Gareth started making music in 1993, and has recorded and performed with local Chicago acts Doseagles, Tales of Gesignia, and Spooky Koala the Black Holy Ghost. Currently, he does video production and occasionally plays drums while wearing an alien suit as a member of Texas-based space-western art collective Space Is Dirty. At zZounds, Gareth manages the Recording and Computer Audio categories, and writes product reviews on the zZounds Blog. Favorite instruments and tools include Apple Logic Pro, Korg Monotron, and the harmonica.
New Quantum LT Interfaces from Fender
Create music fluidly with new Quantum LT interfaces from Fender. These affordable-yet-powerful audio interfaces give you plenty of inputs and outputs for the price, with Fender-designed instrument inputs and PreSonus’ MAX-HD mic preamps. They also include six months of the Fender Studio Pro DAW, which is packed with time-saving and creativity-inspiring features. Watch as Johnny […]
Using the Rode Wireless PRO Recording System
Touted by Rode as “crystal clear” and “incredibly stable”, the Wireless PRO dual-channel recording system is positioned as a fully featured and affordable solution for audio-for-video. But what is it like to use in a real-world situation? With an upcoming video shoot involving interviews and two live performances, I snagged two Wireless PRO systems with […]
Two in One: The New Dual-Stage OptoFET Compressor
Shape the dynamics of your audio tracks with the new 5046 OptoFET from Rupert Neve Designs. It’s a dual-stage compressor that gives you FET and Opto compressors in series for a studio-standard compression technique that’s been heard on countless hits. It even lets you split your audio into two frequency bands (high and low) and […]
Using the Zoom F6 Recorder
Zoom handheld recorders like the H6studio and H4essential are great tools for recording audio outside of the studio. But what if you need a recorder with more features to use for on-location audio, for example in a video shoot? In this post we’ll take a look at the Zoom F6 “professional multi-track field recorder” and […]
A Closer Look at the SSL Revival 4000 Channel Strip
The new SSL Revival 4000 analog channel strip is turning heads for its recreation of the sound of the early ’80s SL 4000 Series mixing console, as well as its versatile feature set. With a dynamics section based on the E Series, four-band EQ, high and low pass filters, and even a de-esser onboard, the […]
Add Excitement to Your Mixes With the UAD Hitsville Reverb Plug-In
Ever notice the lively ambience of vocal, drum, and instrument tracks on ’60s Motown classics? That distinctive sound is due in large part to the unique house-turned-studio purchased by Motown founder Berry Gordy, the attic of which was converted into a reverb chamber that became one of the most characterful reverb sounds ever recorded. In […]
Mixing With the UAD Capitol Chambers Reverb Plug-in
It’s not easy to find a software reverb that replicates the complex-yet-musical sound of a real, physical reverb chamber. However, Universal Audio seems to have done this quite well with their Capitol Chambers reverb plug-in. Let’s get inside UAD’s Capitol Chambers and hear it in action! A Classic Verb If you’re going to emulate the […]
How and Why to Use ARC Studio
After achieving success with their plug-in based ARC room correction mic + software package, IK Multimedia has released an interesting new implementation of ARC: the ARC Studio, a way to room-correct without having to run a plug-in in your DAW. With ARC Studio you get a measurement mic, the ARC 4 software, and a box […]
At Home With the Beyerdynamic M 160
Designed and built by German microphone manufacturer Beyerdynamic (that’s pronounced like “buyer-dynamic”), the M 160 is a unique microphone that’s perfect for many difficult recording situations. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the features that make it so suited for harsh sources and the unique challenges of recording in a home […]
