guitar amp
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The pocket-sized Boss Katana:Go headphone amp doubles as an audio interface
The Boss Katana:GO headphone amp features 13 tones and 60 effects, in addition to doubling as an audio interface. It costs $120.
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.
Archetype: Rabea is an all-in-one virtual guitar rig that’s also a synth
Neural DSP built its first guitar synth for Archetype: Rabea and basically nailed it.
Universal Audio’s amp sim pedals are an affordable route to convincing tube amp sounds
The $400 UAFX Amp Emulator pedals are the most convincing recreations of tube amps I've played.
Universal Audio brings its excellent vintage amp emulations to your pedalboard
The latest entries in the UAFX line recreate iconic British and American tube amps.
Positive Grid Spark Pearl review: A high-tech guitar amp that's easy on the eyes
The Positive Grid Spark is one of, if not the most high-tech practice amp out there and packs a lot of versatility for $299.
Fender's Mustang Micro packs impressive amp modelling in a tiny package
Fender brings its amp modeling chops to a headphone guitar amp.
Yamaha's THR30IIA is a wireless amp for acoustic guitar players
Yamaha is expanding its THR ‘desktop’ amplifier lineup to add a dedicated model for acoustic guitar players.
Yamaha’s tiny wireless guitar amp gets everything right but the price
With the original THR line of guitar amps, Yamaha basically invented a new product category: the connected desktop amplifier. It filled a need that honestly many guitar players didn't even realize they had. These amplifiers are small enough to sit on a table or desk, they sound great even at low volumes and they're stylish enough that you won't feel compelled to hide them when company comes over. You don't have to search long or hard to find people singing their praises. I bought one a couple years ago and have zero regrets. But the THR amps weren't without flaws. And in the nine years since they were introduced, the competition has caught up. The highly revered Roland Katana line made a play for the space with the Air. And the iconic Vox brand introduced Adio. So Yamaha announced the THR II in September with new features, new amp models and a rich new app in the hopes of not only keeping pace but also showing the competition it's still the benchmark for tiny amps.
Boss’ guitar amp headphones are clever but pricey
There are very few objective truths out there that everyone can seem to agree on. But one of them is most certainly the fact that playing guitar through headphones sucks. Whether you're using a dedicated headphone amp (which often look like relics from the 1980s) or just plugging your trusty over-ears into a tube amp that would wake the neighbors even at the lowest settings, the experience is underwhelming at best. A number of companies have tried different things to try to improve the situation, but Boss' Waza Air are probably the most novel I've seen. For one, this is the first time I know of that a company built a guitar amp directly into a set of headphones. And secondly, the Waza Air includes some pretty unique features that make it feel more like you're listening to an actual amp in a room, rather than just blasting a raw guitar signal into your ears.
Boss wants to replace your practice amp with wireless headphones
The Boss Katana 50 is one of Engadget's favorite guitar amps. Unlike tube-based amplifiers, digital units like the Katana series can be played at low volumes without losing much tone. But even low volume is too much volume in some cases. If you have a baby, sensitive neighbors or late-night urges to rip, the company's new Waza-Air -- which packs an amp into a set of headphones -- can help you keep noise to a minimum while theoretically still providing lively tones.
Positive Grid's Spark amp helps you learn and jam to your favorite songs
Guitar amps are getting more connected and more flexible. Boss' latest Katana offerings simulates 10 different amp models and 60 effects. While Yamaha's THR line features a rechargeable battery and wireless connectivity. Positive Grid is taking things even further. Its upcoming Spark amplifier adds both learning and musical accompaniment features thanks to its companion mobile app.
Boss’ new Katana guitar amps offer more tones than ever
A few months back a reader asked us what the best connected guitar amp was for beginners. And there are a few solid options, including Yamaha's THR line. But, one amp topped the rest: Boss' Katana 50. And now Katana line is getting major refresh that makes it an even better bang for your buck than before. This most immediate change is the number of amp simulations available. The original Katanas had five, the Katana MkIIs add a variation of each, for a total of 10 amp models. You can also use more of the built in effects simultaneously now. Where as before you were limited to three, the MkII line lets you chain up to five together. And it's still pulling from the same library of over 60 excellent Boss effects (after all, Boss is better known for its effects pedals than its amps).
Yamaha updates its THR desktop guitar amps for the first time in years
The pressure waves from a cranked 100-watt tube amp could kill any insects or small rodents in close proximity. Even low-powered, solid state practice amplifiers can be too loud for apartment dwellers. To get around extreme noise issues, Yamaha's THR line of "desktop" guitar amps aim to recreate rich, tube-like tones at reasonable volumes while also including advanced digital features. But the THR10 came out way back in 2011 and is long overdue for an update. So the company is launching the THR-II series, which keeps everything that made the original great (like its tiny footprint) and adds a host of new amp models and features like Bluetooth.
Ask Engadget: What's the best connected guitar amp?
This week in Ask Engadget: What's the best connected guitar amp?
