Introducing the Boho Series 2.0: Ukulele, Bass & Guitar

 

In 2013, we ran our first crowdfunding campaign to bring our upcycled oil can guitars to life. Now we are back, to introduce our newest line of instruments, the Boho Series 2.0, including the Ukulele, Bass and three new designs to the original Boho Guitar. The metal Boho bodies produce a richer range of tones not found in other guitars, for a truly unique and special sound.

To show appreciation for your support, we are bringing the Boho Series 2.0 to life with pre-order sales launching on Indiegogo today. Early bird sales start at $89 for the Uke (normally $109), $199 for the Guitar (normally $299), and $300 for the Bass (normally $450). We also have limited edition TNT design available only on Indiegogo and a limited edition, autographed G.Love’ Special Sauce themed guitar. There’s a sound for everyone! Join us and support #TeamBoho

RESERVE YOUR BOHO ON INDIEGOGO

Oil-can Guitars only Available from Bohemian Guitars

Express yourself with music. Express yourself with design. In addition to our original designs beloved by renowned artists and guitar enthusiasts alike, we are celebrating the introduction of Boho Series 2.0 with three brand new guitar designs: Bohemian Ales, Electric Limeade and Hot Sauce. And for a limited time, we are offering the rare “Collector’s Edition” TNT, only available during this Indiegogo campaign right now!

RESERVE YOUR BOHO NOW

 

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Paiste Cymbals to Debut New Lines at 2015 NAMM Convention

Featuring Designs Inspired By Legends in The Music World

Unlimited Noise for Limited Budgets

The renowned Swiss cymbal maker Paiste announces the launch of the new PSTX. Trashy effect sounds to complement the classic cymbal type, crash, ride and hi-hat in the set are very much the trend. Paiste now goes a step further and introduces the PSTX, a complete collection of extremely affordable effect cymbals.

The core of the PSTX is made up of the Swiss models, cymbals that achieve a noisy, dirty, trashy sound quality by the use of specific layouts and varied sizes for the holes. Their silky surface distinguishes the cymbals visually. The aluminum Pure Bells stand out due to their distinct character and concept. The 14", 16" and 18" Swiss Thin Crashes provide exotic, warm, deep crash sounds. They are immediately responsive and fade just as quickly. Drummers who look for more aggressiveness and volume will find the 18" Swiss Medium Crash a perfect choice.

The 10" Swiss Splash produces very light, airy accents. The 14" Swiss Flanger Crash responds just as fast. Due to its low tension construction it features an explosive flanging and undulating sound that stands out uniquely. Both cymbals are well-suited for hand playing. It gets really exciting when you combine two PSTX cymbals from different alloys. The 10", 14" and 16" Swiss Hats are striking rhythm instruments with a dry, noisy sound that evokes the hi-hat sounds of analog drum machines.

With the 14" Swiss Flanger Stack both cymbals are mounted with the bells facing up. Depending on how much the pair is tightened on the stand, the sustain changes from a hi-hat like dry to shattering crash effects. In the manufacture of the 9" and 10" Pure Bells Paiste uses aluminum for the first time. These bells distinguish themselves through their warm, calm and pure sound.

PSTX are made from 2002 bronze, brass and aluminum in Switzerland using modern, innovative methods.

 

Dave Lombardo rules in Metal

The renowned cymbal maker Paiste announces the launch of the new 22" RUDE Power Ride The Reign.

Dave Lombardo is the pioneer of speed metal drumming. In the beginning of the 80s he massively raised the bar for speed and aggressiveness with Slayer. The album Reign In Blood attained cult status, also thanks to Dave’s legendary double bass drumming. Since back then Lombardo swears by the RUDE cymbals.

This year Paiste celebrates the 35th anniversary of the series that defines the sound of punk and metal until today. To commemorate the anniversary Paiste collaborated with Dave Lombardo to create the 22" RUDE Power Ride The Reign. It’s based on the original cymbal which can be heard on Reign In Blood.

This extremely heavy ride cymbal features a cutting, metallic ping; always clear even in extreme volume situations. Its vitality supports Lombardo’s preference for dynamic, agile playing. The large bell leaves nothing to be desired in terms of aggressiveness and fullness.

The raw look of the non-lathed 22" RUDE Power Ride «The Reign» is a classic and underlines the lusty, brute power of the cymbal. The groove on the bell provides a shot of extra depth.

RUDEs are entirely made by hand in Switzerland from the original CuSn8 bronze using traditional methods that have remained unchanged in over half a century.

