HomeClassifieds

Menu

InSync Sweetwater News

InSync Sweetwater News

  • Guitar of the Day
    When the very first examples of the Ibanez SZR720 arrived, we admit that we had a pretty tough time reconciling the guitar's shockingly low price tag with the instrument we were holding in our hands. Truth is, we wouldn't have been at all surprised if the price tag were two or even three times higher! But then again, we're finally getting used to seeing amazing guitars arriving from Ibanez, many of which have shockingly low Sweetwater prices. Before you read any further, check out the photos of this stunning example of Ibanez design and craftsmanship in our awesome Guitar Gallery. Naturally, the first two things you'll see are the quilted maple top and the mother-of-pearl and abalone vine-of-life inlay, which is set into the premium rosewood fingerboard. Come on, that's something you'd see in a custom shop instrument! Right now, we have two of these amazing guitars available - in Blackberry and our personal favorite, Transparent Grey Burst, which just seems to be in perfect harmony with the vine inlay and the wide white binding. We think it's fair to say that walking onto a stage or arriving at a recording session with one of these beauties will instantly get you noticed. Yet, as elegant as these guitars are, their sound is 100% pure Ibanez "rock monster"! The over-the-top tone comes courtesy of a pair of molten, high-output coverless Ibanez NeoZ humbuckers with neodymium magnets (and real rosewood pickup rings) in both the neck and bridge positions. The SZR720 comes with gold hardware that includes the company's highly acclaimed, ultra-stable Gibralter III bridge. As mentioned, the highly figured maple top is fully bound onto an SZ Series mahogany body, with a one-piece set-in mahogany neck with thru-body stringing. The majestic abalone and pearl vine inlay runs the full length of the bound 22-fret rosewood fingerboard. As with most Ibanez designs, this baby plays (to use a highly overworked phrase) "like butter"! The dual cutaways are deep enough to give you easy access to every one of the 22 frets, and the neck design minimizes the depth of the heel, which makes for comfortable soloing in the upper register of the fingerboard. If you want a killer guitar that looks (and sounds) like it cost you a small fortune, you'll definitely fall head over heels in love with this one, guaranteed! Add in free FedEx shipping right to your door and the exclusive Sweetwater 2-year Warranty and it's an even bigger bargain!
  • Updates and Upgrades
    CME is releasing version 2.0 firmware for their popular UF series MIDI keyboards. The major changes you can expect after installing the firmware includes:
    • Adds Pro Tools modes in U-CTRL function
    • Adjusts the MIDI route
    • Optimizes the keyboard's velocity sensitivity
    • Optimizes the keyboard's operating and display manner
    • Rectifies the bank number error when sending tone data
    • Stabilizes the pitch bend transferring data
    • Fixes a number of known bugs and errors
    The full update is free. Registered users can download it from the CME website by selecting the relevant keyboard model to upgrade. Sony has released version 7.0a of ACID Pro, the professional digital audio workstation for Windows PC. There are several changes and enhancements:
    • The elastique plug-in has been updated for improved performance.
    • When the "close audio and MIDI ports when ACID is not the active application" check box in Preferences > General is selected, external control is also suspended.
    • When you edit a clip in an external editor, the audio, MIDI, and external control hardware is released, regardless of the "close audio and MIDI ports command when ACID is not the active application" check box setting. The ports are re-enabled when focus is restored to ACID.
    • The "save each track as a separate file" check box is now available when rendering projects that contain video. When this check box is selected, each rendered track will contain the video stream, but only as long as the rendering template is configured to render video.
    • A bug has been fixed that previously caused ACID to crash when switching between audio devices.
  • Ableton Gears Up for the Holidays with 25% Off!
    To make this holiday season a truly memorable one, our friends over at Ableton have announced that they are offering a 25% discount to anyone purchasing Live 7, Live 7 LE, or Suite before December 31, 2008. The 25%-off deal also applies to users who wish to upgrade to the full version from Lite or LE versions of the software. Naturally, these deals will be welcomed by people planning to buy or upgrade, but what about the existing user base? Ableton wouldn't think of leaving you with an empty stocking! So, here's the deale: from the Ableton website, current Live users can download a brand-new, absolutely free sound library called Solid Sounds, which comprises over 400 loops to suit a wide variety of genres, with 128 Simpler presets and 12 new Instrument Racks! Want additional information on this killer deal? Just pick up the phone and call your friendly, knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineer. He or she will fill you in on all the details on how to take advantage of these holiday savings!
