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Reviews of the Week
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ION Audio Tape2PC Cassette Archiving System
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This inexpensive cassette to digital file hardware conversion system is simple, easy to use, and universally welcoming to users of all stripes.
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by Ty Ford, 3.15.2008
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Times have changed while listening habits and consumer audio technology have changed even more.
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Sterling Modular GearPod
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High-end quality and unique flexibility define this affordable studio rack kit.
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by Stephen Murphy, 2.15.2008
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The front of the Gear Pod provides 12 rack spaces of prime real estate for your gear, and the rear of the housing is “pre-drilled” for the easy installation of eight-space rack rails to accommodate larger equipment and cable support systems.
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Benchmark ADC1 USB Analog-to-Digital Converter
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This two-channel converter adds USB, while taking nothing from its pristine sound.
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by John Gatski, 12.15.2007
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Two years ago, I reviewed the Benchmark ADC1 A/D converter (PAR 12/05) and found it to be an excellent two-channel converter that could compete with even more highly priced converters. Now, the ADC1 has followed the course of its D/A brethren the DAC1 and has been upgraded to the ADC1 USB.
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UpSampler
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Capsule Reviews and Product Review Updates
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11.15.2006
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Pass Labs XA30.5 Studio Amplifier
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Small suites needing low wattage/highest transparency amps should make a pass at these pure Class A beauties.
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by John Gatski, 2.15.2008
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With fewer and fewer passive speakers being offered to the pros, studios that want to power passives also have fewer pure pro-oriented studio amps from which to choose.
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Aphex HeadPod 454 Headphone Amplifier
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This four-channel, no-frills can-amp is loud, clear and rugged.
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by Rob Tavaglione, 11.15.2007
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While audio pros are moving towards multi-channel monitoring systems that offer user “mixing” at each station, a whole generation of desktop recordists often deal with having only one headphone output … and still a whole band’s worth of performers needing headphones.
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Lipinski Sound L-3601 PowerStand
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This unique speaker stand doubles as one of the best-sounding amps this reviewer has ever heard.
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by Bob Katz, 10.15.2007
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The object of powered stands is to combine the advantages of powered loudspeakers (short loudspeaker cables for lower resistance) with the advantages of separates (reduction in distortion due to microphonics).
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Yamaha Tn Series Amplifier
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Commercial Audio enters the world of large touring amps.
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by David Rittenhouse, 7.15.2007
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Everyone seems to want power, power and more power these days. Shockingly, I am not talking about politicians; I am talking about engineers and their large touring amplifiers.
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Lab.gruppen FP+ Series Amplifiers
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The FP+ Series offers big power and “amazing sound” in a small, lightweight and cool-running chassis.
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by David Rittenhouse, 7.15.2007
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But the questions still loom large that we must answer: whether the touring world needs more power and less bulk, or is this just another highly touted, fast-sell upgrade we all could have lived without.
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Core Sound Mic2496 Portable Mic Preamp
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This PDA-sized two-channel mic preamp and A/D converter provides convenient location sound recording via S/PDIF input.
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by Mike Rivers, 10.15.2007
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Location recording media has changed over the years, but front-end preferences for portable recording are still as follows: compact size, battery operation and very good built-in microphones and/or a respectable mic preamp.
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TRUE P2Analog Stereo Microphone Preamp
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This high-end unit maintains its transparency, and is now more affordable.
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by John Gatski, 9.15.2007
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In 2002, I reviewed the True P2Analog and found it as accurate as any high mic preamp I had ever used — maybe more so.
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Mackie Onyx 400F Preamp/FireWire Interface
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An inexpensive, four-channel preamp offering clean, quiet, uncolored sound — and more.
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by Tom Jung, 6.15.2007
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My experience with Mackie products would not qualify me as a “Mackoid.” But the Onyx 400F mic preamp and FireWire interface sounded like an interesting product, and with all the good things I have heard about the Onyx mic pres it seemed like a good item to check out.
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Toft Audio Designs AFC-2 Mic Preamp/EQ
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From Malcolm Toft - a nicely-priced mic preamp with a great EQ section.
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by Russ Long, 11.15.2006
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Consoles designed by the legendary Malcolm Toft have been used to record albums for everyone from David Bowie and Elton John to Pavarotti and Radiohead.
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API A2D Dual Mic Preamplifier/A-D
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Legendary analog combines with state-of-the-art digital converter.
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by Stephen Murphy, 10.31.2006
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Can this, the first product in a new age for API, live up to its, um, legacy?
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Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5033 EQ
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This legend-built, super-smooth five-band EQ is beyond reproach...and recommended.
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by Dr. Frederick Bashour, 11.15.2007
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You always remember your first one; mine was the ITI MEP-230 parametric equalizer, the first commercial product featuring now-classic circuitry designed by George Massenburg as marketed by Burgess MacNeal, who later founded Sontec.
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Solid State Logic E Signature Channel
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The classic SSL E Channel is back and built for your rack.
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by Rob Tavaglione, 6.15.2007
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The production hues of the 1980s are back, so there’s no better time than now to examine Solid State Logic’s new rackmounted version of the classic E Series desks.
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Inter-M IMX-824 Mixing Console
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Heads will turn, and backbones will strengthen, thanks to this flexible, hefty, and swell-sounding analog live mixer.
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by Dan Wothke, 1.15.2008
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As digital consoles become even more widely available at all price points, new analog desks are introduced far less, or so it seems.
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Benchmark PRE420 Four-Channel Mic-Pre/Mixer
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This unit brings Benchmark’s singular designs together for max value and versatility.
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by Stephen Murphy, 9.15.2007
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Syracuse-based Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. has earned respect within the recording community as a manufacturer of high-quality, yet reasonably priced pro audio devices, including microphone preamplifiers, distribution amplifiers, headphone reference amplifiers and AD/DA converters.
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Crest Audio HP-W Console
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Crest Audio offers an affordably priced and well-performing USA-made analog live mixer.
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by Will James, 5.15.2007
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Crest Audio, like many manufacturers, has expanded its product lines to include consoles that meet a variety of needs, the newest being the eight-bus HP series as well as the HP-W.
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Trident 8T 16-Channel Analog Console
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Versatile, great-sounding small format mixer with a distinct Trident pedigree.
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by John Gatski, 4.15.2007
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With all the advances in digital consoles and direct-to-computer recording these days, its refreshing to see companies, such as John Oram's Trident Audio Ltd. willing to make high-quality analog boards with traditional routing options.
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