All posts by JenThorpe

Kiesel Guitars Introduces New Cyber Model

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Kiesel Guitars has introduced their newest solid body electric guitar: the Kyber.

With its modern performance specs and competitive pricing, the Cyber is Kiesel’s most forward-thinking design yet, engineered for comfort, quick playing, and precision with every note.

Engineered with a lightweight body to reduce fatigue during long performances without sacrificing tone. Six-string Kybers, configured with the standard woods and a fixed bridge, weigh in at 6 pounds or under on average.

Unique shape made for ergonomic comfort in any playing position and enhanced classical position.

The Kyber’s feature Kiesel’s most extreme arm contour and a uniquely shaped body that enhances classical position support while still excelling in standard position.

The new minimalist yet aggressive headstock pairs perfectly with the body’s sleek lines, giving the Kyber a balanced, modern silhouette.

Hidden strap buttons mounted on the rear for excellent balance while giving a clean, ultra-modern look to the front.

Lower horn cutaway design for maximum access to the upper frets.

Sculpted neck heel for seamless playing.

Available in 6 or 7 strings, fixed or tremolo in both standard and multi scale configurations. Choose between fixed bridges, tremolos, or multi scale configurations for your perfect setup.

Pricing for the Cyber starts at $1599 and will vary depending on the options and features. Learn more about Kiesel’s new Kyber model at kieselguitars.com.

Empress Effects Releases Dedicated EQ Pedal For Base Instruments

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Empress Effects is proud to announce the release of the Bass ParaEq, a bass-specific parametric EQ pedal.

Building on the success of their acclaimed ParaEq MKII series, which has already gained popularity with bassists, the Bass ParaEq offers the same studio-grade precision but with features tailored for bass instruments.

Basses of all types — including electric and upright basses with active and passive electronics – can benefit from the Bass ParaEq offers the same studio-grade precision but with features tailored for bass instruments. 

Basses of all types – including electric and upright basses with active and passive electronics – can benefit from the Bass ParaEq’s tone-sculpting capabilities.

The new pedal follows the success of the Empress Bass Compressor and ParaEq MKII Deluxe, which have become some of the company’s best-reviewed and top-selling products. The Bass Compressor’s popularity confirmed what Empress had long suspected:  Bassists are eager for tolls built with their needs in mind, not just adaptations of guitar gear.

The Bass ParaEq retains the line’s powerful 3-band parametric EQ and studio-style features while introducing a base-optimized frequency layout, a selectable 10MΩ Hi-Z input for piezo-equipped instruments, a dynamically-adjusted low shelf, and automatic balanced output detection — perfect for live and studio use alike.

The Base ParaEq also offers an output boost, adjustable by a dedicated top-mounted knob and activated by its own footswitch, capable of delivering up to 30dB of boost. It’s perfect for helping your bass punch through during key moments in live performance.

Whether dialing in clarity for a dense mix of compensating for an unfamiliar venue, the Bass ParaEQ offers precise tonal control in a compact, road-ready form. With 27V of internal headroom to prevent clipping from even the hottest active pickups, the Bass ParaEq is the ultimate studio-style EQ designed to travel.

Key Features of the Bass ParaEQ include:

Adjustable frequency bands tailored for bass instruments

Selectable 10MΩ Hi-Z Hi-Z input for upright basses and piezo pickups

Auto-detecting balanced output for long cable runs and direct recording

Three sweepable parametric bands with variable Q

High-pass, low-pass, low shelf, and high shelf filters

Transparent analog signal path with 27V of internal headroom

Buffered bypass switching

Powered by a standard 9V external supply, 300mA (no battery compartment)

The Bass ParaEQ is now shipping worldwide. It can be purchased from the Empress Effects website for $374 USD and through authorized Empress dealers globally.

Roland Introduces Control Support Between The V-80HD Direct Streaming Video Switcher And Yamaha DM3 Digital Mixing Console

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Roland Professional AV (InfoCom 2025, Exhibit Hall Level 2, Booth 3261) announces integration between the V-80HD Direct Streaming Video Switcher and Yamaha DM3 Mixing Console. With the free V-80HD Version 1.1 software update, V-80HD users can control various DM3 functions via a simple network cable connection. 

