2018 Winter NAMM Jan 25-28

Started by Elantric, November 28, 2017, 11:58:45 AM

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But in many ways the current Gibson story is a repeat of the Baldwin Piano story

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Piano_Company

scratch17

Coming soon to a theater near you:

Castaway 2 stars Tom Hanks and an Alexa called Gibson. The big twist is that unlike Wilson from Castaway 1, Gibson talks back.
Hamer Duotone, Brian Moore i213, Taylor 710 BCE 

VG-99, FC-300, RMC Fanout
RJM Mastermind GT10
Kemper Profiling Amp
Radial JDV Mk3, X-Amp
Mesa Recto Pre + 20/20
68 Fender Bandmaster (AB763)
Marshal AS80R

UA Apollo X6, Twin X, Logic Pro, Luna, Melodyne Studio

Elantric

Just heard from Mr. Yoshi Ikegami ( head of Roland / Boss )

QuoteWe showed Katana Air for CE Show, . .

At NAMM, we still have some new products.

Elantric


Elantric

http://www.musicradar.com/news/gibson-launches-semi-hollow-version-of-controversial-modern-double-cut-guitar

As we reported last week, Gibson will not be attending NAMM this year, instead focusing on the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where it has announced the Semi-Hollow Modern Double Cut guitar.

Revealed in a Facebook post as Gibson's first 24-fret semi-hollowbody, the new take on the hotly debated Modern Double Cut mirrors the original's specs with an Apex headstock, swept neck heel and carved solid woods.

It carries the same price as its solidbody forebear - £3,299/$3,999 - which Gibson Custom is touting as "tremendous value", and comes in four pearlescent finishes, which are customisable through the company's Made 2 Measure program.


Elantric

NAMM 2018: Roland's 4XCamera app makes it easy to create split-screen music videos
By Ben Rogerson a day agoTech

Four into one screen will go




NAMM 2018: Split-screen music videos are all over YouTube, but many of us won't have the first clue of how to go about creating them. So, Roland is aiming to simplify the process with 4XCamera, a new iOS app that enables you to capture up to four performances and display them on the same screen.

The workflow sounds pretty straightforward: record your first performance, then use this as a guide as you overdub more over the top. You can record via your device's built-in mic or a suitable iOS audio device, and the volume levels of your videos can be balanced before you render a final video.

The free version of 4XCamera enables you to capture up to two performances, while full functionality can be added for €4.49 as an in-app purchase. 4XCamera is available now on the Apple App Store.

pasha811

Quote from: Elantric on January 09, 2018, 12:38:21 PM
http://www.musicradar.com/news/gibson-launches-semi-hollow-version-of-controversial-modern-double-cut-guitar

As we reported last week, Gibson will not be attending NAMM this year, instead focusing on the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where it has announced the Semi-Hollow Modern Double Cut guitar.

Revealed in a Facebook post as Gibson's first 24-fret semi-hollowbody, the new take on the hotly debated Modern Double Cut mirrors the original's specs with an Apex headstock, swept neck heel and carved solid woods.

It carries the same price as its solidbody forebear - £3,299/$3,999 - which Gibson Custom is touting as "tremendous value", and comes in four pearlescent finishes, which are customisable through the company's Made 2 Measure program.


I have mixed feelings about those. They look like 60's with a somewhat modern feel not sure if they gonna strike a hit. Price point looks very high.
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

Elantric

#58
http://www.musicradar.com/news/namm-2018-news-rumours-teasers-and-predictions
iOS music making apps
News Guitars NAMM 2018: news, rumours, teasers and predictions
NAMM 2018: news, rumours, teasers and predictions
By MusicRadar 8 days agoGuitars

All the pre-show guitar and music tech hype in one place



NAMM 2018: news, rumours, teasers and predictions
By MusicRadar 18 days agoGuitars

All the pre-show guitar and music tech hype in one place




NAMM 2018: Contrary to the world at large, the guitar and music tech gear world was filled with good news in 2017, so hopes are high that the upcoming Winter NAMM show is going to knock our socks clean off.

Held every year in Anaheim, California, this trade-only event sees the world's biggest (and smallest) developers and manufacturers gathering together to show off their latest products for guitarists, hi-tech musicians, drummers, DJs and many others.

We'll have to wait until 25 January to find out exactly what these companies have in store for us, but as ever, our appetite will be whetted up until then with teasers, rumours, previews and - whoops - the odd leak or two.

To ensure you don't miss out on anything the pre-show hype machine churns out, we'll be updating this page with all the news (confirmed or otherwise) that comes in, as well as posting our own predictions.

So, if you want to know what will/might/possibly won't happen at NAMM 2018, keep it right here...

Guitars
- The first Harmonic Hendrix Home Guitars are being showcased at the show - they're acoustics built out of wood salvaged from Jimi's childhood home

- EVH Gear is feeling blue

- D'Angelico has launched its first-ever solidbody electric guitars, the Bedford, Atlantic and Ludlow

- With its Hampton and Westbury baritone electric guitars, Supro is aiming low

- Electro-Harmonix's gargantuan 6-track 95000 looper is like having a foot-controlled mini studio

- EMG has unleashed the Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker pickup set

- IK Multimedia is promising "a new level of hardware/software integration for stage and studio" in its latest video teaser...

