Canadian Musician - May / June 2020 | Page 66

HOT GEAR Yamaha PSR-SX700 & PSR-SX900 Arranger Workstations PSR-SX900 Yamaha has released the PSR-SX700 and PSR-SX900, two 61-key arranger workstation keyboards for composing, arranging, and gigging. These all-in-one instruments, which replace the PSR-S775 and PSR-S975, respectively, inherit content and features from Genos, the company’s most advanced digital workstation keyboard. These more mid-priced keyboards are designed to make it easier to streamline creative fl ow, turn musical ideas into fully-arranged productions, and quickly recall them. The PSR-SX700 and PSR-SX900 both off er realistic and expressive Super Articulation Voices, with enhanced real-time control over a performance. Both share a 7-in. TFT touch screen that incorporates the same graphic user interface off ered on Genos, allowing users to easily navigate Voice and Style assignments, as well as assess and adjust other settings. Six new assignable controller buttons have been added beneath the touch screen, each of which can be assigned a desired function. A new joystick controller with modulation hold opens up expressive possibilities. For more information, contact Yamaha Canada Music: 416-298- 1311, www.ca.yamaha.com. Danelectro Back Talk Reverse Delay Pedal Reissue Danelectro has released the Back Talk pedal, a reissue of the original model fi rst launched in 1999. The same software and NOS chip processor that created the original sonic character is again featured in the new Back Talk. With Mix, Repeats, and Speed controls, it is a genuine reissue, producing the same tape-like reverse/delay sounds. It also now has a soft-action footswitch, large orange lens on/off indicator, and a wear-and-tear look with subtle dings on the metal case, scuff ed paint, and faded control knobs. Retaining the original Mix, Repeats, and Speed three-control layout, the Back Talk replaces the inconvenient process of operating tape machines by hand. The Mix control blends the wet and dry sig- nal, while Repeats sets the number of times the signal is voiced and also varies the depth, creating an echo eff ect, with the Speed control adjusting the delay time. For more information, contact D’Addario Canada: 905-947-9595, 800-268-6855, [email protected], www.daddariocanada.com. TZ Audio Stellar X2 Vintage Condenser Microphone TZ Audio Products has released the Stellar X2 Vintage large-capsule condenser microphone. At the core of the Stellar X2 Vintage is the classic ‘47-style capsule. This capsule produces a warm, mid-focused sound that the company says is “soothing” for many applications, including string instruments, as it brings out the warmth and mids rather than the highs. As for vocals, it prevents unwanted sounds such as sibilance. The X2 Vintage uses a high-quality JFET circuit similar to that found in the company’s standard Stellar X2 but with a few modifi cations to improve noise fl oor and transparency. The X2 Vintage’s capsule is made with the same tolerances and Japanese-imported mylar with TZ’s own gold sputtering technology that increases sensitivity and reduces thin sounds. For more information, contact TZ Audio Products: 424-337-0534, [email protected], www.techzoneaudioproducts.com. 66 CANADIAN MUSICIAN