pedal
Latest
Electro-Harmonix looks to bring genuine Big Muff tones to DAWs with a pedal-plugin hybrid
The unit should bring the fuzzbox's iconic sounds to your digital workstation.
Boss's latest guitar has a built-in synth and Bluetooth pedal control
Boss has unveiled a new electric guitar that adds some modern technology so you can easily program it with a wide range of synthesized sounds.
IK Multimedia debuts guitar effects pedals based on its AmpliTube software
IK Multimedia has created a set of digital guitar effects pedals based on its AmpliTube modeling software.
Cooper FX's multi-effect guitar pedal uses tiny cartridges
Get 32 different effects from just four cartridges.
This pedal tracks both fitness and bike thieves
If bike thievery is an issue in your town, you can ride and rest easy with the Connected Cycle pedal. It has GPRS and GPS built-in to phone home your bike's location whenever it moves, so it can track your fitness, and send a push notification if someone suddenly jumps on your bike. The pedal is a little bulky for cyclists who pride themselves on lightweight bikes, but on the other hand, it never needs charging or a new battery. It charges from the energy of riding, and the team says a one-hour ride is enough to keep it powered for up to a couple of weeks. They've been working on the tech for two years, and plan to release it in a variety of colors with two years of service, for an as-yet unspecified price. In a demo on the show floor everything worked smoothly, with the app easily tracking activity or location. And hey, even if a thief does make off with your bike, you'll have the data to show you still rode a faster split than they did.
A closer look at AirTurn, a Bluetooth music page turner for iOS and Mac
The AirTurn BT-105 (US$69.00) is a Bluetooth foot switch/pedal controller for musicians who use virtual guitar effects and those who sight-read music and/or lyrics on their Mac or iOS device. Traditionally, a musician has had to get a hand away from their instrument to turn the pages of their music. And even with the advent of digital music, turning a virtual page on your iPad is still pretty tricky when you're delivering the performance of a lifetime! Likewise, traditional guitar effects have been on the floor, within easy reach of a foot tap. Virtual effects are difficult to engage if they're on a screen, requiring a finger tap. The AirTurn is designed to alleviate these problems. It's a simple concept: With the tap of a foot on the AirTurn pedal, you can turn the pages of your virtual music or engage a virtual guitar effects pedal. Design and Features The AirTurn BT-105 controller is a small plastic box. On the outside is a tiny on/off/reset button, a status indicator LED, two 3.5mm audio stereo jack inputs (or up to four ports when using stereo/mono splitters) and a micro-USB charger port. On the inside are the lithium polymer battery (which gives you about a 100 hours of usage time) and the electronics that make the AirTurn work. The unit itself is discreet in appearance, compact and lightweight. The controller comes as standalone or in a two-pedal ($119) or four-pedal ($159) ATFS-2 board variation. The pedals are designed to be super compact, lightweight and quiet when tapped, avoiding any unwanted squeaks or creaks during a performance. The controller is also compatible with Boss FS foot switches and a host of other foot switches and pedals, though not all have been officially tested and recommended by AirTurn. I received a four-pedal review unit. With both the two- and four-pedal board units, the controller is detachable from the pedal board, so if you fancy a gig with more or fewer pedals, it's possible, though you'll need to buy those pedals separately. Overall, I'd say the AirTurn is really well-made. In fact, it's made in the USA. But at this price point, I can't shake the feeling of cheap plastic on the actual controller, especially when it's going to live on the floor and come into lots of foot contact. Another little niggle is the on/off/reset button, which I found awkwardly positioned and a little difficult to press if you don't have long finger nails. It would be great to see a more user-friendly button in future models, perhaps placed away from the ports, so it's easier to reach and use. Setup AirTurn is compatible with Mac and iOS. I decided to test the AirTurn with my iPad. Pairing the AirtTurn to my iPad was super simple, especially since the AirTurn comes with a comprehensive manual to guide you through the process. There's also AirTurn's YouTube page, which has loads of tutorials and how-to guides to get your AirTurn up and running. First, I had to turn on the AirTurn by pressing the on/off/reset button; I then enabled Bluetooth on my iPad. The AirTurn appeared almost instantly in the list of Bluetooth devices near me. With a tap, the AirTurn paired with my iPad. From here, I ignorantly thought I'd be able to use the AirTurn to turn virtual pages on just about any app on my iPad, but this is not the case. The AirTurn is compatible with select apps (a comprehensive list can be found here). It's worth checking this list to make sure the apps you use are compatible with the AirTurn. Another thing to note is that the AirTurn