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New Product Press Release: March 2004


 

Traben Bass Company Unleashes Phoenix Flame Bass

Press Release 3/30/04

 

Traben Bass Company recently announced their new Phoenix Flame electric bass guitar model. Traben is based in Clearwater Florida and is poised to become one of more popular brands with their unique assortment of instruments. Details on this most recent model can be found below.

Specifications:
Body Wood- Basswood with Quilt Maple Top
Neck- 5 Piece Maple and Walnut
Scale Length- 35" scale
Fingerboard- Rosewood 24 fret
Bridge Design- The Inferno
Pickups- Traben Custom Combo
Pre-Amp- Traben T3 Active
Nut- Chrome Plated Brass
Inlay- Phoenix Flame Inlay
Construction- Bolt-on, special Traben neckjoint
Hardware Color- Chrome


Features:
Sleek Contoured Body Design
Large brass bridge for improved sound
35" scale for better string tension
Unique flame inspired fingerboard inlay
Great looking exotic wood top

For more information, you can visit their site by clicking on the following link:
www.TrabenBass.com
 

 


 

Johnson Introduces First Jumbo Acoustic Model

Press Release 3/19/04

 

Johnson's first jumbo acoustic guitar has arrived. Available in both standard and solid top models, new JG-J45 Jumbo acoustic guitars provide players with a fuller, louder sound than a regular dreadnaught, at a price anyone can afford (MSRP: Standard $209.95, Solid Top $249.95)

Johnson Jumbo acoustic guitars are built with a spruce top. The back, sides, and neck are made of mahogany. New Jumbo acoustic guitars also feature multi-ply body binding, diecast machine heads, a sunset sunburst finish, and come with a lifetime warranty.

For more information, visit their web site at www.themusiclink.net.

 


 

Roland Shipping New GR-20 Guitar Synth

Press Release 3/19/04

 

Roland is now shipping the new GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer and GK-3 Divided Pickup. The GR-20 makes playing synthesizer sounds from any steel-stringed electric guitar (including Les Paul-type instruments) simple--just attach the included GK-3 Divided Pickup, choose a sound and go. An all-new interface makes playing sounds easy using the Bank knob for sound categories and Value dial for variations, while new digital pitch detection provides superior tracking. With the GR-20, guitarists can explore a universe of new sounds.

The GR-20's new interface makes it operate more like a compact pedal. Sounds can be selected using the Bank knob to choose a category (like Strings/Orchestral, Brass, Bass/Guitar, Organ/Keyboard, Synth/Lead or even new Rhythm and Percussion loops). Individual sounds can be selected using the Value dial. The GR-20 features 48-note note polyphony and Roland's latest synth engine.

The front end of the GR-20 is the new GK-3 Divided Pickup, which is not only easy and safe to install, but also comes with a 1/4-inch jack for normal guitar input. The pickup's adjustable curve design can be adapted to fit a variety of guitars--keeping an even distance between the strings for better response. Adjusting the pickup cable length is a snap by coiling the pickup cable inside the controller unit. The GK-3 also includes a special attachment plate for use with Les Paul-type guitars.

Once installed, guitarists can create entirely new sounds by blending their normal guitar tone with the GR-20's synthesizer sounds via a large GK knob right on the pickup. And thanks to Roland's Patch Link function, the GR-20 can be easily paired up with a MIDI-capable multi-effects processor. Once connected, this allows you to easily assign GR-20 Patches to match effect Patches in MIDI-capable processors.

For more information, visit their web site at
www.rolandus.com.

 


 

Roland Ships Fantom-X Series Keyboards

Press Release 3/12/04

 

128-Voice Fantom-X Series Expandable to Nearly 1GB of Sounds. Los Angeles, March 12, 2004—Roland today introduced a new line of workstation keyboards, the Fantom-X Series. Available with a 61-note keyboard (Fantom-X6), 76-note keyboard (Fantom-X7) or 88-note Progressive Hammer-Action Keyboard (Fantom-X8), these 128-note workstations are the first with capacity for nearly 1GB of wave data when fully expanded. Each model boasts a brand new wave ROM with amazing new sounds, room for 4 SRX expansions and up to 544MB of sample RAM—large enough to be used like a digital recorder—plus a sexy new look with an industry-first color LCD screen. Put simply, the Fantom-X Series is an entirely new breed of workstation.