Vox jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on)
Guitarists and Bassists have many tools at their disposal for practicing fresh news licks without disturbing others around them. One of our favorites is Vox's AmPlug -- a guitar amp-modeling dongle that plugs into your instrument's 1/4-inch jack, allowing you to connect headphones and an MP3 player to practice privately. Building on the idea, Vox worked with Audio-Technica to simply embed the AmPlug in a new line of headphones, dubbing them Amphones. The company quietly put the cans up on its site recently, and it's now officially ready to shout out loud about them. Guitarists can choose from AC-30 (British crunch), Lead (hi-gain) and Twin (clean) variants, and bassists can snag the Bass version, which is based on Vox's AC100. Just like the AmPlug, each Amphone features volume dials -- sadly, these don't go to 11 -- for setting gain, volume and tone, along with a fourth for a built-in effect (compression for the Bass and reverb with the AC30, for example). A duo of triple AAs power the cans and, as you'd expect, the 'phones have a 3.5mm jack for hooking in external sources as well as a 1/4 adapter to plug into your axe. These Vox-styled units will be available in the US sometime in October for $100 a pop (double the cost of an AmPlug). Hungering for more already? We were able to give a pre-production version of the AC30 model a brief run, and you'll find our initial impressions after the break.
Marshall's Hanwell HiFi speaker is bred from guitar amps, at-home with your PMP (update)
It's been a year since the legendary guitar amp and speaker makers at Marshall Amplification made a splash in consumer audio with its Marshall Headphones spin-off (Zound / Urbanears). In commemorence of the amplification division's 50th anniversary, both have announced the Hanwell: Marshall's first speaker rig that's made for a counter-top instead of a festival stage. The Hanwell's design essentially stems from that of a combo guitar amp / speaker, but you won't be able to plug in your guitar, however, as it's specifically made for pumping out the sounds of your music collection. Most anyone who plays guitar, or has seen the likes of Slash and Nigel Tufnel shredding it up, will immediately recognize the iconic Marshall design ethic down to its iconic plastic nameplate on the front grill and gold accents. There's no major tech at play inside of the system, but with looks this cool it's not like it matters -- hopefully, the sound quality will match. Up top there's a familiar panel housing a 3.5mm input, power toggle and knobs for bass, treble and volume, while internally you'll find a duo of long-throw woofers and tweeters. The cab itself is made from wood and wrapped in black vinyl tolex like its bigger JCM siblings -- heck, it even comes with a coiled audio cable. There's no specific information beyond all of that such as pricing and availability -- especially whether "these go to 11" -- but you'll find a press release and close-up shots after the break. Update: We've been informed that the Hanwell will be limited to a run of just 10,000 units -- expect this to be spendy when it's finally available.
Diago's Little Smasher puts a 5W guitar amp in a tiny carbon steel box (video)
Sure, you can always plug your axe into a computer (or even an iPhone) and make sweet, sweet music with software. But what about those times you need an honest-to-goodness amplifier? Diago's Little Smasher is a full-fledged 5 watt guitar amp head that is only roughly the size of an effects pedal. The thing's quite stripped down -- active bass and treble (which gives you more control of the tone than passive EQs), gain, volume, 4-16 ohm output impedance (should work with any speaker cabinet), and that's pretty much it! We should probably also add that the carbon steel enclosure is a nice touch, and one that will be appreciated when you're fighting off a stage invasion at the next Lilith Fair. But you probably want to hear how it sounds -- and for that, we direct you to the video placed after the break. Available for $250 this January.
The Fingerist makes your iPhone a mini guitar
If you have been looking for an iPhone or iPod touch accessory that enables you to play your music applications as if you are playing them with a guitar, look no further. The Fingerist from EVENNO is here to make your dream of being a (nerdy) rock star come true. One part guitar body and one part speaker, The Fingerist holds your iPhone 4, iPhone 3G/3GS or iPod touch 2G/3G in place for you (with the included strap) like a guitar hung around your neck, making it easier to use those music apps you love so much to make some sweet sounds. Apps like Guitar World Lick of the Day (which teaches you a new guitar move every day) or even the new GarageBand let you make music, and The Fingerist lets you play it loudly. While the built-in speaker runs for 6 hours on 3 AA batteries, The Fingerist comes with a line-out jack to send your songs to your amplifier so that you can share with your entire neighborhood. Info on where you can purchase one isn't found on the EVENNO site, but Engadget spotted it for sale over at Amazon for $150. $150 seems a bit steep for my taste when you can get a cheap used guitar and amp for that price, along with maybe a lesson or two. As a guitar player myself, I say go for the real thing. That said, I can see the appeal of bringing this out when the family gets together over the holidays for some rockin' jam sessions. [via Engadget and iLounge]
The Fingerist turns your iPhone into an iKeytar, available now
Remember The Fingerist, the guitar headstock-themed speaker and case for your iPhone or iPod touch? You know, the one with the shoulder strap for public (and private) performances with all of your favorite music making apps? Well, it seems that it's finally available in the states. Indeed, there has been so little fanfare behind this announcement that the company responsible, Evenno, hasn't even acknowledged it on its site. But don't worry: we found this bad boy for $150 on Amazon. And if that's not enough, iLounge has done a series of hands-on photos (see the More Coverage link, below). Or, if you're like us, you can skip the thing altogether and groove to Rick Wakeman after the break. We do have one more thing to say about the Fingerist, however: at least it's not endorsed by this guy.
