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Line 6's Amplifi duo claims to 'reinvent' guitar amps with Bluetooth streaming and iOS controls
Line 6 has been known to push the boundaries of guitar amps: It was one of the first to offer built-in effects for that type of gear. Now, the outfit says it has reinvented the amplifier once more by packing Bluetooth streaming and iOS app controls into its new Amplifi 75 and 150. For learning new riffs alongside Kerry King or simply for easy listening, the amp is compatible with Android, iOS, Mac and PC gadgets for beaming tunes from your repository of choice. To further integrate that mobile device, Line 6's Amplifi Remote iOS app toggles every dial from an iPhone or iPad. That piece of software also accesses a cloud-based community for sharing and rating tones in addition to storing amp, pedal and effects presets for safekeeping. Looking to get your axe sounding like the Slayer guitarist's rig? Automatic tone matching can pull sounds from those iTunes tracks to do just that. As far as specs go, Amplifi is available in either 150 or 75 watts, as their numeric labels suggest. The 150 houses a 12-inch Celestion speaker as part of its five-speaker stereo setup while the 75 packs an 8-inch "custom speaker." Line 6 says that this arrangement offers a "truly immersive guitar experience" that's never sounded so "wide and spacious." Both units offer wet/dry effects to boost said sound quality, tap tempo/tuner, four onboard presets and USB connectivity. If that sounds like the kind of innovation you're after, the pair is priced at $400 and $500 respectively, and both are available now from guitar retailers. You can take a closer look at the amplifier in the video that awaits after the break.
Moog's Theremini suits all skill levels with adjustable scale correction for its space-controlled tunes
Sure, Moog is known to many for cranking out stellar analog synthesizers, but the outfit also has a knack for building a stable of Etherwave Theremins. In fact, founder Bob Moog started tinkering with the space-controlled instruments back in 1954. If you're a bit unfamiliar with the devices, theremins use two metal rods to control pitch (vertical) and volume (horizontal) based on the proximity of the user's hands to each end, without ever touching the unit. At NAMM 2014, the North Carolina-based company unveiled a prototype of the Theremini: a $319 offering that has assertive pitch control built in for all skill levels. This feature allows you to dial up or down the scale correction, making it impossible to play a wrong note in when it's turned up to the max. For more advanced users, turning that dial all the way down offers no assistance. There's also a tuner for visual feedback of each note, displaying how it stacks up to the perfect spot. Inside, an analog heterodyning oscillator is paired with Moog's Animoog engine and built-in stereo delay for creating the range of tones. On-board presets allow you to choose from a library of patches, store scales, set ranges and create patch-specific delay settings. To enable playing just about anywhere, a speaker is tucked inside the Theremini with headphone jack and audio outputs alongside connections for pitch, gesture and MIDI control. Unfortunately, there's no word on when the device will ship, but if you're in a hurry to grab a theremin now, there's always the DIY route.
Korg Gadget packs 15 synthesizers and drum machines into an iPad app
Fancy feeding your music production hobby with a slate rather than a collection of pricey gadgets? If so, Korg has added to its iPad-based offerings with the Gadget app. The software for Apple tablets bakes in 15 different sythesizers and drum machines (called Gadgets) that can be combined any way you'd like to construct those beats. Ranging from the Kiev digital synth to the Chicago tube bass machine, the app's instrument arsenal (which can be previewed here) covers quite the sonic spectrum with drum and synth sounds a plenty. Keeping the orientation vertical, the UI is divided into two sections that allow for dual control at all times. This is aimed at making both track and instrument adjustments quick and easy. If you're concerned about your lack of musical skill, there's a scale function helps you avoid hitting a wrong note whilst getting your feet wet. Already splurged for the latest iPad? Korg says you'll be able to run more than 20 of the instruments at the same time, thanks to its beefed up chipset. Once those audio files have been tinkered with enough, options for sharing to Facebook, SoundCloud and Twitter or beaming them to Dropbox for safe keeping are all built in. There's also access to GadgetCloud for showing off projects with fellow users of the software -- complete with its own ranking system. The app is a bit pricey at $38.99, but if you commit before February 23rd, you can snag a $10 discount at that second source link below.
Build your own analog synthesizer with Korg's MS-20 kit
At NAMM 2013, we were able to get cozy with Korg's MS-20 mini analog synth. This year, the company is putting the wrenches in your hands with its DIY MS-20 kit. For $1,400, synthesizer enthusiasts can nab the collection of parts needed to construct a working model of the iconic instrument, with no soldering or electrical expertise required. You can expect all the features, specs and even the same circuit path from the original with new MIDI input and USB connections. The kit remains true analog with 1/4-inch patch bay to boot, just in case you were concerned. There's even two types of filters that pay homage to both the early versions and the later more mellow MS-20 sounds, toggled on the circuit board. Heck, the engineers of 1978's original oversaw the process to insure the components replicated the circuitry of that synth. Only 1,000 kits will be available, so you'll have to act quickly when packages become available in March.
iRig Mic HD brings a hand-held option to iOS and Mac recording for $99
We've seen our fair share of mobile recording gear, and IK Multimedia is certainly no stranger to the fray. For those who prefer a more hand-held approach to tracking with an iOS device, the outfit has outed the iRig Mic HD. The digital condenser microphone is capable of handling your best attempt at Freddie Mercury's vocals, instruments and good, ol' spoken word with a 24-bit digital converter and a shape that will sit cozy in standard mic stands. There's also a built-in preamp and LED status indicator to keep levels in check -- similar to what we've seen on some of the company's previous releases. Of course, the main selling point is the unit's compatibility with the iPhone and iPad via Lightning connector (an improvement over its predecessor), but the device also plays nice with Mac thanks to added USB connectivity. As you might expect, the iRig Mic HD works with IK Multimedia's stable of apps like AmpliTube and iRig Recorder for those mobile captures. If you're still sporting older iOS wares, a 30-pin cable can be purchased separately when the $99.99/€79.99 accessory arrives next quarter.
