Top Gear

UAD SSL G Bus Compressor

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD SSL G Bus Compressor Flat-out awesome You may think: “I have compressors... 

UAD Precision-K Stereo

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD Precision-K Stereo It’s the secret sauce It is difficult to explain... 

UAD Precision Limiter

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD Precision Limiter Raise your level By now, we’re all familiar with... 

UAD Precision Equalizer

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. UAD Precision Equalizer Subtle yet effective Sometimes rough mixes don’t... 

Manley Massive Passive MST

Top 5 UAD Master Bus Plugins Sometimes you don’t have time to go through every single track with EQs, compressors and spatial effects to make a rough mix sparkle for yourself or your clients. You just need something quick. Here are five invaluable UAD plugins to help your roughs sound more like final mixes. You can even download them from UAD for a free trial before you buy. Manley Massive Passive MST Make it shine While the non-“MST” instance... 

ULTIMATE GOPRO PROTECTION

ULTIMATE GOPRO PROTECTION Since GoPro cameras were released, these miniature cameras have shown up on stages and video shoots everywhere. While the cameras can be mounted in tough, waterproof housings, added protection for these cameras can go a long way. That’s why SKB created a special set of waterproof, impact-resistant iSeries GoPro cases designed to keep one or two GoPro cameras and their accessories safe from the elements. Whether subjected... 

PINT-SIZED POWERHOUSE SYNTH

PINT-SIZED POWERHOUSE SYNTH Roland’s JD-Xi analog/digital crossover synthesizer offers a compressive music creation toolset that’s perfect for today’s electronic musicians. In addition to a four-part sound engine, which combines a monophonic analog oscillator, two SuperNATURAL synths, and drum sounds, the JD-Xi comes fully equipped with a pattern sequencer, a vocoder, and an amazing set of effects. A set of 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys provide... 

MIGHTY GUITAR PROCESSOR

MIGHTY GUITAR PROCESSOR Line 6’s Helix multieffects processor combines next-gen effects modeling and advanced stereo signal routing into a refreshingly easy-to-use pedalboard processor. At the core of the Helix is Line 6’s new HX dual DSP modeling engine, which offers 45 amps, 30 cabs, 16 mics and 70 effects, each rendered with impeccable detail. What’s more, the Helix supports up to 32 effects at once, including up to four amp emulations,... 

AMPLITUBE COMES TO ANDROID

AMPLITUBE COMES TO ANDROID Android-toting guitarists looking for a way to jam with their tablets or phones are sure to appreciate IK Multimedia’s iRig UA, a DSP-driven device that brings AmpliTube effects to a whole new user base. By loading the DSP on the hardware itself, IK Multimedia was able to circumvent latency issues inherent with Android devices. The AmpliTube UA controller app—available from the app store—provides a detailed user interface... 

VINTAGE TWANG

  VINTAGE TWANG PRS introduced the S2 Vela as part of their 30th anniversary. An unusual design for PRS, the S2 Vela is built around an asymmetrical double-cutaway mahogany body and features a combination of tried-and-true techniques and hardware innovations. Joining the PRS Starla humbucker at the bridge is a Type-D single-coil at the neck, which invokes the sound and spirit of classic 1950s twang. And while a set of S2 locking tuners offer... 

INTUITIVE CONTROL

INTUITIVE CONTROL Yamaha’s innovative TouchFlow Operation makes their TF Series digital mixing consoles among the most intuitive and user-friendly models available. Each model comes equipped with a touchscreen-based editing channel complemented by a series of logically laid-out encoders and a Touch & Turn knob, which allows the user to instantly control any onscreen parameter. Simplified setups such as Vocal Mode take the guesswork out of setting... 

AGED TO PERFECTION

AGED TO PERFECTION This year Yamaha revised their popular L Series acoustic guitars, introducing a full lineup of A.R.E. models (A.R.E. stands for Acoustic Resonance Enhancement, the company’s patented process for aging their tops). Combined with a modified, non-scalloped bracing design, these heat- and pressure-treated solid spruce tops provide discerning players with the broken-in sound coveted by vintage guitar collectors. The new series also... 

Apogee One

Apogee One RECORDING ON THE GO The pocket-size Apogee One is a pro recording engineer’s Swiss army knife. Featuring Apogee’s world-class 24-bit/96 kHz digital converters and excellent input options, the redesigned Apogee One provides astonishing results to anyone recording on a laptop or iPad. A breakout cable provides inputs for mic and guitar, and the preamp provides up to 63 decibels of pristine gain. With two channels of simultaneous recording,... 

