HC Newsletter #188

New and Noteworthy from the Music Industry

TC Electronic & Guitar Center Enterprise Release the GRAVY Pedal The new GRAVY pedal is a one of a kind tone machine that features two killer effects in one pedal. This unique pedal offers deep, shimmering tri-chorus, as well as fat vibrato that goes from waves to swirling organ tones, all for the low retail price $149.99.

Yamaha Rolls Out New DTX400 Series Electronic Drum Sets

Two new drum sets, the DTX450K and DTX400K kits, offer pro-level sounds and features at entry-level prices. Both drum sets come with the DTX400 module, which features 169 professional-level drum sounds, 128 instrument voices and 10 customizable kits. Newly designed 10" hi-hats, crash and ride cymbals offer realistic feel and the 7.5" drum pads have been redesigned for greater durability and playability.

Radial Introduces the Powerhouse 10 Channel Power Rack

This is a 10-slot power rack for the popular 500 series format has more density to maximize the number of modules in a rack while leaving out the mixer. Also incorporated are such innovative features as Radial’s FEED function and Stereo Link.

Sound Magic Releases Dynamic Bundle, Effect Unit Bundle for Dynamic Processing

This bundle includes Neo Dynamic and Neo Loudness, which features Compressors, Limiters and Maximizers. Neo Dynamic starts with 10 compressors/limiters, modelled after famous brand names such as SSL and TubeTech. Each of these has their own famous “flavors” ready to use. Neo Loudness not only includes traditional compressors and limiters, but also features a new type of Maximizer

PRS Introduces a New Voice for the Electric Guitar: The 408 Maple Top and 408 Standard

These new instruments are offered in both maple top and all-mahogany, and bring the versatility and voicing of PRS Guitars’ proprietary Signature/408 pickups to the core line. The 408 pickups were designed to extend the guitar’s tonal spectrum by narrowing the field of the bass pickup to increase its focus and widening the field of the treble pickup to increase its sound field.

Native Instruments Introduces Premium Tube Series

Made up of three individual effects—Passive EQ, Vari Comp and Enhanced EQ—the Premium Tube series is available either individually or as a bundle. Premium Tube Series makes these effects available for the first time as native plug-ins that run individually within a DAW in VST, AU, RTAS or AAX formats. The effects are modeled by Softube, the renowned team behind Native Instruments' Vintage Compressors.

A few of this week's top discussions from our Forums

When Bad Things Happen to Good Gear

From amps falling out of the backs of moving trucks to guitars tumbling from high stages, this thread has that “can’t look/can’t look away” vibe. Can a guitar really get blown offstage due to rotor wash from a helicopter landing nearby? Find out here. Ouch.

Is 3D Printing the Future of Guitar Production?

An article about a New Zealand inventor who created a beautiful and intricate-looking guitar through the new technology of 3D printing serves as the discussion springboard in this thread on the future of guitar-making. Can guitarists ever be happy with materials other than wood for their instruments?

The Hammond Organ Appreciation Thread

Ignore the fact that it's a keyboard thread on the Effects forum—this thread is chock full of great pictures of vintage Hammond organs, as well as lots of outstanding musical performances via YouTube videos. Definitely recommended!

What’s Your Holy Grail Guitar?

Find out what the Acoustic Guitar forum would add to their collections if money was no object . . . but if you’re prone to GAS, do not look at the photos. You’ve been warned.

Drummers—I Need YourAdvice About an Aggressive, Loud Drummer

No Forum Watch would be complete without a band soap opera, but this one offers some really perceptive insights on band dynamics.

Is My Ribbon Mic Defective?

A forum member purchased his first ribbon mic, but the sound is extremely quiet, even when he connects it to his mic pre and cranks it. If you're new to ribbon microphones, tune in to find out why this is fairly “normal,” and what you can do about it.

Need a Lightweight Powered Speaker

What’s going to work best for gigs with respect to cost, ease of use, portability, durability, and more? Get expert opinions from the Live Sound & Production forum.

What’s the Best Synth for Around $2,000?

And the OP wants good piano sounds, too. The Keys, Synths, & Samplers community shares what works for them—and what doesn’t.

"Rebel Yell" Is a German Lullaby

Sure, lots of people embed cool videos in HC threads—but few get as many positive comments as this one has.

Intro Music When Getting Onstage?

Cheesy or cool? Overblown or useful? Pretentious or fun? Well, all of the above—depending on whether you do it right or not.