Gear: March 2010
Tascam
DP-008 8-Track Recorder
Old-timers will remember Tascam invented the home-recording studio with the original cassette Portastudio 4-track recorders back in the 1970s. Their new DP-008 takes the ease-of-use of those classic songwriting cassette recorders and aims to add the same portability and ease of use for new musicians. Unlike the lo-fi qualities of cassette machines of yesteryear, these feature digital sound quality, effects, and mixdown to bring home recording into the 21st century. Chosen as “Best In Show” at the NAMM University Roundtable 2010, both the music press and independent retailers praised the 8-track digital portastudio at the recent California trade show. “It’s a very portable, very small 8-track recorder that can be used for recording fast ideas or with a band,” said George Hines of George’s Music. “It has a built-in stereo so you can just bring it to rehearsals. And it fits in a guitar case. It’s that small. It breaks the price-point barrier [$449] for anything like it. Instead of needing a computer, here you still have something that’s very convenient and versatile.”
The DP-008 8-track Digital Portastudio records up to two tracks at a time from built-in mics or a pair of XLR inputs with phantom power for condenser. Songs are recorded on portable SD memory cartridges you can buy at Walgreens, Best Buy, or any electronic or music store. Built-in effects include reverb send and two-band EQ for each track, and a dedicated mixdown track is also available. Obviously, you can’t record your next album on a DP-008. But this is a great place to start making demos on an affordable recorder, without having to lug around your laptop. More information is available at www.tascam.com.
Vox
2010 Guitar Series Line-up
Vox is using its name in amplication to announce a major expansion of its roster of electric guitars. Debuting a selection of new solid-body and semi-hollowbody guitars with the SSC-33 Standard, solid-body, single cutaway SDC-55 Deluxe, solid-body, double cutaway HDC-77, as well as original Vox Virage guitar. Each guitar features the same inverse heel joint as the original Virages, deeply cut for free access to the upper frets, as well as Vox’s MaxConnect aluminum bridge. While the Virage relies on the proprietary Three-90 pickups, the new models are equipped with Vox CoAxe pickups. The pickups feature two modes (for entry-level models), and three selectable modes for clean, crunch, and lead tones (for upper-level models). Each guitar offers passive, analog volume, tone, and pickup-mode switching controls. All new models will be available April 2010 with pricing to be announced. Virage models are currently available at your local retailer. Visit www.vox.com for all the details.
Saint Blues
Woogie Board
Welcome race fans! The Woogie Board, the first production electric washboard, arrives in partnership with Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. It was his father’s love of roots, blues, and folk that introduced Dickinson to the washboard, electrifying it and marrying it to traditional guitar effects. “The electric washboard, which is utterly Cody’s instrument, is a thing unto itself” Dickinson’s father – legendary 1960s record producer/father – Jim says. Saint Blues and Dickinson have taken this home-grown, roots instrument and made it a true gig-worthy axe. It is handmade in Memphis from solid mahogany and finished with a hand-rubbed tung oil. The Woogie Board features enclosed dual-Piezo pickups, with a three-way switch for pickup selection, volume control knob, and a high-quality output jack all housed in a telecontrol plate built into the leg. “The electric washboard is taking things to a whole new level. It’s never been done before, it’s completely unique, and there is tradition, so it kind of has all the makings of a juggernaut,” said Dickinson somewhat in jest. The Woogie Board is available to purchase through the Saint Blues site or at local retailers to be announced. Visit www.saintblues.com to get your fix.
