Author: Axeman

Free Class A Tube Pre-Amp Simulator For Windows

Rocksonics has released Triode, a free Class-A vacuum tube preamp in VST plugin format for Windows. Here’s what they have to say about it: “Triode” is a simple VST Plugin (1 control) that generates the asymmetric transfer characteristic of a Class A Triode vacuum tube pre-amp.  The effect adds both even and odd harmonic distortion which creates the … Continue reading “Free Class A Tube Pre-Amp Simulator For Windows”

Rocksonics has released Triode, a free Class-A vacuum tube preamp in VST plugin format for Windows.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“Triode” is a simple VST Plugin (1 control) that generates the asymmetric transfer characteristic of a Class A Triode vacuum tube pre-amp.  The effect adds both even and odd harmonic distortion which creates the characteristic tube “warmth” that is NOT generated with filters.

“Triode” can be daisy-chained with the Rocksonics “Saturator” plugin (listed below) to emulate a Class A pre-amp followed by a push-pull output stage.

 

The Soundblox Guitar Envelope Filter

Source Audio has introduced the Soundblox Guitar Envelope Filter, a pedal which packs the power and flexibility of a rack-mounted unit into a user-friendly stompbox. The GEF offers a set of 21 individual envelope filter effects, from traditional auto wah sweeps to more dramatic vocal simulations. Filter categories include 2 and 4 Pole Low Pass, Single … Continue reading “The Soundblox Guitar Envelope Filter”

Source Audio has introduced the Soundblox Guitar Envelope Filter, a pedal which packs the power and flexibility of a rack-mounted unit into a user-friendly stompbox.

The GEF offers a set of 21 individual envelope filter effects, from traditional auto wah sweeps to more dramatic vocal simulations. Filter categories include 2 and 4 Pole Low Pass, Single Peak, Triple Peak, Peak & Notch, and Phaser. Due to the finely tuned nature of the pedal, even the slightest gap in the incoming signal will reset the filter position providing a full sweep range for every note. The control panel is simple, but allows users to dial in a broad range of tones. Minor adjustments, such as a change in the direction of the filter sweep, can produce significantly different sounds within a single filter type. The three-knob control panel provides adjustability to the center point of the frequency sweep, the depth and direction of the moving filter, as well as the attack and decay times.

On its own, the GEF can be modulated in the fashion of a standard auto wah, but is also controllable via Source Audio’s Hot Hand Motion Controller Ring for a remarkably expressive and unique approach to filter modulation. The unit also features proprietary state-of-the-art 56-bit Digital Signal Processing (DSP) with 24-bit converters for crystal clear output. Continue reading “The Soundblox Guitar Envelope Filter”

In Depth Look At the Moog Guitar

Cyryl Lance, lead designer at Moog Music, demonstrates some advanced effects that you can achieve with the Moog Guitar. Some crazy stuff! Video from Sonic State from Musikmesse 2011.

Cyryl Lance, lead designer at Moog Music, demonstrates some advanced effects that you can achieve with the Moog Guitar.

Some crazy stuff!

Video from Sonic State from Musikmesse 2011.

Two Free Guitar Pedal VST Plugins For Windows

Heptode has released a pair of free guitar pedal VSTs for Windows, Deep Crunch and Heavy Tone: HEPTODE offers free download of VST plugins that simulates DEEP CRUNCH and HEAVY TONE pedals. The audio sample rate should be at least 44.1kHz for best quality. The Heptode VST plugins are configured with a single mono input … Continue reading “Two Free Guitar Pedal VST Plugins For Windows”

Free Guitar Effect SoftwareHeptode has released a pair of free guitar pedal VSTs for Windows, Deep Crunch and Heavy Tone:

HEPTODE offers free download of VST plugins that simulates DEEP CRUNCH and HEAVY TONE pedals. The audio sample rate should be at least 44.1kHz for best quality. The Heptode VST plugins are configured with a single mono input and a single mono output.

It is still difficult to simulate the whole behavior of analog components (analog pedals are still alive!). The virtual pedals are therefore not perfect, and do not intend to replace the real pedals. Quality also depends on external components such as the audio card or the computer itself.

Download the free guitar pedal effect VSTs at the Heptode site.

Free Update For Pod HD Multi-Effects Processors

Musikmesse 2011: Line 6 announced today a free update for all POD HD multi-effect processors. Firmware update v1.3 will include six new HD amp models and five new amp parameters for additional tones and flexibility. “This free update is our way of thanking POD HD owners for making the POD HD family such a huge … Continue reading “Free Update For Pod HD Multi-Effects Processors”

Pod HDMusikmesse 2011: Line 6 announced today a free update for all POD HD multi-effect processors.

Firmware update v1.3 will include six new HD amp models and five new amp parameters for additional tones and flexibility.