 

Tight and Crisp

The renowned cymbal maker Paiste announces the launch of the new 12" Signature Combo Crisp Hi-Hat The Rhythmatist.

Stewart Copeland achieved international fame as member of British New Wave icon

The Police. On one hand, chart hits like Roxanne, So Lonely or Every Breath You Take delighted the fans.

On the other hand, Copeland’s unorthodox style of accompanying these songs influenced generations of drummers. At present he works as composer of sound tracks, ballet, opera and orchestral music.

Stewart Copeland teamed up with Paiste Sound Development to design a dynamic hi-hat small enough for fine articulation, yet crisp enough to cut through at all volume levels. The result is the 12" Signature Combo Crisp Hi-Hat The Rhythmatist.

Paiste uses different alloys for the top and bottom cymbals. The CuSn20 Bronze top is responsible for warmth and fullness, while the Signature Bronze bottom provides brilliance and precision. Played closed the hi-hat produces a rather dry, crisp sound. The chick sound is full and razor-sharp. Thus the Compo Crisp Hi-Hat is well suited for drummers who want to emulate Stewart’s subtle, nuanced style, or as a powerful auxiliary hi-hat.

Signatures are entirely made by hand from the originally used Signature bronze in Switzerland using traditional methods that have remained unchanged in over half a century.

 

The Logical Extension of a Classic

The renowned cymbal maker Paiste announces the launch of the new 22" Formula 602 Medium Ride.

The Formula 602 Medium Ride epitomizes the easy to control, pure, all-purpose ride cymbal. Designed in the middle of the last century, it still sets standards with its high-class workmanship and classic look. Clinic virtuoso Gergo Borlai, Berklee professor Henrique De Almeida and last but not least drum genius Vinnie Colaiuta already use either the 20" or 24" version of this cymbal on tour and in the studio.

The new 22" Formula 602 Medium Ride extends the assortment of Formula 602 - Classic Sounds to 13 models. It shines through its perfect balance of a smooth, sparkling ping and a full, rich wash as well as a clear, yet unobtrusive bell sound.

Thanks to the new choice of Medium Rides in 20", 22" and 24" drummers now have a finer gradation available with regard to depth, pitch and volume to individually implement their personal sound.

Formula 602s are entirely made by hand from the originally used CuSn20 bronze in Switzerland using traditional methods that have remained unchanged in over half a century.

 

From Aggressive to Captivating

The renowned cymbal maker Paiste announces the launch of the new 10" 2002 Mega Bell.

Paiste’s 2002 series made rock history … and keeps on going. The 10" 2002 Mega Bell adds a piercing, heavy bell sound with tremendous sustain to rock drummers’ setups, which is impossible to ignore even in loud situations.

Its sound character is bright, yet warm. Played with the shoulder of the drumstick an extremely powerful, woody attack dominates, flowing into a strong, slightly glimmering tone that fades very slowly.

Like the legendary 2002 cymbals, the 10" 2002 Mega Bell is also well-suited for other styles. Percussionists and musical experimenters will discover extraordinary, captivating sounds, depending on where you hit the bell or when played with various mallets.

2002s are entirely made by hand in Switzerland from the original CuSn8 bronze using traditional methods that have remained unchanged in over half a century

Visit http://www.paiste.com For More Info and where to Find Retailers

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Ibanez and Paul Stanley Reunite

Ibanez approached KISS frontman, Paul Stanley, to collaborate on a signature guitar that would become the instrument with which he would be forever associated. Now, for the first time since 1996, Paul and Ibanez have reunited to re-issue three exciting new versions of the original Paul Stanley Signature Model.

"Renewing my collaboration with Ibanez feels like going home to where it all started,” commented Stanley. “The guitars we created remain iconic and we will celebrate them and more as we move forward into our future together."

“We’re very excited to be partnering again with Paul Stanley,” said Ibanez Artist Relations Manager, Mike Taft. “It’s been an amazing year for both Paul and the band, including the release of his best-selling autobiography, the band’s long overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the ongoing world tour to commemorate their 40^th Anniversary together. I couldn't think of a better time for Paul to reunite with Ibanez. Along with their distinctive styling, these historic instruments have proven themselves on albums and in concert worldwide, where their sound has made them sought after by guitarists for decades."

Photo Credit: Brian Lowe

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FENDER® ANNOUNCES DEE DEE RAMONE PRECISION BASS® GUITAR

Bass includes exclusive scrapbook and poster featuring Ramone’s personal writings, drawings and photographs

Fender is extremely proud to announce the Dee Dee Ramone Precision Bass guitar, based on the instrument Dee Dee played with seminal punk rock band the Ramones.

