Monthly Archives: October 2012

Protection Racket Goes Hi-tech with the Launch of New iPad/Tablet Case

Protection Racket has launched a new case for the discerning musician looking for a multi-function, lightweight bag to protect their iPad/Tablet and carry-on items. The new slim line case has been designed specifically around the iPad /Tablet for perfect protection and ease of transport.

Made from their super durable Protection Racket Racketex, used on all their road tested cases, the high abrasion polyester won’t fade, crack or shrink and is 100% waterproof. The case incorporates many other much loved Protection Racket features such as superior dual density Propadd foam for maximum protection, black velvetex cotton lining, ergonomic neoprene carry handle and an adjustable, detachable padded shoulder strap.

The new case will keep your iPad/Tablet safe and sound and guard it from bumps, scratches, shock and other damage. It’s dimensions are 28cm/11” (H) by 20.5cm/8” (W) by 5cm/2” (D) and it comes with a dedicated pocket for the iPad/Tablet, two generous front pockets and another pocket on the back. It is finished with rugged zips and fastenings and its design blends cool style with functionality at an affordable price of £39.99/$59.99.

To find out more about how to protect your valuables visit www.protectionracket.co.uk.

Protection Racket iPad/Tablet Case Protection Racket iPad/Tablet Case

Nitin Sawhney ‘In Conversation’ at The Institute

On November 27th 2012, the Institute welcomes British Indian musician, producer and composer Nitin Sawhney for an ‘In Conversation With’ talk at its London facilities. The talk will take place during an Outreach Event the Institute is hosting with BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors), as part of its developing partnership with the association.

Now signed to Universal Publishing, Nitin has made 9 studio albums, been nominated for a Mercury Music prize, received an Ivor Novello nomination, and won a MOBO, two BBC Radio 3 awards and a Southbank Show award. He has also scored over 50 films for cinema and television. His career spans production and composition work with Sting, Cirque Du Soleil, Shakira, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Taio Cruz, Imogen Heap, Anoushka Shankar and many others.

This event demonstrates the Institute’s commitment to supporting the creation of original music and engaging with and recognising the positive influence of differing musical cultures. BASCA has been developing an outreach project with Diaspora, the music foundation that supports the wealth of musical talent found throughout the UK’s diverse communities. The project’s goal is to build stronger relationships with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) music creators and represent a broader range of musical genres.

This unique event will include a short presentation by BASCA followed by the ‘In Conversation With’ talk with Nitin. It is free for invited guests from Diaspora and Institute students who will benefit from an exclusive opportunity to hear from arguably the busiest, most versatile and most sought after composer and producer around.

For further information on this event or other Institute activities and courses, please contact:

Nitin Sawhney

Posted in Education, Events, Music, News

Rotosound Seeks Your Help Remembering nearly 50 years of History

Rotosound is seeking help from their thousands of customers, artists, dealers, retailers, shops, journalists, tour mangers and anyone else who has been involved with it over the years, to help piece together over 50 years of history.

The Rotosound team would like to hear stories or memories from anyone who has used their strings since the 60’s and are also keen to see any old pictures, adverts or any other memorabilia that people would be interested in sharing with them.

Recently Rotosound came across a 1976 copy of Beat Instrumental featuring an advert depicting Queen’s Brian May and John Deacon using their strings. Other iconic artists known for using their strings includes Paul McCartney using the RS88LD strings on the Beatles White Album and some of the early ACDC albums. It would be great to have pictures or stories from these sessions.

Jason How, Rotosound CEO, explained ‘Rotosound has been a huge part of the British Music Scene for over 50 years working with some of the greats including Jimi Hendrix, John Entwistle and Humphrey Littleton to name but a few. We would like to commemorate this history and share it with the many people who have been a part of this legacy. Rotosound were pioneers in the manufacture of strings for instruments back in the 1960’s when musicians were looking for a specific sound or concept – we are still innovating today.’

There are sounds that re-awaken forgotten memories, and that sense maybe key to your helping Rotosound rediscover its history. Did you work at Rotosound back in the 1960’s with James How, were you one of the many artists or musicians that came to him seeking help in obtaining that elusive tone, did you sell their strings? If you have a story to share, memories to impart, any memorabilia to reveal please contact jason@rotosound.com – we would love to hear from you.

To find out more about Rotosound and its strings and accessories visit www.rotosound.com.

Rotosound 1976 Beat Instrumental Queen Advert

Posted in Bass, Guitar, News, Strings

Orange Amplification Presents The Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2012

Orange Amplification proudly presents The Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2012. This annual star-studded awards ceremony celebrates the world’s greatest rock icons, performers, musicians and songwriters. It will be held at The Roundhouse, Camden, Londonon the 13th November 2012 with rock legend and Orange endorsee Duff McKagan hosting the evening.

Managing Director, Damon Waller, commenting said: “This is our second year as the headline sponsor and our partnership with the awards reflects our long association with supplying amps to the biggest bands in Classic Rock for over forty years.”

The Living Legend Award, which is also sponsored by Orange, is only ever awarded to those artists who have truly cemented their place in the rock hall of fame. Previous winners include Alice Cooper, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and this year it has been awarded to ZZ Top who, with a career spanning over forty years, have sold more than fifty million albums and continue to sell out arena tours around the world. ZZ Top is also nominated for the Band Of The Year award.