is essentially fooling your iPad into thinking you've got a Bluetooth keyboard paired to it. So when the AirTurn is paired to your iPad, the iPad's virtual keyboard will not appear on screen. However, you can make the keyboard appear by pressing the on/off/reset button on the AirTurn once paired. It's not ideal, but it's also unlikely you'll be typing away while in the middle of a set. I decided to test out AirTurn with OnSong; a popular set-list and lyric/chord-management app (find out more about OnSong here). With the AirTurn paired to my iPad, I went to OnSong's settings to assign what each of the four pedals would do. I settled with page down, page up, next song and previous song, respectively, but I could assign a number of different commands, like transpose up or down or even toggle backing tracks. Performance Once setup, I was soon scrolling though songs and easily moving up and down through verses and choruses. My first impression was that it felt really natural to use my foot to direct what I wanted OnSong to do on the iPad. I was really impressed with just how quiet the pedals are when pressed, though you must be careful not to make a noise when connecting your foot/shoe with the pedals. Like stomping on a wooden floor, doing the same on the AirTurn will make a noise. I found the pedals to have good travel, with OnSong responding instantly to my taps. However, I did notice that I needed to let the pedal fully depress back up in order for my next down press to register. If I rested my foot on a pedal (similar to when you're playing a sustain pedal on a piano), intending to do repeated downward presses to scroll through the various verses and choruses of a song, I found if I did not lift my foot up off the pedal entirely, to let if fully bounce back, the next downward press would not always register. However, if I consistently lifted my foot off the pedal, the downward press would always register. It's probably something that just takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you're used to using a piano pedal or traditional guitar effects pedals. It's also worth noting that the AirTurn is only as good as the app it's paired with. While I found the AirTurn to be a great Bluetooth pedal in and of itself, it's not going to shine if paired to a buggy app with poor integration. In that sense, it's up to app developers to take full advantage of what the AirTurn has to offer and make the end-user experience flawless. In terms of virtual guitar pedal usage, there are just three apps that are compatible with AirTurn at this stage: JamUp XT, Loopy HD and AmpKit+. Unfortunately I was not able to try those apps, but if the integration is as solid as OnSong, the AirTurn will do a stellar job with these apps. It's also worth noting that the AirTurn is compatible with various other iOS apps for different application, like teleprompters, media players, presenters, etc. Do refer to AirTurn's comprehensive list of compatible apps. Conclusion The AirTurn BT-105 is a fantastic Bluetooth controller, particularly when paired with iOS apps that take full advantage of it. It's adaptable, customizable and easy to use. Bar a few niggles with its on/of/reset button and the plastic material used to house the main controller, I found the AirTurn BT-105 to be a solid and seamless Bluetooth controller. And the four-pedal ATFS-2 board turned out to be an ideal accompaniment to the BT-105, giving you quiet, extensive foot-switch control. For musicians with digital repertoires or complex musical pieces to recite from a digital score, and numerous other applications, the AirTurn BT-105 and four-pedal board are must-haves.
Fanatec's Forza 4 accessories now up for pre-order
Turn 10 Studios and Fanatec have partnered to offer some high-end, wireless peripherals for Forza Motorsport 4. The CSR Wheel ($250), CSR Elite pedals ($150) and CSR shifter ($60) are all made with aluminum parts. The wheel's got force feedback and an LED display for tweaking the turning, force feedback, vibration and sensitivity; five available presets make for easy switching. The wheel is even compatible with PC and PS3, if you've got other racing games, and the pedals are also compatible with PC via an optional USB cable. Take a gander at the goods in the gallery below. %Gallery-135146%
Start your engines, open your wallets: Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSRs available for pre-ordering
The green flag just waved on pre-orders for Fanatec's line of Forza Motorsport accessories, including the CSR Wheel ($250), CSR Elite Pedal Set ($150) and CSR Shifter Set ($60). To refresh your memory: all feature metal construction that, as we noted, gives them a solid, rugged feel. The wheel's force feedback is powered by a Mabuchi RS550 motor, with two additional actuators simulating motor and ABS vibration. The pedals are fully adjustable; a pressure-sensitive brake pedal can be tuned to mimic any car. Finally, the shifter set features a six-speed H-pattern design and can be mounted on either side of the steering wheel. There's no word on when these will actually ship, and sadly for you big spenders, the CSR Wheel Elite isn't yet available. But don't let that keep you from getting revved up over the PR below.
