Category Archives: Amplification

Winter NAMM 2011: Orange Amps launch new tube bias technology DIVO (Digital Intelligent Valve Optimisation) featuring TubeSync®

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Planet-Musician

For over forty years Orange amps has pushed back the boundaries of guitar amp technology and at NAMM 2011 the company are proud to announce a worldwide exclusive distribution agreement for DIVO Tube Sync®, a truly revolutionary new guitar amp technology

The new DIVO technology automatically adjusts the bias of the output power tubes to ensure their full potential is realised. It monitors the amp’s performance and will isolate faulty tube failures, by running them at half power until the tubes can be changed. The DIVO system also increases the reliability of amplifiers by maintaining the optimum performance of the tubes by performing an ‘in circuit’ test every time the amplifier is powered up.

DIVO technology opens up a whole new dimensions in tone options allowing for the first time ever the ability to mix and match tubes. You can experiment with an EL34, 6L6, 6550, KT77 or any other tube type all at the same time in the same amp. With DIVO the Tubes are automatically matched.

DIVO will extend the lifespan of your tubes and never again pay a tech to re-bias.

DIVO can be easily integrated into any almost any guitar tube amplifier.

Orange amps will be offering this as option in there new Rockerverb 100 which will be ‘DIVO Ready’.  For other Orange amps and most other brands Orange offer the DIVO Orange Tube Sync OV4, a complete standalone unit.

See this revolutionary important product demonstrated on the Orange Music Booth 4674 Hall C

www.orangeamps.com

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, NAMM Show, Technology

Maven Peal Publishes Guitar Amplifier Player’s Troubleshooting Guide

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Planet-Musician

Strafford, VT—Maven Peal Instruments, Inc. is pleased to announce the publication of The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Troubleshooting Guide, the first do-it-yourself troubleshooting guide for musicians.

Any player who has been stuck at a gig or practice session with unwanted hiss, ghost notes, muddy, harsh or trebly tone; squealing or hissing; tremolo or reverb trouble; rattling or vibrating needs this guide. The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Troubleshooting Guide is the definitive source for fast answers to guitar amplifier troubles. It arms players with the information they need to quickly and effectively take on whatever amplifier problems they encounter, in whatever spot they’re in.

Author Dave Zimmerman explains “After publishing The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Guide this spring, I realized that although the Player’s Guide is an invaluable musician’s resource for getting the best tone from an amplifier, it doesn’t address the maintenance or repair issues that commonly come up for guitar players. Although I imagine some players will want to read the Troubleshooting Guide from cover to cover, its real value is that it is a fast, effective resource of solutions.”

Also available from Maven Peal are never before published business-sized Speaker Ohms and Watts Chart cards, which give you the correct impedance settings and wattages delivered to each speaker when connecting two speakers to 30, 50 and 100 watt amplifiers in both series and parallel.

The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Troubleshooting Guide is available from amazon.com, boutiquetone.com and NBS Electronics, and can also be ordered directly from Maven Peal for $44.99 by visiting books@mavenpeal.com.

Maven Peal Instruments, Inc. uses nonlinear analysis (chaos theory) to design audio and musical instrument amplifiers. For more information on The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Troubleshooting Guide, The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Guide, the Zeeta, Ganesha, RG88 or other Maven Peal products, contact Dave Zimmerman at 802-793-4847, dave@mavenpealpeal.com, or visit Maven Peal at www.mavenpeal.com.

Posted in Amplification, Education, Guitar

Announcing the Marshall Ultimate Band Contest sponsored by LickLibrary.com

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Planet-Musician

The Marshall Ultimate Band Contest has just launched sponsored by Lick Library and Smokehead Whisky offering the most amazing, money can’t buy prizes to the winning band.

The winners will have the honour of getting a full endorsement from Marshall Amps for both the guitarist/s and bass player to take their place alongside some of the greatest names in the business including Slash and Jimi Hendrix! Not only will they have full Marshall artist support and loan of gear for a year but they will also win a fantastic bands worth of Marshall amps including a bass stack and Guitar stack.

