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Review: Lightsnake USB Instrument Cable – STUSBG10

December 6, 2009 by Vic9mm
Posted in guitar cable,guitar usb cable,lightsnake

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So it started out for me wanting to record at home and I was looking for a cheap way to do that, I didn't have the money for one of those expensive condenser mics, I did try a regular computer mic but the audio was awful and I didn't care for it. I mention this to a friend of mine at work he said he had a friend with a guitar cable with a usb at the end so I did some research and found the Lightsnake cable.

This cable is really one of a kind its basically a guitar cable with a soundcard in it that connects to your USB port. I know what your thinking a soundcard? Yes when playing using the Lightsnake there is alot of audio things happening:

1.) Analog to Digital conversion with signal boost.
2.) 48/44.1khz sampling.
3.) Noise Reduction.

What does all that mean? 3 words "Superb audio quality" and really thats what your looking for.

Now you might be asking yourself what kind of guitar can this be used on? Well all types from Classical guitar to Metal guitar and everything in between so long as there is a pickup, preferred active pickups for electric guitars but does work with non active ones as well. I couldn't get my eletric guitar to sound good at all but it's a 20$ guitar what did I expect. It can be used in combination with effects pedals and software like ACID Music Studio, Adobe Audition, Windows Movie Maker, Audicity and so on. Also can be used for online streaming.

I did have problems at first when I hooked it up, its plug and play so when you hook it up Windows assumes its a soundcard and makes it its default audio so a quick trip to the control panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Audio tag and put your Sound Playback back to your sound card will take care of that.

Overall this cable really worked well for me, I really have no complaints about it, I use it to record whenever possible and ustream for gametab members.

*Note* This cable is not intended for you to hear the sound coming out of your speaker when playing only after your done recording sound in an audio program like Windows Movie Maker or Sound Recorder can you hear the sound. You can however hookup some earphones and listen while you play.

Price: 39.99 can be found on ebay a little cheaper.

Specs: http://www.soundtech.com/products/home-recording/stusbg10/

If you would like to hear the lightsnake head over to my youtube page. http://www.youtube.com/user/Vic9mm and click play.

Review: The Zoom A2 Acoustic Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal

October 11, 2009 by Vic9mm
Posted in acoustic guitar,Classical Guitar,effects pedal,pedal,Zoom,Zoom A2

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The Zoom A2 Acoustic Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal.

Ok I want to start out by saying that I knew nothing about effects prior to buying this pedal that said lets jump in and see what this effects pedal has to offer.

This effects pedal is really one of a kind I did alot of research on this because I wanted to find a nice pedal that would produce nice reverb to add to my video's to spice them up a bit. So after finding this pedal I started to read what could be achived by using it and to my surprise it had a total of 47 high-quality effects for acoustic/classical even eletric guitars but thats not all it can simulate 12 acoustic guitar/preamp sound character simulations meaning you just bought 12 guitars in one pedal. The list of guitars are: Martin D-28, Gibson SJ-200, Martin OOO-18, Gibson J-45, Tacoma C3C, Ovation Adamas, Nylon (Zoom original), Selmer Maccaferri, Dobro Model 27, National Reso-phonic Style O, Resophonic (Zoom original), Tube preamp (Zoom original.

Now a little more into depth with the pedal and effects as I said before it has 47 high-quality effects like Phaser, Tremolo, Air, Auto Wah just to name a few. The reverb is outstanding with reverb types like Hall, Room, Bright/Dark Slap Reverb, Modern Spring with loads more which is all customizable by the way, you have total control over how long they stay and how fast the effects die out. You can also simulate Amps and Pickups, has a built in 6 band EQ, Chromantic tuner for all of you who love to do different tunings, Feedback control, a very realistic sounding drum machine with PCM sound sources, can run on battries for about 6hrs, and has an option for an expression pedal.

All in all this effects pedal is just awesome for what it does. I only shared with you a fraction of what it could do, but if you looking to spice up your sound then this is the way to go I really enjoy playing using this pedal and im sure you would to.

*NOTE* There are two models of the pedal available. I reviewd the one I bought but there both the same with the exception of the USB and the footpedal is attached to the other model.

Price: I got mine for 100$ NEW Ive seen them for 80$ on ebay NEW.
Full Specs: http://www.zzounds.com/item--ZOMA2

Review: Savarez 520R Strings.

September 20, 2009 by Vic9mm
Posted in Classical Guitar,Nylon Strings,Reviews,Savarez

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My review of the Savarez 520R Strings.

Over the year I've been using many different sets of strings and hadn't really settled on a certain string. Well finally after many, many months of searching I finally found the one that suits me and those strings are the Savarez 520R strings. I would like to take a moment and tell you a little about the Savarez history.

The history of string making behind the Savarez name dates back over two centuries, to 1770, when Savaresse first embarked upon the manufacture of natural gut strings in Lyon, France. From the 1880s the company began to produce silk and steel as well as bronze and brass strings. Today, Savarez has become a world leader in musical string innovation with superior research and development.

That said I would like to take some time tell you why I like these strings so much compared to the others I have tried.

I would like start to by saying all Classical Guitars are not made equal, and my results doesn't necessarily mean you will achieve the same results I have had with these strings.

When my guitar first arrive to me it had Daddrio strings on it which at the time were OK but the trebles were lacking something like they had no life in them and I started to wonder maybe the strings were bad so I decided to change them out for some more of the same strings and to my surprise they sounded the same, still lacking something but I didn't know what because I was still new to guitar at this period in time. So my search went on and one day I stumbled upon an ad about Savarez strings so I went to my local shop in Dallas called "Zoo Music" and asked for some Savarez strings and he handed me some Savarez 520Rs and said those are very popular because of the string material that they use which is "Rectified Nylon" which other string manufactures do use by the way. So I went home and installed them on my guitar tuned it up and started playing and was AMAZED at the difference in volume and sound they were producing I honestly couldn't believe the zest the trebles had. Even the basses came to life, even though I'm not a big bass fan it was a huge improvement on the overall sound. The basses were rich and deep but not over powering and the trebles were loud and clear but not too bright sounding which is what I was looking for in a string.

Overall I have to give Savaerz 520Rs a solid 9.5 as a rating there great strings with a great sound and haven't found another string that matches them.

Packaging: They come in a gold ziploc type package with six strings individually packaged and numbered according to the string. Each string is also tagged with an ID number.

Strings: The trebles are "Rectified Nylon" non-polished but smooth and are light-whitish looking. The basses are silverplated copper on nylon core

Price: Varies depending on the place I can get 2 packs for 21 dollars. Guitar Center sells them for 13 or 15 dollars. So look for deals when ever you can.

Info about the strings. http://www.savarez.fr/anglais/carterougejb.html#

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