recording. So does the ART Voice Channel deliver the sound your voice needs?

BUYER BEWARE - Monoprice Fail

Kicking off our brand new “BUYER BEWARE”  category is Monoprice. I’ve never purchased any high dollar items from this company. I have one of their Telecaster-style guitars which was incredibly inexpensive and it has been a fun budget instrument. Low price seems to be their claim to fame. It’s all good until you get a defective or damaged unit, then it’s GOOD LUCK SUCKER!

HELP: HAVE YOU TRIED TURNING IT OFF AND ON AGAIN?

If you’ve ever called tech support in a panic, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the immortal words: “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” That line, delivered perfectly by Roy Trenneman in the brilliant British sitcom The IT Crowd, isn’t just comedy gold — it’s genuinely some of the most practical advice in the entire history of technology.

And yes, I’m still saying this in 2026.

TAPE VS DIGITAL 2026: It’s the Song, Stupid

For decades, analog purists have romanticized the sound of 2" tape (aka magnetic recording tape). There’s no denying it has a certain punch, glue, and low-mid magic that digital sometimes struggles to match. But when you strip away the romance and look at media cost only (not studio time, not machine maintenance, just the blank recording medium), the numbers become almost comical.

WHAT THE HECK IS “ONE DROP”? The Reggae Rhythm That Changed Everything

If you’ve ever nodded your head to a reggae tune and felt that deep, laid-back, hypnotic groove, chances are you were feeling the One Drop.

Yet a surprising number of people who love the rhythm have no idea what “One Drop” actually means or where it came from. So let’s break it down.

FENDER® ACTIVELY RESTRICTING STRATOCASTER-STYLE IN THE EU

In March 2026, Fender won a significant court case in Germany's Regional Court of Düsseldorf against a Chinese manufacturer (Yiwu Philharmonic Musical Instruments Co.) that was selling Strat copies on AliExpress for shipment into Germany/EU. The court ruled that the Stratocaster body design qualifies as a copyrighted "work of applied art" under German and EU law—not just a functional shape—because it reflects original creative expression. 

I've never shopped on Ali Express but people I know did and showed me guitars that not only have the shape, they have the Fender brand, model name... in short, total rip-offs of Fender I.P. and I'm glad to see Fender make a stand. Shure should do the same thing but that's another story.

LINE 6 SPIDER V60 REVIEW: Practice Amp Shows Its Age in 2026

It’s been a while since High on Technology reviewed any guitar amps, here’s an interesting addition to our flock of studio guitar amps. The Line 6 Spider V 60 dropped back in late 2016 (officially announced September 27, 2016) as part of the new Spider V modeling amp lineup. It was marketed as an easy-to-use, self-contained combo loaded with 200+ amp, cab, and effect models, plus built-in looper and drum tracks. Does it succeed in the burgeoning 10” or 12” self contained guitar amp category?

RIP WEIGHT TANK WT-72 MIC PREAMP - Locomotive Audio confirms the Weight Tank Preamp is discontinued

The very-beefy Weight Tank microphone preamp built by Locomotive Audio in St. Louis, Missouri, is now discontinued. Eric, the designer builder has confirmed the preamp will no longer be offered due to availability of acceptable low noise tubes for the unit and it is gone from their web site. 

FISSION MAC AUDIO EDITING SOFTWARE BARGAIN by Rogue Amoeba

Fission by Rogue Amoeba: The Fast, Lossless Audio Editor Every Mac User Needs

Click the pict to enlarge

In the world of Mac audio software, Rogue Amoeba stands out as a developer that consistently delivers high-quality, focused tools that just work. While their flagship apps like Audio Hijack and Loopback grab a lot of headlines, Fission is the quiet powerhouse that audio enthusiasts, podcasters, and everyday Mac users keep coming back to. If you’ve ever needed to trim a track, split a long recording, or convert formats without destroying quality, Fission is the app you’ve been looking for. 