Saitek flight gear replicates Cessna 172 Skyhawk, lets you simulate lazy Sunday flyovers
Sure, some flight-sim junkies want to imagine themselves dogfighting with an F-16, afterburners screaming as they climb into the sky. But for virtual pilots less interested in white-knuckle air warfare, Mad Catz has unveiled a product line based on that ubiquitous trainer, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. The company's Saitek brand now offers a Yoke ($200), Trim Wheel ($50), and Rudder Pedals ($210), all officially licensed from the airplane manufacturer. Buy them all together and you'll receive a free Flight Switch Panel, thereby completing your cockpit ensemble. Remember, though: you're in this for the pure, majestic joy of simulated flight. It's not a competition, so don't let this guy and his $300,000 flight simulator get under your skin. Cool?
Sanyo Eneloop Pedal Juice battery pack preview
It's Christmas Day, which probably means that at least one toy that you received (or gave) won't be fully functional until Monday. Why? Batteries. It's an age-old problem, that "batteries not included" thing, and it's one of the reasons we've fell so in love with Sanyo's Eneloop line. Without question, the Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries are amongst the best and most reliable that money can buy, so whenever another Eneloop product pops out, it obviously catches our eye. Sanyo's branching out pretty severely with its latest device, and being that at least 3.5 members of the Engadget staff have strummed a six-string once or twice, we had to take a closer look at the Pedal Juice when given the chance. For those that missed last month's introduction, this pedal-sized block of energy is designed to provide 9V power to six or seven effects pedals, miniature amplifiers or electric drum pads (amongst other musical doodads). So, does this thing live up to the Eneloop reputation? Find out after the break. %Gallery-111994%
Bluetooth AirTurn BT-105 gets real, aims to flip digital music sheets on November 16th
Remember this guy? He's back, and better than ever before. In fact, he's bringing all sorts of good news for digital sheet music readers, namely that the AirTurn BT-105 is just weeks away from shipping. This Bluetooth-enabled system -- which links up with standard page-turners and connects with your iPad, Mac or PC in order to flip from page to page without ever taking your hand away from your McCartney replica bass -- even includes a debounce filter to prevent multiple page turns for each foot switch press. The system plays nice with forScore, MusicReader, and unrealBook, and the rechargeable battery is said to be good for a solid 100 hours. It'll ship to Americans on November 16th for the tidy sum of $69, but before you rush away and jot down the date on your pocket calendar, head on past the break and mash play. It's worth it, trust us.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: of pedal-powered submarines and soda-powered fuel cells
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. This week, California saw a tremendous boost for solar power as the nation's first solar thermal plant in two decades was approved for Kern County. We also saw several incredible new approaches to generating alternative energy as researchers took crucial steps towards tapping the skies for lightning power and scientists unveiled a fuel cell battery that can be powered by soda. And if you can barely contain yourself at the prospect of pop-powered batteries, relax -- a team of scientists is also working on using urine to create low-cost fuel cells. This week we also watched green transportation take a plunge beneath the sea as French engineers unveiled an awesome pedal-powered submarine. Our neighbors to the north also broke news as students at the University of British Columbia embarked upon a record-setting trip across Canada in an electrified VW Beetle and three Canadian schools announced plans to create a car out of cannabis - hopefully it doesn't go up in smoke. Finally, we took a (sobering) look at the havoc that poor public transportation planning can wreak: a massive traffic jam in China that extended for more than 60 miles and 9 days. Speaking of students, here are a few projects to get you energized for the coming school year: a German tank armory was recently transformed into an ultra-modern solar-powered school, and we showcased some of the world's most incredible student-built structures. In other news, we brought you two dispatches from the realm of wearable tech - a new energy-harvesting film that could wire your wardrobe and a line of clothing that lets you send and receive phone calls. Can you hear me now?
Saitek keeps flight simulation alive with new gear, no word on robot air hostesses
Microsoft may have axed its Flight Simulator franchise a little while back, but it appears that there are still enough virtual pilots out there to keep Mad Catz abuzz with making new apparatus. In fact, the notoriously expensive Saitek Pro Flight range will be seeing an addition of three new products in October. First we have the self-explanatory Backlit Information Panel, which could probably double as a pricey mood light if you have $149.00 / £129.99 / €149.99 to spare. Next up is the identically-priced Throttle, Pitch and Mixture System box that's supposed to replicate the controls found on the Cessna, Piper and Money Bravo light aircrafts. If these two modules fail to drain your piggy bank, you could always fork out another $199.99 / £179.99 / €199.99 for the F16 / F35-inspired, die-cast alloy Combat Rudder Pedals. Bundle these with the other Saitek hardware and you might get close to having the full cockpit.
