GearBlog.org

Making the DJ Scene even cooler!

Ryan — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:35:29 +0000

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes and New Products

Ryan — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:44:23 +0000

Ello, ello, ello! I’m back on the blog-prowl once again and on fire about the recent changes that have been going on around the office. We’re doing insanely large numbers of orders for new and exciting products. My live-sound company is getting busier and busier and I have completely tweaked that system to the max. Here is some detail!

I recently provided my sound services for an outdoor event in a small town here in Minnesota for an area cover band which seems to be quite popular. The night went very well. The band was great, the system sounded fantastic and I could not have been happier with my mix. The only thing I would have changed would be the effects returns. I would really have liked to bring the effects back on a couple stereo pairs of channels so I could get a wider stereo image on the vocals and drums. The only problem is that I only have the 16 analog inputs on my digital board until I get another 1 or 2 8 channel converters…maybe the PreSonus DigiMax D8 8 Channel Microphone Preamp with Digital Output.

In other news, we’ve had some wicked new additions to the AMS product lineup and one that I would like to cover. The Livid Instruments Ohm64 USB MIDI Control Surface is probably one of the coolest things since sliced bread! Ok, not literally since there are way cooler thing out there than sliced bread but it is pretty flippin’ cool! Here is some detail from the Livid Instruments team. The Livid Instruments Ohm64 is an adaptable, programmable, and interactive MIDI control surface designed to give you hands-on control over your performance.
High-quality sliders, knobs and buttons provide the interface for creative expression, whether you’re mixing samples and synths or DJ’ing a cutting-edge set. Constructed with an aluminum faceplate and a gorgeous body of hand-finished wood, the quality is felt down to your fingertips. All of Livid Instruments’ controllers are proudly hand crafted and assembled for artists by artists in their Austin, Texas shop.

I hope you ahve enjoyed my update and my blog. Please feel free to comment or contact me here!

-Ryan

Create your own monitor mix with ease!

Ryan — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:01:13 +0000

Update time! So here is the scenario. You’ve got a rehearsal with your band, you’ve been using wedge monitor since, well…forever and you only have the ability to create 2 monitor mixes thanks to the single power amp in your jam space. Enter the new MyMix Networked Personal Monitoring Mixer and Recorder and get ready to live! Now, it may sound a bit cheesy but the truth is that until you have had the chance to build and create your own monitor mix, you have no idea of the full potential of your performance. Having a great sounding and well balanced monitor mix will greatly enhance your playing. Another ultra-wicked feature of this incredible new monitoring device is the ability to record your mix, in multi-track format to an SD card and later combine it with the other bandmates mixes…cool huh? Check out the video for some further insight on how this bad mamma-jamma works. Thanks for reading…Happy Monday!

-Ryan

Huge Sale at American Musical Supply

Ryan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:59:42 +0000

That’s right folks, I’ve just received word that this sale is gonna blow your MINDS! I mean, click the link and see for yourselves. The selection of items is huge and some items have discounts of up to 75%, that is a great discount. Items ranging from guitars to amplifiers all the way to recording equipment. Get your butts over to the AMS site before all these items are sold out! Month End Sale at American Musical Supply.

-Ryan

Quick Update since it’s been so long…

Ryan — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:07:51 +0000

…and I do apologize for the length of time between posts of late but there is just so much happening here at American Musical Supply it is literally impossible to find time to update daily. The biggest news it that I’ll be going full-time as a tech support agent again, one of my favorite positions. This will give me the opportunities to talk to you all on the phone. So, if you have any specific questions, gimme a call. Also, if you have a question that you think might also be on the minds of other musicians, let me know and I’ll cover the topic here at GearBlog.org. Thanks for stopping by and we’ll chat at ya later!

-Ryan

OMG My guitar is broken in half…

Ryan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:22:10 +0000

…actually, no it isn’t. That is the Voyage Air VAOM02 Orchestra Folding Acoustic Guitar with Gig Bag. This is absolutely ingenious in terms of portability. This unique design incorporates and hinged neck joint which can be folded for an ultra compact, super portable yet totally playable acoustic guitar. Check out this feature list, you won’t be disappointed in this guitar.

