Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 543

MakeMusic has released version 25 of their popular music notation software, Finale. The new update carries several improvements including the transition to being a 64-bit application, making it more efficient and capable of handling 64-bit sound libraries. It also includes improved workflow and program support. “Features added in this release include transposed note entry, large time signatures, an incredible playback...

Chris Kollias wrote in to share his new bass from 39 Custom Guitars, and it’s a beauty. The CK Canorous is a 5-string that the bassist wanted to cover a wide tonal palette. “The main purpose of this instrument is to cover a wide variety of sounds according to the demanding needs,” Kollias said. “The neck is made of white...

Bass monster Evan Brewer shows his awe-inspiring bass line for Entheos’s “New Light” in this bass-centric playthrough. If you know Evan, you know this one is going to be a wild ride. He varies between several advanced techniques, including the heaviest slap line you’ve ever heard and a harmonically rich two-handed tapping section, to create a beautiful contrast in the...

After introducing the EFX version earlier this year, Radial is continuing to work on its Bigshot pedal series with a new redesign of the Bigshot i/o. The stompbox is a instrument selector that allows for switching between two basses plugged into the same amp. Each input can be selected quickly via footswitch. Input 2 is fitted with a level control...

Ubass connoisseur Magnus Sjöquist sent us an all-bass version of a Swedish folk song called “Visa från utanmyra”, and it’s beautiful. “My version is inspired by the lovely version by Swedish pianist Jan Johansson and upright bassist Georg Riedel,” he told us. “It is featured on the album Jazz på svenska (Jazz in Swedish) released in 1964.” Sjöquist plays both...

Carlos Santana has formed a new jazz-rock supergroup called Mega Nova, and it promises to be incredible. The legendary guitarist has recruited an equally legendary band including keyboardist Herbie Hancock, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, and bassist Marcus Miller. Mega Nova will make their debut during a one-off concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California on...

NS Design has teamed up with Mi-Si Electronics Design to introduce the NXTa Active series of instruments, including versions of the company’s Omni Bass and Double Bass models. Central to the new series is the introduction of battery-free, high-performance active electronics. The circuitry works is powered by plugging into a wall socket for one minute at a time. “Operationally, for...

While their summer tour may be winding down and the Fur Peace Ranch workshops are wrapping up, Hot Tuna is still in full gear. The dynamic duo of Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen have announced a Fall run of acoustic and electric performances that will focus on the East and West Coasts. Electric Hot Tuna dates will include the drumming...

I love it when bass players get together to jam, especially when they’re on such a high level of musicianship like Alex Spradling and Marco Panascia. In this clip, the double bass duo have a blast while tearing through the classic Thelonious Monk standard “I Mean You”, and their joy is infectious. Each bassist lays down solid walking lines and...

Bassist Preston Hubbard, who held down the low end for the Fabulous Thunderbirds, has passed away. He was 63 years old. Hubbard was born in Providence, Rhode Island and picked up the bass at 14 years old. He joined Roomful of Blues as a young man, where he was part of the first backing band for the Blues Brothers. In...

Fender has gotten into the mobile tuner game with Fender Tune, a free iOS guitar and bass tuner app. The app has auto tune and manual tune features as well as a chromatic mode for tuning flexibility. It has 20 pre-set tuning options plus the ability to dial in and save custom tunings. Besides being a tuner, the app is...

Tech 21 has announced a new version of their flagship SansAmp Bass Driver DI. The Version 2 model retains all of the functionality of the original while adding features to better suit modern players. The all-analog pedal now has a switch for the bass frequency to select between 80Hz and 40Hz, which the company says helps 5- and 6-string players...