Zoom G2.1u Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal

Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal Zoom G2.1u product detail

Introducing The G Series from Zoom. Each G Series Pedal offers two algorithms: One for live and one for recording. The sound you created at practice or in the studio can now be brought straight to the stage.

G2.1u: Taking Multi-Effects to the Next Level
G2.1u: Taking multi-effects to the next level Conventional floor-type multi-effect processors are designed to sound good when they are plugged into a guitar amp. Modeling processors are designed for recording in line. Until now, there was no product that could handle both scenarios with equal finesse.

Or take the sounds you worked out during a rehearsal and apply them seamlessly in the recording studio. Your creative scope has suddenly doubled.

Features:
16 amp/stomp modeling

9 effect modules

54 effect types

40 user patch + 40 factory patch

6 bands EQ

USB audio interface

Built-on Expression Pedal

Harmonized pitch shifter

World fastest patch change

Built-in PCM drum machine

96kHz Sampling Brings Out Authentic Sounding Tube Amp Harmonics
Everyone knows that the sound of tube amplifiers is the ultimate in guitar tone. By employing high-accuracy sampling at 96kHz, G Series pedals faithfully model these sonic properties, right up to the highest harmonic register. Dynamic range is also excellent, thanks to 24-bit A/D/A conversion. These extremely high levels of digital processing also make your playing sound cleaner and clearer thanks to the fast processing speeds.

ZFX-3: A New-Generation DSP from Zoom
The heart of any multi-effect device is its processor and decoder section. Zoom has reached a new level with its newly developed ZFX-3 chip. 32-bit architecture ensures smooth and detailed signal processing. Accuracy and speed bring out the character of your instrument without restrictions.

54 High-Quality Effects Made Possible by 32-Bit Processing
A total of nine effects modules are included, including dynamics, ambience, drive, and modulation. Together they offer 54 types of effects. The Harmonized Pitch Shifter lets you play along in key. Use long delays or multi-tap delay of up to 5000 milliseconds. Select dynamic flanger and have the effect level controlled by picking intensity. Select from 3 types of modulation waveforms for the tremolo. A multitude of high-performance choices opens up totally new territory in this class. Touch up the harmonic register with the 6-band equalizer. The cabinet simulator gives a choice of mic positions. The G Series has in incredible level of flexibility and the ability to create an awesome array of great tones.

Latest Modeling Technology Supports 16 Different Drive Sounds
By digitally simulating the clipping action of analog devices such as tubes and diodes, the G Series faithfully duplicates the distortion of tube amps and vintage effects. This includes not only the superficial sound character but also elements such as depth and dynamics. As you start using the G Series, you will be amazed by the realistic balance between fundamental notes and harmonics that is essential to a great analog tone.

The Right Tools for the Job: Editing Controls with Analog Feel
The 3 rotary knobs let you tailor 3 different parameters at the same time. This could be the equalizer bass/midrange/treble, or the chorus depth/rate/mixing level, or the delay time/feedback/mixing level. It's like having an array of stomp boxes ready for action. In play mode, the 3 knobs are assigned to drive effect gain, tone, and patch level. This lets you quickly match the unit's performance to the guitar or amp type, room acoustics, or other factors. Delay time and modulation rate settings can be made directly via the intuitive TAP key input.

Preset Patches Ready to Use for Recording or Live Performance
The unit comes preprogrammed with a total of 40 preset effects patches. 20 pairs of similar sounding and similarly named effects are optimized respectively for use with a guitar amp on stage or for recording with DAW software or a mixer. There are settings for duplicating well-known amps and stomp boxes, settings that are modeled on the signature sound of famous guitarists, as well as totally original Zoom creations. There is also enough built-in memory to store up to 40 of your own effects patches.

World's Fastest Patch Change Speed: 5ms
Thanks to the speed of Zoom's new processors, that annoying interval when switching patches has been all but eliminated. With its amazing speed of 0.005 seconds, the G Series pedals never miss a beat. When changing from rhythm to lead, you no longer need to press the switch slightly in advance. Simply push the foot switch and start playing the solo phrase. No more fear of losing the rhythm when making patch changes.