  • The PRS "Thank You Event"
    Paul Reed Smith wants to thank you personally for buying a fine PRS guitar! So, here's the deal: if you purchase a USA-made PRS guitar (which includes everything except the SE line) between November 1 and December 31, 2008, as their way of saying thanks for being a part of the PRS family, you'll receive a special "PRS Thank You Pack" in the mail that includes all of the following:
    • Personalized "thank you" card from Paul Reed Smith
    • Set of picks
    • Cool black leather strap
    • Special cleaning and care kit
    • Set of strings
    Just send in your receipt, serial number, and contact information (name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address) to receive your own "PRS Thank You Pack," valued at more than $100. This offer is valid only in the USA. Mail the information (postmarked no later than 12/31/2008) to:
    PRS Guitars c/o "PRS Thank You Pack" 380 Log Canoe Circle Stevensville, MD 21666
  • Guitar of the Day
    Today's Guitar of the Day, the Aerodyne Classic Precision Bass Special, bridges the gap between Fender's ultra-progressive Aerodyne body profile and the vintage design of the highly revered, hard-working bass that started it all, the Fender Precision Bass. The Aerodyne P-Bass Special is in stock right now in three hot colors: Natural, Crimson Red Transparent, and Transparent Blue. All three have a basswood body with a unique radius and a nicely flamed, carved maple top with cream binding (which you rarely see on Fender guitars and basses), plus a matching color headstock. A polyurethane finish has been added to give the body and neck protection from the hard knocks almost every instrument is subject to in a modern stage or studio setting. The C-shape maple neck has a satin finish, which many players prefer today, along with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with a comfortable 7.25" radius. Fender has equipped the Aerodyne P-Bass Special with two single-coil pickups: a split Precision Bass pickup in the middle position and a standard Jazz Bass in the bridge position (giving you the best of both worlds). You can easily adjust the balance between the two, with the individual volume controls and the overall tone, using the master tone control, which gradually rolls off the highs. A 3-ply Mint Green pickguard gives the Aerodyne P-Bass Classic a little extra-vintage touch. The bridge is your standard Fender P-Bass 4-saddle design, while all the hardware is chrome-plated. The scale length is Fender's basic 34 inches, with a 1.5" width at the nut. The position markers are specially aged pearloid dots, and this bass guitar comes with a side-mounted output jack. The Fender Aerodyne Classic Precision Bass Special is ample proof that Fender is still an industry leader in bass guitar design. And yes, like almost every other product in our huge, new state-of-the art warehouse, it includes free shipping right to your door via FedEx - not to mention the exclusive Sweetwater 2-year Warranty!
  • Moog Offers Free Control Processor with Synth Purchase
    Effective immediately, and continuing right through to December 31, 2008, Moog Music is offering buyers a free CP-251 Control Processor (a $379.97 value) with the purchase of any Minimoog Voyager, Old School, or Little Phatty synthesizer from an authorized Moog dealer (which would be us here at Sweetwater). The CP-251, which offers a four input CV mixer, lag processor, multiple waveform LFO, two attenuators, a four-way multiple noise source, and a sample & hold circuit, is an historical link to the original, room-filling Moog modular synthesizers from the 1960s, much like the one used in the landmark album, Switched-on Bach. Based on Control Voltage technology, the CP-251 is capable of expanding the sonic potential of virtually all Moog instruments; from the Minimoog Voyager all the way to the brand new Moog Guitar. For complete details on this unprecedented offer, contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer!
  • Nord Unveils the Next Generation Electro 3 Keyboard
    According to Nord, the legacy of their original Electro keyboard and the expertise that has shaped some of the company's other models has now been combined into the new 61- and 73-note Electro 3. It features a brand new organ section, as well as a new grand piano, new effects and the ability to use any samples from the Nord Wave Library. Here's a partial list of the new features:
    • The Electro 3 uses the same sample format as the acclaimed Nord Stage, so it can take full advantage of the Nord Piano Library's multiple velocity layers, pedal down samples, and unprecedented expressiveness.
    • The Electro 3 can load any available sample from the Nord Sound Library, including the new Mellotron Library or any other instrument.
    • The Electro 3 has 8x the memory capacity of the original Electro, which is plenty for the pianos and samples up to 256MB, along with 126 programs.
    • The organ is directly descended from the Nord C1 Combo Organ, with its fabulous collection of B3, Farfisa, and Vox models. The hallmark of these organs is their incredible realism.
    • There is a superb collection of high quality effects including a lush reverb with five different algorithms, various modulation effects (tremolo, chorus, flanger, etc.), three amp simulations, three-band EQ and compressor, plus a greatly enhanced rotary speaker effect.
    For additional information, pricing and availability, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer!
  • Hendrix Drummer Found Dead in Portland
    The final member of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience trio, drummer Mitch Mitchell, was found dead in a downtown Portland, Oregon hotel on Wednesday, November 12th. According to the Multnomah Country Medical Examiner's office, Mitchell, who was 61, apparently died in his sleep of what is believed to be natural causes. Dr. Christopher Young conjectured that Mitchell simply did not know how sick he was at the time. He had just completed the last stop on the West Coast Experience Hendrix tribute tour, and had been described as looking tired after playing just one song. Mitchell, along with bass players Noel Redding and later Billy Cox, backed Hendrix during his rise to stardom in the world of electrified, psychedelic rock in the 1960s. The Jimi Hendrix Experience played a number of high profile festivals, including both the Isle of Wight and Woodstock, where Hendrix introduced the world to his over-the-top version of "The Star Spangled Banner." Hendrix died of a suspected drug overdose in 1970 and Redding passed away in 2003 at his home in County Cork, Ireland. Both Mitchell and Redding were recruited in a rush in 1966 by the former bass player for the influential British group, The Animals, Chas Chandler, who had just discovered Hendrix playing in relative anonymity in a New York club. Hendrix's guitar pyrotechnics caused an immediate sensation in Britain, and a backup band was desperately needed for a last-minute French tour. Considering how hastily the group was formed, the chemistry was there right from the start. Led by Hendrix's explosive style of guitar playing, the Jimi Hendrix Experience quickly came to define the sound of the rock power trio. The trio released three hugely influential albums in a very short amount of time: "Are You Experienced" (1967), "Axis: Bold as Love" (1967), and the two-LP set, "Electric Ladyland" (1968).
