We look into the creative process of world-renowned and critically acclaimed drummer, singer, songwriter, and producer Phil Collins.

After developing a reputation as a session drummer and a key member of the English progressive rock band, Genesis, Phil Collins began his career as a solo artist.

The Phil Collins Sound

He may have been unaware, but looking back, the timing of this foray was ideal. The period in the late 1970s and early 1980s was completely revolutionary for the recording industry, with so many new creative musical tools introduced onto the market.

Another interesting aspect of Phil Collins’ approach to music production is that he never intended to write hits initially. Rather than fame or commercial success, he simply saw his solo project as an artistic outlet that offered him the freedom of expression he wanted.

Roland CompuRhythm CR-78

Introduced by Roland in 1978, the CompuRhythm CR-78 was the first-ever microprocessor-controlled drum machine. Although limited, it has the ability to select and vary 34 different rhythm patterns.

With its intuitive interface, the CR-78 became an absolutely integral part of Phil’s songwriting process. He would start by selecting the rhythm part with the right “atmosphere” as he put it, and setting the tempo to match the feel he had in mind.

With the tape machine running, the CR-78 was always positioned just next to Phil’s drum kit. This way, he could play drums and sing over the unrelenting loops created by the CR-78, building ideas and arrangement concepts as he went.

If you’re looking for the classic CompuRhythm sound with all its familiar drum patterns, the Cherry Audio CR-78 plug-in provides an easy way to recreate it in your DAW.

• The History Of Roland

Cherry Audio CR-78 Drum Machine Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 49.00 € at

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5

When Phil went solo in the late 1970s, there wasn’t a massive range of polyphonic synths available like we have today. That being said, many of us would likely still prefer a Prophet-5 over many modern options.

The illustrious Prophet 5 was still quite new on the market when Phil began work on his debut album. With its simple controls and 5-voice architecture, you can generate anything from innocuous to outrageous sounds.

The beauty of the Prophet is that it’s easy to program, and like the Oberheim OB-8 he also acquired later, it always managed to sound interesting, whether it was placed in the background or the foreground of the mix.

You can hear the famous Prophet-5 chord sequence in the intro of In The Air Tonight, where it becomes the foundation of the song, along with the CR-78. The Sequential Prophet-5 is still in production as a reissue that can mimic the original’s various revisions.

• The History Of Sequential

Sequential Prophet 5

Customer rating:

(14)

Available for 3,799.00 € at

Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus

The VP-330 Vocoder Plus is another exciting instrument used by Phil Collins on his debut solo recordings, notably on In The Air Tonight. This sought-after instrument combines a paraphonic 10-band vocoder and a string synthesizer.

With the VP-330, you don’t actually have access to control each individual band. However, the presets sound great, and when combined with the BBD Ensemble effect, you can produce a hauntingly beautiful sound.

The fact that the VP-330 is relatively easy to use would have suited Phil nicely when putting together his first record, Face Value. His improvisational song and lyric writing style relies on spontaneity, so highly technical interfaces can sometimes hinder this.

As a modern alternative, the Behringer VC340 gives you the same authentic sound with an almost identical interface. Its limitation could well be a catalyst for creativity when making any style of music.

• More about Behringer clones

Behringer Vocoder VC340

Customer rating:

(106)

Available for 498.00 € at

SSL Listen Mic Compressor

Like most of the creatively groundbreaking aspects of the early Phil Collins records, the ideas came together while simply “messing around”. Similarly, the famous Phil Collins gated drum sound has an origin story that is also unintentional.

In 1979, engineer Hugh Padgham was working on a Phil Collins drum session for Peter Gabriel’s third solo album at Townhouse Studio in London. By accident, the talkback mic was left active while Phil was playing, resulting in a thunderous effect.

As the talkback circuit in the SSL 4000 B console couldn’t be patched into the recording path, Padgham promptly rewired it, allowing his mistake with the Listen Mic Compressor to be used creatively.

