Gear Reviews
REVIEW: Donner Arena 2000 Multi-Effect Processor
Donner’s Arena 2000 is re-setting the bar in terms of price per performance in multi-fx units. The controls are a combination of touch screen and parameter controls. Strangely the display screen isn’t a touch control surface, but just a display. The effects selections...
REVIEW: Palmer Pedalbay 40PB and 60PB Pedalboards
The slat wall pedalboard design has offered up a platform for guitarists that is flexible, but always needed add-ons such as power supplies and mounting brackets. Palmer’s Pedalbay system is an all-in-one package that can support and power pedals with ease. The sizes...
How musicians can make money through their website
[Guest article courtesy of Melanie Kealey of Bandzoogle] Even in a time when new platforms and online technologies are exploding in popularity – Web3, TikTok, Yubo, and more – it has never been more critical for musicians to build and maintain their own website, their...
How To
Music Will Survive COVID-19
Everyone I talk to in the music industry these days is truly uncertain about the near-term future of music. Oh, you’ll find some who are optimistic about venues reopening “safely,” just as you will find some that say live music won’t return until next spring. You can...
Why You Should Be Thinking About Insurance RIGHT NOW
“In these uncertain times…” Friends, I’m sure you’re growing as tired of hearing that phrase as I am. And yet, here we are. Uncertain times indeed. Had you told us a year ago that touring and live performances as we knew them would come to an immediate halt, and that...
Audio-Technica and Discogs Announce Partnership in Support of Record Stores
Audio-Technica and online record marketplace Discogs today announce a partnership in support of record stores around the world. Audio-Technica will be supporting Discogs on their Homespun series – which sees record stores from all over the world sharing their favorite...
Buying Guide
REVIEW: Revv Shawn Tubbs Tilt Overdrive Pedal
In case you didn’t know, Shawn Tubbs is a highly regarded session player, and one thing session folks know is tone. The Tilt Overdrive is a collaboration with Shawn and Revv, and has a few tricks up its sleeve. It’s a medium gain drive pedal with a boost; the drive...
Solid State Logic (SSL) Guitarstrip Modeling Plug-in REVIEW
Guitarists who dive into recording are often overwhelmed; things get much more nuanced in every way, and finding the right combination and application of effects, EQ and dynamics can be difficult. SSL has taken a lot of the guesswork out of navigating multiple...
REVIEW: Orangewood Mason Mahogany Live Acoustic Guitar
Starting with a Grand auditorium shape, the Orangewood Mason Mahogany Live Acoustic Guitar features a mahogany top, laminated sapele mahogany for the sides and back, and a C-shaped mahogany neck; it’s not lacking on quality materials. Scalloped bracing in a X pattern...
Industry News
BUYER’S GUIDE: The Best Synthesizers Under $1000
1. BEST OVERALL SYNTH UNDER $1000: The Moog Sub Phatty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22M6_2xG-ms WHY WE LOVE THE MOOG SUB PHATTY Well, to be blunt, we think the Moog Sub Phatty is the best damn synth you can buy for under a thousand bucks. How’s that? Hands down,...
WATCH: Improve Your DAW Workflow with Nugen Plug-Ins
We recently hooked up NYC singer-songwriter and former Voice contestant Amanda Ayala with a suite of plug-ins from Nugen Audio to demonstrate how they can help improve your DAW workflow. In this 2-part series we'll take a closer look at: Jotter A/B Assist Aligner Up...
Xvive Introduces a State-of-the-Art Guitar Stand for Electric, Acoustic and Bass Guitars
Xvive, best known for their wireless systems including the popular U2 Guitar Wireless System, is introducing a new guitar stand that offers guitarists and bassists a new standard of reliability and portability. The G1 Butterfly Guitar Stand was designed in Germany to...