There's a lot of promise in a mixer called "StudioLive" — about twice as much promise as most mixers make. Does the PreSonus StudioLive 16.4.2 Digital Mixer live up to its moniker? We asked engineer Rick Weldon to take it for a couple of spins and let us know what he thought.  

Cardioid is a handy pickup pattern, but if you find yourself using cardioid mics for every application, the only way to break out of that pattern is. . . more patterns! The Rode NT2-A is a multi-pattern condenser mic that'll expand your recording skill-set but won't cost a bundle. Of course, if it doesn't sound good, it won't do you any good; Larry the O gives this large diaphragm, solid-state condenser a scrutinizing listen in this review.  

Regularly contributing review Larry the O wonders how well the popular Rode K2 Large Diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone fares now that its particular market niche is a bit more crowded than in 2004 when it was released. So does he wonder what the K2 fuss is about, or why you haven't tried one out yet? Read on and find out.  

Based on the model that initially launched the company, the Rode NT1-A incorporates a few performance revisions and a modest price — two factor which contribute to this condenser microphone's high-selling status. But numbers aside, how does this mic fare in a professional studio environment? Regular reviewer Larry the O finds out in this rigorous examination.  

It's not every day you see a small-diaphragm condenser microphone that's side-address, rarer still you see one with interchangeable capsules. The new Shure Beta 181 is just such a microphone, but will it become a legend like other Shure designs or remain forever a lesser condenser? Owner of Broken Radio Studios in San Fransisco Matt Boudreau does a little hands-on research.  

Many have promised "vintage" tones at bargain prices, but there's been lots of buzz about the Golden Age Pre73 Microphone Preamp. Engineer and studio owner Michael Cooper decided to see what that buzz was about and give this affordable preamp a listen for himself. See if he thinks it's buzz-worthy or a mere 60-cycle ho-hum.  

Oh the consumer conundrum created by technological revisions. As it is in the computing world, revisions to pro audio gear may be seen as a welcome response to users who've made repeated complaints about inherent design flaws. Of course, the release of an updated model means they have to shell out yet more cash for the state-of-the-art. And what if the new version doesn't offer any real improvements over the original? The question answer in this pro review of the Mackie MR8mk2 Studio Monitor is: in which way, exactly, will the new monitors upset MR8mk1 owners?  

Humans have two ears, generally, yet most microphones hear audio in mono. Not the Audio-Technica AT2022 Stereo Microphone; it's got a pair of condenser elements arranged in X/Y for more life-like reproduction of ambient sounds and sonic events. That's the intention, anyway. So does it succeed? Composer, engineer, and regularly contributing reviewer Nick Peck finds out.  

The latest in a long line of ever-evolving multi-pattern microphone designs, the newest iteration of the AKG C414 XL-II features even more patterns and other improvements. So does it remain the reliable studio catch-all mic, or has AKG gilded the utilitarian lily? Engineer Michael Cooper offers his thoughts.  

For all this talk of tube-warmth, sometimes a little transistor clarity is exactly what a limp snare or overly-tubby kick drum needs. For both — really all — recording situations, the Universal Audio Twin-Finity 710 gives you both options. Does this make Gearwire Reviewer Eli Crews happy or overwhelm him with infinite tonal options?  

So instantly popular it nearly became a genericised trademark, the Portastudio holds a place in the hearts of the countless thousands it helped usher into the home-recording era. Gearwire reviewer Marty Cutler was one of those numbers; now he scrutinizes the recently-released Tascam Portastudio DP-03 to see how it stands up to its moniker's legacy.  

The intelligently-designed Korg Kaoss Pad just keeps evolving into more and more sophisticated audio-mangling fauna. David Battino plays Richard Dawkins in this unvarnished Pro Review of the Korg Kaoss Pad Quad.  

Can a large-diaphragm condenser mic with a price tag this small really have a big studio sound? Gino Robair puts the Blue Spark under the microscope to see if this little guy is a big deal or small potatoes.  