  • Guitar of the Day
    Taylor guitars have long been respected for their overall sound, playability, and (let's not forget) good looks. Their preamps are among the best in the industry, with their proprietary Expression System being created in partnership with legendary audio pioneer Rupert Neve. A few years back, the company made the decision to create a hybrid guitar that could deliver a natural acoustic sound as well as four classic electric guitar tones. That guitar was the T5, which has been almost universally praised for its amazing diversity of sounds, not to mention its sleek, "uptown" good looks. So resounding was the T5's success that Taylor made the decision to dedicate all of its resources and innovative spirit into creating a traditional solidbody electric, with three models: the SolidBody Classic, the Standard, and the Custom. From that trio, we chose the top-of-the-line model to be today's official Guitar of the Day: the Taylor SolidBody Custom. Go check out the photos in our Guitar Gallery and see if you don't agree that this is a truly gorgeous instrument, with its bookmatched figured walnut or koa tops, two original 3/4-size humbuckers, and mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard. The British magazine Guitarist was so impressed that it gave the Taylor SolidBody Custom the cover spot in their February 2008 issue, where they asked the provocative question: "Is this the most important guitar in 25 years?" While each guitar player will have to answer that individually, we have to admit the Custom is wonderful eye candy. Both the walnut and koa bookmatched tops are stunning. For extra resonance, these solidbody guitars are actually heavily chambered, with only the area under the pickups and bridge being truly solid. Tonally, the Custom has a 5-way blade switch: Position one gives you full neck humbucker, while position two is the inside coils of both pickups in parallel. Position three is full neck humbucker with one coil of the bridge pickup, while position four is the two inside coils, but this time in series. Position five is full bridge humbucker. All sound great! The neck is a comfortable C shape, with a 15" radius fingerboard, and the bridge is machined from acoustically resonant aluminum and is nicely contoured. Of course, the Custom includes free shipping to your door via FedEx, in its deluxe hardshell case.
  • Gibson Prepares to Unleash the New Dark Fire Guitar
    Information is starting to emerge about Gibson's second-generation Robot Guitars. Last week, it was all rumor and speculation, but gradually, Gibson is letting the details leak. Here's what we know as of today: The new limited-edition Dark Fire from Gibson combines the classic Les Paul form with brand-new function. Here, tone meets innovation, in this incredible marriage of Chameleon Tone Technology (we're still waiting for full information on this) and second-generation Robot Guitar design. The Dark Fire features a red nitro-finish chambered mahogany body with black binding (making the guitar lighter than any other Gibson); a mahogany neck; a teflon nut; redesigned knobs; and a hot new pickup combination, with one Burstbucker 3 humbucker in the bridge position for classic PAF sound and one P-90h black soapbar in the neck position, delivering vintage sound with high output and a sweet treble response. There's also a piezo pickup system (with one pickup per string, located in the bridge) that comes with an active preamp for enhancing the acoustic sound. The wiring of these pickups harnesses allows 20 different tonal combinations. The pickup switch has a pot built into it that allows you to blend the piezo variably. And, here's good news for current Robot owners: all the new features of the Gibson Dark Fire will be available for your guitars, with a low-cost upgrade kit. Gibson is touting the Dark Fire as the most advanced guitar system ever developed. It's truly an upgrade in every respect: powerhead tuners, the tuning brain, the battery functions, and even the unprecedented sonic capabilities of a fully digital guitar and the Chameleon Tone Technology. Imagine the ability to change your guitar's tone to better match your environment. Everything is here to give you a stunning new level of tonal and functional freedom that allows you the uninhibited release of your creative potential. It may be hype, or it may be totally accurate; according to Gibson, "This is the evolution of sound. This is the world's most powerful guitar." When we know more, you'll know more.
  • Roland Releases Fantom-G OS Update
    We have just gotten word of the release of a brand-new update for the Roland Fantom-G. Among the functions added in version 1.20 are:
    • Songs created on the Fantom-G can now be saved as Standard MIDI File (SMF) data.
    • In the Song Play/Song Edit screen, you can now perform the following track operations: Insert (Inserting a Blank Measure), Delete (Deleting Unwanted Measures), and Copy (Copying Measures).
    • When recording a song, this function automatically selects the same track number as the part being recorded in the Realtime Record Standby screen. This provides a more intuitive relationship between the sound generator's parts and the tracks of the song.
