NEW GEAR
The XG-1m is essentially a MIDI controller that a guitarist can play. The neck is fretswitched, has no strings on the fretboard and the strings on the body are touch-sensitive for the same attack control as found on touch-sensitive keyboards.
The CREEM Archive presents the magazine as originally created. Digital text has been scanned from its original print format and may contain formatting quirks and inconsistencies.
NEW GEAR
XG-1 MIDI Guitar
The XG-1m is essentially a MIDI controller that a guitarist can play. The neck is fretswitched, has no strings on the fretboard and the strings on the body are touch-sensitive for the same attack control as found on touch-sensitive keyboards. If the player chooses to connect the XG-1m to a DX-7, for instance, the sound is the same as DX-7 played in conventional keyboard style.
The. XG-1 m must be used in combination with some MIDI device. Suzuki will be offering the SX-500 stereo expander with full programmability and 50 pre-set patch and Ram and Rom cartridge options to offer unlimited new voice possibilities. The unit also includes a two-track sequencer that allows the player to digitally record a chord progression and then add solo parts during playback. For further information, contact the Suzuki Corporation, U.S., P.O. Box 261030, San Diego, CA 92126.
Mlrage-DSK Digital Sampling Kayboard
Ensoniq Corp. is marketing a newly revised model of their Mirage Digital Samp.'^g Keyboard—the Mirage-DSK. The features which led to the keyboard’s original popularity have been retained and the sound disk library and sounds and software are 100 percent compatible. The MirageDSK features a new compact case and new graphics which give it an updated look and stereo outputs which add a full sound. Improved manufacturing techniques have also allowed Ensoniq to lower the retail price of the Mirage-DSK.
The Mirage-DSK uses digitally-recorded waveforms of actual instruments and other sound effects. The sounds are stored on 3V2” diskettes and are loaded into the instrument using a built-in disk drive. Ensoniq currently offers over 300 sounds in its library.
The Mirage-DSK includes three sound disks (18 sound banks), a revised disk formatting program, a footswitch and MirageDSK Manual. Contact the Enosniq Corp., 263 Great Valley Parkway, Malvern, PA 19355.
Select Pickups by EMG( Inc.
EMG, a leading company in the development of electronic guitar pickups, has designed a range of pickups and licensed them in Korea under the name “Select” by EMG. Utilizing technology developed by EMG in California, high-impedance Select Pickups are hand wound in Korea using only the finest American magnets, German copper wire and U.S. steel. Furthermore, all pickups in the Select range have specially sealed coils to reduce annoying microphonics and incorporate the advances in high technology.
The Select range includes replacements for Stratocasters, guitar humbuckers and bass humbuckers. For more information, contact Kuffner International Inc., P.O. Box 1236, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314.
Roland Pad Controllers
Roland has expanded the functionality of their pad controllers with the introduction of three hew pads, the PD-11 bass Drum Pad and the PD-21 and PD-31 snare and tom pads. Their triangular design resembles the PD-10 and PD-20 controllers, the new percussion controllers feature a floating construction that isolates the playing surface from unwanted vibrations while allowing the player a natural response that’s more in keeping with the “feel” of acoustic drums.
The PD-31 offers four triggers (one on the playing surface and one on each of three sides) for controlling up to four different sound sources. When used with Rolands’ new PM-16 Pad to MIDI interface, all three pads will allow you to play any MIDIcompatible instrument with your own drumming technique. The PD-11, PD-21 and PD-31 can be mounted on the new lightweight MDS-1 tubular stand which is very easy to set up. Contact the Roland Corp., 7200 Dominion Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90040.
DigiTech PDS 3000 Pedalverb
DigiTech is marketing the new PDS-3000 Pedalverb, a digital reverberation unit. The PDS-3000 offers large room, small room, reverse and gated reverberation effects, (a total of 30 reverb effects) plus an infinite reverb effect, all in stereo. The large gated reverb has two decay times and the reverse reverb has three decay times. The high frequencies may be selectively damped on each reverb effect. In the large room reverb effects, a unique reverb-hold effect may be accessed with a touch of the foot pedal. For more information, contact DigiTech, 5639 South Riley Lane, Salt Lake City, UT 84107.