Voyage Air VAOM02 Orchestra Features:

Transit Series
OM Body Shape
Spruce Top with X-brace
Inlaid Soundhole Rosette
Single-ply top and back binding
Mahogany Back and Sides
Mahogany Neck with Rosewood Heel Cap
Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge
Dot Inlay in Prewar-style staggered sizes
Compensated Saddle
Distinctive Voyage-Air pickguard in black
Proprietary Voyage-Air Captured Nut
Patented Folding Neck-Hinge System
25.5 inch Scale Length
Traditional 1 3/4 inch Nut width
Chrome plated die-cast tuners
Protective High-Gloss finish
Comes with Phosphor Bronze strings

Next time you find yourself looking for a compact, portable alternative to your standard acoustic guitar, look into getting this bad boy!

-Ryan

Tons of new products and more coming daily

Ryan — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:18:10 +0000

As you may know, the winter NAMM show is a huge deal within the music industry for not only the musical instrument manufacturers but also for the dealers of their instruments. The reason is that the manufacturers debut new gear a the show and the dealers buy a ton of it to sell to you and me. In short, the new year also bring tons of new musical toys. American Musical Supply typically adds a steady stream of these new items to the site from the moment our crew gets back. If you’re anything like me and love drooling over new gear, check out the NAMM 2010 products in one place, right here!

-Ryan

I Got my Audio Gear!

Ryan — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:02:52 +0000

Ok, so this weekend was filled with excitement for me. I made an offer on a sound system which consists of 4 EAW KF850, 3-way full-range cabinets, 2 EAW SB850, dual 18′ subwoofer cabinets and an insane compliment of 2 Crest Audio CA18 amps as well as 2 Crest Audio CA6 amps an more. The system was used and stored in an outbuilding for the past few years so it endured the Minnesota seasons in a space that was not climate controlled. I just got the system to my house on Sunday and started testing and cleaning the electronic processors and found issues right away. Nothing serious as of yet but the batteries in the EAW MX8600 processors appear to have failed, at least that is what the processor is telling me. I did get it powered up and loaded some cabinet settings, stored them, powered down, then back up and the setting is still there so maybe it was just acclimating to my house. That’s it for now, more info to come as I keep testing!

Yeeehaw!

-Ryan

Keep Your Live Sound System in Check with an RTA

Ryan — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:54:28 +0000

There are just so many uses for a good and accurate real-time analyzer but many are incredibly expensive. Well, thanks to Samson, now everybody with any budget can afford one. Allow me to show you the Samson D1500 Digital Real Time Analyzer.

The Samson D1500 Real Time Analyzer optimizes your sound environment ensuring you have great detail and presence. The easy to use D1500 Real Time Analyzer features 31 bands of EQ analysis, what could have once taken you hours to do can now be performed in minutes, giving your audio output a true sonically flat frequency response.

Now is the time to get your system dialed in for the upcoming spring shows!

-Ryan

Numark MixDeck In Stock at American Musical Supply!

Ryan — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:55:34 +0000

In case you haven’t heard, Numark has yet again rattled the DJ world with the release of the Numark MixDeck Multi Format USB DJ CD System. This ultra versatile and easy to use dual deck digital DJ system offers the best features at an even better price.

About as complete as you can get, this multi format system contains dual CD decks that play WAV and MP3 CDs, built in mixer and it doubles as a DJ software/MIDI interface. The added USB 2.0 connections enable you to play audio directly from your (or an audience member’s) flash drive for a compact alternative to lugging around those hefty CD binders.

Additionally Numark’s MixDeck offers touch-sensitive scratch platters, beat-sync FX, record mix to iPod feature and control MIDI software. Lets not forget the built in iPod dock that allows you to add your entire digital library without having change out CDs!

-Ryan