“This free update is our way of thanking POD HD owners for making the POD HD family such a huge success,” says Michael Murphy, Category Manager for POD and Effects Products at Line 6. “The new sets of HD models and parameters deliver a deeper experience to the POD HD platform and more flexibility that we hope will inspire POD HD players.”

The six new HD amp models available in v1.3 are based on channels from three classic American combos (the “Vibrato” channel of a Fender Deluxe Reverb, the “Vibrato” channel of a Fender Twin Reverb and the “Bright” channel of a Fender Bassman), two British half stacks (the “Normal” channel of a Park 75 and the “Normal” channel of a Marshall JTM-45 MkII) and a high-gain Line 6 original.

The inclusion of alternate channels of amps already found in POD HD multi-effects ensures an experience that more closely relates to playing the actual modeled amp.

The new parameters in v1.3 enable POD HD users to further customize and dial in any amount of tube amp feel and behavior. Sag, Hum, Bias, Bias Excursion and Master Volume can be adjusted within any HD amp model, including the 16 that come with POD HD multi-effects processors originally.

Firmware update v1.3 will be available to download from line6.com later this month. Learn more about the v1.3 update and POD HD multi-effect processors at line6.com/podhd.

Sexy New Hyper Touch Guitar

These are shots of the prototypes of Max Battaglia’s prototype Hyper Touch Guitar: Introducing the Hyper Touch Guitar. From the mind of Max Battaglia at Givingshape Design Studio, this unorthodox design replaces strings with a multi-touch screen, allowing the user to adjust the number of “strings” and frets, as well as tuning and sound effects. … Continue reading “Sexy New Hyper Touch Guitar”

These are shots of the prototypes of Max Battaglia’s prototype Hyper Touch Guitar:

Introducing the Hyper Touch Guitar. From the mind of Max Battaglia at Givingshape Design Studio, this unorthodox design replaces strings with a multi-touch screen, allowing the user to adjust the number of “strings” and frets, as well as tuning and sound effects. A wireless command center that permits endless customization and infinite possibilities of expression.

Unfortunately, the Hyper Touch Guitar is just a design concept at this point. Looks pretty cool, though!

Steve Vai Sets Guinness World Record For Largest Online Guitar Lesson

Steve Vai has set the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Online Guitar Lesson. The record is in recognition of a March 3rd online event, sponsored by BerkleeMusic. Close to 7,000 guitarists participated. via Steve Vai

Steve Vai has set the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Online Guitar Lesson.

The record is in recognition of a March 3rd online event, sponsored by BerkleeMusic. Close to 7,000 guitarists participated.

via Steve Vai

Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer Review

PremierGuitar has an interesting review of the new Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer. The verdict? The GR-55 is a deceptively simple looking pedal that has a great deal of depth to it. Overall, the sound quality of the synth voices, COSM guitars, and various effects is excellent. I appreciated the clarity of all of the sounds. And … Continue reading “Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer Review”

Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer

PremierGuitar has an interesting review of the new Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer.

The verdict?

The GR-55 is a deceptively simple looking pedal that has a great deal of depth to it.

Overall, the sound quality of the synth voices, COSM guitars, and various effects is excellent. I appreciated the clarity of all of the sounds. And although I beefed up a number of patches using the onboard EQ to have more bass and punch, those adjustments were fast and easy. Keeping a guitar synth affordable typically requires a lot of design compromises. But the Roland is still a very powerful unit. And without question, it is the best tracking guitar synthesizer that I have ever played.

The ability to blend COSM guitars with synths is inspirational, and this pedal could open the door to new creative options for guitarists of any style. Indeed guitar players interested in increasing their tonal palette in a big way may find that the GR-55 alone can do far more for them than a rack of regular stomp boxes or multi-effects.

The GR-55 combines two banks of 910 synth voices with Roland’s COSM models and the ability to mix in dry signal. At about $700 street price, the new Roland GR-55 guitar synth looks like the best guitar synth deal in town.

See the full review at PremierGuitar.

If you’ve tried out the Roland GR-55 guitar synth, let me know what you think of it!

Robert Randolph On The Moog Guitar

Robert Randolph, pedal steel virtuoso of Robert Randolph & the Family Band, gives the Moog Lap Steel a try. The Moog Lap Steel combines award-winning Moog Guitar technology with the unique expressive capabilities of the Lap Steel guitar. All the innovations of The Moog Guitar; Full Sustain, Controlled Sustain and Mute modes, Harmonic Blends and … Continue reading “Robert Randolph On The Moog Guitar”

Robert Randolph, pedal steel virtuoso of Robert Randolph & the Family Band, gives the Moog Lap Steel a try.

The Moog Lap Steel combines award-winning Moog Guitar technology with the unique expressive capabilities of the Lap Steel guitar. All the innovations of The Moog Guitar; Full Sustain, Controlled Sustain and Mute modes, Harmonic Blends and the onboard Moog Ladder Filter are seamlessly integrated to enhance new and traditional playing techniques.