Syracuse-based Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. has earned respect within the recording community as a manufacturer of high-quality, yet reasonably priced pro audio devices, including microphone preamplifiers, distribution amplifiers, headphone reference amplifiers and AD/DA converters.
Benchmark established its reputation by repeatedly emphasizing through its products a focus on quality (and appropriate) component specification, strict design tolerances […]

Pennsylvania-based Sterling Modular has designed and built high-quality studio furniture and racking systems for nearly 20 years. The company is best known for its higher-end modular desk systems, vintage conso le “housing upgrades,” self-contained roll-around workstation stands and a few specialized third-party collaborations.
Several of Sterling Modular’s recent designs – including the Gear Pod adjustable […]

TC Electronic’s Studio Konnekt 48 breaks new ground in the crowded FireWire interface market by drawing heavily upon the company’s long-established foundation of DSP-powered signal processors. Several features are ported from the revered System 6000 effects/mastering platform, the Reverb 4000 and the popular PowerCore products. This new interface, meanwhile, features a generous compliment of analog […]

According to the product’s website, Steinberg’s Sequel is “designed for first-time computer music enthusiasts,” and is an “all-inclusive music production platform” that makes it “…the perfect first step into music production and performance” according to the manual. In reality, those sweeping promotional descriptions are terribly misleading: Sequel turns out to be quite appropriate for seasoned […]

This updated version of one of sE’s earliest models may well become The People’s Mic.

by Stephen Murphy
Shure made an impressive entry into high-end recording with the introduction of the KSM32 cardioid and KSM44 multipattern condenser mics.
The latest arrival in the Shure KSM family, joining the aforementioned KSM44 ($1,393, see PAR 01/01) and the KSM32 ($1,070, see PAR 01/99) is the low cost KSM27 ($575) fixed-pattern cardioid condenser mic.
Features
At nearly […]

SP Technology Timepiece 2.0 Monitors
By Stephen Murphy
One of the true benefits of reviewing pro audio gear is when the unexpected occurs: a great product shows up at the studio from a previously unknown source. In this case, the source is speaker designer Robert Smith and his new company, SP Technology. The product is a high-performance […]

by Stephen Murphy
Founded in 1997, UK audio manufacturer Audient PLC has made quick inroads to the live, studio and post production markets with its short list of well-received products.
Audient’s product catalog includes the ASP500-series surround sound and bass management controllers, the ASP8024 studio console and the new Aztec live console, reviewed here.
The Audient Aztec is […]

From Pro Audio Review, May 2007
Sony Cinescore 1.0 Soundtrack Creation
Reasonably priced PC-only software for custom music bed creation.
by Stephen Murphy
Cinescore may be of particular interest to project and personal-production studio owners looking to offer an alternative for canned library music to their clients. Royalty-free cues of custom lengths, themes, moods and arrangements can be […]

Originally published in TV Technology Magazine

JVC GY-DV5000 3-CCD DV Camera

by Stephen Murphy
Calling the JVC GY-DV5000 an update of the GY-DV500 camera is definitely an understatement – kind of like calling your new house an update of your one-bedroom apartment.
Don’t get me wrong: the GY-DV500 is a very good DV camera, but a wealth […]