Akai Introduces Line of Effects Pedals

Akai, a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of innovative audio products, introduced the new line of guitar effects pedals at the January 1999 NAMM show.

Slated for delivery in February 1999, the five new effects pedals combine the best vintage sounds with today's feature options in a stylish and easy-to-use design.

The Akai Shred-O-Matic offers mind-bending 12AX7A tube and diode distortion in one unit. Using Shred-O-Matic's MIX function in either TUBE or DIODE mode allows player dynamics to customize the distortion. When playing softly, the signal is routed only through the tube section, resulting in a mellow, low-level distortion. Harder playing will mix the warm, low-level output of the tube section with the screaming output of the diode section. For maximum flexibility, two user selectable modes are also available, SMOOTH, providing a gradual change between tube and diode and PASSION, providing an abrupt change.

Shred-O-Matic features easy-to-see and easy-to-use controls including output level control and LED indicator for distortion mode. The foot switch turns the effects on and off and when the unit is off, and the internal circuitry allows the signal to bypass the unit, without coloring the sound. The Shred-O-Matic's foot pedal provides total control of either the output level or the drive level. Additionally, while operating in the MIX mode, the pedal can be used to switch between tube and diode distortion. Suggested retail price of the Akai Shred-O-Matic is $199.00.

The Akai Headrush is the first effects pedal offering a high quality sound delay, tape echo simulator and a looping recorder in one. User selectable delay options allow for maximum control of signal output and include several timing and level adjustment selections as well as the feedback level for repeats. Headrush also simulates an analog tape echo machine, providing four tape-head parallel outputs for amplifier or mixer input, while the looping recorder with overdub mode is a powerful tool for the solo musician. Headrush features left and right foot switch controls and LED display. Depending upon which mode is selected, the left switch controls the on/off and play/stop functions, while the right side sets desired delay time, recording and overdub options. The LED display indicates which effect in use and blinks in time showing the delay time selected. Suggested retail price of the Akai Headrush is $259.00.

Akai's new Variwah combines a traditional pedal wah, touch wah and swell wah in one unit. Touch wah settings control the automatic wah each time a chord or note exceeds the touch sensitivity threshold. Simply by hitting a chord or note, the Swell wah allows users to activate an oscillator, continuing the wah effect until the strings are muted. Variwah features a foot switch and assignable foot pedal which control many user defined settings. Regardless of wah mode, the foot pedal can be used to change wah speed or depth and can also be specifically assigned to change swell wah depth, swell wah speed, wah filter movement and touch sensitivity. Suggested retail price of the Akai Variwah is $199.00.

The Intelliphase analog phaser provides four adjustable keys including depth, speed, feedback and touch sensitivity for maximum user control. Intelliphase offers a soft touch mode, adding phase effects only when the input level is under the threshold level and a hard touch mode, adding effects only when the input level exceeds the threshold level. Convenient on and on foot switch and LED power on/off indicators are provided. Suggested retail price of the Akai Intelliphase is $149.00.

Akai's new Tune Lock chromatic tuner offers powerful calibration features and comes complete with a large seven segment LED display and built-in microphone for acoustic instruments. Output can be muted for silent tuning on stage and the unit automatically turns off after four minutes of inactivity, extending battery life.

In manual mode, the Tune Lock can manually calibrate the base pitch in increments from 437Hz to 446Hz. Depressing the calibration switch for more than two seconds switches the unit to standby for automatic calibration. In auto mode, the Tune Lock automatically calibrates to a tone that is held for longer than two seconds. Suggested retail price of the Akai Tune Lock is $99.00.