Tag Archives: guitar

Guitar Pedals

Happy New Year Everyone and Welcome to the Year of the Tri Chorus

It’s officially 2018 and I declare this the year of the Tri Chorus effect.

It’s time to dust off that twenty unit rack case, fill it full of slightly unstable 19 inch rack units that you’ve been collecting from that four letter auction site, replace your car with a van and prepare yourself for back pain, or………..

Just purchase one of best pedals to arrive in years.

The Neunaber Tri Chorus

Brian Neunaber has a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and has been designing audio products since 1994. He designed effects processors for St Louis Music who marketed products under the Crate and Ampeg brands. Brian was also the DSP Architect at QSC, quite the pedigree!

The quality of Neunaber reverb effects such as the Neunaber Immerse Reverberator below, are without a doubt, phenomenal!

Turning his design knowledge towards the chorus effect has produced what I consider to be the ultimate chorus pedal. I know the paraphrased tag line of,  “If you do not like chorus pedals you will like this  one” has been used before, but here I truly believe at last a  chorus pedal has been created to live up to this statement.

Check out below the list of the  eight available settings.

• Tri — the classic rack chorus effect
• Hex — two tri-choruses paralleled for an ultra-dense effect
• Cascade Tone — two tri-choruses in series create a rich, lush effect
• Cascade Vibe — tri-chorus and tri-vibrato in series makes for a complex sound
• Harmonic Vibe — Low-frequency tri-chorus and high-frequency tri-vibrato, a more subtle effect that works well with overdrive
• Harmonic Detune — low-frequency detune and high-frequency tri-chorus, even more subtle and sounds great with heavy distortion
• +Detune — tri-chorus+detune for that ultimate rack chorus tone
• +Echo — tri-chorus+echo is a classic combo

Not only does this unit provide a fantastic sounding tri chorus, it also gives you the option to add detune for the ultimate, and my own personal favourite, rack chorus tone of the 80’s and early 90’s.

The other six options available are incredibly well designed with each and every variation providing glorious tri-chorus whether your tone is clean, over-driven or heavily distorted.

The header photograph is Dann Huff of Giant, a perfect example of the Tri Chorus tone that I know and love. Whether you are a Dann Huff  fan like myself, reveling in that stereo Tri-Chorus tone, or just a die hard fan of the classic studio tone of the 80’s and early 90’s, this pedal will make you smile every time you press that switch.

Don’t forget that Mike Landau fans will find chasing his classic tone somewhat easier with this pedal!

To sum up, the stereo chorus tones created by this pedal are, in my opinion, second to none. Whether you chase old school rack tones or simply want the best chorus pedal on the market, look no further!

 

 

 

 

Equipment & Instruments

Budget Signature Model Guitars. Should They Really Be Called Budget?

Budget Signature Model Guitars

To me the term budget suggests a compromise in quality and design, however the SE range from PRS is as far removed from “budget” as the term would suggest.

We are all used to seeing our favourite guitar players with their signature model guitars. Custom tailored to their playing style and tonal requirements and in some cases decidedly dodgy colour schemes………… Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Lukather, Zakk Wylde, Mark Tremonti, the list goes on and on.

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to have played many of these signature models and their less expensive counterparts. One thing I can say for sure is that while there is still and always will be a difference (let’s be honest,  a £4000 PRS and one costing £800 will always differ) between the “real thing” and the less expensive accessible to all models;  the difference is certainly becoming less apparent.

Here are a few prime examples of the signature instruments which I speak of………………….

The above PRS SE Tremonti Signature guitars are not only fantastic instruments in their own right, they are also Limited Edition Models, making them an attractive purchase and that little bit more exclusive.

The advantage to you, the customer, is that these signature models are no longer just an ego boost of musicians using their name on an inferior product that they themselves would not play. These guitars are more than capable of getting their “signature” guitar player from the beginning to the end of their gig. Body thickness is not compromised. The neck shape is what they spec and use themselves. Hardware and electronics, although not always what the more expensive model would have fitted, are more than capable of creating the tone they chase and lasting many years of hard gigging.

