Zoom iQ6 X-Y Stereo Microphone for iOS 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/iQ6

The use of smart phones has become so relevant that most schools or jobs require them.  What we have here is a miniture stereo condensor microphone.  This microphone actually plugs into your apple device, iphone 5 to present IOS devices with appropriate input.  

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/iQ6

This technology is great for musicians because it allows you to record on the go.  Sometimes inspiration for a song may come while you are driving, or involved in something that reistricts you from running home to get it down.  This extends creative potential and allows for a much better audio recording than your devices built into microphone.  

Not only is this great for musicians but also for anyone who needs to record things, like a reporter, or a student recording a class lecture, this device opens doors for possibility.  This is a must have product!

Toontrack EZdrummer 2

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Toontrack/EZdrummer-2-Upgrade.gc

Drums are a very essential part of making music but sometimes there are roadblocks holding you back invovling drums.  Those roadblocks may include things like space, disturbance, or simply not enough time to master the physical drums.  

Toontrack has created a software program that allows you to emulate a drum set of multitudes.  This soferward program is great for jamming or practicing because it allows you to make complex drum beats with the click of a mouse.  

With software like this, it can really revolutionary for solo artists that do not have access to a drummer.  The program provides a large quantity of drum sets to choose from, there are also additional kits you can purchase.  

Essentially Ezdrummer is for beginners and experts, with the program being easy to navigate and use, it could be used for simple beats or for complex full songs.  

Launch Key 49 by Novation

http://global.novationmusic.com/keys/launchkey#

The Launch Key 49 by Novation is a MIDI controller that actually combines keys, effects, and the mixer on one interface.  This is a great tool to use during live performance, whether you are even using the keys or not you can control EQ levels of your audio program.  Just to add... this compact porduction equipment also includes 16 LED lights within the effect pads.  

The Launch Key 49 is a good fit for someone who does not like carrying around multiple MIDI's and interfaces.  There is a USB port to plug right into your computer, or there is another plug-in for an alternative power source.  Particularlly, Novation's Launch Key is an inexpensive means of creating software music.  

If you are into piano or have often thought about it but never wanted to invest much money into it, Novation makes quality MIDIs that would allow you to emulate a piano using software.  MIDI controllers like the Launch Key 49 being used more often now and they are a great way to expand your knowledge of instruments.

String Swing Guitar Amp Hanger

String swing has created a product that really utilizes playing space for practicing and performing.  Above is an image of the clip-on guitar hanger that attatches to the handle of the amplifier.  This guitar hanger can replace a wall hang or a flood stand allowing to keep your gear compact and organized.  To get the best use out of this product, it would be recommended to use this wall hang with a cab amplifier or larger so it is sturdy enough to hang a guitar.  

The String Swing guitar hang is great for playing gigs, because the hang is attatched with your amp you do not have to carry around a stand venue to venue.  When it comes to playing small venues, its crucial to have enough room for your equipment.

For players with limitted practice space, this is also a great product for you.  Players that may be in college dorms could benefit by this accessory.  The product includes an adjustable strap that allows you to set your guitar up right.  Attached is an angled cloth that creates the hanging, a c shaped hook attatched to the strap, and finally there is the hook in which your guitar will rest.  

This is a really cool accessory, it is deffinitly something to check out!

https://www.stringswing.com/product/cc05-clip-on-guitar-hanger-for-suitcase-handle

http://www.harmonycentral.com/articles/essential-amp-accessories

Digitech Mosaic 12 String Effect

The Digitech Mosaic 12 String effect is a a very interesting effect pedal.  This pedal simulates a 12 string guitar sound played by a 6 string.  The pedal has a true bypass so your tone will not be ruined.  The way this pedal works is it by using polyphonic pitch shifting technology, it is not a full pitch shift though.  This is how the 12 string sound is acheived by creating the other pitches and makes it sound like the different octive strings on a real 12 string guitar sound. This pedal opens up opportunities for more textures to add to your pedalboard!

The mosaic pedal sounds great with classic rock and clean tones.  For example playing Wish you were here by Pink Floyd played on a 12 string or using the Mosaic would have a fuller and deeper tone compared to a simple clean tone with a 6 string guitar. 

http://digitech.com/en-US/products/mosaic

Amazing Metal Amplifiers

Metal music is known for having high gain and deep low sound.  So you need the right gear that can handle distortion and high volumes and still provide a quality sound.  So here are a few amps that I find to be reliable and worth giving a try.  