- SoundBrut's new VA boost pedal is out, and it pumps up to 30db

- There are two new pedals from Greek pedal co Crazy Tube Circuits, the Constellation Of Fuzz and Ziggy V2 pedals

- Bass titan Marcus Miller's collaboration with Markbass has yielded the 'Little Marcus' amp head

- There's plenty to chew over from Vox, including the fully featured Nutube MVX150 head and combo and two new MV50 micro heads, plus the updated Starstream Type 1 Plus Mahogany modelling guitar

- No NAMM would be complete without new Korg tuners, and this year, the company is promising a revolution with its OLED screen polyphonic clip-ons

- Way Huge has launched its first ever bass pedal, the Pork & Pickle

- Something new this way comes from Catalinbread

- Acoustic innovation comes courtesy of the Tonik Sound Pulse, which allows players to get delay, distortion and reverb effects direct from an acoustic guitar

- Yamaha has issued a new top-line TRBX bass model, with much more to come...

- There's an awful lot to come from Cort this year, but first up is the fan-fret KX500FF, which boasts EMG 707 pickups

- Want Rat distortion tones without a pedal? The Rat Tail features the classic circuit crammed into a guitar cable

- Chase Bliss Audio has introduced the Condor Analog EQ / Pre / Filter pedal, and there's something more to come: the mysterious Thermae

- The first of Fender's announcements is in, and it's a replacement for the venerable American Vintage line: get a load of the 11-strong American Original Series

- Walrus Audio has dropped another typically desirable pedal, the Fathom Multi-Function Reverb

- Soundscapers rejoice, for Rainger FX has announced the overdrive-equipped Reverb-X mini pedal

- Vintage string enthusiasts will be pleased to see the reintroduction of La Bella's renowed '60s and '70s Bender sets

- Fano has dropped a new offset bass design, the JM4-FB

- There's a quartet of new Align Series acoustic preamp pedals incoming from LR Baggs

- Mad Professor has revealed its "most amp-like pedal ever", the Little Tweedy Drive

- Martin's only gone and reimagined its entire, 21-strong Standard Series line for 2018, and launched a $15k signature acoustic for guitar lothario John Mayer

- More ingenuity from Alexander Pedals, which has announced the feature-rich Quadrant Audio Mirror delay

- Lollar has lifted the lid on its "harder, heavier, more aggressive" dB Humbucker guitar pickup

- Cort has expanded its Artisan Series with a new open-pore six-string bass, the B6 Plus AS, and we hear there's much more to come

- Dave Friedman calls it "the best amp I've ever made"; we call it the highly flexible, super-desirable Friedman Amps BE-50 Deluxe 50-watt All-Tube Head

- EarthQuaker Devices has introduced the Westwood Translucent Drive Manipulator, plus five V2 pedals

- There are four new digital pedals incoming from TC Electronic, dubbed the Sonic Specialists, plus the intriguing Teleport Guitar Transmission System

- As per its parent brand, Epiphone won't be attending NAMM, but it's unveiled Anaconda Burst-finished Slash Les Paul Standard Plus Top Pro guitars nonetheless

- Boss has launched the world's first fully wireless guitar amp system, the Katana-Air - and before you complain about it "not being the first", note that it has a built-in wireless receiver AND it can run on batteries. No wires at all!

- Guild's offerings include a reissue of '60s oddball the Jetstar, plus the Starfire Bass, F-55 and D-240E Flame Mahogany and more

- D'Addario has announced the really-quite-useful Clip-free Micro Tuner, as well as a boatload of other fresh accessories, including a DIY Pedalboard Power Kit

- Something big this way comes from EHX. We'll say no more

- Schecter's new line-up is out of the bag, and it's full of big-name specs, with a few retro rockers to boot

- There's more Tony Iommi goodness from Laney, as the Black Sabbath legend receives a lower-wattage, more widely available version of his debut-aping signature head, the LA30BL - and there's more to come, apparently

- Ibanez has teamed up with Korg to produce the Nutube-equipped NTS Tube Screamer, and casually dropped 50+ new electric guitars, 25 new basses, plus a Tom Quayle signature model

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- ThorpyFX will be attending NAMM and bringing something new along for the ride

- Mooer is dropping three new Micro Preamp mini pedals, its mini treadle-ready pitch-shifter, the Pitch Step, as well as the Audiofile headphone pedalboard amp

- Italian company Sim1 will be showcasing its XT-1 pedal, which promises to emulate the sound of any electric or acoustic guitar - it's a bit like a Kemper for guitars

- Framus will be unveiling two new Devin Townsend-designed guitars, with the possibility of "more reasonable prices" according to Devin

- Ryan Adams' signature Strat is very nearly ready... will the man himself be at NAMM?

