MIX MASTER

Yamaha's MV800 ($899) is a versatile, compact, 2-rackspace analog mixer with one stereo and eight mono channels. Perfect for use with a small P.A. or as an expander/submixer, the MV800 sports some unusual features. Each of its eight mono channels has a mic preamp (with 48V phantom power), a balanced XLR input connector for mic or line use, a 2-band EQ, and a ¼-inch TRS insert point. The stereo channel lets you select between the A and B inputs.

On top of that, each channel has its own noise gate — perfect for keeping out unwanted noise and unwanted off-mic comments from disgruntled wanna-be lead vocalists. A global compressor affects all eight mono channels, and a paging feature ducks the music so you can, say, tell the owner of the blue Volkswagen van parked in the loading zone that his or her car was just towed.

Other features include signal and peak indicators, dual stereo outs (switchable to mono), stereo Record Out jacks, stacking jacks for combining two or more MV800s, and zone-assign switching. Yamaha; tel. (714) 522-9011; e-mail info@yamaha.com; Web www.yamaha.com/proaudio.

LOOK MA, NO CLAMS!

The diamond-shaped Ztar Diamond MkIII MIDI guitar controller ($2,695) is the latest and lightest from Starr Labs. The controller avoids many of the tracking and timing errors associated with conventional MIDI guitar controllers by employing what is essentially keyboard technology — so in theory, any wrong notes played will be your fault.

The versatile playing surface uses six velocity-sensing StringTriggers (strings of any type or gauge) and 12 expression pads, so you can play it like a traditional guitar or tap it like a keyboard or percussion instrument. The pads can be used to play notes or chords, trigger sequences, send MIDI Program Change and Control Change messages, and more. A NeckSensor pressure strip and breath controller are available as standard options.

You can custom order the Ztar Diamond MkIII with various combinations of pressure sensors, sliders, joysticks, ribbon controllers, and pots. Starr Labs; tel. (619) 233-6715; e-mail harvey@cts.com; Web www.starrlabs.com.

CRATE SKATER

What do you get when you cross a bass combo amp and a pair of in-line skates? Why, Crate's BFX100T ($699.99), of course. Based on Crate's popular BFX100 bass amp, the 100W BFX100T features a 15-inch bass driver, a high-frequency tweeter, a rear-ported cabinet, and rear-mounted in-line skate wheels for the ultimate in high-fashion trendiness and portability.

Why should guitarists have all the fun? The BFX100T includes effects such as slapback delay, echo, chorus and reverb, funk-wah, octave sub, and flanger, as well as an 8-band graphic EQ. Although the BFX100T is a solid-state amp, it sounds like a tube amp thanks to Crate's patented FlexWave technology.

If you want to practice late at night, just plug in a pair of headphones — that shuts off the internal speaker and reduces the likelihood of conflict with the neighbors. Crate; tel. (314) 727-4512; e-mail pstevenson@stlouismusic.com; Web www.crateamps.com.

GOOD GUYS FINISH AST

From the folks at B-Band in Finland comes the B-Band AST acoustic soundboard transducer ($149.95). The AST model 215015M transducer system provides an uncomplicated way to add a pickup system to acoustic guitar or to any acoustic instrument with an accessible interior. The pickup is installed inside the instrument using a strong but easily removable putty.

The lightweight and thin AST doesn't interfere with the instrument's acoustic properties. It produces a sound that is similar to a microphone's but capable of reaching high gain before feedback. The unit comes with B-Band's 2150 end-pin preamp, which can handle two ASTs and an optional sound-hole condenser microphone. B-Band; tel. (818) 508-9412; e-mail sales@b-bandusa.com; Web www.b-band.com.

TIME TO SWITCH

If you perform using more than one amp or more than one instrument and you want to save yourself some hassle, one of three new switching products from Lehle may be just what you've been looking for. These heavy-duty switchers are handmade in Germany and feature thick metal housings, gold-plated relays, and high-quality footswitches — and according to the manufacturer, they're totally transparent with no noise, hum, signal loss, or alteration in tone. Now that's a switch!

The Lehle Dual ($280) enables you to route an instrument's signal to either or both of two amplifiers. The 1@3 ($250) ups the ante to switching among three amps (A, B, or C), or two amps and one external effects loop. The 3@1 ($250) does the opposite, allowing players to plug in three instruments and route them (A, B, or C) to one amp. The 3@1's three inputs are routed (in stereo) to two parallel outputs, one of which can be used for a tuner. European Musical Imports; tel. (201) 594-0817; e-mail sales@europeanmusical.com; Web www.europeanmusical.com.

GOT TWINQ?

The TwinQcs ($999.99) is the latest outboard offering from British manufacturer Joemeek. The TwinQcs is a 2-rackspace dual-channel combination microphone preamp, optical compressor, and equalizer designed for use in studio and sound reinforcement applications.

Each of the TwinQcs's identical channels features a proprietary CurrentSense mic pre that self-optimizes to match any input signal, from condenser mics to high-impedance instruments. On the rear of the unit are balanced XLR and ¼-inch inputs, and on the front panel, you'll find a convenient ¼-inch instrument input.

Next comes the popular Joemeek optical compressor — which can be used in dual mono mode or linked for stereo operation — and a 3-band Meekqualizer. Although Joemeek products are usually thought of as retro, the TwinQcs can be easily upgraded to 24-bit, 96 kHz digital I/O using the VC1QD card ($199.99). PMI Audio Group (distributor); tel. (310) 373-9129; e-mail info@pmiaudio.com; Web www.joemeek.com.

A REAL HEADTUNER

In an effort to take the mystery out of drum tuning, noted drumhead company Evans offers the Magnetic-Head Drum Set Torque Key ($29.99). This ergonomically designed drum key features a head that is slip-resistant magnetized and that holds it in place for fast tightening and loosening. The key even stays in place without rattling if you leave it on a drum lug while playing.

