Whirlwind Bass Ten TOTAL CONTROL FREQ Expect to see the new Whirlwind Bass Ten graphic equalizer pedal popping up on pedalboards everywhere. Created by Tony Gambacurta— known as the guru of the modern EQ—the Bass Ten features a sophisticated constant-Q graphic equalizer design that’s been optimized specifically for bass. No matter how you boost or cut this EQ, each band’s range remains the same, eliminating the interplay that makes typical... 

PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom TRICKED-OUT TREMONTI It doesn’t take a Creed or Alter Bridge fan to appreciate the new PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom. Revamped and decked out with so many upgrades it hardly resembles the original SE Tremonti, the Custom model splits the difference between PRS’s budget-friendly SE lineup and their highly revered standard series. A maple neck and body provide a powerful voice, whose snap and sparkle are captured in every... 

Focusrite Forte POWERFUL, COMPACT INTERFACE When Focusrite revived the Forte moniker they did their legacy justice, approaching this recording interface’s design with the same ingenuity they devoted to their classic consoles in bygone days. Instead of a massive mixer, this decidedly compact desktop interface sports its impressive functionality almost entirely on the inside. A touch screen and a single knob are all it takes to control every level,... 

MXR Jimi Hendrix 70th Anniversary Tribute Series HENDRIX EFFECTS MINUS THE BULK Breaking away from traditional styling, MXR’s Jimi Hendrix 70th Anniversary Tribute Series pedals provide three of rock’s most iconic guitar effects of all time into compact, pedalboard-friendly stompboxes. These pedals include a shimmering Univibe, a super-fat Octavio, and a dynamically rich Fuzzface. All three sound like spot-on remakes of their namesakes, and... 

SONY IMAGINATION STUDIO 4 Master all your media needs Adapting to an ever more technological climate, today’s musicians are responsible for managing and producing a wide range of media from YouTube videos to SoundCloud audio demos. Sony Imagination Studio 4 packages four of Sony’s most popular production applications into a single time and money saving bundle. ACID Music Studio 9 and Sound Forge Audio Studio 10 covers all your multitrack, loop,... 

AKAI PROFESSIONAL EIE PRO AUDIO INTERFACE Supercharge your desktop studio The EIE Pro is the second in Akai Professional’s EIE desktop USB audio interface lineup. Supporting up to 24-bit/96kHz audio and an extensive array of I/O, the EIE Pro offers a ton of functionality for the price. Brightly backlit VU meters make it easy to monitor any of the four combo jack inputs. These phantom-powered inputs accept mic-, line- and instrument-level signal.... 

SKB 3I-4217-18T DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR CASE Dread not with this case Tired of gigbagging around? SKB’s military spec, waterproof Dreadnought case is worth checking out. Talk about tough! When we subjected it to our brutal trampoline test, its polypropylene copolymer resin shell and molded-in hinges easily withstood all the abuse we could throw at it. But this 3i Series case isn’t just tough, it’s luxurious, too. It features a set of extra-deep... 

PRS NF3 ELECTRIC GUITAR New-sounding classic The NF3 marks an exciting departure from the features that characterize most PRS guitars. Three narrow-aperture humbucking pickups and a wonderfully responsive floating tremolo make the NF3 one of the most versatile yet inspiring instruments we’ve played. The maple fretboard and neck combined with a Korina wood body gives this guitar extra snap and warmth, which the Narrowfield pickups capture beautifully.... 

DIGITECH IPB-10 PROGRAMMABLE PEDALBOARD Pedalboard simplicity and flexibility The DigiTech iPB-10 is the world’s first programmable pedalboard fueled by an iPad. Packed with 87 pedals, 54 amps and 26 cabinets, there’s a ton of onboard tone. The iPad touch screen makes it easy to adjust settings, swap out gear, and organize your presets and setups. Each setup holds up to 10 pedals, one amp and one cabinet. Five setup buttons and five assignable... 

