PRODUCT REVIEWS
WITH CHRIS GIBBS
PRIMACOUSTIC VOXGUARD NEARFIELD ABSORBER
The Primacoustic VoxGuard is a high performance ambient noise absorber designed to surround the microphone and reduce unwanted sounds from contaminating the recording. This nearfield absorber works by creating an acoustic boundary around the microphone that at once contains the voice while eliminating room reflections. Unlike competing products that employ complex steel parts, making them both heavy and cumbersome, the VoxGuard is light-weight and extremely easy to use. Straight out of the box, the VoxGuard is in one piece and comes with very simple attachment parts for fitting to a microphone stand. The design makes positioning the VoxGuard easy without the usual fear of the stand falling over. This makes the VoxGuard effective when used with round base stands, tripods and even large studio booms as mics can be set on a stand positioned over or under the guard. Once mounted, a rear access cable port allows the microphone to be articulated and directed at a specific source, thus enabling the VoxGuard to also be used as an acoustic screen. A high-density open cell acoustic
Primacoustic Voxguard Nearfield Absorber foam liner absorbs the voice range while keeping room ambience out to produce a dry rendering. This is particularly important when attempting to record in rooms with less than ideal acoustics or in noisy spaces. Since the VoxGuard is 50% larger than competing products, unwanted noise is significantly reduced and performance vastly improved. The VoxGuard is an essential tool for recording clean vocal takes in a home studio setting. It retails for $149.
Zoom H2n Handheld Recorder
ZOOM H2N HANDHELD RECORDER
A high-quality reliable and relatively simple recording device suits regular recording, and Zoom’s H series handheld recorders are designed with regular and frequent recording in mind. The H2n has amazing versatility in its wide variety of recording formats: 24 bit/96kHz WAV files format for the highest audio quality or MP3 format in almost any bit rate when long recording capability and smaller file sizes are the priorities. Even 4-channel, 360° recordings can be made in 24 bit/48kHz format. The H2n records to Secure Digital (SD) media and a 512MB SD card is included. The H2n can accommodate up to a 32GB SDHC card, allowing up to 50 hours of total recording time using the 16 bit/44.1kHz WAV format. The H2n has dual X/Y configured stereo microphones facing front and rear, ideal for capturing an authentic stereo image. After recording, a built-in 3D panning function gives the user full control over the front, rear, left and right balance. Utilising readily available authoring software, 5.1 surround sound recordings can be created, a feature no other portable digital recorder possesses. The Auto Gain Control (AGC) function and low-cut filter allows the H2n to automatically record at the right level while eliminating unwanted low frequency noise. Alternatively, manual control of the gain levels is achievable with the Low/Mid/High gain selector, with fine-tuning of levels provided by gain control buttons on the front panel. The H2n also has a number of useful tools that will be welcomed by musicians, including an input jack for external stereo microphones which supports plug-in power, a stereo line input for analog sources such as cassette tapes or LP records and a built-in tuner and an on-board metronome. A desktop stand, microphone clip adaptor, earbuds, a windscreen, USB cable, and a 1/8-inch to RCA stereo cable are also included. The H2n packs a lot of versatility and features into a very small package, and serves as the ideal recording solution for live gigs, rehearsals and home studio projects. The Zoom H2n retails for around $279.
DEAN USA RAZORBACK RUST TRIBUTE GUITAR
IPB-10 Programmable Pedalboard
IPB-10 PROGRAMMABLE PEDALBOARD
Made in the USA, The Dean USA Razorback Rust Tribute electric guitar is striking to behold with its hand-airbrushed ‘rusted metal’ finish, which adorns the entire instrument. The headstock, emblazoned with the official Tribute crest and the pearl razor fretboard inlays make this one mean guitar to look at. It’s an angry sounding guitar with ultra-gain and metal guitarists will be very impressed with the overall tonality. The harmonic overtones are rich and well-balanced. Surprisingly, amidst all this aggression there is a gorgeous clarity to the instrument; even at high gain settings a six-string extended chord will sound out unwaveringly. The pickups also react reasonably well to clean amp settings for lighter moments. The guitar holds its tuning exceptionally well and the neck is even and fairly easy to get around on, although some tinkering with the action and pickup height to suit individual tastes is always recommended. This USA custom guitar normally retails for $5999, Guitar World Cannington have a special deal on this rare instrument for $4999.
The iPB-10 Programmable Pedalboard combines the simplicity of a pedalboard with the flexibility of a multi-effects unit by utilizing iPad technology, allowing truly unique creation and control of guitar effects. The iPB-10 allows guitarists to create their ultimate pedalboard, all on an iPad. Up to 10 different pedals, can be dragged and dropped in any order, to the pedalboard. An amp and cabinet model can also be added to each setup. There are 87 different pedals, 54 amps, and 26 cabinets to choose from. All adjustments to rearrange pedals, turn them on and off, or to adjust their settings are made by swiping a finger across the iPad screen via the iPB-Nexus app, designed to build and control the pedalboard. The iPB-10 retails for $749.
ISTOMP STOMPBOX
The iStomp works just like every other stompbox, with one unique and groundbreaking difference: players can completely change the iStomp to be any pedal in the entire pedal line, by connecting an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to the iStomp and selecting a pedal from the DigiTech Stomp Shop App. Guitarists can change the iStomp from a distortion to a reverb, a phaser to an overdrive, a delay to a chorus, anything that takes the user’s fancy. The iStomp includes DigiTech’s Total Recall digital delay and Redline overdrive to get players started. The iStomp technology allows players to test run pedals with their own gear before purchasing, a feat previously only achievable by inconveniently lugging guitars and amps to music stores. Through the app, users can listen to a demo of all the pedals but unlike all other stompboxes any effect can be loaded into the iStomp for five minutes to see how the pedal sounds through individual players’ rigs and setups. Check with your favourite DigiTech dealer for i-Stomp price and availability.
Dean Usa Razorback Rust Tribute Guitar
PRIMACOUSTIC LONDON 8 ROOM KIT
iStomp Stompbox
The Broadway London 8 room kit is designed for small rooms. Ideally suited for home studios, these kits are an affordable way to start the acoustic treatment of a home studio. The panels are made from high-density fibreglass, offering nearly five times greater absorption than typical low cost foam alternatives. This means that more absorption with less panels, while assuring an even absorption curve throughout the frequency range. The London 8 room kit is available in three fabric colours to help match the panels to various rooms. The only thing that the kit doesn’t seem to have included is a rough guide of where to place the panels for the less-experienced home engineer / producer. The London 8 Room Kit retails for $399. Many thanks to Guitar World for letting us review their products.
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