    • In the Song Play/Song Edit screen, you can now press [PATCH] to select a part or a patch.
    • In the Song Play/Song Edit screen, when the track name is blank, the first recorded patch name (or sample name in the case of an audio track) will automatically become the track name.
    • A Mark function has been added to the Sample List/Import Audio screens.
    • In Phrase Modify, you can now select a part group.
    • In the Studio Play screen, you can press [F6] a number of times to view the controller status.
    • In the Song Play/Song Edit screen, the number of tracks displayed in the minimized view has increased from 16 to 24.
    • You can now change the Input Quantize setting during recording.
    • The maximum size of DIMM memory has been increased. 1GB DIMM memory can now be employed.
  • Guitar of the Day
    While you may have noticed some changes going on in the PRS product line recently, it's doubtful that the company will find any reason to tweak today's Guitar of the Day: the simply named Paul Reed Smith 513. Imagine an instrument that can take you from single-coil spank and sparkle all the way to heavy humbucker, with just the flick of a switch. The 513 sports a revolutionary set of five specially designed pickups, which can be used individually or in all sorts of combinations, for a grand total of 13 vintage and modern sounds. Actually, that's how the guitar got its name: five pickups providing a total of 13 unique sounds. The way this works is simple, yet the result is a sound that makes the 513 arguably one of the most tonally versatile guitars on the planet. One 3-way blade switch lets you select between Heavy Humbucker, Clear Humbucker, and Single-coil modes, while a 5-way blade switch selects the treble pickup, treble and middle, middle, middle and neck, and neck only. Essentially, the two switching systems interact with each other to deliver virtually any electric guitar sound imaginable. And since it's a PRS, you also get a beautiful instrument, with a highly figured, carved maple top over a tropical mahogany body. We have four in stock right now, ready to ship right to your door: Tobacco Sunburst (one of the most popular PRS colors), Black Sunburst, Tri Color Sunburst, and Blue Matteo. (Other colors we regularly have in stock include Black Cherry, Grey Black, and Whale Blue.) No matter the color, this guitar is guaranteed to turn heads when you lift it from its plush-lined hardshell case, particularly since the PRS stains are so rich and the gloss finish is absolutely flawless. Three of the guitars we have in stock have a maple 10 top, which is as good as you can get on a PRS without moving up to a Modern Eagle II or a Private Stock instrument (the Blue Matteo example sure looks good enough to be a 10 top, too). The 513 is the only current PRS guitar to come standard with a 25-1/4" scale and a 10" radius fingerboard, complete with those trademark PRS birds - only these are the new, contemporary-style mother-of-pearl birds. The finishing touches include a PRS tremolo tailpiece, low-mass locking tuners, and free FedEx shipping!
  • New in Stock at Sweetwater
    • Ovation iDea - This Ovation guitar represents the merging of two great ideas: a superb, stage-ready acoustic-electric guitar and a super-compact MP3 recorder. The digital recorder is actually built right into the Ovation preamp and offers an easy-to-use solution for capturing ideas on the fly. iDea is also loaded with pre-installed audio lessons in the recorder's memory, and a pitch-stable playback speed adjustment lets you slow down recorded material without changing the key, for practicing. The analog circuits in the preamp are activated by either inserting stereo headphones into the headphone jack or by connecting your guitar to an amp or PA, using a 1/4" instrument cable. Once you've activated the preamp, you've got access to classic Ovation amplified sound, the onboard digital recorder, a built-in mic and tuner, and pre-installed audio lessons that can help you become a better guitarist and songwriter.
    • Sony ACID Pro 7 - ACID Pro 7 represents an incredible value for any PC-based studio. To start the creative process, you get over 3,000 loops and 1,000 MIDI files right out of the box - and that's in addition to a potent effects rack powered by iZotope and great-sounding virtual instruments, including Native Instruments' Guitar Combos software and Submersible Music's KitCore. What's more, control over MIDI data is better than ever, as ACID Pro 7 sports real-time MIDI automation, quantization, deep-editing functionality, and a new time-stretching feature. ACID Pro 7 combines full multitrack recording and mixing, complete MIDI sequencing, and legendary loop manipulation for seamless music creation and post production. With new interactive tutorials, you'll be up and running quickly.
    • Drawmer A2D2 - Drawmer's new A2D2 delivers high-quality AD/DA conversion for any professional recording application. Since mics and much of the other gear involved in recording are analog in nature, good A/D and D/A conversion is essential to preserving the tonality of the recorded signal. The A2D2 is a unique convertor in that it can output dual signals. For example, a high-resolution 192kHz signal can be output alongside a 44.1kHz signal in order to have both hi-res and low-res copies of the same files - simultaneously. The A2D2's Grade 1 AES-standard internal low-jitter clock generator and Burr Brown analog input stages ensure top-quality sound from the front end all the way through the subsequent conversion and processing. This means your signal is always as pure as possible.