RIP - Jack Douglas (November 6, 1945 – May 11, 2026)

Jack Douglas, the Bronx-born rock powerhouse who rose from studio janitor to one of the most influential producers and engineers in music history, has passed away at age 80 from complications of lymphoma. 

WHAT IS PIRATE RADIO? Your own 24/7 Internet Station - Legal, Powerful and Perfect for Creatives

In the classic era, pirate radio meant hijacking the airwaves from ships or hidden transmitters to defy the establishment. Today, Modern Pirate Radio is something even better: a completely legal, global, always-on internet broadcast that puts you directly in control of your content. No corporate gatekeepers. No restrictive playlists. Just raw creativity flowing straight to listeners worldwide. 

REVIEW ELGATO HG60X: Compact, Clean HDMI Stream Conversion for Mac and OBS

I’ve been broadcasting 24/7 on OBS since February 2026. For the first stretch we were looping funny videos while I worked to get the technical side for live video properly sorted. Getting reliable capture from my video mixing source turned into a much bigger headache than expected.

FROM C TO SHINING C: A Complete Guide to USB-C to USB-C Cables

Apple USB-C to USB-C 240 watt charging cable

In the world of modern tech, few things are as universal — and as confusing — as the humble USB-C cable. That sleek, reversible oval connector has become the standard for everything from charging your phone to powering high-end laptops, transferring massive files, and even beaming video to external displays. But not all USB-C to USB-C cables are created equal. One might top off your battery at a leisurely pace, while another could drive a Thunderbolt dock, external GPU, or 8K monitor without breaking a sweat. 

Welcome to High on Technology's no-nonsense guide to the USB-C cable spectrum.

WARM AUDIO DID NOT DROP KENETEK PRO AUDIO T4B OPTICAL ATTENUATOR - it is still in the WA-2A

I was wrong. I have communicated with Kenetek and they ARE still supplying T4B optical attenuators for Warm Audio WA-2A.

Also got word from Warm Audio HQ, "Kenetek from day 1" was their response. No clue and no idea WHY they took it out of the marketing. Perhaps they are trying to focus on promoting their own brand and keep the attention on that. 

WHAT DID YOU CREATE TODAY?

Did you write anything today? Lyrics? Music? Art? Video? I like to challenge myself every day to make something new that did not exist yesterday (not including what I write here in the Blog ;-). Maybe it’s just a new mix of something I already wrote. Maybe I did not finish that mix to the level I like but I probably learned something from trying and next time I come back to it I know I can do it better (that counts as something new, see how this works?).

APPLE USB-C TO USB-A ADAPTOR VS. SCARILY GOOD CLONE

Which One Should You Actually Buy?

Apple® USB-C to USB-A Adaptor

We’ve been testing a ton of accessories here at High on Technology, and today we’re putting the humble USB-C to USB-A adapter under the microscope. I own the genuine Apple version ($19 for one) and a pair of third-party clones that look so close I had to label them “NOT Apple” so I didn’t mix them up. The clones cost just $9 for two. So… is the Apple tax worth it, or can you save some cash?

Spoiler: It depends on what you plug into it. But let’s break it down.

Pixelmator Pro: My Photoshop® Escape Hatch (And Why It’s Rocking at High on Technology)

For years I’ve been on the hunt for a real Photoshop replacement. Ever since Adobe locked everything behind their subscription model—complete with endless bloatware updates, quirky cloud dependencies, and the feeling that you’re renting software instead of owning it—I’ve wanted out. My old Photoshop 5.5 license still runs on an ancient “Cheesegrater” Mac Pro and honestly handles 90% of what I need… but it’s stuck in the past. 

EAZYDRAW: The Mac Drawing App That Quietly Fills a Big Gap

Example by Mark King, our new studio!

If you’re a Mac user who needs to create clean, precise illustrations, diagrams, technical drawings, or just communicate ideas visually, EazyDraw deserves a spot in your Applications folder. It’s fast, straightforward, and powerful enough for real work without the complexity (or cost) of full-blown CAD or design suites. At High on Technology, we’ve been testing it heavily, and you’re going to see it popping up in future articles and diagrams. It’s become my go-to replacement for the classic Mac drawing tools I used to love. 

