RECORDING MAGAZINE OCTOBER 38 8 FEATURES 18 The Mixing Workshop. In a return to our series on mixing for success, we start to consider the problems and solutions in mixing bass guitar. BY SEAN SHANNON 54 Chameleon Labs 7802 Tube Compressor. A vintage tube optocompressor vibe in an affordable rack. How does it measure up? REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR. 56 Recording’s Showcase of Sounds. Big Fish Audio Stratos: Drones & Atmospheres. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY 32 What The Heck IS Mastering? Everyone says you need it. Some people try to do it themselves, while others insist on hiring a pro. But what precisely does it mean? 36 BY DAVE MARTIN INTERVIEWS 12 Joe Chiccarelli And The Perfect Mix. A Grammy-winning engineer (U2, Elton John, Counting Crows, Beck ) shares his thoughts on the mindset and methods of the successful mix engineer. INTERVIEW BY MIKE METLAY 46 Recording’s Drum Column. We look at drum replacement in Pro Tools once more, with tools both new (Elastic Audio) and old (doing it by hand). BY MARK HORNSBY REVIEWS 22 26 Mastering Engineer Bob Katz— The Voice of Experience. This famous mastering engineer doesn’t let us forget that it is not about the latest tools and techniques (although he uses them all) but about the ears, the sound, the musicality. INTERVIEW BY FABIO GARCÍA 14 Zoom R16. This compact and powerful desktop recorder has a ton of computer-friendly features, all in a portable package. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY 22 Lauten ST-221 Torch Microphones. Tube pencil condenser mics with a unique and tasty tone. REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR. REGULARS 2 6 8 52 Fade In. Talkback. Fast Forward. Readers’ Tapes. BY MARTY PETERS 28 28 Benchmark MPA1 Preamplifier. A company renowned for crystal clarity releases a small and mighty pre. REVIEW BY PAUL J. STAMLER 56 36 Reviewed and Revisited: M-Audio ProFire 610. M-Audio’s latest FireWire interface adds quality mic pres and internal DSP to a winning design. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY 64 Fade Out. Dereverberation. GUEST EDITORIAL BY SCOTT DORSEY 38 Universal Audio 710 Twin-Finity. Dial in the lush and lovely character you like with this dual-topology preamp. REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR. 57 Advertiser Index. 48 Plug-In Outlet. 2C Audio Aether; Abbey Road Plug-Ins Brilliance Pack. REVIEWS BY MIKE METLAY AND PAUL VNUK JR. COVER DESIGN BY SCOTT SIMMONDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM HAWLEY 48