    • TC Electronic PowerCore 6000 - This deceptively simple-looking module gives you a tremendous amount of processing power for even the most demanding sessions. Plus, it comes with all of the famous System 6000 plug-ins, so your system is optimized for serious production straight from the get-go. Further precision control comes via PowerCore 6000's 14 other included virtual processors, ranging from dynamics to vocal processing to tube simulation and beyond. Plug-ins include the VSS3 stereo source reverb, the MD3 Multiband Dynamics, the Brickwall Limiter, the Nonlin 2 reverb, the DVR2 digital vintage reverb, the UnWrap stereo to 5.1 converter, and the TapFactory multi-tap delay. Each of these plug-ins was previously sold separately for PowerCore - some for nearly $1,000 each! Now, you can enjoy them all right inside your DAW, for just one great low price.
  • Guitar of the Day
    Some truly fine guitars were so far ahead of their time that it took years - or in some cases, decades - for players to grasp just what it was that made them honest-to-goodness classics. For example, picture a Fender Telecaster with two humbucking pickups. What most likely comes to mind is one of those guitars someone thought they could improve upon by adding their own special touch. Way back in 1972, most likely in an attempt to lure players away from "that other company" - the one that had a virtual lock on humbucker-equipped guitars - Fender introduced the '72 Telecaster Deluxe. This was a rather odd combination of a Tele body, a Stratocaster neck, and two humbucking pickups, with the tried-and-true combination of two volume controls and two tone controls, plus a 3-position toggle switch. The concept was sound, but the marketplace still expected Fenders in single-coil pickup configurations they'd come to know and love. So, with sagging sales, the Tele Deluxe slowly faded away, and by 1981 had completely vanished. Thanks to the Internet, the average guitar player today understands a whole lot more about what makes certain guitars sound the way they do. If a player feels most comfortable with a blonde maple neck and the timeless outline of the Telecaster, they'd have no problem turning to Fender if they decided they wanted a guitar that had the added warmth and complex midrange of a pair of humbuckers. Sporting an alder body, a 3-ply black pickguard, a vintage Strat string-through-body hard tail, and two custom-wound humbucking pickups, you can probably already hear in your head what that might sound like. But now, you add a maple neck and fingerboard with a comfortable C-shape profile, 21 medium-jumbo frets, and a large Strat-style headstock, and you have the Fender playability you love, with the thicker humbucker sound you're after. You also get to choose your favorite from three popular colors: Walnut, 3-Color Burst, or basic Black. (A related Thinline semi-hollow Tele with a white pickguard and two hummbuckers is also available.) Best of all, the '72 Telecaster Deluxe is afforably priced and comes with a nicely padded, deluxe gig bag and free FedEx shipping right to your door!
  • Updates and Upgrades
    TC Electronic has announced the release of a brand-new operating system for their G-Natural Acoustic Guitar Effects processor. Version 1.03 is a free download for all registered owners, and it includes a new, highly accurate tuning mode, plus additional enhancements and bug fixes that include:
    • Full MIDI menu, including MIDI Dump, MIDI Program Change, MIDI Program Map, MIDI Tap CC, and more.
    • A new Output Range parameter that eliminates noise problems in certain setups.
    • Size and Shape parameters added to the Reverb effects block.
    • FX Bypass levels that will now be correct after preset recall with routing change.
    • The Detune meter is now redrawn correctly.
    • The Boost lock no longer freezes.
    • Changing between modulation presets no longer produces the "wobble" effect.
    Toontrack Music has updated their Superior Drummer software to version 2.0.2. This is a free download available to all registered owners. A number of issues have been addressed in this update, including:
    • Bounced files no longer contain artifacts at high sample rate (48kHz or above).
    • Bouncing at high sample rates no longer leads to crashes.
    • Opening/closing the edit bleed panes should no longer lead to unexpected crashes.
    • The software now has the ability to recall saved files from SONAR track templates.
    • Master volumes manually set to 0dB can now be recalled.
    • Loading thread no longer ignores articulations when a bleed-usage preset is applied.
    • Switching mixer preset leading intermittently to no output from the sampler has been fixed.
    • The current EZMixer Mic is now reset whenever swapping sound library.
    • Newly typed MIDI keys are now displayed as default.
  • DigiTech Introduces RP1000
    Anyone who has ever had to troubleshoot a stompbox pedalboard knows it can be a frustrating experience! The folks over at DigiTech in Salt Lake City understand that, on rare occasions, pedalboards go nuts during a performance, leaving you to muddle through without any of your favorite effects combinations. Now, the company has announced the RP1000 Integrated Effects Switching System, its newest addition to the popular RP product line. It's like having all your favorite stompbox effects in one convenient, powerful, and dependable package! But the RP1000 is more than your run-of-the-mill multi-effects processor - it includes a switchable external stompbox loop and an external amp loop that enables the RP1000 to easily connect and control external gear. Unlike most other multi-effects products, the RP1000 works hand-in-hand with your favorite gear, so you don't have to compromise your personal tone. And that's the beauty of the system: it can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire! The RP1000 also features an Amp/Cabinet bypass button that removes all of the unit's internal amplifiers and cabinet effects, leaving only the internal stompboxes and effects in front of your favorite amp! The RP1000 comes standard with over 160 internal stompboxes, effects, amps, and cabinets, including the famous DigiTech Whammy. It's also built tough enough for the stage, with a heavy-duty cast-metal chassis, and 14 metal plunger switches. To top it all off, there's a 20-second phrase looper that allows users to easily record and overdub tracks, for those unique "one-man band" performances! What's more, control of the full-time phrase looper can be expanded with DigiTech's optional FS3X foot controller. The DigiTech RP1000 Integrated Effects Switching System has an MSRP starting at $699.95, but when you think of what 160+ stompboxes would cost you - plus all the power adapters - you'd have to consider this to be quite a bargain!
