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Ara Ajizian

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  1. New for 2015 from Michael Tobias Designs (MTD) is the Kingston Saratoga Deluxe bass guitar, a jazz-style monster that's not only a tonal powerhouse but a superbly playable instrument as well. Essentially a beefed-up J-bass at its heart, by combining the advantage of passive/active switching, MTD has crafted an instrument suitable for really any style of playing and any genre of music. The Saratoga Deluxe takes many of its cues from its popular, non-Deluxe sibling: carved basswood body; a one-piece, bolt-on maple neck with an asymmetrical profile; Buzz Feiten Tuning System; MTD quick-release bridge; sealed die-cast tuners; shielded electronics and both 4- and 5-string options with choice of rosewood or maple fretboard. The model I was sent for review was a 5-string with maple fretboard and gloss transparent black finish. The fit and finish were exceptional and the bass was set up and ready to play right out of the case. Passive/Active Aggressive Last year I decided to upgrade the stock pickups in my aging Fender® Jazz Bass, after I introduced an active instrument (an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro V) to my lineup and wanted a little more balance between the two when switching instruments during a performance. After a little time with the Kingston Saratoga Deluxe, I feel like it's the spawn of those two instruments, combining the best features of both in one. That's because with the flip of a switch, the Kingston Saratoga Deluxe goes from passive to active, with a comprehensive control set that makes getting the right tone as easy turning a couple knobs. The controls are as follows, going counter-clockwise from the knob closest to the bridge pickup in the image below, which is a stacked volume and tone control (for passive setting): bridge/neck pickup blend, active/passive selector switch and low, mid and high tone controls for when you're in active mode. The result is an instrument that offers a huge palette of sounds and the flexibility to access them all on the fly. Let's start at the base level, which is the Kingston Saratoga Deluxe in passive mode. It is, quite simply, a beast. The stock hum-canceling pickups are beefy and deliver incredible warmth and fullness, while at the same time cutting through in the midrange and upper registers with clarity. For general rock playing, I found the passive mode to be quite formidable with plenty of punch. A little EQ adjustment on my Ampeg combo and I had plenty of volume and dynamic tone to work with. I like to dig in when I play and hit the strings pretty hard, and dialing back the tone knob cleared out any unwanted pick noise from my (lack of ) technique, without entering into muddy territory. Switching over to the active circuit really opens up what the Kingston Saratoga Deluxe can do and shows what a tonally diverse instrument it truly is. The 3-band EQ controls affect a broad spectrum of frequencies to suit any number of playing styles and techniques. One of the things I enjoyed most about playing this bass in active mode was being able to tweak quickly when engaging effects. I use an Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi, which already has loads of settings, but you can't exactly stop playing, bend down and start changing those settings mid-song. Using the active EQ controls on the bass, I was able to effortlessly address any areas that needed it once the effect was on. The delay I use sounds great, but it can suck a bit of life out of a less-formidable bass. With the Saratoga Deluxe, simple adjustments were all it took to beef everything back up. All-in-all it makes for a very satisfying playing experience, knowing that any nuance you want to coax out is at the ready. True tonehounds will be happy to know that MTD offers a Bartolini upgrade option on the pickups. Players' choice There are several features of the Kingston Saratoga Deluxe that make it a very comfortable bass to play. The carved basswood body is sleek and contoured for great balance and feel, and avoids being a back breaker in the weight department. I haven't had much experience with asymmetrical necks, but quickly realized why they're becoming more and more popular. The overall feel is that of a low profile, but the thickness of the neck is variable—thicker behind the lower strings and thinner on the bottom portion of the neck. At first the difference from a traditional neck is subtle, but the more you play, the more you feel the benefits of reduced fatigue and enhanced accuracy. More for less Michael Tobias Designs has really packed a ton of killer tone into this instrument. With an active circuit available at the flick of a switch and a passive circuit full of vintage thump, there's no limit to what you can pull out, and it's easy to tailor to your exact taste and style. On top of that, it's a pleasure to play even for extended periods of time thanks to design elements like the asymmetrical neck profile, contoured body and lighter weight. With reasonable pricing options for both 4- and 5-string models ($819 and $899, respectively), the Kingston Saratoga Deluxe is a fantastic option for players who don't want to compromise quality for price. Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  2. In the world of musical instruments, there are only a handful of companies that achieve legacy status. It usually takes world-class craftsmanship, unique designs that capture the imaginations of players, and superb playability that lets players tap into their creativity and write timeless songs—for starters, anyway. Along the way, it helps to have associations with famous musicians who create iconic music with your products. Not too tall an order, right? So you see, there's a reason why only a few brands are instantly recognizable and revered by nearly all musicians: it's really, really, really hard. If you're a fan of anything Fender® has done in the past 60 years, a reference like The Fender Archives: A Scrapbook of Artifacts, Treasures and Inside Information is just the kind of reference you want within arm's reach, whether it's to better understand all that this iconic brand has contributed to music or simply to impress your friends and fellow musicians with a stunning reference guide. What You Need To Know • The Fender Archives: A Scrapbook of Artifacts, Treasures and Inside Information is a must-have book for Fender aficionados, with 96 full-color pages documenting the entire history of one of music's most iconic brands • "Treasures" is the key word here, as this book represents an insider's look at the mojo that has made Fender a household name around the world • Foreward written by "Master of the Telecaster" James Burton • Via an incredible collection of photographs, schematics, internal memos, letters and other reproductions of actual historical documents, The Fender Archives presents the story of the Fender brand in incredibly rich detail • The book covers the entire history of the Fender brand, and several of its inimitable instruments and amplifiers • Not just focusing on the glory years of the Fender brand, Wheeler also details the "dark age" of CBS ownership and the brand's renassaince under Larry Thomas • As much as the book is a celebration of the Fender brand, it's also a history lesson, diving into the world in which Leo Fender grew up to provide context to his innovations in the musical instrument industry Conclusion You don't have to be a Fender devotee to appreciate the attention to detail that Tom Wheeler put into The Fender Archives. With its in-depth and personal look at the inner workings of