The bass guitar, which is debuting at the “Dee Dee Ramone Exhibition” located at New York City’s famed Hotel Chelsea from December 10 – January 1, will be available for sale at authorized Fender dealers and on www.fender.com on January 22.

Punk bass starts with Douglas “Dee Dee Ramone” Colvin. As the pounding heart of the Ramones, he pioneered a no-frills sound and style that left a permanent mark on rock music. On a white Fender Precision Bass slung impossibly low, he defined punk bass with simple but breakneck bass lines delivered with such pulverizing sound, speed and conviction that he singlehandedly set the template for generations of punk bassists to come.

The Dee Dee Ramone Precision Bass guitar honors him with reverence and authenticity, just like any bassist since who’s ever planted his feet in a wide stance, slung a P Bass^® below the beltline and yelled a manic “1-2-3-4” count-off.

Features include an Olympic White gloss finish, maple neck with “C”-shaped profile and vintage-style heel truss-rod adjustment, 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard with 20 vintage-style frets, split single-coil pickup, three-ply black pickguard and vintage-style bridge with four single-groove saddles.

Additional features include Dee Dee Ramone’s signature on the back of the headstock, special “Dee Dee Ramone One Two Three Four” inscribed neck plate, vintage-style heel truss-rod adjustment, ‘70s Fender logo decal and a single disk string tree.

Finally, the Dee Dee Ramone Precision Bass guitar includes an exclusive 40-page full-color scrapbook featuring never before seen photos of Dee Dee, as well as his personal illustrations, artwork and doodles, and a biography and quotes from musicians and personal friends of Dee Dee. It also includes a sticker and 18” x 24” color poster of Dee Dee playing his P Bass live with the Ramones.

“Dee Dee is the very definition of a punk rock icon,” said Justin Norvell, vice president, marketing for Fender. “He exemplified that fact, that all you need is the desire and will to pick up an instrument, and you can change the world. We are incredibly honored to recreate his bass guitar and to help edify his place in musical history in a way that fans can share.”

For more information, go to www.fender.com.

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation  Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender^®, Squier^®, Gretsch^®, Jackson^®, Takamine^®, EVH^®, Charvel^® and Groove Tubes^®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com.

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IK Multimedia's AmpliTube for iPhone/iPad adds iOS 8 support, ENGL amps, new Drum packs and more

The ultimate mobile guitar and bass multi-effects processor adds hi-gain amps, iOS 8 compatibility, direct iRig BlueBoard integration, new Loop Drummer Style Packs, 8-track recorder on the iPhone version, and much more

IK Multimedia, the leader in mobile music creation apps and accessories, today announced a new version of AmpliTube? for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The ultimate mobile guitar and bass multi-effects processor app now includes new features and gear that complement its comprehensive recording functions and vast collection of virtual equipment. With its 2 new high-gain ENGL? amps, direct iRig BlueBoard integration, 8-track recorder (on the iPhone and iPod touch version), cross-app file and purchase sharing, new Loop Drummer Style Packs and more, the new AmpliTube for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is the most powerful version to date.

The earth shaking gain of ENGL

AmpliTube's amplifier section is about to get a whole lot louder. The latest version introduces two new offerings from ENGL, an innovative German manufacturer whose high-gain amps are tailored to provide that supremely righteous tonality coveted by metal, classic rock and modern hard rock players. The amp heads in AmpliTube are based on the meticulously engineered virtual models found in AmpliTube 3 for Mac and PC.

The ENGL E650: An all-tube head that can conjure up classic rock-god tones from the '80s and '90s as well as the heavy crunch and distortion of tomorrow's tone connoisseurs.

The ENGL Powerball: An amp head that's earned its reputation as one of the most powerful and versatile modern high-gain amplifiers off the potent combination of its brutal rhythm tones, super high-gain lead tones and ultra-clean tones.

Both amp heads are available as in-app purchases, which means AmpliTube's collection of amps is bigger than ever before. And to coincide with this, AmpliTube now lets users transfer their purchased gear between versions and devices, such as from AmpliTube for iPad to AmpliTube for iPhone/iPod touch (limited to 10 device transfers per user).