  • Guitar of the Day
    Today's official Guitar of the Day is the Gibson 2008 Summer Jam Les Paul Limited Edition - limited to just 50 instruments in total. The figured top is gorgeous, but this Les Paul also offers a 5-piece figured maple and walnut neck with a comfortable 1959 Les Paul profile (not too fat and not too thin). You have to see it to believe just how stunning it is (check out the photos)! The premium rosewood fingerboard sports the classic Les Paul trapezoid position markers. Meanwhile, the 1-piece back is constructed of solid mahogany - the perfect complement to the maple top! All of the hardware is gold-plated, even the ABR-1 bridge and stop tailpiece. Single-ply, cream-colored body and neck binding completes the picture! Of course, this instrument is from Gibson, so it's not just another pretty face. It comes standard with a pair of reissue 1957 Classic Humbuckers, which are essentially re-creations of the famous PAF pickups of the late 1950s - long revered for their rich, soulful tone. At lower volumes, these pickups deliver a clear, well-articulated sound, but when plugged into a suitable amp that's cranked up, the '57 Classics are capable of producing a thick, creamy overdrive! The controls consist of one volume and one tone for each pickup, with amber "top hat" knobs and a 3-way toggle switch for selecting either or both pickups. With only 50 of these being made, it's safe to say that the Gibson 2008 Summer Jam Les Paul will be a much sought-after collector's item. Naturally, it comes with a Custom Shop hardshell case and a certificate of authenticity and includes free FedEx shipping right to your doorstep! Best of all, there has just been a $700 price drop on the 2008 Summer Jam Les Paul - thanks, Gibson!
  • Updates and Upgrades
    Celemony has released a brand-new service update for the Melodyne plug-in. Version 1.0.4 improves the stability and interaction with various hosts. In addition to numerous enhancements, the following problems have been resolved:
    • Ableton Live: the company fixed a bug in the VST variant that often led to a crash.
    • MOTU Digital Performer: Melodyne plug-in 1.0.4 is now compatible with DP 6.01.
    • Digidesign Pro Tools (running under Vista): a bug has been fixed that often caused crashes when the Melodyne plug-in was removed from a channel strip.
    • Digidesign Pro Tools (OS X): the deactivation and reactivation of the Melodyne plug-in or of the entire channel strip now functions as expected.
    • Cakewalk SONAR: a bug that resulted in playback errors when a transferred file was played back for the first time has been fixed.
    • All hosts in conjunction with iLok: the transfer of a license to an iLok can now be undertaken without problems, by using the License Assistant.
  • Ableton Releases Free Solid Sounds
    We've just gotten word that Ableton has released Solid Sounds, an exclusive, free Live Pack created in collaboration with premier content provider Loopmasters. This free download includes over 400MB of content, featuring 400 loops, 128 Simpler presets, and 12 creative instrument Racks, suitable for a wide variety of musical styles. The Solid Sounds content is available for all registered Live/Live LE users. You will need to be logged in to your Ableton user account in order to download it.
  • "Green Is My Favorite Color"
    The folks at Novation are celebrating the resounding success of the ReMOTE SL series by releasing a special limited-edition ReMOTE SL37. The ReMOTE SL was the first MIDI controller to feature Novation's Automap software, the advanced technology that recently won the prestigious Queen's Award for Innovation in the UK. To mark this achievement, Novation has produced a run of 999 new SL37s that bring you all of the advantages of Automap technology and package it all into a keyboard that looks quite cool, particularly if you like the color green. See, the eight faders and 16 rotary controllers are divided into 16 boxes, with the transport, octave, and data/select sections separated with green light-reactive lines - and it's a distinctive fluorescent-green design that positively glows in a UV club environment as if it's radioactive! The ReMOTE SL combines Automap technology with comprehensive physical controllers to provide automatic, instant, and intelligent control of all the major sequencers and automatable plug-ins. This ensures that little or no user setup is required. Sequencer controls are automatically mapped to the SL the moment the sequencer boots up, while all VST or AU parameters are intuitively assigned as soon as a plug-in opens. What's more, an instant click-and-control "learn" function is available for quick custom assigning, providing fully personalized plug-in control.
  • Special Deal for Virtual Sampler Users!
