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Lisätiedot: Soundtools
TC Electronic Ditto Looper @ NAMM 2013
Review: Zoom MS-50G
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The Zoom Corporation’s super-compact 9000-series digital multieffects caused quite a stir in the early 1990s. The company’s recent Zoom MultiStomp MS-50G (current rrp in Finland: 99 €) carries on this heritage by managing to squeeze most of the large Zoom G5’s processing power (reviewed in August 2012) into one regular-size single pedal.
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It may sound unbelievable, but it really is true – this small box holds in store a whopping 50 memory slots for your own effect patches. Each effect patch can consist of a signal chain of up to six different effects. The MS-50G offers you 55 different effect types to choose from – featuring everything from compressors and modulation effects all the way to distortions, amp modelling and whacky special effects. Naturally, the MultiStomp also comes equipped with a digital tuner.
The Zoom MS-50G’s metal casing and its single foot switch feel reasonably chunky. The three parameter control knobs have been mounted at an angle underneath the LCD-display, out of the way of your foot’s path.
The pedal can be used in mono or in stereo. There is no headphones output on the MultiStomp, because it is meant to be used either as a standard guitar effect in front of your amp (or plugged into the effects loop) or for recording, connected straight to the front end of your soundcard or mixing console.
This compact Zoom is powered by two AA-sized batteries, giving you about seven hours of continuous use. Powering the pedal using a PSU (optional) is the more environmentally friendly way of doing things, and Zoom have made it easy for us by sticking to the Boss-standard (9 V, centre plus), making it easy to integrate the MS-50G into your existing pedal board.
The USB-port on the front of the MultiStomp makes it possible to update the unit’s firmware.
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There are two main ways of using the Zoom MS-50G’s effect patches:
The first way would be to manually select one patch, and the use the left/right cursor keys to choose the one effect in this patch (like chorus, distortion or delay) that you want to be able to turn on and off using the foot switch while performing. The unit automatically stores which effect you have selected in each given effect patch, so the next time you call up this patch you will already have your chosen effect connected to the foot switch.
The second way of using the Zoom is by utilising the MS-50G’s A/B-mode. A/B-mode allows you to select all the effect patches you will want to use, and put them in a running order by assigning a letter to each of the chosen effects (e. g.: ”SynthStar: A”, ”AsiaPalace: B”, ”PitchDist: C” etc). Once you’ve got your list in order, you can use the foot switch to hop through your list (starting from letter ”A” going up the alphabet). At the end of your list pressing the foot switch will get you back to the first patch in your list.
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Very compact multieffects usually require a slightly steeper initial learning curve than larger boards, because the limited number of controls and push buttons always means you first have to get to grips with the unit’s user interface. Luckily, thanks to its logical structure and well-designed graphics the MultiStomp is an easy piece of gear to master.
I especially like the Effect Chain view, which makes changes to the order of effects inside a patch very easy. You simply lift the chosen module using the virtual magnet, and drop it where you want it to go.
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Regardless of its compact size, the Zoom MS-50G MultiStomp is a fully-fledged member of the company’s G-series of guitar multieffects. While the MultiStomp won’t offer you all of the great features and effect types of its larger brethren – the G3 and G5 – the sheer amount of processing power and tasty effects on offer here is truly amazing. For the price of a decent single effect the MS-50G offers you a huge palette of different effects, while only taking up very little space on your pedal board.
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I used a Tokai SG-75 plugged into the Zoom MS-50G to record all the guitar tracks on the YouTube video:
All of the other soundbites have been lifted from Kitarablogi’s reviews of the Zoom G3 and the larger G5:
Fender Stratocaster – detune – delay
Fender Stratocaster – dirty Tweed – tremolo
Tokai LC-85 – fixed wah – Marshall-type
Tokai LC-85 – phaser – Blackface-style
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Zoom MS-50G MultiStomp
Current RRP in Finland 99 €
Finnish distributor: Studiotec
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Pros:
+ value-for-money
+ sound
+ compact size
+ easy to use
+ versatile
Kostutin on akustisen kitaran paras ystävä
Akustisen kitaran (tai puusta rakennetun soittimen ylipäänsä) säilyttämisessä pätee yleensä vanha sääntö: ”Älä jätä kitarasi pitkään sellaisissa olosuhteissa, joissa itse et viihtyisi”. Kukaan meistä ei haluaisi esimerkiksi istua pitkiä jaksoja kesähelteisessä (tai talvipakkaisessa) autossa, ja myös kitaraa kannattaa säilyttää jossain muualla.
