As Content Manager, Maya writes about gear for zZounds — especially recording and live sound gear. She started plunking on a piano in 1992, and began audio engineering work in 2000. Over the years, she’s fronted bands, trained commercial voiceover actors, assisted on hundreds of recording sessions, and once co-wrote an alt-rock musical. Currently, Maya’s music gig is singing lullabies to her two young children.
Headphones Ohms Ratings Explained
All headphones have an impedance rating, measured in ohms. But what do headphone ohm ratings mean? In practical terms, impedance tells us how much power your headphones require to deliver a reasonable listening volume. Put simply, the higher your headphones’ impedance, the higher source voltage they need. Knowing your headphones’ impedance helps you determine which […]
Audio Gear Makers Face the Global Chip Crunch
Call them semiconductors, microprocessors, or integrated circuits, the silicon chips found in electronics of all kinds have been in short supply since mid-2020, with chipmakers struggling to meet unprecedented demand for the high-tech devices we use to work remotely, attend classes, stay in touch, and entertain ourselves at home in a global pandemic. Now, the […]
Bose L1 Pro vs. Bose L1 Model II, 1S, and Compact
When Bose first announced their L1 “Cylindrical Radiator” loudspeaker system back in 2003, it was considered a radical approach to a live PA system. Over the years, as musicians increasingly adopted the new design, countless competitors began to launch column-style PA systems of their own. When Bose retired their original L1 Classic and L1 Model […]
Comparing iRig Audio Interfaces for Streaming on iOS Devices
It’s easy to “go live” with your iPhone or iPad. But to deliver pro-level audio on your livestream, you’ll need an audio interface that lets you connect microphones, instruments, or the stereo output from your mixer. IK Multimedia makes a variety of iRig audio interfaces that connect directly to the Lightning port on your iOS […]
Hands-On with the Softube Console 1 + Console 1 Fader
Softube’s Console 1 and Console 1 Fader control surfaces give you hands-on, tactile control over the Softube Console 1 DAW plug-in — a powerful piece of software packed with sound-shaping tools. The Softube Console 1 plug-in lets you load up emulations of console channel strips — like the included Solid State Logic SL 4000 E, […]
TS vs. TRS vs. TRRS Cables
Do you know the difference between TS, TRS, and TRRS? The connector plugs and jacks found on your headphones and audio cables have come a long way from their roots on the telephone switchboards of the early 20th century. Most mobile devices with a headphone jack use the TRRS standard — read on for tips […]
Making Studio Magic with the PreSonus Quantum 2626
Launched at NAMM 2020, the Quantum 2626 is PreSonus’ first Thunderbolt 3 audio interface — with round-trip latency of less than 1 millisecond, making it a solid choice for small studios looking for a low-cost way to step up to Thunderbolt 3. The included Studio Magic software makes it an even better value — with […]
Chameleon Labs 7721 Stereo VCA Compressor Demo
In our demo video, we review the features of the Chameleon Labs 7721 VCA compressor, then put it through its paces on drum submixes and stereo mixes. Grab your headphones (or turn up your studio monitor speakers) and hear how the 7721 adds punch, loudness, and acoustic “glue” — resulting in tracks that sound tighter, […]
Hybrid Mixers: Analog Mixers Meet Digital Tech
Not quite digital mixers, but with capabilities beyond the basics of analog mixers, hybrid mixers employ both analog and digital signal paths, with features like USB inputs/outputs, digital effects processing, or built-in digital recorders. Mixers that combine analog and digital tech have existed for decades. But more recently, manufacturers have been touting the “hybrid mixer” […]