Mesa

In the photo above is a Mesa 2x12 Rectifier cab.  This amp packs 120 watts of handling power and this amp is a solid amp in its structure. These amps are designed for touring, Mesa amps are used by artists like Five Finger Death Punch, Lamb of God, Metalica and many more.  

http://www.mesaboogie.com/artist/index.html

Orange Amplification

Here we have the Orange Dual Dark amplifier head.  This was designed for metal and rock, this amp head offers a high end sound that a guitar player wants. If you attend Vans Warped tour, or Mayhem fest, you might notice that most artists use Orange amps in general.  For example guitarsists from Slipnot, We Came As Romans, Like Moths to Flames, and many more.  This amp head is made for metal, high gain, solid distoriton.   

In a nutshell, if you were to combine the Mesa amp cab and the Orange amp head you would have a solid metal sound!

https://orangeamps.com

Vox AmPlug AC30 Headphone Amplifier

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/vox-amplug-ac30-guitar-headphone-amp

  The Vox AmPlugs are a series of headphone amplifiers that allow you to practice intensely without beeing a bother whereever you may be.  The way this works it that you plug straight into your guitar and plug a pair of headphones into the side of this device.  This amp includes a gain, tone, and volume nobs to adjust. This little amp includes effects within it like reverb tremelo, and chorous just like a standard Vox AC30 would have.  There is an aux jack so you can play along to songs or practice learning them through this.

This particular version of the vox headphone amp series sounds really well for blues, classic rock, and other similar genres and sub genres.  If you are looking for a metal sound, or just a really high gain distortion i would recommend there metal version of this plugin.  This amp is primarly for solid clean and crunch tones.  This amp is pocket sized and takes two AAA batteries, and the batteries can last up to 24 with this unit.

The quality of the sound projected from this little thing is amazing! Although that being said, it is not recording quality but then again that is not its purpose.  So if you are getting noise complaints for jamming out to loud, you may reall want to consider investing in the Vox AmPlug.  I have made the switch myself and I thouroughly enjoy it.

Rogue RM 100A Mandolin

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Rogue/RM-100A-A-Style-Mandolin-Sunburst-1275425409511.gc

I thought I would swtich things up and talk about some different instruments.  Here we have the Rougue RM 100A mandolin made by Rogue Fine Instruments.  I decided to add one of these to my collection a few months back.  If you are unfamiliar with the madolin it includes 8 strings and tuned like a violin.  

The RM 100A seems to be a lower end mandolin for beginners to use.  This instrument is made with Maple wood, the body is about 1/16th of an inch thick.  There are 22 frets on this little guy and of course as you can see this is a hollow body instrument.  I would recommend this instrument to beginners or as a beater/travel instrument.  The craftsmanship on this instrument is for sure not the greatest, but I would still recommend grabbing one these Mandolins!

Black Market Custom Amplifiers

Black Market Customs was created by Chris Constantino and Chark King in New England.  They build custom amplifier cabs that are very impressive.  

https://fbcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/p240x240/11704863_958253460906060_8904549023016990407_n.jpg?oh=3a55ede560fa5da143a85ad6580ea591&oe=56CA9C79&__gda__=1452116639_ba278a387a8c98ad0d6a636dab49a125

Above is an example of the more unique amps they created for a band called Issues.  This is in fact a wall of Pokemon cabs.  

The two creators of Black Market are masters in their craft with wood and electronics.  They make cabs with different speaker, their own made or a specific one of you choice.  They are very innovative with their designs and offer quality materials.  

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e15/11363894_476155002553208_876386589_n.jpg

Overdrive Straps

Guitar Straps To Consider

http://ink361.com/app/users/ig-1541925257/overdrive_straps/photos

Guitar straps are one of the most overlooked parts of guitar player's gear.  If you are just jamming at home or out at a gig, you going to want to play comfortably.  You might be wondering what is so special about a guitar strap?  Well these guitar straps are made one by one by hand and are made for the soul comfort of the player.

http://www.overdrivestraps.com

Artists like Brent Hinds from Mastodon use Overdrive straps.  Oversized are durable straps made in a few variety.  There is the seatbelt strap seen in the first photo, the retro fabric straps which is in the photo above, and the full leather straps seen below.  

http://www.overdrivestraps.com/Peafowl-Leather-Overdrive-Straps

So if you are looking for a comfortable guitar strap with some flare to it, check these straps out!