Built-In Auto-Chromatic Tuner for Guitar
The guitar tuner can be called up instantly by pushing two foot switches together. High-brightness LED indicators make the note readout easy to see also on a dark stage. The calibration range is 435 to 445Hz, and mute tuning without sound output is also possible.

ZNR Makes Those Playing Pauses Silent
Zoom Noise Reduction (ZNR) was developed specifically for guitar. While keeping any alteration of the original sound to an absolute minimum, ZNR shuts out unwanted noise in the playing pauses. Even the tails of long sustain notes come out beautifully, with natural release. Additional flexibility is provided by two noise gates. The vintage type Dirty Gate is a great match for fuzz sounds, while the high-speed muting of the Gate setting brings heavy riffs into clear focus.

Integrated Drum Machine with PCM Sound Sources
Realistic drum sounds derived from PCM sources are arranged in a variety of rhythm patterns for different musical genres. The 40 rhythm variations include the steady 8-beat of Rock and Pop, funky 16-beat, a "Jazzy" 4-beat, some great shuffle riffs for blues sessions, and many more choices. Rhythm training is a cinch, and the rotary knobs let you quickly make tempo or level adjustments.

Ultra Low Noise Design: 120dB SN Ratio and -100dB Noise Floor
Specifications such as a signal-to-noise ratio of 120dB and noise floor of -100dB demonstrate a level of performance that is unsurpassed in this class. Background noise is a thing of the past, leaving the unit free to produce only its own superbly transparent sound. Especially when using reverb effects such as Hall, Room, or Spring, the low noise floor combined with 96kHz sampling and 32-bit processing results in breathtaking performance.

Sturdy Metal Chassis and Rubber Damping for Superior Toughness and durability
The combination of a solid metal chassis with shock-absorbent rubber damping ensures that the unit can stand up to the rigors of use on stage. Take it on the road or into the studio, the G Series will not let you down.

2-Way Power Allows Use Just About Anywhere
Thanks to its circuit design optimized for low voltage operation, the unit will run for more than 7.5 hours on a set of four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries. The AC adaptor (AC-0006) can be plugged in for extended studio work, whereas on stage you never need to worry about AC power.

Optional Foot Switch Allows Versatile Remote Operation
With an optional foot switch (FS01) you can set tempos for delay time and modulation rate. Other selectable functions include bank switching, drum machine start/stop, and delay hold on/off switching.

Expression Pedal Adds Further Versatility to Your Guitar Play
The built-in expression pedal is a great way to control effect parameters in real time. Control the vintage wah, pitch shift, or adjust the volume dynamics. Go beyond conventional pedal effects by varying drive gain or modulation rate, and adjusting the mixing ratio of delay and reverb. The dedicated Pedal Assign key and status LED indicators make it a cinch to select the effect to control. Effect on/off switching is also possible by pushing the pedal fully down.

USB Port Enables Computer Recording
The USB port allows the unit to function as an audio interface for a computer. Simply connect a USB cable to utilize the high-quality sound of the G2.1u in a computer-based recording system. The high-performance DAW application "Cubase LE" comes bundled with the unit, so you can start creating sophisticated music straight away. Because playback from the DAW application can be monitored at the G2.1u itself, there are no latency problems during recording. Powering the unit from the computer via the USB bus is also supported.
Technical Info
Effect Types: 54

Effect Modules: 9

Maximum Simultaneous Effects: 9

Patch Memory: User 40+Preset 40, Total 80

Sampling Frequency: 96kHz

A/D Conversion: 24-bit, 64 times over-sampling

D/A Conversion: 24-bit, 128 times over-sampling

Input: 1/4 in. phone jack (Rated input level: -20dBm, Input impedance: 1M ohms)

Output (Line / headphones combined): 1/4 in. stereo phone jack(Maximum output level: +5dBm, Output load impedance: 10k ohms or higher)

Control Input: Expression pedal, Foot switch

USB: Type B (Based on USB 1.1)

Display: 2-digit 7-segment LED display, Parameter LED, Pedal assign LED

Power Requirements: AA size(LR6)battery x 4(Optional), or AC adaptor DC9V/300mA/ Center minus type (AD-0006 recommended)

Battery Life: 7.5hours (with alkaline batteries)

Dimensions: 255(W)x165(D)x79(H)mm

Weight: 1100g (without batteries)

Included Accessories: AD-0006(AC adaptor)

Optional Accessories: FP02(Expression pedal), FS01(Foot switch), AA size batteries , USB cable

Ibanez Guitar Product : Ibanez RG2228 Prestige 8-String Electric Guitar (with Case)

The Ibanez RG2228GK prestige guitar is equipped with an all-new 8-string version of the EFX bridge which combines fixed bridge sustain with the double-locking stability needed for extreme metal styles.