Tavallinen huonelämpötila (18 – 22 celsiusastetta) luo myös kitaralle hyvät olosuhteet.
Yhdessä asiassa akustinen kitara on kuitenkin selvästi herkempi muutoksiin kuin ihminen, ja se on ilmankosteus.
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Tämä herkkyys johtuu siitä, että akustisen kitaran runko on tehty melko ohuista puun ”viipaleista”, joihin kohdistuu kuitenkin huomattavasti kielten aiheuttamaa vääntöä ja vetoa.
Akustinen kitara on koko elämänsä aikana herkässä balansissa: sen runkopuut (etenkin kansi ja rungon rimoitus) täyttyy olla mahdollisimman ohuita ja kevyitä, että kitara soi hyvin, mutta toisaalta rakennelman täytyy myös kestää kielten ankaraa vetoa.
Puu elää materiaalina ilmankosteusvaihtojen mukaan – kuivuudessa se kutistuu, suuri ilmankosteus taas aiheuttaa puun turpoamista. Akustisen kitaran tapauksessa tämä tarkoittaa, että kuivissa olosuhteissa soittimen runko yrittää kutistua pienemmäksi, ja kosteassa ilmassa runko alkaa paisua alkuperäisiä mittojaan isommaksi.
Tästä seuraa, että miedoissa tapauksissa ainakin kielten korkeus muuttuu kannen kutistumisen (tai turpoamisen) mukaan. Ääritapauksissa liikkaa kosteus tai kuivuus voi aiheuttaa jopa rungon repeämistä. Sellaista kitaraa nähdään esimerkiksi tässä videossa:
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Meillä Suomessa ei tavallisesti ole ongelmia liian suuren ilmankosteuden kanssa, koska maa ei sijaitse subtrooppisessa tai trooppisessa säävyohykkeessä. Sen sijaan pitkä lämmityskausi voi aiheuttaa useimmissa sisätiloissa akustiselle kitaralle liian kuivaa ilmaa.
Akustiselle kitaralle ihanteellinen suhteellinen ilmankosteus on tavallisessa huonelämpötilassa 45:n ja 60:n prosentin välillä.
Kannattaa siis tarkistaa ilmankosteutta mittarilla, joka voi olla joko perinteinen analoginen seinähygrometri…
…tai sitten esimerkiksi kitaralaukkuun menevä pieni digitaalimittari.
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Kokonaisen huoneen ilmankosteutta voi nostaa tavallisella ilmankostuttimella, kun se ei seiso suoraan soittimen vieressä tai sen alla.
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Hyvin huoleton tapa pitää yllä akustiselle kitaralle sopivaa ilmankosteutta säilytyksen tai kuljetuksen aikana on soittimen runkoon menevä kostutin.
Tällaisia kostuttimia saa monissa eri muodoissa:
• Dampitin ja Martin Guitarsin kostuttimet ovat putkilomaisia.
• Planet Wavesin mallia roikutetaan kitaran kieliltä.
• Kyserin ääniaukkoon menevää kostutinta taas voidaan käyttää myös lavalla feedback-suojana.
Kaikilla kitarakostuttimilla on yhteistä kuitenkin se, että niiden sisällä on pieni muovisieni, jonka kastutettaan tavallisilla kraanavedellä. Tämän jälkeen ylimääräistä vettä puristetaan pois ja kostutinta pyyhitään ulkopuolelta kuivaksi, ennen kuin sitä asetetaan kitaran runkoon. Runkopuu sitten imee hyvin hitaasti itselleen kostean sienen tarjoamaa kosteutta. Usein riittä, kun kostuttimeen lisätään vettä kerran (tai kaksi kertaa) viikossa.
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Kannata siis pitää oma kitara oikeassa ilmankosteudessa, jos haluaa välttää ongelmista.
Paniikkinomaiseen hysteriaan ei kuitenkin tarvitse sortua, koska ilmankosteuden vaihtelu – toisin kuin äkillinen lämpötilan muutos – vaikuttaa kitaraan vain suhteellisen hitaasti. Kyllä, kitaraa voi soittaa huoletta tunnin tai pari sellaisessakin huoneessa, jossa suhteellinen ilmankosteus on vain 40 prosenttia, kun vain laittaa soittimen sen jälkeen takaisin sopivaksi kosteutettuun huoneeseen tai kitarakostuttimen kera koteloon.
Review: Schecter Hellraiser Studio Acoustic
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Schecter probably aren’t known so much as manufacturers of acoustic guitars, but they do carry a few acoustic-electric models in their current line-up. We picked up a new model from Schecter’s Hellraiser range for a review – the Hellraiser Studio Acoustic.
