FLY BY NIGHT

Parker Guitars has a new fly on the wall: the NiteFly-M ($1,499). The guitar employs bolt-on construction to keep the price down, but it boasts a number of features found on more expensive Parker models, including a solid mahogany body and neck, coil-switching using push-pull pots, a pair of custom DiMarzio humbuckers, and a complete active piezoelectric pickup/preamp/mixer system from Fishman.

Available with a new satin finish, the attractive axe sports the distinctive Parker body shape and headstock design. Sperzel locking tuners help maintain tuning when you dive-bomb the standard NiteFly vibrato system.

The included gig bag will keep the NiteFly-M safe between gigs, or you can take the instrument on the road with you in a hard-shell case that can be purchased for an additional $150. Parker Guitars; tel. (978) 988-0122; e-mail eoppenheimer@parkerguitars.com; Web www.parkerguitars.com.

TOWERS OF POWER

ISP Technologies' Tri-Power 15" three-way powered loudspeakers ($1,440) sport a trio of built-in power amps delivering a combined output of 700W. The company's proprietary D-CAT amps pump out high-output current that can power very-low-ohm systems, all the way down to a single ohm. The Tri-Power 15" combines a 15-inch woofer, a 10-inch midrange driver, and a 2-inch titanium-diaphragm compression driver.

ISP carefully matches components for optimum service. The speakers are individually phase corrected, and all amps and transformers have full thermal protection. Frequency response for the Tri-Power 15" is listed as 45 Hz to 18 kHz, and the unit's peak sound pressure level is 126 dB (at one meter). The self-contained speaker measures 20.0 by 40.0 by 18.5 inches and weighs 120 pounds. ISP Technologies; tel. (248) 620-6795; e-mail info@isptechnologies.com; Web www.isptechnologies.com.

ECHOES OF THE PAST

Drool with anticipation, analog geeks! Hi-Watt Amplification's Custom Tape Echo ($799) is an old-school analog box in the tradition of the Echoplex, the Roland Space Echo, the WEM Copicat, and other vintage machines, but with some modern touches. A free-running tape design dramatically reduces wow and flutter, and a user-enabled Continuous/Auto Stop function stops the tape when no input signal is present, prolonging tape life and killing nasty tape-echo hiss. Hi-Watt used no integrated circuits in the Custom Tape Echo, further reducing noise common to vintage tape echoes. Delay time is variable from 70 ms to 1.5 seconds.

The Echo Stop/Hold function can be controlled using an optional footswitch, and you can add an expression pedal to control tape speed for pitch-freaking fun. A see-through top window lets users monitor tape health. Players who have lugged a large vintage tape-echo unit around will dig the Custom Tape Echo's petite 4-pound package, which measures a mere 10.25 by 1.75 by 7.19 inches. Hi-Watt Amplification; e-mail info@hiwatt.com; Web www.hiwatt.com.

TONE, TONE, TONE

Tech 21's SansAmp pedals have been delivering convincing simulations of tube-amp sounds since long before the current amp-modeling craze. The new SansAmp Tri-A.C. ($225) takes things one step — perhaps three steps — further by offering three distinct amp sounds at the tap of a toe.

The new SansAmp combines an all-analog signal path with digital control to put Tweed (Fender-style), British (Marshall-style), and California (Mesa/Boogie-style) sounds easily underfoot. You simply choose one of the three amp types; use the Drive, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Level knobs to dial in the desired sound; and double-click on one of the three footswitches to program that sound for recall.

The Tri-A.C. can be used with a power amp and speaker as a direct input device for live performance or recording, or with one of Tech 21's optional Power Engine 60 powered speaker cabinets. Tech 21; tel. (212) 315-1116; e-mail info@tech21nyc.com; Web www.tech21nyc.com.

PETITE PROFILE

In the late '60s, Kustom burst onto the music scene with a line of brightly colored amplifiers covered in tuck 'n' roll Naugahyde. Although it still features a tuck 'n' roll line, the company now produces a wide range of products, including the new Profile portable P.A. ($499.95). The Profile packs a 5-channel mixer, a 100W power amp, 24-bit digital effects, and a pair of two-way line array speakers into a petite package.

The Profile's mixer section has four mic/line channels with XLR and ¼-inch inputs and a fifth channel with ¼-inch line and contoured acoustic guitar inputs. Each channel has controls for volume, tone, and effect — there's an external effects loop as well as a master insert point — and the master section has a 3-band EQ, a master volume control, and a choice of eight digital effects, including four types of reverb.

