KINGKORG Digital synth with analog attitude From the sound of it, it’s hard to believe that the KingKORG is a digital keyboard. A testament to just how far Korg’s analog modeling has come? The filter emulation on the KingKORG alone will impress even the most die-hard analog synth nut. Performing keyboardists will revel in its live accessibility. Decades of classic synth sounds spring to life at the push of a button, and a series of dedicated controls... 

FENDER ACOUSTIC CUSTOM SHOP A whole new level of acoustics from Fender Fender unveiled an entirely new division at this year’s NAMM show: the Fender Acoustic Custom Shop. Run by master luthiers Tim Shaw and Ren Ferguson, the Connecticut-based workshop is devoted to combining historical guitar-making tradition, modern artistry along with the finest materials and techniques to create a stunning selection of instruments. Models featuring the earmarks... 

ROLAND BT-1 BAR TRIGGER PAD Ergonomic flexibility is the key With breakthrough technologies such as their dual-mesh head pads and SuperNATURAL drum engine, Roland has long been the leader in electronic drums. But it’s the simple ergonomic flexibility that makes the BT-1 Bar Trigger Pad. The BT-1 mounts easily to the rim of acoustic-style drum shells, right where it’s the most useful. Alternatively, you can stand mount the BT-1 where a cowbell... 

PRESONUS STUDIOLILVE Digital mixer that does it all PreSonus stepped up their StudioLive series with the powerful 32-channel/14-bus StudioLive 32.4.2AI. The 32.4.2AI begins with the same impressive functionality as previous models, and adds a staggering amount of additional horsepower to the mix. Each channel and bus supports complete Fat Channel processing—including full dynamics and a four-band parametric EQ—on top of amazing DSP effects. Integrated... 

BOSS STOMPBOXES Kicking off a new era of guitar effects BOSS has just launched three innovative stompboxes: the DA-2 Adaptive Distortion, MO-2 Multi Overtone and TE-2 Tera Echo. Each features BOSS’s new Multi-Dimensional Processing technology—which splits the signal into separate frequency bands for parallel processing—offering remarkable results. For instance, the DA-2 Adaptive Distortion delivers classic stompbox distortion that holds together... 

M-AUDIO M-TRACK Interface delivering performance and value M-Audio’s M-Track audio interfaces make recording fun, easy and affordable for musicians at every level. Choose from three models: the M-Track, the M-Track Plus and the M-Track Quad. Even the simple two-channel M-Track sports professional features such as separate XLR and TRS inputs and 24-bit/48 kHz digital conversion, and both MIDI and digital audio I/O are available on the more advanced... 

FISHMAN TRIPLEPLAY Guitar MIDI goes wireless The TriplePlay wireless pickup system by Fishman takes guitar MIDI evolution to the next level. Capturing each string separately and converting its sound into MIDI, the TriplePlay goes beyond the limits of conventional hex pickups by transmitting MIDI wirelessly to a USB receiver up to 100 feet away. That makes it easy to connect directly to a virtual instrument rig or DAW. With the capability to split... 

APHEX PROJECT CHANNEL Channel strip with epic tone-sculpting power Aphex’s Project Channel features harmonically rich and musically sweetened sound that’s ideal for studio and stage. A warm Class A mic pre kicks off the signal path with more than enough gain to push the onboard optical compressor. Aphex’s legendary Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processors work together to create a classic tape-like effect, adding air to the highs and low-end... 

PEAVEY VYPYR II VIP SERIES The next step in tonal versatility You can’t beat the versatility Peavey’s Vypyr II VIP Series combo amps offer. Perfect for performing multi-instrumentalists, Vypyr II VIP amplifiers handle electric guitars, basses, acoustic guitars and other acoustic-electric instruments. Powerful onboard DSP provides access to numerous amplifier and stompbox models, and feature superior studio-style effects and processors onboard... 