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The Schecter Hellraiser Studio Acoustic (current street price in Finland approx. 600 €) is a stunning looker with a Grand Auditorium -sized, full-depth body.
The whole body – top, rims and back – is crafted from beautiful, laminated quilted maple. Our review sample sports a fetching see-through-black gloss finish.
The glued-in neck, which is finished in solid gloss black, is made from mahogany.
Judging by its headstock shape, Schecter seems to be aiming the Hellraiser Studio squarely at the Rock and Metal crowd. The headstock features intricate binding in luscious grey pearloid framed by black and white strips of plastic.
The sealed Grover-tuners sport a cool and moody black chrome finish.
The bound rosewood fretboard comes equipped with 20 jumbo-sized frets, giving the guitar an effortless modern playing feel.
The Hellraiser Studio’s ’board is adorned with cleanly executed gothic-style cross inlays, made from grey pearloid.
The stylish dark pearloid theme is carried over onto the soundbox – seen here in the back’s centre line.
Schecter’s Hellraiser Studio comes factory-equipped with a second strap button.
The guitar’s flowing lines are a thing of beauty.
The test sample’s bracings and kerfed linings look well made, even if there are a couple of glue specks in places.
The gothic theme continues in the rosewood rosette’s inlays.
A very dark finish is a double-edged sword for any manufacturer, because any tiny imperfection shows up more clearly. On the review instrument a tiny amount of white glue can be seen seeping out from under the bridge – the only small slip-up on this nicely-finished guitar.
The bridge is an interesting design, made from a composite material based on wood and black resin. The octave-compensated bridge saddle is Graph Tech’s man-made alternative to ivory, called Tusq.
The under-saddle-transducer is a Fishmanin Sonicore piezo pickup.
The UST’s signal is sent to a Fishman PreSys+ preamp featuring four-band EQ – bass, middle, treble and brilliance – a notch filter (to combat feedback or annoying stage resonances), a phase reverse switch (also for feedback removal), as well as a chromatic tuner, which also works without the guitar lead plugged in.
The PreSys+ makes battery changes a doddle.
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Even though the Schecter Hellraiser Studio Acoustic is aimed at Rock musicians, Schecter haven’t chosen an overtly ”electric” neck profile for this steel-string – which is good in my opinion. The guitar’s well-rounded, medium D-profile feels great, giving you ample flesh to hold on to.
Sadly, our review sample suffers from some minor fretting issues, which lead to the high-e string buzzing at the first and 14. frets. Otherwise the set-up is good and the guitar plays well.
Nowadays it seems that many manufacturers have found out how to put together a good-sounding acoustic guitar using a laminated body. The Schecter Hellriser Studio is a good example of this. Even though you cannot find the out-and-out volume and punch of an all-solid shouter in a laminated steel-string, this Schecter really manages to hold its own, and do so with panache.
The all-maple body gives you a lively tone with a tight, sinewy bottom end, a clear mid-range (typical of maple-bodied steel-strings), as well as a nicely rounded top end. I see the Hellraiser Studio as a great choice for accompanying vocals, as the guitar’s clarity leaves ample space in the frequency spectrum for the singer.
The Fishman Sonicore/PreSys+ is a high-quality combination that sounds great right off the bat, without even touching the EQ. Fishman have managed to filter out most of the infamous nasal quack and attack click, so often found on lesser piezo systems. Thanks to this the Hellraiser’s EQ is freed up to fine-tune your (already great) basic tone, instead of having to combat any annoying tonal problems inherent in the original signal.
I recorded the following examples both acoustically (using an AKG C3000) and direct (with the Fishman’s EQ flat):
Fingerstyle – miked up (AKG C3000)
The review guitar’s fretting (or neck?) problem really is a shame, because overall this Schecter is an extremely nice acoustic-electric. Schecter are known for their stringent quality control, so maybe this here was the one guitar that slipped through.
Schecter’s Hellraiser Studio Acoustic is a beautiful instrument, offering easy playability and a great sound. The guitar’s clear voice records very well – regardless of whether you’re using a microphone or the fantastic on-board Fishman-system. I can only recommend a test run!
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Schecter Hellraiser Studio Acoustic
Current street price in Finland approx. 600 €
Finnish distributor: Soundtools
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Pros:
+ beautiful design
+ overall workmanship
+ playability
+ acoustic tone
+ pro-quality Fishman-electronics
Cons:
– some fretting issues on review sample
– some glue visible at bridge
Review: Roland AC-33RW
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Roland’s AC-33RW (current price in Finland: 467 €) is the new sister model to the all-black AC-33. The acoustic combo is finished in a faux-rosewood finish – the same kind as seen on many pieces of furniture.
