Casio CTK7000 61 Key Portable Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)I have both the ctk 7000 and the wk-7500 and they each are worth more than the price. Casio has made a vast improvement on the key bed settings. The annoying click of the keys that plagued earlier models is gone.The keyboars is beautiful to look at. The layout of the switches, buttons and drawbars is very funtional and comprehensive. I did like the blue screen on the ctk 5000 but the well lit screen on the newer models is still pleasant to the eyes as arethe blue lights that indicate the instrument nd rhythym choices.
As I said with the wk 7500, the 7000 is not geared towards novice players in that there are no teaching tools of the 'how to play the piano' variety provided. Earlier Casio models have the play along features for beginners so if that's where you are at, try the Lk series. This is a serious workstation. With 16 tracks for recording per song, you can create incredible pieces for performances or personal satisfaction. An sd card (not included) allows you to save your creations for future use, though you can save up to six songs on the keyboard.The tone editor let's you modify any sound to the point where you can create an infinite number of new sounds. The rhythym editor allows you to modify beats and rhythyms and to also create your own beats and rhythyms. The tones are incredibly realistic, rivalling boards that cause three times as much, and as I previously stated, you can edit what you don't like. The keys are touch sensitive but you can turn off the sensitivity for the entire keyboard or adjust the sensitivity for the individual tones. You can record sounds from outside sources and up to 10 minutes. You cannot change the sounds but you can use them in your compositions.On top of this you get a functioning drawbar organ that puts the organs of many high end boards to shame. This keyboard has 48 note polyphony.
The keyboard connects to the internet with a USB cord. There is however no midi connection with another key board. If you have an IPad, you can connect it to the keyboard to run Appss such as Garage band etc... If you are a serious artist, don't let the price of this board fool you. You get more than you pay for.
*new post* i've been playing around with it and you can play connect other keyboards through the instin record jack (same place you attach a guitar)using a 1.5 inch stereo plug. My old yamaha sounds great through the 7000's speakers.

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Shure Beta 98H/C Clip-On Cardioid Instrument Microphone Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using this microphone for a number of professional performances over the last seven or eight years. The Shure Beta has one of the best quality sounds and pick up of any microphone I've ever used. Clamping it to the bell of my saxophone allows movement without being tied to stationary microphone stand. The only issue has been the thin cable that connects it from the clip to the XLR connector. It doesn't take much to damage it (this is the second one I own) and over the years, it obviously wears faster than an ordinary microphone/cable. The result is that the longer you own it, the more careful you have to be or else you'll have a crackle and pop everytime you move the wrong way. It's a shame they can't improve on the design of the otherwise amazing microphone. I've tried to compensate by leaving the cable wrapped in the reel (taped up) with only enough length required to get the clip from my waist to the bell of the saxophone which has helped extend the life this long. I'm getting ready to replace it again and I'm thinking about shifting to a wireless.

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The Beta 98H/C premium cardioid condenser instrument microphone that clamps onto the bell of wind instruments or onto the rim of percussion instruments, and its transformerless preamplifier circuitry improves linearity across the full frequency range. The pickup pattern of the BETA 98H/C provides high gain-before-feedback and excellent rejection of unwanted noise. Its high maximum sound pressure level (SPL) enables it to handle the extreme demands of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.
The integrated gooseneck and ratcheting swivel joint allows the mic to be easily positioned and secured, and an isolation shock-mount reduces the transmission of instrument "key noise" and other mechanical noise. A gooseneck angle brace is included to provide better retention of the microphone placement during more active performances.

Key Features
Transformerless preamplifier circuitry that improves linearity across the full frequency range.
Pickup pattern provides high gain-before-feedback and excellent rejection of unwanted noise.
High maximum sound pressure level (SPL) enables it to handle the extreme demands of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.
10-foot high-flex cable with attached preamplifier (XLR connection)
Tailored frequency response for open, natural sound reproduction
Compact, lightweight construction provides a low degree of visibility
Gooseneck, ratcheting swivel joint and gooseneck angle brace allow for optimum placement and fixed positioning

Applications and Placement The most common BETA 98H/C applications and placement techniques are described below. Keep in mind that microphone technique is largely a matter of personal taste; there is no one "correct" microphone position.
Saxophone Placement: Clamp the microphone onto the bell of the saxophone, so the microphone is a few inches from and facing into the bell. This will produce a bright tonal balance while minimizing feedback and leakage.
Soprano Saxophone Placement: Clamp the microphone onto the bell of the saxophone and adjust the gooseneck so the microphone is facing the keys of the instrument, a few inches from the lower keys. This will produce a warm and full tonal balance. For a brighter tone, adjust the gooseneck so the microphone is facing into the bell, a few inches away.
Trombone Placement: Clamp the microphone onto the bell of the trombone and adjust the gooseneck so the microphone is facing directly into the bell, a few inches away. This will produce a bright tonal balance while providing maximum isolation.
Trumpet Placement: Clamp the microphone onto the bell of the trumpet and adjust the gooseneck so the microphone is facing directly into the bell, a few inches away. This will produce a bright tonal balance while providing maximum isolation.
Drum Placement: Clamp the microphone onto the drum rim and adjust the gooseneck so the microphone is aiming a few inches above the drum head and an inch from the rim. This provides a full tonal balance.

