Gear 4
Recording Guitar Tracks with IK Multimedia AXE I/O
IK Multimedia’s new AXE I/O interface (endorsed by Joe Satriani!) is aimed at the recording guitarist, with the goal of making it easier and faster to get a great tone — especially on direct injection, or DI, recording. To that end, the AXE gives you a few key options for tone shaping: 1. A Passive/Active […]
Gibson’s New Lineup Revealed
In case you haven’t heard, Gibson has an all-new roster of guitars and basses that just dropped today. And no, you haven’t time-warped into 2020. This new series takes over where the 2019 lineup left off, and introduces the new Gibson to the world. Gone are the model year naming conventions — this streamlined, but […]
Talking Shop: The Best Show You’ve Ever Seen
It’s a fact: if you’ve been to two or more shows, you can talk about the best show you’ve ever seen (so far). Whether it was a band you’ve idolized since childhood, or an unknown act that blew you away, or even a perfect crowd, these shows can be a transformative experience. We asked zZounds […]
Photo Gallery: Moogfest 2019
zZounds is back at it, training our eyes at Moog’s annual meeting of minds, music, and technology dubbed “Moogfest.” Located in the lovely confines of downtown Durham, NC, Moogfest is a synth and music lover’s festival complete with intriguing workshops, a huge synth marketplace, experiential art installations and brilliant music performances. Debuting this year is […]
Moog Matriarch Announced at Moogfest 2019
As has become an annual tradition at Moogfest, the top name in analog synths is welcoming a new member to the family. Meet the Matriarch. This semi-modular synth is loaded with creation potential, featuring 4 notes of paraphony that a user can mix, mangle and arrange across a 256-step sequencer. More of a monophile? The […]
Ibanez Tube Screamer Shootout
2019 marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most iconic and most copied overdrive pedals of all time: The Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer. Designed by Maxon and re-branded by Ibanez, the Tube Screamer has been a favorite among guitarists of all genres. Whether you’re trying to get the sweet bluesy break up of Stevie […]
Fender Custom Shop Crafts Game of Thrones Axes
There are countless guitar-based covers of the Game of Thrones theme on YouTube, but only one that’s played by show runner D.B. Weiss and theme composer Ramin Djawadi…and guitarists Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt and Scott Ian, plus Fender Principal Master Builder Ron Thorn. While that’s enough star power to melt The Wall, the show is […]
Talking Shop: Buying Gear Under the Influence
Endorsements are a huge sales driver in any industry. It’s why young basketball stars are wooed to sign shoe deals with brands like Nike and Adidas. Or former NBA stars like Shaq, who get courted by brands like Icy Hot and Gold Bond. Music gear is no different, with a history of artist endorsements going […]
Magnetic Field Design Pickups and the Legacy of Leo Fender
G&L was founded in 1980 by George Fullerton and the legendary Clarence “Leo” Fender. Few people know about Leo’s time after leaving Fender, in which he designed some of the first Music Man models and then founded G&L where he worked until his passing. These instruments featured some of Leo’s final innovations to the electric […]
