Plug-ins really made things easier overall – with fewer big boxes and racks to take up space. BUT,...
Best Audio Interfaces
Reviews from Performer Magazine on computer and mobile recording interfaces.
Fluid Audio SRI-2 Interface Review
Small format interfaces are great, but the gain in desktop real estate sometimes means a loss in...
IK Multimedia Axe I/O Interface REVIEW
How about an interface that’s optimized for guitarists, with guitar related software that will...
Focusrite Forte USB Interface
PROS: Wonderful preamps, plenty of features, easy to use. CONS: None. PRICE: $499 Focusrite was founded in 1985 by Rupert Neve, and although he’s no longer associated with the company, the level of...
Performer’s iPad Essentials for Musicians
Tablet schmablet. You can have the fanciest lookin’ device on the planet, but if there are no killer apps for it, it’s just a useless hunk-o-junk. So now that you’ve got that shiny new iPad, how are...
Apogee Duet 2 USB Interface
PROS: Great sound quality, simple design and functionality. CONS: Mac only. PRICE: $599 Home recording has become more common now than 4-tracks were back in the day, and now Apogee’s offering up...
FLASHBACK: Vintage Teletronix LA-2A
“Legendary Vocal Compressor from the ’60s” YEAR 1962 HISTORY The LA-2A is considered one of the most legendary vocal compressors in recording history. I first learned about it through a friend and...
GEAR FLASHBACK: API 550 EQ
"Hand-Wired, Simple Design Minimizes Phase Shift” YEAR: Late 1960s HISTORY: The API 550 EQ was designed by Saul Walker in the late 1960s and was first used in API and custom console designs. It has...
Review: iConnect MIDI
Pros: Seemingly magical feature set, low latency, solid construction and utilitarian design. Cons: Won’t charge connected iOS devices, no support for Android devices, not bus powered when connected...
Review: PreSonus BlueTube DP V2
Pros: Small size, simple to use, real tube tone, affordable. Cons: None. Price: $229 Digital recording keeps refining itself with software, but the analog warmth was often relegated to...
GEAR GUIDE: Control Surfaces
Make Your DAW Work For You Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) are great, there’s no questioning that. Every once in a while, though, staring at a computer screen and trying to control the parameters...
GEAR GUIDE: Home Mixers
While many programs have integrated mixers that can entail hours of clicking away to make the perfect mix, there are physical mixers that can be used to make the process easier and leave the power...
GEAR GUIDE: USB and Firewire Interfaces
It is easier (and cheaper) than ever to record professional quality audio, and with the added convenience of recording gear becoming smaller with each passing season, the market is currently flooded...