What we hear on the subsequent Phil Collins drum recordings is a more evolved version of this, with the addition of the recording console’s noise gate implemented.

• More about Analogue Consoles

SSL LMC+ Download

Customer rating:

(2)

Available for 135.00 € at

AMS RMX16

The AMS RMX16 is a legendary digital reverb introduced in the early 1980s that Phil Collins was an early adopter of. It offered a selection of great-sounding reverbs and ambiences, with the now legendary non-linear algorithm that worked well on drums.

Once again, the interface is certainly Phil Collins friendly, offering easy operation and the ability to save your own presets. This allows the RMX16 to be used creatively rather than clinically, which suited Phil’s songwriting process.

At the time, there simply weren’t microprocessor-controlled reverb units like the RMX16 around that gave you both precision and flexibility. So it’s no surprise that it’s still a sought-after reverb in both plug-in and hardware format today.

In recent years, AMS Neve has created a 500-series reissue of the RMX16 with a similar interface and the same reverb algorithms, a great addition to any studio setup.

• More about 1980s Reverb

AMS RMX16

Customer rating:

(2)

Available for 1,369.00 € at

Which of your favourite artists would you like to see in our Sound-alike series? Please let us know in the comments below!

More about Phil Collins:

• Official Artist Page
• More Sound-alikes

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post I Can Feel It: How To Sound Like Phil Collins appeared first on gearnews.com.

The t.akustik Hexagon series is a range of absorbers for the acoustic treatment of recording spaces, conference rooms, and podcast studios.

When you need to reduce the reflectivity in a room for better results when recording or mixing, these Hegaxon absorbers provide an easy and affordable way to do it.

t.akustik Hexagon

The stylish Hexagon absorbers come in 3-piece sets in 5 colours, allowing you to create your own designs that truly match the space. The construction consists of white melamine foam with the Sonus PG3 fabric covering available in grey, light grey, light blue, dark blue, and Bordeaux.

According to your needs, you can also choose between three different thickness levels: 25, 50, and 75 mm. This means you easily can treat rooms of different sizes and provide the best solution for your specific application.

Even if you’re using excellent broadcast mics on your podcast like the Shure SM7B, a nasty reflective room can still negatively affect the overall speech clarity and intelligibility.

This is why the Hexagon absorbers can become an essential part of your studio. Rather than spending time in post editing and trying to make vocals sound more lively, the absorbers will help you capture the source more effectively.

In addition, the Hexagon offers additional safety with a fire retardant rating of Euroclass B s-1,d-0 in accordance with the EN13501-1 testing standard.

Pricing and availability:

As we’ve mentioned before, the Hexagon absorbers are available from Thomann in 3-piece sets in three different models:

25mm Hexagon

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Light Grey 25 No customer rating available yet

Available for 25.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Grey 25 No customer rating available yet

Available for 25.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Light Blue 25 No customer rating available yet

Available for 25.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Dark Blue 25 No customer rating available yet

Available for 25.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Bordeaux 25 No customer rating available yet

Available for 25.00 € at

50mm Hexagon

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Light Grey 50 No customer rating available yet

Available for 29.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Grey 50 No customer rating available yet

Available for 29.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Light Blue 50 No customer rating available yet

Available for 29.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Dark Blue 50 No customer rating available yet

Available for 29.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Bordeaux 50 No customer rating available yet

Available for 29.00 € at

75mm Hexagon

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Light Grey 75 No customer rating available yet

Available for 33.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Grey 75 No customer rating available yet

Available for 33.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Light Blue 75 No customer rating available yet

Available for 33.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Dark Blue 75 No customer rating available yet

Available for 33.00 € at

t.akustik Hexagon Melamine Bordeaux 75 No customer rating available yet

Available for 33.00 € at

More about the t.akustik Hexagon:

• Shop t.akustik Absorbers on Thomann
• Official t.akustik Page
• More from t.akustik
• t.akustik on YouTube

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post Get the most out of your room with t.akustik Hexagon absorbers appeared first on gearnews.com.

