Yamaha LLX6A
August 12, 2009
Unlike cutaways, there’s not as large a selection of non-cutaway electros and, attracted to the style, we wondered whether we could get a high quality guitar of that type without going into four figures. Yamaha has just such a contender: the LLX6A.The LLX6A marks the entry-point into Yamaha’s presti…
Zildjian Z3 Cymbals
August 11, 2009
The Z3 Series is the third generation of Zildjian’s range of rock cymbals which began with the Z Series in 1985. Zildjian promises more ability, projection and playability from the new Z3 models (as we found out at LIMS 09), which have some choice endorsees. BuildCast from Zildjian bronze, Z3 cymbal…
Motu Traveler-mk3
August 10, 2009
Making music on the move can mean anything from laptop-based editing to full-on recording on location, and the gear designed for mobile use varies considerably considering of that. MOTU’s Traveler interface has always sat firmly in the recording camp, and the unit we’re looking at here is the third …
Dean Leslie West Standard
August 10, 2009
Think Dean and many of us probably just think of extravagantly-shaped metal axes. Yet Dean has always had a more classic side, and at various prices points its Les Paul-inspired Soltero is a classy looking alternative to Gibson’s finest.It was that guitar that Dean Zelinksy [Dean founder, now at DBZ…
TwinStomp Active A/B-Y pedal
August 10, 2009
TwinStomp’s Active A/B-Y pedal is designed to offer the gigging guitar player an affordable option for driving two amps independently or simultaneously. Built-in is a clean boost control giving an additional 4db separately, or up to 6db when driving both amps.A blend control enables you to shift the…
Boss FRV-1
August 10, 2009
We checked out the first two members of the Boss Legend Series previously and, although we were struck by how good the FBM-1 and FDR-1 were, we did have some doubts as to the reverb of the ‘65 Deluxe Reverb pedal.Here, Boss applies its huge know-how – not to mention the bespoke COSM technology –…
Roland Juno-Di
August 7, 2009
The Juno-D was the first in the newly resurrected Juno line when it was launched back in 2005. Aimed at performers and producers wanting portability and a great base of versatile sounds for a fair price, the Juno-D proved popular.Never one to rest on its laurels, Roland has sought to improve and exp…
Sonor Force 3007 Rock Kit
August 6, 2009
Sonor’s 3007 sits at the top of the extensive Force series, which plus features the 2007, 1007 and 507. The 3007 spec is basically unchanged for the past two years, but now some new finishes have been added.Plus, there’s the new Rock format of our review kit, a four piece with traditional 12"x8…
Waves H-Comp
August 6, 2009
If you’re after instant processing flavour, a vintage compressor emulation is often your best bet. However, these units typically lack flexibility, and it should therefore come as no surprise that the second Waves plug-in to follow the Hybrid ethos is a compressor. According to Waves, Hybrid Compres…
Waves H-Delay
August 5, 2009
Waves built its reputation on a line of precise, flexible and original plug-ins, but by date, it’s drifted into the realms of hardware emulation, as epitomised by its SSL and API Collections. The company’s latest wheeze is to use the skills picked up during development of the latter to create its ne…