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Custom Neumann KM-180 Series Case From SKB! Orange, CA – SKB announces the introduction of a custom iSeries Injection Molded watertight case specifically designed for the Neumann KM-180 Series Microphones, the 3i0907-4-KM18 Neumann KM-180 Mic Series case. SKB’s iSeries Injection Molded Mil-Standard Watertight Cases are molded of ultra-high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin, featuring a gasketed, water and dust proof, submersible design (MIL-C-4150J)... 

New! SKB’s Custom Sennheiser EW Series Mic Case Orange, CA – SKB Corporation has done it again with the development of another new iSeries custom watertight microphone case for the Sennheiser EW wireless microphone systems, the new 3i-1711-SEW. The case is based on SKB’s iSeries Injection Molded Mil-Standard Watertight style of cases.  These cases are molded of ultra-high-strength polypropylene copolymer resin, featuring a gasketed, water and... 

SKB Mixes It Up – Five New Universal Mixer/Equipment Bags Orange, CA – SKB Corporation announces additions to their mixer transportation solutions with five new padded universal mixer / equipment bags.   The 1SKB-UB0909, 1SKB-UB1212, 1SKB-UB1515, 1SKB-UB1818, and the 1SKB-UB2020 models will accommodate the most popular mixers, drum machines, recording interfaces, midi controllers, light panels and other equipment.   These Universal Mixer/Equipment... 

New Conga Line From SKB! Orange, CA – SKB Corporation once again responds to the many requests for drum protection with the introduction of the new 1SKB-D3217 Universal Conga case that will accommodate Quinto, Conga, or Tumbadora Conga drums that are 28” to 32” in height. The new Universal Conga Case is roto-molded of Linear Low Density Polyethylene with molded-in exterior bumpers and inverted bumpers to hold the conga in place in transit. ... 

LED Light Bar Case From SKB Orange, CA – The expansion of SKB’s DJ line includes the new 3i-5014-LBAR Injection Molded Watertight LED Light Bar Case. Each 3i-5014-LBAR case will hold four light bars up to 36.75” in length and features moveable PE foam blocks that will allow you to comfortably fit two short light bars or one long bar per 2.75” wide channel.  The space underneath the light fixtures can be used to store cables for a complete... 

New York Studios Vol.3 SDX New sounds for Superior Drummer We are proud to present a new addition to the Superior Line: New York Studios Vol.3 SDX! Straight from the Avatar Studios in the heart of Manhattan comes breathtaking drums recorded by the same team that did Superior Drummer and the Vol.2 SDX – engineer duo Neil Dorfsman and Pat Thrall together with session drummer Nir Z. The beginning It started with the core library in Superior Drummer,... 

TAYLOR SWIFT The 22-year-old shrugs aside mega success to focus on what matters most—her growth as an artist.   SOUNDGARDEN – The seminal rock band’s first studio record in 16 years proves they haven’t forgotten how to rock.   JOHN HIATT – One of music’s most revered singer-songwriters gets even more passionate about his work. DONALD FAGEN  – The Steely Dan co-founder finds new creative freedom and reward... 

ISO-L8R130 for small speakers Toronto, Ontario – December 3, 2012 – After a spectacular 2012 in which it bagged Best of Show awards at NAMM and AES, IsoAcoustics is preparing to start the New Year with a bang – by adding another model to its line of revolutionary surface decouplers. The ISO-L8R130 speaker stands, specifically designed for small speakers with widths exceeding 5” and weights of not more than 20lbs., will make its debut at the... 

LOOK OUT FOR THE CASIO SYNTH BUS IN A CITY NEAR YOU Calling all bedroom DJ’s, aspiring producers, synth fans and musicians. Casio announce their ‘Turn Up Your Noise’ UK Bus Tour. Following the launch of the Casio XW Synthesiser range and Synth Sessions earlier this year Casio are sending their open top route master bus on a tour of the UK kitted out with all their latest range of XW Synthesisers. Visiting major cities all over the country,... 