AIR Music Technology Loom and Vacuum Pro

AIR Music Technology Loom and Vacuum Pro VIRTUAL INSPIRATION AIR Music Technology is offering a pair of soft synths—Loom and Vacuum Pro—that make in-the-box sound design a blast. First, there’s Loom, which takes all of the baffling elements of additive synthesis and distills them into 30 easy-to-use sound modules. These modules can be combined and manipulated to build amazing sounds. On the flip side, there’s Vacuum Pro, an old-school... 

Fender’s Pawn Shop Bass VI

Fender’s Pawn Shop Bass VI VINTAGE LOWS Fender’s Pawn Shop Bass VI is easily the most accessible recreation of the historic bass to hit the street. In its run from 1961 to 1975, the original Bass VI six-string, E-to-E baritone guitar found favor in the hands of Jack Bruce, George Harrison, and others looking to add exciting textures to their music. In that same spirit, Fender loaded the Pawn Shop Bass VI with a pair of Special Design Hot Jaguar... 

Avid S3L System

Avid S3L System SERIOUS LIVE SOUND Avid VENUE systems have been at the heart of some of the largest live sound rigs anywhere. But they’ve been priced out of reach for small and midsize venue operators until now. The Avid S3L System marries a 16-fader console with an E3 VENUE DSP engine and up to four Stage 16 Remote I/O boxes. The result is an incredibly portable live sound mixing system with powerful routing flexibility and onboard processing.... 

Tom Oberheim SEM with MIDI to CV Converter

Tom Oberheim SEM with MIDI to CV Converter OLD-SCHOOL MEETS NEW When analog synthesis icon Tom Oberheim re-emerged on the scene with new SEM models, longtime synth lovers rejoiced. But the CV-only synth module was lost on modern MIDI-based rigs. Enter the updated Tom Oberheim SEM with MIDI to CV Converter. The two-oscillator synth module dishes out all of the old-school Oberheim tones, which can be triggered from any standard MIDI keyboard. What’s... 

Rupert Neve Designs 511

Rupert Neve Designs 511 PREAMP WITH LEGACY Lots of gear claim to have some connection to the Neve legacy, but the 511 mic pre is one of the few 500 Series modules designed by Rupert Neve himself. Naturally clear and transparent, the Rupert Neve Designs 511 is an excellent match for any sound source. There’s the Portico 5012’s sweepable high-pass filter onboard, and when it’s time to kick in that timeless Neve mojo, just turn up the Silk/Texture... 

Lewitt MTP 340 CM

Lewitt MTP 340 CM LIVE STUDIO-CLARITY The Lewitt MTP 340 CM condenser microphone offers live singers studio-style vocal clarity. Its contoured frequency response focuses on the midrange that brings out the best in most vocal styles, while rolling off unwanted bass. In addition to its impressive SPL handling, there’s an internal pop filter that smoothes out harsh transients for an extra polished sound. And with its die-cast all-metal body and hardened... 

SOFTTUBE CONSULE 1

Softube’s Console 1 MIX WITH FEELING Softube’s Console 1 hybrid virtual mixing console system offers the flexibility of a plug-in with amazing tactile control—and provides powerful channel-strip processing with the analog workflow that only a hardware controller can. It’s a simple two-part system consisting of a channel strip plug-in and a dedicated hardware controller. With the plug-in activated on every track, the Console 1 hardware provides... 

ESP LTD MH-1000 EVERTUNE

ESP LTD MH-1000 EVERTUNE SET IT & FORGET IT ESP’s EverTune equipped instruments virtually eliminate the need for retuning. A partnership between ESP and EverTune has led to guitars—such as the ESP LTD MH-1000 EVERTUNE and LTD EC-1000 EVERTUNE—that feature the EverTune Bridge. It’s an all-mechanical, highly adjustable system that keeps string tension constant and intonation perfect across extended playing sessions—no matter how hard you... 

TASCAM DA-3000 – STUNNING RECORDING

TASCAM DA-3000 STUNNING RECORDING  When absolute fidelity is vital, the TASCAM DA-3000 stereo DSD recorder is the last stop in any pro recording rig. The DA-3000 brings the stunning detail of Direct Stream Digital recording to down-to-earth recording setups. Built around the phenomenal digital converters from TASCAM’s acclaimed DA-RA1000HD recorder, the DA-3000 is capable of capturing 24-bit/192 kHz PCM or 1-bit/5.6 MHz DSD audio to inexpensive... 