the company, this book is fascinating on countless levels that will intrigue any fan of the electric guitar and popular music. It's a treasure trove of documents, photographs, handwritten letters, schematics, price lists, advertisements and much more, delivered in a way that really lets the reader experience that history firsthand. The presentation is impeccable, with embedded envelopes throughout that make you feel like you're raiding the Fender vault, finding artifacts like the Western Union telegram from Gretsch in 1951 informing Fender that they were infringing upon the "Broadkaster" trademark, which resulted in the mythical "Nocaster" models. For Fender fanatics, electric guitar enthusiasts and music fans in general, The Fender Archives: A Scrapbook of Artifacts, Treasures and Inside Information is a must-have reference. Resources Pricing and purchase info on The Fender Archives: A Scrapbook of Artifacts, Treasures and Inside Information at musiciansfriend.com Learn more about The Fender Archives: A Scrapbook of Artifacts, Treasures and Inside Information at halleonard.com Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  3. It's always a bonus when pedal makers add a killer visual treatment to a pedal. What that won't change, however, is what's inside, and in the craft of making music, it's better to sound good than to look good. No amount of custom silkscreening is going to change that. When a tried-and-true favorite gets a custom treatment, like VOX has given to their V847 Wah, it's even better. To celebrate the British legacy of VOX and the contributions of their iconic wah, they've released the limited edition Union Jack Wah that delivers the trusted sound of the V847 in an eye-catching new finish. VOX's Union Jack Wah blends the tone and sweep of the V847 with a striking finish VOX Populi Since the original VOX V846 Wah pedal found the feet of rock musicians, wah has been one of the most recognizable effects in modern music. Though it had been used elsewhere, with "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," Hendrix cemented in the minds of future generations of musicians the power of the effect, and its legacy can be found across every genre going on a half century later. So while there are plenty of options out there when it comes to wah pedals, there's a reason why VOX wahs continue to dominate in the category. The legacy of that original pedal still shines through today. Today's V847A wah is designed to the specs of the '60s original, with a couple of modern enhancements, namely a buffered input jack and a redesigned inductor that's closer to those used on the original pedals. The V847A also allows for an external power supply. The V847A is among today's standards thanks to its dynamic response and sweep, that takes you from a nice, throaty low end through articulate mids and an enhanced higher range that works particularly well with overdrive and distortion effects. Across the sweep are Jacked Up The British flag, AKA the Union Jack, is as iconic on a global scale as the Stars and Stripes, particularly in music. Pete Townshend single handedly made it a fashion statement (which culminated in those unfortunate Def Leppard outfits—you know the ones I'm talking about). In music, the Union Jack reminds us of the contributions that countless English musicians have made to rock and roll since The Beatles invaded. So to bring it to a VOX wah makes perfect sense. The design is put on the pedal using a water transfer printing process that gives the decal a smooth, painted-on look and feel and brilliant finish. The rocker pedal is white and topped with a blue tread, making for a pedal that looks great from any vantage point. It's as solidly built as it's standard sibling, meaning it's ready to stand up to the demands you put on it. Join the Union The V847 is already a wah that you can't go wrong with. If you're after some flash on your pedalboard as well, then the Union Jack V847 is a no-brainer. Even more appealing is that this limited edition finish costs the same as the standard model ($89.99 street). For something that's functional and bound to be a collector's item once they sell out, the VOX V847 Union Jack is a solid choice when it comes to the world of wah. Resources Read more about the VOX V847 Union Jack Wah Pedal at voxamps.com Pricing and purchase info from musiciansfriend.com Water Transfer Printing Process Demonstration Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  4. Ahh, the theremin. It still captivates us with its eerie, warbly sound, not to mention the touch-free method by which it’s played (it just looks fun, doesn’t it?). Although some might say the theremin’s time came and went, it left an indelible mark on the late, great Bob Moog. His love for electronic instruments began with the theremin, spawning every incredible innovation and instrument that he gave us during his lifetime. And of course, those innovations continue today at Moog Music, so it’s fitting that they have re-imagined the instrument that started it all and brought us the Theremini, a superbly musical and intuitive instrument that incorporates the classic playability of the theremin with a sound engine based on the Animoog. That, and a host of other modern features, deliver an amazing amount of musical potential in an instrument that’s truly inspirational and fun to play. Touchy-feely One of the things that makes the theremin so intriguing is the fact that you don’t actually touch it in order to play it. Every instrument up until the theremin required physical contact with the player to create sound. Even though there are buttons and switches on the Theremini, it’s controlled just like a theremin: there’s an upright antenna for your right hand that controls pitch as you move your hand up and down and closer and farther away; and a loop antenna for your left that controls volume via proximity. The physical response of the Theremini to your movements is outstanding thanks to the analog heterodyning oscillator it employs to control pitch, just like a standard theremin. The Theremini provides you with left/right ¼” audio outputs, a USB connection for handling MIDI data and an analog Control Voltage output for interacting with other analog gear. The ability to use the Theremini with other synths and effects makes its sonic potential limitless. But make no mistake, what it can do out of the box is nothing short of amazing. An LCD screen at the front keeps you abreast of everything you need to know as you play, including preset, scale, root note, and a real-time tuner that shows you exactly what note you’re playing. There’s also a headphone jack and onboard monitor speaker, but let’s face it…you want to plug this thing into something LOUD and explore outer space! I know I did. Sound without limits Where the Theremini really takes the theremin concept into overdrive is with its Animoog-derived sound engine, which essentially makes it a powerful synth with theremin-like controls. 