The winners will also win a session at Europe’s largest independent recording studio complex, Metropolis, where they can demo up to four tracks via the studios ‘unsigned mastering’ service. The list of famous artists to record at Metropolis it truly staggering, with everyone from Sting to Robbie Williams using their services.

Further prizes include a selection of best selling DVDs from Lick Library, one of the worlds leading suppliers of guitar tuition, plus Smokehead Whisky will help you celebrate your winnings in style with their Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. This is not just about winning cool prizes as the prestige and publicity surrounding the contest is more than worth its weight in gold.

To enter the competition, you need to record your own video of original music, fill out the entry form on the Marshall UBC website and then Upload your YouTube URL together with your details. Entry is free and judging in the first round is open to the public with ultimately five top bands being selected to battle it out in front of the judges at the Marshall Theatre.

Check out the competition and cast your votes at http://marshall.licklibrary.com/voter-registration. You can follow the competitions progress and find out about other cool prizes on the website.

Posted in Amplification, Education, Guitar

Ronnie James Dio Wins the Orange Amp, Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Icon Award 2010

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amps were proud to sponsor the Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Icon Award, presented to Ronnie James Dio last night. His wife Wendy Dio, was tearful as she accepted the Icon Award on his behalf at the star studded event held at The Brewery, London.

Ronnie, who died earlier this year, was widely hailed as one of the greatest voices in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell and his own band Dio.

He was a metal legend who touched many with his music, message and magic. He was awarded the Classic Rock Metal Guru Award in 2006, and inducted into the Rock Walk of Fame in 2007. Earlier this year Ronnie was named best metal singer by Revolver Magazine.

Not only did he possess one of the best metal voices in the business, but he had the heart to match. Motivated by the omission of heavy metal talent from the Live Aid event in 1985 he organised the Hear’N Aid charity recording that same year. It says much for his influence and popularity that he was able to attract to the cause the most prominent rock musicians of the day.

To find out more about the Orange gear and their artists that won at last night awards visit www.orangeamps.com.

To find out more about the Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Awards visit www.kerrang.com/blog/kerrang_awards/kerrang_awards_2010/news/.

Posted in Amplification, Events, Guitar

Orange Amp Endorsees win at the Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Awards 2010

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amps, one of the most recognisable and widely used guitar amps in the world, were well represented by their endorsees at the Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Awards 2010 last night.

Serial Kerrang! Award winners Lostprophets were back again last night as they added the coveted Classic Songwriter Award to their impressive collection. Guitarists Lee Glaze and Mike Lewis use a selection of Orange gear including the AD30 Combo, Thunderverb200 and Rockerverb 50 heads, with PPC412 cabs. Lostprophets bassist Stuart Richardson uses the Orange OBC410 and 115 with AD200 heads.

You And Me At Six, a band with a big future, picked up the sought after Best Single at the 2010 awards. Guitarist Max Miller and Chris Helyer both use Orange Thunderverb 200 and Rockerverb 50 heads with PPC412 cabs to help get that distinctive Orange sound.

The best video award went to Biffy Clyro for their awesome recording featuring the band captured on a boat out on the high seas. New Band member guitarist Mike Vennart is an Orange endorsee and uses their Retro 50 custom shop head.

To find out more about the Orange gear and what these Kerrang! Award winners were using visit www.orangeamps.com.

Posted in Amplification, Events, Guitar

2010 Festivals are Orange

Posted on July 9, 2010 by Planet-Musician

Orange amps are turning the 2010 festival season Orange with an incredible line-up of endorsees hitting the stages this summer.

The big festivals of 2010 kicked off in June with the Download Festival where Orange fielded a strong team including Jim Root with Stonesour and Kerrang!’s best new act The Young Guns.

Next on the fixture list this weekend is T in the Park which will see a hard hitting line up of Orange endorsee guitarist and bass players using their gear. Exciting players include the British electronic dance band Faithless, Brit Award nominees Scouting for Girls, and the infamous Baby Shambles to name but a few.