AVID PRO TOOLS 11

AVID PRO TOOLS 11 POWERHOUSE UPGRADE Pro Tools has long been a mainstay of the recording industry—but now Avid Pro Tools 11 offers up thrilling new prospects for users. There are countless minor workflow improvements in this latest version that streamline many routine tasks such as auditioning plug-ins and configuring sends. But the big upgrade is Pro Tools 11’s 64-bit architecture, which allows the program to better utilize system resources so... 

ASHDOWN CTM-15

ASHDOWN CTM-15 TUBE-FIRED TRACKING AMP While Ashdown’s solid-state bass amps rock the world’s biggest stages, their tube amps are a huge hit with recording bass players. Packing more than enough juice for smaller gigs, the new CTM-15 tube head was specifically developed for the recording world. A straight shot through a three-band EQ, ending at a pair of EL84s, provides pure tube-fired tone at lower wattages. And the onboard VU meter is more than... 

IBANEZ PAT METHENY PM200

IBANEZ PAT METHENY PM200 METHENY’S HOLLOWBODY The Ibanez Pat Metheny PM200 hollowbody electric guitar is the closest most guitarists can hope to get to playing the master’s personal jazzbox. Made in Japan by Ibanez’s top luthiers, the PM200 features impressive build quality and plays like a dream. A naturally finished, all-maple body bolstered by a custom-carved mahogany neck offers quintessential jazz guitar tone with an old-time look. The... 

YAMAHA DTX502

YAMAHA DTX502 NEXT-GEN DIGITAL DRUMS Following the release of the Yamaha DTX502 drum module, the company released three new electronic drum kits: the DTX562K, DTX532K and DTX522K. Featuring new drum pad configurations and a full set of three-zone cymbals, these kits have garnered acclaim from high-level performers. The DTX502 drum module itself provides 250 phenomenal new sounds—now up to 691—and support for cymbal muting, natural-sounding swells,... 

LINE 6 SONIC PORT

LINE 6 SONIC PORT POD TONE FOR YOUR PHONE The Line 6 Sonic Port turns nearly any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch into a tone machine driven by real POD guitar effects. The Mobile POD app—which requires the Sonic Port—offers up more than 10,000 killer guitar tones featuring 32 amp models, 16 cabinets, and 16 classic stompbox effects. The Sonic Port also works with many other iOS apps, and even unlocks POD tones in the popular Jammit backing track app.... 

ZOOM H6 HANDY RECORDER

ZOOM H6 HANDY RECORDER MULTITRACK MAGIC The Zoom H6 Handy Recorder makes capturing quality audio in the field a breeze. It’s perfect for recording rehearsals, capturing mixer feeds, tracking on location and much more. The portable six-track recording system comes equipped with four XLR/TRS combo inputs complete with onboard microphone preamps, phantom power, and external volume controls. Plus, there’s an attachment port that accepts additional... 

STUDIOLOGIC SLEDGE

STUDIOLOGIC SLEDGE SUPER SYNTH With 35 tweakable knobs and a five-octave Fatar TP/9 keybed onboard, the Studiologic Sledge digital synthesizer is a feast for the fingertips. It’s built around an analog layout and fueled by a Waldorf sound engine loaded with digital wavetables from the legendary PPG Wave. A trio of oscillators and full subtractive synthesis controls provide a solid foundation for massive stacks, complex atmospherics and everything... 

TELEFUNKEN M82

TELEFUNKEN M82 ADD PUNCH TO YOUR KICK Telefunken M82 dynamic microphone makes it a snap to capture the best kick drum and other bass-heavy sounds right at the source. In addition to a 1.37” moving-coil diaphragm that comfortably captures low-end punch and body, this versatile mic sports a couple of switchable settings for fine-tuning its response. There’s a KICK EQ mode that notches out 350 Hz to eliminate boxiness, and a high boost mode for adding... 

NUMARK ORBIT

NUMARK ORBIT GRAB & GO COMMANDER The Numark Orbit wireless handheld controller is a natural fit for any digital DJ longing to step out from the booth without letting go of the mix. With its 16 multicolor backlit pads, touch-sensitive aluminum control wheel, and unique accelerometer-driven two-axis position sensor, the Orbit provides artists with control over dozens of MIDI-based functions—taking freestyle controlling to a new level. But it’s... 

FENDER PASSPORT MINI

FENDER PASSPORT MINI PORTABLE PA POWER  For small coffeehouse gigs, street-corner busking, or playing in the park, the Fender Passport Mini packs plenty of battery-powered portable PA power. One channel provides inputs for a microphone or line-level, and the other features a guitar input, plus there’s a stereo input for a music player. In addition to the preset delays, reverbs and modulations, Fender’s FUSE software provides access to a massive... 