ONE CONTROL’S MOSQUITE BLENDER STOMPBOX SUPERCHARGER Ten years ago, if asked what “parallel processing” meant, most guitarists would have muttered something about computers. Today, the technique has become so prevalent many guitarists pick up expensive effects loop controllers just to be able to pull it off. One Control’s affordable Mosquite Blender delivers a single foot-switchable effects loop with a simple wet/dry mix control. Use it to... 

MICW ISHOTGUN POCKET-SIZED PRO MIC While photographers have long followed the adage, “the best camera is the one you have with you,” the MicW iShotgun proves that the same is true for microphones. Designed to plug directly into a standard 1/8” TRRS communications jack, this pocket-sized highly-directional condenser mic provides a professional-quality solution for anyone recording on the go with an iOS or Android device. It also comes complete... 

APPLIED ACOUSTICS SYSTEM LOUNGE LIZARD EP-4 ENDLESS KEYBOARD TONES Why settle for a single electric piano model, when the Applied Acoustics Systems Lounge Lizard EP-4 virtual instrument offers a limitless supply of vintage keyboard tones. Using some of the most sophisticated modeling technology available, Lounge Lizard EP-4 provides real-time manipulation of nearly every aspect of its tone, with advanced control over hammers, tines, pickups and other... 

ZOOM MS-100BT MULTI-EFFECTS POWER IN A BOX It’s hard to look at the Zoom MS-100BT and think “multi-effects pedal,” but inside this standard-size stompbox live 92 outstanding effects and eight distinct amp models, all of a quality any gigging guitarist can appreciate. Unlike similar compact multi-effects units, the MS-100BT allows up to six effects to be accessed simultaneously, effectively replacing an entire pedalboard with a single pedal.... 

WAVES REDD ROAD. ABBEY ROAD. From the late ’50s to the late ’60s, three hand-built mixing consoles dominated the British recording industry, Abbey Road Studio’s REDD.17, REDD.37 and REDD.51. The Waves REDD plug-in recreates the sound of these three classic EMI mixing desks with haunting accuracy, providing every DAW owner the opportunity to experience classic console sound. All three models deliver the coveted “British EQ” warmth plus silky... 

BEEPSTREET’S IMPAKTOR FROM IPHONE TO YOUR DRUM There are tons of great iOS music apps out there, but BeepStreet’s Impaktor stands out as one of the most innovative to hit the Apple App Store in months. This unique drum sequencer turns any compatible iOS device into a playable percussion instrument. Just set your iOS device on a table (or other flat, resonant surface), and start tapping away with your hands or drum sticks. Impaktor senses and interprets... 

BOICEBOX PEDALBOARDS STOMP ON THIS BoiceBox pedalboards have been stirring buzz among traveling guitarists lately, and for good reason. They’re made from an attractive three-ply bamboo composite that’s far thinner, lighter and stronger than standard nine-ply birch—and with the addition of a detachable lid, the board itself turns into a seriously heavy-duty flight case. Both flat and tiered BoiceBox models feature advanced cable-management systems,... 

ELECTRO-HARMONIX DELUXE BASS BIG MUFF PI NEXT-GEN BASS FUZZ The Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big Muff Pi offers bass players the classic fuzz tone they crave but with powerful tone-shaping controls needed for modern bass styles. In addition to a wet/dry blend control—which allows one to balance the fuzz with unaffected clean dynamics—there’s a footswitchable crossover onboard designed to roll highs off the clean signal and lows off the distorted... 

TEENAGE ENGINEERING OP-1 GIZMO-FUELED SYNTH One of the most unique, if not comprehensive, synth workstations available, the Teenage Engineering OP-1 pushes the envelope for sheer number of built-in gizmos and available aftermarket gadgets. It comes packed with eight different sound engines, spanning the gamut from the retro 8-bit Dr. Wave synth to the sophisticated String physical modeler. Sampling and sequencing options abound, and there’s even... 

