New Gear From Summer NAMM 2008
At this year’s Summer NAMM in Nashville, Tenn., manufacturers
released their latest gear. Performer was there to find the best
new stuff for our readers.
Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone
Price: AT2035 $249/AT2050 $369
 The AT2035 and AT2050 Cardioid Condenser and Multi-Pattern Condenser microphones combine affordable value with the high quality of a professional studio and stage mic. Intended for overheads, acoustic instruments and guitar cabinets, their large diaphragms are ideal for smooth, natural sound and low noise. The cardioid polar pattern reduces sounds from the sides and rear, cutting back on unwanted noise. Both have extended frequency response (20-20,000 Hz), high SPL handling capability (148 dB, 158 dB with the 10 dB pad for the AT2035 and 149 dB, 159 dB with the 10 dB pad for the AT2050) and an element yielding extremely low self-noise (12 dB SPL for the AT2035 and 17 dB SPL for the AT2050). The AT2050
also features three switchable polar pattern settings: omni, cardioid and figure-eight. Audio-Technica has tailored both the AT2050 and AT2035 for a very smooth, natural sound without sacrificing any accuracy.
www.audio-technica.com
Yamaha AUDIOGRAM6 Computer Recording System
Price: $199
 Yamaha released the AUDIOGRAM6 computer recording system, designed to make computer-based recording as cheap and easy as possible. The AUDIOGRAM6
bundles a hardware interface that adds audio inputs and outputs to your computer, CUBASE AI recording software, and a USB cable for connecting the audio interface. Its simple design lets the home recorder set up a mic for vocals and use other inputs to record external instruments directly to CUBASE AI. The AUDIOGRAM6 also has many non-complex sound features like one-knob compression, a single pan button for audio and mono switching and simple input and output level settings. CUBASE AI is used for editing and the final song may be converted for playback on a portable audio player.
www.yamahasynth.com
Ultrasone PRO550, PRO750 and PRO2500 Headphones
Price: PRO550 $239/PRO750 $399/PRO2500 $399
 Ultrasone is known for its ULE (ultra low emission) technology, designed to protect people who spend long periods of time wearing headphones from any potential magnetic radiation. The PRO series headphones have heavy-duty drivers to produce
imposing sound intensity, powerful bass and detailed instrument placement. The PRO series headphones are great for home studio enthusiasts or musicians who need quality as well as comfort when using headphones for an extended amount of time. The frequency range varies, with optimal models ranging between 8 Hz and 35
kHz. All models include a hard case, MU-Metal bufferboard, spare earpads and a detachable cable that can be swapped out for various projects.
www.ultrasoneusa.com
Celemony Melodyne Uno, Plugin, Cre8 and Studio
Price: Uno $199/ Plugin $299/ Cre8 $369/ Studio $699
 Celemony’s Melodyne programs are great for pitch shifting, time stretching, and correcting vocal intonation and timing problems — and it can all be done easily. With Melodyne you can also produce multiple (with the higher-end version) harmonies from a single vocal track, and remix and restructure various qualities of your prerecorded tracks. There are four different versions of the Melodyne program, accommodating studios with the most basic vocal correction needs all the way to complex editing programs. All four versions can act as stand alone vocal editing tools or can be integrated into your current production environment.
www.celemony.com
Fishman SoloAmp
Price: $1539.95
 The new Fishman SoloAmp, a lightweight and portable all-in-one amplification system for acoustic guitarists/singers is designed to provide the artist with better sound quality and projection in various-sized rooms. SoloAmp uses a compact line
array speaker design that creates a wide horizontal dispersion and deep sound penetration. Its fully-digital (Class D) power amp can produce 220 watts, and because it has ultra-high excursion drivers and a servo power amp, there is no need for subwoofers. SoloAmp’s arsenal of features includes four digital reverb effects, weighs only 25 lbs and ships with a stand and padded carrying bag complete with wheels so one person can set it up quickly and easily.