You can set the key to a specific tension, eliminating guesswork when you have to tune up on the fly, say, at that big showcase gig. Simply set the key's torque handle to the desired tension, and when the lug reaches that tension, it releases. Voilà! More accurate and consistent tuning. Evans Drumheads; tel. (631) 439-3300; e-mail mail@evansdrumheads.com; Web www.evansdrumheads.com.

WHAT'S YOUR BEEF?

Watch out, Ted Nugent! It looks like there's another player in the musician beef-jerky arena. Brought to you by DAP World — the same company that gave the world Hearos hearing protectors — Rock 'n' Roll Jerky ($1.99 per package) is a low-fat, high-protein snack targeted at musicians. The teriyaki-flavored jerky contains no MSG, nitrites, or preservatives, and, according to the manufacturer, is moist and has a good “chew factor.”

Rock 'n' Roll Jerky can be ordered in various quantities and is available exclusively on the Internet at the company's Web site. Now all that's needed is a tofu snack for vegetarian musicians. DAP World; e-mail info@dapworld.com; Web www.rocknrolljerky.com.

TWO NEW KEYS

Roland has produced the affordable RS-9 88-note weighted keyboard ($1,295) and RS-5 61-note nonweighted keyboard ($795) with ease of use and style in mind. Each instrument boasts a 32 MB wave memory, featuring waveforms derived from Roland's XV-Series synths and SR-JV80-Series Wave Expansion Boards, along with some new waveforms. Onboard effects include independent reverb, chorus, and an enhanced multi-effects processor. The units' Category Search function makes finding sounds easier, allowing you to locate sounds by type, such as Piano, Bass, and Drums. You can even store your favorite sounds in the aptly named Favorite Performance Bank.

For those who are fond of tweaking in public, six knobs are provided for real-time control over a number of parameters, including filter cutoff, resonance, and envelopes. The onboard arpeggiator (similar to the one in the Roland XV-88) can sync to MIDI clock and offers 45 patterns, including one that simulates guitar strumming. These lightweight synthesizers (the RS-9 weighs 23.81 lb.; the RS-5, 13.25 lb.) feature attractive brushed aluminum front panels and General MIDI 2 compatibility. Roland; tel. (323) 890-3700; Web www.rolandus.com.

NORD-BY-NORTHWEST

Sure, your ideal keyboard setup might involve a Hammond B-3, a Fender Rhodes, a Clavinet, a Wurlitzer, and more. But if you don't have the available stage space, an Everest-size budget, and a massive road crew, you may instead be interested in one keyboard that can do it all: Clavia's Nord Electro. Available in traditional-looking wood-paneled 61-key ($2,199) and 73-key ($2,399) models, the Electro leaves the orchestra hits and synth-brass patches to other keyboards, focusing instead only on tasty and timeless electro-mechanical keyboard sounds that will warm up any groove. For starters, the Electro has a fully polyphonic organ setting based on a digital simulation of the 91 mechanical tone wheels of the Hammond B-3, and it has nine electric LED-button-based drawbars with memory functionality.

The Nord Electro also offers multisampled tones from the Clavinet D6 and Yamaha CP-80 Electric Grand, Rhodes Mk II, and Wurlitzer 200A pianos. A plethora of onboard effects include overdrive, rotary-speaker simulation, chorus, flange, and tremolo, to name just a few. The Electro also has MIDI In and Out connectors and a USB port for fast and easy downloading of new sounds from the internet. Armadillo Enterprises; tel. (727) 519-9669; e-mail info@armadilloent.com; Web www.armadilloent.com.

SYNTHFUL BEHAVIOR

If you lust for fat, funky analog synth-bass tones flying from your fingertips, try plugging your bass into the Akai SB1 Deep Impact Synth Pedal ($299). With the stomp of a foot, the SB1 converts an ordinary bass guitar signal into four-oscillator synth-bass tones that are sinfully delicious when served hot in funk, disco, or electronica grooves. You can even use the SB1 to generate cool tones that are useful in styles like rock, trip-hop, or weirdo sci-fi. You can also get interesting sounds using the SB1 with other instruments like electric guitar. Tweaking parameters such as filter cutoff, filter resonance, and envelope filter is easy, as is storing customized sounds in the nine user-programmable preset slots. Wet-to-dry balance level is fully controllable. Akai; tel. (817) 831-9203; e-mail info@akaipro.com; Web www.akaipro.com

GREAT FOR CLUBBING

If by the end of your band's set you tend to leave drum kits looking like piles of kindling and scrap metal, you might be interested in Precision Beats' Carbon Fiber Kit ($10,650). Not only would Keith Moon have a tough time chipping, scratching, or denting these shells, he'd also have a tough time getting a bad sound out of them. Each drum is 8- or 10-ply sanded maple, ensuring drum tones that are natural, resonant, and loud. In addition, the carbon fiber (fused to the exterior of each shell by a vacuum and heat-lamination process) takes out unwanted ringing without the use of expensive heads, duct tape, Dead Ringers, or other dampening devices.

Perfect for drummers who play hard-edged music, the Carbon Fiber Kit comes standard with two 18" × 22" bass drums, three suspended rim-mounted rack toms (the biggest is 16" × 16"), and a 5.5" × 14" snare. The set comes complete with hardware, including rim mounts, tom bracket, hoops, heads, pro spurs, double-braced tom stands, a 360-degree-tilt snare stand, and Precision Beats' solid aluminum lugs with lifetime-guaranteed stainless-steel threads. Custom cases are available. Precision Beats; tel. (610) 439-0229; e-mail atownprec@cs.com; Web www.precisionbeats.com.