32 editable presets get you started right away, and you can tweak and save them (along with several other parameters) via Moog’s MIDI editor for the Theremini. With names like “Wondertron,” Glockenspiel,” “Strange Stuff” and “Ethersaw,” it’s a wide array of sounds to get started with. From there, you have the ability to adjust the scale and root note. There are 22 scales you can select, from major and minor blues to chromatic, as well as more eclectic choices like Gypsy, Arabian, Egyptian, Dorian and many others. As if all this wasn’t enough, also onboard the Theremini is a stereo ping-pong delay effect with three settings and a blend knob, making its sounds even more otherworldly if you so desire. Perhaps one of the Theremini’s best features is its built-in pitch correction. Because playing a theremin takes some getting used to, Moog added this feature to ensure you always hit the right note. You can have zero pitch correction, where the Theremini functions as any theremin would, leaving it up to you to play the correct notes. As you dial the knob up, pitch correction kicks in to your desired level, all the way to only allowing the notes in the selected scale to be played. It’s a very helpful way to learn your way around the instrument and incorporate it with your music right away. As you improve, you can dial back the pitch correction to take advantage of the effects you can create with your hand movements. Full circle The Theremini is yet another in a long line of innovative products from the folks at Moog Music. In revisiting their founder’s first love, they’ve taken the theremin concept into the 21st century by including classic Moog synthesis for an entirely new palette of sounds while retaining the response of the original instrument. Options for controlling other analog equipment and MIDI capability further its versatility, making this a viable option for countless bands and musicians looking to introduce new sounds and ideas into their music. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air in an instrument that anyone can play, look no further than the Moog Theremini. Resources Learn more about the Moog Theremini at moogmusic.com Pricing and purchase information on the Moog Theremini at musiciansfriend.com Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  5. As musicians, we're always looking to get the most for our money when it comes to gear. More power. More tone. More flexibility. Because all that "more" leads, hopefully, to a rig that inspires you when it comes time to create and play. Unfortunately, for decades we've trained ourselves to think that when it comes to amps and speakers, all that "more" you want also means more weight. Back-breaking weight,in many cases, especially when you think of the monstrous tube heads and 8x10 cabs that bass players have grown accustomed to. Gallien-Krueger has mastered the art of removing the weight from heavy tone, so I was thrilled to have a go at the big daddy of their MB Fusion Series of heads, the MB Fusion 800. They also sent an 8-ohm version of the NEO 410 cabinet, which was an ideal partner for the head. Fusion-powered tone The MB Series of heads from GK embraces a design that aims to put maximum power and tone into amps that are the epitome of portability. All models, including the two MB Fusion heads, utilize a digital power amp to achieve this goal. Where the Fusion models differ from their standard MB Series brethren is the preamp—both Fusion models employ a 3x12AX7 all-tube preamp running at high voltage. The result is dynamic, warm tone you can shape to your liking with the MF Fusion's extensive control set. The MB Fusion 800 from Gallien-Krueger offers 800W of power, an all-tube preamp and much more A tube preamp and high-wattage digital power amp are just the start with the MB Fusion 800. With that foundation and the comprehensive tone controls, virtually any sound you can imagine is at your fingertips. At the core are the footswitchable Gain A/B channels which allow you, along with the Level B control, to instantly jump to a dirtier, grittier sound with a simple toe tap. Of course, you're not limited to grit...you can dial in these two settings to whatever needs you have for your instrument and musical environment. The Contour control offers you a quick mid scoop if you need it for your particular playing style. Fingerstyle players, for example, demand a different sound than pick players, and the Contour control helps you quickly achieve the right sound. It also offers a push function that changes the center frequency, and it incorporates some compression to keep volume levels consistent as you scoop out the mids. Moving to the EQ section, with four bands of active equalization it's easy to get precisely the tone you're after. The Treble knob also boasts push functionality that engages a Presence circuit for enhancing clarity and top-end sparkle. Midrange shaping is further achieved by the Lo-Mid and Hi-Mid knobs, which give you complete control over the punchiness and fullness of your tone. On the lower end of the spectrum, the Bass control not only offers boost and cut down to 40Hz, but with a simple push extends that control down to 30Hz, something five-string players will absolutely enjoy (and four-stringers can certainly experiment with it as well). The Master level knob controls the overall output of the amp. It too is equipped with a push function, a limiter that you can engage to control clipping of the power amp. What this all adds up to is an incredible amount of control over a very rich, tube-driven tonal foundation. Translation: the MB Fusion 800 is ready for pretty much any style of music and any playing technique. Whether you're delivering the pop and slap of old-school funk or digging in with a pick on a five-string in a detuned metal band, this amp is ready for the challenge. As a bonus, all the front-panel knobs are lighted, so you know exactly where things are set from anywhere on the stage. The dual-function knobs will illuminate a different color when engaged as well. The back panel of the MB Fusion 800 offers every pro-level feature you'd expect from an amp in this price range: balanced direct out with pre-/post-EQ selector, tuner output with mute function and effects loop. Additionally, the MB Fusion 800 offers a unique output with a selector switch that lets you connect either headphones for practicing, an unbalanced line out for recording or a Gallien-Krueger MBP Powered Extension Cabinet. With all these features and power, it's really hard to believe the footprint of this amp and the fact that it weighs in at less than six pounds. Lightweight heavyweights As much as I was impressed by the MB Fusion 800's power and feature set, a ton of credit goes to the NEO 410 cabinet that GK sent. It's available in both 4- and 8-ohm versions (as are all the NEO Series cabs), giving you the option to explore different setups and maximize the amp's output. Though I've become a fan of 12" speakers for bass, the four 10" neodymium drivers in the NEO 410 provided an incredible amount of punch and depth, and handled the grittier settings on the MB Fusion 800 head. The NEO 410 weighed in at just 64 lbs.—impressive for a 4x10 cab. The construction on the cab was road-ready and rugged, with reinforced corners, spring-loaded handles and included casters. The bracing and construction of all NEO cabinets reduce resonance and standing waves, ensuring unadulterated tone that always sounds accurate and true. Bi-ampable horns with selectable range in all models guarantee gorgeous, full-range sound. With the heaviest of the bunch weighing in at 90 lbs., it's easy to put together the rig you need and still maintain an unparalelled level of portability. The NEO Series of bass speaker cabinets offer portability, pro features and pure GK tone. Conclusion With their MB Series of heads and NEO cabs, Gallien-Krueger aims to change the way of thinking that's led us to bigger, heavier rigs. No longer does musical, reactive and punchy tube sound have to come from an 80-pound head and titanic cabinet. Even in a small-format amp, versatility abounds thanks to an impressive array of equalization and tone-shaping controls and the 12AX7-based preamp. All the connectivity and power you need are also onboard, making the MB Fusion 800 a robust workhorse for any style and any occasion, from funk to rock and metal, from the studio