In this week’s edition of Studio Deals, we’ve got a selection ranging from basic recording essentials to professional preamps and more.

Studio Deals

Whether you’re at the beginning of your recording journey or a seasoned audio campaigner, we’ve got an impressive selection of offers to take your studio to the next level.

SSL 2

The SSL 2 is a USB desktop audio interface with 24-bit 192 kHz AKM converters and a pair of microphone preamps with a vintage 4K function. What’s more, the inputs allow you to switch between line, Hi-Z, and instrument impedance settings.

On the top panel, you also have access to direct monitoring mix control and headphones level. Meanwhile, there is clearly visible metering on each channel and the oversized main monitor control gives the SSL 2 a great look and feel.

Overall, the SSL 2 gives you the essential tools to kick off with your recording project or podcast. In addition, you get the SSL Vocalstrip 2 and Drumstrip plug-ins included to help get you started.

• Get nearly 15% off the SSL 2 now at $156
• More from SSL

SSL 2

Available for $156 at

KRK GoAux 3

When you need a mobile recording studio, the KRK GoAux 3 gets you there fast. Each monitor is built with a 3-inch woofer (22W) and a 1-inch tweeter (8W), and the package ships with acoustic isolation stands and a handy carry bag.

On the rear panel, there are connectivity options including a stereo minijack input and RCA inputs. What’s more, you’ll find the function button for pairing your devices via Bluetooth 5.0.

Meanwhile, the volume control and headphones input on the front of the left speaker are conveniently placed, and there are also controls for making EQ optimization adjustments.

• Save over 20% on the KRK GoAux 3 now at $171
• More from KRK

KRK GoAux 3

Available for $171 at

Shure SM7B

Easily one of the most popular mics available today, the Shure SM7B is loved equally by creators, podcasters, and musicians. As a broadcast-quality dynamic mic, it offers excellent speech intelligibility and will also do well capturing guitar amps and brass instruments.

The SM7B is perfect for recording in unfavourable acoustic spaces, as its cardioid pickup pattern is highly localized with excellent off-axis cancelation. In addition, the mid-boost and low-end roll-off switches allow you to enhance the source somewhat.

One thing worth noting when recording with the SM7B is that it’s a low-output microphone and requires extra preamplification to perform at optimal.

• Get over 10% off the Shure SM7B now at $349
• More from Shure

Shure SM7B

Available for $349 at

AMS Neve 1073LB

The AMS Neve 1073LB brings the world’s most saught-after preamp into the 500-series format. Now, you can easily carry around the legendary 1073 in your lunchbox for use in studio or live sound situations.

Whether you need a warm vocal preamp or a high-quality DI input for guitar, this 1073LB provides a professional solution that allows you overload the input and fine tune the output for added character.

Of course it’s a considerable investment for a single preamp, which excludes the cost of a 500-series chassis. However, if you’re planning on entering the professional arena in recording or live sound, it’s a sure bet.

• Get 20% off the AMS Neve 1073LB now at $877
• More from AMS Neve

AMS Neve 1073LB

Available for $877 at

Drawmer 1974

The Drawmer 1974 is a 4-band stereo EQ with a vintage sound capable of treating vocals, drums, guitars, and your mixbus. For starters, the high and low pass filters allow you to isolate the frequency range.

From there, the variable low band has a peak function and multiple shelf slope settings while the two mid bands have variable Q, and the high-shelf has both 12 and 6 dB per octave slope settings.

All in all, this makes the 1974 a versatile processor in recording and mixing applications. Moreover, it’s suitable for use on individual tracks as well as channel groups.

• Save 25% on the Drawmer 1974 now at $899
• More from Drawmer

Drawmer 1974

Available for $899 at

More about Studio Deals:

• All about Studio Gear
• More Deals

*Note: percentage discounts may vary according to your region and currency conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are guidelines only.