Hot EMG 808 pickups, a very stable neck and the over the top (and bottom) extended range of this guitar allow you to play the heaviest of heavy riffs and solo to new heights!

These are the machines of the gods... with drop dead good looks, sonic lethality and the devastating power and control of a precision double-locking trem. RG Prestige guitars feature flawless Japanese craftsmanship, the finest materials and each is axe perfectly matched with just the right choice of DiMarzio®, Duncan®, EMG®, or IBZ™ pickups.

Features:
The ultimate in the ultimate metal guitars

Fast, flat and thin Wizard necks with Prestige finishing for supreme comfort

Gotoh precision tuning machines

Includes deluxe Prestige case
Technical Info
Neck: 5-piece Wizard-8 Prestige neck

Neck Type: Wizard-8 Prestige (27 in.)

Body: Basswood body

Frets: Jumbo frets

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Inlay: Pearl Dot

Bridge: Fixed Edge III-8 bridge

Neck Pickup: EMG 808

Bridge Pickup: EMG 808

Hardware color: CK

Guitar lesson : Hammering on and Pulling off.

Hello and welcome back! In these guitar articles I am going to be going through several techniques to do with playing the guitar. I know I say this a lot, but the objective of all of these guitar articles is to help you become a better guitar player. Becoming a better player is all about practice.


If you take lessons, you are quite likely to already know all of this, but make sure you still read on in case you have missed something in your lessons. For those who don’t take lessons, read on and this is guaranteed to improve your playing, and to make sure you are doing everything right.

Hammering on and pulling off are one of the most basic, yet effective techniques in playing the guitar, it is very highly likely that in every advanced song you play, there will be hammer ons and pull offs. In a solo, they are a necessity in order to make the solo sound more smooth and planned, rather than making it sound like you are playing random notes as fast as you can.

To do a basic hammer on, play any note on the guitar, let’s go with an open E string. Once you have picked the open E string, let it ring for a bit, and then, with force but not like you are trying to poke a hole through the neck, press on to the 2nd fret. You should then have the sound of the 2nd fret on the E string ringing, so you will have played two notes, but only picked the string once.

On a tab, that would look like this;

E|—————–
B|—————–
G|—————–
D|—————–
A|—————–
E|——–0h2——
Congratulations, you have just learned your first technique. Once you can do this example, try it again, but with your first finger on the 2nd fret, hammering on to the 4th fret with your 3rd finger.

On a tab, that would look like this.

E|—————–
B|—————–
G|—————–
D|—————–
A|—————–
E|——–2h4——
Ok, so now you can hammer on, it is time to learn to pull off. A pull off is when instead of making a note that is higher than the original, without picking again, you produce a note lower than the original. One thing you need to know about this before you start, in order to not get into bad habits is that you don’t just take your finger off, you pull it off downwards, so that it pings the string to produce the note, this way you can play for much longer losing no volume without picking than if you simply take your finger off.

Let’s start by doing the opposite of the first hammer on example. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the E string and pick the string, then, pull your finger downwards off to make it ping, so itplays the open E string, which in a tab, looks like this;

E|—————–
B|—————–
G|—————–
D|—————–
A|—————–
E|——–2p0——
Now you can do this, lets try it higher up, and again, the opposite from the 2nd example of hammering on this time. Pull your 3rd finger off to make the sound of the 2nd fret, like this;

E|—————–
B|—————–
G|—————–
D|—————–
A|—————–
E|——–4p2——
Congratulations! You can now properly hammer on and pull off. The next lesson will take you through how to play chords, and make your own little song.

article source : http://guitar-articles.com

Buying a Guitar Amplifier

By Dan Cross, About.com

With so much attention focused on which guitars give you which sound, which guitars look the nicest, and which play the best, the lowly guitar amplifier is often ignored, especially by novice guitarists.