OBS STUDIO: The Powerful Free Broadcasting Tool

Free Software that turns an old unused computer

into a complete Broadcast Studio

If you’re into live streaming, podcasting, or running an internet radio station on your Mac, OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is likely the best tool in your arsenal. It’s completely free, open-source, and incredibly capable—used by everyone from bedroom broadcasters to massive Twitch streamers. At High on Technology, we rely on OBS 24/7, every day to broadcast our Pirate Radio stream for Mark King Radio, our band’s outlet for raw, uncut music and talk. It’s the backbone of our broadcast operation which puts us "in your pocket right now". 

DAVE MASON RIP - Feelin All Right

Dave Mason has passed away, one of my favorite musicians from way back when. He was 79. 

I saw him perform live several times in concert back in the 1970s and always enjoyed his vocal and guitar playing. He wrote some killer songs that live on today. He will be missed.

MARK KING RADIO - Available everywhere

Worth a LOOK and a LISTEN!

THE END OF ANALOG MIXING IS AT HAND: Updated 2023 and 2026

IS ANALOG MIXING IN THE STUDIO DYING?

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

OUR SOUNDCRAFT GB8-40 INSTALLED

UPDATE 2023: I've left the original article as it was but be aware, our studio electronic architecture has changed a lot since this article was first published in 2017 (the X32 mixers have been replaced with Neve 1073spx preamps). To see a few of the updates scroll down to the end of the original article. 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE FOLLOWS

In our studio we use a split-console metaphor which essentially means one mixer to record and a completely separate mixer for mixing. I decided it was time to upgrade our analog mixing console. I needed more Aux-Sends and they all needed to be post fader for effects-sends. I needed more subgroups and a more versatile stereo master group. I needed better solo capabilities. I've been building and repairing electronics all my life, I wanted something new so I could focus on mixing not repairing or hot-rodding some 30+ year old beast. 

WARM AUDIO INTRODUCES WA-8TRX - wow, this thing is amazing

The entire engineering staff at High on Technology was sworn to secrecy, we signed NDA's the size of phone books. Finally they took the wraps off this incredible piece. 

INTERSECTION - by Mark King Radio, April 3, 2026 album release on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and others

April 3: Point your music subscription at the new album by Mark King Radio (the band). 

MARK KING RADIO - Spotify, Band Gigs and Studio Recording

Click to enlarge

REVIEW BEHRINGER SL75 VS SHURE SM57 VS PYLE PDMIC78- Microphone shootout

If a microphone looks like a Shure SM57 and sounds sort of like it, then it’s as good as a Shure, right?

REVIEW: BEHRINGER 1273 COMPARED TO NEVE 1073SPX AND WARM AUDIO WA-73

UPDATE: Scroll to the end for latest updates.

Are you ready for the Behringer 1273-KT clone of the classic Neve 1073 in a smackdown comparison to a real Neve 1073SPX? Just for good measure we’ll also compare the Behringer to the Warm Audio clone of the classic Neve 1073. Along the way I hope to answer that question which is burning a hole in your brain; Is the Behringer 1273 good? You may think you know but there are some big surprises awaiting. Let's dig in!

The Behringer 1273 features two full channel strips of 73-style preamps

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.

MARK KING RADIO - Free Radio Streaming Live on YouTube, Ad Free, Reggae, Rock, Progressive, Modern Country -

 Reggae, Rock, Progressive, Modern Country - Energy Playlist by Day, Chill Playlist at Night. 24/7-fun

REVIEW NEVE 8816 VS SOUNDCRAFT GB4-16, OUTSIDE THE BOX

 NEVE VS SOUNDCRAFT

When the Neve 8816 first hit the market I ordered one. I also ordered the 8804 fader package which basically changes the 8816 into a mini Neve console with hands-on faders. Was it a wise investment?

IS THE 500-SERIES PLATFORM DYING?