The post Studio Deals from AMS Neve, SSL, Shure, and KRK appeared first on gearnews.com.

We take a look back at the Tascam 388 Studio 8 with Youtube creator Rhett Shull, to find out why it has such an iconic reputation.

The 338 Studio 8 was introduced in 1985 as a complete recording solution for musicians. It combined an 8-channel mixer with an 8-track quarter-inch tape machine in one relatively compact unit.

Over the years, a combination of its simplicity, recording quality and overall aesthetic gave the 338 legendary status among musicians. From The Black Keys and Alex Turner of The Arctic Monkeys to Madlib and Mac DeMarco, many popular artists have produced wonderful recordings with the 338.

Tascam 388 Studio 8

The 338 is the ultimate symbol of home recording, sitting squarely between the high-end studio multitrack tape machines and the lo-fi cassette-loading 4-track machines which are still popular to this day.

According to Rhett Shull, the preamps and 3-band EQs sound great, and there is a pleasing kind of glue effect in the way it sums the channels into stereo. It’s no wonder the 338 caught on in recording circles and still fetches a considerable price on the second-hand market.

With the Tascam 388 Studio 8, Tascam took a bold step, they managed to create a user-friendly unit that follows the Portastudio tradition but employs more sophisticated technology. The device makes it much easier to use, especially for those with less technical knowledge, without restricting the creative possibilities for experienced users

Dave Lockwood’s 1986 review

I must say that the 338 certainly intrigues me enough to “try this at home” when it comes to tape. Besides the appeal of its sound, the mid-80s recording mixer workflow looks inspiring to say the least.

However, if you’re not quite ready to take the plunge and pick up an old reel-to-reel recorder like the 338, there are some great modern options that can recreate both the sound and the feel of using a similar recording system.

Tascam DP-008 EX

Customer rating:

(97)

Available for 229.00 € at

Tascam Model 12

Customer rating:

(107)

Available for 639.00 € at

IK Multimedia T-RackS TASCAM Tape Collection Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 229.00 € at

More about the Tascam 388 Studio 8:

• All about Tape Recording
• More from Tascam

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post Why the Tascam 388 Studio 8 is the Ultimate Portastudio appeared first on gearnews.com.

The Avantone Pro CLA-10A Limited Edition isn’t just retro for retro’s sake, it takes the NS-10 design to new heights with modern innovation.

Love them or hate them, we’ve had the Yamaha NS-10 debate before on Gearnews and they remain one of the most polarizing pieces of equipment ever used in studios.

Avantone Pro CLA-10A Limited Edition

Now in a natural mahogany veneer, CLA-10A Limited Edition allows you to relive the legendary glory days of 1980s music production like Bob Clearmountain and many more of our music heroes.

Like the current model of the CLA-10A, the limited edition is also designed in collaboration with superstar engineer/producer Chris Lord-Alge. In addition, it’s got the same 200 W Class AB amplification and the VTPC control to emulate the various NS10 models.

Pricing and availability:

The CLA-10A Limited Edition is currently available for order from Thomann. Meanwhile, you can still get the original edition, as well as the passive version.

Overall, Avantone Pro has created a way for you to experience classic music production and extended the already seemingly endless lifespan of the NS-10.

Whether you’re new to music or an experienced campaigner, you can get value from using the CLA-10, even as a second pair of monitors.

There’s surely a good reason that NS-10 monitors were used to create some of our favourite records, but are they still relevant today? This remains the eternal conundrum.

Avantone CLA-10A Limited Edition No customer rating available yet

Available for 1,249.00 € at

Avantone CLA-10A

Customer rating:

(4)

Available for 1,239.00 € at

Avantone CLA-10 Studio Bundle No customer rating available yet

Available for 1,839.00 € at

Avantone CLA-10

Customer rating:

(7)

Available for 839.00 € at

More about the Avantone Pro CLA-10 Limited Edition:

• Official Product Page
• More from Avantone Pro
• Are NS-10’s still relevant?