Which is a big mistake for guitarists looking to find a great sound. The fact of the matter is; a sub-par guitar played through a great amp can still sound fairly decent, but even the best guitars, when played through a bad amplifier, sound awful.

If you're considering buying your first amplifier, price will obviously be one of your primary concerns. Guitar amplifiers range in price from under $100, to multiple thousands of dollars. A common choice for first amplifiers are the very small and basic 15-watt amps such as the Fender Frontman 15G, which provide a low cost solution to amplifying the guitar. When asked by students and parents, I strongly discourage the purchase of amplifiers like these, for several reasons. First of all, the sound of these amps tends to be tolerable at best, and often sound much, much, worse. Newer guitarists will often become frustrated, complaining that "nothing I ever play sounds good", not fully realizing that it is the equipment, and not what they are playing, that is causing the music to sound inferior. These small amps also don't provide a great deal of volume, which can present a problem. In the beginning, the musical growth of guitar players is quite staggering, and it won't be long before many newer guitarists are ready to start playing with other musicians. Many of these small amplifiers have a hard time being heard above the volume of a drummer, which renders them useless in those situations.

This isn't meant to imply that you need to spend $1000 on your first guitar amplifier. But, by setting your sites above the cheapest, smallest amplifier in the store, you'll certainly end up with an amp that will serve your needs for a much longer period of time. The Fender Pro Junior is a great, low-cost tube amplifier that you'll sometimes even see being used by professional guitarists. What the Pro Junior lacks in control (no EQ, no reverb), it more than makes up for in tone and sound quality (read the full review of the Pro Junior).

There are a few things I'll generally look for in modestly priced amplifiers; at least a 3-band EQ ( low, mid, and high), a clean channel and an "overdrive" channel, reverb, and possibly some sort of "presence" control. Another thing to be aware of is the existence of two types of amplifiers; tube and transistor. The BuddyHawke.com site has provided a relatively simple explanation of the difference between the two. I personally almost universally prefer tube amps, but this is something you'll have to listen to, and decide for yourself. Tube amps are almost always more problematic, and tend to be more expensive.

When shopping for amps, be sure to try many out before you buy one. Play the same guitar through each amp when experimenting in the store. Make sure you spend a good deal of time with each amp; playing them at loud and quiet volumes, with and without overdrive, experimenting with the versatility of sound each amp provides. Do not be afraid to bring your guitar into the store and try it out with the amps you are considering. Try researching specific amps you are interested in on the net, using the Harmony Central Amp Database,. One last thing to be aware of; despite what they may lead you to believe, you can, and should negotiate with music store employees in regards to the price of their merchandise. I have found that with a bit of prompting, I can get at least a 10% discount on guitars and amps not on sale, and often even more.

article source : http://guitar.about.com

Guitar Amps : Line6 Spider III 75 Guitar Combo Amplifier

Realistic amp-modeling with artist-created presets!
Imagine walking into the amp room at a million-dollar recording studio. All of the best vintage and modern amps and effects are there, ready for your sonic exploration. Now imagine your favorite guitar players are standing there with you, ready to be your sound tech for the day.

Sounds like fun, right? Now, you can bring the dream to life with Line 6's Spider III combo amps. Their cutting-edge modeling technology puts hundreds of detailed tones right at your fingertips, with special presets designed by the best players in the world.

Easily customize your tone with the simple interface
The Spider III 75-watt combo amp gives you all the tonal variation you'd expect from Line 6, with a friendly interface for changing patches and tweaking your sound. None of your bandmates want to wait around while you twiddle with the knobs, so this amp makes it easy to get good tone right away. For starters, there are twelve custom amp settings, quickly accessible through a two-stage, six-position controller. Only twelve, you say? That doesn't seem like much, especially compared to the POD. Don't worry, all the sounds are there. In the past, each setting was based on a different amplifier model, which meant lots of extra fiddling to navigate from one patch to the next. This time around, Line 6 grouped amp models with similar characteristics together, so you can move much faster.