Specifications
Type: Condenser (electret bias)
Polar Pattern: Unidirectional (cardioid)
Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
Output Impedance: 1200 ohms
Output Level (0 dB = 1 volt per Pascal): Open Circuit Voltage: -56.5 dB (1.5 mV)
Output Clipping Level (at 1kHz, THD < 1%): -9 dBV (0.35 V)
Maximum SPL: 143.5 dB
Dynamic Range: 112.5 dB
Signal-to-noise Ratio: 63 dB at 94 dB SPL (IEC 651)
Polarity: Positive pressure on microphone diaphragm produces positive voltage on pins 3 and 4 with respect to pin 1 (ground).
Weight: 2.3 ounces

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Rover RB-45P Plectrum Resonator 4 String Banjo Review

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(More customer reviews)This 4 string banjo was made in China. I thought I was getting an American made model.It`s pretty to look at but cheep strings & the bridge was missing when I receive it. Also the fret dividers have a sharp feel as you run your hand up & down the neck. Too bad because it was made with somewhat quality materials. I sent this item back. buyer beware.

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Rover RB-35T Tenor Resonator 4 String Banjo Review

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(More customer reviews)Just plain awful sound. Not to mention one of the attachments for the resonator was bouncing around inside when it arrived. Cheap Chinese junk. I returned it and bought a Gold Tone TS-250, also made in China, but far better quality and sound. Don't waste your time and money on a cheap banjo. Spend at least $500 and get something that will not frustrate you and you end sitting it in a corner allowing it to collect dust.

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Alvarez Acoustic Guitar AJ60SC Cutaway Jumbo Top Solid Spruce Back & Side Flamed Maple Review

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(More customer reviews)This guitar is awesome!
Pros: Great jumbo sound, very even mids, lows and highs. The guitar looks incredible with its flamed maple back and sides. Plugged to an amp, it sounds great, BUT it takes forever to "dial" in and get the sound you desire. The electronics and pre-amp are top quality, and Alvarez uses the same pre-amp on their $2000.00 guitars.
Negatives: I had to return the first one Amazon sent because of some issues in the paint and some dents to the finish. Also, the second one they sent was ok, except the preamp battery compartment was loosened and the 9 volt battery fell out and was loose in the body of the guitar throughout the whole shipping process, so that left some dents to the inside of the guitar, but so far, no damage to the outside of the body that I could see. Also, the pre-amp box was not screwed to the body in the right place, so there is a screw that holds one side down that isnt "anchored" to anything--it just stays in with gravity, so if you lean the guitar backwards, the screw falls out.
This guitar is discontinued, and the new models have Spalted Maple back and sides and costs 2-3 times as much as this one. Flamed maple is more expensive, and if you want the flamed maple back and sides, this is the one you have to get. If you can find one, BUY IT!

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Line 6 Variax 700 Guitar, Sunburst Tremolo Review

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(More customer reviews)Back in 2002, I bought the original Variax. Sonically, it was a great guitar. It had a sorta "cheap" look to it, but it was a nice instrument. I recorded one song with it before I sold it and bought a Godin LGXT.
Fast-forward to today. I recently decided that I (again) needed the versatility that the Variax offered. I decided to buy the best Variax Line 6 offered (the 700 with trem), both for aesthetics and for features and construction. The only thing left was deciding which color. The cherry sunburst was the prettiest.
I bought my Variax from Amazon.com. This is the first time I've ever bought an instrument from Amazon. They were the only ones carrying the Variax 700 cherry sunburst. I glad I bought it! Very inspiring. Extremely versatile. It's a very comfortable guitar to wear. It has a great Strat-like feel to it. Dial in one of the Strat selections, close your eyes, and you'll swear you're playing a Strat.
I realize that there are guitar snobs in the world who will claim they can tell the difference between, say, the Variax's Les Paul settings and a real Les Paul. Or the Variax's Strat settings and a real Strat. They're full of it. Close your eyes and you cannot tell. I made a recording of my Fender acoustic guitar and the Variax's "parlor" acoustic guitar settings. Guess which guitar everyone guessed was the real acoustic? You got it. The Variax's parlor guitar. Two long-time guitarists who should know the difference could not tell. My sister could not tell. My friends could not tell. They all picked the Variax as the "real" guitar. So, I'll say it again: anyone who claims that their highly-trained ear can distinguish the Variax from the "real" thing lives in a fantasy world. I've owned and played a very good Les Paul. I've owned and played a beautiful Strat. I had those instruments for years. The Variax really does faithfully mimic the guitars it models.
Get the Workbench software! If for no other reason, you can adjust the output of the various guitar models. For instance, Line 6 faithfully modeled the Strat, even its relative volume. The Les Paul pickup models are noticeably hotter. So I used Workbench software to bring the volume of the Strat pickup models to be equal with the output of the Les Paul pickup models. Problem solved! You can adjust all kinds of things using the Workbench software. If you have a PODxt Live (floor model), or the new POD X3 Live (when they're available), you can download the Workbench software for free from Line 6. If you don't have one of those, then you can buy the USB interface gadget from Line 6, which comes with Workbench. It is worth buying if you have to buy it (I think $99). Line 6 Variax Workbench 1.5


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Variax 700 in sunburst combines Line 6's patent-pending guitar modeling technology in a custom designed solid-body guitar to accurately reproduce the sounds of a variety of well-known vintage electric and acoustic guitars. In addition Variax also offers well-known sounds of guitar-related instruments, such as a resonator, banjo, and electric sitar. Modeled variations include solid-body, semi hollowbody, and hollowbody electrics with single-coil and humbucking pickups, as well as, several six- and twelve string acoustics. Variax 700 features a carved top, mahogany body, optional tremolo, one-piece hard maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, and Gotoh tuners.

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