Gear Reviews
REVIEW: Coppersound Strategy Two-Channel Preamp and Overdrive V2
Back in March of 2021 we reviewed Coppersound’s Strategy pedal. The cool Strat-inspired design is as unique as the sound, and now Coppersound has updated it with an additional overdrive mode. Enter the Strategy V2. Again, the blend of Stratocaster and stompbox design...
The Difference Between TRUE BYPASS and BUFFERED BYPASS
It’s impossible to shop around for effects pedals without noticing claims of “true bypass” coming from a wide range of manufacturers. Like many things in the guitar effects world, there is some disagreement about the benefits of true bypass, with some players...
Practical Tips and Tricks for Stacking Gain and Overdrive Pedals
In the guitar world, especially when it comes to tone, everyone has an opinion on what’s “right.” However, between the blurred lines of audio science and the endless chatter of gear forums finding what’s best tonally for yourself can be a challenge. With seemingly...
How To
Shure Works With Musicians To Start #FoundSoundChallenge
Shure Works With Musicians To Start #FoundSoundChallenge While Supporting MusiCares Foundation While people adhere to stay-at-home guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are looking at new ways to maintain creativity. Shure, a global leader in audio equipment,...
11 Pro Tips for Livestreaming Your Show from Home
If you’re like most musicians, gigs are your lifeblood. But when you can’t connect with your audience in person, livestreaming is your best opportunity to gain new fans and generate income while building momentum for your next show. Livestreaming lets you provide a...
Let’s #KeepTheMusicGoing with the #EVOpenMic event
Your gigs are postponed, but Electro-Voice wants YOU to keep performing! This May, EV is hosting a series of 15 online concerts on their Facebook page, and they're looking to book artists to play their original tunes for an #EVOpenMic. All music genres welcome. If you...
Buying Guide
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...
REVIEW: Sterling By Music Man Sabre Electric Guitar
Typically, when a manufacturer offers up a lower-priced import instrument, it’s been streamlined for costs; components are often inexpensive, electronics are simpler, and design features found in higher end models are skipped over. Ernie Ball Music Man took their...
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...