Toontrack Metal Month 2012 Metal Guitar Gods EZmix Pack – Expansion for EZmix 2 Metal Guitar Gods is an expansion pack for EZmix 2, focusing solely on amp and cab simulation presets for guitar and bass. It comes with everything from rhythm, lead and clean sounds to settings for acoustic guitar and bass. All content was custom designed by four of the most iconic and trendsetting guitarists in metal: – Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) –... 

Toontrack Metal Month 2012 Rock Solid EZX – Expansion for EZdrummer With its three complete kits, the extra snares, bass drums and its large collection of cymbals, it’s painfully obvious how the Rock Solid EZX is every bit as leveled, in your face and bold as its title sets it out to be. When you hear the almost unreal sonic qualities in this recording, you will know why there’s no understatement in saying that these drums add a... 

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SESAC Celebrates Songwriters & Publishers at the 2012 Nashville Music Awards Catt Gravitt Named Songwriter of the Year Jon Stone Earns Song of the Year Honors for “A Woman Like You” Sony ATV / EMI Foray Named Publisher of the Year  Read more at >>  Read More →

SENNHEISER XSW 72-A  Affordable cost of freedom The freedom of going wireless all too often means compromising sound and dynamics. If you’ve been looking to cut the cord, we suggest auditioning the Sennheiser XSW 72-A. Designed for musical instruments running at line or instrument levels, the XSW 72-A delivers superior dynamics and lush tone. Tested with a Strat into a vintage Fender amp, we concluded the sparkly highs and rich low end ensured... 

AUDIO-TECHNICA AT2005USB CARDIOID DYNAMIC USB/XLR MICROPHONE All-purpose quality and versatility The AT2005USB offers a wide variety of solutions for musicians and audio techs alike. XLR and USB outputs are ideal for both field and studio applications, complemented by a built-in headphone jack with volume control. The AT2005USB performed especially well through our PA, serving up crystal clear tones. Vocals and voiceovers were dynamic, and the cardioid... 

DIRECT SOUND YOUR ESSENTIAL HEADPHONE KIT MADE 4 JAMHUB Extreme isolation headphone packs Originally designed to complement the various JamHub units, Your Essential Headphone Kit Made 4 JamHub from Direct Sound is an ideal solution for anyone using multiple headphones. Available in five or seven phone packs, the color-coded strain relief and keepers bring order to often chaotic multiphone sessions. Both kits are available with either the EX-25 or... 

TOONTRACK BACKBEATS MIDI Righteous grooves—and plenty of ’em Toontrack’s latest expansion pack offering, Backbeats MIDI does not disappoint. Session drummer Stephen Belans accomplished his goal of creating an infectious set of beats and fills to equip classic rock, pop and country songwriters and producers. “I based this purely on what a songwriter might need,” says Belans. The 500-plus files are grouped in rhythmic styles and broken down... 

ELECTRO-VOICE ELX115P  Even frequency response with volume to spare The Electro-Voice ELX115P two-way monitor delivers rich and extremely even frequency response with plenty of crisp headroom, thanks to the lightweight 1000-watt Class D power amplifier. As a FOH main we found the off-axis projection to be excellent, and were equally impressed when flipping the ELX115P on its side for use as a monitor. Both input channels feature XLR/TRS multijacks... 

DON FELDER With his first solo project in decades, a former Eagle soars again   It’s 9 a.m. on the west coast and Don Felder is a bit drowsy. “Too early,” he says. “I’ll let you know how I’m doing after my second cup of tea.” Tea? A far cry from the indulgent excesses of his near three-decade rock star tenure with the Eagles—the band that brought him fame, fortune and no shortage of conflict prior to his abrupt termination in... 

TAMAR KAPRELIAN HOMETOWN: Scottsdale, Ariz. INFLUENCES: Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty ALBUM: California EP, out now WEBSITE: facebook.com/TamarKaprelian Pop singer-songwriter Tamar Kaprelian, 25, moved around a lot as a kid—she was born in Scottsdale, Ariz., and raised in Georgia and California. After discovering Billy Joel and Paul McCartney in her father’s record collection at age 14, music became a constant in her life, and she... 