Moving on the High Voltage Festival you can see such acts as heavy metal super group Down, Orange Goblin, Clutch and Lethargy displaying their Orange amp skills.

Sonisphere rounds up July with internationally recognised alternate rock band Placebo, and three of the best British metal bands Bring me the Horizon, Gallows and Skindred hitting the pitch.

The August festival finale brings V and Reading Festivals. Brit award winner Florence and the Machine, Q’s best band 2009 White Lies, are with The Magic Numbers representing Orange at V. While Reading sees Queens of the Stone Age, joined by NME best music video winners Biffy Clyro, serial Kerrang! award winners Lostprophets, Kerrang!’s Hall of Fame winners Limp Bizkit , Alkaline Trio, Against Me, The Gaslight Anthem, Weezer and pop-punk’s current golden boys You and Me at Six.

To find out more about the Orange gear and what the top guitarists and bass players are using this festival season visit www.orangeamps.com.

Posted in Amplification, Events, Guitar

Geddy Lee endorses Orange Bass Amps

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amps are proud to announce rock legend Geddy Lee of Rush is now using their Orange Bass amps.

Rush are one of rock’s most influential bands, racking third for most consecutive gold or platinum albums after The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. They have sold more than 40 millions albums worldwide across a career that spans over four decades. Respected for both their virtuoso musicianship and song writing, the band have legions of fans.

Geddy Lee’s technical and skill is widely recognised. He has influenced a generation of players and has won countless awards including winning six times ‘ best bass player’.

The band recently announced a forty date North America tour where they will be playing, for the first time ever, their classic album ‘Moving Pictures’ live in it’s entirety. Geddy will be using 2 x Orange AD200 bass heads together with 2 x OBC410 4×10”Bass Cabinets on the tour.

Rush recently won the 2010 Heineken Audience award at the New York’s Trebica film festival for their new film rockumentary ‘Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage’. The film will be screened worldwide on June 7th and tickets for the London and Finish screening sold out in 9 minutes, prompting organisers to add more dates.

Geddy has been working with fellow band mates Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart on their 20th studio album called ‘Clockwork Angels’ with a tentative launch for Spring 2011. They  launched two songs from the new album on June 1, 2010 via digital music providers.

For more information on orange amps visit www.orangeamps.com

Contact:

USA info@orangeusa.com or outside USA info@omec.com
Tel ; +44 208 905 2828
Fax ; +44 208 905 2868

Posted in Amplification, Bass

Carvin Introduces The BR615 Bass Combo Amp

Posted on September 19, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Carvin proudly introduces the new BR615 Bass Combo. Featuring a powerful amplifier, advanced equalization, a 15-inch low frequency driver, a Titanium high frequency driver, an XLR direct output, and numerous additional features integrated into a Duratuff™-covered enclosure with retractable handles, the BR615 Bass Combo is the perfect solution for gigging or studio bassists in search of compact, powerful, all-in-one system.

The BR615 maintains the compact form factor of its BR Series siblings, yet its powerful amplifier combined with a 15-inch low frequency driver for deep, rich bass and a Titanium high frequency driver makes this a remarkably robust setup. With a rugged Duratuff-covered enclosure that hides the wear and tear of the road, this amplifier also features a tilt-back design that puts the bass right where it’s wanted. When the gig is over, the retractable handles make moving the amp quick and easy. To protect the transducers, a 16-guage, perforated steel grille is supplied.

The new BR615 Bass Combo’s BX600 mono block bass head features discrete Class A circuitry, a contour control, a single knob compressor, and a front-mounted XLR direct output. With 600 watts of power at 2 ohms, the BR615 has plenty of muscle for those musical applications where high output levels are a must to get the job done. The system also incorporates a heavy-duty crossover featuring a 6-position attenuator for precision settings at 0, -3, -6, -12, -24, and OFF. The BR615′s sealed crossovers and connector plates prevent air leakage and make for a rugged amp that will withstand years of road use.