TAYLOR SPRING 2013 LIMITED 400 SERIES

TAYLOR SPRING 2013 LIMITED 400 SERIES GRANADILLO GRANDEUR Bob Taylor’s passion for exotic tonewoods is one of the defining characteristics of his company’s guitar lineup, which has pioneered the use of Hawaiian koa, cocobolo, striped ebony and other varieties. For the Spring 2013 Limited 400 Series, Taylor turned to granadillo for a unique look and sound. A granadillo back and sides topped with a Sitka spruce top voices these guitars with bold... 

Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+

Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ RECORDING RIG IN A MIC A full recording studio is great when tracking an album, but what if you just want to lay down a fleeting song idea? The Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+  bypasses the hassle of juggling studio gear by packing all of the essentials into a single condenser microphone. Based on the original AT2020, this excellent sounding mic connects via USB to any Mac or Windows PC, and a built-in headphone jack provides... 

Waves Manny Marroquin Signature Series

Waves Manny Marroquin Signature Series MUST-HAVE STUDIO TOOLS The Waves Manny Marroquin Signature Series plug-in collection includes six ingenious plug-ins masterminded by a hit producer-engineer behind many of today’s hottest pop acts. These plug-ins range from the more straightforward MM Reverb and MM Delay to the specialized MM Triple D and the MM Tone Shaper. Simple controls and logical layouts provide intuitive operation, without limiting an... 

ANTELOPE AUDIO ORION 32

ANTELOPE AUDIO ORION 32 STELLAR I/O FOR ANY PLATFORM The Antelope Audio Orion 32 USB audio interface packs a boatload of pristine AD/DA conversion into a single rack space, delivering a staggering 32 channels of both input and output at up to 24-bit/192 kHz resolution. In addition to its analog I/O—all handled by standard DB-25 connectors—the Orion 32 also sports ADAT and MADI digital connections, so it can easily integrate into a more advanced... 

Fender Cabronita Precision Bass

Fender Cabronita Precision Bass BASS WITH ATTITUDE High output, solid low-end and pure attitude are what define the Fender Cabronita Precision Bass. Beyond its bold coloring and first-generation P-Bass headstock, this instrument boasts a specially designed Fideli’Tron Bass mini humbucker. This pickup delivers deep and punchy tone with none of the dullness and boominess that routinely plagues dual-coil bass pickups. Best of all, the Fideli’Tron... 

KORG VOLCA KEYS, VOLCA BASS, VOLCA BEATS

KORG VOLCA KEYS, VOLCA BASS, VOLCA BEATS BRINGING ANALOG BACK Korg has been on a mission to bring quality analog synthesis to the masses. First with the monotron series, then the monotribe mini workstation, and most recently with the Volca series modules. These new additions—the Volca Keys, Volca Bass, and Volca Beats—are especially compelling as they combine classic analog designs with digital convenience, including patch recall and MIDI input.... 

Gibson’s Bill Kelliher Golden Axe Explorer

Gibson’s Bill Kelliher Golden Axe Explorer  MASTODON-SIZED POWER Tapping the mojo of one of metal’s ace shredders, Gibson’s Bill Kelliher Golden Axe Explorer delivers tone in mammoth proportion. This six-string beast features a solid mahogany build for massive sustain and low-end warmth. A departure for Gibson, and the Mastodon guitarist himself, this guitar offers a pair of LACE Nitro Hemi pickups, which dish out epic high-gain tones with... 

KORG MS-20 MINI

KORG MS-20 MINI ’70S ANALOG FOR THE FUTURE There have been several iterations of the Korg MS-20 since its debut in 1978, but none as innovative as the MS-20 Mini. At first glance, the size reduction of more than 85 percent is the most obvious new feature of this reissue. Despite its smaller size, the MS-20 Mini offers up the same sweet oscillators as the original, flavored by first-generation filtering, ring modulation and other true-to-original... 

RMI BASSWITCH IQ DI

RMI BASSWITCH IQ DI THE ULTIMATE BASS RIG The RMI Basswitch IQ DI is the ultimate centerpiece to any working bass rig. This unassuming box includes an A/B switcher in front of a killer preamp, EQ, dual effects loop, and DI. The preamp section is bolstered by a Lehle LTMZ transformer for phenomenally faithful amplification that will thrill any hardcore tone freak. The semi-parametric four-band equalizer provides incredible tone-shaping flexibility,... 

