The Bench

Four-post server cabinets in a data centre, square-hole mounting rails visible, the source of most cheap second-hand 19 inch racks

Server Racks for Studio Gear: What Fits and What to Change

Server Racks for Studio Gear: What Fits and What to Change

An Akai S950 rackmount 12-bit sampler, front panel and floppy drive

S612 to S5000: Which Akai Sampler Do You Actually Want?

S612 to S5000: Which Akai Sampler Do You Actually Want?

A Korg Polysix on the bench, the analogue polysynth best known for the leaking battery that eats its circuit board

Does It Really Need Recapping? An Honest Answer, With Prices

Does It Really Need Recapping? An Honest Answer, With Prices

A Revox PR-99 quarter inch reel to reel tape machine, heads and transport visible

What to Check Before You Buy a Tape Machine (And What a Dying Capstan Motor Sounds Like)

What to Check Before You Buy a Tape Machine (And What a Dying Capstan Motor Sounds Like)

A dbx 160 VU compressor, the original half-rack model with wooden cheeks and a single VU meter

dbx 160, 160A, 160X, 160XT, 160VU, 160S: Which One Are You Actually Looking At?

dbx 160, 160A, 160X, 160XT, 160VU, 160S: Which One Are You Actually Looking At?

A Roland Juno-60 analogue polysynth, sliders and chorus switches across the front panel

Juno-60 or Juno-106? The Honest Answer, Including the Chip That Kills Them

Juno-60 or Juno-106? The Honest Answer, Including the Chip That Kills Them