Product Reviews - The Latest Gear Reviewed
Whether you're a working musician or aspiring audio engineer setting up your home studio or a live sound engineer making bands sound great every night, you'll be faced with many choices for the gear you need, no matter your budget. No matter if you're shopping for microphones, monitors, or software, there's lots of choices!
All of these products have been hand-reviewed by About.com, and put through real-world tests; that means that these products were used exactly how you'd use them; all of our highest recommended products combine exceptional performance with good value.
All of these products have been hand-reviewed by About.com, and put through real-world tests; that means that these products were used exactly how you'd use them; all of our highest recommended products combine exceptional performance with good value.
Z-Bar Microphone Mounting Bracket
The Z-Bar is an absolute must-have accessory for any musician or recording studio; it's inexpensive, built well, and fixes the common problem of difficult microphone mounting situations for speaker cabinets.
The Z-Bar is an absolute must-have accessory for any musician or recording studio; it's inexpensive, built well, and fixes the common problem of difficult microphone mounting situations for speaker cabinets.
Review: Microphome Microphone Sanitizing Cleaner
Microphome is an answer to a lot of musicians' prayers -- a portable, affordable, and high-quality product designed for one very (unpleasant) job: cleaning up the built-up gunk and germs from your vocal microphones. About.com's Joe Shambro reviews this exceptional product.
Microphome is an answer to a lot of musicians' prayers -- a portable, affordable, and high-quality product designed for one very (unpleasant) job: cleaning up the built-up gunk and germs from your vocal microphones. About.com's Joe Shambro reviews this exceptional product.
Review: M-Audio Microtrack II Portable Recorder
The M-Audio Microtrack II portable recorder is one of a new generation of recorders. High resolution (up to 24-bit, 96kHz), small and portable (including a built-in battery), and high capacity for high quality recording. But how does it measure up to the competition, and how does it perform in typical recording situations? Check out this full review at About.com!
The M-Audio Microtrack II portable recorder is one of a new generation of recorders. High resolution (up to 24-bit, 96kHz), small and portable (including a built-in battery), and high capacity for high quality recording. But how does it measure up to the competition, and how does it perform in typical recording situations? Check out this full review at About.com!
Westone ES49 Custom Musician's Earplugs
A full review of the Westone ES49 custom-fit musician's earplugs, offering up to 25 decibels of filtered protection for musicians, recording engineers, and concertgoers alike.
A full review of the Westone ES49 custom-fit musician's earplugs, offering up to 25 decibels of filtered protection for musicians, recording engineers, and concertgoers alike.
Behringer ADA8000 Ultragain Pro-8
A review (with audio clips) of the Behringer ADA8000, a value-priced, 8-channel microphone preamp with ADAT digital output. While it's feature-packed, does the low price (and Behringer's reputation) mean low sound quality? About.com's Joe Shambro reviews the ADA8000.
A review (with audio clips) of the Behringer ADA8000, a value-priced, 8-channel microphone preamp with ADAT digital output. While it's feature-packed, does the low price (and Behringer's reputation) mean low sound quality? About.com's Joe Shambro reviews the ADA8000.
AlphaTrack USB DAW Control Surface
I didn't think it was possible, but it happened: Frontier Design Group went above and beyond their innovative, smartly-designed TranzPort and launched the AlphaTrack, a USB DAW control surface compatible with all major software suites, including Pro Tools!
I didn't think it was possible, but it happened: Frontier Design Group went above and beyond their innovative, smartly-designed TranzPort and launched the AlphaTrack, a USB DAW control surface compatible with all major software suites, including Pro Tools!
The MBox 2 Mini
The Digidesign MBox 2 Mini is the cheapest, smallest, and most portable offering in the Digidesign line, but how does it stack up to the big boys? About.com's Joe Shambro reviews the MBox 2 Mini.
The Digidesign MBox 2 Mini is the cheapest, smallest, and most portable offering in the Digidesign line, but how does it stack up to the big boys? About.com's Joe Shambro reviews the MBox 2 Mini.
Korg K25 USB MIDI Keyboard
A review of the Korg K25, a $99, 25-key, USB MIDI Controller Keyboard, useful for home studios and stage performance, reviewed by About.com's Joe Shambro.