- There's something EL34-flavoured coming from Marshall

- The news that Tosin Abasi is producing his own guitars came as a surprise after a long relationship with Ibanez, and his newly formed company will be attending NAMM

- In a surprise move, Gibson has confirmed it won't be attending NAMM; nonetheless, it's unveiled updated electrics, fresh Montana acoustics and Memphis semis - and even revived the RD, announced a Semi-Hollow version of its controversial Modern Double Cut guitar and teased the radical Modern Flying V

- ESP has already dropped what must surely be its entire LTD line-up for 2018, including multi-scale models, jaw-dropping new finishes and a fresh Black Metal range

- Warwick's RockBoard line is setting out for pedalboard dominance with a totally redesigned range

- PRS has released new SE models and updated the entire line, as well as six new SE Acoustics, limited-edition S2 Studio and DW CE 24 'Floyd' models and the Custom 24-08, not to mention the luxurious Private Stock Hollowbody II 594 Limited Edition - we're still awaiting news of a Mark Tremonti signature amp and that Strat-style John Mayer model, though...

- Paul Gilbert has developed a set of PG-13 mini-humbuckers with DiMarzio

- There are exciting Orange plans afoot, big and small, but we can't say any more than that...

- Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X is pulling no punches with his LAA-Custom F**k Jazz Overdrive pedal

- Radical tweaks are expected from Taylor

- T-Rex won't be showcasing a working version of its take on the Binson Echorec, by the sounds of it

- Zivix will be premiering two new Jamstik+ smart guitars, to focus on two different player groups: learners and creators

- Will we see the release of TC Electronic's Roland Juno-inspired chorus, the June-60?

Tech
- Loopmasters will be showing Loopcloud 2, a new version of its sample management software that enables you to audition sounds from within your DAW.

- No, it's not a new OP-1, this is the ELZ_1 from Sonicware. It sports a healthy number of sound engines and we can't wait to hear how it plays at the show, next week.

- Native Instruments has launched Sounds, an online sample content subscription service, which will host sounds from over 200 partners as well as all of Native Instruments' sample, loop and expansion content.

- Korg's Konnect is a portable PA that can be used in variety of situations. Housed in a single unit, you could use it for small-room live performances, DJing, at a party or anywhere else you might require it.

- The biggest news from Korg at this year's show has to be the launch of the Prologue. Coming in both 8-voice, 49-key and 16-voice, 61-key flavours - nice!

- The long awaited update (nearly 40 years) to the Korg KR-55 rhythm machine is here, in the form of the KR-55 Pro.

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- Possibly one of the most in-demand Korg products in a while is the new Volca Mix. The 'performance analogue mixer' can also power up to three Volca units.

- Audiofusion is a new software solution that promises to make wireless in-ear monitoring accessible to all and all from your smartphone.

- It seems three is the magic number for Arturia, as the french music tech firm followed up the MiniBrute 2 and 2S announcements with RackBrute.

- Universal Audio is taking aim at the portable audio interface market with the launch of Arrow.

-  Pioneer DJ's DDJ-1000 has a familiar look to it, and features the same jog wheels as you'll find on Pioneer's CDJ-2000NXS2. There's also an On Jog display that displays track information, saving you from having to look at your laptop.

- Not content with releasing just the one MiniBrute 2, Arturia have dropped another. The S2 ditches the 25-note keyboard in favour of a set of performance pads, and includes a triple-layer sequencer with space to save up to 64 sequences.

- Arturia has seriously beefed-up the MiniBrute in version two. It's now a full-on semi modular monosynth with a KeyStep-inspired sequencer.

- Radikal Technologies will be taking to the show floor with a new Eurorack gateway drug, called the Delta Cep A semi-modular synth.

- Not content with just showing us the new Quantum, Waldorf will also be dropping a whole ton of vocoding string synth in the form of the snappily-named STVC.

- Despite no actual physical presence at the show, although we're hoping Moog will be in the neighbourhood to show off its ever expanding family, which now includes the DFAM.

- Focusrite has uncorked another classic vintage, with an update to the Clarett range.

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- Want 384kHz operation in a desktop audio interface? Then you need look no further than the JoeCo Cello.

- With up to 20 hours on a single charge, Samson's new Expedition XP108w PA is a busker's dream.

- Novation are going big at this year's show with a user-experience to rival most booth offerings.

- High performance at low, low prices might be the mantra of a used car salesman, it's also the USP for JBL's series 4 mkII monitors.

- Dropping some news at CES is Roland with two mobile-centric offerings. First up is the 4XCamera app makes it easy to create split-screen music videos.

- It's not all about video though, as the Japanese giant has unleashed the R-07; a handheld recorder that you can control from your phone.

- Another mobile offering, the R4 from CEntrance is a proper serious looking interface, with plenty of pro features.

- Apogee has completely overhauled its USB mic with a new 'Plus' edition.

- No random button-bashing here. Moldover had created a new unnamed instrument in the form of a modded Akai LPK 25, which is now in the hands of the highly digitally dextrous Glasys.

