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Fender’s Tone Master Pro digital workstation emulates over 100 effects and amps
Fender just released the new Tone Master Pro modeling amp. This machine allows access to over 100 amp models and effects, in addition to thousands of impulse responses that capture cabinet and microphone combinations.
What we bought: My first tube amp… about 20 years late
The Fender Blues Jr isn’t just my first tube amp, it’s the first amp I’ve ever loved.
ICYMI: We listen to Yamaha’s latest headphones with 3D sound
Engadget's tech reviews from this week include the Analogue Pocket, the Yamaha YH-L700A headphones and 'Halo: Infinite.'
Fender's newest Acoustasonic guitar is cheaper, but not cheap enough
Fenders' Acoustasonic Player Telecaster trades versatility for price, but still costs too much.
Fender's latest Acoustasonic hybrid guitar is almost affordable
Fender has unveiled a lower-cost Acoustasonic hybrid guitar aimed at relative newcomers to the music world.
Fender is buying studio gear company PreSonus
Fender is buying PreSonus, a company that’s best known for its studio recording gear and software.
Fender's Mustang Micro packs impressive amp modelling in a tiny package
Fender brings its amp modeling chops to a headphone guitar amp.
ICYMI: We spend a few nights with the Bose Sleepbuds 2
Here's a recap of Engadget's tech reviews from this week, including those for the Bose Sleepbuds 2 and AMD's Radeon RX 6700 XT GPU.
Fender's hybrid Acoustasonic guitar is more than an experiment
The hybrid acoustic-electric guitar line from Fender grows to become more than an experiment.
Fender packs Mustang tones inside its new personal guitar amplifier
It's a step above your regular personal guitar amplifier.
Fender Songs is an interactive chord book that syncs with Apple Music
Don't believe the hype: The guitar isn't dying. But the industry that surrounds the instrument is definitely in a transitional period, to put it politely. Fender has weathered a lot of the storm by focusing one thing: getting more people to play guitar. Simply building decent affordable instruments isn't enough, though. So a couple of years ago it launched Fender Play an app and subscription service that delivers guitar, bass and ukulele lessons straight to people's computers and phones. And Fender Tune (which, frankly, is a must have for any guitarist) has an encyclopedia's worth of alternate tunings, scales and chords at players fingertips, making them less likely to abandon the instrument.
Ask Engadget: What's the best connected guitar amp?
This week in Ask Engadget: What's the best connected guitar amp?
Fender’s acoustic-electric hybrid is a technological wonder
I'll admit that when I opened the guitar case of the Acoustasonic Telecaster I immediately thought of the toy guitar my parents gave me when I was four years old. With a small hole in the center of the body, it looks unlike anything out there. Well, except that plastic toy that somehow snuck its way into the recesses of my memory. Then I picked it up and strummed and... no this is not a plaything. This is a seriously impressive instrument that will more than likely win over skeptics once they start playing.
Fender's music instruction app now includes bass lessons
Fender has added bass lessons to its Fender Play platform, providing users with bite-sized exercises, a number of instructors to learn from and a slew of skills to master. Those working on developing their bass-playing abilities will have access to a concept glossary, can work from multiple camera angles including close-up finger placement shots and over-the-shoulder views, track their progress and choose which style they prefer -- like funk, rock, R&B, blues or pop.
The best audio gear for students
There's a strong case to be made for investing in quality audio gear at any period in your adult life. For college students in particular, though, a good set of speakers can be icebreakers as much as gateways into audiophilia. As such, we've included three options in our back-to-school buyer's guide, along with a turntable and amplifier, should you be more creatively inclined. Content to just listen to music and podcasts on the way to class? We have a few headphones you should check out, too.
The best VR headsets and accessories for dorms
We'll be the first to admit that a virtual-reality session isn't terribly conducive to bonding with new friends in the dorm. But, hey, a few of us here at Engadget are introverts, so you don't need to explain to us the value of strapping on a headset and momentarily blocking out the stress of classes and meeting new people. Included in our back-to-school guide are many of the usual suspects, like the Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR and Daydream View. We also recommend the optional Rift and Gear VR controllers, as well as games like Rock Band VR and Farpoint. Enjoy your escape from the real world, but remember to take a social break from time to time.
Fender's Mustang GT amps pack an overkill of digital options
Playing the electric guitar in a cover band can be complex. You need to be able to sound like a wide range of different guitar players, each with their own distinct sound -- much of which is based on their unique amplifier and effects profile. The Fender Mustang GT series of amplifiers, consisting of 40-, 100- and 200-watt models, aims to squeeze a range of classic Fender sounds into a single digital cabinet. Imagine being able to sound like Prince, AC/DC and Chic in quick succession onstage without having to change out any of your gear. That's the Mustang GT promise, and -- for the most part -- Fender succeeds. With a full-featured set of pre- and post-effects modules, customizable presets and a deep catalog of amplifier emulation available, Fender has made it pretty easy to sound however you want, provided you're OK with a solid-state sound rather than a tube-based one.
Fender's Bluetooth speakers look just as you'd imagine
Fender's first set of Bluetooth speakers is unmistakably on brand. For better and for worse, the compact Newport and its bigger brother the Monterey resemble guitar amps. Both come complete with adjustable volume knobs (so you feel like you're tuning the sound) and imposing metal grilles. But with the company also promising "high-quality digital audio," their appeal may stretch beyond the classic rock crowd.
Fender Play doesn't judge -- it just teaches you guitar
If you ask Ethan Kaplan, chief product officer of digital at Fender, about the death of the electric guitar, he gets a bit incredulous. And it's easy to understand why. As he's quick to point out, "for some reason, there's still a guitar on every stage." But while he's adamant his company and the industry is perfectly healthy, it's clear some of the cultural cachet of the guitar has dried up. Fender is hoping to turn the tides.
Fender's new guitar amps can be fine-tuned from your phone
Fender first revealed its mobile software plans back in August of last year when the guitar maker's digital arm debuted a tuner app for iOS. In November, we learned the company had guitar amplifiers in the works that would wirelessly sync settings with its library of apps. Today, we finally meet the pieces of Fender connected guitar gear: the Mustang GT amps.
