In the tech sector, we’re all dependent on gear. With audio and music, we appreciate quality older equipment — such as Neumann KM84’s and 1958 Gibson Les Pauls — that can still provide superb performance despite their age. Not so with everything: few computer users long for the days of amber CRT monitors, dot-matrix printers or 0.3-Megapixel Apple QuickTake digital cameras.
I have two nice 1968 Fender Bassmans. Unfortunately, they’re heavy, and neither offers remote Wi-Fi control or a USB preamp output. Now, modern “wisdom” from our throwaway society states I should drop these off at the e-waste center. Ditto for my Altec 1567A tube mixer. Maybe it’s time to swap that out for a Behringer Xenyx 802S, which is stereo, lighter, has USB connectivity and is just $89 at Sweetwater — or maybe not…
On a recent lecture gig, clients wanted two Electro-Voice RE-20 mics for narration. I haven’t used my RE-20’s for a while, but both had a rattling caused by disintegrated foam supporting the mic capsules, and the foam windscreens crumbled to the touch. Fortunately, Full Compass had the replacements parts in stock, so these will live on.
Digital peripherals present a different problem. Although the hardware may be solid, drivers for newer OS computers may be non-existent. I have a nice little TASCAM US-122 24-bit USB interface where the last update was for Windows Vista, so sadly, off to e-waste it goes.
We could go on and on — and don’t get me started about rotting foam or butyl surrounds on woofers — but like many of you, I do appreciate gear that keeps going and going and going…
Travel safe!
