There is no worse scenario than showing up to a gig with just the right amount of cables that you would need only to discover one or more of them are dead. This would not have happened had you tested your cables prior to 
pack-up with the SM Pro Audio CT2 Cable Tester. It is both simple and inexpensive and can mean the difference between “going off without a hitch” or “complete bomb” in terms of a show or performance. Seriously, it costs a mere $29.95 and it will test all the major audio cables a musician or live sound guy would use in their line of work. I hear some people say, “Well, if I plug it in and it doesn’t work, the cable is bad.” You’re kidding…are you sure? Ok, maybe that wasn’t nice but the point is that not everybody has extra cables and if they do, they are weighing down their rigs more than necessary. Test them before pack-up on your way to the gig and then test them upon returning from the gig. Never again will you run into the issue of packing a faulty cable as long as you have a good-quality cable tester and you use it regularly.
-Ryan
Archive for February, 2009
Verify Cable Integrity with a Tester
02/28/2009Total Performance Control for Digital DJs
02/27/2009Flexibility, versatility, endless configuration and more are all standards in the new Numark NS7 DJ Performance Controller. As I have mentioned before in previous posts about DJ equipment, the ultimate tools are those that are easy to use but also offer tons of bells and whistles. The features included in this unit are some that most would find to be necessities very quickly. Among these necessary features are direct-drive, motorized turntable platters, audiophile-grade audio circuitry with mic and line inputs as well as system and cue outs, extensive loop, cue, and track-access controls, Numarks patent pending “Strip Search” virtual-needle-drop control and more. The construction is ultra rugged thanks to its all-metal chassis and it uses high quality, replaceable, customizable CP-PRO crossfader and D-TYPE line faders. The unit is pre mapped to work with Serato ITCH DJ software but can also easily control most MIDI applications without requiring a mouse or keyboard. This thing is wicked! Check out the following overview video brought to you by Numark.
-Ryan
The most versatile wireless system available
02/27/2009The fact that the Samson Stage 5T Three In One VHF Wireless System includes the lavalier mic, headset mic and an instrument cable is what makes it the most versatile system around. Also, the price of only $89.00 keeps it within reach for everyone with any budget. Digging deeper you will see that it transmits and receives in the VHF bandwidth. I’m sure you are like many others and see that as a problem but personally I don’t. Unless you are in a major metropolitan area and there are some huge emergencies happening during your performance, you won’t get any interference.
The half-rack VHF receiver offers variable squelch, six-segment LED RF level, audio level metering, front mounted antenna as well as XLR and 1/4-inch outputs. The included belt pack features an 1/8-inch mini-jack input for use with the accompanying headset, guitar cable or lavalier. The transmitter will also provide seamless operation for 10 hours with just one 9-volt battery and includes a battery level meter.The clear operation range is 300 feet (line-of-sight) so you won’t have any problems with dropouts. In my opinion, this is the best budget wireless system available. Preorder some now!
-Ryan
Hungry for Guitar Tone? Reach for the Fat Sandwich!
02/26/2009What other meal is easier to make for a hungry gal or guy than a nice, fat sandwich? Now, this post has absolutely nothing to do with food and has no
relation to culinary inventions rather the butt-kicking new Way Huge Fat Sandwich Distortion Pedal from Dunlop. Apparently somebody told Jim Dunlop that it was time to rethink the way pedals are built and that idea was acted upon in a remarkable way. If you think about it, many guitar effects pedals do exactly what they are supposed to do without fuss but are they versatile? Honestly, I have not seen many pedals as versatile as this with the exception of some very expensive boutique-type pedals. This pedal comes in at just below $180 so you definitely won’t break the bank to get unequalled tone and versatility.
The features and controls of this box are killer. On the front panel you see the main controls such as Volume, Distortion and tone and I’m sure you can guess what they do. Below those knobs you also see some smaller controls which effectively control the presence (high frequency response) and the resonance (the low frequency response or tightness). Besides the main controls on the front, there are also some tweak friendly knobs inside the case which are intended to customize the distortion and tone for your individual style preference. Under the hood you find a curve control which affects corner frequencies of the 1st stage of the distortion, Curve which adjusts the gain in the 2nd stage of distortion and the Highs control to modify the high frequencies of the distortion. This pedal is total tonal versatility at its finest from your friends at Dunlop.
-Ryan
Point your amp at your head for better monitoring on stage
02/25/2009The truth is that most of the time when you are performing whether you use a combo amplifier or a half stack, you really aren’t hearing the amp the way you should be. Typically, you place your amplifier on the floor and point it in the direction where you will be standing on the stage. The only problem with that 
particular placement is that the speakers in your amp are likely pointed at your legs, not your ears. Last time I check I listen with my ears, not my knee pits. So, why on earth would you not want to hear the tone of your instrument and amplifier as it was meant to be heard? The solution is simple, check out the On Stage RS7705 Adjustable Amplifier Stand. This stand is rugged, sturdy and ultimately very adjustable. It is constructed using 1″ square steel tubing so it will hold larger 2 x 12 combo amplifiers as well as the smaller amps. This pro stand features a fully-adjustable tilt angle for precision placement of a wide range of amps, monitors and speaker cabinets. The locking tilt mechanism features 48 teeth for the utmost in security. Save yourself and your audience from having to hear sub-par guitar tone and pick up one of these for your combo guitar amp today, you won’t regret it.
-Ryan
Get above the Mix with Cymbals from Sabian
02/25/2009
The Sabian AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride Cymbal to be a little more specific. This ride is not for the timid, it is pure cutting power designed specifically to stand out! Sabian actually says that this ride is suitable for all styles but as a veteran drummer, I find the sound far from universal. In my opinion I find it would fit better in pop and rock applications. Jazz and country would be a far cry. This cymbal delivers detailed, crystal clear sticking at all volumes from quiet to loud all the way across the bow and a solid bright punch when playing the unlathed bell. The AAX series is known to deliver pure and bright shimmering tones in all their cymbals from hi-hat to plash. My overall impression of this beautifully artistic cymbal is that it is musical, dynamically versatile and very unique. It would be easy to make this cymbal a drummer’s calling card.
-Ryan