Each trapezoidal speaker sports two 6.5-inch cone woofers and a 2.0-by-5.0-inch horn piezo tweeter. The three components weigh just 18 pounds each. Options include a fitted roller bag ($100.00), speaker stands ($49.98 each), and a microphone kit ($69.98). Kustom; tel. (800) 999-5558; Web www.kustom.com/profile.

BAR KEYS

If you are a keyboardist who uses a MIDI rig and performs in venues that have acoustic pianos, the Piano Bar ($2,350) from Buchla and Associates will let you leave your keyboard controller at home. The Piano Bar is a powerful MIDI control device that can be quickly and easily installed on any 88-note acoustic piano without modifying the instrument. The unit employs infrared light beams to detect key motion and doesn't touch the piano keys or otherwise interfere with the piano's sound or playability.

MIDI features include transposition, zones, and layers, and Program Change and Bank Select commands are supported. Three Articulators on the unit's front panel can send MIDI Control Change messages on any channel, and LEDs for each key light up when MIDI messages are received (orange for white keys, green for black keys). You also can attach an expression pedal.

But the Piano Bar is more than just a controller; its I/O box has a built-in 32-note polyphonic General MIDI — compatible synth that provides more than 500 instrument and drum sounds. I/O include a pair of RCA outputs, two mini stereo headphone outs, and MIDI In and Out ports. A carrying case, a pair of pedal sensors, and a power supply are also included. Buchla and Associates; tel. (510) 528-4446; e-mail sales@buchla.com; Web www.buchla.com.

VOYAGE TO THE MOOG

There's a big demand for vintage keyboards in these retro days, and one of the most sought-after synths is the Minimoog D, produced by Moog Music from 1970 to 1982. Robert Moog now operates a company called Big Briar, and it has introduced a significantly updated version of the Minimoog D called the Signature Edition Minimoog Voyager ($2,995). The new synth contains most of the features found on the original unit, along with MIDI I/O, extensive patching options, and a Tactex multidimensional touch surface.

The Minimoog Voyager is a monophonic analog synth with three voltage-controlled oscillators, dual lowpass resonant filters (with 2- or 4-pole response), a voltage-controlled amplifier, a noise source, and an audio preamplifier (for external audio signals). Modulation sources include two ADSR envelope generators and a multiwaveform LFO.

Like the original Minimoog, the Minimoog Voyager has a hinged, multiposition front panel, a stylish hardwood cabinet, and a 44-note keyboard — but unlike the original, the Voyager's keyboard produces pitch, gate, velocity, and pressure control outputs. Other features include a balanced output, a headphone jack, nine control-pedal inputs (count 'em), and much more. Big Briar; tel. (800) 948-1990 or (828) 251-0090; e-mail info@bigbriar.com; Web www.bigbriar.com.

THREE LITTLE AMPS

SWR is best known for producing professional bass amps; however, pro amps can be expensive and therefore out of reach for some bassists. Enter the LA Series of affordable bass combo amps. LA stands for “little amp,” and the three models in the series are just that. They combine SWR's basic preamp with controls for bass, mid, and treble frequencies; a headphone jack; a tuner output jack; and a mix/line input for playing along with an external sound source such as a CD player.

The 100W LA 15 ($499) has a 15-inch custom low-frequency driver and a piezo high-frequency tweeter; the 60W LA 12 ($399) has a 12-inch custom low-frequency driver and a piezo high-frequency tweeter; and the 30W LA 8 ($299) has a custom 8-inch driver. The three combo amps weigh 50, 36, and 20 pounds, respectively; are constructed of high-quality materials; and have heavy-duty handles for easy transportation. SWR Sound Corporation; tel. (818) 253-4797; e-mail support@swrsound.com; Web www.swrsound.com.

CYMBALS OF CONFORMITY

Canadian cymbal specialist Sabian has launched a major campaign for its Sonically Matched cymbal sets. For years the company has provided custom matched cymbal sets to the world's leading drummers, and now it is offering that service to the public. Sabian selects each set of cymbals from its vault and matches those sets for pitch, tone, and volume compatibility. The series includes several types of cymbals.

The four-piece HHX cymbal set ($995) includes a pair of 14-inch Stage Hats, a 16-inch Stage Crash, and a 20-inch Stage Ride. The HHX cymbals are made of B20 bronze and feature supersize hand-hammering, raw and unlathed bells, and a natural-finish surface. Those features combine with high-profile shaping to deliver tonally rich sounds with a high-end boost — what the company calls Tone Projection — letting them cut through a variety of music styles with clarity. Sabian; tel. (506) 272-2019; e-mail sabian@sabian.com; Web www.sabian.com.