Below is an image of a Limited Edition PRS SE Bernie Marsden guitar which is exactly what the legendary musician uses during his live performances. No changes to the electrics, no fancy, outrageously expensive quilt top, just the instrument you can buy for under £1000. What more of a validation do you need for purchasing a PRS SE Signature Model………….a so called “BUDGET” signature guitar!

 

 

 

Equipment & Instruments

Bluguitar AMP1 Nanotube 100 Guitar Amp

Bluguitar AMP1 Nanotube 100 Guitar Amp

Ok, I have to confess a bias here before I start.

Thomas Blug is a German guitarist, who has for the last couple of decades, built a reputation for having one of the best Guitar tones in the business.

He’s also been a mate of mine for a long long time.

We met first at trade shows in the early ‘90’s when I was demonstrating Takamine and Parker guitars, and he was demonstrating for Hughes & Kettner amps (for whom he was hugely important in the development of their sound)

Later, the company I worked for, took over the distribution of Hughes & Kettner, and Tom and I worked together on sales and demo’s for the UK.

So I know him as an old friend.

I also know that he has 2 of the best ears in the business.

This guy really does know about guitar tones.

So when he announced he was coming to market with what appeared to be a pedal, I was intrigued.

But I needn’t have been, you see,

It’s still an amp.

In fact it’s all amp.

In fact it’s a fully functioning 100 watt amp head, that you can attach straight to a 4 X 12 cabinet and make a proper racket with.

Light, Portable and efficient, yet capable of generating a full 100 Watts of blistering tone, this amp is at home either on stage or in the studio.


The first time I heard it in the studio, I immediately removed all the other Amps, Amp sims, modelling units etc, because this, is the best I have ever used.

Bar none.

Because it’s real.

Don’t get me wrong, I love using my UA plug-ins for mixing down, but when it comes to tracking, there is nothing to beat a real amp.

And remember, it’s not just for the studio, it sounds unbelievable live too.

The Amp One features 4 configurable channels. Clean, Vintage Classic and Modern.

Each of these is switchable and has adjustable Boost and Reverb controls.

The amp also features a Killer speaker simulation output for use in the studio as well as a headphone out.

This tiny package, that can fit easily into Hand luggage or a gig bag, delivers a round, fat bass with crisp, non ‘tinny’ trebles and an overall tone that you’ll recognise immediately as that of a true modern, boutique amp.

Why not give us a ring and arrange to come and demo one in our new ‘Blue Room’ demonstration suite.

 Bluguitar AMP1 Nanotube 100 Guitar Amp

 

 

Equipment & Instruments

Fret Zeppelin – An LED based guitar tuition system

Providing a unique approach to learning how to play guitar, Fret Zeppelin by Edge Tech Labs aims to make the process easier for beginners. The system uses low-profile LED technology to display where to place your fingers on the fretboard. It fits to any regular guitar neck and aims to simplify learning chords, scales and even full songs.

The free smartphone app that goes with it will be released in beta versions before the official release so any special features/requests can be considered. It’s also being developed with an easy to use open API so other apps can be written to communicate with the hardware.

This crowd funded project has already superseded its target on Kickstarter. An initial pledge of $199 dollars will get you a Fret Zeppelin system and they aim to be ready to ship in October this year. There’s also talk of a system being made to cater for bass guitars as well as 7 and 8 string guitars!

Head on over to their Kickstarter page for more info.

Equipment & Instruments

Korg Pandora Mini – For Practice, its Perfect!

Korg Pandora Mini.

For Practice it’s Perfect…….

The Korg Pandora has been around since 1995, I remember it well. Indeed I even contributed five of the original voices to it! (Back then I worked for Korg UK, and got involved as part of the International voicing team for the guitar products), and for many years it’s been pretty much understood.

You see, it’s not a modelling amp, or an effects pedal.

IT’S A PRACTISE TOOL!

It was always meant to be a practise tool, and the latest Pandora Mini does it better than ever.