PULSE TECHNIQUES PULTEC EQP-1A3

PULSE TECHNIQUES PULTEC EQP-1A3 NOTHING COMPARES TO THE ORIGINAL There are dozens of semi-successful Pultec-style EQ clones, but nothing compares to the genuine Pulse Techniques equalizer. Meticulously recreating the original Pultec EQP-1A component by component (often having to manufacture his own replacement parts), company president Steve Jackson revived the original Pulse Techniques model to perfection. Now available in the U.S., the Pultec EQP-1A3... 

BOCK AUDIO IFET

BOCK AUDIO IFET IDEAL VINTAGE AND MODERN TONE The perfect choice for space-challenged studios with a limited budget for quality condenser mics, the Bock Audio iFet more than legitimizes the reputation of this relatively small microphone maker. Wielding two discrete Class A amplification signal paths, the iFet delivers ideal instrument and vocal sound. In V mode, the iFet closely resembles the warm vintage vocal microphones that defined the hit recordings... 

GRETSCH G9240 Alligator Biscuit Cone Roundneck

GRETSCH G9240 Alligator Biscuit Cone Roundneck BLUESY BISCUIT BITE Reaching back to their roots, the G9240 Alligator Biscuit Cone Roundneck revives one of Gretsch’s classic guitars. A 99 percent pure aluminum, hand-spun Ampli-Sonic biscuit resonator cone set in a laminated mahogany top offers this gorgeous instrument its raspy, swampy, lo-fi blues sound. The resonator cone also provides a ton of natural acoustic projection and volume. It nicely... 

GIBSON SG SUPRA

GIBSON SG SUPRA NOT YOUR AVERAGE SG When Gibson introduced their 2013 SG Supra, they blithely broke nearly every rule in the book. This SG features an all maple body and a special selection of pickups. A trio of ’57 Classic humbuckers equipped with a special TogPot switching system delivers everything from classic PAF tones to in-between tones that are out of reach for a traditional SG. There’s also a Fishman Piezo Power Bridge onboard, which... 

SONY DWZB30GB

SONY DWZB30GB WIRELESS FOR TONE PURISTS The Sony DWZB30GB digital instrument wireless system provides total freedom for guitar and bass players without sacrificing tone. In fact, its 24-bit digital signal wireless transmission is so pure Sony added a configurable cable tone function to provide realistic guitar-cable frequency loss emulation. Operating in the uncluttered 2.4 GHz frequency range, the DWZB30GB is virtually immune to traditional radio... 

KALA U-BASS

KALA U-BASS DOUBLE-BASS SOUND IN A UKE BODY The remarkably affordable travel-sized acoustic Kala U-Bass manages to pack warm and woody double-bass sound into an instrument that can fit—case and all—into the overhead compartment of an airplane. Tonewoods range from exotic mahogany to brighter spruce-topped models. They all feature Kala’s proprietary polyurethane strings, which are the key to U-Bass’ extremely short-scale extra-deep tone. A... 

TAMA SILVERSTAR HYPER-DRIVE

TAMA SILVERSTAR HYPER-DRIVE KILLER PROJECTION & TONE The limited edition Tama Silverstar Hyper-Drive drum kit is an excellent choice for live and session work. Like the rest of Tama’s Silverstar lineup, the affordable kit features all-birch shells, offering a naturally warm and slightly dark fundamental tone that lends impact to recordings. To balance this tone, Tama chose their shallower Hyper-Drive sizing for the toms, which provides extra... 

HAMMOND SK1

HAMMOND SK1 ORGAN PERFECTION FOR KEYBOARDISTS There are plenty of fine keyboards with passable organ sounds, but only a few organs with good auxiliary instrument sounds. Among them, the Hammond SK1 stands alone. Built around the sound of the world-famous B-3 tonewheel organ, the SK1 features real drawbars that provide tactile control any organist demands. Loaded with impressive emulations of Rhodes and Wurlitzer EPs, Clavinets, Farf combos, church... 

TC-HELICON VOICELIVE TOUCH 2

TC-HELICON VOICELIVE TOUCH 2 Bringing the studio to the stage for vocalists Built to bring studio magic to the stage, the TC-Helicon VoiceLive Touch 2 provides four vocal-enhancing functions: processing, effects, harmonies and looping. Processing features such as adaptive EQ, compression and pitch-correction add an air of professional polish to vocals without demanding much in the way of setup. Effects ranging from smooth reverb to intense distortion... 
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