to the stage. Pair it with the GK NEO Series cabinets best suited for your sound and you'When you're ready to experience the ultimate in tone and portability, Gallien-Krueger is a name that should definitely be on your list. Resources Pricing on the Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion 800 Hybrid Bass Amp Head from musiciansfriend.com Pricing on the Gallien-Krueger NEO 410 Bass Cabinet at musiciansfriend.com Learn more about the MB Series at gallien-krueger.com Learn more about NEO Series bass speaker enclosures at gallien-krueger.com MB Fusion 800 demo by Norm Stockton Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  6. A few weeks back I reviewed Casio's LK-175 keyboard, the mid-range model in the Lighted Keys Series. The series aims to bring a wealth of sounds, playability and learning features to make learning to play as fun and engaging as possible. This week, I'm looking at the LK-260, which adds to the rich array of features the series has to offer. Casio's LK-260 boasts touch sensitivity and loads of features that make learning fun and easy. What You Need To Know The LK-260 is the second-to-the-top model of the LK Series and has all the standard onboard goodies that make the LK Series great for playing and learning: • 400 realistic AHL tones • 150 rhythms • 110 songs • 48-note polyphony • The Step-Up Lesson System takes you on a logical, progressive course that moves at your pace and gets you familiar with the skills and muscle memory you'll need to be successful, while rewarding you along the way • The lighted keys make the learning process easier and faster, and you can turn them on/off as needed • Onboard sampling via the built-in mic • USB MIDI connectivity • Aux. input for your MP3 or other media player • Headphone output for practicing at any hour • A nice upgrade that the LK-260 has over the previously reviewed LK-175 is touch response on its 61 keys • As you progress, it's a feature you'll appreciate as you further explore technique and how your attack can affect the sound of what you play, much like a real piano Limitations As with the other models in the Lighted Keys Series, these instruments are designed for beginners to playing piano, so you're not going to have the breathtaking realism that a keyboard costing thousands of dollars has. But that should be a given. Conclusion For its price point, the LK-260 is an enjoyable, great-sounding way to learn how to play. You'll also have a ton of fun with its onboard sampling, be able to play your own music through its stereo speakers and enjoy its deep array of sounds. If someone you know is showing an interest in music, the LK-260 is an affordable way to get them going on the right path. Resources Learn more about the LK-260 at casio.com Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  7. There's no shortage of devices out there to interface with your iOS devices for creating music. And that's a good thing, because this whole mobile thing is going to be around for a while, and the devices and apps that fuel our creativity will only get better and better. New to the game is the Jamstik, which bills itself as "The Guitar for your iPad." It's a unique guitar MIDI controller that employs real strings, real frets and the ability to optimize it to the way you play for a more authentic playing experience. It has a lot more going for it too, so let's dive in and check it out. The Jamstik's five-fret neck and real strings offer authentic guitar feel What You Need To Know Getting started with the Jamstik and your iOS device is a hassle- and cable-free process. That's right, this baby's all wireless. Once fired up, the Jamstik will show as a WiFi "network" in your settings, and you simply join it like you would any other for a low-latency connection. Working in tandem with the WiFi connection is the jamstik Connect app, a free download from the App Store. With it, you can manage all settings of the Jamstik, including an advanced HTML editor to fine-tune response to your playing. Basic settings are available and give you a good starting point for understanding the way it plays. The jamstik Connect app also gives you a few models to get your feet wet with. Another contributor to the Jamstik's responsiveness over previous guitar MIDI controllers is its "finger sensing" technology. The fretboard uses infrared light to scan what your fingers are doing, allowing the Jamstik to respond quickly once you pluck the string. The real fun with Jamstik starts when you start to integrate it into your favorite apps (Jamstik claims to be compatible with hundreds). The jamstik Connect app gives you a great list if you need some inspiration, from IK Multimedia's SampleTank and GarageBand to more eclectic ones like Moog's Animoog. Just like a 25-key MIDI controller, you can use the "notes" on the Jamstik to control any instrument, all the while maintaining the familiarity of a guitar. The Jamstik can also be a useful learning tool. Another free app, JamTutor, presents you with different exercises that can really be helpful to a beginning guitarist. It also brings new meaning to the phrase "silent practice," as the Jamstik itself barely creates any sound at all, meaning you can feel free to learn in virtually any environment. It's a fun, interactive way to learn that can help you hone your chops when the real thing isn't convenient. Another free app, JamMix, introduces you to making real music with loops, beats and more. The Jamstik also has a few other tricks up its sleeve. One is a concept Zivix calls "infinite frets." Although it only has 25 notes, using the D-pad on top of the Jamstik allows you to jump to a new range, effectively giving you twice the range of a standard guitar. Additionally, the Jamstik's lithium-ion battery gives you hours of play on a single charge, and conveniently charges via USB. Limitations As fun and inspirational as the Jamstik can be, there are certain hurdles that players may encounter. It's priced at $299.99, which could be an issue for players on a budget. There is a learning curve for sure in getting the Jamstik optimized via the HTML editor, but plenty of documentation, how-to videos and demos on the Jamstik website can help guide you through. Lastly, the Jamstik is at its best when it's being used along with music-making apps, which typically cost money. So be prepared to spend some money in the App Store if you pick up a Jamstik. It's money well spent, however. Conclusion The Jamstik has taken advantage of advances in mobile recording to givethe guitar MIDI controller a new lease on life. It delivers a playing experience close to the real thing because it uses actual strings and frets, and allows guitarists to effectively "play" any virtual instrument using the technique they've mastered on guitar. It's a fun way to learn that doesn't encourage bad habits. Once you get past the initial setup and get familiar with the Jamstik, you'll find it's an inspiring and functional instrument that can really spark your creativity. Resources Learn more about the Jamstik at jamstik.com How to do loop recording in GarageBand with the Jamstik Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  8. The electric guitar has come a long way over the last 50 years, rising up from the confines of the rhythm section in the early days of R&B to a full-fledged, versatile instrument that drives the sound of modern music. And perhaps no element of guitar playing has evolved as much as the guitar solo: from its origins in lap steel passages during the '40s to Chuck Berry's groundbreaking licks in the '50s; through Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Page and Townshend in the '60s; through the