ACTIVE AGGRESSION

FBT has introduced the Maxx 6A active speaker ($1,469.95) along with its passive sibling, the Maxx 6 ($829.95). Both models feature a polypropylene housing, pole mounts and M-10 flying points, a 15-inch woofer with a die-cast aluminum frame and neodymium magnet, and a high-frequency compression driver coupled to a 90×60° horn.

The Maxx 6A active model offers a PWM power amp that delivers a whopping 700W RMS power to its woofer and a Class G power amp that feeds 200W to its horn driver. The control panel sports a Neutrik female combo XLR and a ¼-inch jack, 3-band EQ, a volume control, and a variable gain control. FBT North America; tel. (800) 333-9383; e-mail fbtmipad@aol.com; Web www.fbt.it.

THREE BASS HIT

Roland's V-Bass ($1,345) lets you play a wide variety of electric, acoustic, and synth bass sounds through any bass that is equipped with a divided pickup and 13-pin output. Guitarists can also access bass sounds on the processor, albeit with a bit of tweaking. As with the V-guitar series, there is no MIDI involved in tracking your bass, so tracking is clean and instantaneous.

The V-Bass offers modeling of classic electric and acoustic basses as well as of synth bass and fretless types. You can program your own bass sounds with combinations of modeled body types and pickups. Roland's proprietary COSM amp-modeling algorithms allow for additional customizing, as does the selection of models for speaker cabinets, mics, and effects. An onboard expression pedal provides real-time parameter control. The V-Bass has 160 presets and 100 user slots for customized programs. Roland offers the GK-2B divided pickup ($275), which is compatible with four-, five-, and six-string basses. The divided output provides separate processing for each string, including polyphonic pitch shifting (for alternate tunings) and pan.

The V-Bass offers a pair of unbalanced ¼-inch outputs and a pair of balanced XLR outputs. An additional unbalanced ¼-inch output and an XLR jack give you access to the unprocessed signal. An unbalanced ¼-inch input lets you plug your bass in directly to the unit so you can use the unit's COSM effects with your instrument's otherwise unprocessed sound. An input for an additional expression pedal is included as well. Roland Corp. U.S.; tel. (323) 890-3700; Web www.rolandus.com.

Q TIP

Acoustic instrumentalists will appreciate the half-rackspace Acoustic-Q ($300) from PreSonus. Featuring dual tube preamps, the unit combines two signals (such as from a piezo and mic combo pickup) into one and outputs the blend through an XLR jack. The EQ section includes Brilliance and Bass controls, a sweepable midrange control, and a tunable notch filter to help deal with feedback.

The Acoustic-Q is also equipped with an output level indicator, a phase switch, and an external footswitch input, which lets you mute the output or change volume by engaging a cut/boost preset. The unit also features a stereo effects loop for adding outboard processing. You can rackmount the unit with an optional rack adapter that is compatible with Presonus's BlueTube and BlueMax products. Presonus Audio Electronics; tel. (212) 216-7887; e-mail sales@presonus.com; Web www.presonus.com.

PACKIN' A PENGUIN

Whitney Drums' Nesting Penguin Series Drums ($2,939 for 18-inch kit) offer increased interior volume in a lighter, smaller package and are handcrafted with European birch collars and American maple rings. Embedded metal inserts for drum tension rods eliminate the need for lugs, thereby improving the resonant qualities of the shells. The shell center sections are made of three-ply, ⅛-inch birch and are two inches larger in diameter than the head. The Egg Basket mounting system enables quick setup and breakdown, and the drums conveniently stack inside of each other. Whitney Drums; tel. (805) 452-4163; e-mail JT@whitneydrums.com; Web www.whitneydrums.com.

BUDDY SYSTEM

Akai's DuoBuddy ($349) offers a single voice of high-quality vocal-harmony processing in a package that resembles a stompbox. Using its balanced XLR inputs and outputs, plug the unit in between your mic and mixer and you're ready to go. The DuoBuddy also offers one unbalanced ¼-inch input and an unbalanced ¼-inch output jack. Akai claims no coloration of the sound when the effect is disabled.

The box senses the pitch of the incoming signal and automatically selects one of nine preset harmony styles. You can also adjust and create user presets. A formant Control feature lets you adjust the gender of the harmonizing vocalist. Another feature provides a random delay in the harmony to provide a more natural duo effect. Akai Musical Instrument Corp.; tel. (800) 433-5627 or (817) 831-9203; e-mail info@akaipro.com; Web www.akaipro.com.