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post The Avantone Pro CLA-10A Limited Edition: An NS-10 Homage appeared first on gearnews.com.

It’s fair to say the Pultec EQ is a piece of gear that has reached legendary status among engineers, producers, and studio aficionados. There’s no doubt we’ve all heard it on countless recordings in the past 60 years, but what sets it apart from other EQs? We’re here to find out.

The magic in the design of the Pultec EQ

The original Pultec EQP-1 was designed in the early 1950s by two guys from New Jersey. Eugene Shenk and Ollie Summerlin used a passive EQ circuit with a tube gain stage to compensate for the loss in gain(around 16 dB) common with passive circuitry.

The design of the EQP-1 includes a low-frequency shelving filter with three selectable bands and a high-frequency peaking filter with five bands and variable Q. Each of these two filters has individual parameters for applying gain boosts and cuts, and this is what sets it apart from every other EQ.

Although the manual advised users never to boost and attenuate the same band simultaneously, this ended up being the very feature that made Pultec famous. The uniquely musical frequency contours created from this technique, particularly when dealing with low end, is the reason it is still widely used in music today.

How do I get hold of a Pultec EQ?

Luckily, Pultec EQs are one of the most celebrated and widely used studio tools available. As a result, there is a multitude of hardware clones, reissues, 500-series versions, plug-ins, and even guitar pedals that aim to emulate the original sound.

Pultec-style Plug-ins

Plug-ins like the popular Waves PuigTec EQs provide the look and feel of the Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5 in software form. Each aspect has been meticulously modeled to give you the closest sound possible to the original vintage hardware.

The obvious advantage of plug-ins is that you have presets and the flexibility of using multiple instances on different channels. Also, the PuigTec EQs have a novel feature that can mimic the way the circuit behaves on 50 or 60 Hz mains.

Overall, taking the plug-in route might give you the original Pultec sound, but it’s a convenient option that comes at a fraction of the cost of hardware.

• More from Waves

Waves JJP Analog Legends Download

Customer rating:

(10)

Available for 58.00 € at

Pultec-style Guitar Pedals

A Pultec guitar pedal you say? Well, not exactly. The ZIO Analog Front End + Boost from Source Audio might not be a completely Pultec-styled processor, but it does have an EQ preset modeled on the famous Pultec low-end EQ technique we mentioned earlier.

It’s a simple pedal with a three-way tone switch and you get four EQ circuits to choose from. The “Studio” circuit will give you some of that Pultec magic on your guitar or bass. In addition, you have control over high-frequencies with the tone selector.

Pedal interfaces generally favour speedy operation. So you get a few switches rather than spending hours dialing in the right setting on rack-mounted hardware. This makes the ZIO a useful choice both for recording and live performance.

• More from Source Audio

Source Audio SA 271 ZIO Boost

Customer rating:

(7)

Available for 229.00 € at

Lindell Audio PEQ-501A

500-series modules like the PEQ-501A don’t allow for the same level of high-voltage circuitry as 19-inch rack gear, but you can save plenty of space and money taking this route.

Lindell Audio has reproduced the Pultec program EQ in this compact format. This design is centered around their version of the Melcor 1731 op-amp from many well-known preamps in the 1960s. The PEQ-501A also has stepped rotary controls and additional selectable frequency bands, making it even more versatile in studio.

Remember that this format of modules requires a 500-series chassis for operation, which is an additional expense.

• More from Lindell Audio

Lindell Audio PEQ-501A

Customer rating:

(1)

Available for 569.00 € at

Tube-Tech PE 1C

If you have the budget, nothing beats the dynamic range of high-end analogue gear. The Tube-Tech PE 1C is a European reproduction designed in the 1980s to be every bit as good as the famous Pultec EQP-1.