Take control with iRig BlueBoard

Though AmpliTube is fully controllable from the touchscreen, it really comes alive when paired with IK's iRig? BlueBoard Bluetooth pedal controller. iRig BlueBoard gives users a wireless stompbox-like experience with four assignable buttons that can be used to trigger effects and swap presets from the floor. The latest version of AmpliTube makes the pairing even more seamless and powerful by adding built-in support and a new mode that allows for global control of AmpliTube's robust built-in recorder.

8 tracks of tone

AmpliTube has always let players record their sessions via its built-in recorder. The latest version expands this capability by giving iPhone and iPod touch users the ability to expand from a single-track to an 8-track recorder through in-app purchase. That means that iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users have the same multitrack recording functionality, which is perfect for AmpliTube's new project sharing feature. Now users can share their recordings and music projects across different versions and across different devices via iTunes File Sharing.

Powerful Drums

For practicing and recording, AmpliTube features a powerful drum module called Loop Drummer. Like a virtual session musician, it provides rock-solid rhythm tracks that sync with AmpliTube's recorder. The latest version of AmpliTube builds on this by adding additional Style Packs for purchase from the in-app store. Style Packs include 64 loops each, and provide eight different song-construction kits based around a core drumbeat style. The new Style Packs include 5 alternate versions of existing AmpliTube favorites - BLUES 2, FUNKY 2, METAL 2, POP 2 and ROCK 2 - plus three exciting new styles - JAZZ, LATIN and REGGAE. Now, no matter their style, guitar players and bassists will be able to practice with a drummer anywhere.

And a whole lot more

AmpliTube has also been optimized in a number of more subtle ways: It's fully compatible with iOS 8, the new operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Its MIDI control has been improved by adding more assignable parameters to the built-in recorder. It's now compatible with Audiobus on iOS 8. Its latency and MIDI control have both been improved. And its quick start guide has been replaced by multi-language dynamic tooltips available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese.

Pricing and Availability

The new version of AmpliTube is a complimentary update for existing users of all versions of AmpliTube, and it's available now on the App Store^SM as both a free or paid app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch for only $19.99/?17.99 for new users. The new ENGL E650 and ENGL Powerball amp heads are available via in-app purchase for $6.99/?5.99 each. Each new Loop Drummer 2 Style Pack is available via in-app purchase for $3.99/?3.59.

For more information, please visit:

www.amplitube.com
www.appstore.com/amplitube
www.appstore.com/amplitubeforipad

  www.irigblueboard.com

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Technorati Tags: Multimedia,AmpliTube,ENGL,amps,amplifier,version,offerings,German,manufacturer,players,tube,distortion,connoisseurs,Powerball,reputation,amplifiers,combination,rhythm,Both,collection,users,gear,versions,device,user,iPad

 

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iRig Pads : The ultra-portable, universal MIDI groove controller

iRig Pads : The ultra-portable, universal MIDI groove controller for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and Mac/PC now available!

IK Multimedia, the leader in mobile music creation apps and accessories, today announced its shipping iRig® Pads, the full-featured, ultra-portable MIDI groove controller for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch as well as Mac and PC. It's the perfect companion for the mobile electronic music producer on the move: Now you can make beats, grooves and mixes anywhere you go.

Effortless portability

iRig Pads is designed to be effortlessly portable. It's smaller than an iPad and less than 1" thick - it's the smallest groove controller in the market. It has a slim, compact form factor and it's lightweight, which means that it can be slipped into any iPad or laptop bag or backpack and carried around with ease. For maximum portability, iRig Pads is a low energy consumption device - it draws its power directly from its host device and does not need a power source to be fully functional. It can be used with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch via its included Lightning cable (30-pin connector sold separately) without the need of an adapter as well as Mac and PC via its included USB cable. *iRig Pads are currently being tested for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus compatibility.

Extreme versatility, custom controls

At the heart of iRig Pads is its 4x4 grid of 16 velocity-sensitive, backlit multicolor rubber pads. Each pad lights up in multiple colors - red, green, orange and every shade in between - depending on the velocity of your playing and the MIDI information sent by your chosen music app or software.

But iRig Pads does more than your average mobile pad-based MIDI controller. Its full spread of controls - two knobs, two buttons, one slider and one pushbutton rotary encoder - let you get creative. All controls are MIDI assignable and customizable: Up to 16 distinct MIDI maps or "scenes" can be saved, which allows for full control of apps and software on stage or in the studio. iRig Pads comes with 6 pre-programmed scenes designed to work with many of your favorite apps and software right out of the box.

