high-end low end While many new amplifiers feature onboard digital effects, the SWR MO' Bass ($1,799) takes a somewhat different tack by offering an array of analog signal processing-and some DSP as well-in an amplifier designed for bass players. Boasting a power rating of 400W at 4z stereo, the MO' Bass includes a Tube Limiter and a Tube Overdrive. A 12AX7-driven tube preamp includes an Aural Enhancer and a 3-band EQ with a variable midrange control.

The Subwave feature adds sound an octave below the actual bass signal. The Bass Synth is an actual analog synthesizer. You can use playing dynamics to control the synth's filter or the expression pedal input for a wah-wah effect. For even more beef, you can feed a Subwave to the bass synth and process the composite sound through the onboard analog chorus (with adjustable rate and depth controls) and the EQ section.

If you use the Dual Mode switch, you can send a dry bass signal to one output and the processed bass sound to another. When you switch the MO' Bass into Bridged Mono mode, the signal blends with the effects.

A MIDI Out jack allows you to transmit program changes and switch-type MIDI Control Changes to external devices by using the optional MO' Foot pedal ($399). Other outputs include a Tuner Out jack; 11/44-inch and Speakon output jacks; and unbalanced and balanced pre-EQ, post-EQ, and post-effects line outputs. SWR; tel. (818) 253-4797; Web www.swrsound.com.

Five on the Floor Maxon has added five new models to its Reissue Series of guitar effects pedals. The pedals are all based on stompboxes put out by the company in the1970s. The FL301 Flanger ($199) is an analog flanger with adjustable Rate, Width, and Regeneration controls. The CS505 Stereo Chorus ($199) is a true-stereo chorus, with Speed and Width controls and a pair of outputs.

The CP101 Compressor ($189) offers simple operation and quiet and natural-sounding compression. For fuzzheads, the D&S ll Distortion and Sustainer ($189) provides a dual-op amp and produces overdrive and distortion effects similar to those of Maxon's OD808 but with higher output. The GE 601 Graphic Equalizer ($189) is a 6-band equalizer with 12 dB of cut or boost and an output level control. Godlyke Distributing; tel. and fax (973) 835-2100; e-mail sales@maxon.co.jp; Web www.maxon.co.jp.

can you beat this? Evans Drumheads has added two new sets to its series of prepackaged drumheads, the Retro Pack ($88.50) and the Fusion Pack ($77.50). Evans tailors each set to suit different playing categories.

The Retro Pack includes 12-inch, 13-inch, and 16-inch Hydraulic Glass heads and a 14-inch ST Dry snare head. The Fusion Pack bundles a 10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch G2 clear head and includes a 14-inch Power Center Reverse Dot head for the snare. Evans Drumheads/D'Addario (distributor); e-mail mail@evansdrumheads.com; Web www.evansdrumheads.com.

totally tubular One of the problems with using tube amps is that tubes are relatively fragile and subject to wear and failure. Electro-Harmonix has come to the rescue with the new 6V6EH Super Tube ($10.60; $2 extra for platinum matching). Each Super Tube is tested to 475V, and Electro-Harmonix promises characteristics equal to or better than those of most vintage tubes.

It will interest tubeheads to know that Electro-Harmonix engineers used the RCA black-plate 6V6GT as a benchmark for the design of this tube.

Electro-Harmonix constructs its Super Tubes with a proprietary cathode coating, a high-grade alloy plate material, and careful alignment of the grids. This ensures higher reliability, lower odd harmonics, and a sweet tone. Electro-Harmonix/New Sensor Corporation; tel. (212) 529-0466; fax (212) 529-0486; e-mail info@ehx.com; Web www.ehx.com.

the speaker takes a stand Quik-Lok offers the SP-180 Deluxe Pneumatic Tripod Stand ($109.95, silver satin finish; $119.95, black matte finish), a speaker stand with new features that ensure stability and safety. The stands, though lightweight, are designed to withstand the rigors of touring.