    MOTU has a special deal for everyone that is currently using GigaStudio, Kontakt, Structure, SampleTank, or any other of the eligible virtual samplers listed below! With unmatched sound library compatibility, along with industry-leading features and award-winning design, MachFive 2 is the universal sampler of choice for professionals worldwide. And right now, owners of all the eligible virtual sampler products listed below can upgrade to MachFive 2 for just $295, which is a savings of $200. What's more, we're happy to report that you can purchase this upgrade directly through us here at Sweetwater (for $279.97) as well as through the MOTU Online Store. Once you receive your MachFive 2 upgrade, all you need to do is mail in page one from the user manual of your eligible third-party sampler product. MOTU even provides the prepaid MachFive 2 Upgrade registration envelope for you! And once you are a MachFive 2 owner, you not only have one of the finest virtual samplers at your fingertips, but you also are fully eligible for future MachFive upgrades as they become available! Here's the complete list of eligible third-party products:
    • Ableton Sampler
    • EastWest Play
    • Emulator X2
    • EXS24 (any version)
    • GigaStudio (any version)
    • HALion
    • Independence
    • Kontakt (any version)
    • Quantum Leap Goliath
    • Reason NN-XT
    • SampleTank
    • Structure
  • Word For The Day: Drop D Tuning
    "Drop D Tuning" means you are tuning the low E string on an acoustic or electric guitar a whole step down, to a D. This is one of the simplest alternate tunings you can use, and one of the most versatile. Songs as diverse as "Dear Prudence" (The Beatles), "Blackwater" (Doobie Brothers), and "I Love This Bar" (Toby Keith), all use the Drop D Tuning. Guitarists who use this often replace the standard E string with a heavier gauge to keep the string from being too loose and, thus, prone to going out of tune. If you use a .046 E string, replace it with a .052, and you should be fine.
  • Word For The Day: A/B
    This is audio shorthand for the process of comparing any two similar audio examples. For instance, when comparing two sets of monitors, it's quite useful to listen to source material you are very familiar with on each, switching back and forth in order to choose the monitors that deliver the most accurate (or most pleasing) overall sound. You could also A/B two very different mixdowns or masters of the same song, switching back and forth to determine which of the two sounds is the more natural or more dramatic.
  • Word For The Day: Syncrosoft Key
    Syncrosoft is the name of a German company that developed a patented copy-protection solution for software applications, using a USB key. This small key, which looks somewhat like a USB flash drive or "thumb drive," plugs into any USB port on a computer or auxiliary hub. A part of the code an application requires to start up is actually encrypted on the Synchrosoft Key. Thus, in order to run the program, this key must be plugged into your computer.
  • Word For The Day: Hygrometer
    This is a device specifically designed to measure the relative humidity of the air in any given environment. Often, these are built in tandem with thermometers. For musicians, hygrometers are important, mainly for the long-term protection of wood instruments, since humidity that is too high or too low can eventually damage any wood instrument, including guitars, mandolins, violins, or cellos. Most modern hygrometers use electronic sensors to measure humidity, with the two most common sensors being capacitive and resistive. A few manufacturers actually build hygrometers into their guitar cases.
  • Word For The Day: Boutique Amp
    This typically refers to guitar or bass amplifiers that are built in very limited quantities by a small company (as small as one person), with meticulous attention to detail (typically including hand-soldered point-to-point wiring) and often carrying an astronomical price tag. Such amps are built one at a time in small shops in the U.S. and overseas in the U.K.
  • Word For The Day: UPC Barcode
    UPC is an acronym for "Universal Product Code," which is symbology consisting of a number of bars of various widths. It is widely used in the U.S. and Canada for tracking trade items in retail stores. Almost all packaged items, from CDs to power tools, have a UPC barcode printed somewhere, that barcode can be scanned at checkout to quickly and accurately establish the correct pricing and to keep track of items in inventory. UPCs originate with a company called the Universal Code Council or UCC. A manufacturer applies to the UCC for permission to enter the system and pays an annual fee for this. In return, the UCC issues a 6-digit manufacturer identification number and also provides specific guidelines on how this is to be used. Each UPC symbol has two parts: the machine-scanable barcode and a human-readable 12-digit UPC number. The company's manufacturer identification number is represented by the first six numbers, while the next five numbers are the item number. The final number is called a check digit, and this helps the scanner determine if the scanned number is correct. A person employed by the manufacturer, usually called the UPC coordinator, assigns the actual item number to each product, making sure it is unique and retiring codes if products are discontinued.
  • Tech Tip: Safe Impedance with a Second Speaker Cabinet
    Q: I've been playing my 100-watt head into a 4x12 speaker cabinet and have been pretty happy with the sound. But, I recently was given another cabinet and thought it would be awesome to set that on the other side of the stage. However, the new speaker says 4 ohms impedance, and my existing speaker is 8 ohms. Will this work? A: It depends on your amp, but probably not. There's a formula for determining impedance, and using it, you'll see that your amplifier would likely fall below the minimum value that would be safe. Multiply the 4-ohm cab by the 8-ohm cab (4x8), and you get a value of 32. Then, add the two cabinet impedances (4+8=12). Now, divide 32 by 12, and you get 2.667. If your amp is rated at a minimum of 4 ohms (check with the manufacturer), a 2.667-ohm load could cause major damage - even a fire! As cool as it would be to have two speakers, this mismatch is a recipe for disaster! Always verify the combined, impedance of speaker cabinets to ensure that the overall impedance is safe.