One of the big problems for Electric guitarists, is that practising with the kind of big sound that inspires you , involves lifting out a big, heavy amp, connecting it up, ignoring everyone else in the house when they bawl at you to “Turn it Down!!” etc. and even then once you’re set up, you’re usually alone, and so it gets kinda boring after 20 minutes of playing to yourself, no matter how good the sound.

With Pandora Mini, you get 200 presets in all different styles, (160 for guitar, 40 for bass). With another  200 user locations for storing your own sounds.

If you want to play along with something, there’s not only an metronome onboard, but also 100 rhythm patterns with complete control over tempo, volume and reverb.

You can also play along to your songs on CD’s,  or mp3 player,  by plugging into the Mini’s aux input – (theres also a variable pitch function  which lets you match the key of the song to the tuning of your guitar.)

So now, even just playing through some of the presets can be inspiring, and once you’ve found one you like, you can start to play over some pretty cool rhythms, which is way more fun than playing to nothing, or indeed, plug in your phone or mp3 player, and start to jam along to favourite songs or invest in some backing tracks.

Either way, all this takes place under cover of earphones, so you can sit and jam away in the living room, while everyone else watches TV, and all the time…. You’re getting better………….

 

 

Korg Pandora Mini @ Scan

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/korg-pandora-mini-personal-multi-effects-processor-in-black

Computer Music - Hardware, Equipment & Instruments

Focusrite iTrack Solo – iPad Audio Interface

Focusrite’s iTrack Solo is thier second new offering of the day and brings the iPad into the interface fold with the same preamps as found in their Scarlett and Saffire interfaces.

It features recording at sample rates up to 96kHz and 24 Bit Resolution and is housed in the same aluminum case as the Scarlett 2i2, but in a fetching silver finish.

Key Features of the iTrack Solo

  • High-quality award-winning Focusrite microphone input.
  • Made for iPad. Compatible with Mac OS X and Windows.
  • Direct connections for microphone and instrument.
  • Signal halos for level and clip indication.
  • Connect directly to a loudspeaker system via rear panel phono connectors.
  • Aluminium unibody case.

You can read more about the Focusrite iTrack Solo Here

Pre-order from Scan now for October delivery – Priced £129.99

Computer Music - Hardware, Equipment & Instruments

IK Multimedia – iRig Stomp

IK Multimedia iRig Stomp
IK Multimedia iRig Stomp

Also at NAMM this year but this time for the guitarists was the iRig stomp. Whilst many would have expected further pedal developents for this series of devices this stomp box style hardware controller for your iPad/iPhone device makes an interesting addition to the family. As you’d expect for a product from IK Multimedia iRig Stomp is based upon Amplitude and is in fact based around the well established Amplitude iRig edition.

The iRig STOMP lays claim to being the is the first stompbox guitar interface for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad allowing guitar and bass players to integrate their favorite iOS signal processing apps into their existing live pedalboard setup for enhanced tone shaping and effects processing.

IK Multimedia iRig Stomp Features:

  • Compact, durable yet lightweight, aluminum-cast enclosure integrates easily into any traditional pedalboard.
  • Can be used inline with other effects pedals, or directly connected to amplifiers or PA systems using regular 1/4″ guitar cables, with no need for adapters.
  • Allows precise adjustment of the signal for perfect guitar and bass levels with its large input gain knob.
  • Active battery-powered output circuit improves headroom, especially when used with high-gain amplifiers in the AmpliTube app, reducing feedback and crosstalk when recording.
  • The bypass switch allows engaging or bypassing the AmpliTube app chain of effects – like a traditional stompbox – for seamless integration into any existing rig.
  • The iRig Stomp has an ultra-compact form-factor can be easily carried on the road.
  • Features a 3.5mm/1/8″ jack for silent practicing with headphones.
  • Includes AmpliTube FREE app and can be used with any other guitar processing app that uses the iOS mini-jack
  • Has an ultra-small, compact profile that can be carried anywhere with ease.
  • The iRig Stomp is compatible with iPhone/iPod touch/iPad.

