Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Universal Audio Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser DS
While it's a great linear-phase de-esser, reviewer Rich Tozzoli uses the Oxford SuprEsser DS plug-in as a bass enhancement tool.
Rich Tozzoli
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Universal Audio Avalon 737 Tube Channel Strip
Audio engineer Peter Moshay and Rich Tozzoli agree that the UAD Avalon VT-737 is "stunning."
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Avid Pro Tools Ultimate
Rich Tozzoli shares how he uses Avid Pro Tools Ultimate in the real world.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier 25
The Mini Rectifier 25 is like having a plug-in hardware amp on your desktop, except that it’s not—it’s living, breathing tubes.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Vienna Symphonic Big Bang Orchestra and Smart Orchestra Expansion Pack
Rich Tozzoli takes a look at the free Big Bang Orchestra starter edition from Vienna Symphonic Library.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Wireworld Pro Audio Polaris Instrument Cable
Cable is one of those things you shouldn’t take for granted, and it’s worth it to invest into your tone with a quality piece like Wireworld's Polaris instrument cable.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Sound City SC20 Combo
Reviewer Rich Tozzoli says, check out the Sound City SC20 Combo if you’re looking for a solid, hand-assembled, tone-shaping tube amp.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box v1.2
Rich Tozzoli takes a look at the update to Universal Audio's reactive load box and guitar recording system.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Goodhertz Trem Control
Rich Tozzoli says, if tremolo is your thing, Goodhertz Trem Control should be in your computer.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Zoom GCE-3 Guitar Lab Circuit Emulator
By Rich Tozzoli. The ZOOM GCE-3 is a compact USB audio interface that puts ZOOM Guitar Lab’s endless collection of guitar effects, amps and cabinets at your fingertips whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: SoundToys Little AlterBoy Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. PSN reviewer/TV composer Rich Tozzoli puts SoundToys' Little AlterBoy to the test...
Product Reviews
Real-World Reviews: Eventide UltraTap Delay Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. PSN reviewer/TV composer Rich Tozzoli puts Eventide's UltraTap to the test...
Product Reviews
Real-World Reviews: Universal Audio UAD 175B & 176 Tube Compressor Plug-In Collection
By Rich Tozzoli. PSN reviewer/TV composer Rich Tozzoli puts the plug-ins to the test and loves the glowing results.
Product Reviews
Rich Tozzoli’s Sixth Annual St. John Recording Retreat
By Rich Tozzoli. Setting up a temporary studio for two weeks each year in St. John to record reality TV music is a tough job, but multitasker Rich Tozzoli was not only up for the challenge this year, but...
Product Reviews
Review: Goodhertz Vulf Compressor Plug-In
Rich Tozzoli says this plug-in is a beast.
Product Reviews
Review: Goodhertz Megaverb Plug-In
Rich Tozzoli finds the Megaverb plug-in to be an incredibly useful tool to achieve unique reverb effects.
Product Reviews
Review: McDSP EC-300 Echo Collection Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. This is a tone-shaping, sonically modulating dream delay that I use on virtually every session.
Product Reviews
Review: Keeley Eddie Heinzelman VoT Verb o Trem Pedals
By Rich Tozzoli. The Verb o Trem is the simpler of the two; the Workstation brings more flexibility for those who need it. Each is a worthy pedal with a rich sonic vibe that’s equally at home in the...
Product Reviews
Review: Fryette Power Load
By Rich Tozzoli. Power Load lets you achieve real amp tones without having to mic up a cabinet.
Product Reviews
Review: Eventide H9 HotSawz Synth Algorithm
By Rich Tozzoli. HotSawz allows users to bring a little synth action to the table. It’s a very cool addition to the H9 arsenal.
Product Reviews
Review: Universal Audio UAD Lexicon 480L Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. What I like about the 480L plug-in are the same things I liked about the original: its depth, warmth and clarity, with a bit of edge.
Product Reviews
Review: D&A H-0600 Hydra Triple Guitar Stand
By Rich Tozzoli. I didn't realize the importance of a guitar stand until I used this one on a full session.
Product Reviews
Review: Neural DSP Darkglass Ultra Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. Neural DSP partnered with Darkglass Electronics on this plug-in set, which emulates two of Darkglass' classic hardware units: the B7K Ultra and the Vintage Ultra.
Product Reviews
Review: FabFilter Saturn Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. FabFilter Saturn offers a range of distortion models inspired by the vintage sound of tubes, tape and guitar amps.
Product Reviews
Review: J. Rockett Audio Designs Rockaway Archer
By Rich Tozzili. Rockaway Archer has a vibe and character to it that works well in front of an amp or in a DI signal path.
Product Reviews
Review: Manley Reference Cardioid Tube Microphone
Rich Tozzoli takes a look at the Manley Reference Cardioid Tube Mic, a high-end piece of gear with a well-established pedigree.