Fender Mustang V Amplifier

Above is a video overviewing the Fender Mustang V amplifier.  I provide a few demonstrations of how the amplifier works and sounds.  This amplifier is a great amp because it is so verisitle, being that you can achieve tube like sounds with a solid state amplifier head.

Martin LXM 

This model of Martin acoustics is a mini style acoustic guitar.  The body is made up of Java Mahgany wood, the body face and back are crafted with one peice of wood rather than most acoustic guitars are made with two.  This allows for a very rich tone for such a small guitar.  The LXM has 14 neck frets with no fret inlays but inlays along the side of the neck.  This guitar is perfect to carry along on a rhoad trip or to your local park.  The mini martin guitar is also a very good size for younger players that want a quality acoustic guitar. Most mini guitars are made with cheap wood and factory made. Artist Ed Sheeran is known for usuing Martin mini series acoustics, in fact he has his own custom one that peope can buy.  This really shows the quality work that Martin Guitar has crafted for there acoustic guitars.  

www.martinguitar.com

Loop Pedals

Tc Electronics' Ditto Loop Pedal

So i recently got my hands on a Tc Electronic Ditto Loop pedal, so i thought i would share a little about this product.  The Ditto Looper is a compact effect pedal that includes a true bypass, up to five minutes of loop time, and unlimited amount of loops..  The Ditto pedal allows you to create many layers of sound with just one instrument.  Also, you can improve your scales and timing by using this pedal often because in order to create a whole loop you must stomp on your first and last notes.  Ditto is a money saver and very well made.  This Pedal can be used for any instrument that fits the input and output.So if you are looking for a loop pedal the Ditto Looper is a good choice. 

Feelin Bluesy? 

Top 3 Blues Amplifiers

So how do you acheive a quality blues tone? There are many contributing factors; guitars, effect pedals, acoustic quality, and the main focus here, the ampifier.  A quality blues amplifier should have a few specific characteristics.  

A quality blues amplifier should include a crisp, bold, clean tone. It should also should be able to create a crunchy tone with the same characteristics.  A good blues amp usually includes a reverb tone, and sometimes a tremelo effect.  

3. Vox AC30 Hand Wired

Vox has been making amplifiers for over 50 years, but the weird part is that they have made very little changes to a few amps since then.  The AC30 is an all tube that is handwired to ensure the clean tone that blues musicians are looking for.  This amp includes tremelo, reverb, and crunch to clean settings.  This amp typically comes as a 30w tube with 2 12" speakers allowing for a volume loud enough to be heard in medium sized venues without a cab microphone. 

2. Fender Tweed Delux

Fender is one of the oldest in the business, and one the most respected as well.  This specific amp model was designed for the blues guitarist.  This models been used by artists like Eric Clapton, Jerry Garcia, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many other known blues artists.  This amp delivers a rich clean tone provided that it is also a 30w tube amp.  This little amp (one 12" speaker) delivers such a punch when its cranked up that artists use this amp for preformances in arenas provided with a small cab microphone.  This amp includes reverb, tremelo, and crunch setting in some of the newest models.  Older models use a second gain setting to deliver the same effect.  

1. Milkman Sideman

 Milkman is being considered number one because of everything it has to offer.  Thi model is a 50w vacuum tube amplifier with two channels.  The two channels allow for a more textured tone that allows for high sustain and use of effect channels.  There is one 15" speaker within this amplifier, but this amp delivers a very loud tone.  These amps are not factory made, they are indeed handmade by a man named Tim Marcus.  Each individual amp is crafted one at a time per order.  This amplifier has tremelo, reverb, and also a pedal steel setting.  This amp has a crisp crunch tone and the cleanest tone out right now.  This amplifier is a hidden gem in the world of blues amplifiers. 

Photos were taken from google images.  Specs of the amplifiers were taken from: http://milkmansound.com/amplifiers/sideman 

www.fender.com

www.voxamps.com

Hello everyone!

 My name is Benton Palermo and i have a deep passion for music so I decided to share my love for music.  This blog will keep you in tune with the latest and greatest sound equipment in the game!
I will be providing reviews on certain music gear not limited to guitars, drum sets, amplifiers, pedals, studio equipment, and other music related gear!

I will be updating frequently with different sounds and techniques to achieve certain sounds! I will cover a wide variety of examples for different music genres. So stay tuned!