Microphone and instrument preamps have come a long way. It's pretty amazing, the amount and quality of features they offer these days. Even single-channel preamps and channel strips have some great features, in addition to great tone qualities. For singers or those who mic up their acoustic instruments, preamps are pretty much mandatory. They also come in handy for other … [Read more...] about Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Review (Best 8 Channel Preamp For The Money)
Singing
Famous Alto Singers (The Best Altos Everyone Can Agree On)
The alto voice type is fairly rare. That is why great alto singers can really stand out. There have been many good altos throughout recent history. But only a select few have managed to rise to super-stardom levels. This list includes the most famous of all alto singers. But first a disclaimer. I know how it goes with lists like this. People will inevitably … [Read more...] about Famous Alto Singers (The Best Altos Everyone Can Agree On)
Golden Age Project Pre-73 Jr Review (Budget Preamp With Classic Sound)
Many consider the Neve 1073 the best preamp ever made. But it's expensive and hard to find. The Golden Age Project Pre-73 Jr was designed to mimic the classic sound of the 1073, but to do so at a much lower price. And it comes close. It is a basic unit, with few features and controls. But it adds a very distinct tone to your sound that you can't get elsewhere … [Read more...] about Golden Age Project Pre-73 Jr Review (Budget Preamp With Classic Sound)
ART TubeOpto 8 Review (Best Multi-Channel Preamp For Warm Tones)
If you are serious about recording music, you need a preamp. But knowing which one you need is not easy. Take the ART TubeOpto 8, for example. It is a great preamp with a ton of features, impressive sound quality and an amazing price. But for many, it would be a bad purchase. That is because it is a tube preamp. This adds a vintage warmth to your tone. This type … [Read more...] about ART TubeOpto 8 Review (Best Multi-Channel Preamp For Warm Tones)
DBX 286S Review (Affordable Mic Preamp That Does Everything You Need)
Great preamps cost a ton of money. At least that's what manufacturers of expensive microphone preamps want you to believe. And there is some truth to it. As usual: you get what you pay for. If you spring for a professional level model like the Avalon VT-737SP, you get professional level sound quality and complete control over that sound. But you can pay a lot less … [Read more...] about DBX 286S Review (Affordable Mic Preamp That Does Everything You Need)
Songs To Sing To Your Girlfriend (Romantic Tunes To Dedicate To Your Crush)
Few things express love better than music. Singing to your girlfriend or to a crush will let her know how you feel in a way that is far more special than merely saying the words. But you can't sing just any song. Ideally, you want to serenade your girlfriend with a song she loves, but the message is perhaps even more important. That's why you can sing a style of … [Read more...] about Songs To Sing To Your Girlfriend (Romantic Tunes To Dedicate To Your Crush)
Avalon VT-737SP Review (Is This Channel Strip With Preamp Worth The Cost?)
A great microphone is not enough. Neither is a quality guitar or other instrument. Without a great preamplifier, or a channel strip that contains a great preamp, spending money on a good mic or instrument is a waste. And if you want to get the best possible sound, you need the best possible preamp. And that conversation inevitably turns to the Avalon … [Read more...] about Avalon VT-737SP Review (Is This Channel Strip With Preamp Worth The Cost?)
Shure SM7B Review (Can A Dynamic Mic Really Excel For Studio Vocals?)
A dynamic mic for recording vocals in a studio? I know we generally think of studio recording as a job for condenser mics, but dynamic ones aren't as rare in the studio as you might think. Of course, you don't want to use just any old microphone. You want a dynamic microphone like the Shure SM7B. What makes this mic so good for recording vocals? And is it a … [Read more...] about Shure SM7B Review (Can A Dynamic Mic Really Excel For Studio Vocals?)
Audio-Technica AT2035 Review (Does This Budget Microphone Deliver?)
The Audio-Technica AT2035 occupies an important position in the market. It is one of the few good microphones to bridge that gap between cheap and expensive. For studio or home recording, you generally want a condenser microphone. But deciding which one to get is far from easy. After doing a bit of research, it starts to seem like you have to choose between … [Read more...] about Audio-Technica AT2035 Review (Does This Budget Microphone Deliver?)
Rode NT1-A Review (Great Budget Microphone For Home Recording)
The Rode NT1-A is extremely popular. A large reason for that is the low price. It is rare to find a condenser microphone selling in this price range. Naturally, this microphone can't compete with much more expensive professional level models. But where exactly does it fall behind? What do you lose by saving money on this mic instead of spending more on a … [Read more...] about Rode NT1-A Review (Great Budget Microphone For Home Recording)