I bought this vintage Harmony lap steel at a time when I was really diving deep into alternative country music. The guitar is 100% original and according to the potentiometer date codes, they were made on the 13th week of 1956 by Cetralab. Lap steel guitars originated from Hawaii, which is probably why they are […]
Packed with eleven reverb modes, an internal tails switch and powerful hidden parameters, the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 is a “Swiss army knife” of reverb. We’re putting this pedal through its paces by showcasing its spaciest, shimmering sounds in this Top Tones video. Peep the Fender Player Jaguar we’re using as well — its unique pickup […]
Looking to get outside the world of synth presets and clean, digital sounds? Modular analog synths are a great way to do that, which is one reason they’ve been making such a comeback in recent years. Once relegated to only the most technically minded enthusiasts, modular synths are now available from multiple manufacturers in the […]
In Beat Connection, we explore modern and vintage dance styles the only way we know how…by providing you a musical starting point to help you create that beat. In this collection, we’re highlighting Beat Connection posts that detail the fundamental foundations of beatmaking, elemental topics like rhythm, pitch and structure. Check them out below and […]
If money were no object, what is one piece of gear you’d buy? This is the question we asked for the first installment of Talking Shop, the series in which we ask zZounds staffers questions about gear and all things music. Check out our team’s answers below, and feel free to comment on what your […]
A true hip hop fan cannot deny the impact that the Akai MPC has had on music. If you’re a fan of J Dilla or MF Doom, then you’re a fan of the MPC and some of its most talented users. In this post, we’re checking out one of the newer MPC models, the MPC […]
Effective placement and use of microphones is essential for an audio engineer, whether they work in a professional studio or at home. Keeping an open mind about using different mic types and being willing to experiment with different techniques during a session can yield inspiring results. Here are our top posts detailing different mic types, […]
First introduced in 1969, the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff has become one of the most ubiquitous pedals in the world. If a guitarist has a fuzz pedal on their board, chances are pretty good that it’s some sort of a Big Muff, or boutique clone of the circuit. While the Big Muff is a popular pedal […]
Peanut butter and jelly. Ice cold lemonade and a hot summer day. Jeans and a T-shirt. Some things are just better as a pair. In this edition of Perfect Pairings, we’re pairing up the Electro-Harmonix SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine and Source Audio Ventris Reverb to produce some cosmic magic. Electro-Harmonix’s “9” series continues with the retro-cool […]