The pneumatic design supports and gently lowers speaker cabinets of up to 150 pounds. To help prevent injuries and equipment damage, the cushion of air also keeps the speaker from dropping suddenly under its own weight. For extra security, the SP-180 employs a chain-secured steel pin that prevents the accidental lowering of speaker cabinets.

The leg joint assembly is composed of a strong but light aluminum alloy. The tube diameter is 1 31/48 inches, and the provided adapter will accommodate speaker cabinets with an interior socket diameter of 1 11/42 inches. The stand's minimum height is 48 inches, but it can expand to a maximum height of 6 feet, 1inch. You can adjust the base-spread diameter from 38.5 to 60 inches. Folded up, the 6.4-pound stand is only 42.5 inches long. Quik-Lok/Music Industries Corp. (distributor); tel. (800) 431-6699 or (516) 352-4110; fax (516) 352-0754; e-mail quiklok@earthlink .net; Web www.quiklok.com.

the devil made me do it The Behringer GX112 Blue Devil ($399) is a solid-state combo amp that features an onboard stereo 24-bit multi-effects processor and includes several output options to enhance its versatility onstage or in the studio.

The effects processor has a host of multi-effects programs you can control in real time using any MIDI foot controller. Program changes enable switching of channels, and continuous controller messages can animate a single effect parameter-for example, you can use the foot controller to modulate a flanger's LFO speed.

The Blue Devil distributes 31 multi-effects algorithms among 99 user-programmable presets, and effects include a variety of reverbs, delays, choruses, and wah-wahs. Other algorithms feature tube emulation, dynamics processing, and speaker simulations. The MIDI In can receive information from the foot controller or a sequencer. The Blue Devil does not have a MIDI Out or Thru connection, but with a footpedal's MIDI Out connected to a computer's MIDI interface, controller information can be recorded into a sequencer and then routed back to the amp on playback.

The Blue Devil's Heaven channel offers a range of tube effects, ranging from clean to mildly overdriven tones, while the Hell channel (yes, there is a Hell) gives your sound more crunch and more gain. You can also switch channels using MIDI program changes, a MIDI foot controller, or the supplied footswitch.

The Blue Devil's output is rated at 60W RMS into 8z, and the loudspeaker is a 12-inch heavy-duty Shark 12G100A, with power handling of 100W at 8z. Behringer USA; tel. (425) 673-2237; fax (425) 673-7647; e-mail support@behringer.com; Web www.behringer.com.

wanna see my etchings? Ashdown has introduced two new acoustic guitar amplifiers, the Reso 1 ($1,399) and the Reso 2 ($1,899), both featuring etched chrome-plated cabinets inspired by vintage resonator guitars. The Reso 1 has a 60W bridged power section and a custom 8-inch speaker with a dual tweeter. The amp includes a switchable input for active or piezo pickups and a notch filter to eliminate feedback. It also provides separate bass and treble controls. A built-in Alesis digital reverb adds some ambience, and the Reso 1 provides an XLR direct out.

The Reso 2 (pictured here) outputs 120W and has a passive auxiliary bass radiator for better low end, as well as a dual-triode vacuum tube preamp stage that introduces a unique sweetness and presence to the sound. The twin channel preamp has active, piezo, and low-impedance inputs. You can tweak the sound with 7-band EQ, and each of the dual-notch filters offers variable frequencies and Q. A sophisticated digital effects section adds more sheen to the Reso 2. Ashdown/HHB Communications USA (distributor); tel. (310) 319-1111; fax (310) 319-1311; e-mail sales@hhbusa.com; Web www.hhb.co.uk.

bass-o-matic Aguilar Amplification has a new series of bass cabinets designed for a variety of bass players. All cabinets come with a high-quality injection-molded tweeter, an integral phase plug, and a custom crossover with a variable tweeter control.