ROBOT MONSTER

In the tradition of the Cyber-Twin comes Fender's latest digital/analog hybrid amp, the Cyber-Deluxe ($999.99). In addition to vintage-style Fender tone, this 65W combo has real-time MIDI parameter controls, a digital tuner, built-in digital signal processing (DSP), and more. The amp drives a 12-inch Celestion G12T-100 speaker.

You get a total of 32 amp presets, as well as additional user locations for storing your own sounds. Despite the unit's DSP features, the preamplifier of the Cyber Deluxe is completely analog, and you can configure the signal flow so that the preamp appears before or after the tone controls. Fender Musical Instruments; tel. (480) 596-9690; Web www.fender.com.

MIC 'EM, DAN-0!

Shure's new Performance Gear series offers six cardioid microphones for vocals and various instruments. All microphones in the series come with cable and mounting hardware.

The PG48 ($63.00) is tailored for speech and karaoke, whereas the PG58 ($102.00) is intended for lead and backup vocals. The PG57 ($102.00) is designed for amplified or acoustic instruments. The PG81 ($245.00) is a condenser mic suitable for acoustic instruments.

Drums are not left out of the party: the PG52 ($245.00) and PG56 ($143.50) are dynamic mics with built-in swivelmounts for convenient positioning. The PG52 is tuned for kick drums; the PG56 is optimized for snares and toms. Shure Incorporated; tel. (800) 25-SHURE or (847) 866-2200; e-mail info@shure.com; Web www.shure.com.

FEELING GRAND

The Korg SP-200 ($999) is a slab-style stage piano with hammer action that accurately reproduces an acoustic-piano feel. You get four stereo grand pianos and one mono grand piano. Players can adjust the action and response to taste using three different Velocity curves.

In addition to acoustic-piano sounds, you receive several vintage electric pianos, an electric grand, a harpsichord, a Clavinet (with and without wah-wah), a vibraphone, a marimba, an acoustic guitar, strings choirs, and a variety of organs. You can play sounds individually, or you can stack two timbres. Sounds get extra finish with the keyboard's built-in digital reverb and chorus effects. The SP-200 has a transposition feature and offers Kirnberger and Werckmeister tunings. The keyboard ships with a detachable music rack and a sustain pedal. Korg USA, Inc.; tel. (516) 333-9100; Web www.korg.com.

LET'S DO LUNCH

The Lunchbox 660 ($599) from Walker Labs is a powered mixer that sports an internal rechargeable battery, so you can set up your performance anywhere the law allows. You get six to eight hours of battery life, and a four-stage battery-level indicator lets you know when to recharge. The unit switches itself off after 15 minutes of inactivity to conserve power.

The Lunchbox is equipped with four XLR and five unbalanced ¼-inch input jacks as well as a ¼-inch group insert jack for bridging additional units. Each input offers 3-band EQ. The unit also has two ¼-inch speaker outputs, and the jack for recharging the battery does double duty as a 12V power supply. The mixer delivers 60 watts RMS at 4• impedance. The Lunchbox 660 is housed in an airtight, waterproof carrying case. You can use the unit with your own speakers, or you can purchase Walker's Lunchbox Companion Speakers ($199 each), which feature a 6½-inch woofer and a horn tweeter. Walker Labs; tel. (909) 886-3420; e-mail info@walkerlabs.com; www.walker-labs.com.

NO DROPOUTS ALOUD

The Electro-Voice RE-1 ($1,490 and up, depending on configuration) is a UHF wireless system that is intended for professional touring and other situations that require multichannel capability. The system operates across a 24 MHz bandwidth and offers a total of 950 possible channels. The ClearScan feature is designed to allow users to quickly and easily find open channels. Channels can be programmed in compatible groups to allow simultaneous use of up to 16 systems in one band. According to Electro-Voice, the company's patented PosiPhase diversity system helps provide audio that's clear and free of dropouts. The system boasts a signal-to-noise ratio of 110 dB.

RE-1 systems offer a SoundCheck feature, which automatically tests the performance space, and the SmartBattery enhancement lets the unit work regardless of which end of the battery is up.

Future systems include the HT-1000 wireless handheld transmitter, which allows users to choose between the EV N/DYN767a dynamic mic element or the RE5110 condenser element. Other features include RF and audio level indicators, balanced XLR output, and rackmount hardware. Electro-Voice/Telex Communications; tel. (800) 392-3497; e-mail prosound@telex.com; www.telex.com.