- Behringer is up to its usual tricks with yet another unknown prototype, much to the annoyance of those who are still waiting for their Model D clone to arrive (see below)

- IK Multimedia tells us that it'll "be bringing hardware/software integration to a new level for both studio and stage – with something for guitars, vocals AND keyboards". Intriguing...

- It's already shown some new wares at CES, but Roland is assuring us that there's more to come at NAMM. Synths, perhaps?

- We're hoping that Waldorf's long-awaited Quantum polysynth will get an airing; pre-orders are now being taken and it's scheduled to ship in January

- Given that it's been available to pre-order for six months, Behringer will be under pressure to show a finished version of its Minimoog-cloning Behringer D synth. Inevitably, it'll also be quizzed about its on/off plans to emulate a whole load of other synths, too

- Another well-known music technology manufacturer is set to unveil additions to its audio interface range, promising great performance at a relatively low price

- Following Gibson's decision to end development of its products, is it too much to hope that we might hear some good news about Cakewalk?

- As a general theme, we're going to stick our neck out and say that this could be the year of the analogue polysynth. The market is flooded with monophonic instruments, so it feels like the next logical step

- We know that both Ableton Live 10 and FL Studio 20 are scheduled for release in 2018, but we doubt that either will be on display at NAMM

- Word has it that CEntrance could be launching a new mobile recording interface

- There's often a new Dave Smith synth at NAMM but, to the best of our knowledge, his company won't be exhibiting at the show this year, so a product announcement seems unlikely

http://www.musicradar.com/news/namm-2018-news-rumours-teasers-and-predictions





Elantric


admin

Are you a member of the MIDI.ORG?

https://www.midi.org/articles/namm-show-attendance-offer-for-midi-association-members?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Last+day+for+%2425+NAMM+tickets&utm_campaign=NAMM+2018+Early+Registration+Reminder
QuoteATTEND THE NAMM SHOW AT A SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICE FOR MIDI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS!​
The NAMM Show is open to professionals that manufacture, distribute, or utilize music, sound and event technology products and services. 

Normally you have to be a NAMM Member (or a guest of one) to attend the NAMM Show, but we've made arrangements for up to 100 MIDI Association Members to attend at a 50% discounted price of just $25 (payable to NAMM).

To attend NAMM 2018, just go to NAMM Registration and click on the Start New Registration button. Use the Promo Code "MIDINAMM2018" to get your 50% MIDI Association discount.

admin

#61
http://cdm.link/2018/01/roland-mit-want-use-music-teach-kids-programming/

Roland and MIT want to use music to teach kids programming
Peter Kirn - January 9, 2018  5 Comments     
Millions of children worldwide use Scratch to enter the world of programming. Now there's a new way to connect to music, as Roland teams up with MIT.

There's a long, amazing history of teaching programming and creativity to kids. A lot of this legacy traces back to Cambridge and Wally Feurzeig, Seymour Papert, and Cynthia Solomon, with their late 60s introduction of the Logo programming language and accompanying Turtle Graphics, alongside a physical turtle robot. (Cynthia Solomon by the way has had an ongoing career contributing to this work and was one of the people instrumental in seeing this tool introduced to Apple's 80s computer initiatives, which is how I grew up with it.)

If you understand topics like programming, logic – and machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields – as an extensive of how we think, then this is more than simply vocational prep. It's not just making sure we have a generation of cheap coders, in other words. Learning programming, creativity, and media in this way can help how we think – so it's really important.

Scratch is one of the latest to follow in these footsteps. It's a free visual programming environment available on all operating systems and in 70+ (human) languages, built in its latest iteration with Web technologies. You can use it in a browser, and it has some surprisingly sophisticated interactive sprite and behavior capabilities, merging some of the best of past tools like Smalltalk, HyperCard, Director/Lingo, ActionScript, and others.

You know – for kids.


https://www.roland.com/us/products/gokeys_go-61k/

The GO_KEYS keyboard from Roland. Its price is a bit above the entry level (around $300). The main thought here is to reach new musicians by offering different ways of playing with loops and discovering music.

So now, where Roland comes in – now there's an extension that lets you plug in a Roland GO:KEYS keyboard and use the GO:KEYS both as controller and sound source. Roland tell us "the SCRATCH X Extension combined with new firmware on the Roland GO:Keys allows for bi-directional communication via USB."

You can program the GO:KEYS – and its musical capabilities – from Scratch. And you can control Scratch interactively using the keyboard's notes and velocity, without any manual setup. So you can trigger animations or interactions from the keyboard, and Scratch can rely on GO:KEYS unique looping and sound generation facilities to add musical elements. Roland explains: "The GO:Keys Extension for SCRATCH X includes "blocks" which can select Loop Sets, play back specific patterns, determine the musical key, and so on."

The SCRATCH X extension is the work of Roland; Scratch itself comes from the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab.


Scratch programming interface with the new Roland module.

