gear giveaway

Option Knob introduces the VKnob – Volume Knob

The ideal controller for our guitar pedals' knobs would be some kind of sci-fi brainwave sensor that telepathically changes the settings effortlessly, exactly the way we want, while we focus on playing. While waiting for somebody to come up with that device, we should be happy there's an affordable solution…Click on the title for more

Option Knob introduces the VKnob – Volume Knob

Guitar Pedal Reviews: Jam Pedals Big Chill Tremolo

The Big Chill Tremolo pedal by JAM Pedals, out of Greece, is FANTASTIC! I don't normally open my reviews with all caps but it's that good. What makes it so good? I believe it's a combination of doing some traditional things very well and a few unique and innovative features…Click on the title for more

Guitar Pedal Reviews: Jam Pedals Big Chill Tremolo

Mixing Electro Tracks: Ducking

Purely electronic music (dance in particular) is quite a different beast to mix compared to its electric and acoustic cousins. The lack of uneven “human factors” in the instrumental tracks makes the use of regular compression less crucial, while effects like filters, delays and... whatever’s weird, garner the front stage,…Click on the title for more

Mixing Electro Tracks: Ducking

TWA announces “Space Cadette” compact line of pedals

Compact stompboxes are setting the guitar pedal world's abuzz these days, and after products from Malekko, Mooer, TC Electronic, Barber and a few others, it's now TWA pedals' turn to announce a line of small footprint devices, called "Space Cadette." These new mini effects will be available in the fall…Click on the title for more

TWA announces “Space Cadette” compact line of pedals

Bands in the Studio: Skaters

" I am a big Electro Harmonics Memory Man fan." SKATERS excitedly pronounces their name repeatedly on landing on their nondescript website. But once you've seen the pizza-loving video for 'Schemers,' you'll get a better idea for the sense of humor the trio is capable of. Shooting toy guns through confetti-soaked…Click on the title for more

Bands in the Studio: Skaters

Pedal Reviews: TC Electronic Ditto Looper

As I said in my review of Pigtronix's feature-packed Infinity Looper, there seems to be something in the water that's making people gravitate toward the one-man-band setup. The proof is in the gear. Complex programmable loopers, in both hardware and software, are becoming extremely popular, but today's subject, the Ditto…Click on the title for more

Pedal Reviews: TC Electronic Ditto Looper

Secrets of Mixing: A/Bing

The easiest and quickest way to learn anything is by watching the pros in action. As far as mixing is concerned, we might not be able to be present in the studio with the best mixing engineers while they work, but we all have access to... their final mixes! During…Click on the title for more

Secrets of Mixing: A/Bing

Pigtronix Gatekeeper Noise Gate

New York City based manufacturer Pigtronix has recently released a noise gate stompbox called The Gatekeeper. The pedal utilizes high speed J-Fet circuitry to quell any static or non-musical sounds from your signal path. With above the average headroom and wide range threshold control, the Gatekeeper enables fast and smooth…Click on the title for more

Pigtronix Gatekeeper Noise Gate

Sonic Youth’s Pedal and Equipment Archive

Sonic Youth is a band that like no other brought innovation to the sound of indie rock – particularly in the guitar tones and playing style departments. But unlike many contemporary Lo-Fi, noise rock bands, Thurston Moore and co. always devoted a lot of resources to researching the sonic possibilities…Click on the title for more

Sonic Youth’s Pedal and Equipment Archive

Z-Vex’s new Step Sequence Pedals with Midi Synch

Step sequence pedals have become quite trendy in the last few years, probably because of their ability to create intriguing textures that manifest themselves as some kind of happy accidents. I find it really useful to have a piece of gear that allows me to approach the creative process in…Click on the title for more

Z-Vex’s new Step Sequence Pedals with Midi Synch

Celestial Effects’ Cancer Wah The Fuzz

Sometimes affordable, simple, great sounding stompboxes give us exactly what we need today, but their one-trick-ponyness fails to keep us entertained for very long. That's why exploring a distortion pedal priced just short of $500 like the hand built Celestial Effects' Cancer Wah The Fuzz can actually make sense. Another plus is…Click on the title for more

Celestial Effects’ Cancer Wah The Fuzz

Production ideas – replacing snare reverb with gated stereo samples

Many contemporary bands thrive on the creation of new sounds and textures. Here’s a cool idea that’s also CPU friendly – since it implies using samples instead of computer-power-hungry reverb plug-ins. With the help of a simple noise gate, a stereo enhancer plug-in, and a virtual sampler (like Drumagog or any of the…Click on the title for more

Production ideas – replacing snare reverb with gated stereo samples