Category Archives: Amplification

Win over £2000 Ampeg Gear and be an Ampeg Product demonstrator At The London Bass Guitar Show 2011

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Do you have what it takes to be a demonstrator for one of the world’s leading bass amplification brands? Ampeg is offering one lucky winner the chance to win not only this opportunity but also the prospect of walking away with Ampeg gear worth in excess of £2000.

As a demonstrator the winner will be at the forefront of the low end scene, demonstrating the hottest Ampeg gear live at the new London Bass Guitar Show 2011. Then the winner gets to take home with the Ampeg SVT7Pro Head, SVT410HLF Cab and SVT15E Cab with a total RRP of £2103 inc. VAT.

If you think you have what it takes to demonstrate these amazing products go to youtube@bassguitarmagazine.com and upload a video of yourself showing how you can display your bass playing abilities. Your performance, exhibiting all things low end, will be judged by the editor of Bass Guitar Magazine and a senior member of the Loud Technologies Inc. / Ampeg team.

The successful budding Ampeg demonstrator will be notified the week before the show giving them plenty of time to rehearse before making their debut at the UK’s premier bass event, The London Bass Guitar Show 2011.  The competition is only open to UK residents.

And as if that wasn’t enough, during the show you will be presented with the wonderful Ampeg bass gear you get to take home.

To find out more about the London Bass Guitar Show visit www.londonbassguitarshow.com and the competition visit www.bassguitarmagazine.com

For more information about LOUD Technologies and Ampeg visit www.ampeg.com

Good Luck!

Posted in Amplification, Bass, Special Offers

Winter NAMM 2011: Ampeg’s Portaflex® Series Offers Heavyweight History in a Lightweight Design

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Ampeg today announces a series of new bass combos, cabs and heads that deliver the innovative form-factor of Ampeg’s legendary flip-tops in designs that are powerful, compact and extremely portable — Ampeg Portaflex Series.

“The flip-top design and Portaflex name are nothing short of iconic,” remarks Ampeg product manager, Zane Williams. “The new Portaflex Series is for every bassist who obsesses over the classic B-15, but demands the features, portability and power that modern heads offer.”

The ultra-compact PF-350 and PF-500 heads are Class-D designs with modern features like onboard compression/limiting, balanced direct outs and switching power supplies. Both heads match perfectly with the vintage-styled PF-115HLF and PF-210HLF cabinets. The flip-top design allows bassists to store the head, cables, etc. right inside the enclosure for ultimate portability. Covered in sleek diamond black tolex and featuring premium Eminence® speakers, the genuine Ampeg look and tone are unmistakable.

The Ampeg Portaflex Series will be available domestically in February, 2011 and internationally late March, 2011. There are two packaged combos, the PF350-115 (U.S. MSRP $779.99) and PF500-210 (U.S. MSRP $779.99). The heads and cabinets are also available separately: PF-350 (U.S. MSRP $389.99), PF-500 (U.S. MSRP $519.99), PF-115HLF (U.S. MSRP $519.99) and PF-210HLF (U.S. MSRP $519.99). Visit Ampeg during NAMM in the massive new showroom upstairs in Demo Room 209A/B from January 13-16, 2011 in Anaheim, CA.

Visit www.ampeg.com to learn more about the new Portaflex Series.

Posted in Amplification, Bass, NAMM Show

Winter NAMM 2011: Ampeg Launches Two New BA Series Combo Practice Amps

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Classic Ampeg tone in portable, affordable designs.

Ampeg proudly announces the ultra-compact, incredibly affordable new BA-108 and BA-110. Ideal for virtually any practice environment, these latest additions to the highly successful BA Series combos are the first-ever genuine Ampeg amps designed specifically for entry-level bassists.

“Classic tone, lightweight and rugged design, practice-friendly features…,” remarks Ampeg Product Manager, Zane Williams. “The new BA Series combo amps are the very definition of a portable practice amp.”

The 25-watt BA-108 and 35-watt BA-110 are perfect for beginning bassists, offering tools like 3-band EQ, MP3 input and a headphone out for silent practice. The high-output, custom-designed 8˝ (BA-108) and 10˝ (BA-110) speakers are specifically matched to the powerful amplifiers for optimal performance. The impact resistant, tilt-back cabinet design features durable black tolex, white piping and Ampeg’s classic logo badge. The designs are lightweight and portable (both under 32 lbs / 14.5 kg), each with an integrated carrying handle.

The new Ampeg BA Series combo amps will be available Q1, 2011. The BA-108 will have a U.S. MSRP of $139.99 and the BA-110 will have a U.S. MSRP of $251.99 Visit Ampeg during NAMM in the massive new showroom upstairs in Demo Room 209A/B from January 13-16, 2011 in Anaheim, CA.

For more detailed product information, please visit www.ampeg.com.

Posted in Amplification, Bass, NAMM Show

Winter NAMM 2011: Orange Amps Launch TH100 Head

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amps continue to advance their guitar amps range with the new TH100 head, the 100 watt big brother of the TH30.

The TH100 has exactly the same controls and pre-amp section as its smaller sibling, but when running in class AB1 (half power) it makes 35 watts on two output tubes and 70 watts on four output tubes. Put it to full power (AB2 position) and the amp makes 50 watts with two output tubes and 100 watts with four. Being able to switch to half power means you can reduce the listening volume while preserving the power tube distortion.

Just like the TH30, the TH100’s design features the best of the Rocker and TH Series, with two channels. The clarity of the classic vintage sparkling sound on one channel plus the stunning overdrive / distortion with its British tone crunch on the other, makes this a very classy amp.