Apps for Beats, Loops, Decks and more

To help you get in the groove, IK is working to make iRig Pads the ultimate controller for beats, loops and more by adding support for a growing suite of powerful apps and software. iOS users will be able to make beats out of the box with the included SampleTank® free, and they'll soon be able to control grooves and launch loops with GrooveMaker® 2 free for iPhone and iPad and remix their preferred tracks with DJ Rig™ free.

On Mac/PC the included SampleTank 3 SE (worth $99.99/€79.99), available as a standalone and a plug-in virtual instrument for every major DAW, includes over 6.5 GB of sample contents, 400 instruments and 150 MIDI patterns, for a complete music production workstation, out of the box (coming soon as download from the IK user area). In addition, by registering their iRig Pads, users will be able to receive The Grid, an exclusive and free additional collection of 50 instruments (800 samples) and 50 MIDI patterns - designed exclusively for beat makers and groove performers who use iRig Pads - for SampleTank on iOS and Mac/PC (a value of $9.99/€7.99 for iOS and $39.99/€29.99 for Mac/PC).

The SampleTank Free App is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.appstore.com/sampletankfree

The SampleTank App is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.appstore.com/sampletank

The GrooveMaker 2 Free App is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.appstore.com/groovemaker2free

The DJ Rig Free App is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.appstore.com/djrigfree

And that's only scratching the surface - iRig Pads is also fully MIDI class-compliant, which means you can use it and customize its controls for use with virtually any MIDI-compatible app such as FL Studio Mobile, iMPC Studio and GarageBand or Mac/PC software such as MPC Studio, Ableton Live, Maschine, GarageBand and more.

Pricing and Availability

iRig Pads is now available from music and electronics retailers worldwide for $149.99/€119.99 (excluding taxes) as well as on the IK online store. Thanks to its generous feature set, included content value and universal uses for iOS devices as well as Mac and PC, iRig Pads offers the best quality to price ratio of any MIDI groove controller on the market.

For more information, please visit: www.ikmultimedia.com/irigpads

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Kickport Lets Your Cannons Roar

Product Review: Kickport – FX Bass Drum System & FX Series Snare Port

A drummers arsenal includes many assets, obviously, the drums, hardware, sticks and skins, but what of the quality of sound? You’ve spent years developing your style and how you sound is paramount, you spend a long time tuning your kits so it sounds perfect, but what more can you do, how can you enhance your sound?

Many companies come out with sound enhancers, dampeners, tapes clicks and tricks that claim to give you the edge you need to succeed, however many fall short and only make tuning more difficult. With the Batter and Reso heads in place and tuned, you may get some ringing, but you can get rid of that fairly quickly, but how do you improve the tone, texture and increase volume without amplification?

One company that offers a solution, with total 100% proven application is Kickport, a company that has been making the simplest part possible to do the best job ever. Its design and the technology behind it is very traditional, yet behind its simple design is music mechanic theorem that is measured to the exact placement options in the head, all genius.

So, let’s examine the basics, a drum is cylindrical form and has a head on both ends, the sound and tone is based on the tightening or loosening or the rings that hold the head in place, there is however another component that is hardly ever considered, the air trapped inside!

The air inside the drum cannot move, and subsequently can dampen the sound produced. Many drummers will leave the bottom or Reso head off, but if you’re not playing hard rock or metal, this can cause overpowering and your band members may have to over compensate, this can lead to a lot of wasted time. Kickport solves this issue by providing a ported opening system in either the Batter or Reso Head, or Both, that allow the air to move as well as carry or propel your sound to the next level.

I noticed that the Kickport FX Bass Drum and Drum system was a perfect companion for my use of Cympads, a fantastic replacement for Cymbal felts. Cympads allow Cymbals to suspend and remain flexible without swaying back and forth or laying on the over compressed felt, they improve sustain. I will have another review for the Cympads coming soon.

Unlike “just cutting a hole”, which can leave he heads open to damage like ripping or tearing, which is a waste of money, heads are not cheap. The port slips in and is held in place by a flexing collar that keeps the port firm within the skin and does not prohibit the heads flexing while being used. By using the FX Kickport System, the large opening is placed at the lower portion of the Forward Facing Reso Head, while a smaller port is placed in the upper portion of the Batter, this porting allows the head to do what it meant to do while the drum “breaths”, expelling air, propelling sound and increasing the drums volume only when wanted, say on accents or doubles.