Roland’s V-80HD is a compact and powerful video switcher with an all-in-one design and flexible I/O features that support  3G-SDI, HDMI, USB 3.0, and LAN (RTMP/SRT) connections. The Yamaha DM3 is a next-generation digital audio mixer used by many professionals. It offers superb sound quality, fast setup, easy operation, and deep features for the sound, streaming, and music production — a combination unmatched with any other mixing console of its size.

The V-80HD Version 1.1 update provides control integration between these two products, enabling more efficient operation by a small team or a single user. DM3 scene memories, audio faders, and mute controls can be operated from the V-80HD, streamlining video and audio operations. Configuration is easy, requiring only IP address settings on each device. No DM3 firmware update is needed for this functionality. 

“We are thrilled to announce the collaboration with Yamaha,” said Kohel Hattiri, General Manager, Roland Live Production Business Department. “This control integration with the popular V-80HD and highly valued DM3 will help elevate production quality and operator efficiency.”

“We are pleased to announce this new collaboration with Roland, which significantly enhances the workflow for the live and streamed video, where high-quality sound and video images are equally important,” says Thomas Hemery, Senior General Manager of Yamaha’s Professional Solutions Division.  “The integration between the DM3 series and the V-80HD video switcher delivers efficient, straightforward operation for one operator, making superior productions very accessible.”

Cannon U.S.A. Upgrades PTZ and Cinema EOS Lineup With Firmware Updates For Advanced Control

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Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced that upcoming firmware updates for its Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) and Cinema EOS camera lineups will deliver advanced functionality and improved performance.

The PTZ updates, covering indoor and outdoor models such as the CR-N700, CR-N500, CR-N300, CR-N100, and CR-X300 introduce additional features and improvements, including enhancements to the auto tracking paid add-on that now includes advanced multi-person tracking, improved live streaming performance, support for the Multi-Camera Control application, and more. 

Firmware updates for Cinema EOS cameras including EOS C 400 and EOS C80 enhance capabilities and expand creative control from scripted cinema to live events.

Empowering Canon PTZ and Cinema EOS Users With Advanced Features

Canon continues to elevate its PTZ and Cinema EOS solutions by responding to customer needs with impactful firmware updates that enhance performance and streamline workflows.

Live streaming with Canon PTZ cameras just got even easier with improved SRT and RTMP support. For both SRT and RTMP, the cameras now feature auto reconnect to ensure minimal downtime in the event of a signal loss. SRT improvements also include the ability to automatically start transmission on camera power up. 

For the CR-N100 and CR-N300 cameras, this firmware provides improved support for teleconferencing systems with PTZ control over IP when the camera is in USB Camera Mode.

Other updates to the cameras include new Area Zoom functionality to easily move to an area of interest by drawing a box on the user interface. For applications that require using different frame rates on the same production, the CR-N700 firmware adds the ability to seamlessly emulate the appearance of 60, 30, or 24 frames per second from the users interface or a controller.

Future firmware updates themselves will also become easier to install, as this firmware adds the ability to check, download, and install new firmware from the camera’s web interface.

The built-in audio tracking application is also getting improvements. Tracking performance in both the free and the paid version of auto tracking has been improved to better track fast moving objects. This enables the ability to track multiple subjects at the same time. This enables the ability to track multiple subjects at the same time. 

The update also includes face orientation composition assistance, which can automatically change the composition of the shot based on which direction the subject is facing.

The RC-IP1000 controller will also receive a firmware update. In addition to creating compatibility with the new camera firmware features and Auto Tracking updates, preset registration and display have been improved. This firmware will also add compatibility with the EOS C80 cinema camera. Support for standard protocol over the serial ports has been added, as well as a host of other improvements to the controller.

Canon’s Multi-Camera Control iOS Application is also receiving an update. The latest update will include support for all four of the indoor PTZ cameras and the CR-X300 outdoor camera.

Panasonic Unveils New KAIROS HDMI Boards And AV Processor Ahead Of InfoCom 2025

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Panasonic logoPanasonic Video and Audio systems North America (PAVNA), a business unit of Panasonic Entertainment & Communications Co. Ltd. announced new professional AV innovations set to debut ahead of InfoComm 2025. These include two optional HMDI input and output boards for the KAIROS IT/IP live production platform, launching in Q4 CY2025, as well as the WR-AV800 AV Processor, designed for enhanced hybrid communication in classrooms and corporate spaces. 

These latest offerings along with Panasonic’s flagship AW-UE160 PTZ camera will be showcased at the company’s booth during the event. It will be showcased at the company’s booth during the event.