  • Tech Tip: The Sample Doctor Makes a House Call
    Q: I'm fairly new to creating music of any sort. I don't really play an instrument, so I generally use loops and samples to build my compositions. But, I've run up against a few roadblocks and thought you might be able to help me. I've found some wonderful old kicks and snares with a lot of personality on some old 1970s LPs. My problem is that there is some amount of cymbal or hi-hat over most of them. Is there some way to remove the cymbals and just keep the kicks and snares? By the way, I'm not planning to release any of this music - it's just for me, so I'm not worried about copyright issues. A: There are a couple of ways you can minimize the sonic effects of cymbals that can be heard over kicks and snares. First, you'll want to truncate the samples to just include the drum hits, which can be done in most sample editors. Next, you'll want to either create an envelope for the sound or process it so that it quickly fades out to zero, giving it plenty of attack, a short decay, and then a fast fadeout to silence. In most cases, a good equalizer (graphic or parametric) can be used to remove most of the high-frequency cymbal information from the bass drum samples, and that might be enough, or you may want to try boosting low frequencies between about 75Hz to 250Hz to emphasize the booming resonance of the drum head or the snap of the beater. Snares may respond similarly, but another new approach is to use one of the new audio-restoration software packages. Treat the cymbal as if it were noise, by sampling a section of the recording in which the cymbal is playing alone. Then, use that as your "noise signature" and use the various controls to remove it from the recording of the snare, and then EQ to taste.
  • Tech Tip: Running Up Against a Windows XP Roadblock
    Q: I recently upgraded the PC my brother gave me to 4GB of RAM. Then I found out that Windows XP has an upper limit of just 3GB (which seems weird to me). What do I have to do to get my PC to access the extra GB of RAM? A: You'll need to update your PC's operating system to one that operates at 64 bits, meaning Windows Vista x64. You'll also need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware and 64-bit versions of all your software.
  • Tech Tip: MP3 Encoding in BIAS Peak Pro 6
    Q: I am running the latest version of Peak Pro 6 on a dual-processor Mac G5. I have no problem at all importing MP3s for editing, but how do I then resave the file as an MP3 again? I don't see that option in Peak. A: If you want the capability of exporting MP3s from Peak Pro 6, you will need to install the "LameLib" MP3 encoder, which can be downloaded from the BIAS site. The actual step-by-step process for installing the encoders can be found on pages 321-322 of the Peak Pro 6 manual.
  • Tech Tip: A Roadblock to Great Tone
    Q: I own a fairly expensive, name-brand guitar amplifier. It sounds terrific, but lacks a spring reverb unit, so I just bought a reverb pedal. I've found that by using the "Hall" setting and tweaking the decay and EQ, I get a really rich, detailed, clean sound. However, when I switch into the amp's dirty mode, the overall sound is harsh and grainy. Is there any way I can keep the reverb, but get a thicker, smoother overdrive tone? A: Unfortunately, we'd have to say, "No." Here's why: when you are playing clean, your signal goes from the guitar through the reverb pedal and then into the amp, where you can adjust the volume and tone controls, and it sounds terrific. However, once you go into the amp's overdrive mode, it's overdriving not only your guitar's sound, but also that of the reverb pedal. Basically, you are hearing the sound of the reverb being pushed into distortion, and that's not normally something that our ears find to be pleasing. If the amp has an effects send and return, you could try to place the pedal there, between the preamp and power amp, but the signal level coming out of the preamp in most modern guitar amplifiers is too high, resulting in additional noise and unwanted distortion. One solution is try a stompbox overdrive at the front of the signal chain (that is, between the guitar and the reverb pedal). This would eliminate the problems associated with overdriving a "wet" input.
  • Tech Tip: The Right Gear for You, No Matter Where You Are!
    Q: This may seem like a silly question, but I live many, many hours away from the nearest music store (and that one is quite small). I like the idea of having a variety of monitors to choose from at Sweetwater, but I worry that I might not like a particular set once I receive them. What actually happens if I don't like a particular product? A: First off, there are no silly questions! Second, this is exactly why we hire only the most qualified sales staff (and call them Sales Engineers). It's mandatory that all Sales Engineers possess real-world experience and knowledge across the board, so when they recommend a product, it's because they believe that product will fully meet your needs. Knowing the right questions to ask you is an important first step (e.g., "How large is your room?"). However, if you should happen to be unhappy with a purchase, you can rest easy, because the company was founded on the belief that customers must be totally content with their purchases. Again, that's where the experience of the sales staff is key. If they are not convinced an item is perfect for your setup, they will say so. Fortunately, our track record speaks for itself, and we are happy to report that only a tiny percentage of customers have ever had to use our "no hype, no hassles" return policy! So, if you need studio monitors, you've come to the right place! If you're not 100% happy, then we're not happy.

    		•
    Set us as your default homepage Bookmark us Privacy   2008 Arranger World All Rights Reserved. Design by: R.Frost SkyPortal.net Go To Top Of Page

    Page load time - 0.844