The new head will come with four EL34 tubes, four 12AX7 pre-amp tubes and a 12AT7 for the low impedance FX loop. It will also have four internal bias pots so the output tubes can be matched into the amp by a qualified technician. In terms of size and weight it will be comparable to the Rockerverb 100.

This mighty head delivers more tone, greater power and more features. With this knockout combination the TH100 will be the driving force behind your sound!

To take a look at the TH100 as well as all the other Orange Amps go to Orange Music Booth 4674 Hall C.

www.orangeamps.com

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, NAMM Show, Technology

Winter NAMM 2011: Orange Amps unveil revolutionary OPC Musician’s Personal Computer

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amplifiers announced to the world in summer 2010 the revolutionary all-in-one computer amplifier speaker – The OPC. The product has since undergone significant specification improvements and at NAMM the company will be debuting the final production spec product.

The much anticipated OPC is a complete all in one Guitar Amplifier and Recording Studio Workstation designed for musicians and songwriters, offering one stop playing, recording, editing and computing capabilities with selected software pre-installed. The OPC is the perfect ‘Musicians Personal Computer’  and will work straight out of the box with no setting up necessary… just plug in, create, play, record and share to the web!

The OPC will be leading the way with a number of ‘Firsts’:

  • The first PC to feature an integrated audio interface enabling the user to plug in a guitar or microphone using a standard 1/4″ jack plug
  • The first computer of its kind to have built-in high powered speakers which deliver superb full range studio quality sound as well as producing vintage guitar sounds.

The OPC comes with well over $1000 of premium software, including the following packages;

  • IK Multimedia Amplitube 3 including Custom Shop Orange Amps – Amp and Effects Modelling Software
  • Presonus Studio One Custom Orange Edition – DAW
  • Acoustica Mixcraft 5 – DAW
  • Toontracks EZdrummer Lite
  • Lick Library Player – Guitar learning and jamming centre

Technical Specifications:

  • 500GB Hard Disk Drive
  • 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz
  • OPC Instrument Interface 24bit, 96hz ULTRA low latency
  • 2 independent ¼” jack inputs for guitar, microphone or instrument, switchable and attenuated
  • Optical & Coaxial S/PDIF outputs
  • Slot-loading DVD-DL Drive
  • Wireless-G (802.1 B/G) with top-loaded antenna
  • Intel® Core™ i3-540 Processor (4M Cache, 3.06 GHz)
  • Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
  • Stereo Amplifier with 2 x JBL 6.5”Dual Concentric drivers

The OPC recommended retail price is $1499 (£1020 + vat) and it will go on sale first quarter 2011

The all-in-one computer amplifier speaker revolution starts here! See the OPC on display at NAMM2011 on the Orange Music Electrical Company Booth #4674 Hall C

For further information news please see the website www.orangeamps.com or contact info@orangeusa.com.

Posted in Amplification, Computer, Guitar, NAMM Show, Recording, Technology

Revolutionary Orange OPC used for new World Record

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Planet-Musician

The unique capabilities of the Orange Amps OPC were stretched to the limit when the world’s fastest guitarist and Orange amp endorsee, Tiago Della Vega, broke his Guinness World Record today January 7th 2011, on the Intel Stand at the CES show.

Tiago played Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee at 340 BPM without any errors smashing his previous record OF 320 BPM which he secured at EM&T Sao Paulo, Brazil on the 9th May 2009. You can see the Tiago break the record here:

Flash Update Required

Orange Amps collaborated with Intel who are using the OPC to demonstrate the new upgraded 2nd Generation Core i5 on their booth at the CES show in Las Vegas.

The much anticipated OPC is a complete all in one Guitar Amplifier and Recording Studio Workstation designed for musicians and songwriters offering one stop playing, recording, editing and computing capabilities with selected software pre-installed.

The OPC recommended retail price is $1499 (£1020 + vat) and on sale first quarter 2011

The all in one computer amplifier studio revolution starts here! See the OPC on the CES Intel Booth 6th – 9th January

For further information news please see the website www.orangeamps.com or contact info@orangeusa.com

Posted in Amplification, Events, Guitar

Winter NAMM 2011: Orange Amps Launch Two New Terror Bass Combos

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amps have taken their breakthrough technology for the new Smart Power range of speakers and Terror Bass amp heads, and put them together to create two all-new Terror Bass Combos.

These long-awaited new additions to the Terror family are two world-class quality combos with distinctive Orange sounds. The new Terror Bass Combos come in two sizes and use the pioneering Smart Power Isobaric loudspeaker concept.

This ground-breaking technology is achieved by mounting two lightweight Neodymium speakers within the cabinet, one immediately behind the other. This means a lower frequency can be delivered and more output realised with a smaller sized cabinet.

The Terror Bass Combo TB500C features a 500 watt hybrid amplifier – as in the Terror Bass head – and comes with Tube Preamp and a Class D power section which drives two 12” Neodymium speakers.

The TB300C is a 300 watt hybrid amplifier with Tube Preamp and Class D power section as well as two 10” Neodymium speakers. In keeping with the Tiny Terror concept ‘small is the new big’, these compact combos deliver more power, and more volume than any others currently on the market.

The Terror Bass Combo, with its characteristic Orange Amp great looks, rugged construction and portability means that bass players everywhere can now be part of the elite Orange Terror Club.

To take a look at the Terror Bass Combo as well as all the other Orange Amps go to Orange Music Booth 4674 Hall C.

www.orangeamps.com

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, NAMM Show, Technology

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