larger-than-life solos of the 1970s (Freebird, anyone?) and the shredding '80s; into the amalgamation of all that came before that was the '90s and into nu-metal, indie rock and beyond. Imagine what they'll be playing 50 years from now. No matter when or what they've played, guitarists have always sought to play the "perfect" solo. Is there such a thing? It's hard to say, although there are countless solos that sound pretty perfect. Crafting the right solo or lead part isn't just rooted in knowing what scales and notes to play. It's an art, and having a reference that can guide you as a songwriter and guitar player is invaluable. Songs and Solos: Creating the Right Solo for Every Song by Rikky Rooksby is exactly that kind of reference, and it's packed with information that will empower you to write solos that enhance your songs rather than just accompany them. What sets this book apart from most how-to-play guides is that it's wisdom is rooted in the study of hundreds and hundreds of classic songs and solos. In fact, it's not until chapter 6 that scales are even covered. It's not as much about what is played, it's the how and why that make a solo—and the song it's a part of—so memorable. Songs and Solos is divided into 12 sections, beginning with the history of guitar solos and walking you through everything from the basic concept of soloing, how to position a guitar solo, choosing the right instrument (it's not always a guitar) and how that will affect the song and solo, scales and harmony, techniques and much more. In the last four sections, Rooksby combines all the knowledge from the previous eight and put them to practical use. The included CD has over 40 sample solos with backing tracks to demonstrate each concept and help you learn the fundamentals needed to create solos for your own songs. The book closes with a chapter dedicated to quotes from famous guitarists about solos. It's a very inspirational way to bring the lessons full circle, hearing some of the greatest soloists essentially back up what this book is all about. Songs and Solos: Creating the Right Solo for Every Song is an outstanding reference for songwriting guitarists as well as for players just looking to have a better understanding of soloing and how to craft memorable solos that serve the song. We've all sat through a solo and though, "We get it, you know how to play scales." With Rikky Rooksby's tips in this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to tastefully enhance any song with a solo that goes beyond your own playing. Resources Learn more about Songs & Solos: Creating the Right Solo for Every Song at halleonard.com Learn more about Rikky Rooksby at rikkyrooksby.com Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  9. Important Players in the History of the Saxophone Woodwind & Brasswind Contributing Writer – Greg Vail There are so many names we could mention in classical and jazz, but I am going to focus on the big name, popular saxophonists of their day and look at how they helped develop the saxophone players of our generation. The history of the saxophone is pretty short. It was invented in the early 1840’s by a Belgian instrument maker named Adolph Sax. The saxophone was first included in military bands, classical music in the French tradition, and later, jazz which was the pop music of the early 20’s. 1873 marks the first military band in the US with saxophone players. 1885 the first saxophone was built in U.S. Buescher 1901 is the year we find Elise Hall’s first recording in the classical tradition. The saxophone had deep roots by the 1920’s with a popular sensation, Rudy Wiedoeft and Sidney Bechet in the US, and classical icon, Marcel Mule, propelling the saxophones popularity in classical music. By the mid 1920’s the saxophone was heard in wind bands, classical, chamber and orchestral compositions began to grow in popularity and rival the popular sounds of the music world. We can all thank Rudy Wiedoeft and Kenny G for being current bookends in the saxophone player hit parade. But, there are so many others that helped raise awareness along the way and became musical heroes in their own right. The big band era in the 30’s brought many sax players to the forefront. Johnny Hodges played alto sax with Ellington for years and is considered to be one of the greatest section and solo saxophonists of that era. His big fat sound was featured on many prominent recording with Ellington and many of his own recordings. And Coleman Hawkins developed a more aggressive sound on his tenor sax, carving out interesting solos with a little more advanced harmonic vocabulary thru the swing era and into bebop. Lestor Young was a great transitional saxophonist as well. Saxophone became the sound of jazz in the 40’s. Lestor had a big sound and a sweet, swing ease about his playing. He influenced so many of the new bebop players like Parker, Cannonball and beyond. Charlie Parker was probably my first real influence. Parker was lightning fast in his approach and the lines he created when composing and taking solos were interesting and harmonically advanced. Much of jazz today has been affected by Parker’s creativity and virtuosity. The 50’s marked a very different set of changes in American music. The Rock and Roll era had begun and jazz left its rule on what was considered pop and dance music in our culture. The sounds that began coming out of the saxophone really changed a lot too, and much of this can be attributed to John Coltrane. His cascades of sound took jazz to a new level of complexity and followed the jazz tradition with a harmonic complexity that was revolutionary in jazz. I believe Coltrane was the most significant sax player of his time and influenced more modern jazz musicians than any other saxophonist. Many of today’s jazz musicians include John Coltrane as a primary influence. Sax greats like Bob Berg, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Kenny Garrett, Jerry Bergonzi, and Michael Brecker all have clear musical roots back to Coltrane and even Parker. Today’s modern saxophonist have simply extended and built upon the traditions of all that preceded them. The late, great, Michael Brecker is probably the most influential saxophonist of our era. Brecker infused hard bop, post-bop and modern pop music into a exciting blend of aggressive, highly advanced music, that integrated today’s electronic instrumentation, without leaving all the decades of tradition that preceded. He covered all styles with a level of saxophone virtuosity that was beyond what anyone else had developed. Brecker left behind a legacy of jazz and commercial pop music. There are so many sax players that should be mentioned, but these are the few that have had great impact on many. The modern pop or smooth jazz guys are many. Grover Washington Jr., John Klemmer, David Sanborn and Kenny G continue to inspire a new generation of contemporary jazz players in a tradition that goes back thru so many greats on the saxophone. We all have benefited from the investments and advancements these ‘greats’ have given. Woodwind & Brasswind is proud to offer high-quality musical saxophone straps and accessories for all musicians. All items are backed by The Woodwind & Brasswind's 60-day satisfaction guarantee, assuring that you'll love your purchase. Los Angeles based freelance saxophonist Greg Vail is among the most versatile woodwind players on the west coast. His work in jazz, pop and contemporary gospel music spans over 30-years. Greg maintains an active digital presence at www.gregvail.com While Woodwind & Brasswind compensates writers for their editorial reviews, the views expressed by the writers in those reviews are their own.