FENDER PAWN SHOP REVERSE JAGUAR BASS VINTAGE BASS The Fender Pawn Shop Reverse Jaguar Bass takes you back to when bizarre one-offs and custom models would occasionally pop up in secondhand guitar stores. With its reverse neck and body, this is one striking bass. This instrument’s true character is revealed when it’s plugged in. With a pair of humbuckers—rare for a Fender bass—it’s an ideal combination of punch and jangle with just the right... 

AKG D12 VR FOUR TIMES THE TONE A classic bass and kick drum mic returns in the AKG D12 VR. Unpowered, the D12 VR delivers the chest-pounding tonal response that made the original D12 a fixture in professional recording studios. Hit it with phantom power, and you’re playing a whole new ballgame. A trio of active filters provide an extended range of tone-shaping possibilities, allowing you to amp the bass, scoop up unwanted mids, or combine both... 

AirTurn BT-105 HANDS-FREE PAGE TURNER In a stroke of pure genius, the AirTurn BT-105 upgraded the iPad and Android tablets from alternatives to pen and paper to must-have live performance tools with this Bluetooth foot controller. In a nutshell, the BT-105 lets you turn the pages of your lyric sheets, chord charts or musical scores without taking your hands off the instrument—making it far easier to try out new songs live, or having to cram illegible... 

Pigtronix FAT Philosopher ATTITUDE FOR YOUR PEDALBOARD The FAT Philosopher combines two widely acclaimed Pigtronix pedals into a single super-versatile tone machine capable of pumping out all the sustain and overdrive any guitarist could ask for. On the overdrive side, there are all the goodies that go with the Pigtronix FAT Drive, most notably a cascading-diode-based gain-mashing system that ranges from bluesy breakup to over-the-top metal solo... 

Vox amPhone WEAR YOUR AMP! Following the wild success of the Vox amPlug series personal amplifier emulators, the firm has introduced a line of cool new amPhone headphones. The idea behind the amPhone series is simple: Take a pair of excellent Audio-Technica headphones and marry it to a custom guitar amplifier emulator built right into the housing. In a beat, you can go from listening to your iPod to rocking out with your axe without hooking up any... 

Roland M-200i V-MIXER FOR THE MASSES The Roland M-200i dramatically drops the price for getting into the company’s V-Mix live sound technology, while raising the bar for affordable digital mixers in general. Ideal for churches, auditoriums and most midsize venues, the M-200i combines powerful onboard processing and extremely clever iPad integration with simple and effective hands-on controls. A full eight busses bolstered by four additional matrixes... 

Novation MiniNova SMALL SYNTH, BIG SOUNDS Beefy basses, searing leads, glossy strings and crazy vocal effects—all of these and more live in the freakishly versatile Novation MiniNova keyboard and vocoder. On par with even the most portable synths, the MiniNova features the full-fledged sound engine from their popular UltraNova, offering 256 presets that range from bread-and-butter to analog insanity. A 20-slot modulation matrix makes creating fun... 

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... 

MXR M80 Bass D.I.+ BASS TONE TO DI FOR Live sound techs, studio engineers and bass players everywhere are talking about the new MXR M80 Bass D.I.+. This handy bass pedal delivers a solid compromise between a direct box and the sound of a conventional bass amp. The clean channel provides a touch of color, and the distortion channel allows you to add all the texture you like, plus there’s a three-band EQ onboard. Capable of sounding rude and beefy... 

Roland VT-12  PRO VOCAL TRAINING TO GO Finally, there’s a portable, handheld vocal trainer designed to offer singers the edge they need. The new Roland VT-12 features real-time vocal analysis, and an illuminated pitch meter that detects two voices at once for harmony training. There’s also a built-in metronome and onboard recorder that allows you to sing along to backing tracks. In addition to 50 lessons from the world-standard Concone classical... 

