Music Production
The State of Plug-Ins: From Emulations to the Unknown
Having so many plug-in choices can be overwhelming—what is an engineer to do? Three top pros share their insights—and favorite plugs.
Universal Audio
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.
Gear and Technology
Tools for the Personal Studio
By Steve Harvey. These days, a “personal studio” can be anything from a proper recording facility to a smartphone. What tools will make your private recording space sound even better? An assortment of recording pros from across the industry...
Recording
Sum 41’s Whibley Gets His Album in ‘Order’
By Steve Harvey. You might imagine that, as frontman, principal songwriter and sole original member of Sum 41, Deryck Whibley would have better things to do than get into the weeds regarding the creation of the band’s latest album....
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...
Recording
Finneas on Producing Billie Eilish’s Hit Album in his Bedroom
By Steve Harvey. In April, Billie Eilish’s debut album entered the Billboard 200 at number one. Finneas O’Connell—her co-writer, producer, older brother and an artist in his own right—discusses recording the sonically adventurous collection at their family home.
Post and Broadcast
Welcome to the Jungle
By Steve Harvey. Ensconced in a Los Angeles neighborhood known as the Jungle, beachside Shindig Music + Sound recently marked its second anniversary by expanding its space and services, unveiling a new 5.1 mix suite and production/green room.
Recording
Leesta Vall’s Fast-Paced Lathe
By Steve Harvey. Brooklyn’s Leesta Vall Sound Recordings has cut more than 700 sessions live to vinyl using a mix of modern and vintage gear, including an ancient Presto K8 portable vinyl record lathe.
Product Reviews
Real-World Review: Universal Audio UAD-2 Live Rack
Russ Long put the Universal Audio UAD-2 Live Rack to the test during a string of Amy Grant/Vince Gill shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and came away with a distinct opinion….
Business
People: Hires and Promotions in the Audio Industry for March 2019
Industry moves this month include promotions and hires at Harman Professional Solutions, Nugen Audio, Clear-Com, Universal Audio, Sound Image, Avid, Listen Technologies, Yamaha Corp. of America, Solotech, Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW), L-Acoustics and DPA Microphones.
Recording
No Rush for Recording Rustin Man
By Steve Harvey. Former Talk Talk bassist Paul Webb rolls out his second solo album, self-recorded over the course of 16 years.
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.
New Products
Universal Audio Unveils Lexicon 480L Plug‑In
UA issues Lexicon-endorsed emulation of the industry standard reverb unit.
Studio Showcase
416 Wabash Aims for Best of Both Worlds
By Steve Harvey. Indianapolis’ 416 Wabash is a 7,800-square-foot flexible space that combines a well-appointed music studio with an all-purpose event facility—and it’s a well-thought-out hit.
New Products
Universal Audio Debuts Apollo X Audio Interfaces
UA’s new interfaces sport new A/D conversion, faster processing and more.
Business
Exhibitors, New and Returning, Prep for AES
By Steve Harvey. The 145th AES Convention, which takes place in October in New York City, is attracting some new exhibitors and, thanks to a variety of factors, bringing some old friends back into the fold.
New Products
UAD v9.6 Debuts with Quartet of New Plug-Ins
UAD Update adds guitar amp, mastering suite, and microphone collection plug-ins.
Post and Broadcast
Temp Love Breaks Out in Bay Area
By Steve Harvey. In business for the last five years, full-service music company (scoring, music supervision and far more) Temp Love recently moved to a new facility in San Rafael—a room formerly part of George Lucas’ renowned Industrial Light...
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.
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.