Apparently, it was first tested for fidelity alongside the original Pultec. While mixing with a unit on each side of the stereo they could analyze the stereo image.

This was the first Tube-Tech product ever released, paving the way for a highly sought-after range of tube-based gear.

• More from Tube-Tech

Tube-Tech PE 1C

Customer rating:

(3)

Available for 2,869.00 € at

More about Pultec EQs:

• The history of Pultec
• Pultec Alternatives
• Thomann’s guide to EQs
• Everything vintage
• More about EQs
• Building your own Pultec EQP-1A3

Videos:

*Note: This article contains affiliate links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post What makes the Pultec EQ so special? appeared first on gearnews.com.

Recording decent Pop and Rap vocals is a challenge, but with these Sony C-800G Alternatives, you’ll be on your way to clean vocal recordings.

Since the 1990s, the Sony C-800G has been the highly sought-after industry standard for Pop, RnB, Rap, and Hip-Hop vocal recordings. Over the years, top artists like Mariah Carey, Elton John, Celine Dion, Eminem, Rihanna, and Jon Bon Jovi have made great recordings using the C-800G.

In professional studios, it’s usually combined with the Avalon VT-737sp Tube Channel Strip and the Tube-Tech CL 1B tube optical compressor when tracking. This recording chain enhances the natural silky, clean character of the C-800G.

Sony C-800G Alternatives

As we are firmly in the post-production era of modern recording, where almost everything happens in a DAW, the sound of the C-800G is as relevant as ever.

These days, it’s unlikely that you will hear a vocal that isn’t processed with Melodyne, Auto-Tune, Little Alterboy, or something similar. And for software that relies on pitch algorithms to perform optimally, it requires the cleanest signal possible.

There’s no doubt that the C-800G is an unbelievable vocal microphone, but at over $10,000 it’s well out of reach of the average recording enthusiast. However, are there ways to get an irresistibly clean vocal sound that don’t require taking out a bank loan?

Sony C-80 and C-100

In more recent years, Sony has produced more affordable microphones inspired by the same dual-diaphragm capsule technology as the flagship C-800G. Namely, this comes in the form of the C-80 and C-100 condenser microphones.

While both mics use the 2-part Noise Elimination Construction as the C-800G, the C-100 offers a wider frequency range with high-resolution audio recording.

Apart from that, the C-100 is a multipattern microphone, so it becomes a more versatile recording tool. Meanwhile, the C-80 is a great choice for vocal recording at home.

• More from SONY

Sony C-80

Customer rating:

(10)

Available for 565.00 € at

Sony C-100

Customer rating:

(14)

Available for 1,365.00 € at

Warm Audio WA-8000

The WA-8000 is Warm Audio’s recreation of the C-800G complete with an NOS 6AU6 tube, and an external power supply. In addition, the WA-8000 housing is optimized for easy cooling and the custom-designed heat sink ensures optimal temperature.

Meanwhile, the WA-8000 also uses a Lundahl output transformer which contributes to the open high-frequency range, wide sound stage, and the microphone’s overall warmth.

The mic ships in a protective case with a shockmount, windshield, and a GAC-7 7-pin cable that connects to the PSU. Overall, a great C-800G alternative when you’re after a clean vocal sound.

• More from Warm Audio

Warm Audio WA-8000

Customer rating:

(10)

Available for 1,199.00 € at

Warm Audio WA-8000G No customer rating available yet

Available for 1,389.00 € at

Universal Audio Sphere DLX

The Sphere DLX is a versatile dual-diaphragm modeling microphone capable of stereo recording and its software allows you to alter the sonic characteristics in post-production.

In addition, the LD-800 is a C-800G recreation within the Sphere microphone library. So you can replicate its similar tube dynamics and silky high-frequency response.

Be aware that this microphone has an impedance rating of 200 ohms so you’ll need a decent preamp, especially if you’re trying to mimic the characteristics of high-end mics like the C-800G. The 710 Twinfinity is a great option because it has both tube and solid-state circuitry options.