Product Reviews
Review: Waves CLA-3A Modeled Compressor Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. Here, Tozzoli discusses one of the plug-ins he turns to on a fast-moving session, and offers audio examples of the plug-in at work.
Blogs
Reviewing Pro Audio Gear In Paradise
PSN reviewer Rich Tozzoli returned to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands for his fifth annual recording retreat, reviewing ultra-portable pro-level gear to pull it off in a region still recovering from multiple hurricanes last year.
Blogs
Tozzoli Takes On NAMM
PSN Columnist Rich Tozzoli hit the floor at NAMM, and here’s highlights of what he saw.
Product Reviews
Review: Newfangled Audio Elevate Mastering Limiter
By Rich Tozzoli. The company describes this mastering plug-in as a “unique multiband limiter, human-ear EQ and powerful audio maximizer” that will increase the loudness of your mix while maintaining or improving its dynamic perception.
Product Reviews
Review: Sony C-100 High-Resolution Condenser Mic
By Rich Tozzoli. Check out Sony's C-100 two-way condenser microphone, suitable for vocal and critical instrument recording in the studio.
Product Reviews
Review: Universal Audio Engl Savage 120 Plug-In
By Rich Tozzoli. The Savage 120 glories in an unabashedly modern aggressiveness and punch.
Product Reviews
Review: Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor
By Rich Tozzoli. Dig into Universal Audio’s new software emulation of the classic Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor.
Blogs
Rich’s Tozzoli’s Gear of the Year, Part 2
Noted TV soundtrack performer/composer and longtime Pro Sound News reviewer Rich Tozzoli finishes his look back at the gear that entered his studio this year and never left: "Over the past year, I discovered many new ...
Blogs
Rich’s Tozzoli’s Gear of the Year, Part 1
Noted TV soundtrack performer/composer and longtime Pro Sound News reviewer Rich Tozzoli looks back at the gear that entered his studio this year and never left: "Over the past year, I discovered many new products through the review ...
Studio Sense
Rediscovering My “Flying Fingers”
With the AES Convention in New York City this week, I’m excited to hit the show with the intention of checking out how I’m going to replace my Command 8 now that I’ve rediscovered fader mixing. It will be...
Blogs
Rich Tozzoli’s 4th Annual St. John Recording Retreat
You know that you’ve been away on an island when the pilot for the return flight home says, “We’re first in line for takeoff, but there will be a wait. The air traffic controller went out for lunch and...
Product Reviews
Review: Six Plug-In Stars
Here are an easy half-dozen standout plug-ins that we were lucky to have on hand for our 4th annual recording retreat in St. John, USVI.
Product Reviews
Review: Lewitt LCT 640 TS Microphone
This microphone got a lot of attention from the gang; not one of us had ever worked with a microphone before that allows polar pattern changes after recording! The LCT 640 TS, designed and engineered in Austria by Lewitt...
Product Reviews
Review: Genelec 8320A and 7350A Monitors
The 8320A and 7350A three-piece monitoring systems are part of the Genelec Smart Active Monitoring, or SAM, portfolio and were the perfect size for our villa-based recording setup.
Product Reviews
Review: QSC TouchMix-8 Digital Mixer
The QSC TouchMix-8 is a 12-channel compact digital mixer that packs a ton of power in a small package.
Product Reviews
Review: PreSonus FaderPort 8
PreSonus’ FaderPort 8 was an undeniably useful tool to have for our island recording sessions.
Product Reviews
Review: Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII was the central “brain” of the mobile operation at our St. John Recording Retreat, and it did a great job—as I expected it to.
Studio Sense
Recording Guitars With Neil Dorfsman: On Mics & Phase Alignment
Multi-Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer and mixer Neil Dorfsman has worked with the best of the best—Sting, Paul McCartney, Tears For Fears, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Def Leppard and Dire Straits, among others. With that track record, he’s obviously captured...
Product Reviews
Review: Awesome Guitar Production Tools
Last month was the annual NAMM Show, and it was great to be in attendance. For guitar players/guitar-based composers like me, you can’t beat checking out all the great instruments and toys on the floor.
Product Reviews
Review: Focusrite Red4Pre Interface
I like when you take something out of the box and it just feels right. That’s the case with the new Focusrite Red4Pre 58-in/64 Out Thunderbolt and Pro Tools HD DAW interface. Well known in the industry, the Focusrite...
Product Reviews
Review: UA Manley VOXBOX Plug-in
Manley Labs have joined forces with Universal Audio for a new release—the Manley VOXBOX. Based on the classic 1997 3U-thick hardware monster, it’s a full software recreation of the original with full Unison support.
Product Reviews
Review: Grace Design m108 Preamp/Interface
Grace Design’s m108 eight-channel microphone preamp ($2,845 street) is a high-performance eight-channel preamp/8 X 2 USB interface featuring an array of input and output options. Geared towards today’s streamlined DAW setups, it’s packaged elegantly in a single rack space...