Product Reviews

We've found the mymix system to work extremely well for us in the church context. For starters, it enables the musicians to be able to control 16 inputs. This alone is a wonderful feature, considering we came from a system with only 7 input controls. But our musicians have also really enjoyed the other features of each individual mixer: personal EQ, onboard effects, pan, etc. During the first rehearsal with the new system, our electric guitar player and drummer were already trying to convince the rest of the band to try new effects they had discovered. Very intuitive interface...our band was able to use the system immediately with very little direct instruction. Further, the mixers accept an sd card, which can record every individual track for later remixing or personal rehearsal. This feature is simply amazing. But perhaps most impressive is the quality of the sound. The mymix delivers superb quality audio, enabling our musicians to play to their fullest potential. We've been extremely pleased with the overall system thus far. It has been our best tech investment for quite some time.

Jason Wilson, Worship Pastor, the Journey at First Baptist, Orange City, Florida

For more information on MyMix, please click here, or call 800-747-7301.

The Tech 21 SansAmp Character Series VT Bass

by Jacob Roberts

There are many good sounding bass amps out there, and I've had a couple nice ones of my own (Ashdown, Ampeg, Eden to be specific). However, when recording I have rarely used a bass amp and as a result end up getting a very clean but fairly sterile sound. I know many friends that like to plug direct into the DI when playing live and also end up with very little "character" in their tone.

I guess using the word "character" is a good segue into the Character Series from Tech 21. I came across the VT Bass pedal and was originally drawn to the cosmetic of the box. It looked like an SVT grill, which I thought was cool, so I tried it.

I could go on and on but let me just say that I have never encountered a pedal (or amp that wasn't filled with tubes and weighed a hundred pounds) that gave me that "dynamic grit" when I played it. By "dynamic grit" I mean that when you dig into the string you get a response that has power, meaning and yes... Character.

I have turned a few friends onto this pedal and they all use it as a direct preamp. I do this as well when recording and in live situations use it as the front end going into my Ashdown MAG300. It has become an integral part of my bass rig.

And if you need more information or desire to add one of the VT Bass pedals to your rig, please call 800-747-7301 or visit our online store now.

Tech21 SansAmp Character Series Blonde

by Jacob Roberts

OK, let's just say I am skeptical of any guitar pedal that proposes to emulate tubes and/or sound like any particular amp. It's a bit gimmicky to me. So I have to say my first choice regarding a new pedal would not have been the Tech 21 Blonde. However, after hearing the buzz surrounding the entire Tech 21 Character series I decided to give the Blonde pedal a try and am most happy I did.

First of all, I can't get over the amount of power in each knob. Truly, each knob does something from 0 to 10... you hear it. That means I have been able to dial in tones ... unique tones at that... to my liking, and with extreme precision. I have no idea what the "Character" knob really does, but I sure like where it takes me.

As a result, I have been able to dial in the most warm and fat R&B tone one could ask for and then grit the thing out like a 70's Bassman. Recently, I set up this pedal to be a lead boost... but not just any lead boost. Many times when you introduce some level of lead boost for sustain and volume you get an unwanted sizzle along with it. The Blonde has given me the warm sustained "buttery" lead tone with harmonic character that I have desired for years to go with my Marshall.

A friend of mine leads a large praise and worship band where he runs the Blonde pedal direct and raves about the results. I have actually done the same, and can attest the sound translates very well. In other words, I could easily do a gig without an amp.

And if you need more information or desire to add one of the Blonde pedals to your rig, please call 800-747-7301 or visit our online store now.