Digidesign Eleven Rack review – part one
by Rob Sandall, in Guitars Music Computers & Hardware, No Comments
The Digidesign Eleven Rack has been introduced to guitarists as the meeting point between sleek home production and finding the kind of no-compromise, perfect tone that all players yearn for. Well, as a guitarist first and home-production enthusiast second, I like to think that I have something of a relaxed attitude … continue reading ‘Digidesign Eleven Rack review – part one’
Re-amping - a beginner’s guide, part one
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars Studio Technique, No Comments
Re-amping is a relatively new term in the vocabulary of the pro-audio and studio engineer. For guitarists, this may be the first time you’ve come across it. If you don’t have a recording set up at home or are not involved in the audio recording process in any way, this article will probably be of no interest to you. But if you do record your own songs, or produce others, and you do loads of guitar tracks and are always frustrated at having to ‘print’ guitar sounds and being stuck with them at mix down, this is a process is well worth investigating.
The definition of re-amping is this - it’s when a recorded signal is routed back out of its … continue reading ‘Re-amping - a beginner’s guide, part one’
Gibson Angus Young SG - For Those About to Rock
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
The Gibson Angus Young SG Standard is a completely new version of the SG, and unlike any other of the previous reissues which were based on Angus’s 1968 SG Standard, features the guitarist’s own personal appointments.
The Gibson SG has provided the signature tone on which AC/DC have based their monumental rock onslaught ever since the band emerged from Australia in the mid-1970s. Angus has never used anything else, and for him to switch to a different guitar now would be unthinkable. The SG is the perfect rock rhythm guitar, it doesn’t have as much sustain or power as the Les Paul, which makes for cleaner ‘chording’, and because the neck joint isn’t as solid, you get a lovely natural vibrato when you shake the neck … continue reading ‘Gibson Angus Young SG - For Those About to Rock’
sE X1 condenser and Project Studio Reflexion Filter launch today
by Barney Jameson, in Microphones, No Comments
The sE X1 large diaphragm condenser microphone is being announced this morning by sE Electronics, alongside the Project Studio Reflexion Filter, in a dual launch that sE is calling “one of the most exciting product roll-outs this decade”.
If that sounds like a bold introduction then the manufacturer isn’t holding back in its faith in the new microphone, adding that the X1 is “one of the coolest, sexiest new mics for the MI market in years”. That’s quite a boast, but sE is hoping to back it up with a feature set that includes a 10dB pad, bass cut and a hand-built capsule. Like all of sE’s models, the X1 is constructed in the company’s … continue reading ‘sE X1 condenser and Project Studio Reflexion Filter launch today’
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Transblack - Limited Edition
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This 2010 model Epiphone Les Paul Standard Limited Edition in Transblack is a striking looking guitar by anybody’s standards. Essentially it’s a mahogany body, maple capped Les Paul in the traditional sense but with the flamed maple top still clearly visible under the transparent black finish.
This is going to appeal to the player who wants that ‘all-black’ vibe and the associated connotations with hard rock and metal. However, they may still want to retain some traditional features for when they haul it out to a blues jam or lend it to their Dad. They dont want to go all they way with skulls and crossbones and associated insignia on their … continue reading ‘Epiphone Les Paul Standard Transblack - Limited Edition’
Michael Sanden and True Temperament
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
It was a real pleasure to meet Michael Sanden, the Swedish luthier, pictured here at his visit to DV in Romford accompanied by his long time friend and demonstrator, Homesick Mac. Michael has been building guitars, mandolas and lap steels for getting on for 28 years from his workshop in Garsnas in Sweden and with his wife Kari, turns out on average three guitars a week, completely hand built and … continue reading ‘Michael Sanden and True Temperament’
Tanglewood Master Designer - Michael Sanden
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
The Tanglewood TSR 3 MasterDesign electro acoustic guitar which is pictured opposite is a great example of what can be achieved when a respected guitar brand joins with a master luthier. How so? DV was recently lucky to play host to Michael Sanden, the world renowned Swedish luthier who was kind enough to take time out from his guitar building schedule to visit these shores and our stores to promote not only the Tanglewood Master Design acoustics but his own hand built models. There was a surprise in store for everybody concerning the hand built models, but more of that later.