There's some really cool potential here. HyperCard allowed kids (and adults) to create interactive storybooks and the like; with Scratch and GO:KEYS, you can imagine using keys to trigger story events, program logic creating musical events, and live control of music both from Scratch and the keyboard. Creative kids could turn this into a wild new instrument, complete with physical controls.

Now, of course, whether you specifically need the GO:KEYS for this or not is another matter. But it's nice to see Roland even interested in this area. (And there's an opportunity for the company to follow up with hardware loans and the like, and to work with other partners.) It's also an excuse to look at this theme and where it could go.

Creative coding and teaching have long been a passion for me and this site, so I'll be sure we follow up on this one!

GO:KEYS

scratch.mit.edu

 


admin

https://reverb.com/news/new-fender-offset-the-meteora-leaks-ahead-of-namm



New Fender Offset, the Meteora, Leaks Ahead of NAMM
Published Jan 10, 2018 by Reverb
News and Reviews
   
Two weeks ahead of the start of the NAMM convention, an image of a new guitar from Fender has been shared by Gear News. The site claims that the guitar "...is already appearing on Fender dealer websites." While as of this time no official specs or details about this guitar have been confirmed by Fender, the new model has reportedly been dubbed the "Meteora."

The guitar sports an offset body shape similar to a Jaguar or Jazzmaster but with somewhat sharper angles. Like Fender's earlier American Standard Offset Telecaster, the pickups and control set reflect classic Telecaster appointments.


The pictured guitar also features a maple fingerboard with block inlays (in the style of a '70s Jaguar), though it is possible that Fender will be releasing a rosewood version as well at some point.

There have been some other rumors of Fender's planned NAMM releases already circulating, including full details on Ryan Adam's new signature Strat. Check back on Reverb for full coverage of all NAMM releases as we get closer to the show.

Update: As has been pointed out by some commenters, this body shape was also used by Fender with a prototype called the "Voyager" in 2012.




admin

#64
Quote from:  sec6


Zivix, the maker of the Jamstik is showing two new guitar style midi controllers at NAMM.  There was a teaser image put out, but is no longer to be found, but I did save a copy of the image. They will have two devices, one centered on beginners and another for creators, as they put it.  I guess maybe they took the image down because of what it revealed. One model will have at least 9 frets, a greater range than the current offering.  They say they've also updated the sensors.

I expect it costs $50/ fret

Will definitely check it out at NAMM but in their triggering system  latency has been the deal breaker in the past
With latest MIDI BLE they may finally have a tool.

HecticArt

I'm going to have to start using the cost/fret when I tell the Mrs that I'm bringing new guitars home. Brilliant!

Tony Raven

Wow... dunno. Looks kinda like Gibson reinvents the Fender Starcaster, Fender puts out the TeleJagStang, & Roland creates Garage Band.

::)

Quote from: Rhcole on December 07, 2017, 03:48:54 PMWe are excited to bring back the innovative design of the original La-Baye 2X4
Loved this!! Apparently I'm one of the few who caught the reference --

I actually touched one, back around 1978. For gear wonks, it's got a neck & pickups from Holman, which is about as obscure as possible. VintageGuitar.com said there were maybe 45 built (six, 12, & bass). Remembered primarily as used by Bob Mothersbaugh, mostly to make noise & break strings. :o

Looks like Eastwood is doing a limited theft -- oops, I mean reissue.

Would anyone really be surprised if Gibson tried it? ;D

admin

#67
http://www.musicradar.com/news/gibsons-radical-modern-flying-v-takes-off-at-ces





Gibson's radical Modern Flying V takes off at CES
By Michael Astley-Brown (Total Guitar, Guitarist) 3 hours agoGuitars

Exclusive first photos of new Custom Shop V redesign




We already know we won't be seeing Gibson at NAMM this year, but our correspondent on the ground at CES has managed to obtain some first shots and details of Gibson Custom's radical new take on a classic: the Modern Flying V.

Purporting to be a "total redesign of a Flying V model", the Modern features a contoured top, "unique" finishes and the new Apex headstock, as seen on the company's other CES model for this year, the Semi-Hollow Modern Double Cut.



As you can see from Gibson's frustratingly dimly lit booth, the model comes in gold and silver, while a black model was also doing the rounds - all come with accompanying mirror pickguards.



There are no details on pickup configurations at the time of writing.

Is it just us, though, or is does the shape look an awful lot like Star Trek's classic Starfleet logo? In guitar terms, it also brings to mind Jackson's Randy Rhoads and Roswell models.