• More from Universal Audio

Universal Audio Sphere DLX Modeling Microphone

Customer rating:

(8)

Available for 1,485.00 € at

Universal Audio 710 Twin-Finity

Customer rating:

(60)

Available for 999.00 € at

Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone

The Manley Reference Cardioid Mic has been around since 1990, which is slightly before the C-800G. Its ultra-quiet vacuum tube design with a Manely IRON output transformer makes it an excellent choice for getting that clean pop vocal sound.

Like the C-800G, the Reference Cardioid Mic is a tube microphone with an external power supply unit, but obviously, it only has one polar pattern. However, the Reference Cardioid is just as versatile and also excels in overhead configurations.

One key aspect to note is that unlike the Sony C-80 mentioned earlier, the Reference Cardioid will need a professional preamp to perform at optimal. So you can’t just plug it into your Scarlett 2i2 and expect magic.

• More from Manley

Manley Reference Cardioid Mic black

Customer rating:

(25)

Available for 3,499.00 € at

Golden Age Premier GA-8000

The Golden Age Premier GA-8000 is a faithful recreation of the C-800G at around one-third of the price. Like the original, it’s incredibly clean and precise sounding, with elegant silky highs, balanced mids, and a restrained low-end.

All the hallmarks of the C-800G design are present, including an active semiconductor cooling system, a 6AU6 tube, and you have the same choice of cardioid and omnidirectional pickup patterns.

If you need a microphone that looks and sounds like the C-800G this is a great option. However, be aware that you will still require a decent preamp and recording chain to get good results, and even then it’s still not in the same league as the Sony.

• More from Golden Age Audio

Golden Age Audio Premier GA-8000

Customer rating:

(2)

Available for 3,899.00 € at

Other options to check out:

• RODE K2
• Mojave MA-300 SN

More about Sony C-800G Alternatives:

• Sony C-800G Official Product Page
• More from SONY
• All about Microphones
• Thomann’s Guide to Large-diaphragm Mics

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post Sony C-800G Alternatives for Ultra-clean Vocals appeared first on gearnews.com.

In this week’s edition of Studio Deals, we’ve got a range of professional studio tools for increasing the utility of your audio setup.

Studio Deals

From basic recording essentials to character compressors that can add colour to your tracking and mixing sessions, there’s something interesting here for all recording enthusiasts. Let’s take a closer look at the offers available:

Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro

When you’re tracking vocals, guitars, drums, or any instrument in a studio or at home, the DT-770 Pro remains a trusted choice. Its comfortable circumaural dynamic closed-back design gives you great acoustic isolation, free from headphone spill.

What’s more, once you get familiar with the frequency response, you can also use them for music production and mixing applications. The DT-770 Pro is available with different impedance settings, so make sure you choose the correct model.

As a general rule, headphones with an impedance rating of around 50-80 ohms or lower will function at optimal on a wide range of professional and consumer devices. Meanwhile, 250-ohm headphones will probably perform better with a dedicated preamp.

• Save 25% on the Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro now at $125
• More from Beyerdynamic

Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80 Ohm

Available for $125 at

Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 32 Ohm

Available for $125 at

Genelec 8030C

The Genelec 8030C is a professional studio monitor respected for its clarity and good translation properties. Its bi-amplified design uses a 5-inch woofer (50W) and a 0.75-inch metal dome tweeter (50W) with Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) technology.

The first thing you’ll notice about Genelec monitors is how they project the vocal frequency range in a very pronounced way. This makes it easy to mix pop and rap vocals, edit dialogue, or balance speech on a podcast.

The 8030 C uses a rugged aluminium housing that is rear-ported. However, there are EQ adjustments you can use on the rear panel to optimize the frequency range for your listening environment.