Tanglewood approached Michael Sanden two … continue reading ‘Tanglewood Master Designer - Michael Sanden’
Melodyne Editor released - Change your audio world!
by Paul Dakeyne, in Music Software, No Comments
It’s here, it’s arrived, and quite frankly, it’s gonna change your world of audio manipulation completely. In its new ‘now known as’ guise, Celemony’s ‘Melodyne Editor‘ is about to become the de facto application for analysing, editing, morphing, blending, removing and supplementing polyphonic audio content. We blogged about this ‘D.N.A. (direct note access) miracle a few months ago when it was in beta mode, but today’s actual release puts a … continue reading ‘Melodyne Editor released - Change your audio world!’
Free TC Electronic M30 reverb!
by Barney Jameson, in Music Software, 1 Comment
The TC Electronic M30 reverb has become an early Christmas present for all musicians today, as TC Electronic has announced that the plug-in will be available for free download from its website for three full days.
Derived from the M40 reverb which comes bundled with TC audio interfaces, the M30 is described by the manufacturer as a “small but great sounding reverb” and is VST and AU compatible. That means it will work with your choice of DAW, including Logic, Garageband, Cubase, Ableton Live or Cakewalk Sonar. It integrates into a wide variety of platforms using a new high definition technology developed by TC, and named AlgoFlex, which … continue reading ‘Free TC Electronic M30 reverb!’
PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 2
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
Continuing our preview of the Paul Reed Smith 25th Anniversary models, I’ve picked out three of the more unusual guitars. The first is the 25th Anniversary Swamp Ash Special Narrowfield. This is a pretty versatile instrument featuring a solid swamp ash body, bolt-on maple neck with an optional maple fingerboard and three Narrow Field pickups. The five way blade switch … continue reading ‘PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 2’
PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 1
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
When Paul Reed Smith started out in the 1970’s building a few guitars at college, I wonder if he ever dreamed that one day he would be up there sharing elbow room with the biggest and most established guitar manufacturers in the world. His refinements and innovations such as scale length, construction methods, vibrato sytem, pickup design and aesthetics have made … continue reading ‘PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 1’
The Olympus LS-11 takes to the field
by admin, in General, No Comments
Field recorders such as the Olympus LS-11 are an essential tool for anyone interested in capturing high quality audio recordings for later use, and the higher up the quality-chain you’re willing to go, the better the result you’ll get.
But what if you want a more professional unit without the corresponding attack on your bank balance? Enter Olympus, and its decision to bring a portable recorder to the market that offers a wealth of features for a pretty reasonable amount of cash.
Nicely encased in aluminium (rather than the plastic you usually find on most portable recorders), the LS-11 feels more expensive than it actually is, … continue reading ‘The Olympus LS-11 takes to the field’
Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary - Top Score
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary is a one-off, special edition acoustic from Gibson. They are only making 20. Look again, that’s right, only a score of these guitars will be made - for the world. That’s a seriously miniscule number, even for a limited edition.
The Gibson Advanced Jumbo was introduced in 1936 but only 300 instruments were made. It was supposed to be in direct competition to the Martin D28, which had established itself as a big, booming ‘cannon’ of a guitar. The Advanced Jumbo was cheaper than the D28, featured Brazilian rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top just like the Martin. It was the D28’s equal in volume and bass response … continue reading ‘Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary - Top Score’
Akai Pro APC40 YouTube contest
by Barney Jameson, in Music Computers & Hardware, No Comments
The Akai APC40 Ableton control surface is currently landing on YouTube in a big way with the launch of a major competition lasting until the end of the year. Even better, the prize is about as good as it gets - Akai Professional is offering APC40 owners the chance to choose their own reward, with every product in the Akai range up for grabs. All you need to put your hat in the ring is a camcorder and a good idea.
How so? The manufacturer is leaping into the world of video social networking with arguably the best possible … continue reading ‘Akai Pro APC40 YouTube contest’
Orange Bass Terror - First Review!
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Amplifiers, No Comments
The Orange Bass Terror has landed. Well not quite, we’ll have to wait a few more weeks until the first shipment has arrived, but this reviewer has been lucky enough to see it, hear it and play through it and I’m here to tell you, it’s sensational!
You cannot believe an amp this small can pump out 500 Watts, and that’s at both 8 and 4 ohms. It’s the same size as the Tiny Terror, about the same weight, and uses two ECC83 preamp valves and a Class D solid state … continue reading ‘Orange Bass Terror - First Review!’
