Hello New Gear – December 2020

The Alesis Debut Kit is a complete e-drum set for beginners, which is also ideal for kids due to its compact dimensions. Four adjustable 6-inch mesh-head drums ensure a great feel and are significantly quieter than rubber pads. Even with the 3 toms with a 10-inch playing surface, every stroke is perfect. 120 first-class sounds, 10 preset drum kits and 30 patterns provide plenty of variety. And so that you can get started right away, the set includes a stool, sticks and headphones. Unpack, set up and play!

This effects pedal for electric guitar and electric bass is the perfect control centre for anyone who likes to play and record loop-based music. The Boss RC-500 Loop Station with its 2-track looper with integrated mixing and control options not only has 13 hours of recording time with 99 phrase memory slots, but also the appropriate effects such as reverse function and loop FX (repeat, scatter, shift and vinyl -Flick). Let yourself be accompanied by 57 preset rhythms in 2 variations each on 16 different drum kits or record additional instruments or vocals via the XLR microphone input. And thanks to the jack inputs, the Boss RC-500 Loop Station also fits seamlessly into your existing pedalboard setup. You can find details on the product page and in the video below:

When techno DJ legend Richie Hawtin is involved in the development of a DJ mixer, only a top-notch device can be expected! And that is exactly what the PlayDifferently Model 1 is: the analog 6-channel mixer offers high- and low-pass filters as well as an adjustable mid-range and 2 effects paths in each channel. And not only the master output (3-band), but even the booth channel (2-band) can be adjusted via EQ. Individually assignable master filters, drive controls for gain and 3 high-performance phono amplifiers are also only found in the professional class. If 6 inputs with their TDK controls are not enough, a second unit can be switched on via the mixer link system. Everything has really been thought of here, even two independent power inputs for the redundant supply on the large festival stage. State of the art! You can find more information on the product page and in the videos below…

Regardless of whether you cannot travel to the right location for your video shooting due to Covid or if you simply waste too much time in post production: this Green Screen kit with a height of 2.90 meters and a width of 4 meters is the perfect tool for your next chroma keying video shoot. Thanks to the virtually wrinkle-free backdrop held up by 2 posts, lighting is also child’s play. The Manfrotto MLBG4301KG Background Green can stand without supports by opening the outer frames as wings. Leaning against a wall, it can also be used over its entire width. Thanks to the aluminium frame segments, it weighs less than 10 kg and can be unpacked and installed in no time from the supplied carry bag. What will you film next?

The analogue tone generators from Latvian company Erica Synths have long been a favourite of the synthesizer scene. Their youngest offspring, the Erica Synths SYNTRX, an analog desktop synthesizer, is no exception. Its development was inspired by the legendary EMS Synthi A, which can be seen in the digitally controlled modulation matrix with 16 sources and treatments and a little bit also in the arrangement of the controls. But it is far from a replica! 3 VCO with wide range and 2 mixable waveforms per oscillator (including waveform), synchronization switchable from VCO2 to VCO1, one noise generator with filter, one low pass filter with resonance capability, one sampling and holding generator, a ring modulator or 2 output filters with continuous fade from low pass to high pass are just some of the highlights offered by this synthesizer. There’s storage for 256 patches, and the built-in spring reverb provides that extra flair in the sound. You can hear how it sounds in the video below…

Steinberg Cubase has been one of the most popular DAWs on the market for over 31 years. What started back then as a simple MIDI sequencer has now been released as Steinberg Cubase 11 in its latest version. Highlights include simple stem creation (Pro version only), a revised sampler track with a new slicing mode, two global LFOs and new sample engine quality modes, a scale assistant for appropriate tones, improvements in Key editor and various new effects. And, as always, there are several versions from the entry-level Elements version to the Artist version and the Pro version. Upgrades from previous versions and crossgrades from other DAWs to Steinberg Cubase 11 are also available again. Find the right version for you in our shop. If you want to know exactly, you can find all the new features in the video below…

Nux presents a multi-effect pedal for electric guitar with ultra realistic feel and playability. Its studio sound quality and tone-editing software (for selecting and optimising patches) allows you to get the sound you want quickly and intuitively. You can also load 3rd-party IRs to extend the sound possibilities.
On top of that (and it’s attractive price tag) this device boasts 56 drum beats, 60-second phrase loop with rhythm synchronisation, global 3-band EQ for quick adjustment, built-in expression pedal and colour LCD display. This one is not to miss! Demo in the video below by Tony Martinez!