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Archive for March 2012 - Page 5

Amazing Slow Downer: A Look at the Transcription App for iOS
Apps

Amazing Slow Downer: A Look at the Transcription App for iOS

While I have reviewed a few different “slow downer”-type apps (including Robick and Capo), I recently gave Roni Music’s Amazing Slow Downer a try and have to say that I’m mightily impressed. I had used ASD years ago in college and found the original version of the software (shareware at that time) to be useful but, ultimately, unstable. For that...

Jeff Beck and Upp: “She’s A Woman”, Live (1974)
Bass Videos

Jeff Beck and Upp: “She’s A Woman”, Live (1974)

In August 1974, Jeff Beck took the stage for a session on BBC-2’s “Music on Two” program. Beck fronted the British rock-jazz group Upp, anchored by bassist Stephen Amazing. While the camera never really focuses on Amazing, his awesome (amazing?) bass playing can be heard loud and clear. Here, the group performs an instrumental take on the Beatles’ “She’s A...

Top 10: The Week’s Top Bass Gear, Videos and News, Plus Bass of the Week, Custom Shop and Fingers vs. Picks
Weekly Top 10

Top 10: The Week’s Top Bass Gear, Videos and News, Plus Bass of the Week, Custom Shop and Fingers vs. Picks

Last week, No Treble readers enjoyed a variety of gear features, including news from AC Guitars, and the release of their J-Type models, as well as our latest Custom Shop cover story on Wilkins Guitars and the unique and odd bass of the week – the one string Atlansia Solitaire. The top bass videos featured Richard Bona doing just about...

Sandberg Introduces Electra Vs 4 Bass at Musikmesse
Basses

Sandberg Introduces Electra Vs 4 Bass at Musikmesse

Lots of exciting things are showing up this year for Europe’s Musikmesse trade show, including the Sandberg Electra Vs 4. While the wood, routing, and varnish processes take place in Korea to keep prices down, the bass is assembled and checked for quality control at the company’s headquarters in Germany. The Electra Vs 4 features bolt-on construction with a basswood...

Adrenaline Mob Releases “Omerta”; Announces Tour
New Albums

Adrenaline Mob Releases “Omerta”; Announces Tour

Adrenaline Mob, the band formed by ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen and guitarist Mike Orlando, have released their first full album, Omerta. As we mentioned last month, Disturbed bassist John Moyer has joined as a full-time member of the group. Moyer replaced the band’s original bassist, Paul DiLeo (Fozzy), who left to pursue another project....

John Scofield Trio with Steve Swallow: “Someone To Watch Over Me”, Live (2010)
Bass Videos

John Scofield Trio with Steve Swallow: “Someone To Watch Over Me”, Live (2010)

A perfect video and song for a Sunday afternoon (or any time, really). In November, 2010, John Scofield took the stage with bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bill Stewart at Forum Leverkusen. Here’s the trio performing “Someone To Watch Over Me”. So great to see the master bassist still bringing it after all these years of wowing us. Swallow takes...

Ansir Introduces Imperial and Imperial SL Basses
Basses

Ansir Introduces Imperial and Imperial SL Basses

Ansir Music has unveiled all-new designs for their custom basses, with the introduction of the Imperial line. The Imperial and Imperial SL models feature ergonomic contouring and the company’s patented “Ansir Industry Standard Playing Angle,” which puts the neck in a more natural playing position. While the two models are very similar, Ansir founder Jody Michael explained the SL (or...

Jack Bruce Documentary: On Life & Music (2012)
Player News

Jack Bruce Documentary: On Life & Music (2012)

BBC 2-Scotland recently aired this hour-long documentary on the life and music of bassist Jack Bruce. The documentary includes interviews with Bootsy Collins, U2’s Adam Clayton and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, as well as Bruce’s band mates Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker. Bruce returned to Scotland for the documentary, and re-recorded six songs he calls pivotal to his...

Petros Klampanis: Solo Double Bass Arrangement of Skylark
Bass Videos

Petros Klampanis: Solo Double Bass Arrangement of Skylark

Petros Klampanis sent us this video of his solo bass arrangement for the jazz standard ballad “Skylark.” This track is also featured on his solo debut album, Contextual. Klampanis plays the head in a “Boleroish” way before busting out the looper at the end for a mesmerizing vamp.

L’il Brats Bass Method
Sheet Music & Instruction

L’il Brats Bass Method

Bassist and private instructor Brian Emmel has been teaching bass for over 20 years. As he set out to teach young kids how to play the bass, he realized there was nothing on the market that suited them. So he decided to write L’il Brats Bass Method, a method book designed for kids 9 years and up. “In the last...

N-Audio Introduces Tube Preamp DI Box
Accessories & Strings

N-Audio Introduces Tube Preamp DI Box

Bulgarian boutique electronics company N-Audio has released a new Tube Preamp DI Box. Built to expand the abilities of a DI to include a preamp, the device features a pair of tubes and an output transformer with two independent secondary coils that allow for two balanced outputs: one XLR and one 1/4?. The guys at N-Audio explain the preamp is...

Repeat After Me: Metronomes (and Drum Machines) Are Fun
I Wish I Knew That

Repeat After Me: Metronomes (and Drum Machines) Are Fun

First things first, I’m not trying to open a “metronome debate.” I’m also not trying to lecture people about using (or not using) a metronome during their practice sessions. Instead, I’m going to shed some light on why and how metronomes can be useful tools when it comes to practicing and experimenting with your instrument. We’ll examine the differences between...