I put it on my SONOR 22” Bass and it sounds like a Cannon; seriously, I have never had it be so full a sound without special microphone placement. I received my Kickport units and they took all of 10 min to install, another 10 min to tune and in less than 30 minutes I was up and rocking. I also put an FX unit in my 14” by 5” Snare and it too increased in volume, the rolls sounded tighter and brighter.

Kickport is made from very durable materials and is made to last for as long as possible. Everything you will need comes in the box, the rings, ports and collar, no need to buy additional parts once you have created your Kickport setup, you only need a sharp blade and that’s it, you will however need to get additional port rings when you replace heads.

The bass is the foundation of your kit and your sound, if the bass has the fullest sound possible, them by nature, the rest of the kit will sound better, now let’s move to the rest of your kit.

Consider the Snare and Toms, like the Bass, air needs to move through, otherwise it chokes, so by using the FX system on the Snare and Toms, you allow for sound enhancement that is completely controllable. Other reviews you will read will go over the scientific aspects, but I spend my time on the practice daily applications, Kickport FX units are easy to install, can be switched from head to head and comes in many colors that can either match the color of the heads you use or stand out, giving you kit a bit of bling that has form and function.

KICKPORT

I have included a video from Kickport that shows you exactly what it takes to give your sound the fullness of tone you want without spending too much time or money.

Visit your local retailer to get your kit set up with Kickport FX Series ports, or order from their website http://www.kickport.com.

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Acoustic A20 Amp Offers Pure Sound with Total Control

New Amp is Purpose-Built for Acoustic Instruments and Vocals 

Acoustic Amplification has introduced their newest creation, the Model A20 Acoustic Instrument Amplifier.

More than just a guitar amp, the Acoustic A20 is a complete performance solution for today's versatile acoustic-electric musician. Its full-range 8-inch studio-quality coaxial speaker, ported cabinet design, and 20 Watts of clean, pristine power effortlessly fill the room with rich, crystalline sound. Plug in a microphone and any acoustic instrument with a pickup and you're ready to go.

Expressly designed to bring out the nuance and natural detail of acoustic instruments and vocals, the A20 delivers the advanced tone shaping control that has made Acoustic Amps "The Pro's Tone" for almost half a century. Lightweight and portable, the A20 is packed with features, including two combo XLR-1/4" inputs with independent level controls, 3-band EQ, digital reverb and chorus, effects loop, and Acoustic's acclaimed Vari-Control feedback eliminator.

With its unique wedge-shaped design, the A20 makes a great, full-featured stage amp. With the power and performance of a small PA system, it's the ideal rig for coffee houses and other acoustic performances, solo keyboard gigs, home recording, and small to mid-sized karaoke shows. The Acoustic A20's 1/8-inch Aux input and headphone output also make it a great fit for players looking for a small, portable practice amp. A full-featured direct output with pre-post EQ switch and level control connects the A20 to any PA system for larger venues.

"Today's musicians are more mobile, and more versatile than ever before," remarked Rick Gagliano, Acoustic Product Manager. "The A20 addresses those needs, with a lightweight but powerful design that can easily adapt to a wide range of performance conditions. Whether it's a PA for a mid-sized coffee house gig or a stage setup for a club gig, the A20 has the sound and the features today's musicians are asking for."

The A20 Acoustic Instrument Amp will be available in mid-September with a street price of $129.99.

About Acoustic

The Acoustic® Amplification company was established in 1967 and has been producing renowned amps sought after for their enormous tone and power. For almost 50 years, many players have trusted "The Pro's Tone" for their signature sound, both on stage and in the studio. Acoustic offers an ever-expanding line of stringed-instrument amplifiers, including their Lead Series electric guitar amplification and AG series of acoustic instrument amplifiers.

You can learn more about the complete lineup of Acousticproducts at www.acousticamplification.com or write to them at Acoustic Amplification, P.O. Box 5111, Thousand Oaks, CA 91359. 

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SSL Live HITs SUMMER FESTIVALS WITH The KILLERs

“This console is the most analogue-correct digital console; it sounds phenomenal”

Following The Killers’ wildly successful 2013 Battle Born world tour, performing in 50 countries and headlining arenas on six continents – including a sold-out Wembley Stadium show for which they wrote The Wembley Song – the Las Vegas-based phenomenon is back on the road this summer in support of their Direct Hits greatest hits compilation. With appearances at North American and U.K. music festivals, the band’s FOH engineer, Kenny Kaiser, is delivering their chart toppers with help from the new SSL Live console.