The IK Multimedia iRig Stomp Homepage

Equipment & Instruments

Jam Hub

Jam Hub is designed to be a simple solution to a the problem facing many bands of finding a rehearsal space unlikely to disturb those around them. A Jam Hub module along with a complete set of headphones will allow you to rehearse anywhere without the worry of noise bleed annoying your neighbors.

The problem has always been that gathering musicians and instruments together for a rehearsal or jam, is the noise level. Things usually start off ok, but once people get into their music, they tend to turn up a bit, and before long a simple rehearsal at home ends up at full concert volume.

Jam Hub allows a group of musicians to rehearse together in relative silence.

All you need to do is pick which colour section you want, plug your instrument in, put on your headphones and get playing.

Each musician has control over the volume of the other instruments in his/her particular mix, and therefore you do away with the volume wars.

Playing music with other people is one of the greatest things about being a musician, and Jam Hub gives you the freedom to do it in rooms where noise would otherwise be a problem.

Jam Hub Homepage

Equipment & Instruments

The Breedlove Difference

Each Atlas Series Instrument has been designed and engineered by Kim Breedlove. With a strong art background and refined design sense, Kim Breedlove acquired the tools, the training and a keen interest in building guitars, mandolins, banjos and other fine instruments in 1974. At a very young age he entered the elite level of producing legendary quality instruments and has dedicated his life to this masterful artistic endeavor.

Atlas guitars feature many of the design principles from Breedlove’s custom shop including Breedlove scalloped bracing, pinless bridge and JLD Bridge Truss System.

 

 

The body shapes are similar to the custom shop offerings for deep body styles with non cutaways and soft cutaways. The bridge, fingerboard and peghead overlay on each model are made from Indian Rosewood.

The playability has been changed to a slightly narrower nut width 1-11/16 in., but each has the same low string height for fast comfortable playing. D’Addario EXP11 light gauge coated strings are comfortable, last a long time and have a full sound.

Fishman Classic IV Pickups are on all cutaway models. These are easy to use, reliable and sound great. Each Atlas Series instrument has passed the strict quality assurance process in Bend, Oregon, USA. Breedlove has reached these amazing prices by creating a high quality system to produce these exact models and specifications.

The Breedlove Difference

The Breedlove tone is an outcome of the way they brace their tops. All of their guitars have tops voiced both before and after the braces are applied. They utilize a modern bridge truss device (patented by J.L.D. Guitar Research) that counterbalances the string tension on the top of the guitar. Does this mean Breedlove guitars lose the ability to vibrate well? Just the opposite. In the past, building a guitar top has required trade-offs between sturdiness for longevity, and lightness for resonance. Due to the increased structural integrity of the bridge truss, Breedlove is able to brace their tops for optimal vibration and sound quality. This creates what they call a relaxed top. You will also notice the back of their guitars vibrate more than other guitars. The result is a responsive guitar with rich bass, balanced mids, sweet highs, and a remarkable balance of sound when playing notes up the fingerboard.

A guitar where the strings pass over the nut and then angles sharply towards the tuner posts has added dampening, which causes loss in sustain. So Breedlove designed their peghead so the strings between the tuners and the nut are parallel to the rest of the string. Then they have the Breedlove Pinless Bridge. Why drill 6 holes through a part of the guitar that needs stability?

And so finally, all these little innovations and variations become the Breedlove difference. Do yourself a big favour and check one out today.

 

 

Breedlove guitars are available from our ProAudio shop.

Breedlove Hompage

Production & Technique, Scan News

Scan Pro Audio Jam @ London International Technology Show

Our attendence at this years LITS show went down well with the Scan stand having exclusive first play throughs of BF3, Overclocking master classes the epic 3XS Swordfish system and most importantly for the audio guys hands on with some tasty kit and plenty of demo’s being performed by our team.

On the last day we attempted something a bit different by hooking everything up we had to hand and getting into a a 3 way jam session. So here’s the resulting video footage of Tom, Steve and DJ Rasp doing getting to grips with using iMaschine, Serato Itch on the Numark NS6 and Guitar Rig 5 at the London International Technology Show.