Sometimes, 1-bit is better than 24. The proof is in Korg's line of 1-bit DSD recorders, including the Korg MR-2, herein reviewed by regular contributor Larry the O.  

It's unlikely this Keymaster will punch a hole in our dimension big enough for Gozer the Gozerian to step through, but just to be on the safe side, let's not tell Zuul about this hands on review. Unless, of course, Zuul is looking for an A/B/Y box, effects chain blender, and reamping tool in a handy pedal format. Tell 'em about the Twinkie, Eli.  

Small-diaphragm condenser microphones are useful in many different recording situations, so it's always a good idea to have at least one pair in your mic locker. Myles Boisen tried out Audio Technica's budget-friendly AT2021 pencil condenser on a variety of different audio sources, and he tells you how it fared in this Pro Review.  

In most home and project studios, quarters are cramped. Compact recording gear can help make your room more efficient, but you don't want to sacrifice audio quality for elbow room. In this hands-on review, Gearwire editorial director Gino Robair gets up close and personal with a pair of KRK VXT4 monitors. Read what he has to say about these ultra-compact reference speakers; they just might be what you need for a tight mix in a tight space.  

Small, self-contained multitracking devices are often more portable than a mobile laptop recording rig, and can get you tracking with zero configuration hassle. Marty Cutler reviews the Boss BR-800, a powerful multitrack recorder that can double as a control surface in the studio.  

Portable multitrack recording is all the rage, and the R24 is about as portable as it gets. With 8 XLR combo inputs, 24 playback tracks, and audio interface/hardware controller functions, all fitting in your knapsack, you're free to record anywhere. Marty Cutler gives you the play-by-play in this in-depth review.  

High-end recording microphones don't come cheap. Well, they didn't used to, anyway. If you've been thinking about selling a kidney to beef up your mic locker, put down that home surgery kit for a minute and take a look at what Matt Boudreau has to say about the R-101 ribbon microphone from Royer. Black market organ futures may never recover.  

Small-format mixers can expand your options both on stage and in the studio. GW reviewer Orren Merton puts the new MultiMix 6 USB mixer from Alesis through its paces.  

With these Roland CS-10EM Binaural Microphones/Earphones, stealth recording has never been stealthier. GW Reviewer Peck, Nick Peck is ready with an in-depth debriefing. Eyes only, of course.  

Former Senior Editor for EM Geary Yelton takes a look at the new Korg Sound On Sound Unlimited Track Recorder. OK, "Unlimited Track" might be slight hyperbole: after all, we're none of us immortal.  

Like love, sometimes the truth hurts. Larry the O has a lot of one and a little less of the other for the Alesis Palmtrack SD-Card Audio Recorder. Find out how much of which in this latest Pro Review.  

When it comes to field recorders, do you like to play the field? If so, think of Gearwire as the OK Cupid of pro-audio gear-dating.

I hope this creepy teaser-text hasn't dissuaded you from reading Nick Peck's in-depth review of the new Roland R-05 Portable Digital Recorder.  

Our regular contributing reviewer Markkus Rovito likens the KRK Rokit Powered RP6 G2 Studio Monitors to Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski. See, sometimes, there's a monitor, well, it's the monitor for its time and place. . .  

We're not sure if the "O" in Larry the O's nom de web stands for 'opinion' but it might as well. This man knows what he likes and what he doesn't when it comes to recording gear, and in particular when it comes to the Sony PCM-M10 Linear PCM Recorder.  

Mayor of Pro Reviewer Town Walt Szalva holds a little active ribbon-cutting ceremony at his studio, Planet-3. While the Audio Technica AT4081 Active Ribbon isn't really doomed to bifurcation, it's at least bi-directional. It also represents quite the deal, as Walt details in his review.  

Why has the Handy Recorder line from Zoom consistently sold well in an increasingly crowded market? Just ask Larry the O or, better yet, read his review of the Zoom H4n Handy Recorder.  

Being the runt of the family can have its advantages. The minuscule Yamaha Pocketrak C24 may be the smallest of the company's digital recorders, but it's depth of features and ease of use have our Pro Reviewer Rich Wells massively impressed.