  10. I can remember way back to buying my first real bass amp. I was a quick study when it came to playing and quickly outgrew the 8" Gorilla practice amp I used in the bedroom. After a few months of playing I was ready to jam with friends, so I needed something that could contend in a band environment. At 18, I was obviously low on cash, so I finally settled on a mid-priced 15" combo. In the store, I remember thinking that thing was so loud I'd have to really dial it back once I had it in our rehearsal room. I couldn't have been more wrong. That first practice, I was beaming with pride at my new amp. One by one the guys came in and checked it out, giving it the thumbs up as I played a couple riffs through it. Things quickly took a turn as each guitarist fired up his 100W Marshall half stack and the drummer began to warm up. As we broke into the first song, my heart sank—I could barely hear myself above the din of the other instruments. Now, that's not all the fault of the combo. We were a young band and certainly had a lot to learn about volume control. But with that amount of power and a 15" speaker to move some air, it should have been enough. At least in my mind. It's a problem players often run into with bass combos, and quickly find themselves adding extension cabinets to remedy the problem or switching to a more powerful head/cab setup. With the simplest of designs, Gallien-Krueger has found an effective way to beef up the traditional combo by introducing the MBP line of powered enclosures. The company sent me an MB212-II combo and 212 MBP powered enclosure to explore this "combo rig" concept. MB212-II Bass Combo Amp The MB212-II is a robust combo in its own right, delivering 500 watts through 2 - 12" NEO speakers. Thanks to those NEO speakers and the MB212-II's digital power amp, you sacrfice nothing in the way of tone and get a full-featured sonic powerhouse that weighs only 41 lbs. The MB212-II is also equipped with a switchable horn for emphasizing mid and high frequencies, as are the MB115-II, MB210-II and MB410. All MB combos are loaded with the same pro-level features: 4-band active EQ, XLR direct out for recording and live performance, switchable Contour control, aux. input, headphone out and an output for connecting to MBP powered enclosures. The MB212-II is a powerful and well-rounded combo. The 12" speakers produce punchy midrange tones and deliver a low-end response that's tight, yet deep enough for a low B. I found that the amp worked splendidly with effects as well, really pronouncing the grit and growl I coaxed from a Deluxe Bass Big Muff fuzz and working very responsively with that pedal's crossover and multiple tone-shaping controls. Gallien-Krueger's MB line of bass combo amps MBP Powered Extension Cabinets Once you've fine-tuned your sound in the MB combo , expanding it into a format better-suited for the stage is as easy a single XLR connection. The MBP powered cabinets are tuned and optimized to be the perfect complement to the MB combos. In fact, there isn't even a level setting to adjust—the MB combo sends its signal and settings directly to the MBP, and the system essentially behaves as one cabinet with summed output. There's no worrying about one overpowering the other and screwing up your mix. MBP extension cabinets come in 1x12 (200W), 2x12 (500W), 4x10 (500W) and 1x15 (200W) configurations. The 4x10 weighs in at only 51 lbs. and is the heaviest of the bunch, once again thanks to digital power amps and NEO speakers. Each has a Chain output, allowing you to daisy-chain as many units together as you want in whatever configuration. This gives you the ability to experiment with different speaker types and combinations with ease, ensuring the right rig for every gig, rehearsal or jam session, large or small. MBP powered extension cabs come in four configurations The Right Rig For Every Gig GK's "combo rig" concept is a real winner. It liberates players from the confines of a combo-amp setup while offering extraordinary flexibility when it comes to configurations. They take portability to a higher standard with their lightweight design, while giving you the tone and performance Gallien-Krueger is known for. If you've given up on the idea of a combo-based rig, it's time to reconsider. Resources Shop Gallien-Krueger MB Bass Combo Amps at musiciansfriend.com Shop Gallien-Krueger MBP Powered Bass Extension Cabinets at musiciansfriend.com Learn more about the MB Bass Combo Amps at gallien-krueger.com Learn more about the MBP Powered Bass Extension Cabinets at gallien-krueger.com Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  11. Woodwind & Brasswind: Trumpet Mute Buying Guide By Tony Guerrero The modern-day keyboard player has literally thousands of sounds at his fingertips thanks to electronics and digital technology. But trumpet players don't have to be jealous - while it may not number in the thousands, we've had many different sounds available to us for much longer! From King Oliver's habit of putting a kazoo in the horn, to the Duke Ellington trumpet section's stellar use of plungers, to Miles Davis' signature Harmon-muted trumpet tone - there are a myriad of different sounds that have been emanating from the bells of our beloved brass instruments. Exploring and understanding the wide variety of trumpet mutes can play a big role in helping a player find their unique voice on the instrument. More so, it is practically a job requirement for the modern professional trumpet player. I've compiled a list of the most popular types of mutes available - hopefully it will help you on your musical journey! The Straight Mute is perhaps the most common mute, and it's used in nearly every style of music. Its simple cone shape fits into the horn's bell, steadied by small pieces of cork that are spaced to allow the sound to flow. Straight mutes give the horn a somewhat nasal tone. Humes & Berg produce the most commonly seen mute, but there are many brands to choose from. The Jo Ral trumpet mute is also highly rated. The Cup Mute is a very popular mute for jazz, used particularly in big band music. A cup mute looks like a straight mute with an inverted cup at its end. The cup mute's tone is similar to that of a straight mute, but far less bright and nasal and with a softer sound. Once again, the Humes & Berg Stonelined Cup Mute is the industry standard. My personal preference is for the Denis Wick DW5531 Cup Mute because its removable cup allows you to use it as a straight mute, and simply adjusting the mute's position offers you a wider variety of sounds. The Wah-Wah Mute is more commonly known by the brand name "Harmon" and covers a wide stylistic range. The mute's solid corking forces the entire sound of the horn to travel through the mute. The sound collects inside a kind of metal "bubble" and is release through a small hole in the front. In its original state, the wah-wah mute has a stem with a little bowl on the end. By using your hand to cover and uncover it, you get the tin-sounding "wah-wah" sound that earned this mute its name. One listen and you'll recognize the wah-wah mute's sound from all the cartoons you watched as a child! But, from the "silly" to the "cool" - remove the mute's stem and suddenly your instrument takes the listener to a smoky underground jazz club. This very direct, thin and tin-sounding trumpet tone is best recognized through so many classic recordings by the late Miles Davis. The classic wah-wah mute is by Harmon but, again, you'll have a better sense of your personal preference after trying different versions. The Plunger Mute is basically what it sounds like: a toilet plunger! It produces a classic jazz sound that is almost human sounding at times! A plunger mute can best be described as the "voice of Charlie Brown's teacher" in the classic animated specials. Adding some flutter tongue to it creates a "growl" that many classic jazz players use to great effect. There are many metal and stonelined mute variations, but my favorite is the Mutec rubber plunger mute because it really is the closest to an actual toilet plunger! The Derby Mute simply put is a hat! Used by closing over and removing it from the trumpet bell, derby mutes are similar to plunger mutes, but not quite as bold. A derby mute takes the trumpet sound from muffled to bright. When the bell is covered, the horn sounds like it's in another room, then suddenly the horn is in the same room with you when the mute is removed. Derby mutes are available in both metal and stone-lined varieties. The Bucket Mute, when placed