• Save 25% on the Genelec 8030C now at $515
• More from Genelec

*Please note that the price listed is per unit

Genelec 8030 C

Available for $515 at

Austrian Audio OC818

The OC818 large-diaphragm multipattern condenser mic is a gateway into the world of professional recording. From vocals to guitars and drum overheads, the OC818 will capture every sonic detail of the sound source.

A logical progression of the famous C414, the OC818 is handmade by the original AKG design team and features a CKR12 ceramic capsule based on the CK12.

Although, it’s based on a vintage design, the OC818 offers new technological features like the ability to control the polar pattern with the optional Bluetooth dongle via the PolarDesigner plug-in or the PolarPilot app for iOS and Android.

• Get 28% off the Austrian Audio OC818 now at $899
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Austrian Audio OC818 Studio Set

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Austrian Audio OC818 Studio Set (Black)

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Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig

The AudioFuse 16Rig is a flexible 24-bit 192 kHz USB audio interface that offers powerful features like standalone operation, mix templates, and DC-coupled outputs for controlling Eurorack modular systems.

The 16Rig offers a total of 32 inputs and 28 outputs. On the analogue side, there are 16 ins channels and 12 outs. Meanwhile, there are 16 ADAT channels, as well as word clock, MIDI I/O, and a sync out port.

Overall, the 16Rig has been designed to be the central hub of the modern electronic music studio, linking the hardware with the software realm in a seamless and easy-to-manage fashion.

• Get 15% off the Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig now at $1,111
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Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig

Available for $1,111 at

Heritage Audio Grandchild 670

Looking for the classic sound of The Rolling Stones? The Grandchild 670 is a recreation of the famous Fairchild 670 stereo vari-mu tube compressor in a dual-slot 500-series format.

The vintage-style design is equipped with two NOS 6BA6 tubes on each channel, as well as three custom transformers that add colour and character to your recordings and mixes.

The Grandchild’s control panel provides you with a 5-mode switch for different attack and release times. Meanwhile, there is also a variable compression slope control which makes this a very versatile unit.

• Save nearly 10% on the Heritage Audio Grandchild 670 now at $1,809
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Heritage Audio Grandchild 670

Available for $1,809 at

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*Note: percentage discounts may vary according to your region and currency conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are guidelines only.

The post Studio Deals from Arturia, Heritage Audio, Genelec, and Beyerdynamic appeared first on gearnews.com.

The Desert Island Dual Channel Strip is an ultra-high-end mastering grade preamp with an extensive EQ section for tracking and mixing.

Like anything in life, when it comes to audio – there’s always another level that you can take things. The Dual Channel Strip from Desert Island is a meticulously crafted example of detailed design and high-precision engineering.

As a company, Desert Island Gear specializes in high-end recording console preamps and peripherals. So you can be sure the inspiration for the Dual Channel Strip came from this area.

Desert Island Dual Channel Strip

The Dual Channel Strip is built with custom transformers on the input preamplifier, the line in, and the output, so you can have plenty of fun trying to get different colours from the various gain stages.

The EQ section is equipped with multi-tap inductor mid-band EQ points that increase the accuracy of the Q controls. In addition, there’s a filter section with selectable 24dB per octave high-pass and low-pass filters that have no resonant bump at the cutoff point.

Overall, the Dual Channel Strip has been designed to enhance any recording or channel within your mix. From corrective carving to adding creative colour tones, you can work with single tracks or stereo groups from vocals and guitars to your entire mix.

The 4-band EQ section might be a bit too much machinery for most users at first, but it presents a new dimension in terms of extremely precise sound shaping.

Pricing and availability:

The Dual Channel Strip is currently available for preorder and shipping is expected by April. The unit is priced at $7,999 Canadian, which is currently just over $5,950 US. However, Desert Island is currently offering 20% off all preorders, which lessens the blow somewhat.

More about the Desert Island Dual Channel Strip:

• Official Product Page
• All about Channel Strips

The post The Desert Island Dual Channel Strip: The Final Boss Of Preamps? appeared first on gearnews.com.