Issue 208
The clear gear winner wasn't recording, but live performance. Was this a blip, a glimpse of the future, or something else altogether?
So what were the big trends? The show was definitely about evolution, not revolution; but with the ever-quickening pace of technology, evolution is also speeding up—and it’s particularly apparent with products for live performance. PreSonus made a big splash with their StudioLive AI line, particularly at their product introduction—where the main question afterward was “so were there any other speakers, or were the ones on the stage the only ones you used”? The answer: What you saw was what you heard.
PreSonus also introduced a 32-channel StudioLive digital mixer, but keep an eye on SoundCraft. Their Si Expression digital live console brought the SoundCraft cachet to a wider market by hitting a more affordable price point. Add those to Behringer’s X32, Waves’ eMotion digital mixing engine (which Peavey put to good use in their digital mixer), and Yamaha’s continuing evolution in digital mixing, and it’s clear that after a slow start back at the turn of the century digital mixing is here to stay.
And live performance gear is following the same curve as the rest of the technological world: smaller size, more power, smaller prices. But if you really wanted to see an example of low price combined with high technology, oddly enough a guitar amp took that particular prize. Peavey’s Vypyr VIP-2 not only offered modeling for electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass, but included a ton of effects—including some pretty mind-blowing ones, like a synthesized sax—and delivered the whole package for around $200. There are three models in the line (20, 40, and 100 watts), and they rocked the show.
Wireless was also huge, from Alto’s Stealth system that turned powered speakers into wireless speakers, the four billion iPad-based products (including Mackie’s smaller, 8-channel version of their DL1608 digital mixer), wireless mic and guitar systems, and Numark’s outstanding Orbit wireless MIDI controller that’s aimed at DJs, although it has many more applications.
But the big question for me is that given the steady increase of live performance-oriented gear, does this mean that live performance is coming back? Are there really more venues for bands to play these days? Are more people leaving the house and catching live music? Or does the lowered barrier to entry for live gear simply mean that more people own their setups, more houses of worship can afford a better system, more corporate presentations are accompanied by better sound, and schools and colleges are retrofitting their auditoriums? Is it a musician’s world, or a sound contractor’s world? I’m curious to hear what you think, so I started a thread in the Live Sound & Production forum where you can clue me in as to what’s happening out there in the field.
—Craig Anderton
Headliners
Technique
Transparent Vocal Pitch Correction
by Craig Anderton
Pitch correction can really help tweak a vocal—and it doesn't have to sound horrible or even noticeable, as this article shows
Technique
Grouping, Busing, and Parallel Processing
by Phil O'Keefe
Parallel signal processing is a bear to pull off with hardware, but it's easy with today's DAWs
Hot Tip
How to Post Images in the New HC Platform
by Phil O'Keefe
Posting images is a little different with the new Lithium platform; find out how to take advantage of the new options
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Do You Play with PA Moochers? Being the person who owns and provides the PA for the gig has its advantages, but occasionally it can lead to the PA owner feeling taken advantage of by other band members. So, here are some suggestions on how to deal with this prickly situation. |
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Music Appreciation—Let’s Discover Some New Music Together HC members share some of the music they’ve been listening to lately, and some of them have really good taste—you’re bound to find something new and cool that you haven’t heard before in this thread. |
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Looking for a Good Fuzz Face Clone The Fuzz Face is one of the all-time classic fuzz pedals, and there have been many variants of it over the years. But which ones stand out from the crowd? The Effects forum has the answers. |
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Do You Have to Be a Little Insane to Be a Songwriter? Some claim there is a connection between creativity and madness, or at least a very fine line separating the two. What do you think? The Songwriting forum weighs in on this controversial topic. |
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Telecaster Appreciation Thread Whether you’re new to Teles or already an aficionado, this thread offers up some beautiful photos and descriptions of some choice classic and modern Telecasters. |
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Drilling a Strap Pin Finally! A helpful thread that explains how to properly drill a strap pin hole in your acoustic guitar. Better read this before you start drilling . . . |
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Washburn Guitars Brings Back the P4 Washburn Guitars brings back one of their most popular models from the '90s. Built in the USA Custom Shop, the P4 features a solid mahogany body with a carved, bound maple top, and a mahogany neck with a bound ebony fingerboard and pearl teardrop inlays. |
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Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser Microphone Equipped with a USB output, this microphone is designed for digitally capturing music or any acoustic audio source employing users’ favorite recording software. |
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IK Multimedia Releases AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix Anniversary Collection This expanded and updated version of the AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix software for Mac and PC features new, officially licensed, ultra-accurate models of genuine Hendrix gear. The updated set provides users with even more options for tapping into Jimi’s legendary sonic artistry. |
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Tech 21’s Private Stock Division Introduces Blonde Deluxe Tech 21 is issuing a deluxe version of their popular Blonde pedal from the SansAmp Character Series through their Private Stock division. Quantities are extremely limited, and available only directly through Tech 21. |
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Alfred Music Publishing Releases 2nd Editions of the Beginning, Intermediate, and Mastering Rock Gui... These new editions have been revised to include new examples in the styles of the hottest guitar players on the current scene, new CD performances, and brand new videos demonstrating the examples in the book. |
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Softube Amp Room Plug-ins for UAD Platform and Apollo Audio Interface Universal Audio announces the debut of Softube’s Vintage Amp Room, Metal Amp Room, Bass Amp Room, and Acoustic Feedback Deluxe plug-ins for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform and Apollo High-Resolution Audio Interface. |
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Editorial
Craig Anderton | Editor in Chief
Jon Chappell | Senior Editor
Phil O'Keefe | Associate Editor
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