over the trumpet bell, produces a dark and warm-sounding tone. Bucket mutes are great for small combo jazz playing, but you'll also see them used in big bands. Bucket mutes are available in a variety of forms, from "inside the bell" models to "attached to the bell" models. The Practice Mute is probably your neighbor's favorite! Using a practice mute is the closest you can get to silencing your horn when you play. Practice mutes are not really used in musical settings and are really intended for what their name implies. There are several more mutes to consider, and you will have a great time exploring them all and experiencing the wide palette of horn sounds you can get when you use a mute. And remember, all mutes (especially the wah-wah) can affect your pitch. It's crucial to practice with a tuner in front of you when a mute is on your trumpet. And here's my favorite mute story: I once walked into a music store and saw the somewhat uncommon solo tone mute (it has a very recognizable 1920's-30's sound). The owner mentioned that he didn't know what this mute was called, so I jokingly told him it was called the "Guerrero Mute." Sure enough, next time I went in, and for a couple years after that, the little sign over the mutes read "Guerrero Mute - $35.00." I wonder how many people think that's really the name of the mute they bought there! Woodwind & Brasswind is proud to offer a broad range of mutes for musicians from professional to beginner. Every product you buy from The Woodwind & Brasswind is covered by our 110% Price Guarantee, assuring that you won't find your music gear at a lower price anywhere else. Tony Guerrero is a freelance trumpet player in Los Angeles, California. Performing and recording with a wide range of artists ranging from John Tesh to High School Musical, Tony is at home in nearly any style on both trumpet and piano. For more information on Tony including his latest Recording titled "Blue Room," visit www.tonyguerrero.com
  12. We live in an interesting, in-between time when it comes to technology. Many of us who are 35 and up can easily remember a time when not even cell phones were common, much less things like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any social media existing. Conversely, to many of those below that age threshold, having an online presence and being connected 24/7 seems perfectly normal. As new technologies arrive and their progression speeds up, it's easy to get left behind. This is true in all walks of life, and it's especially true for musicians—and not only when it comes to gear. Before the explosion of the Internet, "marketing your band" meant getting a demo together, hitting up every promoter in town for gigs, stapling flyers to telephone poles and spreading your music one fan at a time. Today, it's become much more complex to effectively market your band, and many times it comes at the expense of what this is all about—making great music. But fear not, the DIY spirit is still alive and well, and with the right guidance, you can put it to good use and get your band maximum exposure. All you need is a good guide. That's where Music Marketing for the DIY Musician comes in. Author Bobby Borg's credentials make him the perfect person to write such a book. He's an industry veteran with 25 years of playing and touring under his belt (both as an independent and major-label artist), holds a degree in Professional Music from the esteemed Berklee College of Music, teaches at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood and offers consulting services in every aspect of the music industry. Put simply, dude knows his stuff. As you dive into Music Marketing for the DIY Musician, you'll quickly arrive at the same conclusion. The best thing about Music Marketing for the DIY Musician is that it knows its target audience and addresses musicians in a conversational, easy-to-follow manner. Borg is thorough in his instruction, beginning with the all-important vision. An essential first step that many bands skip over without a second thought, without that unifying vision there's really just aimless wandering. Borg wants to help you eliminate that and ensure calculated success. Over the course of 21 chapters, this intensive guide serves up step-by-step strategies to achieve your musical goals. It's not just about social media— a trap many bands today fall into. There's a logical progression and plan you can put into place, and it all adds up to making your vision a reality. Borg details strategies including identifying ways to profit, understanding how your fan base thinks, and creating goal-oriented marketing plans. There are also lessons on pinpointing the right performance opportunities, how to maximize merch sales, garner radio play and, of course, how to properly use the Internet and social media. And once you start to see results, Borg shows you how to track, analyze and adjust accordingly. It's hard to imagine a more in-depth guide for 21st century artists trying to succeed at any level with their music. Music Marketing for the DIY Musician by Bobby Borg is a 300+ page, step-by-step manual to achieving success. Now, that doesn't excuse you from the basics of good musicianship and the ability to craft songs that click with people. For most of us, that's the fun part. It's everything else that comes with being in a band that gets to be a pain. With Bobby Borg and his essential reference guide on your team, you'll be able to create an effective strategy that works for you and your band, and not spin your wheels guessing what works and what doesn't. Resources Learn more about Music Marketing for the DIY Musician at halleonard.com Read more about the author, Bobby Borg, at bobbyborg.com Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  13. By Woodwind & Brasswind Contributing Writer - Greg Vail Hal Leonard Charlie Parker Omnibook - CD Play-Along Edition - 3-CD Pack Let me start off by saying I love Charlie Parker. Much of my early improvisation study came from playing the Omnibook and studying Parker's solo lines and phrasing. Needless to say, I was excited to see the CD Play-Along set released, with all 60 songs from the Omnibook performed with a great sounding rhythm section. I was glad to see the background tracks follow the books format almost all the time. For example: if the song has an 8 bar rest before the melody, the track has 8 bars of music before you begin. Since this is a Play-Along set, I grabbed my Eb Omnibook, my alto and jumped right in with the tracks. I found this a lot more difficult than I expected considering I have played and studied these solos, on and off, for years. What I discovered is that I have been way too generous with tempos over the years. These tracks are screaming along and it felt like it had to be faster than the marked tempo. I checked and the tempos are right - turns out I've been lazy! My initial excitement has been challenged with the need to get this music back up to tempo and back under my fingers at the given tempo marking. I love a good challenge and this CD Play-Along is going to be all that and more. The playing level required for Charlie Parker solos is very high, and maybe higher when playing them at tempos in the 200's and pushing 300 BPM. Years ago we only had the original recordings to try and play along with. The audio was generally light on the bottom end and hard to follow with the added volume of a loud saxophone in your hands. The audio on this track is modern and full sounding, and really easy to follow because the bass and drums have more low-end and a stronger beat. If you are a fan of jazz solos, Parker is a must hear. If you are a sax player, you should be learning some of Parker's solos. If you have the Omnibook and thought you had it "down", you might want to get these CDs and really get the feel of what Parker played. The full 60 songs are available on 3 CDs. The package is book like, with the CDs attached to CD holder pages and a song list showing track numbers and songs on each CD. The song order is the same as the book, so you can open the book and blow. It is important to remember that this is a Play-Along CD set and the Omnibook is not included. The Omnibook has all of the written solos, transcribed from Charlie Parker recordings, and must be purchased separately. The Omnibook is available for Treble Clef instruments in C, and Bass Clef instruments in C (trombone or tuba/euphonium). It is also transposed for Bb and Eb instruments (saxophone, trumpet) – Bb tenor or soprano sax and Eb alto or baritone sax.