We eagerly await official details when the Modern Flying V goes on sale for $4,499 later this year.




https://www.gearnews.com/gibson-snubbing-namm-show-2018-strategic-choice-financial-one/

read the comments re Gibson skipping NAMM
this one stands out
QuoteWilliam Paxson • 8 days ago
Well from a Yank's point of view (and also from a person who previously managed and ran a successful guitar store for almost 24 years-and yes we were a Gibson dealer among other top brands), seeing as how Gibson has essentially gutted their dealer network here in the States and pretty much just have some big box/internet vendors with a sprinkling to big budget indy/speciality dealers left, going to NAMM is probably redundant. Here in my home State of Indiana, as far as I can tell, there are only three outlets for Gibson products left: Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and Sam Ash. There used to be some smaller dealers who were Epiphone only vendors but that seems to have gone away. With Gibson's insane buy-in and stocking requirements, they probably realized that nobody at NAMM was going to be lining up to be a Gibson dealer so why bother (which in itself probably speaks volumes as well).

admin

#68
https://www.gearnews.com/leak-fender-parallel-universe-jaguar-strat-troublemaker-tele-whiteguard-strat-jazz-tele/




LEAK: Fender preps new Parallel Universe Series for NAMM 2018 launch
Includes Jazz Tele, Whiteguard Strat, Strat Tele Hybrid, Troublemaker Tele and Jaguar Strat
Fender Limited Edition NAMM 2018 Leak
Fender Limited Edition NAMM 2018 Leak  ·  Source: Fender/Wunjo

After yesterday's massive leak by Fender dealers of the new Limited Edition Meteora model launching later this month at NAMM, we now have more information of new models from the American guitar giant's new Parallel Universe Series for you to check out!

Leak ahead of NAMM 2018
These guitars have been accidentally leaked by Fender dealers Wunjo Guitars and are now all over the internet on guitar forums like these articles here and here, both on the TheFretboard guitar forum. They also appear here on the Offsetguitar forum as well and in both cases it looks like Fender dealers have let the cat out of the bag.

I'm sure someone at Fender isn't happy about this, but, boy don't they look cool! They are called the Parallel Universe Series and I managed to grab some screenshots and basic information before the site pages were taken down again.



Wunjo Guitars leak new Fender 2018 lineup


Wunjo Guitar Fender leak Jazz Tele

Parallel Universe Series
We understand they all retail around £1599 each and that they are all being listed on dealer sites as Limited Edition models for 2018, so a little bit like the Chinese-made Pawn Broker Series from a few years ago, just around a £1000 more expensive.

We don't know yet if these new models are made in the USA, Japan or perhaps even Mexico, as all the Fender dealer sites have – or had – conflicting information (most of it has now been removed). So tell us what you think of this new Limited Edition range for 2018 – love 'em or hate 'em?




Fender Limited Edition 2018 models leaked on Wunjo Guitars website



Fender Limited Edition Jaguar Strat
All we know about this guitar is that will probably have an Alder body with a nitro paint finish, a modern 25.5″ scale length Deep C neck profile with a rosewood board and 22 tall/narrow frets.

It is likely to be loaded with American Vintage '65 Jaguar single coil pickups and has a Jaguar trem system.



Fender Jaguar Strat


Fender Limited Edition Troublemaker Tele
The Troublemaker Tele comes loaded with WFR Wide-Range pickups a 2T in the bridge and a 1T in the neck position. These pickups are controlled by a two volume, two tone control setup with a three-way toggle switch.

An Adjuto-Matic bridge is fitted to the mahogany body, which has a maple top and the guitar has a Deep C mahogany neck with a 22-fret rosewood fretboard.

A very Gibson-esque Fender Telecaster indeed!


Fender Troublemaker Tele


Fender Troublemaker Tele

Fender Limited Edition Jazz Tele
The new Jazz Tele is the polar opposite of a Telemaster-style guitar and is a Telecaster-shaped Jazzmaster, with a smaller non-offset body, but with Jazzmaster pickups, electronics and hardware.

This one is ash with a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard. It comes loaded with a pair of Pure Vintage '65 Jazzmaster pickups. All that is missing is the Rhythm Circuit that a normal Jazzmaster would have, but essentially this one is a Jazzmaster for players that don't like offsets.


Fender Limited Edition Jazz Tele



Fender Limited Edition Jazz Tele

Fender Limited Edition Whiteguard Strat
This one is a hybrid Stratocaster and Telecaster in Vintage Blonde and a single ply white pickguard. The Whiteguard Strat comes loaded with a pair of Custom Shop '51 Nocaster pickups and a Telecaster bridge, control layout.


Fender Limited Edition Whiteguard Strat

Fender Limited Edition Strat Tele Hybrid
The Strat Tele Hybrid is a mix of Telecaster and Stratocaster styles, likely with an ash body and a maple neck. It is the oddest looking of the lot in my opinion – but we don't have any more details at the time of writing.


Fender Limited Edition Strat Tele Hybrid

Fender Limited Edition Tele Thinline Super Deluxe
This bright orange Tele Thinline Super Deluxe comes with a Rosewood board with block fret markers and looks pretty bling. Again, we don't have as much in the way of details on this one at the time of writing.


Fender Limited Edition Tele Thinline Super Deluxe

Any of these tickle your fancy? There's a lot to like – and debate – about these new models. Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments section below.


