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Equipment news, leaks and tips
Top 5 best studio and creative effect plug-ins
23 Dec 2017 · As 2017 nears its end, it's time to round up Gearnews' top 5 favorite plug-ins for this year. Putting this list together was difficult, for the past 12 months saw so many awesome releases!
Can the Sim1 XT-1 really make your guitar sound like any other?
23 Dec 2017 · Too good to be true? The new XT-1 pedal simulates different guitars at the push of a button. OK, so it might not stop you ever buying a new guitar, but there's some promise here...
Klevgrand Grand Finale: A sleek and (very) dark new finalizer mastering plug-in
22 Dec 2017 · Grand Finale is a new audio finalizer processing plug-in. And it's dark. Yet also sleek and functional. But has Klevgrand got the balance right between complex processing and a simplified workflow?
Korg Legacy Collection gets a refresh and an ARP Odyssey
22 Dec 2017 · The Korg Legacy Collection will now be known as the Korg Collection as it gets a much needed update to include the ARP Odyssey in addition to an M1, Wavestation, Polysix, MonoPoly and MS-20.
miniMO 8-bit synth becomes midiMO mini sequencer
22 Dec 2017 · The tiny 8-bit modular miniMO open source synthesizer now has an alternative MIDI Sequencer firmware. Add the MIDI Accessory Set and it becomes midiMO the world's smallest MIDI Step Sequencer.
Gibson to show 5 gutsy, cool new models at NAMM 2018
22 Dec 2017 · Looks like Gibson are just starting to tease new models for 2018 and amongst this batch, we have some old favourites and a return of a model we haven't seen in years
Solid State Logic (SSL) acquired by Allen & Heath owner Audiotonix
21 Dec 2017 · The famed console maker is being acquired by Audiotonix, whose portfolio includes DiGiCo, DiGiGrid, Calrec and Allen & Heath. Hopefully SSL will benefit from Audiotonix' support and resources...
Whatever happened to these synths from 2017?
21 Dec 2017 · What happened to those synths we got excited about earlier in the year that never appeared? I've dug around to see what's MIA and what might still be coming plus an update on those TR-808 Adidas Trainers.
Sensel Morph gets an upgrade to remap everything and MPE support
21 Dec 2017 · The recently release Sensel Morph customisable MIDI controller now lets you change the function of all the control areas so you can mix MIDI control with keyboard strokes, and adds MPE support.
KLŌS guitar: The ultimate Christmas gift for travel-hungry guitarists?
21 Dec 2017 · Need a last-minute Christmas gift for the guitarist in your life that already owns way too many guitars? Get them one of these carbon fibre travel guitars and reap in some serous brownie points.
Acustica Audio Crimson plug-in blends analog distortion and compression
20 Dec 2017 · Acustica Audio has released an ambitious new compression and distortion plug-in to its Aqua series, saying that Crimson can do both "precise" and "colourful". We take a first look.
Animals as Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi to launch new guitar company at NAMM
20 Dec 2017 · Tosin Abasi is a guitar genius and now he has decided to announce the birth of his very own guitar company via his Facebook page, definitely one to check out in 2018
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier vs Line6 Helix: Can you hear the difference?
19 Dec 2017 · Take this blind test and see if you can hear the difference between a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier and a Line 6 Helix LT.
The Vibe Bar – a whammy bar for keyboards (no really)
19 Dec 2017 · Give your keyboard solos a bucket full of expression with the Sonic Manipulation Vibe Bar. Roll it and wobble it for pitch bend and expressive vibrato with the natural use of your playing hand.
Shakmat Modular Time Wizard: Cast some Eurorack clock sorcery
19 Dec 2017 · The Shakmat Modular Time Wizard can generate complex polyrhythms and weird time signatures through the combination of 6 clock dividers, multipliers, logic and resets - it feels like magic.
Bastl Kastle 1.5 upgrades the noise and sounds “way better”
18 Dec 2017 · Bastl's newly upgraded Kastle 1.5 gets a paint job, USB power, new synthesis modes and a greatly improved sound engine. It's still a lot of fun even with the annoyingly small knobs and patch wires.
Uli Behringer opens up about the leak – and promises one user a free 2600
17 Dec 2017 · Uli Behringer steps up on Gearslutz to talk about what happened with the synth and drum machine leaks and explains how their development system works. He also promises someone a 2600 as soon as they are ready.
Best free plug-ins this week: Organteq Alpha, 2 synths, and Phasis!
17 Dec 2017 · This week saw at least four high quality releases that you can have absolutely free! Just say the magic word at the... hey, there's not even a magic word. Just four excellent free plug-ins...
Jef’s Tips to help your Gibson Les Paul play like a dream, Part 3: Lock it down
17 Dec 2017 · When you want to lock down your tone and add extra stability to your Les Paul, locking hardware is the perfect upgrade for your guitar and won't damage your guitar
Line6 Helix Update adds new toys just in time for Christmas
16 Dec 2017 · This firmware update adds new effects and features to your Line 6 Helix, Helix Rack, Helix LT and Helix Native - as well as a new editor for Helix Edit.
Phasis: a free holiday gift from Native Instruments!
15 Dec 2017 · To celebrate the holidays, Native Instruments released a brand new free effect called Phasis. As you may have guessed from the name, this is a phaser plug-in. It borrows its sounds from classic phaser units...
Vertex T Drive Overdrive – A Trainwreck Express amp in a pedal?
15 Dec 2017 · This new pedal from Vertex claims to sound and feel like a boutique Trainwreck amp, if it manages this task then the T Drive could be an absolute bargain for many.