Gear Reviews
REVIEW: Manhattan Prestige Session One Bass Guitar
When a player starts a company, they’re drawing on years of practical experiences. Neil Jason is a session bassist with some serious cred, and he started Manhattan Prestige Basses to share what he learned with other players. His Session One bass is a perfect blend of...
REVIEW: Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar
MIDI and guitar sometimes don’t mix well; Jamstik figured out how to make an electric guitar with a modern aesthetic, along with full MIDI functionality that can open up new sonic doors to six stringers, without a lot of hassle. Enter the Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar....
REVIEW: Indio by Monoprice 66SB DLX Plus Guitar
At first glance the Indio by Monoprice 66SB DLX (what a mouthful) looks like classic Kalamazoo, with the gold top, P90’s and inlays, but the modern headstock and sharp cutaway add a contemporary twist. It’s not far from its Michigan roots, with a mahogany back and...
How To
Steinberg Offers #StayHome Elements Collection
To encourage musicians to stay creative during these unprecedented times, Steinberg has designed the #StayHome Elements Collection so music makers can create in the comfort of their own home. From now until May 15, the collection is completely free to use for 60 days....
The Pros, Cons, and Future of Artificial Intelligence in Music
Since American Idol star and YouTube sensation Taryn Southern started composing music with AI in 2017, musicians all over the world have begun wondering about the implications of AI and modern technology where music production is concerned. Technology has long been an...
Spring Cleaning For Musicians: 2020 Edition
Well, here we are with some time on our hands. Don’t worry, I’m not going to talk about the “V” word that starts with a “C.” Nope, we’re just going to focus on some positives today. It’s Spring, and that means it’s time for some Spring cleaning! Aw yeah, throw open...
Buying Guide
Audio-Technica Introduces AT8175 Pop Filter for 20 Series Microphones
Audio-Technica, a leading innovator in transducer technology for over 60 years, introduces the AT8175 Microphone Pop Filter. Designed for up-close use to assist in reducing excessive pressures on the microphone’s element, the AT8175 is sleeker than standard pop...
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...
Industry News
OUR ANNUAL BUYER’S GUIDE FOR SYNTH LOVERS
Or, the “Synthy Awards” If The Office taught us anything, it’s that we as a society love awards. I mean, who wouldn’t want a shiny new Dundee for their mantlepiece? So this year, we’re handing out “Synthy Awards,” our version of the Dundees, to some of the coolest...
A First-Time Festival-Goer Experiences Boston Calling 2023
BOSTON CALLING 2023: A FIRST-TIMER’S REVIEW [Editor's note -- after doing this for so many years, you sometimes forget the feelings and emotions of your first festival experience: the sights, the smells, the sounds, the vibes. So this year we decided to send a...
Soundtoys Releases New SuperPlate Reverb Plug-in
Soundtoys released the much anticipated SuperPlate reverb plug-in. SuperPlate is now available for sale at soundtoys.com both as a standalone plug-in and as part of Soundtoys V5.4, the latest bundle version. Soundtoys is offering compelling introductory prices...