Author Archive
I’ve always wanted a Klon. I played the first Centaur in the late 90's at a friend’s studio in San Francisco and by then they were already over $600. Somehow I missed the second model. I must have given up on being able to afford one by then. But a few months ago I caught wind of the new Klon 3 (aka the KTR) by way of an email list. The timing was right, as was the price. I jumped on it, and luckily so because in the blink of an eye there were waiting lists for it everywhere. There still are, and at three times the price.... Click on the title for more
For years you've loved Ernie Ball's passive 250k pot-packing volume pedal the VP Junior for its durability, reasonably small stage footprint, and the precision with which its treadle/sweep can be manipulated and controlled. Now it's time to get acquainted with the VP's badass big brother the MVP.... Click on the title for more
Any guitarists out there looking to sculpt a tone for a niche sub-genre of metal, post hardcore or noise rock should take a deep, hard look at boutique pedal manufacture Lone Wolf Audio. This Austin-based shop (run by the designer of now defunct Enormous Door Pedals) has been ramping up production as of late and offers a tailored array of impressive high gain distortion stompboxes.... Click on the title for more
Emerging from the ashes of previous incarnation Religious to Damn, Zorah Atash and Joshua Strawn have spent the last few years creating a compelling new sound and image as Azar Swan. Their recently released full length album “Dance Before the War,” available from Handmade Birds Records, presents a technically modern sound that at times pays homage to the 90’s goth rock canon. We asked Joshua a few questions about the band's recording and creative habits.... Click on the title for more
Emerging from the ashes of previous incarnation Religious to Damn, Zorah Atash and Joshua Strawn have spent the last few years creating a compelling new sound and image as 
Radio-like effects have been incredibly popular on vocals for quite some time now - I think it all started with Beck's debut album O-Delay. Guitarists interested in a unique lo-fi filter effect that isn't just a modded fuzz or scratchy vinyl emulator should check out the Penny Pedals Deluxe Lo-Fi ilter. The sound you get is more telephone-like, reminiscent of an old Bakelite AM radio. With a switch adding either a high or low resonant midrange tone (telephone to megaphone quality), the four knobs help you dial in the exact lo-fi sound you want, whether haunting or gritty.
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