Pro-sumer Modifications

What is 'pro-sumer'?

These are the recording interfaces and microphones of varying quality that are in the middle price range aimed at musicians and hobbyists with a more refined palate that are looking for better gear that won't break the bank. In this range of equipment the design is very good to excellent, often the build quality is excellent. The manufacturing cost difference (between this range and high-end gear) is typically made up by choosing parts of 'acceptable' quality (such as a TL072 op amp rather than an LM4562 which is 10x the price) and manufacturing in large quantities, off-shore, with not as much focus on hand-crafting each unit. This is where you get devices like the Digi002, Motu 828, Mackie mixers, Oktava microphones, Studio Projects microphones, Mojave microphones and the such. Generally very decent quality stuff and usable to make good recordings as well.

I have experienced (and great companies such as Black Lion Audio have also proved) that a lot of these middle-of-the-shelf items can be turned into engineers' first choices (e.g. a modded Studio Projects C3 being chosen over a Neumann or a modded 002 being a preferable converter to PT HD systems). I make an effort to take the time and expense that regular manufacturing and business cannot allow for and put it into your microphone or piece of audio equipment. This involves, generally speaking, the upgrading of passive and active components with excellent replacements where 'acceptable' components were used OR matching the piece of equipment with components that, in my opinion, suit the gear better to get its best results.

If you have a mic, preamp or converter that you'd love to like better than you do, send it my way and prepare to love your gear again!