Twang Red and Metal Green, demystified
Each of the six settings has two stages, indicated by a red and green LED. The Twang setting, for example, is where the Fender amps live. When the red LED is lit, you can dial-in that classic mid-60's blackface tone. Once you're there, just tweak the EQ to get the snappy character of a '65 Twin Reverb or glassy treble of a '64 Deluxe Reverb. Jump over to the green LED, and you've got instant access to a bunch of vintage tweed amps, including the '53 Deluxe Reverb and '58 Bassman. Maybe Metal is more your style. The red LED on the Metal channel delivers tight, crisp Dual Rectifier tone, while the green LED offers even more aggressive high-gain sounds. Use the Mid control here to access a wide range of sounds. Down low, you get classic dirty fuzz. Half-way up, you get smokin'-hot power for modern Metal assault. Set the Mid to maximum, and you get that gutsy Class A distortion made famous by Matchless. You won't believe how many distinct tones you can pull from one little knob.

250 artist-created sounds
The six-position controller couldn't be easier when you know what amp sound you're going for. Want a thickened-up '68 Plexi? Choose the Crunch model, add a little reverb, then slide through the expanded midrange section to get just the right bite. If you're not sure what amp is going to get the job done, though, you'll be better off starting in familiar territory. Line 6 gives you 250 artist presets, so you can build your tone based on your guitar heroes' signature sounds. You'll find preloaded patches designed by Albert Lee, Maroon 5, Scissor Sisters, Hawthorne Heights, Slipknot, and many more of the most famous artists on the planet. All of these presets are totally tweakable, so you can add your own special flavor to the mix.

150 song-based patches
The Spider III 75 also includes 150 song-based presets if you're looking for a more specific sound. Let's say your singer shows up at the rehearsal space with a brand new song. He hasn't fleshed it out yet, but has some ideas. The verse came to him while he was listening to Guns & Roses, but there should be some added boost in the chorus, with a super-heavy Dimebag groove. You could tell him to mind his own business; you're the guitarist and you'll decide what tones fit best. Or, you could try the 'Sweet Child O' Mine' patch, then switch to Pantera's 'Cowboys from Hell' setting and see if it's a good fit. It only takes a second to humor him, and nothing will get accomplished if he's pouting all through practice.

Layered effects with easy tweaking
That same ease-of-use approach applies to the effects section as well. Line6's exclusive Smart Control FX feature automatically dials in different effects parameters, so all you have to adjust is the intensity. Up to three effects, including chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, echo, delay, and reverb, can be used simultaneously for detailed layering and tone-shaping. The tap tempo button lets you adjust the timing of delay and echo effects to match your groove. Hold this button down to access the onboard tuner, and you'll be on-pitch in no time. Use these effects with the amp models to build your own custom sounds from scratch, or combine them with an artist- or song-preset to add a new twist to an old favorite. Save your creations, then call them up whenever the mood strikes. It couldn't be easier.

All the ins and outs
A standard 1/4-inch instrument jack lets you plug-in any guitar, and you can jam along with your favorite songs through the stereo miniplug CD/MP3 input. Trying to nail 'Cliffs of Dover' note-for-note? Make sure you warm up first; that song's a killer. When you're good and limber, you can play in-time with the actual track using Eric Johnson's custom preset. Since the tone is spot-on, all you have to worry about is getting your fingers to work their magic. For even more versatility, this amp is compatible with the FBV2, FBV Express, and FBV Shortboard foot controllers. Switch patches on-the-fly, tune up, and take advantage of the volume/wah pedal, all hands-free. On stage, everything gets pushed through a custom twelve-inch Celestion speaker with 75 watts behind it. You'll have all the stage-volume you need to cut through the thickest mix. In the studio, send the stereo headphone output straight to the mixer for POD 2.0 direct-recording quality. Your guitar tracks will have tons of professional polish. At around 35 pounds, you can carry all of these amazing tones anywhere you want to play!

Guitar Amp Product detail

Music Theory for Guitarists Book

Music Theory for Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (Guitar Method)

by Tom Kolb

Book Detail