Kaiser works for Delicate Productions of Camarillo, California, serving as PA tech or system tech for Selena Gomez, Train and as monitor tech and crew chief for The Foo Fighters, among others. After moving to the Killers’ camp last year, he took over the helm for their 2014 tour. However, Kaiser was not fond of their previous FOH console and knew instantly that he’d need to make a switch.

“Delicate is a great partner of Hi-Tech Audio [supplier of the SSL Live console for the tour] in San Francisco, where I’m based,” he says. “Louis Adamo, president of Hi-Tech, called to say they had a new SSL console, so I went down and played with it. I found it fluid and the surface very intuitive. I also had a chance to take a class for engineers and production companies. After I took the class, I found the console even more intriguing. One thing that stuck in my mind was actually taking it apart and looking inside at how it’s made – it’s built like a tank. Plus, with the name SSL, you can’t go wrong; that’s a great name in consoles.”

As Kaiser is part of a new breed of engineers, The Killers’ previous mix platform just wasn’t his style. “There was too much button pushing to get to certain places and it was too spread out,” he continues. “There were fader banks on either side, so I had to do a lot of left and right movements. With Live, it’s more centralized. I don’t have to move around the console and I can stay in one spot, hit one button and quickly do what I need to do.”

Kaiser, who will occasionally use other consoles for events supported by Delicate, finds SSL Live to be more convenient to work on due to its flexibility and the manner in which an engineer can customize the fader banks. “It’s very intuitive and user-friendly,” he adds. “There are a lot of options as to how you can set up SSL Live.”

The accuracy of the console also stood out to Kaiser. “Because my background is a system tech, I’m an audio measurement and phase dork,” he explains. “Some engineers might have an eight or 10 dB boost or cut on an EQ band and my thought, if you have to do that, is that something is wrong – either the wrong mic or the console isn’t doing what the engineer needs. I now find that certain things I used to do, I don’t have to do anymore because the EQ does what it says its doing. When you’re on the first band and you want a cut at 120 Hz, it actually does 120. Some consoles say they’re doing 120, but then when you actually plug it in and check, it’s not quite there. Sometimes the Q isn’t quite what it says; with this console, it’s precise.”

Another big hit was Live’s onboard effects. “Everything is built-in, the reverbs sound glorious and it’s all on board,” says Kaiser. “I don’t have to go out and buy a console and then say, ‘Okay, now I need some external piece of software or hardware to get what I want.’ Everything I need is right there in one box to make the sound how I need to make it, which makes my job easier.”

But it doesn’t just stop at the effects, the console’s all-pass filters were also a big selling point for Kaiser. “As a system tech, I use all-pass filters to align side hangs to the mains,” he explains. “Being able to have that on inputs to align a pair of kick or snare drum mics is a huge tool to get the phase just right.”

Kaiser also mentions the clarity and distinctness that each instrument has in his mix. “On other consoles, once you start adding more stuff, you hear them start to overload and hear the coherence start to go away, but not with the SSL Live. SSL definitely did their homework to make it sound as analogue as possible. This console is the most analogue-correct digital console I’ve ever encountered. It sounds phenomenal.”

The Killers recently headlined the Hangout Festival on the sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama where the console was put to the true test of the weather. Kaiser notes, “despite the heat, high humidity, wind and sandstorms that we encountered that weekend, the console was just great.”

Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast, live and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.

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SABIAN HHX OMNI 19” and 22” Cymbals Out Now !

NEW SABIAN HHX OMNI GOES DARK FOR ULTIMATE VERSATILITY

SABIAN HHX OMNI 19” and 22” Cymbals new for 2014

Product Review and Studio Test Results

Article by Joseph Timmons of Xombiewoof Magazine

Video Review and Demonstration at our YouTube Page – Click Here to Watch

When SABIAN introduced the AAX Omni in 2010, never had so much sonic contrast and versatility existed in just one cymbal. With the launch of a new HHX Omni, Jojo Mayer and SABIAN have taken those same sonic properties to a whole new level.

“I’m really more of a hand-hammered guy − I’m a fan of dark cymbals” comments Jojo Mayer. “The AAX Omni is a bright cymbal, and so I felt the need to have a version of that which caters more to my natural preference. However, because this is such a complex cymbal to produce, we began the R&D process with the AAX Omni, and once we had perfected that, applied the knowledge to the more intricate HHX hammered version.”

The Sabian HHX OMNI is a cymbal that has multiple tonal qualities and has multiple surface areas that can be used for 100% efficiency in sound creation. With both hard “Dark” sounds and bright, shimmery after effects with a resonance that lingers, The Sabian HHX OMNI proves to be the cymbal for any and every drummer and percussion artist.