Powered by Roland’s new sound generator chip, the Fantom-X Series makes it possible to play expressive 4-tone Patches with 128-voice polyphony, and can be expanded to nearly 1GB of wave data—far more memory than any musical instrument on the market. The internal 128MB wave ROM is loaded with brand new sounds recorded in top studios and mixed by talented engineers like Dan Blessinger (Martinsound), resulting in a level of quality and expressive realism that is unsurpassed. Take the new 88-key split piano, for example, which utilizes over 700 samples to create the ultimate acoustic piano Patch.

The sampling section is also beefed up with capacity for up to 544MB of RAM using optional DIMMs. This unprecedented amount of memory lets users record long samples in the fashion of a digital recorder with full wave editing capabilities (a new PC Card slot lets users store samples on cards with up to 1GB capacity). Between this “linear” recording capability and the realtime timestretch, users get total integration of audio and MIDI using the Fantom-X Series’ high-resolution sequencer. And thanks to their new color LCD screens with smart color-coded schemes, using the Fantom-X Series just got a whole lot easier on the eyes.

Of course the Fantom-X Series inherit many of the most popular features of their predecessors as well—like the Dynamic Pad Bank (with improved gel pads), Roland’s innovative “Skip Back Sampling” feature, and V-LINK technology for integrating audio and video. There are also plenty of onboard effects including COSM® Guitar Amp Modeling, Lo-Fi processing, Slicer and more—plus a dedicated Mastering processor. An onboard USB port makes MIDI connections easy, as well as importing or exporting audio in .WAV/AIFF format. With features like these, the new Fantom-X Series will satisfy the needs of even the most demanding player or studio musician.

Connections to the Fantom-X Series include four 1/4-inch outputs (two stereo), a stereo 1/4-inch input, S/PDIF digital I/O, MIDI In/Out/Thru, a PC Card slot and USB port. *“Phantom” is a registered trademark of and is licensed by Phantom Guitar Works.

 


 

Carvin Introduces New B1500 Bass Head

Press Release 3/11/04

 

Carvin has intrduced the new B1500 "mono block" bass head, delivering 700w at 8 Ohms, 1250w at 4 Ohms and 1900w at 2 Ohms. If 1900 watts is more than you need, then Carvin offers the B500 with the same tone, but delivering 225w at 8 Ohms, 350w at 4 Ohms and 500w at 2 Ohms.

Tone shaping is achieved from 4 discrete class A gain stages yielding harmonically rich bass tones. Besides the boutique signature flat response, these amps are equipped with 6 EQ controls for tone sculpting. The heads also features front panel and foot switchable MUTE which allows tuning and changing of basses.

Active and Passive front panel input gain switch SUB BASS, BASS, LOW MID, MID, HIGH MID, and TREBLE EQ controls Signal MUTE front panel switch-- use optional FS22 footswitch Internal OPTO CLIP activated limiter Preamp DRIVE and master VOLUME controls DIRECT OUT balanced XLR & LEVEL control with "Pre-Post" preamp and "Ground Lift" switches EFFECT LOOP switchable by front panel switch or FS22 footswitch TUNER output jack independent of MUTE switch High current SPEAKON connectors and 1/4 speaker jacks Premium construction features metal control bushings and shafts Surface Mount Technology (SMT) for component "shake-proof" reliability 19" 3U all steel chassis with Chrome knobs Made in San Diego, CA. USA The B1500 carried a list price of $1595 and is sold direct from Carvin's web site for $799.99. The B500 lists for $995, and is currently selling direct for $519.99.

For more information, visit their web site at www.carvin.com.

 


 

Announcing The Roland MV-8000: Production Studio

Press Release 3/11/04

 

From making beats to sampling and CD-burning, the MV-8000 Production Studio does it all—quickly and elegantly. Sample your own sounds or import Roland, Akai, ACID and .WAV libraries, then arrange it all using 16 velocity/aftertouch-sensitive pads and Roland’s most powerful audio/MIDI sequencer. Add a selection of professional COSM effects, onboard mastering tools, a built-in CD-RW drive and USB port, and you’ve got the ultimate studio for today’s producers.
 