ANDERSON EAST HOMETOWN: Athens, Ala. INFLUENCES: Led Zeppelin, the Jackson 5, Otis Redding ALBUM: Flowers of the Broken Hearted, out now WEBSITE: andersoneast.com Folk-rock singer-songwriter Anderson East didn’t grow up in a musical household. “The only time I heard music in the house was Sunday morning before church, when my dad would listen to country music,” he says. His hometown of Athens, Ala., wasn’t exactly a hotbed of entertainment.... 

AMANDA MAIR HOMETOWN: Lidingö, Sweden INFLUENCES: ABBA, Ane Brun, Regina Spektor ALBUM: Amanda Mair, out now WEBSITE: amandamair.nu Singer and pianist Amanda Mair began playing music and taking voice lessons at age 8. Born in Sweden, she was discovered in 2008 when a friend played her three-song recording for Swedish-based Labrador Records. Mair, 18, has racked up accomplishments at a rapid clip since signing to the label. On the strength of her... 

PITCH PERFECT Crafting superior vocal tracks takes both technical and personal skills “Vocal production can be one of two things,” says producer, mixer and engineer Fab Dupont. “One is the art of constructing a finished vocal track by getting the best performance and best sound possible. Two is the art of making a singer sound an awful lot better than he or she really is. They’re two different spirits and practices, and you know right away... 

SHELBY LYNNE — Pasadena, Calif., 2000 FOCAL POINTS Photographer James Minchin III illuminates the spirit of rock ’n’ roll “The images I like most are those where I’m able to just get out of the way,” says photographer James Minchin III. “I prefer to document what’s actually happening rather than trying to create something.” That unerring eye for capturing a revealing moment has earned the trust and admiration of a diverse array... 

RICHIE SAMBORA Life’s trials lead him beyond Bon Jovi to a very personal solo effort  By Russell Hall  Richie Sambora isn’t one to hold back. His new solo album is the best thing he’s done outside Bon Jovi, he insists, and he’s not going to rein in his enthusiasm with false modesty. “People have been very surprised by this record,” he says. “They’re surprised it’s me. I could take that as a bad thing, I suppose, but I think it’s... 

HEART These rock goddesses refuse to mellow or slow down one bit   Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson are on a tour bus somewhere outside Salt Lake City, heading for yet another concert on yet another stage. The duo expects to complete 55 dates this year; last year, they did 90—two a week, nearly every week. So much for taking it easy after 35 years in the business and 35 million albums sold. Rockers are supposed to mellow with age, but Ann, 62,... 

Stuart Mathis, Jack Irons, Jakob Dylan, Greg Richling, Rami Jaffee THE WALLFLOWERS Regrouped, refreshed and ready to prove that time off does a band good   Taking a break isn’t the same thing as breaking up, and the Wallflowers’ frontman Jakob Dylan reveals the band needed the former but never considered the latter. In the years since the group’s last album, 2005’s Rebel, Sweetheart, Dylan released a pair of solo albums in 2008 and 2010,... 

Dusty Hill, Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard ZZ TOP After 40 years of rock and the road, there’s still nothing they’d rather do    For their first full-length album in nearly a decade, veteran rockers ZZ Top decided to work with famed producer Rick Rubin. The Texas trio—frontman and guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard—recorded La Futura over a four-year period in Houston and Malibu. Rubin’s intense brand of perfectionism... 

Seth Lorinczi, Sara Lund, Corin Tucker, Mike Clark CORIN TUCKER BAND The indie rocker chooses musical democracy for her new album   After writing all the songs on her 2010 solo debut, 1,000 Years, Corin Tucker took a more collaborative approach on her latest. Kill My Blues was very much a team effort, as Tucker and her backing musicians jammed out the tunes in their rehearsal space. “We needed to open more doors for the band to evolve,” Tucker... 