While both the AAX and HHX deliver outstanding contrast and versatility, the new dark Omni offers a couple of new dimensions. First, it provides more nuanced tone on the ride surface. This means the stick sound stays a safe distance from the body, refusing to get swallowed up no matter how loudly it’s played.

Second, it adds the dimension of playing with the shoulder, which not only has a wonderful texture, but also excites more of the cymbal’s body without activating the crash. These properties are unique to the HHX version, and are a direct result of the HHX hammering.

“This cymbal really embodies the vision I had all along for a dark Omni,” says Mayer. “I can see playing it in any setting, from an acoustic jazz gig because it is so controllable, to a loud rock gig because of its stellar crash ride properties”.

“The vision for OMNI was always to create a cymbal with outstanding sonic contrast both on its own or with other cymbals. It’s a go-anywhere-play-anywhere cymbal, and you can play any gig with just this one cymbal,” adds SABIAN Master Product Specialist Mark Love. “I’m pleased to confirm that the HHX Omni is all of that – and much more.”

Here at Xombiewoof Magazine’s testing studio, we have to reciprocate that sentiment with our findings. Both the 19” HHX OMNI and the 22” HHX OMNI had similar qualities, the B20 Bronze formula that is wholly of Sabian’s design has proved that you can combine the Raw Energy of the material with fine honed craftsmanship.

Sabian HHX Omni Review and Demonstration from Xombiewoof Magazine

The Medium Center from the edge of the Bell down to the Extra-Thin Edge as overwhelming response, with loud sharp tones when given to abrupt attack patterns, but supple high and mid ranged “pings” on ride motions. The visual imagery is also quite nice; the balance of the visually intriguing dark natural hammered surface is balance with the fine “pin-point” lathing, giving a brilliant refection of light as the cymbal vibrates. Both ascetically and audibly appealing and pleasing, the Sabian HHX OMNI series cymbals will take the drum world by storm.

SABIAN RELEASES THE NEW 13” JOJO MAYER HOOP CRASHER

Not to enter the summer concert and festival event season with the Sabian HHX OMNI Cymbals as the only amazing new offering, Sabian is also offering up an new take on a recent innovation, the 13” JoJo Mayer Hoop Crasher.

I was at the 2013 Winter NAMM Press Conference when JoJo Mayer appeared not more than 2 feet in front of me to announce the 14” Hoop Crasher model after years of research and development, along with an innumerable quantity of JoJo Mayer clinic and road tests. The JoJo Mayer Signature 14” Hoop Crashers was well received and quickly showed there was substantial demand for a 13” Hoop Crasher, which will be launched at the upcoming Summer NAMM show in Nashville, TN.

Designed by JoJo Mayer, the Hoop Crasher dual-ring effects device offers huge versatility and a massive palette of sound. Manufactured from a set of premium B20 Bronze hi-hats – the top flotation ring is punched with 32 holes for lightness and lift, while the heavier bottom ring is designed with an X-Celerator Air-Wave lip to eliminate airlock and minimize contact area with the snare head.

Attached by a pair of cotter pins, the two rings can be played free by simply removing the pins, allowing more flotation and lift of the top ring. For even more sound possibilities, the Hoop Crasher can be placed loosely on a snare drum, or, like the 14” model, it can be tightened down with a trio of adjustable tension clamps (included). Adjusting the pressure of the clamps affects sustain, allowing the player to dial in long sounds, as in a “dubstep” tempo, or short, tight sounds, mimicking the electronic percussion sounds on a traditional kit.

 

Sabian Hoop Crashers Demonstration at NAMM Convention with JoJo Mayer

*Note: The Video Sound Quality was not the best due to high noise volumes during event.

An important advantage of the Hoop Crasher over other snare devices is that you can actually play the snare drum and not change its sound. This allows you to bring in the effect of the Hoop Crasher whenever you need it, ideal for subdivisions and creative percussion experimentation.

For more information, please visit www.sabian.com and get your sticks ready for some serious summer fun with the HHX OMNI Series 19” and 22” Cymbals and the 13” JoJo Mayer Hoop Crashers.

If you have never seen the Sabian Hoop Crashers in Action, Check out our 2013 NAMM Coverage Video featuring JoJo Mayer in our YouTube Archives - Click Here to Watch!

Visit Sabian at http://www.sabian.com to locate a retailer near you, and follow them on Facebook for exciting news on the upcoming products.

 

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