Gear 5
JBL at NAMM 2016
The last few months have seen JBL breathe some fresh air into some of their classic speaker series, and with good results. Their newest models show clear improvements to functionality and aesthetics; the speakers just look better and are easier to use. Improvements haven’t just been skin-deep though — new and improved waveguides inside the speaker enclosures are […]
Arturia MatrixBrute: An Avant-garde Analog Synth
The MatrixBrute’s product description opens up with plenty of questions: When was the last time you felt your heart beating faster? When was the last time you heard sounds you had never heard before? When was the last time you met an instrument that truly inspired pleasure and creativity? The only question I have is how. How […]
Meet Korg’s minilogue
2016 is set to be a good year for analog synthesis if recent releases from companies like Arturia, Dave Smith and Korg are any indication. While Roland recently paid homage to their rich history of synth design with their analog-modeling Boutique synth line, Korg is looking to the future with the new minilogue. Unlike the […]
Boss MT-2: 25 Years in the Metal Zone
We’ve just come out with an All-Star Gear list at zZounds of our customers’ favorite pedals, and at the top of the heap is the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone, rated at 5 stars with over 750 reviews! Reading some of our customers’ reviews on this definitive distortion pedal brought on a wave of nostalgia, and now, […]
Our Top Blog Posts of 2015
Here at the zZounds HQ, we’ve all been taking a look back on 2015, and one of the big highlights of the year has been the zZounds Blog. We launched in May, and have been steadily growing ever since. So, here’s a look back at our 10 most-viewed posts from our first year (or rather, […]
New Gear Report: ROLI Seaboard RISE 25 and AKAI MIDImix
ROLI Seaboard RISE 25 Keyboard Controller It’s not often that I get excited about a keyboard controller. All the things that people care about like action, key size, the amount of knobs or faders, etc. on a device do nothing to pique my interest. My mind has been made up, and at this moment I’d […]
New Gear Report: EARasers renewal kit and Reverend bass case
EARasers ERK Renewal Kit Replacement Sleeves Being a proud owner of these earplugs, I’m beyond excited to see there’s finally a convenient carrying case (CCC for short) for the little guys. While many a venue security guard will stop you if you have them attached to your key-chain to make sure there’s “just earplugs” in […]
New Gear Report: GonBops Rumbero Cajon & Zildjian Trigger Sticks
GonBops Rumbero cajon We have a pretty good selection of cajons here at zZounds — cajons of different sizes, shapes, and purposes. The GonBops Rumbero cajon caught my eye because it had a very unique look. It’s made of nogal wood, but take a peek at the top and sides — there’s a gorgeous inlay […]
New Gear Report: Silvertone 633E & TC Electronic Bodyrez
Silvertone 633E Reissue If looking at this guitar doesn’t incite a strong urge to pick it up and start strumming “The Boxer” or “Behind Blue Eyes,” you may need to rethink your musical tastes. As part of Silvertone’s new line of acoustic reissues, the 633E is in fact a classic mid-’60s Silvertone Sovereign reborn. It retains […]