Orange Amplification endorsees, Phantom Limb, Tracer and Ghost are nominated for Best New Band. Other Orange endorsees nominated include Mastodon in the Album Of The Year category and rock legends Rush in the Album Of The Year and Band Of The Year categories.

You can vote for your favourites at www.classicrockmagazine.com/awards

To find out more about the Orange gear and their artists nominated for this year’s awards visit www.orangeamps.com.

Orange Classic Rock Awards

Posted in Amplification, Events, News

Maven Peal® Releases Player’s Guides on ebook platforms

Maven Peal Instruments, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Guide and The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Troubleshooting Guide on kindle, nook, ipad and iphone (Troubleshooting Guide only) platforms.

Paperback versions of the two guides have received rave reviews:

  • The Guitar Amplifier Player’s Guide

“… offers a wealth of information… on biasing, impedance matching, speakers, tube saturation, and classic tube amps… this easy-to-understand guide is well worth the investment.
Art ThompsonGuitar Player magazine, October 2010, p. 30

“Zimmerman focuses on how to make them [amps] sound better, using straightforward mods… There are charts, a glossary of terms, and in-depth discussion of cords and cables, but arguably the best thing is that it offers something for everyone.” Vintage Guitar magazine, February 2011, p. 132

  • The Guitar Amplifer Player’s Troubleshooting Guide

“Amplifier issues on a gig or session can be a real buzz kill, but this new book can help save the day (or night) by providing quick solutions to a multitude of maladies.”
Art ThompsonGuitar Player magazine, July 2011, p. 31

Maven Peal Instruments, Inc. uses nonlinear analysis (chaos theory) to design audio and musical instrument amplifiers. For more information on The Guitar Amplifier Player’s GuideThe Guitar Amplifier Player’s Troubleshooting Guide, the Zeeta, Ganesha, RG88 or other Maven Peal products, contact Kathy Bizzoco at 802-793-4879kathy@mavenpealpeal.com, or visit Maven Peal at www.mavenpeal.com.

New Artists Join Orange Amplification’s Roster

Orange Amplification’s world class roster of artists continues to attract the best talent in the business and Orange are proud to announce a number of new artists from around the world joining their roster.

Madonna and her guitarist Monte Pittman famously have used Orange Amps for years and now pop divas J-lo’s Guitarist Adam Hawley and Pink’s resident guitarist Kat Lucas have also become Orange Amplification endorsees. Adam is playing guitar on the current J-lo arena Dance Again arena tour following the release of Dance Again greatest hits album.

Paloma Faith’s bassist, Andrea Goldsworthy will now be playing bass with her Orange Amp when she hits the road on the up-and-coming Fall To Grace tour. Brittany Howard, front woman for the southern rockers, Alabama Shakes has been using her Orange Amps to help take the band from virtual unknowns to festival headliners in less than a year.

Reflecting the global reach of Orange Amplification the promising band Kolor from Hong Kong has guitarists, Sammy So and Robin Law, and bassist Ko Fung with Orange Amps – truly a colourful rock band! Norwegian heavy metal with punk rockers Turbonegro now have their guitarist Rune Gronn using Orange Amps on their newly released album.

Both guitarists, Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard and bass player Jason Black of the American post hardcore / punk rock band, Hot Water Music, have all become Orange endorsees. You can hear their Orange tinted sound on their new album Exister, the first since they reunited back in 2007. AWOLNation, the break out band of 2011 with a hit album and two billboard charting singles will all be using Orange Amplification on their 2012 European tour which includes the first UK date in thirteen years!

Other artists joining the Orange Roster include Australian Sam Lockwood of Jezabels, Callum Adamson of Ahab, Tim Alexander and Jordan Fish of Worship, Garett Stoltz from Tenyson, Jamie Lovatt, Harry King from Romance, Rodrigo Gonzalez of the German band Die Arzte, Lacey of Asteroid Boys plus Juha Raivo, Markus Jameson and Matti Honkonen from the Finnish band Swallow The Sun.

To see the full list of new artists signings please visit the Orange website at www.orangeamps.com.

Kat Lucas Andrea Goldsworthy

Posted in Amplification, Bass, Guitar, News

Protection Racket Cases Announces New Endorsee Keith Carlock

Keith Carlock joins the illustrious Protection Racket roster choosing to use their cases to protect his drum kit and gear.

Keith is well known for being one of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in the world. His list of credits includes some of the biggest artists on the planet and these include Sting, The Blues Brothers, Steely Dan, Oz Noy, Diana Ross and many, many more. He has been described as an impeccable, creative musician who is powerful as well as sensitive, lightening fast and graceful with it. This summer he can be seen touring Europe with Rudder and Japan with legendary guitarist Larry Carlton.

Protection racket cases have always stood out from the crowd rather than be a part of it. They have made their name by being tough, light and very durable which is why so many drummers chose to use them. They have been described as quality protection for drums, ingeniously designed whilst also good to look at. You will be able to see Protection Racket cases on tour throughout the year at all major festivals and gigs across the globe.

Keith joins other recent new Protection Racket endorsees including Peter Erskine, Abe Laboriel Jnr, Clem Burke and Elbow’s Pete Jupp.

To find out more about the seriously cool stuff Protection Racket has to offer all drummers visit www.protectionracket.co.uk.

Keith Carlock