Radial Engineering JD-7

The JD-7 is currently the best tool available for re-amping a track or splitting one instrument (or line level) signal into multiple (up to seven) outputs. Usually I would wait until the end of a review to get to the conclusion, but the JD-7 is such a great box (and excellent value) that I couldn’t help myself. First of all,… Read more →

M-Audio Tampa Preamp/Compressor

Richard Alan Salz M-Audio Tampa Microphone/Instrument Preamp and Compressor www.m-audio.com Ah, Tampa! Just the word conjures up visions of sunny beaches, and (somewhat) surfable waves. M-Audio would prefer however, that the word Tampa should instead call to mind their newly designed preamp/compressor! Does this silicon and steel Tampa measure up to its eminently pleasurable namesake? Looking at the Tampa from… Read more →

Focusrite Platinum Trakmaster Channelstrip

Many recordists with personal-studio-level consoles are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to getting a signal to tape (or hard drive) unscathed because of the typically inferior quality of budget consoles’ microphone preamplifiers. Even the mic preamps found in some top-notch consoles leave a lot to be desired. Add to that the frequent need to equalize and provide dynamics… Read more →