Former audio engineer, current editor-in-chief of zZounds.com. When I’m not geeking out about recording gear and enforcing proper punctuation, I can be found playing the keytar. It’s a serious instrument, you know.
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” […]
Coaxial Studio Monitors in the Real World
Kali Audio’s “Project Independence” IN-8 and IN-5 studio monitor speakers are notable for their three-way architecture, with the midrange driver and tweeter nested together in a coaxial, or coincident, design. We’re taking a close look at coaxial studio monitors — and how they can help solve the real-world problems of phase cancellation and off-axis lobing […]
Neon Vines’ Music Gear Picks
Multi-instrumentalist Neon Vines climbed into the electronic music production scene in early 2018, poised to outgrow her singer-songwriter roots. In just a few short months, she began to amass a dedicated fanbase on YouTube and Instagram — and an ever-expanding collection of high-tech music-making tools like the ROLI Seaboard, Ableton Push, and Akai MPC X. […]
Why DJs Are Choosing Rekordbox
DJs who perform live are constantly making choices. Which song to play next? What feeling do I need to create right now? Is the crowd ready to build energy, or take things down a notch? And unless you’re an all-vinyl purist, one of those choices is which digital DJ platform to use for performing and […]
Summer NAMM 2019: New Gear from Fender, Ampeg, Boss and More
The music gear world has descended upon Nashville, Tennessee for the Summer NAMM 2019 tradeshow! Join the zZounds crew on the show floor as we get our hands on the latest and greatest guitars, amps, and audio gear. Shop all Summer NAMM 2019 gear on zZounds New from Ampeg: Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT Bass Amplifier […]
Chicago’s New Playground for Sonic Experimentation
At some of Chicago’s more famous museums, patrons aren’t supposed to touch the exhibits. But Synth House Chicago Museum is different. In this cozy co-working space in the West Town neighborhood, guests get their hands on an impressive collection of modern and vintage synthesizers curated by owner Marty Pelayo, who encourages museum visitors to bring […]
Understanding Speaker Sensitivity
When choosing a passive loudspeaker, one of the most important specifications to look for is sensitivity — a measure of the volume output you can expect from the speaker, relative to its input power. Speaker sensitivity reflects the speaker’s ability to efficiently convert power into sound. Why Does Speaker Sensitivity Matter? Sensitivity matters because a […]