The AC-33RW is the company’s smallest amplifier for acoustic guitar and vocal. It can be plugged into a wall socket, using the power adapter included with the amp. Alternatively, the AC-33 also runs on eight AA-size batteries, giving you somewhere between eight and nine hours of continuous use (depending on the type of battery used).
The AC-33RW weighs only a little over four and a half kilos, but is still able to dish out a whopping 30 Watts of power (20 W, if run on batteries)! The cabinet comes equipped with a pair of five-inch speakers, with a bass reflex port placed between them.
There are two channels on offer in the AC-33RW:
The Guitar-channel, which is meant for use with an electro-acoustic guitar, comprises a volume knob, as well as three-band EQ. The second channel is called Mic/Line, and it is best used for the amplification of a dynamic microphone or a line level sound source (which could also be a second acoustic guitar). Mic/Line only offers you two-band equalisation in addition to its volume control. By the way, you cannot use both of the Mic/Line-channel’s inputs simultaneously! Plugging into the phone jack mutes the XLR-input.
Both channels feature a nice, switchable chorus-effect in two different permutations – Space is a light chorus setting, while Wide will give you quite a fat chorus sound.
The AC-33RW’s master section offers you an automatic anti-feedback circuit, a looper with 40 seconds of recording time, a headphones output for quiet practising, the Reverb/Ambience-control, as well as the master volume.
Regardless of its diminutive size, Roland’s AC-33RW sports a well-equipped back panel, too:
Next to the power supply input you will find two foot switch connectors. With two (optional) twin foot-switches you can control all looper functions, as well as turn on/off the chorus and/or reverb effects on the fly.
The amp’s output can be sent to a mixing console or a sound-card via the stereophonic line output. The Line Out signal is routed pre-master, meaning you can use the Roland freely as your stage monitor, without inadvertently changing the signal level going to the front-of-house mixer.
The Aux In offers you a choice of two different connectors (RCA and mini-jack), and even has its own level control. The incoming signal is also send through the looper, meaning you can even use your mp3-player to provide the raw material for your live loops.
The additional fold-out stand angles the combo for a better listening position, whenever the Roland is placed on the floor.
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The Roland AC-33RW is a very nifty little combo for acoustic guitarists and solo performers. The amp sounds clean and clear, and dishes out a surprising amount of wallop for its compact size. There’s enough power on tap for busking and small-scale, bistro-type gigs. For larger venues I’d suggest turning to one of Roland’s larger models – like the Roland AC-60 – because otherwise the usual din in a pub will most likely drown out your playing.
I tried both channels using the same guitar (a Tanglewood TW1000HSRE), and found out that they’re voiced slightly differently. The Guitar-channel has a perceivable presence lift, while Mic/Line sounds more neutral (with both channel-EQs set to neutral).
There are two small points I’d like to raise, though:
Even if the life of an acoustic performer most probably isn’t as rough as a Rock gig, I would have liked to have seen corner protectors on the AC-33RW. As it stands, you will have to be rather careful not to bump into things with the combo during set-up and teardown, if you want to preserve the Roland’s pristine looks. My second point of criticism concerns the global Reverb/Ambience-control. It would be nice to be able to set different amounts of reverb for each channel – either via separate channel sends or a reverb balance knob. The compromise on offer now is workable, but having different reverb-levels for guitar and vocals would be just that bit more convenient.
I recorded some AC-33RW sounds by miking up the combo:
Plectrum with Wide-chorus and Reverb
Even though this small unit has been designed specifically to work with modern acoustic-electric preamps, I also tested the AC-33RW with a magnetic soundhole pickup (Seymour Duncan Woody). The Guitar-channel didn’t really offer enough preamp gain for this application, but Line/Mic worked rather nicely:
Magnetic soundhole pickup (Mic/Line-channel)
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The Roland offers a great basic sound, nice effects, and all the most important features. The combo works really well. I’d warmly suggest buying a set of foot-switches to make the most of the AC-33’s cool looper.
Regardless of its small size, the Roland AC-33RW really is a fine little amp for acoustic performers in small settings.
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Roland AC-33RW
Current price in Finland: 467 €
Finnish Distribution: Roland Scandinavia
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Pros:
+ size
+ weight
+ power
+ sound
+ effect quality
+ looper
+ value-for-money
Cons:
– global Reverb-control
– no corner protectors
Kitarablogi.com – Finland's premier Guitar and Bass blog 