Expanded KAIROS Flexibility with HDMI Boards

The new HDMI Input Board AT-KC20M2G and HDMI Output Board AT-KC20M3G are designed to work seamlessly with the Kairos Core 200/3000 (AT-KC200/200L1/2000S1) mainframes. Supporting up to HDMI 2.1, the boards enable more versatile live production without the need for external conversion, simplifying system for AV professionals.

Available via a software upgrade to version 2.0 (Q4 CY2025), these boards expand I/O options and streamline mixed HDMI SDI workflows, enhancing adaptability for diverse and live production environments.

WR-AV800 AV Processor Elevates Hybrid Classrooms and Conference Spaces

Making its InfoComm debut, the new WR-AV800 AV Processor is designed to optimize communication across physical and virtual spaces. Supporting up to four ceiling microphones and eight PTZ cameras, the processor seamlessly connects in-room and remote participating with high-quality, intuitive AV performance.

Key features include:

Intelligent speaker tracking using integrated PTZ camera and wireless mic systems

Beam focus audio for accurate voice pickup without preset mic zones

AV Bridge support with video and audio I/O via a single USB cable

Together with Panasonic’s WX-AM800 Ceiling Array Microphone, the AV Processor solves common hybrid meeting challenges like audio feedback, poor clarity, and difficulty identifying speakers, making it an ideal solution for enterprise and education environments embracing flexible communication.

“These new HDMI boards and AV system upgrades reflect our commitment to building flexible, intelligent production ecosystems,” said Peyton Thomas, Product Manager at Panasonic. “We’re giving professionals the tools they need to deliver world-class video and audio experiences in an increasingly hybrid world.”

Advanced Imaging with LED-Optimized Color

Panasonic continues to lead in color accuracy with imaging optimized for LED display environments. The AW-UE160 was the company’s first PTZ camera to incorporate this innovation, minimizing the need for expert shading even under complex lighting. 

Now, Panasonic brings this same LED-optimized mosaic color filter technology to its newest flagship studio camera, the AK-UCX100. The UCX100 not only features Panasonic’s highest resolution broadcast imager to date but also delivers the most moiré-resistant performance 2 yet – essential for venues with LED video walls.

Together the UCX100 UE160 provide a powerful solution for high performance capture in arenas, concert halls, and broadcast studios, combining uncompromised image quality with ease of use.

Roland Announces Boss Effects Pedals Plug-In

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Roland announces the BOSS Effect Pedals plug-in, the lates classic software effect available on Roland Cloud. Since debuting in 1977, the colorful BOSS compact pedal line-up has been loved by generations of musicians. The BOSS Effects Pedals plug-in brings the authentic BOSS compact pedal experience to computer music production for the first time, delivering premium processing for guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, and beyond.

BOSS, Roland’s guitar products division, is well known for its expansive lineup of compact pedals. They’re used by everyone from beginners to professionals, and numerous legends ha relied on various models for their signature sounds and the creation of the greatest recordings of all time. To date, 140 unique BOSS compact pedals have been produced, well over 19 million units have been sold, and many have remained in continuous production for decades.

The BOSS Effects Pedals plug-in can be loaded with one effect at a time from an onboard library. Each delivers the genuine sound and response of the pedal it’s based on, faithfully recreated by the same company that developed the original designs. The friendly interface mirrors the simple operation of the hardware, providing fast access to great tones. Extended features are also available, including input and output controls for dialing in levels and tempo sync for time-based effects.

The initial launch of the BOSS Effects Pedals plug-in features eight of the most famous BOSS pedals: The OD-1 OverDrive, PH-1 Phaser, SP-1 Spectrum, SG-1 Slow Gear, CS-1 Compression Sustainer, TW-1 T Wah, TW-1T Wah, SD-1 SUPER Overdrive, and DS-1 Distortion. Over time the core library will be populated with an ever-expanding selection of models derived from the historic hardware lineup.

The BOSS Effects Pedals plug-in is available with Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, which new users can try for free with a 30-day all-access trial. Signing up for a free Roland Account provides access to a function-limited demo version for evaluating the plug-in without signing up for membership.

Roland Cloud is also home to a universe of creative tools for computer-based music production, including JC-120 Jazz Chorus, and RE-201 Space Echo plug-ins. Software versions of vintage Roland instruments, ZENEOLOGY, Sound Packs, Wave Expansions, GALAXIAS, Zenbeats, and much more.

