High on Technology

BARGAIN STUDIO HACKS Eurorack uses 1/8" jacks and plugs, guitar effect pedals use 1/4" jacks and plugs, what's a musician to d...

A musical innovator has left us, Brian Wilson has passed away. The leader of "The Beach Boys" and a recording innovator -- there i...

RIP BEYERDYNAMIC I have had a longterm, ongoing affair with Beyer microphone and headphone products, from the old handheld ribbon vocal mic ...

For creators, synth enthusiasts and recording artists chasing that iconic, floor-rumbling bass sound, the Behringer Toro Analog Bass Synthes...

The Behringer Solina String Ensemble is a modern revival of 1974’s iconic ARP String Ensemble, which itself was a rebadged product by Eminen...

As a synth enthusiast who’s spent countless hours tweaking knobs and chasing vintage tones, I was eager to dive into the Behringer PRO-1 , a...

The Behringer Pro-800 has been making waves in the synth community since its release, promising an affordable take on the iconic Sequential ...

As a music producer constantly juggling hardware synths, modular rigs, and DAW-based workflows, I’m always on the hunt for compact gear tha...

The Little Labs Monotor was not on my radar, my Sweetwater Sales Engineer (Jim S.) put me on to this boutique jewel, made in California. I h...

The PR502 is a kit, you buy it at DIYRE (on the web) and you get everything you need to build this 2-slot, 500-Series rack (it's below t...

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 curre...

SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE AT END OF REVIEW Bargain Priced Fredenstein Artistic Comp SE in Bento 2 Rack If you look at 500-series module pricing, ...

SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE AT END OF REVIEW The Fredenstein Artistic MicPre SE is a compelling 500-series microphone preamp that delivers professi...

I’ve had this pair of AudioScape EQP-A in the studio for just over a year now and they’ve been used on various individual tracks during mixi...

I was previously prejudiced against these Midas 500-series racks by things other people said. A friend told me I should revisit them and she...

click to enlarge I first discovered the 1602 line mixer back around 2007, I bought three used ones off eBay for $75 (for all three :-) and w...

Sometimes you just need a right angle XLR — maybe due to space limitations like trying to mic a snare drum or setup a weird stereo microphon...

If you have ever struggled with mounting 500 Series modules, or had trouble finding the right screws to mount modules, you’ll love these pri...

While browsing eBay for gear to review on H.o.T., I stumbled across a disturbing trend: a flood of counterfeit microphones, FAKES, including...

Podcasting has exploded, turning living rooms into studios and voices into livelihoods. With the right microphone, anyone can sound like a p...

Podcasters, content creators and recording musicians all need reliable good sounding DAW interfaces, so we’re pitting Behringer — known for ...

My experience with vintage Neumann KM84 microphones began when a drummer friend lent me a pair alongside his maple Ludwig kit. For years, I ...

Mic Output Impedance, the Unsung Hero of Audio Clarity In the world of audio engineering, microphone output impedance might not grab headlin...

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. Pr...

Warm Audio’s WA12-500 MKII is a 500-series microphone preamplifier that channels the spirit of the legendary API 312 and 512 preamps while c...

It is finally here, I paid the full price to be an early adopter and find out if this product lives up to the hype. The Behringer 73 is one ...

The Fredenstein Bento 2 is a compact, 2-slot 500-series rack designed to house API VPR Alliance-compatible modules, offering a budget-friend...

Modern 10- Slot API 500-series rack, click to enlarge In the late 1960s, Automated Processes, Inc. (API), founded by Saul Walker and Lou Lin...

Click to enlarge The Shure SM33 ribbon microphone stands as a testament to the golden era of ribbon microphone technology, blending vintage ...

Click to Enlarge I remember seeing microphones like these on the school stage when I was in the sixth grade (1964). The Shure 55SH Series II...

My first two C414B-ULS , Click to enlarge The AKG C414 is a legendary large-diaphragm condenser microphone, renowned for its versatility, cl...

click to enlarge The Warm Audio WA-CX12 is a large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone designed to capture the essence of the legendary AKG ...

UPDATE: Thinking about buying an SM7B? Check our  story about Fake SM7B here  on H.o.T. Few microphones have achieved the legendary status o...

The MXL 2001 holds a special place in the world of audio recording as one of the first affordable large-diaphragm condenser (LDC) microphone...

Since its debut in 1968, the Electro-Voice RE20 has carved out a legendary status in the world of microphones, blending innovative design wi...

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 sta...

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 r...

The Shure SM-58 is more than just a microphone—it’s a cultural icon, a symbol of reliability, and a cornerstone of live audio. Since its int...

click to enlarge Since its debut in 1962, the Beyerdynamic M88 has carved out a legendary status in the world of professional audio. Born in...

When it comes to recording, the term "vintage" carries a certain mystique. Vintage microphones, often prized for their "warm...

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...

  Behringer Syncussion Review: A Modern Twist on a Vintage Classic Behringer’s Syncussion is a fascinating piece of gear that draws its insp...

click to enlarge In the pantheon of audio engineering legends, few shine as brightly—or as irreverently—as Roger Nichols. Before Gearspace, ...

Big studios want you to believe pro sound belongs to them—high-end gear, custom rooms, and an unspoken “you’re not welcome” attitude. They f...

Every guitarist knows the struggle: you want that jaw-dropping tone—think Clapton’s creamy Strat or Hetfield’s razor-sharp riffage—but your ...

For artists—whether singers, musicians, or songwriters—having a personal recording studio at home can be a game-changer. It’s not just about...

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 e...

Are expensive cables better than inexpensive versions that do the same thing? When setting up a recording studio, whether it’s a personal pr...

The art of mixing music has evolved dramatically over the decades, shaped by technological advancements and the creative demands of artists ...

Recording audio is both an art and a science, requiring technical skill, creativity, and a keen sense of sound. Whether you're capturing...

Aight, yo, let’s dive into this mic showdown—Warm Audio WA-251 vs. Flea M-251. These joints are tryna flex that classic Telefunken ELA M 251...