AirTurn's BT-105 footpedal is a real page turner (video)
If you carry your sheet music in a laptop, AirTurn's got a USB dongle for that, but if you've migrated your musical cues to an certain slate, never fear, Bluetooth is on the way. The AirTurn BT-105 will bring the company's page turning technology to iPad, using a transmitter that attaches to standard professional footswitches, allowing you to turn full pages and half pages of sheet music while keeping hands firmly affixed to your instrument. Though there's no word on price, we imagine it'll cost close to the existing 2.4GHz version, which runs from $40 for a dongle to $100 for a package with two Boss pedals, and when it surfaces in Q4 of this year, we're hoping it will extend bicycling input to all the other wild and crazy apps you dream up. PR and video after the break.
Fast Forward electric pedals could make your bike power itself
Every electric bike we've seen, and we've seen quite a few, relies on motors that are either attached to the wheels or somehow integrated in to the chain drive. Efficient, perhaps, but not exactly trivial to retrofit onto an existing cycle. Stephen Britt's Fast Forward pedals take a rather more ingenious and, honestly, simple approach: put the motors in the pedals. When your feet are resting on the pedals and their motors start a spinning the result is a bike that basically powers itself. We're a bit doubtful that this kind of tech could actually push a bike up a hill without some effort from the dude or dudette in the saddle, and we suspect that the motors having to lift your legs up and down doesn't help their efficiency, but it is an interesting solution that should work on nearly any bike. You can see it in motion at the source link and, while you're there, take a moment to give Mr. Britt your vote. If he wins he'll get £50,000 to make these a reality -- and to give your lazy butt a little assistance on the ride home.
Pedal-powered Porsche made out of Balsa wood doesn't fail to impress
You've always wanted a knock-off, pedal powered Porsche that was actually constructed largely out of Balsa wood and tin foil painted gold, right? Well, who wouldn't?
Boss turns DS-1 Distortion pedal into USB mouse, changes the game forever
Any touring guitar player worth his / her salt likely owns a Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner pedal, and while he / she certainly balked at the MSRP at checkout, they probably couldn't live without it now. And this, friends, is yet another item that you surely cannot live without... but sadly, you'll have to. As the story goes, Boss was offering up this DS-1 Distortion USB mouse as a limited run item on its UK website, but at just £29.99 ($43), they unsurprisingly sold out in record time. Now, there's nary a trace of the device on the outfit's webstore, but at least you've got MusicRadar's hands-on images in the source link to soothe the hurt. What's that? It only makes things worse? Dim the lights, grab the eye-black and cue the Brand New, please. [Thanks, Geoff]
Zoom G2Nu and G2.1Nu guitar effects pedals offer direct USB recording
Zoom is kind of like Mitsubishi -- it sort of does it all. Months after shipping one of the greatest pocket audio recorders every known to man, the company is now hitting back with none other than a pair of guitar effects pedals. The G2Nu and G2.1Nu boards both feature 100 preset guitar sounds, 20 of which have purportedly been given the almighty thumbs-up from Steve Vai. If you're curious about differences, the latter adds a built-in expression pedal for additional control, but frankly, the expected capabilities aren't what we're interested in. Both devices sport integrated USB ports that enable them to operate as audio interfaces; in other words, axe slingers can record directly to their computer through this box, and the 1.9-inch display helps you keep track of what's going on. Regrettably, pricing and availability details have been conveniently omitted, but we suspect it'll be hitting Sam Ash, Sweetwater and the rest of the gang soonish. %Gallery-88115%
TC Electronic PolyTune tunes all your strings at once
We haven't seen much reason to trade up from our ancient Boss tuner in all the years we've been playing guitar, but the new TC Electronic PolyTune might finally persuade us. Billed as the "world's first polyphonic tuner," the PolyTune supposedly lets you tune all your strings at once -- you simply strum away and the display tells you which strings need a tweak. There's also a standard needle mode, two chromatic modes, a real-time stream mode that shows you pitch changes as they happen, and built-in memory so you can lock in your favorite settings. No word on price or availability, but we should find out more at NAMM this week. Check out a video of the prototype in action after the break. Update: Tipster Lane sends in a screenshot from our webOS Engadget app showing the PolyTune with a $150 MSRP and a $99 street price. Check it after the break. Thanks, Lane!
Brando offers USB Triple Foot Switch on the cheap
As you may be aware, USB foot pedals aren't an entirely new development, but they've largely been the domain of specialty manufactures who offer them alongside high-end keyboards and other pricey ergonomic devices. None other than Brando seems set to change that, however, as it's now offering a similar device for the low, low price of $45. Nothing fancy here, as you might expect, just three foot pedals that can control any key or key combination -- you can even use a pair (or more) of them together if you like. Hit up the link below to get your order in, and click back a page once you're there to check out the slightly cheaper two-pedal version.