For years, the API 500-series format was the darling of audio engineers, with new modules popping up like studio monitors at a gear expo. Preamps, EQs, compressors—everywhere you looked, another 500-series gadget promised to elevate your recordings. But the tide seems to be turning. Are software plugins stealing the spotlight? Are pricey, proprietary hardware racks losing their appeal? Is the 500-series platform doomed? Let’s unpack the trends and see if the format’s days are numbered.

WHAT DO AI LIKE? - a new music video by Mark King

Watch it in Full Screen to see all the details

RIP STUDIO ONE DAW - PRESONUS STUDIO ONE BECOMES "FENDER STUDIO"- better?

Studio One has changed into Fender Studio. I'm glad I passed on all the upgrade offers to new Studio One last Fall, now this? 

REVIEW API 3124+ MICROPHONE PREAMP

FOUR-CHANNEL PREAMPLIFIER CLASSIC FROM API

Review by Mark King for Proworkshop.com

Microphone preamplifiers are definitely in the top five things audio engineers bicker about. Don't they all basically sound the same? Don't they all basically do the same thing? If your mixer or interface already has a microphone preamp in it why wouldn't you just use that?

These are all valid questions with equally valid answers depending on how well developed your ears are, whether you think the end is justified by the expense and perhaps most importantly whether you can afford it.

REVIEW WARM AUDIO WA-87JR SPECIAL EDITION MICROPHONE BARGAIN

Hey, tech squad – if you're grinding in a home studio or bootstrapping a pro setup on a ramen budget, I've got your next must-have. After years of chasing that elusive Neumann U87 vibe without remortgaging the house, Warm Audio's  WA-87jr SE finally cracked the code. This isn't just another knockoff; it's a transformerless, cardioid-only beast that delivers 87-style magic for under $200. I put it to the test and yeah, it's a game-changer.

SANDWICH APOCALYPSE - Classic Rock and humor rolled into an album with a familiar sound

 

We've been very busy here in the High on Technology recording studio. We were having a band meeting and Mary King asked the simple question "What if the leader of a big old band wanted a sandwich late one night, they went to the bread box and found there was no more bread". What would it sound like if they sang about it passionately? Like a drug fueled power trio in the 1960s, a full tilt hard rock love song from the 70s, Swedish pop or New Wave from the 80s, or grunge from the 90s?

YOUR CAR WIRING IS FOOD - the wiring insulation is SOY based

When I first moved to Florida somebody mentioned “rats may eat the wiring in your car”. I was like, “yea ok, sure, whatever…” completely confident that rats have not decided to feast on petroleum based wiring insulation. I was wrong… about the insulation! 

WAR OF THE WORLDS - MUSIC VIDEO: 50's Style Science Fiction

I'm a big fan of older science fiction. I used modern video tools to bring one of my original songs to life in this Music Video which will be featured in a future "Spotlight" post here on HoT. I wrote and recorded the music back in 2003. I had a lot of fun producing this, let your own creativity flow, Enjoy!

REVIEW HEADRUSH “FRFR GO” POWERED SPEAKER: Rechargeable battery too

Headrush is a relatively new player in powered speakers. The acronym FRFR was previously described here on High on Technology, Headrush has borrowed it and put it into the name of today’s review product. The Headrush “FRFR GO” is a small, inexpensive, portable speaker system with an emphasis on musical instrument applications — think guitar modelers, digital drum and synth use, jamming with loops, listening to tunes and so much more. But is it good?

TOP 20 ITEMS YOU SEARCHED FOR IN 2025 ON HIGH ON TECHNOLOGY

It is amazing how fast time seems to be moving. Whoosh, there goes another year flashing by. Let’s get right into this and see what gear people were searching for, there were some surprises 

HOW TO ADD REAL DRUMS TO YOUR SONG: Recording Studio Drum Tracks

Tired of drum libraries and drum machines? Do you crave some REAL drumming on your latest song creation? Thanks to the internet you CAN have a real drummer play on your new musical masterpiece, without the volume and hassle of setting up a drum kit and providing the right acoustic space. Let’s get into this and see how it works.