Gear 5
Chaos Audio Stratus: An Entire Pedalboard in Your Pocket
The landscape of how we make music is always changing. From the first digital recorders, to guitar rigs that fit in your pocket, there’s always something on the horizon that makes musicians’ lives easier. But what about a pedalboard on your phone? The engineers at Chaos Audio have crafted Stratus, an all-in-one (pedal) solution to […]
Breedlove Organic Pro Wildwood Concert CE: Heavy on the Tone, Not the Planet
Breedlove has made sustainability their top priority over the last several years, and the Breedlove Organic Pro Wildwood Concert CE is an example of the guitars produced by that mindset. Sustainable guitars can (and should) sound just as good as a guitar made from lumber that isn’t as friendly to the environment. Breedlove has even […]
Bose S1 Pro Plus vs. Bose S1 Pro
The original Bose S1 Pro has long been a top choice of performers and presenters in need of a compact, battery-powered personal PA system. An easy-to-carry unit with two mic/instrument inputs, a Bluetooth receiver, and a smart tilt-back design, the S1 Pro became a hit with artists, spawning numerous competitors since its launch at the […]
How Line 6’s POD Go Saved My Band’s European Tour
Since the dawn of touring, bands have used vans to get from show to show, stuffing gear and luggage alike into trunks like a game of Tetris. In 2022 my band planned a tour that would see us traveling across Europe, but we ran into some interesting challenges along the way. Those challenges had me […]
Inside Lauten Audio Series Black V2 Microphones
Boutique microphone maker Lauten Audio had a hit on their hands with their original “Series Black” family of mics. Embraced by artists seeking versatile workhorse condensers at more modest prices than Lauten’s flagship Atlantis and Eden models, the LA-120 small-diaphragm condenser, LA-220 large-diaphragm FET condenser, and LA-320 large-diaphragm tube condenser have all earned excellent reviews […]
Get Precise with iLoud Precision Monitors
Known for their popular iLoud MTM monitors, IK Multimedia is stepping into the high-end monitor market with their iLoud Precision line. At this price point, high-quality materials and cutting-edge design are to be expected, but the iLoud Precision monitors also boast a very modern set of features, including in-speaker ARC room correction, customizable EQ settings, […]
Conquering the Magic of the EBow
The EBow… one of the many wonders of the world, and of music! This unique tool allows guitar players to turn their picking hand into a “bow,” creating a feedback loop that can sustain your note for as long as you hold the EBow in place. As cool as this sounds though, it can be […]
What Does Rupert Neve Designs’ “Silk Mode” Do?
“Silk” is one of the standout features on many Rupert Neve Designs preamps, including their flagship Shelford Channel mic preamp, and on RND’s limited-edition 5025 Dual Shelford 2-channel model. While the Shelford on its face is a very transparent mic preamp, the Silk & Texture circuit on the output transformer lets you add “color” by […]
Stop Trading Gear So Soon
As tone chasers and curious musicians, it’s pretty easy to keep trading gear. While new gear won’t make you play any better, new tools can expand what we as musicians can do. Most of the gear that I get usually stays in my possession for a long time. Whether I’ve used these pieces of gear […]
