GEAR ROUND UP
Catacombs & Syntax Pedals by Wampler Donner Hush X-Pro Guitar
Shure SM39 Headset Condenser Microphone
Bigger isn’ t always better, especially in the realm of guitar effects and pedalboard space. I expected the new Catacombs($ 299.97) to be much bigger than it was when it arrived for review. The Catacombs by Wampler is a two effects pedal in one device with many subsounds under each category. For the Reverb side of Catacombs, you have shimmer reverb( great for Praise effect), plate reverb, spring reverb( my favorite), room reverb and hall reverb. For the Delay side of the pedal Wampler offers analog, bucket brigade, faux tape echo, echo space delay and digital delay. Sound changes are achieved by holding down the footswitch buttons and tap tempo also. The Catacombs can retain eight presets at once for you to access and it can output stereo or mono. The pedal can be routed independently so that you can loop in pedals between the Catacombs effects or inline. Wampler loaded his favorite delays from the Metaverse pedal into the Catacombs. To make effects and preset selection easier the SYNTAX($ 99.97) MIDI program and tap tempo pedal can be connected to the MIDI section of Catacombs. SYNTAX can be used with other effects and amplifier selectors with MIDI, Tap and Latch selections too. Catacombs delivers studio quality effects with Reverb and Delay in a single configuration and the flexibility of the SYNTAX for playing live is well worth the added cost! www. wamplerpedals. com
For Uber portable electric guitar travel it is hard to beat the new Donner Hush X-Pro. For the Worship Leader BUYER’ S GUIDE we received the Satin Black finish model that looks sleek and feels great in your hands. This new model has many of the features that the past Donner Hush models have but it also has important new updates. These include Custom Alnico V Pickups with a single coil in the neck position and humbucker in the bridge, expanded DXP built-in effects with guitar model simulation, amp modeling and IR support. Having one control knob for turning on the DXP and for switching effects is very helpful. I’ m also a fan of the new rounded fret edges on the neck making playing more comfortable. All of the built-in effects sounded great and are usable, but the guitar also delivers in bypass with no added effects. The toggle switch provides pickup selection, and the volume / tone knobs are stacked. The only request that I would make of Donner is if the OLED screen could be a bit larger or if there was an App for your smartphone where you could adjust via that and Bluetooth. With the quick release frame pieces stored the gig bag isn’ t much bigger than a pool cue bag. And the headless Donner X-Pro guitar package includes charging cable, picks, strap, earbuds and a polishing cloth priced at $ 469.99. Ideal guitar for travel, beginning players or intermediate and the price is right. www. us. donnermusic. com
For handsfree vocals Shure has just released the new SM39 with TA4F connector. Priced at $ 399 the SM39 has performer requested features including an ergonomic design with low-profile behind the neck and over ears attachment. The microphone is a cardioid polar pattern with 20 + db off axis rejection to avoid ambient stage noise from other instruments and unwanted vocals. Besides incredible sound response the SM39 has a flexible and adjustable boom to position the microphone precisely where you want it and it stays in place. A hydrophobic coating makes the microphone and frame resistant to sweat and other stage related moisture. The Shure SM39 includes double or single attachment pop filters, and a mic clip attaches the cable to your clothes. With TA4F connectivity the SM39 is compatible with Shure wireless transmitters and most other brands. For comfort and sound reinforcement the new Shure SM39 Headset microphone is powerful piece of audio equipment. www. shure. com
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