At the high-powered end, the GS 410 ($1,149) can handle 700W and has four heavy-duty speakers. For lower-volume applications, the GS 210 ($799) is roughly half the size of the GS 410, uses a pair of 10-inch drivers, and has a power-handling capability of 350W. For maximum punch with a round, traditional tone, the GS 115 ($749) offers a 400W, 15-inch speaker with a 5.9-pound magnet. The GS 410 and the GS 210 boast a frequency response of 40 Hz to 16 kHz, and the 115 offers a response of 42 Hz to 16 kHz. Aguilar Amplification LLC; tel. (800) 304-1875; fax (212) 431-8201; e-mail info@aguilaramp.com; Web www.aguilaramp.com.

wow, i coulda had a vg-88 Roland's COSM (Composite Object Sound Modeling) technology has found a new home in the Roland VG-88 ($1,295). This new guitar processor based on the VG-8 offers new and improved effects and models, along with additional hardware features.

The VG-88 adds a built-in expression pedal, which you can use for real-time control of pitch shifting and other parameters. Polyphonic Pitch Shifting allows customized tunings-including realistic 12-string guitars or synthesizer models in octaves-without making you physically retune the instrument.

The hollow-body guitar models include a new nylon string guitar, and new brass sounds augment the synthesizer-like HRM (Harmonic Restructure Modeling) capabilities. Improved tube amp models provide more natural sounds. A 11/44-inch guitar input jack gives guitars access to amplifier and speaker modeling, reverbs, choruses, and other effects without requiring a divided pickup. A new Output Select switch lets you tailor the output for conventional guitar amps or power amps. Roland Corporation U.S.; tel. (323) 890-3700; fax (323) 890-3701; Web www.rolandus.com.

horn of plenty SD Systems designs a variety of microphone systems for acoustic instruments. The new SDS Modular System ($269) offers a flexible miking solution for brass and woodwind instruments that ensures optimum mic placement to capture the full sound spectrum.

The SDS Modular system consists of a gooseneck clamp with a shock-mount clamp for the microphone. An LDM 94 large-membrane dynamic mic comes standard with the system, but you can interchange this with other SDS mics. The mic's polar pattern is cardioid, with a frequency response of 70 Hz to 15 kHz (plus/minus3 dB), and it can handle an SPL of up to 155 dB. The system does not require a preamp, so you can plug the mic directly into a mixer or wireless system. SD Systems; tel. (609) 726-9202; fax (215) 297-0435; e-mail advansoncon@earthlink.net; Web www.sdsystems.com.

class monitor D.A.S. has introduced a new compact powered loudspeaker system for the touring musician. The ST-8A ($949) features an 8-inch low-frequency transducer in conjunction with an M-3 1-inch exit compression driver. The driver has a 2-inch titanium diaphragm, and couples to a constant directivity horn. The enclosure, made of Finnish birch plywood, is painted with a catalyzed polyurethane black paint, providing protection against abrasion and the elements. Three Ancra aircraft-quality fly points provide safe and simple rigging.

D.A.S. has configured the cabinet as a biamped two-way system, and it uses a 150W amplifier for the low-frequency transducer and a 50W amplifier for the high-frequency driver. The low-frequency amplifier circuitry operates in bridged mode, thus quadrupling the power.

The amplifiers are protected against overvoltage, undervoltage, and overloads (including shorts to the supplies, thermal runaway, and instantaneous temperature peaks). D.A.S. promises extremely low distortion levels and high-end sound quality. D.A.S./Sennheiser (distributor); tel. (860) 434-9190; fax (860) 434-1759; Web www.dasaudio.com.

the well-connected musician Ironically, many musicians spend inordinate sums of money on instruments but then compromise their sound by using cables with faulty or weak connections. Planet Waves ($19.99 to $39.99) is a new line of instrument cables that attempts to solve this dilemma with a design that ensures a positive connection and minimizes cable strain.

The gold-plated plugs use patent-pending compression springs to guarantee a positive connection into standard 11/44-inch jacks. Double-molded connectors provide extra protection and strain relief. Planet Waves double-insulates and double-shields the cables for a clean signal and freedom from hum or noise caused by static electricity. The cables use color-coded O-rings, which enable easy identification when you use multiple cables. Planet Waves/D'Addario (distributor); e-mail mail@planet-waves.com; Web www.planetwaves.com.