Podcast Academy

Tapco has announced what looks to be an attractive, affordable firewire audio interface. The Link.FireWire 4×6 supports 24-bit/96kHz digital audio, along with driver support for both Mac and PC.

The interface has four inputs and six ouputs, including S/PDIF I/O, two mic/line inputs, balanced monitor outputs, and headphone outs. 48v Phantom Power is provided as well.

The Link.FireWire will be avaialable in Q2 2007 for a MSRP of $249 US.

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Grape Radio is one of the premiere independent podcasts currently available. Live production takes place in a high end, custom built/dedicated podcasting facility that incorporates excellent broadcast quality gear. The facility is capable of supporting as many as four personalities at any given time. I’m very familiar with the studio and the entire production work-flow. In fact, the audio post production is performed right here in NYC on my workstation on a weekly basis.

The studio utilizes four Ev RE-20 mics, and two dbx 1066 dual channel dynamics processors [compressor/limiter/gates]. Four channel processing is available and intended to provide flexibility in terms of independent ‘on-air’ mic processing.

Mackie continues to impress me, and they have released a new digital dynamics processor that I believe warrants serious consideration for producers that share similar requirements. I’m referring to the QUADCOMP/GATE - four channel, 24-Bit digital dynamics processor. This single piece of gear offers processing algorithms custom designed by Acuma Labs.

I’m particularly fond of the design aspects of the processor. For example: there is only one single set of controls located on the front of the processor that is used to customize each individual channel. You simply select a specific channel by way of a switch and make your adjustments. It’s important to note that individual gain reduction and output metering references are available at all times for each channel. Processing includes compression, limiting, gating and expansion.

The best feature of all? Snapshots. You have the capability to store and recall saved settings. This is as intuitive as it gets in my opinion. The design and function concept simplifies what would otherwise be a potential nightmare to manage efficiently.

After researching the processor, I assumed two things: cool and expensive. I was wrong. Definitely cool, however not nearly as expensive as I anticipated. The Mackie QUADCOMP/GATE retails for $799 US. Impressive …

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In most cases I recommend the Mackie Onyx 1220 mixer to those interested in a high quality, small footprint device that offers excellent quality preamps and firewire I/O compatibility. This of course is based on budget considerations as well. In my opinion, Mackie quality is unsurpassed.

If you are in the market for a high quality, low-noise mixer option that costs less than the Onyx 1220, and firewire I/O is not a requirement, let’s not forget the Mackie VLZ Pro line. In fact, the classic 1202 VLZ Pro has been revised recently. The new model - 1202 VLZ3 has improved XDR2 preamps, improved equalization circuitry, and improved headroom.

Besides these enhancements, the build quality of this piece provides extreme durability. There is nothing else like it. It is for this reason the 1202 VLZ is one of the most popular and widely used pieces of affordable, high quality audio gear available.

The mixer retails for $299 US. This is an excellent choice for a high end podcast/new media production studio.

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