www.fishman.com
ZZYZX Snap Jack Cable
Price: $50 (15 foot model)
 ZZYZX released the Snap Jack guitar cable, a cord that separates at the input jack manually, or under extreme tension (like if a member of your band steps on your cable when running across stage!). When pulled apart, the two magnetic segments
detach, killing your signal, which prevents the input from being wrenched if the chord is pulled suddenly. It also eliminates popping and the annoying squealing that can occur when plugging or unplugging from a live amp. This works great for switching
out guitars in the middle of your set without having to worry about turning down your stage volume or switching to standby.
www.zzyzxsnapjack.com
Belkin TuneStudio
Price $249.99
 The TuneStudio is the first 4-channel audio mixer that allows you to record up to four instruments or outside audio sources directly onto an iPod for easy, instant playback. Each channel is equipped with 3-band EQ, pan and level controls and a simple one-knob compression control. Its rough-and-ready design is great for the garage or practice space for bands looking to record to an iPod without having a computer handy, or for podcasters looking to record their tracks either on the go or in their studio environment.
www.belkin.com/tunestudio
 Fernandes Vortex Elite, Vortex Deluxe, and Vortex X guitars
Retail prices not yet available
The classic V shape of Fernandes Vortex guitars has been recreated or revamped in several models for the more demanding tastes of modern metal guitarists. The Vortex Elite has a mahogany body and neck, abalone inlays, and a Floyd Rose Licensed Tremolo bridge. The new Vortex Deluxe has a similar construction, as well as a Tune-O-matic bridge and tailpiece, and EMG 85/81 (for the neck and bridge, respectively) pickup configuration for a heavy tone. The new Vortex X model has an alder body, maple neck with center dot inlays and a comfortable body shape. It also has bolt-on construction with high output humbuckers, bringing the player a strong and consistent tone, all at an affordable price.
www.fernandesguitars.com
 Moog Guitar, Paul Vo Collector Edition
Price: $6,495
Moog, the company famous for its revolutionary synthesizers and processors, created quite a buzz at the summer NAMM with the release of a guitar. It’s not a guitar synthesizer, it’s not a MIDI guitar and it is not an effects processor – it’s a real guitar. The Moog Guitar has three distinct modes: Sustain, Mute and Controlled Sustain. In the Sustain mode, there is indefinite sustain on every string and every position on the neck. Mute removes energy from the strings, which creates a range of staccato effects. Controlled Sustain allows sustained, single- note or even polyphonic lines without the muting technique. When in the Controlled Sustain setting, the Moog Guitar sustains the notes being played while actively muting the notes not being played.
www.moogmusic.com
Peavey Revalver MK III Modeling Software
$299.99
 Peavey has updated its ReValver MK modeling software and released the ReValver MK III, a 64-bit amplifier modeling software that captures the true characteristics of vacuum tubes and replicates the sound of 15 classic amps. The new version also includes modules preamp and power amp formats, two operation modes with 64-bit and over sampling in HQ mode for hi-fi fanatics and more than 150 speaker samples using real-time convolution and membrane modeling. Peavey made a few
algorithm improvements from the MK II version to enhance realism, especially in the tube and transformer simulation.
www.peavey.com/products/revalver
Trillium Amplifiers Archtype Series
Price: Empyrean $6,490/ Seraph $5,790
 Trillium Amplifiers was started by two carpenters (and lifelong musicians) who combined their passions to create custom, high-end amps with a distinct sound and unique design. All woods used are premium hardwoods, either domestic or imported tonewoods. The circuitry provides a quick, “sagless” response to pick up on the subtlest nuances of your playing, and has been designed to have a large sweet spot to create unparalleled tonal shading. The Empyrean and Seraph both contain the Nace M1-7 amplifier with ECC83 preamp and 6V6 or 6L6 power tubes. The Empyrean houses 2”x12” miss-matched 50-watt speakers and the Seraph has a single 12” speaker.
www.trilliumamps.com |