  14. Portable keyboards can be a great entry point for beginning musicians who want to learn their way around a keyboard, as well as an affordable tool for established musicians looking to do the same. There's no denying that understanding a piano's layout can help with nearly any instrument, as well as songwriting and composing. Casio has long been a leader in bringing keyboards to market for just these purposes, keeping them both affordable and packing them with great sounds, rhythms and other tools to assist learning. The CTK-2400 continues in that tradition, with a street price right around $100 and loads of features including 400 high-quality tones, auto-accompaniment, sampling capability and much more. What You Need To Know • The CTK-2400 is a 61-key portable keyboard with piano-style keys • Stereo speakers provide plenty of volume and clear sound • Casio's AHL (Acoustic & Highly-compressed Large-waveform) delivers 400 tones, from stereo pianos to organs, wind and brass instruments, drums/percussion, synths, sound effects and more • Additionally, the CTK-2400 has an onboard mic for sampling your own sounds • Samples sounds can be effected with a variety of fun effects • There are 110 songs onboard and 150 rhythms • 48-note polyphony provides a rich musical experience • Auto-accompaniment function gives you a virtual backing band, making playing and learning fun and productive • An LCD screen keeps you informed of current patch as well as several other parameters •Comprehensive controls easily guide you through all the CTK-2400's sounds and settings • Built-in reverb enhances sounds • Learning to play is made easy with several helpful features like fingering display on built-in songs, phrase repetition • The Step Up learning function helps you master each hand's part until you've got the entire song down • A USB port is provided for transmitting/receiving MIDI data with a computer • Other rear-panel connections include a jack for a sustain pedal (not included), headphone/output jack and an audio in for connecting external audio equipment • The CTK-2400 runs on the included AC adapter as well as six AA batteries for true portability Limitations It's tough to call out limitations on a $100 keyboard, as the limitations inherent typically come with keyboards in this price range, like lack of weighted/hammer-action keys, advanced composing capabilities, etc. Conclusion The CTK-2400 is a great option for anyone looking to either improve their keyboard skills or set out on the path to playing and understanding keyboards. It's a robust unit with a nice array of well-crafted sounds, onboard learning functions and other features that make playing and learning an enjoyable experience, for the player and the listeners. At this price, it's an affordable and fun way to get into the world of keyboards. Resources Buy the Casio CTK-2400 61-Key Portable Keyboard at Musician's Friend Learn more about the Casio CTK-2400 at casio.com Ara Ajizian, Harmony Central's Editorial Director, has been playing bass and guitar as well as singing since he was 18, and soon that love of music combined with a passion for writing; launching what's now a decade-long career immersed in the gear world. He's thrilled to be back on the Harmony Central team after two years as Managing Editor for Musician's Friend covering gear, bands and events and gigging in the Los Angeles area.
  15. Powered speakers come in all shapes, sizes and price points these days, often making it difficult to make a decision when it’s time to outfit your band or venue with a set that will deliver the kind of performance working musicians expect and rely on. Especially when good sound can make or break your livelihood. With that in mind, and an 85-year legacy in audio engineering to back them up, Electro-Voice brings us the new ETX Powered Loudspeaker series.. Designed to satisfy the needs of working professionals, these speakers incorporate copious amounts of power with advanced control and a pro-grade build. It all adds up to an incredibly versatile series that has something for anyone ready to step up their sound into the pro arena. The ETX-12P, rear view The 3-way ETX-35P adds a 6.5" midrange driver What You Need To Know • The new ETX Powered Loudspeaker series offers a range of six models: the 2-way ETX-10P (10”), ETX-12P (12”) and ETX-15P (15”); the three-way ETX-35P (15” woofer with an added 6.5” midrange driver); and the ETX-15SP (15”) and ETX-18SP (18”) subs. • Full-range models are all equipped with a 1-1/4" titanium compression HF driver • All ETX Powered Loudspeakers utilize a Class-D power amplifier, with the subwoofers pushing out 1800W and the full-range models 2000W. • The wood enclosures are professional grade in every sense, from the 18mm 13-ply birch construction finished with rugged EVCoat to the die-cast aluminum handles, pole cups and amp chassis. • The full-range models are more than suitable for permanent installations, and eight mounting points are provided for such applications. • Every component of every ETX Powered Loudspeaker is designed and built by Electro-Voice. That bears repeating: every component of every ETX Powered Loudspeaker is designed and built by Electro-Voice. By maintaining complete control over every aspect and component of the ETX Powered Loudspeaker series, Electro-Voice is able to harness and maximize the power and sound quality from the get-go. • 2000 watts is a lot of power, and Electro-Voice has built the ETX Powered Loudspeaker series to maximize efficiency and ensure crystal-clear sound at the high SPLs (up to 135 dB!). • The ETX Powered Loudspeaker series is equipped with the same proprietary FIR-Drive filter technology as EV’s concert loudspeakers, which ensures that each speaker component performs optimally under maximum SPLs. • Also part of the integrated FIR-Drive system are EV’s PAL and TEMP limiters, which keep the speaker components protected from unwanted peaks and overheating, respectively. And because Electro-Voice builds and designs each component, they can tailor these limiters precisely so they have as much transparency as possible and remain inaudible to listeners. • The ETX Powered Loudspeaker series boasts a back-lit LCD display on the back panel for control over DSP and other functions. • Several easy-to-understand options will have you set up and sounding great in no time, including presets for optimizing the speaker depending on its position and use (suspended, wall-mounted, as part of an array, etc.). • The 3-band parametric Room EQ lets you fine tune the sound even further on the full-range models, while the subwoofers have a single-band of EQ for getting things just right. • The subs can also be configured to perform alone, as part of a line array or in a —a unique feature that allows for up to -30dB of low-frequency rejection to the rear. A behind-the-grille look at the ETX-15SP subwoofer • A nice inclusion was the Delay setting, which allows time alignment with other speakers, furthering the series' pro pedigree. Limitations • Although an exceptional value given what they deliver, the ETX Powered Loudspeaker series may be priced too high for musicians or sound engineers on a tight budget. Conclusion With plenty of less-expensive options out there in the world of powered speakers, and even more in the same price range, the ETX Powered Loudspeaker series from Electro-Voice stands apart thanks to an attention to detail that reflects the company’s 85 years making music sound better for us all. Not only is there ample power, it’s being used to its maximum potential thanks to the integrated FIR-Drive DSP. Careful design and tuning of each component to the others ensures consistent, clear sound even at high SPLs, and keeps your source material honest. Wrap it up in a modern, heavy-duty design that’s built for years of loyal service and you have one of the most formidable speaker options in its class. Resources Electro-Voice ETX Powered Loudspeaker series at Musician's Friend Read more about the Electro-Voice ETX Powered Loudspeaker series Ethan from Electro-Voice explains FIR-Drive
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