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Gridlab Strum: Elegant virtual guitar strumming via Monome controller


Gridlab Strum on Monome Arc and Grid
Gridlab Strum on Monome Arc and Grid  ·  Source: YouTube - Stretta

A video popped up on my radar of the Monome controller being used to strum virtual guitar sounds. It sounded and looked so lovely that I felt compelled to share.

Gridlab Strum
Gridlab Strum is a suite of Maxforlive tools for monome devices. Monome makes these fabulously beautiful, yet understated instrument controllers. There's the "Grid" which is either an 8 x 16 grid of 128 buttons or 16 x 16 grid of 256. And then there's the "Arc" which is this row of 4 glowing dials. I often see these controllers combined with modular synthesizers providing sequencing and modulation duties.

Musician and developer Matthew Davidson created Gridlab as part of his Berklee ISEL-P112 Grid Performance Studies. The whole project is available for free on GitHub. You will need to have Ableton Live, Maxforlive 7 and a monome Grid and Arc to bring it all together. A suitable virtual guitar sound would also be a useful addition.

The Grid is then used to dictate the notes being playing, each row forming a string of the guitar. Using the Arc controls you can trigger arpeggios/fingerpicking through to strumming when turned fast enough. Various buttons can change key, patterns, notes, direction and style of picking and the sound is totally convincing.

The monome devices are the probably the most beautiful instrument controllers around and this usage literally makes them shine in the best possible light. They are also premium products, locally made and always in short supply so it may be simpler and cheaper to hire a guitarist for the day. But where's the fun in that?

More information
Monome website.
Gridlab Strum GitHub page.
Video












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#71
https://www.gearnews.com/touch-innovations-xg-glass-touchscreen-system-loaded-superstar-djs/


Touch Innovation XG  ·  Source: Touch Innovation

Touch Innovations (formerly SmithsonMartin) have released a new version of their premium Emulator DJ controller rig. It's called XG and you are going to want one of these babies to impress your mates at your next DJ gig.

XG
XG uses a seamless, all-glass body with a 39″ projective capacitive touch display that looks "da business". It works via back projection onto the transparent screen from a data projector hidden in the base. Surrounding this "pedestal of posh" your adoring fans will be able to see you through it and witness every manipulation you make to the software. It's important to note that this is just a MIDI controller and so you'll need to connect it up to Traktor or whatever DJ software you are hoping to use.

The XG Pro version, weighing in at an eye-watering $6895, comes with an Intel-based Windows PC built into the base for running your software and hosting your tunes. The XG Lite (a snip at $5999) comes without a PC so you'll have to supply your own laptop.

The Elite version which came before the XG emerges from an integrated flight case, giving it a good working DJ vibe. The XG has more of a feel of a shopping mall information kiosk. And in fact that's one of the applications they highlight as a feature. Maybe a DJ could rent it out to Bluewater or Lakeside during the down season. Either way, you could have a very posh game of Crossy Road or Candy Crush on it.

The key to Touch Innovations hardware is in the software. Emulator has reached version 2 and is also available separately. The great thing about Emulator is that you can build your own MIDI and OSC touch controller to control whatever you want. Unfortunately, there are no templates or examples to follow for anything other than DJ software, and no manual or documentation. I've been an enthusiastic user of version 1 but sadly I can't get version 2 to let me load a template or build a new one. Hopefully, if you buy the XG Pro they would have got it working for you. Templates are also extra, but if you are spending the best part of 7 thousand dollars you'd hope they'd throw the odd one it, otherwise you may have to budget for another $6.

There's no doubt that you will look "da bomb" at a superstar DJ party if you turn up with one of these on the back of a truck. It's the knobby, posh, over-compensating, DJ-ing version of an iPhone X. Fabulous for your creative performers, trendy superstar vicars and private school head teachers. Let's hope no one spills their beer into it.

More information
Touch Innovations XG webpage.
Video
They really need to make a video of the XG in action. Otherwise here's a weirdly silent promo for the Elite version which should give you an idea of the intended market.





https://touchinnovations.com/products/elite/





https://touchinnovations.com/kontrol-master/


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Zoom H1n Recorder
Zoom is introducing an update to its well-known Zoom H1 recorder. The Zoom H1n comes with a redesigned user interface and the ability to capture sound in true stereo, thanks to a pair of integrated X/Y microphones. Recordings are saved in WAV and MP3 formats on microSD and microSDHC. Zoom also implemented one-touch controls to simplify setting up new recordings.

The device's built-in X/Y condenser microphone gets recorded at up to 24-bit/96kHz, meaning it delivers very high sound quality – certainly better than what a smartphone's tiny integrated mics can manage, despite the advanced state of mobile device DACs.

In terms of helpful features, the Zoom H1n delivers one-touch operation controls, an integrated limiter, and auto-level controls that enable quick tuning of the mic input signal, in addition to a voice emphasize filter and playback speed controls. This eases transcribing speech or music from the recorder.

