Guitar Empowerment Fishman has launched its Triple Play wireless guitar controller with a comprehensive suite of full-version software from PreSonus, Native Instruments, Notion Music and IK Multimedia. Easy to install on any guitar, Triple Play gives guitarists access to an unlimited palette of sounds with the freedom of wireless control. Guitarists can also use it to write music in tab or regular notation and play it back with real instrument samples. More info:fishman.com
Yamaha’s ‘New 62s’ Yamaha has unveiled its “New 62” professional tenor and alto saxophones, which feature a newly designed “62” neck for improved playability and greater control. The YAS-62III and YTS-62III models include a redesigned low B–C# connection for more precise key adjustment. They come in lacquered and silver-plated finish options and have a backpack-style case. More info:usa.yamaha.com
Hoop Dreams Sabian’s Hoop Crasher is a dual-ring effects device that sits on top of a snare drum and offers a variety of sizzling sounds. Made from a set of B20 bronze hi-hats, the top flotation ring is punched with 32 holes while the heavier bottom ring has an X-Celerator Air-Wave lip that eliminates airlock and minimizes contact area with the snare. More info:sabian.com
Tension Release D’Addario XL Nickel Wound Balanced Tension sets have been designed to have a comparable tension level from string to string, permitting greater dynamic control and a more even feel. Consisting of mathematically optimized string gauge combinations, six different Balanced Tension sets are available: three for electric guitar and three for electric bass. More info:daddario.com
Mini Monophonic Korg’s MS-20 monophonic synthesizer, first introduced in 1978, has been reborn in hardware as the new MS-20 mini. The same engineers who developed the original MS-20 have reproduced it in a body that has been shrunk to 86 percent of the original size. The MS-20 mini has two oscillators with ring modulation and envelope generators with delay and hold. The voltage-controlled amplifier maintains the original basic design, but it has been modified to produce less noise. More info:korg.com
Education Guide Published annually in
DownBeat’s October issue
Jazz must not be the property of an elite few who possess
a vast knowledge of the music’s history, performers, nuances and intricacies.
But since jazz is a very advanced art form and has such a rich history, it’s important
to have a grounding in this tradition to fully understand and appreciate what’s
happening…More
