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

Data centres scrap 42U cabinets for less than the price of a new 12U studio rack, and audio gear bolts...

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

Data centres scrap 42U cabinets for less than the price of a new 12U studio rack, and audio gear bolts...

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

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

Ten samplers wear the Akai S badge and the ends of the family share nothing but the logo. Here is...

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

Ten samplers wear the Akai S badge and the ends of the family share nothing but the logo. Here is...

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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

Electrolytics wear out, tantalums short, and film capacitors mostly sit there being fine. Here is which is which, what recapping...

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

Electrolytics wear out, tantalums short, and film capacitors mostly sit there being fine. Here is which is which, what recapping...

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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)

Every other checklist is written for someone playing back pre-recorded reels. This one is for a producer who wants to...

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

Every other checklist is written for someone playing back pre-recorded reels. This one is for a producer who wants to...

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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?

Nine compressors have worn the number 160, and the ones at either end of the family share no gain-control element...

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

Nine compressors have worn the number 160, and the ones at either end of the family share no gain-control element...

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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

Same six voices, same filter design, same chorus chips, and roughly double the price. The difference that matters is a...

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

Same six voices, same filter design, same chorus chips, and roughly double the price. The difference that matters is a...

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