The BOSS Effects Pedal plug-in is now available in the U.S. with the Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, which users can try for free with a 30-day all-access trial.

Shure Intellimix Room Kits Certified For Microsoft Teams And Now Available

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Shure, a leading manufacturer of collaboration solutions, today announced its new IntelliMix Room Kits for Microsoft Team Room are Certified for Microsoft Teams and now shipping to the Americas (excluding Brazil). The complete scalable meeting room systems features class-leading audio and video performance. They are designed for effortless deployment in small, medium, and large collaboration spaces, ensuring seamless integration and compatibility within Teams environments.

“Our initial test meetings were a great success. The Shure MXA902 Celing Array Microphone and Loudspeaker delivered outstanding sound quality, and the audio processing was exceptional, significantly enhancing our AI-driven meeting experiences,” said Jim Prothe, Director of Marketing at Magnum, a Microsoft Solutions Partner. “We appreciated the clean set-up and was of configuration. The larger touch controller prevented any accidental taps of Teams buttons. It preformed exactly as expected from a Shure solution.”

The IntilliMix Room Kits underwent rigorous testing in both lab and real-world meeting environments to achieve certification for Microsoft Teams. This accreditation for an AI-powered future. When using AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, Intellimix Room Kits provide exceptional audio quality to accurately capture and transcribe every word, thereby enhancing participants’ efficiency, productivity, communication, and interaction.

“Certified for Microsoft Teams is a testament to the reliability and excellence of the IntelliMix Room Kits,” said Sam Sabet, Chief Technology Officer at Shure. “Customers can have confidence that they are investing in technology that meets Microsoft’s stringent standards for compatibility, performance, and security. It underscores our dedication to delivering high-quality audio and video, along with advanced AI features, while allowing teams to collaborate as never before.”

Shure offers four curated packaged solution tailored for different room sizes. Each kit includes a Windows -based Teams Rooms Compute with built-in Shure IntelliMix Room DSP, a Touch Panel, one or two MXA092 Ceiling Array Microphones + Loudspeakers, Huddly Camera Solutions, and all needed accessories for connectivity and power. With zero-touch providing, the audio, video, and compute devices auto-configure out of the box for a streamlined setup experience. 

IT teams can monitor and manage the IoT-ready systems from anywhere via ShureCloud, Teams Admin Center and teams Rooms Pro Management Portal.

To help customers protect their investment and ensure peace of mind, Shure offers an optional three-year extended warranty on top of a standard limited warranty for coverage of up to five years. Warranty extension is available for purchase via Shure channel partners.

Cannon’s EOS R1 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Wins Highest Honor At International Red Dot Award

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Cannon Inc., the parent company of Canon U.S.A, Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced that the company’s EOS R1 full-frame mirrorless camera, intended for professionals, won the “Best of the Best,” the highest honor, at the Red Dot Design Award: Product Design 2025 competition hosted by the Switzerland-based Red Dot Award AG. The awards ceremony will be hosted by held on July 8 in Essen, Germany.

The EOS R1 camera, released in November 2024, is the first flagship model in the EOS R System series. Thanks to a powerful image processing system introduced in this camera for the first time, and the use of deep learning technology, the EOS R1 camera is designed to achieve a high level of photographic performance required by professional photographers. 

Through functions such as Action Priority, which recognizes certain actions including soccer shots by instantly shifting the AF frame, and eye-control AF, the device is capable of persistently tracking target subjects.

Its rubber grip feature a specially designed cross pattern with a strong grip capability that helps improve the camera’s handling performance between vertical and horizontal positions. Additionally, locking mechanisms are installed on moving segments of the camera, including the diopter-adjustment dial and card slot cover, to thoroughly prevent unintended operation. Through comfortable operability and a shape rooted in ergonomics, the camera achieves a design fit for professional users.

The EOS R1 camera has received high praise for its design, earning the iF Design Award 2025 (Germany), which is similarly as internationally prestigious as the Red Dot Design Award. This award is a reflection of Canon’s ongoing commitment to create products that expertly blend performance with design.

About The Red Dot Design Award

The Red Dot Award, established in 1955, is one of the world’s largest design-centered awards competitions. Excellent designs are chosen in three divisions — Product Design, Brand & Communication Design, and Design Concept. This year, entries from over 60 countries and regions were evaluated by internationally renowned design specialists under nine criteria including innovation, functionality, quality, and ergonomics. 