Native Instruments’ Maschine  SONGWRITER’S PLAYGROUND Although mostly adopted by the electronic music community, Native Instruments’ Maschine offers superior songwriting and arrangement tools that nearly every musician can benefit from. Both the DAW-style software environment and the purpose-built hardware controller are fairly straightforward, making it easy to lay down original backing tracks with the included virtual instruments and grooves.... 

IK Multimedia iRig Stomp  IPHONE STOMPBOX INTERFACE There are tons of gadgets that let you plug your guitar into your iOS device, but that’s typically where the signal stops. The IK Multimedia iRig Stomp is a simple stompbox-style device that passes the incoming signal to an iPhone or iPad and returns the result back to your guitar rig. It’s a great way to add iOS app-based effects to any live setup, practice with one of the looper apps on the... 

PreSonus Studio One 2  DAW DREAMS Powerhouse features such as transient detection and pitch correction make PreSonus Studio One 2 more than a match for any DAW on the market. Sheer ease of use makes it one of the best options for musicians who’ve spent more time rocking out than boning up on recording technology. With complex processes, such as tightening up multitracked drums or comping vocals, reduced to a couple of steps, Studio One 2 nicely... 

iZotope’s Alloy 2  SIX MIXING TOOLS IN ONE Packed with virtual processors that cover every major aspect of software mixing, iZotope’s Alloy 2 plug-in delivers the kind of value that seems too good to be true till you hear it. With hundreds of presets to choose from—covering everything from bass to vocals—finding the right jumping off point is a snap. Then it’s just a matter of using Alloy 2’s comprehensive in-depth controls to tweak... 

Avalon V5  PREAMP, REAMP, KILLER DI Perfect for project and pro studios alike, the Avalon V5 preamplifier offers up tons of flexible functionality. Its variable input handles anything from ribbon mics and hi-Z instrument sources to ultra-hot line-level signal like a champ. A musical tone circuit that features settings taken straight from the award-winning Avalon U5 makes dialing in the ideal sound incredibly easy. And thanks to a convenient instrument-level... 

Arturia MiniBrute  FULL-BLAST ANALOG SYNTH Between its brilliant simplicity and modest price tag, the Arturia MiniBrute is one of the most accessible pure analog synthesizers available. Packed with intuitive hands-on controls, even complete synth novices will have a blast experimenting and creating original sounds with the MiniBrute. At the same time, the MiniBrute delivers enough innovative features to satisfy the most seasoned synth player, such... 

Avid’s Pro Tools HD Native Thunderbolt  DITCH THE TOWER When Avid announced Pro Tools HD Native in the fall of 2010, they made huge waves in the recording world. For the first time it was possible to get the near-zero latency of Pro Tools HD, but without the added expense of DSP acceleration. The trouble was musicians still needed a tower-format computer with PCIe slots to run it. With Avid’s Pro Tools HD Native Thunderbolt, you can get the... 

Keith McMillen Instruments’ QuNeo  TOTAL CONTROL FREAK Keith McMillen Instruments’ QuNeo condenses more than 60 individual controls into a single device that’s roughly the size of a tablet PC. Extremely flexible and fully assignable, QuNeo lets you take command of any MIDI-controllable software. The QuNeo features 16 pads (each of which doubles as an X/Y controller), plus a handful of touch-sensitive control strips and more. For those who... 

PIGTRONIX KEYMASTER: MASTER YOUR TONE Call it the missing link between your pedalboard and rack gear. The Pigtronix Keymaster—part stompbox, part signal-routing super-tool—is as good a fit on your pedalboard as it is in your studio rack or live sound rig. Its extremely flexible circuitry and I/O lets you connect anything from hi-Z instrument-level gear to high-quality studio equipment. That means you can run your guitar directly through your favorite... 

NEKTAR PANORAMA P4: KEYS TO CONTROL REASON Whether you’re a serious hobbyist or a professional songwriter, if you want to get the most out of Propellerhead Reason 6 then the Nektar Panorama P4 controller keyboard is just the ticket. Every function and parameter in Reason 6 is fully controllable from the Panorama P4’s remarkably straightforward interface, offering hands-on experience that parallels Reason’s intuitive, analog-style layout. And... 