A review of the Korg K25, a $99, 25-key, USB MIDI Controller Keyboard, useful for home studios and stage performance, reviewed by About.com's Joe Shambro.
Frontier Design TranzPort Wireless DAW Controller
One of the most useful tools for home studios, the TranzPort Wireless USB control surface is a great option for Pro Tools, Logic, Reason, and many more, reviewed by About.com's Joe Shambro.
One of the most useful tools for home studios, the TranzPort Wireless USB control surface is a great option for Pro Tools, Logic, Reason, and many more, reviewed by About.com's Joe Shambro.
Benchmark DAC-1 Digital to Analog Converter
A review of Benchmark's DAC-1, a superior-quality digital-to-analog converter with headphone and speaker amplification built in. It's like lifting a veil off your audio!
A review of Benchmark's DAC-1, a superior-quality digital-to-analog converter with headphone and speaker amplification built in. It's like lifting a veil off your audio!
Zoom H4 Portable Recorder
With impressive sound quality and ultra-portable design, the Zoom H4 is a remarkable portable recorder. In this review, we take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of this affordable entry into the portable recording world.
With impressive sound quality and ultra-portable design, the Zoom H4 is a remarkable portable recorder. In this review, we take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of this affordable entry into the portable recording world.
Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition Backup Drive
Review of the Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition external backup hard drive, which connects to your Windows or Mac OS machine through USB 2.0, FireWire 400 or FireWire 800.
Review of the Maxtor OneTouch III Turbo Edition external backup hard drive, which connects to your Windows or Mac OS machine through USB 2.0, FireWire 400 or FireWire 800.
Neumann SKM184 Stereo Microphone Kit
A review of the Neumann SKM184 Microphone Kit, a matched stereo pair of the Neumann KM184 condenser microphone, a perfect choice for the recording studio and the concert taper alike.
A review of the Neumann SKM184 Microphone Kit, a matched stereo pair of the Neumann KM184 condenser microphone, a perfect choice for the recording studio and the concert taper alike.
DPA SMK4061 Stereo Microphone Kit
A review of the DPA SMK4061 Stereo Microphone Kit, a great product for both home recording enthusiasts and concert tapers.
A review of the DPA SMK4061 Stereo Microphone Kit, a great product for both home recording enthusiasts and concert tapers.
True Systems P-SOLO Single Channel Desktop Microphone Preamp
A review of the P-SOLO single channel desktop microphone preamplifier from True Systems, a fantastic single-channel preamp for home studio recording.
A review of the P-SOLO single channel desktop microphone preamplifier from True Systems, a fantastic single-channel preamp for home studio recording.
Audix UEM-81S Microphone Set
My review of the Audix UEM-81S shotgun microphone set. A budget microphone, but will the performance make the seemingly affordable price tag worth it?
My review of the Audix UEM-81S shotgun microphone set. A budget microphone, but will the performance make the seemingly affordable price tag worth it?
Future Sonics XtremeMac FS1 In-Ear Monitors
My review of the $149 Future Sonics/Xtrememac FS1 in-ear monitors, the monitors with the best bass response I've ever heard in an in-ear monitor!
My review of the $149 Future Sonics/Xtrememac FS1 in-ear monitors, the monitors with the best bass response I've ever heard in an in-ear monitor!
Sensaphonics 2X-S In-Ear Monitors
My review of the Sensaphonics 2X-S custom-molded in-ear monitors. At $750 a pair, do these products give $750 worth of performance?
My review of the Sensaphonics 2X-S custom-molded in-ear monitors. At $750 a pair, do these products give $750 worth of performance?
Software Review: Bias Peak LE 5
A review of the Bias Peak software package for Mac OS X.
A review of the Bias Peak software package for Mac OS X.
Harmony Central
Harmony Central is a great review site for musical instruments and other gear that's beyond the scope of what I review here; if you're looking for a music-gear related review, chances are they have it!
Harmony Central is a great review site for musical instruments and other gear that's beyond the scope of what I review here; if you're looking for a music-gear related review, chances are they have it!