Introducing Fender Studio – Record, Jam, and Create With The Authentic Sound Of Fender Amps and Effects

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Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC) today announces the launch of FENDER STUDIO, the all-new app for recording, jamming, capturing creativity wherever and whenever it strikes. Available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and Linux, Fender Studio is a free tool available for anyone looking to record, practice or just have fun playing along with Jam Tracks.

Compatible with audio interfaces on mobile, tablet, and desktop devices, Fender Studio makes it easy for players to capture guitar riffs, vocals and more, with just one app. Packed with powerful tones, Fender Studio is the only app of its kind with authentic Fender models.

Building on nearly 80 years of sonic innovation, Fender continues to empower musicians by expanding into the digital space with apps like Fender Studio, providing all the tools needed to create. 

As the maker of legendary guitars, basses, amps and accessories that have shaped musicians worldwide, Fender continues to revolutionize how artists create and record. Fender Studio adds to the company’s existing digital apps, including Fender Plays, Fender Tone, and Fender Tune to deliver a complete platform where musicians can learn, practice, and now record their music.  

By providing a signal chain from instrument to recording, Fender Studio makes recording accessible to guitar players and music creators at every level making it faster to capture and share ideas digitally.

“I’ve always said to the team, anyone should be able to just hit a single button on their phone and be able to start recording,” said Fender CEO Andy Mooney. “We’ve built exactly that. We believe Fender Studio will enable more music creation than ever before by serving the needs of today’s creators and that will drive sustained growth for our company and our industry. I’m proud of what the team has created and can’t wait to hear what gets recorded in Fender Studio.”

“Fender Studio represents our continued commitment to providing players and musicians of all levels with great sounding, easy to use recording tools,” said Max Gutnik, EVP & GM of PreSonus, Jackson, Charvel, Gretch and EVH Brands. Whatever you are new to recording or a seasoned pro, Fender Studios delivers authentic Fender tones and intuitive editing capabilities to record, jam, create and inspire, for free. We are super-excited to release Fender Studio and hear all the amazing music it will help bring into the world!”

GTRS Introduces W902, Newest Addition To Wing-Series Intelligent Guitars

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GTRS has introduced the W902, the newest release in GTRS’ Wing-series intelligent guitar lineup, expanding on the series’ cutting-edge features while maintaining an accessible price point.

At its core is GTRS’ upgraded G151 intelligent system, offering 128 onboard effects, MNRS amp and cab sims, and even 17 guitar emulations — exclusive to this model. Everything is controlled via the eye catching Super Knob, which changes color to match your preset, as well as through the Bluetooth-connectible GTRS app.

GTRS’ W902 features select tone woods and construction: an alder body, poplar burl top, and a sleek bolt-on 5-piece neck made from roasted flame maple and rosewood, with satin natural finish and a rosewood fingerboard. 

The fanned fret design features 24 white copper frets and a stainless steel fret. A pair of GTRS Alinico V pickups and an HL-II bridge deliver a resonant tone, made particularly versatile thanks to the 5-way tone switch and tone knob.

The W902 offers a truly innovative choice for tech-savvy guitarists. It features a wireless transmitter, OTG recording, an 80-second looper, metronomes, and a drum machine, the app supported guitar boasts up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge (9 hours with the wireless transmitter in use.)

The W902 is an upgraded version of the original W900 Intelligent Guitar, and the W902 most notably features an upgraded GTRS Intelligent Processor System, the G151, which even offers upgrades over the GTRS SL810’s recently announced G150 system. 

The G151 system comes with a staggering 128 effects pre-installed, along with 10 of both MOOER’s in-house MNRS amp and cabinet simulation profiles. Exclusive to the W902, the G151 includes 17 guitar simulation effects, allowing guitarists to emulate the tonal resonance of some of their favorite guitars.

To activate and browse through presets within the G151 system, which can be connected via Bluetooth 5.0, guitarists can use the guitar’s Super Knob, which lights up in different LED colors depending on which preset is activated.

Of course, users are able to get stuck into and edit the effects chains of presets through the GTRS app, enabling them to craft their own favorites through their mobile device. The guitar still functions without the G151 system; the Super Knob just needs to be turned off, and the W902 is usable as a regular electric guitar

The GTRS W902 is now available worldwide. For more information, visit www.gtrs.tech.