Features:
Self-contained production studio with sampling, sequencing, effects and CD-burning Powerful 136-track sequencer (128 MIDI + 8 stereo audio) with realtime time stretch 16 velocity/aftertouch-sensitive pads, large LCD display and realtime control knobs 128MB RAM; expandable to 512MB or 101 minutes of recording (when in mono) Sampler compatible with a variety of audio formats: Audio CD, .WAV/AIFF, ACID, Akai MPC2000 Series and Roland S-700 Series Independent reverb, chorus/delay and MFX processors, plus mastering tools Onboard CD-RW drive, 3.5” floppy drive and 40GB internal hard drive Stereo Mic/Line and Phono inputs, plus stereo analog and digital Master outputs Six additional individual audio outputs with optional MV-OP-1 expansion Direct VGA monitor support and mouse operation planned for 2004 V-LINK function for controlling Edirol video equipment (sold separately) *All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Details:
A Complete Studio for Modern Production While there are other hardware studios on the market, none can compete with the MV-8000’s ability to quickly turn raw samples into song. With up to 101 minutes of sampling and compatibility with a wide range of audio formats, the MV-8000 offers unlimited possibilities. And sequencing is easy, thanks to 16 velocity-sensitive pads and a graphic LCD interface. Users can record up to 128 MIDI and eight audio tracks, apply effects and burn a CD—making the MV-8000 the first Roland product capable of handling every part of the production process. From Sample to Finished CD Thanks to the onboard CD-RW drive, producers can create entire songs armed with only an MV-8000 and their favorite CDs. The sampler can load sample libraries ranging from Roland and Akai to .WAV and ACID formats-—all with just a few simple commands. Then it’s just a matter of tapping in some beats, arranging the song and adding effects before burning it all to an audio CD.

136 Tracks of Sequencing Bliss
The MV-8000’s sequencer section boasts total integration of audio and MIDI and up to 136 tracks of recording. These include 128 MIDI tracks (with 32-channel operation) and eight stereo audio tracks (16 mono) that can be used like a linear recorder. Program beats on the MIDI tracks and combine them with freestyle vocals or acoustic instruments on the audio tracks, including the ability to “punch in” at any time. The innovative MV-8000 can even sync audio to the sequencer’s BPM.

Luxurious Velocity Pads and LCD Interface Users of other sampling studios can now upgrade to the MV-8000 without sacrificing the distinctive feel they’re used to, thanks to 16 large drum pads for programming beats and triggering audio phrases. The pads are both velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive for maximum expression, and when combined with the MV-8000’s large, graphic LCD and realtime control knobs, make sequencing more natural and spontaneous.

Compatible with Popular Audio Formats When it comes to sound libraries, the MV-8000 offers compatibility with some of the biggest formats around—including the ability to import Akai MPC disks via the built-in floppy drive. Users can also load Roland S-700 Series libraries and .WAV/AIFF discs from CD-ROM or via USB transfer, and “rip” audio directly from CD. The MV-8000 also loads ACID files and can automatically calculate the bars and BPM, making it easier to work with loops. User sampling is also provided—complete with Phono inputs for sampling records.

Studio-Quality Effects and CD-RW Drive The dream of a complete studio in a box becomes a reality with four dedicated effects processors and an onboard CD-RW drive. The MV-8000 delivers 24-bit Reverb, separate Chorus/Delay and a versatile MFX (multi-effects) processor with COSM effects made famous in Roland’s V-Studios. These include algorithms like guitar amp modeling, microphone and speaker modeling, plus unique tools like Lo-Fi and Slicer. A Mastering Tool Kit offers everything needed to sweeten up mixes before going to CD.

Massive 40GB Hard Drive While audio and samples are played back using the onboard sample RAM, the MV-8000 can store its sounds and projects to an internal 40GB hard disk. This makes it easy to manage large sound libraries, once they have been converted to MV-8000 format, and it’s also a great way to load sequences quickly during performance. When connected via USB, the hard drive can be accessed directly from a computer’s desktop.

Options Galore By purchasing the optional MV8-OP1 expansion card, users gain six additional analog outputs, a digital input, plus an R-BUS port that can be used to transfer up to eight channels of digital audio to R-BUS equipped V-Studios, or to ADAT-compatible devices using the optional DIF-AT Interface Box. And with Roland’s V-LINK technology inside, the MV-8000 can be used to trigger and manipulate video clips when used with optional video equipment from Edirol. So when it comes to sampling studios, don’t settle for second best. Get the Roland MV-8000.

 

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