START ME UP!
Five new products to fuel your GAS this month…
TWO NOTES TORPEDO CAPTOR X
1 The acclaimed Universal Audio Ox could have some serious competition here – especially when it comes to price. The Torpedo Captor X is for players who want to enjoy a great sound from their tube amp whether they’re playing onstage, at home or in a recording environment. This is a compact reactive load box, attenuator and mic’d cabinet simulator in one. A solution for going direct without a cab or enjoying a loud amp at lower levels. (£469,www.two-notes.com)
NOBELS ODR-1 BC
2 Don’t be fooled by the green livery – this certainly ain’t no Tube Screamer clone. Those in the know will swear by the ODR-1, as it’s a cult classic overdrive trusted by session players for its transparency and wide range Spectrum control – it increases bass and treble at the same time. But this 2020 edition adds a bass cut switch under the battery cover for increased low-end shaping. Also added is the capability to run on 9 or 18v for extra headroom. (£99,www.nobels.de)
DIMARZIO JIM ROOT CLIPLOCK QUICK RELEASE STRAP
3 Can’t stump up the readies for the new Fender signature Jazzmaster from Slipknot’s #4? There is still hope. Cliplock straps feature heavy-duty clips that secure to your guitar with bushings, providing super-secure fastening and allowing players to change from one guitar to another with just “a little fingertip pressure”. It’s available in black or white with Jim’s red ’Knot insignia – there’s a standard strap version too. ($29.99www.dimarzio.com)
KORG NU:TEKT OD-S NUTUBE OVERDRIVE KIT
4 Imagine Lego but for guitarists – this build-your-own overdrive pedal is probably the closest thing we’ve found. And without the need for a soldering iron, too. It must be easy because we had a go ourselves at NAMM and managed it in under the quoted 45-minute assembly time. The finished OD-S packs an analogue triode vacuum tube for warmth and harmonic detail. The Nu:tekt line also includes a headphone amp (£269) and synthesizer kit (£99). (£219,www.korg.com)
IK MULTIMEDIA IRIG PRO DUO I/O
5 It’ s been 10 years since the first irig and although this isn’t being touted as an anniversary model, it’s certainly worthy of it on paper withdual-channel recording for iphone, ipad, Android and Mac/pcforaudioormidi. Beyond guitar it offers simultaneous scope formic input (XLR is catered for), bass, keyboards… the possibilities go on and on. the pro duo’ s updated micpreampswi th increased gain and au sb-c cable to keep up to date with the latest devices. (£169,www.ikmultimedia.com)