SHEMEKIA COPELAND Belief in the power of song drives this vocalist’s musical mission Shemekia Copeland sits in her hotel room in Harlem, counting down the minutes until she begins a spate of interviews to discuss her new album, 33 1/3. Her husky voice betrays a bit of anxiety knowing that the public is about to hear her latest. “I’m sitting here thinking ‘Wow! My album is out today.’ And I’m in Harlem, my old stomping ground.” Since... 

DWIGHT YOAKAM  Country’s hippest cowboy offers of-the-moment insights in a fresh new set Most of the time, Dwight Yoakam lives in the moment. The 55-year-old Kentucky native prefers not to have any long-term goals aside from continuing to find joy in his work. It’s a strategy that’s served him well in his near three decade career as a singer-songwriter-actor. “When I started doing more film work, I began not waiting until I had time to... 

JEFF LYNNE The ELO mastermind releases two different—yet sonically linked—projects  In a 1974 radio interview, John Lennon said of Electric Light Orchestra, “I call them the Son of Beatles, but I’m sure they’re doing other things we never did.” It’s a compliment that Jeff Lynne recalls word for word, in Lennon’s Scouse accent, and treasures to this day. “That was a big moment for me,” Lynne recalls. “Almost a benediction.” Lennon’s... 

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN  At 70, the guitar virtuoso still revels in his dynamic musical journey By Jeff Tamarkin  John McLaughlin remembers some odd advice he once received from Miles Davis—cryptic words at the time, but later made perfect sense. It was 1969, and the young guitar master was working in the studio with the jazz titan when “Miles made this Zen statement,” recalls McLaughlin. “He told me, ‘Play like you don’t know how to play guitar.’”... 

RON ANIELLO  Doing whatever it takes to make the record great             By Michael Gallant When Ron Aniello was selected to produce Bruce Springsteen’s 2012 album Wrecking Ball, he faced a daunting challenge—how to offer constructive criticism to a personal hero. “Being in the studio, and hearing the voice of my childhood was the main thing I had to get over,” Aniello says with a laugh. “Telling an artist like Bruce that a certain... 

Brian May, John Deacon, Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury “Bohemian Rhapsody” QUEEN “Bohemian Rhapsody” is one of rock’s most beloved hits—and yet for all its brilliance, the song is only more remarkable considering it breaks every rule. There is no chorus. The form is odd and asymmetrical. The title never once appears in the lyric. It’s more than six minutes long. And it has an opera section with mock Italian lyrics. That the disparate... 

Fleetwood Mac Photographer norman seeff rented a beautiful Malibu home overlooking the Pacific to shoot Fleetwood Mac for their 1979 album, Tusk. “They were like kids in a sandbox, having fun,” Seeff recalls. “But they also knew exactly what they were doing. They understood that by being spontaneous they would capture something they wouldn’t get if they were more controlled.” As the wine began to flow, the band became more rambunctious.... 

KISS For a long time, beginning in 1999, Paul Stanley wasn’t sure Kiss would make another studio album. Worse, he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Ironically, it was the making of the previous year’s Psycho Circus—the much-ballyhooed record that featured original members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley reunited with Kiss founders Stanley and Gene Simmons—that put Stanley in that frame of mind. As he tells it, Criss and Frehley were recalcitrant participants,... 

MATCHBOX TWENTY On the pop-rockers’ latest release, everyone gets a turn in the spotlight Matchbox Twenty’s new album, North, is the band’s first collection of all-new material in a decade. It’s also their first release to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. But what really sets the record apart is the group effort to make it. Rob Thomas has long been the frontman and songwriting engine driving the pop-rockers, scoring hits like... 

ELLIE GOULDING Global success scores the singer more creative control on her latest      Ellie Goulding hit the ground running after she released her debut album, Lights, two years ago, and she hasn’t slowed down one bit. In her native England, she won a coveted Brit Award and was invited to play at the Royal Wedding. In the U.S., she scored an unexpected hit with “Lights”—which has been downloaded a whopping 3 million times. Now Goulding,...