Tag Archives: gear

Cool Tools, Products

Festival Proof Plugs

CT-Switchcraft-Power-Plug-2Switchcraft, a leading US manufacturer of connectors and cables, has added a standard cable offering to their line of innovative sealed and high current power jacks and plugs. Switchcraft’s sealed power plugs are waterproof to IP68 NEMA 250 (6P) when mated with Switchcraft’s sealed jacks. The high amperage plugs have a current carrying capacity of up to 11 Amps. In addition to field installable barrel connectors, there are ready-made, two-meter assemblies. Standard cables are available with straight or right angle connectors, and come stripped and tinned on the opposite end. Endless custom options are  available.

www.switchcraft.com

Cool Tools

NJ Retro

RetroBC Rich Guitars’ NJ Retro series electric guitars—Warlock, Mockingbird, and Bich (pictured)— are a throwback to the classic NJ models of the 1980s built in Nagoya, Japan. The NJ Retros feature maple neck-through-body with mahogany wings. The 25 5/8-inch scale neck has a glossed modern C shape, 12-inch radius rosewood fretboard, jumbo frets, BCR diamond pearl inlays, 43 mm graphite nut, and dual action truss rod. The traditional three-per-side headstock has an old-school trinity logo and die-cast tuning keys. Each guitar in the series is fitted with BCR1983 Classic Reissue humbucker pickups in neck and bridge positions, with separate volume controls. Other controls include master tone and three-way toggle.

www.bcrich.com

Cool Tools

Acoustic Amps

Fender-Acoustic-AmpFender’s Acoustic Pro and Acoustic SFX amps offer unique capabilities for acoustic players in venues large and small. Aesthetically pleasing, the bent plywood construction combines high-grade materials and modern curvature. Built for larger venues, Acoustic Pro is a 200-watt amp that has two universal channels designed for guitars or microphones, each with its own quarter-inch XLR combo jack and hall reverb. It features an integrated handle, tilt-back stand, 12-inch neodymium woofer, high performance tweeter with crossover network, feedback-reducing phase switches, balanced line output, effects loop, and aux-in jack. Acoustic SFX is a great grab-and-go rig for small venues. It offers lightweight design, as well as onboard hall reverb, echo, delay, chorus, and Vibratone effects. One handy perk is an integrated handle that doubles as a convenient cradle for mobile playback devices that can be connected via the aux-in jack. Other features include feedback-reducing phase switches, line output, tow universal channels, and a footswitch jack for an optional two-button effect bypass footswitch.

www.fender.com

Cool Tools, Products

Vexter Double Rock

One + One = Four

Vexter-double-rockWhen musician J.Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) requested two Box of Rock pedals in one box with two stomp switches, Zvex knew he was on to something. They’ve taken his idea and made it even better. With the Vexter Double Rock you can adjust the sub frequencies (like distortion) and you can convert either channel into a Zvex Super Hard-On with a master volume. So it can be configured as two Zvex Distortrons cascaded, two Super Hard-Ons cascaded, or a Box of Rock with a boost, or a Super Hard-On going into a Box of Rock.
www.zvex.com

Cool Tools, Products

Roland JUNO-DS Synthesizer

Super Synth

Roland-Juno-D5The Roland JUNO-DS synthesizer is a powerful tool for both performance and recording. It features improved pianos, additional organ sounds, waveform expansion capability, Phrase Pads, new vocal effects, and more. Along with a 61-key model, the JUNO-DS is available in a weighted-action, 88-key version. Lightweight and mobile, the versatile instrument operates on AC or battery power. The JUNO-DS supports internal waveform expansion via USB for unlimited tonal range. More than 1,000 EXP sounds are available for free download. Eight Phrase Pads on the front panel allow players to supplement live performances with samples stored on USB memory.  The mic input is ideal for solo performers and singer songwriters. With the onboard eight-track pattern sequencer, users can easily capture their ideas for songs and beats, plus the integrated USB audio/MIDI interface provides easy mobile or studio use.
www.rolandus.com

Cool Tools, Products

Electro-Harmonix KEY9 Piano Machine

Piano in a Box

Electro-Harmonix-Key-9-Piano-MachineThe Electro-Harmonix KEY9 Piano Machine emulates classic Wurlitzer and Rhodes sounds, as well as organ, vibraphone, marimba, steel drums, a Dytronics-style rackmount chorus, and more, via a nine-position switch. The Keys knob adjusts the volume of the preset while Dry controls the volume of the untreated instrument level at the Keys Output jack. You can mix the sound of your original instrument with the electric piano to create lush layers or mute it entirely. CTRL1 and CTRL2 provide adjustment of key parameters that help define each instrument’s signature sound. Its many presets include adjustable modulation such as tremolo, phaser, and chorus. KEY9 comes standard with 9.6-volt/DC200mA AC adaptor
www.ehx.com

Cool Tools, Products

Casio’s Celviano Grand Hybrid GP-500BP and GP-300 digital pianos

Grand Feel and Sound

Casio-GP-500BP_PCasio’s Celviano Grand Hybrid GP-500BP and GP-300 digital pianos combine the latest electronic music technology with the traditional sound and feel of acoustic grand pianos. AiR Grand Sound Source recreates all the multi-faceted sounds of an acoustic piano, including sympathetic string resonance, damper resonance, key-off response, and mechanical sound. Plus the Grand Hybrids recreate three legendary grand pianos: the Berlin Grand, the Hamburg Grand, and the Vienna Grand. Several preset configurations of these pianos are included, along with other essential instruments. A multi-channel amplification system creates the immersive sound field of a nine-foot concert grand, while headphone mode produces an ideal stereo image while practicing quietly.
www.casiomusicgear.com

Cool Tools, Products

Godlyke’s Pivot-All

Pragmatic Plugs

Godlyke’s-Pivot-AllGodlyke’s Pivot-All plugs and cables are set to revolutionize your ability to connect, even in the tightest places. This line of plugs and cables feature a quarter-inch shaft that can rotate over a 180-degree arc for effortless connectivity on crowded pedalboards, complicated rack systems, and awkward instrument and amplifier jacks. Pivot-All plugs reduce the chance of a short-circuit by moving the cable’s stress-point away from the solder connection. Pivot-All plugs feature gold-plated audio connections for transparent transmission of audio signals. They are sold individually or prewired with high-quality Mogami cabling and silver solder.
www.godlyke.com