Tag Archives: gear

JD-XA Analog/Digital Synthesizer
Cool Tools, Products

JD-XA Analog/Digital Synthesizer

JD-XA Analog/Digital SynthesizerThe JD-XA Analog/Digital Synthesizer from Roland is essentially two synths in one. Its analog and digital engines can be used side-by-side or layered together. The analog side features a four-part engine with true analog filters. On the digital side, a four-part, 64-voice sound engine provides expressive and natural sounds. Each analog and digital part is equipped with an MFX processor that offers 67 effect types. Other features include velocity-sensitive keyboard, a 16-track patter sequencer, backlit controls, built-in mic input, and MIDI I/O.

www.rolandus.com

SLG200 Silent Guitars
Cool Tools, Products

SLG200 Silent Guitars

SLG200 Silent GuitarsYamaha’s innovative SLG200 Silent Guitars provide professional sound and feel that is perfect for travel, stage, and studio. The state-of-the-art design includes a satin mahogany neck profile, rosewood/maple top bouts, easy-access control panel, onboard tuner, and six-crystal under-saddle piezo pickup that can be blended with modeled SRT sounds with onboard reverb and chorus effects for just the right tone. The SLG200’s top bout can be removed, allowing the instrument to neatly collapse into a slim and sturdy gig bag. The Silent Guitars are available in steel or nylon versions and in three different colors.

www.usa.yamaha.com

International Musician

Kristian Bush’s Gear

“I don’t usually do endorsements unless your product is just flat-out better than anything,” says Bush. But, here’s what he currently likes to use:

“I love Gibson guitars; I love Breedlove instruments as well. I use a log of their mandolins and some of their guitars. I own an ATI console in my studio.”

“I’ve recently been singing through this brand new microphone. They are a very small company out of Nashville, but for the last four weeks I’ve sung through these Miktek live microphones. I am so impressed. It feels to me like I’m singing into a Neumann, but I can hit it as hard as I hit a [Shure SM]58. I’m a loud singer and it has really changed the way that I hear myself onstage. I’m impressed.”

RC-1 Loop Station
Cool Tools, Products

RC-1 Loop Station

RC-1 Loop StationBoss’s RC-1 Loop Station provides high quality looping at an affordable price. It offers straightforward operation, shedding many of the more complex features found in other loop stations, for the perfect introduction to looping that’s intuitive and hassle-free. A circular loop indicator features 24 multi-colored LEDs for instant visual feedback on the operation mode and cycle status of the current loop. It provides up to 12 full minutes of stereo recording time. RC-1 Loop Station is powered by a single 9-volt battery, or an optional PSA-series AC adapter, and has dual input and output.

www.BossUS.com

Anniversary Amps
Cool Tools, Products

Peavey Anniversary Amps

Anniversary AmpsPeavey is celebrating its golden anniversary by offering two limited-edition commemorative amplifiers. The 50th anniversary 6505 Plus head is housed in a special gold chassis and features 120 watts; six 12AX7s; four 6L6s; footswitchable lead/rhythm channels; effects loop; three-band EQ; resonance and presence controls; and four, eight, or 16 ohms. The 50th anniversary 30 112 combo offers the same specifications as the revered classic tweed model, but in a striking black Tolex and gold chassis. Features include: genuine spring reverb with level control; pre- and post-gain controls on lead channel; external speaker capability; optional footswitches; 30 watts (rms)
into 16 or eight ohms; two-channel preamp; footswitchable channels, reverb, and boost; four EL84s, three 12AX7s; 12-inch Blue Marvel speaker; and effects loop. Models are being produced in limited Anniversary Ampsquantities and will only be available until the end of the year.

www.peavey.com

TD-25 V-Drums
Cool Tools, Products

Roland’s TD-25 V-Drums

TD-25 V-DrumsRoland’s TD-25 V-Drums deliver a superior drumming experience—dynamic, interactive feel, with sounds that respond organically to the touch. TD-25’s streamlined interface features quick and easy customization with a large dial for quick kit selection, sounds that can be edited by striking a pad or using knobs to change instruments and adjust tuning, muffling, and levels. Audio and MIDI data can be recorded directly via USB. TD-25 V-Drums are available in two configurations. TD-25KV includes: two eight-inch pads for rack toms, a 10-inch pad for floor tom, two 12-inch crash cymbals, a 13-inch ride cymbal, a kick pad, and V-Hi-Hat. TD-K includes: two 6.5-inch pads for rack toms, an eight-inch pad for floor tom, a 12-inch crash cymbal, a 13-inch ride cymbal, a kick pad, and V-Hi-Hat.

www.RolandUS.com

Rock-N-Roller Multi-Cart
Cool Tools, Products

Rock-N-Roller Multi-Cart

Rock-N-Roller Multi-CartJust in time for the festival season, Rock-N-Roller Multi-Cart announces the arrival of R16RT and R18RT Ground Glider Multi-Carts for rough terrain. They feature extra-wide (six by three-inch) front casters with brakes, eight by three-inch wide (R16RT) or 10 by three-inch (R18RT) rear casters, and large frame tubing. They have weight capacities of up to 600 lbs. (R16RT) and  700lbs. (R18RT) to make transporting heavy loads of gear over difficult terrain—grass, sand, dirt, gravel, and soft carpeting—easier than ever. Both carts transform into eight different configurations for flexibility in getting your gear where it needs to go.

www.rocknrollercart.com

Black Diamond Ebonite BD5 Bb
Cool Tools

Black Diamond Ebonite BD5 Bb

Economical Custom

CT-Vandoren-Black-Diamond-BD5-placeBernard Van Doren crafted the first BD5 by hand from Black Diamond Ebonite in the 1970s, but at the time, he lacked the technology to replicate it. Now armed with cutting-edge technology, Vandoren is able to precisely recreate the exceptional mouthpiece each and every time. Following six months of field testing with some of the world’s finest clarinetists, Vandoren has launched an affordable custom designed mouthpiece, the Black Diamond Ebonite BD5 Bb. Available in standard pitch and 13 Series, the BD5 has amazing clarity, depth, and presence, and an unmistakably Vandoren sound. With flawless intonation and performance, the BD5 is a rarity among mouthpieces.

www.vandoren.com

Korg’s MS-20 Mini Synth
Cool Tools, Products

Korg’s MS-20 Mini Synth

Affordable Analog

Korg’s MS-20 Mini SynthKorg’s MS-20 mini synth is a recreation of the famous monophonic patchable Korg MS-20. Now priced at under $450 this analog rebirth answers the demands of MS-20 enthusiasts. “With this price change, we have made it easier for artists to add the coveted sounds and power of the MS-20 mini to their stage or studio. Beyond nostalgia, the mini is now priced so competitively that we expect it to become the instrument of choice for newcomers to the world of analog synths,” says James Sajeva, brand manager for Korg products.

www.korg.com

LDM-94W
Cool Tools, Products

The LDM-94W Mic

LDM-94WThe LDM-94W compact wireless dynamic high power mic for wind and brass instruments comes with an almost invisible HQ transmitter goose clamp. It transmits pure natural sounds with eight easily programmable frequencies for eight different players. Its lithium battery allows six hours of performance time, and can be charged for an extra hour’s use in just 10 minutes. The easily programmable 515 series receiver has dual-tuner, true-diversity circuitry,  and a backlit LCD display in a metal chassis.

www.sdsystems.com