ZOOM Q2HD: LIGHTS, CAMERA, AUDIO! In the YouTube era, having the capability to produce high-quality promotional videos is essential. Enter the Zoom Q2HD —the new handy video recorder that not only makes personal video production accessible, it also allows musicians to create HD video with jaw-dropping audio. The Q2HD’s superior condenser mics are arranged in a studio-style Mid-Side configuration, offering controllable, natural-sounding stereo.... 

DYNAUDIO DBM50: BIG SOUND ON YOUR DESKTOP There are relatively few studio monitors designed for desktop use, and fewer still that are affordable. Enter the Dynaudio DBM50, which offers superior sound and a compact footprint. The DBM50 adds a slight upward tilt to the brand’s already popular near-field studio monitor design, making the pair ideal for desktop use. They provide a huge sweet spot for monitoring, and when combined with a decoupler such... 

TC–HELICON MIC MECHANIC: VOCALS DONE RIGHT Plenty of live vocal tools have hit the market recently, and many in the stompbox format. What makes the TC-Helicon Mic Mechanic unique is its back-to-basics approach. Rather than sporting dozens of superfluous effects—that are more fun than practical—the Mic Mechanic provides essential vocal processing including reverb, delay and pitch correction. It also features a unique Adaptive Tone control,... 

TASCAM IU2: FLEXIBLE I/O ON THE GO As portable as it is versatile, the Tascam iU2 lets you record two channels of clear, professional-quality audio anywhere your music takes you. One of the first of its kind, the compact iU2 features hybrid connectivity that includes both a mini USB jack and an integrated 30-pin dock cable, allowing use with both computer and iOS device. A pair of inputs lets you hook up guitars, line-level sources and microphones.... 

LINE 6 STAGESCAPE M20D: MIX MASTER Forget everything you know about conventional mixing and check out the graphic user interface provided by the Line 6 StageScape M20d. This futuristic mixing console offers EQs, effects, feedback suppression and more—all managed by a big, colorful touch screen and a handful of strategically placed controls. Instead of traditional channels and routing controls, the StageScape M20d provides graphical representations... 

UNIVERSAL AUDIO APOLLO: SUPERCHARGE YOUR DAW  You don’t need a pro-studio budget to track with pro-studio DSP-powered plug-ins anymore. The Universal Audio Apollo series interfaces combine their legendary analog sound with their award-winning UAD-2 plug-in technology. Alone, the Apollo’s sound quality and extensive I/O more than hold their own. Sporting up to four SHARC DSP chips onboard, musicians can also track, mix and master in virtually... 

LAUTEN AUDIO ATLANTIS FC-387: THREE MICS IN ONE Few microphones on the market today deliver the kind of value you get from a Lauten Audio Atlantis FC-387. That’s because Lauten Audio built the Atlantis by marrying a great-sounding capsule with three discrete FET-based circuit paths, each of which offers up a completely distinct character. Set to Neutral, the Atlantis faithfully captures any instrument. The Gentle setting is great for taming shrill... 

DANGEROUS MUSIC SOURCE: ALL-IN-ONE PORTABLE MONITORING Easily one of the most understated inventions to hit the recording world this year, the Dangerous Music Source monitoring station is a major upgrade to virtually any modest studio. Loaded with two discrete mastering-grade stereo signal paths, the Source allows one to send the main mix to monitors while delivering a separate artist mix to headphones. All switching is relay driven, so there’s... 

Toontrack EZkeys, EZdrummer, and EZmix 2: EZ Does It When the muse strikes, you need instant access to tools that will feed your creativity—and that’s where Toontrack’s amazing software comes into play. EZkeys and EZdrummer provide not only great virtual instruments to play back your parts—piano and drums—but also extensive libraries of loops to build songs and arrangements. EZkeys goes further by allowing you to experiment with chord progressions...