Posts by Tom Fairbairn

Blue’s “new” budget SL mics: Major upgrade or marketing exercise?

Blue's stylish mics are found in many pro and home studios - are their latest Blue Essentials models, seen at NAMM 2017, worth closer a look?

NAMM 2017: Apollo Twin MkII – is black the new black?

UA launched the Apollo Twin MkII at NAMM 2017. Do the features match UAD's hype? So far it looks like a successful product tweaked, rather than a redesign...

NAMM 2017: TASCAM sounds out musicians’ market with TM microphone range

Tascam's expanded range of budget microphones includes the TM-280 and TM-180 condensers, TM-Drums set and TM-AR1 acoustic screen...

NAMM 2017: Rode debut new valve, ribbon and SoundField surround mics

Australian mircophone manufacturers Rode are celebrating their 50th birthday at NAMM by presenting new valve mics, including a SoundField model they are billing as a "world first"...

J74 PitchControl: exciting new real-time vocal effects

J74 PitchControl is an innovative real-time vocal processing tool for Ableton. Auto-tuning and harmony generation form just part of what's on offer...

NAMM 2017: Softube’s Console 1 MkII to cost less and offer UAD integration!

At a new RRP of $499USD, Console 1 MkII offers a lot of bang for buck. Hardware control of the included SSL emulation - and over 60 UAD plug-ins...

Pakotec Rent-a-Plugin: a new way to access great processing?

Pakotec announce a rental platform for accessing plugins. Will the biggest plug-in developers make their effects and virtual instruments available this way?

Softube: Can we expect a NAMM revamp of Console 1?

Softube have recently restated that Console 1 is alive and kicking - and now rumour has it there's an update announcement slated for NAMM 2017....