To facilitate computer integration, Zoom added Cubase LE and Wavelab LE to the H1n's recorder package. This is DAW software ready to handle basic audio layering, editing, and filtering tasks, and is probably enough for many H1n users.


https://www.zoom.co.jp/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/h1n-handy-recorder

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https://www.gearnews.com/namm-2018-lewits-new-lct-441-flex-mic-supports-8-polar-patterns/

Lewit's new LCT 441 FLEX mic supports 8 polar patterns
Lewitt LCT 441 FLEX
·  Source: Lewitt Audio

Ahead of the NAMM 2018 trade show, Austrian microphone maker Lewitt has introduced a new multi-pattern studio microphone – the LCT 441 FLEX. A follow up to the LCT 440 PURE studio mic, the new model offers a choice of eight directionality types – among which there are three reverse polar patterns for added flexibility and opportunity to experiment. Indeed, with the choice of eight patterns, there's no shortage of different miking approaches to try with the LCT 441 FLEX – and its name makes a whole lot of sense.

The eight supported polar patterns are as follows:

Omni
Cardioid
Wide cardioid
Supercardioid
Figure-8
Reverse cardioid
Reverse wide cardioid
Reverse supercardioid
As a studio microphone, the LCT 441 FLEX is capable of recording a variety of instruments and sources, including vocals, acoustic and electric instruments, drums, percussion. It ships with a shock mount where a magnetic pop filter prevents plosives and hiss while complementing the 441's design.

While information is a little scarce right now, we look forward to learning more about this interesting and technologically advanced product at the NAMM 2018 show itself. Lewitt will probably have lots to share at the event, in addition to demonstrating the rest of its strong studio microphone line-up.

Price and availability
Lewitt has set a 399 EUR price for the LCT 441 FLEX, which is quite affordable for an expert-level condenser microphone. Alas, no availability details are available for now, but Lewitt is probably looking forward to shipping the product in the weeks ahead. What do you think of this flex-y microphone? Tell us your opinion in the comments section below and stay put for more music equipment news as NAMM approaches.

More information

https://www.lewitt-audio.com/microphones/lct-recording/lct-441-flex

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#74
https://www.gearnews.com/behringer-announce-ob-xa-clone-uli-real/


Uli Behringer has published a long, thoughtful post on Gearslutz talking about why Behringer have decided to pursue the cloning of so many classic synthesizers. At the same time, he mentioned their intention to build a clone of the Oberheim OB-Xa that they will call the UB-Xa.

Giving Uli a break
It reads to me a little like he wants to push back against a lot of negativity he and his company receive at the hands of synthesizer enthusiasts. While many people are thrilled at the idea of owning the classic synths of our forefathers, a vocal minority express dismay at the idea of "cheap clones" devaluing the awesomeness of synthesizer technology. I confess that in my own reporting of the Behringer cloning juggernaut I have been a bit cynical and critical.

With the DeepMind 12, Behringer certainly seems to have come up with the goods. The Model D is just starting to ship for an outrageously good price and early reports have been encouraging. Is it possible for us to believe in Uli's intentions of simply wanting to bring back the "authentic sound of original designs from the period of the 60's to the 80's"? That it is a "labor of love" and it's about passion and a desire to enable musicians to have awesome gear rather than the bottom line of financial gain?

In the post Uli says how for him authenticity is all about replicating the circuitry. Using the same components or manufacturing replacements for obsolete ones. It cannot be about VST, DSP or emulation. He is all about the sound of true analog synths. That's very interesting.

Uli says that they have decided to completely open up the company. To make the development transparent and involve the public in that process. That, to me, is really very exciting.

I know that "cheap clones" is always going to be a term thrown around. But I'm starting to warm to Uli's approach and his desire to engage with the community. Usually, all we get is an announcement of a new product from any other manufacturer – we get what they want us to have. With Behringer we're getting the opportunity to be part of the development, to have a say and to witness it all come together.

However, a company as big and ambitious as Behringer needs a healthy bit of criticism and I need to remain cynical in my approach to talking about gear and the promises of gear. But give Uli his dues, he certainly tries hard to take everyone on this journey with him.

OB-Xa to UB-Xa
As a demonstration of this new adventure Uli announced that their next synth will be a clone of the Oberheim OB-Xa. He went into details of how this was the most requested polysynth and how, with its complexity, it will be given to the Midas engineers in Manchester to develop. This was the same team that developed the DeepMind 12. Judging by the images of the VC340 Vocoder we also saw recently, they are not kidding around with this cloning business. There's no attempt to be anything other than an authentic copy of the original. The DeepMind was something different, based on the Roland Juno, but then taken to other places. The UB-Xa, like the Model D and the VC340, is going to be exactly like the OB-Xa. That's very exciting. Although I hope it looks a bit better than the mock-up image.

Uli says it might take a year as they also have to build products to sell and make money. But alongside the usual business, these classic synthesizer clones will come along and dazzle us all.

So, nice one Uli. I wish you all the best with your ventures and I admire your desire to be open and engaged. I'll keep teasing and I'll stay cynical but I am fascinated to see what happens with all this. I should add that I totally understand why you'd clone the Model D and the OB-Xa, but I still can't get my head around why we need the VC340.

More information