audiobriefs
Topic

Special effects

The illusion, and the argument about doing it in camera.

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Synths & drum machines 244Guitars & amps 149Keyboards & organs 29Effects & pedals 122DJ gear 30DAWs & software 16Studio & recording 147Microphones & preamps 56Mixing & mastering 111Sound design & sampling 108Monitors & headphones 7
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8:10

Publison Infernal Machine 90

Publison

The Publison Infernal Machine 90 is a 3U rackmount analog/digital multi-effects processor built for video post-production. It delivers delay, echo, harmonizer, sampler, reverb, transposition, time compression/expansion, and DVR-style long-sample playback — all synchronised to SMPTE timecode. All programs are editable on-device; no external editor exists. It excels at frame-accurate effect triggering in film dubbing. It fails for anyone needing patch libraries, remote editing, or non-video workflows.

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8:38

dbx 120XP Subharmonic Synthesizer

dbx

The dbx 120XP is an undocumented studio effect that generates subharmonics. Its operation is opaque. Its design yields no known advantages over alternatives. Its utility depends entirely on tolerance for uncertainty.

8:50

Neve 1272 Line Amp

Neve

The Neve 1272 is a solid-state line amplifier. It does not accept microphone signals. It adds clean, transformer-coupled gain to line-level sources. It offers no input flexibility, no EQ, no saturation controls. Its value lies in its place in a fixed-path studio chain — not in versatility.

9:04

Marshall 1960A Cabinet

Marshall

The Marshall 1960A JCM900 is Marshall’s designated main 4x12 cabinet—widely used, widely modified, and widely criticised. Its four Celestion G12T75 speakers deliver 300 watts of aggressive, scooped tone. Birch plywood construction meets an MDF back panel. Rear-panel impedance and stereo switching add flexibility. But air leaks at the seams. Joints feel insecure. Plastic handles flex under load. It excels only where harsh highs and tight lows serve metal—but fails jazz, grunge, and any genre demanding warmth or low-end authority.

9:48

Digidesign 888/24 I/O

Digidesign

The Digidesign 888/24 is a Pro Tools–only analog-to-digital converter with eight XLR I/O channels and four AES-EBU digital paths. It delivers clean conversion, solid build quality, and low used-market cost—but only functions inside a compatible TDM system. No standalone mode. No MIDI. No monitor control. No software editor. It is a tool, not a platform.