Video: A Deeper Dive into 2000s Portastudio Tones with the JHS 424 Gain Stage Pedal
Have you ever thought about getting those early-2000s tape Portastudio tones on the go? The JHS 424 Gain Stage was inspired by the gritty, warm, unmistakable tone of the TASCAM Portastudio 424’s input channel. This pedal recreates the subtle compression, harmonic saturation, and lo-fi character that made the original a cult favorite among bedroom producers […]
Why Producers Are Calling the Akai MPC Live III a Game-Changer
Akai has taken their legendary MPC Live series to a new level with the MPC Live III. In this zZounds-exclusive video, Justin sits down with Stuart from Akai to walk through all the ways this powerhouse has been reimagined for modern beatmakers, producers, and live performers. If you’ve been waiting to see how far Akai […]
A Doom Metal Rig for Under $1500?
For many, the ticket to genuine doom tone starts with a vintage tube amp cranked within an inch of its life for maximum volume, power, and punch. As it turns out, vintage tube amps command a premium on the used market, and even new tube amps typically come with a hefty price tag. But what […]
A Humbucker Enthusiast Takes on the Fender Standard Telecaster
From my earliest days as a guitar player, even growing up admiring the work of players like John Frusciante and Stevie Ray Vaughn, the distinctive spank of a single-coil pickup never spoke to me like the thick, robust sound of a humbucker. I’ve always been drawn to humbuckers, an attraction I attribute to my childhood […]
Video: In the Les Paul Custom 70s, Gibson Revives a Unique Classic
For many Les Paul enthusiasts, the ’70s era Les Paul Custom has remained one of the most prized instruments in their collection. From small but noticeable tweaks in design to the beginning of Gibson’s rich history of production in Nashville, these guitars had something special. Now, Gibson has reintroduced the Les Paul Custom 70s so […]
Watch: Spin up Vintage Rotary Textures With Boss’ RT-2 Rotary Ensemble
Rotary speaker cabinets have been the source of incredibly unique tones for decades. But their size and weight make them impractical for use on the go. That’s where Boss comes in! The Boss RT-2 Rotary Ensemble pedal distills the tones and textures from a rotary speaker setup into a compact stompbox. The Boss RT-2 features […]
A Closer Look at the SSL Revival 4000 Channel Strip
The new SSL Revival 4000 analog channel strip is turning heads for its recreation of the sound of the early ’80s SL 4000 Series mixing console, as well as its versatile feature set. With a dynamics section based on the E Series, four-band EQ, high and low pass filters, and even a de-esser onboard, the […]
The JHS 424 Gain Stage Brings the Portastudio to Your Pedalboard
Some pedals are born out of nostalgia, but the JHS 424 Gain Stage is rooted in obsession. For years, producers and guitarists have been chasing the gritty, colorful saturation of the TASCAM 424 Portastudio, the four-track cassette machine that defined an era of lo-fi records. From indie bands layering tape hiss into their mixes to […]
Auxiliary Percussion: The Studio “Secret Weapon” You’re Ignoring
When you think of percussion in a recording, you probably picture a drum kit, maybe a conga player if things are getting spicy. But auxiliary percussion — a wide-ranging category that encompasses items like tambourines, shakers, cowbells, and wood blocks — is where you can quietly take a track from “good groove” to “why does […]
