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Author Archive

Modular on the (NYC) roof, with Wandertalk

14642162_685951068223935_8826614335113845452_n1 One of the cool things about organizing the Brooklyn Synth Expo is that we get to know some new, local, talented electronic artists. Enter Wandertalk, the project of NYC based synth-head Nik Kwas, who also enjoys shooting videos of electronic musicians playing their modular racks on a roof facing Manhattan - at dawn.... Click on the title for more

Modular on the (NYC) roof, with Wandertalk

BK Synth Expo draws 1k – see you in Austin!

15037218_919066538194627_8539782098187090579_n1 More than 1,000 synth lovers attended the third edition of the Brooklyn Synth Expo on November 12-13, 2016! Lots of synths were played, desired and... acquired! We'd like to thank Main Drag Music, the participating manufacturers, our sponsor Blue Headphones and all the visitors who made this a fun and unforgettable event! Check out the Facebook picture album here.... Click on the title for more

BK Synth Expo draws 1k – see you in Austin!

New Pedals: Nunomo Limbo Overdrive

dsc_5848m_1024x10241 Newcomers to the pedal game Nunomo are offering an innovative take on overdrive with the Limbo Overdrive. The coolest feature of this pedal is the ability to tailor the clipping voltage, which enables a very wide range of overdrive sounds.... Click on the title for more

New Pedals: Nunomo Limbo Overdrive

Elektron enters the guitar pedal world with the Analog Drive!

bb-25-580x5581 Well, this was kind of unexpected: Our upcoming Brooklyn Synth Expo will serve as a launch platform for a... stompbox! The pedal, manufactured by Swedish synth maker Elektron, is called Analog Drive, and it seems to borrow, at least in part, from the distortion stage of the company's "audio enhancer/destroyer"Analog Heat. ... Click on the title for more

Elektron enters the guitar pedal world with the Analog Drive!

Seminal vintage pedals: Marshall Supa Fuzz – by Gearphoria

dscn55241 In production for over a decade starting in the mid-1960s, the Marshall Supa Fuzz bounced through several iterations during its run. Those examples were built by Sola Sound’s Gary Hurst chiefly using the Tonebender MkII circuit. The earliest Supa Fuzz’s actually used a version of the MkI circuit and boasted a tone filter and pre-set gain levels. The Supa Fuzz was popularized by the likes of Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck and the late Ron Asheton. Today, some of the more popular versions of the Supa Fuzz will set you back a few thousand dollars. There are a few builders that make clones of the pedal. Check out offerings from Pigdog, Castledine, DenTone, CBC Pedals and Farmland for the low down. - Read the full article on Gearphoria.com!... Click on the title for more

Seminal vintage pedals: Marshall Supa Fuzz – by Gearphoria

New Pedals: MXR Shin-Juku Drive

shinjukudrive-111 MXR has been rolling out some new overdrive designs lately, and have teamed up with legendary amp designer Shin Suzuki to present the Shin-Juku Drive. Providing a dynamic, amp-like feel, the Shin-Juku drive is great at pushing your amp’s front end or as an overdrive pedal. Yet another 3 knob design, with the standard ‘Gain’, ‘Tone’, and ‘Output’ controls. On top of that, there is a ‘Dark’ switch that acts as a low pass filter which helps you tailor the sound to your specific style and rig. ... Click on the title for more

New Pedals: MXR Shin-Juku Drive

Featured Pedals: Baldera Mosfet Drive

hqdefault1 A lot of overdrive pedals are really great at singing lead sounds, but fall flat when used on a rhythm guitar part. The Mosfet Drive from Miami based Baldera Effects sounds right at home in either scenario. Whether used on lead or rhythm parts, players of all genres can find a utility for this FET-based overdrive.... Click on the title for more

Featured Pedals: Baldera Mosfet Drive

New Pedals, Bogner La Grange

bogner_lagrange1 The Marshall Plexi is one of the most iconic amps of all time, and it has been used on countless classic recordings. Many pedal makers have tried to cram this beloved amplifier design into a stompbox to varying results.... Click on the title for more

New Pedals, Bogner La Grange

Featured Pedals: KHDK No.1 Overdrive

khdk-no1-overdrive-1-555x4931Perhaps some of the most sought-after tones of all time belong to heavy metal giants Metallica, specifically their lightning-fingered lead guitarist Kirk Hammett. One of their latest offerings from his new enterprise KHDK Electronics, the No.1 is fueled by a blend of transistor and op-amp design, an innovation becoming more common in the overdrive pedal world. Cascading gain stages help achieve Kirk’s perfect sound, much like stacking two different pedals. The ‘Gain’ knob controls the gain related to the first stage, and the second Gain knob has dual functionality with the ‘Bass’ EQ control. It tailors the amount of low end in relation to the amount of gain being used. The ‘Hi/Lo’ switch directly affects the gain. ‘Lo’ is designed for warmer rhythm playing, ‘Hi’ for blazing leads and increased saturation.... Click on the title for more

Featured Pedals: KHDK No.1 Overdrive

Retail Space’s gear and creative process

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Catchy but soulful, vintage but vogue,
Retail Space is a Brooklyn-based duo dropping some highly dynamic music. In a scene that is getting increasingly weary of the neo-psych aesthetic, the band manages to masterfully package synth-y, psych pop vibes with a charming, indie-folk tinge that feels crisp instead of tired. The band, who recorded their most recent release, In the Lotia, using only analog equipment, was kind enough to talk to us about their recording process, their creative process, and of course, the gear that helps drive it all forward.... Click on the title for more

Retail Space’s gear and creative process

Brooklyn Synth Expo 2016!

On the heels of the last year's third edition, attended by more almost 1200 musicians - we are proud to announce the Brooklyn Synth Expo 2016, once again hosted by Williamsburg's instrument store /a>Main Drag Music on the weekend of November 12-13.Main Drag Music Main Drag Music  on the weekend of November 12-13.

... Click on the title for more

Brooklyn Synth Expo 2016!

New, tiny pedals: Valeton Coral Mod

20160521153908_3941 Guitarists who are looking for a modulation effect that's both super flexible and super tiny should take a hard look at Valeton Effects' Coral Mod, a mini stompbox that packs a surprising amount of options. At the heart of this pedal is a digital design that allows for 16 different modulation types!... Click on the title for more

New, tiny pedals: Valeton Coral Mod