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The Magazine

September 2016

Building the perfect mix -- there are as many approaches to this complicated process as there are engineers! In the September issue of RECORDING, we bring you great advice and practical gear reviews that will serve you well at mixdown time.

We're reviewing over a dozen products this month, most of which are directly relevant to the mix engineer. Hardware or software, affordable for the entry-level mixer or designed for the world-class studio, there's something here for everyone. Look for great coverage of the Allen & Heath ZEDi-10FX mixer, Antelope Audio's Zen Tour interface, the incomparable Bricasti M7 reverb, signal processing gear from A-Designs Audio, Black Lion Audio, and Crane Song, and powerful DAW mixing tools from Softube, Toontrack, and Neyrinck.

We have different perspectives on mixing from three respected engineers in this issue. Bruce Kaphan begins a series on the nitty gritty details of preparing for a serious mix session. Michael Nickolas gives advice on mixing tracks that are coming from another tracking studio. And Beto Hale answers the question: why should an artist, even one who's getting pretty good at mixing, consider working with a professional engineer at the final mix stage?
Also in this issue, mixing is only one of the topics we cover when we interview keyboardist Jack Spann, who produced professional results in a small studio on a modest budget and is gaining a lot of attention for the beautiful tracks on his newest album.

All this plus an insider's look at New York's impressive Northside Festival, First Steps with Paul Stamler, Readers' Tracks with Marty Peters, our monthly columns, and more.
If you want the right techniques and tools to craft the best mixes, you can't afford to miss out on the September RECORDING!

Pick it up now on the newsstand... and so you get your next issue early (and save on cost), why not hit the big red SUBSCRIBE NOW button on this page and have RECORDING delivered to your door each month?

Reviews

Softube Console 1 | Reviewed by Darwin Grosse

This elegantly integrated hardware/software package gives DAWs an analog-console mixing experience with fantastic sound.

Antelope Audio Zen Tour | Reviewed by Paul Vnuk Jr.

Massive connectivity and new DSP effects and guitar amp models bring unprecedented power to the studio desktop.

iOS Music Tools: Neyrinck V-Control Pro 2 | Reviewed by Sean Shannon

Turn your iPad into a portable, powerful DAW control surface with this comprehensive app.

Bricasti Design System 1 | Reviewed by Paul Vnuk Jr.

This world-class hardware reverb now comes in a rack/remote system that's as beautiful to look at as it is to hear.

Reviewed & Revisited: A-Designs Audio Hammer 2 EQ | Reviewed by Paul Vnuk Jr.

The Hammer redefined our expectations for rack equalizers, and the new version takes its signature sound and expands its reach.

Plug-In Outlet: Toontrack EZmix Packs -- Country Guitars, JamTrack Amps, and Lead Vocals | Reviewed by Mike Metlay

The beginner-friendly mix effects plug-in's library of fantastic sounds continues to grow with these great offerings for guitar and vocal processing.

Crane Song 500 Series Tube Modules: Syren Mic Preamp, Insigna EQ, and Falcon Compressor | Reviewed by Paul Vnuk Jr.

Crane Song steps into the 500 Series arena with a powerful and sweet-sounding trio of tube-based signal processors.

Black Lion Audio Auteur MKII and B12A MKII Mic Preamps | Reviewed by Paul Vnuk Jr.

Black Lion started in the gear-mod business but now offers fantastic and cost-effective processors like these two preamps. We also look at the Micro Clock MKIII and interview Black Lion CEO Nate Bierdeman about the company's history, methods, and ......Expand

Avantone Pro MixPhone MP-1 Headphones | Reviewed by Mike Metlay

These innovative headphones build in two functions often required by mix engineers: a differently voiced check monitor system and instant mono compatibility checking.

Allen & Heath ZEDi-10FX Desktop Mixer/Interface | Reviewed by Mike Metlay

Affordable interfaces are everywhere nowadays, but the powerful extras built into this little mixer are anything but common...

Interviews

Recording Jack Spann's Time, Time, Time, Time, Time | Interviewed by Paul Vnuk Jr.

This New York based keyboardist and composer has worked on Broadway and helped create demos for David Bowie's last album. He talks about getting the most out of a tiny studio for his first solo record, and about his long-distance collaboration met......Expand

Features

Northside Festival 2016 | Written by Marc Urselli

Brooklyn's answer to SXSW covers a lot of territory and offers a lot of opportunities for recording musicians.

Prepare Your Mix! Part 1 | Written by Bruce Kaphan

A lot of the pain of mixing can be removed or lessened with proper preparation. An ace engineer walks us through how he makes sure he's ready to mix.

Tracks From Afar | Written by Michael Nickolas

Sending tracks to another engineer for mixing, or receiving such tracks to mix, shouldn't be a headache. All you have to do is ask the right questions and send the right materials.

First Steps. Part 21: Reverb | Written by Paul J. Stamler

Placing your recorded and mixed tracks in a suitable space isn't difficult, but to do so convincingly requires some history and some basic knowledge beforehand.

Fade Out | Written by Scott Dorsey

Brexit And Its Impact On The Audio Industry.