For shaping the sound exactly to one’s liking, the BR615 Bass Combo features parametric EQ with mid sweep and a 9-band graphic equalizer coupled with a Graphic EQ In/Out switch. This versatile amp also provides Active/Passive switching, and the switches feature active electronics for clean, precise control and greater reliability. To warm the sound up, the front panel Drive control can push the Class A preamps to a warm growl—providing the ultimate in tonal diversity. There is also a Master control for the preamp.

The new Carvin BR615 Bass Combo is sold factory direct at $599.99. The BR615 will be available Fall 2006.

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

Carvin BR615 Bass Combo Amp

Posted in Amplification, Bass

Egnater Offers One Day Amp Build Seminar

Posted on September 1, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Attendees will walk out with a fully functional, Egnater-modified JTM45 Marshall head from Mojo Musical Supply.

On Saturday, October 14, 2006, Egnater is offering a One Day Amp Build Seminar. The classes are held at Egnater World Headquarters in beautiful Berkley, Michigan located just North of Detroit (Rock City).

When you sign up for the class, you are also purchasing an amplifier kit. These high quality kits are supplied by Mojo Music and use the JTM45 head model. Egnater then modifies the stock kit into a “hotrodded” version for you to build.

The modifications take the stock 4-input, 2-channel amp and turn it into a JCM800 master volume model on steroids. You get more gain, smoother tone and more punch than a stock JCM800.

Each participant has his/her own work station for the day. Instuctors will walk you through the process of building your amp kit, one step at a time. Failure isn’t an option, as you will be guided by professionals each step of the way. You are guaranteed to walk out at the end of the day with a great sounding amp head that you built with your own hands.

No electronic knowledge is necessary, though it doesn’t hurt to have some. You should also be somewhat proficient at using basic hand tools (screwdrivers, nutdrivers, pliers etc).

Email begnater@aol.com for an information package on the seminar.

Amp Loung/Egnater
3833 West 12 Mile Road
Berkley, MI 48072
248-541-9100

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

Posted in Amplification, Education, Events, Guitar, News

Line 6 Announces GuitarPort XT Now Shipping

Posted on August 30, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Line 6, Inc. announced today that GuitarPort XT is now shipping. The hardware and software bundle, which will include GearBox™ 2.0 software, is a powerful tool for guitarists seeking a no-hassle way to learn, play and record music. GuitarPort XT works with both PC and Mac computers, including the new Intel-based OS X machines.

GuitarPort XT delivers 18 classic and modern guitar amp models, 24 cab models, and 28 must-have studio and stompbox effects. Plus, included tools such as a chromatic tuner, hum reducer, metronome, and riff looper with half-speed playback ensure a great musical experience. “We’ve taken the studio standard digital modeling we perfected with POD XT, and our expertise in guitar-friendly user interfaces, and combined them into a computer-based product anyone can use and afford,” said Mark McCrite, Product Line Manager for POD & PC Products, Line 6.

With the optional GuitarPort Online™ membership, the musical possibilities of GuitarPort XT are almost limitless. Using an Internet connection, GuitarPort Online members can immerse themselves in a world of guitar tones, tracks and tablature. An incredible collection of loops, grooves, in-depth artist lessons, and original Line 6 songs are instantly available for jamming. The online library also features hundreds of the world’s greatest guitar songs. Ranging from blues to hardcore to modern rock and country, most tracks are available with and without guitar.

Recorded with the same painstaking detail as the original versions, users can learn their favorite songs by using the provided tablature, then “sit in” with a band like Double Trouble on Stevie Ray Vaughan tunes. GuitarPort Online members can even jam with the original master tracks from Jimi Hendrix exclusively remixed by original engineer Eddie Kramer. All lesson, cover, and master tracks are matched with perfectly dialed in amp, cab and effect tones for the ultimate in-studio experience that only Line 6 can offer.

GuitarPort XT (hardware/software package) – $139.99 MSRP, $99.99 Street Price

For more information, visit their web site at www.line6.com.

Posted in Amplification, Computer, Digital, Effects, Software, Technology